Analyst Upgrades

• Time Warner Cable (TWC) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.
• Citigroup upgraded MEMC Electronic (WFR) and Skilled Healthcare (SKH) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Administaff (ASF) was upgraded to buy from hold at Roth Capital.
• The Buckle (BKE) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.
• BofA/Merrill upgraded DreamWorks (DWA) to neutral from underperform.
• Corrections Corp. (CXW) was upgraded to buy from neutral at SunTrust.
• Marvell Technology (MRVL) was upgraded to positive from neutral at Susquehanna.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ARO, BA, BKE, DWA, MRVL, SGEN, TWC, WFR ...

Analyst Calls: ARO, BA, BKE, DWA, MRVL, SGEN, TWC, WFR ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Insiders Snapping Up Hain Celestial, Ulta Salon and More

Insiders Snapping Up Hain Celestial, Ulta Salon and More originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Unemployment Pink-Slips the Bears (BRCD, CPB, ZQK, TTWO, PBR, ULTA)

Closing Bell: Unemployment Pink-Slips the Bears (BRCD, CPB, ZQK, TTWO, PBR, ULTA) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Legg Mason (LM) to market perform from underperform, citing stabilizing outflows and an improved liquidity position.
• Walmart (WMT) was upgraded to buy from hold by Citigroup on expectations the company will regain market share from aggressive price cuts.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Kirkland's (KIRK) to overweight from neutral following the company's Q4 results.
• Greenbrier (GBX) was upgraded to buy from hold by KeyBanc as the company believes that railcar fundamentals have improved.
• Citigroup upgraded WM Morrison (MRWSY) to buy from sell.
• HSBC raised Millicom (MICC) to overweight from neutral.
• HealthSouth (HLS) was raised to outperform from market perform by Raymond James.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AKAM, HAS, ICE, KIRK, LM, PEET, RSH, WMT ...

Analyst Calls: AKAM, HAS, ICE, KIRK, LM, PEET, RSH, WMT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) to Buy from Hold on expectations that stable volumes and a better outlook for currency and commodities will lead to higher earnings visibility. The firm raised its price target on shares to $62 from $52.
• FBR Capital upgraded Goodrich (NYSE: GR) to Outperform from Market Perform as it finds the stock's valuation compelling following the recent pullback. The firm raised its target on shares to $65 from $46.
• William Blair upgraded Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) to Outperform from Market Perform after channel checks indicated demand is accelerating as the firm finds the stock's valuation compelling at current levels.
• Robbins & Myers (NYSE: RBN) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Baird.
• Disney (NYSE: DIS) and Viacom B (NYSE: VIA.B) were upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at BofA/Merrill, while News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWS) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANN, DIS, CSCO, KO, NWS, PETM, ULTA ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANN, DIS, CSCO, KO, NWS, PETM, ULTA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Baird upgraded Regal-Beloit (NYSE: RBC) to Outperform from Neutral based on valuation and growth expectations.
• Black & Decker (NYSE: BDK) and Lennar (NYSE: LEN) were upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS based on valuation.
• Kroger (NYSE: KR) and Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) were added to Goldman's Conviction Buy List.
• CIBC upgraded Biovail (NYSE: BVF) to Sector Performer from Sector Underperformer.
• Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) was raised to Neutral from Underperform at Cowen.

• Merrill downgraded Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) to Neutral from Buy and expects marketing and promotional spending to limit earnings growth in 2009 and 2010. The firm lowered their target to $35 from $42.
• Mechel Steel (NYSE: MTL) was cut to Underweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley to reflect declining coal demand.
  
• Friedman Billings downgraded shares of Legg Mason (NYSE: LM) to Underperform from Market Perform on liquidity concerns given the Legg Mason's leveraged balance sheet and falling EBITDA. The firm lowered their target to $7 from $11.

Continue reading Analyst calls: RBC, BDK, KR, LEN, KR, CPB, MTL, LM, PIR, AAPL, AVP ...

Analyst calls: RBC, BDK, KR, LEN, KR, CPB, MTL, LM, PIR, AAPL, AVP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Baird upgraded Adtran (NASDAQ: ADTN) to Outperform from Neutral based on valuation, new product cycles, and confidence in 2H08 results.
  
• Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Repsol (NYSE: REP) to Overweight from Equal Weight as they believe the potential sale to Sacyr Vallehermoso SA could lead to a restructuring.
  
• Stanford lifted National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV) to Buy from Hold citing valuation. In addition, the firm, which set a target of $70, thinks most of the drop in commodity prices is now over.
• Ryanair (NASDAQ: RYAAY) was raised to Hold from Sell at Societe Generale.
  
• Ann Taylor (NYSE: ANN) was upgraded at Piper to Neutral from Sell.
  
• Goldman added Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) to the Conviction Buy List.

• Argus downgraded shares of Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) to Hold from Buy post-close given the volatility in the stock as they can no longer recommend CEG until concerns over its capital and liquidity are resolved. Shares were also downgraded to Hold from Buy at Citigroup.
  
• Collins Stewart downgraded Lloyds TSB Group (NYSE: LYG) to Hold from Buy following the acquisition of HBOS (OTC: HBOOY) as they expect short-term weakness in the stock.

Continue reading Analyst calls: NOC, RYAAY, ANN, CEG, LYG, NT, PLD, DPS, WFMI ...

Analyst calls: NOC, RYAAY, ANN, CEG, LYG, NT, PLD, DPS, WFMI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• America's Car-Mart Inc. (NASDAQ: CRMT) topped Q1 expectations on strong growth of same-store sales.
• Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) strong Q4 results led shares to a new 52-week high.
• FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) boosted its Q1 forecast due to the recent drop in oil prices.
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (NYSE: KKD) narrowed its loss in Q2 but fell short of expectations.
• Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LEH) released Q3 results early to calm investor concerns.
• PharmaNet Development Group Inc. (NASDAQ: PDGI) was downgraded after lowering its guidance.
• Shuffle Master Inc. (NASDAQ: SHFL) fell short of analysts estimates, reporting flat year over year earnings.
• Texas Instruments Inc. (NYSE: TXN) reaffirmed its outlook when investors had expected a cut.
• Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA) beat estimates and offered Q3 and full-year outlook.
• Washington Mutual Inc. (NYSE: WM) was upgraded despite its disappointing Q3 results.

Upcoming quarterly reports include Kroger (NYSE: KR), Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), General Mills (NYSE: GIS), Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), ConAgra (NYSE: CAG), FedEx (NYSE: FDX), and Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Lehman, Washington Mutual, Campbell, FedEx, Krispy Kreme and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance (NASDAQ: ULTA) sells cosmetics, fragrances, haircare products, skincare products and related accessories through a chain of 283 specialty retail shops in 34 states. The stores also feature hair salon services, manicures, pedicures, massages, and other beauty and spa treatments. A company website offers over 21,000 prestige and mass beauty products. Macy's (NYSE: M) is a major competitor.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of six cents, a penny above the average Wall Street estimate. Revenues rose 24.3% (yr/yr) to $249.1 million. The CEO attributed success to the company's proven marketing strategy and the resilience of the beauty retailing category. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 8-10 cents (10 cent consensus), Q3 revenues to $259-$263 million ($258.80M consensus), FY09 EPS to 52-57 cents (54 cent consensus) and FY09 revenues to $1.12-$1.13 billion ($1.13B consensus).

Continue reading Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance (ULTA): Price defines bullish 'pennant' pattern

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance (ULTA): Price defines bullish 'pennant' pattern originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Psychiatric Solutions, hhgregg and Ulta Salon were today's noteworthy initiations:

• Stanford started Psychiatric Solutions (NASDAQ: PSYS) with a Buy rating and $46 target and believes the recent pullback provides an attractive entry point given the company's stable growth and fundamentally strong business.
  
• Oppenheimer initiated hhgregg (NYSE: HGG) with a Perform rating. The firm believes the company's TV business could become much more challenging while housing market weakness could continue to hinder appliance sales.
• Oppenheimer also assumed Ulta Salon (NASDAQ: ULTA) with an Outperform rating and $13 target. The firm believes the company's fundamentals are solid and sees potential upside to valuation.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Piper initiated Ormat Tech (NYSE: ORA) with a Neutral rating and $49 target and Raser Technologies (NYSE: RZ) with a Sell rating and $7 target.
  
• The9 (NASDAQ: NCTY) was assumed at Roth Capital with a Hold rating and $27 target.
  
• Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) was initiated with an Outperform rating and $44 target at BMO Capital.

Analyst initiations: PSYS, HGG and ULTA originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Friedman Billings expects Time Warner Telecom (NASDAQ: TWTC) to post free cash flow growth above consensus expectations and believes carrier spending-concerns are overdone. The firm initiated shares with an Outperform rating and $20 target.
  
• Oppenheimer initiated Verigy (NASDAQ: VRGY) with a Perform rating and $23 target, pointing to the company's tough year over year comps as PC unit growth slows in 2008 as well as its exposure to flash memory chips.
  
• Brinker (NYSE: EAT) was assumed with a Neutral rating at Suntrust, as they expect Chili's to continue to be impacted by weak consumer spending.

• Baird assumed Ulta Salon (NASDAQ: ULTA) with an Outperform rating and $18 target.
  
• Lions Gate (NYSE: LGF) was initiated at Jefferies with a Hold rating and $10-$11 target.
  
• Landstar System (NASDAQ: LSTR) was initiated with a Market Perform rating at Morgan Keegan.

Analyst initiations: TWTC, VRGY and EAT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Wachovia believes Ulta Salon's (NASDAQ: ULTA) assortment of products and unique shopping experience will drive growth, starting shares with an Outperform rating. Shares were also initiated with an Overweight rating at JP Morgan, as they are positive on favorable industry dynamics, and ULTA's consistent growth and comps.
  
• Stanford initiated Force Protection (NASDAQ: FRPT) with a Sell rating and $5 target and expects the company will struggle to grow after 2008 due to its highly concentrated exposure to the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles program. They believe total MRAP demand is likely smaller than expected and that MRAP demand will peak in FY08.
  
• Kaufman Bros. believes shares of First Bancorp (NYSE: FBP) offer an attractive risk/reward despite economic softness in its Puerto Rico and southern Florida regional markets. They think most of the charge-offs have already occurred and find the sell-off overdone, and started shares with a Buy rating and $11 target.

• Broadpoint initiated Cytori Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CYTX) and PhotoMedex (NASDAQ: PHMD) with Buy ratings.
  
• Morgan Stanley resumed coverage of Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK) with an Overweight rating and $32 target.

Analyst initiations: ULTA, FRPT and FBP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Vanguard National (NYSE: VNR) was initiated at Jefferies with a Buy rating and $19 target, citing the company's yield premium to other MLPs, and at Wachovia with an Outperform rating on valuation and yield.
  
• Merriman believes Fuqi (NASDAQ: FUQI) strong brand and established wholesale distribution will drive increasing market share of China's jewelry market. The firm started shares with a Buy rating.
  
• William Blair resumed coverage of Ulta Salon (NASDAQ: ULTA) with an Outperform rating, as they believed the company's modest current market share and unique offering brings considerable opportunities to take further share from traditional department stores.

• Goldman initiated Akzo Nobel (OTC: AKZOY) with a Buy rating and Holly Corp. (NYSE: HOC) with a Neutral rating and $63 target.
  
• CVR Energy (NYSE: CVI) was started with a Neutral rating and $27 target at Goldman and with a Buy rating and $27 target at Citigroup.
  

Analyst initiations: VNR, FUQI and ULTA originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.