Stock Analysts’ Updated EPS Estimates for August, 23rd (A, ALLY, ATR, AZO, CCLAY, CHE, COTY, CRM, CYH, DAR)

Stock Analysts’ updated eps estimates for Wednesday, August 23rd:

Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A) had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Deutsche Bank AG. The firm currently has a $70.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $68.00.

Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY) had its buy rating reissued by analysts at Jefferies Group LLC. The firm currently has a $28.00 target price on the stock.

AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “For third-quarter 2017, AptarGroup expects earnings to be in the range of 77–97 cents, the mid-point of the guidance reflects 4.8% improvement year over year. Its focus on execution of growth strategy will help customers to grow their businesses with innovative dispensing solutions. The company has implemented a commercial excellence program to boost sales and marketing capability in its Beauty + Home segment. Further its Pharma segment continues to benefit from strong demand across its portfolio of devices. However, AptarGroup continues to face headwinds in Brazil due to the tough economic situation. Its business in China also remains at risk due to the recent record heat wave near Shanghai resulting in energy restrictions. Additional interest expense, higher raw material costs and foreign exchange volatility will also hurt results. AptarGroup underperformed the industry’s performance over the past year.”

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “AutoZone expects higher sales growth in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016. Also, the company’s strong cash flows help to aggressively repurchase shares. It has enough liquidity to repurchase shares without compromising on financial strength and therefore, the credit ratings. Moreover, the company uses its significant cash flow to open new stores every year. However, year to date, AutoZone has underperformed the industry it belongs to. The company expects its capital and operating expenses to rise over the next three years due to its plans to open 2–3 new distribution centers over this time frame. Currency headwinds also pose a challenge.”

Coca-Cola Amatil (OTCMKTS:CCLAY) was upgraded by analysts at Macquarie from a neutral rating to an outperform rating.

Chemed (NYSE:CHE) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. Zacks Investment Research currently has $213.00 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “Over the past six months, Chemed has been trading above the broader industry. Chemed’s last reported second-quarter 2017 performance was quite promising with the bottom line significantly improving on a year-over-year basis. Moreover, encouraging revenue growth and the raised guidance for 2017 are indicative of brighter prospects. In fact, the guidance raise was backed by the company expectations of significant gains from its Roto-Rooter business. Notably, the improvement in average net Medicare reimbursement rate and increase in average daily census are also impressive. However, headwinds like reimbursement related issues, seasonality in business, a competitive landscape and dependence on government mandate pose challenges for Chemed.  Also, a tweaked guidance for Medicare Cap billing limitations raises concern.”

Coty (NYSE:COTY) had its hold rating reaffirmed by analysts at Jefferies Group LLC. They currently have a $18.00 target price on the stock.

Salesforce.com (NYSE:CRM) had its underperform rating reiterated by analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein. Sanford C. Bernstein currently has a $70.00 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $68.00.

Salesforce.com (NYSE:CRM) had its hold rating reissued by analysts at Jefferies Group LLC. They currently have a $84.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $80.00.

Salesforce.com (NYSE:CRM) had its buy rating reissued by analysts at Mizuho. They currently have a $110.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $100.00.

Community Health Systems (NYSE:CYH) had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at UBS AG. UBS AG currently has a $8.00 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $10.00.

Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Robert W. Baird. Robert W. Baird currently has a $20.00 target price on the stock.

Enbridge Energy, L.P. (NYSE:EEP) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. has a diversified business portfolio, stable fee-based operating income and a strong liquidity position. Focus on a low risk business profile helps it to optimize returns, as well as generate stable earnings. Additionally, we like Enbridge’s attractive distribution yield and its increased exposure to leading U.S. basins. However, the partnership’s units underperformed the broader industry in the last one year. The partnership’s U.S. L3R Program in Wisconsin and the Canadian L3R Program cost has been revised about 12% above the original estimate at the time the project was approved in 2014. This mainly reflects delays in the regulatory process, changes in scope and route alteration as well as other changes that resulted from the extensive consultation process. Any further delay in starting the project may increase costs, which is detrimental to the partnership’s growth.”

Edison International (NYSE:EIX) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at Mizuho. The firm currently has a $87.00 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $84.00.

Five Below (NASDAQ:FIVE) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at Jefferies Group LLC. The firm currently has a $62.00 target price on the stock.

General Mills (NYSE:GIS) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “General Mills' shares have underperformed the industry to which it belongs year to date. Sales and profits at the North America Retail segment, accounting for 65.3% of its sales, have been soft due to lower demand amid weak food industry trends and changing consumer preference. In fiscal 2017, sales of the segment declined 6.8% year over year. Slowing organic volumes are overshadowing minor improvements in profit margins. General Mills, like many other U.S. food producers, has been struggling due to the shift in consumer preference towards natural and organic food. Again, the guidance seems to be a shade depressing. Nonetheless, its consumer-focused innovation, marketing initiatives and robust restructuring savings are making up for the sluggish revenue growth. The company is also seeing impressive margin expansion with adjusted operating margin expanding 220 basis points in the last reported quarter.”

At Home Group (NASDAQ:HOME) had its buy rating reissued by analysts at Jefferies Group LLC. They currently have a $26.00 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $24.00.

HSBC Holdings PLC (NYSE:HSBC) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. The firm currently has $53.00 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “Shares of HSBC have outperformed the industry in the last six months. Continued success of its cost saving efforts should improve the bank’s operating efficiency and support profitability. While dismal European economic growth and weak loan demand are expected to lead to muted revenue growth, the company will likely benefit from its extensive global network and a solid asset growth. The announcement of $2 billion share repurchase plan reflects its strong capital position and boosts investors’ confidence in the stock.”

Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating. They currently have $121.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “Lithia Motors’ earnings and revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the second quarter. Compared with the year-ago figures, both earnings per share and revenues were higher. The company is expected to benefit from the frequent acquisitions and store openings it has been undertaking. Also, its regular share repurchase programs and cash dividend payments will boost the shareholders’ value. Lithia Motors has also provided a strong fiscal 2017 guidance. For the last six months, its shares have outperformed the industry it belongs to. However, high merchandise inventory, a continuous fall of used car prices in all markets and declining sales volume of new vehicles are few concerns currently faced by the company.”

MarketAxess Holdings (NASDAQ:MKTX) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Shares of MarketAxess have outperformed the industry year to date. The company's underwriting results have been consistently impressive driven by growth in revenues, improving trading volumes, ongoing investments in areas including Open Trading, launch of products and its strong market position in U.S. credit. During second-quarter 2017, the company's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate and grew year over year on higher trading volumes. We are nevertheless, concerned with the company’s escalating expenses. This might hurt the company’s margins. The stock has witnessed a downward revision in Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2017 in the past 30 days.”

Maxwell Technologies (NASDAQ:MXWL) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. They currently have $6.25 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “Maxwell’s adjusted loss per share in the second quarter of 2017 was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of loss. On the other hand, the company’s top-line figure exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, year-over-year results were mixed with the quarterly loss having widened and improved revenues. Nevertheless, Maxwell leads the growing ultracapacitor market and benefits from increasing demand for its utility infrastructure, renewable energy, public transportation and space programs. It is also making progress in the high-voltage capacitor market. Moreover, Maxwell's share price has outperformed the broader industry over the last one year. However, short-term changes in the Chinese government's deployment strategy for wind turbines is affecting Maxwell’s wind market revenues.”

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings (NASDAQ:OLLI) had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Jefferies Group LLC. Jefferies Group LLC currently has a $48.00 price target on the stock.

Otonomy (NASDAQ:OTIC) had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Cowen and Company. They currently have a $55.00 price target on the stock.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) had its equal weight rating reiterated by analysts at Morgan Stanley. The firm currently has a $450.00 target price on the stock.

Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:ULTA) had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Jefferies Group LLC. Jefferies Group LLC currently has a $350.00 target price on the stock.

Communications Sales & Leasing,Inc. (NASDAQ:UNIT) had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Morgan Stanley. The firm currently has a $24.00 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $34.00.

Versartis (NASDAQ:VSAR) had its outperform rating reissued by analysts at Cowen and Company. The firm currently has a $45.00 price target on the stock.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ:WBA) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at UBS AG. They currently have a $96.00 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $97.00.

Windstream Holdings (NYSE:WIN) had its equal weight rating reissued by analysts at Morgan Stanley. They currently have a $2.40 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $5.00.