Analyst Upgrades

• Heico (HEI) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Eaton (ETN), Silgan Holdings (SLGN), MYR Group (MYRG) and Shaw Group (SHAW) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Infosys (INFY) to buy from Neutral at Nomura.
• Isle of Capri (ISLE) to buy from neutral at Merriman.
• NovaGold (NG) to sector perform from underperform at RBC Capital.
• CarMax (KMX) and Rockwell Collins (COL) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• DHT Holdings (DHT) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Cabot Oil & Gas (COG) to overweight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CB, COL, ETN, FCX, FRO, INFY, KMX, NAT, SHAW, SON ...

Analyst Calls: CB, COL, ETN, FCX, FRO, INFY, KMX, NAT, SHAW, SON ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Dominion (D) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Corinthian Colleges (COCO) to outperform from underperform at RBC Capital.
• Canadian National (CNI) to sector outperformer from sector performer at CIBC.
• DragonWave (DRWI) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Infosys (INFY) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• SL Green Realty (SLG), Lexington Realty (LXP) and Taubman Centers (TCO) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Sunstone Hotel (SHO) to buy from neutral and Extra Space Storage (EXR) to buy from hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AEP, CCL, CNI, D, FDX, HAS, INFY, MAT, RCL, S, T, UPS, VZ ...

Analyst Calls: AEP, CCL, CNI, D, FDX, HAS, INFY, MAT, RCL, S, T, UPS, VZ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the Bell: Futures Lower After Alcoa's Sales Disappoint

Before the Bell: Futures Lower After Alcoa's Sales Disappoint originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Adobe Systems (ADBE) to outperform from market perform to reflect valuation following the recent pullback in shares, as well as the upcoming release of the company's CS5 product. The firm raised its price target for the stock to $39 from $36.
• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Zenith National (ZNT) to market perform from underperform following the company's merger agreement with Fairfax Financial. The firm thinks the offer is a strong price to receive for Zenith National shareholders.
• Kaufman Bros. upgraded Infosys (INFY) to buy from hold as it believes the offshore applications outsourcing market is picking up. The firm raised its target price for shares to $67 from $58.
• Ventas (VTR) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Liz Claiborne (LIZ) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.
• iStar Financial (SFI) was upgraded to hold from sell at Citigroup.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACN, ADBE, BBY, DIS, FSLR, GILD, ZNT ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACN, ADBE, BBY, DIS, FSLR, GILD, ZNT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Aetna Inc. (AET) shares declined after the insurer issued a surprise earnings warning for 2010.
• Alcoa Inc. (AA) swung to a smaller-than-expected Q4 profit even as revenue declined, sending shares lower.
• Carter's Inc. (CRI) posted strong Q3 earnings that topped estimates and same-store sales growth.
• Chevron Corp. (CVX) shares declined slightly after the company issued a surprise earnings warning.
• Con-Way Inc. (CNW) was downgraded due in part to concerns about near-term earnings.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Aetna, Alcoa, Chevron, Intel, JPMorgan, KB Home, Sealy ...

Earnings Highlights: Aetna, Alcoa, Chevron, Intel, JPMorgan, KB Home, Sealy ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Infosys Technologies Limited (INFY), a tech concern based in India that provides solutions in the IT field, has been extremely popular over the last year. The price for the American Depositary Share (ADS) is near a 52-week high. Earlier in the week, the company released its Q3 report. The market did not seem disappointed.

The top line expanded by over 5% on a year-over-year basis. Earnings per diluted ADS weren't as impressive, rising only 1.7% to 59 cents. That percentage gain translates to a mere penny increase. Net profit on a dollar basis was flat.

Continue reading Infosys Reports Flat Income, but Shares Are Technically Strong

Infosys Reports Flat Income, but Shares Are Technically Strong originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Yesterday I started a review of 25 companies that Fortune deemed most successful according to their peers in developing quality leadership. Today I review the remaining 20, searching to find the ones that might be worth investing in.

Price-to-book (from 11/27/09) was used as the first value screen. The theory being from a value investor's perspective that buying for a price at or near the break-up value of the company provides downside protection. Of course that is easier said than done.

Continue reading Serious Money: Fortune's 25 leaders, now 20

Serious Money: Fortune's 25 leaders, now 20 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) reported a surprise Q3 profit due to cost cutting; revenue topped estimates as well.
• Avis Budget Group Inc. (NYSE: CAR) said a proposed offering of $250 million in notes could reduce earnings.
• Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX) earnings prospects garnered it an upgrade from one analyst.
• Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) earnings prospects resulted in an upgrade from one analyst.
• Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) lower Q4 earnings topped analysts' expectations, lifting shares.
• Family Dollar Stores Inc. (NYSE: FDO) higher Q4 earnings beat analysts' estimates but sales were just OK.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Alcoa, Costco, Family Dollar, Marriott, PepsiCo, Yum! Brands ...

Earnings highlights: Alcoa, Costco, Family Dollar, Marriott, PepsiCo, Yum! Brands ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Infosys made 56 cents per American Depositary Share. The call was for 50 cents. Net sales were $1.15 billion, slightly higher than projections on Wall Street. That sounds okay, right? We even had an outlook that was better than expected, too. Everything appears to have fallen in place for Infosys.

Continue reading Infosys wins analyst game in Q2, but that's not enough for investors

Infosys wins analyst game in Q2, but that's not enough for investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Inflationary fears and the desire to generate higher returns in non-dollar assets should boost BRIC stocks (Brazil, Russia, India and China)," says Chuck Carlson in his The DRIP Investor.

"Despite the run-up this year, BRIC stock markets are still reasonably valued. Russia, India, and Brazil all trade at price/earnings ratios similar to the U.S.

"And while China's stock market does trade at a premium to the U.S., China's economic growth will swamp that of the U.S. this year and for the foreseeable future.

Continue reading 'Compelling case' for China and India

'Compelling case' for China and India originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Infosys Technologies (NASDAQ: INFY) increased its first quarter profits by 17% by tapping new markets and wrangling in 27 new clients, according to the Financial Times. The second-largest software services exporter in India, Infosys even scored some major clients, such as Waitrose, a top-shelf food retailer in the United Kingdom. Tough economic conditions can tend to favor companies that provide outsourcing services -- as well as consulting services with high, easily justifiable returns on investments (ROIs).

Nonetheless, this is a competitive space, and Infosys did caution that IBM (NYSE: IBM), Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) will be formidable global foes. With the announcement, Infosys increased the lower end of its forecast for the year, expecting revenues to fall in the $4.45 billion to $4.52 billion range.

Continue reading Infosys profits up 17%, long-term looks great

Infosys profits up 17%, long-term looks great originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ICICI Bank (NYSE: IBN), India's second largest bank, closed at $20.99. India is currently holding general elections -- the largest democratic election in the world -- to the 15th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on May 16, 2009. IBN June option implied volatility of 85 is below its 26-week average of 95, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Infosys (NASDAQ: INFY), a technology services firm based in India, closed at $30.36. INFY June option implied volatility is at 47, July is at 50; below its 26-week average of 61, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

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

Options Update: ICICI Bank volatility low into results of Indian general elections originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ICICI Bank (NYSE: IBN) India's second largest bank IBN, closed at $13.29. India will hold general elections to the 15th Lok Sabha in 5 phases on April 16, April 22, April 23, April 30, May 7 and May 13, 2009. The results of the election will be announced in single phase on May 16, 2009. IBN May call option implied volatility is at 118, puts are at 94. IBN average option implied volatility over the last 26-weeks is 98, according to Track Data.

Infosys (NASDAQ: INFY) is scheduled to report Q4 results on April 15. INFY, a technology services firm based in India, closed at $26.63. INFY April option implied volatility is at 70, May is at 65; near its 26-week average of 67, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

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

Options Update: ICICI Bank call volatility at 118 into Indian general elections originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The new earnings season ramps up this week as Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) reports fourth-quarter results. Last week, the Pittsburgh-based producer of aluminum and alumina announced layoffs and production cuts as a reaction to the economic downturn. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect that Alcoa will have swung to its first quarterly loss in years: $0.10 per share. That compares to a profit of $0.36 per share in the same period of the previous year. Revenues for the quarter are expected to have fallen 28.8% from a year ago to $5.3 billion. For 2008, analysts are looking for earnings of $1.40 per share on revenue of $27.6 billion, down from $2.60 per share and $30.8 billion in the previous year. Alcoa missed earnings estimates in three of the past five quarters, by 25.4% in the third quarter. The consensus recommendation of analysts shifted from buy to hold AA during the past quarter. The share price has been climbing in recent weeks, but it is 65.6% lower than a year ago.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) is also scheduled to report fourth-quarter results this week, one of a handful of tech stocks to do so. The number one semiconductor maker is expected to post earnings down 86.8% to $0.05 per share, and sales of $8.2 billion, down 23.3% from a year ago. Last week, Intel forecast sales for the quarter of $8.2 billion. The full-year numbers are expected to be marginally lower than a year ago, or $0.94 per share on $37.7 billion. Intel only missed earnings estimates in one of the past five quarters. Shares are about $2.00 higher than the 52-week low, but 37.2% lower than a year ago.

Continue reading The week in preview: Alcoa, Intel kick off new earnings season

The week in preview: Alcoa, Intel kick off new earnings season originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Satyam (NYSE: SAY) is recently trading at $1.44 in pre-open trading, below its close of $9.35. SAY Chairman Ramalinga Raju resigned after saying he falsified earnings and assets at India's fourth-largest software services provider. SAY January option implied volatility closed at 121, February at 114; above its 26-week average of 87, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Infosys (NASDAQ: INFY), a technology services firm based in India, closed at $26.60. INFY is scheduled to report Q3 EPS on January 12. INFY January 27.5 straddle is priced at $2.80, February 27.5 straddle is priced at $4.90. February option implied volatility of 63 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Wipro Ltd (NYSE: WIT), a technology services company based in India, closed at $8.41. WIT is expected to report Q3 EPS in mid January. WIT February call option implied volatility is at 78, puts are at 86; near its 26-week average of 80, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

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

Options Update: Satyam volatility elevated; shares collapse on accounting fraud originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ICICI Bank (NYSE: IBN), India's second largest bank IBN, closed at $13.21 Wednesday. IBN December option implied volatility of 143 is above its 26-week average of 82 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Infosys (NASDAQ: INFY), a technology services firm based in India, closed at $24.31 Wednesday. INFY December option implied volatility of 91 is above its 26-week average of 59 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Satyam Computer Services (NYSE: SAY), a technology solution provider based in India, closed at $12.62 Wednesday. SAY over all option implied volatility of 85 is above its 26-week average of 76 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Wipro Ltd (NYSE: WIT), a technology services company based in India, closed at $7.47 Wednesday. WIT over all option implied volatility of 83 is above its 26-week average of 71 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

The Sensex rose 0.7 percent to 9,092.72 at the close in Mumbai India, the highest in almost two weeks.

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

Options Update: Volatility elevated for India-based companies; IBN, SAY, INFY, WIT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Baird upgraded Optimer Pharm (NASDAQ: OPTR) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $13 from $8 citing the decidedly positive data from the OPT-80 trial.
  
• Banc of America upgraded Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) to Buy from Neutral on valuation and believes management has set expectations well.
  
• Credit Suisse views Jacobs Engineering (NYSE: JEC) as a high quality name given the quality of management, execution track record, and relationship business model. Shares were upgraded to Outperform from Neutral.
• Horizon Lines (NYSE: HRZ) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Stephens.
  
• Bancolombia SA (NYSE: CIB) was raised to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Great Lakes Dredge (NASDAQ: GLDD) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Morgan Joseph.

Continue reading Analyst calls: OPTR, JEC, KFN, CAR, DISH, TSN, VMW, INFY, URBN, DKS

Analyst calls: OPTR, JEC, KFN, CAR, DISH, TSN, VMW, INFY, URBN, DKS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Wachovia upgraded shares of Exelon (NYSE: EXC) to Outperform from Market Perform to reflect the company's attractive nuclear fleets and strong operational track record.
  
• Jesup & Lamont upgraded Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ORA) to Buy from Hold on valuation and increasing visibility on near-term Products revenue.
  
• RBC Capital upgraded Memc Electronic (NYSE: WFR) to Outperform from Sector Perform on expectations of improved demand growth following the likely eight-year extension of the US solar tax credit program.
• AmBev (NYSE: ABV) was raised to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
  
• AmerisourceBergen (NYSE: ABC) was upgraded at Merrill Lynch to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Piper upgraded Anadys Pharma (NASDAQ: ANDS) to Neutral from Sell.

Analyst downgrades:

Continue reading Analyst calls: MER, BAC, EXC, ABV, PPL, BBT . . .

Analyst calls: MER, BAC, EXC, ABV, PPL, BBT . . . originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Cree (NASDAQ: CREE) to Outperform from Perform as they believe LEDs are beginning to gain traction in general lighting applications.
  
• Jefferies upgraded Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) to Hold from Underperform following the acquisition by MidAmerican Energy. The company's target was increased to $25 from $20.
  
• RBC upgraded the Banking sector to Overweight from Underweight following the governments "massive assault" on the financial crisis. RBC believes government actions that include the potential creation of a Resolution Trust Corporation, the creation of federal insurance for money market fund investors and the ban on short selling will result in higher bank stock prices through year end; Wilmington Trust (NYSE: WL), KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) and Pacific Capital Bancorp (NASDAQ: PCBC) were upgraded to Sector Perform from Underperform.
  
• Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Piper.
  
• UBS upgraded Murphy Oil (NYSE: MUR) to Neutral from Sell.
  
• Gap (NYSE: GPS) was upgraded to buy from Neutral at Goldman Sachs.

• Deutsche Bank downgraded shares of Thomson Reuters (NASDAQ: TRIN) to Sell from Buy as they believe uncertainty in the financial sector will hinder growth.
  
• Piper cut MIPS Technologies (NASDAQ: MIPS) to Neutral from Buy as they believe estimates are at risk following the departure of ChipIdea's co-founder. The company's target was lowered to $3.70 from $8.
  
• Jefferies downgraded GSI Commerce (NASDAQ: GSIC) to Hold from Buy on valuation as they view the risk/reward less compelling following the recent rally.
• Host Hotels (NYSE: HST) was downgraded at Baird to Neutral from Outperform.
  
• Wachovia downgraded Accenture (NYSE: ACN), Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) and Infosys (NASDAQ: INFY) to Market Perform from Outperform.

• Jefferies initiated Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) with an Underperform rating and $38 target and thinks the company's sales and margins are at risk with negative comp trends getting worse.
  
• Cantor believes Lawson Software (NASDAQ: LWSN) has a powerful franchise while the stock trades at a 33% discount to peers. Shares were assumed with a Buy rating and $8 target.
  
• Stanford started Mentor (NYSE: MNT) with a Buy rating and $32 target and thinks the company is poised to benefit from growing global demand for products and services that make people look younger and more attractive.
• Scripps Networks (NYSE: SNI) was initiated at UBS with a Neutral rating and $43 target.
  
• BMO Capital initiated Costco (NASDAQ: COST) and BJ's Wholesale (NYSE: BJ) with Market Perform ratings and a $72 target and $42 target, respectively.
  
• Isle of Capri (NASDAQ: ISLE) was initiated at Goldman with a Sell rating and $6 target.

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: WL, ORCL, GPS, TRN, ANF, COST, BJ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

Infosys flexes its M&A muscles originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.