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.

Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC) makes medical equipment for the non-acute health care market. Products include wheelchairs, beds, respiratory devices and patient handling equipment. The company also distributes a line of medical supplies, including ostomy, incontinence, diabetic, wound care, urology and miscellaneous home medical needs. Invacare markets its products to more than 15,000 medical equipment dealers in 80 countries.

The firm pleased investors late last month, when it announced Q4 EPS of 59 cents and revenues of $426.8 million. Analysts had been looking for 44 cents and $393.3 million. The CEO attributed success to improved organic growth and cost reduction programs. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $1.35-$1.50 ($1.46 consensus).