MOST NOTEWORTHY: Learning Tree, Shengdatech and Cepheid were today's noteworthy initiations:

• B. Riley initiated Learning Tree (NASDAQ:LTRE) with a Buy rating and $24 target. The firm believes investors have an opportunity to invest in a compelling revenue growth/margin expansion story at reasonable multiples with the stock off recent highs.
  
• Merriman started Shengda Tech (NASDAQ:SDTH) with a Buy rating and points to the company's growing nano-particle business and the vast market expansion opportunities associated with this business.
  
• Stephens believes Cepheid (NASDAQ:CPHD) possesses a best-in-class platform for molecular diagnostic testing with a virtual monopoly in the molecular point of care market; shares were assumed with an Overweight rating and $32 target.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Visa (NYSE:V) was started at Morgan Keegan with a Market Perform rating.
  
• Morgan Stanley initiated Dr. Pepper Snapple (N YSE:DPS) with an Equal Weight rating and $30 target.
  
• Goldman initiated Kraft Foods (NYSE:KFT) with a Neutral rating.

TheStreet.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSCM): A volatile market must have helped this company. Shares jumped to $16.23 against a 52-week low of $8.20.

ShengdaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: SDTH): Got approval for a critical patent. Jumped to $10.56 from 52-low of $3.55.

C.R. Bard, Inc (NYSE: BCR): This company predicted a strong 2008 at an analysts meeting. Traded up to $91.65 from a 52-week low of $76.61.

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM): Archer moved up on news that the government would make offer incentives to biotech companies. Rose to $41.70 from a 52-week low of $30.20.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.