Analyst Upgrades

• Bristol-Myers (BMY) to hold from underperform at Jefferies.
• Pep Boys (PBY) to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• Tesla Motors (TSLA) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Emerson (EMR) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• ARM Holdings (ARMH) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• NetLogic (NETL) and Cavium Networks (CAVM) to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Aimco (AIV) to hold from sell at Citigroup.
• Ceragon Networks (CRNT) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BMY, CAG, CAVM, CEPH, OPEN, PBY, SOL, TSLA, WDC ...

Analyst Calls: BMY, CAG, CAVM, CEPH, OPEN, PBY, SOL, TSLA, WDC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Our stock selection is based on assessing the investment criteria of various legendary investors, ranging from Ben Graham to Marty Zweig," explains John Reese.

The editor of Validea newsletter continues, "In this case, our latest feature on Western Digital (WDC) is based on the strategy of Peter Lynch. Indeed, the stock scores a 100% rating based on our Lynch model.

"Western Digital Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and sells hard drives. Its hard drives are used in desktop computers, notebook computers, and enterprise applications such as servers, workstations, network attached storage, storage area networks and video surveillance equipment.

Continue reading Western Digital (WDC): A Peter Lynch-Based Idea

Western Digital (WDC): A Peter Lynch-Based Idea originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When it comes to hard-disk drives, Western Digital (WDC) is the largest publicly traded operator in the U.S. And with its recent deal, it will get much larger. That is, the company has agreed to pay $4.3 billion for the data storage business of Hitachi.

Based on the stock move for Western Digital, investors love the transaction. In early Monday trading, the shares were up a sizzling 17.33% to $35.21.

Continue reading Western Digital Bulks Up with a $4.3 Billion Storage Deal

Western Digital Bulks Up with a $4.3 Billion Storage Deal originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Verizon (VZ) to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• CSX (CSX) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• AK Steel (AKS) to overweight from neutral, as well as Lorillard (LO) and Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) to neutral from underweight, at JPMorgan.
• Marathon Oil (MRO) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Corning (GLW) to buy from outperform at CLSA.
• Quest Diagnostics (DGX) to buy from hold at Jefferies and to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Salesforce.com (CRM) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
• Baker Hughes (BHI) to buy from hold at Weeden and to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Western Digital (WDC) and Seagate (STX) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AKS, CIEN, CRM, CSX, DGX, GLW, LO, MRO, OXY, STX, VZ ...

Analyst Calls: AKS, CIEN, CRM, CSX, DGX, GLW, LO, MRO, OXY, STX, VZ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Western Digital Trading Lower

Western Digital Trading Lower originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Tyco Electronics (TEL) and Weight Watchers (WTW) to buy from neutral, and Smithfield Foods (SFD) to buy from underperform, at BofA/Merrill.
• Red Hat (RHT) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Gold Fields (GFI) to overweight from neutral at HSBC.
• Novartis (NVS) to outperform from neutral and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to neutral from underperform at Credit Suisse.
• Dollar General (DG) to buy from hold at ThinkEquity.
• Eagle Rock Energy (EROC) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AZN, DG, GSK, NBS, NRGY, NVS, RHT, SFD, STX, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: AZN, DG, GSK, NBS, NRGY, NVS, RHT, SFD, STX, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Investors can boot up their portfolios by investing in a cheap, cyclical stock that Wall Street has punished unfairly; I'm referring to Western Digital (WDC)," says Lou Basenese.

The contributing editor to Investment U explains, "The company is a manufacturer of hard disk drives used in personal computers, consumer electronics and enterprise applications.

"We have seen a sustained analyst crusade against its prospects (which merely means it's arguably the best time to invest). For months, Wall Street's 'finest' have ratcheted down the company's expectations, plus those of its competitors.

Continue reading Western Digital (WDC): Takeover Target?

Western Digital (WDC): Takeover Target? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Barclays upgraded Western Digital (WDC) to overweight from equal weight.
• LDK Solar (LDK) was upgraded to buy from hold at Needham.
• Legg Mason (LM) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Agilent (A) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Dean Foods (DF) to outperform from market perform and Developers Diversified (DDR) to market perform from underperform.
• Deutsche Bank also upgraded Developers Diversified, to buy from hold.
• Northrop Grumman (NOC) was upgraded to sell from conviction sell at Goldman.
• MYR Group (MYRG) was upgraded to buy from hold at BB&T.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: A, CQB, DDR, DF, LDK, NOC, RIMM, S, STRA, TTM, WDC ...

Analyst Calls: A, CQB, DDR, DF, LDK, NOC, RIMM, S, STRA, TTM, WDC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup upgraded OpenTable (OPEN) to buy from hold, citing stronger than expected near-term trends and traction for the company's Spotlight offering. Citi upped its price target for shares to $70 from $46.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Werner (WERN) to outperform from market perform, citing valuation, the company's reduction in cost, and its above peer exposure to the pricing cycle.
• Goldman upgraded CarMax (KMX) to neutral from sell based on valuation and higher used car profitability. The firm has a $24 target on the stock.
• Apollo Group (APOL) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Nokia (NOK) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Zions Bancorp (ZION) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AZO, KMX, MSFT, NOK, OPEN, PCG, RIMM, WDC, WERN, XOM ...

Analyst Calls: AZO, KMX, MSFT, NOK, OPEN, PCG, RIMM, WDC, WERN, XOM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Most investors wouldn't give a fund described as 'relatively prosaic, dull, conservative' a second glance; that, however, is exactly how John Neff described the Windsor Fund that he headed for more than three decades," notes John Reese, an advisor who models specific portfolios designed around the stated investing strategies of many of the stock market's most legendary investors.

In his Validea newsletter, Reese explains, "And, while his style may not have been flashy or eye-catching, the returns he generated for clients were dazzling -- so dazzling that Neff's track record may be the greatest ever for a mutual fund manager.

"Over his 31-year tenure (1964-1995), Windsor averaged a 13.7 percent annual return, beating the market by an average of 3.1 percent per year.

Continue reading Ten Top Value Plays: Spotlight on John Neff

Ten Top Value Plays: Spotlight on John Neff originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) lower Q1 earnings were better than expected but it lowered its full-year outlook.
• McDonald's Corp. (MCD) solid Q1 numbers were driven by its value menu, McCafe, and strength overseas.
• Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) topped Q1 earnings expectations and cash from operations rose, but shares declined.
• Netflix Inc. (NFLX) shares were lifted after its strong Q1 earnings beat consensus estimates.
• PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) fell short of Q1 revenue estimates but beat earnings per share expectations by a penny.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: McDonald's, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Raytheon, Starbucks, Yahoo! ...

Earnings Highlights: McDonald's, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Raytheon, Starbucks, Yahoo! ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Western Digital Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates

Western Digital Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Sonoco Products (SON) to buy from hold after the company reported Q1 results and raised guidance. The firm upped its target for shares to $38 from $32.
• Baird upgraded Western Digital (WDC) to outperform from neutral following the solid Q3 report and guidance. The firm raised its target to $50 from $48.
• Goldman upgraded Qwest (Q) to neutral from sell. Qwest is being acquired by CenturyLink (CTL).
• Hershey (HSY) was upgraded to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
• Principal Financial (PFG) was upgraded to neutral from sell at UBS.
• Monster Worldwide (MWW) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at Wells Fargo.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: WDC, Q, HSY, BWLD, NOK, COP, KFT, VZ ...

Analyst Calls: WDC, Q, HSY, BWLD, NOK, COP, KFT, VZ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Earnings season is in full swing, and this week will bring quarterly results from Amazon.com (AMZN), DeVry (DV), Freeport McMoRan (FCX), Hershey (HSY), Kimberley-Clark (KMB), Starbucks (SBUX), Union Pacific (UNP) and United Technologies (UTX), all of which, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, are expected to post double-digit earnings growth from the same period of last year (when most stocks were at their recessionary lows).

After strong showings last week by Google (GOOG), Intel (INTC) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM), the earnings spotlight again will be on the tech and financial sectors. So, let's take a closer look at what's expected from impending results from Apple (AAPL), International Business Machines (IBM) and Western Digital (WDC), as well as Goldman Sachs (GS), American Express (AXP) and Morgan Stanley (MS).

Continue reading The Week in Preview: High Hopes for Apple, IBM, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley ...

The Week in Preview: High Hopes for Apple, IBM, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• RBC Capital upgraded Fidelity National (FIS) to outperform from sector perform. The firm upgraded the stock due to valuation, and its belief that the company will clear up issues related to its merger on its Analyst Day, scheduled for Dec. 7. The firm set a $28 target on the stock.
• Citigroup upgraded Smith International (SII) to buy from hold, citing the sell-off in shares following its 28M share equity offering. Note that Smith International priced 28M shares Tuesday at $26.50.
• Wells Fargo upgraded DynCorp (DCP) to outperform from market perform. The firm upgraded the stock on valuation, and because it believes that the impact on DynCorp of a possible indictment of PWC will be minimal, if any.
• Rockwell (ROK) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at HSBC.
• Omega Healthcare (OHI) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
• Analog Devices (ADI) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: FIS, LMNX, RIMM, SII, TGT, TSYS ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: FIS, LMNX, RIMM, SII, TGT, TSYS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Google Shares Rise on Strong Sales
• AMD Posts Narrower Quarterly Loss

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The chips aren't down

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The chips aren't down originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Polaris Industries (NYSE: PII) to Buy from Hold after channel checks indicated the company's sales trends improved through September. The firm raised its target on shares to $49 from $33.
• Jefferies upgraded Citrix Systems (NASDAQ: CTXS) to Hold from Underperform after channel checks indicated IT spending will be strong in the second half of 2009, but the firm finds the stock fully valued at current levels. Jefferies raised its target on shares to $40 from $32.
• Pali Captital upgraded Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) to Buy from Neutral on valuation and expectations that lower pricing and international growth will be catalysts going forward. The firm set a $45 price target on shares.
• Plum Creek Timber (NYSE: PCL) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JPMorgan.
• Advanced Micro (NYSE: AMD) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
• PPD Inc. (NASDAQ: PPDI) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Baird.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, DPS, LMT, NOK, OXY, SHW ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, DPS, LMT, NOK, OXY, SHW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• FDIC, Uptick Rule: Tuesday's Headlines
• The Great Google $600 Debate

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The need to be long is lifting us all

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The need to be long is lifting us all originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• It's Time to Trade Up to Dow Stocks
• Credit-Card Companies Become 'Deadbeats'

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Passing on the upside

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Passing on the upside originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Citigroup upgraded MEMC Electronic (NYSE: WFR) to Buy from Hold after channel checks indicated solar poly price pressures are easing. The firm added MEMC to its Top Picks Live list and raised its price target on shares to $24 from $15.
  
• FBR Capital upgraded PHH Corp (NYSE: PHH) to Outperform from Market Perform to reflect an improvement in mortgage banking fundamentals and recent management changes at the company. The firm raised its target on shares to $23 from $13.
  
• Deutsche Bank upgraded PerkinElmer (NYSE: PKI) to Hold from Sell on valuation, seeing a balanced risk/reward at current levels. The firm raised its target on shares to $19 from $14.
• Pearson plc (NYSE: PSO) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
  
• Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
  
• Nymagic (NYSE: NYM) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Keefe Bruyette.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DELL, IBM, IPCR, NETL ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DELL, IBM, IPCR, NETL ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.