Analysts' Upgrades and Downgrades

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Analysts' Upgrades, Downgrades: Visa

TSC Staff

CHANGE IN RATINGS

DST Systems (DST) downgraded at Morgan Stanley to Equal-weight. Stock lacks catalysts and the fundamentals are getting weaker.

Intuit (INTU) rated new Overweight at Barclays. $26 price target. Company is an attractive, defensive play.

Iron Mountain (IRM) downgraded at Merrill to Underperform. $20 price target. See further downside to 2009 results, which could pressure the company's multiple. Recycled paper prices also down 40% year-over-year in November.

Palm (PALM) downgraded at Merrill to Neutral. $2.50 price target. Company warned of lower sales, as competition is heating up in a difficult environment.

TECO Energy (TE) downgraded at Merrill Lynch to Underperform from Buy based on weaker outlook for TECO Coal and pricing. Lowered target to $11 from $14.

Tessera Technologies (TSRA) downgraded at Piper Jaffray to Neutral from Buy due to unfavorable ITC ruling. Price target cut to $16 from $24.

Williams-Sonoma (WSM) upgraded at Merrill Lynch to Buy from Underperform based on valuation, reduced capital spending and improved inventory levels. Raised target to $10 from $8.

STOCK COMMENTS / EPS CHANGES

General Dynamics (GD) numbers cut at Barclays. Shares now seen reaching $68. 2009 estimate also cut to reflect lower business jet production. Overweight rating.

Skyworks (SWKS) numbers cut at Morgan Stanley. Shares now seen reaching $7.50. Estimates also lowered to reflect the company's new guidance. Says company likely seeing large order cancellations. Overweight rating.

Apollo Group (APOL) target raised at Credit Suisse to $88 from $75. Cites optimism that earnings estimates will rise for 2009 and 2010 as high demand for company's programs benefit from the weak economy. Maintained Outperform rating.

Smithfield Foods (SFD) target cut at Credit Suisse to $8 from $24. Maintained Neutral rating.

Visa (V) estimates cut at Morgan Stanley through 2010. Company likely seeing lower service fees and international transaction volume. Equal-weight rating and $85 price target.

STRATEGY CALLS/MARKET CALLS

Clean energy sector downgraded at Morgan Stanley from Attractive to In-Line. 2009 will be challenging for the group, and a better entry point will likely emerge in the next 3-6 months. First Solar (FSLR) and SunPower (SPWRA) remain the analysts' top picks.

Oppenheimer said it is cutting its 2009 estimates on Nokia (NOK), Motorola (MOT), Skyworks, Research in Motion (RIMM), RF Micro (RFMD), Brightpoint (CELL) and Anadigics (ANAD) due to weakening trends in global handset sales. Note that carriers are taking a cautious stance and keeping inventories low heading into next year. Also expect additional declines in pricing.