EYE ON EQUITIES

BOYD GROUP SERVICES ( BYD-TSX) CLOSE $ 210.56, UP $ 1.76

National Bank Financial analyst Zachary Evershed upgraded Boyd Group Services Inc. to “outperform” from “sector perform” after Wednesday’s release of mixed fourth-quarter financial results, citing “continued success in labour rate negotiations, fading headwinds to aftermarket part availability at preferred vendors and prospects for improving mix as the operating environment normalizes.”

Target: His target for Boyd shares moved to $250 from $220. Consensus is $239.92.

AGF MANAGEMENT ( AGF. B-TSX) CLOSE US$ 7.91, DOWN 12¢

Desjardins Securities analyst Gary Ho thinks the 11.2-per-cent drop in share price endured by AGF Management Ltd. after “mixed” quarterly results was “an over-reaction to the timing of SG&A and lumpy returns from private alt seed capital” and now sees a buying opportunity for investors.

Target: Mr. Ho trimmed his target for AGF shares to $10.25 from $10.50 with a “buy” rating. Consensus is $9.29.

K - BRO LINEN ( KBL-TSX) CLOSE $ 27.70, DOWN $ 1.32

While he maintained a positive long-term view on K-Bro Linen Inc., Raymond James analyst Michael Glen downgraded to “outperform” from “strong buy” in response to management’s guidance.

“Despite this reduction, we continue to believe the underlying business fundamentals for KBL’s operations are strong, and remain confident in purchasing KBL stock at this level,” he said. Target: His target dropped to $37.50 from $47.00. Consenus is $38.71.

DIALOGUE HEALTH TECH ( CARE-TSX) CLOSE $ 3.73, DOWN 6¢

Despite releasing fourth-quarter results that fell in line with its preliminary guidance, Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. was downgraded by Paradigm Capital analyst Daniel Rosenberg to “hold” from “buy” previously, seeing a limited potential return to his revised target for its shares. “As CARE approaches profitability we could see shares rerate,” he said.

Target: Mr. Rosenberg increased his target to $4.30 from $4. Consensus is $4.92.

HAMMERHEAD ENERGY ( HHRS-TSX) CLOSE $ 10.01, UP 26¢

Expecting double-digit increases to production and its free cash flow yield in the next year, ATB Capital Markets’ Amir Arif initiated coverage of Hammerhead Energy Inc. with an “outperform” recommendation, seeing “meaningful growth potential on the horizon utilizing infrastructure capacity.” “HHRS is well positioned for the coming few years,” he said.

Target: Currently the lone analyst on the Street covering the stock, he set a target of $12.