Yingli (YGE) (AA) (AF) (FCBC) (APEI) (WSBC) Upgraded

Yingli Green Energy Hold. Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YGE), Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA), Astoria Financial Co. (NYSE: AF), First Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCBC), American Public Education (NASDAQ: APEI) and WesBanco, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSBC) had analyst upgrades.

Yingli Green Energy Hold. Co. Ltd. (YGE) was upgraded by Avian from a “Negative” rating to a “Positive” rating. They have a price target of $7.50 on the company.

Alcoa Inc. (AA) was upgraded by Davenport from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Astoria Financial Co. (AF) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Sell” rating to a “Hold” rating.

First Community Bancshares, Inc. (FCBC) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $13.00 on the company.

American Public Education (APEI) was upgraded by BMO Capital Markets from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

WesBanco, Inc. (WSBC) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $22.00 on the company.

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.

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.

Astoria Financial's (NYSE:AF) Balance Sheet Needs to Grow for More Earnings Visibility

Astoria Financial (NYSE:AF) continued to improve in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to FBR, but until they start to grow their balance sheet again, earnings will be difficult to project.

FBR says, "Credit progress continued in 4Q10, causing EPS to exceed our expectation; however, falling revenues reflected an acceleration in loan run-off. Given the recent uptick in mortgage rates, management expects less portfolio shrinkage in 2011 and a stable margin. Falling provision expense should enable Astoria to continue to earn $0.20 to $0.25 per quarter, but it is tough to see much upside to earnings until it begins to grow its balance sheet again. We reiterate our respective 2011 and 2012 operating EPS estimates of $0.90 and $0.95. GSE reform may be a long-term catalyst for Astoria, but in the near term it will be difficult for Astoria to boost its pre-provision earnings power."

FBR Capital maintains a "Market Perform" on Astoria Financial (AF), which closed Thursday at $14.81, up $0.91, or 6.47 percent. FBR has a price target of $15 on Astoria.