Analyst Upgrades

• Goodrich (GR) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Ford (F) to neutral from underperform and CenterPoint Energy (CNP) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Dollar Financial (DLLR) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Alterra Capital (ALTE) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) and P.F. Chang's (PFCB) to buy from neutral, as well as SunTrust (STI) to neutral from sell, at Janney Capital.
• Arch Capital (ACGL), Axis Capital (AXS), PartnerRe (PRE), Everest Re (RE) and Transatlantic (TRH) to buy from hold, as well as W. R. Berkley (WRB) to hold from sell, at Citigroup.
• Optimer Pharm (OPTR) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CAKE, CNP, EW, F, GR, NDAQ, NYX, RGLD, STI, SWN ...

Analyst Calls: CAKE, CNP, EW, F, GR, NDAQ, NYX, RGLD, STI, SWN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Goodrich (GR), a company that supplies items to the aerospace and defense industries and whose competitors include Honeywell (HON) and United Technologies Corp. (UTX), issued its fourth-quarter results on Thursday. Friday, the shares hit a new 52-week high of $94.12 during the intraday session; they eventually settled down to $93.09, good for a gain of 0.6%, a move backed by above-average volume.

The 52-week low for the stock is $61.24, so the shares have come a long way over the last 12 months. The chart shows a nice uptrend that emerged from a round of sideways trading. How was the Q4 profit? Does it validate the bullish sentiment?

Continue reading Goodrich Near 52-Week High After Earnings Release

Goodrich Near 52-Week High After Earnings Release originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Amgen (AMGN) to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.
• Goodrich Petroleum (GDP) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Tutor Perini (TPC) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Covidien (COV) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Sara Lee (SLE) and Comcast (CMCSA) to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.
• Research In Motion (RIMM) to outperform from sector perform at FBN Securities.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMGN, CMCSA, GDP, FAST, FLR, KBR, PGR, RIMM, SLE, WAG ...

Analyst Calls: AMGN, CMCSA, GDP, FAST, FLR, KBR, PGR, RIMM, SLE, WAG ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• State Street (STT) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Roth Capital upgraded Intel (INTC), Marvell Technology (MRVL) and Nvidia (NVDA) to buy from neutral.
• Bebe Stores (BEBE) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Janney Montgomery.
• W&T Offshore (WTI) was upgraded to buy from accumulate at Global Hunter.
• Citigroup upgraded International Rectifier (IRF) and Timberland (TBL) to hold from sell.
• Watson Pharma (WPI) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Atmel (ATML) was upgraded to strong buy from buy at Needham.
• Ashford Hospitality (AHT) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Oppenheimer upgraded MetroPCS (PCS) to outperform from perform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: GDP, INTC, LVS, MON, MRVL, NTRS, NVDA, STT, WYNN ...

Analyst Calls: GDP, INTC, LVS, MON, MRVL, NTRS, NVDA, STT, WYNN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Union Pacific (UNP) and Polycom (PLCM) were upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Time Warner Cable (TWC) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) was upgraded to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
• LaSalle Hotel (LHO) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Graco (GGG) was upgraded to buy from hold at BB&T.
• Valley National (VLY) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at Keefe Bruyette.
• Credit Suisse (CS) was upgraded to hold from sell at RBS.
• U.S. Bancorp (USB) was upgraded to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Penn National (PENN) and Riverbed (RVBD) were upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Goodrich (GR) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Cowen.
• Amazon.com (AMZN) upgraded to buy from average at Caris.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMZN, CAKE, CS, EMC, FCX, GR, HOT, K, MAR, TWC, UNP, USB ...

Analyst Calls: AMZN, CAKE, CS, EMC, FCX, GR, HOT, K, MAR, TWC, UNP, USB ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Aerospace business Goodrich Corp. (GR), whose related companies include Honeywell International (HON) and United Technologies (UTX), has been a good stock to own this year. The 52-week low for the shares is $53.57 while the 52-week high is $82.18, the latter being made earlier today. With a little more than two hours to go before the end of regular trading activities, the shares were exchanging hands at $79.55, a quote that reflects a gain of over 2%.

The twelve-month chart seems shows an attractive situation. From a technical viewpoint, it does appear as if more upside is in store for the equity. But what about the latest quarterly missive to investors?

Continue reading Goodrich Higher After Q3 Results: Buy the Stock?

Goodrich Higher After Q3 Results: Buy the Stock? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Ford (F) to buy from hold and raised its price target to $19.50 from $14.50, citing positive demand trends, sustainable market share gains and strong cash flow.
• BMO Capital upgraded MGM Resorts (MGM) to outperform from market perform with an $18 target, citing stabilizing metrics in Las Vegas.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded TRW Automotive (TRW) to buy from hold, citing better-than-expected production trends, and raised its price target for shares to $52 from $39.
• Dr. Reddy's Labs (RDY) was upgraded to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Pulte Group (PHM) was upgraded to neutral from sell at UBS and $8.50 price target.
• Vodafone (VOD) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Nomura.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: APOL, F, GR, MGM, PERY, PHM, PLCE, STI, TEN, TRW ...

Analyst Calls: APOL, F, GR, MGM, PERY, PHM, PLCE, STI, TEN, TRW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Bernstein upgraded Boeing (BA) to outperform from market perform, citing valuation. The firm also raised its price target to $81 from $80.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Thomas & Betts (TNB) to outperform from market perform, citing valuation and an expected recovery in North American nonresidential construction.
• RBC Capital upgraded Susquehanna (SUSQ) to outperform from sector perform and has a $14 target on the stock. The firm thinks the stock's valuation is attractive as its decline in response to the European debt crisis and financial regulatory reform has been overdone.
• Priceline.com (PCLN) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.
• Genzyme (GENZ) was upgraded to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
• RightNow (RNOW) was upgraded to overweight from market weight at Thomas Weisel.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: A, BA, DPS, DVOX, GENZ, GLW, GR, HAL, PCLN, SUSQ, TCRD, TNB ...

Analyst Calls: A, BA, DPS, DVOX, GENZ, GLW, GR, HAL, PCLN, SUSQ, TCRD, TNB ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Summer is winding down and so is another earnings season. Most of the S&P 500 have reported results for the past quarter, but there are still a few things of note coming up this week.

In its second quarter, Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (NASDAQ: SNDA), one of the largest entertainment media companies in China, announced plans for an IPO for its Shanda Games business and bought a majority stake in music producer and distributor.

Continue reading The week in preview: Summer (and the earnings season) winds down

The week in preview: Summer (and the earnings season) winds down originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After the Memorial Day holiday in the United States, the earnings spotlight turns to Canadian banks: Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE: CM), Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE: RY), and Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE: TD) are all scheduled to report their second-quarter results.

While banks north of the border of generally have held up better than their U.S. counterparts, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect the four listed above to report that earnings declined between 20% and 30% since the same period of last year. All four have P/E ratios around 10, and they are paying dividends. Shares of all four have surged 50% to 83% in the past three months, but are still 26% to 38% lower than a year ago.

Continue reading The week in preview: Canadian and U.S. banks, and more

The week in preview: Canadian and U.S. banks, and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 24 May 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Morgan Stanley downgraded HSBC Holdings (NYSE: HBC) to Underweight from Equal Weight to reflect expected losses at the company's U.S. unit.
  
• ABN Amro cut WPP Group (NASDAQ: WPPGY) to Hold from Buy as they expect slowing top-line growth from stagnant marketing budgets.
  
• Merriman downgraded shares of Aware (NASDAQ: AWRE) to Neutral from Buy after DSL royalty revenue declined for a third straight quarter.

• Goldman removed McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) from its Conviction Buy List.
  
• Suntrust downgraded Goodrich Petroleum (NYSE: GDP) to Reduce from Neutral.
  
• Merrill lowered Grupo Aeroportuario (NASDAQ: OMAB) to Neutral from Buy.

Analyst downgrades: HBC, WPPGY and AWRE originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 May 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading With Goodrich Corp., the profits are now literally up in the air

With Goodrich Corp., the profits are now literally up in the air originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Goodrich (NYSE: GR), a supplier of components, systems and services to the commercial and general aviation airplane markets, is recently up $1.14 to $68.20 on unconfirmed takeover chatter. GR has market of $8.4 billion with long term debt of $1.7 billion. GR October 70 calls have traded 41 times on transaction volume of 884 contracts above its open interest of 449 contracts. GR October option implied volatility of 29 is above its 26-week average of 25 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risk.

YRC Worldwide (NASDAQ: YRCW), a transportation holding company with brands including Yellow Transportation, Roadway, Reimer Express, Meridian IQ, New Penn, USF Holland and USF Reddaway, is recently up $0.45 to $28.25 on unconfirmed chatter Deutsche Post has made a $41 bid for YRCW. YRCW has a market cap of $1.5 billion with $903 million in long-term debt. YRCW call option volume of 5,697 contracts compares to put volume of 319 contracts. YRCW October option implied volatility of 45 is above its 26-week average of 34 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risks.

Daily options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Option update: Goodrich (GR) & YRC Worldwide (YRCW) call volume & volatility up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• 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.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• BMO Capital upgraded the U.S. food industry sector to Outperform from Market Perform to reflect the group's defensive nature, the recent valuation contraction, and predictable earnings growth. General Mills (NYSE: GIS) is the firm's top pick in packaged food, and they raised Kellogg Company's (NYSE: K) target to $59 and Kraft Foods' (NYSE: KFT) to $36.
  
• Credit Suisse upgraded Mylan Laboratories (NYSE: MYL) to Outperform Underperform, as the firm believes investors are "too negative" on the Merck transaction. The firm said the company is well-positioned long-term to be a leader in the global generics industry.
• Credit Suisse also upgraded shares of Amerigroup Corporation (NYSE: AGP) to Outperform from Underperform, as they believe the company is poised for better than expected margin improvement in 2007 and 2008.
• Isle of Capri Casinos Inc's (NASDAQ: ISLE) rating was upped to Buy from Hold at Morgan Joseph, citing indications of progress in the company's turnaround.

• Epic Bancorp (NASDAQ: EPIK) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Sandler.
• Aruba Networks Inc (NASDAQ: ARUN) was upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at Pacific Crest.
• Lazard upgraded shares of Amylin Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AMLN) to Buy from Hold.
  
• BMO Capital upped shares of Goodrich Petroleum (NYSE: GDP) to Outperform from Market Perform.

Analyst upgrades 9-10-07: U.S. food industry, MYL, AGP and ISLE originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hexcel Corp. (NYSE: HXL), he notes, is the largest producer of woven carbon-fiber sheets, which are extremely important for both Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner, as well as for the new Airbus A380. He rates thes tock a buy up to 25.

Aircastle (NYSE: AYR) and Genesis Lease (NYSE: GLS) are both aircraft leasing companies and publicly traded partnerships, and both are holdings in the Personal Finance model portfolio. He notes, "As airlines continue their recovery and passenger volume rises, older planes must be replaced and new planes added to the fleets."

Both partnerships, he notes, are based in Ireland and lease to both passenger airlines and cargo companies around the world. He says, ""Aircastle and Genesis are excellent bets on the continued growth of air travel and pay dividends of around 6% and 8%, respectively."

Continue reading Seven ways to play the airline sector

Seven ways to play the airline sector originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY

• BMO Capital upgraded JDSU (NASDAQ: JDSU) to Market Perform from Underperform based on valuation and good industry fundamentals.

• AG Edwards considers MasterCard (NYSE: MA) a defensive payments play, upgraded shares to Buy from Hold, and would use weakness to build positions in the stock.

• GlobalSanta Fe (NYSE: GSF) was upgraded at Bernstein to Market Perform from Underperform based on the merger with Transocean (RIG).

• Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman based on valuation and potential increased free cash flow in 2008.

• TRW Inc (NYSE: TRW) was upgraded to Buy from Sell at Goldman...

• Thomas Weisel raised Network Appliance (NASDAQ: NTAP) to Overweight from Market Weight.

• Suntrust upgraded Goodrich Petroleum (NYSE: GDP) to Neutral from Reduce.

• Fossil (NASDAQ: FOSL) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Piper Jaffray.

• Keybanc raised Macy's (NYSE: M) rating to Buy from Hold.

Analyst upgrades: JDSU, M, MA and TAP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Cowen is optimistic on Merck's (NYSE: MRK) business momentum, key products, and pipeline, and upgraded the pharmaceutical giant to Outperform from Neutral.

• JP Morgan believes the recent discoveries have created a lower risk profile for McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR), upgrading shares to Overweight from Neutral.

• Needham upgraded shares of TheStreet.com (NASDAQ: TSCM) to Strong Buy from Buy on the Corsis acquisition as they believe the deal strengthens the company's advertising business.

• Jefferies upgraded shares of Goodrich Petroleum (NYSE: GDP) to Buy from Underperform as they believe success at the James Lime development program will grow production and cash flow.

• Banc of America upgraded Coventry Health (NYSE: CVH) to Neutral from Sell as they believe the company's three recent acquisitions will accelerate growth beginning next year...

• WestLB upgraded Nokia (NYSE: NOK) to Buy from Add.

• Bear Stearns upgraded Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ: TTWO) to Peer Perform from Underperform and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) to Outperform from Peer Perform.

• Citigroup raised AnnTaylor Stores (NYSE: ANN) to Hold from Sell.

• Buckingham upgraded DirecTV (NYSE: DTV) to Neutral from Underperform.

Analyst upgrades: CVH, ERTS, NOK and MRK originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• UBS started shares of Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: DAL) with a Reduce rating and $17 target on valuation and management's overly optimistic outlook.

• Deutsche Bank prefers to wait of a better entry point for Goodrich Corp (NYSE: GR) and initiated shares with a Hold rating.

• Opnext Inc (NASDAQ: OPXT) was initiated at JP Morgan with a Neutral rating citing concerns regarding new transceiver margins.

• Prudential believes Terex Corp (NYSE: TEX) is well positioned to take advantage of strong sustainable growth in the global infrastructure and mining markets over at least the rest of the decade, starting shares with an Overweight rating.

• RBC Capital started Aruba Networks (NASDAQ: ARUN) with a Sector Perform rating while Lehman Bros initiated Aruba with an Overweight rating.

• Deutsche Bank started Delta Petroleum Corp (NASDAQ: DPTR) with a Buy rating and $27 target.

• JMP Securities started Hersha Hospitality Trust (AMEX: HT) with an Outperform rating and $14 target.

• Credit Suisse assumed coverage of Interline Brands, Inc (NYSE: IBI) with an Outperform rating and $34 target.

• Credit Suisse reinstated Brooks Automation, Inc (NASDAQ: BRKS) with a Neutral rating.

• Goldman Sachs started CenturyTel, Inc (NYSE: CTL) with a Sell rating and $42 target on valuation.

• B. Riley initiated Insteel Industries, Inc (NASDAQ: IIIN) with a Buy rating and $24 target.

Analyst initiations 5-07-07: BRKS, DAL and GR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 May 2007 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.