The brokerage firm expects a big announcement from the company
U.S. stocks are higher today on positive trade headlines. Among individual names on the move are farm equipment maker Deere & Company (NYSE:DE), connectivity equipment expert Aquantia Corp (NYSE:AQ), and energy infrastructure specialist Clearway Energy Inc (NYSE:CWEN). Here's a quick look at what's moving the shares of DE, AQ, and CWEN.
Deere Stock Downgraded Before Earnings
BofA-Merrill Lynch downgraded Deere stock to "neutral" from "buy" ahead of the company's fiscal first-quarter earnings report, set for release before the market opens this Friday, Feb. 15. The brokerage firm cited uncertainty around U.S.-China trade negotiations, and a "real risk" of domestic soybean oversupply. DE stock is down 1.7% to trade at $162.42.
The security has added more than 13% since its late-December low near $142, though the $165 level has kept a tight lid on more upside. Options traders are bracing for a post-earnings retreat, too. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), DE's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 1.04 ranks in the 74th annual percentile, meaning puts have been bought to open over calls at a quicker-than-usual clip.
Morgan Stanley Sets Street-Low Aquantia Price Target
Aquantia stock is near the bottom of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today, down 20% at $7.93. This is in reaction to the company's wider-than-expected fourth-quarter loss. Plus, AQ said current-quarter revenue will arrive between $19 million and $21 million -- much lower than the $33.3 million expected by analysts.
What's more, Morgan Stanley downgraded the tech stock to "equal weight" from "overweight," and slashed its price target by $3.50 to $9, the lowest on Wall Street. The majority of the eight analysts in coverage still maintain a "buy" or better rating toward the stock, while the average 12-month price target of $11.93 is a 50% premium to current trading levels.
Clearway Energy Stock Sinks After Downgrade
Clearway Energy was downgraded to "sell" from "neutral," and dropped its price target to $11 from $17, according to TheFly.com. The analyst in coverage cited expectations for a dividend cut. The company is scheduled to give a business update during a conference call ahead of the opening bell tomorrow, Feb. 14, with earnings expected later this month.
CWEN shares are down 7.8% to trade at $13.54, fresh off a record low of $13.41. The stock is now nearly 35% off its Aug. 28 all-time high of $20.75, and short sellers are likely cheering. Short interest jumped 40.4% in the most recent reporting period to 2.18 million shares. This represents a slim 2% of Clearway Energy's available float, though, meaning the bearish bandwagon is far from full.