Kohls (KSS) (PCYC) (FCN) (JWN) (KMP) (KS) Ratings, Price Targets

Kohls Corp. (NYSE: KSS), Pharmacyclics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCYC), FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN), Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (NYSE: KMP) and KapStone Paper and Packaging (NYSE: KS) ratings and price targets.

Pharmacyclics, Inc. (PCYC) had its “buy” rating reiterated by Needham & Company.

FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN) is now covered by Avondale Partners. They have a “market perform” rating on the company.

Kohls Corp. (KSS) had its price target lowered by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF) to $47.00.

Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) was downgraded by Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) to an “underperform” rating.

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (KMP) was downgraded by Bank of America to a “neutral” rating.

KapStone Paper and Packaging (KS) was upgraded by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating.

Kohls (KSS) (IVR) (JMBA) (ECYT) (ELOS) (EV) Downgraded

Kohls Corp. (NYSE: KSS), Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. (NYSE: IVR), Jamba, Inc. (NASDAQ: JMBA), Endocyte (NASDAQ: ECYT), Syneron Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ: ELOS) and Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV) were downgraded by analysts.

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. (IVR) was downgraded by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods to a “Market Perform” rating.

Jamba, Inc. (JMBA) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Kohls Corp. (KSS) was downgraded by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Endocyte (ECYT) was downgraded by Leerink Swann to a “Market Perform” rating.

Syneron Medical Ltd. (ELOS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Eaton Vance Corp. (EV) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Stryker (SYK) (KSS) (WAL) (UNH) (JNJ) (PCBK) Ratings Reiterated

Stryker (NYSE: SYK), Kohls Corp (NYSE: KSS), Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL), UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Pacific Continental Co. (NASDAQ: PCBK) had ratings on them reiterated by analysts.

Wunderlich reiterated its "Buy" rating on Stryker (SYK).

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL). They have a price target of $7.50 on the company.

Jefferies reiterated its "Buy" rating on UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH).

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) reiterated its "Hold" rating on Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).

Wunderlich reiterated its "Hold" rating on Pacific Continental Co. (PCBK). They have a price target of $10.00 on the company.

Piper Jaffray reiterated its "Overweight" rating on Kohls Corp. (KSS). They have a price target of $61.00 on the company.

Kohls (KSS) (SODA) (KOS) (ADSK) (JWN) (DV) Price Targets Changed

Kohls Corp (NYSE: KSS), Sodastream International (NASDAQ: SODA), Kosmos Energy Ltd (NYSE: KOS), Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK), Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) and DeVry Inc. (NYSE: DV) have price targets adjusted by analysts.

Sodastream International (SODA) had its price target lowered by Oppenheimer from $80.00 to $65.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Kosmos Energy Ltd (KOS) had its price target lowered by Citigroup (NYSE:C) to $20.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company. They cited valuation as the catalyst behind the call.

Kohls Corporporation (KSS) had its price target raised by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to $55.00. The have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Autodesk (ADSK) had its price target lowered by RBC Capital from $46.00 to $35.00. They have a “Sector Perform” rating on the company.

Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) had its price target raised by Goldman Sachs to $55.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

DeVry Inc. (DV) had its price target lowered by FBR Capital from $69.00 to $64.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Ratings on (KSS) (LOW) (LXP) (MA) (MRK) Reiterated

Ratings on Kohls Corp (NYSE: KSS), Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW), Lexington Realty Trust (NYSE: LXP), MasterCard (NYSE: MA) and Merck & Co Inc (NYSE: MRK) were reiterated by analysts.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) reiterated an “equal weight” rating on Kohls Corp (KSS).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an “overweight” rating on Lowe’s (LOW).

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc reiterated an “outperform” rating on Lexington Realty Trust (LXP).

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated a “buy” rating on MasterCard (MA).

Goldman Sachs placed a price target of $40.00 on Merck & Co Inc (MRK). They have a “neutral” rating on the company.

Ratings on (HWAY) (AU) (HPJ) (KSS) Reiterated

Ratings on shares of Healthways (NASDAQ:HWAY), Anglogold (NYSE:AU), Hong Kong Highpower (NASDAQ:HPJ) and Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) reiterated by analysts.

FBR Capital reiterated an "Outperform" rating on Healthways (HWAY). They raised their price target on the company from $17 to $19.

HSBC Securities reiterated an "Overweight" rating on Anglogold (AU). They raised their price target on the company from $61 to $65.

Rodman & Renshaw reiterated a "Market Outperform" rating on Hong Kong Highpower (HPJ). They lowered their price target on the company from $7 to $4.

FBR Capital reiterated a "Market Perform" rating on Kohl's (KSS). They lowered their price target on the company from $58 to $55.

Ratings on (KSS) (LL) (LXRX) (MCD) (MDMD) Reiterated

Ratings on shares of Kohls Corp (NYSE:KSS), Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL), Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: LXRX), McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) and Mediamind Technologies (NASDAQ: MDMD) were reiterated by analysts.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated a “buy” rating on Kohls Corp (KSS). They have a price target $63.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated a “neutral” rating on Lumber Liquidators (LL).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an “overweight” rating on Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (LXRX).

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) reiterated an “equal weight” rating on McDonald’s (MCD).

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) reiterated a “buy” rating on Mediamind Technologies (MDMD). They have a price target of $17.00 on the company.

Price Targets on (QCOR) (IAG) (JWN) (KSS) (LCAPA) Updated

Price targets on Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOR), IAMGOLD Corp (NYSE: IAG), Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), Kohls Corp (NYSE: KSS) and Liberty Media Capital (NASDAQ: LCAPA) were updated by analysts.

Maxim Group raised their price target on Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (QCOR) from $24.00 to $28.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

RBC Capital raised their price target on IAMGOLD Corp (IAG) from $23.00 to $26.00. They have a “sector perform” rating on the company.

FBR Capital raised their price target on Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) from $48.00 to $50.00. They have a “market perform” rating on the company.

FBR Capital cut their price target on Kohls Corp (KSS) from $58.00 to $55.00. They have a “market perform” rating on the company.

Wunderlich raised their price target on Liberty Media Capital (LCAPA) from $85.00 to $95.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Ratings on (EXAC) (GPRO) (IHG) (JWN) (KSS) Reiterated by Analysts

Analysts reiterated their ratings on Exactech, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXAC), Gen-Probe Incorporated (NASDAQ: GPRO), Intercontinental Hotels Group (NYSE: IHG), Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) and Kohls Corp (NYSE: KSS) today.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated a “buy” rating on Exactech, Inc. (EXAC). They have a price target $9.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an “overweight” rating on Gen-Probe Incorporated (GPRO).

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) reiterated an “outperform” rating on Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG).

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated a “buy” rating on Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN).

Goldman Sachs reiterated a “neutral” rating on Kohls Corp (KSS).

Ratings on (EXAC) (GPRO) (IHG) (JWN) (KSS) Reiterated by Analysts

Analysts reiterated their ratings on Exactech, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXAC), Gen-Probe Incorporated (NASDAQ: GPRO), Intercontinental Hotels Group (NYSE: IHG), Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) and Kohls Corp (NYSE: KSS) today.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated a “buy” rating on Exactech, Inc. (EXAC). They have a price target $9.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an “overweight” rating on Gen-Probe Incorporated (GPRO).

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) reiterated an “outperform” rating on Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG).

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated a “buy” rating on Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN).

Goldman Sachs reiterated a “neutral” rating on Kohls Corp (KSS).

March Retail (TGT) (COST) (BJ) (JCP) Sales Mixed

As expected, March retail sales were mixed today as a number of retailers reported for the month earlier in the session.

Discounters like Costco (NASDAQ:COST) and BJ's Wholesale (NYSE:BJ) soared as expected, along with high end stores like Saks (NYSE:SKS).

Limited (NYSE:LTD) was the top performer of the companies reporting today, with sales jumping 14 percent in March.

Worst in the group was Kohl's (NYSE:KSS), whose sales fell 6.5 percent last month.

Here are those retailers with sales gains in March:

Costco (COST) - up 8%; Macy's (NYSE: M) - up 0.9%; Limited (LTD) - up 14%; The Buckle (NYSE:BKE) - up 8.4%; Zumiez (NASDAQ:ZUMZ) - up 8.9%; BJ's Wholesale (BJ) - up 5.3%; Saks (SKS) - up 11.1%; and Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN) - up 5.1%.

Retailers which lost sales in March:

Target (NYSE:TGT) - down 5.5%; JCPenney (NYSE:JCP) - down 0.3%; Gap (NYSE:GPS) - down 10%; Kohl's (KSS) - down 6.5%; TJX (NYSE:TJX) - down 1%; and Hot Topic (Nasdaq:HOTT) - down 5%.

Jitters Over (TGT) (BJ) (COST) (KSS) (JCP) (SKS) (JWN) (M) (SSI) March Sales Report

With Macy's (NYSE:M), Target (NYSE:TGT), BJ's Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ), Costco (Nasdaq:COST), Kohl's (NYSE:KSS), Stage Stores (NYSE:SSI), J.C. Penney (NYSE:JCP), Saks (NYSE:SKS) and Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN) all reporting March sales today, shareholders and investors have jitters over the narrative that will probably emerge; one that most won't like for some of these companies.

On the positive side, Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club should generate improvements in same-store sales, based on getting more benefits from higher gas prices. Macy's and Nordstrom may also turn in a good quarter.

Barclays said, "Ahead of these results, we are raising our Barclays Capital Broadlines/Dept. Stores Same Store-Sales Index estimate for March to (0.8)% from (2.1)% compared with an 11.3% increase last year. The increase in our index is attributable to our expectations for higher comps for Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club, due to a larger benefit from gas prices, as well as our expectations for continued solid momentum at Macy's and Nordstrom, despite the Easter shift. We are raising our estimate for Costco to 6%-8% from 3%-5%, our estimate for BJ's to 0%-2% from (1)%-1%, our estimate for Macy's to (1)%-(3)% from (2)%-(4)%, and our estimate for Nordstrom to 1%-3% from (2)%-(4)%."

Concerning April, the optimism fades though. "We believe overall sales were solid in March; however, we expect the shift of Easter into April out of March, as well as tough comparisons last year, to have a negative impact on this month's results...We are maintaining our estimate for an 11.8% increase in our index in April," Barclays concluded.

It seems the reports will be a mixed bag, as Bed Bath & Beyond may have stolen some business from Target, and there could be some other surprises in there.

Destination Maternity's (DEST) Expands Via Leasing with Macy's (M), Kohl's (KSS), Sears (SHLD), Gordmans (GMAN)

Destination Maternity (Nasdaq:DEST) is expanding its brand through a leasing strategy with stores like Kohl's (NYSE:KSS), Sears (Nasdaq:SHLD) and Gordmans (Nasdaq:GMAN), which they already have a strong presence with, while expanding its leasing arrangement with Macy's (NYSE:M).

Motherhood Maternity is part of Philadelphia-based Destination Maternity (Nasdaq:DEST), a retailer that sells attractive maternity clothing for expectant mother's. Its future looks brighter today than it has in some time.

Management's is aware it must boost profitability. In its investor presentation from February's annual meeting, it mentions that it doubled adjusted EBITDA margins to 10.2% in the past three fiscal years. And it's getting better. It improved its adjusted EBITDA margin by 110 basis points to 9.8% in the first quarter ended December 31. Revenues in 2011 should increase and GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to be at least $1.81, 37% higher than in 2010. The steps taken to improve profits are working.

Destination Maternity has 35% to 45% market share of the US maternity apparel business. There's no reason it can't do the same in other countries. With its online business growing at 20% a quarter and revenues likely to pass $600 million sometime around Christmas, I see a bright future ahead.

Destination Maternity was trading at $22.84, gaining $1.08, or 4.96 percent, as of 1:21 PM EST.




Source

Target (NYSE:TGT), Kohl's (NYSE:KSS), J.C. Penney (NYSE:JCP), Saks (NYSE:SKS), Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN), Macy's (NYSE:M), BJ's (NYSE:BJ), Costco (NYSE:COST), Stage Stores (NYSE:SSI) Reporting December Sales Today

Target (NYSE:TGT), Kohl's (NYSE:KSS), J.C. Penney (NYSE:JCP), Saks (NYSE:SKS), Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN), Macy's (NYSE:M), BJ's (NYSE:BJ), Costco (NYSE:COST) and Stage Stores (NYSE:SSI) are all going to report December sales today, following in the footsteps of recent practices of retailers in the past years.

Barclays said, "Ahead of Thursday's results, we are slightly raising our Barclays Capital Broadlines/Dept. Stores Same Store-Sales Index estimate for November to 4.7% from 4.5% compared with a 3.7% increase last year. The increase in our index is attributable to Nordstrom, which we raised to 5%-7% from 0%-2%. In addition, we are expecting a positive comp result this quarter from Wal-Mart, and we expect Sears comps to decline (3.5)% in 4Q10. Finally, we expect that Tiffany sales increased in-line with our 4Q10 comp estimate of 2%."

"We believe that strength seen in November continued through December and the remainder of the holiday season, and now expect our Barclays Capital Broadlines/Dept. Stores Same Store-Sales Index for the combined November/December period to post the largest increase since 2003. Calendar shifts and Christmas timing appeared to be a non-event. However, the after-Christmas snow storms on the East Coast may have had a slightly negative impact on December sales."

"We believe that inventory levels are largely in good condition and promotional activity remained mostly at planned and reasonable levels. January should enable retailers to handle existing clearance merchandise and set the floors for spring."

Tiffany (NYSE:TIF) will be issue a press release concerning holiday sales next Tuesday.

FBR Talks Abercrombie (NYSE:ANF), American Eagle (NYSE:AEO), Chico’s (NYSE:CHS), Coldwater Creek (Nasdaq:CWTR), Macy’s (NYSE:M), Kohl's (NYSE:KSS), JCPenney (NYSE:JCP), Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN)

FBR Capital gave its outlook on the Consumer/Specialty Retail sector for the Christmas season, highlighting a mixed bag of stores, including Abercrombie (NYSE:ANF), American Eagle (NYSE:AEO), Chico’s (NYSE:CHS), Coldwater Creek (Nasdaq:CWTR), Macy’s (NYSE:M), Kohl's (NYSE:KSS), JCPenney (NYSE:JCP) and Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN).

FBR said, "According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, sales last week accelerated 3.1% over last year. This is a 0.8% gain over the prior week. According to comScore, holiday season retail e-commerce spending for the first 40 days of the November–December 2010 holiday season reached $21.95 billion, marking a 12% increase over last year. The most recent week, the week ending December 10, reached $5.15 billion in spending, an increase of 11% versus last year."

"We saw a modest pickup in discounting this weekend. Traffic in the malls that we visited was okay, not tremendous. We continue to expect a bookended holiday season, with strength at the beginning and the end...There appears to be a very big difference between the high end and low end in terms of traffic and bags. The low end is remaining austere this year. The high end is shopping and buying more for themselves while buying gifts...Teen stocks - Abercrombie and American Eagle discounts were pretty consistent with last weekend....Women’s: Chico’s and Coldwater Creek were under pressure after the Talbot’s news last week...Macy’s looks phenomenal still...Traffic continues to be strong at Kohl's; seems to be decent at JCPenney, too...Nordstrom business appears to have picked up."

Abercrombie closed Tuesday at $55.14, up $0.45, or 0.82 percent. American Eagle closed at $15.12, down $0.25, or 1.63 percent. Chico’s ended at $11.85, down $0.02, or 0.19 percent. Coldwater Creek closed at $2.74, down $0.02, or 0.72 percent. Macy's was at $25.18, up $0.23, or 0.92 percent. Kohl's ended the day at $53.58, up $0.18, or 0.34 percent. JCPenney closed at $32.47, down $0.36, or 1.10 percent. Nordstrom closed at $41.77, up $0.11, or 0.25 percent.

Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) Estimates Raised by FBR Capital After Strong November

November was a good month for Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) and FBR Capital raised the EPS estimate on the company, along with their price target in response to their performance.

FBR said, "We are raising estimates on KSS due to strong sales. We are now modeling a 3% comp for the balance of the quarter. Our gross margin and SG&A assumptions are in line with management’s guidance, and we are modeling 299 million average weighted shares outstanding. Our revised EPS estimate (ex items) of $1.59 compares to our prior estimate of $1.46. These changes take our CY10 estimate to $3.68 from $3.56. Our CY11 estimate increases to $4.33 from $4.19."

FBR maintains a "Market Perform" on Kohl's, which closed yesterday at $55.03, dropping $0.99, or 1.77 percent. FBR raised their price target on them from $54 to $58.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) Chooses Target (NYSE:TGT), Macy's (NYSE:M) as Top Christmas Picks

After a robust shopping weekend after Thanksgiving in America, Citigroup (NYSE:C) said they're raising their same-store estimates for the Christmas season, increasing them for November from 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent, and for December from 2 percent to 3 percent.

Contrasting last year's sales to this year during the same weekend, Citi noted a major boost of 33 percent for online spending on Thanksgiving day, and a 16 percent increase on Black Friday.

Along with Target and Macy's, other stores enjoying strong Black Friday sales were Saks (NYSE:SKS) and Kohl's (NYSE:KSS).

All of this sounds positive, but it remains to be seen at what costs the larger numbers are being attained, as stores around the country are under severe pricing and margin pressure in order to attract customers during the major shopping season.

It seems traders are considering that as well, as Target was trading at $56.36, falling $0.49, or 0.86 percent at 12:50 PM EST. Kohl's was trading at $56.40, down by $0.94, or 1.64 percent. Citi has a price target of $72 on Target and $33 on Kohl's.

Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) EPS Increased Over Share Repurchase

Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) announcement they're going to increase the pace of the share repurchase resulted in Barclays (NYSE:BCS) increasing their earnings per share outlook.

"Given the accelerated share repurchase agreement, we are increasing our 4Q10 and 2010 EPS estimates to $1.64 and $3.74 from $1.59 and $3.70, respectively. As we already had incorporated a significant share repurchase into our 2011 estimates, we are maintaining our 2011 EPS estimate of $4.45," said Barclays.

Kohl's ended Thursday's trading session at $53.62, rising by $0.82, or 1.55 percent. Barclays has a price target of $65 on the retailer. They also maintain an "Overweight" rating on them.