Analyst Upgrades

• Goldman upgraded Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to buy from neutral.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Pulte Group (PHM) to neutral from underperform. Note that Citigroup downgraded the stock.
• Ameristar Casinos (ASCA) was upgraded to neutral from sell at Merriman.
• Citigroup upgraded Kimco Realty (KIM) to hold from sell.
• Mistras (MG) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.
• Devon Energy (DVN) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Garmin (GRMN) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at PacCrest.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, AMGN, BIIB, BSX, CHK, DVN, EOG, GRMN, PHM, WPO ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, AMGN, BIIB, BSX, CHK, DVN, EOG, GRMN, PHM, WPO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Bernstein upgraded Hospira (HSP) to Outperform from market Perform based on valuation, expectations that the company will be able to fix manufacturing issues quickly, and views Propolfol and biosimilars as underappreciated. The firm has a $63 price target on the stock.
• Citigroup upgraded eBay (EBAY) to Buy from Hold citing valuation and improvements to Marketplace. The firm keeps a $28 price target for shares.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Coca-Cola Femsa (KOF) to Hold from Sell citing lessening acquisition risk and raised its target for shares to $66 from $61.
• Blackstone (BX) and Simon Property (SPG) were upgraded to Conviction Buy from Buy at Goldman.
• BreitBurn Energy (BBEP) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.
• SL Green Realty (SLG) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: HSP, EBAY, BX, CSCO

Analyst Calls: HSP, EBAY, BX, CSCO originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:00:00 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:

• Oppenheimer upgraded Goldman Sachs (GS) to Outperform from Perform following the company's $550M settlement with the SEC. Opco has a $213 price target for Goldman shares. BofA/Merrill upgraded Goldman Sachs to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $182 from $160.
• Wells Fargo upgraded JP Morgan (JPM) to Outperform from Market Perform following the company's Q2 results citing valuation and lower credit costs. The firm keeps a valuation range for shares of $48-$51.
• Goldman upgraded Murphy Oil (MUR) to Buy from Neutral and has a $61 price target on the stock. The firm cites Murphy's Eagle Ford growth and valuation for the upgrade.
• Precision Cast (PCP) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Pride International (PDE) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies.
• BHP Billiton (BHP) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at HSBC.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: GS, JPM, BHP, HES, VVUS, SNE, PG, MGM, HUM

Analyst Calls: GS, JPM, BHP, HES, VVUS, SNE, PG, MGM, HUM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Illinois Tool Works (ITW) to buy from hold, citing valuation and the company's strong revenue performance. The firm has a $60 price target for shares.
• Goldman upgraded PPD Inc. (PPDI) to buy from hold and raised its price target to $31 from $28. The firm expects strong top line growth and bookings momentum for the upgrade.
• Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Insituform Technologies (INSU) to buy from hold based on higher estimates for sewer rehab and energy. The firm has a $31 target on the stock.
• Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Wisconsin Energy (WEC) and Northeast Utilities (NU) were upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Rockwell Collins (COL) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AON, AMED, C, GS, HEW, ITW, JPM, MS, PPDI, TLB, URBN ...

Analyst Calls: AON, AMED, C, GS, HEW, ITW, JPM, MS, PPDI, TLB, URBN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Oppenheimer upgraded ConocoPhillips (COP) to outperform from perform after the company sold its stake in Syncrude. The firm has a $70 price target for shares.
• Leerink upgraded UnitedHealth (UNH) to outperform from market perform. The firm sees upside to the company's 2010 guidance and finds shares attractively valued at currently levels.
• Citigroup upgraded both Mirant (MIR) and RRI Energy (RRI) to hold from sell after the two companies agreed to merge.
• Cooper Companies (COO) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Expedia (EXPE) was upgraded to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• A123 Systems (AONE) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AA, COP, GWW, HAS, HOG, NATL, PCLN, UNH, UTX ...

Analyst Calls: AA, COP, GWW, HAS, HOG, NATL, PCLN, UNH, UTX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Nike (NKE) to outperform from market perform. The firm believes the company's momentum is building following the better-than-expected Q3 report and raised its target for the stock to $84 from $67.
• Thomas Weisel upgraded Corning (GLW) to overweight from market weight, citing improving profitability and cash flow trends. The firm has a $24 price target for shares.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Burger King (BKC) to buy from hold, citing valuation and potential positive catalysts from the bottoming of sales trends and easy comparisons. The firm raised its price target on shares to $24 from $19.
• Broadcom (BRCM) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Energizer (ENR) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Guess (GES) was upgraded to buy from hold at Lazard Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ATHN, BKC, BRCM, GES, GLW, JOYG, NDAQ, NKE, SPMD ...

Analyst Calls: ATHN, BKC, BRCM, GES, GLW, JOYG, NDAQ, NKE, SPMD ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Goldman upgraded Potash (POT) to conviction buy from buy and said a "near-worst-case" scenario on 2010 potash pricing is reflected in potash valuations and that they continue to expect a fundamental potash demand recovery in 2010. Note that the firm also upgraded Mosaic (MOS) to buy from neutral. Potash's price target is $138.
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Alcoa (AA) to overweight from equal weight based on expectations for alumina to continue to rally in 2H10. The firm has a $22 target on the stock.
• Baird upgraded Seagate (STX) to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $25 from $22 based on expectations that IT hardware spend will continue to accelerate through 2010, HDD supply conditions will continue to be constrained at least into the March quarter, and that enterprise strength and favorable supply conditions will drive shares higher in 2010.
• Intel (INTC) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Resource Capital (RSO) was raised to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Palm (PALM) was upgraded to hold from sell at Morgan Joseph.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AA, D, H, INTC, NOK, PALM, POT, STX, V ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AA, D, H, INTC, NOK, PALM, POT, STX, V ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• McAdams Wright expects Dendreon's (NASDAQ: DNDN) near-term momentum to continue but has long-term concerns that Street estimates are too high. The firm upgraded shares to Hold from Sell.
• JPMorgan upgraded Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA) to Overweight from Neutral to reflect valuation, potential catalysts from Colorado's easing gaming regulations, and the company's strong free cash flow. The firm raised its target on shares to $24 from $20.
• Citigroup upgraded Valspar (NYSE: VAL) to Hold from Sell after channel checks indicated paint demand is shifting to big-box retailers, the company's primary sales channel. The firm raised its target on shares to $22 from $19.
• Vulcan Materials (NYSE: VMC) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
• Altera (NASDAQ: ALTR) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
• Spectra Energy (NYSE: SEP) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ALU, BJ, CPB, KMX, PGR

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ALU, BJ, CPB, KMX, PGR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: SonicWALL, DG FastChannel and Thomson Reuters were today's noteworthy initiations:

• B. Riley believes SonicWALL's (NASDAQ: SNWL) long-term outlook should benefit as the company specifically targets the SMB IT security market and is increasing its focus on the Asian and Latin American markets. Shares were initiated with a Buy rating and $14 target.
  
• Merriman started DG FastChannel (NASDAQ: DGIT) with a Buy rating and believes the recent closing of the Vyvx acquisition and anticipated closing of the Enliven acquisition could create positive catalysts for the stock.
  
• Citigroup assumed Thomson Reuters (NASDAQ: TRIN) with a Hold rating. The firm finds the valuation full at current levels and prefers to wait for a better entry point.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA) was initiated with an Overweight rating and $26 target at Thomas Weisel.
  
• William Blair assumed Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) with an Outperform rating.
  
• Longtop Financial (NYSE: LFT) was started at Oppenheimer with an Outperform rating and $25 target.

Analyst initiations: SonicWALL, DG FastChannel, Thomson Reuters originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) volatility Elevated into Macao Resort Hotel opening. LVS opened the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel today. Sheldon Adelson, chairman & chief executive officer, said "it is no overstatement to say that the opening of Venetian Macao represents a massive paradigm shift for Macao and the future of tourism development in Asia." Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) says "the scale is enormous and the detail impressive." LVS over all option implied volatility of 44 is above its 26-week average of 39 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA) implied volatility Elevated at 43. ASCA, a Las Vegas based gaming and Entertainment Company, is recently down $0.55 to $28.39. ASCA has a market cap of $1.6 billion with long term debt of $878 million. ACSA over all option implied volatility of 43 is above its 26-week average of 37 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risks.

Daily options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Option update: volatility Up as Sheldon Adelson opens Venetian Macao originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX)

This week's rumor round-up: Will Amazon overpay for Netflix? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:00:00 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:

• Canaccord Adams downgraded shares of Insituform Technologies (NASDAQ: INSU) to Underweight from Neutral following the company's reduced outlook and announcement to exit the tunneling business.

• Prudential downgraded shares of Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA) to Underweight from Neutral on valuation following the recent run-up due to speculation the company will be sold; based on management statements, Prudential believes a company sale is unlikely.

• Buckingham cut Christopher & Banks (NYSE: CBK) to Underperform from Neutral.

• ABN AMRO downgraded shares of British Airways plc (NYSE: BAB) to Sell from Hold as the firm believes profits on trans-Atlantic routes may drop from increased competition due to the "open skies" agreement between the European Union and the U.S.

• JP Morgan downgraded China Unicom Limited (NYSE: CHU) to Underweight from Neutral.

• RBC cut Paychex, Inc (NASDAQ: PAYX) to Sector Perform from Outperform.

• Matrix USA downgraded EarthLink, Inc (NASDAQ: ELNK) to Sell from Hold and WCI Communities, Inc (NYSE: WCI) to Strong Sell from Hold on valuation.

Analyst downgrades 3-30-07: Ameristar Casinos, Paychex & Earthlink downgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Lehman initiated Plexus Corp (NASDAQ: PLXS) with an Underweight rating and $15.50 target.

• Wachovia started Ameristar Casinos Inc (NASDAQ: ASCA) with an Outperform rating; the firm sees upside for Ameristar through growth of existing properties that have expansions and the removal of the $500 loss limit in Missouri.

• Mattel Inc (NYSE: MAT) was initiated with a Hold rating at Sterne Agee.

• First Albany started Gaming Partners International Corp (NASDAQ: GPIC) with a Buy rating and $23 target.

• Jefferies initiated Morgans Hotel Group Co (NASDAQ: MHGC) with a Hold rating and $20 target based on valuation.

• UBS started E*Trade Financial Corp (NASDAQ: ETFC) with a Buy rating and $29 target.

• UBS also started TD Ameritrade Holding Corp (NASDAQ: AMTD) with a Neutral rating on valuation.

• Stifel initiated Saia Inc (NASDAQ: SAIA) with a Buy rating and $31 target; the firm is positive on Saia's growth and said the company should be the biggest beneficiary of further tonnage leakage from Central Freight Lines, which recently went private.

• William Blair started US BioEnergy Corp (NASDAQ: USBE) with an Outperform rating.

• JMP Securities assumed coverage of Delta Financial Corp (NYSE: DFC) with a Strong Buy rating and $13 target.

Analyst initiations 2-22-07: E*Trade started with a Buy rating at UBS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Prudential initiated the Gaming sector with a Favorable rating,
  
• They initiated Boyd Gaming Corp (NYSE: BYD), Town Sports International Holdings (NASDAQ: CLUB), Penn National Gaming (NASDAQ: PENN), Shuffle Master Inc (NASDAQ: SHFL), Steiner Leisure Ltd (NASDAQ: STNR) and Great Wolf Resorts Inc (NASDAQ: WOLF) with Outperform ratings.
  
• Ameristar Casinos Inc (NASDAQ: ASCA), MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) and WMS Industries Inc (NYSE: WMS) were initiated with Neutral ratings.
• Underweight ratings were given to International Game Tech (NYSE: IGT), Isle of Capri Casinos Inc (NASDAQ: ISLE), Life Time Fitness Inc (NYSE: LTM), Pinnacle Entertainment Inc (NYSE: PNK) and Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc (NASDAQ: TRMP).

• UBS initiated CBS Corp (NYSE: CBS) with a Buy rating and $38 target, citing valuation, dividends and buybacks.

• Nollenberger believes International Rectifier Corp (NYSE: IRF) is the way to play the trend for energy efficiency, initiating the company with a Buy rating and $60 target.

• Goldman Sachs resumed coverage of AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) with a Buy rating and Level 3 Communications inc (NASDAQ: LVLT) with a Neutral rating.

• Stanford started EDO Corp (NYSE: EDO) with a Hold rating and $25 target; the firm believes EDO can be a turnaround story in 2007, but they recommend investors to stay on the sidelines until after Q4 earnings given their concerns over the quarter and guidance.

Analyst initiations 1-26-07: Prudential is Favorable on gaming originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Jan 2007 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Research in Motion (RIMM) was the only notable company in today's list of initiations.

• Lazard initiated Research in Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ:RIMM) with a Hold based on valuation.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Morgan Stanley initiated Labor Ready Inc. (NYSE:LRW) with an Equal Weight rating and $18 target, expecting headwinds from the US "growth recession", which should continue next year.
• Calyon initiated Ameristar Casinos Inc. (NASDAQ:ASCA) with a Neutral rating citing valuation.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst initiations 12-11-06: Research in Motion with Hold originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Dec 2006 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.