Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded National Fuel (NYSE: NFG) to Hold from Sell to reflect better than expected drilling results for the company's Marcellus shale assets. Citi raised its target on shares to $43 from $42.
• Baird upgraded Netezza (NYSE: NZ) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $14 from $7 based on the company's new product announcement and potential revenue acceleration.
• JPMorgan upgraded Liberty Interactive (NASDAQ: LINTA) to Overweight from Neutral. The firm finds the valuation attractive following Liberty's better than expected Q2 results and set a $13 price target on the stock.
• Marlin Business (NASDAQ: MRLN) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at William Blair.
• Paychex (NASDAQ: PAYX) was upgraded to Sell from Conviction Sell at Goldman.
• Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BBY, DAI, FTE, LOGM, RIMM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BBY, DAI, FTE, LOGM, RIMM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Barclays believes Disney (NYSE: DIS) is the best positioned company for "media's digital evolution." The firm upgraded shares to Overweight from Underweight and has a $32 target on shares.
  
• Oppenheimer upgraded Semtech (NASDAQ: SMTC) to Outperform from Perform after channel checks indicated improved inventory levels, better product mix, and market share gains. The firm set a $20 target on the stock.
  
• RBC Capital expects Rigel's (NASDAQ: RIGL) R788 in RA to achieve its primary endpoint in the Phase II trials. Shares were upgraded to Sector Perform from Underperform and the price target was raised to $8 from $6.
• WebMD (NASDAQ: WBMD) was upgraded to Accumulate from Sell at ThinkEquity.
  
• International Game Tech (NYSE: IGT) was raised to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
  
• Infineon (NYSE: IFX) was lifted at Banc of America/Merrill to Buy from Neutral.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DIS, ED, RBS, X ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DIS, ED, RBS, X ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 06 May 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Baird upgraded Western Digital (NYSE: WDC) and Seagate (NASDAQ: NSTX) to Outperform from Neutral citing better than expected industry conditions. The firm believes supply has tightened, resulting in price increases in certain market segments.
  
• RBC Capital upgraded XTO Energy (NYSE: XTO) to Outperform from Sector Perform citing free cash flow and stable growth.
  
• Goldman upgraded Manpower (NYSE: MAN) to Neutral from Sell and raised its target to $29 from $20 based on balanced risk/reward.
• Energy Conversion (NASDAQ: ENER) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Piper Jaffray.
  
• Infineon (NYSE: IFX) was raised to Hold from Sell at RBS.
  
• NetSuite (NYSE: N) was upgraded to Acummulate from Source of Funds at ThinkEquity.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: WDC, NSTX, UBS, TIF, BA ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: WDC, NSTX, UBS, TIF, BA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: TM, AIG, GM, WMT, WAG, AXP, IFX ... (update)

Stocks in the news: TM, AIG, GM, WMT, WAG, AXP, IFX ... (update) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: GM, F, BAC, HIG, WMT, AAPL, MOT, MET, IFX ... (update)

Stocks in the news: GM, F, BAC, HIG, WMT, AAPL, MOT, MET, IFX ... (update) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) strong Q3 results beat estimates despite the dismal retail environment.
• Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: ANR) lowered its full-year forecast due to lower demand for coal.
• America's Car-Mart Inc. (NASDAQ: CRMT) reported higher Q2 earnings and higher same-store sales.
• Beazer Homes USA Inc. (NYSE: BZH) losses in Q4 more than tripled as revenue declined.
• Collective Brands Inc. (NYSE: PSS) Q3 profits were in line with estimates, enough to send shares higher.
• General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) cut its Q4 earnings forecast, which now falls in line with estimates.
• Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) warned that it may see its first quarterly loss ever in Q4.
• Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES) strong Q3 results beat estimates but offered a conservative outlook.
• Infineon Technologies AG (NYSE: IFX) posted a wider Q4 loss on restructuring and warned of further losses.
• Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) 2009 earnings are expected to be diluted by an acquisition.
• Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: MRVL) reported strong Q3 numbers, sending shares higher.
• Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. (NYSE: MRX) earnings prospects after a settlement led to an analyst's upgrade.
• Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) lowered its 2009 earnings guidance below analysts' expectations.
• Palm Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) said that it expects Q2 revenues to come in below analysts' estimates.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Sears, GE, Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Staples and others

Earnings highlights: Sears, GE, Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Staples and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Oppenheimer upgraded Genzyme (NASDAQ: GENZ) to Outperform from Perform on expectations that upcoming regulatory events, mainly approvals of Mozobil and 2,000L Myozyme, will serve as positive catalysts.
  
• Ladenburg analyst Dick Bove raised Bank of New York (NYSE: BK) to Buy from Neutral as he now believes the Russian lawsuit is turning in the bank's favor and is no longer a significant risk.
  
• Societe Generale upgraded UBS (NYSE: UBS) to Buy from Hold on valuation and the company's deal with the Swiss government.
  
• Bed Bath & Beyond (NASDAQ :BBBY) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Friedman Billings.
  
• RC2 Corp (NASDAQ: RCRC) was lifted at Wachovia to Outperform from Market Perform.
  
• Cintas (NASDAQ: CTAS) was upgraded to Hold from Sell at Citigroup.

Analyst downgrades:

Continue reading Analyst calls: GENZ, UBS, RIMM, BBBY, WYNN, RTP . . .

Analyst calls: GENZ, UBS, RIMM, BBBY, WYNN, RTP . . . originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: GM, F, RIMM, BAC, CEG, FCX, MRVL, GS, IFX, BBBY, MOT ...

Stocks in the news: GM, F, RIMM, BAC, CEG, FCX, MRVL, GS, IFX, BBBY, MOT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Merrill upgraded shares of AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) to Neutral from Underperform to reflect the company's pipeline momentum and lack of negative catalysts.
  
• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) to Outperform from Market Perform on valuation as they believe DB should trade at a higher multiple.
• Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) was raised at HSBC to Overweight from Neutral.
• American International (NYSE: AIG) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.

• Merrill cut Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) to Underperform from Neutral as the firm sees better opportunities elsewhere in the sector.
  
• Merriman downgraded Rackable Systems (NASDAQ: RACK) to Neutral from Buy following the company's mixed Q2 results to reflect its customer concentration and fluctuating margins.
• Janus Capital (NYSE: JNS) was downgraded at JP Morgan to Underweight from Neutral.
  
• Fortress (NYSE: FIG) was cut to Sell from Hold at Citigroup.

• UBS believes Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has a competitive advantage and their checks indicate new Macs, new iPhone colors and potentially new iPods may come early on in the second half of 2008. The firm initiated shares with a Buy rating and $195 target. UBS also initiated Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) at Neutral.
• KeyBanc initiated Bed Bath & Beyond (NASDAQ: BBBY) with an Underweight rating and $25 target based on slowing core growth at Bed Bath and likely margin erosion from the ramp in growth at Christmas Tree Shops and buybuy Baby.
• Infineon (NYSE: IFX) was initiated with a Buy rating at Deutsche Bank.

Analyst calls: AIG, RACK, FIG, AAPL, BBBY ,IFX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Deutsche Bank downgraded shares of Weyerhaeuser (NYSE: WY) to Hold from Buy following the company's investor day, as they were disappointed that no REIT conversion will occur before 2010. Deutsche lowered their target price to $65 from $95.
  
• Citigroup assumed coverage of IFX (NYSE: IFX) and downgraded the stock to Hold from Buy on valuation following the recent rally.
  
• Merrill Lynch cut Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU) to Underperform from Neutral. The rating changes reflect Merrill's new rating system based on relative recommendations within the sector.

• Morgan Stanley lowered ReneSola (NYSE: SOL) to Underweight from Equal Weight.
  
• RBC Capital downgraded Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP) to Sector Perform from Outperform.
  
• Praxair (NYSE: PX) was downgraded at HSBC to Neutral from Overweight.

Analyst downgrades: WY, IFX, INTU, SOL, CP, PX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Infineon (IFX) delays could be good for Texas Instruments (TXN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 May 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Morgan Keegan downgraded Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) to Underperform from Market Perform citing increased evidence of broad-based weakness in consumer technology spending in the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, the firm expects challenges in the company's education vertical due to state and local budget issues, which could lead to decelerating growth over the next 2-3 quarters.
  
• Bear Stearns downgraded Novartis(NYSE: NVS) to Peer Perform from Outperform following the acquisition of Alcon (NYSE: ACL), as they find the deal expensive.
  
• Credit Suisse cut Infineon (NYSE: IFX) to Neutral from Outperform to reflect weakness in the U.S. dollar.

• Goldman downgraded Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) and Zions Bancorp (ZION) to Neutral from Buy.
• Keefe Bruyette cut Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM) to Underperform from Market Perform.
  
• Baird downgraded Flowserve (NYSE: FLS) to Neutral from Outperform.

Analyst downgrades: AAPL, NVS, WFC, WM and IFX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• ABN Amro upgraded Infineon Technologies (NYSE: IFX) to Buy from Hold as they expect the shares to outperform given the more stable currency environment and improving DRAM pricing.
  
• Thomas Weisel upgraded shares of Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) to Overweight from Market Weight citing checks that indicate above seasonal PC demand heading into 2008 driven by emerging markets.
  
• Banc of America upgraded shares of AmerisourceBergen Corp. (NYSE: ABC) to Buy from Neutral as they believe new contract wins for the company's largest PBM customer should help offset soft script volumes in the near-term.

• Goldman added United Tech (NYSE: UTX) to its Conviction Buy List.
  
• The firm also upgraded Telecom Italia (NYSE: TI) to Neutral from Sell.
  
• JP Morgan upgraded Verint Systems (OTC: VRNT) to Neutral from Underperform.

Analyst upgrades: IFX, INTC and ABC originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Piper downgraded shares of Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) to Market Perform from Outperform to reflect increasing competition for the company's core businesses and longer term margin concerns. Based on comments from Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM), Piper believes the new Gobi embedded solution is gaining more traction than previously anticipated.
  
• The firm also downgraded Navteq (NYSE: NVT) to Market Perform from Outperform as they believe the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) acquisition will close.
  
• Credit Suisse lowered its rating on Goldleaf Financial (NASDAQ: GFSI) to Market Perform from Outperform following its weak Q3 report and guidance.
  
• ABN Amro downgraded shares of Infineon (NYSE: IFX) to Hold from Buy as they believe the strength of the euro will hurt margins.
  
• VeriSign (NASDAQ: VRSN) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Hambrecht to reflect the uncertainty surrounding the company's numerous divestitures as well as the execution risk.

• JP Morgan removed Pilgrim's Pride (NYSE: PPC) from its Focus List.
  
• Bear Stearns downgraded European Pharmaceuticals to Market Weight from Market Overweight.
  
• Wachovia downgraded AmeriGas Partners (NYSE: APU), Exelon (NYSE: EXC) and FPL Group (NYSE: FPL) to Market Perform from Outperform.

Analyst downgrades: SWIR, NVTI, GFSI, IFX and VRSN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

• Bernstein upgraded Talisman Energy Inc (NYSE: TLM) to Outperform from Market Perform on valuation and potential exploration success in Vietnam and raised Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: APC), Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE: DVN) and EOG Resources Inc (NYSE: EOG) to Market Perform from Underperform on improving gas fundamentals.
• Bernstein also upgraded shares of BP PLC (NYSE: BP) and BG Group (NYSE: BRG) to Outperform from Market Perform.
• Check Point Software Technologies (NASDAQ: CHKP) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Friedman Billings, citing checks that indicate a strong product cycle for the company's beefed up VPN/firewall product portfolio.
• ValueClick (NASDAQ: VCLK) was upgraded at Citigroup to Buy from Hold on valuation, as they believe the recent correction provides a compelling entry point.

• Merrill Lynch upgraded shares of Alcoa Inc (NYSE: AA), Alumina Ltd (NYSE: AWC) and Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX) to Buy from Neutral and shares of Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE: PCU) to Neutral from Sell.
• JP Morgan upgraded shares of Tempur Pedic International (NYSE: TPX) to Overweight from Neutral.
  
• Infineon Technologies (NYSE: IFX) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.

Analyst upgrades 9-5-07: BP, BRG, CHKP and VCLK originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Before the bell: BX, BRCM, NOK, AAPL, MAT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Bernstein upgraded the semiconductor sector to Overweight form Market Weight on expectations that utilization will rise starting in Q2. The firm upgraded ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ: ASML) to Outperform from Market Perform and Infineon Technologies (NYSE: IFX) to Market Perform from Underperform.
• UBS upgraded Quest Diagnostics to Buy from Neutral, citing Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings' (NYSE: LH) contract renewal with Cigna HealthCare, which should ease concerns regarding deteriorating pricing.
• Fannie Mae was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Friedman Billings, citing improving fundamentals, better business mix and the possibility the company reports current financials in the next 12-18 months.

• Mediacom Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: MCCC) was upgraded to Neutral at Pali Capital, as the firm does not see a major catalyst to drive down shares.
• Soleil upgraded shares of ICU Medical Inc (NASDAQ: ICUI) to Buy from Hold.
• DynCorp International Inc (NYSE: DCP) was upgraded to Outperformer from Sector Performer at CIBC World Markets.
• CIBC also upgraded shares of Radware Limited (NASDAQ: RDWR) to Outperformer from Sector Performer.

Analyst upgrades 6-07-07: Semiconductor sector, DGX and FNM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), citing people familiar with the matter, Community Health Systems Inc (NYSE: CYH) is near a deal to purchase Triad Hospitals (NYSE: TRI), which would break up an existing $4.5B private-equity buyout plan.
• The Wall Street Journal's "Heard on the Street" column reported that rumors are swirling that Infineon Technologies ADS (NYSE: IFX) will be chosen to supply the main chip to drive the upcoming iPhone from Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL).

• The Business Standard reported that Reliance Industries is reportedly in advanced discussions with Nova Chemicals Corporation (NYSE: NCX), the plastics and petrochemicals firm, to form a joint venture.
• According to the U.K. Times, Barclays plc ADS (NYSE: BCS) will announce today its formal interest in buying Netherlands bank ABN Amro Holdings (NYSE: ABN) for a price of up to a little less than EUR60B, or EUR31.3 per share, according to reports.
• Dow Jones & Company (NYSE: DJ) is trying to buy the Financial News for GBP25M, the U.K. Times reported.
• The Sunday Telegraph reported that Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is planning a 'beauty tea' in conjunction with L'Oreal ADR (OTC: LRLCY), called Lumae.
• According to Google Inc's (NASDAQ: GOOG) official blog, it has acquired Adscape media. Terms were not disclosed.

Newspaper wrap-up 3-19-07: M&A in focus originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Mar 2007 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• In today's Wall Street Journal (subscription required):
• Top Banker Woody Young has left Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc (NYSE: LEH), according to people familiar with the matter.
• Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) may have benefited from piracy, according to media companies.
• Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) is leaning away from accepting offers from outside bidders and may restructure on its own.
• According to Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali Naimi, the world oil market is in "much, much better health and balance" now and, if trends hold, there will be no need for further production cuts or increases in supply when members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meet next month.
• The Financial Times (subscription required) reported that MasterCard Inc (NYSE: MA) is expected to announce a pilot program with the GSM Association that will allow migrant workers to use cellphones for international money transfers.
• The Deutschland edition of the Financial Times reported that Private Equity is looking at Infineon Technologies ADS (NYSE: IFX).

• According to the U.K. Times, Sanofi-Aventis ADS (NYSE: SNY) has called off talks with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) over a potential deal.
• The Washington Post reported that thousands of Army Humvees are lacking the Frag Kit 15 armor upgrade, which is not anticipated to be completed until this summer.
• Investor's Business Daily's "The New America" column highlighted Web conferencing leader WebEx Communications Inc (NASDAQ: WEBX).

Newspaper wrap-up 2-12-07: Tribune may not sell itself originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.