Analyst Upgrades

• Yingli Green (YGE) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• National Semiconductor (NSM) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• DuPont (DD) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Blackboard (BBBB) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Kindred Healthcare (KND) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Peabody Energy (BTU) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• Savvis (SVVS) to buy from neutral and InterActiveCorp (IACI) to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Yingli Green Energy (YGE) took the earnings stage this morning, with the alternative energy issue swinging to a second-quarter profit of $32.1 million, or 21 cents per American depositary share (ADS). Excluding items, earnings arrived at 25 cents per share, exceeding analysts' expectations for a profit of 19 cents per share. Revenue for the quarter climbed 81% to $398.1 million, topping Wall Street's forecast of $371 million.

Gross margin also improved, expanding to 33.5% from 19.8% on a year-over-year basis. For the full year, YGE hiked its gross margin target to a range between 28% and 30%.

Yingli Green Energy (YGE - option chain) shares are rising today after the company reported earnings this morning, posting a profit of $28 million, or 18 cents per share. Excluding one-time items, YGE earned 23 cents per share on revenue of $358 million. Analysts had forecast a profit of 22 cents per share on revenue of $353 million. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on YGE.

YGE opened this morning at $9.85. So far today the stock has hit a low of $9.66 and a high of $10.11. As of 12:150, YGE is trading at $9.85 up 0.28 (2.9%). The chart for YGE looks bearish.

Yingli Green Energy (YGE) traded sharply higher Friday in the wake of its third-quarter results. The solar issue reported that its quarterly earnings contracted 18% to $17.7 million, or 12 cents per American depositary share (ADS). Excluding items, such as stock compensation, earnings weighed in at 18 cents per ADS. Revenue for the period edged 0.7% higher to arrive at $325.9 million.

Ahead of the report, analysts were looking for a profit of 16 cents per ADS on $331 million in revenue. Despite the revenue miss, YGE surged into the black right out of the gate. In addition to the stronger-than-expected profit number, traders were no doubt enthused by an 80% jump in shipments from second-quarter levels.

Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE) closed at $11.74. YGE is scheduled to report Q2 EPS today. YGE August 12 straddle is priced at $1.65, September 12 straddle is priced at $2.90. YGE September option implied volatility of 100 is above its 26-week average of 91, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) closed at $50.46. Crude oil futures are recently up 0.61% to $68.70 according to Bloomberg. APC September option implied volatility is at 40, November is at 41; below its 26-week average of 51, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Options Update: Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Weakness in the euro hurt Yingli Green Energy's (NYSE: YGE) earnings, but the company still managed to top analyst expectations. Quarterly income came in at 12 cents per share, down from 15 cents per share a year ago. Nevertheless, YGE's earnings were a nickel better than the consensus estimate. Adjusted earnings hit 15 cents per share. Quarterly revenue increased 21%, checking in at $258.1 million.

The solar firm continues to estimate 2009 shipments between 550 and 600 megawatts, with gross margins coming in between 22% and 24%. The estimated gross margin would be better than last year's margins of 21.6%.

The stock is higher on the open, allowing it to continue enjoying support from its 10-, 20-, and 50-day moving averages. In addition to this potential support, the shares are situated atop their 10-week moving average, which has bullishly crossed its 20-week counterpart. This technical formation often hints at a continued run higher. The stock may need this support, as it faces overhead resistance at the $7 level in the past -- and this level rests right in YGE's path higher.

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE), a vertically integrated photovoltaic (PV) product manufacturer in China, closed at $24.31 Monday.

YGE June option implied volatility of 78 is below its 26-week average of 88 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

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

Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE), a vertically integrated photovoltaic (PV) product manufacturer in China, closed at $34.23 Monday.

Photovoltaic (PV) Technology Show and Conference 2008 is being held this week in Shenzhen, China this week.

YGE February option implied volatility of 92 is above its 18-week average of 85 according to Track Data, suggesting price movement.

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