Friday’s Analyst Ratings: Key Upgrades and Downgrades

Rowan Ashford

ago 1 hour

Analyst ratings provide a valuable insight into stock performance and the outlook for various companies. Recent evaluations highlight several key upgrades and downgrades in the market.

Friday’s Analyst Ratings: Key Upgrades and Downgrades

Loblaw Companies Ltd. Target Increased

RBC Dominion Securities analyst Irene Nattel reaffirmed her “outperform” rating for Loblaw Companies Ltd. (L-T), increasing the share price target from $68 to $72. Nattel believes Loblaw’s disciplined operating model and commitment to sustainable growth positions it favorably within the food retail sector. The company’s balanced expansion approach and emphasis on high-margin supplementary income streams further bolster its competitive position.

Empire Co. Ltd. Target Adjustment

Nattel also adjusted the target for Empire Co. Ltd. (EMP.A-T) to $55 from $61, maintaining a “sector perform” rating. She indicated that Empire continues to struggle against current consumer spending trends and rising food inflation.

George Weston Ltd. Rating Maintained

For George Weston Ltd. (WN-T), Nattel raised the target to $115 from $109 while reiterating an “outperform” rating. The adjustment reflects changes linked to Loblaw’s performance and a broader market outlook.

Metro Inc. Target Updated

Metro Inc. (MRU-T) received a slight target increase to $113 from $112, accompanied by a “sector perform” rating. Despite modest sales forecasts, Metro is expected to navigate challenges with contingency plans in place.

Badger Infrastructure Solutions Coverage Initiated

National Bank Financial analyst Maxim Sytchev initiated coverage of Badger Infrastructure Solutions Ltd. (BDGI-T) with a “sector perform” rating, setting a target of $82. He noted that while the company shows improvement, the current valuation reflects this positive trend.

Cargojet Inc. Target Elevated

Cameron Doerksen of National Bank Financial raised the target for Cargojet Inc. (CJT-T) to $108 from $95. Doerksen sees the current valuation as attractive despite expected challenges in international operations. The upgrade aligns with a solid domestic air cargo demand outlook.

Sprott Inc. Forecast Increased

TD Cowen analyst Graham Ryding raised his target for Sprott Inc. (SII-T) to $176 from $130, maintaining a “hold” rating. Ryding estimated significant growth in assets under management, driven by precious metals and critical materials.

Other Rating Changes

Currency Exchange International Corp. (CXI-T): Target raised to $32 from $30 with a “buy” rating due to strong Q4 results.
Exchange Income Corp. (EIF-T): Target adjusted to $102 from $87, reflecting updated estimates following an Air Canada expansion contract.
Guru Organic Energy Corp. (GURU-T): Target raised to $6.50 from $4.50 after impressive Q4 revenue growth.
Iamgold Corp. (IMG-T): Target increased to $34 from $28, reflecting greater valuation for its Côté-Gosselin project.
Orla Mining Corp. (OLA-T): Target raised to $29 from $28, positive outlook driven by 2026 guidance updates.
TFI International Inc. (TFII-N, TFII-T): Target increased to US$93 from US$90, maintaining an “underperform” rating.

These recent analytics provide crucial insights for investors, showcasing trends and expectations in the market as firms navigate evolving economic conditions.