J.P.Morgan raises PT on APA Corp citing improved operations

** J.P.Morgan raises price target on oil and gas producer APA Corp APA.O to $23 from $20

** New PT represents an upside of about 15% to stock's last close

** Company's "self-help" efforts as a whole were ahead of schedule, owing to efficiency gains and lower corporate costs, brokerage says

** "We felt there was better body language from the company on overall operations, with management appearing to have a better command of its business" - JPM

** Six out of 30 brokerages rate stock "buy" or higher, 19 "hold" and 5 "sell"; median PT is $22 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, APA shares down 13.3% YTD