Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANN, DIS, CSCO, KO, NWS, PETM, ULTA ...

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Analyst upgrades:

  • 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.

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Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA+150.2510,058.64
NASDAQ+24.822,150.87
S&P 500+13.781,070.52

Last updated: February 10, 2010: 03:02 AM

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