** Shares of MGM Resorts International MGM.N up 4% to $40 premarket

** J.P.Morgan raises rating to "overweight" from "neutral"; ups PT to $46 from $41, a ~20% upside to stock's last close

** "Growth should improve in coming months off of easier comparisons and against backdrop of resilient U.S. leisure traveler," says brokerage

** Says value-oriented promotions and ~50% of Las Vegas Strip traffic from drive-in customers should support demand

** Truist Securities also upgrades MGM rating to "buy" from "hold"; raises PT to $55 from $42, a 43% upside to stock's last close

** Brokerage says it is confident overall for a positive MGM Strip inflection, on top of a strong market-wide group/event calendar and easier summer comps

** Median PT of 27 brokerages covering MGM is $45 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, stock up 5.37% YTD