.gif){kind=logo}
Analyst upgrades:- Jefferies upgraded HMS Holdings (NASDAQ: HMSY) to Buy from Hold on valuation as they believe the recent weakness provides an attractive entry point. The firm keeps a $36 price target on shares.
- Credit Suisse believes Universal Health (NYSE: UHS) is well positioned to gain market share, that earnings risk from the Las Vegas market is manageable, and that the balance sheet provides flexibility. The firm upgraded shares to Outperform from Neutral and raised their target to $48 from $46.
- UBS upgraded RF Micro (NASDAQ: RFMD) to Buy from Neutral citing checks that indicate strengthening momentum, impact from recent restructuring, and expected debt reduction. The analyst raised RFMD estimates above consensus and upped the price target to $3 from $1.10.
- Liberty Capital (NASDAQ: LCAPA) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank.
- Tesoro (NYSE: TSO) was raised to Hold from Sell at Soleil.
- SunTrust (NYSE: STI) was lifted at Keefe Bruyette to Outperform from Market Perform.
Analyst downgrades:
- Pali Capital downgraded Centex (CTX) to Neutral from Buy on valuation with shares near Pulte's (PHM) offer of $9.40.
- Keefe Bruyette downgraded Regions Financial (RF) to Market Perform from Outperform on valuation and lowered their price target on the stock to $4 from $6.
- KeyBanc downgraded Harley-Davidson (HOG) to Underweight from Hold citing valuation, continued funding issues, aggressive lending practices, and secular pressures. The firm has a $12 target on shares.
- Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) was cut to Neutral from Buy at SunTrust.
- SVB Financial (SIVB) was lowered to Underperform from Neutral at Banc of America/Merrill.
- Imperial Oil (IMO) was downgraded at CIBS to Sector Underperformer from Sector Performer.
- Morgan Keegan views shares of Northrop Grumman (NOC) as fairly valued. The firm started shares with a Market Perform rating.
- Wunderlich initiated Regal Entertainment (RGL) with a Buy rating and $19 target and points to a strong 2009 movie line-up and the company's 3-D screen roll-out.
- SandRidge Energy (SD) was assumed with a Fair Value rating and $9 target at CRT Capital. The firm believes the company's planned gas production growth rates for the next two years are already priced into the stock.
- Time Warner (TWX) was reinitiated with a Neutral rating at Goldman.
- Polycom was initiated at Raymond James with an Outperform rating.
Closing Bell: When We All Love the PIIGS (NBG, SQNM, PG, ERTS, KO)
Serious Money: Cheapest Stocks List Shrinks from 26 to 21
Chasing Value: Hasbro Earnings Makes My Point
