Ladenburg Thalmann analyst Mickey Schleien upgraded Eagle Point Credit Co. Inc. after the company reported third-quarter net investment income of 37 cents per weighted average common share, in line with consensus.

Given market trends, the loan default rate is expected to climb toward its historical 3% annual rate by end-2020, according to Schleien. In this environment, Eagle Point is "sustainable" despite volatility in net asset value.

The analyst upgraded the company's stock to "buy" from "neutral." He expects net investment income per share of $1.43 in 2019 and $1.52 in 2020. The price target is $16.