Analyst Upgrades

• Akamai (AKAM) to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.
• Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Aetna (AET) to Outperform from market perform at Leerink.
• Hot Topic (HOTT) to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
• Colonial Properties (CLP) upgraded to Outperform from market perform at FBR Capital and to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Altera (ALTR) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• American Reprographics (ARC), CarMax (KMX) and American Campus (ACC) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Zebra Tech (ZBRA) to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
• IMAX (IMAX) to buy from hold at Canaccord.
• Basic Energy (BAS) to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• Mednax (MD) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• UTi Worldwide (UTIW) to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AET, AKAM, BBY, DVN, HOG, IMAX, LVS, RIMM, UNH, URBN ...

Analyst Calls: AET, AKAM, BBY, DVN, HOG, IMAX, LVS, RIMM, UNH, URBN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Option traders appear to be setting up for a bullish move on Cogent Inc. (COGT). Traders plowed into 1,571 new call option contracts -- 3.27 times the average volume -- on the stock on Friday. And we know that traders were eager to get into this trade because 99% of the trades came in on the ask price.

Recently, 3M Company (MMM) announced that it was going to acquire Cogent for $10.50 per share. The stock closed Friday at $11.01, up 19.53% during the past month.

Continue reading Cogent Calls and CB Richard Ellis Puts Heating Up

Cogent Calls and CB Richard Ellis Puts Heating Up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Hot Topic: Not So Hot

Hot Topic: Not So Hot originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• RBC Capital upgraded Brookfield Infrastructure (BIP) to outperform from sector perform with a $20 target. The firm thinks the units' valuation is compelling, while the company's proposed acquisition of assets is positive.
• Stifel upgraded First Horizon (FHN) to buy from hold based on valuation and its path towards normalized profitability. The firm has a $15 price target on the stock.
• KeyBanc upgraded Isle of Capri (ISLE) to buy from hold based on improved earnings growth and valuation. The firm has a $13 target on the stock.
• ATA Inc. (ATAI) was upgraded to neutral from underweight at Piper Jaffray.
• Buckeye Partners (BPL) was upgraded to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• Sinopec (SNP) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at HSBC.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ANN, BIP, DUK, FHN, ISLE, JCG, POM, RE, SMT ...

Analyst Calls: ANN, BIP, DUK, FHN, ISLE, JCG, POM, RE, SMT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the Bell: Futures Lower Despite Strong March Retail Sales

Before the Bell: Futures Lower Despite Strong March Retail Sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Credit Suisse views Bank of America (BAC) as the "cheapest" large-cap bank and said the recent TARP repayment removes a significant overhang. The firm upgraded shares to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $21 from $17.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) to neutral from underweight following the company's better-than-expected Q3 results. The firm has a $43 price target on the stock.
• Caris upgraded Zumiez (ZUMZ) to above average from average following the company's better-than-expected December sales report. The firm raised its target on shares to $17 from $14.
• Humana (HUM) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Barclays.
• Zimmer (ZMH) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Applied Industrial (AIT) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AA, AET, BAC, BBBY, MA, RAI, VZ ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AA, AET, BAC, BBBY, MA, RAI, VZ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• B. Riley upgraded Hot Topic (HOTT), citing valuation, increased holiday traffic once promotions began, and views upcoming difficult Q4/Q1 comps as a buying opportunity ahead of a turnaround. The firm has a target of $8.30 on shares.
• Wunderlich upgraded RAM Energy (RAME) as it believes that the company has successfully survived a difficult year. The firm thinks the company's debt level is high but manageable while its production should increase over the next several years. The firm set a $4 target on shares.
• Roth Capital upgraded Actuate (ACTU), citing recent share weakness, the recent Xenos deal and the improving economy, both of which should improve growth. The firm has a target of $5.50 on the shares.
• Finish Line (FINL) upgraded to buy from neutral at Stern Agee.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACTU, EWBC, FINL, FTNT, GIII, HOTT, RAME ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACTU, EWBC, FINL, FTNT, GIII, HOTT, RAME ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: The grinch comes early (INTC, HOTT, MVIS, ETFC, SHLD)

Closing Bell: The grinch comes early (INTC, HOTT, MVIS, ETFC, SHLD) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Oppenheimer upgraded Momenta Pharmaceuticals (MNTA) to outperform from perform as it finds the stock attractive ahead of FDA's decision on M-enoxaparin. The firm has a $15 price target on the stock.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Symmetry Medical (SMA) to market perform from underperform. The firm cited several factors for the upgrade, including valuation and its belief that Symmetry's customers have begun to deplete their inventories.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Myriad Pharmaceuticals (MYRX) to neutral from underweight after the company announced Phase 2a date for Azixa. The firm has a $5 price target on shares.
• AvalonBay (AVB) and Mid-America Apartment (MAA) were upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• GSI Commerce (GSIC) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• FICO (FICO) was upgraded to equal weight from Underweight at Stephens.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CVS, FICO, HOTT, INTC, MNTA, TXN ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CVS, FICO, HOTT, INTC, MNTA, TXN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) beat profit expectations as revenue and same-store sales both increased.
• Aruba Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN) received an analyst's upgrade following its Q3 report.
• Buckle Inc. (NYSE: BKE) reported better-than-expected Q1 expectations as revenue surged.
• Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) higher Q2 earnings beat expectations and sent shares upward.
• Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) reported better-than-expected Q3 earnings, sending shares higher.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Target, Sears, Campbell, Deere and more

Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Target, Sears, Campbell, Deere and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 May 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• UBS upgraded Target (NYSE: TGT) to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $52 from $45 citing reduced inventories, some credit stability, and an improved back-to-school period.
• Credit Suisse said concerns regarding Safeway's (NYSE: SWY) price position are overblown and that earnings risk is limited. The firm upgraded shares to Outperform from Neutral and raised the target price to $25 from $22.
• Oppenheimer upgraded Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) to Outperform from Perform as it believes the story is underappreciated following the recent sector rally. The firm has a $14 price target on the stock.
• CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) was upgraded to buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
• Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at FTN Equity.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TGT, SWY, CSIQ, HOTT, MPEL, RIO, CPB, CVD and HGG

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TGT, SWY, CSIQ, HOTT, MPEL, RIO, CPB, CVD and HGG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 May 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Retail is abysmal right now, and apparel is getting totally hammered.

But one segment of that market is holding up pretty well: clothing for teens. The USA Today reports that Buckle (NASDAQ: BKE), Hot Topic (NASDAQ: HOTT), and Aéropostale (NYSE: ARO) were the only specialty stores this week to report positive same-store sales in March.

Mary Brett Whitfield, senior vice president at the management consulting and research firm Retail Forward, told the newspaper that "Teens are still growing and might actually need new clothes."

Continue reading Teen retailers buck the trend with strong sales

Teen retailers buck the trend with strong sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After testifying before a Senate committee about AIG (NYSE: AIG) last week, the Fed's Ben Bernanke participates in a Council of Foreign Relations event Monday evening.

Economic data due to be released this week include wholesale trade and job vacancies for January on Tuesday morning, the U.S. Treasury budget for February on Wednesday, retail sales for February and business inventories for January on Thursday morning, and the U.S. trade balance for January on Friday morning.

Continue reading The week in preview: Bernanke, earnings winners, and Raymond James conference

The week in preview: Bernanke, earnings winners, and Raymond James conference originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Jefferies upgraded shares of Red Hat (NYSE:RHT) to Buy from Hold after their checks indicated Red Hat's November quarter results will be in-line due to solid Jboss sales. The firm also believes a potential new partnership with Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) could provide share upside.
  
• Barclays upgraded Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) to Overweight from Equal Weight as they believe the company's competitive position will strengthen during the current downturn and that the company will gain share.
• JP Morgan upgraded YRC Worldwide (NASDAQ:YRCW) to Neutral from Underweight following the announcement that the company and the Teamsters will vote on contract modifications.
• Del Monte Foods (NYSE:DLM) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight at Stephens.
  
• Thomson Reuters (NYSE:TRI) was upgraded at Morgan Stanley to Equal Weight from Underweight.
  
• Reliant Energy (NYSE:RRI) was lifted to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia.

• B. Riley downgraded shares of Hot Topic (NASDAQ:HOTT) to Neutral from Buy to reflect a lack of visibility into 2009 and valuation but raised their target price to $9.30 from $8.20.
• Citigroup cut KLA-Tencor (NASDAQ:KLAC) to Hold from Buy to reflect their more offensive stance on the semi group as they view KLA-Tencor as a more defensive name. The firm lowered their target to $22 from $31.
• KeyBanc downgraded Arch Chemicals (NYSE:ARJ) to Underweight from Hold citing global economic headwinds, the stronger dollar, pension costs, and continued weakness in North American housing, among other reasons.
  
• Jo Ann Stores (NYSE:JAS) was cut to Hold from Buy at Soleil.
• Calyon downgraded Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB) to Outperform from Buy.
• Amdocs (NYSE:DOX) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: RHT, AMZN, DLM, BHP, RTP

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: RHT, AMZN, DLM, BHP, RTP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Societe General upgraded BASF AG (OTC: BASFY) to Buy from Hold. The firm believes the bad news is out and that BASF has a strong market position.
  
• Pali Capital upgraded Hot Topic (NASDAQ: HOTT) to Buy from Neutral based on the ongoing merchandise catalyst, the opportunity to reclaim the mainstream kid and closing underperforming stores, which create the most favorable conditions in the last 5+ years.
  
• Stanford upgraded L-1 Identity (NYSE: ID) to Buy from Hold on valuation, and the firm sees little risk to the company from the Obama Administration.
• Gymboree (NASDAQ: GYMB) and Windstream (WIN) were raised to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  
• Doral Financial (NYSE: DRL) was upgraded at B. Riley to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Alumina (NYSE: AWC) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.

• Credit Suisse downgraded Targanta (NASDAQ: TARG) to Underperform from Outperform following the FDA Panel's rejection of Oritavancin.
  
• Citigroup downgraded BASF AG (OTC: BASFY) to Sell from Hold and sees no reason to own the stock following the company's profit warning. Shares were also downgraded at WestLB to Hold from Add.
  
• Deutsche Bank downgraded shares of Amedisys (NASDAQ: AMED) to Hold from Buy and lowered its target to $53 from $75 on concerns over the company's deteriorating A/R aging trends.
• VeriFone Holdings (NYSE: PAY) and Navios Maritime (NYSE: NMM) were lowered to Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan.
  
• NTT DoCoMo (NYSE: DCM) was downgraded at Citigroup to Hold from Buy.

• Needham expects shares of Cepheid (NASDAQ: CPHD) to be driven by continued market penetration in the hospital acquired infection market, new test introductions, GeneXpert Infinity sales, and molecular diagnostics growth from sales outside of traditional molecular testing areas. Shares were initiated with a Buy rating and $21 target.
  
• Needham also initiated Gen-Probe (NASDAQ: GPRO) with a Hold rating and expects market share gains for the company when PANTHER is approved in 2010/2011.
  
• William Blair believes Harbin Electric (NASDAQ: HRBN) is an "interesting" opportunity for exposure to rapid growth in infrastructure within the People's Republic of China. The firm started shares with a Market Perform rating.
• Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) was initiated with a Buy rating and $11 target at UBS.
  
• NutriSystem (NASDAQ: NTRI) was initiated with a Neutral rating at Janney Montgomery.
  
• Ener1 (NYSE: HEV) was assumed at JMP Securities with an Outperform rating and $9 target.
  

Analyst calls: HOTT, GYMB, DRL, ID, AWC, AMED, PAY, DCM, GPRO, BSX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: GM, BA, TM, LDK, KLAC, FNM, C, AIG, YHOO ... (update)

Stocks in the news: GM, BA, TM, LDK, KLAC, FNM, C, AIG, YHOO ... (update) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rival home improvement chains Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) and Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) are scheduled to report quarterly results this week. Not surprisingly, given the ongoing housing slump, analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial on average expect both companies to post earnings lower than in the same period a year ago. For Home Depot, that's 61 cents per share, down 20.8%, and for Lowe's, 56 cents per share, down 16.4%. Meanwhile, cabinet maker American Woodmark Corp. (NASDAQ: AMWD), for whom Home Depot and Lowe's are major distributors, is also expected to report lower earnings: 11 cents per share, down 67.6%.

The presidential campaigns have prompted much discussion of energy policy and alternative energy sources. Some solar-energy-related concerns are scheduled to report this week, and expectations seem to be high. Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL) is expected to report 81 cents per share earnings, up 67.9%; ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE: SOL) is expected to post earnings of 32 cents per share, up 62.5%; and Suntech Power Holdings Co. (NYSE: STP) is expected to have earnings of 32 cents per share, up 21.9%. Even China Sunergy Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: CSUN) is expected to have swung to a profit of 3 cents per share, from a per-share loss of 14 cents a year ago.

Continue reading The week in preview: Expectations for home improvement, tech, apparel

The week in preview: Expectations for home improvement, tech, apparel originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With the slowing US economy, it's been tough for retailers. Yet, there are some that are bucking the trend.

An example is Metropark, which is a fashion-conscious retailer focused on the 20 to 35 year-old demographic. Metropark believes that its market segment is underserved - and poised for much more growth, so today the company has also filed to go public.

In fact, the Metropark store environment is much like a stylish night club with regular live performances by disc jockeys and the sales personnel that are called "Style Consultants."

Some of the premium brands offered include: Acrylic, Affliction, Ed Hardy, English Laundry, Monarchy, Obey, Rock & Republic and True Religion.

No doubt, Metropark's growth has been particularly strong. In 2004, the company launched with four stores. Now, there are 43 stores in 17 states. From 2005 to 2007, revenues have gone from $11.5 million to $71.6 million.

Metropark also has a stellar management team. The company's CEO and founder, Orval Madden, was the mastermind behind Hot Topic Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTT).

The lead underwriter on the IPO is Goldman, Sachs & Co. (NYSE: GS) and the proposed ticker symbol is "MTPK." You can locate the prospectus at the SEC website.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

Metropark USA, an edgy retailer, preps for IPO thrill originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Rodman & Renshaw upgraded Cortex Pharma (AMEX:COR) to Market Perform from Underperform citing the company's progress towards renewing its pipeline and notes that results from two proof-of-concept studies assessing acute administration of COR's lead AMPAKINE molecule are expected in the coming months.
  
• Citigroup upgraded shares of Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE:RBS) to Buy from Hold on valuation following the recent weakness, as they believe the sell-off has been excessive.
  
• Suntrust raised Trex (NYSE:TWP) to Buy from Neutral based on management's turnaround efforts, expectations for increased market share in composite decking, and valuation, among other reasons.

• Friedman Billings upgraded Hot Topic (NASDAQ:HOTT) to Outperform from Market Perform.
  
• Lehman raised UAL Corp (NASDAQ:UAUA) and Northwest Airlines (NWA) to Overweight from Equal Weight.
  
• Goldman added Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) to its Conviction Buy List.

Analyst upgrades: COR, RBS and TWP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) beat Q2 expectations and offered Q3 and full-year guidance.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) widened its Q1 loss but maintained its full-year profit forecast.
• Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) Q3 profit rose due to the sale of Godiva, but shares tumbled.
• Fluor Corp. (NYSE: FLR) beat Q1 expectations and offered rosy full-year guidance.
• Gamestop Corp. (NYSE: GME) posted record Q1 earnings but offered weak Q2 and full-year guidance.
• Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) posted strong Q2 results in the wake of its announced EDS acquistion.
• Hot Topic Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTT) Q1 loss widened due to declines in same-store sales.
• Kenexa Corp. (NASDAQ: KNXA) beat Q1 expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• Medtronic Inc. (NYSE: MDT) posted flat Q4 earnings despite strong sales, and missed full-year estimates.
• Napster Inc. (NASDAQ: NAPS) narrowed its loss and exceeded analysts' Q1 epectations.
• Ross Stores Inc. (NYSE: ROST) Q1 profits rose on same-store growth and a real estate settlement.
• Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) swung to a modest Q1 profit after two quarterly losses.
• Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) Q1 profits slipped but came in ahead of analysts' estimates.
• Tween Brands Inc. (NYSE: TWB) Q1 profit was hurt by a one-time charge but still beat expectations.

Additional earnings highlights:
Home Depot, Gap, Lenovo, Air France, Activision, Suntech and others
Ford, Hormel, Limited Brands, Intuitive Surgical, PetSmart and others

Upcoming results to watch for include Borders (NYSE: BGP), Polo Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL), TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO), Big Lots (NYSE: BIG), Costco (NASDAQ: COST), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), HJ Heinz (NYSE: HNZ), Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD), Lions Gate (NYSE: LGF), and Tiffany (NYSE: TIF).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Hewlett-Packard, Target, Barnes & Noble, Campbell, Staples and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 24 May 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.