MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• JP Morgan started Nokia Corp (NYSE: NOK) with an Overweight rating, believing the handset market is strong and expects gross profits to rise in 2007.

• Soleil wants to wait on the sidelines of Fortune Brands Inc (NYSE: FO), initiating shares with a Neutral rating, given the potential acquisition of Sweden's V&S Group along with the softness in the home and hardware segment.

• Soleil also started Whirlpool Corp (NYSE: WHR) with a Hold rating based on valuation, which they believe reflects the company's outlook through 2009.

• Nollenberger expects Dick's Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) will continue to outperform its peers, starting shares off with a Buy rating, and believes the recent pullback provides a compelling buying opportunity.

• KeyBanc is positive on Kona Grill's (NASDAQ: KONA) differentiated brand, compelling unit economics, positive SSS opportunity and growth, starting shares with a Buy rating...

• Ceva, Inc (NASDAQ: CEVA) was initiated at CIBC with a Sector Outperform rating.

• Black & Decker Corp (NYSE: BDK) and Briggs & Stratton Corp (BGG) were initiated with Hold ratings at Soleil.

• La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co (NASDAQ: LJPC) was started with a Sell rating at Lazard.

• Aviza Technology, Inc (NASDAQ: AVZA) was initiated with a Hold rating at Needham.

Analyst initiations 6-13-07: BDK, DKS, FO and NOK originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Medarex Inc (NASDAQ: MEDX) was initiated with a Positive rating at Susquehanna. The firm said Medarex has multiple drivers include a potential buyout by one of its existing partners, as well as clinical progress and the success of its technology platform in monoclonal antibody therapeutics.
• Susquehanna also initiated shares of Dyax Corporation (NASDAQ: DYAX), Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: MLNM), and Idera Pharmaceuticals Inc (AMEX: IDP) with Neutral ratings and Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: DVAX) and Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc (NASDAQ: COLY) with Positive ratings.
• Rayonier Inc (NYSE: RYN), Plum Creek Timber Company Inc (NYSE: PCL) and Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) were initiated with Buy ratings at Merrill Lynch.
• Kona Grill was initiated with an Outperform rating at Cowen. The firm believes Kona can grow its asset base 10-fold at strong store-level cash-on-cash ROICs.

• Jefferies initiated shares of Input/Output Inc (NYSE: IO) with a Buy rating and $19 target.
• Goldman Sachs initiated shares of Minerals Technologies Inc (NYSE: MTX) with a Buy rating and $80 target.
• JP Morgan initiated shares of Orexigen Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: OREX) with an Overweight rating and is positive on the company's obesity pipeline.

Analyst initiations 6-07-07: Pharmaceutical companies, timber and KONA originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Merriman believes FY07 is a transitional year for Bluefly (NASDAQ: BFLY), starting the company with a Neutral rating, and finds the stock fairly valued at current levels.

• Robert W. Baird expects growth at Leap Wireless International (NASDAQ: LEAP) to be fueled by upcoming market launches, starting shares with an Outperform rating.

• Thomas Weisel is positive on Kona Grill's (NASDAQ: KONA) expansion, same-store sales growth, ramping unit volumes and corporate G&A leverage, starting shares with an Outperform rating.

• Robert W. Baird expects MetroPCS Communications (NYSE: PCS) growth to be fueled by upcoming market launches and initiated shares with an Outperform rating and $14 target.

• Needham believes shares of Beacon Roofing Supply (NASDAQ: BECN) have overreacted to the weak residential new construction market, which represents only 20% of business, and started shares with a Buy rating and $22 target...

• JP Morgan started Array BioPharma Inc (NASDAQ: ARRY) with an Overweight rating.

• Lehman initiated shares of McGraw-Hill Cos, Inc (NYSE: MHP) with an Overweight rating and $81 target.

• MVC Capital, Inc (NYSE: MVC) was started with a Neutral rating and UBS.

• Morgan Joseph started Cash Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: CKNN) with a Buy rating and $9 target.

Analyst initiations 5-23-07: BECN, LEAP, MHP and PCS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 May 2007 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.