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MOST NOTEWORTHY: Blackboard, Starwood Hotels and ACE Ltd were today's noteworthy upgrades:
- Baird upgraded Blackboard (NASDAQ:BBBB) to Outperform from Neutral based on two new state-wide deals with New Mexico and North Carolina, K-12 growth, and up-selling and cross-selling opportunities. The firm raised Blackboard's target to $45 from $38.
- Wachovia raised Starwood Hotels (NYSE:HOT) to Outperform from Market Perform citing valuation, high international exposure, and secure capital structure and dividend.
- Citigroup upgraded shares of ACE Ltd (NYSE:ACE) to Buy from Neutral on valuation, as they believe additional selling from the company's redomestication to Switzerland will be offset by short covering. They view the recent weakness as an attractive buying opportunity and raised their target to $63 from $58.
OTHER UPGRADES:
Holiday hiring slow for retailers
Closing Bell: What sell-off? (AIG, ABK, EPR, MBI, JAVA, ORCL, ERTS)
Chasing Value: 2009 blazing picks -- Q3 review 
