Analyst Upgrades

• Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) to positive from neutral at Susquehanna.
• tw telecom (TWTC) to outperform from neutral at Cowen.
• Agree Realty (ADC) to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
• Millicom (MICC) to buy from neutral at Nomura.
• BioMed Realty (BMR) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Realty Income (O) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ANF, CA, HBAN, MSFT, NTAP, NVDA, OWW, ORCL, RHT ...

Analyst Calls: ANF, CA, HBAN, MSFT, NTAP, NVDA, OWW, ORCL, RHT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Stifel Financial (SF) and CVR Energy (CVI) to buy from neutral and Principal Financial (PFG) to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• Suntech (STP) to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Internap (INAP) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Andersons (ANDE) to buy from hold at BB&T.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ATH, ANDE, BLK, BUCY, ITRI, LEAP, LM, PFG, SF, STP ...

Analyst Calls: ATH, ANDE, BLK, BUCY, ITRI, LEAP, LM, PFG, SF, STP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Dynegy (DYN) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Pritchard.
• Itron (ITRI) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
• Goldman upgraded Ameren (AEE) to sell from conviction sell.
• Signet Jewelers (SIG) was upgraded to buy from hold at Societe Generale.
• JPMorgan upgraded Synopsys (SNPS) to overweight from neutral.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AGU, BODY, CPB, DYN, HRL, ITRI, POT, ROVI, SNDA, SWS ...

Analyst Calls: AGU, BODY, CPB, DYN, HRL, ITRI, POT, ROVI, SNDA, SWS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A company the size of Cisco (CSCO) needs to find massive market opportunities. So why not the electric grid? No doubt, it needs lots of improvement. In fact, there is an emerging trend towards making it much smarter. And no doubt, Cisco's technology can be a big help.

At the same time, the company is revving up its acquisitions machine. The latest deal is for Arch Rock. The financial details were not disclosed.

Continue reading Cisco to Buy Smart-Grid Operator Arch Rock

Cisco to Buy Smart-Grid Operator Arch Rock originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Vistaprint (VPRT) to buy from hold on valuation following the recent pullback in shares. The firm also raised its price target on the stock to $62 from $55.
• Fox-Pitt upgraded Eaton Vance (EV) to outperform from in line citing strong fundamentals. The firm raised its target to $36 from $34.
• Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Hospitality Properties (HPT) to buy from hold citing valuation and expected cash dividend in 2010. The firm has a $22 target on the stock.
• The Advisory Board (ABCO) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at First Analysis.
• Technip (TKPPY) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Jefferies upgraded Energy XXI (EXXI) to hold from underperform and raised its target to $2 from $1.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: VPRT, EV, HPT, NRG, GTE, BNHNA, VAR, ITRI and FARO

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: VPRT, EV, HPT, NRG, GTE, BNHNA, VAR, ITRI and FARO originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First off, what is smart grid technology? Smart grid technology allows two-way communication between a home or business and the utility company.

Then you are probably wondering why is there so much interest in smart grid technology now? The key reason is that our electrical transmission system is outmoded and overloaded. Our present system will be unable to handle the increasing demand for electricity for much longer. Take the electric car. If thousands of these cars are on the road next year, we will need the electrical delivery system to power them.

Continue reading Which companies will profit from smart grid technology?

Which companies will profit from smart grid technology? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"I'm adding Itron (NSDQ: ITRI) to my diversified portfolio of stocks in the alternative energy space," says Elliott Gue.

In The Energy Strategist he explains, "The firm will benefit from both the HR 2454 bill (a cap-and-trade system designed to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions) and the stimulus bill which included direct subsidies aimed at promoting efficiency and building a more intelligent electric grid.

"Itron is a leading play on energy efficiency and smart grid technologies, a key, near-term component of cutting carbon emissions.

Continue reading Itron (ITRI): Energy savings from smart meters

Itron (ITRI): Energy savings from smart meters originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) Q2 earnings were in line with expectations but sales beat.
• Best Buy Inc. (NYSE: BBY) beat earnings estimates for Q1, but on horrible metrics, sending shares lower.
• Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL) lower Q2 earnings beat expectations and previous guidance, boosting shares.
• CarMax Inc. (NYSE: KMX) Q1 profit and sales dropped, but still beat expectations, sending shares higher.
• Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) posted a smaller-than-expected Q2 net loss and shares rose.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: FedEx, Best Buy, RIM, Adobe, Smucker, Discover and more

Earnings highlights: FedEx, Best Buy, RIM, Adobe, Smucker, Discover and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is involved in the build-out of smart grids -- has been our radar screen for awhile," says growth stock expert Toby Smith.

In his ChangeWave Investing, he suggests, "As the top supplier of smart meters and meter infrastructure for the electricity industry, Itron is by far the best-positioned company for the smart grid build-out."

"The build-out of smart grids employs technologies that deployed across an energy grid which allow greater efficiency and flexibility during energy distribution and transmission.

"The cool thing about smart grids is that they are capable of isolating and better managing power outages and disruptions, integrating local power generating equipment, and avoiding electricity congestion or bottlenecks.

Continue reading Itron (ITRI): Smart grids, smart meters

Itron (ITRI): Smart grids, smart meters originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Canaccord upgraded Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP) to Buy from Hold citing valuation following the severe price decline following BHP Billiton's (NYSE: BHP) dropped bid.
• UBS upgraded Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) to Buy from Neutral citing valuation and defensive business mix.
• Jefferies upgraded shares of HealthSouth (NYSE: HLS) to Buy from Hold on valuation and maintains a $13.50 target.
• Melco PBL Entertainment (NASDAQ: MPEL) was raised to buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• PG&E (NYSE: PCG) was upgraded at Merrill Lynch to Buy from Neutral.
• HSBC Holdings (NYSE: HBC) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.

Analyst downgrades:

Continue reading Analyst calls: RTP, ITRI, HLS, BHP, BX, DT, UL, GPC, KND . . .

Analyst calls: RTP, ITRI, HLS, BHP, BX, DT, UL, GPC, KND . . . originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Skyworks Solutions (NASDAQ: SWKS) -- I argued that the company has more upside in its operations which should lead to further upside in the stock.
• DryShips (NASDAQ: DRYS) -- I explained why I think the stock had further upside due to the tremendous strength in drybulk shipping rates recently.
• Dawson Geophysical (NASDAQ: DWSN) -- I rationalized a buy at current levels due to a variety of fundamental and technical factors.

Continue reading Itron (ITRI): The epitome of a breakout stock

Itron (ITRI): The epitome of a breakout stock originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Cowen believes AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) faces challenges from patent expirations, patent challenges, high-risk pipeline and value creation from deals, and initiated shares with a Neutral rating.

• Ametek (NYSE: AME) was initiated at Friedman Billings with an Outperform rating and $44 target, as the firm believes AME has turned into a collection of niche-oriented high-value-added manufacturers of precision instrumentation, resulting in a high-margin, high-return business with above average growth.

• InterNAP (NASDAQ: INAP) was initiated at Thomas Weisel with an Overweight rating, as the firm is positive on INAP's unique service offerings, VitalSteam acquisition opportunities, high growth customers, and improving collocation and bandwidth demand fundamentals.

• Cantor expects Rosetta Genomics (NASDAQ: ROSG) to launch the world's first microRNA-based cancer diagnostic in the second-half of 2008 with a market of $200 million, and initiated shares with a Buy rating and $15 target.

• Banc of America initiated shares of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings (NYSE: SPR) with a Buy rating and $42 target.

• Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) was initiated with a Market Perform rating at BMO Capital.

• Merrill Lynch initiated shares of JMP Group (NYSE: JMP) with a Buy rating.

• UBS initiated shares of Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) with a Neutral rating and $82 target.

Analyst initiations 6-28-07: AZN, DUK, JMP and SPR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Jun 2007 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Lazard started Ballard Power (NASDAQ: BLDP) with a Hold rating based on valuation.

• GSI Technology (NASDAQ: GIST) is gaining shares at key customers while ramp-up of its next-generation product should act as a strong catalyst to revenue starting in 2H07; Baird started shares with an Outperform rating.

• Baird also initiated eTelecare Global (NASDAQ: ETEL) with an Outperform rating citing consistent above-industry growth rates.

• American Technology initiated JA Solar Holdings Co (NASDAQ: JASO) with a Buy rating, pointing to the company's long-term customer agreements and solid silicon position...

• MetroPCS Communications, Inc (NYSE: PCS) was started with an Overweight rating at Lehman.

• Cowen initiated shares of NetGear, Inc (NASDAQ: NTGR) with a Neutral rating.

• Lazard initiated Itron, Inc (NASDAQ: ITRI) with a Buy rating.

• Pacific Crest started shares of AsiaInfo Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: ASIA) with a Sector Perform rating.

Analyst initiations 5-14-07: ASIA, BLDP, JASO and NTGR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 May 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Deutsche Bank believes upside remains on Xilinx Inc's (NASDQ: XLNX) margins and tax rates, initiating shares with a Buy rating and $38 target.

• JP Morgan waits for improved new unit volumes and better earnings visibility before getting more constructive on Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc (NASDAQ: RRGB) and initiated shares with a Neutral rating.

• Given the lack of catalysts to improve margins above their peers, JP Morgan doesn't expect multiple expansions from Ingram Micro (NYSE: IM) in the near-term, assuming shares with a Neutral rating.

• Deutsche Bank expects Silicon Labratories (NASDAQ:: SLAB) multiples to expand with operating margins, starting shares with a Buy rating and $40 target.

• Needham believes Comtech Group Inc (NASDAQ: COGO) is uniquely leveraged to benefit from the growth of manufacturing in China and started shares with a Buy rating and $21 target...

• Deutsche Bank initiated shares of Marvell Technology Group (NASDAQ: MRVL) with a Buy rating.

• Citigroup started GTx, Inc (NASDAQ: GTXI) with a Buy rating.

• Pacific Growth started Itron, Inc (NASDAQ: ITRI) with a Buy rating.

• First Marblehead Corp (NYSE: FMD) was initiated with a Hold rating and $38 target at Sandler.

• UBS started Kaiser Aluminum Corp (NASDAQ: KALU) with a Buy rating and $100 target.

Analyst initiations 5-10-07: COGO, IM, MRVL, RRGB and XLNX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 May 2007 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.