Wednesday's Analysts' Upgrades and Downgrades

Ormat (ORA Quote) upgraded at Citigroup: ORA was upgraded to Hold at Citigroup. Company should benefit from global carbon dioxide regulation. $42.50 price target.

Patterson Companies (PDCO Quote) downgraded at CSFB: PDCO was downgraded from Outperform to Neutral at CSFB. Stock is up 11% following its earnings report, and stock is already beginning to price in solid 2007 results. $40 price target.

Verizon (VZ Quote) upgraded at AG Edwards: VZ was upgraded from Hold to Buy at AG Edwards. $41 price target. Wireline performance should be driven by FiOS growth. Company also improving finances with the directory spin and MCI synergies.

STOCK COMMENTS / EPS CHANGES

Apple Computer (AAPL Quote) target boosted at Bea: AAPL target was upped to $100 at Bear Stearns. Recent meeting with management suggests that the company is growing well both with and without iPod. Outperform rating.

Boeing (BA Quote) target price raised at Prudential: Prudential is raising its target price on BA to $99 based on higher expectations for outyear earnings. Maintained Overweight rating.

CNA Financial (CNA Quote) numbers bump at Credit Suisse: Credit Suisse raises 2006 EPS estimates and price target on CNA Financial.

Choice Point (CPS Quote) numbers raised at Credit Suisse: Credit Suisse raises 2006 EPS estimates on Choice Points to reflect the delayed sale of it Marketing Services Business. Maintain neutral rating and $35 price target.

Morgan Stanley initiates coverage of the Business Intelligence Software sector with an inline rating, starting Cognos and Business Objects at equalweight and Hyperion at overweight.