Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup (C) to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.
• Cubist Pharma (CBST) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Pentair (PNR) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Heritage Financial (HFWA) to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.
• SL Green Realty (SLG) and Digital Realty (DLR) to market perform from underperform at FBR Capital.
• MGM Resorts (MGM) to neutral from Sell at Janney Capital.
• Ciena (CIEN) to buy from neutral and Olin (OLN) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Mellanox (MLNX) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• ConocoPhillips (COP) and Canadian Natural (CNQ) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• IDEX (IEX) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Ctrip.com (CTRP) to positive from neutral at Susquehanna.
• Linear Technology (LLTC) and Analog Devices (ADI) to hold from sell at Auriga.
• Quicksilver (KWK) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ADI, BRCM, C, CIEN, COP, INTC, MGM, OXY, QCOM, TXN ...

Analyst Calls: ADI, BRCM, C, CIEN, COP, INTC, MGM, OXY, QCOM, TXN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• U.S. Steel (X) to buy from neutral and Barnes & Noble (BKS) to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• Salesforce.com (CRM) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Dollar Tree (DLTR) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Edison International (EIX) to hold from sell at Citigroup.
• Analog Devices (ADI) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ADI, BKS, CMG, CRM, DANG, DLTR, FDO, LLTC, NFLX, X ...

Analyst Calls: ADI, BKS, CMG, CRM, DANG, DLTR, FDO, LLTC, NFLX, X ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:30:00 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.

Among the quarterly results scheduled for this holiday-shortened week, investors may be thankful for the earnings results from Tyson Foods (TSN). The Arkansas-based poultry and meat producer reported on its sustainability efforts and also was named McDonalds' (MCD) supplier of the year during its fiscal fourth quarter. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters forecast earnings for that period to have doubled from a year ago to 56 cents per share.

Tyson is also expected to post revenue of $7.8 billion for the three months that ended in September, which is 7.4% more than in the same period of fiscal 2009. And the consensus estimate for the full year calls for earnings of $2.08 per share (+87.0%) and revenue of $28.7 billion (+7.3%). Tyson's earnings have been better than expected in recent quarters, beating consensus estimates by as much as 24 cents per share.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Tyson Foods, Analog Devices, Deere Serve Up Earnings

Week in Preview: Tyson Foods, Analog Devices, Deere Serve Up Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Paul McWilliams is well-known for his in-depth and sophisticated analysis of tech stocks in his Next Inning newsletter.

In addition to corporate metrics, he places strong emphasis on superior management. Regarding integrated circuit manufacturer Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI), he notes, "CEO Jerald Fishman really knows how to run a company."

"The numbers posted by Analog Devices and the guidance provided for its fiscal fourth fiscal quarter of 2009 (ends October 2009) were both impressive. And, when taken together, exceeded my expectations.

"As I had expected, there was an inventory adjustment that resulted in a sequential decline in excess of 18% in its shipments to Chinese wireless infrastructure suppliers.

Continue reading Sharp management boosts Analog Devices (ADI)

Sharp management boosts Analog Devices (ADI) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) strong Q2 results beat expectations due to rising same-store sales.
• Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) Q3 earnings topped low expectations and revenue declined.
• Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI) posted better-than-expected Q3 results but shares fell on weaker margins.
• Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) CEO said its new advertising efforts will boost sales over the long run.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) had a better-than-expected Q2 profit but same-store sales fell.
• BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (NYSE: BJ) reported solid Q2 numbers and raised its full-year guidance.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: B&N, Deere, Heinz, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target ...

Earnings highlights: B&N, Deere, Heinz, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Analog Devices (ADI) falls on lower profit and weaker margins

Analog Devices (ADI) falls on lower profit and weaker margins originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Barclays believes Procter & Gamble's (NYSE: PG) portfolio mix provides better leverage to stabilizing macro trends. The firm upgraded shares to Overweight from Equal weight and raised its target to $60 from $56. Note the firm downgraded Colgate (NYSE: CL) to Equal Weight from Overweight.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) to Buy from Hold as it finds the risk/reward on shares compelling at current levels and sees upcoming catalysts from McCafe and easing commodity pressures. The firm raised its target price to $65 from $60.
• FBR Capital upgraded Talbots (NYSE: TLB) to Outperform from Market Perform to reflect an attractive risk/reward, reduced risk of a bankruptcy, and merchandise improvements. The firm raised its target price to $4 from $2.
• Nokia (NYSE: NOK) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Baird.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: PG, MCD, TLB, CL, JTX, HD, IPCM, MYRG and NFLX

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: PG, MCD, TLB, CL, JTX, HD, IPCM, MYRG and NFLX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) saw lower Q3 results in the tough retail envirnoment.
• Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI) Q4 profit surged but it lowered its Q1 forecast due to slowing orders.
• Borders Group Inc. (NYSE: BGP) had dismal Q3 results and said it had ceased its quest to sell itself.
• Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) solid Q1 results beat estimates but shares fell despite a market rally.
• Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) fell short of Q4 profit expectations and guidance was below estimates.
• Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) had a bigger-than-expected Q3 profit and raised its full-year outlook.
• D.R. Horton Inc. (NYSE: DHI) reported a wider Q4 loss as home sales revenue declined by 50%.
• Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) posted strong Q4 numbers that didn't quite match the preliminary results.
• Salesforce.com Inc. (NYSE: CRM) had strong results and an optimistic forecast despite economic conditions.
• Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX) lowered its fiscal 2009 forecast and warned of further restructuring.
• Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) Q3 earnings declined but topped expectations, and it announced staff reductions.
• Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG) Q4 earnings beat expectations though revenues fell slightly.
• Xerox Corp. (NYSE: XRX) forecast a full-year profit in line with estimates and said it is confident in its liquidity.

Upcoming earnings releases include Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD), Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS), Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO), Del Monte Foods (NYSE: DLM), Guess (NYSE: GES), Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL), Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL), Big Lots (NYSE: BIG), Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE: RY).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: HP, Campbell, Deere, Tiffany, Xerox, Borders and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings season is beginning to wind down as we have passed the halfway mark of the quarter and the holiday season begins in earnest next week with Thanksgiving in the United States.

Bermuda-based Frontline Ltd. (NYSE: FRO) is anticipated by analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters to be one of the biggest earnings gainers among companies scheduled to report quarterly results this coming week. The oil tanker fleet operator is expected to post third-quarter earnings of $1.97 per share, 86.8% higher than in the same period a year ago, on revenues of $399.5 million (+44.6%). Frontline missed estimates by 6.4% in the previous quarter, and the consensus recommendation by analysts is to hold FRO. While Motley Fool likes its robust dividend, Jim Cramer said in a recent Lightning Round that he prefers rival Nordic American Tanker Shipping Ltd. (NYSE: NAT). Shares have fallen 52.9% in the past three months, and reached a 52-week low of $25.00 on Friday.

Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI) is also expected to be among the week's biggest earnings gainers. Analysts are looking for the semiconductor chip maker to report a fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $0.44 per share, 31.8% higher than a year ago, on revenues of $661.7 million (+2.0%). Analog Devices has beat estimates in three of the past five quarters, but only missed by 1.3% in the previous quarter. Analysts on average recommend buying ADI, which has a forecast long-term EPS growth rate of 17.3%, which better than the S&P 500 and that of rival Texas Instruments Inc. (NYSE: TXN). Shares sank to a multiyear low of $16.23 on Friday, and are down 41.1% in the past three months.

Continue reading The week in preview: Holiday week earnings

The week in preview: Holiday week earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a report entitled "Six-pack of technology favorites." You can read about the other top tech stock picks here.

"I think Wall Street has made a poor assessment of Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI)," says Paul McWilliams. Here's a look at the chip maker from his technology-focused newsletter, Next Inning.

"Analog Device's top line guidance came in a bit below Wall Street expectations. However, I think the problems are between the Hudson and East Rivers and not in Norwood, Massachusetts, the hometown of Analog.

"What Wall Street appears to be missing is that since ADI has sold off some of its lower profit business units, its seasonal sales patterns have changed. ADI is now again driven by industrial market sectors much more than it was even just last year.

"Therefore, its conservative guidance of flat to up 3% sequentially shouldn't have been a big surprise nor a cause for concern. As a matter of fact, with its minimal exposure to PC and consumer markets, I think flat to up 3% is pretty good.

"What Wall Street would be better to focus on are the operational improvements ADI has made. In its July quarter, ADI improved its pro forma operating margin to 26.5% from 26.2% last quarter and again reduced its inventory, which sits now at the lowest level we've seen since 2004.

Continue reading In the chips with Analog Devices (ADI)

In the chips with Analog Devices (ADI) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With concerns over recession, turmoil in the financial sector, fear of rising rates, high market volatility and a rising aversion to risk, many investors have been avoiding technology stocks.

Investors have feared that these economic headwinds will dampen both consumer spending for technology products and reduced capital expenditures for technology in the corporate sector.

Despite these concerns, some of the newsletter industry's leading advisors are looking beyond the current malaise and seeing longer-term value in some of the tech sector's leading players. They believe that much of the "bad news" is already reflected in the price of the shares, with little recognition being given to their longer-term potential.

For those willing to go against the crowd and buy, as they say, "while blood is running in the street," we offer a six-pack of technology stocks that the some top advisors considers to be among their favorite ideas.

Continue reading A six-pack of technology favorites

A six-pack of technology favorites originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rival home improvement chains Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) and Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) are scheduled to report quarterly results this week. Not surprisingly, given the ongoing housing slump, analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial on average expect both companies to post earnings lower than in the same period a year ago. For Home Depot, that's 61 cents per share, down 20.8%, and for Lowe's, 56 cents per share, down 16.4%. Meanwhile, cabinet maker American Woodmark Corp. (NASDAQ: AMWD), for whom Home Depot and Lowe's are major distributors, is also expected to report lower earnings: 11 cents per share, down 67.6%.

The presidential campaigns have prompted much discussion of energy policy and alternative energy sources. Some solar-energy-related concerns are scheduled to report this week, and expectations seem to be high. Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL) is expected to report 81 cents per share earnings, up 67.9%; ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE: SOL) is expected to post earnings of 32 cents per share, up 62.5%; and Suntech Power Holdings Co. (NYSE: STP) is expected to have earnings of 32 cents per share, up 21.9%. Even China Sunergy Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: CSUN) is expected to have swung to a profit of 3 cents per share, from a per-share loss of 14 cents a year ago.

Continue reading The week in preview: Expectations for home improvement, tech, apparel

The week in preview: Expectations for home improvement, tech, apparel originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Exodus from oil may goose tech

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Exodus from oil may goose tech originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Most people think that analog is dead," notes wireless sector expert Nikhil Hutheesing, adding "But analog is still a rapidly growing part of the semiconductor business."

In his Forbes Wireless Stock Watch, he explains, "And there is really only one company that provides a soup to nuts analog system for wireless infrastructure products.: that company is Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI)." Here is his review.

"Digital chips, which store data in ones and zeroes, operate by differentiating between on and off signals.

"Analog chips, by contrast, process gradations and are able to process waveforms such as speech, music and video. So analog chips create a bridge to the digital world where data is stored and manipulated.

"Digital chips themselves are ill-suited for communicating.As digital circuits shrink to ever smaller sizes, the value in the analog portion, that doesn't scale well, continues to rise.

"A year ago, I would not have recommended Analog Devices. The company was struggling. From 2004 to 2007 ADI posted a 1% compounded annual growth rate in revenues and earnings per share.

"During that time, the company was a provider of handset basebands (modems inside a phone) which really became a commodity business. It was also in the PC power management businesses, which was also a drag on the overall growth of the company.

Continue reading Analog Devices (ADI): Going beyond digital

Analog Devices (ADI): Going beyond digital originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) posted strong Q1 results on increased same-store sales.
• Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI) reported solid Q2 results and raised its Q3 guidance.
• BMC Software Inc. (NYSE: BMC) Q4 results beat estimates and it raised its full-year guidance.
• Charming Shoppes Inc. (NASDAQ: CHRS) posted a Q1 loss its worst sales decline in years.
• Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) warned that it doesn't expect 2009 profit despite some strength overseas.
• Gymboree Corp. (NASDAQ: GYMB) reported strong Q1 results due to higher retail sales.
• Hormel Foods Corp. (NYSE: HRL) posted solid Q2 results that beat Wall Street estimates by a penny.
• Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG) warned that it might not meet expectations for 2008.
• Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE: LTD) disappointing Q1 results were offset by a one-time sale of an asset.
• PetSmart Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) posted weak Q1 results that beat estimates, and offered weak guidance.
• Salesforce.com Inc. (NYSE: CRM) reported strong Q1 results that led to analyst upgrades.
• Talbots Inc. (NYSE: TLB) restructuring costs and soft same-store sales dragged down Q1 earnings.
• Toro Co. (NYSE: TTC) Q2 profits and revenues declined but beat low expectations of analysts.

Additional earnings highlights:
Home Depot, Gap, Lenovo, Air France, Activision, Suntech and others
Hewlett-Packard, Target, Barnes & Noble, Campbell, Staples and others

Upcoming results to watch for include Borders (NYSE: BGP), Polo Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL), TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO), Big Lots (NYSE: BIG), Costco (NASDAQ: COST), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), HJ Heinz (NYSE: HNZ), Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD), Lions Gate (NYSE: LGF), and Tiffany (NYSE: TIF).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Ford, Hormel, Limited Brands, Intuitive Surgical, PetSmart and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 25 May 2008 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While medical device maker Medtronic Inc. (NYSE: MDT) reported flat fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday despite strong growth in sales and operating earnings, chip maker Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI) said its fiscal second-quarter profit increase on higher sales of analog products beat analyst estimates.

Minneapolis-based Medtronic's fourth-quarter profit of $812 million was the same as last year, when the company recorded a tax gain of about $129 million. Adjusted earnings-per-share rose to 72 cents, up from 70 cents per share a year ago, and in line with the estimates of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.

Revenue for the quarter rose 18% to $3.86 billion, ahead of analysts' expectations of about $3.72 billion.

For the full year just ended, the company earned $2.23 billion, or $1.95 per share, down from $2.8 billion, or $2.41 per share a year ago. Revenue rose to almost $13.52 billion, up from about $12.3 billion a year ago. Analysts were expecting earnings per share of $2.96 on revenue of $15.1 billion.

Medtronic said it expects to earn $2.94 to $3.02 per share for fiscal 2009, on revenue of $15 billion to $15.5 billion.

Shares rose $1.08, or 2.3%, to $48.96 in trading Tuesday, and rose an additional 19 cents after hours.

Continue reading Medtronic rises despite flat EPS; Analog Devices sinks despite beating estimates

Medtronic rises despite flat EPS; Analog Devices sinks despite beating estimates originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 May 2008 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Morgan Stanley initiated Analog Semiconductors with an In Line rating. The firm assumed National Semiconductor Corp (NYSE: NSM) with an Overweight rating and $26 target and is the firm's top pick; Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI) and Linear Tech (NASDAQ: LLTC) were initiated with Equal Weight ratings and a $32 target and $34 target, respectively.
  
• Barrington believes OrthoVita (NASDAQ: VITA) is the market share and technological leader of the biomaterials market. The firm assumed shares with an Outperform rating and $4 target.
  
• Canaccord Adams believes First Solar's (NASDAQ: FSLR) management and business model are among the best of any PV company and that execution has led to strong profitability plus a successful aggressive capacity ramp. Shares were started with a Buy rating and $325 target.

• Morgan Stanley initiated Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) and Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ) with Equal Weight ratings and targets of $40 and $15, and also initiated McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) and Burger King (NYSE: BKC) with Overweight ratings and targets of $65 and $34.
  
• Lehman initiated Alcoa (NYSE: AA) with an Overweight rating and $44 target.

Analyst initiations: Analog semiconductors, VITA and FSLR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI), a semi-conductor company is expected to report 3Q EPS of 39 cents, according to Thomson First Call. ADI call option volume of 4,600 contracts compares to put volume of 3,460 contracts. ADI December option implied volatility of 48 is above its 26-week average of 33 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risks.

Marvell (NASDAQ: MRVL) is expected to report Q3 EPS of .08 cents tonight according to Thomson First Call. MRVL, a manufacturer of chips for hard disk drives and networking gear, is recently up 29 cents to $16.28. MRVL call option volume of 95,527 contracts compares to put volume of 14,814 contracts. MRVL December option implied volatility of 68 is above its 26-week average of 45 according to Track Data, indicating buyers of calls are hedging for upside share price gains.

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

Option update: Analog Devices & Marvell volatility up into EPS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analog Devices (ADI) reports, but National Semi (NSM) gets an upgrade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.