SCBT (SCBT) (TRV) (USG) (ACOR) (AKAM) (ALE) Upgraded

SCBT Financial Co. (NASDAQ: SCBT), The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), USG Co. (NYSE: USG), Acorda Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: ACOR), Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: AKAM) and ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) were upgraded by analysts.

SCBT Financial Co. (SCBT) was upgraded by Sterne Agee from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to a “Buy” rating.

USG Co. (USG) was upgraded by CL King from a “Neutral” rating to a “Strong-Buy” rating.

Acorda Therapeutics Inc. (ACOR) was upgraded by MKM Partners from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $32.00 on the company, up from $26.00.

Akamai Technologies (AKAM) was upgraded by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF) from an “Underperform” rating to a “Hold” rating. They have a price target of $36.00 on the company, up from $21.00.

ALLETE, Inc. (ALE) was upgraded by Sidoti from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Ex-Dividend for (RIT) (SB) (SBI) (SBW) (SCBT) is May 18

The ex-dividend date for Western Asset Real Estate Income Fund (NYSE:RIT), Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE:SB), Western Asset Intermediate Municipal Fund (AMEX:SBI), Western Asset Worldwide Income Fund Inc. (NYSE:SBW) and SCBT Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:SCBT) is May 18.

Western Asset Real Estate Income Fund (RIT) pays a dividend of $0.06 with a yield of 6.82 percent.

Safe Bulkers Inc. (SB) pays a dividend of $0.15 with a yield of 7.59 percent.

Western Asset Intermediate Municipal Fund (SBI) pays a dividend of $0.04 with a yield of 5.11 percent.

Western Asset Worldwide Income Fund Inc. (SBW) pays a dividend of $0.08 with a yield of 6.69 percent.

SCBT Financial Corporation (SCBT) pays a dividend of $0.17 with a yield of 2.26 percent.