Comcast: Analysts' Upgrades, Downgrades

Astoria Financial(AF Quote) was upgraded from Underperform to Market Perform, Friedman, Billings Ramsey said. $11 price target. Early-stage delinquencies are declining and home prices appear to be stabilizing.

Akamai(AKAM Quote) was upgraded from Hold to Buy, Citigroup said. $31 price target. eCommerce trends are improving and the market is not yet prioing in an online advertising recovery.

AK Steel(AKS Quote) was downgraded from Buy to Hold, Citigroup said. $21 price target. Valuation call, as the stock is up 27% since the end of October.

Air Products(APD Quote) was initiated with an Outperform rating, William Blair said. Company can post 4%-6% organic annual sales growth.

Brown Forman(BFB Quote) upgraded at JPMorgan. Rating raised to Neutral from Underweight. Price target raised to $55 from $43. Maintains fiscal 2010 EPS estimates of $2.90.

Conagra Foods(CAG Quote) was initiated with an Equal-weight rating, Morgan Stanley said. $23 price target. Company should trade at a small discount to its peers, because of its slower growth rate.

Credit Suisse downgraded Comcast(CMCSA Quote) to Neutral from Outperform as deal to acquire NBC Universal is strategically questionable. 2009 and 2010 EPS estimates set at $1.19 and $1.17, respectively. $18 price target.

America's Car-Mart(CMRT Quote) coverage initiated at Thomas Weisel with a Market Weight rating and $27 price target. Analysts noted aggressive door growth and operational improvements. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates set at $2.12 and $2.30, respectively.

First Energy(FE Quote) was downgraded from Hold to Underperform, Jefferies said. $38 price target. Valuation call. High leverage could affect credit ratings.