Analyst Upgrades

• Bunge (BG) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Textron (TXT) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• CSX (CSX) to buy from neutral and Pulte Group (PHM) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Aol (AOL) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Kohlberg Capital (KCAP) to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
• Owens Corning (OC) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Jefferies (JEF) to buy from neutral at Ticonderoga.
• Harris (HRS) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AOL, BG, CCL, CP, CSX, HRS, NE, OC, PHM, RIG, SBUX, TXT ...

Analyst Calls: AOL, BG, CCL, CP, CSX, HRS, NE, OC, PHM, RIG, SBUX, TXT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Siemens (SI) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Diamond Offshore (DO) to market perform from underperform at FBR Capital.
• MeadWestvaco (MWV) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• TD AmeriTrade (AMTD) and Cabot Oil & Gas (COG) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Janus Capital (JNS) to hold from sell at Citigroup.
• Motorola Mobility (MMI) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Frontier Communications (FTR) to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
• Humana (HUM) to buy from hold at Argus.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMTD, COG, DO, F, GM, HUM, LEA, MMI, NKE, SI, TRW ...

Analyst Calls: AMTD, COG, DO, F, GM, HUM, LEA, MMI, NKE, SI, TRW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Calls

• Medtronic (MDT) to buy from neutral and 1-800-Flowers.com (FLWS) to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• CarMax (KMX) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Points International (PTSEF) to buy from neutral at Merriman.
• Nokia (NOK) to market perform from underperform at Morgan Keegan.
• Amdocs (DOX) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Western Alliance (WAL) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Carbo Ceramics (CRR) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• Rackspace (RAX) to buy from hold at Benchmark Co.
• Brinker (EAT) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BP, EAT, JBLU, KMX, MDT, MYGN, NOK, NTRS, RAX, RDS.A, T ...

Analyst Calls: BP, EAT, JBLU, KMX, MDT, MYGN, NOK, NTRS, RAX, RDS.A, T ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"If you are looking for a momentum name, with a reasonable valuation and plenty of gas in the tank, consider Autoliv (ALV) -- our top pick for 2011 -- for your portfolio," says Todd Salomone.

The contributing editor to Schaeffer's Investment Research explains, "Auto supplier stocks were among the strongest sectors in 2010, but it appears many investors missed out on the outperformance.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Autoliv (ALV)

Top Picks 2011: Autoliv (ALV) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Goldman believes EOG Resources (EOG) can regain its premium multiple given its ability to find new horizontal liquids resource plays. The firm upgraded shares to conviction buy from buy and has a $129 price target on the stock.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Macerich (MAC) to buy from hold following the company's Q2 results and raised its target for shares to $47 from $45.
• Needham upgraded QuinStreet (QNST) to strong buy from buy, citing the strong Q4 report and valuation, and has a $20 target on the stock.
• Macy's (M) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Whole Foods (WFMI) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Texas Instruments (TXN) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BBY, BWA, DGI, EOG, M, MAC, MR, NOC, TXN, WFMI ...

Analyst Calls: BBY, BWA, DGI, EOG, M, MAC, MR, NOC, TXN, WFMI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Kaufman Bros. upgraded Baidu (BIDU) to buy from hold and raised its target price for shares to $690 from $540 after Google (GOOG) said it has stopped censoring its search services on Google.cn in China. The firm believes the Chinese government is likely to restrict access to Google's site now, a move that would benefit Baidu.
• Baird upgraded Autoliv (ALV) to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $60 from $47. The firm cites valuation and strong revenue performance for the upgrade.
• Jesup & Lamont upgraded Tiffany (TIF) to buy from hold following the company's Q4 results and better-than-expected guidance. The firm has a $55 price target for shares.
• Automatic Data Processing (ADP) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Cowen.
• American Superconductor (AMSC) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Saks (SKS) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ADP, BEC, BIDU, IRM, IBM, LH, SKS, TIF, WSM ...

Analyst Calls: ADP, BEC, BIDU, IRM, IBM, LH, SKS, TIF, WSM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Auriga upgraded Intel (INTC) to buy from hold to reflect the stock's relative valuation after channel checks indicated PC shipment plans continue to be solid. The firm raised its target price on shares to $24 from $20.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded RenaissanceRE (RNR) to buy from hold on valuation and believes stock buybacks and reserve releases will drive the company's growth. The firm raised its target price on shares to $65 from $59.
• UBS upgraded Philip Morris (PM) to buy from neutral based on increased confidence in its earnings outlook and relative valuation. The firm raised its target to $54 from $49.
• Chevron (CVX) was raised to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.
• Barnes & Noble (BKS) was upgraded to sell from conviction sell at Goldman Sachs.
• Deutsche Bank (DB) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ADI, CI, COP, CVX, DB, INTC, JCP, PM ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ADI, CI, COP, CVX, DB, INTC, JCP, PM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Wells Fargo upgraded Prudential (PRU) to outperform from market perform. The firm thinks the company is in a better position than its peers and will be able to more effectively exploit M&A opportunities.
• UBS upgraded Reliance Steel (RS) to buy from neutral based on potential growth through M&A and valuation. The firm raised its target to $50 from $49.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Eastman Chemical (EMN) to buy from hold on expectations the company's portfolio transformation will drive higher normalized earnings power, which the firm believes is not fully reflected in consensus estimates. Deutsche raised its target price on shares to $70 from $62.
• Amylin Pharma (AMLN) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Cephalon (CEPH) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Acuity Brands (AYI) was upgraded to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BLK, CIEN, PCLN, PRU, RS, TIF, UNP ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BLK, CIEN, PCLN, PRU, RS, TIF, UNP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Coming Week: The Earnings Storm Hits
• Obama to Address Credit Card Abuses

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The seductive pull of the early cycle

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The seductive pull of the early cycle originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Goldman upgraded Bed Bath & Beyond (NASDAQ: BBBY) to Buy from Neutral based on valuation and a potential margin rebound at Linens N' Things.
  
• Citigroup upgraded Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK) to Hold from Sell on valuation and believes expectations have been reset to a reasonable level. The company's target was lowered to $27 from $33.
  
• Friedman Billings upgraded shares of Ceradyne (NASDAQ: CRDN) to Outperform from Market Perform on valuation following the recent weakness and thinks the Army will move forward with a larger XSAPI procurement in FY09. The firm raised their target to $30 from $26.
• Goldman added Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) to the Conviction Buy List.
  
• Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
  
• Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.

Analyst downgrades:

Continue reading Analyst calls: BBBY, WYE, SLH, ADM, BRCM, TEVA . . .

Analyst calls: BBBY, WYE, SLH, ADM, BRCM, TEVA . . . originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sometimes you find a great company at a great price and when you dig deeper you find you have to pass on it. Too bad, because the metrics on Autoliv Inc. (NYSE: ALV) are pretty fantastic. It is the world's #1 producer of car safety equipment, with 80 production facilities in 28 countries around the world and includes 20 test tracks. I like the segment of the automobile market the company is positioned in and feel auto safety will continue to be an expanding opportunity. Here are the numbers that attracted me to Autoliv:

• Price-to-earnings P/E: 12.52 (TTM)
• Price-to-sales P/S: 0.78 (TTM)
• Price-to-book P/B: 1.92 (TTM)
• Price-to-earnings P/CF: 6.82 (TTM)

These are great numbers, but there is more:

• Return-on-equity ROE: 17.0
• Long Term Debt-to-Equity (MRQ) 0.5
• Dividend Yield 2.63%

Continue reading Chasing Value: Autoliv - a great value that I'm not buying

Chasing Value: Autoliv - a great value that I'm not buying originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Deutsche Bank upgraded shares of both British Airways (NYSE: BAB) and Ryanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ: RYAAY) to Hold from Sell on valuation.

• Credit Suisse upgraded shares of Cox Radio Inc (NYSE: CXR) to Neutral form Underperform on valuation following the stock's recent pullback. Bear Stearns also upgraded Cox Radio to Outperform from Peer Perform on valuation.

• Merrill Lynch upgraded shares of Autoliv Inc (NYSE: ALV) to Neutral from sell.

• Wachovia upgraded Heelys, Inc (NASDAQ: HLYS) to Outperform from Market Perform following positive channel checks, which could lead to upside to the Street's Q1 EPS estimate of 18c, and valuation.

• Stifel upgraded VistaPrint Ltd (NASDAQ: VPRT) to Buy from Hold with a $43 target. The firm said risks from taxes and non-transaction revenue have been diminished to levels that allow them to focus on the core printing business.

• Ameristar Casinos, Inc (NASDAQ: ASCA) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies.

• Bear Stearns upgraded Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc (NYSE: WDR) to Outperform from Peer Perform based on strong operating leverage and valuation.

• Potash Corp (NYSE: POT) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.

Analyst upgrades 4-05-07: Cox Radio, Heelys & Potash Corp were upgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Prudential initiated the automotive manufacturers industry and automotive retail industry with Favorable ratings and the automotive parts and equipment industry with an Unfavorable rating. The firm initiated coverage on following stocks:
  
• Overweight-rated names included Autoliv Inc (NYSE: ALV), Group 1 Automotive, Inc (NYSE: GPI), Honda Motor Co, Ltd (NYSE: HMC), Johnson Controls, Inc (NYSE: JCI), Sonic Automotive, Inc (NYSE: SAH), & Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE: TM).
  
• Neutral Weight-rated names included AutoNation, Inc (NYSE: AN), DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DCX), Magna International Inc (NYSE: MGA) and United Auto Group, Inc (NYSE: UAG).
  
• Underweight-rated names included Ford Motor Co (NYSE: F), General Motors Corp (NYSE: GM) and Gentex Corp (NASDAQ: GNTX).

• Bernstein initiated JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) with a Market Perform rating and $54 target.

• Lehman started Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE: TWC) with a Neutral rating.

• Merriman initiated shares of Progressive Gaming International Corp (NASDAQ: PGIC) with a Buy rating, as the firm believes it is on the cusp of gaining meaningful market share of casino floors through its technologies and now is the time to get involved in shares.

Analyst initiations 4-04-07: F, GM, JPM and TWC initiated today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• YRC Worldwide Inc (NASDAQ: YRCW) was downgraded by Credit Suisse to Neutral from Outperform and to Underperform from Neutral at Baird, both citing valuation.

• AutoLiv Inc (NYSE: ALV) was downgraded to Sell from Hold at Citigroup with a $55 target to reflect North American production schedules concerns as well as the possibility of a slower-than-anticipated share buyback program.

• Chevron Corp (NYSE: CVX) was downgraded to Sell from Hold at Deutsche Bank with a $65 target, citing valuation.

• Pali Capital downgraded Warner Music Group Corp (NYSE: WMG) to Sell from Neutral, with a $19 target. The firm believes estimates are too aggressive and Warner shares are now overvalued.

• JP Morgan downgraded shares of Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS) to Neutral from Overweight, citing valuation.

• Sanders Morris downgraded Playboy Enterprises (NYSE: PLA) to Hold from Buy, as they believe there is little visibility in the marketplace as to the timing of a Time Warner-based (TWX) SVOD agreement. The broker thinks management will issue below the consensus' 2007 guidance, or none at all, which they think will trigger bearish sentiment.

Analyst downgrades 2-05-07: YRC Worldwide downgraded on valuation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• JP Morgan downgraded Kellogg Co (NYSE: K) to Neutral from Outperform, citing reduced earnings growth.

• Baird downgraded the Auto & Truck Supplier Sector to Market Underweight citing valuation and lower estimates; the firm downgraded American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc (NYSE: AXL), Autoliv Inc (NYSE: ALV) and Modine Manufacturing Co (NYSE: MOD) to Underperform from Neutral.

• JP Morgan downgraded Juniper Networks Inc (NASDAQ: JNPR) to Market Perform from Outperform with a $22 target, explaining that although Juniper's December quarter showed improved revenue results, earnings guidance was disappointing given investment plans for 2007.

• Sanders Morris downgraded Benihana Inc (NASDAQ: BNHNA) to Buy from Strong Buy with a $38 target, noting that they cannot find enough catalysts that would push shares another 20% in the next six months; however, the firm is still bullish on Benihana's short-term and long-term outlooks.

• Credit Suisse downgraded Office Depot Inc (NYSE: ODP) to Neutral from Outperform, with a $41 target and believes that expectations to be overly optimistic.

Analyst downgrades 1-31-07: The Auto & Truck Suppliers broke an axle originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.