BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: AMTD, C, COF, DLTR, FL, GS, IBM, INTC, NYT, PGR, SCHW ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/04/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/04/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/04/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Intel (INTC), ON Semiconductor (ONNN), Lattice Semiconductor (LSCC), Fairchild Semiconductor (FSC), STMicroelectronics (STM) and Altera (ALTR) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
  • Capital One (COF) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
  • Dollar Tree (DLTR) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
  • Foot Locker (FL) to buy from neutral at Sterne Agee.
  • Progressive (PGR) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
  • Flow International (FLOW) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
  • Signature Bank (SBNY) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
  • HiSoft Technology (HSFT) to buy from neutral at UBS.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMTD, C, COF, DLTR, FL, GS, IBM, INTC, NYT, PGR, SCHW ...

Analyst Calls: AMTD, C, COF, DLTR, FL, GS, IBM, INTC, NYT, PGR, SCHW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlteraALTRAMTDanalyst upgradesBEECCapital OneCERSCerusCharles SchwabCitigroupCMACOFCogdell SpencerComericaCSADLTRDollar TreedowngradesEBTXFLFLOWFoot LockerFSCHiSoftHSFTIBMinitiationsINTCIntelinthenewsKendleKNDLLSCCMonster WorldwideMWWNew York TimesNYTONNNPGRSBNYSCHWSTMTD AmeriTradeFri, 04 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: Giving Some Back (GCI, JPM, GS, NBG, BEE, MERU)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/11/closing-bell-giving-some-back-gci-jpm-gs-nbg-bee-meru/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/11/closing-bell-giving-some-back-gci-jpm-gs-nbg-bee-meru/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/11/closing-bell-giving-some-back-gci-jpm-gs-nbg-bee-meru/#commentsFiled under: ,

Today's market fear was that the $1 trillion E.U. bailout is a bandaid over an open wound, rather than a cure. In short, the problems remain but more money is thrown at them. Traders spent most of the day playing tug of war all of the way down to the closing bell wire today.

Here were the unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 10,748.26 -36.88 (-0.34%)
S&P 500 1,155.79 -3.94 (-0.34%)
Nasdaq 2,375.31 +0.64 (0.03%)

Top Analyst Calls

Continue reading Closing Bell: Giving Some Back (GCI, JPM, GS, NBG, BEE, MERU)

Closing Bell: Giving Some Back (GCI, JPM, GS, NBG, BEE, MERU) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 May 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BEEeuropegannett coGCIgreeceGSMERUmeru networksMeruNetworksNBGstrategic hotels and resortsTue, 11 May 2010 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BCS, CAT, LMT, MTB, NVS, WSM ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/21/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/21/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/21/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Analyst upgrades:

  • FBR Capital upgraded M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) to Market Perform from Underperform following the Q3 results to reflect the company's improved earnings outlook and better credit trends. The firm has a $70 price target on shares.
  • Kaufman Bros. upgraded Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) to Buy from Hold as it believes a bottom has been reached in the manufacturing and construction industries. The firm raised its target on shares to $30 from $26.
  • Goldman upgraded Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) to Neutral from Sell and raised its target to $64 from $48 citing improved cost controls and construction outlook.
  • Pentair (NYSE: PNR) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at KeyBanc.
  • Lexmark (NYSE: LXK) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JPMorgan.
  • Stryker (NYSE: SYK) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BCS, CAT, LMT, MTB, NVS, WSM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BCS, CAT, LMT, MTB, NVS, WSM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ADSKanalyst upgradesASTEBarclaysBCSBEEBIIBCATCaterpillarCFNdowngradesFCHinitiationsinthenewsLHOLMTLockheed MartinLXKMMPMTBMURNVSPNRSRCLSYKWSMWed, 21 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst calls: PRU, RATE, ACL, LTD, STM, SNP, NFLX, RTP, BHP, OXY ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/01/analyst-calls-pru-rate-acl-ltd-stm-snp-nflx-rtp-bhp-ox/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/01/analyst-calls-pru-rate-acl-ltd-stm-snp-nflx-rtp-bhp-ox/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/01/analyst-calls-pru-rate-acl-ltd-stm-snp-nflx-rtp-bhp-ox/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Premiere Global (NYSE: PGI) to Outperform from Perform on valuation and believes the company's strategic initiatives will drive "healthy" top-line results in a difficult economy.
  • Citigroup upgraded Prudential (NYSE: PRU) to Buy from Hold on valuation, as they believe the stock is oversold at current levels. Though upgraded, the firm lowered their target price to $30 from $80.
  • Citigroup also upgraded Bankrate (NASDAQ: RATE) to Buy from Hold as they believe the company will benefit from the financial market volatility and that the risk/reward is attractive at current levels. The firm maintains a $40 target on the stock.
  • Hospitality Properties (NYSE: HPT) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
  • Diamond Offshore (NYSE: DO) was upgraded at Merrill Lynch to Buy from Neutral.
  • Alcon (NYSE: ACL) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia.
Analyst downgrades:

Continue reading Analyst calls: PRU, RATE, ACL, LTD, STM, SNP, NFLX, RTP, BHP, OXY ...

Analyst calls: PRU, RATE, ACL, LTD, STM, SNP, NFLX, RTP, BHP, OXY ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aclaerasmlayrbeebhpdoherohptinthenewsldtnflxoxypgipruratertpsnpsntastmMon, 01 Dec 2008 12:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst downgrades: EBAY, WFC and ASML]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/analyst-downgrades-ebay-wfc-and-asml/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/analyst-downgrades-ebay-wfc-and-asml/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/analyst-downgrades-ebay-wfc-and-asml/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: eBay (EBAY), Wells Fargo (WFC) and ASML Holdings (ASML) were today's noteworthy downgrades:
  • Thomas Weisel downgraded shares of eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) following the company's Q2 results, as they did not see an improvement in the underlying fundamentals. Goldman lowered eBay to Neutral from Buy and cut its target to $30 from $38.
  • UBS downgraded Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) to Neutral from Buy citing valuation and reduced capital flexibility.
  • Merrill downgraded shares of ASML Holdings (NASDAQ:ASML) to Underperform from Neutral as they believe the company's demand slowdown could carry into next year.
OTHER DOWNGRADES:

Analyst downgrades: EBAY, WFC and ASML originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AHTAMBanalyst downgradesAnalystDowngradesBEEEBAYESMLinthenewsSBUXWFCThu, 17 Jul 2008 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Forbes expert checks into hotel REITs]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/11/forbes-expert-checks-into-hotel-reits/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/11/forbes-expert-checks-into-hotel-reits/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/11/forbes-expert-checks-into-hotel-reits/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"One long-term opportunity is in the hotel sector," says real estate industry expert Peter Slatin, editor of the Forbes/Slatin Real Estate Report. Here, he finds a trio of opportunities among hotel REITs.

"We think it's misleading to suggest that REITs and other real estate companies are due for a big bounceback this year. They have already picked up some, but the economy, including deepening inflation and weakening jobs markets certainly suggest that those gains are fragile and that further gains will not come easily, if at all.

"In other words, the best posture at this moment is to sit tight and watch. Nevertheless, there are a few opportunities out there for strong income and for growth potential.

"The hotel sector has been hit hard this year. Share prices for Diamondrock (NYSE: DRH) and Strategic Hotels and Resorts (NYSE: BEE) suggest that investors have been running away from a bogeyman that isn't really there.

Continue reading Forbes expert checks into hotel REITs

Forbes expert checks into hotel REITs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beediamondrock hospitalityDiamondrockHospitalitydrhforbes slatin real estate reportForbesSlatinRealEstateReporthost hotelsHostHotelshotel reithotel stocksHotelStockshstpeter slatinPeterSlatinreal estate investment trustsstrategic hotels and resortsStrategicHotelsAndResortsthestockadvisors.comWed, 11 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bayer blamed for honeybee losses, clothianidin banned in Germany]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/30/bayer-blamed-for-honeybee-losses-clothianidin-banned-in-germany/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/30/bayer-blamed-for-honeybee-losses-clothianidin-banned-in-germany/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/30/bayer-blamed-for-honeybee-losses-clothianidin-banned-in-germany/#commentsFiled under:

We've all mourned the plight of the honey bee in America, and Europe has been hit hard, too. Everything from fungi to cell phones to stress has been blamed for the startling losses -- from 30% to 80% of many commercial beekeepers' hives have been wiped out.

After a lot of urgent research conducted in the past few years, some tests on dead bees have shown that 99% of the ones examined had a high level of clothianidin in their system -- the chemical sold under the name "Poncho" by Bayer AG in Germany. It's used as a pesticide for sweet corn and rapeseeds.

According to Bayer, the chemical typically sticks to the seed and doesn't get into the air, but an "extremely rare" "application error" resulted in its release. Germany didn't take any chances though -- honeybees are vital to the health of many crops and the country has banned the entire category of pesticides.

But that doesn't end the bad news for Bayer, whose imidacloprid has been blamed in South Dakota and France for widepread colony collapse disorder. The chemical was used for oilseed rape and sunflowers. In South Dakota, farmers are suing, whereas the French government has banned the chemical (but just for sunflower seeds). The company maintains its products are safe, as long as they're applied correctly. I must admit, I'm skeptical. How many times will we accept the "user error" argument before we start scaling back the use of harmful chemicals? If they're killing bees, what might they do to humans who eat the foods from them? Bayer could face some major reduction in its €2.5 billion pesticide (aka "Crop Protection") market if more countries follow suit (and if more Americans like me begin to demand that our farmers stop using bee killers on their crops).

Bayer blamed for honeybee losses, clothianidin banned in Germany originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 May 2008 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BayerbeebeesclothianidinfeaturedhoneybeeimidaclopridponchoFri, 30 May 2008 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Bees still dying: We want to avoid colony collapse disorder, but how?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/30/bees-still-dying-we-want-to-avoid-colony-collapse-disorder-but/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/30/bees-still-dying-we-want-to-avoid-colony-collapse-disorder-but/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/30/bees-still-dying-we-want-to-avoid-colony-collapse-disorder-but/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Honeybees are being decimated, that much we know, and it could have far-reaching effects on agriculture and the economy. It starts with almonds in the early spring and spreads throughout nut and fruit crops, ending with pears and apples in Oregon in the early fall; commercial bees travel from crop to crop with their overworked keepers, a kind of modern cowboy essential to the very survival of the human race. Without bees to pollinate the crops, to help buds grow into fruit, we and much of the ecosystem would be required to survive on a fraction of the produce we now enjoy.

While much of the loss is blamed on mites and disease, a little is blamed on global warming and some on mysterious causes as far flung as a million cell phone pings (do they interfere with bees' navigational systems? anecdotal evidence from beekeepers who've commented here, says "yes") to bad high-fructose corn syrup used to feed crop-pollinating bees (if we don't like it for people... why would the bees thrive on it?). Either way the media world is finally taking note.

Early in the morning I hear suppositions from the BBC; they wonder if it's a "small blip in the life of the bee." But using words like "phenomenon" and widespread tales of the mysterious loss of between 30% and 80% of commercial colonies, I'm not so sure. Every morning has a new article, a new expert, another synonym for "we have no idea"; today the Baltimore Sun points out the risk to alfala, clover, pumpkins. The paper's expert suggests Colony Collapse Disorder could be caused by "a chemical deterrent or toxin" but says the number of potential causes is still vast. The Coloradoan notes the danger to blueberries, cherries and sunflowers and says that cell phones are either destroying bees, or saving them; "the cell phone hype has put bees in the spotlight and has better informed the public how important bees are to our ecosystem," writes Megan Read as she tells Coloradoans not to "put away your cell phone just yet."

I'm putting away my cell phone, just in case. I love almonds and cherries, and I've seen a lot of mysteriously dying bees in my pollen-rich backyard. I'm keeping my eye on the bee problem, and it seems that mainstream media is finally joining me, the beekeepers and concerned farmers everywhere.

Bees still dying: We want to avoid colony collapse disorder, but how? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agriculturebeebeesccdcoloniescolonycolony collapse disorderColonyCollapseDisordercropsdead beesDeadBeeshoneybeehoneybeespollinatepollinationMon, 30 Apr 2007 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Cell phones wiping out bee populations: Will your mobile be the next SUV?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/16/cell-phones-wiping-out-bee-populations-will-your-mobile-be-the/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/16/cell-phones-wiping-out-bee-populations-will-your-mobile-be-the/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/16/cell-phones-wiping-out-bee-populations-will-your-mobile-be-the/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It was only a few weeks ago that I started reading about the plight of commercial bees in Oregon, where I live, and other nearby agricultural states: some mysterious force was causing what's called "Colony Collapse Disorder" for untold (but, by all guesses, large) numbers of bees used for pollinating crops up and down the Pacific Coast. One beekeeper said that the vast majority of his colonies had just disappeared -- the bees would leave, and never return to the hive, presumably dying from hunger. Despite the seeming widespread nature of the problem, agricultural authorities wouldn't confirm its severity, and no one had solid numbers.

Until now, a variety of unrelated and unsatisfactory theories had been surfaced, though none even seemed half-right. Global warming. A bad batch of the high-fructose corn syrup typically used to feed commercial bees. Genetically modified crops. Pesticides. Mites. In the past few days I've seen several bees around my home, buzzing in and then fizzling out, dying slow, awful deaths on the sidewalk or windowsill. My stomach began to sink. Bees are vital to the health of so many of the world's plants. What could be done?

Now a report from Britain, where bee losses are still denied by agricultural authorities, although beekeepers are raising the alarm (U.S. beekeepers claim 60% of West Coast populations and 70% of East Coast bees have vanished): cell phone signals are disrupting bees' natural navigation systems. While alarmist, it makes sense; when cell phones are on, they're constantly crying for attention, pinging whatever tower is nearby every few minutes so that the home tower can keep track of the signal and send in whatever calls or messages come its way. Think of all the millions of pings that bounce back and forth across agricultural areas every week.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist and never worried about fears that cell phones cause brain cancer and cell death (although the reports seem to indicate this could be true). But after reading these reports my first urge is to turn off all the cell phones in the family and only use them for emergencies. If this is true, cell phones could become the SUV of 2008; a public display of a human putting its own comfort above the needs of the environment at large. And I'm sticking to land-based stocks for now!

Cell phones wiping out bee populations: Will your mobile be the next SUV? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beebeescellcell phonescell phones and beesCellPhonesCellPhonesAndBeescolonycolony collapsecolony collapse disorderColonyCollapseColonyCollapseDisorderdangermobilemobile phonesMobilePhonesphonesMon, 16 Apr 2007 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Strategic Hotels in play?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/12/strategic-hotels-in-play/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/12/strategic-hotels-in-play/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/12/strategic-hotels-in-play/#commentsFiled under: ,

Strategic Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:BEE) focuses on operating upscale and luxury hotels and resorts, mostly in North America and Europe. The portfolio has about 20 properties with more than 10,000 rooms, and the company is structured as a real estate investment trust or REIT. According to the company's website, "Our asset management expertise is what truly distinguishes us."

Well, an analyst for Wachovia (NYSE:WB), Jeffrey Donnelly, has published a very favorable report on Strategic Hotels. In fact, he thinks there could even be a buyout, with possible suitors like the Blackstone and Carlyle.

It certainly looks like the fundamentals of Strategic Hotels are perking up. In the fourth quarter, funds from operations and revenue increased from $9.2 million, or $0.17 per share to $20.3 million, or $0.26 per share. Sales increased from $119.7 million to $242.5 million.

And, no doubt, private equity firms have been targeting leisure properties. But this does not mean a deal will necessarily happen.

Also, Donnelly thinks a deal would be valued at $24-$26 per share. Thus, with the stock price currently at $23.51, there's not much upside left.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including the Complete M&A Handbook and the EDGAR-Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements.

Strategic Hotels in play? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BEEBlackstoneCarlyleprivate equityreal estate investment trustREITStrategic HotelsStrategicHotelsWachoviaMon, 12 Mar 2007 12:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst downgrades 3-06:07: National City & Pathmark Stores downgraded]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/06/analyst-downgrades-3-06-07-national-city-and-pathmark-stores-down/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/06/analyst-downgrades-3-06-07-national-city-and-pathmark-stores-down/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/06/analyst-downgrades-3-06-07-national-city-and-pathmark-stores-down/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Some of today's notable downgrades were National City Corp (NCC), Aeroflex Inc (ARXX) and Compass Minerals International (CMP):
  • Morgan Stanley cut National City Corp (NYSE: NCC) to Underweight from Equal-Weight with and $35 target to reflect increased losses on the company's remaining subprime loans and slower growth in the Midwest.
  • AG Edwards downgraded Aeroflex Inc (NASDAQ: ARXX) to Sell from Buy to reflect the company's acquisition agreement.
  • Matrix USA cut Compass Minerals Int'l (NYSE: CMP) to Strong Sell from Buy to reflect weak demand for deicing products.
OTHER DOWNGRADES:
  • CIBC downgraded Pathmark Stores Inc (NASDAQ: PTMK) to Sector Perform from Outperformer based on the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co (NYSE: GAP) acquisition.
  • UBS cut Apria Healthcare Group Inc (NYSE: AHG) to Reduce from Neutral on valuation.
  • Goldman Sachs downgraded Progressive Gaming International Corp (NASDAQ: PGIC) and Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc (NYSE: BEE) to Sell from Neutral.
  • Brean Murray cut Youbet.com (NASDAQ: UBET) to Hold from Buy based on increased competition concerns.
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst downgrades 3-06:07: National City & Pathmark Stores downgraded originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Mar 2007 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeroflexahganalystarxxbeecmpcompass mineralsCompassMineralsdowngradeshealthcarenational cityNationalCitynccpathmarkpcigprogressive gamingProgressiveGamingptmkratingstrategic hotelsStrategicHotelstheflyonthewall.comubetyoubetTue, 06 Mar 2007 10:47:00 EST