MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Bear Stearns initiated Analog Devices, Inc (NYSE: ADI) and National Semiconductor Corp (NYSE: NSM) with Outperform ratings and Linear Technology Corp (NASDAQ: LLTC) and Maxim Integrated Products Inc (NASDAQ: MXIM) with Peer Perform ratings.

• Archer Daniels Midland Co (NYSE: ADM) was initiated with a Neutral rating at Banc of America based on expected declines in ethanol margins. JP Morgan started shares with an Overweight rating.

• United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) was started with a Strong Buy rating at Matrix USA with a $90 intrinsic value...

• CIBC initiated Quest Software, Inc (NASDAQ: QSFT) with a Sector Performer rating.

• Credit Suisse reinstated shares of Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) with an Outperform rating.

• Merrill Lynch started BigBand Networks, Inc (NASDAQ: BBND) with a Neutral rating, ThinkEquity started shares with an Accumulate rating and $19 target, Jefferies started them with a Buy rating and Cowen started shares with an Outperform rating.

• RBC Capital initiated shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc (NYSE: SHO) with an Outperform rating.

Analyst initiations 4-24-07: ADM, QSFT, NSM, MXIM and UTX initiated today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.