Friday’s Analyst Moves: Apple Inc., Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Southwest Gas Corporation, More (AAPL, OXY, SWX, More)

Before Friday’s opening bell, a number of big name dividend stocks were the subject of analyst moves. Below, we highlight the important analyst commentary for investors.

ISI Group Downgrades Apple

Apple Inc. (AAPL) has been cut from “Strong Buy” to “Buy” at ISI Group on a valuation call, based on the firm’s $675 price target. AAPL has a dividend yield of 2.24%.

Covanta Upgraded to “Overweight”

Covanta Holding Corp (CVA) has been upgraded to “Overweight” at Barclays due to the EU’s rejection of the challenges of CVA’s waste project. The firm has a $22 price target on CVA, suggesting a 16% upside from the stock’s current price of $18.85. CVA has a dividend yield of 3.82%.

Citi Upgrades Occidental Petroleum

Citigroup has raised its rating on Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) from “Neutral” to “Buy” and has given the company a $111 price target. This price target suggests a 16% increase from the stock’s current price of $95.19. OXY has a dividend yield of 3.03%.

RenaissanceRe Cut to “Neutral” on Valuation

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (RNR)