Walter Energy (WLT) (APO) (DDR) (BX) (HVT) (LGF) Ratings, Price Targets

Walter Energy (WLT), American Community Properties Trust (APO), DDR Corp. (DDR), The Blackstone Group L.P. (BX), Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (HVT) and Lions Gate (LGF) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Walter Energy (WLT) was upgraded by Davenport from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating. They placed a price target of $80.00 on the company.

American Community Properties Trust (APO) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

The Blackstone Group L.P. (BX) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

DDR Corp. (DDR) was upgraded by Bank of America from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (HVT) was upgraded by Sidoti from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Lions Gate (LGF) was upgraded by Miller Tabak from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Uranerz (URZ) (WSO) (ANR) (WLT) (CLD) (OTEX) Price Targets Changed

Uranerz Energy Corporation (NYSE: URZ), Watsco, Incorporated (NYSE: WSO), Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE: ANR), Walter Energy (NYSE: WLT), Cloud Peak Energy (NYSE: CLD) and Open Text (NASDAQ: OTEX) price targets adjusted by analysts.

Watsco, Incorporated (WSO) had its price target lowered by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) to $54.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) had its price target lowered by FBR Capital from $58.00 to $53.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Uranerz Energy Corporation (URZ) had its price target lowered by Dahlman Rose from $5.00 to $3.50. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Walter Energy (WLT) had its price target lowered by FBR Capital from $139.00 to $104.00. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

Cloud Peak Energy (CLD) had its price target lowered by FBR Capital from $28.00 to $25.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Open Text (OTEX) had its price target lowered by The Benchmark Company from $56.00 to $52.00. They have a “Sell” rating on the company.

Dendreon (DNDN) (WLT) (WFR) (OSG) (LAMR) (EE) Downgraded

Dendreon Co. (NASDAQ: DNDN), Walter Energy (NYSE: WLT), MEMC Electronic Materials Inc (NYSE: WFR), Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. (NYSE: OSG), Lamar Advertising Company (NASDAQ: LAMR) and El Paso Electric (NYSE: EE) downgraded by analysts.

Dendreon Co. (DNDN) was downgraded by Robert W. Baird from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $20.00 on the company, down from $56.00.

Walter Energy (WLT) was downgraded by Brean Murray from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (WFR) was downgraded by Ardour Capital from a “Buy” rating to an “Accumulate” rating. They have a price target of $8.50 on the company, down from $16.00.

Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. (OSG) was downgraded by Sterne Agee from a “Neutral” rating to a “Sell” rating. They have a price target of $13.00 on the company, down from $31.00.

Lamar Advertising Company (LAMR) was downgraded by The Benchmark Company from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating. They have a price target of $24.00 on the company, down from $33.00.

El Paso Electric (EE) was downgraded by Ticonderoga from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Clayton Williams (CWEI) (MPC) (NGL) (ROSE) (SGY) (WLT) Price Targets Changed

Clayton Williams Energy Inc (NASDAQ: CWEI), Marathon Petroleum (NYSE: MPC), NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL), Rosetta Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: ROSE), Stone Energy (NYSE: SGY) and Walter Energy (NYSE: WLT) price targets changed.

Clayton Williams Energy Inc (CWEI) is now getting coverage from Wunderlich. They placed a “buy” rating and a price target of $100.00 on the company.

Marathon Petroleum (MPC) is now getting coverage from analysts at Howard Weil. They placed an “outperform” rating and a price target of $45.00 on the company.

NGL Energy Partners (NGL) is now covered by analysts at Robert W. Baird. They placed an “outperform” rating and a price target of $22.00 on the company.

Rosetta Resources Inc. (ROSE) is now getting coverage from analysts at Dahlman Rose. placed a “buy” rating and a $65.00 price target on the company.

Stone Energy (SGY) is getting coverage from Dahlman Rose. They placed a “buy” rating and a price target of $38.00 on the company.

Walter Energy (WLT) is getting coverage from analysts at Citigroup (NYSE:C). They placed a “positive” rating and a price target of $144.00 on the company.

Transocean (RIG) (TCK) (WLT) (SM) (RKT) All Upgraded

Transocean (NYSE: RIG), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TCK), Walter Energy (NYSE: WLT), SM Energy (NYSE: SM) and Rock-Tenn Company (NYSE: RKT) upgraded by analysts.

Jefferies (NYSE: JEF) upgraded Transocean (NYSE: RIG) to a

“Buy” rating. They have a price target of $80.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) upgraded Rock-Tenn Company (RKT) from a “Neutral” rating to an “Overweight” rating. They have a price target of $80.00 on the company.

Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) upgraded SM Energy (SM) from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

BMO Capital Markets upgraded Teck Resources Limited (TCK) from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

BMO Capital Markets upgraded Walter Energy (WLT) to an “outperform” rating.

Big Movers (WLT) (MHK) (BLK) (BAP) (VRUS) on May 6

Among the big, positive movers on Friday, May 6, were Walter Energy (WLT), Mohawk Industries (MHK), Blackrock (BLK), Credicorp Ltd (BAP) and Pharmasset (VRUS).

Walter Energy (WLT) jumped $4.50, to close at $131.08, a gain of 3.56 percent.

Mohawk Industries (MHK) was up $4.31 on the day, to close at $67.48, a gain of 6.82 percent.

Blackrock (BLK) climbed $4.27 to close at $195.74, a gain of 2.23 percent.

Credicorp Ltd (BAP) rose $4.22 to close the session at $102.54, a gain of 4.29 percent.

Pharmasset (VRUS) was up $4.03 to end the day at $104.94, a gain of 3.99 percent.

Barrick (ABX) (LL) (WLT) (WM) Ratings Maintained at Current Levels

Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE: ABX), Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL), Walter Energy (NYSE: WLT) and Waste Management Inc (NYSE: WM) all had their current rating levels maintained by several brokerages on April 26.

Piper Jaffray maintained its “Neutral” rating on Lumber Liquidators (LL).

Dahlman Rose maintained a “Buy” rating on shares of Walter Energy (WLT). They now have a $148.00 price target on the stock.

Wunderlich maintained a “Buy” rating on Waste Management Inc (WM).

Dahlman Rose maintained a “Hold” rating on Barrick Gold Corp (ABX).

Newfield (NFX) (PCX) (WLT) (BUCY) Price Target Changes for April 25th

Here are price target changes on April 25th for Newfield (NFX)(PCX)(WLT) and (BUCY).

RBC Capital lowered their price target on Newfield Exploration Co. (NYSE:NFX) from $99.00 to $96.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the stock.

Brean Murray boosted their price target on shares of Patriot Coal Corp (NYSE:PCX) from $35.00 to $37.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the stock.

Brean Murray slashed their price target on Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT) from $160.00 to $156.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the stock.

FBR Capital lowered their price target on Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT) from $140.00 to $135.00. They now an “Outperform” rating on the stock.

Jefferies maintained a “Hold” rating on shares of Bucyrus International, Inc. (NASDAQ:BUCY). They have a $92.00 price target on the stock.

International Coal (NYSE:ICO), L&L Energy (NASDAQ:LLEN), James River Coal (NASDAQ:JRCC) Lead Coal Sector Last Month

Coal has been hot recently, and leading the sector over the last month have been International Coal (NYSE:ICO), L&L Energy (NASDAQ:LLEN), James River Coal (NASDAQ:JRCC), all increasing by over 20 percent during that time.

Not far behind them is Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) and Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT), which have surged by 18 percent.

Speculation has been swirling concerning Warren Buffett and Bill Gates being interested in coal, with employees from Arch Coal (NYSE:ACI) alleging they were seen looking around at Wyoming coal mines.

The fact that they were vastly outperformed over the last month by their peers and used social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to get the word out, suggest is may have all been a marketing ploy to generate interest in the company and increase share price through speculation.

International Coal closed Thursday at $8.17, up $0.19, or 2.38 percent. L&L Energy closed at $11.57, down $0.30, or 2.53 percent. James River ended the day at $22.61, falling $0.17, or 0.75 percent.

Walter Energy surged to close at $115.16, up $4.17, or 3.76 percent. Hecla Mining ended the session at $10.44, gaining $0.21, or 2.05 percent.

Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO), Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT) Continue Coal M&A Trend

With demand for coal continuing to rise, led by China and India, a large number of mergers and acquisitions have bee taking place, with 34 underwritings in the sector in November alone, with Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) and Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT) part of bigger deals.

FBR commented, "We came back from our Australia trip very bullish on the coal space due to very active and high risk underwriting activity in November (34 underwritings in the mining space). We believed that M&A trends would accelerate as these underwritings were underpinned by projects that had 2-5 year production pipelines behind them. Several of the companies we met with are being or potentially being taken out (Caledon, Riversdale, and Whitehaven). The Chinese and Indians are fueling much of this action, driven by a scarcity factor. The US coal market continues to be impacted by rising environmental rules and regulation; the emerging markets are truly the place to be for investors. Our thesis remains bullish for US steam coal exports to drive rising US coal prices but the domestic market remains challenged by pending Transport rules and other rising EPA regulation. We expect every US company to raise its export focus and grab as much port capacity to capitalize the rest of the world's need for coal."

Rio Tinto was trading at $70.25, up by $0.18, or 0.26 percent. Walter Energy was at $113.93, gaining $3.43, or 3.10 percent.

Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT) Earnings Raised on Closing WTN Deal

After closing the deal with WTN, Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT) had its EPS estimates and price target raised by FBR Capital, although changes could come said the company, based on things related to synergies and their costs, along with met coal assumptions.

FBR said, "WLT and WTN finalized their merger agreement, with financing of 70% cash and a 30% stock mix, in line with our expectations. This morning, we raise our 2011 EPS estimates modestly but raise our 2012 EPS estimate by 15% to reflect a 1Q11 close. We raise our 2011/2012 EBITDA estimates by an average of 67% to account for WTN's contribution...We are increasing our WLT 2011/2012 pro forma EPS and EBITDA estimates to $8.53/$10.87, from $8.39/$9.31. We recognize that there could be some modifications to our estimates, based on synergies, met coal assumptions, and operating costs."

FBR Capital maintains an "Outperform" on Walter Energy, which was trading at $105.92, up by $0.32, or 0.30 percent, as of 11:42 AM EST. They raised their price target on Walter from $98 to $122.

Volume today is already over double the daily 3-month average.

Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT) Receives Mixed Reaction from Western Coal (TSE:WTN) Bid

Even though Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT) shares soared Friday, there is still mixed reaction to their bid for Western Coal (TSE:WTN), and has also generated the idea they themselves may be a takeover target.

FBR said, "Shareholders woke up yesterday (Thursday) and had a mixed reaction to WLT's merger opportunity with WTN, for several reasons: (1) expectations, which some still have, of a WLT sale, not a defensive move (we do not); (2) limited understanding of WTN, or having preconceived notions, based on the past; (3) the large premium paid; and (4) the unknown financing structure...WLT is now "half-pregnant," since it now owns, or is responsible for, 20% of WTN shares and has two weeks to come to terms with Western Coal's board...We are increasing our WLT 2010/2011 EPS estimates to $7.73/$8.39 from $7.64/$7.96, primarily to reflect the income contribution (based on consensus) from the initial 9.2% stake in WTN, which WLT is acquiring from Audley Capital."

Walter Energy closed Friday at $105.91, soaring $9.05, or 9.34 percent. FBR has a price target of $98 on Walter, and maintains their "Outperform" rating on them.

Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT) May Merge with Western Coal (TSE:WTN)

Walter Energy's (NYSE:WLT) announcement they are making a bid for Western Coal (TSE:WTN) didn't impress the market that much, although FBR Capital likes the met coal play they would bring to Walter if the deal ends up going through.

FBR said, "This morning, news broke that Walter Energy is potentially merging with Canadian met coal producer Western Coal for CN$11.50 per share of cash and stock, a 56% premium to yesterday's close. Western brings with it a nice met coal growth profile through calendar year 2012 (fiscal ends March 31), a declining cost structure, port access at Ridley, and a new and dynamic management team...We have had several days with Western Coal's management at its analyst days and also note that several U.S. executives mention Western as a good candidate for a combination."

Walter was trading at $93.94, losing $0.77, or 0.81 percent at 11:59 AM EST. FBR maintains their "Outperform" rating on them and a price target of $98.