Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE:MTX) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Tuesday, July 11th. According to Zacks, “Minerals Technologies Inc. is a resource- and technology-based company that develops, produces and markets worldwide a broad range of specialty mineral, mineral-based and synthetic mineral products and related systems and services. The Company has five reportable segments: Specialty Minerals, Refractories, Performance Materials, Construction... 

Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan held its stake in MiMedx Group, Inc (NASDAQ:MDXG) during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 23,100 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock at the end of the first quarter. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan’s holdings in MiMedx Group were worth $220,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. State of Alaska Department of... 

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) was upgraded by stock analysts at BidaskClub from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued on Friday, July 7th. ARNA has been the subject of several other reports. FBR & Co reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Arena Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. Citigroup Inc. started coverage on shares of Arena Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. They set a “buy”... 

Shelton Capital Management increased its position in Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) by 134.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 37,182 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 21,346 shares during the period. Charter Communications accounts for 0.8% of Shelton Capital Management’s holdings, making the stock its 24th largest position. Shelton Capital Management’s holdings in Charter Communications were worth... 

Gap, Inc. (The) (NYSE: GPS) and G-Estate Liquidation Stores (NASDAQ:GMAN) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation and profitabiliy. Volatility & Risk Gap, Inc. (The) has a beta of 0.86, indicating that its share price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, G-Estate Liquidation Stores has a beta of -0.12, indicating that its share price is... 

PetroChina Company Limited (NYSE: PTR) and ENI S.p.A. (NYSE:E) are both large-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, profitabiliy and risk. Dividends PetroChina Company Limited pays an annual dividend of $0.74 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. ENI S.p.A. pays an annual dividend of $1.27 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.1%. PetroChina Company Limited pays out 32.5%... 

Lumenis (NASDAQ: LMNS) and Cutera (NASDAQ:CUTR) are both healthcare companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk, profitabiliy, institutional ownership and earnings. Insider & Institutional Ownership 81.4% of Cutera shares are owned by institutional investors. 11.6% of Cutera shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is... 

BidaskClub upgraded shares of MSG Networks Inc. (NYSE:MSGN) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Friday, June 30th. Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on MSGN. Zacks Investment Research upgraded MSG Networks from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $26.00 price target on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Macquarie downgraded MSG Networks from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $26.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, April 5th.... 

Wall Street analysts expect Copart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRT) to report earnings per share (EPS) of $0.31 for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks Investment Research. Four analysts have provided estimates for Copart’s earnings. The lowest EPS estimate is $0.29 and the highest is $0.32. Copart reported earnings of $0.29 per share in the same quarter last year, which suggests a positive year-over-year growth rate of 6.9%. The firm is expected to report its next earnings results on Tuesday, September 19th. On average, analysts expect that... 

Equities research analysts expect that Copart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRT) will announce earnings per share (EPS) of $0.31 for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks Investment Research. Four analysts have issued estimates for Copart’s earnings, with estimates ranging from $0.29 to $0.32. Copart posted earnings of $0.29 per share during the same quarter last year, which suggests a positive year over year growth rate of 6.9%. The firm is expected to announce its next earnings results on Tuesday, September 19th. According to Zacks, analysts... 

UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. increased its position in shares of Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBNT) by 66.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 14,978 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock after buying an additional 5,978 shares during the period. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc.’s holdings in Ubiquiti Networks were worth $753,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional... 

California Public Employees Retirement System lowered its position in Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (NYSE:NM) by 11.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,742,300 shares of the shipping company’s stock after selling 220,800 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System owned approximately 1.57% of Navios Maritime Holdings worth $3,258,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional... 

FDO Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 8,422 shares of the medical technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,109,000. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of SYK. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its position in shares of Stryker Corporation by 4.7% in the first quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 6,007 shares of the medical... 

California Public Employees Retirement System cut its stake in shares of Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:BUFF) by 4.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 138,600 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,000 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System owned about 0.07% of Blue Buffalo Pet Products worth $3,188,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings... 

California Public Employees Retirement System cut its position in shares of Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) by 0.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 160,700 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 400 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System owned approximately 0.19% of Heartland Express worth $3,222,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced... 

Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its stake in Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) by 98.8% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,725,122 shares of the cable giant’s stock after buying an additional 857,394 shares during the period. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL’s holdings in Comcast Corporation were worth $64,847,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Dodge & Cox acquired a new position... 

Cedar Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON) during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund acquired 1,730 shares of the conglomerate’s stock, valued at approximately $216,000. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC acquired a new stake in Honeywell International during the first quarter valued at about $100,000. Peoples Financial Services CORP. boosted its stake in Honeywell International by 62.2% in the first quarter.... 

UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. held its stake in shares of Actuant Corporation (NYSE:ATU) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 29,566 shares of the industrial products company’s stock at the end of the first quarter. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc.’s holdings in Actuant Corporation were worth $779,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. First Manhattan Co. boosted its stake in shares of Actuant... 

YouGov Plc (LON:YOU) insider Doug Rivers sold 250,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 254 ($3.32), for a total transaction of £635,000 ($829,198.22). Doug Rivers also recently made the following trade(s): On Friday, July 14th, Doug Rivers sold 250,000 shares of YouGov Plc stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 260 ($3.40), for a total transaction of £650,000 ($848,785.58). YouGov Plc (YOU) opened at 260.50 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day... 

Wall Street brokerages expect First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ:FRME) to announce $78.75 million in sales for the current quarter, according to Zacks. Two analysts have issued estimates for First Merchants Corporation’s earnings, with the lowest sales estimate coming in at $75.80 million and the highest estimate coming in at $81.70 million. First Merchants Corporation reported sales of $72.35 million in the same quarter last year, which would suggest a positive year-over-year growth rate of 8.8%. The business is expected to report its next... 

Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC (NASDAQ:MRWSY) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Wednesday, July 5th. According to Zacks, “Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC is engaged in the operation of food retailing primarily in the United Kingdom. It manufactures and distributes meat, fish, bakery, fruit and veg, deli and flowers. Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC is based in Bradford, the United Kingdom. “ WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC (NASDAQ:MRWSY) opened at 16.26 on Wednesday.... 

Anika Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ANIK) – Investment analysts at First Analysis dropped their Q2 2017 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Anika Therapeutics in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday. First Analysis analyst now expects that the biotechnology company will earn $0.42 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.50. First Analysis also issued estimates for Anika Therapeutics’ Q3 2017 earnings at $0.39 EPS, Q4 2017 earnings at $0.62 EPS, FY2017 earnings at $1.79 EPS... 

CIT Group Inc (DEL) (NYSE:CIT) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 17,835,198 shares, a decline of 28.2% from the June 15th total of 24,827,384 shares. Currently, 8.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,944,478 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 9.2 days. CIT has been the topic of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on CIT Group Inc (DEL) in a research report on Monday, March... 

Swiss National Bank continued to hold its stake in Xactly Corp (NASDAQ:XTLY) during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 32,900 shares of the technology company’s stock at the end of the first quarter. Swiss National Bank’s holdings in Xactly Corp were worth $392,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in Xactly Corp during the first quarter valued at about $166,000. Russell... 

UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. reduced its position in CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) by 4.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,168,680 shares of the pharmacy operator’s stock after selling 141,619 shares during the period. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc.’s holdings in CVS Health Corporation were worth $248,741,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions... 

TIAA CREF Investment Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Renasant Corporation (NASDAQ:RNST) by 1.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 125,938 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 2,459 shares during the period. TIAA CREF Investment Management LLC owned about 0.28% of Renasant Corporation worth $4,998,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes... 

Swiss National Bank held its stake in Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCO) during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 62,300 shares of the business services provider’s stock at the end of the first quarter. Swiss National Bank’s holdings in Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings were worth $377,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. A.R.T. Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings during... 

TIAA CREF Investment Management LLC reduced its stake in CareTrust REIT, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTRE) by 3.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 291,274 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after selling 9,952 shares during the period. TIAA CREF Investment Management LLC owned 0.40% of CareTrust REIT worth $4,899,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the... 

California Public Employees Retirement System cut its position in shares of Carriage Services, Inc. (NYSE:CSV) by 5.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 122,400 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,800 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System owned 0.73% of Carriage Services worth $3,319,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CSV. State Street Corp raised... 

Boulegeris Investments Inc. lowered its stake in Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) by 64.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,582 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock after selling 36,995 shares during the period. Gilead Sciences accounts for 0.8% of Boulegeris Investments Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Boulegeris Investments Inc.’s holdings in Gilead Sciences were worth $1,398,000 as... 

TIAA CREF Investment Management LLC reduced its position in Hanmi Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:HAFC) by 9.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 164,467 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 16,367 shares during the period. TIAA CREF Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.51% of Hanmi Financial Corporation worth $5,057,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought... 

Sand Hill Global Advisors LLC cut its position in shares of Boeing Company (The) (NYSE:BA) by 59.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,448 shares of the aircraft producer’s stock after selling 2,103 shares during the period. Sand Hill Global Advisors LLC’s holdings in Boeing Company (The) were worth $256,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares... 

TIAA CREF Investment Management LLC cut its position in Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZG) by 4.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 145,997 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 6,952 shares during the period. TIAA CREF Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.08% of Zillow Group worth $4,936,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added... 

L Brands, Inc. (NYSE:LB) received a $32.00 target price from equities researchers at Jefferies Group LLC in a report released on Wednesday. The firm currently has a “sell” rating on the specialty retailer’s stock. Jefferies Group LLC’s price target would indicate a potential downside of 28.97% from the stock’s previous close. A number of other analysts have also weighed in on LB. KeyCorp lowered L Brands from a “sector weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and set a $40.00 target price for... 

Teachers Advisors LLC decreased its position in shares of SPX Corp (NASDAQ:SPXC) by 4.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 567,510 shares of the company’s stock after selling 27,380 shares during the period. Teachers Advisors LLC owned approximately 1.34% of SPX Corp worth $13,762,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. purchased a new stake in SPX Corp... 

Teachers Advisors LLC increased its position in Macerich Company (The) (NYSE:MAC) by 6.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 204,388 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after buying an additional 11,571 shares during the period. Teachers Advisors LLC owned about 0.14% of Macerich Company (The) worth $13,163,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of MAC. Quadrature... 

Teachers Advisors LLC lowered its position in Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE:PLT) by 11.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 238,899 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 31,085 shares during the period. Teachers Advisors LLC owned about 0.74% of Plantronics worth $12,927,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company.... 

Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX) and EXFO (NASDAQ:EXFO) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, dividends, profitabiliy, institutional ownership and valuation. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Cognex Corporation and EXFO’s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio EBITDA Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cognex Corporation $559.49... 

Fmr LLC raised its position in Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AERI) by 178.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 320,500 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 205,500 shares during the period. Fmr LLC’s holdings in Aerie Pharmaceuticals were worth $14,535,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Dynamic Technology... 

Fmr LLC reduced its stake in Allot Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ:ALLT) by 1.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,177,461 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock after selling 50,000 shares during the period. Fmr LLC’s holdings in Allot Communications were worth $15,125,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of ALLT. Spark... 

Fmr LLC boosted its position in Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC) by 86.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 160,973 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after buying an additional 74,448 shares during the period. Fmr LLC owned about 0.11% of Genuine Parts worth $14,875,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GPC. Pinnacle Bank purchased a new position in Genuine Parts during... 

Mitel Networks Corporation (NASDAQ:MITL) (TSE:MNW) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report issued on Wednesday. According to Zacks, “Mitel Networks is a provider of integrated communications solutions focused on the SME market. Its portfolio of IP-based communications solutions consists of IP telephony platforms, unified communications and collaboration applications and managed and network services. By integrating voice, video and data communications... 

AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO) was upgraded by equities research analysts at BidaskClub from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report released on Wednesday. Several other analysts have also weighed in on AGCO. Credit Suisse Group set a $60.00 price objective on AGCO Corporation and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Seaport Global Securities lifted their price objective on AGCO Corporation from $57.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report... 

NETGEAR, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTGR) SVP Michael A. Werdann sold 8,153 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.01, for a total transaction of $350,660.53. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 30,092 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,294,256.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. NETGEAR, Inc. (NTGR) opened at 44.00 on Friday.... 

Prudential Financial Inc. cut its stake in HealthStream, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSTM) by 0.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 43,392 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 100 shares during the period. Prudential Financial Inc. owned about 0.14% of HealthStream worth $1,051,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of HSTM. Mason Street Advisors... 

SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Nutraceutical International Corporation (NASDAQ:NUTR) during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 4,911 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $153,000. SG Americas Securities LLC owned approximately 0.05% of Nutraceutical International Corporation as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of NUTR. Oxford Asset Management... 

JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Owens-Illinois, Inc. (NYSE:OI) by 141.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 162,885 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after buying an additional 95,373 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned about 0.10% of Owens-Illinois worth $3,319,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold... 

Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC boosted its stake in Meridian Bioscience Inc. (NASDAQ:VIVO) by 89.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 160,276 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 75,535 shares during the period. Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC owned about 0.38% of Meridian Bioscience worth $2,212,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently bought... 

SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) by 20.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,795 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 467 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC’s holdings in Westamerica Bancorporation were worth $156,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently... 

Prudential Financial Inc. cut its stake in Impax Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPXL) by 0.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 126,451 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical company’s stock after selling 460 shares during the period. Prudential Financial Inc. owned about 0.18% of Impax Laboratories worth $1,600,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares...