Analyst Upgrades

• Dynegy (DYN) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Pritchard.
• Itron (ITRI) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
• Goldman upgraded Ameren (AEE) to sell from conviction sell.
• Signet Jewelers (SIG) was upgraded to buy from hold at Societe Generale.
• JPMorgan upgraded Synopsys (SNPS) to overweight from neutral.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Lincoln Electric, Prospect Capital and GMX Resources were today's noteworthy initiations:

• Piper believes Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ: LECO) is positioned to capitalize on global infrastructure spending as a leading manufacturer of welding/metal fabrication equipment and materials. Shares were initiated with a Buy rating and $100 target.
  
• Wachovia said Prospect Capital (NASDAQ: PSEC) has good visibility on portfolio growth and sees significant value in the potential sale of the company Gas Solutions business. The firm assumed shares with an Outperform rating.
  
• Collins Stewart initiated GMX Resources (NASDAQ: GMXR) with a Buy rating and $67 target. The firm believes the company's drilling program will continue to drive both strong production and proved reserves growth.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Louisiana Pacific (NYSE: LPX) was initiated at RBC Capital with an Underperform rating and $10 target.
  
• The firm also started Mercer International (NASDAQ: MERC) with an Outperform rating and $11 target.
  
• Keefe Bruyette initiated SWS Group (NYSE: SWS) with a Market Perform rating.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported that Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) has agreed to acquire Hyperion Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ: HYSL) for $52 per share.
• The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that Blockbuster Inc (NYSE: BBI) is in advanced talks to acquire Movielink LLC, an online movie-downloading company owned by major Hollywood studios.
• Also reported in the Wall Street Journal, McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is moving closer to adding lattes and cappuccinos to its menu, a move that would be a direct shot at Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX).
• According to the Financial Times (subscription required), DirecTV Group Inc (NYSE: DTV) is considering ways to bundle high speed internet access to its 15 million satellite television customers.
• The Financial Times reported that private equity is "hovering" over Home Depot Inc's (NYSE: HD) wholesale supply business, which could fetch $11B in a sale.

OTHER PAPERS:

• The Detroit News reported that Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) won a court order forcing diesel engine supplier Navistar to resume shipments to Ford's Louisville plant.
• Investor's Business Daily's "New America" column highlighted bank and broker SWS Group (NYSE: SWS).