Analysts' Upgrades and Downgrades

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Friday's Analysts' Upgrades, Downgrades

TSC Staff

Change in Ratings

Abbott LabsABT Initiated at UBS with a buy rating. 2008 EPS estimates at $3.25. Price target is set to $61.

American SuperconductorAMSC downgraded at Jefferies to hold from buy. 2008 EPS estimates raised to -24 cents from -33 cents. Price target raised to $35 from $33.

Burger KingBKC added to buy list at Goldman, replacing McDonald'sMCD. Near-term, see more catalysts at BKC, including the lifting of overhang and investors refocusing on strong operations.

DRS TechnologiesDRS downgraded at UBS to neutral from buy. 2008 EPS estimates maintained at $3.30. Price target raised to $75 from $66.

Goodrich PetroleumGDP downgraded at Suntrust from neutral to reduce with a $30 price target. Valuation call, following the strong first-quarter results.

Georgia GulfGGC downgraded at UBS to neutral from buy. 2008 EPS estimates lowered to -$2.10 from 50 cents. Price target lowered to $4.50 from $10.00.

Sovereign BancorpSOV upgraded at KBW to market perform. $1 billion to $2 billion capital raise appears to be in the works. $7 price target.

Teco EnergyTE upgraded at Citigroup from hold to buy with a $21.50 price target. Estimates also raised, given the company's leverage to rising coal prices.

ValeroVLO removed from Goldman's Conviction Buy List due to near-term headwinds. Recent pullback also triggered stop-loss rule. See shares cheap valuation but note exposure to widening light-heavy crude spreads. Price target at $60.

Stock Comments/EPS Changes

Aecom TechnologyACM numbers raised at UBS. 2008 EPS estimates raised to $1.36 from $1.28. Price target raised to $34 from $31. Maintains buy rating.

AIGAIG estimates lowered at UB to $3.25 from $3.60. Maintains neutral rating and $46 price target.

ActivisionATVI numbers raised at UBS. Fiscal 2009 EPS estimates raised at $1.31 from $1.09. Price target raised to $34 from $33. Maintains buy rating.

CognizantCTSH 2008 EPS estimates raised at UBS to $1.50 from $1.47. Maintains buy rating and $41 price target.

El PasoEP numbers raised at Morgan Stanley. Shares of EP now seen reaching $24. Estimates also raised, to reflect the company's leverage to rising natural gas prices. Overweight rating.

Kaiser AluminumKALU numbers lowered at UBS. 2008 EPS estimates lowered to $4.80 from $5.20. Price target lowered to $88 from $96. Maintains buy rating.

Koppers HoldingsKOP price target raised at Jefferies to $49 from $47. Maintains hold rating and 2008 EPS estimates of $3.40.

PeriniPCR numbers raised at UBS. 2008 EPS estimates raised to $3.75 from $3.65. Price target raised to $44 from $43. Maintains neutral rating.

URSURS numbers raised at UBS. 2008 EPS estimates raised to $2.80 from $2.75. Price target raised to $46 from $42. Maintains neutral rating.

Wilbros GroupWG numbers raised at UBS. 2008 EPS estimates raised to $1.95 from $1.90. Price target increased to $46 from $42. Maintains buy rating.