MOST NOTEWORTHY: Pioneer Natural, Genomic Health and Alphatec were today's noteworthy upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded shares of Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE: PXD) to Buy from Hold on valuation following the recent weakness.
• Genomic Health Inc (NASDAQ: GHDX) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital, as they believe momentum for the company's Oncotype Dx test is building based on inclusion in new clinical guidelines and expanded reimbursement.
• Alphatec Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: ATEC) was upgraded to Buy from Source of Funds at Think Equity, citing the new CEO's efforts to overhaul the company, which has positioned it for growth.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Intercontinental Exchange Inc (NYSE: ICE) was added to JP Morgan's Focus List.
• Banc of America upgraded Sirona Dental Systems Inc (NASDAQ: SIRO) to Buy from Neutral.
• Baird upgraded CommVault Systems Inc (NASDAQ: CVLT) to Outperform from Neutral.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Thornburg Mortgage, Expedia and Perot Systems were today's noteworthy upgrades:

• Jefferies upgraded shares of Thornburg Mortgage Inc Corp (NYSE: TMA) to Buy from Hold as they believe the stock is at an inflection point, characterized by accelerated earnings and dividend growth.
• Expedia Inc (NASDAQ: EXPE) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse, as they believe the company is well-positioned to benefit from global e-travel and media opportunities, strong free cash flow, and attractive valuation.
• Perot Systems Corporation (NYSE: PER) was upgraded to Sector Perform from Underperform at RBC Capital following its Q4 report.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• HSBC raised Swiss Reinsurance Company (OTC: SWCEY) to Overweight from Neutral.
• The Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE: EL) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Lehman.
• Cantor upgraded Genomic Health Inc (NASDAQ: GHDX) to Buy from Hold.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"The era of personalized medicine is arriving and Genomic Health (NASDAQ: GHDX) is one of the first companies to provide both a successful product and an investment opportunity," says Dave Dyer in his Dave Dyer's Newsletter, referring to his more speculative favorite for 2008.

"The company's genetic test provides a way to determine whether women with early stage breast cancer would benefit from chemotherapy. For 70% of people with early stage breast cancer, minimally invasive surgery and radiation is all that is needed.

"The other 30% have a more aggressive type of cancer and would benefit from also receiving chemotherapy. An objective, quantifiable test based on the genetic characteristics of a specific patient can determine with very high probability which group a patient belongs to.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: In addition to Genomic Health (GHDX) and Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), airliners Continental Airlines (CAL) and ExpressJet Holdings (XTJ) were some of today's most notable initiations:

• RBC Capital Markets started Genomic Health Inc (NASDAQ: GHDX) with an Underperform rating, with a $17 target. The firm views shares as fairly valued and believes competitive noise and FDA concerns will weigh on shares.

• HSBC started Intercontinental Hotels (NYSE: IHG) with an Overweight rating, believing asset sales and stronger than expected room growth could prove near-term positive catalysts.

• Soliel started both Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) and ExpressJet Holdings Inc (NYSE: XJT) with Sell ratings.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• William Blair started Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALXN) with an Outperform rating. They believe Alexion's lead compound, Soliris, is the key driver of shareholder value, and they believe the company is well positioned to receive final FDA approval.

• Bear Stearns initiated Baldor Electric Company (NYSE: BEZ) with an Outperform rating.

• RBC initiated Hologic, Inc (NASDAQ: HOLX) with an Outperform rating.

• Citigroup started GMarket Inc (NASDAQ: GMKT) with a Sell rating and $18 target, citing valuation.

• Drew Industries, Inc (NYSE: DW) was initiated with a Buy rating and $35 target at Ferris Baker Watts.

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