Analyst Upgrades

• Micron (MU) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Baker Hughes (BHI) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• PDL BioPharma (PDLI) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Fluor (FLR) and Rush Enterprises (RUSHA) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Camden Property (CPT) to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Pinnacle Financial (PNFP) to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
• Linear Technology (LLTC) to neutral from reduce at Nomura.
• Hologic (HOLX) and Illumina (ILMN) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• F5 Networks (FFIV) to buy from neutral at Gleacher.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ALTR, BHI, CL, CLX, FFIV, GS, HCBK, LLTC, PG, STT, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: ALTR, BHI, CL, CLX, FFIV, GS, HCBK, LLTC, PG, STT, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Amazon.com (AMZN) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Netflix (NFLX) was upgraded to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer and to neutral from sell at Janney Montgomery.
• Janney Montgomery also upgraded BJ's Wholesale (BJ) to buy from neutral.
• RW Baird upgraded Kforce.com (KFRC), SFN Group (SFN) and Young Innovations (YDNT) to outperform from neutral.
• NetSuite (N) was upgraded to neutral from underweight and Select Comfort (SCSS) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.
• Flushing Financial (FFIC) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.
• National Instruments (NATI) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• RBC Capital upgraded MDS Inc. (MDZ) to outperform from sector perform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ABC, AMZN, BJ, CAH, GRNB, JCG, N, NFLX, STX ...

Analyst Calls: ABC, AMZN, BJ, CAH, GRNB, JCG, N, NFLX, STX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:00:00 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

• Piper Jaffray upgraded Dreamworks (DWA) to overweight from neutral following the company's Q2 results. The firm also raised its target for shares to $38 from $30.
• Stephens upgraded Global Payments (GPN) with a $50 price target following the company's Q4 results. Note, shares were downgraded this morning at Janney Montgomery.
• BMO Capital upgraded Carrizo Oil & Gas (CRZO) to outperform from market perform, citing the company's planned exploration activity. The firm raised its price target to $27 from $23.
• eHealth (EHTH) was upgraded to perform from underperform at Oppenheimer and to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• NASDAQ OMX (NDAQ) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• C.H. Robinson (CHRW) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ACL, CLR, COF, CRZO, DWA, GPN, MOTR, NDAQ, OMI, ONE ...

Analyst Calls: ACL, CLR, COF, CRZO, DWA, GPN, MOTR, NDAQ, OMI, ONE ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you're interested on taking a bet on a potential high-flyer, you might want to take a look at Allergan (AGN).

Goldman Sachs recently said they expect more M&A activity in pharmaceutical and that Allergan is a prime candidate for a takeover. Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) and Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) are two companies analysts are speculating may be interested in acquiring Allergan.

Goldman also upgraded its price target for Allergan on its Conviction Buy List from $78 to $81.

Continue reading Goldman Sachs Targets Allergan as Takeover Candidate

Goldman Sachs Targets Allergan as Takeover Candidate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup upgraded PPG Industries (PPG) to buy from hold on expectations the company will benefit from increased auto production in 2010. The firm raised its price target on shares to $71 from $62.
• Stephens upgraded H&R Block (HRB) to overweight from equal weight as it believes the company is well positioned to gain market share with the problems at Jackson Hewitt (JTX). The firm raised its target price on H&R Block shares to $28 from $22.
• Credit Suisse raised Tyson Foods (TSN) to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $16 from $13. The firm believes Tyson is a cyclical stock in the early stages of a rebound in protein processing.
• Lennar (LEN) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at Wells Fargo.
• Spartech (SEH) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACL, BAC, BDX, HRB, JPM, PPG, TSN ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACL, BAC, BDX, HRB, JPM, PPG, TSN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Credit Suisse views Bank of America (BAC) as the "cheapest" large-cap bank and said the recent TARP repayment removes a significant overhang. The firm upgraded shares to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $21 from $17.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) to neutral from underweight following the company's better-than-expected Q3 results. The firm has a $43 price target on the stock.
• Caris upgraded Zumiez (ZUMZ) to above average from average following the company's better-than-expected December sales report. The firm raised its target on shares to $17 from $14.
• Humana (HUM) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Barclays.
• Zimmer (ZMH) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Applied Industrial (AIT) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AA, AET, BAC, BBBY, MA, RAI, VZ ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AA, AET, BAC, BBBY, MA, RAI, VZ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Citigroup upgraded Blue Nile (NASDAQ: NILE) shares to Buy from Hold on valuation following the recent sell-off as they believe weakening fundamentals have been factored into estimates and that Blue Nile should benefit from the recent softening of diamond prices. The firm raised its target price to $30 from $20.
  
• Baird upgraded AmSurg (NASDAQ: AMSG) to Outperform from Neutral based on valuation, potential upside from in-line results, good visibility, and FCF yield.
  
• Oppenheimer upgraded DryShips (NASDAQ: DRYS) to Perform from Underperform on valuation following the recent weakness and believes the company is at least halfway through its $500M equity offering.
• UAL Corp (NASDAQ: UAUA) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Banc of America/Merrill.
  
• Mylan (NASDAQ: MYL) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
  
• Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) was lifted at Deutsche Bank to Buy from Hold.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: NILE, XOM, MT, NFLX ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: NILE, XOM, MT, NFLX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Premiere Global (NYSE: PGI) to Outperform from Perform on valuation and believes the company's strategic initiatives will drive "healthy" top-line results in a difficult economy.
  
• Citigroup upgraded Prudential (NYSE: PRU) to Buy from Hold on valuation, as they believe the stock is oversold at current levels. Though upgraded, the firm lowered their target price to $30 from $80.
  
• Citigroup also upgraded Bankrate (NASDAQ: RATE) to Buy from Hold as they believe the company will benefit from the financial market volatility and that the risk/reward is attractive at current levels. The firm maintains a $40 target on the stock.
• Hospitality Properties (NYSE: HPT) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
  
• Diamond Offshore (NYSE: DO) was upgraded at Merrill Lynch to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Alcon (NYSE: ACL) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia.

Continue reading Analyst calls: PRU, RATE, ACL, LTD, STM, SNP, NFLX, RTP, BHP, OXY ...

Analyst calls: PRU, RATE, ACL, LTD, STM, SNP, NFLX, RTP, BHP, OXY ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"You may not have your eye on Alcon Inc. (NYSE: ACL), but if you wear contact lenses, suffer from dry eyes, worry about glaucoma, or even if you have hay-fever, you may have bought ACL products," notes global expert Frida Ghitis.

Here, the contributing advisor to Vivian Lewis' Global Investing, explains, "This Swiss eye drug giant has with its eyes on both the bottom line and the pipeline.

"As the world's largest eye care company, ALC has excellent management, stellar performance, promising demographics, and an intriguing ownership structure.

"Demographics bode well. Aging eyes need attention. Demand will rise for glaucoma medication, dry eye treatments, and other Alcon top sellers. As emerging markets grow their middle class, eye-care will be affordable by millions more people.

Continue reading Keep an eye on Alcon (ACL)

Keep an eye on Alcon (ACL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Novartis buying Nestle's chunk in Alcon originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the bell: Sentiment improves on WaMu, Novarits deal; AA on tap

Before the bell: Sentiment improves on WaMu, Novarits deal; AA on tap originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Lehman upgraded shares of Intel Corp (NASDAQ: INTC) to Overweight from Equal-Weight as they believe Q2 sales will meet the high-end of guidance with Dell (DELL) and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) restocking in preparation for an improved PC market.

• Friedman Billings upgraded Capital One Financial (NYSE: COF) to Outperform from Market Perform based on expected cost savings on restructuring initiatives.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded shares of Nestle (OTC: NSRGY) to Buy from Hold on valuation as they believe the stock has become the cheapest among the major European food companies.

• Credit Suisse upgraded Liz Claiborne (NYSE: LIZ) to Outperform from Neutral expecting management at its July 11th investor meeting to have a significant announcement regarding strategic alternatives for a large number of its brands.

• Merrill Lynch upgraded Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) to Buy from Neutral as they believe Q4 expectations could be exceeded due to strong business demand. The broker finds shares inexpensive and also added CSCO to its U.S. 1 List.

• Bear Stearns upgraded Trump Entertainment (NASDAQ: TRMP) to Peer Perform from Underperform on valuation...

• Chittenden Corp (NYSE: CHZ) was upgraded to Sector Perform from Underperform at RBC Capital.

• Micron Technology (NYSE: MU) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at American Technology.

• Matrix USA raised Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM) to Hold from Sell.

• Goldman raised Alcon (NYSE: ACL) to Buy from Neutral.

Analyst upgrades 6-28-07: COF, CSCO, INTC, LIZ and TRMP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• CIBC expects Barnes Group (NYSE: B) to benefit from the sustained upswing in the aerospace cycle and robust global execution, starting shares of with a Sector Outperformer rating.

• JMP Securities is positive on MFA Mortgage Investments' (NYSE: MFA) organic yield improvement potential of its short duration portfolio and the company's modest leverage, starting shares with a Market Outperform rating.

• William Blair started shares of Alberto-Culver Co (NYSE: ACV) with an Outperform rating, believing the company is one of the better long-term growth opportunities among mid-cap stocks in consumer products.

• ZymoGenetics Inc (NASDAQ: ZGEN) was started with a Neutral rating at Oppenheimer, since the firm doesn't expect any important new clinical data until Q308.

• Genelabs Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: GNLB) was started with a Buy at Oppenheimer, saying the company has a portfolio of early-stage programs in the treatment of Hep-C that have the potential to be best-in-class...

• Cowen started Maxygen, Inc (NASDAQ: MAXY) with an Outperform.

• Merrill initiated Atheros Communications, Inc (NASDAQ: ATHR) with a Buy rating.

• Jefferies initiated shares of Alcon, Inc (NYSE: ACL) and Chemed Corp (NYSE: CHE) with Buy ratings.

• Rodman initiated Amgen, Inc (NASDAQ: AMGN) with a Market Perform rating.

Analyst initiations 6-14-07: ACV, AMGN, ATHR and B originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY

• The Bank of America initiated Shire plc (NASDAQ: SHPGY), Mentor Corp (NYSE: MNT), Alcon, Inc (NYSE: ACL) and Allergan, Inc (NYSE: AGN) with Buy ratings and initiated Cephalon, Inc (NASDAQ: CEPH), Forest Laboratories, Inc (NYSE: FRX), Sepracor Inc (NASDAQ: SEPR) with Neutral ratings. Bank of America's top pick is Shire plc as the firm expects the company to launch six products or product extensions by mid-2008, followed by Mentor Corp, as the conversion to silicone breast implants should drive a period of stronger-than-expected sales and earnings.

• Ford Motor Co (NYSE: F) was initiated at Buckingham with an Underperform rating and General Motors (GM) was started with a Neutral rating.

• Nollenberger believes Under Armour, Inc (NYSE: UA), started with a Buy rating, is positioned to outperform the market based on the strength of its brand name and demand through the continued introduction of new products along with European growth.

• Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NYSE: BRL) was initiated with an Equal Weight rating and $53 target at Morgan Stanley.

Analyst initiations 4-05-07: Under Armour, Ford Motor & Cephalon initiated today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.