- Deutsche Bank upgraded Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) to Buy from Hold on expectations that stable volumes and a better outlook for currency and commodities will lead to higher earnings visibility. The firm raised its price target on shares to $62 from $52.
- FBR Capital upgraded Goodrich (NYSE: GR) to Outperform from Market Perform as it finds the stock's valuation compelling following the recent pullback. The firm raised its target on shares to $65 from $46.
- William Blair upgraded Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) to Outperform from Market Perform after channel checks indicated demand is accelerating as the firm finds the stock's valuation compelling at current levels.
- Robbins & Myers (NYSE: RBN) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Baird.
- Disney (NYSE: DIS) and Viacom B (NYSE: VIA.B) were upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at BofA/Merrill, while News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWS) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral.
Analyst downgrades:
- UBS downgraded Smith & Nephew (NYSE: SNN) to Neutral from Buy based on a more cautious view on growth for the orthopedic market.
- Baird said Cephalon's (NASDAQ: CEPH) Nuvigil launch is proving not to be a catalyst and that the growth picture looks challenging. The firm downgraded shares to Neutral from Outperform and cut shares to $59 from $74.
- Canaccord downgraded St. Jude (NYSE: STJ) to Hold from Buy following Tuesday's lower-than-expected results.
- Robbins & Myers (NYSE: RBN) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at BB&T.
- Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO) was downgraded to Underweight from Neutral at Piper Jaffray.
- British Airways (OTC: BAIRY) was downgraded to Sell from Hold at Societe Generale.
Analyst initiations:
- Aurgia believes Ann Taylor (NYSE: ANN) shares should trade at a premium to peers given the company's improved merchandising, focus on inventories, and sourcing and cost-reduction initiatives. The firm started shares with a Buy rating and $18 target.
- The firm also initiated New York & Co. (NYSE: NWY) with a Hold rating and $5.50 target. Auriga believes New York & Co.'s improved merchandise may not be enough to drive results and finds the stock fairly valued at current levels.
- Jefferies finds Ulta Salon's (NASDAQ: ULTA) valuation not compelling following the recent rally in shares. Shares were initiated with a Hold rating and $16 target.
- PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) was initiated with an Outperform rating at Wells Fargo.
- Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR) was initiated with an Overweight rating and $28 target at Stephens.
- National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV) was initiated with a Positive rating and $51 target at Susquehanna.




Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-07-2009 @ 11:00PM
Financial Cents said...
I don't believe that Cisco is at a compelling value especially when revenue and earnings are decelerating yr/yr. In fact, it is a bit expensive trading at 18x next year's earnings and most likely the forecast is overly optimistic. Continue reading...
http://financial-cents.blogspot.com/2009/10/csco-buy-or-sell-cisco-october-2009.html