Analyst Upgrades

• Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Boston Scientific (BSX) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Windstream (WIN) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Expeditors (EXPD) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• A123 Systems (AONE) to neutral from underperform and Chesapeake Midstream (CHKM) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• AvalonBay (AVB) to outperform from neutral and Post Properties (PPS) to neutral from underperform at Cowen.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AONE, AVB, BSX, LVS, MDRX, RRC, SAP, TIVO, WIN ...

Analyst Calls: AONE, AVB, BSX, LVS, MDRX, RRC, SAP, TIVO, WIN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Verizon (VZ), FEMSA (FMX), Vornado (VNO), Duke Realty (DRE) and AvalonBay (AVB) to buy from neutral, as well as Carnival (CCL) to conviction buy from buy, at Goldman.
• Symantec (SYMC) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Copano Energy (CPNO), DCP Midstream (DPM) and Inergy (NRGY) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• SYNNEX (SNX) to strong buy from buy at Needham.
• Eli Lilly (LLY) to hold from sell at Hapoalim.
• World Wrestling (WWE) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AKS, CCL, EOG, GE, GS, LLY, SNDK, T, TLB, TUP, VZ, WWE ...

Analyst Calls: AKS, CCL, EOG, GE, GS, LLY, SNDK, T, TLB, TUP, VZ, WWE ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Procter & Gamble (PG) upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Capital One (COF) upgraded to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Airgas (ARG) upgraded to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Broadcom (BRCM) upgraded to positive from neutral at Susquehanna.
• Lululemon (LULU) upgraded to hold from underperform at Jefferies.
• DryShips (DRYS) upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AVB, BRCM, COF, DRYS, IFF, LULU, NSM, OII, OSG, PG ...

Analyst Calls: AVB, BRCM, COF, DRYS, IFF, LULU, NSM, OII, OSG, PG ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup assumed coverage of Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and upgraded shares to buy from hold with a $52 price target. Citi cites valuation and the company's successful execution for the rating change.
• UBS upgraded Rowan Companies (RDC) to buy from neutral based on better-than-expected dayrates in the high specification jack-up market. The firm raised its price target to $42 from $28.
• UBS also upgraded NetLogic (NETL) to buy from neutral and keeps a $33.50 target on the stock. The firm upgraded shares based on valuation and solid long-term outlook.
• AvalonBay (AVB) and BRE Properties (BRE) were upgraded to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
• Covance (CVD) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Reynolds American (RAI) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BKS, GE, GSK, ITW, MMM, MXIM, NETL, NOK, RAI, RDC, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: BKS, GE, GSK, ITW, MMM, MXIM, NETL, NOK, RAI, RDC, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Pioneer Natural (PXD) to outperform from market perform and raised its price target for shares to $85 from $60. The firm upgraded shares on expectations that returns from the company's Spraberry field will increase materially.
• Baird upgraded Acroda Therapeutics (ACOR) to outperform from neutral based on valuation and a new survey that indicates a strong uptake for Ampyra and improvements on the reimbursement front. The firm has a $40 target on the stock.
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Nokia (NOK) to overweight from underweight based on checks that indicate strong orders and less than expected discounting for its upcoming N8 smartphone.
• GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and British American Tobacco (BTI) were upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Quality Systems (QSII) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at William Blair.
• Siemens (SI) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ACOR, CHKM, CPB, ENV, GDOT, GR, GSK, MFE, NOK, OXY, PXD, SI ...

Analyst Calls: ACOR, CHKM, CPB, ENV, GDOT, GR, GSK, MFE, NOK, OXY, PXD, SI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Wunderlich upgraded Inergy (NRGY) to buy from hold on valuation after the stock sold off following the proposed merger with Inergy Holdings (NRGP). The firm raised its target for shares to $46 from $40.
• Soleil upgraded Applied Industrial (AIT) to buy from gradually accumulate following the company's better-than-expected Q4 results and raised its target for shares to $42 from $36.
• Citigroup upgraded Starwood Property (STWD) to buy from hold with a $21 price target, citing a pick-up in CRE loan sales.
• Family Dollar (FDO) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Intercontinental Hotels (IHG) was upgraded to buy from sell at Societe Generale.
• Yucheng Technologies (YTEC) was upgraded to buy from hold at Roth Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AIT, BWC, CRK, ECT, FDO, NRGY, STWD, TSCO ...

Analyst Calls: AIT, BWC, CRK, ECT, FDO, NRGY, STWD, TSCO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Auriga upgraded Allscripts (MDRX) to buy from hold to reflect valuation and potential synergies from the company's pending merger with Eclipsys (ECLP). The firm upped its target price for shares to $20 from $19.
• SunTrust upgraded Newell Rubbermaid (NWL) to buy from neutral based on completion of its turnaround plan, stabilizing end markets and favorable comparisons. The firm has a $25 price target on the stock.
• Morgan Joseph upgraded C.R. Bard (BCR) to buy from hold based on valuation and upside to estimates from the share buyback program. The firm has a $97 price target on the stock.
• Shire (SHPGY) was upgraded to buy from hold at Lazard Capital.
• Onyx Pharma (ONXX) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• AvalonBay (AVB) was upgraded to neutral from sell at UBS.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AVB, BCR, CREE, DAI, HRB, HSP, MDRX, NANO, NWL ...

Analyst Calls: AVB, BCR, CREE, DAI, HRB, HSP, MDRX, NANO, NWL ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• MGM Mirage Gets Bets From Call-Buyers
• D.R. Horton, Netflix Options Lure Bulls

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Real Estate Is Doing Better Than You Think

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Real Estate Is Doing Better Than You Think originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Boston Properties (BXP) and BioMed Realty Trust (BMR) to outperform from market perform after introducing 2011-2012 estimates for the sector. The firm raised its target on Boston Properties to $74.50 from $70 and on BioMed Realty to $17 from $15.50.
• Citigroup upgraded Sysco (SYY) to buy from hold after its channel checks indicated the company's trends are gradually improving. The firm raised its target on shares to $34 from $28.
• Stephens upgraded Smithfield Foods (SFD) to overweight from equal weight on expectations the company's hog production profitability will improve. The firm raised its target price on shares to $20 from $16.
• Nokia (NOK) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at BMO Capital.
• Suntech (STP) was upgraded to market weight from underweight at Thomas Weisel.
• Forest Oil (FST) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, BXP, MOT, NOK, S, RBS, TWC ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, BXP, MOT, NOK, S, RBS, TWC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Bank of America (BAC) to outperform from market perform to reflect its positive view of the company's $20.5M common equity raise and $45B TARP repayment. The firm believes the $20.5B capital raise is lower than some expected and that Bank of America could potentially announce a new CEO by year-end. FBR raised its price target on shares to $20 from $15.
• JPMorgan upgraded Kennametal (KMT) to overweight from neutral. The firm, which has a $30 target on the stock, cites the recent pullback in shares and believes increased industrial production in 2010 could be a positive catalyst for the company.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Ternium (TX) to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $40 from $31. The firm upgraded shares based on expectations for further improvements in profitability.
• G-III Apparel (GIII) was upgraded to overweight from market weight at Thomas Weisel.
• Cubist Pharma (CBST) was raised to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• AvalonBay (AVB) was upgraded to neutral from sell at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, AMZN, BAC, DRYS, GENZ, REG, S ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, AMZN, BAC, DRYS, GENZ, REG, S ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Oppenheimer upgraded Momenta Pharmaceuticals (MNTA) to outperform from perform as it finds the stock attractive ahead of FDA's decision on M-enoxaparin. The firm has a $15 price target on the stock.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Symmetry Medical (SMA) to market perform from underperform. The firm cited several factors for the upgrade, including valuation and its belief that Symmetry's customers have begun to deplete their inventories.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Myriad Pharmaceuticals (MYRX) to neutral from underweight after the company announced Phase 2a date for Azixa. The firm has a $5 price target on shares.
• AvalonBay (AVB) and Mid-America Apartment (MAA) were upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• GSI Commerce (GSIC) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• FICO (FICO) was upgraded to equal weight from Underweight at Stephens.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CVS, FICO, HOTT, INTC, MNTA, TXN ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CVS, FICO, HOTT, INTC, MNTA, TXN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Baird upgraded Tenet Healthcare (NYSE: THC) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $6 from $5 based on cost trends, valuation, and expectations the company can beat expectations over the next six months.
• Oppenheimer upgraded E-House (NYSE: EJ) to Outperform from Perform following the company's better-than-expected Q2 results. The firm has a price target of $27 on shares.
• JPMorgan upgraded Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) to Overweight from Neutral and has a $33 target on the stock. The firm cites valuation for the upgrade following the recent underperformance and expects the company's margins to expand as demand rebounds.
• Citigroup (NYSE: C) was upgraded to Buy from Underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Taubman Centers (NYSE: TCO) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Buy at Goldman.
• First Niagara (NASDAQ: FNFG) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Janney Montgomery.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMGN, AVY, C, FMCN, THC ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMGN, AVY, C, FMCN, THC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Canaccord upgraded Imperial Oil (NYSE: IMO) to Buy from Speculative Buy following an increase in crude oil forecast.
• BT Group (NYSE: BT) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein.
  
• Novartis (NYSE: NVS) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  
• CommVault (NASDAQ: CVLT) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman.
  
• AvalonBay (NYSE: AVB) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Sandler O'Neill.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BT, NVS, NOK, TXI, MTB ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BT, NVS, NOK, TXI, MTB ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With occupancy rates around 95%, apartment REITs appear to be the one bright spot in the REIT sector," says Asif Suria in The SINLetter; he looks at AvalonBay Communities (NYSE: AVB).

"The company generates nearly half its net operating income from the NY/NJ metro area and New England. California represents an additional 32% of net operating income.

"With a management team that is well respected and leverage that is the lowest of any apartment REIT, AvalonBay has traded at a premium over the last few years and the stock was trading at nearly $150 when I first came across the company in early 2007.

"I continued watching the company over the last two years looking for an opportunity to start a position. With a decline of over 70% from its 2007 high and a yield of 8.1%, this apartment REIT is finally at a level that not only offers a fat yield but also the potential of price appreciation.

Continue reading AvalonBay (AVB): REIT rental returns

AvalonBay (AVB): REIT rental returns originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Jefferies upgraded shares of Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) to Buy from Hold on expectations that Haynesville results could be a catalyst in 2009. The firm raised their target to $100 from $94.
  
• Friedman Billings upgraded shares of Republic Services (NYSE: RSG) to Outperform from market Perform following the completed merger with Allied Waste (NYSE: AW).
  
• KeyBanc upgraded NorthWestern (NYSE: NWE) to Buy from HOld as they expect the Montana commission to grant the company's pending request for an accounting order to smooth pension expenses over five years.
• EnCana (NYSE: ECA) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman.
  
• Goldman also upgraded Questar (NYSE: STR) to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC) was raised to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst calls: DVN, RSG, ECA, KGC, AIV, DB, DLTR, CVS, PETM, S, MU ...

Analyst calls: DVN, RSG, ECA, KGC, AIV, DB, DLTR, CVS, PETM, S, MU ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AMB Property (NYSE: AMB), a global developer and owner of industrial real estate, closed at $13.25 Wednesday. Goldman Sachs says: "We remain cautious on REITS." AMB December option implied volatility of 107 is above its 8-week average of 66 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Essex Property Trust (NYSE: ESS), a REIT with the majority of real estate consisting of apartment communities, closed at $74.33 Wednesday. ESS December option implied volatility of 81 is above its 26-week average of 51 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

AvalonBay (NYSE: AVB), an owner or indirect owner of 178 apartment communities containing 50,370 apartment homes, closed at $55.03 Wednesday. AVB December option implied volatility of 83 is above its 26-week average of 54 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

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

Options Update: REIT volatility elevated on economic pressures; AMB, ESS, AVB originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Jefferies upgraded shares of Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) to Hold from Underperform on valuation. The stock has gone down 40% since they initiated coverage on September 19. The firm maintains a $29 target.
  
• Citigroup upgraded EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG), Quicksilver (NYSE: KWK) and Southwestern Energy (NYSE: SWN) to Buy from Hold on their belief U.S. natural gas-focused E&P companies have near-term upside.
  
• Barclays upgraded Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI) to Equal Weight from Underweight citing the $425M private equity investment, which reduces liquidity risk, and its reduced cost structure.
• Brandywine Realty (NYSE: BDN) and AvalonBay (NYSE: AVB) were upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Merrill Lynch.
  
• tw telecom (NASDAQ: TWTC) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JP Morgan.
  
• AmeriCredit (NYSE: ACF) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Friedman Billings.

• Jefferies downgraded Macquarie Infrastructure (NYSE: MIC) to Hold from Buy to reflect the company's sensitivity to the economic slowdown and funding risk. The firm lowered their target to $9 from $40 after the company announced a dividend reduction.
  
• Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) was cut to Sell from Neutral at UBS due to the company's exposure to potential generic competition and a lack of new products.
  
• Friedman Billings downgraded Cleveland Cliffs (NYSE: CLF) to Market Perform from Outperform and lowered their target to $42 from $50 to reflect the risk of further production cuts.
• Credit Suisse lowered Acme Packet (NASDAQ: APKT) to Neutral from Outperform.
  
• Delta Petroleum (NASDAQ: DPTR) was downgraded at Deutsche Bank to Sell from Hold.
  
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) was downgraded to Sell from Buy at UBS.

• Goldman initiated Bristol-Myers (NYSE: BMY) with a Buy rating and $27 target as they believe it is making progress in becoming a mid-sized specialty biopharmaceutical company. The firm expects the company to be active in M&A and to spin-off or divest its slow-growth or fast-growing assets, such as virology and oncology.
  
• Goldman believes Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) needs a "radical transformation" and restructuring that includes a break up, spin and merger in order to outperform over the next several years. Shares were assumed with a Sell rating and $19 target.
  
• Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) was initiated with a Neutral rating and $65 target at Banc of America. The firm prefers to be on the sidelines given uncertainties surrounding 2009 revenue growth and the potential for negative rhetoric out of Washington on pharma costs.
• Acorda (NASDAQ: ACOR) was started at RBC Capital with an Outperform rating and $30 target.
  
• Cavium Networks (NASDAQ: CAVM) and NetLogic (NASDAQ: NETL) were initiated with Neutral ratings at Cowen.
  
• Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW) was assumed with a Buy rating and $61 target at Piper Jaffray.

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, WFMI, MIC, SNY, BMY, PFE, JNJ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Seize the day with AvalonBay

Seize the day with AvalonBay originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"A decline in home ownership is good for companies who have apartments to rent," notes The Dave Dyer Newsletter. To benefit from this trend, he looks at Avalon Bay (NYSE: AVB)." Here is his review.

"After a 10 year period of consistent increases from 1995 to 2005, the trend toward increasing home ownership has reversed and is now clearly in decline. The subprime problems and tighter credit policies will only serve to increase the decline.

"One of the easiest ways to invest in this trend is to buy shares in a REIT that owns apartment properties. Avalon Bay (NYSE: AVB.) is a REIT that manages high quality apartment communities in the high barrier-to-entry markets like California, the Pacific Northwest, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

"In some cases, they develop their own properties; in others, they buy and remodel existing apartment complexes. They currently own 182 properties with about 52,000 apartments in total. AVB has 19 more properties under constructions and development rights for another 52.

Continue reading Avalon Bay (AVB): More renters boost apartment REIT

Avalon Bay (AVB): More renters boost apartment REIT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's no secret that the entire real estate market in the U.S. is suffering. For investors owning REITs, we are in the midst of a year of real pain. For long-term investors, some opportunities have arisen in the REIT space.

With people unable to get mortgages, the rental market has proven to be quite strong. Either from people who sold or forfeited their homes, to people who won't qualify for a mortgage, to higher end buyers who believe prices will continue to fall -- everyone still needs living accommodations. That's why I think the market has it wrong with some of the REIT sectors.

REITs dealing with rental markets should be strong, but, alas, their stock has gotten slammed just as bad as everyone else's. It's a classic case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

My top pick in this sector is AvalonBay Communities (NYSE: AVB). AvalonBay develops, acquires, refurbishes, leases, and manages apartment complexes. The stock is down over 40% over the last year and currently sports a nice dividend yield of 3.9%. I think long-term investors will be richly rewarded on this stock.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. Disclosure: Writer has no position long or short in any stock mentioned as of 1/14/08.

A REIT that was thrown out with the bathwater originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.