MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• JP Morgan downgraded L-1 Identity Solutions (NYSE: ID) to Underweight from Neutral based on valuation.

• THQ Inc (NASDAQ: THQI) was cut to Neutral from Buy at Banc of America, as the firm believes further upside to estimates is limited.

• JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ: JBLU) was cut to Neutral from Add at Calyon and to Peer Perform from Outperform at Bear Stearns following reduced guidance and higher fuel costs.

• JP Morgan downgraded Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) to Neutral from Overweight citing challenging fundamentals after the restructuring announcement. Stephens cut Brinker International to Equal Weight from Overweight.

• Elsewhere, Citigroup cut Lexmark Int'l (NYSE: LXK) to Hold from Buy with a $58 target based on valuation...

• Hutichinson Technology Inc (NASDAQ: HTCH) was cut to Underweight from Overweight at JP Morgan.
  

• Punk, Ziegel & Co downgraded KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) to Sell from Market Perform.

• WR Hambrecht downgraded shares of Silicon Storage Technology, Inc (NASDAQ: SSTI) to Sell from Hold to reflect negative fundamentals in the NOR Flash memory market.

• CIBC downgraded Ipsco Inc (NYSE: IPS) to Sector Underperformer from Sector Performer on valuation.

Analyst downgrades 4-25-07: EAT, JBLU, LXK and THQI downgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ipsco Inc. (NYSE: IPS ) -- volatility up; indicates more Risk; release of discussions of acquisition. IPS, a low cost producer of energy tubular sans steel plate, is recently up $15 to $156.19. IPS says "it is currently in discussions that could lead to a potential acquisition of the company." IPS has a market cap of $6.9 billion with long-term debt of $879 million. IPS reported 2006 total revenue of $3.7 billion. IPS call option volume of 4,751 contracts compares to put volume of 1,506 contracts. IPS April option implied volatility is at 47, May is at 43 above its 26-week average of 38 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risks.

Raser Technologies (AMEX: RZ) -- option implied volatility Elevated on agreements win; RZ rallies 19%. RZ has pending patents and proprietary intellectual property covering breakthrough technologies. RZ is up $2.00 to $9.20. RZ entered into a series of agreements with UTC Power to provide up to 135 PureCylce geothermal power systems for three Raser power plants. RZ call option volume of 4,366 contracts compares to put volume of 2,255 contracts. RZ May option implied volatility of 128 is above its 26-week average of 108 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risks.

Option volume leaders today are: Dendreon Corp. (NASDAQ: DNDN), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM) and Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM).

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

Option update 4-12-07: Ipsco, Raser Tech originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Citigroup cut First Data Corp (NYSE: FDC) to Hold from Buy and AG Edwards cut the Colorado-based Computer Services company to Hold from Buy, following the acquisition by KKR; AG Edwards also removed First Data from its Focus Portfolio.

• Bernstein downgraded Molson Coors Brewing Co (NYSE: TAP) to Market Perform from Outperform based on valuation.

• Goldman Sachs removed MetLife Inc (NYSE: MET) from its Conviction Buy List.

• Bear Stearns cut GSI Commerce (NASDAQ: GSIC) to Underperform from Outperform based on valuation.

• Matrix USA downgraded Foundation Coal Holdings Inc (NYSE: FCL) to Sell from Buy.

• Jefferies downgraded Novell, Inc (NASDAQ: NOVL) to Hold from Buy on valuation after yesterday's "April Fool's-inspired" rally as the firm believes upside from the initial Microsoft-(MSFT) driven SLES deals and restructuring are priced in.

• Stifel downgraded Pearson PLC (NYSE: PSO) to Hold from Buy on valuation.

• Benchmark downgraded ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) to Sell from Hold on valuation.

• Buckingham downgraded Diebold Inc (NYSE: DBD) to Neutral from Accumulate on valuation.

• CIBC downgraded Ipsco Inc (NYSE: IPS) to Sector Performer from Outperform based on valuation.

Analyst downgrades 4-03-07: First Data, Molson, Novell all downgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY

• Cowen started HealthSouth (NYSE: HLS) an Neutral rating citing valuation.

• UBS resumed coverage of CVS/Caremark Corp (NASDAQ: CVS) with a Buy rating and $42 target, calling the company a "top pick."

• Roth Capital initiated shares of Bakers Footwear Group, Inc (NASDAQ: BKRS) with a Hold rating and $11 target, taking a "wait and See approach" until sales can be maintained.

• JP Morgan initiated Ipsco Inc (NYSE: IPS) with an Overweight rating and USG Corp (NYSE: USG) with an Underweight rating.

Analyst initiations 3-26-07: HealthSouth, CVS/Caremark downgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• RBC believes Ipsco Inc (NYSE: IPS) is an acquisition candidate and initiated the company with a Top Pick rating.

• Ferris, Baker Watts started ASV Inc (NASDAQ: ASVI) with a Buy rating and $20 target, as the firm believes ASV Inc is the only manufacturer to design rubber track loaders from the ground up and to employ a suspended undercarriage.

• Jefferies initiated CDI Corp (NYSE: CDI) with a Hold rating and $28 target and is positive on the long-cycle drivers of CDI's business; the firm also believes the company has the potential for operating leverage, but will remain on the sidelines due to concerns of the near-term macro environment.

• Wachovia initiated Sealy Corp (NYSE: ZZ) with a Market Perform rating citing lack of visibility into fourth-quarter and first-quarter earnings.

• Sun Trust Robinson Humphrey initiated HealthSouth Corp (NYSE: HLS) with a Buy rating and $27 target.

Analyst initiations 1-30-07: RBC says Ipsco is an acquisition target originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.