Cott Shares Rise on Analyst Upgrade

Cott shares plunged to all-time lows in February after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it will cut the space given to Cott's sodas, which include Sam's Choice, in half. Lehman Brothers analyst Michael Branca said he thinks the company will conduct a review and focus on its core businesses, which will lift the stock.

He added that the shares are now inexpensive.

Branca raised his rating to "Equal weight" from "Underweight," and shares rose 33 cents, or 13.9 percent, to $2.71 in heavy trading.

The Ontario-based company named David Gibbons as interim chief executive officer on Monday. Branca praised the move because of Gibbons' private-label experience and said it helps end "management turmoil" at Cott.