News about <![CDATA[upgrades]]> News about en-us <![CDATA[Maxim Swings from Bear to Bull on JC Penney, Upgrades to Buy]]> Maxim's Rick Snyder changed his investment rating on JC Penney (NYSE: JCP) from Hold to Buy earlier Monday. The analyst adjusted his price target from $16.50 to $27.

The upgrade marks a drastic change in Snyder's JC Penney opinion on JC Penney over the last month. As recently as

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Goldman Sachs Upgrades WNS on Potential for Faster Growth]]> In a report published on Monday, Goldman Sachs analyst Julio C. Quinteros Jr. upgraded WNS (NYSE: WNS) from Neutral to Buy and raised the price target from $15 to $19.

In the report, Goldman Sachs noted, "Following our recent field trip to India we upgrade WNS Holdings

]]>
<![CDATA[Customizing Comet: Beau and Arrow Events]]> ]]> <![CDATA[UPDATE: Goldman Sachs Upgrades Abbott Laboratories; Growth Is Poised To Accelerate]]> In a report published Sunday, Goldman Sachs analyst David H. Roman upgraded the rating on Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) from Neutral to Buy and raised the price target on the company from $38.00 to $44.00.

In the report, Goldman Sachs noted, "(1) Emerging markets growth is taking hold faster

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Bank of America Upgrades TC Pipelines to Buy on Plans to Acquire Additional Shares in GTN/Bison]]> In a report released Friday, Bank of America analyst Gabe Moreen upgraded TC Pipelines (NYSE: TCP) from Neutral to Buy and maintained a price target of $51.00 after the company announced plans to acquire additional equity interests in Gas Transmission Northwest and Bison.

In the report, Bank of America

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Wedbush Upgrades Oncothyreon on Statistically Significant Overall Survival Benefit]]> In a report published on Friday, Wedbush analyst Gregory Wade upgraded Oncothyreon (NASDAQ: ONTY) from Neutral to Outperform and raised the price target from $2.00 to $5.00.

In the report, Wedbush noted, "Merck KGaA(Merck Serono) reported new analysis of the Phase III data from the completed L-BLP25 (STIMUVAX) non-small

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Goldman Sachs Upgrades Ruckus Wireless on Strong Secular Growth in WiFi]]> In a report published Friday , Goldman Sachs analyst Simona Jankowski upgraded Ruckus Wireless (NYSE: RKUS) from Neutral to Buy and maintained a price target of $19.00.

In the report, Goldman Sachs stated, "We expect two sets of catalysts in the next few months, including (1) earnings upside in

]]>
<![CDATA[Benzinga's Top Upgrades]]> Analysts at Goldman Sachs upgraded Ruckus Wireless (NASDAQ: RKUS) from “neutral” to “buy.” The target price for Ruckus Wireless is set to $19. Ruckus Wireless' stock closed at $13.30 yesterday.

Analysts at RBC Capital upgraded U.S. Silica Holdings (NYSE: SLCA) from “sector perform” to “outperform.” The target

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Stifel Nicolaus Upgrades Pike Electric to Buy Following Recent Share Pullback]]> In a report published Friday, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Noelle Dilts upgraded the rating on Pike Electric Corporation (NYSE: PIKE) from Hold to Buy, and named a $14.50 price target.

In the report, Dilts noted, “In our opinion, the recent pullback in PIKE shares has increased their attractiveness from a

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Morgan Stanley Upgrades Palo Alto Networks to Overweight on Sustainable Revenue Growth]]> In a report published Thursday, Morgan Stanley analyst Keith Weiss upgraded the rating on Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW) from Equal-Weight to Overweight, and reiterated the $65.00 price target.

In the report, Weiss noted, “Enterprise demand for Next Gen Firewalls is ramping as the threat environment intensifies and cloud-based

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Wunderlich Upgrades Diamondback Energy to Buy on Recent Equity Offering]]> In a report published Thursday, Wunderlich Securities analyst Jason A. Wangler upgraded the rating on Diamondback Energy (NASDAQ: FANG) from Hold to Buy, and raised the price target from $25.00 to $35.00.

In the report, Wangler noted, “Diamondback Energy (FANG) has proven its mettle in the short amount of

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Maxim Group Upgrades Youku Tudou to Hold Following Weak 1Q13 Results, 2Q13 Rebound]]> In a report published Thursday, Maxim Group analyst Echo He upgraded the rating on Youku Tudou (NYSE: YOKU) from Sell to Hold, but removed the price target.

In the report, He noted, “Lackluster 1Q13 results followed by a 2Q13 rebound. 1Q13 revenue was $83.1M, in-line with our estimate and

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Stifel Nicolaus Upgrades Molson Coors to Buy on Raised Estimates]]> In a report published Thursday, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Mark Swartzberg upgraded the rating on Molson Coors Brewing Company (NYSE: TAP) from Hold to Buy, and named a $60.00 price target.

In the report, Swartzberg noted, “Our estimates go up for more U.S. price/mix: 2013E EPS to $3.93 (was $3.91),

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Stifel Nicolaus Upgrades Constellation Brands to Buy on Earnings Power, Attractive Multiples]]> In a report published Thursday, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Mark Swartzberg upgraded the rating on Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) from Hold to Buy, and named a $64.00 price target.

In the report, Swartzberg noted, “Multiples are reasonable or even attractive versus peers and STZ's earnings power, in our estimation, implying

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Stifel Nicolaus Upgrades Beam to Buy on Multiple Positive Factors]]> In a report published Thursday, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Mark Swartzberg upgraded the rating on Beam (NYSE: BEAM) from Hold to Buy, and named an $80.00 price target.

In the report, Swartzberg noted, “We are lifting our estimates, upgrading to Buy, and establishing a 12-month target price of $80 per

]]>
<![CDATA[Benzinga's Top Upgrades]]> Analysts at Keefe Bruyette & Woods upgraded First Busey (NASDAQ: BUSE) from “underperform” to “market perform.” First Busey's stock closed at $4.49 yesterday.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley upgraded Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW) from “equal-weight” to “overweight.” The target price for Palo Alto Networks is set to

]]>
<![CDATA[Benzinga's Upgrades for May 15, 2013]]> Check out these stock upgrades for this date of Wednesday, May 15.(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Credit Suisse Upgrades Regal-Beloit Corporation to Outperformon Raised EPS Estimates]]> In a report published Wednesday, Credit Suisse analyst Julian Mitchell upgraded the rating on Regal-Beloit Corporation (NYSE: RBC) from Neutral to Outperform, and raised the price target from $74.00 to $76.00.

In the report, Mitchell noted, “We are raising our 2013/2014/2015 EPS estimates to $4.48/$5.13/$5.74 (from $4.39/$5.05/$5.66) respectively. Structural

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Stifel Nicolaus Upgrades Noble Energy to Buy on Active 2H High Impact Exploration Portfolio]]> In a report published Wednesday, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Amir Arif upgraded the rating on Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL) from Hold to Buy, and named a $140.00 price target.

In the report, Arif noted, “The strong production growth alone, and ongoing improvements in Niobrara horizontals, should allow 2013 production to

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Stifel Nicolaus Upgrades Halcon Resources to Buy Following 1Q Earnings Call]]> In a report published Wednesday, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Amir Arif upgraded the rating on Halcon Resources Corp. (NYSE: HK) from Hold to Buy, and named an $8.50 price target.

In the report, Arif noted, “Over the past year, HK has underperformed the EPX by 40%, creating an attractive entry

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Bank of America Upgrades JC Penney to Neutral Due to Stable Capital Structure]]> Bank of America published a report on JC Penney (NYSE: JCP) that upgraded the company from Underperform to Neutral and raised the price objective from $13.00 to $20.00 due to a normalized capex run rate.

Analysts Lorrain Hutchinson and Jessica A. Lebo reported that, "We are upgrading

]]>
<![CDATA[Pacific Crest Upgraded Applied Materials to Market Outperform, Says Co. Could 'Completely Transform']]> Pacific Crest upgraded Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) earlier today from Market Perform to Market Outperform and raised PT to $18.00. Applied Materials could "completely transform" over the next five years says analyst Weston Twigg. Twigg said it was likely that successful management would continue to improve the

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Deutsche Bank Upgrades Copa Holdings to Buy on Improved Earnings Outlook]]> In a report published Tuesday, Deutsche Bank analyst Michael Linenberg upgraded the rating on Copa Holdings (NYSE: CPA) from Hold to Buy, and raised the price target from $100.00 to $150.00.

In the report, Linenberg noted, “Copa reported Mar Q diluted EPS of $2.80 (ex-specials), well ahead of both

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Goldman Sachs Upgrades Emulex to Neutral as Shares Approach Price Target]]> In a report published Tuesday, Goldman Sachs analyst Bill Shope upgraded the rating on Emulex Corporation (NYSE: ELX) from Sell to Neutral, and reiterated the $6.00 price target.

In the report, Shope noted, “We are upgrading Emulex to Neutral from Sell and maintaining our 12-month price target of $6.

]]>
<![CDATA[Benzinga's Top Upgrades]]> Analysts at Goldman Sachs upgraded Emulex (NYSE: ELX) from “sell” to “neutral.” The target price for Emulex is set to $6. Emulex's stock closed at $6.11 yesterday.

Analysts at Jefferies upgraded WellPoint (NYSE: WLP) from “hold” to “buy.” The target price for WellPoint has been raised from

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: BMO Capital Markets Upgrades Laredo Petroleum to Outperform on Valuation, Improving Fundamentals]]> In a report published Monday, BMO Capital Markets analyst Dan McSpirit upgraded the rating on Laredo Petroleum Holdings (NYSE: LPI) from Market Perform to Outperform, and raised the price target from $19.00 to $21.00.

In the report, McSpirit noted, “The stock price has dropped ~15% since November 2012, is

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Credit Suisse Upgrades Sequenom to Neutral on Lessened Risks]]> In a report published Monday, Credit Suisse analyst Vamil Divan upgraded the rating on Sequenom (NASDAQ: SQNM) from Underperform to Neutral, and slightly raised the price target from $4.00 to $4.50.

In the report, Divan noted, “Following daily moves in SQNM's stock can get one dizzy, but after seven

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Desjardins Capital Markets Upgrades AuRico Gold to Buy on Compelling Risk/Reward]]> In a report published Monday, Desjardins Capital Markets analyst Adam Melnyk upgraded the rating on AuRico Gold (NYSE: AUQ) from Hold to Buy, but slightly lowered the price target from C$8.00 to C$7.50.

In the report, Melnyk noted, “We are upgrading our recommendation on AuRico to Buy from Hold

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Jefferies Upgrades DuPont Fabros Technology to Buy on Good Risk/Reward]]> In a report published Monday, Jefferies analyst Omotayo Okusanya upgraded the rating on DuPont Fabros Technology (NYSE: DFT) from Hold to Buy, and raised the price target from $27.00 to $32.00.

In the report, Okusanya noted, “While pricing headwinds persist in the wholesale data center market, we see solid

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Morgan Stanley Upgrades Warner Chilcott to Equal-Weight on Possible ACT Deal]]> In a report published Monday, Morgan Stanley analyst David Risinger upgraded the rating on Warner Chilcott PLC (NASDAQ: WCRX) from Underweight to Equal-Weight.

In the report, Risinger noted, “We think ACT could theoretically acquire WCRX for $19 per share in an all-cash transaction (base case). Acquisition could happen at

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Jefferies Upgrades Express Scripts to Buy Following Elimination of Uncertainties]]> In a report published Monday, Jefferies analyst Brian Tanquilut upgraded the rating on Express Scripts Holding Company (NASDAQ: ESRX) from Hold to Buy, and raised the price target from $56.00 to $74.00.

In the report, Tanquilut noted, “We are upgrading ESRX to Buy from Hold given our belief that

]]>
<![CDATA[Benzinga's Top Upgrades]]> Analysts at McNicoll Lewis Vlak upgraded Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR) from “hold” to “buy.” The target price for Digital Realty Trust has been raised from $67.00 to $77.00. Digital Realty Trust's stock closed at $65.51 on Friday.

Analysts at Raymond James upgraded W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW)

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Sterne Agee Upgrades Granite Construction to Neutral Following 1Q Results]]> In a report published Friday, Sterne Agee analyst Michael S. Dudas upgraded the rating on Granite Construction (NYSE: GVA) from Underperform to Neutral.

In the report, Dudas noted, “We believe investor expectations for Granite appear more reasonable after analyzing management's initial 2013 financial and operating metrics published in its

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Goldman Sachs Upgrades Granite Construction to Neutral Following Expectation Adjustment]]> In a report published Friday, Goldman Sachs analyst Jerry Revich upgraded the rating on Granite Construction (NYSE: GVA) from Sell to Neutral, and raised the price target from $26.00 to $28.00.

In the report, Revich noted, “We upgrade GVA to Neutral as we no longer see downside to earnings

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Bank of America Upgrades BT Group to Buy on Turnaround Situation]]> In a report published Friday, Bank of America analyst Wilton Fry upgraded the rating on BT Group (NYSE: BT) from Neutral to Buy, and raised the price target from $41.64 to $50.22.

In the report, Fry noted, “BT has been a turnaround situation, centred on FCF in its Global

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Barrington Upgrades Rosetta Stone to Outperform Following Q1/13 Results]]> In a report published Friday, Barrington Research analyst Alexander Paris upgraded the rating on Rosetta Stone (NYSE: RST) from Market Perform to Outperform, and named a $20.00 price target.

In the report, Paris noted, “Last night, after the market's close, Rosetta Stone reported the financial results of its first

]]>
<![CDATA[Benzinga's Top Upgrades]]> Analysts at Bank of America upgraded BT Group plc (NYSE: BT)from “neutral” to “buy.” The target price for BT Group is set to $50.22. BT Group's stock closed at $42.45 yesterday.

Analysts at Needham upgraded Park Electrochemical (NYSE: PKE) from “hold” to “buy.” The target price for

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Societe Generale Upgrades Boeing to Hold on Multiple Positive Factors]]> In a report published Thursday, Societe Generale analyst Zafar Khan upgraded the rating on The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) from Sell to Hold, and raised the price target from $86.00 to $94.00.

In the report, Khan noted, “After trading in the $60-$75 range between 2010 and 2012, Boeing shares

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Bank of America Upgrades Ctrip.com International to Buy Following Strong 1Q13 Results]]> In a report published Thursday, Bank of America analyst Eddie Leung upgraded the rating on Ctrip.com International (NASDAQ: CTRP) from Neutral to Buy, and raised the price target from $23.50 to $29.50.

In the report, Leung noted, “We upgrade Ctrip to Buy after a strong 1Q13 and encouraging management

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Morgan Stanley Upgrades Ctrip.com International to Overweight Following Solid 1Q13 Results]]> In a report published Thursday, Morgan Stanley analyst Philip Wan upgraded the rating on Ctrip.com International (NASDAQ: CTRP) from Equal-Weight to Overweight, and raised the price target from $20.10 to $30.10.

In the report, Wan noted, “1Q total sales surged 27% YoY to Rmb1.2bn, beating the high end of

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Canaccord Genuity Upgrades XOMA to Buy on Increased Confidence]]> In a report published Thursday, Canaccord Genuity analyst Ritu Baral upgraded the rating on XOMA Corp. (NASDAQ: XOMA) from Hold to Buy, and raised the price target from $3.00 to $8.00.

In the report, Baral noted, “Upgrading to BUY, raising target to $8 on increased confidence of gevokizumab (gevo)

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Oppenheimer Upgrades ViaSat to Outperform on Good Long-Term Potential]]> In a report published Thursday, Oppenheimer analyst Yair Reiner upgraded the rating on ViaSat (NASDAQ: VSAT) from Perform to Outperform, and named a $65.00 price target.

In the report, Reiner noted, “We believe ViaSat is in the early stages of a multi-year growth path that has few parallels in

]]>
<![CDATA[Benzinga's Top Upgrades]]> Analysts at Sterne Agee upgraded MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) from “neutral” to “buy.” The target price for MGM Resorts has been raised from $13.50 to $19.00. MGM Resorts' stock closed at $14.70 yesterday.

Analysts at Oppenheimer upgraded ViaSat (NASDAQ: VSAT) from “perform” to “outperform.” The target price

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Bank of America Upgrades EOG Resources to Buy on Execution/Visibility]]> In a report published Thursday, Bank of America analyst Doug Leggate upgraded the rating on EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG) from Neutral to Buy, and raised the price target from $140.00 to $175.00.

In the report, Leggate noted, “For some time the shares have been trading within a wide band

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Albert Fried Upgrades Synacor to Overweight on Multiple Positive Factors]]> In a report published Wednesday, Albert Fried analyst Rich Tullo upgraded the rating on Synacor (NASDAQ: SYNC) from Market Perform to Overweight, and reiterated the $6.00 price target.

In the report, Tullo noted, “We like SYNC's strategic positioning, sticky client base and unique service offering. SYNC has emerged from

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: ISI Group Upgrades Lowe's Companies to Buy on Multiple Positive Factors]]> In a report published Wednesday, ISI Group analyst Greg Melich upgraded the rating on Lowe's Companies (NYSE: LOW) from Neutral to Buy, and raised the price target from $40.00 to $46.00.

In the report, Melich noted, “Margins can hit 10% vs 7%, if productivity grows 20% to $300/ft. It

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Sterne Agee Upgrades Lululemon Athletica to Buy Following CEO/CFO Meetings]]> In a report published Wednesday, Sterne Agee analyst Sam Poser upgraded the rating on Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ: LULU) from Neutral to Buy, and named a $90.00 price target.

In the report, Poser noted, “Following meetings with the CEO and CFO we would be buyers of LULU. The transparent pant

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Canaccord Genuity Upgrades IAMGOLD to Buy Following Strong Earnings Beat]]> In a report published Wednesday, Canaccord Genuity analyst Steven Butler upgraded the rating on IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE: IAG) from Hold to Buy, but slightly lowered the price target from $8.25 to $7.40.

In the report, Butler noted, “We are revising our recommendation on IAMGOLD to BUY from Hold based

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Monness Crespi Hardt Upgrades Electronic Arts to Neutral Following Evaporation of Catalysts]]> In a report published Wednesday, Monness Crespi Hardt analyst Bill Lennan upgraded the rating on Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) from Sell to Neutral.

In the report, Lenna noted, “A series of earnings misses, guide-downs, disappointing games, and a CEO departure (to name a few) have been insufficient to stop

]]>
<![CDATA[UPDATE: Morgan Stanley Upgrades Grupo Televisa SAB to Overweight on Attractive Entry Point]]> In a report published Wednesday, Morgan Stanley analyst Michel Morin upgraded the rating on Grupo Televisa SAB (NYSE: TV) from Equal-Weight to Overweight, and raised the price target from $30.00 to $32.00.

In the report, Morin noted, “Although we are trimming estimates to reflect weak 1Q13, the recent pullback

]]>