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Fly News Breaks for March 1, 2018
M, ETN, CRZO, K, WEN
Mar 1, 2018 | 10:14 EDT
Catch up on today's top five analyst upgrades with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. Wendy's (WEN) upgraded to Neutral from Sell at UBS by analyst Dennis Geiger, who has greater confidence in the company's free cash flow targets and same-store-sales momentum following his firm's survey of quick service restaurants consumers. The survey showed improved brand perceptions for Wendy's, Geiger said. 2. Kellogg (K) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Jaffray by analyst Michael Lavery, who believes the valuation is attractive given his expectations for 8%-9% three-year earnings growth. A cash build should allow for earnings "flexibility and/or upside with upside to our buybacks assumptions," Lavery said. He believes expectations for Kellogg look achievable and maybe beatable. The analyst is more bullish on the shares following a meeting with management. 3. Carrizo Oil & Gas (CRZO) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies by analyst Mark Lear, who sees value in the shares following the recent underperformance. The company's Eagle Ford wells are tracking ahead of the updated type curve while the oil macro backdrop coming out of the Q4 earnings season is improving, Lear said. He believes the worst is behind Carrizo. 4. Eaton (ETN) upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JPMorgan by analyst Ann Duignan, who said the risk/reward is balanced ahead of the company's analyst day. 5. Macy's (M) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Gordon Haskett by analyst Chuck Grom, who sees a pathway for improved comps over the next couple of years. This, coupled with the 27% reduction in float over the past decade, "yields a model with tremendous torque" and the potential for earnings upside, Grom tells investors in a research note. The analyst, who states he fully appreciates the long-term secular argument against the department store vertical, likes Macy's risk/reward profile at current share levels. This list is just a portion of The Fly's full analyst coverage. To see The Fly's full Street Research coverage, click here.