Analyst upgrades:
- Baird upgraded URS Corp. (NYSE: URS) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to Outperform from Neutral based on momentum of new wins from stimulus funds and expectations for additional nuclear contracts.
- Jefferies upgraded EnerSys (NYSE: ENS) to Buy from Hold following the recent share weakness as it believes volumes have stopped declining and the June quarter is likely the bottom. The firm raised its target price to $18 from $11.
- RBC Capital upgraded Camden Property (NYSE: CPT) to Outperform from Sector Perform citing the company's improved financial capacity and portfolio position. The firm raised its target price to $34 from $23.
- CBS Corp (NYSE: CBS) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Barclays.
- UDR (NYSE: UDR) was raised to Sector Perform from Underperform at RBC Capital and to Outperform from Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette.
- Zale (NYSE: ZLC) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merril.
Analyst downgrades:
- SunTrust downgraded Builders FirstSource (NASDAQ: BLDR) to Neutral from Buy citing valuation, reduced expectations for the JV with Stock Lumber, and profits that are far off.
- Barclays downgraded FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) to Equal Weight from Overweight and lowered their target to $44 from $52 citing the Ohio Commission auction results of $61.50 a megawatt-hour.
- Janney Montgomery downgraded Middlesex Water (NASDAQ: MSEX) to Neutral from Buy citing declining usage, rising expenses, and another decrease in capital spending. The firm cut their target to $12 from $17.
- Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan.
- BT Group (NYSE: BT) was downgraded to Sell from Neutral at UBS.
- StatoilHydro (NYSE: STO) was cut to Neutral from Overweight at HSBC.
Analyst initiations:
- Oppenheimer wants to see profitability before getting more positive on Comverge (NASDAQ: COMV) shares. The firm started shares with a Perform rating.
- Auriga assumed Life Tech (NASDAQ: LIFE) with a Buy rating and $42 target citing diversified revenue base and improving margins.
- Citigroup believes Concur's (NASDAQ: CNQR) fundamentals are improving and initiated shares with a Buy rating and $35 target.
- NCR Corp (NYSE: NCR) was initiated at JP Morgan with a Neutral rating.
- CoStar Group (NASDAQ: CSGP) was initiated with a Neutral rating and $35.50 target at B. Riley.
- United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR) was started with a Buy rating and $96 target at Maxim.
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