MOST NOTEWORTHY: Gen-Probe, iRobot and Emeritus were today's noteworthy initiations:

• RBC Capital expects Gen-Probe Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRO) to continue to generate high margin, annuity-like revenue from its core business while new tests with good long-term growth. Shares were initiated with an Outperform rating and $66 target.
  
• Kaufman Brothers believes robotics technology is more than just a fad and that iRobot (NASDAQ: IRBT) is well-positioned given its innovation applications and innovative applications that create new solutions to existing issues; Kaufman started iRobot with a Buy rating and $22 target.
  
• Jefferies believes Emeritus Corp. (AMEX: ESC), initiated with a Buy rating, is well-positioned to drive superior cash flow growth given favorable/stable industry fundamentals and renewed operational focus.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Piper assumed Comverge Inc. (NASDAQ: COMV) with a Buy rating and $17 target.
  
• Morgan Stanley initiated Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE: EXM) with an Overweight rating.
  
• Thomson Reuters (NASDAQ: TRIN) was initiated at JP Morgan with a Neutral rating.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Aruba Networks (ARUN), the aesthetic energy devices sector and Emeritus Corp (ESC) were today's noteworthy initiations:

• JP Morgan initiated shares of Aruba Networks (NASDAQ: ARUN) with a Neutral rating. The firm believes Aruba shares are fully valued at these levels and reflects strong growth with operating leverage.Pacific Crest believes Aruba, initiated with a Sector Perform rating and $19 target, is a strong alternative to Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) in the WLAN market and its strong position as a point vendor makes the company an attractive acquisition candidate.

• Leerink Swann estimates the aesthetic energy devices sector is likely to experience 20% revenue growth over the next five years. The firm finds Thermage (NASDAQ: THRM) a turnaround-story which has a compelling mix of revenues from disposable tips while Cynosure (NASDAQ: CYNO) is capitalizing successfully on new product cycles with Affirm and SmartLipo. Palomar Medical Technologies (NASDAQ: PMTI) is viewed as the IP leader for hair removal products; Leerink initiated Thermage and Cynosure with Outperform ratings and Palomar with a Market Perform rating.

• Emeritus Corp (AMEX: ESC) was initiated with a Buy rating and $33 target at Stifel, which believes ESC has one of the best cash earnings growth stories among any of the traded senior housing companies.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• CE Unterberg started shares of Synchronoss (NASDAQ: SNCR) with a Buy rating and $41 target.

• Rodman & Renshaw started shares of Array Biopharma (NASDAQ: ARRY) and Tapestry Pharma (NASDAQ: TPPH) with Market Outperform ratings and an $18 target and $5 target, respectively.

• Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) was initiated with an Overweight rating and $41 target at Morgan Stanley.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).