Thursday's Analysts' Upgrades and Downgrades

03/01/07 - 10:18 AM EST

TSC Staff

CHANGE IN RATINGS

Bristol-Myers (BMY Quote - Cramer on BMY - Stock Picks) upgraded at UBS from Neutral at UBS. Price target lifts to $30 from $27 and 2007 EPS estimates hold at $1.26.

Cleco (CNL Quote - Cramer on CNL - Stock Picks) upgraded at Goldman Sachs to Buy from Neutral, saying that the market is not properly valuing the company's likely divestiture of the Acadia merchant plant and an 80% increase in the utility rate base with new Rochester plant. Also see long-term free cash flow potential once Rodemacher is complete in late 2009 and rate base growth in Louisiana. Target price at $30.

Hanesbrand (HBI Quote - Cramer on HBI - Stock Picks) coverage initiated at Morgan Stanley with an overweight rating and $33 price target.

Martha Stewart Omnimedia (MSO Quote - Cramer on MSO - Stock Picks) upgraded at Morgan Stanley from underweight to equalweight.

Omnicare (OCR Quote - Cramer on OCR - Stock Picks) downgraded at Jefferies to Hold rating from Buy, Jefferies said. 2007 EPS estimates lowered to $2.74 from $2.95 and price target holds at $44.

STOCK COMMENTS / EPS CHANGES

AFLAC (AFL Quote - Cramer on AFL - Stock Picks) target price raised at Credit Suisse to $50 from $46. Cites strength in balance sheet but concerns of a sales slump in Japan could hurt EPS. Maintained Neutral rating.

AK Steel (AKS Quote - Cramer on AKS - Stock Picks) price target raised at Goldman to $19 from $16 based on labor agreement at Middleton, OH plant. Believe company will benefit from fewer work rules and job classifications, as well as productivity increases. See shares as more than fully valued. Maintained Sell rating.

PetSmart (PETM Quote - Cramer on PETM - Stock Picks) target price raised at Credit Suisse to $32 from $26 citing strong 2007 guidance and significant earnings drivers. Maintained Neutral rating.

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