Barrick Gold upgraded at JefferiesABX was upgraded from Hold to Buy, Jefferies said. $52 price target. Stock has lagged in 2010, but should now outperform, following a strong quarter.
Accenture upgraded at BarclaysACN upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight. The company will outperform as clients shift from cost-cutting mode to investing for growth, Barclays said. Price target raised to $52 from $43.
Aflac upgraded at CitiAFL upgraded to Buy from Hold after strong 1Q10 results, Citigroup said. Price target increased to $60 from $55.
Applied Industrial downgraded at KeybancAIT was downgraded from Buy to Hold, Keybanc said. Valuation call, as the company faces margin headwinds.
Akamai Technologies upgraded at CitiAKAM upgraded to Buy from Hold as the company posted a big beat and raise for 1Q10, Citigroup said. Price target surged to $44 from $32.
AK Steel downgraded at JP MorganAKS downgraded at JP Morgan. Rating lowered to Neutral from Overweight. Price target lowered to $21 from $27. 2010 EPS estimates lowered to $0.76 from $1.05.
AK Steel numbers reduced at UBSShares of AKS now seen reaching $18, according to UBS. Estimates also lowered, as electrical steel volumes are now expected to be flat. Neutral rating.
Beckman Coulter upgraded at Piper JaffrayBEC upgraded at Piper Jaffray. Rating raised to Overweight from Neutral. Maintains $73 price target. 2010 EPS estimates lowered to $4.39 from $4.40.
The Cheesecake Factory upgraded at BofA/MerrillCAKE upgraded to Neutral from Underperform as strong 1Q10 sales return the company to positive comps and positive traffic, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch said. Price target surged to $30 from $19. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates raised to $1.40 and $1.60, respectively.
Consol Energy upgraded at BarclayCNX upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight on valuation. Coal stocks have done well in recent months but CNX has underperformed the sector, Barclays said. Price target increased to $58 from $55.
Dick's Sporting Goods upgraded at CitiDKS upgraded to Buy from Hold on accelerating comp store sales trends, LT sq footage growth, improving margin trends, and valuation, Citigroup said. Price target improved to $34 from $27.
Equifax downgraded at BairdEFX was downgraded from Outperform to Neutral, Robert Baird said. $37 price target. Company cut guidance, and the stock in already pricing a recovery in lending.
First Solar upgraded at BofA/MerrillFSLR upgraded to Buy from Neutral on increased visibility and higher indirect module sales, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch said. Price target set at $165. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates lifted to $7.25 and $8.35, respectively.
First Solar upgraded at BairdFSLR was upgraded from Neutral to Outperform, Robert Baird said. $160 price target. Company has moved downstream and the market has yet to factor in the new business model.
First Solar numbers upped at UBSShares of FSLR now seen reaching $140, according to UBS. Estimates also boosted, given the company's shift toward module sales. Neutral rating.
Mediacom Communications downgraded at CitiMCCC downgraded to Sell form Buy on lack of near-term catalysts, Citigroup said. Price target increased fifty cents to $6.75.
Manitowoc upgraded at JP MorganMTW upgraded at JP Morgan. Rating raised to Neutral from Underweight. Price target raised to $15 from $10. 2010 EPS estimates raised to $0.10 from $0.09.
Owens Corning estimates, target raised at GoldmanShares of OC now seen reaching $38, according to Goldman Sachs. Estimates also increased, as the company is seeing better operating leverage. Neutral rating.
Owens Corning upgraded at LongbowOC was upgraded to Buy, Longbow Research said. $41 price target. Recent positive sales trends should be sustainable.
Palm upgraded at Morgan JosephPALM upgraded from Hold to Sell, Morgan Joseph said. HPQ transaction should close and the price may ultimately rise to $1.4 billion.
Palm price target raised at Credit SuissePALM price target increased to $5.70 as HP agreed to purchase Palm for $5.70 a share, Credit Suisse said. HP to pursue the smartphone market more aggressively. Neutral rating.
Palm upgraded at KaufmanPALM was upgraded from Sell to Hold, Kaufman Bros. said. $5.70 price target. Stock appears fully valued, following the HPQ offer.
Patriot Coal downgraded at BarclaysPCX downgraded to Equal Weight from Outperform on valuation, Barclays said. Price target lifted to $26 from $23. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates increased to -$0.78 and -$0.10, respectively.
Portfolio Recovery upgraded at JefferiesPRAA was upgraded from Underperform to Hold, Jefferies said. $60 price target. Business has reached a fundamental inflection point.
RPC upgraded at FBRRES was upgraded from Underperform to Outperform, FBR Capital Markets said. $19 price target. Estimates also upped, as the company has under-utilized pressure pumping capacity.
Robert Half International upgraded at BarclaysRHI upgraded to Equal Weight from Underperform as stock is more fairly valued after yesterday's sell off, Barclays said. Price target increased a dollar to $28.
Rockwell Automation upgraded at DetuscheROK was upgraded from Sell to Hold, Deutsche Bank said. $60 price target. Company is seeing pent-up MRO demand.
Rockwell Automation upgraded at LongbowROK was upgraded to Buy, Longbow Research said. $75 price target. Margins have come back faster than expected.
Susquehanna Bancshares upgraded at JP MorganSUSQ upgraded at JP Morgan. Rating raised to Neutral from Underweight. Price target raised to $11.50 from $10.50. 2010 EPS estimates raised to $0.27 from $0.22.
AIG target was increased to $40, UBS said. Stock still trades at a premium to its sum-of-the-parts valuation. Neutral rating.
Akamai Technologies price target increased at Credit Suisse
AKAM price target surged to $32.50 from $20.50 as M&E drives impressive 1Q10 results, Credit Suisse said. Neutral rating. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates improved to $1.37 and $1.55, respectively.
Akamai Technologies price target increased at Credit SuisseAKAM price target surged to $32.50 from $20.50 as M&E drives impressive 1Q10 results, Credit Suisse said. Neutral rating. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates improved to $1.37 and $1.55, respectively.
Akamai estimates, target raised at FBRAKAM estimates were increased through 2011, FBR Capital Markets. Company is seeing accelerating volume growth. Market Perform rating and new $36 price target.
Allstate estimates, target boosted at FBRALL estimates were upped through 2011, FBR Capital Markets said. Allstate Financial is showing better results. Outperform rating and new $48 price target.
Allegheny Technologies numbers boosted at GoldmanShares of ATI now seen reaching $50, according to Goldman Sachs said. Estimates also upped, as the company is seeing better volumes and pricing. Neutral rating.
Franklin Resources numbers increased at GoldmanBEN estimates were raised through 2012, Goldman Sachs said. Company is seeing higher asset inflows and margins. Buy rating and new $136 price target.
Baidu.com estimates, target increased at GoldmanBIDU estimates were raised through 2012, Goldman Sachs said. Revenue growth is acceleating and acquisition costs are falling. Buy rating and new $760 price target.
Canadian Pacific Railways target boosted at Credit SuisseCP price target jumped to $59 from $53 as longer haul, bulk traffic propel 1Q10 earnings, Credit Suisse said. Underperform rating. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates improved to $3.53 and $4.00, respectively.
Corning estimates, target boosted at UBSGLW estimates were upped through 2011, UBS said. Company continues to benefit from strong demand for LCD televisions. Buy rating and new $25 price target.
Hexcel estimates, target upped at GoldmanHXL estimates were boosted through 2012, Goldman Sachs said. Company is seeing better aerospace demand. Neutral rating and new $17 price target.
Itron estimates, target increased at UBSShares of ITRI now seen reaching $77, according to UBS. Estimates also raised, given the company's strong backlog. Neutral rating.
JB Hunt numbers raised at FBRJBHT estimates were increased through 2011, FBR Capital Markets said. Buyback should help boost earnings. Outperform rating and new $44 price target.
Jones Apparel numbers increased at Morgan StanleyShares of JNY now seen reaching $27, according to Morgan Stanley. Estimates also raised, to match the company's new guidance. Overweight rating.
Jones Apparel Group target, estimates boosted at BarclaysJNY price target increased to $26 from $24 as the company's turnaround plan for retail remains on track, Barclays said. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates improved to $1.50 and $1.75, respectively. Equal Weight rating.
MeadWestvaco estimates, target upped at GoldmanMWV estimates were boosted through 2012, Goldman Sachs said. Company is seeing better pension income. Neutral rating and new $32 price target.
Northrop Grumman numbers boosted at GoldmanShares of NOC now seen reaching $57, according to Goldman Sachs. Estimates also upped, because of an improved margin outlook. Sell rating.
Oneok estimates, target boosted at Morgan StanleyOKE estimates were upped through 2012, Morgan Stanley said. Estimates also upped, as the company is seeing better storage differentials and marketing margins. Underweight rating and new $52 price target.
O'Reily Automotive target, estimates raised at Credit SuisseORLY price target increased to $52 from $48. 1Q10 results showed potential for future earnings, Credit Suisse said. Maintain Outperform rating. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates improved to $2.75 and $3.20, respectively.
Phillips-Van Heusen numbers boosted at Morgan StanleyPVH estimates were upped through 2011, Morgan Stanley said. Demand could strengthen in the second half of the year. Overweight rating and new $73 price target.
Southern Company numbers increased at FBRShares of SO now seen reaching $35.50, according to FBR Capital Markets. Estimates also raised, as the company is seeing higher volumes. Market Perform rating.
Triquint Semiconductor target, estimates higher at BarclaysTQNT price target raised a dollar to $10. Encouraged by strengthening revenues and margins, Barclays said. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates increased to $0.69 and $0.80, respectively. Overweight rating.
Visa estimates, target raised at GoldmanShares of V now seen reaching $105, according to Goldman Sachs. Company is seeing higher volume trends. Buy rating.
Verisign estimates, target raised at GoldmanShares of VRSN now seen reaching $23, according to Goldman Sachs. Estimates also increased, given strong cost controls. Sell rating.
VeriSign target, estimate higher at BarclaysVRSN price target increased to $26 from $24 on improving DNS trends, Barclays said. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates raised to $1.53 and $1.77, respectively. Equal Weight rating.
Wyndham Worldwide numbers upped at FBRShares of WYN now seen reaching $31, according to FBR Capital Markets. Estimates also boosted, given strong trends in hotel bookings and vacation ownership sales. Outperform rating.
Xilinx estimates, target increased at GoldmanXLNX estimates were raised through 2012, Goldman Sachs said. Company is seeing higher sales and gross margin. Neutral rating and new $27 price target.
