GFI (GFIG) (AKZOY) (ARTC) (BUSE) (HCN) (JWN) (KNOL) (KONA) Ratings, Price Targets

GFI Group Inc. (GFIG), Akzo Nobel (AKZOY), ArthroCare Co. (ARTC), First Busey (BUSE), Health Care REIT (HCN), Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN), Knology, Inc. (KNOL) and Kona Grill Inc. (KONA) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Macquarie downgraded Akzo Nobel (AKZOY) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Jefferies Group downgraded ArthroCare Co. (ARTC) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Raymond James downgraded First Busey (BUSE) from a "Market Perform" rating to a "Underperform" rating.

Raymond James downgraded GFI Group Inc. (GFIG) from a "Market Perform" rating to a "Underperform" rating.

Hilliard Lyons downgraded Health Care REIT (HCN) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Underperform" rating.

CLSA downgraded Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) from a "Buy" rating to a "Underperform" rating.

BWS Financial downgraded Knology, Inc. (KNOL) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating. They have a price target of $15.00 on the company.

B. Riley downgraded Kona Grill Inc. (KONA) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Nordstrom (JWN) (MDC) (MDR) (MDTH) (ISNS) (ITYBY) Downgraded

Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), MDC Holdings (NYSE: MDC), McDermott International (NYSE: MDR), MedCath Co. (NASDAQ: MDTH), Image Sensing Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISNS) and Imperial Tobacco Group (OTC: ITYBY) were downgraded by analysts.

Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) was downgraded by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) from an “Overweight” rating to an “Equal Weight” rating. They have a price target of $52.00 on the company.

MDC Holdings (MDC) was downgraded by Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $18.00 on the company.

McDermott International (MDR) was downgraded by Morgan Stanley to an “Underweight” rating. They have a price target of $12.00 on the company.

MedCath Co. (MDTH) was downgraded by TheStreet to a “Sell” rating.

Image Sensing Systems, Inc. (ISNS) was downgraded by TheStreet to a “Sell” rating.

Imperial Tobacco Group (ITYBY) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Sell” rating.

Brown Shoe (BWS) (JWN) (MDT) (SFL) (SWY) Declare Dividends

The Board of Directors of Brown Shoe Company Inc. (NYSE:BWS) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.07 per share payable 10/3/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 9/16/11.

The Board of Directors of Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE:JWN) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.23 per share payable 9/15/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 9/6/11.

The Board of Directors of Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT) declared a second quarter common stock dividend of $0.2425 per share payable 10/28/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 10/7/11.

The Board of Directors of Ship Finance International (NYSE:SFL) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.39 per share payable 9/29/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 9/9/11.

The Board of Directors of Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.145 per share payable 10/13/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 9/22/11.

Statoil (STO)(VAL) (EW) (BWLD) (IFSIA) (JWN) Upgraded

Statoil (NYSE: STO), The Valspar Co. (NYSE: VAL), Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW), Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ: BWLD), Interface, Inc. (NASDAQ: IFSIA) and Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) upgraded by analysts.

Statoil (STO) was upgraded by Collins Stewart from a “Sell” rating to a “Hold” rating.

The Valspar Co. (VAL) was upgraded by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) to an “overweight” rating.

Edwards Lifesciences (EW) was upgraded by Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) to an “Outperform” rating.

Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) was upgraded by Sterne Agee from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Interface, Inc. (IFSIA) was upgraded by Longbow Research from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $18.00 on the company.

Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $52.00 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.

Nordstrom (JWN) (MAR) (MCD) (MDC) (NSC) Upgraded

Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), Marriott (NYSE: MAR), McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD), MDC Holdings (NYSE: MDC) and Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) upgraded by analysts.

Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) was upgraded by McAdams Wright Ragen from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $50.00 on the company.

Marriott (MAR) was upgraded by Susquehanna from a “Neutral” rating to a “Positive” rating.

McDonald’s (MCD) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $96.00 on the company.

MDC Holdings (MDC) was upgraded by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs from a “Sell” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Ratings on (VMED) (VELT) (CA) (LCAPA) (JWN) Reiterated

Ratings on shares of Virgin Media (NASDAQ:VMED), Velti (NASDAQ:VELT), CA Tech (NASDAQ:CA), Liberty Media Capital (NASDAQ:LCAPA) and Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN) reiterated by analysts.

Wunderlich reiterated an "Buy" rating on Virgin Media (VMED). They raised their price target on the company from $32 to $37.

Needham reiterated a "Sector Perform" rating on Velti (VELT). They raised their price target on the company from $17 to $21.

Needham reiterated a "Buy" rating on CA Tech (CA). They raised their price target on the company from $27 to $29.

Wunderlich reiterated a "Buy" rating on Liberty Media Capital (LCAPA). They raised their price target on the company from $85 to $95.

FBR Capital reiterated a "Market Perform" rating on Nordstrom (JWN). They raised their price target on the company from $48 to $50.

Price Targets on (GA) (GNK) (JWN) (MPWR) (NVDA) Updated

Price targets on shares of Giant Interactive Group (NYSE: GA), Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd (NYSE:GNK), Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), Monolithic Power Systems Inc (NASDAQ: MPWR) and NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) were updated by analysts.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) raised their price target on Giant Interactive Group (GA) from $10.00 to $11.00.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) cut their price target on Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd (GNK) from $8.00 to $7.50. They have a “sell” rating on the company.

Piper Jaffray raised their price target on Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) from $53.00 to $60.00. They have an “overweight” rating on the company.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) raised their price target on Monolithic Power Systems Inc (MPWR) from $18.50 to $22.50. They have an “overweight” rating on the company.

Citigroup cut their price target on NVIDIA (NVDA) from $27.00 to $22.00. They have a “hold” rating 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.

Dividends on (DFG) (JWN) (LEA) (MDU) (NOV) Declared

Delphi Financial Grp. (NYSE:DFG), Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE:JWN), Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA), MDU Resources (NYSE:MDU) and National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NYSE:NOV) declare dividends.

The Board of Directors of Delphi Financial Grp. (DFG) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.12 per share payable 6/8/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 5/25/11.

The Board of Directors of Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.23 per share payable 6/15/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 5/31/11.

The Board of Directors of Lear Corporation (LEA) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.125 per share payable 6/22/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 6/3/11.

The Board of Directors of MDU Resources (MDU) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.1625 per share payable 7/1/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 6/9/11.

The Board of Directors of National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NOV) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.11 per share payable 6/24/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 6/10/11.

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.

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.