- Morgan Stanley upgraded Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) to Overweight from Equal Weight as they expect the company to benefit from higher natural gas prices in 2010. The firm has a $34 target on shares.
- Citigroup upgraded Energy Conversion (NASDAQ: ENER) to Hold from Sell on valuation is it finds the risk/reward balanced at current levels. The firm raised its target price to $16 from $13.
- Jefferies upgraded Lifetime Brands (NASDAQ: LCUT) to Buy from Underperform to reflect reduced liquidity concerns and an improved outlook for Global Direct Sellers. The firm raised its target price to $4 from $2.
- American Eagle (NYSE: AEO) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
- TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX) was upgraded at Barclays to Overweight from Equal Weight and to Outperform from Netural at Credit Suisse.
- STEC Inc (NASDAQ: STEC) was raised to Overweight from Market Weight at Thomas Weisel.
lcut posts
FeedAnalyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CHK, AEO, RBS, COF ...
Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CHK, AEO, RBS, COF ...
Analyst initiations: MU, CHS and LCUT
MOST NOTEWORTHY: Micron, Chico's FAS and Lifetime Brands were today's noteworthy initiations:- Oppenheimer assumed Micron (NYSE: MU) with an Outperform rating and $9.50 target, as they believe price declines in the DRAM market moderated in 2H of the December quarter and that concerns of oversupply are already priced into shares.
- Stanford believes shares of Chico's FAS (NYSE: CHS) will remain under pressure over the next three to six months given the adverse economic conditions and the company's "less-than-exciting" fashion assortment. The firm started shares with a Hold rating and $10 target.
- Lifetime Brands (NASDAQ: LCUT) was initiated with a Neutral rating at SunTrust. The firm prefers to wait for greater visibility on the U.S. consumer spending environment before becoming more constructive on the name.
- Soleil initiated Worthington (NYSE: WOR) with a Hold rating.
- Jefferies started Esterline Technologies (NYSE: ESL) with a Buy rating and $58 target.
- Oppenheimer assumed Spansion (NASDAQ: SPSN) with a Perform rating.




