Analysts' Upgrades and Downgrades

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Analysts' Upgrades, Downgrades: Apple

TSC Staff

CHANGE IN RATINGS

Apple (AAPL Quote) downgraded at Oppenheimer to Perform. Steve Jobs will not appear at Macworld, which once again brings his health into question and adds risk to the story.

Black & Decker (BDK Quote) rated new Neutral at Credit Suisse. Cites strong brand recognition but all major end markets are in decline. Sets $45 target price.

Centene (CNC Quote) upgraded at Goldman Sachs to Buy from Neutral. Price target raised to $22 from $16.

Eaton (ETN Quote) numbers cut at Barclays. Shares now seen reaching $43. Estimates also lowered to reflect new guidance for decelerating demand in trucks, autos and hydraulics.

Eaton (ETN Quote) downgraded at Goldman Sachs to Neutral from Buy due to likely earnings weakness in 2010 and lower credibility following recent poor financial performance. Cost-cutting measures could add 60 cents to EPS in 2009. Price target cut to $44 from $62.

Humana (HUM Quote) downgraded at Goldman Sachs to Neutral from Buy based on expected cuts to Medicare Advantage. Price target at $33.

Interpublic (IPG Quote) upgraded at Morgan Stanley to Equal-weight. Valuation call, as the company should not have to tap debt markets in 2009 or 2010.

Marriott (MAR Quote) downgraded at Deutsche Bank from Buy to Hold. $20 price target. 2010 will likely be a flat year, not a period of recovery. Company has a strong balance sheet, but lacks visibility to predict near-term catalysts.

Ralcorp (RAH Quote) upgraded at Credit Suisse to Outperform from Neutral based on valuation and the likelihood that consumers will trade down to cheaper options at grocery stores. Maintained $72 target price.

Wyndham (WYN Quote) downgraded at Deutsche Bank from Buy to Hold. $8.50 price target. Restructuring news hurt the stock, and the company lacks near-term catalysts.

STOCK COMMENTS / EPS CHANGES

Best Buy (BBY Quote) numbers raised at Barclays. Shares now seen reaching $28. Estimates also boosted, to reflect higher realized margins. Equal-weight rating.

Xilinx (XLNX Quote) numbers cut at Barclays through 2010. Company warned of lower sales, primarily in networking, consumer computing and test/measurement. Overweight rating and new $19 price target.