Analyst Upgrades

• Ryder (R) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• HCP (HCP) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Hertz Global (HTZ) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Lincoln National (LNC) to buy from neutral and T. Rowe Price (TROW) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Protective Life (PL) and Janus Capital (JNS) to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• Newell Rubbermaid (NWL) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• National Instruments (NATI) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Team Health (TMH) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BBT, BBY, EV, GDP, HTZ, JNS, LZB, NWL, R, TMK, TROW ...

Analyst Calls: BBT, BBY, EV, GDP, HTZ, JNS, LZB, NWL, R, TMK, TROW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Macquarie upgraded Intel (INTC) to outperform from neutral and Advanced Micro (AMD) to neutral from underperform.
• Pfizer (PFE) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.
• Capstead Mortgage (CMO) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Oppenheimer upgraded Halliburton (HAL) to outperform from perform.
• Gilead (GILD) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Skilled Healthcare (SKH) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
• Citigroup upgraded CapitalSource (CSE) to buy from hold.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMD, COL, EL, GILD, HAL, INTC, PFE, SLB, SPLS ...

Analyst Calls: AMD, COL, EL, GILD, HAL, INTC, PFE, SLB, SPLS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup upgraded FMC Technologies (FTI) to buy from hold, citing pent-up deepwater drilling demand and valuation. Despite upgrading, the firm lowered its target for shares to $69 from $77.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Valeant (VRX) to overweight from neutral following the company's merger with Biovail (BVF) and raised its target for shares to $53 from $43.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Lincare Holdings (LNCR) to buy from hold, citing valuation and the company's dividend initiation. The firm upped its target for shares to $37 from $35.
• Ariba (ARBA) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Crucell (CRXL) was upgraded to buy from hold at RBS.
• ENI SpA (E) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AFFY, AIPC, BIG, BVF, ECLP, EXPR, FTI, LNCR, RRTS, VRX ...

Analyst Calls: AFFY, AIPC, BIG, BVF, ECLP, EXPR, FTI, LNCR, RRTS, VRX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• FBR Capital upgraded Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) to Outperform from Market Perform to reflect upcoming catalysts and the company's opportunity in subsalt. FBR raised its target on shares to $60 from $50.
• Citigroup upgraded Marvel (NYSE: MVL) to Hold from Sell on expectations the acquisition by Disney (NYSE: DIS) will close. The firm raised its target on shares to $50 from $31.
• JPMorgan upgraded Cubic (NYSE: CUB) to Overweight from Neutral on expectations the company will benefit from the Vix ERG acquisition and increased sales visibility. The firm raised its target on shares to $43 from $38.
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein.
• Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse.
• Thompson Creek (NYSE: TC) was upgraded to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer at CIBC.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, APC, CAB, DE, HOV, MVL ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, APC, CAB, DE, HOV, MVL ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Stephens upgraded The Andersons (NASDAQ: ANDE) to Overweight from Equal Weight on expectations the company is benefiting from good space income opportunities and better ethanol profitability. The firm raised its target price to $31 from $28.
  
• Jefferies upgraded NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) to Buy from Hold as the analyst believes Exelon (NYSE: EXC) will have to materially raise its offer to close the acquisition. The firm raised its target on shares to $25 from $22.50.
  
• FBR Capital upgraded FMC Technologies (NYSE: FTI) to Outperform from Market Perform after meeting with management to reflect the company's 2011 growth potential. The firm raised its target on shares to $51.
• J. Sainsbury (OTC: JSAIY) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.
  
• SVB Financial (NASDAQ: SIVB) and Fulton Financial (NASDAQ: FULT) were upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANDE, CAR, YUM, INTC, NKE ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANDE, CAR, YUM, INTC, NKE ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Goldman upgraded Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) to Conviction Buy from Neutral and raised their target to $90 from $60. Goldman cites ICE's positioning and potential for upward EPS revisions for the upgrade.
  
• Jefferies upgraded FMC Technologies (NYSE: FTI) to Buy from Hold as they believe solid deepwater activity levels will lead to solid EPS results in 2009 and 2010. The firm raised their price target to $45 from $27.
  
• Friedman Billings upgraded Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) to Outperform from Market Perform on valuation and expects significant improvement in basis differentials for the company's Barnett production starting the second half of Q2. The firm raised their price target to $60 from $50.
• Elan Corp (NYSE: ELN) was raised to Neutral from Sell at Piper Jaffray.
  
• Banco Santander (NYSE: STD) was upgraded at Keefe Bruyette to Outperform from Market Perform.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ICE, AKAM, WFMI, GD, INTU ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ICE, AKAM, WFMI, GD, INTU ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Piper upgraded shares of Palm (NASDAQ: PALM) to Buy from Neutral following the company's negative Q3 pre-announcement as it believes the launch of Pre will drive longer term profitability. Piper raised its target price on shares to $10 from $4.
  
• Jefferies upgraded Monotype Imaging (NASDAQ: TYPE) to Buy from Hold as it believes the valuation is compelling at current levels and the company's debt is manageable. Despite upgrading, Jefferies lowered its target price to $4 from $6.
  
• Citigroup raised Arcelor Mittal (NYSE: MT) to Hold from Sell as it believes the company's productions cuts and lower dividends are positive.
• Celanese (NYSE: CE) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman and added to the firm's Conviction Buy List.
  
• Aegon (NYSE: AEG) was lifted at UBS to Neutral from Sell.
  
• Sun Healthcare (NASDAQ: SUNH) was upgraded at Stephens to Overweight from Equal Weight.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: PALM, MT, MGM, COF ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: PALM, MT, MGM, COF ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Merriman upgraded Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ:SWHC) to Buy from Neutral on valuation after channel checks indicated an increase in gun sales in October after an Obama win became apparent. The firm believes shares can trade up into the $4 to $5 range.
  
• Credit Suisse upgraded Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) to Outperform from Neutral citing the company's improved balance and potential earnings power following its $11B equity offering.
  
• JP Morgan upgraded Coca-Cola Enerprises (NYSE:CCE) to Overweight from Neutral on valuation and easing commodity and labor costs.
• Manulife (NYSE:MFC) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
  
• SL Green Realty (NYSE:SLG) was upgraded at UBS to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Barclays.

• Barclays downgraded General Motors (NYSE:GM) to Underweight from Equal Weight on cash concerns and believes any assistance from the government would substantially dilute equity holders. Barclays set a $1 target on GM shares.
  
• Stephens cut LandAmerica (NYSE:LFG) to Underweight from Equal Weight following the Fidelity National (NYSE:FNF) takeover as they expect no other bidders to emerge and believe shares could go back to under $5 if Fidelity National walks away.
  
• Deutsche Bank downgraded solar companies to reflect deteriorating fundamentals in the sector, an adequate supply of c-Si modules, the strengthening dollar and restricted access to capital. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR), Canadian Solar (NASDAQ:CSIQ), Energy Conversion (NASDAQ:ENER) and Sunpower (NASDAQ:SPWRA) were downgraded to Hold from Buy.
• Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ:URBN) and Aeropostale (NYSE:ARO) were downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
  
• FMC Technologies (NYSE:FTI) was lowered to Underweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.

• Freeport McMoRan, HLS Systems, and Kimberly Clark were today's noteworthy initiations:
  
• Banc of America expects Freeport McMoRan's (NYSE:FCX) earnings will decline sharply in 2009 and thinks the dividend could be at risk. Shares were initiated with a Neutral rating and $29 target.
  
• Roth Capital initiated HLS Systems (NASDAQ:HOLI) with a Buy rating and $5 target. The firm is positive on the company's management team and the company's outlook for EPS growth.
  
• Citigroup thinks Kimberly Clark's (NYSE:KMB) margins have bottomed and that the current valuation is too low. Shares were assumed with a Buy rating and $65 target.
• Synaptics (NASDAQ:SYNA) and Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE) were initiated at Merrill Lynch with Neutral ratings.
  
• Tim Hortons (NYSE:THI) was assumed with a Sell rating at Goldman.

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: SWHC, WFC ,CCE, GM, FCX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Oil's not the widespread tax it used to be

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Oil's not the widespread tax it used to be originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 May 2008 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Astec Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTE) beat expectations and raised its guidance.
• Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) fourth-quarter profit fails to offset the full-year loss.
• China Techfaith Wireless Communication Technology (NASDAQ: CNTF) beat analysts' expectations.
• Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) met analysts' estimates, buoyed by higher fuel prices.
• FTI Consulting Inc. (NYSE: FCN) beat expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) narrowed its loss due to higher sales and smaller subprime losses.
• Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) missed estimates as third-quarter profits declined sharply.
• LifeCell Corp. (NASDAQ: LIFC) beat fourth-quarter estimates and offered full-year guidance.
• Marvell Technology Group (NASDAQ: MRVL) lowered its first-quarter forecast , sending shares lower.
• Porsche AG (OTC: PSEPF) profit soared on strong sales of its Cayenne.
• S1 Corp. (NASDAQ: SONE) beat expectations and offered full-year guidance.
• Saks Inc. (NYSE: SKS) fourth-quarter profit nearly doubled, but full-year profit declined.
• Urban Outfitters Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN) beat expectations on strength in same-store sales.
• Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG) reports strong same-store sales ahead of its quarterly results.

Also, see Timothy Sykes's take on Warren Buffett's annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) shareholders. Zac Bissonnette is interested in where earnings actually come from. And Saks, Costco, and other retailers saw stronger February same-store sales despite recession concerns, but JC Penney Co. (NYSE: JCP) didn't feel the love.

Upcoming results to watch for include Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), Boston Beer Co. (NYSE: SAM), J. Crew Group Inc. (NYSE: JCG), Jones Soda Co. (NASDAQ: JSDA), Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX), and Men's Wearhouse Inc. (NYSE: MW).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Blockbuster, Costco, H&R Block, Walgreen, Saks and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With FMC Tech (FTI), it's control the flow, not go with the flow originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Bear upgraded Voyager Learning (OTC: VLCY) to Peer Perform from Underperform following the company's announcement to explore strategic alternatives.
  
• Credit Suisse upgraded Digital River (NASDAQ: DRIV) to Outperform from Underperform citing attractive risk/reward.
  
• Wachovia raised its rating on FMC Tech (NYSE: FTI) to Market Perform from Underperform citing the larger than expected Pazflor Angolan development contract. The firm expects optimism of other large developments should bode well for growth beyond 2009.

• UBS upgraded Gold Fields (NYSE: GFI) and United Rentals (NYSE: URI) to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Goldman upgraded Ingram Micro (NYSE: IM) to Buy from Neutral.
  

Analyst upgrades: Voyager Learning, Digital River, FMC Tech originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Three tech plays -- on oil

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Three tech plays -- on oil originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Technician Michael Ashbaugh expects a "cooling off period" before stocks again test their all-time highs. Yet, he remains bullish, with a particular focus on the oil services sector. In his MarketWatch Technical Indicator he explains, "The Dow was recently trading 206 points from all-time highs while the S&P 500 was 26 points from all-time highs."

He suggests, "Looking ahead, that's where the tension rests. The U.S. markets are facing significant resistance at record highs, and are extended near-term after a massive two-day spike. That means a cooling off period is likely due before they make a legitimate run at record territory."

Regardless of any short-term pullback, he adds, "The market's recent decisive break atop the 50-day moving average is distinctly bullish. The U.S. markets also confirmed their uptrend with a 24-to-1 positive volume session last Tuesday, meaning the longer-term path of least resistance is higher."

Meanwhile, one of his favored sectors, based on their technical positions, is the oil services stocks. He explains, "The Oil Services Index remains among the strongest sectors. We have selected several names to highlight as they are well positioned technically. And, their relative strength makes them better bets longer-term."

The advisor points to Weatherford International (NYSE: WFT); Cameron International (NYSE: CAM); Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB); National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV); and FMC Technologies (NYSE: FTI).

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com features the latest stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

MarketWatch technician eyes oil services originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Sun Microsystems Inc (NASDAQ: JAVA) was initiated with a Market Perform at BMO Capital, which views the shares' risk/reward as favorable around $5.
• FMC Technologies Inc (NYSE: FTI) was initiated with a Buy by Jefferies, which believes strong subsea fundamentals will drive strong earnings by the company.
• TorreyPines Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: TPTX) was initiated with a Strong Buy at JMP Securities, which said PhIIb data in Q4 on the company's tezampanel drug could increase investor conviction on the first in-class drug.
• Exelixis Inc (NASDAQ: EXEL) was initiated with a Buy by Lazard, which believes Exelixis has a promising pipeline.

• Fortune Brands Inc (NYSE: FO) was assumed with a Neutral rating by JMP Securities.
• Evergreen Solar Inc (NASDAQ: ESLR) was assumed with a Hold rating by Jefferies.
• Research in Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM) and Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp (AMEX: KOG) were initiated with Outperform ratings at BMO Capital.

Analyst initiations: JAVA, FTI, TPTX and EXEL originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• 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.

MOST NOTEWORTHY

• UBS downgraded TDK Corp. (NYSE: TDK) to Reduce from Neutral after the company's operating profit missed estimates.

• Deutsche Bank cut Maguire Properties (NYSE: MPG) to Sell from Hold following the company's disappointing Q2 report.

• Sandler cut BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX) to Sell from Hold on valuation.

• Valuation and debt levels pushed Unterberg to downgrade ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ: ONNN) to Market Perform from Buy.

• William Blair downgraded shares of Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) to Market Perform from Outperform as they believe the CMS decision on ESA reimbursement guidelines is extremely restrictive regarding Aranesp use in oncology...

• Lyondell Chemical Co (NYSE: LYO) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight.

• UBS cut FMC Technologies (NYSE: FTI) to Reduce from Neutral.

• Stanford downgraded MoSys (NASDAQ: MOSY) to Hold from Buy.

• Brean Murray downgraded SumTotal Systems (NASDAQ: SUMT) to Hold from Buy.

• Buckingham cut Cephalon (NASDAQ: CEPH) to Accumulate from Strong Buy.

Analyst downgrades 8-01-07: AMGN, CEPH, LYO and TDK originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Wachovia is positive on Time Warner Cable's (NYSE: TWC) competitive position, growth opportunities and valuation, starting shares off with an Outperform rating...

• Solera (NYSE: SLH) was initiated at Deutsche Bank and Citigroup with a Hold rating; Goldman started Solera with a Buy rating and JP Morgan initiated shares with an Overweight rating...

• BioDel (NASDAQ: BIOD) was initiated at Banc of America with a Buy rating, as the company's proprietary technology Viadel enables faster uptake of insulin that more closely mimic's the body's natural first phase insulin response. Leerink started shares with an Outperform and Morgan Stanley initiated shares with an Overweight rating...

• UBS started Under Armour (NYSE: UA) with a Buy rating.

• Pinnacle Gas Resources (NASDAQ: PINN) was initiated with a Sector Perform rating at RBC Capital.

• FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN) was initiated with a Buy rating at Stifel.

• UBS initiated Tyco International (NYSE: TYC) with a Buy rating.

• A.S.V. Inc (NASDAQ: ASVI) was initiated with a Buy rating at Oppenheimer.

Analyst initiations 6-20-07: ASVI, TWC, TYC and UA originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• AG Edwards started Rudolph Technologies, Inc (NASDAQ: RTEC) with a Buy rating, believing Rudolph's acquisition of August Technologies created additional market opportunities and recommends investors to build positions at these levels to participate in future growth.

• Stifel initiated DirecTV Group, Inc (NYSE: DTV) with a Buy rating and $28 target and EchoStar Communications (NASDAQ: DISH) with a Hold rating and $45 target. The firm prefers DirectTV to EchoStar given DirectTV's faster growing Latin America division, coming HD advantage, and greater likelihood of buybacks and views a merger between DISH & DTV as possible longer-term.

• Legacy Reserves (NASDAQ: LGCY) was started with a Buy rating at Oppenheimer, expecting Legacy to grow through acquisitions.
  

• CIBC initiated FTI Consulting, Inc (NYSE: FCN) and Advisory Board Co (NASDAQ: ABCO) with Sector Outperformer ratings, and a $45 target and $62 target, respectively, and Resources Connection, Inc (NASDAQ: RECN) and Corporate Executive Board Co (NASDAQ: EXBD) with Sector Performer ratings.

• Chiquita Brands International, Inc (NYSE: CQB) was initiated with a Buy rating at Morgan Joseph.

Analyst initiations 6-15-07: CQB, DISH, DTV and RTEC originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.