Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup (C) to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.
• Cubist Pharma (CBST) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Pentair (PNR) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Heritage Financial (HFWA) to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.
• SL Green Realty (SLG) and Digital Realty (DLR) to market perform from underperform at FBR Capital.
• MGM Resorts (MGM) to neutral from Sell at Janney Capital.
• Ciena (CIEN) to buy from neutral and Olin (OLN) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Mellanox (MLNX) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• ConocoPhillips (COP) and Canadian Natural (CNQ) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• IDEX (IEX) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Ctrip.com (CTRP) to positive from neutral at Susquehanna.
• Linear Technology (LLTC) and Analog Devices (ADI) to hold from sell at Auriga.
• Quicksilver (KWK) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is set to launch its Llano APU in Q3 of 2011 to compete with Intel's (INTC) Sandy Bridge. Here we take a look at how these two processors stack up against each other. AMD also competes with Nvidia (NVDA) in the PC microprocessor and graphics businesses.

Our price estimate for AMD stands at $8.85, which is roughly in line with market price.

Intel Corp. (INTC), first discussed here on March 30, 2009, at a price of $14.72, has dipped toward the $20 level, but just view that retreat as an "extended buying opportunity."

In 2011, the outlook for Intel's fundamental picture to continues to brighten. Revenue should rise 10% to 15% in 2011, after a 24% increase in 2010, as IT spending, the need to upgrade aging computers and new applications increase demand for Intel's next-generation microprocessors.

Apple's (AAPL) iPad 2 got off to a great start during the first weekend of its launch, selling an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 units. Apple holds a substantial lead in the tablet market over competitors like Research In Motion (RIMM), Motorola Mobility (MMI), Dell (DELL), Samsung and LG Display.

How Much Will Suppliers Benefit from iPad 2 Sales in 2011?

Here we take a look at how much various iPad 2 component suppliers stand to gain from the product's success. We assume that Apple will continue to source iPad 2 components from the same set of suppliers throughout 2011.

Intel (INTC) completed its acquisition of McAfee recently, establishing itself as one of the leading security software providers. Around one-third of McAfee's value is attributable to security software for businesses by our estimates. McAfee mainly competes with Symantec (SYMC), Trend Micro, LANDesk Software and Microsoft (MSFT) in this segment and offers products like Endpoint Protection, Data Protection and Mobile Phone Security.

McAfee's market share in global enterprise security software market has been consistently rising over the years mainly because of partnerships with PC makers like HP (HPQ) for small and medium businesses, and the rapid growth of the security-as-a-service market. Increasing smartphone sales has also heightened demand for security against malware threats on mobile devices. McAfee's acquisitions like TrustDigital and WaveSecure in 2010 for developing smartphone security software for enterprise customers is expected to boost its share further.

Intel (INTC) competes with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Nvidia (NVDA) in the PC microprocessor and graphics businesses. We estimate that notebook microprocessors are the most important product segment for Intel, generating roughly 39% of its equity value.

"I've put together a retirement blue print that will allow anyone who is 20 years old or younger to retire a multi-millionaire," says Steve Christ.

The editor of The Wealth Advisory explains, "This diversified portfolio, contains a transport, a utility, a tech company, a health care giant, and a defense contractor, all of which pay nice steady dividends with room for growth.

"All you need to start is $15,000 initial investment to go along with an additional $100 bucks a week in total contributions divided among the five stocks.

Symantec (SYMC) is the leader in the security software market and competes with McAfee -- which was recently acquired by Intel (INTC) -- as well as with Computer Associates, AVG, TrendMicro and Kaspersky Labs. Symantec recently released a report in which it noted that cyber attack tool kits have become more accessible and much easier to use. This report followed incidents in December in which credit card giants Visa (V) and MasterCard (MA) were targeted by cyber attacks.

While such cyber attacks are dangerous for businesses and individuals, they create new business opportunities for antivirus software companies like Symantec, as demand for these products increases. We estimate that security software (for both consumers and businesses) constitutes roughly 50% of our $21.36 price estimate for Symantec stock, while storage software effectively makes up the balance. Our price estimate for Symantec stock is about 20% above the current market price.

Analyst Upgrades

• Intel (INTC), ON Semiconductor (ONNN), Lattice Semiconductor (LSCC), Fairchild Semiconductor (FSC), STMicroelectronics (STM) and Altera (ALTR) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Capital One (COF) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Dollar Tree (DLTR) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Foot Locker (FL) to buy from neutral at Sterne Agee.
• Progressive (PGR) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Flow International (FLOW) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
• Signature Bank (SBNY) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• HiSoft Technology (HSFT) to buy from neutral at UBS.

Coca-Cola (KO) has more than $13 billion in cash.

The top five companies (according to market cap) are:

• Exxon Mobil (XOM): $398.3 billion
• Apple (AAPL): $309.0 billion
• Microsoft (MSFT): $237.5 billion
• General Electric (GE): $215.0 billion
• Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): $202.5 billion

If you took advantage, as outlined, of the summer/early fall dip in Intel Corp. (INTC), first discussed here on March 30, 2009, at a price of $14.72, you made the correct move.

Intel retreated this spring and summer from $24 to $17.60 in bear-hug fashion, but found support at $17.60, with the stock popping back above the $20 level this fall.

Further, in 2011 look for Intel's fundamental picture to continue to brighten. Revenue should rise 10% to 15% in 2011, after a likely 25% to 30% increase in 2010, as IT spending, the need to upgrade aging computers, and new applications increase demand for Intel's next-generation microprocessors.

Intel (INTC) reported earnings earlier in the week. Connie Madon captured the bullet points of the latest quarter. Here's the question: should investors buy the chip stock?

The shares finished on Friday down slightly to $21.08. That's a few bucks lower than the 52-week high of $24.37. It's also a few bucks higher than the 52-week low of $17.60. The chart shows a stock that's been up and down over the past 12 months. Indeed, I've been bullish on Intel, and so far, I can't say that the company has risen like I thought it would. Traders, though, must be having a ball with the narrow range.

U.S. stock futures are mixed, as investors await several economic reports. Intel (INTC) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) posted upbeat quarterly earnings. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 20 points to 11,663.00, while S&P 500 futures declined 2.20 points to 1,279.10. Nasdaq 100 futures gained 2.25 points to 2,305.00.

U.S. stocks closed lower Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 0.20%, the Nasdaq Composite declining 0.07% and the S&P 500 losing 0.17%.

The shares of Nvidia (NVDA) have been tearing up the charts in 2011, thanks to a lucrative settlement with Intel (INTC) and a high-profile new partnership with ARM Holdings (ARMH). The month of January isn't quite half-over yet, but the stock is already sitting on a year-to-date gain of 51.6%.

Judging by at least one headline hitting the wires, the stock's rapid rise is making some analysts nervous. However, on Wednesday, one upbeat options trader placed a bet on additional upside from NVDA during the near term.