Analyst Upgrades

• Tyson Foods (TSN) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Carmike Cinemas (CKEC) to buy from neutral at Merriman.
• Ambow Education (AMBO) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Johnson Controls (JCI) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Dynex Capital (DX) to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
• Ensco (ESV) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• York Water (YORW) to buy from hold at Brean Murray.
• Mid-America Apartment (MAA) to market perform from underperform at FBR Capital.
• Cheniere Energy Partners (CQP) to hold from sell at Citigroup.
• Forest Oil (FST) to positive from neutral at Susquehanna.
• Tractor Supply (TSCO) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: DISH, DTV, JCI, LULU, MOS, MTN, POT, RIG, TSCO, TSN ...

Analyst Calls: DISH, DTV, JCI, LULU, MOS, MTN, POT, RIG, TSCO, TSN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The impressive story continues with Potash Corp. (POT), first discussed here on March 3, 2009, at a price of $80.81.

In November, BHP Billiton (BBL) withdrew its unsolicited proposal to acquire Potash for $130 a share. As outlined in December, Potash is worth a lot more than $130, and the recent move to above $180 confirms the aforementioned.

Continue reading Potash: Well-Positioned for the Food Boom

Potash: Well-Positioned for the Food Boom originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Coca-Cola (KO) has more than $13 billion in cash.

The top five companies (according to market cap) are:

• Exxon Mobil (XOM): $398.3 billion
• Apple (AAPL): $309.0 billion
• Microsoft (MSFT): $237.5 billion
• General Electric (GE): $215.0 billion
• Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): $202.5 billion

Continue reading Comfort Zone Investing: Did You Know ... ?

Comfort Zone Investing: Did You Know ... ? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

And so it goes with Potash Corp. (POT). Potash, first discussed here on March 3, 2009, at a price of $80.81, has been through the valuation ringer, of sorts.

In November, BHP Billiton (BBL) withdrew its unsolicited proposal to acquire Potash for $130.

As traders like to say, "No-oo problem. No problem at all." Potash is worth a lot more than one Benjamin plus a third.

Continue reading Potash: Stock Play for a Hungry World

Potash: Stock Play for a Hungry World originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:20:00 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.

Analyst Upgrades

• SanDisk (SNDK) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• JPMorgan resumed Potash (POT) at overweight, up from neutral.
• Ariba (ARBA) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
• Cirrus Logic (CRUS) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Tesoro (TSO) to overweight from equal weight.
• Solarfun Power (SOLF) was upgraded to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Barclays upgraded Ciena (CIEN) to overweight from equal weight.
• Optimer Pharm (OPTR) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
• Argo Group (AGII) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• BofA/Merrill upgraded Green Mountain (GMCR) to buy from underperform and Southern Company (SO) to neutral from underperform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ATW, CIEN, DE, GMCR, GPN, MEE, MT, POT, SNDK, SO, TSO ...

Analyst Calls: ATW, CIEN, DE, GMCR, GPN, MEE, MT, POT, SNDK, SO, TSO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• JPMorgan upgraded Vivus (VVUS) to overweight from neutral.
• Citigroup upgraded Corn Products (CPO) to buy from hold.
• Maxim Integrated (MXIM) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Cardinal Health (CAH) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Citigroup upgraded Monster Worldwide (MWW) and EchoStar (SATS) to buy from hold, as well as Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to buy from sell.
• BMO Capital upgraded Potash (POT) and Barrick Gold (ABX) to outperform from market perform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CAH, EXPE, FSLR, HOT, LVS, MWW, NUVA, POT ...

Analyst Calls: CAH, EXPE, FSLR, HOT, LVS, MWW, NUVA, POT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Market Vectors Agribusiness ETF (MOO) offers a great opportunity to capitalize on the move in the sector; the fund focuses on the 40 most actively traded companies in the agriculture chemical and product business," says Jim Farrish.

The exchange-traded fund specialist and editor of SectorExchange.com explains, "Below, we review the ETF as well as some individual agriculture-based stocks poised to break out on the upside.

"The agriculture stocks have been moving up aggressively since the end of June. The initial push came on the drought issues in Russia and wheat production.

Continue reading Agribusinesses ETF (MOO): Farming Favorites

Agribusinesses ETF (MOO): Farming Favorites originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Preparing for Earnings, with Bonds Closed (GYMB, ALXA, IBM, DLTR, CIT, POT)

Closing Bell: Preparing for Earnings, with Bonds Closed (GYMB, ALXA, IBM, DLTR, CIT, POT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Potash Mulling Break-Up

Potash Mulling Break-Up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

General Mills (GIS) option was active on call volume of 88K contracts, compared to put volume of 8K contracts. October put option implied volatility is at 28, January is at 25, above its 26-week average of 21, according to Track Data. The active call volume suggests traders taking positions for price movement.

Stocks with implied volatility below index mean range: Genzyme (GENZ), Potash (POT) and Chelsea Therapeutic (CHTP), according to IVolatility.

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: General Mills Calls Active on Elevated Volatility originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• HSBC upgraded Massey Energy (MEE) to overweight from neutral based on improved 2011 pricing power given industry supply-side discipline. Despite the upgrade, the firm cuts its price target to $40 from $54.
• Needham upgraded Blue Coat Systems (BCSI) to buy from hold following yesterday's announcement that Michael J. Borman has been named the new CEO. The firm has a $27 price target on the stock.
• Citigroup upgraded Teekay Offshore Partners (TOO) to buy from hold after the company announced shuttle tanker contracts to reflect improved operating performance. The firm raised its target for shares to $26 from $15.
• Prosperity Bancshares (PRSP) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Ceradyne (CRDN) was upgraded to buy from hold at Benchmark Co.
• CTC Media (CTCM) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, BCSI, CIT, MEE, POT, RIMM, SAN, SKS, TOO ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, BCSI, CIT, MEE, POT, RIMM, SAN, SKS, TOO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Wells Fargo upgraded Gap (GPS) to outperform from market perform, citing valuation and expectations for EPS to grow in FY11. The firm thinks consensus estimates are achievable and has a $20 to $22 target valuation range for shares.
• BMO Capital upgraded Abercrombie (ANF) to outperform from market perform and has a $43 target on the stock. The firm believes Abercrombie's domestic business is turning and that the company is beginning to take share from competitors.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Codexis (CDXS) to overweight from neutral as it believes Shell's (RDS.A) biofuel commercialization plans and a potential carbon capture partnership present near-term catalysts for the stock. The firm upped its target for shares to $12 from $11.
• Tortoise Energy Capital (TYY) and Tortoise Energy (TYG) were upgraded to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
• Comerica (CMA) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Baird.
• Methanex (MEOH) was upgraded to strong buy from outperform at Raymond James.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMRC, ANF, CDXS, CIS, DGIT, GPS, MEOH, POT, RAX, ROST ...

Analyst Calls: AMRC, ANF, CDXS, CIS, DGIT, GPS, MEOH, POT, RAX, ROST ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading What's Potash Worth?

What's Potash Worth? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Reportedly, Potash (POT) is considering joining forces with global firms that would be able to present an offer to compete with BHP Billiton's (BHP) $38.6 billion bid.

According to The Wall Street Journal, people "familiar with the matter" stated that there could be a global consortium in the works to make a counteroffer for Potash. BHP has gone straight to Potash shareholders with its offer of $130 per share.

Continue reading A Bidding War for Potash?

A Bidding War for Potash? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In the wake of the BHP Billiton's (BHP) failed $39 billion offer and its new hostile $40 billion takeover bid for Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT), agricultural fertilizer companies, including CF Industries Holdings (CF), are starting to look pretty juicy to investors.

Fertilizer companies have been struggling during the past few years as cash-strapped farmers have been pulling back on their purchases, but the tide appears to be changing.

With rising prices for crops like wheat and corn, it is starting to look like it is going to be a really good year for U.S. farmers, which means they are going to have plenty of money to reinvest in new machinery and more fertilizer.

Continue reading CF Industries Growing as Fertilizers Heat Up

CF Industries Growing as Fertilizers Heat Up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Potash Turns Down BHP Billiton Takeover Offer

Potash Turns Down BHP Billiton Takeover Offer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Monsanto Getting Lost in the Weeds

Monsanto Getting Lost in the Weeds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• UBS upgraded Potash (POT) to buy from neutral and raised its price target to $112 from $106. UBS raised its 2011 potash production estimates based on expectations for a tighter market and notes the potential for China to import substantial amounts of corn.
• BMO Capital upgraded Peabody Energy (BTU) to outperform from market perform. The firm, which has a $49 target on the stock, cites valuation for the upgrade.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded City Holding (CHCO) to buy from neutral with a $37 price target, citing the recent pullback in shares.
• Boston Scientific (BSX) was upgraded to sell from conviction sell at Goldman.
• Pegasystems (PEGA) was upgraded to buy from hold at Roth Capital.
• Wendy's/Arby's (WEN) was upgraded to buy from neutral at SunTrust.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AOSL, BIDU, BSX, BTU, CHCO, EVVV, NXST, POT, PUK, RST, WEN ...

Analyst Calls: AOSL, BIDU, BSX, BTU, CHCO, EVVV, NXST, POT, PUK, RST, WEN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Soleil upgraded Potash (POT) to hold from sell due to valuation. The firm maintains a $100 price target for shares.
• FBR Capital upgraded Arkansas Best (ABFS) to market perform from underperform after the company reached a tentative agreement with the Teamsters to amend its existing contract to include a 15% wage concession. The firm has a $34 price target for shares.
• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Zions Bancorp (ZION) to market perform from underperform following the company's Q1 results and raised its target for shares to $25 from $17.
• Apache (APA) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• MGM Mirage (MGM) wasupgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• Monster Worldwide (MWW) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ABFS, APA, CSTR, ESL, MGM, POT, SAI, TIVO, UL, ZION ...

Analyst Calls: ABFS, APA, CSTR, ESL, MGM, POT, SAI, TIVO, UL, ZION ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.