Goldman (NYSE:GS) Raises Golar (NASDAQ:GLNG) on LNG Shipping Potential

Liking what they see with LNG shipping fleet utilization in 2011-2013, Goldman Sachs raised their rating on Golar LNG Ltd. (NASDAQ:GLNG) from "Neutral" to "Conviction Buy."

Goldman said the potential upside is as high a 43 percent.

Driving their outlook is the fast increase in fleet utilization, mentioned above. Also of note is the quick-growing floating storage and regasification units, which generate strong margins and returns.

Golar closed Thursday at $15.25, rising by $0.61, or 4.17 percent. Trading volume was almost double the 3-month daily average.