MOST NOTEWORTHY: BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Prudential Financial were today's noteworthy upgrades:
Bernstein upgraded shares of BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP) to Outperform from Market Perform as they believe urbanization in China will increase demand for metals.
Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU) was raised to Overweight from Underweight at Lehman as they believe the company's exposure to commercial mortgage-backed securities is limited.
Five insiders bought $592.7K in Orbitz Worldwide Inc's (NYSE: OWW) stock at per-share prices ranging from $9.55 to $10.10, reported Barron's Online's (subscription required) "Inside Scoop" column.
The Financial Times (subscription required) reported that General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is believed to be considering the sale of Lake, its Japanese consumer finance subsidiary.
According to security company Symantec Corporation's (NASDAQ: SYMC) blog, there is a new Trojan called "infostealer.monstres" which is attacking online recruitment site Monster.com (NASDAQ: MNST).
MOST NOTEWORTHY: Today's noteworthy initiations included MasterCard Inc (MA), Time Warner Cable Inc (TWC), ZymoGenetics, Inc (ZGEN) and California Pizza Kitchen, Inc (CPKI):
AG Edwards started MasterCard Inc (NYSE: MA) with a Hold rating, citing near-term concerns about the consumer and valuation.
Credit Suisse initiated Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) with a Neutral rating and $41 target.
Citigroup initiated ZymoGenetics (NASDAQ: ZGEN) Inc with a Sell rating and $12 target. The firm sees further downside given their belief the Street will lower its Thrombin expectations due to sales disappointment in early 2008.
Morgan Keegan initiated shares of California Pizza Kitchen (NASDAQ: CPKI) with an Outperform rating, finding shares compelling given the company's substantial unit growth opportunity.
OTHER INITIATIONS:
Buckingham initiated shares of Gentex Corp (NASDAQ: GNTX) with an Underperform with a $14 target, and expects margin pressure to continue.
Citigroup started POZEN Inc (NASDAQ: POZN) with a Buy rating and $28 target.
BB&T started Tarragon Corp (NASDAQ: TARR) with a Buy rating and $13 target, as the firm believes the proposed spin-off of its home-building business would unlock shareholder value.
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MOST NOTEWORTHY: BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Prudential Financial were today's noteworthy upgrades:.gif){kind=logo}
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