Analyst Upgrades

• Tiffany (TIF) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Kellogg (K) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Citizens Republic (CRBC) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Research in Motion (RIMM) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• MWI Veterinary Supply (MWIV) and Elster (ELT) to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.
• Paetec Holding (PAET) and Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• New Gold (NGD) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• Aviat Networks (AVNW) to buy from hold at Needham.
• Abiomed (ABMD) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Animal Health (AHII) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• PNM Resources (PNM) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: COMV, FSLR, K, LDK, NGD, PTEN, RIMM, STD, TIF ...

Analyst Calls: COMV, FSLR, K, LDK, NGD, PTEN, RIMM, STD, TIF ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Ignoring Europe's Lead (OI, NTRS, AAPL, MSFT, COH, ZRAN, F, LXK)

Closing Bell: Ignoring Europe's Lead (OI, NTRS, AAPL, MSFT, COH, ZRAN, F, LXK) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Soleil upgraded Thor Industries (THO) to buy from hold after the company said its accounting review will not lead to changes to previously taken accounting positions. The firm raised its target for shares to $45 from $28.
• Citigroup upgraded Family Dollar (FDO) to buy from hold, citing valuation and its positive view on the dollar store industry. The firm upped its target for shares to $47 from $44.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Albany Molecular (AMRI) to outperform from market perform, citing valuation and a stabilizing core business.
• Goldman Sachs (GS) upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Barclays.
• BP (BP) was raised to buy from hold at RBS.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMAT, AMRI, BP, BUCY, DB, FDO, GS, ISIL, THO ...

Analyst Calls: AMAT, AMRI, BP, BUCY, DB, FDO, GS, ISIL, THO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• UBS upgraded Yum! Brands (YUM) to buy from neutral, citing valuation, improving momentum and stabilizing China fast-food sales. The firm raised its target to $44 from $38.
• United Technologies (UTX) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Cowen.
• Needham upgraded Arris (ARRS) to buy from hold, citing valuation and positive near-term business trends. The firm has a $16 price target on shares.
• Warnaco (WRC) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Aetna (AET) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Nestle (NSRGY) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AET, ARRS, BIIB, CMA, CP, ENER, FSLR, UTX, YUM ...

Analyst Calls: AET, ARRS, BIIB, CMA, CP, ENER, FSLR, UTX, YUM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Citigroup upgraded shares of Potash (NYSE: POT) to Buy from Hold and raised its target to $178 from $141 to reflect their expectation for a more bullish outcome from the ongoing China Potash contract negotiations.
• Cadbury Schweppes (NYSE: CSG) was raised to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan to reflect the company's takeout potential and cash returns.
• Oppenheimer raised its rating on Zoran (NASDAQ: ZRAN) to Outperform from Perform on valuation, as they believe the recent weakness is overdone.

• Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY) was upgraded to Market Weight from Underweight at Thomas Weisel.
• JMP Securities upgraded Actuate (NASDAQ: ACTU) to Strong Buy from Outperform.
• Goldman raised Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM) to Buy from Neutral.

Analyst upgrades: POT, CSG and ZRAN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Lehman downgraded the brokers and asset managers sector to Neutral from Positive and Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) and Bear Stearns (NYSE: BSC) to Equal Weight from Overweight. The firm cited weakness in the credit markets for the Bear Stearns downgrade and potential further write downs at Merrill Lynch for its downgrade.
  
• Bear Stearns downgraded shares of Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) to Peer Perform from Outperform as they see risks to 2008 estimates from an expected decline in investment-banking revenue.
  
• Barclays (NYSE: BCS) was downgraded to Underweight from Neutral and HBOS PLC (OTC: HBOOY) was downgraded to Underweight from Overweight at HSBC to reflect the potential for higher write downs on debt securities and slower revenue growth.

• British Airways (OTC: BAIRY) was downgraded to Sell from Hold at ABN Amro.
  
• Merrill downgraded British Sky Broadcasting (NYSE: BSY) to Neutral from Buy.
  
• Merriman downgraded Zoran (NASDAQ: ZRAN) to Neutral from Buy.
  
• Deutsche Bank downgraded Home Depot (NYSE: HD) and Lowe's (NYSE: LOW) to Hold from Buy.

Analyst downgrades: Brokers and asset managers, CS, BCS and HBOOY originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Caris initiated shares of Athenahealth (NASDAQ: ATHN) with an Average rating and $26 target, as they believe an unachievable growth rate is priced into shares at current levels.
• Brocade Communications Systems (NASDAQ: BRCD) was initiated with a Neutral rating at UBS.
  
• Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE: RBS) was initiated with an Underweight rating at Lehmen.
  
• JP Morgan resumed coverage of Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) with a Neutral rating.

• Lazard resumed coverage of Zoran (NASDAQ: ZRAN) with a Hold rating and Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM) with a Buy rating.
  
• Stifel initiated Tortoise Energy Capital (NYSE: TYY) with a Buy rating and $32 target.
  
• HSBC initiated DSG International (OTC: DSITY) with an Overweight rating.

Analyst initiations: ATHN, BRCD, RBS and HGSI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

International investing: Go long Israel, short Ehud Olmert originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The art of effectively processing the digital signals used by consumer electronic devices is constantly evolving, and the most successful makers of the chips that rule the process are those who define the evolutionary path. An industry leader in that regard is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and works from offices around the world.

Zoran Corporation (NASDAQ: ZRAN) makes specialized integrated circuits and software for digital video and audio compression applications. Its devices are used in DVD players and recorders, digital cameras, multimedia mobile phones, audio speakers and receivers, digital televisions, set-top boxes, and digital printers. Zoran also licenses its intellectual property solutions to other semiconductor manufacturers. The company's customer list includes such names as Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), SanDisk (NASDAQ: SNDK) and Sony (NYSE: SNE).

Investors were pleased earlier in the week, when the firm reported Q3 EPS of 51 cents and revenues of $146.4 million. Analysts had been looking for 39 cents and $138.4 million. Management also guided Q4 EPS to 30-34 cents (30 cent consensus) and Q4 revenues to $128-$132 million ($128.14M consensus). CIBC World Markets, Needham, Wedbush Morgan and Deutsche Securities subsequently declared the issue a "buy" and established price targets in the $27-$30 range. The share price popped on the news and then moved into a bullish flag consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling on entry. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Brokers recommend the issue with two "strong buys," ten "buys," five "holds" and one "sell." Analysts expect an 18% average annual growth rate through the next five years. The ZRAN Price to Sales ratio (2.61), Price to Book ratio (2.05) and EPS Growth rate (601.70%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages. Institutional investors hold about 95% of the outstanding shares. Over the past 52 weeks, ZRAN has traded between $13.45 and $25.07. A stop-loss of $21.45 looks good here.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.

Zoran Corporation (ZRAN) shares trading in bullish flag originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Baird upgraded shares of Apollo Group (NASDAQ: APOL) to Outperform from Neutral based on positive enrollment and revenue trends, margin improvement, and a strategic international announcement.
  
• CIBC upped its rating on Zoran Corporation (NASDAQ: ZRAN) to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer following strong Q3 results and guidance.
  
• Jefferies upgraded shares of AmSurg Corp (NASDAQ: AMSG) to Buy from Hold as they believe the new CEO is preparing to drive earnings growth through acquisitions.
  
• ThinkEquity continues to expect Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) to outpace the industry in growth. The firm upgraded shares to Buy from Accumulate.
  
• Barrington upgraded shares of Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) to Market Perform from Underperform on valuation, as they believe the current price significantly discounts the risks of the going private transaction getting done.

• Citigroup upgraded Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH) and Teradyne (NYSE: TER) to Buy from Hold.
  
• Lehman upgraded SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWR) to Overweight from Equal Weight.
  
• HSBC upgraded ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) to Overweight from Underweight.
  
• WestLB raised Roche Holding (OTC: RHHBY) to Add from Hold.

Analyst upgrades: APOL, ZRAN, AMSG, AAPL and TRB originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• BMO Capital expects upside to EMC Corp's (NYSE: EMC) June quarter estimates, but only sees limited share upside from current levels. The firm started shares with a Market Perform rating and $21 target.

• Pali Research believes NetEase.com (NASDAQ: NTES) must address the discontinuity in its growth and started shares off with a Neutral rating.

• Barrington expects Wireless Ronin (NASDAQ: RNIN) to benefit from growth towards broadcasting to the outdoor component of out-of-home and views the company as an emerging growth opportunity that is starting with a strong technological base and management team. The firm started shares with an Outperform rating.

• First Albany initiated shares of GameStop (NYSE: GME) with a Buy rating, citing upside potential to 2008 estimates.

• Activision (NASDAQ: ATVI) was also initiated at First Albany, with a Buy rating, as the firm is expecting strong results and guidance...

• Jefferies initiated Polycom (NASDAQ: PLCM) with a Buy rating.

• Deutsche Bank started Zoran (NASDAQ: ZRAN) with a Buy rating.

• Stanford initiated Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ: URBN) with a Buy rating.

• Banc of America initiated Garmin (NASDAQ: GRMN) with a Neutral rating.

Analyst initiations 7-10-07: ATVI, EMC, GME and URBN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.