MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• AG Edwards initiated Quicksilver Gas Services (NYSE: KGS) with a Buy rating and $26 target as the firm believes the company's distribution growth has high visibility, based on its current asset base and the possibility of third-party acquisitions. UBS initiated shares with a Buy rating and $34 target.
  
• Hireright (NASDAQ: HIRE) was initiated with a Market Perform rating and $13 target at Piper Jaffray, as the firm believes the company's distribution growth has high visibility, based on its current asset base and the possibility of third-party acquisitions. CIBC is positive on Hireright's extensive solution set and strategic alliances and initiated shares with a Sector Outperformer rating.
  
• DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DAI) was started at Bear Stearns with an Outperform rating. Following the Chrysler transaction, Bear expects Daimler to raise its margin guidance now that the company can focus on its truck platform.
  
• Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI) was initiated with an Outperform rating at Piper Jaffray, as the firm believes the company's "best in class" technology will drive continued pulse oximetry share gains. Cowen initiated shares with a Neutral rating on valuation and Deutsche Bank started shares with a Buy rating and $30 target..

• TD Newcrest started shares of Vitran Corporation (NASDAQ: VTNC) with a Hold rating.
  
• Lazard started shares of E-House China Holdings (NYSE: EJ) with a Buy rating; CIBC initiated shares with a Sector Outperformer rating and $25 target.
  
• Rodman & Renshaw initiated shares of Iomai Corporation (NASDAQ: IOMI) with a Market Outperform rating and $4.25 target.

Analyst Initiations: KGS, HIRE, DAI and MASI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Matrix believes lower selling prices and volumes are negatively affecting Christopher & Banks' (NYSE: CBK) margins and downgraded to Sell from Hold.

• Tiffany & Co (NYSE: TIF) was cut to Neutral from Overweight at HSBC based on valuation.

• Suntrust downgraded shares of Sterling Financial (NASDAQ: SLFI) to Reduce from Neutral given the charge from an ongoing investigation into the irregularities discovered with certain financing contracts of affiliate Equipment Finance LLC.

• Komag (NASDAQ: KOMG) was cut to Hold from Strong Buy at Needham after the company pre-announced lower-than-expected second quarter results. Bear Stearns downgraded shares of Komag to Peer Perform from Outperform...

• First Albany downgraded Iomai Corp (NASDAQ: IOMI) to Neutral from Buy.

• Calyon cut Apache Corp (NYSE: APA) to Add from Buy.

• Morgan Joseph downgraded Stein Mart, Inc (NASDAQ: SMRT) to Hold from Buy.

• Societe General cut BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) to Hold from Buy and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP) to Sell from Hold.

Analyst downgrades 5-25-07: APA, BHP, TIF and RTP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 May 2007 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.