Zacks upgraded shares of Moodys Corporation (NYSE: MCO) from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning. The firm currently has $61.00 target price on the stock.

Zacks’ analyst wrote, “Moody’s continues to impress with its solid execution and consistent earnings growth. The company ended 2012 on a strong note, as both revenues and earnings jumped approximately 20% each and margin expanded 50 basis points despite higher operating expense. The company provided positive overall guidance primarily reflecting strong quarterly results and improving U.S. corporate finance market. We believe that Moody’s remains a solid franchise in rating debt instruments based on its diversified credit research business model and international growth opportunities. Moreover, strength in new domestic debt issuance and improving clarity over regulatory climate are positives. Additionally, improving liquidity, higher dividend payout and continuing share buybacks are the other positives. We upgrade Moody’s to Outperform and set a price target of $61.00.”

Moodys Corporation traded up 0.98% on Monday, hitting $51.57. Moodys Corporation has a 1-year low of $33.86 and a 1-year high of $55.58. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $49.67. The company has a market cap of $11.531 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.74.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Analysts at Piper Jaffray reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Moodys Corporation in a research note to investors on Wednesday, March 6th. They now have a $59.00 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at BTIG Research reiterated a sell rating on shares of Moodys Corporation in a research note to investors on Wednesday, February 13th. They now have a $28.00 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at Benchmark Co. cut their price target on shares of Moodys Corporation from $58.00 to $55.00 in a research note to investors on Tuesday, February 12th. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

Four analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, three have issued a hold rating, and one has assigned a sell rating to the company. The company has an average rating of overweight and an average price target of $50.88.

Moody’s Corporation (Moody’s) is a provider of credit ratings; credit and economic related research, data and analytical tools; risk management software, and quantitative credit risk measures, credit portfolio management solutions and training services.

To view Zacks’ full report, visit www.zacks.com

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