Continue reading Is it time to jump into financial stocks?

Is it time to jump into financial stocks? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• UBS is positive on Genentech Inc's (NYSE: DNA) leading industry franchises and potential upside from development projects and started shares with a Buy rating and $101 target.
  
• HSBC Holdings (NYSE: HBC) was assumed with a Reduce rating at WestLB, as the firm believes subprime concerns may hold back shares in the near-term.
  
• Jefferies initiated shares of SunTech Power Holdings (NYSE: STP) with a Buy rating and $45 target. The firm believes the company is positioned to beat 2007 and 2008 expectations by ramping manufacturing capacity and production faster than expected.
  
• Jefferies also resumed coverage of SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWR) with a Hold rating and $90 target, citing valuation, but believes the stock's higher multiple is justified given the company's superior growth potential.
  
• Force Protection Inc (NASDAQ: FRPT) was initiated with a Market Perform rating and Friedman Billings, as they believe near-term production expectations are too high given emerging DOD funding issues.

• Lehman started shares of Arcelor Mittal (NYSE: MT) with an Overweight rating.
  
• UBS started shares of RF Micro Devices (NASDAQ: RFMD) with a Neutral rating.
  
• Cowen resumed coverage of Savient Pharmaeuticals Inc (NASDAQ: SVNT) with an Outperform rating.
  
• Morgan Keegan started shares of Heartland Payment Systems Inc (NYSE: HPY) with a Market Perform rating.

Analyst initiations: DNA, HBC, STP, SPWR and FRPT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Credit Suisse downgraded Nasdaq Stock Market Inc (NASDAQ: NDAQ) to Market Perform from Outperform on valuation.
  
• JP Morgan expects Family Dollar Stores Inc (NYSE: FDO) to face macro pressures and increased competition from Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE: WMT) and Dollar General.
  
• Bear downgraded shares of Circuit City Stores Inc (NYSE: CC) to Peer Perform from Outperform based on lack of visibility, execution issues, softer consumer environment, potential pricing disruptions, and product cycle concerns.
  
• Merrill downgraded shares of Wells Fargo and Company (NYSE: WFC) to Neutral from Buy to reflect higher credit losses and valuation and KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) to Sell from Neutral to reflect the company's "weak" revenue growth.

• B. Riley downgraded shares of Iris International Inc (NASDAQ: IRIS) to Neutral from Buy.
  
• Soleil downgraded ExpressJet Holdings Inc (NYSE: XJT) to sell from Hold.
  
• Calyon downgraded Weatherford International (NYSE: WFT), Transocean Inc (NYSE: RIG) and Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc (NYSE: DO) to Add from Buy.

Analyst downgrades: NDAQ, FDO, CC, WFC and KEY originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Mattel Inc (NYSE: MAT) to Buy from Neutral citing valuation, strong 2008 product line-up, and expected organic sales growth.
  
• Goldman upgraded shares of Volvo (NASDAQ: VOLV) to Buy from Neutral on valuation as they believe the company's prospects for earnings are not priced into shares. Volvo was added to the firm's Conviction Buy List.
  
• PMI Group's (NYSE: PMI) rating was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Piper Jaffray on valuation.
  
• Citigroup upgraded shares of Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) to Hold from Sell to reflect their increased commodity price forecasts.
  
• Diamond Foods Inc (NASDAQ: DMND) was upgraded to Buy from hold at BB&T Capital on valuation.

• Bear Stearns upgraded Diana Shipping Inc (NYSE: DSX) to Outperform from Peer Perform.
  
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Telephone and Data Systems Inc (NYSE: TDS) to Equal Weight from Underweight.
  
• Targa Resources Partners (NASDAQ: NGLS) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia.
  
• Steelcase Inc (NYSE: SCS) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman.

Analyst upgrades: MAT, VOLV, PMI, MOS and DMND originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• RBC Capital is positive on News Corporation's (NYSE: NWS) strategy of investing cash flow away from mature enterprises to fund high-growth initiatives such as Sky Italia and Fox Interactive Media. The firm initiated shares with an Outperform rating and $26 target.
  
• Kaufman Brothers rates Limelight Networks Inc (NASDAQ: LLNW) a Sell based on a significant increase in the competitive environment with Akamai discounting on large deals, Level 3 Communications Inc (NASDAQ: LVLT) introducing a competitive offering in November 2007, Korean major-CD Networks becoming aggressive, and new entrants becoming aggressive with their value propositions.
  
• Deutsche Bank initiated Corning Inc (NYSE: GLW) with a Buy rating and $31 target as they believe shares are fundamentally undervalued given the company's strong fundamentals and promising outlook.
  
• Carmike Cinemas Inc (NASDAQ: CKEC) was started at JP Morgan with an Overweight rating. The firm said the company is the most exposed to 3-D, which could lead to potential upside due to low margins and leverage capital structure.

• UBS started shares of St. Jude Medical Inc (NYSE: STJ) with a Sell rating and $43 target and shares of Medtronic Inc (NYSE: MDT) with a Buy rating and $64 target.
  
• Bear Stearns initiated shares of TJX Companies Inc (NYSE: TJX) and Ross Stores Inc (NASDAQ: ROST) with Peer Perform ratings.
  
• KeyBanc initiated shares of LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE: LHO) with a Hold rating.
  
• Caris started shares of Acme Packet Inc (NASDAQ: APKT) with an Above Average rating and $17 target.

Analyst inititations: NWS, LLNW, GLW and CKEC originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Friedman Billings downgraded Aventine Renewable Energy (NYSE: AVR) and Pacific Ethanol Inc (NASDAQ: PEIX) to Underperform and VeraSun Energy Corporation (NYSE: VSE) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform. The firm said the ethanol market has become increasingly challenging as spot market prices have declined by 30% in the past few months and expect pressure to remain through 2008 as the industry's growing pains continue.
  
• Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of BT Group (NYSE: BT) to Underweight from Equal Weight on valuation and regulation uncertainty ahead of Ofcom's first consultation document next week.
  
• AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR) was downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Goldman to reflect the company's U.S. exposure as they expect the U.S. economy to slow.
  
• Banc of America downgraded shares of Kyphon Inc (NASDAQ: KYPH) to Neutral from Buy on valuation as the spread on the acquisition by Medtronic Inc (NYSE: MDT) has now narrowed.

• Pepsi Bottling Group Inc (NYSE: PBG) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Bernstein.
  
• Oppenheimer downgraded Signature Bank (NASDAQ: SBNY) to Neutral from Buy.
  
• ThinkEquity downgraded BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: BCRX) to Accumulate from Buy.
  
• Merrill Lynch downgraded Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX) to Neutral from Buy.

Analyst downgrades: Ethanol sector, BT, AMR and KYPH originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Cowen upgraded shares of Motorola Inc (NYSE: MOT) and Nokia Corporation (NYSE: NOK) to Outperform from Neutral. The firm expects Motorola to benefit as the mobile phone market in North America improves as market supply tightens in Q4 and results in better unit pricing, while Nokia's new phones put it in a position to realize higher unit sales.
  
• Credit Suisse upgraded shares of General Mills Inc (NYSE: GIS) to Outperform from Neutral citing management's improved execution and openness, and well as valuation.
  
• Cantor raised shares of AudioCodes (NASDAQ: AUDC) to Buy from Hold after channel checks suggested that Q3 business is tracking well.
  
• OceanFreight Inc (NASDAQ: OCNF) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Oppenheimer on valuation and strong dry-bulk fundamentals.

• Lehman upgraded shares of Roche Holding (OTC: RHHBY) to Overweight from Equal Weight.
  
• Goldman upgraded Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) to Neutral from Sell.
  
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Buckeye Partners (NYSE: BPL) to Buy from Hold.
  
• Citigroup raised Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE: CNQ) to Buy from Hold.

Analyst upgrades: MOT, NOK, GIS, AUDC and OCNF originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Baird reduced estimates across the board in the process control sector due to lower expectations for North American industrial and residential construction. The firm downgraded Roper Industries (NYSE: ROP), Regal-Beloit Corp (NYSE: RBC) and Baldor Electric (NYSE: BEZ) to Neutral from Outperform and AO Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) to Underperform from Neutral.
• Goldman downgraded shares of R.H. Donnelley Corporation (NYSE: RHD) to Neutral from Buy after the company updated its 2007 guidance to reflect deteriorating trends in local advertising.
  
• Vonage Holdings Corp (NYSE: VG) was downgraded to Sell from Hold at Soleil due to liquidity concerns.
  
• Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank on valuation and mixed near-term trends.
  
• Transocean Inc (NYSE: RIG) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Gabelli. Even though the deepwater market continues to be strong, the firm is concerned regarding the continuing weakness in the jackup market as well as the limited upside potential due to the company's ships being in use through 2009.

• XM Satellite Radio Holdings (NASDAQ: XMSR) and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc (NASDAQ: SIRI) were downgraded to Neutral from Buy at UBS.
  
• Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ: NILE) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Suntrust.
  
• Citigroup downgraded shares of CheckFree Corporation (NASDAQ: CKFR) to Hold from Buy.
  
• Morgan Stanley downgraded McAfee Inc (NYSE: MFE) to Underweight from Equal Weight.

Analyst downgrades: Process control sector, RHD, VG, CCE and RIG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Lehman upgraded the small-cap bank sector to Neutral from Negative as they expect the group to benefit from the decline in short-term interest rates and the steeping yield curve. The firm upgraded Associated Banc-Corp (NASDAQ: ASBC), Pacific Capital Bancorp (NASDAQ: PCBC) and Westpac Banking Corp (NYSE: WBK) to Equal Weight from Underweight.
  
• Friedman Billings added Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN) to its Top Picks list. The firm believes the company can outperform the group and overall market in an economic downturn.
  
• Warnaco Group (NASDAQ: WRNC) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan on valuation and growth potential.
  
• JMP Securities' checks indicate that Intersections (NASDAQ: INTX) is on track to meet EPS expectations for the quarter and is well positioned to beat their 2008 EPS estimate of 80c. The firm raised shares to Strong Buy from Outperform.

• Best Buy Incorporated (NYSE: BBY) and AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) were upgraded to Strong Buy from Outperform at Raymond James.
  
• The firm also upgraded shares of CBRL Group (NASDAQ: CBRL) to Market Perform from Outperform.
  
• JP Morgan upgraded Ruby Tuesday (NYSE: RT) and Plexus Corp (NASDAQ: PLXS) to Overweight from Neutral.
  
• Bear Stearns raised MFA Mortgage Investments (NYSE: MFA) to Outperform from Peer Perform.
  
• Goldman added Automatic Data Processing (NYSE: ADP) to its Conviction Buy List.

Analyst upgrades: Small-cap banks, WCN, WRNC and INTX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• LYON initiated shares of aerospace stocks including Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR), TransDigm Group Inc (NYSE: TDG) and Triumph Group Incorporated (NYSE: TGI) with Add ratings and a $74 target, $45 target and $90 target, respectively.
  
• WuXi Pharmatech (NYSE: WX) was started with a Hold rating and $29 target at Jefferies on valuation. JP Morgan started shares with a Neutral rating and Credit Suisse initiated shares with an Outperform rating.
  
• Myriad Genetics Inc (NASDAQ: MYGN) was started with a Hold rating and $50 target at Citigroup, as the firm is cautious on the Phase III Flurizan results and does not recommend putting new money here at these levels.
  
• Citigroup also initiated shares of Cypress Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ: CYPB) with a Buy rating and $22 target as the firm believes Milnacipran has sufficient database for approval and is capable of gaining meaningful market share as firstline therapy.
  
• Knology Inc (NASDAQ: KNOL) was initiated with a Buy rating and $25 target at BWS Financial, as the firm believes the company's growth potential is greater than other cable companies through a business plan that allows it to have operations in all regions of the U.S.

• Wachovia resumed coverage of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LCAPA) with an Outperform rating.
  
• Northwest Airlines Corporation (NYSE: NWA) and Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: DAL) were initiated with Overweight ratings at JP Morgan.
  
• Thomas Weisel started shares of Tyco Electronics (NYSE: TEL) with a Market Weight rating.
  
• Goldman initiated shares of Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Activision Inc (NASDAQ: ATVI) with Buy ratings and THQ Inc (NASDAQ: THQI) with a Neutral rating.

Analyst initiations: WX, MYGN, CYPB and KNOL originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• EDO Corporation (NYSE: EDO) was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse following the acquisition by ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT). Shares were also downgraded to Market Weight from Overweight at Thomas Weisel and to Hold from Buy at B&T Capital.
  
• Goldman downgraded shares of General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) to Neutral from Buy to reflect risk to the company's international and the slowing U.S. economy. Further, Goldman believes expectations for a deal over healthcare costs with unions are now priced into the stock.
  
• Wachovia downgraded Cameron International (NYSE: CAM) to Market Perform from Outperform on valuation.
  
• Kaufman Bros. downgraded shares of Getty Images Inc (NYSE: GYI) to Sell from Hold to reflect reduced expectations following the company's announced price reductions.
  
• CIBC downgraded shares of Micrus Endovascular Corporation (NASDAQ: MEND) to Sector Performer from Outperformer following the company's lowered guidance..

• BB&T downgraded Champion Enterprises (NYSE: CHB) and Palm Harbor Homes (NASDAQ: PHHM) to Hold from Buy.
  
• Stifel downgraded HCP Inc (NYSE: HCP) and Medical Properties Trust Inc (NYSE: MPW) to Hold from Buy.
  
• Goldman downgraded E-Trade Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: ETFC) to Neutral from Buy.
  
• Kellwood Company (NYSE: KWD) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Broadpoint.

Analyst downgrades: EDO, GM, CAM, GYI and MEND originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Deutsche Bank upgraded shares of National Grid (NYSE: NGG) to Buy from Hold as they believe the Keyspan deal will be positive for shareholders.
• Goldman upgraded shares of Shire Plc (NASDAQ: SHPGY) to Buy from Neutral and added the stock to their Conviction Buy List on valuation and expected gains in the ADHD market.
  
• On Semiconductor (NASDAQ: ONNN) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia on valuation.
  
• Enbridge Inc (NYSE: ENB) was raised to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer at CIBC World Markets, as the firm sees an attractive 3-year return potential as new projects come into service and expects the stock's relative underperformance to come to an end.

• Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman Sachs.
  
• RSC Holdings (NYSE: RRR) and Greenfield Online Inc (NASDAQ: SRVY) were upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Lehman Brothers.
  
• Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Merrill Lynch.
  
• Stifel upgraded Health Care REITs, including Healthcare Realty Trust (NYSE: HR), LTC Properties Inc (NYSE: LTC) and Ventas Inc (NYSE: VTR), to Buy from Hold.

Analyst upgrades: NGG, SHPGY, ONNN and ENB originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• AG Edwards initiated Quicksilver Gas Services (NYSE: KGS) with a Buy rating and $26 target as the firm believes the company's distribution growth has high visibility, based on its current asset base and the possibility of third-party acquisitions. UBS initiated shares with a Buy rating and $34 target.
  
• Hireright (NASDAQ: HIRE) was initiated with a Market Perform rating and $13 target at Piper Jaffray, as the firm believes the company's distribution growth has high visibility, based on its current asset base and the possibility of third-party acquisitions. CIBC is positive on Hireright's extensive solution set and strategic alliances and initiated shares with a Sector Outperformer rating.
  
• DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DAI) was started at Bear Stearns with an Outperform rating. Following the Chrysler transaction, Bear expects Daimler to raise its margin guidance now that the company can focus on its truck platform.
  
• Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI) was initiated with an Outperform rating at Piper Jaffray, as the firm believes the company's "best in class" technology will drive continued pulse oximetry share gains. Cowen initiated shares with a Neutral rating on valuation and Deutsche Bank started shares with a Buy rating and $30 target..

• TD Newcrest started shares of Vitran Corporation (NASDAQ: VTNC) with a Hold rating.
  
• Lazard started shares of E-House China Holdings (NYSE: EJ) with a Buy rating; CIBC initiated shares with a Sector Outperformer rating and $25 target.
  
• Rodman & Renshaw initiated shares of Iomai Corporation (NASDAQ: IOMI) with a Market Outperform rating and $4.25 target.

Analyst Initiations: KGS, HIRE, DAI and MASI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Merrill reduced estimates on New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), Lee Enterprises (NYSE: LEE) and McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI) to Sell from Neutral due to the slowing economy and the impact from the housing market on newspaper advertising.
  
• Citigroup downgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC) to Hold from Buy following the departure of Brian Storms, CEO of Marsh Brokerage, as they believe it suggests a continued struggle at the company's core business.
  
• The firm also downgraded Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) to Sell from Hold to reflect a more bearish outlook for European Banks due to the drop in credit-market revenue.
  
• UBS downgraded shares of Ryanair Holdings (NASDAQ: RYAAY) to Neutral from Buy as they expect higher costs to squeeze margins.
  
• Oppenheimer downgraded shares of Applebee's International Inc (NASDAQ: APPB) to Sell from Neutral as they do not expect another suitor to come forward.

• Goldman Sachs removed Forest Oil Corporation (NYSE: FST) from its Conviction Buy List.
  
• Bear Stearns downgraded Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) to Peer Perform from Outperform.
  
• Soleil downgraded shares of US BioEnergy Corporation (NASDAQ: USBE) and VeraSun Energy Corporation (NYSE: VSE) to Sell from Hold.
  
• Leap Wireless (NASDAQ: LEAP) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Raymond James.

Analyst downgrades: NYT, LEE, MNI, MMC, DB, RYAAY and APPB originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Bear Stearns believes Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) could also benefit from similar deal to General Motors Corporation's (NYSE: GM) potential VEBA healthcare restructuring with the UAW. The firm upgraded Ford shares to Outperform from Peer Perform.
  
• Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JP Morgan. The firm expects AMD's Barcelona server chip will help close the gap vs. Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC).
  
• Citigroup upgraded shares of Brocade Communications Systems (NASDAQ: BRCD) to Buy from Hold and added the stock to their Global Tech Conviction List on expectations for market share gains and margin upside in 2008.
  
• Thomas Weisel upgraded shares of Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX) to Overweight from Market Weight, citing reduced pressure from competitor Blockbuster Inc (NYSE: BBI), which could lead to upside in subscribers.
  
• Needham upgraded shares of Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX) to Buy from Hold to reflect improving fundamentals and potential upside from the IXEurope acquisition.

• UBS upgraded shares of Sun Healthcare Group (NASDAQ: SUNH) and CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Susquehanna raised Tween Brands Inc (NYSE: TWB) to Positive from Neutral.
  
• FTN Midwest upgraded Hudson City Bancorp (NASDAQ: HCBK) to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Bebe Stores (NASDAQ: BEBE) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia.

Analyst upgrades: F, AMD, BRCD, NFLX and EQIX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Citigroup initiated the auto and auto parts sector, and believes strong international growth provides selective opportunities. They upgraded General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) to Buy from Sell and Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) to Buy from Hold.
  
• Marvell Technology Group (NASDAQ: MRVL) was initiated with a Neutral rating by Bank of America, which believes the company's earnings power will be limited in FY09.
  
• FMC Technologies (NYSE: FTI) was assumed with an Overweight by JP Morgan, which believes that subsea development offers one of the best opportunities in the energy sector.

• Marriott International Inc (NYSE: MAR) was initiated with a Buy rating by Stifel.
  
• Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM) was initiated with a Buy rating by Bank of America.
  
• Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc (NASDAQ: RUTH) was initiated with an Outperform rating at Raymond James.
  
• JMP Securities resumed coverage of Palm Inc (NASDAQ: PALM) with an Underweight rating.

Analyst initiations: Auto and auto parts sector, MRVL and FTI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Lehman downgraded STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) to Underweight from Overweight, as they expect the company to underperform its peers.
• UBS downgraded Biogen Idec Inc (NASDAQ: BIIB) to Sell from Neutral, citing valuation and their belief that there would be no significant premium if the company was bought.
• American Community Bancshares (NASDAQ: ACBA) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Stifel, based on valuation.
• Goldman Sachs downgraded Crosstex Energy Inc (NASDAQ: XTXI) to Neutral from Buy, citing valuation.

• PepsiAmericas Inc (NYSE: PAS) was downgraded to Underweight from Neutral by HSBC.
  
• Amodcs Ltd (NYSE: DOX) was removed from the Conviction Buy List by Goldman Sachs.
  
• Citigroup assumed coverage of Tenneco Inc (NYSE: TEN) with a Sell from a Hold.
  
• Morgan Stanley downgraded LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK) to Equal Weight from Overweight.

Analyst downgrades: STM, BIIB, ACBA and XTXI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analyst upgrades: MRK, European semiconductors, TMA and PRU originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Credit Suisse initiated coverage on U.S. banks, starting shares of BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT), Colonial BancGroup Inc (NYSE: CNB) and Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ: ZION) with Outperform ratings.
• Banc of America assumed coverage of the oil refiners but remains neutral on the group given near-term risks to gasoline inventories and margins. They assumed Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO) with a Neutral rating and $60 target and Western Refining Inc (NYSE: WNR) with a Sell rating and $35 target.
  
• Cantor believes SGX Pharmaceuticals Inc's (NASDAQ: SGXP) platform technology for the treatment of cancer provides significant advantages that can accelerate drug discovery and lead optimization, while lowering costs. The firm started shares with a Buy rating and $9 target.

• Morgan Keegan started shares of Motorola Inc (NYSE: MOT), Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Napster Inc (NASDAQ: NAPS) with Market Perform ratings and RealNetworks Inc (NASDAQ: RNWK) with an Outperform rating.
  
• Lehman initiated shares of Time Warner Inc (NYSE: TWX) with an Overweight rating and $25 target.
  
• Virtusa Corporation (NASDAQ: VRTU) was assumed with an Overweight rating at JP Morgan and with an Outperform rating and $16 target at Bear Stearns.

Analyst initiations: U.S. banks, oil refiners and SGXP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Sunco Inc (NYSE: SUN) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Banc of America, as the firm believes Sunoco's valuation discount is justified since its net margin/barrel is almost $2.50 below its closest peer due to inferior assets.
  
• Deutsche Bank downgraded shares of Primedia Inc (NYSE: PRM) to Hold from Buy on valuation.
  
• Citigroup downgraded shares of WPP Group (NASDAQ: WPPGY) to Hold from Buy and shares of Publicis Groupe (NYSE: PUB) to Sell from Hold to reflect their more cautious view of the advertising sector.
  
• Goldman sees better catalysts at other E&Ps and downgraded Newfield Exploration Company (NYSE: NFX) to Neutral from Buy.

• Jefferies downgraded Macrovision Corporation (NASDAQ: MVSN) to Hold from Buy.
  
• Merrill Lynch downgraded American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO) to Sell from Neutral.
  
• Citigroup downgraded Bachoco (NYSE: IBA) to Hold from Buy.
  
• Wimm-Bill-Dan Foods (NYSE: WBD) was downgraded to Sell from Buy at UBS.

Analyst downgrades: SUN, PRM, WPPGY, PUB and NFX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.