Analyst Upgrades

• Disney (DIS) to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
• Pike Electric (PIKE) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Kindred Healthcare (KND) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• UBS (UBS) to hold from sell at Canaccord.
• Avery Dennison (AVY) and Take-Two (TTWO) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Mercer (MERC) to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AVY, CSUN, DIS, INTU, KBH, KEY, LEN, NVTL, UBS, USNA ...

Analyst Calls: AVY, CSUN, DIS, INTU, KBH, KEY, LEN, NVTL, UBS, USNA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• BP (BP) to buy from hold at RBS.
• Symantec (SYMC) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• GenOn Energy (GEN) and Nationwide Health Properties (NHP) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Logitech (LOGI) and Patriot Coal (PCX) to neutral from sell, as well as ARM Holdings (ARMH) to buy from neutral, at Goldman.
• Silvercorp Metals (SVM) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• Cinemark (CNK) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Smith & Nephew (SNN) to market perform from underperform at Bernstein.
• Molex (MOLX) to overweight from underweight at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AB, ARMH, BP, DANG, JNS, LOGI, PCX, SYMC, YHOO, YOKU ...

Analyst Calls: AB, ARMH, BP, DANG, JNS, LOGI, PCX, SYMC, YHOO, YOKU ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• General Electric (GE) and Barclays (BCS) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Warnaco (WRC) to outperform from market perform and Melco Crown (MPEL) to market perform from underperform at Wells Fargo.
• Parker-Hannifin (PH) and Emerson Electric (EMR) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• AMD (AMD) to buy from neutral at Nomura.
• Novellus (NVLS) and Sherwin-Williams (SHW) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• OpenTable (OPEN) to outperform from market perform at Morgan Keegan.
• Skilled Healthcare (SKH) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Lear (LEA) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Adobe (ADBE) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMD, BCS, BJ, CVC, EMR, GE, NVLS, PCG, PH, VLO, XOM ...

Analyst Calls: AMD, BCS, BJ, CVC, EMR, GE, NVLS, PCG, PH, VLO, XOM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Needham upgraded Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) to buy from hold following the company's Q1 results as it believes the sell-off in shares provides an attractive entry point into the name. The firm has a $31 price target for the stock. Piper Jaffrey upgraded Dick's Sporting to overweight from neutral following the company's Q1 results and raised its target for shares to $34 from $31.
• Piper Jaffray also upgraded MGIC Investment (MTG) to overweight from neutral. The firm upgraded shares on valuation and raised its target to $11 from $10.
• Macy's (M) was upgraded to buy from neutral and VeriSign (VRSN) was upgraded to sell from conviction sell at Goldman.
• Fidelity National (FIS) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.
• Watson Pharma (WPI) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CCRT, DKS, HAST, JCP, M, MTG, MUSA, TJX, VZ, WWE ...

Analyst Calls: CCRT, DKS, HAST, JCP, M, MTG, MUSA, TJX, VZ, WWE ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 May 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Goldman upgraded Aeropostale (ARO) to neutral from sell. The firm, which has a $34 target on the stock, cites the recent sell-off in shares for the upgrade.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded Consolidated Water (CWCO) to buy from neutral on valuation and on expectations the company's earnings will recover in 2010. The firm has a $15 target on the stock.
• Wunderlich upgraded Transmontaigne Partners (TLP) to buy from hold on valuation as it believes the sell-off on the company's Q3 results is overdone. The firm keeps a $26.50 price target on the stock.
• Mobile TeleSystems (MBT) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• HSBC (HBC) was raised to buy from hold at Societe Generale.
• Redwood Trust (RWT) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ARO, AZN, BNI, BRCD, HBC, MRK, TIF ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ARO, AZN, BNI, BRCD, HBC, MRK, TIF ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Blackrock (NYSE: BLK) to Buy from Hold as it believes the BGI acquisition is becoming more accretive with the market rally and that the company's core trends are healthy. The firm raised its target on shares to $230 from $180.
• Citigroup upgraded Burlington Northern (NYSE: BNI) to Hold from Sell as it believes the risk/reward on shares is balanced based on 2010 estimates. Citi raised its target on shares to $89 from $75.
• Auriga upgraded Eclipsys (NASDAQ: ECLP) to Buy from Hold on expectations the company's margin expansion initiatives will drive benefits in 2010 and 2011. The firm raised its target on shares to $24 from $16.
• Seagate (NASDAQ: STX) was upgraded to Overweight from Market Weight at Thomas Weisel and to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Web.com (NASDAQ: WWWW) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at FBR Capital.
• CenturyTel (NYSE: CTL) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BLK, BNI, CCL, JPM, PNC, UTX ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BLK, BNI, CCL, JPM, PNC, UTX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Much of the attention this week will no doubt be on how the impending General Motors (NYSE: GM) bankruptcy will shake out, as well as the usual economic concerns: Has the housing market bottomed? Will oil prices keep rising? Is the employment situation getting any better? And so on (see highlights of the economic calendar below).

What probably won't get much attention are quarterly earnings, as the earnings season for this quarter winds down. But there are a few reports that analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters have high hopes for.

Continue reading The week in preview: DynCorp, Joy Global, Shanda and more

The week in preview: DynCorp, Joy Global, Shanda and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 31 May 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• UBS upgraded Target (NYSE: TGT) to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $52 from $45 citing reduced inventories, some credit stability, and an improved back-to-school period.
• Credit Suisse said concerns regarding Safeway's (NYSE: SWY) price position are overblown and that earnings risk is limited. The firm upgraded shares to Outperform from Neutral and raised the target price to $25 from $22.
• Oppenheimer upgraded Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) to Outperform from Perform as it believes the story is underappreciated following the recent sector rally. The firm has a $14 price target on the stock.
• CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) was upgraded to buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
• Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at FTN Equity.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TGT, SWY, CSIQ, HOTT, MPEL, RIO, CPB, CVD and HGG

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TGT, SWY, CSIQ, HOTT, MPEL, RIO, CPB, CVD and HGG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 May 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Janney Montgomery upgraded Aqua America (NYSE: WTR) to Buy from Neutral on valuation, viewing the recent weakness as a buying opportunity. The firm has a $19 target on the stock.
• UBS upgraded Gildan Activewear (NYSE: GIL) to Buy from Neutral due to customer Broder's improved liquidity and the improved outlook for margins.
• RBC Capital upgraded State Street (NYSE: STT) to Top Pick from Outperform and raised its target to $55 from $40. The analyst said the $2B capital raise addresses TCE ratio concerns and large unrealized losses in the investment portfolio.
• Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
• Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP) was upgraded to Buy from Underperform at Banc of America/Merrill.
• M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: WTR, GIL, STT, EHTH, AKZOY, MEOH, UTHR and HGG

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: WTR, GIL, STT, EHTH, AKZOY, MEOH, UTHR and HGG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Psychiatric Solutions, hhgregg and Ulta Salon were today's noteworthy initiations:

• Stanford started Psychiatric Solutions (NASDAQ: PSYS) with a Buy rating and $46 target and believes the recent pullback provides an attractive entry point given the company's stable growth and fundamentally strong business.
  
• Oppenheimer initiated hhgregg (NYSE: HGG) with a Perform rating. The firm believes the company's TV business could become much more challenging while housing market weakness could continue to hinder appliance sales.
• Oppenheimer also assumed Ulta Salon (NASDAQ: ULTA) with an Outperform rating and $13 target. The firm believes the company's fundamentals are solid and sees potential upside to valuation.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Piper initiated Ormat Tech (NYSE: ORA) with a Neutral rating and $49 target and Raser Technologies (NYSE: RZ) with a Sell rating and $7 target.
  
• The9 (NASDAQ: NCTY) was assumed at Roth Capital with a Hold rating and $27 target.
  
• Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) was initiated with an Outperform rating and $44 target at BMO Capital.

Analyst initiations: PSYS, HGG and ULTA originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

hhgregg (NYSE: HGG) is a specialty retailer of consumer electronics, home appliances and related services. The firm operates 97 southeastern and midwestern U.S. stores, under the names hhgregg and Fine Lines. It also operates a retail Web site. Offerings include notebook computers, televisions, DVD recorders, refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, freezers, washers, dryers and Serta mattresses. Competitors include Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), Circuit City Stores (NYSE: CC) and Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT).

The company pleased investors earlier in the month, when it reported solid Q4 results and offered FY09 EPS guidance in-line with the consensus Street view. Management attributed success to increased sales of higher-priced video and major appliance products. Plans call for opening 15 to 17 stores, during the new fiscal year.

Continue reading hhgregg (HGG): Share price cycles in bullish 'pennant' pattern

hhgregg (HGG): Share price cycles in bullish 'pennant' pattern originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Friedman Billings believes Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) is well-positioned to take advantage of "Business 2.0" applications and to gain share in a slower economic environment. The firm initiated shares with an Outperform rating and $31 target.
  
• NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX) and Nasdaq (NASDAQ: NDAQ) were assumed with a Neutral rating and $72 target and $44 target, respectively, at UBS. The firm cited increasing competition and moderating volumes.
  
• Deutsche Bank believes Cognicase (COGI) is one of the few carriers offering high-capacity commercial Internet access to enterprise customers at a discount to nearly all of its competitors. Shares were initiated with a Buy rating and $23 target.

• China Housing (OTCBB: CHLN) was initiated at Merriman with a Buy rating.
  
• Goldman started Juniper (NASDAQ: JNPR) with a Market Perform rating and $27 target.
  
• Suntrust initiated hhgregg (NYSE: HGG) with a Buy rating and $16 target.

Analyst initiations: CSCO, NYX, NDAQ and COGI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hhgregg (NYSE: HGG) is a specialty retailer of consumer electronics, home appliances and related services. The firm operates 85 southeastern and midwestern U.S. stores, under the names hhgregg and Fine Lines. It also operates a retail Web site. Offerings include notebook computers, televisions, DVD recorders, refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, freezers, washers, dryers and Serta mattresses. Competitors include Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) and Circuit City (NYSE: CC).

The company pleased investors earlier in the month, when it reported fiscal Q3 EPS of 45 cents and revenues of $390.4 million. Analysts had been expecting 40 cents and $389.9 million. Management also announced plans to open seven new stores in Q4 and guided FY08 EPS to $0.95-$1.03 ($1.00 consensus).

Continue reading Hhgregg (HGG): Share price advances through positive trading channel

Hhgregg (HGG): Share price advances through positive trading channel originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.