Analyst initiations 11-27-06: NYMEX initiated with Underweight

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Stanley (SXE) and The NYMEX (NMX) topped today's extensive list of initiations.

• Stanley Inc. (NYSE:SXE) was initiated by a host of firms today: Wachovia started the IT services company with a Market Perform rating, citing valuation. Cowen started Stanley with an Outperform rating, citing expectations for 20% EPS growth and the potential for margin upside for their rationale. JP Morgan, Stifel and Citigroup initiated Stanely with Buy ratings, citing solid market positioning in the civilian and federal IT markets.
• The NYMEX (NYSE:NMX) was initiated at Prudential with an Underweight rating and $112 target, citing a rich valuation and the unlikely chance of a takeout.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Caris started Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF) with an Average rating, citing shares that are fully valued and 2007 growth expectations that could prove to be aggressive.
• Wachovia initiated Amedisys, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMED) with a Market Perform rating, citing the risks from potential changes to Medicare reimbursement rules for its rating.
• Goldman initiated Biovail Corp. (NYSE:BVF) with a Buy rating and $22 target, citing an attractive valuation.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).