Analyst Upgrades

• Alcatel-Lucent (ALU) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Nvidia (NVDA) to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
• Verizon (VZ), AT&T (T), Leap Wireless (LEAP) and MetroPCS (PCS) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Illumina (ILMN) to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Sun Bancorp (SNBC) to neutral from sell at Janney Capital.
• American Tower (AMT), SBA Communications (SBAC) and Freeport McMoRan (FCX) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ALU, BTU, FCX, LEAP, MAR, NTRS, NVDA, PCS, T, VZ ...

Analyst Calls: ALU, BTU, FCX, LEAP, MAR, NTRS, NVDA, PCS, T, VZ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Disney (DIS) to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
• Pike Electric (PIKE) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Kindred Healthcare (KND) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• UBS (UBS) to hold from sell at Canaccord.
• Avery Dennison (AVY) and Take-Two (TTWO) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Mercer (MERC) to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AVY, CSUN, DIS, INTU, KBH, KEY, LEN, NVTL, UBS, USNA ...

Analyst Calls: AVY, CSUN, DIS, INTU, KBH, KEY, LEN, NVTL, UBS, USNA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Micron (MU) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Baker Hughes (BHI) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• PDL BioPharma (PDLI) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Fluor (FLR) and Rush Enterprises (RUSHA) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Camden Property (CPT) to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Pinnacle Financial (PNFP) to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
• Linear Technology (LLTC) to neutral from reduce at Nomura.
• Hologic (HOLX) and Illumina (ILMN) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• F5 Networks (FFIV) to buy from neutral at Gleacher.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ALTR, BHI, CL, CLX, FFIV, GS, HCBK, LLTC, PG, STT, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: ALTR, BHI, CL, CLX, FFIV, GS, HCBK, LLTC, PG, STT, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Dominion (D) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Corinthian Colleges (COCO) to outperform from underperform at RBC Capital.
• Canadian National (CNI) to sector outperformer from sector performer at CIBC.
• DragonWave (DRWI) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Infosys (INFY) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• SL Green Realty (SLG), Lexington Realty (LXP) and Taubman Centers (TCO) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Sunstone Hotel (SHO) to buy from neutral and Extra Space Storage (EXR) to buy from hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AEP, CCL, CNI, D, FDX, HAS, INFY, MAT, RCL, S, T, UPS, VZ ...

Analyst Calls: AEP, CCL, CNI, D, FDX, HAS, INFY, MAT, RCL, S, T, UPS, VZ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• BMO Capital upgraded Procter & Gamble (PG) to outperform from market perform as it views P&G's valuation as attractive and expects growth to pick up in the March quarter. The firm has a $74 price target for shares.
• Goldman upgraded Tupperware (TUP) to buy from neutral and raised its target for shares to $60 from $48.
• Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Scansource (SCSC) to buy from hold. The firm believes that the company's growth is poised to accelerate, allowing the stock's multiple to expand or even rise slightly. The firm has a $43 target for shares.
• CA Technologies (CA) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Brady (BRC) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at BMO Capital.
• Lukoil (LUKOY) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMZN, BTU, CA, EXPE, MOT, OI, PG, SCSC, TSL, TUP ...

Analyst Calls: AMZN, BTU, CA, EXPE, MOT, OI, PG, SCSC, TSL, TUP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Two of our long-standing buy recommendations are involved in selling products and services for the genetic research market: Affymetrix (AFFX) and Illumina (ILMN)," notes biotech and growth stock specialist Nate Pile.

The editor of Nate's Notes explains, "In a nutshell, both of these companies have developed technologies that allow researchers to do what is known as 'high-throughput genetic screening'.

"And, while the two companies are direct competitors in many of the markets in which they compete, we believe that both stocks should be bought at the current time.

Continue reading Genetic Gains? Affymetrix (AFFX) and Illumina (ILMN)

Genetic Gains? Affymetrix (AFFX) and Illumina (ILMN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: The big giveback (ADUS, CIT, GRMN, ILMN, LVLT, PALM)

Closing Bell: The big giveback (ADUS, CIT, GRMN, ILMN, LVLT, PALM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Do you think we're going to see more or less genomics research in coming years? End of discussion.

Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) is the leading provider of equipment for genomics researchers and its lead is growing. Buy and hold may be almost dead, but it certainly applies to ILMN. The stock has been trashed along with the market, but it's simply the best at what it does - and getting better.

Your best strategy for life-changing profits?

This is a stock to buy for the long term to use as a base for selling calls. Or, even better, you can write some credit spreads, as the calls have terrific premiums.

Don't miss the complete list of biotech stocks to buy now.

And for more ways to profit, check out:

• The Best Cheap Stocks to Buy Now
• 5 Ways Twitter Can Make You a Better Trader

Biotech stock #6: Illumina (ILMN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) makes the Genome Analyzer, which is the workhorse of the genetic medicine revolution," says growth expert Mike Cintolo in The Cabot Top Ten Report.

"The Illumina Genome Analyzer is used by genomic research centers, academic institutions, agriculture and livestock companies, pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies all over the world.

"In the fourth quarter of 2008, for example, the company launched the In? nium HD HumanCytoSNP-12 BeadChip, a 12 sample BeadChip priced as low as $125 per sample that enables researchers to analyze nearly 300,000 genetic markers per sample.

Continue reading Illumina (ILMN): Genetic workhorse

Illumina (ILMN): Genetic workhorse originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Baird upgraded Adtran (NASDAQ: ADTN) to Outperform from Neutral based on valuation, new product cycles, and confidence in 2H08 results.
  
• Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Repsol (NYSE: REP) to Overweight from Equal Weight as they believe the potential sale to Sacyr Vallehermoso SA could lead to a restructuring.
  
• Stanford lifted National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV) to Buy from Hold citing valuation. In addition, the firm, which set a target of $70, thinks most of the drop in commodity prices is now over.
• Ryanair (NASDAQ: RYAAY) was raised to Hold from Sell at Societe Generale.
  
• Ann Taylor (NYSE: ANN) was upgraded at Piper to Neutral from Sell.
  
• Goldman added Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) to the Conviction Buy List.

• Argus downgraded shares of Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) to Hold from Buy post-close given the volatility in the stock as they can no longer recommend CEG until concerns over its capital and liquidity are resolved. Shares were also downgraded to Hold from Buy at Citigroup.
  
• Collins Stewart downgraded Lloyds TSB Group (NYSE: LYG) to Hold from Buy following the acquisition of HBOS (OTC: HBOOY) as they expect short-term weakness in the stock.

Continue reading Analyst calls: NOC, RYAAY, ANN, CEG, LYG, NT, PLD, DPS, WFMI ...

Analyst calls: NOC, RYAAY, ANN, CEG, LYG, NT, PLD, DPS, WFMI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

No matter what any CEO, analyst, "guru", "market expert", strategist, fund manager, trader or message board poster says (few show all their trades and investments like me, nor are they up 60% in 2008, see details here), never try to catch a falling knife. Before I list all the current ones, I really have to pound it into your heads that buying these things in hugely uncertain -- and possibly disastrous -- times like these is not only dangerous, it's just plain irresponsible.

Here are some current falling knives:

• General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE)
• General Motors Corp (NYSE: GM)
• Citigroup Inc (NYSE: C)
• Merrill Lynch & Co Inc (NYSE: MER)
• Washington Mutual Inc (NYSE: WM)
• Bank of America (NYSE: BAC)
• American International Group Inc (NYSE: AIG)

Now, I don't want to hear those "I'm a long-term investor in blue-chip stocks" and "these are quality companies trading at discount prices"-type comments. While it's possible these stocks will bounce, the risk-reward ratio is downright awful here, just as its been for the past several months (as I've been warning in posts like this and this).

Continue reading The latest round of stocks to buy and to avoid

The latest round of stocks to buy and to avoid originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Ignore random market noise and focus on lesser known names

Ignore random market noise and focus on lesser known names originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Standard Pacific (NYSE: SPF) is up 22% on better-than-expected earnings.

Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) is trading higher by 8% on improved guidance.

SiRF Technology (NASDAQ: SIRF) is off 42% on disappointing earnings.

VCA Antech (NASDAQ: WOOF) is down 22% on a weak earnings forecast.

Stocks may trade differently in the pre-market than they do in the regular session.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Pre-market movers: SIRF, SPF, ILMN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Morgan Keegan initiated Home Depot (NYSE: HD) with a Market Perform rating, citing valuation and the possibility that housing continues to deteriorate in 2008.
  
• Oppenheimer believes Seaspan (NASDAQ: SSW) is well positioned within the containership sector given its modern fleet profile and entrenched liner relationships. The firm assumed coverage with an Outperform rating and $32 target.
  
• JMP Securities initiated shares of Pharmasset (NASDAQ: VRUS) with a Market Outperform rating and $35 target and believes R7128 is evolving to be the premier product in hepatitis C. The firm expects a phase 2b trial evaluating R7128 in combination with standard of care to be initiated in 2H08 by partner Roche (OTC: RHHBY).

• UBS started BioMarin (NASDAQ: BMRN) with a Neutral rating and $38 target.
  
• First Analysis initiated Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) with an Equal Weight rating.
  
• Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) was initiated with an Overweight rating at JP Morgan.

Analyst initiations: HD, SSW and VRUS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN): Settles patent lawsuit with major rival Affymetrix (NASDAQ: AFFX). Shares trade up to $75.20 against 52-week low of $28.11.

Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC): Price of gold and gold producers just keeps rising. Stock moves up to $22.86 from 52-week low of $9.87.

Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY): Gold again. Rises to $16.30 from 52-week low of $8.40.

PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP): Soft-drinks sales aren't hurt by recessions, as far as anyone knows. Trades up to $79.79 from 52-week low of $61.89.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

The 52-week high club (PEP, ILMN, KGC, AUY) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

StockWatch: Between the Bells with Timothy Sykes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Innovative technologies now allow such detailed analysis of genetic variation and function that firms can work on the development of "personalized medicine". There is an outfit in San Diego that is in the front wave of firms designing the machines that make such research possible.

Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) is engaged in the development and marketing of tools for the analysis of genes. The firm sells systems that determine variation in genetic sequences, analyze which genes are active in a particular cell or group of cells, profile changes in genetic sequence function, and determine which proteins are present in cells and how they interact. Customers include biotechnology companies, research centers, and academic institutions.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 16 cents and revenues of $84.5 million. Analysts had been expecting 13 cents and $77.7 million. Management also guided Q3 revenues to $88-92 million ($82.32M consensus) and FY07 revenues to $335-345 million ($323.05M consensus).

Continue reading Illumina: Investigating your genes

Illumina: Investigating your genes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Steve Madden, Ltd (NASDAQ: SHOO) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Nollenberger as they believe Madden is well positioned going into the back half of 2007 with clean inventories and focused products.

• Matrix believes increasing marketing efforts and European growth are contributing to significant improvement in fundamental trends for Expedia Inc (NASDAQ: EXPE), and upgraded shares to Hold from Sell.

• Pacific Crest upgraded shares of Oracle Corp (NASDAQ: ORCL) to Outperform from Sector Perform to reflect improved channel checks and the probability of continued success.

• CIBC upgraded Tim Horton's (NYSE: THI) to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer based on valuation...

• Banc of America upgraded Intersil Corp (NASDAQ: ISIL) to Buy from Neutral.

• Bear Stearns upgraded Illumina, Inc (NASDAQ: ILMN) to Outperform from Peer Perform.

• Buckingham raised Kohl's Corp (NYSE: KSS) to Strong Buy from Neutral.

• Matrix USA raised Titanium Metals Corp (NYSE: TIE) to Buy from Hold.

• Merrill Lynch upgraded Kulicke and Soffa Industries Inc (NASDAQ: KLIC) to Buy from Neutral.

Analyst upgrades 6-14-07: EXPE, KSS, ORCL, SHOO and THI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Citigroup upgraded Blockbuster Inc (NYSE: BBI) to Buy from Hold based on valuation, improving box office visibility and their belief that the lower-priced online-only rental product will help improve costs.

• Molson Coors Brewing (NYSE: TAP) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS based on valuation, volume strength and pricing.

• Matrix believes strong demand for genetic analysis equipment is boosting profits for Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN), upgrading shares to Strong Buy from Sell; Matrix sees upside to their Intrinsic Value Calculation of $50/share.

• ARM Holdings (NASDAQ: ARMHY) was upgraded to Overweight from Underweight at JP Morgan to reflect the strength in the high-end handset market...

• Bristol Myers Squibb Co (NYSE: BMY) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Citigroup.

• RBC Capital raised Sapient Corp (NASDAQ: SAPE) to Outperform from Sector Perform.

• Sandler upgraded Chemical Financial Corp (NASDAQ: CHFC) to Hold from Sell.

• UBS raised WESCO International, Inc (NYSE: WCC) to Buy from Neutral.

• Piper Jaffray upgraded shares of Omnicell, Inc (NASDAQ: OMCL) to Outperform from Market Perform.

Analyst upgrades 6-13-07: BBI, BMY, SAPE and TAP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.