Analyst Upgrades

• Philip Morris (PM) to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• Peet's Coffee (PEET) to neutral from sell at Janney Capital.
• Cephalon (CEPH) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• StoneMor Partners (STON) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Tibco (TIBX) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Apollo Group (APOL) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: APOL, CEPH, DELL, GCI, GOLD, KSS, LEN, PEET, PM ...

Analyst Calls: APOL, CEPH, DELL, GCI, GOLD, KSS, LEN, PEET, PM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup assumed coverage of Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and upgraded shares to buy from hold with a $52 price target. Citi cites valuation and the company's successful execution for the rating change.
• UBS upgraded Rowan Companies (RDC) to buy from neutral based on better-than-expected dayrates in the high specification jack-up market. The firm raised its price target to $42 from $28.
• UBS also upgraded NetLogic (NETL) to buy from neutral and keeps a $33.50 target on the stock. The firm upgraded shares based on valuation and solid long-term outlook.
• AvalonBay (AVB) and BRE Properties (BRE) were upgraded to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
• Covance (CVD) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Reynolds American (RAI) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BKS, GE, GSK, ITW, MMM, MXIM, NETL, NOK, RAI, RDC, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: BKS, GE, GSK, ITW, MMM, MXIM, NETL, NOK, RAI, RDC, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Goldman upgraded Costco (COST) to buy from neutral based on valuation, improving fundamentals and potential catalysts. The firm raised its price target to $68 from $62.
• Soleil upgraded MGM Resorts (MGM) to buy from hold, citing valuation, easing balance sheet concerns and a multiyear convention recovery. The firm upped its target for shares to $14 from $13. Note, Soleil also downgraded Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to hold from buy.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH) to overweight from neutral with a $59 price target following the company's better-than-expected Q2 results.
• Dell (DELL) was upgraded to buy from outperform at CLSA.
• CommScope (CTV) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• EnCana (ECA) was upgraded to sector outperformer from sector performer at CIBC.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BA, COST, DELL, GD, INTC, LVS, MGM, PCLN, TWX, V, VIA ...

Analyst Calls: BA, COST, DELL, GD, INTC, LVS, MGM, PCLN, TWX, V, VIA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Illinois Tool Works (ITW) to buy from hold, citing valuation and the company's strong revenue performance. The firm has a $60 price target for shares.
• Goldman upgraded PPD Inc. (PPDI) to buy from hold and raised its price target to $31 from $28. The firm expects strong top line growth and bookings momentum for the upgrade.
• Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Insituform Technologies (INSU) to buy from hold based on higher estimates for sewer rehab and energy. The firm has a $31 target on the stock.
• Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Wisconsin Energy (WEC) and Northeast Utilities (NU) were upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Rockwell Collins (COL) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AON, AMED, C, GS, HEW, ITW, JPM, MS, PPDI, TLB, URBN ...

Analyst Calls: AON, AMED, C, GS, HEW, ITW, JPM, MS, PPDI, TLB, URBN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Microsoft (MSFT) to outperform from market perform, citing valuation and the ongoing corporate PC cycle refresh. The firm upped its target for shares to $32 from $31.
• Oppenheimer upgraded BP (BP) to outperform from perform with a $55 price target as it sees greater upside potential than downside risk from the oil spill.
• Wunderlich upgraded Stericycle (SRCL) to hold from sell and raised its target for shares to $50 from $42, citing the company's alliance with Republic Services (RSG).
• Illinois Tool Works (ITW) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• GameStop (GME) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Janney Montgomery.
• Fluor (FLR) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BP, BSMD, CKR, CSX, MCD, MSFT, PCP, SBUX, SRCL ...

Analyst Calls: BP, BSMD, CKR, CSX, MCD, MSFT, PCP, SBUX, SRCL ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 May 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:

• Apple Inc. (AAPL) posted its highest quarterly revenue ever, easily beating estimates, as iPhone sales doubled.
• Boeing Co. (BA) swung to a larger-than-expected Q4 profit but guidance fell short of analysts' estimates.
• Chevron Corp. (CVX) fell short of analysts' earnings estimates for Q4, sending shares lower.
• Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) shares rose after optimistic statements by the CEO ahead of Q2 results.
• Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) shares surged after it beat Q4 expectations by a wide margin and cash flow improved.
• Ford Motor Co. (F) reported its first annual profit in four years due to cost-cutting and improved market share.
• Halliburton Co. (HAL) reported lower Q4 earnings but beat estimates by a penny, and revenue also fell.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Apple, Boeing, Cisco, Ford, Kodak, Microsoft, Yahoo! ...

Earnings Highlights: Apple, Boeing, Cisco, Ford, Kodak, Microsoft, Yahoo! ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Following is a look at two companies that released quarterly results this week. One is from the world of tech. The other resides in the old-economy landscape of industrial goods.

EMC (EMC) reported Q4 results on Tuesday. According to the press release, the company is doing quite well. Sales increased 17% on a sequential basis, and adjusted earnings came in at 33 cents per diluted share, an increase of over 40% compared to the previous quarter. Juxtaposing this stat with data at Earnings.com, we see that management beat projections by three pennies.

Continue reading Two Quarterly Reports: EMC and Illinois Tool Works

Two Quarterly Reports: EMC and Illinois Tool Works originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE) shares rose after lower Q4 earnings and revenue beat analysts' expectations.
• Best Buy Inc. (BBY) shares sold off despite better-than-expected Q3 results due to the lower gross margin.
• Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) warned that Q4 earnings would come in lower than the Street view
• Discover Financial Services (DFS) shares were up after it reported better-than-expected Q4 earnings.
• First Solar Inc. (FSLR) offered a solid 2010 outlook but the consensus EPS estimate is high in the range.
• General Mills Inc. (GIS) strong Q2 results included better-than-expected earnings and a rosy outlook.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Best Buy, Discover, General Mills, Nike, Oracle, Rite Aid, Take-Two ...

Earnings highlights: Best Buy, Discover, General Mills, Nike, Oracle, Rite Aid, Take-Two ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Baird upgraded Visa (V) to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $100 from $88, citing valuation and an improvement in key trends that include transactions, volume and international travel.
• FBR Capital upgraded Illinois Tool Works (ITW) to outperform from market perform to reflect valuation and expectations for earnings upside in the first half of 2010. The firm raised its target on shares to $58 from $55.
• Goldman added Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) to its conviction buy list based on a bottom in fundamentals and positive senior housing trends. The firm raised its target to $22 from $20.
• Exxon Mobil (XOM) was upgraded to buy from hold at Societe Generale.
• Newfield Exploration (NFX) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• PPD (PPDI) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AOL, BBT, ITW, THOR, TOT, V, XOM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AOL, BBT, ITW, THOR, TOT, V, XOM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• ADC Telecommunications Inc. (ADCT) posted a surprise net loss for Q4 and predicted a loss in Q1.
• BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (BJ) shares fell after Q3 earnings met expectations and offered guidance for FY.
• Dell Inc. (DELL) posted lower-than-expected Q3 earnings, prompting a sell-off of shares.
• Foot Locker Inc. (FL) said Q3 earnings slumped more than analysts' forecast, sending shares lower.
• Gap Inc. (GPS) reported growth of EPS and revenue in Q3 and announced a share buyback program.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Dell, Foot Locker, Gap, Lowe's, Saks, Target ...

Earnings highlights: Dell, Foot Locker, Gap, Lowe's, Saks, Target ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Barclays upgraded Exxon (XOM) to overweight from equal weight based on a higher production growth outlook. The firm, which raised its target to $92 from $90, expects Exxon to have organic growth of more than 3% in 2010 and an average growth rate of 2.6% between 2009 and 2013.
• Kaufman Bros. upgraded Palm (PALM) to buy from hold citing the recent pullback in shares and indications that Verizon (VZ) will carry webOS phones as early as 1H10. The firm has a $16 target on the stock.
• Piper Jaffray raised Medicis (MRX) to neutral from underweight and raised its target to $20 from $16. Following a management meeting, Piper said they have increased confidence in Soldyn risk and LipoSonix's safety profile.
• Illinois Tool Works (ITW) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Devon Energy (DVN) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Carmike Cinemas (CKEC) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Merriman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DELL, NFLX, PALM, SPWRA, XOM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DELL, NFLX, PALM, SPWRA, XOM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Illinois Tool Works (ITW) hits 52-week high on reaffirmed outlook

Illinois Tool Works (ITW) hits 52-week high on reaffirmed outlook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Talbots (NYSE: TLB) to Buy from Hold on expectations the company's sales and margins are at an inflection point. The firm expects comps to turn positive in the next six months and raised its target on shares to $9.50 from $5.
• JMP Securities believes that Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) incoming iPod product cycle, geographic expansion of iPhones, and market expansion led by new products will result in "significant" outperformance. The firm upgraded shares to Outperform from Market Perform and has a $200 target on the stock.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Tiffany (NYSE: TIF) to Outperform from Neutral citing productivity comps and gross margin upside, leading to potential upside to 2010 Street estimates. The firm raised its target to $45 from $20.
• Brady (NYSE: BRC) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at KeyBanc.
• Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• RadioShack (NYSE: RSH) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, BP, PFE, QCOM, TIF, TLB, TWX ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, BP, PFE, QCOM, TIF, TLB, TWX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Capital One (NYSE: COF) to Buy from Hold as it believes the credit cycle is starting to recover for U.S. credit cards and an improving economy will support bank credit stabilization. The firm raised its target on shares to $44 from $28.
• JPMorgan upgraded Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) to Overweight from Neutral on valuation and believes the stock market recovery will serve as a catalyst.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) to Buy from Hold after its channel checks indicated a sooner-than-expected order ramp and stabilizing pricing trends. The firm raised its target on shares to $46 from $39.
• COTT Corp. (NYSE: COT) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
• Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Barclays.
• Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BX, COF, DD, MS, VMC, WM, ZION ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BX, COF, DD, MS, VMC, WM, ZION ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Barclays upgraded Anglo American (NASDAQ: AAUK) to Overweight from Equal Weight based on a potentially higher bid from Xstrata (OTC: XSRAY) or a white night willing to pay a premium for the group, higher copper prices, and improving operating performance.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB) to Buy from Neutral citing improved bagged salad margins, strong free cash flow, solid banana trends, and valuation. The firm has a $13 target on the stock.
• Wunderlich upgraded Legacy Reserves (NASDAQ: LGCY) to Buy from Hold due to the firm's belief that the back of the crude board is still very cheap, the firm's increased distribution outlook, and the movement of the stock after the discontinuation of the company's talks with Apollo.
• Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
• UBS (NYSE: UBS) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DB, CAT, MMM, NKE, UBS ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DB, CAT, MMM, NKE, UBS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Goldman upgraded SanDisk (NASDAQ: SNDK) to Buy from Neutral and raised their target to $22 from $16 citing the renegotiated royalty agreement with Samsung.
• Goldman also upgraded Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT) to Buy from Sell and raised their target to $27 from $11 citing strong operating leverage as RevPAR recovers.
• KeyBanc upgraded Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ: WERN) to Hold from Underweight citing a recent improvement in freight demand.
• J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) was upgraded to buy from Underperform at Banc of America/Merrill.
• Savvis (NASDAQ: SVVS) was raised to Outperform from Perform at Oppenheimer.
• Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) was upgraded at Citigroup to Buy from Hold.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: SNDK, HOT, CAT, HOG, ANF, ERTS ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: SNDK, HOT, CAT, HOG, ANF, ERTS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 May 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Golf has Tiger Woods, novelists have Tom Clancy, and the investment community has stars such as Bruce Berkowitz, Bill Nygren, Charlie Dreifus, and Mario Gabelli," states Paul Tracy.

In his The Street Authority Market Advisor, he suggests, "These money managers are at the pinnacle of their craft." Here, he takes a look at these "celebrities" and some of their current top stock holdings.

"These money managers have all amassed prodigious gains over the years for their shareholders. Over the past few months, these gurus have come out with ringing endorsements for certain stocks. This isn't empty talk -- they are putting their money where their mouth is.

Continue reading Investing with the stars: Top stocks from top managers

Investing with the stars: Top stocks from top managers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC) to Buy from Hold on valuation as it views the risk/reward as favorable at current levels. Deutsche raised its target price to $41.50 from $38.
  
• FBR Capigal upgraded Charlotte Russe (NASDAQ:CHIC) to Outperform from Market Perform following the company's Q2 results on expectations merchandise improvements and cost-cutting efforts will drive continued margin expansion. The firm raised its target on shares to $15 from $10.
  
• Oppenheimer upgraded Fidelity National (NYS:FIS) to Outperform from Perform as it believes the Metavante (MV) acquisition makes strategic sense and the stock's risk/reward is favorable. The firm's target price is $25.
• First American (NYSE:FAF) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette.
  
• Nokia (NYSE:NOK) was raised to Neutral from Underweight at JP Morgan.
  
• Parker-Hannifin NYSE:(PH) was lifted at Wachovia to Outperform from Market Perform.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: JPM, NOK, PALM, INTU

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: JPM, NOK, PALM, INTU originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded shares of Camden Property (NYSE: CPT) to Hold from Sell on valuation and believes the company has improved its liquidity position. Despite the upgrade, the firm lowered its target price to $21 from $25.
  
• Goldman added Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) to its Conviction Buy List as it is now the sole dominant retailer in consumer electronics and expects Best Buy's margins to benefit from Circuit City's demise.
  
• Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan as it finds the valuation attractive and sees a number of long-term fundamental positive catalysts. The firm has a $47.50 target on shares.
• United Rentals (NYSE: URI) and Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) were upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
  
• ProLogis (NYSE: PLD) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Banc of America/Merrill.

• Oppenheimer downgraded Global Traffic Network (NASDAQ: GNET) to Perform from Outperform following the company's weaker than expected Q2 results and lowered its target price to $6.25 from $7.
  
• Friedman Billings downgraded BankAtlantic (NYSE: BBX) to Underperform from Market Perform to reflect the deterioration of both the company's credit and capital in Q4. The firm lowered its target price to $1 from $5.
  
• RBC Capital downgraded AbitibiBowater (NYSE: ABH) to Underperform from Sector Perform and lowered its target to 50 cents from $2.00 following the company's debt refinancing announcement.
• Lions Gate (NYSE: LGF) was cut to Market Weight from Overweight at Thomas Weisel.
  
• Ctrip.com (NASDAQ: CTRP) was downgraded at Goldman to Sell from Neutral.
  
• Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Banc of America/Merrill.

• Oppenheimer initiated Chattem (NASDAQ: CHTT) with an Outperform rating and believes the company's business model is well suited for the current uncertain consumer environment. The firm has an $80 target on the stock.
• Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) was initiated at BMO Capital with a Market Perform rating and $30 target.
  
• Anglo American (NASDAQ: AAUK) was assumed with a Sell rating at Societe Generale.
  
• Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY) was started at UBS with a Buy rating.

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: BBY, TAP, LGF, FCX, AUY ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Cramer: Obama Hits the Right Notes, but Trouble Remains
• Banks Plagued by Capital Woes

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Banks are vital to the market's psyche

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Banks are vital to the market's psyche originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.