Analyst Upgrades

• Polo Ralph Lauren (RL) to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Sigma-Aldrich (SIAL) to outperform from market perform at Leerink.
• Petrobras (PBR) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Silvercorp Metals (SVM) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• PROS (PRO) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Power Integrations (POWI) and Monolithic Power (MPWR) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
• Diodes (DIOD) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Whole Foods (WFMI) to hold from sell at Hapoalim.
• Sinclair Broadcast (SBGI) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Sappi (SPP) to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Alpha Natural (ANR) to buy from hold at BB&T.
• Watts Water (WTS) to buy from hold at Brean Murray.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ANR, CSCO, HUM, ITT, NYX, PBR, RL, WFMI, WMT, YHOO ...

Analyst Calls: ANR, CSCO, HUM, ITT, NYX, PBR, RL, WFMI, WMT, YHOO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Coca-Cola (KO) has more than $13 billion in cash.

The top five companies (according to market cap) are:

• Exxon Mobil (XOM): $398.3 billion
• Apple (AAPL): $309.0 billion
• Microsoft (MSFT): $237.5 billion
• General Electric (GE): $215.0 billion
• Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): $202.5 billion

Continue reading Comfort Zone Investing: Did You Know ... ?

Comfort Zone Investing: Did You Know ... ? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

CNOOC Limited (CEO) announced that it's buying into several shale oil and gas leases in the U.S. owned by Chesapeake Energy Corporation (CHK) for $570 million. CHK overall option implied volatility of 31 is below its 26-week average of 35, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) and Massey Energy Company (MEE) announced that they signed a definitive agreement for Massey stockholders to receive 1.025 shares of Alpha common stock and $10 in cash for each share of Massey common stock. Massey options were active on Jan. 28 with 134,000 contracts trading and overall option implied volatility at 58, above its 26-week average of 50, according to Track Data.

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Chesapeake Energy Volatility Low into Shale Asset Sale to CNOOC originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading What Are the Implications of ANR Buying Massey Energy?

What Are the Implications of ANR Buying Massey Energy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Yingli Green (YGE) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• National Semiconductor (NSM) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• DuPont (DD) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Blackboard (BBBB) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Kindred Healthcare (KND) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Peabody Energy (BTU) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• Savvis (SVVS) to buy from neutral and InterActiveCorp (IACI) to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BRCM, BTU, DD, EBAY, KR, MRVL, NSM, PCX, SVVS, TWX ...

Analyst Calls: BRCM, BTU, DD, EBAY, KR, MRVL, NSM, PCX, SVVS, TWX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Massey Energy (MEE) closed up $4.80 to $46.94 on reports that Alpha Natural (ANR) may buy the company, DJ says. December and January 55 calls are active on total call volume of 58K contracts, compared to put volume of 23K puts. November call option implied volatility is at 53 and January is at 48, compared to its 26-week average of 52. Increasing option volume suggests traders are positioning for price movement.

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) closed down 29 cents to $18.23, near a six-month low after EPS, elections, FOMC meeting and October employment report.

CBOE option volume leaders today: Bank of America (BAC), Las Vegas Sands (LVS) JPMorgan (JPM) and Citigroup (C).

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Massey Energy Calls Active on Reports of Buyout originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Mixed Reactions on Friday (ATML, CROX, MEE, ANR, SD, JPM)

Closing Bell: Mixed Reactions on Friday (ATML, CROX, MEE, ANR, SD, JPM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Wells Fargo upgraded PG&E (PCG) to outperform from market perform and raised its range for shares to $50 to $52 from $44 to $46, citing the proposed settlement in the company's 2011 General Rate Case.
• Jefferies upgraded Huntsman (HUN) to buy from hold and raised its price target for shares to $17 from $12, citing valuation and the likelihood for favorable earnings revisions.
• RBC Capital upgraded Jack in the Box (JACK) to outperform from sector perform with a $28 target, citing checks showing improved fast food sales in recent months and easy comps.
• Sonic (SONC) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital and $12 price target.
• Synaptics (SYNA) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan and $40 price target.
• Excel Maritime (EXM) was upgraded to buy from hold at Cantor and raised its price target to $7 from $5.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ALTR, ANR, BJRI, COP, HUN, JACK, OSG, PCG, PEP, PM, SONC ...

Analyst Calls: ALTR, ANR, BJRI, COP, HUN, JACK, OSG, PCG, PEP, PM, SONC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• JPMorgan upgraded AstraZeneca (AZN) to neutral from underweight after the company's U.S. Crestor patent was ruled valid. The firm believes the ruling could lead to AstraZeneca announcing a sizeable share buyback program. AstraZeneca was also upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill and to hold from underperform at Jefferies.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Peabody Energy (BTU) to buy from hold, citing valuation and attractive fundamentals in the coal sector. The firm has a $57.50 price target for shares, and also maintains buy ratings on Arch Coal (ACI) and Alpha Natural (ANR).
• Oppenheimer upgraded NextEra Energy (NEE) to outperform from perform, citing valuation and an improving regulation outlook in Florida. The firm maintains a $55 price target for shares.
• Eaton Vance (EV) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Dynamex (DDMX) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Stephens.
• Soleil upgraded RPM (RPM) to buy from gradually accumulate.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AZN, BTU, CSX, FTE, HCBK, NEE, NFLX, STJ, UNP ...

Analyst Calls: AZN, BTU, CSX, FTE, HCBK, NEE, NFLX, STJ, UNP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Wells Fargo upgraded Home Properties (HME) to outperform from market perform. The firm thinks that rental rate in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic are poised to increase, while Home Properties provides relatively cheap access to these markets.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded VeriSign (VRSN) to buy from hold after the company sold its authentication business to Symantec (SYMC). The firm upped its target for VRSN shares to $35 from $25.
• Macquarie upgraded Nexen (NXY) to outperform from neutral following the company's divestiture of its noncore heavy-oil properties in Western Canada.
• UPS (UPS) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• Dell (DELL) was upgraded to buy from hold at Standpoint Research.
• Emerson Electric (EMR) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, AMZN, CVS, DELL, HME, NTY, NXY, SYMC, UPS, VRSN, WAG ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, AMZN, CVS, DELL, HME, NTY, NXY, SYMC, UPS, VRSN, WAG ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 May 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Stephens upgraded Quidel (QDEL) to equal weight from underweight on valuation following the recent pullback in shares. The firm keeps a $16 price target on the stock.
• UBS upgraded Clearwire (CLWR) to neutral from sell, citing the company's funding, which increases opportunities. The firm raised its price target to $6 from $3.
• Oppenheimer upgraded Mattson Technology (MTSN) to outperform from perform on expectations the company will benefit from a cyclical recovery in memory capex spending in 2010. The firm raised its target on shares to $4 from $3.
• Eli Lilly (LLY) was upgraded to sell from conviction sell at Goldman.
• Kinross Gold (KGC) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Limited Brands (LTD) was upgraded to hold from sell at Soleil.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ABT, BA, CLWR, LLY, LTD, NFLX ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ABT, BA, CLWR, LLY, LTD, NFLX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:30:00 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.

Analyst upgrades:

• Barclays upgraded Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR) to Overweight from Equal Weight and raised its target to $64 from $48 following the better-than-expected Q2 report.
• Cowen upgraded Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) to Outperform from Neutral. The firm cites stabilizing demand trends and recovering margins for the upgrade.
• Susquehanna upgraded Isle of Capri (NASDAQ: ISLE) citing weakness following the weak quarter. The firm, which has a $13 target on shares, expects regional operators to benefit from improving macro trends quicker than destination markets.
• Senior Housing (NYSE: SNH) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.
• Barclays (NYSE: BCS) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette.
• CGI Group (NYSE: GIB) was upgraded to Buy from Speculative Buy at Canaccord.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BBBY, DLTR, ISLE, SEAC, WHR ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BBBY, DLTR, ISLE, SEAC, WHR ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Brightpoint (NASDAQ: CELL) to Buy from Hold on expectations global handset units will trough in 2009, leading to a higher multiple for the stock. Citi raised its target on shares to $9 from $6.50.
• FBR Capital upgraded Rosetta Resources (NASDAQ: ROSE) to Outperform from Market Perform on valuation and believes drilling results in Q3 and Q4 should serve as near-term catalysts. The firm raised its target on shares to $15.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Echelon (NASDAQ: ELON) to Neutral from Underweight following the company's contract announcement with Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK). The firm raised its target on shares to $10 from $6.
• Smith & Nephew (NYSE: SNN) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Schawk (NYSE: SGK) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Baird.
• Alpha Natural (NYSE: ANR) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at BMO Capital.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMGN, KR, ROSE, SWY, YUM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMGN, KR, ROSE, SWY, YUM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• UBS upgraded Wendy's/Arby's (NYSE: WEN) to Buy from Neutral and raised its target to $5.50 from $4.90 based on improving sales momentum at Wendy's and potential improvements at Arby's.
• Goldman upgraded 3M (NYSE: MMM) to Buy from Neutral and raised its target to $85 from $78. The firm cites 3M's short-cycle exposure and relative valuation for the upgrade.
• Thomas Weisel upgraded JCPenney (NYSE: JCP) to Market Weight from Underweight citing comfort in the company's intermediate-term recovery potential.
• UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at ING Group.
• Gap (NYSE: GPS) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
• Alliance Healthcare (NYSE: AIQ) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BKC, GPS, JCP, MMM, RF, UBS ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BKC, GPS, JCP, MMM, RF, UBS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Jefferies upgraded Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) to Buy from Hold on a favorable risk/reward profile. The firm thinks sentiment is negative, estimate revisions have troughed, and compares ease in the second half of 2009. Jefferies upped its target price to $35 from $22.
• Citigroup upgraded Home Depot (NYSE: HD) to Buy from Hold on expectations for positive earnings surprises in 2009. The firm thinks home merchandise sales are picking up and consensus estimates could prove conservative. Citi raised its target price on the stock to $32 from $26.
• Bernstein upgraded Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT) to Market Perform from Underperform and raised their price target to $23 from $10 based on its credit agreement amendment and valuation.
• SunTrust (NYSE: STI) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman. Fiat (OTC: FIATY) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
• Lincoln National (NYSE: LNC) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, HD, HOT, NFLX, STT ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, HD, HOT, NFLX, STT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 May 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) Q1 results beat expectations and raised its guidance.
• Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: ANR) shares surged after the it reported strong Q1 earnings.
• Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE: ADM) just missed swinging to a loss due to to hefty investment losses.
• CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) surprised with a net loss in Q1 as revenue and cash flow declined.
• Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) shares fell after it reported disappointing results for the quarter.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: GM, Toyota, CBS, Sprint, ADM, MGM, Nintendo, UBS and more

Earnings highlights: GM, Toyota, CBS, Sprint, ADM, MGM, Nintendo, UBS and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 09 May 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Coal concern Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ANR) has spiked more than 20% today on the heels of its first-quarter earnings report. The company reported a 61% improvement in net income, which rose to $41 million, or 58 cents per share, compared to $25.5 million, or 39 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2008.

Revenue for the period inched higher to $424.4 million. ANR's profit easily exceeded Wall Street's expectations; analysts were looking for a profit of 48 cents per share on $515.5 million.

ANR gapped higher with the sound of the opening bell today, extending its year-to-date advance of 56.4%. If the stock keeps climbing, it could soon have a chance to challenge resistance from its 10-month moving average, which is currently hovering in the $33 neighborhood.

Continue reading Alpha Natural Resources crushes profit estimates, spikes 20%

Alpha Natural Resources crushes profit estimates, spikes 20% originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 06 May 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Along with the May flowers, the coming week will bring plenty more disappointing earnings reports. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters anticipate that Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE: ADM), CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS), Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), CVS Caremark Corp. (NYSE: CVS), Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT), and Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) will all post lower earnings for the most recent quarter. American International Group Inc. (NYSE: AIG) and Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) are expected to report losses.

But which companies are doing well? Here are a few reporting this week that analysts are optimistic about.

Continue reading The week in preview: May flowers, earnings, and more

The week in preview: May flowers, earnings, and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 May 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Baird upgraded Carlisle (NYSE:CSL) to Outperform from Neutral and lowered their target to $25 from $33 following the company's Q4 results citing attractive valuation and solid execution.
  
• Citigroup upgraded Talbots (NYSE:TLB) to Hold from Sell on valuation as they believe the company's cash flow is improving and does not expect the company to face bankruptcy in next three years.
  
• Jefferies upgraded shares of Spectra Energy (NYSE:SE) to Hold from Underperform on valuation following the company's Q4 results and raised their target price to $15 from $11.75.
• Costco (NASDAQ:COST) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
  
• AU Optronics (NYSE:AUO) and LG Display (NYSE:LPL) were upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Banc of America/Merrill.
  
• Alpha Natural (NYSE:ANR) was raised to Buy from Hold at Natixis.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: COST, LPL, SWCEY, AKAM, LEAP

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: COST, LPL, SWCEY, AKAM, LEAP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.