MOST NOTEWORTHY: The Kroger Co (KR) and Quest Diagnostics Inc (DGX) were today's most notable upgrades: - Bank of America upgraded The Kroger Co (NYSE: KR) to Buy from Sell with a $29 target. Due to streamlined distribution and reduced SG&A expenses having closed the productivity gap with Wal-Mart Corp (NYSE: WMT), the firm believes Kroger is well positioned to accelerate growth and modestly increase operating margins.
- JP Morgan upgraded shares of Quest Diagnostics Inc (NYSE: DGX) to Overweight from Neutral as they not only believe the company's results will outperform expectations over the next few quarters, but that management will become more aggressive in the acquisitions market.
OTHER UPGRADES:
- Sterne Agee upgraded Coast Financial Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: CFHI) to Hold from Sell, with an $8.50 target.
- Goldman Sachs upgraded shares of Nova Chemical Corp (NYSE: NCX) to Neutral from Sell, with a $12 target, citing the potential sale of Nova's styrene business.
- Citing the possibility of a merger with Abitibi-Consolidated Inc (NYSE: ABY), Bowater Inc (NYSE: BOW) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Bank of America and to Buy from Hold at Soliel Securities.
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