Analyst upgrades:

• Credit Suisse upgraded Stancorp (NYSE: SFG) to Outperform from Neutral citing relative valuation and EPS visibility.
• Jefferies upgraded Cypress Semiconductor (NYSE: CY) to Hold from Underperform after its channel checks indicated the company's capacitive touch screen solution has design traction. The firm raised its target on shares to $10 from $7.50.
• FBR Capital upgraded Pacific Sunwear (NASDAQ: PSUN) to Outperform from Market Perform to reflect improving store channel checks, the company's brand focus and controlled inventory, as well as the firm's belief that guidance could be conservative. FBR raised its target on shares to $9 from $6.
• Advanced Micro (NYSE: AMD) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at JMP Securities.
• Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
• Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at RBS.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMD, C, GAP, GS, MET, PSUN, USB ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMD, C, GAP, GS, MET, PSUN, USB ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Precision Drilling (NYSE: PDS) announced the purchase of Grey Wolf (NYSE: GW) for $5.00 in cash and 0.1883 newly-issued Precision trust units for each GW share.

The transaction will establish PDS as one of the largest U.S. land drillers with a combined fleet of 371 drilling rigs.

PDS September option implied volatility of 46 is near its 26-week average of 43 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movements.

GW overall option implied volatility of 45 is near its 26-week average, suggesting non-directional price movements.

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

Option Update: Precision Drilling and Grey Wolf volatility flat into merger originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Merriman initiated shares of Suntech Power (NYSE: STP) with a Buy rating and believes the company is benefiting from strong worldwide demand for solar PV technology. The firm suggests a potential 12-month stock price range of $56-$64.
  
• Merriman also started shares of First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) with a Sell rating, as they believe the company's market is limited to ground-based systems because of its cadmium-based technology, which they feel could lead to environment concerns over time.
  
• Deutsche Bank resumed coverage of Banco Santander (NYSE: STD) with a Buy rating. The firm is positive on the bank's agreement with ABN Amro (NYSE: ABN) and feels the company has a lack of exposure to risky assets.
  
• Jefferies believes Internap (NASDAQ: INAP) is well-positioned with its suite of services to address a rapidly growing market, starting shares off with a Buy rating and $20 target.
  
• Nollenberger believes NetGear (NASDAQ: NTGR) provides a pure-play opportunity to capitalize on the global penetration of broadband connectivity. The firm resumed coverage with a Buy rating and $36 target.

• ThinkEquity initiated Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) with a Buy rating and $800 target and Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO) with an Accumulate rating.
  
• Banc of America initiated U.S. land drillers, including Grey Wolf (AMEX: GW), Nabors Industries (NYSE: NBR) and Patterson-UTI Energy (NASDAQ: PTEN) with Neutral ratings and Parker Drilling (NYSE: PKD) with a Buy rating.

Analyst initiations: STP, FSLR, STD, INAP and NTGR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer's market and gas pick originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.