Analyst Upgrades

• Tyco Electronics (TEL) and Weight Watchers (WTW) to buy from neutral, and Smithfield Foods (SFD) to buy from underperform, at BofA/Merrill.
• Red Hat (RHT) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Gold Fields (GFI) to overweight from neutral at HSBC.
• Novartis (NVS) to outperform from neutral and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to neutral from underperform at Credit Suisse.
• Dollar General (DG) to buy from hold at ThinkEquity.
• Eagle Rock Energy (EROC) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AZN, DG, GSK, NBS, NRGY, NVS, RHT, SFD, STX, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: AZN, DG, GSK, NBS, NRGY, NVS, RHT, SFD, STX, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Soleil upgraded Baxter (BAX) to buy from hold on expectations the company will benefit from supply disruptions at privately-held plasma manufacturer Octapharma. The firm raised its price target for shares to $56 from $45.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Dolby (DLB) to buy from hold, citing valuation following the recent underperformance of shares. The firm upped its price target to $75 from $70.
• Bernstein upgraded Alexion (ALXN) to outperform from market perform based on increased Soliris forecasts for PNH and potential in aHUS. The firm also raised its price target to $75 from $60.
• Agrium (AGU) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Roche (RHHBY) was upgraded to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• BMO Capital upgraded Energizer (ENR) to outperform from market perform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ADBE, AXP, BAX, COST, DLB, FDX, HOT, NOK, NVS, TWX ...

Analyst Calls: ADBE, AXP, BAX, COST, DLB, FDX, HOT, NOK, NVS, TWX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Soleil upgraded Thor Industries (THO) to buy from hold after the company said its accounting review will not lead to changes to previously taken accounting positions. The firm raised its target for shares to $45 from $28.
• Citigroup upgraded Family Dollar (FDO) to buy from hold, citing valuation and its positive view on the dollar store industry. The firm upped its target for shares to $47 from $44.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Albany Molecular (AMRI) to outperform from market perform, citing valuation and a stabilizing core business.
• Goldman Sachs (GS) upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Barclays.
• BP (BP) was raised to buy from hold at RBS.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMAT, AMRI, BP, BUCY, DB, FDO, GS, ISIL, THO ...

Analyst Calls: AMAT, AMRI, BP, BUCY, DB, FDO, GS, ISIL, THO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Wall Street Ignoring Big Pharma -- Should You?

Wall Street Ignoring Big Pharma -- Should You? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• SunTrust upgraded Lennox (LII) to buy from neutral, given signs of improved residential HVAC equipment and service demand and a bottom in commercial lines. The firm has a $55 price target on the stock.
• Cowen upgraded Universal Display (PANL) to outperform from neutral. The firm expects OLED display growth to accelerate driven by increased handset and other mobile device penetration, followed by high-end TV and lighting applications.
• Canaccord upgraded Amylin (AMLN) to hold from sell following Roche's (RHHBY) delay in its Phase 3 study for taspo, a competitor to Amylin's bydureon. The firm has an $18 target on Amylin shares.
• DiamondRock Hospitality (DRH) was upgraded to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Public Service (PEG) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• QuinStreet (QNST) was upgraded to overweight on valuation at Thomas Weisel.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AFFY, AMLN, CACC, LAZ, LII, NKA, NRGY, OPEN, PANL, PEG ...

Analyst Calls: AFFY, AMLN, CACC, LAZ, LII, NKA, NRGY, OPEN, PANL, PEG ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Barclays upgraded Visa (V) to overweight from equal weight following the Q1 report and guidance. The firm raised its target to $97 from $91.
• Merriman upgraded AOL (AOL) to neutral from sell on valuation and better trends in online advertising.
• Barrington upgraded Idex (IEX) to outperform from market perform following the results on expectations the company's 2010 sales and profits will recover. The firm set a $36 target on shares.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Rio Tinto (RTP) to neutral from underperform and BHP Billiton (BHP) to outperform from neutral.
• Posco (PKX) was raised to overweight from neutral at HSBC.
• MetLife (MET) was upgraded at Keefe Bruyette to outperform from market perform.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AOL, DWA, EMS, MET, OCNW, SYNA, V, WU ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AOL, DWA, EMS, MET, OCNW, SYNA, V, WU ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded United Parcel Service (UPS) to buy from hold on expectations the company will benefit from improving international package volumes and restructuring initiatives. The firm raised its target on shares to $70 from $67.
• JPMorgan upgraded SVB Financial (SIVB) to overweight from neutral on valuation following the recent pullback in shares. The firm has a $54 price target on the stock.
• Baird upgraded ArvinMeritor (ARM) to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $15 from $12 following the Q2 report. The firm said ArvinMeritor has transformed its business model and is well-positioned for growth.
• UBS (UBS) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Occidental Petroleum (OXY) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• Vail Resorts (MTN) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ARM, KFT, LOW, OXY, UBS, UPS, VRSN ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ARM, KFT, LOW, OXY, UBS, UPS, VRSN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Biogen Idec names new chairman, announces positive drug test results

Biogen Idec names new chairman, announces positive drug test results originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Don't fear the swine flu . . . trade it

Don't fear the swine flu . . . trade it originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Merriman upgraded Dendreon (NASDAQ: DNDN) to Buy from Neutral on expectations shares will react positively to the full IMPACT data release on April 28. The firm thinks Provenge could represent the first cancer immunotherapy approved in the U.S. and raised its valuation range on the stock to $33-$34 from $18-$19.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Andersons (NASDAQ: ANDE) as it believes the valuation is attractive, investor expectations are low, and the company's fertilizer and rail segments could recovery in FY10. The firm has a $19 target on shares. Goldman upgraded the auto sector to Neutral from Cautious and added Ford (NYSE: F) to its Conviction Buy list. The analyst does not believe Ford will have to declare bankruptcy and sees the company benefiting from Chrysler share declines and GM's (NYSE: GM) reduced product offerings. Ford's price target is $6
• Banc of America/Merrill upgraded U.S. Airways (NYSE: LCC) to Buy from Underperform.
• Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) was raised to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DNDN, ANDE, the auto sector, DGX, MTB, ADVS, ITG, MF and PCLN

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DNDN, ANDE, the auto sector, DGX, MTB, ADVS, ITG, MF and PCLN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Credibility and transparency in the Pink Sheets market?

Credibility and transparency in the Pink Sheets market? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Bernstein upgraded Merck (NYSE: MRK) to Outperform from Market Perform and raised its target to $30 from $27 citing valuation and its decision to buy Schering-Plough, at what appears to be a reasonable price.
  
• RBC Capital upgraded Palm (NASDAQ: PALM) to Outperform from Sector Perform and raised its target to $12 from $5 as it believes webOS has increased its chances for Smartphone leadership and will increase its attractiveness as an acquisition target.
  
• RW Baird upgraded Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) to Outperform from Neutral on valuation as it believes balance sheet risks are overly discounted in the stock, creating a buying opportunity. The firm has a $3 target on shares.
• Express Scripts (NASDAQ: ESRX) was raised to Buy from Hold at Argus.
  
• France Telecom (NYSE: FTE) was upgraded at Morgan Stanley to Equal Weight from Underweight.
  
• Foster Wheeler (NASDAQ: FWLT) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: MRK, PALM, DNA, WMT, TEVA ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: MRK, PALM, DNA, WMT, TEVA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• ING upgraded Roche (OTC: RHHBY) to Buy from Hold as it believes Roche will not pay more than $100/share for Genentech (NYSE: DNA) and that the Avastin adjuvant data due April 2009 provides significant upside potential.
  
• Oppenheimer upgraded Motorola (NYSE: MOT) to Outperform from Perform on valuation as it believes sentiment is at an all-time low and the stock has limited downside. The firm set a $5 target on shares.
  
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Comerica (NYSE: CMA) to Equal Weight from Underweight citing valuation that adequately reflects credit deterioration in its commercial-heavy loan portfolio and aggressive government action.
• Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE) and Nucor (NYSE: NUE) were upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
  
• Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: RHHBY, MOT, RBS, DKS, MCO ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: RHHBY, MOT, RBS, DKS, MCO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Roche and Genentech (DNA) believed close to a deal

Roche and Genentech (DNA) believed close to a deal originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Jefferies upgraded shares of Genentech (NYSE: DNA) to Buy from Hold and raised its target to $100 from $95 on increased likelihood of an acquisition after Roche (OTC: RHHBY) reaffirmed commitment to its $100/share offer.
  
• Baird expects Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM) to gain market share in 2009 in mobile phones, IPTVs, and digital TVs. Shares were upgraded to Outperform from Neutral.
  
• Keefe Bruyette upgraded shares of Torchmark (NYSE: TMK) to Outperform from Market Perform as they see limited earnings risk and an attractive risk/reward.
• Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) was raised to Buy from Add at Calyon.
  
• Tellabs (NASDAQ: TLAB) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS and to Hold from Underperform at Jefferies.
  
• Goldman upgraded AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) to Neutral from Sell and Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ: STLD) to Buy from Neutral.

Analyst downgrades:

Continue reading Analyst calls: AAPL, BA, BRCM, MGM, LNC, AEO . . .

Analyst calls: AAPL, BA, BRCM, MGM, LNC, AEO . . . originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• PDUFA date for Genentech, Inc. (NYSE: DNA) and Roche Holding Ltd. (OTC: RHHBY)'s supplemental Biologics License Application for Herceptin for label expansion to include AC followed by docetaxel in treatment of adjuvant HER2+ breast cancer.
• PDUFA date for Shire plc (NASDAQ: SHPGY) and New River Pharma's supplemental New Drug Application for Vyvanse (NRP-104) treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disordre, or ADHD, in adult patients 18-55 years old; the drug is already approved for pediatric ADHD ages 6-12.
• Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) to report Q earnings; conference call at 8:30am.
• Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) to report Q2 earnings; conference call at 9:00am.

• Two-day FOMC meeting beginning at 8:30am.
• PDUFA date for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK)'s New Drug Application for Cordaptive (MK-0524A) adjunctive therapy to diet for treating elevated LDL Cholesterol, low HDL Cholesterol and elevated triglycerides levels.
  
• PDUFA date for Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCMP)'s supplemental New Drug Application for dose of 8mg treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation; already approved for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation at 24ug dosage.
• BP plc (NYSE: BP) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 10:15am.
• United States Steel Company (NYSE: X) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 2:00pm.

Continue reading Market highlights for next week: Two-day FOMC meeting

Market highlights for next week: Two-day FOMC meeting originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Morgan Keegan initiated Home Depot (NYSE: HD) with a Market Perform rating, citing valuation and the possibility that housing continues to deteriorate in 2008.
  
• Oppenheimer believes Seaspan (NASDAQ: SSW) is well positioned within the containership sector given its modern fleet profile and entrenched liner relationships. The firm assumed coverage with an Outperform rating and $32 target.
  
• JMP Securities initiated shares of Pharmasset (NASDAQ: VRUS) with a Market Outperform rating and $35 target and believes R7128 is evolving to be the premier product in hepatitis C. The firm expects a phase 2b trial evaluating R7128 in combination with standard of care to be initiated in 2H08 by partner Roche (OTC: RHHBY).

• UBS started BioMarin (NASDAQ: BMRN) with a Neutral rating and $38 target.
  
• First Analysis initiated Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) with an Equal Weight rating.
  
• Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) was initiated with an Overweight rating at JP Morgan.

Analyst initiations: HD, SSW and VRUS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• With regulators, politicians and rating firms biting at their heels, Countrywide Financial Corporation (NYSE: CFC) believed that it had no choice but to approach Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) last month about a merger, reported the Wall Street Journal. That fear led to BAC's $4B takeover of Countrywide, the Wall Street Journal reported.
• The Wall Street Journal reported that John Malone's Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LCAPA) moved to take control of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI) from Barry Diller, nominating a series of directors for board members it is looking to replace.
• According to the Financial Times, European public health specialists have found "significant resistance" to Roche Holding Ltd's (OTC: RHHBY) widely purchased influenza antiviral medicine Tamiflu.

• Shares of Britain's third-largest drug maker, Shire Plc (NASDAQ: SHPGY) plummeted yesterday to a two-year low on concerns about demand for its attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment for children, Vyvanse, the Telegraph reported.

Newspaper wrap-up: Potential crackdowns forced Countrywide to seek out Bank of America originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• B. Riley assumed coverage of Earthlink (NASDAQ: ELNK) with a Buy rating and $10.60 target, as they view the leading dial-up and broadband ISP as an attractive value-play.
  
• Citigroup initiated shares of NetSuite (NYSE: N) with a Sell rating, as they believe the current valuation implies the company needs to show significant upside.
  
• Gramercy Capital (NYSE: GKK) was initiated with an Overweight rating at JP Morgan on valuation and dividend yield.

• Goldman started Fiserve (NASDAQ: FISV) with a Buy rating.
  
• Merrill initiated Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE) with a Buy rating.
  
• Roche (OTC: RHHBY) was assumed with a Buy rating at Societe Generale.

Analyst initiations: Earthlink, NetSuite, Gramercy Capital originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Achilles heel of discount broker E*Trade Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: ETFC) may be its lesser known mortgage business, whose value is now at the center of debate regarded its sale price, reported the Wall Street Journal.
• According to a report prepared for European medicines authority, the Financial Times reported that Roche Holding Ltd (OTC: RHHBY) is responsible for impurities that caused an international recall of its HIV drug.
• The FT also reported that the United Kingdom's Virgin Group was confirmed as the preferred bidder for British bank Northern Rock, as the bank said it wanted to hold discussions with Virgin "on an accelerated basis."

• Sources close to the matter said that Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) may put the brakes on overseas plans in many markets including India, South Africa and China on hold until it completes the sale of its Jaguar and Land Rover units, according to the Economic Times.
• China is expected to unveil more than 20 regulations on foreign mergers and acquisitions, or M&A, according to a senior Chinese legislator, Xinhua reported.

Newspaper wrap-up: Value of E*Trade's mortgage business up for debate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.