The US stocks continued trading on a negative territory as oil prices rose above $105 a barrel mark. During the day's trading, several stocks were either upgraded or downgraded by analysts and rating agencies. Some notable upgrades or downgrades are discussed here.
Upgrades:
JMP Securities has upgraded Dynex Capital Inc (NYSE: DX) to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $11. However, DX lost 0.19 percent or $0.02 to $10.46.
Ensco PLC (NYSE: ESV) added 3.55 percent or $2.01 to $56.40 as it is upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
Carmike Cinemas Inc (NASDAQ: CKEC) is upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Merriman. CKEC gained 8.15 percent or $0.55 to $7.30 after the news.
Piper Jaffray has hoisted MoneyGram International Inc (NYSE: MGI) to Neutral from Underweight. MGI added 1.31 percent or $0.04 to $3.09.
Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO) added 0.22 percent or $0.12 to $54.35 as it is upgraded to Outperform from Neutral by brokerage firm Robert W. Baird.
Downgrades:
Suntech Power Holdings Company Ltd (NYSE: STP) gained 1.89 percent or $0.17 to $9.17 despite being downgraded to Underweight from Neutral with a price objective of $6.60 at HSBC Securities.
Argus has downgraded United Natural Foods Inc (NASDAQ: UNFI) to Hold from Buy. UNFI lost 2.74 percent or $1.19 to $42.19.
Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) lost 2.21 percent or $1.81 to $79.75 as it is downgraded to Hold from Buy at Citigroup.
Whiting Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: WLL) slipped 1.44 percent or $0.97 to $66.16 after being downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Morgan Keegan.
Xoma Limited (NASDAQ: XOMA) is downgraded to Hold from Buy at Canaccord. XOMA fell 1.94 percent or $0.10 to $5.05.