Analyst Upgrades

• Parker-Hannifin (PH) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• JDSU (JDSU) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Noble Corp. (NE) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Cerner (CERN) to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Cintas (CTAS) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• American States Water (AWR) to buy from hold at Brean Murray.
• National Semiconductor (NSM) and Texas Instruments (TXN) to positive from neutral at Susquehanna.
• Lululemon (LULU) to buy from hold at ThinkEquity.
• DuPont Fabros (DFT) to top pick from outperform at RBC Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CERN, DFT, LVS, NE, NSM, OPEN, PH, QCOM, SHAW, TXN ...

Analyst Calls: CERN, DFT, LVS, NE, NSM, OPEN, PH, QCOM, SHAW, TXN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Verisk (VRSK) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Marriott (MAR) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.
• Jefferies upgraded Teekay (TK) and Tsakos Energy (TNP) to Buy from Hold.
• Cadence Design (CDNS) was upgraded to sector perform from underperform at RBC Capital.
• BofA/Merrill upgraded NV Energy (NVE) to buy from underperform and Education Realty Trust (EDR) to neutral from underperform.
• Men's Wearhouse (MW) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel.
• William Blair upgraded Atheros (ATHR) to outperform from market perform.
• Freeport McMoran (FCX) was upgraded to buy from hold at Argus.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CTV, CVX, EAT, FCX, ICE, MAR, MW, TRV, WLP ...

Analyst Calls: CTV, CVX, EAT, FCX, ICE, MAR, MW, TRV, WLP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Goldman Sachs (GS) to Outperform from Market Perform with a $190 price target following the company's Q2 results. The firm believes the company's settlement with the SEC removes an overhang on shares.
• Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Health Care REIT (HCN) to Buy from Hold based on valuation and added shares to the Stifel REIT Income List. The firm has a $47 target on the stock.
• FBR Capital upgraded Annaly Capital (NLY) to Outperform from Market Perform citing the company's surprise dividend increase. The firm has a $20 target on the stock.
• Devon Energy (DVN) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
• Overseas Shipholding (OSG) was upgraded to Overweight from Underweight at JP Morgan.
• Cintas (CTAS) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Baird.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: GS, HCN, NLY, YHOO, GILD, BBG, WLL, JOYG, BUCY

Analyst Calls: GS, HCN, NLY, YHOO, GILD, BBG, WLL, JOYG, BUCY originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Alcatel-Lucent (ALU) received an analyst's downgrade following its disappointing earnings report and guidance.
• Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. (CBI) improved earnings prospects prompted one analyst to upgrade the stock.
• Cintas Corp. (CTAS) lower Q3 earnings topped analysts' expectations, and it reiterated its Q4 earnings guidance.
• CRA International Inc. (CRAI) received an analyst's downgrade following its earnings results for Q1.
• Discover Financial Services (DFS) reported a net loss for Q1 due to a needed boost to its loan loss reserves.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Discover, FedEx, GameStop, Guess, Nike, Palm ...

Earnings Highlights: Discover, FedEx, GameStop, Guess, Nike, Palm ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After the closing bell Thursday, Cincinnati-based Cintas (CTAS) announced that its third-quarter net income dropped to 32 cents per share from 47 cents per share a year ago.

The firm blamed the drop on weak demand for work uniforms, which Cintas produces. Quarterly revenue totaled $861.8 million, down 5.2% from the prior year. Expectations called for Cintas to earn 30 cents per share. Looking ahead, the company reiterated its fourth-quarter earnings outlook of 30 to 34 cents per share.

Continue reading Cintas Sees Third-Quarter Earnings Drop 32 Percent

Cintas Sees Third-Quarter Earnings Drop 32 Percent originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are a few highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Cintas Corp. (CTAS) received an analyst's downgrade following its Q2 earnings report.
• ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG) shares spiked after it posted better-than-expected Q2 earnings.
• Finish Line Inc. (FINL) posted surprise Q3 earnings, ending a streak of quarterly losses.
• Giga Media Ltd. (GIGM) was downgraded due to its disappointing Q2 report and lack of visibility.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: ConAgra, Finish Line, Jabil Circuit, Red Hat, Walgreen ...

Earnings highlights: ConAgra, Finish Line, Jabil Circuit, Red Hat, Walgreen ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Barclays upgraded Schlumberger (SLB) to overweight from equal weight based on its deep management team, financial strength and increased exploration activity. The firm raised its target to $73 from $64.
• ThinkEquity upgraded SanDisk (SNDK) to buy from hold based on expectations for a solid 2010 with better NAND pricing trends, leaner channel inventories and lack of new fabs slated in 2010, among other reasons. The firm has a $35 target on the stock.
• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Pinnacle Financial (PNFP) to outperform from market perform, citing the company's strong management and balance sheet. The firm has a $16.50 price target on the stock.
• Watson Pharma (WPI) was raised to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• New York Times (NYT) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at Wells Fargo.
• Tenet Healthcare (THC) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Leerink.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AOL, DG, NYT, POT, SLB, SNDK, XOM, YHOO ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AOL, DG, NYT, POT, SLB, SNDK, XOM, YHOO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Even in a holiday shortened week so close to the end of the calendar year, there are still some earnings reports dribbling in. Question is, will any of the companies reporting quarterly results this week offer up a gift for investors?

Apropos of the season, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters have high expectations for American Greetings Corp.'s (AM) fiscal third quarter 2010 earnings. The nation's second largest provider of greeting cards announced record second quarter results and declared a quarterly dividend during the three months that ended in November. American Greetings is expected to report that earnings rose 43.9% from a year ago to $0.66 per share. Revenue for the quarter is expected to total $445.4 million, or 1.9% lower than a year ago. So far, the full-year forecast is for its profit to more than double to $2.00 per share while revenue falls 5.6% from a year ago to $1.6 billion. This Cleveland-based company creamed earnings estimates in the past two quarters.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: Pre-holiday Earnings from Walgreen, American Greetings ...

The Week in Preview: Pre-holiday Earnings from Walgreen, American Greetings ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Blackrock (NYSE: BLK) to Buy from Hold as it believes the BGI acquisition is becoming more accretive with the market rally and that the company's core trends are healthy. The firm raised its target on shares to $230 from $180.
• Citigroup upgraded Burlington Northern (NYSE: BNI) to Hold from Sell as it believes the risk/reward on shares is balanced based on 2010 estimates. Citi raised its target on shares to $89 from $75.
• Auriga upgraded Eclipsys (NASDAQ: ECLP) to Buy from Hold on expectations the company's margin expansion initiatives will drive benefits in 2010 and 2011. The firm raised its target on shares to $24 from $16.
• Seagate (NASDAQ: STX) was upgraded to Overweight from Market Weight at Thomas Weisel and to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Web.com (NASDAQ: WWWW) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at FBR Capital.
• CenturyTel (NYSE: CTL) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BLK, BNI, CCL, JPM, PNC, UTX ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BLK, BNI, CCL, JPM, PNC, UTX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) to Buy from Hold on valuation as it finds the risk/reward on shares attractive at current levels. The firm raised its target price to $22 from $20.
  
• FBR Capital upgraded Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) to Outperform from Market Perform after channel checks indicated recent sales are driving increased traffic and easing market share losses. The firm raised its target price on shares to $37 from $21.
• Barclays upgraded Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) to Overweight from Equal Weight as it believes the company is well positioned for a rebound in advertising and that the valuation is compelling at current levels. The firm raised its target on shares to $20 from $15.
• Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) was raised to Overweight from Market Weight at Thomas Weisel.
  
• U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) and CB Richard Ellis (NYSE: CBG) were upgraded at Goldman to Neutral from Sell.
  
• Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) was upgraded at JP Morgan to Overweight from Neutral.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, YHOO, X, SLE, OSK ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, YHOO, X, SLE, OSK ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Oppenheimer upgraded Genzyme (NASDAQ: GENZ) to Outperform from Perform on expectations that upcoming regulatory events, mainly approvals of Mozobil and 2,000L Myozyme, will serve as positive catalysts.
  
• Ladenburg analyst Dick Bove raised Bank of New York (NYSE: BK) to Buy from Neutral as he now believes the Russian lawsuit is turning in the bank's favor and is no longer a significant risk.
  
• Societe Generale upgraded UBS (NYSE: UBS) to Buy from Hold on valuation and the company's deal with the Swiss government.
  
• Bed Bath & Beyond (NASDAQ :BBBY) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Friedman Billings.
  
• RC2 Corp (NASDAQ: RCRC) was lifted at Wachovia to Outperform from Market Perform.
  
• Cintas (NASDAQ: CTAS) was upgraded to Hold from Sell at Citigroup.

Analyst downgrades:

Continue reading Analyst calls: GENZ, UBS, RIMM, BBBY, WYNN, RTP . . .

Analyst calls: GENZ, UBS, RIMM, BBBY, WYNN, RTP . . . originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the bell: Stocks to climb; MS, WB, WM, WFC, FDX, LYG, ORCL, GOOG, MSFT ...

Before the bell: Stocks to climb; MS, WB, WM, WFC, FDX, LYG, ORCL, GOOG, MSFT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Deutsche Bank upgraded shares of Teva Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: TEVA) to Buy from Hold to reflect the company's greater growth prospects following the acquisition of Barr (NYSE: BRL). The firm raised the target to $56 from $47.
  
• ThinkPanmure upgraded Blue Coat Systems (NASDAQ: BCSI) to Buy from Source of Funds based on the company's growth prospects following positive channel checks.
  
• American International Group (NYSE: AIG) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Banc of America on valuation, as they find the risk/reward attractive at current levels.

• Goldman upgraded the Semiconductor Production Equipment sector to Neutral from Cautious and added Verigy (NASDAQ: VRGY) to its Conviction Buy List.
  
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI) and Cintas (NASDAQ: CTAS) to Equal Weight from Underweight.
  
• Gibraltar Industries (NASDAQ: ROCK) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Piper.

Analyst upgrades: TEVA, WFMI, CTAS, BCSI and AIG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVID) sees strong Q1 results driven by Guitar Hero.
• Allegheny Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ATI) raised its Q2 earnings guidance ahead of its report.
• Cintas Corp. (NASDAQ: CTAS) strong Q4 and full-year results included a record quarterly revenue.
• Citigroup (NYSE: C) posted better-than-expected results despite a big loss on further write-downs.
• eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) reported better-than-expected results and offered a soft outlook (see transcript).
• Fastenal Co. (NASDAQ: FAST) posted strong Q2 earnings despite the housing slump but lower revenues.
• Grainger Inc. (NYSE: GWW) posted strong Q2 results on expansion in Mexico and China.
• Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE: HOG) beat Q2 expectations despite profit and revenue declines.
• International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) easily topped Wall Street earnings expectations.
• Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) beat Q2 estimates and raised its full-year forecast (see transcript).
• Kimberly-Clark Corp. (NYSE: KMB) warned of lower Q2 earnings due to energy and distribution costs.
• Merrill Lynch & Co. (NYSE: MER) reported worse-than-expected Q2 results on further write downs.
• Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) earnings surged but investors were put off by its full-year guidance.
• Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) reaffirmed its guidance following the Kimberly-Clark warnings.
• United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) beat Q2 estimates, lifting shares from a recent 52-week low.
• ValueClick Inc. (NASDAQ: VCLK) posted weak results and warned about the second half of the year.

For more highlights from this week, see: Google, Intel, JPMorgan, Coca-Cola, Nokia and others

The earnings crunch continues next week. Among companies scheduled to report are Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Merck (NYSE: MRK), Texas Intruments (NYSE: TXN), Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT), Halliburton (NYSE: HAL), United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS), Wachovia (NYSE: WB), Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), Boeing (NYSE: BA), Hershey (NYSE: HSY), and Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Citigroup, eBay, IBM, Merrill Lynch, Microsoft and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cintas (CTAS) jumps on good earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• JMP Securities upgraded National Semi (NYSE:NSM) to Outperform from Market Perform citing strong Q2 results, as they expect growth to continue driven by continued success in high-end analog and power management products.
  
• Baird raised its rating on Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS) to Outperform from Market Perform based on analysis that indicates the cyclical inflection point in the sector's stocks is near with U.S. employment growth is likely to bottom within 6-12 months and expectations that the Project One Team initiative is poised to surprise in early 2008.
  
• Lehman upgraded shares of J.C. Penney (NYSE:JCP) to Overweight from Equal Weight, as they believe the company is well-positioned to gain market share in the current environment.

• Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at HSBC.
  
• Goldman raised CA, Inc (CA) to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Jefferies upgraded SunPower (SPWR) to Buy from Hold.

Analyst upgrades: NSM, CTAS and JCP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Corporate apparel and uniform provider Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) recently released both 4Q 2007 and FY 2007 figures. Overall the news is positive, but there are some complicating factors investors need to be aware of before investing in this stock. FY 2007 revenue growth increased 9% to $3.7 billion despite the fact that Cintas' reorganization of its global sales force has taken much longer than predicted, cost more, and resulted thus far in below anticipated gains. Recent press releases do not address this important issue, other than to say that the reorganization is proceeding and will pay off down the line. Net income for FY 2007 was up 3.4% to $334.5 million, and FY EPS increased the same amount as revenues, 9%, to $2.09 diluted.

The fact remains, however, that 4Q 2007 was rough for Cintas. Revenue for the quarter increased 6.2% to $964 million. EPS diluted increased only half as much, 3.6% to 57 cents. Net income was up, barely, by 1.3%, but interest costs and debt levels also increased due to acquisitions and stock buybacks. Cintas has a handle on cost control. Administrative expenses increased slightly due to higher medical insurance costs, but the company still showed a slight decline in net income as a percent of revenue in 2007 compared to 2006. The stock has lost almost 10% of its value since it opened at $40.43 at the beginning of the year. The stock closed yesterday at $37.41. Its P/E of 17.90 is significantly below industry average of 25.11, and CEO Scott Farmer predicts Cintas will grow its customer base from its current level of 800,000. Farmer remains optimistic that FY 2008 revenues will be in the $3.9-$4.1 billion range, and EPS diluted will be in the $2.15-$2.25 range. The stock currently pays a 39-cent dividend.

Cintas (CTAS) trying to look good originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After false starts in merchandising categories like higher-end women's fashions, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) may have hit on a new product segment that is a real winner for the world's largest retailer.

Consumer electronics. According to (subscription required) an analyst at Bear Stearns "Wal-Mart's sales of electronics will increase at a rate of at least 10% to 12% this year." The big company's aggressive move into the market is seen as hurting Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) and Circuit City (NYSE: CC).

According to The Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart has been able to add Toshiba and Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) computers, Verizon Wireless products, and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPods to the list of electronics that it markets.

But, there is one flaw in Wal-Mart's pitch. The stores are still likely to be considered down-scale by many US consumers.

One of the advantages of going to a Best Buy is that almost all of the products are higher-end electronics. The stores are staffed by trained specialists who have a fairly wide knowledge of the products that the retailer is selling.

At Wal-Mart consumers have to make their way past groceries, cheap clothes, and the gun and ammo department to get to the TVs and computers. There are a lot of people who may be put off with that.

Would you like some shot gun shells with that wide screen TV?

Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.

Wal-Mart: high tech wonder originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Labopharm Inc. (NASDAQ: DDSS) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Merrill Lynch and to Market Perform from Outperform at Leerink Swann after the 2nd approval letter from the FDA said Tramadol did not show efficacy. CIBC World Markets downgraded shares of Labopharm to Sector Performer from Outperformer and at Canaccord Adams to Sell from Hold.
• Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Merrill Lynch, which recommended investors take profits following the strong earnings reports. The firm does not believe the drivers behind the earnings upside are sustainable. Dell was also downgraded at Morgan Stanley, to Equal Weight from Overweight, based on valuation.
• The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: NDAQ) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Lehman, as the firm believes the stock is range-bound for the next several months following the OMX acquisition announcement.

• Robert W Baird downgraded shares of DiamondRock Co. (NYSE: DRH) and Chesapeake Utilities Corp. (NYSE: CPK) to Neutral from Outperform on valuation.
• Bear Stearns downgraded shares of Emmis Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: EMMS) to Underperform from Peer Perform, as the firm does not believe the CEO will make another bid to take the company private.
• Matrix USA downgraded shares of Jabil Circuit Inc. (NYSE: JBL) to Hold from Buy.
• Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Cintas Corp. (NASDAQ: CTAS) Underweight from Equal Weight, citing growth concerns, and downgraded shares of Virgin Media Inc. (NASDAQ: VMED) to Equal Weight from Overweight, citing higher customer churn and weaker pricing power.
• Goldman Sachs downgraded shares of RadioShack Corp. (NYSE: RSH) to Neutral from Buy.

Analyst downgrades 6-1-07: Dell, Cintas, RadioShack originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MORE NOTEWORTHY:

• Prudential downgraded the aluminum industry to Unfavorable from Favorable, cutting cut Alcoa Inc (NYSE: AA) to Neutral from Overweight and Alcan Inc (NYSE: AL) to Underweight from Overweight. Prudential cited the increased Chinese output growth and slowing U.S. demand for aluminum for the downgrades.

• Keefe Bruyette cut National City Corp (NASDAQ: NCC) to Underperform from Market Perform based on higher credit costs and near-term capital requirements.

• MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) was downgraded to Sell from Hold at Matrix USA citing valuation.

• Citigroup cut Domtar Corp (NYSE: UFS) to Sell from Hold with a $9 target based on valuation.

• Dow Chemical Co (NYSE: DOW) was removed from Credit Suisse's U.S. Focus List.

• Prudential cut Dean Foods Co (NYSE: DF) to Neutral from Buy based on valuation and volatile short-term raw milk prices.
  

• Barrington downgraded Cintas Corp (NASDAQ: CTAS) to Market Perform from Outperform with a $40 target based on poor Q3 earnings and lower revised guidance.

• Methanex Corp (NASDAQ: MEOH) was cut to Underperform from Market Perform at BMO Capital.

• Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ: BWLD) was downgraded to Hold from Buy with a $67 target at Jefferies based on valuation.

Analyst downgrades 3-21-07: Alcoa, Dean Foods & Dow Chemical downgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Mar 2007 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.