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Analyst upgrades: CNC, EAT, HLIT, IEX and RDS.A

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Centene, Brinker International, Harmonic, Idex and Royal Dutch Shell were today's noteworthy upgrades:
  • Jefferies upgraded shares of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) to Buy from Hold as they expect the company is benefiting from above 20% revenue growth next year and SG&A leverage opportunity over the next 12–18 months.
  • Bear Stearns upgraded shares of Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) to Outperform from Peer Perform as they believe Brinker's turnaround efforts can enhance shareholder value.
  • Friedman Billings raised shares of Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) to Outperform from Market Perform based on the favorable outlook for cable and satellite spending on HD video and other projects.
  • The firm also upgraded Idex Corporation (NYSE: IEX) to Outperform from Market Perform, citing the company's positive 2008 outlook and solid end markets.
  • Goldman upgraded Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) to Neutral from Sell on valuation.
OTHER UPGRADES:

Analyst upgrades: S, SWY, PDGI, MLNM and TEF

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Sprint Nextel, Safeway, PharmaNet Development, Millennium Pharmaceutical and Telefonica were today's noteworthy upgrades:
  • Wachovia upgraded shares of Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE: S) to Outperform from Market Perform as they believe the company is within six months of reaching a sustainable turnaround in subscriber growth and that investor expectations can not get much lower.
  • CIBC upgraded shares of Safeway Stores Inc (NYSE: SWY) to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer after the company's strong quarter in a challenging environment.
  • Jefferies raised its rating on PharmaNet Development Group Inc (NASDAQ: PDGI) to Buy from Hold as they believe the company should achieve leverage in margins after executing its turnaround.
  • Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: MLNM) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Baird. The firm said expectations for Millennium and Velcade are low and would be buyers for the quarter given the ASH meeting and downstream pipeline visibility.
  • Telefonica SA (NYSE: TEF) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Citigroup following the company's earnings growth guidance.
OTHER UPGRADES:

Analyst initiations: FNM, FRE, RVBD and SSTI

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Riverbed Technology (RVBD), Silicon Storage (SSTI), Regal Entertainment (RGC), Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddy Mac (FRE) were today's more noteworthy initiations:
  • CIBC initiated shares of Riverbed Technology (NASDAQ: RVBD) with a Sector Performer rating, citing valuation. The firm believes the mobile opportunity is a wild card, and cites increased Cisco Systems (CSCO) risk.
  • Silicon Storage (NASDAQ: SSTI) as announced several new products in late 2006 and 1H07 with shipments expected to start in 2H07 along with significant revenues in 2008; Barrington initiated shares with a Market Perform rating.
  • Ferris Baker Watts initiated Regal Entertainment (NYSE: RGC) with a Neutral rating, seeing annual top-line growth only in the low- to mid-single digits.
  • Fox-Pitt Kelton believes both Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) are finally set to emerge from restatement issues with new accounting procedures and operating systems in place, initiating both companies with an Outperform rating...
OTHER INITIATIONS:
  • Needham initiated Tennant (NYSE: TNC) with a Buy rating.
  • CIBC started Centene (NYSE: CNC) with a Sector Performer rating.
  • Deutsche initiated Thomson (NYSE: TOC) with a Buy rating.
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst upgrades 6-20-07: CEO, CL, HD, NYX and TWC

MOST NOTEWORTHY: CNOOC Ltd (CEO), NYSE EuroNext (NYX), Time Warner Cable (TWC), Digital River (DRIV) and Home Depot (HD) topped today's more noteworthy upgrades:
  • Credit Suisse upgraded shares of CNOOC Ltd (NYSE: CEO) to Outperform from Neutral to reflect projections for output growth...
  • Piper upgraded NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX) to Market Perform from Underperform as they believe the risk/reward is balanced following the completion of the Euronext acquisition. They believe shares can move higher if the company's market share is stabilized...
  • Bear upgraded shares of Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) to Outperform from Peer Perform citing the integration of the L.A. systems, which they feel is progressing smoothly, and potential for increased equity returns...
  • Jefferies upgraded shares of Digital River (NASDAQ: DRIV) to Buy from Hold on valuation as they find the risk/reward attractive at current levels and believe new customers such as Microsoft (MSFT) and Electronic Arts (ERTS) will diversify the company's revenue base...
  • Home Depot (NYSE HD) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Stifel following the company's sale of its HD Supply unit, as well as its $22.5B repurchase program...
OTHER UPGRADES:
  • Merrill Lynch was upgraded Centene Corp (NYSE: CNC) to Neutral from Sell.
  • BB&T upgraded Airgas (NYSE: ARG) to Buy from Hold.
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Symbol Lookup
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DJIA+30.6910,464.40
NASDAQ+6.872,176.05
S&P 500+4.981,110.63

Last updated: November 26, 2009: 02:37 PM

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