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

• BofA/Merrill upgraded Eastman Chemical (EMN) to buy from neutral and raised its target to $82 from $80. The analyst upgraded shares based on valuation and expectations for strong earnings from fibers and performance chemicals.
• Bernstein upgraded Hershey (HSY) to market perform from underperform based on strong near-term category growth.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded Actuant (ATU) to buy from neutral with a $25 price target following the company's Q3 results.
• Infinera (INFN) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• CTC Media (CTCM) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Williams (WMB) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, ATU, BWLD, EMN, FMC, HSY, KR, MTB, SWY, WMB ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, ATU, BWLD, EMN, FMC, HSY, KR, MTB, SWY, WMB ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Jun 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.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) to Buy from Hold on valuation and the company's exposure to a potential upturn in international drilling. The firm raised its target on shares to $80 from $56.
• UBS upgraded Allegheny Tech (NYSE: ATI) to Buy from Neutral and raised its target to $43 from $31 and believes the end of jet engine and other destocking will result in an initial recovery into 2010, even before an order ramp into 2011.
• Merriman upgraded Acorda Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ACOR) to Buy from Neutral based on the favorable FDA panel outcome and set a $30-$33 target range on the stock. Baird upgraded Acorda to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $28 from $24. Following the panel review, Baird expects Amaya to be approved in 1H10 and would be buyers into the mid/high $20s.
• Chicago Bridge & Iron (NYSE: CBI) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• PG&E (NYSE: PCG) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
• Newfield Exploration (NYSE: NFX) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ACOR, BHI, HAL, LAZ, SLB, TRV ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ACOR, BHI, HAL, LAZ, SLB, TRV ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Citigroup upgraded Lubrizol (NYSE: LZ) to Buy from Hold on valuation as they believe economic weakness is already priced into the stock. Despite upgrading, Citigroup lowered their target price to $32 from $36.
  
• UBS believes AT&T (NYSE: T) consensus estimates are beatable and that the 7.1% dividend yield is safe. Additionally, the firm said a strike is possible when the unionized wireline employee contract expires on April 4th but expects the company to succeed in lowering healthcare benefits. Shares were upgraded to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Friedman Billings upgraded Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) to Market Perform from Underperform as they believe guidance appropriately reset expectations and that the risk/reward is neutral at current levels. The firm lowered their target price to $16 from $17. Shares were also upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies after the Q1 results to reflect better-than-expected cost cuts and an attractive risk/reward at current levels.
• Lousiana Pacific (NYSE: LPX) was raised to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer at CIBC.
  
• OmniVision (NASDAQ: OVTI) was upgraded at Baird to Neutral from Underperform.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: T, ADBE, GPS, RIMM, MCD, PFE ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: T, ADBE, GPS, RIMM, MCD, PFE ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Invesco, Kimberly Clark and Crawford & Company were today's noteworthy initiations:

• Jefferies finds Invesco (NYSE: IVZ) compelling given the company's focus on expense control, strong cash flow characteristics, and attractive valuation. Shares were assumed with a Buy rating and $33 target.
  
• Caris started Kimberly Clark (NYSE: KMB) with a Below Average rating and $58 target. The firm believes consensus estimates may be too high given the high cost of commodities.
  
• Suntrust started Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRDB) with a Buy rating and $8 target, and believes the company is at the "front end" of a turnaround in operations.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Bernstein initiated Energizer Holdings (NYSE: ENR) with an Outperform rating and $100 target.
  
• BMO Capital assumed Range Resources (NYSE: RRC) with an Outperform rating and $85 target.
  
• Intrepid Potash (NYSE: IPI) was started with a Sell rating and $40 target at Soleil.

Analyst initiations: Invesco, Kimberly Clark, Crawford & Co. originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 May 2008 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Cardionet, Molson Coors and TIM Participacoes were today's noteworthy initiations:

• Cardionet (NASDAQ: BEAT) initiated with an Overweight, target $29 at Thomas Weisel, who believes Cardionet is well positioned for future growth in the ambulatory monitoring market.
  
• Molson Coors Brewing Co. (NYSE: TAP) was initiated with a Market Perform, target $61 at BMO Capital.
  
• TIM Participacoes (NYSE: TSU) was re-initiated with an Outperform at Bear Stearns.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Invesco (NYSE: IVZ) was initiated with an Overweight at J.P. Morgan.
• Orion Marine Group (NASDAQ: OMGI) was initiated with a Buy, target of $18, at SMH Capital.
• Seattle Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN) was initiated with a Neutral, target of $12, at Bank of America.

Analyst initiations: Cardionet, Molson Coors, TIM Participacoes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Stephens believes Diana Shipping's (NYSE: DSX) current share price represents an attractive entry point for investors. Shares were started with an Overweight rating and $40 target.
  
• Avanex (NASDAQ: AVNX) was initiated with a Buy rating at Merriman. The firm believes the recovery in optical that began in late 2005 is in a relatively early stage and that new product introductions and strong optical trends will drive growth and leverage.
  
• Jefferies assumed coverage of Fushi International (NASDAQ: FSIN) with a Buy rating and $20 target and believes the telecom infrastructure build-out in emerging markets, particularly China, and high copper prices continue to create opportunities for the company.

• Mattel (NYSE: MAT) was assumed at Caris with an Above Average rating and $25 target.
  
• Lehman initiated Garmin (NASDAQ: GRMN) with an Equal Weight rating.
  
• Keefe Bruyette initiated Invesco (NYSE: IVZ) with an Outperform ratin gand $28 target.

Analyst initiations: DSX, AVNX and FSIN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Keefe Bruyette believes Invesco's (NYSE:IVZ) initiatives will drive significant revenue and operating leverage to any improvement in the operating environment. The firm started shares with an Outperform rating and $28 target. Visa was started ast Cowen with an Outperform rating, as they are positive on the Visa's growth prospects and attractive business model.
  
• Keefe Bruyette also recommends owning Visa (NYSE:V), assuming coverage with an Outperform rating and $80 target, and established FY08, FY09, and FY10 EPS estimates of $1.89, $2.33 and $2.80.
  
• Netscout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) was initiated at ThinkEquity with a Buy rating and $13 target. ThinkEquity believes Netscout is well positioned to outperform and win share in its addressable market niche following the Network General acquisition. Additionally, the firm views NTCT as an attractive takeover candidate for larger infrastructure management players.

• JP Morgan initiated Signature Bank (SBNY) with a Neutral rating.
  
• Wendy's (WEN) was reinstated at Goldman with a Sell rating and $21 target.
  
• Needham started NeuStar (NSR) with a Hold rating.

Analyst initiations: IVZ, V and NTCT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Merriman believes NuVasive's (NASDAQ:NUVA) expanding product and distribution should continue to drive growth and feels the recent pullback provides a good entry point into shares. Merriman started NuVasive with a Buy rating.
  
• Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ:BWLD) was initiated at Jefferies with a Hold rating and $30 target as they believe consensus estimates are aggressive and that shares are approaching fair valuation.
  
• William Blair believes Invesco's (NYSE:IVZ) investment capabilities and diversified client base are key differentiators that will drive superior relative growth over the long term; shares were assumed with an Outperform rating.

• Baird initiated XenoPort (NASDAQ:XNPT) with an Outperform rating and $74 target.
  
• KeyBanc assumed Felcor Lodging (NYSE:FCH) with a Buy rating and $14 target.
  
• Trimble Navigation (NASDAQ:TRMB) was initiated at Thomas Weisel with a Market Weight rating and $30 target.

Analyst initiations: NUVA, BWLD and IVZ originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Infosys Technologies (NASDAQ: INFY) was initiated with a Buy rating and $54 target at Kaufman, as their checks indicate no signs of a slowdown in the Indian software services market. They believe the stock is getting no premium for its defensive nature.
  
• Kaufman also initiated Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) with a Hold rating and $35 target and believes the company's less defensive revenue mix could cause its P/E multiple to trend below rivals.
  
• Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS) was initiated with a Hold rating and $39 target at Jefferies. The firm recommends waiting for a better entry point given the peak operating margins, a more challenging macro backdrop and tougher comps.

• Wachovia initiated Invesco (NYSE: IVZ) with a Market Perform rating.
  
• Dynegy (NYSE: DYN) was assumed with a Buy rating and $9.50 target at Merrill.
  
• Navios Maritime (NYSE: NMM) was started with an Overweight rating at JP Morgan.

Analyst initiations: Infosys, Cognizant and Ansys originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Genesis Energy (AMEX: GEL) was initiated with a Buy rating and $40 target at Stanford, as the firm believes the company's affiliation with Denbury Resources and pending acquisition of petroleum products, terminals, and transportation businesses from the Davison family will drive rapid growth.

• EnerNoc Inc (NASDAQ: ENOC) was initiated with a Hold rating and $42 target at Jefferies, due to valuation. EnerNoc was also initiated at Morgan Stanley with an Equal Weight rating and $40 target.

• Stifel expects Comcast (OTC: CMCSA) to benefit from higher penetration levels of DVR and HDTV set-top boxes over the next several years and initiated shares with a Buy rating and $34 target.

• Select asset managers were initiated at Credit Suisse:

• AllianceBernstein (NYSE: AB), Affiliated Managers (NYSE: AMG), Fortress Investment (NYSE: FIG), Invesco (NYSE: IVZ), Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) and T Rowe Price (NASDAQ: TROW) were initiated with Outperform ratings.

• Blackrock (NYSE: BLK), Calamos Asset Mgmt (NADAQ: CLMS), Eaton Vance Corp (NYSE: EV), Federated Investors (NYSE: FII), Janus Capital (NYSE: JNS), Legg Mason Inc (NYSE: LM) and Waddell & Reed (NYSE: WDR) were initiated with Neutral ratings.

• Deutsche Bank initiated Ryland Group (NYSE: RYL) with a Buy rating and $52 target, as well as Pulte Homes (NYSE: PHM) and Meritage Homes Corp (NYSE: MTH) with Hold ratings and a $23 target and $29 target, respectively.

Analyst initiations 6-27-07: BEN, BLK, CMCSA, PHM and RYL originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.