Analysts’ Upgrades for September, 7th (AFG, APH, BVHMF, HDELY, MCHVF, MXWL, RH, SID, SORL, TIER)

Analysts’ upgrades for Thursday, September 7th:

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. The firm currently has $109.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “Shares of American Financial have outperformed the industry year to date. The company is well poised to benefit from impressive inorganic growth and restructuring initiatives. Better industry fundamentals, with strong pricing and a higher renewal ratio, should drive overall growth. Consistent price increase in property and casualty business, combined ratio that compares favorably with industry average, a strong balance sheet, low leverage cost, and disciplined capital management are positives. Based on strong operational performance, it raised core net operating earnings of $6.40–$6.90 per share in 2017. Estimates for 2017 and 2018 also moved north over the last 60 days.  However, American Financial’s exposure to cat loss is a risk to underwriting results. A still soft interest rate environment is expected to weigh on desired upside in investment results.”

Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. They currently have $90.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “Amphenol’s top-line growth is benefiting from improved end-market demand in automotive, mobile networks and military markets. The company remains encouraged by its expanding presence in the fast-growing commercial aerospace market and is well positioned to capitalize on the proliferation of electronics content on next-generation planes. A sustained drive for geographic and market diversification has enabled Amphenol to extend its presence into new customers and new applications. A balanced organic and inorganic growth model, a lean and flexible cost structure, and an agile and entrepreneurial management team augur well for its long-term growth perspectives. Amphenol outperformed the industry year to date. However, bulk of the company’s revenues comes from sales to the communications industry, demand for which is subject to rapid technological change.”

BOVIS HOMES GROUP GBP0.50 (NASDAQ:BVHMF) was upgraded by analysts at Numis Securities Ltd from an add rating to a buy rating.

HeidelbergCement AG (OTC:HDELY) was upgraded by analysts at Barclays PLC from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating.

MGM China Holdings (OTC:MCHVF) was upgraded by analysts at Deutsche Bank AG from a hold rating to a buy rating.

Maxwell Technologies (NASDAQ:MXWL) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. The firm currently has $6.50 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “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. Maxwell signed a joint development agreement with a leading global automotive OEM as well as a global tier one automotive supplier, to develop a specific electric vehicle platform. However, short-term changes in the Chinese government’s deployment strategy for wind turbines are affecting Maxwell’s wind market revenues. Moreover, Maxwell is witnessing significant competition and pricing pressure in the Chinese hybrid transit vehicle market.”

Restoration Hardware Holdings (NYSE:RH) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. Zacks Investment Research currently has $56.00 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “RH’s second-quarter fiscal 2017 earnings per share improved 47.7% from the prior-year quarter and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 38.3%. Revenues increased 13.2%, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%. Core RH Business, excluding outlet and Waterworks acquisition, increased 10% year over year. RH’s focus on executing its new business model, designing a new operating platform and maximizing cash flow by increasing revenues and earnings bode well. Adjusted operating margin expanded 30 basis points, and adjusted gross margin improved 40 basis points. The company’s efforts to redesign its supply chain network, rationalize product offerings and the Waterworks acquisition are expected to boost growth.”

National Steel (NYSE:SID) was upgraded by analysts at Credit Suisse Group from an underperform rating to a neutral rating.

SORL Auto Parts (NASDAQ:SORL) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Sorl Auto Parts specializes in the development, production and distribution of air brake valves and hydraulic brake valves. It is headquartered in the Ruian District of Wenzhou City, China’s automotive manufacturing center. SORL sells its products to forty-two vehicle manufacturers, including all of the truck manufacturers in China. SORL’s customer base consists of original equipment manufacturers, aftermarket distributors, and international customers. “

TIER REIT (OTCMKTS:TIER) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. The firm currently has $20.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “Tier REIT Inc. is a real estate investment trust which focused on commercial office real estate. It operates primarily in Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, Louisville and Kentucky. Tier REIT Inc. is based in Dallas, Texas. “

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. They currently have $208.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “Over the last three months, Thermo Fisher is trading above the broader industry. Thermo Fisher ended the second quarter on a promising note. We are particularly upbeat about the company gaining entry into the CDMO market through the recent acquistion of Patheon for $7.2 billion. We are also encouraged by the company’s series of product launches along with major progress in precision medicine initiatives. Thermo Fisher’s acquisition of FEI Company has already started to boost its analytical instruments portfolio. The company also opened Center of Excellence for electron microscopy in Saudi Arabia. The raised 2017 guidance is all the more encouraging indicating the fact that this overall bullish trend will continue through the year.”

Two River Bancorp (NASDAQ:TRCB) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. Zacks Investment Research currently has $20.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “Two River Bancorp is a state-chartered commercial bank. It engaged in the business of commercial and retail banking. The company offers checking accounts, savings accounts, commercial loans, SBA lending, safe deposit boxes, night depository, wire transfers, money orders, traveler’s checks, automated teller machines, direct deposit, telephone and internet banking. Two River Bancorp, formerly known as Community Partners Bancorp, is headquartered in Tinton Falls, NJ. “

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. The firm currently has $54.00 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “TransUnion is poised for impressive growth in several of its end markets, especially the burgeoning Big Data and analytics market, with an attractive business model, significant operating leverage, low capital requirements and strong and stable cash flows. Increased risk of identity theft due to data breaches and higher consumer awareness about the usage of credit information are propelling the demand for its consumer solutions. As emerging market economies continue to develop and mature, TransUnion is well-positioned to gain from the associated favorable socio-economic trends. The company has further increased its guidance on healthy growth dynamics. TransUnion has also outperformed the industry year to date. However, the company is vulnerable to the overall macroeconomic conditions, industry trends and adverse foreign currency translation effects, which limit its profitability to some extent.”

Tetra Technologies (NYSE:TTI) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “TETRA Technologies, Inc. is an energy services company with an integrated chemicals operation that supplies chemical products to energy markets, as well as other markets. TETRA is comprised of three divisions – Fluids, Well Abandonment/Decommissioning and Testing & Services. “

Urstadt Biddle Properties (NYSE:UBA) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Urstadt Biddle Properties is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust that provides investors with an investment vehicle for participating in ownership of income-producing properties. Their core properties consist principally of community shopping centers located in the northeast. “

Vedanta Resources plc (NASDAQ:VDNRF) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating. The firm currently has $12.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “Vedanta Resources plc is engaged in exploring, extracting and processing minerals, and oil and gas. It produces zinc, lead, silver, copper, aluminum, iron ore, oil and gas and commercial power. The company operates primarily in India, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Liberia, Ireland, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Vedanta Resources plc is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. “

Victrex (NASDAQ:VTXPF) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. They currently have $30.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “Victrex Plc engages in the manufacture and marketing of polymers. The company offers products under the Victrex, Aptiv, Vicote and Victrex Pipes brands. It operates through the Victrex Polymer Solutions and Invibio Biomaterial Solutions segments. Victrex Polymer Solutions segment focuses on the automotive, aerospace, electronics and energy markets. Invibio Biomaterial Solutions provides solutions for medical device manufacturers. Victrex Plc is headquartered in Thornton Cleveleys, United Kingdom. “

WebMD Health Corp (NASDAQ:WBMD) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. Zacks Investment Research currently has $74.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “WebMD announced today that is has signed an agreement to acquire Conceptis Technologies Inc., a Montreal-based provider of online and offline medical education and promotion aimed at physicians and other healthcare professionals. Conceptis has been successful in developing a strong online presence in the cardiology community and is highly respected for the depth and breadth of content contained on its flagship. With the combination of two of the leading cardiology channels on the Internet, Medscape Cardiology and www.theheart.org, WebMD is well positioned to further its lead and penetration in this high value segment of medical marketing. “

William Demant Hol (NASDAQ:WILYY) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. They currently have $15.00 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “William Demant Holding A/S develops, manufactures and sells products and equipment designed to aid the hearing and communication of individuals. The Company focuses on three business areas: Hearing Devices, Diagnostic Instruments and Personal Communication. William Demant Holding A/S is headquartered in Smorum, Denmark. “

Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. Zacks Investment Research currently has $6.75 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “WIPRO LTD-ADR provides comprehensive IT solutions and services, including systems integration, Information Systems outsourcing, package implementation, software application development and maintenance, and research and development services to corporations globally. Wipro Limited is the first PCMM Level 5 and SEI CMM Level certified IT Services Company globally. “

VCA (NASDAQ:WOOF) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. The firm currently has $104.00 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “VCA Inc. is a national animal healthcare company operating primarily in the United States and Canada. It owns, operates and manages veterinary hospitals and veterinary-exclusive clinical laboratories in the country, supplies diagnostic imaging equipment and other medical technology products and related services to the veterinary industry, and provides various communication, professional education and marketing solutions to the veterinary community. VCA Inc., formerly known as VCA Antech, Inc., is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. “