Group 1 (GPI) (BODY) (CHD) (CHH) (CHOP) (CPLP) Ratings, Price Targets

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI), Body Central Acquisition Co. (NASDAQ: BODY), Church & Dwight Co Inc. (NYSE: CHD), Choice Hotels (NYSE: CHH), China Gerui Advanced Materials Group Limited (NASDAQ: CHOP) and Capital Product Partners L.P. (NASDAQ: CPLP) ratings and price targets.

Body Central Acquisition Co. (BODY) had its “buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF). They have a price target of $31.00 on the firm.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (GPI) is now covered by Sterne Agee. The have a “neutral” rating on the firm.

Church & Dwight Co Inc. (CHD) was downgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) to a “market perform” rating.

Choice Hotels (CHH) was downgraded by Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating. They have a price target of $32.00 on the firm.

China Gerui Advanced Materials Group Limited (CHOP) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating.

Capital Product Partners L.P. (CPLP) was upgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating.

Dividends on (VMC) (CSL) (GPI) (CTWS) (MLAB) Declared

Vulcan Materials Co. (NYSE:VMC), Carlisle Companies Inc. (NYSE:CSL), Group 1 Automotive, Inc (NYSE:GPI), Connecticut Water Service (NASDAQ:CTWS) and Mesa Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ:MLAB) declare dividends.

The Board of Directors of Vulcan Materials Co. (VMC) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.25 per share payable 6/10/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 5/27/11.

The Board of Directors of Carlisle Companies Inc. (CSL) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.17 per share payable 6/1/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 5/23/11.

The Board of Directors of Group 1 Automotive, Inc (GPI) declared a first quarter dividend of $0.11 per share payable 6/15/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 6/1/11.

The Board of Directors of Connecticut Water Service (CTWS) declared a May stock dividend of $0.2325 per share payable 6/15/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 6/1/11.

The Board of Directors of Mesa Laboratories Inc. (MLAB) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.12 per share payable 6/15/11 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 5/31/11.

Biggest Losers (CNR) (GPI) (RIG) (NEM) (RDS-B) on May 6

Among the big, negative movers on Friday, May 6, were China Metro-Rural (CNR), Group 1 Automotive (GPI), Transocean Inc. (NYSE:RIG), Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDS-B).

China Metro-Rural (CNR) was down $1.00, to close at $2.32, a loss of 30.12 percent.

Group 1 Automotive (GPI) fell $0.98 on the day to close at $40.68, a loss of 2.35 percent.

Transocean Inc. (NYSE:RIG) dropped $0.98 to close at $67.79, a loss of 1.43 percent.

Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) declined $0.97 to close the session at $53.72, a loss of 1.77 percent.

Royal Dutch Shell (RDS-A) plunged $0.94 to end the day at $72.68, a loss of 1.28 percent.

Bank of America (BAC) Likes AutoNation (AN), Group 1 Automotive (GPI), Penske Automotive (PAG)

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) said today it likes the auto dealer sector, including companies like AutoNation (NYSE:AN), Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:GPI) and Penske Automotive (NYSE:PAG).

Christopher Dietrich at Dow Jones said: “BAML upped its view on auto-dealer stocks and ups price targets for a raft of stocks including AutoNation, Group 1 Automotive and Penske Automotive. BAML says strengthening balance sheets across the sector mean companies are likely to return value to shareholders with buybacks and higher dividends.

“BAML’s estimate for 15M light vehicle sales in 2011 are above the Street’s consensus, yet BAML asserts dealer stocks can still push higher even in a lighter sales environment on the basis of cost cutting made during the worst of the financial crisis.”

This contrasts with UBS’ recent dealer survey that found dealers fretting about a possible price war this year. UBS estimates 13 million light truck and car sales this year, well below the BAML number. UBS also has a sell rating on AutoNation.




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