Jefferies analyst Brad Handler made a handful of rating changes in Oil Services & Equipment. "The harder we look at OFS, the more modest the growth prospects seem," Handler tells investors in a research note. This supports a neutral sector view and favors stock picking, adds the analyst. He downgraded Schlumberger (SLB) to Hold from Buy following the stock's recovery as well as both Helmerich & Payne (HP) and Precision Drilling (PDS) to Hold from Buy on a flat U.S. rig count outlook. Handler also upgraded Oceaneering International (OII) to Buy from Hold citing more confidence in deepwater and a "reasonable" valuation, upgraded Keane Group (FRAC) to Buy from Hold on easing pricing pressure and optionality to put fleets back to work, and upgraded Superior Energy Services to Hold from Underperform. Handler's top picks are Baker Hughes (BHGE), Patterson-UTI (PTEN) and Keane Group. The latter two replace Helmerich & Payne and Apergy (APY).

Stifel analyst Cole Pereira raised the firm's price target on Precision Drilling to C$125 from C$115 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares.