Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Agnico (AEM) (SCCO) (BAC) (UBS) (HWD) (FRC) (FHN) Ratings, Price Targets

Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (AEM), Southern Copper (SCCO), Bank of America (BAC), UBS AG (UBS), Harry Winston Diamond (HWD), First Republic Bank (FRC) and First Horizon National Co. (FHN) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Global Hunter Securities initiated coverage on Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (AEM). They place a "Buy" rating and a price target of $46.00 on the company.

Morgan Stanley upgraded Southern Copper (SCCO) from an "Equal Weight" rating to an "Overweight" rating.

Robert W. Baird downgraded Bank of America (BAC) from an "Outperform" rating to an "Neutral" rating. They have a price target of $10.00 on the company.

ISI Group downgraded UBS AG (UBS) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

BMO Capital Markets downgraded Harry Winston Diamond (HWD) from an "Outperform" rating to an "Market Perform" rating.

BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on First Republic Bank (FRC). They placed an "Outperform" rating on the company.

Sterne Agee upgraded First Horizon National Co. (FHN) from an "Underperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Dendreon (DNDN) (BHI) (HFC) (WY) (EXM) (PKD) Ratings, Price Targets

Dendreon Co. (DNDN), Baker Hughes (BHI), HollyFrontier Corp (HFC), Weyerhaeuser (WY), Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd (EXM) and Parker Drilling Company (PKD) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Wells Fargo & Co. downgraded Baker Hughes (BHI) from a "Outperform" rating to an "Market Perform" rating.

Raymond James downgraded HollyFrontier Corp (HFC) from a "Outperform" rating to an "Underperform" rating.

Scotia Capital downgraded Weyerhaeuser (WY) from a "Sector Perform" rating to an "Underperform" rating.

Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage on Dendreon Co. (DNDN). They placed a "Hold" rating and a price target of $11.00 on the company.

Imperial Capital initiated coverage on Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd (EXM). They placed an "Underperform" rating and price target of $1.14 on the company.

Sidoti initiated coverage on Parker Drilling Company (PKD). They placed a "Buy" rating on the company.

DTE (DTE) (TE) (WEC) (WFT) (WR) (LNT) Ratings, Price Targets

DTE Energy (DTE), TECO Energy, Inc. (TE), Wisconsin Energy (WEC), Weatherford (WFT), Westar Energy, Inc. (WR) and Alliant Energy (LNT) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Macquarie upgraded DTE Energy (DTE) from a "Neutral" rating to an "Outperform" rating.

Macquarie upgraded TECO Energy, Inc. (TE) from an "Underperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Barclays Capital upgraded Wisconsin Energy (WEC) from an "Equal Weight" rating to a "Overweight" rating.

Simmons upgraded Weatherford (WFT) to an "Overweight" rating.

Barclays Capital upgraded Westar Energy, Inc. (WR) from an "Equal Weight" rating to a "Overweight" rating.

Barclays Capital upgraded Alliant Energy (LNT) from an "Equal Weight" rating to a "Overweight" rating.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Randgold (GOLD) (ANR) (DB) (DFS) (GS) (COR) Ratings, Price Targets

Randgold Resources Ltd. (GOLD), Alpha Natural Resources (ANR), Deutsche Bank (DB), Discover Financial Services (DFS), Goldman Sachs (GS) and CoreSite Realty Corp (COR) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Citigroup downgraded Randgold Resources Ltd. (GOLD) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Davenport downgraded Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

RBC Capital upgraded Deutsche Bank (DB) from a "Sector Perform" rating to a "Outperform" rating.

Goldman Sachs upgraded Discover Financial Services (DFS) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

RBC Capital upgraded Goldman Sachs (GS) from a "Underperform" rating to a "Sector Perform" rating.

Citigroup downgraded CoreSite Realty Corp (COR) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Sun Life (SLF) (CVBF) (FHN) (FITB) (FRC) (BCH) (SLF) Ratings, Price Targets

Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF), CVB Financial Corp (CVBF), First Horizon National Co. (FHN), Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB), First Republic Bank (FRC), Banco de Chile (BCH) and Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Wunderlich downgraded CVB Financial Corp (CVBF) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating. $12.00

Morgan Stanley downgraded First Horizon National Co. (FHN) from an "Overweight" rating to an "Equal Weight" rating.

Sterne Agee downgraded Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Morgan Stanley upgraded First Republic Bank (FRC) from an "Equal Weight" rating to an "Overweight" rating.

Credit Suisse initiated coverage on Banco de Chile (BCH). They placed an "Outperform" rating on the company.

Credit Suisse initiated coverage on Banco Santander-Chile (SAN). They placed an "Outperform" rating on the company.

Desjardins upgraded Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Gold Could Jump on Inflation, Dollar, India Jewelry Demand

Gold prices may be poised to rebound as several elements are combining to give the yellow metal a probable boost.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke made a statement that rising oil prices could spark inflation, the U.S. dollar has been under pressure, and jewelers in India are ending a 5-day shutdown protesting proposed tax increases from the Indian government; all of which could push gold prices up quickly over the short term.

Another major factor is the ongoing sovereign debt crisis in Europe, which continues to weigh down the Zone. The media has neglected it recently, so it hasn't been part of the conversation, even though it's a significant factor in the movement of gold prices.

Bernanke was extremely bearish on European banks, which points to the fact there will be more quantitative easing coming, which is also very bullish for gold.

So far in 2012 gas prices in the U.S. have soared 18 percent, reaching a ten-month high of $3.864 a gallon Wednesday. Not only is inflation a trigger for gold prices to rise, but in the case of higher gas prices, it takes away from consumer spending, which weakens the economy, which also can push gold prices higher.

Gold for April delivery on New York Mercantile Exchange the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange settled at $1,650.30 an ounce, up $3.30, or 0.2 percent.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Royal Gold (RGLD) (BHI) (BBT) (COF) (RT) (SABA) Ratings, Price Targets

Royal Gold, Inc. (RGLD), Baker Hughes (BHI), BB&T (BBT), Capital One (COF), Ruby Tuesday (RT) and Saba Software (SABA) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

National Bank upgraded Royal Gold, Inc. (RGLD) to an "Outperform" rating.

Global Hunter Securities downgraded Baker Hughes (BHI) from a "Accumulate" rating to a "Neutral $60.00 $40.00" rating.

Guggenheim downgraded BB&T (BBT) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Guggenheim upgraded Capital One (COF) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Raymond James upgraded Ruby Tuesday (RT) from a "Market Perform" rating to a "Outperform" rating.

Benchmark Co. upgraded Saba Software (SABA) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating. They have a price target of $16.00 on the company.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

IAMGOLD (IAG) (KMI) (ZION) (CIG) (HOG) (DOLE) (DPZ) Ratings, Price Targets

IAMGOLD (IAG), Kinder Morgan (KMI), Zions Bancorporation (ZION), Companhia Energetica de MinasGerais (CIG), Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG), Dole Food (DOLE) and Domino's Pizza, Inc. (DPZ) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Macquarie upgraded IAMGOLD (IAG) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Outperform" rating.

Bank of America downgraded Kinder Morgan (KMI) to an "Underperform" rating.

Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Zions Bancorporation (ZION) from a "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

UBS AG upgraded Companhia Energetica de MinasGerais (CIG) from a "Sell" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

BMO Capital Markets upgraded Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG) from a "Market Perform" rating to an "Outperform" rating.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Dole Food (DOLE) from an "Overweight" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Bank of America downgraded Domino's Pizza, Inc. (DPZ) to an "Underperform" rating.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Newfield (NFX) (PKD) (ACI) (NE) (NUE) (TRGP) (SCHW) Ratings, Price Targets

Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX), Parker Drilling Company (PKD), Arch Coal, Inc. (ACI), Noble Corp (NE), Nucor Co. (NUE), Targa Resources Investments Inc (TRGP) and Charles Schwab (SCHW) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Goldman Sachs downgraded Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Standpoint Research upgraded Parker Drilling Company (PKD) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Goldman Sachs downgraded Arch Coal, Inc. (ACI) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Sell" rating.

Standpoint Research downgraded Noble Corp (NE) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

UBS AG upgraded Nucor Co. (NUE) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on Targa Resources Investments Inc (TRGP). They placed an "Overweight" rating on the company.

Citigroup upgraded Charles Schwab (SCHW) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Comstock (LODE) (QRE) (RBS) (BLK) (BWLD) (CHKP) (RHT) Ratings, Price Targets

Comstock Mining Inc. (LODE), QR Energy LP (QRE), Royal Bank Scotland (RBS), BlackRock, Inc. (BLK), Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD), Check Point Software (CHKP) and Red Hat (RHT) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Global Hunter Securities initiated coverage on Comstock Mining Inc. (LODE). They placed a "Buy" rating and price target of $3.50 on the company.

Stifel Nicolaus downgraded QR Energy LP (QRE) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

UBS AG downgraded Royal Bank Scotland (RBS) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Deutsche Bank downgraded BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Wedbush downgraded Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Cowen downgraded Check Point Software (CHKP) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Morgan Stanley downgraded Red Hat (RHT) from an "Overweight" rating to an "Equal Weight" rating.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Dendreon (DNDN) (RRMS) (EXEL) (PGN) (NUVA) (OMG) (PFCB) Ratings, Price Targets

Dendreon Co. (DNDN), Rose Rock Midstream (RRMS), Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL), Progress Energy (PGN), NuVasive (NUVA), OM Group Inc (OMG) and P.F. Chang's China Bistro (PFCB) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Robert W. Baird upgraded Rose Rock Midstream (RRMS) to an "Outperform" rating.

Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Dendreon Co. (DNDN). They placed a "Hold" rating on the company.

Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL). They placed a "Buy" rating and a price target of $8.00 on the company.

Dahlman Rose initiated coverage on Progress Energy (PGN). They placed a "Hold" rating on the company.

JMP Securities upgraded NuVasive (NUVA) from a "Market Perform" rating to a "Outperform" rating.

First Analysis upgraded OM Group Inc (OMG) from a "Equal Weight" rating to a "Overweight" rating.

Argus upgraded P.F. Chang's China Bistro (PFCB) from a "Sell" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Citigroup (C) (MTDR) (RKT) (TCBI) (AMT) (TCB) (RLD) Ratings, Price Targets

Citigroup (C), Matador Resources Co (MTDR), Rock-Tenn Company (RKT), Texas Capital (TCBI), American Tower Corporation (AMT), TCF Financial Co. (TCB) and RealD (RLD) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Anadarko Petroleum (APC) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating. They had a price target of $100.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Citigroup (C) from an "Overweight" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Credit Agricole downgraded Rock-Tenn Company (RKT) to an "Underperforml" rating.

SunTrust downgraded Texas Capital (TCBI) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded American Tower Corporation (AMT) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Overweight" rating.

Sterne Agee upgraded TCF Financial Co. (TCB) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Dougherty & Co upgraded RealD (RLD) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Suntech (STP) (MANT) (SCGLY) (ABV) (MDR) (CVC) (CVS) Downgraded

Suntech Power (STP), ManTech (MANT), Societe Generale SA (SCGLY), Companhia De Bebidas (ABV), McDermott International (MDR), CVS Caremark (CVS) and Cablevision (CVC) were downgraded by analysts.

Nomura downgraded Suntech Power (STP) to a "Reduce" rating.

Wells Fargo & Co. downgraded ManTech (MANT) from a "Market Perform" rating to an "Underperform" rating.

HSBC downgraded Societe Generale SA (SCGLY) from a "Overweight" rating to an "Neutral" rating.

HSBC downgraded Companhia De Bebidas (ABV) to a "Neutral" rating.

Howard Weil downgraded McDermott International (MDR) from a "Outperform" rating to an "Market Perform" rating. They have a price target of $16.00 on the company.

Deutsche Bank downgraded Cablevision (CVC) from a "Buy" rating to an "Hold" rating.

BMO Capital Markets downgraded CVS Caremark (CVS) from a "Outperform" rating to an "Market Perform" rating.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Dynegy (DYN) (FGP) (PTEN) (ARII) (MAIN) (FSBI) (GIS) Downgraded

Dynegy Inc. (DYN), Ferrellgas Partners (FGP), Patterson-UTI (PTEN), American Railcar Industries (ARII), Main Street Capital Co. (MAIN), Fidelity Bancorp Inc (FSBI) and General Mills (GIS) were downgraded by analysts.

BTIG downgraded Dynegy Inc. (DYN) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Wells Fargo & Co. downgraded Ferrellgas Partners (FGP) from a "Market Perform" rating to a "Underperform" rating.

Miller Tabak downgraded Patterson-UTI (PTEN) from a "Buy" rating to a "Sell" rating.

KeyBanc downgraded American Railcar Industries (ARII) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Morgan Keegan downgraded Main Street Capital Co. (MAIN) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

TheStreet downgraded Fidelity Bancorp (FSBI) to a "Sell" rating.

Goldman Sachs downgraded General Mills (GIS) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Arch Coal (ACI) (E) (RDS.A) (WTI) (TOL) (VOLC) (BGCP) Ratings, Price Targets

Arch Coal, Inc. (ACI), Eni S.p.A. (E), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A), W&T Offshore, Inc. (WTI), Toll Brothers, Inc. (TOL), Volcano (VOLC) and BGC Partners, Inc. (BGCP) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

BMO Capital Markets downgraded Arch Coal, Inc. (ACI) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Eni S.p.A. (E) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

Global Hunter Securities upgraded W&T Offshore, Inc. (WTI) from an "Accumulate" rating to a "Buy" rating. They raised their price target on them from $25.00 to $30.00.

Credit Suisse upgraded Toll Brothers, Inc. (TOL) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Outperform" rating.

Goldman Sachs upgraded Volcano (VOLC) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded BGC Partners, Inc. (BGCP) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Alpha (ANR) (MPC) (BID) (WWE) (CCIH) (GCA) (GDP) Ratings, Price Targets

Alpha Natural Resources (ANR), Marathon Petroleum (MPC), Sotheby's (BID), World Wrestling Entertainment Inc (WWE), Chinacache International Holdings Limited (CCIH), Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc. (GCA) and Goodrich Petroleum Co. (GDP) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

CRT Capital upgraded Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) to a "Sell" rating.

Benchmark Co. initiated coverage on Marathon Petroleum (MPC). They placed a "Hold" rating and price target of $39.00 on the company.

Williams Capital downgraded Sotheby's (BID) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Roth Capital downgraded World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Pacific Crest downgraded Chinacache International Holdings Limited (CCIH) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Sector Perform" rating.

Compass Point upgraded Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc. (GCA) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating. They raised their price target from $5.00 to $12.00 on the company.

Capital One downgraded Goodrich Petroleum Co. (GDP) to a "Neutral" rating.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Harvest (HNR) (KWK) (CRZBY) (NLY) (DB) (WAT) (AMGN) Ratings

Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (HNR), Quicksilver Resources Inc (KWK), Commerzbank AG (CRZBY), Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NLY), Deutsche Bank (DB), Waters Corporation (WAT) and Amgen, Inc. (AMGN) had ratings on them initiated or adjusted by analysts.

Pritchard upraded Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (HNR) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Capital One upgraded Quicksilver Resources Inc (KWK) to a "Neutral" rating.

ING Group downgraded Commerzbank AG (CRZBY) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Wells Fargo & Co. downgraded Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NLY) from a "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

ING Group initiated coverage on Deutsche Bank (DB). They placed a "Buy" rating on the company.

Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Waters Corporation (WAT). They placed an "Overweight" rating on the company.

Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Amgen, Inc. (AMGN) from a "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

Monday, March 5, 2012

China's Gold Strategy

There are a lot of theories being thrown around as to why China is acquiring so much gold. Everything from a failing economy to diversification are part of the media narrative.

I don't think it's primarily related to those or other assumptions, although the there is probably some truth to the diversification element of the story.

At bottom though, it appears China is positioning itself to enhance its currency, and make it much more desirable to the world, as the U.S. dollar continues to weaken because of the horrendous policies of the government and endless printing of U.S. dollars by the Federal Reserve.

With the U.S. dollar inevitably going the way of the British Pound, as far as being the reserve currency of the world, China, no doubt, wants to embrace that role with the renminbi.

This appears to be the reason the country is encouraging its citizens to acquire gold, and why it's importing so much even while it mines gold domestically at record levels.

China has a much longer timeframe than America and the West, and they'll be content to continually acquire gold in preparation for the eventual migration of the world to the renminbi as the reserve currency. It's only a matter of when, not if.

Silver Wheaton (SLW) (BASFY) (HK) (JBL) (KNOL) (LEAP) (NDZ) Ratings, Price Targets

Silver Wheaton Corp. (SLW), BASF SE (BASFY), Halcon Resources (HK), Jabil Circuit, Inc. (JBL), Knology, Inc. (KNOL), Leap Wireless (LEAP) and Nordion (NDZ) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Macquarie downgraded Silver Wheaton Corp. (SLW) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Citigroup downgraded BASF SE (BASFY) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Global Hunter downgraded Securities Halcon Resources (HK) from an "Accumulate" rating to a "Neutral" rating. They raised their price target on the company from $6.60 to $11.00.

Needham & Company downgraded Jabil Circuit, Inc. (JBL) from a "Strong-Buy" rating to a "Buy" rating. They raised their price target on the company from $26.00 to $29.00.

Stifel Nicolaus downgraded Knology, Inc. (KNOL) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating

Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Leap Wireless (LEAP) from a "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating

Desjardins downgraded Nordion (NDZ) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Friday, March 2, 2012

CRH (CRH) (FOSL) (GEF) (ITT) (JBHT) (KCP) (KPLUF) Ratings, Price Targets

CRH PLC (CRH), Fossil (FOSL), Greif (GEF), ITT Industries (ITT), J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT), Kenneth Cole Productions (KCP) and K PLUS S AG (KPLUF) had ratings and price targets adjusted on them by analysts.

Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded CRH PLC (CRH) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

Citigroup downgraded Fossil (FOSL) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Deutsche Bank downgraded Greif (GEF) "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.
Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded ITT Industries (ITT) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

KeyBanc downgraded J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Sterne Agee downgraded Kenneth Cole Productions (KCP) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Societe Generale downgraded K PLUS S AG (KPLUF) "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Hecla (HL) (AWK) (CWT) (RY) (HTLF) (CMA) (NWSA) Ratings, Price Targets

Hecla Mining (HL), American Water Works (AWK), California Water Service Group (CWT), RBC Capital (RY), Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (HTLF), Comerica (CMA) and News Corp. (NWSA) had ratings and price targets adjusted on them by analysts.

Scotia Capital initiated coverage on Hecla Mining (HL). They placed a "Sector Perform" rating and price target of $6.50 on the company.

Robert W. Baird downgraded American Water Works (AWK) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded California Water Service Group (CWT) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

TD Securities downgraded RBC Capital (RY) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Guggenheim upgraded Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (HTLF) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Raymond James downgraded Comerica (CMA) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

RBC Capital downgraded News Corp. (NWSA) from a "Top Pick" rating to an "Outperform" rating.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

SunPower (SPWR) (ATW) (DNR) (OXF) (WAFD) (SON) (TROW) Ratings, Price Targets

SunPower (SPWR), Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (ATW), Denbury Resources Inc. (DNR), Oxford Resource Partners (OXF), Washington Federal Inc. (WAFD), Sonoco Products (SON) and T. Rowe Price (TROW) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Brigantine initiated coverage on SunPower (SPWR). They placed a "Neutral" rating on the company.

Dahlman Rose upgraded Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (ATW) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating. They placed a price target of $58.00 on the company.

Sterne Agee upgraded Denbury Resources Inc. (DNR) from a "Sell" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

BB&T downgraded Oxford Resource Partners (OXF) from a "Hold" rating to a "Underweight" rating.

Sterne Agee downgraded Washington Federal Inc. (WAFD) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Robert W. Baird upgraded Sonoco Products (SON) from a "Neutral" rating to an "Outperform" rating. They boosted their price from $34.00 to $38.00 on the company.

Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on T. Rowe Price (TROW). They have a "Market Perform" rating on the company.