Analyst initiations: Synthesis Energy, Lamar Advertising, Urban Outfitters

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Synthesis Energy, Lamar Advertising and Urban Outfitters were today's noteworthy initiations:

Merriman believes Synthesis Energy Systems Inc (NASDAQ: SYMX) is well-positioned as it begins to leverage its exclusive global license for U-GAS technology and commences the deployment of its coal-to-methanol production facilities in China. The firm started shares with a Buy rating.
Lamar Advertising Company (NASDAQ: LAMR) was initiated with a Buy rating and $51 target at Jefferies, as they believe shares are oversold at current levels.
William Blair believes Urban Outfitters Inc (NASDAQ: URBN) will benefit from both strong sales and a steep margin recovery in the coming two years. The firm assumed coverage of Urban with an Outperform rating.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

Lehman started United Rentals Inc (NYSE: URI) with an Equal Weight rating and $22 target.
Credit Suisse assumed coverage of Mellanox Technologies (NASDAQ: MLNX) with a Neutral rating.
EPIQ Systems Inc (NASDAQ: EPIQ) was initiated with a Market Perform rating at Wachovia.

Tags: EPIQ, Epiq Systems, EpiqSystems, Lamar Advertising, LamarAdvertising, LAMR, Mellanox, MLNX, SYMX, Synthesis Energy, SynthesisEnergy, United Rentals, UnitedRentals, Urban Outfitters, UrbanOutfitters, URBN, URI