Scana (SCG) (SDT) (SO) (DFT) (DMAN) (ED) Downgraded

cana Corporation (NYSE: SCG), SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (NYSE: SDT), Southern Co (NYSE: SO), DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. (NYSE: DFT), DemandTec, Inc. (NASDAQ: DMAN) and Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED) were downgraded by analysts.

Scana Corporation (SCG) was downgraded by Caris & Co. to an “Average” rating.

SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (SDT) was downgraded by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) to a “Market Perform” rating.

Southern Co (SO) was downgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. (DFT) was downgraded by RBC Capital from a “Top Pick” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $32.00 on the company.

DemandTec, Inc. (DMAN) was downgraded by Barrington Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) was downgraded by Caris & Co. to a “Below Average” rating.

Scana (SCG) (HR) (IDIX) (PFBC) (RAM) (SFLY) Ratings, Price Targets

Scana Corporation (NYSE: SCG), Healthcare Realty Trust (NYSE: HR), Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDIX), Preferred Bank (NASDAQ: PFBC), RAM Energy Resources (NYSE: RAM) and Shutterfly (NASDAQ: SFLY) ratings and price targets.

Healthcare Realty Trust (NYSE: HR) had its “hold” rating reiterated by Stifel Nicolaus.

Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IDIX) had its “sell” rating reiterated by Brean Murray Carret & Co.

Preferred Bank (PFBC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating.

RAM Energy Resources (RAM) was downgraded by Rodman & Renshaw from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating.

Scana Corporation (SCG) had its price target raised by Wunderlich to $43.00. They have a “buy” rating on the firm.

Shutterfly (SFLY) had its price target lowered by Jefferies Group to $40.00.

Ratings on (SCG) (SPLS) (SWKS) (TJX) (TRIT) Reiterated

Ratings on Scana Corporation (NYSE: SCG), Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS), Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: SWKS), TJX Companies Inc (NYSE: TJX) and Tri-Tech Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIT) reiterated by analysts.

Wunderlich reiterated a “buy” rating on Scana Corporation (SCG). They now have a price target of $44.00 on the company.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) reiterated a “buy” rating on Staples, Inc. (SPLS).

Oppenheimer reiterated an “outperform” rating on Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (SWKS).

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) reiterated an “equal weight” rating on TJX Companies Inc (TJX).

Brean Murray reiterated a “buy” rating on Tri-Tech Holding, Inc. (TRIT).

Ratings on (SBAC) (SCG) (SFLY) (TLAB) (TLEO) Reiterated

Ratings on SBA Communications Corp (NASDAQ: SBAC), Scana Corporation (NYSE: SCG), Shutterfly (NASDAQ: SFLY), Tellabs, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLAB) and Taleo Corp (NASDAQ: TLEO) reiterated by analysts.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) reiterated a “buy” rating on SBA Communications Corp (SBAC).

Gabelli reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Scana Corporation (SCG).

Morgan Keegan reiterated an “outperform” rating on Shutterfly (SFLY).

Morgan Keegan reiterated a “market perform” rating on Tellabs, Inc. (TLAB).

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated a “buy” rating on Taleo Corp (TLEO). They have a price target of $44.00 on the company.

Dividend Yields for (PNW) (ETR) (NI) (SCG) (ED)

Indicated dividend yields for Standard & Poor's 500 Index companies Pinnacle West Capital Corp (PNW), Entergy Corp (ETR), NiSource Inc (NI), SCANA Corp (SCG) and Consolidated Edison Inc (ED) .

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.

Pinnacle West Capital Corp (PNW) has a dividend yield of 4.84 percent on a declared dividend of $0.53. The payout ratio is 809.5 percent.

Entergy Corp (ETR) has a dividend yield of 4.77 percent on a declared dividend of $0.83. The payout ratio is 65.5 percent.

NiSource Inc (NI) has a dividend yield of 4.73 percent on a declared dividend of $0.23. The payout ratio is 179.0 percent.

SCANA Corp (SCG) has a dividend yield of 4.67 percent on a declared dividend of $0.48. The payout ratio is 48.5 percent.

Consolidated Edison Inc (ED) has a dividend yield of 4.61 percent on a declared dividend of $0.60. The payout ratio is 73.9 percent.

Starbucks (SBUX), (RNOW) (SCG) (SFLY) (SRCL) Price Targets Raised

Price targets on Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), RightNow Technologies (NASDAQ: RNOW), Scana Corporation (NYSE: SCG), Shutterfly (NASDAQ: SFLY) and Stericycle Inc (NASDAQ: SRCL) raised by analysts.

Deutsche Bank (NSYE:DB) raised their price target on RightNow Technologies (RNOW) from $30.00 to $33.00. They have a “hold” rating on the company.

Piper Jaffray raised their price target on Starbucks (SBUX) from $46.00 to $48.00. They have an “overweight” rating on the company.

Wunderlich raised their price target on Scana Corporation (SCG) to $44.00. They have a “buy” rating on the company.

Piper Jaffray raised their price target on Shutterfly (SFLY) from $40.00 to $55.00. They have a “neutral” rating on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) raised their price target on Stericycle Inc (SRCL) from $80.00 to $85.00. They have a “neutral” rating on the company.

Analyst Upgrades for (ABX) (SCG) (SFLY) (VLY) (ABB)

Scana Corporation (NYSE: SCG), Shutterfly (NASDAQ: SFLY), Valley National Bancorp (NYSE: VLY), ABB Ltd (NYSE: ABB) and Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE: ABX) received upgrades from analysts today.

The Benchmark Company upgraded Scana Corporation (SCG) from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They have a price target of $44 on the company.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) upgraded Shutterfly (SFLY) from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating. They now have a price target of $70 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) upgraded Valley National Bancorp (VLY) from an “underweight” rating to a “neutral” rating.

Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) upgraded ABB Ltd (ABB) to an “outperform” rating.

Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Barrick Gold Corp (ABX) from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They have a price target of $70 on the company.

Analyst Upgrades for (RES) (RIG) (ROC) (SCG) (SD)

RPC, Inc (NYSE: RES), Transocean (NYSE: RIG), Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ROC), Scana Corporation (NYSE: SCG) and SandRidge Energy Inc. (NYSE: SD) received upgrades from analysts today.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) upgraded RPC, Inc (RES) from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating. They now have a price target of $28 on the company.

Duncan Williams upgraded Transocean (RIG) from a “reduce” rating to a “strong buy” rating. They have a price target of $93 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) upgraded Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (ROC). They have a price target of $55 on the company, up from $47.

Benchmark Co. upgraded Scana Corporation (SCG) from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They have a price target of $44 on the company. They cited valuation as the catalyst.

Global Hunter Securities upgraded SandRidge Energy Inc. (SD) from a “reduce” rating to a “neutral” rating. They have a price target of $11.15 on the company, up from $6.75.

Will NRG Energy (NRG), Southern (SO), SCANA (SCG), NextEra (NEE), Progress (PGN), Duke (DUK) Continue U.S. Nuclear Plans?

NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG), Southern (NYSE:SO), SCANA (NYSE:SCG), NextEra (NYSE:NEE), Progress Energy (NYSE:PGN) and Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) are either building or had plans to build nuclear facilities in the United States. That is all on hold now as the companies wait to see how it may impact the overall sector, as well as the expected rise in prices.

The bottom line in all of this is the response by regulators in relationship to a worst-case-scenario, which some believe will be redefined.

If it's redefined to outrageous levels, the costs of nuclear energy, at least in the U.S. and western countries, may become prohibitive.

"This is going to impose significant costs, perhaps material costs, before we are done," said John Rowe, chairman of Chicago-based power company Exelon Corp (NYSE:EXC), the largest operator of nuclear power plants in the United States.

Other nations understand there can never be a perfect solution as far as risk goes, and you do the very best you can to reduce that risk while supplying whatever product you've produced.

Hopefully those with agendas and who live in fear aren't allowed to win the day with nuclear in the U.S., as it's a vital part of the future of energy, and many other countries will continue to use it to generate energy for their people.




Source

Bank of America (BAC) Cuts Entergy (ETR), Scana (SCG) on Japan Nuclear Issues

Challenges from the earthquake in Japan to its nuclear reactors has put pressure on a number of stocks with exposure to the industry, and Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) downgraded Entergy (NYSE:ETR) and Scana (NYSE:SCG) as a result, although numerous other companies with nuclear exposure are down today.

Cuts to Entergy and Scana were based upon the probability they'll have to pay higher approval and relicensing costs in light of the nuclear power crisis and focus in Japan, said the giant bank.

Other stocks being strong affected today are General Electric (NYSE:GE), Edison International (NYSE:EIX), PG&E, Exelon (NYSE:EXC) and Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL).

Entergy is trading at $69.94, down $3.75, or 5.09 percent, as of 11:55 AM EDT. Scana was at $38.85, down $1.20, or 3.00 percent.

FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE), PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL), Allegheny Energy (NYSE:AYE) Pressured by Dark Spread Compression

Citing challenges from dark spread compression in 2011, FBR Capital sees FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE), PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL) and Allegheny Energy (NYSE:AYE) possibly being under pressure next year.

FBR said, "As we look to 2011, we believe the multiyear relative outperformance streak for regulated names could come to an end due to the impact of rising interest rates, and we continue to favor growth-oriented low “duration” names such as PG&E (NYSE:PCG)(Outperform/Top Pick) and SCANA (NYSE:SCG)(Outperform). For integrated names, the worst of the stock price adjustment could be behind us, as they are imputing roughly $4.45/MMBtu natural gas and offer attractive dividend yields compared to regulated utilities. Expectations for power market recovery will likely improve in 2011, driven by EPA regulations, more coal retirements, a promising capacity auction in PJM, and an improved natural gas outlook. Within our integrated coverage universe, we prefer Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR)(Outperform). While it is minimally exposed to power market tightening via coal retirements, it appears oversold, has a secure dividend in our opinion, and could catch a bid from any natural gas price appreciation."

Integrated Utilities Opinion

"Healing process has begun for integrated utilities. The worst of the natural gas and power price adjustments is now likely behind us. However, based on the outlook from our coal and gas teams, dark spread compression could still remain a theme in 2011, pressuring coal-heavy names such as FirstEnergy Corp. (Market Perform) and PPL Corporation (Market Perform). Also in the group is Allegheny Energy, Inc. (Not Rated) (pro forma). However, the rationalization in coal generation has begun, driven by forthcoming Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and dwindling Eastern coal supply. In addition, power prices seem to be ticking up at PJM Interconnection (PJM), perhaps indicating that the higher cost of coal burn is being reflected in power markets. We see no indication in the 2013 PJM forwards that widespread plant retirements are being anticipated."

FirstEnergy was trading at $36.37, up $0.09, or 0.25 percent, as of 12:21 PM EST. PPL Corporation was trading at $26.01, down $0.02, or 0.08 percent. Allegheny Energy was trading at $ 23.75, up $0.08, or 0.34 percent.