Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded New York Community Bancorp (NYB) to outperform from market perform following the FDIC-assisted acquisition of AmTrust. The firm raised its target price on shares to $16 from $11.
• Oppenheimer upgraded Brocade (BRCD) to outperform from perform to reflect valuation, low investor expectations, and the company's potential to gain market share in IP/Ethernet switching. The firm set a target price of $8.50 on shares.
• Stifel Nicolaus upgraded National Health Investors (NHI) to buy from hold following the announcement that the litigation vs. Care Foundation has been dismissed. The firm has a $37 target on the stock.
• American Express (AXP) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• ACE Ltd. (ACE) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Kohl's (KSS) was raised to outperform from neutral at Baird.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAP, AXP, BRCD, DD, H, KSS, NYB, SI ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAP, AXP, BRCD, DD, H, KSS, NYB, SI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) to Buy from Hold to reflect the company's better than expected Q3 results and improved volume outlook. Deutsche raised its target on shares to $100 from $72.
• Thomas Weisel upgraded Motorola (NYSE: MOT) to Overweight from Market Weight and raised its target to $11 from $7 and said they expect Motorola to benefit from several upcoming catalysts that include new Android-based smartphone products and they believe the handset division could break even by year end of 2010.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded Regal Entertainment (NYSE: RGC) and Cinemark (NYSE: CNK) to Buy from Neutral on expectations both companies will benefit from a strong box office in Q4. The firm has a $14 price target on Regal shares and a $13.50 target on Cinemark shares.
• Marshall & llsley (NYSE: MI) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JPMorgan.
• F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at UBS.
• William Blair upgraded Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN) to Outperform from Market Perform.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: FCX, MOT, CHK, MON ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: FCX, MOT, CHK, MON ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• RBC Capital upgraded Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) to Outperform from Sector Perform and said the company has attractive franchise value and earnings power, and is nearing the start of a credit driven earnings recovery. The firm raised its target to $22 from $19.
• Oppenheimer assumed coverage of Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) and upgraded shares to Outperform from Perform. The firm expects Amazon's revenue growth to re-accelerate over the next several quarters, making consensus estimates too conservative. Opco set a $130 price target on the stock.
• Barclays upgraded Ford (NYSE: F) to Equal Weight from Underweight and believes the company will report Q3 results above the Street. The firm raised its Q3 EPS estimate to 7 cents from 16 cents, vs. consensus of 21 cents, and its price target to $8 from $7.
• Charles River Labs (NYSE: CRL) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman.
• Briggs & Stratton (NYSE: BGG) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Baird.
• Sealed Air (NYSE: SEE) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BA, BAC, F, LUV, LYG T, WEN ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BA, BAC, F, LUV, LYG T, WEN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading AAUKY's mysterious delisting follow-up: a small tidbit of news

AAUKY's mysterious delisting follow-up: a small tidbit of news originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading AAUK: Now you see it, now you don't

AAUK: Now you see it, now you don't originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Serious Money: Not cheating -- market waving the caution flag

Serious Money: Not cheating -- market waving the caution flag originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Jefferies upgraded SAP (NYSE: SAP) to Buy from Hold on expectations license declines will trough in Q2 and margins will expand going forward due to cost control and price increases. The firm has a $46 price target on shares.
• BofA/Merrill upgraded STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) to Buy from Underperform on expectations the company will benefit from improving industry fundamentals in 2010.
• Citigroup upgraded Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) to Buy from Hold to reflect the firm's positive copper outlook, as well as valuation following the recent pullback in shares. The firm has a $58 price target on the stock.
• Phototronics (NASDAQ: PLAB) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
• Anglo American (NASDAQ: AAUK) was raised to Hold from Sell at RBS.
• Peabody Energy (NASDAQ: BTU) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ACI, HOT, LUV, QCOM, RTP, SAP ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ACI, HOT, LUV, QCOM, RTP, SAP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The second quarter is now behind us and for the most part it was a positive one in terms of the market pushing higher almost 40%. This is the second review of my 2009 stock picks through June 30 (see: Chasing Value: 9 picks for 2009 -- APC, GE, ISRG, WFC and more). There was a lot of talk about green shoots this past quarter as Wall Street was looking for any small bit of optimistic data to support the market.

The federal printing presses continued to run at full speed pushing the dollar lower and oil prices higher. While the feds were printing money to cover their deficits, the States do not have that same luxury and many of them are having trouble balancing their budgets to the tune of billions of dollars.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 2009 picks 731% better than S&P -- 2nd quarter review

Chasing Value: 2009 picks 731% better than S&P -- 2nd quarter review originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This is a continuation of a theme I have been writing about this year involving stock options referred to as naked puts.

This allows investors to take a position in a stock, most often below its current price, but depending on market sentiment. That sentiment remains relatively negative so the spreads are attractive.

I have been following BHP Billiton Ltd ADR (NYSE: BHP) the largest mining company in the world, with headquarters in Australia, for a while but I do not own the stock today. I view all mining companies as an opportunity because I think the diversified raw materials they control are the best hedge against inflation. I do not think inflation is imminent, but with the extreme increases in money supply and debt being created I do not think it will be avoidable a few years out.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Favorite trades -- BHP Billiton

Chasing Value: Favorite trades -- BHP Billiton originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Barclays upgraded Anglo American (NASDAQ: AAUK) to Overweight from Equal Weight based on a potentially higher bid from Xstrata (OTC: XSRAY) or a white night willing to pay a premium for the group, higher copper prices, and improving operating performance.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB) to Buy from Neutral citing improved bagged salad margins, strong free cash flow, solid banana trends, and valuation. The firm has a $13 target on the stock.
• Wunderlich upgraded Legacy Reserves (NASDAQ: LGCY) to Buy from Hold due to the firm's belief that the back of the crude board is still very cheap, the firm's increased distribution outlook, and the movement of the stock after the discontinuation of the company's talks with Apollo.
• Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
• UBS (NYSE: UBS) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DB, CAT, MMM, NKE, UBS ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DB, CAT, MMM, NKE, UBS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Serious Money: Anglo American - Xstrata merger?

Serious Money: Anglo American - Xstrata merger? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Not that this is his doing, but it is his chosen calling, and right now he is calling out to the Congress to move forward on various contentious budget proposals and continued federal stimulus packages.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 2009 picks -- 1st review

Chasing Value: 2009 picks -- 1st review originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Anglo American upgrade/downgrade

Chasing Value: Anglo American upgrade/downgrade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• UBS upgraded Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR) to Buy from Neutral but lowered its target to $42 from $45 following the solid Q4 report. The firm expects Dollar Tree's cost containment to continue. JP Morgan upgraded shares to Overweight from Neutral on valuation as it believes the recent pullback is overdone and the company set achievable FY09 guidance. The firm has a $43 target on the stock.
  
• JP Morgan also upgraded Smithfield Foods (NYSE: SFD) to Overweight from Neutral on valuation as they find the stock oversold at current levels.
  
• KeyBanc upgraded Nordson (NASDAQ: NDSN) to Hold from Underweight based on valuation, strong balance sheet and cost reductions, and a solid track record of execution.
• Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at HSBC.
  
• Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO) was raised to Equal Weight from Underweight at Barclays.
  
• Carter's (NYSE: CRI) was upgraded at Goldman to Neutral from Sell.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DLTR, KWK, IRE, AAUK, JNJ ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DLTR, KWK, IRE, AAUK, JNJ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Anglo American cuts 19,000 jobs & dividend

Chasing Value: Anglo American cuts 19,000 jobs & dividend originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded shares of Camden Property (NYSE: CPT) to Hold from Sell on valuation and believes the company has improved its liquidity position. Despite the upgrade, the firm lowered its target price to $21 from $25.
  
• Goldman added Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) to its Conviction Buy List as it is now the sole dominant retailer in consumer electronics and expects Best Buy's margins to benefit from Circuit City's demise.
  
• Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan as it finds the valuation attractive and sees a number of long-term fundamental positive catalysts. The firm has a $47.50 target on shares.
• United Rentals (NYSE: URI) and Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) were upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
  
• ProLogis (NYSE: PLD) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Banc of America/Merrill.

• Oppenheimer downgraded Global Traffic Network (NASDAQ: GNET) to Perform from Outperform following the company's weaker than expected Q2 results and lowered its target price to $6.25 from $7.
  
• Friedman Billings downgraded BankAtlantic (NYSE: BBX) to Underperform from Market Perform to reflect the deterioration of both the company's credit and capital in Q4. The firm lowered its target price to $1 from $5.
  
• RBC Capital downgraded AbitibiBowater (NYSE: ABH) to Underperform from Sector Perform and lowered its target to 50 cents from $2.00 following the company's debt refinancing announcement.
• Lions Gate (NYSE: LGF) was cut to Market Weight from Overweight at Thomas Weisel.
  
• Ctrip.com (NASDAQ: CTRP) was downgraded at Goldman to Sell from Neutral.
  
• Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Banc of America/Merrill.

• Oppenheimer initiated Chattem (NASDAQ: CHTT) with an Outperform rating and believes the company's business model is well suited for the current uncertain consumer environment. The firm has an $80 target on the stock.
• Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) was initiated at BMO Capital with a Market Perform rating and $30 target.
  
• Anglo American (NASDAQ: AAUK) was assumed with a Sell rating at Societe Generale.
  
• Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY) was started at UBS with a Buy rating.

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BBY, TAP, LGF, FCX, AUY ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The 2009 clock is ticking loudly. The year has started off with a lot of continued turbulence. We have a new president, Barack Obama, who will boldly lead us where no man has gone before -- two trillion further in debt, most likely.

Not that this is his doing, but it is his chosen calling, and right now he is calling out to the Senate minority to compromise, and get yet another federal stimulus package off the shelf and out the door.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 2009 picks -- news and views

Chasing Value: 2009 picks -- news and views originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Barclays upgraded Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) to Overweight from Equal Weight and raised their target to $35 from $28 citing the company's earnings power and free cash flow generation.
  
• William Blair upgraded St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ) to Outperform from Market Perform following the company's Q4 results on valuation and the company's "steady growth."
  
• Wunderlich upgraded Liberty Interactive (NASDAQ:LINTA) to Buy from Hold as they believe debt concerns are overdone. The firm thinks that language in the proxy statement for the Liberty Entertainment hard spin suggests that cash and cash flow from the stub Entertainment tracker could be used to provide inter-company support to Interactive. The firm raised their target to $5 from $4.25.
• Lloyds TSB Group (NYSE:LYG) was raised to Buy from Hold at Citigroup.
  
• BB&T (NYSE:BBT) was removed from Goldman's Conviction Sell List.
  
• Patni Computer (NYSE:PTI) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BBY, LYG, XOM, BIDU

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BBY, LYG, XOM, BIDU originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• ING believes BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) will grow through acquisitions and is in a good position relative to peers. Shares were upgraded to Buy from Hold.
  
• KeyBanc upgraded Kaman (NASDAQ: KAMN) to Buy from Hold based on valuation, higher foreign 2009 sales, and exposure to the military helicopter market, among other reasons.
  
• Merck (NYSE: MRK) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Banc of Amerca/Merrill on valuation.
• J Crew (JCG) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Keefe Bruyette.
  
• UBS upgraded Expeditors (NASDAQ: EXPD) to Neutral from Sell.
  
• CVB Financial (NASDAQ: CVBF) was raised to Hold from Sell at Sandler O'Neill.

• Morgan Stanley downgraded Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) to Equal Weight from Overweight and lowered their target to $25 from $26 based on valuation and high Street estimates given lower oil prices and weaker currency.
  
• CIBC downgraded Louisiana Pacific (NYSE: LPX) to Sector Performer from Outperformer. The analyst believes LPX may have to issue equity at these depressed levels given the tight credit markets and ongoing cash losses.
  
• Calyon downgraded Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) to Sell from Underperform and lowered their target to $7 from $8. The firm recommends taking profits in Southwest due to unit cost challenges given slowing growth and its reduced fuel hedging program.
• CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Bernstein.
  
• Keefe Bruyette downgraded shares of Amcore Financial (NASDAQ: AMFI) to Market Perform from Outperform.
  
• Anglo American (NASDAQ: AAUK) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Royal Bank of Scotland.

• Citigroup believes MasterCard (NYSE: MA) is vulnerable to the consumer spending slowdown and expects a more cautious outlook from management when the company reports earnings. Shares were initiated with a Sell rating and $110 target.
  
• Janney Montgomery initiated GameStop (NYSE: GME) with a Buy rating and $34.50 target and expects GameStop to benefit from the secular growth in gaming, potential hardware cuts, international expansion, and 2009 title visibility.
  
• Jefferies assumed Chicago Bridge & Iron (NYSE: CBI) with a Hold rating and $13 target and expects shares to be range-bound until the company shows progress on project execution and margin performance.
• Gran Tierra Energy (GTE) was initiated at Wunderlich with a Buy rating.
  
• Coverage of CME Group (AMEX: CME) was resumed with an Underweight rating at JP Morgan.
  
• Shanda (NASDAQ: SNDA) was initiated with a Hold rating and $30 target at Roth Capital.

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BHP, MRK, LUV, MA, AAUK ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: YHOO, DB, MS, C, BG, HBC, PFE, ORCL, SI ...

Stocks in the news: YHOO, DB, MS, C, BG, HBC, PFE, ORCL, SI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.