Analyst Upgrades

• Stifel Financial (SF) and CVR Energy (CVI) to buy from neutral and Principal Financial (PFG) to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• Suntech (STP) to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Internap (INAP) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Andersons (ANDE) to buy from hold at BB&T.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ATH, ANDE, BLK, BUCY, ITRI, LEAP, LM, PFG, SF, STP ...

Analyst Calls: ATH, ANDE, BLK, BUCY, ITRI, LEAP, LM, PFG, SF, STP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deere (DE) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• American Eagle (AEO) to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
• FedEx (FDX) and Shaw (SJR) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Superior Energy (SPN) and Rowan Cos. (RDC) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Tesoro (TSO) to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Mechel (MTL) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• SunPower (SPWRA), LDK Solar (LDK) and First Solar (FSLR) to buy from hold at ThinkEquity.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AEO, AMP, DE, EBAY, FDX, FRO, FSLR, HBC, SPWR, TSO ...

Analyst Calls: AEO, AMP, DE, EBAY, FDX, FRO, FSLR, HBC, SPWR, TSO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup assumed coverage of Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and upgraded shares to buy from hold with a $52 price target. Citi cites valuation and the company's successful execution for the rating change.
• UBS upgraded Rowan Companies (RDC) to buy from neutral based on better-than-expected dayrates in the high specification jack-up market. The firm raised its price target to $42 from $28.
• UBS also upgraded NetLogic (NETL) to buy from neutral and keeps a $33.50 target on the stock. The firm upgraded shares based on valuation and solid long-term outlook.
• AvalonBay (AVB) and BRE Properties (BRE) were upgraded to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
• Covance (CVD) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Reynolds American (RAI) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BKS, GE, GSK, ITW, MMM, MXIM, NETL, NOK, RAI, RDC, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: BKS, GE, GSK, ITW, MMM, MXIM, NETL, NOK, RAI, RDC, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Piper Jaffray upgraded Tractor Supply Co. (TSCO) to neutral to underweight ahead of the company's investment meeting Tuesday and raised its target on shares to $55 from $46.
• Barclays upgraded Norfolk Southern (NSC) to overweight from equal weight, citing earning potential and core price fundamentals. The firm raised its target to $52 from $55.
• KeyBanc upgraded Denbury Resources (DNR) to buy from hold based on expectations that the EAC acquisition has material value that is not reflected in shares. The firm has a $19 target on shares.
• BP Plc (BP) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Cowen.
• Rowan Companies (RDC) was upgraded to sector perform from underperform at RBC Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ALK, ANF, BP, BRK.A, DNR, GPN, NSC, TSCO ...

Analyst Calls: ALK, ANF, BP, BRK.A, DNR, GPN, NSC, TSCO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Credit Suisse upgraded Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $55 from $44 based on earnings momentum and a bottom in the Imaging and Printing segment. Note that Dell was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform.
• Jefferies upgraded Covance (NYSE: CVD) to Buy from Hold as it believes investor expectations are more reasonable following the company's conference presentation and that its Late Stage segment should continue to post strong results. The firm raised its target on shares to $65 from $5.
• Stephens upgraded Home Bancshares (NASDAQ: HOMB) to Overweight from Equal Weight to reflect improved capital levels and a better-than-expected near-term outlook. The firm raised its target on shares to $27 from $24.
• Citigroup upgraded Macy's (NYSE: M) to Buy from Hold after meeting with management as it believes the My Macy's localization is gaining traction. The firm raised its target on shares to $30 from $15.
• Gymboree (NASDAQ: GYMB) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at FBR Capital.
• DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.
• Baytex Energy (NYSE: BTE) was upgraded to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer at CIBC.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADP, DELL, DISH, HPQ, M, PER, VMC ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADP, DELL, DISH, HPQ, M, PER, VMC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE) to Buy from Hold on valuation as it believes commercial construction concerns are well known. The firm raised its target on shares to $40 from $37, and coupled the upgrade with a downgrade of Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) to Sell from Hold.
• Credit Suisse upgraded BJ Services (NYSE: BJS) to Neutral from Underperform following its acquisition by Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI). The firm raised its target to $17.
• Credit Suisse also upgraded Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $8 from $7. The firm expects Amkor to benefit from near-term strength in the supply chain and the mix shift towards higher value packaging.
• Textron (NYSE: TXT) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at UBS.
• Stanley Works (NYSE: SWK) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Janney Montgomery.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, BJS, CBE, GENZ, ROK, SI ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, BJS, CBE, GENZ, ROK, SI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Affiliated Managers Group (NYSE: AMG) to Market Perform from Outperform to reflect the rebound in equity and fixed income markets as well as an attractive risk/reward profile. The firm raised its target on shares to $72 from $61.
• Jefferies upgraded AGCO Corp. (NYSE: AGCO) to Buy from Hold as it believes equipment sales in Brazil are holding up better than expected and farm stimulus should set a floor in sales. The firm raised its target on shares to $36 from $25.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) to Buy from Hold to reflect reduced balance sheet risk and a more positive view on the steel sector. The raised its target on shares to $42 from $23
• Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Citigroup.
• Synovus (NYSE: SNV) was raised to Buy from Neutral at SunTrust.
• First American (NYSE: FAF) was lifted to Overweight from Equal Weight at Stephens.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DTV, LEA, MT, WMT, YHOO

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DTV, LEA, MT, WMT, YHOO originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Lennar (NYSE: LEN) to Buy from Hold as it believes the company's near-term liquidity profile is improved following the $400M debt issuance. The firm raised its target price to $12 from $11.
• Jefferies upgraded Rowan Companies (NYSE: RDC) to Buy from Hold as it believes jack-up drillers will continue to outperform deepwater names. The firm raised its target price to $27 from $20.
• Keefe Bruyette upgraded First Financial (NASDAQ: FFIN) to Market Perform from Underperform to reflect more positive loan data for the Texas banks. The firm raised its target price on shares to $44 from $38.
• MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
• Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at JMP Securities.
• Brinker (NYSE: EAT) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: LEN, RDC, FFIN, SII, AN, ACHN, UA, LULU, JST

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: LEN, RDC, FFIN, SII, AN, ACHN, UA, LULU, JST originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades

• Rodman & Renshaw upgraded shares of Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) to Outperform from Market Perform following the positive top line results from the FREEDOM study. The firm established an $80 target. Jefferies upgraded shares to Buy from Hold following the positive top-line efficacy and safety results for Denosumab in PMO as they view it as a "big win." The firm raised their target to $71 from $47.
• Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Banc of America.
  
• Goldman upgraded Kimberly Clark (NYSE: KMB) to Neutral from Sell and Dick's Sporting Good (NYSE: DKS) to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Rowan Companies (NYSE: RDC) was lifted at JP Morgan to Neutral from Underweight.

• Jesup & Lamont downgraded shares of Moog (NYSE: MOG.A) to Neutral from Buy on concerns of the company's high rate of R&D and its relative valuation. Keefe Bruyette downgraded shares of Federated Investors to Market Perform from Outperform following the company's lower than expected Q2 results and cut their target to $35.
  
• Ryanair (NASDAQ: RYAAY) was cut to Hold from Buy at Citigroup.

• Morgan Joseph believes Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN)'s positive FREEDOM trial results will have a profound and lasting impact on the company's growth but also on its scientific credibility. The firm initiated coverage with a Buy rating and $77 target.
• Piper assumed Ctrip.com (NASDAQ: CTRP) with a Neutral rating and Epicor Software (NASDAQ: EPIC) with a Buy rating and $8 target.
  
• Banc of America initiated Britannia Bulk (NYSE: DWT) with a Buy rating and $19 target.

Analyst calls: AMGN, BBY, KMB, DKS, RYAAY ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's time to start drilling for oil and natural gas offshore on the east and west coasts. We are wasting our time and our money, and risking our future by not doing so. The energy needs of the United States have made oil our number one import and the biggest factor in our imbalance of trade.

It is not just that oil holds us hostage to the rest of the world. This imbalance of trade means we cannot support ourselves and must borrow from others to get by, and I, for one, have a very hard time with that notion. I prefer independence -- remember that? I think it was an important concept in our founding, way back when.

The imbalance in trade is a mortgage against the future of our children and it is getting worse year after year. The money often goes to foreign governments whose interests are not aligned with ours and they hold us politically and economically captive. Nothing is more shameful than President Bush pleading with Saudi Monarchs to pump more oil.

Continue reading Start drilling offshore: ATW, DO, ESV, HERO, NE, PDE, RDC, RIG

Start drilling offshore: ATW, DO, ESV, HERO, NE, PDE, RDC, RIG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Global Hunter expects WuXi Pharma (NYSE:WX) to remain under pressure in the near-term due to gross margin constraints and dilution risk from the AppTec acquisition. The firm finds the stock fairly valued at current levels and initiated shares with a Neutral rating.
  
• ThinkPanmure assumed Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) with a Buy rating and $225 target and recommends investors take advantage of recent weakness to build core positions.
  
• Genentech (NYSE:DNA) was started at Deutsche Bank with a Buy rating and $83 target. The firm sees limited downside and the potential for significant upside if Avastin works in adjuvant colon cancer.

• NetLogic (NASDAQ:NETL) was initiated with a Neutral rating and $36 target at Piper.
  
• UBS assumed Seattle Genetics (NASDAQ:SGEN) with a Neutral rating and $10 target.
  
• Rowan Companies (NYSE:RDC) was started with a Buy rating and $70 target at Jesup & Lamont.

Analyst initiations: WX, AAPL and DNA originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rowan Companies (NYSE: RDC) provides a range of onshore and offshore contract drilling services to the petroleum industry. The firm operates a fleet of 21 self-elevating mobile offshore drilling platforms and 29 deep-well land drilling rigs. It also manufactures and markets drilling products and systems for the oil and gas, marine, mining and dredging industries. Subsidiary LeTourneau Technologies operates a mini-steel mill and manufactures front-end loaders, log stackers and gantry cranes.

Investors were pleased two weeks ago, when UBS started coverage of the U.S. offshore drilling sector with a positive stance. The action was based on a healthy longer-term macroeconomic outlook, strong commodity prices and increasing demand for offshore rigs. Rowan was initiated with a "buy" and a $53 price target.

Continue reading Rowan Companies (RDC): Share price defines bullish 'flag'

Rowan Companies (RDC): Share price defines bullish 'flag' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 May 2008 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Oil's not the widespread tax it used to be

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Oil's not the widespread tax it used to be originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 May 2008 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Merriman initiated Glu Mobile (NASDAQ: GLUU) with a Buy rating and thinks the valuation already reflects the potential effects of a slowdown in consumer spending. The firm believes shares have the potential to trade to a range of $8-$10.
  
• Merriman also started USA Technologies (NASDAQ: USAT) with a Buy rating. The firm believes the company is uniquely positioned in the wireless machine-to-machine market given its initial traction with Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE) and Mastercard (NYSE: MA) in deploying a cashless payment solution for the beverage vending industry.
  
• B. Riley believes Fulton Financial (NASDAQ: FULT) can return to its legacy of achieving consistent earnings growth with the resolution of the Resource Mortgage tribulations. The firm initiated shares with a Buy rating and $14 target.

• JP Morgan assumed Taser (NASDAQ: TASR) with an Overweight rating.
  
• Calyon initiated Rowan Cos (NYSE: RDC) with an Add rating and $42 target.
  
• Credit Suisse started VisionChina Media (NASDAQ: VISN) with an Outperform rating and $14 target.

Analyst initiations: Glu Mobile, USA Technologies, Fulton Financial originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Bernstein upgraded Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) to Outperform from Market Perform, citing margins on 3rd party transactions that are close to eBay's (EBAY) and that the overseas merchants initiative will increase 3rd party units to 25% of sales. The move is expected to increase operating margins to 6.2% by 2011, above the previously expected improvement of 4.6% by the same time.

• JMP Securities said Luminent Mortgage's (NYSE: LUM) $64.9M emergency financing from Arco Capital may preserve some value for shareholders, and upgraded shares to Market Underperform from Sell.

• JP Morgan added Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI) to its Focus List, and expects the Wild Oats (NASDAQ: OATS) acquisition to be a catalyst for shares.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Tenet Healthcare (NYSE: THC) to Hold from Sell.

• Matrix USA raised Pediatrix Medical (NYSE: PDX) to Buy from Hold, citing valuation...

• AGL Resources (NYSE: ATG) and Atmos Energy (NYSE: ATO) were upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Calyon.

• Rowan Co (NYSE: RDC) was upgraded to Outperform from Peer Perform at Bear Stearns.

• Goldman raised O'Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ: ORLY) to Buy from Neutral.

• BMO Capital upgraded General Mills (NYSE: GIS) to Outperform from Market Perform.

Analyst upgrades 8-27-07: AMZN, GIS and WFMI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Diamond Offshore Drilling (NYSE: DO) volatility slightly higher as DO at record high. DO, a drilling service provider to the energy industry, closed at $113.04. RIG and GSF, drilling service providers, announced a merger of equals on 7/23. DO August option implied volatility of 36 is above its 26-week average of 33 according to Track Data, suggesting slightly larger price risk.

Ensco International (NYSE: ESV) volatility elevated as ESV at record high. ESV, an offshore contract drilling company, closed at $65.90. RIG and GSF, drilling service providers, announced a merger of equals on 7/23. ESV has a market cap of $9.8 billion with long-term debt of $308 million. ESV had March 2007 quarterly net income of $232 million on total revenue of $514 million. LYON has a $59 price target on ESV. ESV August option implied volatility of 40 is above its 26-week average of 33 according to Track Data, indicating larger price fluctuations.

Atwood Oceanics (NYSE: ATW) August implied volatility elevated as ATW at record high. ATW is engaged in the business of international offshore drilling of exploratory and developmental oil and gas wells and related support management and consulting services. ATW closed at $74.36. ATW will report EPS on August 7th. RIG and GSF, drilling service providers, announced a merger of equals on 7/23. ATW August option implied volatility of 39 is above its 26-week average of 33 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

Rowan (NYSE: RDC) August volatility elevated into EPS. RDC, a provider of international and domestic offshore contract drilling services, will announce EPS on August 2nd. Morgan Keegan says: "We are lowering our estimates on RDC as we build in lower day rate assumptions and a delayed recovery for US Gulf commodity jackups." RIG and GSF, drilling service providers, announced a merger of equals on 7/23. RDC August option implied volatility of 46 is above its 26-week average of 32 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

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

Option update 7-24-07: Oil & gas drilling service volatilities elevated originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Armor Holdings Inc (NYSE: AH) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan based on the news that the company will be sold to BAE Systems PLC (BAESY) for $88 a share in cash. The firm expects the deal to close with no higher offers. Bear Stearns cut Armor Holdings to Peer Perform from Outperform and Friedman Billings cut shares of the vehicle armorer to Market Perform from Outperform.

• Alcan Inc (NYSE: AL) was cut to Neutral from Buy at Bank of America and DA Davidson following the Alcoa (AA) bid.

• Baird cut Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP) to Neutral from Outperform following CEO Michael Coppola's resignation. Kevin Dann downgraded Advance to Hold from Buy to reflect an increased level of uncertainty following Mr. Coppola's departure.

• Lehman Brothers downgraded Reuters Group (NASDAQ: RTRSY) to Equal Weight from Overweight pending further information on the Thompson Corp (TOC) bid; Credit Suisse cut shares to Neutral from Outperform and Deutsche Bank cut shares to Hold from Buy.

• Matrix downgraded UST Inc (NYSE: UST) to Sell from Hold.

• Needham cut Entegris, Inc (NASDAQ: ENTG) to Hold from Buy.

• UBS downgraded shares of Golden Star Resources (AMEX: GSS) to Reduce from Neutral.

• Wachovia cut Rowan Cos (NYSE: RDC) to Market Perform from Outperform.

Analyst downgrades 5-08-07: AH, AL, AAP, ROC and RTRSY originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 May 2007 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Barron's interview: Portfolio manager of Al Frank Fund originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.