Analyst Upgrades

• Expedia (EXPE) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Weatherford (WFT) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• MDC Holdings (MDC) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• AutoNavi (AMAP) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Ciena (CIEN) and Nvidia (NVDA) to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
• Canadian Pacific (CP) to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.
• First Midwest (FMBI) and Quiksilver (ZQK) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Sonic (SONC) to neutral from negative at Susquehanna.
• MIPS Technologies (MIPS) to buy from hold at Benchmark Co.
• Arrow Electronics (ARW) and Avnet (AVT) to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.

Analyst Upgrades

• Chesapeake (CHK) to buy from hold at Canaccord.
• Biogen (BIIB) and Regeneron (REGN) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Caribou Coffee (CBOU) to outperform from neutral and Encore Energy (ENP) to neutral from underperform at RW Baird.
• Fluor (FLR) to market perform from underperform at BMO Capital.
• Hornbeck Offshore (HOS) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Saks (SKS) and Zale (ZLC) to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

"As tradition holds, Celgene (CELG) gave the first presentation at the recent 29th JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, where CEO Bog Hugin focused on Celgene's ongoing plans to become a world-wide company and expansion into global markets," reports John McCamant.

The biotech specialist and editor of The Medical Technology Stock Letter explains, "They expect 2011 to be the first year where the company earns a majority of sales outside the U.S. The company is currently conducting 25 Phase III trials on its various drugs.

"Celgene also announced 4th quarter 2010 earnings last week, and revenue was down 16%, mostly based on costs incurred due to the Abraxis acquisition.

The DJIA managed to finally get back over that ever-elusive DJIA 11,000 mark in the last ten minutes of the trading day today. Shares managed to stay firm most of the day after Greece was given a reprieve by the ECB's Trichet, who offered some reassuring comments. Earnings season is about to gear up with many key players reporting next week.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 10,997.35 +70.28 (0.64%)
Nasdaq 2,454.05 +17.24 (0.71%)
S&P 500 1,194.37 +7.94 (0.67%)

Top Analyst Calls
Top Trader Alerts

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Southern Copper (SCCO) to buy from hold to reflect valuation and positive near-term catalysts. The firm raised its target for shares to $38 from $35.
• JMP Securities upgraded Ultimate Software (ULTI) to outperform from market perform. The firm cites the company's expanding employee base for the upgrade. The firm has a $40 target on the stock.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Aeropostale (ARO) to neutral from underweight following the company's Q4 results and raised its target for shares to $31 from $24.
• Kennametal (KMT) was upgraded to sell from conviction sell at Goldman.
• Lifetime Brands (LCUT) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Barrington.
• Volvo (VOLVY) was upgraded to overweight from underweight at JPMorgan.

Celgene (CELG - option chain) shares are rising today after a late-stage study of its blood cancer drug Revlimid was found to be so effective that the study was stopped early. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on CELG.

CELG opened this morning at $54.36. So far today the stock has hit a low of $54.02 and a high of $56.16. As of 12:15, CELG is trading at $55.81 up @5.19 (10.3%). The chart for CELG looks bullish and S&P gives CELG a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.

"I am recommending Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) as part of an 'offense-defense' thesis," says Ian Wyatt. In Top Stock Insights, he reviews the leading biotechnology company.

Wyatt explains, "Celgene engages in the discovery of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune inflammatory related diseases. They have a number of products at the commercial stage including REVLIMID, THALOMID and VIDAZA.

"Celgene is also researching stem cells derived from the human placenta as well as from the umbilical cord, thus tapping into a promising new technology while avoiding the political and ethical questions dogging others involved in stem cell research.

"Some sectors tend to do better than others in tough times; biotechnology often surprises investors in good times and bad," suggests Brandon Clay.

In his Invest with an Edge advisory service, the growth stock advisor looks to Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), a player in developing cancer treatments. Here's his review.

"This sometimes-perilous market niche can make or break a portfolio depending on several factors: drug pipeline, continued investment, market factors, and government approvals.

"However, despite the risks, there are times when we believe that individual biotech stocks make sense -- such as our latest recommendation for Celgene.

"Biotech company Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) is a prime example of a stock that plays both offense and defense," says Ian Wyatt.

In his Top Stock Insights, he explains, "The valuation is low and growth is attractive. With the pipeline of products in development, Celegene offers investors a huge upside potential."

"Celgene offers investors a steady product base, a variety of drug treatments in development and a cash pile ready to purchase existing technologies.

"Celgene engages in the discovery of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory related diseases. They have a number of products at the commercial stage.

Pharmaceutical company Celgene Corp., beaten down by Wall Street for the better part of 10 months, is now a Buy in these circles. Here's why:

Analysts now expect FY2009 revenue to increase 15-18%, boosted by Revlimid and Vidaza sales. Further, pipeline candidates in psoriasis and small cell lung cancer are nearing late-stage study. The First Call FY2009/FY2010 EPS estimates for CELG are $2.04 to $2.65.

"After warning that it would only achieve the low end of its previous guidance range for 2009, Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) sold off significantly," notes biotech expert John McCamant.

Nevertheless, in his The Medical Technology Stock Letter he sees the selloff as any opportunity, calling the company a "great growth story."

"Celgene pre-announced 1Q 09 revenues of $600 million, which was significantly below Wall Street consensus estimates of $640-$650 million.

"The earnings miss was completely unexpected, and has partially shaken the belief that the Big Bios would be able to deliver solid earnings despite the economic problems.Nevertheless, we remain positive on the CELG story.

"Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) reported their fourth quarter and year end numbers which showed strong revenue growth." observes biotech sector expert John McCamant.

The editor of The Medical Technology Stock Letter explains, "We remain excited about CELG's growth prospects and management's ability to deliver the goods.

"Total revenue for the quarter grew 50% to $623 million, with the primary driver being Revlimid sales of $369.4 million. Sales of their two other drugs, Thalomid and Vidaza generated $126.8 million and 69.7 million, respectively.

Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG), a biopharmaceutical company, closed at $50.34. CELG is scheduled to announce Q4 EPS on January 29. CELG February and March option implied volatility of 49 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Genzyme (NASDAQ: GENZ) closed at $68.20. GENZ is expected to report Q4 EPS on February 11. Robert W Baird has an $87 price target on GENZ. GENZ February option implied volatility of 40 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD), a biopharmaceutical company, is scheduled to report Q4 EPS on January 27. GILD February option implied volatility of 46 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

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

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says it's a quick way to ensure growth in the face of generics competition.

Pfizer's (NYSE: PFE) (Cramer's Take) moves suddenly make sense. You lay off your scientists, you buy the better group at Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) (Cramer's Take) , you get Wyeth's franchise and you slash the sales budget, and voila, you have growth.

That's the greatness of the pharma industry. You need mergers, especially when Obama has made it clear that he's not going to be in the camp of stifling generic competition, of which Pfizer faces the brunt of.

It is why I recommended Forest Labs (NYSE: FRX) (Cramer's Take) last night -- believe me, that's the cheapest. I own Bristol-Myers (NYSE: BMY) (Cramer's Take) because BMY looks like Wyeth with a bigger dividend and a great cancer franchise.

Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) (Cramer's Take) too -- Celgene was approached not that long ago when it was much higher. CELG's another way to replenish.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) is recently trading at $25.54 in pre-open trading, below its close of $26.46. MRK expects 2009 top-line growth will be offset by the effects of a volatile global economy. MRK December option implied volatility of 70 is above its 26-week average of 43 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Allergan (NYSE: AGN) discovers and develops specialty pharmaceutical products. AGN closed at $36.20. AGN's Latisse (Bimatoprost for eyelash growth) PDUFA date is expected in mid-year 2009. AGN December option implied volatility is at 76, July is at 55; above its 26-week average of 50 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG), a biopharmaceutical company, closed at $52.60. CELG's Revlimid's (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment) incremental Phase 3 data on Revlimid in first line multiple myeloma is expected at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting on December 6 to December 9. CELG December option implied volatility of 75 is above its 26-week average of 53 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

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