Boyd (BYD) (ATML) (CODE) (AAPL) (ALR) (CTSH) (DIS) Ratings, Price Targets

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Atmel (NASDAQ: ATML), Spansion Inc. (NASDAQ: CODE), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Alere (NYSE: ALR), Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) and Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Nomura (NYSE:NMR) initiated coverage on Boyd Gaming (BYD). They placed a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Atmel (ATML) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS). They have a price target of $12.00 on the company, up from $10.00.

Spansion Inc. (CODE) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Needham & Company.

Apple (AAPL) had its price target raised by Needham & Company from $540.00 to $620.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Alere (ALR) had its price target raised by Mizuho from $23.00 to $27.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Cognizant (CTSH) had its price target raised by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from $71.00 to $73.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Walt Disney (DIS) had its price target raised by Hilliard Lyons from $50.00 to $52.00. They have a “Long-Term Buy” rating on the company.

SeaChange (SEAC) (SEP) (SIAL) (BYD) (CECO) (CME) Downgraded

SeaChange (NASDAQ: SEAC), Spectra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: SEP), Sigma-Aldrich Corp. (NASDAQ: SIAL), Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Career Education Corp. (NASDAQ: CECO) and CME Group Inc. (NYSE: CME) were downgraded by analysts.

SeaChange (SEAC) was downgraded by Avondale Partners from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Spectra Energy Partners, LP (SEP) was downgraded by Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) to an “Underperform” rating.

Sigma-Aldrich Corp. (SIAL) was downgraded by Leerink Swann to a “Market Perform” rating.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) was downgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underweight” rating. They have a price target of $5.00 on the company.

Career Education Corp. (CECO) was downgraded by Argus from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

CME Group Inc. (CME) was downgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from an “Overweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $270.00 on the company.

ACADIA (ACAD) (AVAV) (FLY) (BA) (BYD) (CECO) Ratings, Price Targets

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD), AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV), Fly Leasing Ltd (NYSE: FLY), The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA), Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD) and Career Education Corp. (NASDAQ: CECO) ratings and price targets.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD) had its “hold” rating reiterated by Needham & Company.

AeroVironment (AVAV) is now covered by Sterne Agee. They have an “underperform” rating on the company.

Fly Leasing Ltd (FLY) is now covered by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS). They have an “equal weight” rating on the company.

The Boeing Company (BA) had its price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) to $85.00.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) was downgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a “neutral” rating to an “underweight” rating. They have a price target of $5.00 on the company.

Career Education Corp. (CECO) was downgraded by Argus from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating.

Boyd (BYD) (MFRM) (CAVM) (MRX) (VLTR) (KWR) Ratings, Price Targets

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: MFRM), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), Volterra Semi (NASDAQ: VLTR) and Quaker Chemical Co. (NYSE: KWR) ratings and price targets.

KeyBanc initiated coverage on Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $28.00 on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its price target lowered by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) to $40.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its “Overweight” rating reiterated by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)

Volterra Semi (VLTR) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Quaker Chemical Co. (KWR) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Boyd (BYD) (JAH) (NBL) (PMTC) (RDWR) (QDEL) Ratings, Price Targets

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Jarden Co. (NYSE: JAH), Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL), Parametric (NASDAQ: PMTC), Radware Ltd. (NASDAQ: RDWR) and Quidel Co. (NASDAQ: QDEL) ratings and price targets.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Jarden Co. (JAH) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Noble Energy (NBL) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Sterne Agee. They have a price target of $117.00 on the firm.

Parametric (PMTC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Radware Ltd. (RDWR) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Quidel Co. (QDEL) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Wedbush.

Wynn Resorts (WYNN) (MGM) (BYD) (LVS) Jump on DOJ Opinion

Shares of Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN), MGM International (NYSE:MGM) and Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD) jumped on Tuesday, while Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) also closed higher, as an opinion from the Department of Justice may result in states running more online gambling.

The opinion centers around the Wire Act of 1960, which the DOJ seems to have reversed direction on, which would open up the door for the sale of lottery tickets within states, as the Department of Justice said that wouldn't violate the Wire Act.

Along with the strongly branded casino operators, others that will likely benefit from the opinion would be game content or online gaming tech providers Konami (NYSE:KNM), IGT (NYSE:IGT), Bally Technologies (NYSE:BYI) and WMS Industries (NYSE:WMS).

Boyd Gaming closed Tuesday at $7.63, climbing $0.68, or 9.78 percent. MGM Resorts closed at $10.42, up $0.46, or 4.62 percent. Wynn Resorts closed at $113.53, jumping $3.53, or 3.21 percent. Las Vegas Sands ended the session at $43.99, increasing $0.45, or 1.03 percent.

Boyd (BYD) (CMTL) (CRM) (CYS) (FGP) Downgraded

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Comtech Telecom (NASDAQ: CMTL), Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM), Cypress Sharpridge Investments, Inc. (NYSE: CYS) and Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP) were downgraded by analysts.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) was downgraded by Lazard Capital from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Comtech Telecom (CMTL) was downgraded by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) from a “Strong Buy” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Salesforce.com (CRM) was downgraded by Cowen from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Cypress Sharpridge Investments, Inc. (CYS) was downgraded by B. Riley from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Ferrellgas Partners (FGP) was downgraded by Raymond James from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Boyd (BYD) (AREX) (WCN) (WDC) (WM) (BAX) Price Targets Changed

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Approach Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: AREX), Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE: WCN), Western Digital (NYSE: WDC), Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WM) and Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) had price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) had its price target lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) to $5.00.

Approach Resources Inc. (AREX) had its price target raised by Rodman & Renshaw to $34.00.

Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) had its price target lowered by Wedbush to $37.00.

Western Digital (WDC) had its price target raised by Brean Murray to $31.00.

Waste Management Inc. (WM) had its price target lowered by Wedbush to $28.00.

Baxter International Inc. (BAX) had its price target lowered by Morgan Keegan to $60.00.

Boyd (BYD) (AMZN) (BCR) (BRCM) (BXS) (CDR) Price Targets Changed

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), C.R. Bard, Inc. (NYSE: BCR), Broadcom Corp (NASDAQ: BRCM), BancorpSouth, Inc. (NYSE: BXS) and Cedar Shopping Centers Inc (NYSE: CDR) had price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) had its price target lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) to $230.00.

C.R. Bard, Inc. (BCR) had its price target lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. to $100.00.

Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) had its price target lowered by Citigroup (NYSE:C) to $40.00.

BancorpSouth, Inc. (BXS) had its price target lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. to $10.00.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) had its price target lowered by Barclays Capital from $13.00 to $11.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Cedar Shopping Centers Inc. (CDR) had its price target lowered by Morgan Keegan from $5.75 to $3.50. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) (BIG) (WSH) (AIR) (ALB) (CNC) Ratings Reiterated

Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG), Willis Group Holdings PLC (NYSE: WSH), AAR Corp (NYSE: AIR), Albemarle Co. (NYSE: ALB), Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD) and Centene Co. (NYSE: CNC) had ratings on them reiterated by analysts.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Big Lots, Inc. (BIG). They have a price target of $40.00 on the company.

Sterne Agee reiterated its "Outperform" rating on Willis Group Holdings PLC (WSH). They have a price target of $40.00 on the company.

Wedbush reiterated its "Outperform" rating on AAR Corp. (AIR). They have a price target of $26.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated its "Overweight" rating on Albemarle Co. (ALB).

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Hold" rating on Boyd Gaming (BYD). They have a price target of $6.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Centene Co. (CNC). They have a price target of $39.00 on the company.

Seaspan (SSW) (CNP) (SBH) (CPTS) (RIG) (BYD) Upgraded

Seaspan (NYSE: SSW), CenterPoint Energy, Inc.(CNP) (NYSE: SBH), Conceptus, Inc. (NASDAQ: CPTS), Transocean (NYSE: RIG) and Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD) upgraded by analysts.

Seaspan Co. (SSW) was upgraded by Cantor Fitzgerald from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $18.00 on the company.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) was upgraded by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. (SBH) was upgraded by Caris & Company from an “Above Average” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $21.00 on the company.

Conceptus, Inc. (CPTS) was upgraded by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $15.00 on the company.

Transocean (RIG) was upgraded by Global Hunter Securities from a “Neutral” rating to an “Accumulate” rating. They have a price target of $63.00 on the company.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Sell” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Wynn (WYNN) Pulls Up (LVS) (MGM) (MPEL) (BYD) on Big Earnings Beat

Wynn (NASDAQ:WYNN) gave a boost to competitors Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS), MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM), Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd (NASDAQ:MPEL) and Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD) after hours as it handily beat analysts' expectations.

Net income for Wynn soared to $226.3 million,or $1.38 a share, versus $27 million, or 22 cents a share in the same quarter last year.

Revenue surged to $1.26 billion, a 38.7 jump year-over-year.

Adjusting for one-time items, Wynn earned $1.38 a share, wildly beating the average analyst forecast of 74 cents per share.

Macau continues to be the main revenue and earnings generator in the gaming sector for those with exposure there.

Boyd Gaming Corporation was trading after hours at $8.95, up $0.17, or 1.94 percent. Melco was at $9.88, up $0.16, or 1.65 percent. MGM was trading after hours at $13.54, gaining $0.24, or 1.81 percent. Las Vegas Sands was trading after close at $45.95, rising $0.75, or 1.66 percent. Wynn Resorts closed Tuesday at $138.93, losing $1.57, or 1.12 percent. After hours it jumped to $143.00, soaring $4.07, or 2.93 percent.

Las Vegas Sands (LVS), Wynn (WYNN), MGM Resorts (MGM), Boyd (BYD) Drop on Weak Las Vegas Market

Shares of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS), Wynn (NASDAQ:WYNN), MGM Resorts (NYSE:MGM), Boyd (NYSE:BYD) were all under pressure Thursday as new gambling revenue in Las Vegas dropped in January.

Revenue for Las Vegas Strip fell to $482.7 million, a decline of 2.5 percent. Across the state of Nevada gambling revenue dropped by $877.4 million.

JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) analyst Joseph Greff said, "We view these Strip results as disappointing, even adjusting for hold. While one can't view from aggregate results, we believe there is a big disparity in performance between relatively better performing higher-end properties and underperforming mid-tier and lower price point Strip properties."

Wells Fargo analyst Carol Santarelli's take was this: "Much was made of the strong start to the year with visitor and convention volumes up significantly in January on the Strip. Add in the Cosmopolitan opening in December and a fairly easy comparison, despite having one less weekend day in January 2011, and we believe expectations for January results on the Strip certainly called for year-over-year growth."

Boyd Gaming was trading at $9.60, down $0.28, or 2.83 percent, as of 12:16 PM EST. MGM Resorts was trading at $13.04, falling $0.48, or 3.55 percent. Wynn Resorts was at $124.29, down $3.80, or 2.97 percent. Las Vegas Sands was at $40.67, down $1.54, or 3.65 percent.

Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN), MGM (NYSE:MGM), Boyd (NYSE:BYD) Surge on Upgrades

The gaming sector was hot today, as Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN), MGM Resorts (NYSE:MGM) and Boyd Gaming Co. (NYSE:BYD) were all upgraded by analysts, and share prices rocketed up.

Bank of America upgraded Boyd and MGM Resorts, with Bank of America saying "Las Vegas is recovering and we believe Boyd is a derivative way to play the recovery with nearly 50% of total [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization] coming from the Las Vegas Locals and Downtown markets."

MGM Resorts International was also upgraded by Bank of America.

Wynn Resorts got a boost from Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC), noting strength in the Macau market.

Bank of America upgraded Boyd Gaming from "Underperform" to "Buy." Boyd was trading at $12.23, gaining $1.22, or 11.08 percent, as of 2:37 PM EST. MGM Resorts was upgraded from "Neutral" to "Buy." MGM was trading at $15.74, up $0.81, or 5.39 percent.

Wynn Resorts was trading at $119.63, up $1.59, or 1.37 percent. Wells recommends buying protection via puts, as the share price is approaching 52-week highs.