Idenix (IDIX) (URBN) (HOT) (REGN) (CAVM) (DOW) Ratings, Price Targets

Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDIX), Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ: URBN), Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT), Regeneron Pharma (NASDAQ: REGN), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM) and The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by analysts at Oppenheimer.

Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT) had its “neutral” rating reiterated by analysts at Nomura.

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

ThinkEquity initiated coverage on Regeneron Pharma (REGN). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $120.00 on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its price target lowered by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) to $26.00.

The Dow Chemical Company (DOW) had its price target raised by Deutsche Bank to $35.00.

Starwood Hotels (HOT) (JNPR) (MHS) (PVH) EPS Estimates Changed

Starwood Hotels (NYSE:HOT), Juniper (NASDAQ:JNPR), Medco (NYSE:MHS) and PVH (NYSE:PVH) EPS estimates adjusted by analysts.

Starwood Hotels (HOT) EPS estimates were cut by Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS). They have a price target of $64 and an "Outperform" rating on the company.

Juniper (JNPR) EPS estimates were cut by UBS (NYSE:UBS). They have a price target of $24 and a "Neutral" rating on the company.

Medco (MHS) EPS estimates were slashed through 2012 by JMP Securities. They have a "Market Outperform" rating on the company.

PVH (PVH) EPS estimates were raised by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) through 2011. They have a price target of $75 and an "Overweight" rating on the company.

Tenaris (TS) (ENR) (FTI) (HOGS) (HOT) (REGN) Downgraded

Tenaris (NYSE: TS), Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR), FMC Tech (NYSE: FTI), ZHONGPIN INC. (NASDAQ: HOGS), Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: REGN) downgraded by analysts.

Tenaris (TS) was downgraded by Guggenheim from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Energizer Holdings, Inc. (ENR) was downgraded by Standpoint Research from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

FMC Tech (FTI) was downgraded by Guggenheim from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

ZHONGPIN INC. (HOGS) was downgraded by Global Hunter Securities from a “Neutral” rating to a “Reduce” rating.

Starwood Hotels (HOT) was downgraded by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) from an “Overweight” rating to an “Equal Weight” rating. They have a price target of $47.00 on the company, down from $71.00.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) was downgraded by Citigroup (NYSE:C) from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating. They have a price target of $60.00 on the company.

First Solar (FSLR) (ARUN) (CLD) (BLK) (HOT) Ratings Changed

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR), Aruba Networks (NASDAQ:ARUN), Cloud Peak Energy (NYSE:CLD), BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) and Starwood Hotels (NYSE:HOT) had their ratings changed by analysts.

Aruba Networks (ARUN) was upgraded by BMO from "Underperform" to "Market Perform." They have a price target of $20 on the company. They cited valuation as the catalyst behind the call.

BlackRock (BLK) has a new "Hold" rating on them from Jefferies (NYSE:JEF). They have a price target of $177 on the company.

Cloud Peak Energy (CLD) upgraded by Dahlman Rose from "Hold" to "Buy." They have a price target of $24 on the company.

First Solar (FSLR) was upgraded by Collins Stewart from "Neutral" to "Buy" rating. They have a price target of $132 on the company. They cited valuation as the catalyst behind the call.

Starwood Hotels (HOT) was downgraded by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) from an "Overweight" to "Equal weight" rating. They have a price target of $47 on the company.

Cree (CREE) (AHONY) (GET) (HOT) (HPQ) Downgraded

Cree, Inc. (NASDAQ: CREE), Koninklijke Ahold (OTC: AHONY), Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT) and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) downgraded by analysts.

Koninklijke Ahold (AHONY) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Neutral” Rating to a “Hold” rating.

Cree, Inc. (CREE) was downgraded by JMP Securities from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Gaylord Entertainment (GET) was downgraded by FBR Capital from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $31.00 on the company, down from $42.00.

Starwood Hotels (HOT) was downgraded by FBR Capital to a “Market Perform” rating.

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) was downgraded by Robert W. Baird from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $30.00 on the company, down from $51.00.

DragonWave (DRWI) (DOW) (CNQR) (DV) (HOT) (HST) (IL) (LYB) Downgraded

DragonWave Inc. (NASDAQ: DRWI), The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), Concur Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNQR), DeVry Inc. (NYSE: DV), Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT), Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST), IntraLinks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: IL) and LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) downgraded by analysts.

Concur Technologies, Inc. (CNQR) was downgraded by RBC Capital from an “Outperform” rating to an “Underperform” rating. They have a price target of $30.00 on the company, down from $54.00.

The Dow Chemical Company (DOW) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

DragonWave Inc. (DRWI) was downgraded by Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating. They have a price target of $3.50 on the company, down from $9.50.

DeVry Inc. (DV) was downgraded by Robert W. Baird from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $53.00 on the company, down from $71.00.

Starwood Hotels (HOT) was downgraded by Jefferies from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating. They have a price target of $42.00 on the company, down from $68.00.

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) was downgraded by Jefferies from a “Buy” rating to a “Jold” rating.

IntraLinks Holdings, Inc. (IL) was downgraded by Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) to a “Neutral” rating.

LyondellBasell (LYB) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Sell” rating.

Colgate (CL) (CME) (ALSK) (HOT) (MXL) (N) Price Targets Changed

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL), CME Group Inc. (NYSE: CME), Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc (NASDAQ: ALSK), Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT), MaxLinear Inc (NYSE: MXL) and NetSuite Inc. (NYSE: N) price targets adjusted by analysts.

CME Group Inc. (CME) had its price target boosted by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from $318.00 to $325.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) had its price target raised by RBC Capital from $86.00 to $90.00. They have a “Sector Perform” rating on the company.

Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (ALSK) had its price target lowered by RBC Capital from $10.00 to $8.00. They have a “Sector Perform” rating on the company.

Starwood Hotels (HOT) had its price target raised by FBR Capital from $63.00 to $66.00. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

MaxLinear Inc. (MXL) had its price target lowered by Stifel Nicolaus from $12.00 to $10.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

NetSuite Inc. (N) had its price target raised by FBR Capital from $28.00 to $30.00. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

Noble (NBL) (GT) (TER) (HOT) (KLAC) (MET) EPS Estimates Changed

Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL), Goodyear (NYSE: GT), Teradyne, Inc. (NYSE: TER), Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT), KLA-Tencor (NASDAQ: KLAC) and MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) EPS estimates adjusted by analysts.

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) lowered its EPS estimates on Teradyne, Inc. (TER). They have a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $16.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) boosted its EPS estimates on Goodyear (GT). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $22.00 on the company.

UBS AG cut its EPS estimates on Starwood Hotels (HOT). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $70.00 on the company. They cited valuation as the catalyst behind the call.

UBS AG slashed its EPS estimates on KLA-Tencor (KLAC). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $49.50 on the company.

UBS AG raised its EPS estimates on MetLife, Inc. (MET). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $60.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) raised its EPS estimates on Noble Energy (NBL). They have a “Buy” rating and a price target of $126.00 on the company.

Dividend Yields for (WYNN) (IGT) (MAR) (HOT) (DV)

Indicated dividend yields for Standard & Poor's 500 Index companies Wynn Resorts Ltd (WYNN), International Game Technology (IGT), Marriott International Inc (MAR), Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT) and DeVry Inc (DV).

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.

Wynn Resorts Ltd (WYNN) has a dividend yield of 1.36 percent on a declared dividend of $0.50. The payout ratio is 35.6 percent.

International Game Technology (IGT) has a dividend yield of 1.36 percent on a declared dividend of $0.06. The payout ratio is 25.7 percent.

Marriott International Inc (MAR) has a dividend yield of 0.99 percent on a declared dividend of $0.09. The payout ratio is 31.8 percent.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT) has a dividend yield of 0.50 percent on a declared dividend of $0.30. The payout ratio is 26.9 percent.

DeVry Inc (DV) has a dividend yield of 0.45 percent on a declared dividend of $0.12. The payout ratio is 9.5 percent.

Hotels Marriot (MAR) (HOT) (WYN) Looking to India for Growth

The emerging middle class in India with increasing expendable income is becoming a target for the hospitality industry, including hotel chains Marriot International (NYSE:MAR), Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE:HOT) and Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN).

Marriot has already entered into a preliminary deal with India's SAMHI Hotels to expand its Fairfield brand in India.

There is no doubt a lot of potential, but the companies must be patient, as the business atmosphere in India can be stifling and frustrating, although the country is slowing becoming more investment-friendly.

Infrastructure is also being improved and labor is inexpensive at this time.

Gross domestic product in India is growing at an 8 percent rate, and that should be sustainable for years.

Marriot was trading at $34.04, down $0.15, or 0.44 percent, as of 12:44 PM EDT. Starwood was at $56.53, down $0.51, or 0.89 percent. Wyndham was trading at $31.02, falling $0.41, or 1.30 percent.

Wynn Resorts (WYNN) Most Admired in Las Vegas

In the Las Vegas hotel-casino industry, Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN) has come out on top this year in the most admired in Las Vegas, and came in fourth place in the overall hotels, casinos and resorts category of Fortune magazine's rankings.

The list is compiled in response to surveys of analysts and industry participants.

Strengths of Wynn noted in the survey included innovation, quality of products and services as well as global competitiveness and quality of management. Weaknesses cited were long-term investment, financial soundness and social responsibility.

In the overall category of hotels, casinos and resorts, the leader was Marriott International (NYSE:MAR), followed by Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H) and Starwood Hotels and Resorts (NYSE:HOT).

For casinos, MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM), dropped to No. 9 while Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) was No. 8 and Harrah's, now Caesars Entertainment Corp., was ranked No. 10.

In the top 50 of the general most admired companies, only Marriott International, who was ranked No. 37, landed on the list, of companies in that sector.

Wyndam (NYSE:WYN), Intercontinental (NYSE:IHG), Choice Hotels (NYSE:CHH), Interval Leisure (Nasdaq:IILG) Top FBR Hotel Picks

Commenting on the hotel sector, FBR said their favorite picks at this time are Wyndam (NYSE:WYN), Intercontinental Hotels (NYSE:IHG), Choice Hotels (NYSE:CHH) and Interval Leisure Group(Nasdaq:IILG), based on strength in the upper-upscale segments.

FBR noted, "In our view, we see good investing opportunities, especially in names that have higher exposure to the upscale, midscale, and the economy segments where RevPAR is beginning to outpace gains in the upper-upscale segments. The names we favor most are Wyndam, Intercontinental Hotels, Choice Hotels , and Interval Leisure Group, with the common characteristic being greater exposure to chain scale segments, high-single- to low-double-digit free cash flow yields, and opportunity for valuation multiple expansion, which we see as less likely in names such as Host (NYSE:HST), Marriott (NYSE:MAR), Starwood (NYSE:HOT), and Hyatt (NYSE:H).

"So far, quarter-to-date transient and group segment trends are shaping up to be stronger than in the third quarter of this year. We observe all U.S. transient occupancies to be higher by 180 bps (was +150 bps in 3Q), group occupancies to be higher by 230 bps (was +200 bps in 3Q), transient ADR to be tracking higher by 4.1% (was +4.4% in 3Q), and group ADR to be tracking +0.7% (was –1.0% in 3Q) through the quarter to date ending December 4. Of note, group ADR trended higher by this magnitude for the first time since late 2008."

Wyndam closed Wednesday at $31.02, down $0.06, or 0.19 percent. Intercontinental Hotels closed at $19.62, level from the prior close. Choice Hotels ended the session at $39.31, up $0.30, or 0.77 percent. Interval Leisure closed at $17.08, down $0.26, or 1.50 percent.

Marriott (NYSE:MAR), Starwood (NYSE:HOT) Expect Multyear RevPAR Growth

After their investor days, Marriott (NYSE:MAR) and Starwood (NYSE:HOT) recently said their multiyear RevPAR growth rates will be in the mid to high single digits.

FBR said, "In the wake of Marriott’s (Market Perform) and Starwood’s (Market Perform) recent bullish investor days, where management teams outlined multiyear RevPAR growth expectations in the mid to high single digits, rather than just take it as blind faith that these rates of growth will happen, we felt it prudent to examine the underlying economic drivers that we believe will ultimately drive a sustained recovery. As we look out at the forward reservations that the industry has on its books, we note that after 3Q11, the number of reservations is statistically insignificant and therefore, investing in lodging stocks requires that investors believe economic conditions will continue to improve in order to assume these RevPAR growth rates will come to fruition. In this regard, we examine the impact that GDP, corporate profits, inflation, and unemployment will have on RevPAR, occupancy, and ADR growth.

"Our analysis gives us confidence that 2011 and 2012 will be years of high-single-digit RevPAR growth, and as long as the economy continues to grow at even a moderate pace (+2%), lodging companies should be able to maintain pricing power (pricing power being an important driver in investor sentiment). We believe that a scenario of high-single-digit RevPAR growth will continue to fuel the up-cycle in lodging stock price appreciation."

Marriott closed Thursday at $41.26, up $0.35, or 0.86 percent. Starwood closed at $59.63, up $1.72, or 2.97 percent.

Goldman (NYSE:GS) Likes Starwood Hotels' (NYSE:HOT) Expanding Margins

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) raised their EPS estimates and price target on Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:HOT), citing permanent cost cuts of 8 percent which will help margins and earnings going forward.

EPS estimates for full year 2010, 2011, and 2012 were increased from $1.12, $1.56, and $2.00 to $1.13, $1.65, and $2.35.

Goldman Sachs reiterates their "Conviction Buy" rating on Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which closed Thursday at $60.90, up $0.99, or 1.65 percent.

Goldman increased their price target on them from $64 to $70.