MOST NOTEWORTHY: Auto & Truck Suppliers, Oplink Comm and The Wet Seal were today's noteworthy upgrades:
- Baird upgraded the Auto & Truck Suppliers sector to Market Overweight from Market Weight citing valuations, lowered expectations, industry dynamics and a potential bottom in economic indicators. The firm upgraded Accuride Corp (NYSE: ACW) and Magna International (MGA) to Outperform from Neutral.
- Merriman upgraded shares of Oplink Comm (NASDAQ: OPLK) to Neutral from Sell on valuation, as they believe Friday's sell-off fully reflects near-term operating concerns and that share price downside from here is limited.
- Cowen raised The Wet Seal (NASDAQ: WTSLA) to Outperform from Neutral and has increased confidence that the new management's operational changes and cost cutting initiatives will lead to EPS upside.
OTHER UPGRADES:
- BT Group (NYSE: BT) was raised to Equal Weight from Underweight at Morgan Stanley.
- Societe Generale raised Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) to Buy from Hold and ENI SpA (NYSE: E) to Hold from Sell.
- Goldman raised Embarq (NYSE: EQ) to Neutral from Sell.