Analyst Upgrades

• Home Depot (HD) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Delta Air Lines (DAL) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Heico (HEI) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• MB Financial (MBFI) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Quest Diagnostics (DGX) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Oshkosh (OSK) to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
• Volterra (VLTR) and Silicon Laboratories (SLAB) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
• Ascena Retail Group (ASNA) to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.
• Cytec Industries (CYT) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: DAL, CIEN, DGX, HD, IMAX, LOW, OSK, PENN, RDS.A, SWK ...

Analyst Calls: DAL, CIEN, DGX, HD, IMAX, LOW, OSK, PENN, RDS.A, SWK ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Oppenheimer upgraded Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) to outperform from perform as it finds the risk/reward on shares attractive and believes the company's Q4 results and easing comparisons could serve as positive catalysts. The firm set a $46 price target on shares.
• Bernstein upgraded 3M Company (MMM) to outperform from market perform based on expectations the company will continue to beat and raise guidance and that the organic growth rate will continue to improve. The firm raised its target to $99 from $90.
• Roth Capital expects Nvidia (NVDA) to benefit from its new GPU platform Fermi in Q1, resulting in a PC business recovery. Additionally, the firm, which upgraded shares to buy from hold and has a $21 target, expects Nvidia to offset Intel (INTC) declines by selling low-end GPUs compatible with Intel's Pinetrail and Westmere platforms.
• Syngenta (SYT) was upgraded to buy from hold at Collins Stewart.
• Cameron (CAM) was raised to overweight from neutral at HSBC.
• Sigma-Aldrich (SIAL) was lifted to outperform from neutral at Baird.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ANF, ELON, MMM, NVDA, SLAB, SNI ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ANF, ELON, MMM, NVDA, SLAB, SNI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Baird upgraded Intel (INTC) to outperform from neutral and has a $26 target on the stock. The firm's checks indicate tier-one PC OEMs have raised their 1H10 procurement forecasts, which could lead to Intel outperformance.
• Citigroup upgraded UnitedHealth (UNH) to buy from hold on expectations the company will benefit from a sector rotation into Managed Care in 2010. The firm raised its price target on shares to $39 from $30.
• UBS upgraded Morgan Stanley (MS) to buy from neutral based on strong capital and liquidity positions, building investment banking pipelines, and expectations for a turn in EPS/ROE, among other reasons.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded the U.S. Refining group as it believes demand is improving and margins could expand in 2010. The firm raised its rating on Sunoco (SUN) to hold from sell and its target on shares to $25 from $18, and upgraded Tesoro (TSO) and Frontier Oil (FTO) to buy from hold.
• Boeing (BA) was raised to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Wynn Resorts (WYNN) was upgraded at UBS to buy from neutral.
• Investors Bancorp (ISBC) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Janney Montgomery.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: BA, BMY, EAT, INTC, MS, UNH, WYNN ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: BA, BMY, EAT, INTC, MS, UNH, WYNN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Keefe Bruyette upgraded BB&T (NYSE: BBT) to Market Perform from Underperform as it believes downside risk has been reduced following the company's capital raise. The firm raised its target price to $23 from $15.
  
• Janney Montgomery upgraded FEI Company (NASDAQ: FEIC) to Buy from Neutral on expectations margins will improve and various country stimulus packages will provide benefits in 2010. The firm has a $31 target on the stock.
  
• Citigroup upgraded Tyco Electronics (NYSE: TEL) to Buy from Hold as it believes automotive headwinds are priced in and the company's long-term fundamentals are intact. The firm raised its target price to $25 from $19.
• Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) was upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
  
• J.B. Hunt (NYSE: JBHT) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight at Stephens.
  
• Roper Industries (NYSE: ROP) was upgraded at Oppenheimer to Outperform from Perform.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TEL, ABX, AET, WMT, VMW ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TEL, ABX, AET, WMT, VMW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Citigroup upgraded Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE) to Hold from Sell to reflect improving macro indicators and a belief negative earnings revisions are unlikely going forward. The firm raised its target price to $37 from $28.
  
• Royal Bank of Scotland upgraded Siemens (NYSE: SI) to Buy from Hold on expectations the company will benefit from an economic recovery.
  
• Banc of America/Merril upgraded State Street (NYSE: STT) to Buy from Neutral and raised their price target to $50 from $40 following stress test results that show the company does not need additional capital. The analyst said the news "clears one of the bars on capital concerns."
  
• Teradata (NYSE: TDC) was raised to Market Weight from Underweight at Thomas Weisel.
  
• Target (NYSE: TGT) was lifted to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  
• Diageo (NYSE: DEO) was upgraded at UBS to Neutral from Sell.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: STT, TGT, PEP, V, WMT ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: STT, TGT, PEP, V, WMT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• JMP Securities upgraded CB Richard Ellis (NYSE: CBG) to Outperform from Market Perform. The analyst believes the new Public-Private Investment Program will create liquidity, which will result in some degree of activity. Shares were also upgraded at JP Morgan to Overweight from Neutral.
  
• Thomas Weisel upgraded Linear Tech (NASDAQ: LLTC) to Overweight from Market Weight due to stabilizing business and favorable end market exposure.
  
• UBS upgraded PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) to Buy from Neutral and raised its target to $60 from $57 due to moderating input costs, earnings and investment flexibility, improving U.S. beverage business, and leverage from its market share in food.
• Tibco (NASDAQ: TIBX) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
  
• Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG) was upgraded at ING Group to Buy from Hold.
  
• Hospira (NYSE: HSP) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Leerink.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: PEP, AXP, RTP, WSM, RIMM, HPQ ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: PEP, AXP, RTP, WSM, RIMM, HPQ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Jefferies upgraded Legg Mason (NYSE: LM) to Buy from Hold on valuation following the recent sell-off, as they find the risk/reward attractive at current levels. However, the firm lowered their target to $23 from $44.
  
• Merriman raised First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) to Buy from Neutral after the company showed "industry leading growth" in Q3. The firm has a 12-month price target range of $185 to $195 per share.
• Ladenburg upgraded KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) to Buy from Neutral.
• Citigroup upgraded shares of Silicon Laboratories (NASDAQ: SLAB) to Buy from Hold on valuation and expects the company to post above average industry growth in 2009.
• Janus Capital (NYSE: JNS) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JP Morgan.
  
• Associated Estates Realty (NYSE: AEC) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Baird.
  

Continue reading Analyst calls: LM, FSLR, KEY, HIG, PPO, ASH, VRTX, MKL, CX ...

Analyst calls: LM, FSLR, KEY, HIG, PPO, ASH, VRTX, MKL, CX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings crunch rolls on, and here are a few of the highlights of this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Activision Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) earnings soared on popularity of Guitar Hero and other game franchises.
• Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE: ACI) beat earnings expectations and offered revised guidance.
• Avon Products Inc. (NYSE: AVP) beat estimates despite lower profits due to restructuring costs.
• Chattem Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTT) beat estimates and raised its guidance.
• Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) met estimates but a weak forecast raised concerns.
• Dionex Corp. (NASDAQ: DNEX) beat estimates on strength in petrochemical and food/beverage markets.
• Electronic Data Systems Corp. (NYSE: EDS) earnings fell, helping to raise concerns about tech stocks.
• Flextronics International Ltd. (NASDAQ: FLEX) beat estimates and affirmed its outlook.
• Gannett Inc. (NYSE: GCI) missed fourth-quarter earnings estimates on lower ad revenue.
• Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) missed expectations due to rising construction costs.
• MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) forecast it would beat earnings expectations by as much as 10 cents a share.
• Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. (NASDAQ: ODFL) beat revenue estimates and raised its guidance.
• RealNetworks Inc. (NASDAQ: RNWK) warned it would miss first-quarter and full-year expectations.
• Silicon Laboratories (NASDAQ: SLAB) beat expectations and raised its guidance.
• THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) posted disappointing results that included cancelled game franchises.
• Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) met estimates and announced restructuring plans (see transcript).
• Unilever (NYSE: UL) fourth-quarter net income tanked on a sell-off of its European frozen food business.
• Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) posted better-than-expected results on gains in TV and theme parks.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Time Warner, Cisco, Gannett, Disney, EDS and others

Earnings highlights: Time Warner, Cisco, Gannett, Disney, EDS and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Silicon Laboratories (NASDAQ: SLAB) designs and develops analog-intensive, mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) for a broad range of applications. Its products are commonly found in mobile handsets, satellite set top boxes, automotive sensors, radio tuners, industrial controls and optical networking equipment. Silicon Laboratories is a fabless company, employing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) to produce its ICs. Most sales are made to customers outside the United States. Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) is a major competitor.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported Q4 EPS of 46 cents and revenues of $100 million. Analysts had been expecting 38 cents and $95.6 million. Management also guided Q1 revenues to $93-$97 million, versus consensus of $90 million. Lehman Brothers subsequently reiterated its "overweight" rating on the issue. Kaufman Brothers and Wedbush Morgan reiterated "buys". The brokers declared price targets in the $37-$40 range.

Continue reading Silicon Laboratories (SLAB): Defining bullish 'flag' consolidation pattern

Silicon Laboratories (SLAB): Defining bullish 'flag' consolidation pattern originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB) is trading up 12% on strong earnings.

Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) is up almost 10% on a good quarter.

Websense (NASDAQ: WBSN) is trading higher by 8% on earnings.

Align Technology (NASDAQ: ALGN) is off almost 20% on weak earnings.

Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO) is trading down 10% on a poor 2008 outlook.

China Life (NYSE: LFC) is down 6% on sell-off in Chinese stocks.

Stocks may trade differently in the regular session than the do in the pre-market.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Pre-market movers: YHOO, CHL ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mixed-signal semiconductor designs can offer consumer electronics manufacturers significant advantages in performance, size, cost and power consumption. One of the best known designers of such integrated circuits is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Silicon Laboratories (NASDAQ: SLAB) designs and develops analog-intensive, mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) for a broad range of applications. Its products are commonly found in mobile handsets, satellite set top boxes, automotive sensors, radio tuners, industrial controls and optical networking equipment. Silicon Laboratories is a fabless company, employing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) to produce its ICs. Most sales are made to customers outside the United States. Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) is a major competitor.

The firm pleased investors last week when it reported Q3 EPS of 36 cents and revenues of $87.9 million. Analysts had been expecting 30 cents and $83 million. Management also guided Q4 revenues to $93-$97 million, versus consensus of $90 million. Wedbush Morgan, Lehman Brothers and Deutsche Securities subsequently reiterated "buy" recommendations on the issue. The share price popped on the news and then moved into a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling on entry. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Continue reading Silicon Laboratories (SLAB): Earnings pop share price into bullish flag

Silicon Laboratories (SLAB): Earnings pop share price into bullish flag originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:40:00 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.