Stock News: Analyst Moves for July 16 - DF, RAIL, WBA, and More

Below are the dividend stocks that were subject to analyst moves before the bell. Analysts weigh in with insight and commentary as to what you can expect going forward.

Dairy products distributor Dean Foods (DF ) saw its stock upgraded on Thursday with Deutsche Bank confirming a buy rating and a new target price of $19.00. The dairy giant recently expressed interest in a consortium takeover of New Zealand based a2 milk. Finishing Wednesday’s session at $16.65 (down 4.1%), Dean Foods’ adjusted dividend yield is 1.68%, with an annual payout of $0.28 (paid quarterly). The stock is 15.65% from its 52 week high.

FreightCar America (RAIL ), which manufactures railroad cars for coal transportation was upgraded on Thursday with UBS lifting their rating to neutral. The new price target is $22.00. In May, the company announced that ‘production inefficiencies’ had greatly impacted earnings with a net loss of $2.1 million recorded for the quarter. Finishing Wednesday’s session at $20.46 (down 3.3%), Freight Car’ adjusted dividend yield is 1.76%, with an annual payout of $0.36 (paid quarterly). The stock is 45.41% from its 52 week high.

Pharmaceutical supplier Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA ) saw its stock upgraded pre market on Thursday with Credit Suisse changing their rating to outperform, and adding a new price target of $110.00. Announcing third quarter net income of $1.30 billion on the 9th July, the company confirmed that profit was up 82% from the corresponding period last year. Finishing Wednesday’s session at $93.95 (down 0.4%), Walgreens’ adjusted dividend yield is 1.53%, with an annual payout of $1.44 (paid quarterly). The stock is 1.00% from its 52 week high.

Transportation provider Canadian National Railway (CNI ) was downgraded pre market on Thursday with Barclays confirming an equal-weight rating and a new price target of $61.00. The company will report its fiscal quarter earnings on the 20th, with analysts forecasting an EPS of $0.84. This would be a contraction of $0.12 from the previous year. Finishing Wednesday’s session at $59.26 (up 1.2%), Canadian National Railway’ adjusted dividend yield is 2.11% with an annual payout of $1.25. The stock is 21.94% from its 52 week high.

Domestic mineral producer Hi-Crush Partners (HCLP ) saw its stock downgraded to hold by Jeffries on Thursday, with a $26.00 price target attached. Finishing Wednesday’s session at $24.46 (down 6.7%), Hi-Crush’ adjusted dividend yield is 11.04%, with an annual payout of $2.70 (paid quarterly). The stock is 65.97% from its 52 week high.