Analyst Picks of the Week (November 13-18)

The following resource companies were mentioned by analysts during the week of November 13 to 18. This information, to be used for the purpose of evaluating potential investments, was distilled from a daily list of analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations compiled by Analyst Ratings Network.

Rockwood Holdings (NYSE:ROC) is a US-based chemicals and materials group of companies, one of which is Rockwood Lithium. Rockwood Holdings was upgraded by analysts at Monness Crespi & Hardt from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating. They now have a $80 price target on the stock, up previously from $67. 15.5-percent upside from the previous close of $69.29.

Western Refining (NYSE:WNR) is a Texas-based Fortune 500 crude oil refiner. The company owns and operates two refineries with total throughput capacity of about 151,000 barrels per day. Western Refining was upgraded by analysts at UBS AG from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating. They now have a $41 price target on the stock, up previously from $34. 13.5-percent upside from the previous close of $36.13.

InterOil (NYSE:IOC) is a petroleum company with operations in Canada and Papua New Guinea. It is now covered by analysts at Morgan Stanley. They set an “overweight” rating and a $105 price target on the stock. 23.3-percent upside from the previous close of $85.15.

Newpark Resources (NYSE:NR) is a Texas-based company that provides drilling-fluids products and services to oil wells. Newpark Resources is now covered by analysts at DA Davidson. They set a “buy” rating and a $17 price target on the stock. 34.8-percent upside from the previous close of $12.61.

Whitecap Resources (TSX:WCP) is an oil exploration and production company with resource plays in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. Whitecap Resources is now covered by analysts at NBF. They set an “outperform” rating and a C$15 price target on the stock. 25.7-percent upside from the previous close of $11.93.

Kosmos Energy (NYSE:KOS) is exploring for and producing oil and gas, with a focus on the Atlantic Margin, located offshore from Scotland. Kosmos Energy was upgraded by analysts at Mizuho from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating. They now have a $14 price target on the stock, up previously from $11.50. 31.1-percent upside from the previous close of $10.68.

Gastar Exploration (NYSE:GST) is focused on natural gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale of West Virginia and the early-stage Hunton Limestone horizontal oil play in Oklahoma. Gastar Exploration is now covered by analysts at Imperial Capital. They set an “outperform” rating and a $6 price target on the stock. 34.2-percent upside from the previous close of $4.47.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) sells and transports natural gas to customers in New York and Pennsylvania. National Fuel Gas is now covered by analysts at Maxim Group. They set a “buy” rating and a $81 price target on the stock. 14.9-percent upside from the previous close of $70.50.

Securities Disclosure: I, Andrew Topf, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article. 

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Analyst Picks of the Week (Nov. 5-12)