3 Analyst Moves for May 20: SSI, GMCR, STI

A number of big-name dividend stocks were subject to analyst moves before Wednesday’s opening bell. We highlight the most important changes below.

B. Riley upgraded Stage Stores (SSI ) from Neutral to Buy with a price target of $20.00. At the same time, Telsey upgraded Stage Stores from Market Perform to Outperform with a target price of $21.00. Stage Stores closed yesterday at $16.50.

Argus downgraded Keurig Green Mountain Liquid error: internal from Buy to Hold due to a weaker near-term outlook. Speculation is that the Keurig 2.0 brewer will hurt sales of beverage pods. It is also likely that Starbucks and Kraft will pressure GMCR for price cuts on the pods it manufactures. Shares of GMCR closed at $89.02 on Tuesday.

SunTrust Banks (STI ) was downgraded by both Baird and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

Baird downgraded SunTrust Banks from Neutral to Underperform with a price target of $41.00 from $39.00. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded SunTrust Banks from Outperform to Market Perform with a price target of $45 (unchanged). Shares of SunTrust Banks closed Tuesday at $43.62.