Randgold (GOLD) (ABT) (UTHR) (BHE) (SANM) (BSX) Downgraded

Randgold Resources Ltd. (NASDAQ: GOLD), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT), United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR), Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE), Sanmina-SCI Co. (NASDAQ: SANM) and Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) downgraded by analysts.

Randgold Resources Ltd. (GOLD) was downgraded by RBC Capital from an “Outperform” rating to a “Sector Perform” rating.

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) was downgraded by Morgan Keegan from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $57.00 on the company, down from $60.00.

United Therapeutics (UTHR) was downgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) from an “Overweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) was downgraded by RBC Capital from an “Outperform” rating to a “Sector Perform” rating. They have a price target of $13.00 on the company, down from $20.00.

Sanmina-SCI Co. (SANM) was downgraded by RBC Capital from a “Sector Perform” rating to an “Underperform” rating. They have a price target $5.00 on the company, down from $12.00.

Boston Scientific (BSX) was downgraded by Morgan Keegan from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $7.00 on the company, down from $8.00.

BP (BP) Price Target, EPS Raised by Benchmark

Benchmark raised its price target and EPS on BP (NYSE:BP), citing the high price of oil.

The oil giant also recently announced it's divesting its Arco Aluminum subsidiary, selling it to a consortium of Japanese companies.

In response to the federal government's lawsuit seeking damages for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill under the Clean Water and Oil Pollution Acts, BP said that the government's "request for a declaratory judgment regarding alleged damages under OPA constitutes improper claim splitting."

BP was trading at $46.92, gaining $46.94, gaining $1.05, or 2.29 percent, as of 2:17 PM EDT. Benchmark has a price target of $70 on the company, along with a "Buy" rating.

BP (NYSE:BP) Risk Continues to Shrink Says Benchmark

Benchmark continues to like BP (NYSE:BP), as they see risk shrinking in relationship to the company, and upstream growing.

They said, "we are reducing our estimate of pre-tax Macondo related costs ultimate borne by BP due both to a reduction in our estimate of the overall level of spill-related charges, as well as our belief that such charges will be, to some extent, shared among partners and service contractors."

Benchmark reiterates their "Buy" rating on BP (BP), which closed Wednesday at $46.76, down $0.45, or 0.95 percent. Benchmark boosted their price target on BP from $46 to $65.

STAAR Surgical's (NASDAQ:STAA) Direction, Growth Looks Positive

Based on their headway in Japan, Benchmark like the potential growth of STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ:STAA), and believes management is taking them in a good direction.

The Japanese have already approved STAAR's ICL lense in the early part of 2010, and it appears Toric should be approved by the end of 2011.

Benchmark noted that, "however, under Japanese regulations surgeons may apply for a special exemption in order to implant lenses that are approved for sales in other countries. We believe this could offer substantial refractive ICL and Toric opportunity in Japan this year."

Also in the pipeline is STAAR’s preloaded silicone IOL 510(k) application for cataract surgery, which the company is seeking approval of from the FDA, which could happen soon, says Benchmark.

Benchmark reiterates their "Buy" rating on STAAR, which closed Wednesday at $6.41, up $0.06, or 0.94 percent. Benchmark increased their price target on STAAR from $6 to $10.

Moody's (NYSE:MCO) EPS Estimate Raised on Lower Tax Rate

Lower foreign and state tax rates will result in stronger earnings per share for Moody's (NYSE:MCO), according to Benchmark.

Benchmark says, "Our 4Q10 revenue estimate rises to $561 million, up 16% y/y, versus our previous estimate of $505 million, up 4% y/y. We raise our reported 4Q10 EPS estimate to $0.55 from $0.42, including an estimated $0.07 benefit from a lower tax rate reflecting foreign tax credits and lower foreign and state taxes. Excluding the tax credit, 4Q10 EPS would be $0.48. For the year, our EPS estimate, rises to $2.12 ($2.03 excluding items) from $1.96, with total revenue of $2.03 billion, up 13% y/y. EBITDA may rise 12% y/y to $841 million."

Benchmark maintains a "Buy" rating on Moody's Corp, which closed Friday at $69.38, gaining $0.58, or 0.84 percent. Benchmark raised its price target on Moody's from $30 to $33.