Eldorado (EGO) (PXD) (SFY) (CNX) (PRU) (SUSP) (TOU) Ratings Changes

Eldorado Gold Co. (EGO), Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD), Swift Energy (SFY), CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX), Perseus Mining Limited (PRU), Susser Petroleum Partners LP (SUSP) and Tourmaline Oil Corp (TOU) had ratings on them adjusted by analysts.

Canaccord Genuity downgraded Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating. They have a price target of $111.00 on the company.

Global Hunter Securities downgraded Swift Energy (SFY) from a "Buy" rating to an "Accumulate" rating. They have a price target of $28.00 on the company.

Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX). They placed an "Equal Weight" rating and price target of $37.00 on the company.

Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Eldorado Gold Co. (EGO). They placed an "Overweight" rating and price target of $19.00 on the company.

Fraser Mackenzie initiated coverage on Perseus Mining Limited (PRU). They placed a "Strong-Buy" rating and price target of $3.40 on the company.

Janney Capital initiated coverage on Susser Petroleum Partners LP (SUSP). They placed a "Buy" rating and price target of $27.00 on the company.

National Bank initiated coverage on Tourmaline Oil Corp. (TOU). They placed an "Outperform" rating on the company.

CONSOL (CNX) (SJM) (SNN) (SONO) (CREE) (CRM) Ratings, Price Targets

CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX), J.M. Smucker Company (SJM), Smith & Nephew plc (SNN), SonoSite Inc (SONO), Cree, Inc. (CREE) and Salesforce.com (CRM) ratings and price targets.

CRT Capital initiated coverage on CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated its “Overweight” rating on The J.M. Smucker Company (SJM). They have a price target of $86.00 on the company.

Societe Generale initiated coverage on Smith & Nephew plc (SNN). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

Stifel Nicolaus raised its price target on SonoSite Inc (SONO) from $43.00 to $47.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) initiated coverage on Cree, Inc. (CREE). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $40.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs reiterated its “Buy” on Salesforce.com (CRM). They have a price target of $150.00 on the company.

Consol Energy (CNX) (CVS) (K) (MCHP) Upgraded

Consol Energy (CNX), CVS/Caremark (CVS), Kellogg (K) and Microchip (MCHP) were upgraded by analysts.

Consol Energy (CNX) was upgraded to a (Buy) rating by TheStreet.

CVS/Caremark (CVS) was upgraded by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) from Equal-weight to Overweight. They have a price target of $44 on them.

Kellogg (K) was upgraded by Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) to Hold from Underperform. They cited valuation as the catalyst behind the call, They have a price target of $47 on them.

Microchip (MCHP) was upgraded by UBS (NYSE:UBS) to Neutral. They have a Buy rating and price target of $40 on them.

JA Solar (JASO) (OPLK) (CNX) (CREE) Price Targets Changed

JA Solar (NASDAQ: JASO), Oplink Communications (NASDAQ: OPLK), CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX) and Cree, Inc. (NASDAQ: CREE) price targets adjusted by analysts.

JA Solar (JASO) had its price target lowered by RBC Capital from $7.00 to $5.00. They have a “Sector Perform” rating on the company.

Oplink Communications (OPLK) had its price target lowered by Stifel Nicolaus from $27.00 to $23.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX) had its price target raised by Brean Murray from $65.00 to $73.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Cree, Inc. (CREE) had its price target raised by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from $32.00 to $34.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

CONSOL (CNX) (CTL) (OTEX) (LGF) (HMIN) Price Targets Changed

CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX), CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL), Open Text (NASDAQ: OTEX), Lions Gate (NYSE: LGF) and Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. (NASDAQ: HMIN) have price targets adjusted by analysts.

Open Text (OTEX) had its price target lowered by Wunderlich from $70.00 to $65.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX) had its price target lowered by FBR Capital from $65.00 to $63.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

CenturyLink, Inc. (CTL) had its price target lowered by Citigroup (NYSE:C) to $42.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. (HMIN) had its price target raised by Brean Murray from $49.00 to $51.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Lions Gate (LGF) had its price target raised by RBC Capital from $6.50 to $7.00. They have a “Sector Perform” rating on the company.

Potash (POT) (CNX) (CWEI) (VPRT) (STEC) (GILD) Downgraded

Potash Corp. (NYSE: POT), CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX), Clayton Williams Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: CWEI), VistaPrint (NASDAQ: VPRT), STEC Inc (NASDAQ: STEC) and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) downgraded by analysts.

CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX) was downgraded by Davenport from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $57.00 on the company, down from $59.00.

Clayton Williams Energy Inc. (CWEI) was downgraded by Global Hunter Securities from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $99.50 on the company, down from $101.75.

Potash Corp. (POT) was downgraded by Scotia Capital from an “Outperform” rating to a “Sector Perform” rating.

VistaPrint (VPRT) was downgraded by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) to an “Underweight” rating. They have a price target of $22.00 on the company.

STEC Inc. (STEC) was downgraded by Northland Securities from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $12.00 on the company, down from $23.00.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) was downgraded by Citigroup (NYSE:C) from a “Hold” rating to a “Sell” rating. They have a price target of $27.00 on the company.

Ratings on (CNX) (CRZBY) (CVE) (DAR) (ENOC) Upgraded

Ratings on CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX), Commerzbank AG (NASDAQ: CRZBY), Cenovus Energy Inc (NYSE: CVE), Darling International Inc. (NYSE: DAR) and EnerNOC, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENOC) were upgraded by analysts.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) upgraded CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX) from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating.

Nomura upgraded Commerzbank AG (CRZBY) from a “reduce” rating to a “neutral” rating.

RBC Capital upgraded Cenovus Energy Inc (CVE) from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating. They have a price target of $42.00 on the company.

Morgan Joseph upgraded Darling International Inc. (DAR) from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They have a price target of $21.00 on the company.

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) upgraded EnerNOC, Inc. (ENOC) from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating. They have a price target of $23.00 on the company.

Price Targets on (CCE) (CHH) (CMCSA) (CNC) (CNX) Updated by Analysts

Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE), Choice Hotels (NYSE: CHH), Comcast Co. (NASDAQ: CMCSA), Centene Co. (NYSE: CNC) and CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX) get price targets updated today by analysts.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) raised their price target on Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) from $28.00 to $30.00. They have a “neutral” rating on the company.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) cut their price target on Choice Hotels (CHH) from $32.00 to $31.00.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) raised their price target on Comcast Co. (CMCSA) from $30.00 to $33.00.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Centene Co. (CNC) from $29.00 to $38.00. They have a “neutral” rating on the company.

FBR Capital raised their price target on CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX) from $59.00 to $65.00. They have an “outperform” rating on the company.

Dividend Yields for (CNX) (HAL) (VLO) (DO) (NOV)

Indicated dividend yields for Standard & Poor's 500 Index companies Consol Energy Inc (CNX), Halliburton Co (HAL), Valero Energy Corp (VLO), Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc (DO) and National Oilwell Varco Inc (NOV).

These dividend data indicate dividend yields of companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index as of Saturday, April 30. The yield is determined by taking the latest declared dividend, annualized and divided by the price of the stock. Payout ratios are calculated based on latest quarterly dividend paid divided by earnings.

Consol Energy Inc (CNX) has a dividend yield of 0.74 percent on a declared dividend of $0.10. The payout ratio is 11.8 percent.

Halliburton Co (HAL) has a dividend yield of 0.71 percent on a declared dividend of $0.09. The payout ratio is 16.0 percent.

Valero Energy Corp (VLO) has a dividend yield of 0.71 percent on a declared dividend of $0.05. The payout ratio is 27.2 percent.

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc (DO) has a dividend yield of 0.66 percent on a declared dividend of $0.12. The payout ratio is 48.7 percent.

National Oilwell Varco Inc (NOV) has a dividend yield of 0.57 percent on a declared dividend of $0.11. The payout ratio is 11.4 percent.

Hess (HES) (CNX) (OXY) Shares Rise as Energy Surges

Shares of Hess (NYSE:HES) Consol Energy (NYSE:CNX) and Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY) are all jumping today as the oil price reached its highest level since 2008 and uncertainty surrounding nuclear because of the Japan earthquake disaster has other segments like coal and natural gas looking to increase in demand.

The price of oil continues to rise on the ongoing conflict in Libya, which has pushed the price per barrel past $106 today.

Natural gas prices are also expected to start rising, as they stand at lows because of the large amount of supply. That could level off again as the events around the world settle down.

Hess was trading at $85.35, gaining $1.54, or 1.84 percent, as of 12:19 PM EDT. Consol was trading at $54.45, up $1.14, or 2.14 percent. Occidental was at $105.15, rising $1.39, or 1.34 percent.

Massey (MEE) Awarded WV Mining Permit from CofE

Massey Energy (NYSE:MEE) was awarded a permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers to start mining for coal in West Virginia.

Estimates are the Reylas Surface Mine in Logan County should produce about 1 million tons of coal annually over a six-year period.

With demand for coal rising, Massey continues to increase production, which rose in 2010 and is expected to reach about 30 million tons annually, although there is the definite possibility those numbers could rise, along with demand.

Only Arch Coal (NYSE:ACI), Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU) and CONSOL Energy (NYSE:CNX) are larger coal companies in the United States than Massey, which closed Wednesday at $68.51, gaining $0.44, or 0.65 percent.

Peabody (BTU) (CNX) (ECA) Reach 52-Week Highs

Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTU), EnCana Corp. (NYSE:ECA) and CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CNX) all reached 52-week highs last week, although Consol pulled back later in the session on Friday and posted a loss on the day.

EnCana Corp. closed Friday at $34.12, gaining $0.63, or 1.88 percent. They traded as high as $35.25 during the week, and as high as $34.62 on Friday. Encana explores for, develops, produces, and markets natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids.

Peabody Energy Corp. ended the session at $70.21, up $0.09, or 0.13 percent. They traded in the day at a 52-week high of $72.00. Peabody Energy mines and markets mostly low sulfur coal, primarily for use by electric utilities. The Company also trades coal and emission allowances.

CONSOL Energy closed Friday at $53.93, losing $1.40, or 2.53 percent. They traded at a 52-week high of $56.32 before pulling back on Friday. CONSOL Energy produces high-BTU bituminous coal, and also coalbed methane gas.

FBR Says (ACI), (CLF), (ANR), (CLD), (BTU), (CNX) Should Jump on Nuclear Woes

We'll have to wait to see what effects the inevitable knee jerk reaction from politicians will have on the nuclear sector, but any slowdown there, which is a strong probability, will result in a boost in coal and steel, which should benefit companies like Consol Energy (NYSE:CNX), Arch Coal (NYSE:ACI), Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE:CLF), Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE:ANR), Cloud Peak Energy (NYSE:CLD) and Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU).

FBR said, “We note the recent pullback in coal stocks due to fears of China slowing and, then, potential temporary demand loss from Japan’s earthquake. With stocks now offering about 31% upside potential to our price targets, and valuation becoming attractive, we believe investors should start picking up quality names, such as Arch Coal (ACI), Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF), Alpha Natural Resources (ANR), Cloud Peak Energy (CLD), Peabody Energy (BTU), and Consol Energy (CNX). We are also becoming more constructive now on met names but look for the appropriate time, valuation, or catalyst to step into the names.”

“[I}n the mid to long term, we are confident that Japan will rebuild and upgrade all the houses, cars, and dilapidated infrastructure, which is positive for new steel demand and, thus, iron ore and met coal,” added FBR.

For coal, FBR believes it could rise from 4 percent to 5-6 percent a year over the next several years.

Energy Stocks (BTU) (RRC) (CNX) (SWN) Rise on Nuclear Fears

Traders have been focusing on nuclear energy alternatives in light of the fears generated from the nuclear challenges coming from the earthquake in Japan, with companies like Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU), Range Resources (NYSE:RRC), Consol Energy (NYSE:CNX) and Southwestern Energy (NYSE:SWN) all up on the day.

This comes a couple of days after traders entered the solar sector, temporarily driving up the share prices of those companies as well.

Shares of companies in alternative energy sources to nuclear will continue on an ebb and flow while the nuclear scenario plays out. Every day uncertainty continues there will be pushes and pulls within the sector.

Southwestern Energy was trading at $40.26, gaining $1.51, or 3.90 percent, as of 1:11 PM EDT. Consol Energy was at $52.90, up $1.40, or 2.72 percent. Range Resources was at $51.16, increasing $1.02, or 2.03 percent. Peabody Energy was trading at $68.26, up $3.13, or 4.81 percent.

Cabot Oil & Gas (COG), Range Resources (RRC), Chesapeake Energy (CHK), EOG Resources (EOG), Console Energy (CNX) Led the S&P 500

Stocks fell for the second straight session as continued violence in Libya fueled concerns about oil disruptions in the Middle East, sending oil prices up to two-and-a-half-year highs.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 107 points, or 0.9%, at 12,106. The S&P 500 finished lower by 8 points, or 0.6%, at 1,307, and the Nasdaq shed 33 points, or 1.2%, at 2,722.

The energy sector showed the mildest losses during Wednesday's session, with Chevron (CVX) and Exxon Mobil (XOM) trading at the top of the Dow along with Kraft Foods (KFT).

Market sentiment was bearish, with 61%, of shares trading on the New York Stock Exchange ending in the red while 36% advanced. Volume on the NYSE was 1.1 billion shares while 2.3 billion shares changed hands on the Nasdaq.




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Arch Coal (NYSE:ACI), Patriot Coal (NYSE:PCX), Consol Energy Inc. (NYSE:CNX) Soar and Roar on Massey (NYSE:MEE) Deal

The $7.1 billion bid by Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE:ANR) for Massey Energy (NYSE:MEE) has brought the focus on the ongoing value and importance of the coal mining sector, and other than ANR, shares of companies like Arch Coal (NYSE:ACI), Patriot Coal (NYSE:PCX) and Consol Energy Inc. (NYSE:CNX) have soared as the market digests the news.

Alpha will be exporting a huge amount of metallurgical coal once the deal closes, which enjoys higher prices and margins, and provides product for the steel industry.

Consol Energy closed Monday at $49.70, gaining $1.77, or 3.69 percent. Patriot Coal ended the session at $26.17, up 0.71, or 2.79 percent. Arch Coal closed at $34.25, up $1.03, or 3.10 percent.

Peabody (NYSE:BTU), Alpha Natural (NYSE:ANR), CONSOL Energy (NYSE:CNX), Massey (NYSE:MEE) Should Rally on Rio (NYSE:RIO) Bid

Peabody (NYSE:BTU), Alpha Natural (NYSE:ANR), CONSOL Energy (NYSE:CNX) and Massey Energy (NYSE:MEE) are expected to rally on the bid by Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) for Riversdale, which has resulted in more targeted interest in the coal sector.

FBR said, "Merger mania continues and the first official bid for Riversdale came from Rio Tinto at A$16 per share in cash. We believe the market expects more bidders as the stock is trading higher. Purchase prices for met assets are skyrocketing, which increases our confidence in future CAPEX increases coming (build versus buy option). We would expect Peabody, Alpha Natural, CONSOL Energy, and Massey to rally on the takeout. The coal group has more upside potential with steam still more the value play but met coal strength is still there and improves with supply issues from the Australian rains and US MHSA safety impacts."

"Who is next? During our Australia trip to assess supply growth, we met with several companies (including Riversdale) that had impressive operations: Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC - A$7.00, Not Rated), New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC, A$4.95, Not Rated), and Massey Energy (NYSE: MEE, $52.33). We also note that CONSOL Energy (CNX) has met coal assets up for sale and these takeout values clearly help raise the value."

Rio Tinto was trading at $70.28, down $0.69, or 0.97 percent, at 11:54 AM EST. Peabody was trading at $63.63, up $0.05, or 0.08 percent. Alpha Natural was trading at $55.48, down $0.11, or 0.20 percent. CONSOL Energy was at $46.76, up $0.60, or 1.30 percent. Massey Energy was at $52.34, up $0.04, or 0.08 percent.

Consol Energy (NYSE:CNX) PT Lowered on Natural Gas Revision

UBS (NYSE:UBS) lowered their price target on Consol Energy, (NYSE:CNX), citing revisions in the forecast concerning natural gas.

UBS said, "We are lowering our 2011-14 NYMEX natgas price forecast to $4.60/MMBtu, $5.00/MMBtu, $5.50/MMBtu, and $6.00/MMBtu, down from $5.00/MMBtu, $5.50/MMBtu, $6.00/MMBtu, and $6.50/MMBtu...Due to the NatGas forecast revision, we are lowering our 2010, 2011, & 2012 EPS estimates to $2.39, $3.47, and $5.35 from $2.47, $3.64, and $5.63, respectively."

UBS maintains a "Buy" rating on Consol Energy, which was trading at $44.06, up $0.05, or 0.11 percent, as of 11:50 AM EST. The price target on Consol was lowered by UBS from $67 to $65.

Goldman (NYSE:GS) Changes Ratings on Plains (NYSE:PXP), Consol (NYSE:CNX), Apache (NYSE:APA), Newfield (NYSE:NFX)

After the outlook for oil turned more bullish today, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) responded by either making ratings changes to Plains Exploration (NYSE:PXP), Consol Energy (NYSE:CNX), Apache Corp. (NYSE:APA) and Newfield Exploration (NYSE:NFX).

Reasoning behind the changes, according to Goldman, was probable upside for oil prices, lower natural gas prices, and higher value for M&A potential within the Goldman model.

They added Apache Corp. to its "Conviction Buy" list, while removing Newfield Exploration. Apache was added because of their strong exposure to the Permian Basin.

Plains Exploration was upgraded from "Neutral" to "Buy," and added to the "Conviction Buy" list as well. Particularly noted was their exposure to Eagle Ford and Granite Wash. Possible assets sales in the Gulf of Mexico could also improve the valuation of the company.

Consol Energy was downgraded from "Buy" to "Sell," saying downside from "sustained low gas prices will outweigh potential upside from expected non-core met coal reserve sales...."

Plains was trading at $28.61, falling $0.05, or 0.17 percent at 2:31 PM EST. Goldman has a price target of $36 on them. Consol was at $43.97, gaining $2.01, or 4.79 percent. Goldman lowered their price target on them from $44 to $38. Apache soared to $111.13, rising by $3.49, or 3.24 percent. Newfield was up to $68.57, gaining $1.74, or 2.60 percent.