Stock Upgrades and Downgrades and Analyst Calls in Focus

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TopMomentum identifying companies with top momentum scores. With a focus on highlighting high-momentum stocks and market trends, TopMomentum provides timely updates and insights to help investors capitalize on strong market performers.
 

•  15 May 2025
 

$AA Alcoa took a hit today after UBS downgraded the aluminum giant, citing unattractive valuation and the persistent weakness in alumina prices. Despite some chatter suggesting prior optimism, today's market confirmed the sentiment shift. The stock slid 3.17% to $28.67 on slightly below-average volume, underscoring investor hesitation. When raw material fundamentals falter and valuation appears stretched, it's tough to make a bullish case in the near term. This downgrade signals more caution than conviction in materials right now.

$ACHR Archer Aviation saw shares rise 2.96% to $12.19, briefly exceeding the average 12-month analyst target. But instead of acting as a catalyst, this breach triggered a reassessment. Analysts revised their rating downward, suggesting the rally may have overshot expectations. While it's a notable milestone for a pre-revenue eVTOL company, hitting the target often leads to profit-taking, not fresh buying. A reset in expectations might follow if growth milestones remain elusive.

$BOH Bank of Hawaii grabbed attention with a sharp analyst upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Shares edged up to $70.05, but the real story is the fundamental tailwind driving the call. Improving earnings visibility and attractive valuation relative to peers make BOH a more compelling play in regional banking. While volume remains light, the upgrade suggests analysts expect momentum to pick up. In a sector still finding its footing post-rate hikes, this vote of confidence is meaningful.

$COIN Coinbase Global got a technical nod today with an RS Rating upgrade, highlighting relative strength even as the stock dropped 7.2% to $244.44. This contradictory action reflects how volatile and bifurcated crypto sentiment remains. While the rating suggests improving chart performance, the price action speaks to profit-taking or macro pressures. Still, analysts signaling better technical positioning in a crypto proxy like $COIN is worth watching—especially heading into a pivotal stretch for Bitcoin ETFs and regulation news.

$CSCO Cisco Systems delivered a beat on earnings and was rewarded with an upgrade from Wall Street. Shares rallied 4.85% to $64.26, fueled by optimism around Cisco's AI infrastructure play and its edge over Arista Networks in this cycle. With heavy trading volume backing the move, this wasn’t a low-conviction bounce—it was a stamp of confidence. Analysts noted Cisco’s positioning in the AI ecosystem is starting to show up in results. If you're looking for a large-cap tech name tied to AI with less hype and more execution, $CSCO might be your angle.

$FLNC Fluence Energy got hit with a downgrade to Sell by Jefferies, citing legislative uncertainty. Shares dipped to $5.37, underperforming broader markets. When analyst support pulls away from small-cap renewables due to policy risk, it's often a sign of near-term pain ahead. Momentum traders may avoid until clarity improves on regulatory fronts.

$FRME First Merchants was downgraded following a solid run, with analysts essentially saying "enough for now." While the price held firm at $39.27, this feels more like a profit-booking recommendation than a bearish call. It's not a fundamental knock but a pause in enthusiasm as valuations catch up to performance.

$GME GameStop received a Relative Strength upgrade even as it closed slightly down at $28.63. The meme stock is trying to build technical credibility, but these upgrades often lag price action. Still, the improved RS rating signals increasing institutional attention, especially if it can sustain this trend above key moving averages.

$IBRX ImmunityBio was upgraded to Buy on the back of growing earnings optimism. The market responded with a 7.23% jump to $2.67. Volume also outpaced the average, suggesting real interest behind the move. For a biotech name trying to climb out of obscurity, this kind of analyst backing paired with price action could indicate the start of something more durable—especially if catalysts emerge in coming quarters.

$IDN Intellicheck was also upgraded to Strong Buy and although the stock dipped slightly to $3.11, the call reflects growing optimism on its earnings potential. With volume three times above average, there's enough speculative money rotating in to take this upgrade seriously, even if the broader small-cap space remains choppy.

$JNJ Johnson & Johnson got a Buy call from Johnson Rice, pushing shares 2.22% higher to $149.61. The pharmaceutical giant remains a defensive stalwart, and the rating upgrade is another brick in the wall for those building long-term positions. Analysts see tailwinds in stable revenue lines and legal clarity after previous headwinds.

$LCID Lucid Group breached its average analyst price target and was subsequently downgraded. Shares retreated 2.54% to $2.69. Hitting targets usually leads to reassessment, especially when a company hasn’t yet proved commercial traction. This move is less about momentum and more about valuation skepticism returning to the EV story.

$NVS Novartis saw an upgrade to Buy, and the stock closed 3.31% higher at $108.46. Analysts highlighted growing confidence in the company’s pipeline and margin expansion. In a sector often caught between regulation and innovation, this is one of the few big pharma names flashing green on both fronts.

$NXT Shoals Technologies was downgraded to Sell after a competitor (Nextracker) struck a strategic deal. Despite a double-digit pop to $61.60, the rating reflects long-term concern about market share erosion. Traders might still ride the short-term hype, but analysts clearly see trouble brewing in the background.

$ROKU Roku received a reaffirmed Buy rating with a note about a cost-saving strategy tied to smart TVs. However, the stock dipped 2.52% to $70.07. Analysts appear cautiously optimistic, focusing on strategic levers rather than immediate financial turnaround. If margin expansion plays out, this rating could age well.

$SHAK Shake Shack was downgraded after the stock climbed past the average analyst price target. It rose 0.81% to $117.09 but now faces valuation friction. Much like other restaurant chains facing cost pressures, this call hints at consolidation or pullback before another leg up.

$SMFG Sumitomo Mitsui was upgraded to Strong Buy, and shares nudged up 0.48% to $14.71. Analysts flagged solid earnings momentum and improved international exposure. This isn't a flashy name, but it's attracting institutional attention for its relative safety and consistent returns.

$SOS SOS Limited climbed into the headlines after reporting financials and receiving an analyst upgrade. Despite a focus shift from crypto to commodity trading, shares dropped 5.72% to $5.77. The strategic pivot seems positive, but the market hasn’t bought in—yet.

$TMDX TransMedics earned a Buy rating and held steady at $121.81. Analysts pointed to strong growth visibility in organ transplant logistics. It's niche but high-impact—and analysts see room for this name to run, especially if margins scale with demand.

$TSEM Tower Semiconductor received a Buy reaffirmation, with Benchmark highlighting strength in RF infrastructure and AI-linked demand. The stock stayed close to flat at $42.06, but analyst optimism could pull in long-term holders betting on a semiconductor rebound.

$TSLA Tesla made headlines after Reuters reported the company upgraded leased vehicles with new software before selling them to new buyers. While that may sound like just another Tesla story, analysts used the moment to reinforce their positive outlook. Shares slipped 1.4% to $342.82, but the upgrade buzz could signal growing confidence in Tesla’s monetization of software enhancements—an often overlooked but powerful revenue lever.

$WSM Williams-Sonoma received a new analyst initiation on a bearish tone, despite shares holding near flat at $171.67. With retail sentiment still teetering, any hint of weakness can become self-fulfilling. This rating suggests investors tread cautiously—even when recent performance seems solid.

Bottom line: While many names saw either technical or valuation-based adjustments today, $CSCO and $IBRX stand out as the most attractive near-term opportunities. Cisco’s upgrade is backed by hard earnings data and a strong position in the AI buildout, while ImmunityBio’s explosive move and fresh Buy rating suggest biotech tailwinds could push it even higher. For traders looking for actionable upside potential, these two may be your most promising plays.