Friday, July 29, 2011

Barrick Gold (ABX) Facing Cost Challenges

During its conference call with analysts, Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX) said its capital expenditures remain a challenge, as its project pipeline costs for its Cerro Casale project in Chile, Pueblo Viejo JV in the Dominican Republican, and the Pascua-Lama mine on the Chile-Argentina border have all been raised.

Also noted by Barrick CEO Aaron Regent is the increase in costs for labor, consumables and design adjustments at some of its major projects.

"Operationally and financially, we had a solid quarter but the increased pressure on the capital costs for projects has been a challenge," said Regent on the conference call.

Barrick has completed its $7.3 billion acquisition of Equinox Minerals in July, which should provide an additional cash flow source which will be reinvested in the gold business of the company. The Lumwana mine should produce about 300 million pounds of copper annually.

As for gold production in the second quarter, it rose from 1,944,000 ounces in 2010 to 1,977,000 ounces this year. The company said it should reach its production goal guidance of 7.6 million to 8 million ounces in 2011. Barrick's five-year goal is to reach 9 million ounces a year in gold production.

On the cost side, the company wants to cut is cash costs by 20 percent during that five-year period.

Earnings for the second quarter jumped 35 percent from $859 million, or 84 cents a share in the second quarter of 2010 to $1.16 billion, or $1.16 billion a share in the second quarter of 2011.

Merck (MRK) Slashing Another 13,000 Jobs

Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK ) announced they're going to cut up to 13,000 jobs by 2015, as they attempt to streamline the company in order to preempt the effects of the loss of its patent on its Singulair treatment for asthma.

This follows on the heals of Merck's elimination of approximately 11,500 jobs in 2010, with the goal of cutting its workforce by 17 percent by 2012.

The goal of the company is to save about $4.6 billion through the restructuring program it has enacted.

Merck spokesman David Caouette, said the job reductions will come “disproportionately from the elimination of non-revenue generating positions."

Merck was trading at $34.14, falling $0.79, or 2.26 percent, as of 10:49 AM EDT.

CNOOC (CEO) (HLS) (PPBI) (SYMC) (AXTI) (AXTI) (LVLT) (REGN) Upgraded

CNOOC (NYSE: CEO), HealthSouth (NYSE: HLS), Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPBI), Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC), AXT, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXTI), Level 3 (NASDAQ: LVLT) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: REGN) upgraded by analysts.

CNOOC (CEO) was upgraded by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

HealthSouth (HLS) was upgraded by JMP Securities from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (PPBI) was upgraded by Sterne Agee from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $8.70 on the company.

Symantec (SYMC) was upgraded by Wunderlich from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $22.00 on the company, up from $21.00.

AXT, Inc. (AXTI) was upgraded by Needham & Company from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $11.00 on the company.

Level 3 (LVLT) was upgraded by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) from an “Underperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: REGN) was upgraded by RBC Capital from a “Sector Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. The have a price target of $70.00 on the company.

Kodiak (KOG) (NOR) (RES) (CTXS) (AJG) (MDF) (TUP) Upgraded

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. (NYSE: KOG), Noranda Aluminum Holding Co. (NYSE: NOR), RPC, Inc (NYSE: RES), Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTXS), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG), Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc. (NYSE: MDF) and Tupperware Brands Co. (NYSE: TUP) upgraded by analysts.

RPC, Inc. (RES) was upgraded by Global Hunter Securities from a “Neutral” rating to an “Accumulate” rating. They have a price target of $29.00 on the company, up from $27.00.

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. (KOG) was upgraded by Pritchard to a “Buy” rating.

Citrix Systems, Inc. (CTXS) was upgraded by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) to an “Overweight” rating. They have a price target of $88.00 on the company.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $35.00 on the company.

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc. (MDF) was upgraded by Feltl & Co. from a “Buy” rating to a “Strong Buy” rating. They have a price target of $6.88 on the company, up from $5.45.

Noranda Aluminum Holding Co. (NOR) was upgraded by Citigroup (NYSE:C) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Tupperware Brands Co. (TUP) was upgraded by Caris & Company from an “Above Average” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $80.00 on the company, up from $78.00.

Cisco (CSCO) (ARLP) (CAVM) (CP) (GPS) (JCP) (MBLX) Upgraded

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), Alliance Resource (NASDAQ: ARLP), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (NYSE: CP), The Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) and Metabolix Inc (NASDAQ: MBLX) upgraded by analysts.

Alliance Resource (ARLP) was upgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) from an “Underperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) was upgraded by Gleacher & Co. to a “Buy” rating.

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) was upgraded by RBC Capital from an “Outperform” rating to a “Top Pick” Rating. They have a $73.00 price target on the company, up from $72.00.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $21.00 on the company.

The Gap Inc. (GPS) was upgraded by Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $25.00 on the company.

J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP) was upgraded by CRT Capital to a “Buy” rating.

Metabolix Inc. (MBLX) was upgraded by Ardour Capital from a “Sell” rating to a “Reduce” rating. They have a price target of $5.00 on the company, down from $6.00.

Amdocs (DOX) (DOW) (EQIX) (GLW) (IACI) (LRCX) (LSI) Price Targets Changed

The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), Amdocs Limited (NYSE: DOX), Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ: EQIX), Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW), InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI), Lam Research Co. (NASDAQ: LRCX) and LSI Co. (NYSE: LSI) price targets adjusted by analysts.

The Dow Chemical Company (DOW) had its price target lowered by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) from $44.00 to $38.00. They have a “Hold” rating on the company.

Amdocs Limited (DOX) had its price target raised by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from $33.00 to $35.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Equinix, Inc. (EQIX) had its price target raised by Stifel Nicolaus from $120.00 to $130.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Corning Inc. (GLW) had its price target lowered by Citigroup (NYSE:C) to $18.00. They have a “Hold” rating on the company.

InterActiveCorp (IACI) had its price target raised by Oppenheimer to $53.00.

Lam Research Co. (LRCX) had its price target cut by Stifel Nicolaus from $64.00 to $60.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

LSI Co. (LSI) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital to $8.00. They have an “Equal Weight” rating on the company.

Trina (TSL) (GG) (AKS) (GLW) (HES) (WLL) (NEE) Downgraded

Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL), Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG), AK Steel Holding Co. (NYSE: AKS), Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW), Hess Corp (NYSE: HES), Whiting Petroleum Co. (NYSE: WLL) and NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) downgraded by analysts.

AK Steel Holding Co. (AKS) was downgraded by Susquehanna from a “Positive” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Goldcorp Inc. (GG) was downgraded by TD Newcrest to a “Buy” rating.

Corning Inc. (GLW) was downgraded by Credit Agricole to an "Outperform” rating.

Hess Corp. (HES) was downgraded by Howard Weil from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $84.00 on the company.

Trina Solar (TSL) was downgraded by Collins Stewart from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Whiting Petroleum Co. (WLL) was downgraded by BMO Capital Markets from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) was downgraded by Robert W. Baird from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $59.00 on the company.

Murphy Oil (MUR) (CLF) (ARLP) (BA) (COP) (CP) (EXC) Price Targets Changed

Murphy Oil Corp (NYSE: MUR), Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE: CLF), Alliance Resource (NASDAQ: ARLP), The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA), ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP), Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (NYSE: CP) and Exelon Co. (NYSE: EXC) had price targets on them adjusted.

Murphy Oil Corp. (MUR) had its price target lowered by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from $72.00 to $68.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Alliance Resource (ARLP) had its price target raised by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) from $75.00 to $80.00. They have a “Hold” rating on the company.

The Boeing Company (BA) had its price target raised by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to $96.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (CLF) had its price target slashed by UBS AG to $122.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

ConocoPhillips (COP) had its price target lowered by UBS AG from $80.00 to $77.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital from $70.00 to $73.00. They have an “Underweight” rating on the company.

Exelon Co. (EXC) had its price target raised by Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) to $49.50.

Hess (HES) (DOW) (PFCB) (QEP) (TEVA) (DOX) EPS Estimates Changed

Hess Corp. (NYSE: HES), The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (NASDAQ: PFCB), QEP Resources (NYSE: QEP), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NASDAQ: TEVA) and Amdocs Limited (NYSE: DOX) EPS estimates adjusted.

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) cut its EPS estimates on Hess Corp. (HES). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $90.00 on the company.

UBS AG boosted its EPS estimates on The Dow Chemical Company (DOW). The y have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $46.50 on the company.

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) lowered its EPS estimates on P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (PFCB). They have a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $34.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) raised its EPS estimates on QEP Resources (QEP). They have a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $49.00 on the company.

UBS AG raised its EPS estimates on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $64.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) raised its EPS estimates on Amdocs Limited (DOX). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $37.00 on the company.

Rare Element (REE) (TIF) (WEN) (WSM) (ERII) (LLTC) Get New Coverage

Rare Element Resources (NYSE: REE), Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF), Wendys Arbys Group Ord Shs Class A (NYSE: WEN), Williams Sonoma Inc (NYSE: WSM), Energy Recovery Inc (NASDAQ: ERII) and Linear Technology Co. (NASDAQ: LLTC) had new coverage initiated on them by analysts.

Global Hunter Securities initiated coverage on Rare Element Resources (REE). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $18.50 on the company.

Merriman Curhan Ford initiated coverage on Tiffany & Co. (TIF). They placed a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Janney Montgomery Scott initiated coverage on Wendys Arbys Group (WEN). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

Merriman Curhan Ford initiated coverage on Williams Sonoma Inc (WSM). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

Rodman & Renshaw initiated coverage on Energy Recovery Inc. (ERII). They placed a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) initiated coverage on Linear Technology Co. (LLTC). They placed an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Allied (ANV) (EGN) (NEE) (SWY) (SYMC) (AKAM) (BMC) Ratings Reiterated

Allied Nevada Gold Corp (NYSE: ANV), Energen (NYSE: EGN), NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY), Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC), Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: AKAM) and BMC Software, Inc. (NYSE: BMC) ratings reiterated by analysts.

Dahlman Rose reiterated its "Buy" rating on Allied Nevada Gold Corp. (ANV). They have a price target of $53.76 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Energen (EGN).

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Buy" rating on NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE). They have a price target of $62.50 on the company.

Citigroup reiterated its "Hold" rating on Safeway Inc. (SWY). They have a price target of $23.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an "Overweight" rating on Symantec (SYMC). They have a price target of $26.00 on the company.

Oppenheimer reiterated a "Market Perform" rating on Akamai Technologies (AKAM).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an "Underweight" rating on BMC Software, Inc. (BMC). They have a price target of $35.00 on the company.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Baidu.com (BIDU) (CNC) (EXPE) (HLX) (NOV) (NSC) (UA) Price Targets Changed

Baidu.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU), Centene Co. (NYSE: CNC), Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. (NYSE: HLX), National-Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV), Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) and Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE: UA) price targets changed by analysts.

Baidu.com, Inc. (BIDU) had its price target raised by HSBC from $181.00 to $195.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Centene Co. (CNC) had its price target raised by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to $41.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Expedia, Inc. (EXPE) had its price target raised by The Benchmark Company from $26.00 to $34.00. They have a “Hold” rating on the company.

Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. (HLX) had its price target raised by Morgan Keegan to $25.50.

National-Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NOV) had its price target raised by Howard Weil from $95.00 to $101.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) had its price target raised by Stifel Nicolaus from $83.00 to $90.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Under Armour, Inc. (UA) had its price target raised by FBR Capital from $75.00 to $80.00. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

Buckle (BKE) (MD) (OKSB) (TSCO) (WAB) (FTI) (ITG) Upgraded

Buckle (NYSE: BKE), Mednax Services Inc (NYSE: MD), Southwest Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: OKSB), Tractor Supply Co. (NASDAQ: TSCO), Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp (NYSE: WAB), FMC Tech (NYSE: FTI) and Investment Technology Group (NYSE: ITG) upgraded by analysts.

Buckle (BKE) was upgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) from an “Underweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $40.00 on the company.

Mednax Services Inc. (MD) was upgraded by Morgan Keegan from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $85.00 on the company, up from $70.00.

Southwest Bancorp Inc. ( OKSB) was upgraded by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Tractor Supply Co. (TSCO) was upgraded by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) from a “Neutral” rating to an “Overweight” rating. They have a price target of $80.00 on the company.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. (WAB) was upgraded by Morgan Keegan from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $83.00 on the company, up from $68.00.

FMC Tech (FTI) was upgraded by Global Hunter Securities from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $54.00 on the company, up from $49.00.

Investment Technology Group (ITG) was upgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) from a “Neutral” rating to an “Overweight” rating.

Google (GOOG) (ITW) (JEC) (JNPR) (LVS) (OXY) (WFT) Price Targets Changed

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW), Jacobs Engineering (NYSE: JEC), Juniper Networks (NASDAQ: JNPR), Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS), Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE: OXY) and Weatherford (NYSE: WFT) had price targets changed by analysts.

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) had its price target raised by Capstone to $689.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) had its price target cut by Sterne Agee to $60.00.

Jacobs Engineering (JEC) had its price target slashed by Stifel Nicolaus from $60.00 to $55.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Juniper Networks (JNPR) had its price target lowered by Stifel Nicolaus from $39.00 to $37.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) had its price target boosted by Brean Murray from $53.00 to $59.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Occidental Petroleum Co. (OXY) had its price target cut by Howard Weil from $132.00 to $128.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Weatherford (WFT) had its price target raised by Howard Weil from $22.00 to $26.00. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

Range Resources (RRC) (NSC) (ODP) (BWLD) (ERTS) (ESV) (DLTR) Upgraded

Range Resources (NYSE: RRC), Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC), Office Depot, Inc. (NYSE: ODP), Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ: BWLD), Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS), ENSCO PLC (NYSE: ESV) and Dollar Tree Inc (NASDAQ: DLTR) upgraded by analysts.

Range Resources (RRC) was upgraded by Citigroup (NYSE:C) from a “Sell” rating to a “Hold” rating. They have a price target of $65.00 on the company.

Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) was upgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Office Depot, Inc. (ODP) was upgraded by Nomura from a “Reduce” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) was upgraded by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) to an “Outperform” rating.

Electronic Arts Inc (ERTS) was upgraded by Brean Murray from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $29.00 on the company.

ENSCO PLC (ESV) was upgraded by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) from an “Equal Weight” rating to an “Overweight” rating. They have a price target of $80.00 on the company.

Dollar Tree Inc. (DLTR) was upgraded by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) from a “Neutral” rating to an “Overweight” rating. They have a price target of $87.00 on the company.

Juniper (JNPR) (IR) (LRY) (PCX) (SBGI) (SCHW) Downgraded

Juniper Networks (NASDAQ: JNPR), Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE: IR), Liberty Property (NYSE: LRY), Patriot Coal Corp (NYSE: PCX), Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc (NASDAQ: SBGI) and Charles Schwab (NASDAQ: SCHW) downgraded by analysts.

Juniper Networks (JNPR) was downgraded by Oppenheimer from an “Outperform” rating to a “Perform” rating. They have a price target of $46.00 on the company.

Ingersoll-Rand (IR) was downgraded by Argus from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Liberty Property (LRY) was downgraded by Janney Montgomery Scott from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Patriot Coal (PCX) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $24.00 on the company.

Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI) was downgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) from an “Overweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Charles Schwab (SCHW) was downgraded by Ticonderoga from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

AMD (NYSE: AMD) (EBAY) (VAR) (KIM) (FFIC) (CEVA) Ratings Reiterated

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD), eBay, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY), Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR), Kimco Realty Co. (NYSE: KIM), Flushing Financial Co. (NASDAQ: FFIC) and Ceva Inc (NASDAQ: CEVA) had their ratings reiterated by analysts.

Argus reiterated a “Hold” rating on Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

Argus reiterated a “Buy” rating on eBay, Inc. (EBAY). They have a price target of $40.00 on the company.

Duncan Williams reiterated a “Buy” rating on Varian Medical Systems ( VAR). They have a price target of $80.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Kimco Realty Co. (KIM).

KBW reiterated its "Outperform” rating on Flushing Financial Co. (FFIC).

Wunderlich reiterated a “Hold” rating on Ceva Inc (CEVA). They have a price target of $32.00 on the company.

AK Steel (AKS) (MUSA) (WFT) (SBUX) (RFMD) (PETM) Upgraded

AK Steel Holding Co. (NYSE: AKS), Metals USA Holdings Corp (NASDAQ: MUSA), Weatherford (NYSE: WFT), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), RF Micro Device (NASDAQ: RFMD) and Petsmart Inc (NASDAQ: PETM) upgraded by analysts.

AK Steel Holding Co. (AKS) was upgraded by CRT Capital to a “Buy” rating.

Metals USA Holdings Corp. (MUSA) was upgraded by Davenport from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Weatherford (WFT) was upgraded by Pritchard from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Starbucks (SBUX) was upgraded by Janney Montgomery Scott from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

RF Micro Device (RFMD) was upgraded by Craig Hallum from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Petsmart (PETM) was upgraded by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) from a “Neutral” rating to an “Overweight” rating. They have a price target of $53.00 on the company.

Patriot Coal (PCX) (JNPR) (ROSE) (RRC) (ECBE) (HTGC) Downgraded

Patriot Coal Corp (NYSE: PCX), Juniper Networks (NASDAQ: JNPR), Rosetta Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: ROSE), Range Resources (NYSE: RRC), ECB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECBE) and Hercules Tech. (NASDAQ: HTGC) downgraded by analysts.

Juniper Networks (JNPR) was downgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) from an “Overweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $26.00 on the company.

Patriot Coal (PCX) was downgraded by Howard Weil from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $26.00 on the company, down from $33.00.

Rosetta Resources (ROSE) was downgraded by Susquehanna from a “Positive” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Range Resources (RRC) was downgraded by Keybanc from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

ECB Bancorp (ECBE) was downgraded by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Hercules Tech. (HTGC) was downgraded by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Amazon.com (AMZN) Price Target Raised by Analysts

After a blowout quarter, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) attracted the interest of several analysts, all of which boosted their price targets on the company.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) raised its price target on Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) to $275.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) boosted its price target on Amazon.com, to $246.00.

Oppenheimer raised its price target on Amazon from $220.00 to $250.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

The Benchmark Company raised its price target Amazon.com from $246.00 to $256.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Canaccord Genuity raised its price target on Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) from $220.00 to $270.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Linkedin (LNKD) (DHI) (RATE) (PHM) (RYL) (KBH) Get New Coverage

Linkedin Co. (NASDAQ: LNKD), D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE: DHI), Bankrate (NASDAQ: RATE), PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), The Ryland Group, Inc. (NYSE: RYL) and KB Home (NYSE: KBH) receive new coverage.

Compass Point initiated coverage on D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI). They placed a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $12.00 on the company.

Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Bankrate (RATE). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $21.00 on the company.

Compass Point initiated coverage on PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM). They placed a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $8.00 on the company.

Compass Point initiated coverage on The Ryland Group, Inc. (RYL). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $18.00 on the company.

Compass Point initiated coverage on KB Home (NYSE: KBH). They placed a “Sell” rating and a price target of $8.00 on the company.

William Blair initiated coverage on Linkedin Co. (LNKD). They placed a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

Anadarko (APC) (S) (VMED) (WFT) (UPS) (LLTC) Ratings Reiterated

Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC), Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED), Weatherford (NYSE: WFT), United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE: UPS) and Linear Technology Co. (NASDAQ: LLTC) had ratings on them reiterated.

Scotia Capital reiterated its “Sector Perform” rating on Anadarko Petroleum (APC).

Collins Stewart reiterated its “Neutral” rating on Sprint Nextel (S). They have a price target of $5.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Virgin Media (VMED). They have a price target of $42.00 on the company.

Dahlman Rose reiterated its "Buy" rating on Weatherford (WFT).

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) reiterated an “Overweight” United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS).

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Hold" rating on Linear Technology Co. (LLTC). They have a price target of $34.00 on the company.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Baidu (BIDU) (NUVA) (NFLX) (TXN) (UCTT) (ETN) Price Targets Changed

Baidu.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU), NuVasive (NASDAQ: NUVA), Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN), Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: UCTT) and Eaton Corp. (NYSE: ETN) price targets adjusted by analysts.

Baidu.com, Inc. (BIDU) had its price target raised by Stifel Nicolaus from $172.00 to $190.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

NuVasive (NUVA) had its price target raised by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) to $42.00.

Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) had its price target raised by Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) to $265.00. They have a “Hold” rating on the company.

Texas Instruments (TXN) had its price target cut by FBR Capital from $39.00 to $36.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (UCTT) had its price target slashed by Needham & Company from $14.00 to $11.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Eaton Corp. (ETN) had its price target raised by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from $52.00 to $57.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Eaton (ETN) (VECO) (AFFX) (ARRS) (TASR) (RNOW) Ratings Reiterated

Eaton Corp. (NYSE: ETN), Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO), Affymetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFX), Arris Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARRS), TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) and RightNow Technologies (NASDAQ: RNOW) ratings reiterated by analysts.

Piper Jaffray reiterated its "Overweight" rating on Veeco Instruments. They have a price target of $62.00 on the company.

Wedbush reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Affymetrix, Inc. (AFFX). They have a price target of $7.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated a "Buy" rating on Eaton Corp. (ETN).

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) reiterated an "Overweight" rating on RightNow Technologies (RNOW). They have a price target of $40.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an "Underweight" rating on TASER International, Inc. (TASR).

Collins Stewart reiterated a “Neutral” rating on Arris Group, Inc. (ARRS).

Finisar (FNSR) (VLTR) (EGP) (NMM) (PLXT) (RSTI) Upgraded

Finisar (NASDAQ: FNSR), Volterra Semi (NASDAQ: VLTR), EastGroup Properties Inc. (NYSE: EGP), Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NYSE: NMM), PLX Technology Inc (NASDAQ: PLXT) and Rofin-Sinar Technologies (NASDAQ: RSTI) upgraded by analysts.

EastGroup Properties Inc. (EGP) was upgraded by Robert W. Baird from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $50.00 on the company, up from $47.00.

Finisar (FNSR) was upgraded by Citigroup (NYSE:C) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NMM) was upgraded by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

PLX Technology Inc. (PLXT) was upgraded by Craig Hallum from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Rofin-Sinar Technologies (RSTI) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $41.00 on the company.

Volterra Semi (VLTR) was upgraded by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) from a “Neutral” rating to an “Overweight” rating.

Sprint (S) (BHI) (BRCM) (CVS) (SMF) (VCLK) Upgraded

Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI), Broadcom Corp (NASDAQ: BRCM), CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), Smart & Final (NYSE: SMF) and ValueClick Inc. (NASDAQ: VCLK) upgraded by analysts.

Sprint Nextel (S) was upgraded by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) from an “Outperform” rating to an “Underweight” rating. They have a price target of $3.00 on the company.

Baker Hughes (BHI) was upgraded by Howard Weil from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $100.00 on the company, up from $87.00.

Broadcom Corp (BRCM) was upgraded by Charter Equity from a “Market Perform” rating to a “Buy” rating.

CVS Caremark (CVS) was upgraded by William Blair from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Smart & Final (SMF) was upgraded by FBR Capital from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $27.00 on the company.

ValueClick Inc. (VCLK) was upgraded by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) to an (Overweight” rating.

Alliance (AIQ) (CPSI) (EE) (EGLE) (ESI) (WRC) Downgraded

Alliance HealthCare Services, Inc. (NYSE: AIQ), Computer Programs & Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CPSI), El Paso Electric (NYSE: EE), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (NASDAQ: EGLE), ITT Educational Services Inc (NYSE: ESI) and The Warnaco Group, Inc. (NYSE: WRC) downgraded by analysts.

Alliance HealthCare Services, Inc. (AIQ) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $31.00 on the company.

Computer Programs & Systems, Inc. (CPSI) was downgraded by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) from an “Overweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

El Paso Electric (EE) was downgraded by Argus from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (EGLE) was downgraded by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) from a “Hold” rating to a “Sell” rating.

ITT Educational Services Inc. (ESI) was downgraded by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Sell” rating. They have a price target of $70.00 on the company.

The Warnaco Group, Inc. (WRC) was downgraded by Lazard Capital from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Google (GOOG) (HLF) (MDP) (SCOR) (TJX) (CAVM) Get New Coverage

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF), Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP), COMSCORE, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), TJX Companies Inc (NYSE: TJX) and Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM) get new coverage from analysts.

Credit Agricole initiated coverage on Google (GOOG). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

SunTrust initiated coverage on Herbalife Ltd. (HLF). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) initiated coverage on Meredith Corporation (MDP). They placed an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Piper Jaffray initiated coverage on COMSCORE, Inc. (SCOR). They placed a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) initiated coverage on TJX Companies Inc (TJX). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

MKM Partners initiated coverage on Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM). They placed a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $40.00 on the company.

Motorola Mobility (MMI) (LO) (BEAV) (ROP) (LPS) EPS Estimates Changed

Motorola Mobility (NYSE: MMI), Lorillard Inc. (NYSE: LO), BE Aerospace (NASDAQ: BEAV), Roper Industries Inc (NYSE: ROP) and Lender Processing Services Incorporated (NYSE: LPS) EPS estimates adjusted by analysts.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) boosted its EPS estimate on BE Aerospace (BEAV). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $48.00 on the company.

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) lowered its EPS estimate on Lorillard Inc. (LO). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $124.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) lowered its EPS estimates on Lender Processing Services Incorporated (LPS). They have a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $21.00 on the company.

Barclays Capital cut its EPS estimates on Motorola Mobility (MMI). They have an “Overweight” rating and a price target of $33.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) raised its EPS estimates on Roper Industries Inc (ROP). They have a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $101.00 on the company.

Netflix (NFLX) (TXN) (IM) (COMV) (BCDS) (ADVS) Ratings Reiterated

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN), Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM), Comverge Inc (NASDAQ: COMV), BCD Semiconductor (NASDAQ: BCDS) and Advent Software Inc (NASDAQ: ADVS) ratings reiterated by analysts.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Netflix, Inc. (NFLX).

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Texas Instruments (TXN).

Sterne Agee Ingram reiterated its "Buy" rating on Micro Inc. (IM). They have a price target of $24.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Comverge Inc (COMV).

Oppenheimer reiteraed a "Market Perform" rating on BCD Semiconductor (BCDS).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an "Underweight" rating on Advent Software Inc. (ADVS). They have a price target of $30.50 on the company.

Sprint (S) (SOHU) (FFIV) (FHN) (AEC) (BBT) Upgraded

Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), Sohu.Com Inc. (NASDAQ: SOHU), F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV), First Horizon National Co. (NYSE: FHN), Associated Estates (NYSE: AEC) and BB&T (NYSE: BBT) upgraded by analysts.

Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) was upgraded by RBC Capital from a “Sector Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $6.00 on the company.

Sohu.Com (SOHU) was upgraded by Credit Agricole from an “Underperform” rating to a “Buy” rating.

F5 Networks (FFIV) was upgraded by Ticonderoga from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $130.00 on the company.

First Horizon National (FHN) was upgraded by Compass Point from a “Sell” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Associated Estates (AEC) was upgraded by Robert W. Baird from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $21.00 on the company, up from $18.00.

BB&T (BBT) was upgraded by Rochdale Securities from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

SunPower (SPWRA) (NVDA) (RCII) (CNI) (HCA) (HLIT) Downgraded

SunPower Co. (NASDAQ: SPWRA), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Rent-A-Center, Inc (NASDAQ: RCII), Canadian National Railway (NYSE: CNI), HCA Holdings Inc (NYSE: HCA) and Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) downgraded by analysts.

SunPower (SPWRA) was downgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Hold” rating to a “Sell” rating.

NVIDIA (NVDA) was downgraded by Needham & Company from a “Hold” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Rent-A-Center, Inc (RCII) was downgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Canadian National Railway (CNI) was downgraded by Dahlman Rose from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

HCA Holdings Inc (HCA) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $31.00 on the company.

Harmonic (HLIT) was downgraded by Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) to a “Neutral” rating.

ADM (ADM) (ROSE) (WRB) (BRCM) (BHI) (COMV) Price Targets Changed

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM), Rosetta Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: ROSE), W.R. Berkley Co. (NYSE: WRB), Broadcom Corp (NASDAQ: BRCM), Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI) and Comverge Inc (NASDAQ: COMV) price targets adjusted by analysts.

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) had its price target cut by Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) to $40.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Rosetta Resources Inc. (ROSE) had its price target boosted by Wunderlich from $57.00 to $66.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

W.R. Berkley Co. (WRB) had its price target raised by KBW to $33.00.

Broadcom (BRCM) had its price target raised by FBR Capital from $48.00 to $50.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Baker Hughes (BHI) had its price target raised by Canaccord Genuity from $84.00 to $90.00. They have a “Hold” rating on the company.

Comverge (COMV) had its price target cut by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) to $4.00.

Baker Hughes (BHI) (LVS) (PCL) (RRC) (APC) (MAS) EPS Estimates Changed

Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI), Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS), Plum Creek Timber Co. (NYSE: PCL), Range Resources (NYSE: RRC), Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) and Masco Co. (NYSE: MAS) EPS estimates adjusted by analysts.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) raised its EPS estimate on Baker Hughes (BHI). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $106.00 on the company.

Sterne Agee raised its EPS estimates on Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS). They have a “buy” rating and a price target of $60.00 on the company.

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) cut its EPS estimate on Plum Creek Timber Co. (PCL). They have a “Sell” rating and a price target of $36.00 on the company.

UBS AG cut its EPS estimate on Range Resources (RRC). They have a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $65.00 on the company.

UBS AG raised its EPS estimate on Anadarko Petroleum (APC). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $100.00 on the company.

UBS AG cut its EPS estimate on Masco Co. (MAS). They have a “Sell” rating and a price target of $8.00 on the company.

Anadarko (APC) (CENX) (TXN) (NFLX) (JEC) (BAC) Ratings Reiterated

Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC), Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX), Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN), Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), Jacobs Engineering (NYSE: JEC) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) ratings reiterated by analysts.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Anadarko Petroleum (APC). They have a price target of $94.00 on the company.

Dahlman Rose reiterated a "Hold" rating on Century Aluminum Company (CENX).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an "Overwight" rating on Texas Instruments (TXN).

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) reiterated an "Overwight" rating on Netflix, Inc. (NFLX). They have a price target of $330.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Jacobs Engineering (JEC).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an "Overwight" rating on Bank of America (BAC). They have a price target of $18.00 on the company.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Goodrich (GR) (CAT) (ALK) (APD) (ALB) (SFG) Price Targets Changed

Goodrich Co. (NYSE: GR), Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), Alaska Air (NYSE: ALK), Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD), Albemarle Co. (NYSE: ALB) and StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: SFG) price targets adjusted by analysts.

Barclays Capital raised its price target on Goodrich Co. (GR) to $120.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) raised its price target on Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) to $158.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Ticonderoga cut its price target on Alaska Air (ALK) from $83.00 to $81.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) raised its price target on Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (APD) to $109.00.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) raised its price target on Albemarle Co. (ALB) to $81.00.

McAdams Wright Ragen slashed its price target on StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (SFG) from $52.00 to $41.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

CIBC (CM) (UBSH) (ASBC) (BWS) (SWFT) (CBOE) Upgraded by Analysts

CIBC (NYSE: CM), Union First Market Bankshares Corp (NASDAQ: UBSH), Associated Banc-Corp (NASDAQ: ASBC), Brown Shoe Company, Inc. (NYSE: BWS), Swift Transportation (NASDAQ: SWFT) and CBOE Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: CBOE) upgraded by analysts.

CIBC (NYSE: CM) was upgraded by analysts at to a “Buy” rating.

Union First Market Bankshares (UBSH) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $15.00 on the company.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) was upgraded by Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Brown Shoe Company, Inc. (BWS) was upgraded by BB&T from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Swift Transportation (SWFT) was upgraded by Capstone from a “Sell” rating to a “Hold” rating. They have a price target of $10.50 on the company.

CBOE Holdings, Inc (CBOE) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Sell” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Textron (TXT) (VOLVY) (MSI) (OC) (INTU) (COL) Upgraded

Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), Volvo (NASDAQ: VOLVY), Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI), Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU) and Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) upgraded by analysts.

Textron Inc. (TXT) was upgraded by Barclays Capital from an “Equal Weight” rating to an “Overweight” rating. They have a price target of $32.00 on the company.

Volvo (VOLVY) was upgraded by Robert W. Baird from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Motorola Solutions (MSI) was upgraded by Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $55.00 on the company.

Owens Corning (OC) was upgraded by RBC Capital from an “Outperform” rating to a “Top Pick” rating. They have a price target of $45.00 on the company, up from $42.00.

Intuit Inc. (INTU) was upgraded by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $57.00 on the company.

Rockwell Collins (COL) was upgraded by RBC Capital from a “Sector Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $70.00 on the company.

Qiagen (QGEN) (BTN) (CE) (PRSP) (CSC) (CX) Downgraded

Qiagen (NASDAQ: QGEN), Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (NYSE: BTN), Celanese Co. (NYSE: CE), Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSP), Computer Sciences (NYSE: CSC) and Cemex SAB de CV (NYSE: CX) downgraded by analysts.

Qiagen (QGEN) was downgraded by Wedbush from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $19.00 on the company, down from $24.00.

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (BTN) was downgraded by Merriman Curhan Ford from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Celanese Co. (CE) was downgraded by Macquarie from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (PRSP) was downgraded by Macquarie from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Computer Sciences (CSC) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Cemex SAB de CV (CX) was downgraded by Citigroup (NYSE:C) from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating. They have a price target of $9.50 on the company.

Thomson Reuters (TRI) (PRE) (GNK) (HP) (CNP) (NAT) Downgraded

Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE: TRI), PartnerRe (NYSE: PRE), Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd (NYSE: GNK), Helmerich & Payne (NYSE: HP), CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) and Nordic American Tanker Shipping (NYSE: NAT) downgraded by analysts.

Thomson Reuters Co. (TRI) was downgraded by RBC Capital from an “Outperform” rating to a “Sector Perform” rating. They have a price target of $42.00 on the company, down from $46.00.

PartnerRe (PRE) was downgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) from an “Overweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $76.00 on the company.

Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd (GNK) was downgraded by Cantor Fitzgerald from a “Hold” rating to a “Sell” rating.

Helmerich & Payne (HP) was downgraded by Duncan Williams from a “Buy” rating to a “Reduce” rating. They have a price target of $72.00 on the company. They cited valuation as the catalyst behind the call.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) was downgraded by Argus from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Nordic American Tanker Shipping (NAT) was downgraded by Cantor Fitzgerald from a “Hold” rating to a “Sell” rating. They have a price target of $16.00 on the company.

NVIDIA (NVDA) (MCD) (PBR) (VZ) (SLB) (HON) Price Targets Changed

NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD), Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NYSE: PBR), Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) and Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) price targets adjusted by analysts.

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) lowered its price target on NVIDIA (NVDA) to $16.50. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

UBS AG boosted its price target on McDonald’s (MCD) to $97.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) cut its price target on Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PBR) to $47.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) lowered its price target on Verizon (VZ) to $33.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Howard Weil increased its price targeton Schlumberger (SLB) from $103.00 to $110.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Sterne Agee lowered its price target on Honeywell International Inc. (HON) to $63.00.

Thoratec (THOR) (THQI) (TUP) (TWC) (UTX) Ratings Reiterated

Thoratec (NASDAQ:THOR), THQ Inc (NASDAQ: THQI), Tupperware Brands Co. (NYSE: TUP), Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) and United Technologies Co. (NYSE: UTX) reiterated by analysts.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Thoratec (THOR).

BMC Equities Research reiterated a "Buy" rating on THQ Inc (THQI). They have a price target of $5.50 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an "Overweight" rating on Tupperware Brands. They have a price target of $80.00 on the company.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) reiterated a "Buy" rating on Time Warner Cable (TWC).

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) reiterated an "Equal Weight on United Technologies Co. (UTX).

GE (GE) (CAT) (QLIK) (BWLD) (PNRA) (SMG) Ratings Reiterated

General Electric (NYSE: GE), Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), Qlik Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: QLIK), Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ: BWLD), Panera Bread Company (NASDAQ: PNRA) and Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: SMG) had ratings reiterated by analysts.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) reiterated a "Buy" rating on Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an "Overweight" rating on Caterpillar Inc. (CAT).

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated a "Buy" rating on General Electric (GE).

Sterne Agee reiterated a "Buy" rating on Panera Bread Company (PNRA). They have a price target of $134.00 on the company.

Citigroup reiterated a "Hold" rating on Qlik Technologies Inc (QLIK).

Oppenheimer reiterated a "Market Perform" rating on Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG).

Duke (DUK) (CF) (EXC) (BAS) (SLB) (TYY) Upgraded

Duke Energy Co. (NYSE: DUK), CF Industries Holdings Inc (NYSE: CF), Exelon Co. (NYSE: EXC), Basic Energy Services (NYSE: BAS), Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) and Tortoise Energy Capital Co. (NYSE: TYY) upgraded by analysts.

Basic Energy Services (BAS) was upgraded by BMO Capital Markets from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $39.00 on the company, up from $25.00.

CF Industries Holdings Inc (CF) was upgraded by Dahlman Rose from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $180.00 on the company.

Duke Energy Co. (DUK) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Sell” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Schlumberger (SLB) was upgraded by Societe Generale to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $108.00 on the company.

Tortoise Energy Capital Co. (TYY) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $28.00 on the company.

Exelon Co. (EXC) was upgraded by Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) from an “Underperform” rating to a “Buy” rating.

GT Solar (SOLR) (PAAS) (PEP) (REV) (SO) (EW) Dowgraded

GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), Pan American Silver Corp (NASDAQ: PAAS), PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP), Revlon Incorporated (NYSE: REV), Southern Co (NYSE: SO) and Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW) downgraded by analysts.

Pan American Silver (PAAS) was downgraded by Canaccord Genuity from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) downgraded Southern Co (SO) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Sell” rating.

GT Solar International, Inc. (SOLR) was downgraded by Credit Agricole from an “Outperform” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $74.00 on the company.

Edwards Lifesciences (EW) was downgraded by Rodman & Renshaw from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Underperform” rating. They have a price target of $66.00 on the company.

Revlon Incorporated (REV) was downgraded by BMO Capital Markets from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Dover (DOV) (SLAB) (SLB) (BAS) (GLF) (MCD) Price Targets Changed

Dover Co. (NYSE: DOV), Silicon Laboratories (NASDAQ: SLAB), Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB), Basic Energy Services (NYSE: BAS), Gulfmark Offshore (NYSE: GLF) and McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) price targets adjusted by analysts.

Barclays Capital raised its price target on Dover Co. (DOV) from $68.00 to $72.00. They have an “overweight” rating on the company.

Barclays Capital raised its price target on Basic Energy Services (BAS) from $36.00 to $43.00. They have an “Equal Weight” rating on the company.

Barclays Capital raised its price target on Gulfmark Offshore (GLF) from $43.00 to $50.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Barclays Capital raised its price target on McDonald’s (MCD) from $91.00 to $100.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Needham & Company lowered its price target on Silicon Laboratories (SLAB) from $53.00 to $41.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Barclays Capital raised its price target on Schlumberger (SLB) from $106.00 to $110.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Lorillard (LO) (MHS) (ERTS) (ATVI) (EXPE) (SYMC) Ratings Reiterated

Lorillard Inc. (NYSE: LO), Medco Health Solutions Inc. (NYSE: MHS), Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS), Activision Blizzard Inc (NASDAQ: ATVI), Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) and Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC) have ratings reiterated by analysts.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated a "Buy" rating on Medco Health Solutions Inc. (MHS).

BMC Equities reiterated a "Hold" rating Research Electronic Arts Inc (ERTS).

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated a "Buy" rating on Expedia, Inc. (EXPE).

BMC Equities Research reiterated a "Buy" rating on Activision Blizzard Inc (ATVI). They have a price target of $15.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated a "Buy" rating on Lorillard Inc. (LO). They have a price target of $122.00 on the company.

Oppenheimer reiterated an "Outperform" rating on Symantec (SYMC). They have a price target of $21.00 on the company.

General Electric (GE) (PNC) (FITB) (TRV) (HON) (RAI) EPS Estimates Changed

General Electric (NYSE: GE), PNC Financial Services (NYSE: PNC), Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB), The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) and Reynolds American, Inc. (NYSE: RAI) EPS estimates adjusted by analysts.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) raised its EPS estimate on Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB). They have a “Hold” rating and a price target of $14.00 on the company.

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) cuts its EPS estimate on General Electric (GE) ‘s. They have an “Outperform” rating and a price target of $23.00 on the company.

Citigroup lowered its EPS estimate on Honeywell International Inc. (HON). They have a “hold” rating and a price target of $65.00 on the company.

Citigroup boosted its EPS estimate on PNC Financial Services (PNC). They have a “Hold” rating and a price target of $64.00 on the company.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) cuts its EPS estimate on Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI). They have an “Equal Weight” rating and a price target of $38.00 on the company.

UBS AG lowered its EPS estimate on The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $66.00 on the company.

Caterpillar (CAT) (AMZN) (KR) (COL) (HON) (MCD) Price Targets Changed

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Kroger (NYSE: KR), Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL), Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) and McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) have price targets adjusted by analysts.

Kroger (KR) had its price target raised by Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) to $30.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) had its price target raised by ThinkEquity to $250.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) had its price target raised by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from $104.00 to $114.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Rockwell Collins (COL) had its price target lowered by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) to $70.00.

Honeywell International Inc. (HON) had its price target raised by FBR Capital from $64.00 to $66.00. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

McDonald’s (MCD) had its price target raised by Credit Suisse to $97.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

First Solar (FSLR) (MPC) (SPWRA) (WFR) (P) (A) Get New Analyst Coverage

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR), Marathon Petroleum (NYSE: MPC), SunPower Co. (NASDAQ: SPWRA), MEMC Electronic Materials Inc (NYSE: WFR), Pandora Media (NYSE: P) and Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) get new coverage from analysts.

Auriga initiated coverage on First Solar, Inc. (FSLR). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $157.00 on the company.

Dahlman Rose initiated coverage on Marathon Petroleum (MPC). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $55.00 on the company.

Auriga initiated coverage on SunPower Co. (SPWRA). They placed a “Sell” rating and a price target of $14.00 on the company.

Auriga initiated coverage on MEMC Electronic Materials Inc (WFR). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $11.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) initiated coverage on Pandora Media (P). They placed an “Overweight” rating and a price target of $22.00 on the company.

Cowen initiated coverage on Agilent Technologies Inc. (A). They placed an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Monday, July 25, 2011

NovaGold (NG) (GG) (NEM) (EGO) (ABX) Trading Up as Gold Jumps

The price of gold is hopping again today, pushing up shares of gold miners like NovaGold (NYSE:NG), Goldcorp (NYSE:GG), Newmont (NYSE:NEM), Eldorado Gold (NYSE: EGO) and Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX), as the market remains jittery over the inability of politicians to come to a conclusion concerning the debt ceiling.

U.S. gold futures for August delivery rose to $16.80 an ounce at $1,618.30.

Spot gold climbed as high as $1,624 an ounce and was up 1.1 percent at $1,615.74 an ounce.

Expectations are the price of gold will be volatile this week, moving in conjunction with news stories released covering the negotiations.

Silver Prices jumped to $41.08 an ounce in Monday morning – a 2.5 gain from the close on Friday. It has pulled back since then.

Diamond (DO) (DISH) (CREE) (GNW) (MHS) (SNDK) Price Targets Changed

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO), DISH (NASDAQ: DISH), Cree, Inc. (NASDAQ: CREE), Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE: GNW), Medco Health Solutions Inc. (NYSE: MHS) and SanDisk Co. (NASDAQ: SNDK) price targets adjusted by analysts.

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (DO) had its price target lowered by Global Hunter Securities from $71.00 to $68.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

DISH (DISH) had its price target raised by Collins Stewart from $30.00 to $37.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Cree, Inc. (CREE) had its price target lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) to $48.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Genworth Financial, Inc. (GNW) had its price target lowered by Citigroup (NYSE: C) to $8.00. They have a “Sell” rating on the company.

Medco Health Solutions Inc. (MHS) had its price target raised by UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) to $73.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

SanDisk Co. (SNDK) had its price target lowered by Wedbush from $52.00 to $45.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Veeco (VECO) (SWY) (SIVB) (PLCM) (MSFT) (KSU) Price Targets Changed

Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO), Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY), SVB Financial Group (NASDAQ: SIVB), Polycom (NASDAQ: PLCM), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) price targets adjusted by analysts.

Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO) had its price target lowered by UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) from $55.00 to $51.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Safeway Inc. (SWY) had its price target lowered by Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) to $22.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

SVB Financial Group (SIVB) had its price target raised by RBC Capital from $60.00 to $64.00. They have a “Sector Perform” rating on the company.

Polycom (PLCM) had its price target raised by RBC Capital from $32.50 to $35.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) had its price target raised by UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) from $32.00 to $33.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Kansas City Southern (KSU) had its price target raised by Sterne Agee to $65.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Whirlpool (WHR) (MS) (TCB) (PENN) (SVN) (PEP) Price Targets Changed

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR), Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), TCF Financial Co. (NYSE: TCB), Penn National Gaming (NASDAQ: PENN), 7 Days Group Holdings Ltd (NYSE: SVN) and PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP) price targets adjusted by analysts.

Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) had its price target lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) to $82.00.

TCF Financial Co. (TCB) had its price target lowered by RBC Capital from $18.00 to $16.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

7 Days Group Holdings Ltd (SVN) had its price target raised by Wedbush to $119.00.

PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) had its price target lowered by UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) from $82.00 to $79.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Penn National Gaming (PENN) had its price target raised by Jefferies (NYSE: JEF) to $51.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Morgan Stanley (MS) had its price target raised by UBS AG from $25.00 to $33.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

AMD (AMD) (FNFG) (LFRGY) (ADSK) (CRH) (DGI) (KLIC) Upgraded

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD), First Niagara Financial Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FNFG), Lafarge S.A. (NASDAQ: LFRGY), Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK), CRH PLC (NYSE: CRH), DigitalGlobe Inc (NYSE: DGI) and Kulicke & Soffa (NASDAQ: KLIC) Upgraded.

Autodesk (ADSK) was upgraded by Jefferies (NYSE: JEF) from a

“Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $44.00 on the company, up from $40.00.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) was upgraded by Raymond James (NYSE: RJF) from an “Underperform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

CRH (CRH) was upgraded by Nomura from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

DigitalGlobe Inc (DGI) was upgraded by The Benchmark Company from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $32.00 on the company.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. (FNFG) was upgraded by Boenning & Scattergood from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $16.50 on the company.

Kulicke & Soffa (KLIC) was upgraded by Jefferies from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Lafarge S.A. (LFRGY) was upgraded by Nomura from a “Reduce” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Coach (COH) (AF) (NTCT) (EGLE) (GNK) Downgraded

Coach (NYSE: COH), Astoria Financial Co. (NYSE: AF), NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTCT), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (NASDAQ: EGLE) and Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd (NYSE: GNK) downgraded by analysts.

Astoria Financial (AF) was downgraded by Raymond James from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Coach (COH) was downgraded by Cowen from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Diana Shipping (DSX) was downgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Eagle Bulk Shipping (EGLE) was downgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd (GNK) was downgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

NetScout Systems, Inc. (NTCT) was downgraded by Wedbush from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $18.00 on the company, down from $21.00.

PepsiCo (PEP) (PM) (NYB) (NCR) (HGSI) (IR) Price Targets Changed

PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP), Philip Morris (NYSE: PM), New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: NYB), NCR Corp. (NYSE: NCR), Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) and Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE: IR) price targets adjusted by analysts.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) lowered its price target on PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) to $75.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Stifel Nicolaus raised its price target on Philip Morris (PM) from $74.00 to $78.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

FBR Capital cut its price target on New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYB) $19.00 to $17.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) raised its price target on NCR Corp. (NCR) to $25.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

RBC Capital lowered its price target on Human Genome Sciences (HGSI) from $38.00 to $32.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) slashed its price target on Ingersoll-Rand (IR) from $50.00 to $45.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

LM Ericsson (ERIC) (RELL) (URBN) (AMD) (ENTG) Upgraded

LM Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), Richardson Electronics Ltd (NASDAQ: RELL), Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ: URBN), Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) and Entegris (NASDAQ: ENTG) upgraded by analysts.

WestLB upgraded LM Ericsson (ERIC) was to a “Neutral” rating.

Craig Hallum upgraded Richardson Electronics Ltd (RELL) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Wall Street Strategies upgraded Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) was to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $36.00 on the company.

Canaccord Genuity upgraded Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $8.00 on the company.

Dougherty & Co. upgraded Entegris (ENTG) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $11.25 on the company, up from $10.50.

C.R. Bard (BCR) (NYB) (SFN) (STM) (HBAN) Downgraded

C.R. Bard, Inc. (NYSE: BCR), New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: NYB), SFN Group Inc (NYSE: SFN), STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) and Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ: HBAN) downgraded by analysts.

BMO Capital Markets downgraded New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYB) from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

FBR Capital downgraded Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) was from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $7.00 on the company, down from $8.00.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) downgraded C.R. Bard, Inc. (BCR) to a “neutral” rating. They have a price target of $115.00 on the company.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) downgraded SFN Group Inc (SFN) from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

BNP Paribas downgraded STMicroelectronics (STM) from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Medco (MHS) Downgraded by Several Analysts

There was a mixed reaction from analysts on the proposed merger between Express Scripts and Medco (NYSE: MHS), with the majority viewing it as highly risky for Medco, and suggesting shareholders to take their profits now rather than wait for another possible 9 percent gain when the deal closes, which isn't a certainty.

Another impetus for selling quickly, and one that was lost in the news cycle, was the fact that Medco announced that it was losing the UnitedHealth pharmacy benefits business. That happened on the same day the potential merger was announced, masking the negative side of the news.

Add that to the possibility the deal could be nixed, and you have a lot of risk in hanging onto Medco.

FBR Capital downgraded Medco Health Solutions from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Davenport downgraded them from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Medco was downgraded by Argus from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

BMO Capital Markets downgraded them from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Maxim Group health care analyst Anthony Vendetti may have been the most negatively aggressive on Medco, recommending investors get out of the company as soon as possible.

His reasoning is if the deal falls through and the market pays more attention to the loss of business from UnitedHealth, the stock will take a beating. He sees it being much better to take the 19 percent gains and run.

At stake is a spread of 9 percent, which in the eyes of these analysts isn't enough of an upside to justify staying in the company after the run up in share price over the last two trading days.

Medco closed Friday at $65.96, gaining $2.13, or 3.34 percent.

Cepheid (CPHD) Price Target Boosted after Positive Earnings Report

After reporting better than expected quarterly results and outlook, Cepheid shares soared about 22 percent on Friday, surpassing estimates on both counts.

Most of this is the result of increasing sales its GeneXpert DNA testing system. Profits in the second quarter grew to $0.03, beating analysts expectations of a loss of $0.02.

Cepheid (NASDAQ:CPHD) had its price target raised by Oppenheimer from $33.00 to $38.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) raised its price target on Cepheid to $37.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Cepheid also had its price target increased by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from $32.00 to $35.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) raised its price target on Cepheid to $39.00.

Cepheid closed Friday at $40.77, gaining $9.14, or 28.90 percent.

SanDisk (SNDK) (SWKS) (T) (UNP) (LLY) EPS Estimates Changed

SanDisk Co. (NASDAQ: SNDK), Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: SWKS), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) and Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) EPS estimates changed by analysts.

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) cuts its EPS estimate on SanDisk Co. (SNDK). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $62.00 on the company.

UBS AG lowered its EPS estimate of Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (SWKS). They have a “Buy” rating on the company. They cited valuation as the catalyst behind the call.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) boosted its EPS estimate on AT&T Inc. (T). They have a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $30.00 on the company.

Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) raised its EPS estimate on Union Pacific (UNP). They have an “Outperform” rating and a price target of $131.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs raised its EPS estimate on Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY). They have a “Sell” rating and a price target of $35.00 on the company.

SatCon (SATC) (AEIS) (TC) (CB) (TXN) All Downgraded

SatCon Tech (NASDAQ: SATC), Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: AEIS), Thompson Creek Metals Co Inc (NYSE: TC), The Chubb Corp (NYSE: CB) and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) downgraded by analysts.

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (AEIS) was downgraded by Dougherty & Co. from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $13.50 on the company, down from $17.00.

Thompson Creek Metals Co. Inc (TC) was downgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) from an “Overweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Texas Instruments (TXN) was downgraded by BNP Paribas from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

The Chubb Corp (CB) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

SatCon Tech (SATC) was downgraded by Dougherty & Co. from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $2.50 on the company, down from $3.50.

AMD (AMD) (EVEP) (SUN) (MSFT) (ESRX) Upgraded by Analysts

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD), EV Energy (NASDAQ: EVEP), Sunoco Incorporated (NYSE: SUN), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Express Scripts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESRX) upgraded by analysts.

EV Energy (EVEP) was upgraded by Wunderlich from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $71.00 on the company.

Sunoco Incorporated (SUN) was upgraded by CRT Capital to a “Sell” rating.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) was upgraded by Davenport from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Express Scripts, Inc. (ESRX) was upgraded by Maxim Group from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $69.00 on the company.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) was upgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) from an “Underperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

SunPower (SPWRA) (NFX) (NUE) (WHR) (STX) Price Targets Changed

SunPower Co. (NASDAQ: SPWRA), Newfield Exploration Co. (NYSE: NFX), Nucor Co. (NYSE: NUE), Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) and Seagate (NYSE: STX) price targets adjusted by analysts.

RBC Capital raised its price target on Newfield Exploration (NFX) from $96.00 to $100.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered its price target on Nucor Co. (NUE) to $58.00.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) raised its price target on SunPower Co. (SPWRA) to $122.00.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) lowered its price target on Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) to $82.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) lowered its price target on Seagate (STX) to $23.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Freeport (FCX) (DO) (NE) (WFC) (CBI) EPS Estimates Changed

Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc (NYSE: FCX), Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO), Noble Corp (NYSE: NE), Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) and Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (NYSE: CBI) EPS estimates changed.

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) cut its EPS estimate on Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (DO). They have an “Underperform” rating and a price target of $67.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) raised its EPS estimate on Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc (FCX). They have an “Overweight” rating and a price target of $74.00 on the company.

UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) cut its EPS estimate on Noble Corp (NE). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $50.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) raised its EPS estimate Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC). They have a “Hold” rating and a price target of $34.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) raised its EPS estimate on Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (CBI). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $56.00 on the company.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Mosaic (MOS) (CSX) (DTLK) (ELS) (JCI) Price Targets Changed

The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX), Datalink Corporation (NASDAQ: DTLK), Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. (NYSE: ELS) and Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE: JCI) had price targets adjusted by analysts.

UBS AG raised its price target on The Mosaic Company (MOS) to $80.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

RBC Capital lowered its price target on CSX Corp. (CSX) from $29.00 to $27.00. They have a “Sector Perform” rating on the company.

Canaccord Genuity boosted its price target on Datalink Corporation (DTLK) from $10.00 to $12.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

JMP Securities raised its price target on Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. (ELS) from $64.00 to $69.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) lowered its price target on Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) to $41.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Baker Hughes (BHI) (EMC) (AXP) (FFIV) (HANS) Price Targets Changed

Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI), EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC), American Express (NYSE: AXP), F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) and Hansen Natural Co. (NASDAQ: HANS) price targets adjusted by analysts.

RBC Capital raised its price target on Baker Hughes (BHI) from $90.00 to $100.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) raised its price target on EMC Corp. (EMC) to $35.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

FBR Capital raised its price target on American Express (AXP) from $50.00 to $60.00. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

RBC Capital lowered its price target on F5 Networks (FFIV) from $150.00 to $140.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) raised its price target on Hansen Natural Co. (HANS) to $90.00.

E TRADE (ETFC) (AF) (APH) (AI) (ANF) Price Targets Changed

E TRADE Financial Co. (NASDAQ: ETFC), Astoria Financial Co. (NYSE: AF), Amphenol Co. (NYSE: APH), Arlington Asset (NYSE: AI) and Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) had price targets adjusted by analysts.

FBR Capital raised its price target on E TRADE Financial Co. (ETFC) from $17.00 to $18.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

FBR Capital cut is price target on Astoria Financial Co. (AF) from $16.00 to $14.00. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

KBW boosted its price target on Arlington Asset (AI) to $66.00.

Robert W. Baird raised its price target on Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) from $77.00 to $90.00. They have a “neutral” rating on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) lowered its price target on Amphenol Co. (APH) to $63.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Newpark (NR) (BBNK) (CBOE) (CRR) (PROV) (RES) (TAOM) Get New Coverage

Bridge Capital Holdings (NASDAQ: BBNK), CBOE Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: CBOE), Carbo Ceramics (NYSE: CRR), Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR), Provident Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PROV), RPC, Inc (NYSE: RES) and Taomee Holdings (NASDAQ: TAOM) get new coverage from analysts.

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) initiated coverage on Bridge Capital Holdings (BBNK). They placed an “outperform” rating on the company.

BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on CBOE Holdings, Inc (CBOE). They placed a “market perform” rating on the company.

Dahlman Rose initiated coverage on Carbo Ceramics (CRR). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $215.00 on the company.

Dahlman Rose initiated coverage on Newpark Resources, Inc. (NR). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $12.00 on the company.

Raymond James initiated coverage on Provident Financial Holdings, Inc. (PROV). They placed an “outperform” rating on the company.

Dahlman Rose initiated coverage on RPC, Inc (RES). They placed a “Hold” rating on the company.

Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Taomee Holdings (TAOM). They placed a “Perform” rating and a price target of $15.00 on the company.

Petsmart (PETM) (RNST) (SYBT) (TAP) Ratings Reiterated

Petsmart Inc (NASDAQ: PETM), Renasant Corp. (NASDAQ: RNST), S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYBT) and Molson Coors Brewing (NYSE: TAP) ratings were reiterated by analysts.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) reiterated its "Hold" rating on Petsmart Inc (PETM).

Wunderlich reiterated its "Buy" rating on Renasant Corp. (RNST). They have a price target of $20.00 on the company.

KBW reiterated its "Market Perform" rating on S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. (SYBT).

Jefferies (NYSE: JEF) reiterated its "HOld" raging on Molson Coors Brewing (TAP).

Pinnacle (PNFP) (EWBC) (FRC) (NLY) (OFI) Ratings Reiterated

Pinnacle Financial Partners (NASDAQ: PNFP), East West Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: EWBC), First Republic Bank (NYSE: FRC), Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NYSE: NLY) and Overhill Farms (NYSE: OFI) have ratings reiterated on them.

KBW Pinnacle reiterated its "Market Perform" rating on Financial Partners (PNFP).

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated a "Buy" rating on East West Bancorp Inc (EWBC).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an "Overweight" rating on First Republic Bank (FRC).

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) reiterated an "Underweight" on Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NLY).

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated a "Buy" rating on Overhill Farms (OFI).

Xilinx (XLNX) (STJ) (WU) (AVGO) (BANF) Ratings Reiterated

Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX), St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE: STJ), The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), Avago Technologies (NASDAQ: AVGO) and BancFirst Co. (NASDAQ: BANF) have ratings reiterated.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated its "Overweight" rating on Xilinx, Inc. (XLNX).

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated its "Sell" rating on St. Jude Medical, Inc. (STJ).

Wells Fargo & Co. reiterated its "Outperform" rating on The Western Union Company (WU).

Citigroup maintains its "Buy" rating on Avago Technologies (AVGO). They have a price target of $45.00 on the company.

KBW reiterated a "Market Perform" rating on BancFirst Co. (BANF).

QUALCOMM (QCOM) (CAKE) (EMC) (RVSB) (SFG) Ratings Reiterated

QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM), Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE), EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC), Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: RVSB) and StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: SFG) had their ratings reiterated by analysts.

Morgan Keegan reiterated an "Outperform" rating on QUALCOMM, Inc. (QCOM).

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Cheesecake Factory (CAKE). They have a price target of $30.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated a "Buy" rating on EMC Corp. (EMC).

Wunderlich reiterated a "Buy" rating on Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (RVSB). They have a price target of $4.00 on the company.

Wunderlich reiterated a "Hold" rating on StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (SFG). They have a price target of $47.00 on the company.

Intel (INTC) (FFIV) (ASTE) (KMI) (ANH) Ratings Reiterated

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV), Astec Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTE), Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) and Anworth Mortgage Asset Co. (NYSE: ANH) had their ratings reiterated by analysts.

Wunderlich reiterated a "Hold" rating on F5 Networks (FFIV). They have a price target of $120.00 on the company.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) reiterated an "Overweight" rating on Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE). They have a price target of $46.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an "Overweight" rating on Intel (INTC).

Morgan Keegan reiterated an "Outperform" rating on Kinder Morgan (KMI).

Wunderlich reiterated a "Hold" rating on Anworth Mortgage Asset Co. (ANH). They have a price target of $7.50 on the company.

Newfield (NFX) (TSCO) (AXP) (AAPL) (JCI) Ratings Reiterated

Newfield Exploration (NYSE: NFX), Tractor Supply Co. (NASDAQ: TSCO), American Express (NYSE: AXP), Apple, Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE: JCI) had ratings on them reiterated by analysts.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Newfield Exploration (NFX).

Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) reiterated a "Buy" rating on Tractor Supply Co. (TSCO).

Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) reiterated its "Overweight" rating on American Express (AXP). They have a price target of $32.00 on the company.

Scotia Capital reiterated its "Sector Perform" rating on Apple, Inc (AAPL).

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) reiterated an "Overweight" rating on Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI).

Cree (CREE) (LNT) (NR) (BAS) (IRDM) Get New Coverage

Cree (NASDAQ: CREE), Alliant Energy (NYSE: LNT), Newpark Resources (NYSE: NR), Basic Energy Services (NYSE: BAS) and Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM) are getting new coverage.

Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) initiated coverage on Alliant Energy (LNT). They placed a “market perform” rating on the company.

BB&T initiated coverage on Newpark Resources (NR). They placed a “buy” rating and a price target of $12.50 on the company.

Dahlman Rose initiated coverage on Basic Energy Services (BAS). They placed a “hold” rating on the company.

Morgan Keegan initiated coverage on Iridium Communications (IRDM). The placed an “outperform” rating and a price target of $12.00 on the company.

Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) initiated coverage on Cree (CREE). They placed a “neutral” rating on the company.

US Bancorp (USB) (HBI) (NTRS) (ST) (TCBI) (TWC) Price Targets Changed

US Bancorp (NYSE: USB), Hanesbrands (NYSE: HBI), Northern Trust Co. (NASDAQ: NTRS), Sensata Tech (NYSE: ST), Texas Capital (NASDAQ: TCBI) and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) had their price targets adjusted by analysts.

US Bancorp (USB) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital from $31.00 to $33.00. They have an “overweight” rating on the company.

Hanesbrands (HBI) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital from $30.00 to $35.00. They have an “equal weight” rating on the company.

Northern Trust Co. (NTRS) had its price target lowered by Barclays Capital from $65.00 to $60.00. They have an “equal weight” rating on the company.

Sensata Tech (ST) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital from $40.00 to $42.00. They have an “overweight” rating on the company.

Texas Capital (TCBI) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital from $26.00 to $28.00. They have an “equal weight” rating on the company.

Time Warner Cable (TWC) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital from $75.00 to $80.00. They have an “equal weight” rating on the company.

eBay (EBAY) (EMC) (FFIV) (ESI) (ALXN) Price Targets Changed

eBay, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY), EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC), F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV), ITT Educational Services Inc (NYSE: ESI) and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) had their price targets adjusted by analysts.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) had its price target raised by Brean Murray from $57.00 to $60.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

eBay, Inc. (EBAY) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital from $36.00 to $38.00. They have an “equal weight” rating on the company.

EMC Corp. (EMC) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital from $35.00 to $37.00. They have an “overweight” rating on the company.

ITT Educational Services (ESI) had its price target raised by Barclays Capital from $91.00 to $100.00. They have an “equal weight” rating on the company.

F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) had its price target lowered by Barclays Capital from $125.00 to $118.00. They have an “overweight” rating on the company.

Apple (AAPL) Enters Hulu Talks

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has reportedly entered into discussions concerning the acquisition of Hulu, which has attracted a number of other tech giants as well, including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA), via NBC Universal, according to a report from Bloomberg, citing a couple of sources they didn't reveal.

Estimates at this time are Hulu is on course to reach 1 million paid subscribers by the end of summer. That would surpass earlier estimates if they reach that milestone.

With the heavyweights entering the discussions, it's almost certain a high premium would be paid to get the wildly popular video site, as to build it out would be an enormous endeavor, if it was done from scratch.

Apple closed Thursday at $387.29, gaining $0.39, or 0.10 percent.

Intel (INTC) (TSCO) (CLB) (SABA) (ALTH) Downgraded

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), Tractor Supply Co. (NASDAQ: TSCO), Core Labs (NYSE: CLB), Saba Software (NASDAQ: SABA) and Allos Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ: ALTH) downgraded by analysts.

Craig Hallum downgraded Saba Software (SABA) from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating.

Feltl & Co. downgraded Tractor Supply Co. (TSCO) from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating. They have a price target of $67.95 on the company, down from $69.75.

JMP Securities downgraded Allos Therapeutics Incorporated (ALTH) from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating.

RBC Capital downgraded Core Labs (CLB) from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating. They have a price target of $117.00 on the company, up from $110.00.

Nomura downgraded Intel (INTC) from a “neutral” rating to a “reduce” rating.

eBay (EBAY) Price Target Raised by Several Analysts

eBay, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) got a boost from several analysts for their price target.

RBC Capital raised its price target on eBay, Inc. (EBAY) from $41.00 to $43.00. They have an “outperform” rating on the company.

The Benchmark Company raised its price target on eBay, Inc. from $30.00 to $38.00. They have a “hold” rating on the company.

Morgan Keegan raised its price target on eBay, Inc. to $38.00.

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) raised its price target on eBay, Inc. to $40.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Analysts at Wedbush initiated coverage on eBay, Inc., starting them off with a "Neutral” rating and a price target of $35.00.

eBay closed Thursday at $33.44, gaining $0.27, or 0.80 percent.

Suntech (STP) (YGE) (SOL) (CLX) (NRGY) Downgraded

Suntech Power (NYSE: STP), Yingli Green Energy Hold. Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YGE), ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE: SOL), Clorox Co (NYSE: CLX) and Inergy (NASDAQ: NRGY) downgraded by analysts.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) downgraded Suntech Power (STP) from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating.

Yingli Green Energy (YGE) was downgraded by Deutsche Bank from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating.

ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE: SOL) was downgraded by Deutsche Bank from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating.

Clorox Co (NYSE: CLX) was downgraded by RBC Capital from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating. They have a price target of $73.00 on the company, up from $72.00.

Inergy (NASDAQ: NRGY) was downgraded by Citigroup (NYSE: C) from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Intel (INTC) (MO) (AXP) (FFIV) (EBAY) EPS Estimates Changed

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), Altria Group (NYSE: MO), American Express (NYSE: AXP), F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) and eBay, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) EPS estimates changed by analysts.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) boosted its EPS estimate on American Express (AXP). They have a “buy” rating and a price target of $60.00 on the company.

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) cuts its EPS estimate on eBay, Inc. (EBAY). They have an “outperform” rating and a price target of $64.00 on the company.

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) cuts its EPS estimate on F5 Networks (FFIV). They have a “neutral” rating and a price target of $110.00 on the company.

Oppenheimer raised its EPS estimate on Intel (INTC). They have a “market perform” rating on the company.

UBS AG cuts its EPS estimate on Altria Group (MO). They have a “buy” rating and a price target of $30.00 on the company.

Monsanto (MON) (MMR) (MWE) (WYNN) (YHOO) Price Targets Adjusted

Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON), McMoRan Expl (NYSE: MMR), MarkWest Energy Partners (NYSE: MWE), Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ: WYNN) and Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) have price targets changed by analysts.

McMoRan (MMR) had its price target raised by Dahlman Rose from $18.00 to $22.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Monsanto Co. (MON) had its price target raised by Goldman Sachs to $96.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

MarkWest Energy Partners (MWE) had its price target lowered by Morgan Keegan to $56.00.

Wynn Resorts, Limited (WYNN) had its price target raised by Goldman Sachs to $167.00. They have a “neutral” rating on the company.

Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) had its price target lowered by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) to $17.00. They have an “equal weight” rating on the company.

Ratings on (STLD) (IPI) (MOS) (BTU) (SYK) Reiterated by Analysts

Steel Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLD), Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE: IPI), The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTU) and Stryker (NYSE: SYK) had ratings reiterated.

Dahlman Rose reiterated a "Buy" rating Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD). They have a price target of $26.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Stryker (SYK).

Bank of America (NYSE:JPM) reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Intrepid Potash, Inc. (IPI).

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated a "Buy" rating on The Mosaic Company (MOS).

Dahlman Rose reiterated a "Buy" rating on Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU).

Apple (AAPL) Price Target Raised by Everyone

The super quarterly results generated by Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) caused analysts to pour price target raise love on the company, as they got big boosts from numerous sources.

ISI Group raised its price target on Apple, Inc from $425.00 to $480.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Ticonderoga raised its price target on Apple, Inc. from $612.00 to $666.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Oppenheimer raised its price target on Apple, Inc. from $420.00 to $460.00. They have an “outperform” rating on the company.

Wedbush raised its price target on Apple, Inc. from $450.00 to $510.00. They have an “outperform” rating on the company.

RBC Capital raised its price target on Apple, Inc. from $450.00 to $500.00. They have an “outperform” rating on the company.

Canaccord Genuity raised its price target on Apple, Inc. from $500.00 to $510.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) raised its price target on Apple, Inc. to $525.00.

Barclays Capital raised its price target on Apple, Inc. from $465.00 to $515.00. They have an “overweight” rating on the company.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) raised its price target on Apple, Inc. from $450.00 to $500.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Apple closed Wednesday at $386.90, gaining $10.05, or 2.67 percent.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Bank of America (BAC) Hammered by Analysts

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) received some negative coverage from analysts today, although it has, for now, shrugged off the news, trading at $9.90, up $0.34, or 3.50 percent, as of 10:30 AM EDT.

CLSA downgraded Bank of America from "Buy" to "Outperform." They have a price target of $11 on the banking giant.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) cut its price target and estimates on Bank of America. They lowered their price target to $14. The cutting of estimates was the result of anemic 2Qcore PTPP. Citigroup still maintains a "Buy" rating on BAC.

UBS (NYSE:UBS) cut its price target and estimates on Bank of America as well. The new price target is $10.50 a share. Estimates were cut based on worst than anticipated residential mortgage credit improvement. UBS has a "Neutral" rating on BAC.

Ford (F) Recalling Over 20,000 Trucks, SUVs

Citing faulty switches, Ford (NYSE:F) announced its recalling 20,450 trucks and SUVs in the U.S.

The switches in question are those used in tail lights and turn signals, which in some cases have failed vehicle owners, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Included in the recall are Ranger pickups from model years 2004 through 2011, Excursion SUVs from 2002 through 2005. Other trucks from 2002 through 2007 are also listed on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Also included in the recall are over 6,000 parts from dealers suspected to have potential flaws.

Ford was trading at $12.94, falling $0.15, or 1.15 percent, as of 10:25 AM EDT.

Randgold (GOLD), AngloGold (AU) Starting Construction on Kibali Project

The joint venture between Randgold (NYSE:GOLD) and AngloGold Ashanti(NYSE:AU) on the Kibali gold mine is about to enter into the construction stage, as relocation of residents to a new town built just for them has started.

There wasn't the typical level of resistance for the new town, which will eventually be made up of over 3,500 houses accommodating close to 15,000 people, a government office, church buildings, schools, 7 medical centers and 5 public market places.

While Randgold and AngloGold each hold 45 percent of the project, development responsibilities are Randgold's.

According to Randgold's CEO, Mark Bristow, he believes Kibali is the largest gold mine in Africa outside of South Africa.

It includes a Proven & Probable mineral reserve of 74.32 million tons of ore grading 4.21 g/t gold for a total of 10.05 million ounces of gold.

The most recent resource estimate places Measured and Indicated categories at 124 million tons grading 3.4 g/t for 13.54 million ounces and a further Inferred resource of 59 million tons at 2.6 g/t for 4.9 million ounces.

As the company explores and delineation drilling continues, an increasing amount of mineral resource is being brought into reserve status.

In the early years of production, gold output on an annual basis is expected to be at about 400,000 ounces.

AnglGold Ashanti was trading at $44.07, falling $0.34, or 0.77 percent, as of 10:11 AM EDT. Randgold was trading at $87.90, down $0.43, or 0.49 percent.

Harmony Gold (HMY) Reports Major Expansion at Wafi Golpu

Harmony Gold (NYSE:HMY) announced the Wafi Golpu gold-copper property in Papua New Guinea has an expansion of 57 percent in resources, reaching over 1 billion tons, according to CEO, Graham Briggs. Harmony is in a joint venture with Newcrest on the project.

The Golpu deposit, on a 100% basis, now estimates about 869 tons of resource, including 19.3 million ounces of gold and 9 million tons of copper.

Combined with Wafi, the resource is estimated at 1.012 billion tons grading .82 g/t gold and .89% copper for a contained 26.6 million ounces of gold and 9 million tons of copper.

Production is still a ways off in this challenging mining region of the world.

Harmony was trading at $14.11, up $0.13, or 0.93 percent, as of 9:38 AM EDT.

American Airlines (AMR) Orders 460 New Planes, Options on 465 More

After reporting a dismal quarter where the company lost $286 million, AMR Corporation announced they've ordered 460 new planes from Boeing and Airbus, which will come with more fuel efficient engines.

AMR ordered 200 from Boeing (NYSE:BA), with an option for 100 more, and 260 from Airbus, with an option for 365 more. American Airlines will acquire the planes over a five-year period.

At this time American Airlines is considered to have among the worst planes as far as mileage goes; the major reason for its poor performance.

AMR's Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey said in a statement that American "expects to have the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet among our peers in the U.S. industry within five years."

Even with higher revenue based on higher fees and fares, it wasn't enough to overcome the boost in American's fuel bill, which soared 33 percent in the quarter, rising over $547 million from the same quarter in 2010.

Much of this if because of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft, one of the worst as far as fuel efficiency among aircraft. The over age of planes used by American Airlines at this time stands close to 15 years in age. They'll receive delivery of both planes in 2013.

In the short term this will mean the company will continue to struggle in a significant way.

In other news, AMR Corp. said they are going to spin off its American Eagle subsidiary as a separate company.

AMR was trading at $5.11, gaining $0.18, or 3.65 percent, as of 8:46 AM EDT. Boeing was trading at $70.53, level with the close on Tuesday.

Cisco (CSCO) (AXP) (BK) (COKE) (HAL) Ratings Reiterated

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), American Express (NYSE: AXP), Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE: BK), Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (NASDAQ: COKE) and Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) had their ratings reiterated by analysts.

Jefferies maintains a "Hold" rating on Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO).

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated a "Buy" rating on American Express (AXP).

Goldman Sachs reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Bank of New York Mellon (BK).

Goldman Sachs maintains a "Buy" rating on Coca-Cola Bottling Co. (COKE).

Morgan Keegan reiterated an "Outperform" rating on Halliburton (HAL).

Bank of New York Mellon closed Tuesday at $24.73, gaining $0.09, or 0.37 percent. American Express ended the session at $51.81, jumping $0.48, or 0.94 percent.

Cisco (CSCO) (FHN) (MMI) (SCHW) (WBMD) (WYNN) EPS Estimates Changed

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), First Horizon National Co. (NYSE: FHN), Motorola Mobility (NYSE: MMI), Charles Schwab (NASDAQ: SCHW), Webmd Health Corp (NASDAQ: WBMD) and Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ: WYNN) EPS estimates changed by analysts.

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) raised its EPS estimate on Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO). They have a “neutral” rating and a price target of $17.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) cuts its EPS estimate on First Horizon National Co. (FHN). They have a “hold” rating and a price target of $11.00 on the company.

ThinkEquity cut its EPS estimate on Motorola Mobility (MMI). They have a “buy” rating and a price target of $27.00 on the company.

UBS AG lowered its EPS estimate on Charles Schwab (SCHW). They have a “buy” rating and a price target of $22.00 on the company.

ThinkEquity cuts its EPS estimate on Webmd Health Corp. (WBMD). They have a “buy” rating and a price target of $41.00 on the company.

UBS AG boosted its EPS estimate on Wynn Resorts, Limited (WYNN). They have a “buy” rating and a price target of $168.00 on the company.

Zions (ZION) (CHKP) (NUVA) (TLB) (HANS) (HAS) Upgraded

Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ: ZION), Check Point Software (NASDAQ: CHKP), NuVasive (NASDAQ: NUVA), Talbots (NYSE: TLB), Hansen Natural Co. (NASDAQ: HANS) and Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) upgraded by analysts.

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) upgraded Check Point Software (CHKP) from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating. They have a price target of $71.00 on the company.

Longbow Research upgraded Hansen Natural Co. (HANS) from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating.

BMO Capital Markets upgraded Hasbro, Inc. (HAS) to a “market perform” rating.

NuVasive (NUVA) was upgraded by Robert W. Baird from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating. They have a price target of $42.00 on the company, up from $32.00.

Talbots (TLB) was upgraded by Janney Montgomery Scott from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating. They have a price target of $3.00 on the company.

Zions Bancorporation (ZION) was upgraded by Compass Point from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating. They have a price target of $23.00 on the company, up from $21.00.

Petrohawk (HK) (SMG) (USG) (ERF) (EVC) Downgraded

Petrohawk Energy (NYSE: HK), Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: SMG), USG Co. (NYSE: USG), Enerplus Resources Fund (NYSE: ERF) and Entravision Communication (NYSE: EVC) downgraded.

Enerplus Resources Fund (NYSE: ERF) was downgraded by Canaccord Genuity from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating.

Entravision Communication (NYSE: EVC) was downgraded by Gilford Securities from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating.

Petrohawk Energy (NYSE: HK) was downgraded by RBC Capital to a “sector perform” rating.

Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: SMG) was downgraded by BMO Capital Markets from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating. They have a price target of $50.00 on the company, down from $57.00.

USG Co. (NYSE: USG) was downgraded by RBC Capital from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating. They have a price target of $14.00 on the company, down from $16.00.

Nokia (NOK) (PQ) (CIT) (CSL) (RAI) Upgraded by Analysts

Nokia Co. (NYSE: NOK), PetroQuest Energy, Inc. (NYSE: PQ), CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), Carlisle Companies, Inc. (NYSE: CSL) and Reynolds American, Inc. (NYSE: RAI) upgraded by analysts.

WestLB upgraded Nokia Co. (NOK) from a “reduce” rating to a “neutral” rating.

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) upgraded PetroQuest Energy, Inc. (PQ) to a “market perform” rating.

Boenning & Scattergood upgraded CIT Group Inc. (CIT) from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating. They have a price target of $47.00 on the company.

FBR Capital upgraded Carlisle Companies, Inc. (CSL) from an “underperform” rating to a “market perform” rating. They have a price target of $45.00 on the company, up from $35.00.

Davenport upgraded Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI) from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating.

Netflix (NFLX) (RRC) (PXP) (NRGY) (NWSA) Price Targets Change

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), Range Resources (NYSE: RRC), Plains Exploration & Production Company (NYSE: PXP), Inergy (NASDAQ: NRGY) and News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) had their price targets adjusted by analysts.

Wedbush raised its price target on Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) from $80.00 to $100.00. They have an “underperform” rating on the company.

Morgan Keegan slashed its price target on Inergy (NASDAQ: NRGY) to $40.50.

Wunderlich boosted its price target on News Corp. (NWSA) from $14.00 to $18.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Dahlman Rose raised its price target on Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP) from $40.00 to $50.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

RBC Capital raised its price target on Range Resources (RRC) from $70.00 to $85.00. They have an “outperform” rating on the company.

Netflix closed Tuesday at $287.29, gaining $8.29, or 2.97 percent. Range Resources closed at $63.52, rising $2.52, or 4.13 percent. News Corp. ended the day at $15.79, jumping $0.82, or 5.51 percent. Plains Exploration & Production Company closed at $40.72, climbing $1.51, or 3.85 percent. Inergy closed at $35.28, up $0.13, or 0.37 percent.