MOST NOTEWORTHY:

Analyst upgrades: MRK, European semiconductors, TMA and PRU originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Royal Dutch Shell was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Merrill Lynch to reflect the company's strong refining backdrop and potential for positive surprise in the gas and power and downstream segments.
• Broadcom was upgraded to Market Outperform from Market Perform at JMP Securities following positive channel checks and the recent court win over Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM).
• UBS upgraded shares of National Semiconductor to Buy from Neutral on the Q4 upside, ongoing share buyback and guidance which calls for further margin improvement.

• Banc of America upgraded shares of Qwest Communications International Inc (NYSE: Q) to Buy from Neutral to reflect greater visibility into cash flow generation potential through 2008.
• Banc of America also upgraded Cincinnati Bell Inc (NYSE: CBB) to Neutral from Sell, as they believe the stock is not a sell in a market focused on cash flow.
• Genentech Inc (NYSE: DNA) was upgraded at Deutsche Bank to Buy from Hold based on compelling valuation and fundamental outlook.
• Bear Stearns upgraded shares of Nordstrom Inc (NYSE: JWN) to Outperform from Peer Perform citing the recent share pullback and top-line growth.

Analyst upgrades 6-08-07: RDS.A, BRCM and NSM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Prudential upgraded shares of ConAgra Foods Inc (NYSE: CAG) to Neutral from Underweight with a $26 target on valuation.
• Pacific Crest upgraded shares of Dell Inc (NASDAQ: DELL) to Outperform from Sector Perform as the firm believes new management, new products and supply chain cost realignments could boost operating margins.
• Ryland Group, Inc (NYSE: RYL) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse.
• Unterberg upgraded shares of Volterra Semiconductor (NASDAQ: VLTR) to Market Perform from Underperform on valuation.

• Friedman Billings upgraded Peabody Energy Corp (NYSE: BTU) to Outperform from Market Perform based on lack of CAPP exposure, growth profile, rising international demand and certain benefits from the scrubber trend.
• JP Morgan upgraded shares of Cincinnati Bell Inc (NYSE: CBB) to Overweight from Neutral, as the firm believes higher capex is reflected in the valuation and FCF should recover in 2008.
• Sandler upgraded First Charter Corp (NASDAQ: FCTR) to Buy from Hold based on valuation.
• Brean Murray has increased confidence in the success of Isle of Capri Casinos' (NASDAQ: ISLE) Isle casino, soon to open at Pompapno Park, and the considerable option value that should be embedded in shares related to a Florida gaming bill which would loosen restrictions on gaming at pari-mutual facilities. The firm upgraded shares to Buy from Hold on the news.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded shares of Pogo Producing Co (NYSE: PPP) to Hold from Sell to reflect the likelihood of corporate action over the near term, most likely the sale of the company in whole or in parts.
• Merill Lynch upgraded Janus Capital Group Inc (NYSE: JNS) and Calamos Asset Management, Inc (NASDAQ: CLMS) to Buy from Neutral.

Analyst upgrades 4-09-07: ConAgra Foods, Dell and Ryland Group upgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.