Analyst Upgrades

• Red Hat (RHT) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Cogdell Spencer (CSA) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Micron (MU) to neutral from reduce at Nomura.
• El Paso Electric (EE) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• MICROS Systems (MCRS) and Harmony Gold (HMY) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Meridian Bioscience (VIVO) to buy from hold at Canaccord.
• Verso Paper (VRS) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Sony (SNE) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Noble Corp. (NE) and Baker Hughes (BHI) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Tyson Foods (TSN) and Smithfield Foods (SFD) to buy from hold at BB&T.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BAC, BHI, KKR, MU, NE, RHT, SNE, TSN, WMT ...

Analyst Calls: BAC, BHI, KKR, MU, NE, RHT, SNE, TSN, WMT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A little over a week ago the chart players took short positions in the oil sector. Since then the world has changed dramatically.

Egypt is engulfed in a civil uprising and protesters are clamoring for President Hosni Mubarak to step down. Uncertainty is the new state of affairs. Uncertainty breeds fear and fear has taken over the energy sector.

The chart guys quickly covered their shorts and now the bulls have the market. This is fundamental. Three million barrels of oil a day pass through the Suez Canal and the Sumed pipeline. You can throw the charts out the window.

Continue reading Brent Crude Oil Holds Above $100 per Barrel

Brent Crude Oil Holds Above $100 per Barrel originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Verizon (VZ) to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• CSX (CSX) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• AK Steel (AKS) to overweight from neutral, as well as Lorillard (LO) and Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) to neutral from underweight, at JPMorgan.
• Marathon Oil (MRO) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Corning (GLW) to buy from outperform at CLSA.
• Quest Diagnostics (DGX) to buy from hold at Jefferies and to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Salesforce.com (CRM) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
• Baker Hughes (BHI) to buy from hold at Weeden and to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Western Digital (WDC) and Seagate (STX) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AKS, CIEN, CRM, CSX, DGX, GLW, LO, MRO, OXY, STX, VZ ...

Analyst Calls: AKS, CIEN, CRM, CSX, DGX, GLW, LO, MRO, OXY, STX, VZ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Micron (MU) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Baker Hughes (BHI) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• PDL BioPharma (PDLI) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Fluor (FLR) and Rush Enterprises (RUSHA) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Camden Property (CPT) to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Pinnacle Financial (PNFP) to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
• Linear Technology (LLTC) to neutral from reduce at Nomura.
• Hologic (HOLX) and Illumina (ILMN) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• F5 Networks (FFIV) to buy from neutral at Gleacher.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ALTR, BHI, CL, CLX, FFIV, GS, HCBK, LLTC, PG, STT, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: ALTR, BHI, CL, CLX, FFIV, GS, HCBK, LLTC, PG, STT, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Diamond Offshore (DO) to conviction buy from sell and Baker Hughes (BHI) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Frontier Communications (FTR) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Syntel (SYNT) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo, to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank and to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
• Kulicke & Soffa (KLIC) and Fiserv (FISV) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• 3M (MMM) to neutral from underweight and Tyco (TYC) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Collective Brands (PSS) and Nordstrom (JWN) to overweight from equal weight, as well as Foot Locker (FL) to equal weight from underweight, at Morgan Stanley.
• Amazon.com (AMZN) to buy from hold at Lazard Capital.
• Yamana Gold (AUY) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: APC, AMZN, CME, DO, GPS, H, JCP, JWN, KSS, PM SYNT ...

Analyst Calls: APC, AMZN, CME, DO, GPS, H, JCP, JWN, KSS, PM SYNT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• GC Financial upgraded Microsoft (MSFT) to buy from hold, citing expectations that the company will raise its quarterly dividend by 15%. The firm upped its target for shares to $30 from $29.
• JPMorgan upgraded Agrium (AGU) to overweight from neutral, citing valuation and strengthening agricultural fundamentals. The firm raised its target for shares to $75 from $70. Note JPMorgan downgraded Mosaic (MOS) this morning to neutral from overweight.
• Susquehanna upgraded Baker Hughes (BHI) to positive from neutral based on valuation. The firm has a $53 target on the stock.
• Target (TGT) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• CF Industries (CF) was upgraded to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Portugal Telecom (PT) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AGU, BHI, CP, GOOG, HUM, MOS, MSFT, TGT, VAL, YHOO ...

Analyst Calls: AGU, BHI, CP, GOOG, HUM, MOS, MSFT, TGT, VAL, YHOO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Auriga upgraded Leap Wireless (LEAP) to buy from hold following the company's Q2 results and analyst day, citing valuation, longer-term potential for consolidation and prospects for business improvements. Despite upgrading, the firm lowered its target for shares to $16 from $19.
• Goldman upgraded Barnes & Noble (BKS) to neutral from sell following the company's announcement to explore strategic alternatives. The firm raised its price target to $15 from $12.
• RBC Capital upgraded ESCO Technologies (ESE) to sector perform from underperform following the better-than-expected Q3 report. The firm raised its price target to $30 from $28.
• MetLife (MET) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Priceline.com (PCLN) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• HSBC (HBC) was upgraded to outperform from underperform at CLSA.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMD, BKC, BKS, BP, DOW, HBC, LEAP, LLY, MET, PCLN, ...

Analyst Calls: AMD, BKC, BKS, BP, DOW, HBC, LEAP, LLY, MET, PCLN, ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"I continue to regard the dip in oil-levered and select energy stocks as a massive buying opportunity," says energy sector specialist Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "Among individual stocks, I see an opportunity with Baker Hughes (BHI), Schlumberger (SLB), Weatherford International (WFT). All of these companies garner just 5 to 10 percent of their revenues from the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

Continue reading Triple Play in Oil Services: BHI, SLB and WFT

Triple Play in Oil Services: BHI, SLB and WFT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading JPMorgan Shifts Coverage of Offshore Drillers

JPMorgan Shifts Coverage of Offshore Drillers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup upgraded Baker Hughes (BHI) to hold from sell following the company's Q1 results.
• Auriga upgraded Canadian Solar (CSIQ) to buy from hold as it believes the company's negative preannouncement on April 20 removes a downside catalyst. Despite upgrading, the firm lowered its target for shares to $21 from $25.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Post Properties (PPS) to hold from sell following the company's Q1 results. The firm upped its target for shares to $27 from $16.
• Wright Express (WXS) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Nvidia (NVDA) coverage was assumed with a buy from hold at ThinkEquity.
• Elan (ELN) was upgraded to neutral from sell at UBS.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMD, BHI, CSIQ, INTC, ITMN, MRK, MYGN, PPS, TXN ...

Analyst Calls: AMD, BHI, CSIQ, INTC, ITMN, MRK, MYGN, PPS, TXN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 May 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Wells Fargo upgraded its sector rating on large-cap U.S. banks to market weight from underweight to reflect improving economic data, valuations in the space and reduced concerns of regulatory changes.
• Soleil upgraded Disney (DIS) to buy from hold, citing better ESPN affiliate fee and cruise ship expectations. The firm upped its target price for shares to $42 from $30.
• Baird upgraded Huron (HURN) to outperform from neutral, citing the company's better-than-expected retention efforts of MDs in core segments and continued stabilization in its more cyclical segments. The firm raised its price target to $30 from $27.
• Schlumberger (SLB) was upgraded to strong buy from outperform at Raymond James.
• Dollar General (DG) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• UDR Inc (UDR) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BHI, CREE, CSCO, DG, DIS, EBAY, FDO, HAL, HURN, KBH, SLB ...

Analyst Calls: BHI, CREE, CSCO, DG, DIS, EBAY, FDO, HAL, HURN, KBH, SLB ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Auriga upgraded Computer Programs & Systems (CPSI) to hold from sell after channel checks indicated Q1 could be the bottom for stagnation of new system sales. The firm raised its target for shares to $38 from $32.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded Tetra Tech (TTEK) to buy from neutral due to valuation. The firm has a $26 price target on the stock.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Energy Transfer Equity (ETE) to buy from hold and raised its target for shares to $40 from $27.
• Best Buy (BBY) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Mariott (MAR) was raised to buy from sell at Societe Generale.
• Telus (TU) was upgraded at TD Newcrest to action list buy from buy.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BBY, CPSI, CRAI, MAR, PALM, RIMM, SLB, SYNA, TTEK, WFT ...

Analyst Calls: BBY, CPSI, CRAI, MAR, PALM, RIMM, SLB, SYNA, TTEK, WFT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Exxon's big acquisitions often serve as a blueprint for the rest of the industry," says energy sector advisor Elliott Gue, referring to its recent $41 billion acquisition of natural gas producer XTO Energy.

In Personal Finance newsletter, he says, "The landmark deal represents a major bet on the future of natural gas and sets the stage for a raft of similar acquisitions by energy majors in 2010." Here's a look at four favorites in the sector.

Continue reading Energy Expert Finds Four Favorites in Natural Gas

Energy Expert Finds Four Favorites in Natural Gas originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

Energy sector expert Elliott Gue turns to Weatherford International (WFT) as his top pick for the coming year.

In his The Energy Strategist, he explains, "As with most oil services firms, Weatherford's North American business has been hit hard and the stock now trades at a deeply discounted valuation."

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Weatherford (WFT)

Top Picks for 2010: Weatherford (WFT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:30:00 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:

• Citigroup upgraded FPL Group (FPL) to buy from hold on valuation and recommends buying the stock into the staff recommendation. The firm raised its target on shares to $58 from $55.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Smithfield Foods (SFD) to buy from hold as it believes the company's fundamentals and export demand outlook are improving. The firm raised its target on shares to $20 from $12.
• Credit Suisse upgraded T. Rowe Price (TROW) to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $60 from $55 based on strong net inflows and potential operating leverage.
• Microchip (MCHP) was upgraded to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• Toll Brothers (TOL) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Ascent Solar (ASTI) was upgraded to hold from underperform at Jefferies.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADBE, H, HAL, TOL, TROW, TSN ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADBE, H, HAL, TOL, TROW, TSN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) to Buy from Hold on valuation and the company's exposure to a potential upturn in international drilling. The firm raised its target on shares to $80 from $56.
• UBS upgraded Allegheny Tech (NYSE: ATI) to Buy from Neutral and raised its target to $43 from $31 and believes the end of jet engine and other destocking will result in an initial recovery into 2010, even before an order ramp into 2011.
• Merriman upgraded Acorda Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ACOR) to Buy from Neutral based on the favorable FDA panel outcome and set a $30-$33 target range on the stock. Baird upgraded Acorda to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $28 from $24. Following the panel review, Baird expects Amaya to be approved in 1H10 and would be buyers into the mid/high $20s.
• Chicago Bridge & Iron (NYSE: CBI) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• PG&E (NYSE: PCG) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
• Newfield Exploration (NYSE: NFX) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ACOR, BHI, HAL, LAZ, SLB, TRV ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ACOR, BHI, HAL, LAZ, SLB, TRV ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE) to Buy from Hold on valuation as it believes commercial construction concerns are well known. The firm raised its target on shares to $40 from $37, and coupled the upgrade with a downgrade of Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) to Sell from Hold.
• Credit Suisse upgraded BJ Services (NYSE: BJS) to Neutral from Underperform following its acquisition by Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI). The firm raised its target to $17.
• Credit Suisse also upgraded Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $8 from $7. The firm expects Amkor to benefit from near-term strength in the supply chain and the mix shift towards higher value packaging.
• Textron (NYSE: TXT) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at UBS.
• Stanley Works (NYSE: SWK) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Janney Montgomery.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, BJS, CBE, GENZ, ROK, SI ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, BJS, CBE, GENZ, ROK, SI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Some big acquisition news in the oilfield service industry today, as Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI) announced that it would be buying BJ Services (NYSE: BJS).

The deal is for cash and stock, and is reportedly valued at $5.5 billion.

According to the details that have been released, BJS stockholders will be getting 0.40035 shares of BHI stock in addition to $2.69 in cash.

Continue reading Baker Hughes to acquire BJ Services

Baker Hughes to acquire BJ Services originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Baird upgraded Con-Way (NYSE: CNW) and Old Dominion (NASDAQ: ODFL) to Outperform from Neutral due to the benefits of a likely bankruptcy of YRC Worldwide (NASDAQ: YRCW). Old Dominion's target was raised to $40 from $26 and Con-Way's was raised to $42 from $22.
• Citigroup upgraded Pride International (NYSE: PDE) to Hold from Sell as it believes higher valuation levels are warranted with the upcoming spin-off of Seahawk Drilling. Citi raised its target on shares to $25 from $18.
• Jesup & Lamont upgraded FedEx (NYSE: FDX) to Buy from Hold with a $63 target as it believes the worst is largely behind the company.
• Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JPMorgan.
• ArvinMeritor (NYSE: ARM) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at SunTrust.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, FDX, IBM, RBS, SNDK, T

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, FDX, IBM, RBS, SNDK, T originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.