CHANGE IN RATINGS
Aquantive (AQNT Quote) upgraded at Oppenheimer:
AQNT was upgraded from Neutral to Buy, Oppenheimer said. $28 price target. Recent pullback presents a buying opportunity, as the company remains leveraged to the strong online advertising market.
Ashland (ASH Quote) downgraded at JP Morgan:
ASH was downgraded from Overweight to Neutral, JP Morgan said. Shares appear fully valued, though the private-market price could be as high as $75. Company will likely pay more special dividends.
American Express (AXP Quote) downgraded at AG Edwards:
AXP was downgraded from Buy to Hold, AG Edwards said. $60 price target. Valuation call, plus the outlook for consumer spending and credit quality is murky.
Centene (CNC Quote) downgraded at Goldman Sachs:
Goldman said it is downgrading CNC to a Sell rating from Neutral based on valuation. Believe price no longer reflects underlying risk of earnings shortfall. Target price at $22.
ConocoPhillips (COP Quote) upgraded at Deutsche:
COP was upgraded from Hold to Buy, Deutsche Bank said. $80 price target. Company will likely pare back capex spending in 2007, and focus its excess cash flow toward buying back stock.
UBS downgrades shares of
Hershey (HSY Quote):
HSY downgraded to a Neutral rating from Buy, UBS said. Lowers 2007 EPS estimates to $2.66 from $2.71 and drops price target to $56.00 from $60.00.
Kyphon (KYPH Quote) upgraded at Morgan Stanley:
Morgan Stanley upgrades Kyphon from underweight to equalweight after its recent purchase of SFMT.