Dividend.com: Morning Playbook

It's the last day of the quarter and things could get quite interesting if some fund managers decide to ring the register on this quarter's gains. It may or may not happen, but either way, let's take a look at what to watch in today's early session.

Story Stocks

H&R Block(HRB Quote): Shares are higher following fourth-quarter results.

General Mills(GIS Quote): Stock is slightly higher following the company raising its dividend payout.

Apollo Group(APOL Quote): Online education play spiking higher after beating estimates, raising guidance.

Schnitzer Steel(SCHN Quote): Shares taking a hit following third-quarter loss.

Corning(GLW Quote): Stock up slightly after management says it sees strong LCD demand.

Broadcom(BRCM Quote): Stock is slightly lower after company raised offer for Emulex(ELX Quote).

Johnson & Johnson(JNJ Quote): Slightly higher following patent victory against Abbott Labs(ABT Quote).

High-beta players will be watching Apollo today as well as competitor Strayer Education(STRA Quote) which may see a lift as well. Both stocks should be watched closely. The buy-high, sell-higher crowd should take notice.

Upgrades to Watch

Duke Energy(DUK Quote): Started as an outperform at Oppenheimer.

Amazon(AMZN Quote): Cowen raises stock to an outperform.

FedEx(FDX Quote): Barclays raises stock to an overweight; $71 price target.

Qualcomm(QCOM Quote): BMO Capital Markets starts stock as an outperform; $60 price target.

Urban Outfitters(URBN Quote): Baird starts the stock as an outperform.

Electronic Arts(ERTS Quote): Merrill Lynch/Bank of America raises stock to a buy; $26 price target.

Penn National Gaming(PENN Quote): Oppenheimer increases estimates; $38 price target.

Illinois Tool Works(ITW Quote): Merrill Lynch/Bank of America raises target price to $37.

Coach(COH Quote): Baird starts the stock as an outperform.

Research In Motion(RIMM Quote): BMO Capital Markets initiates stock with outperform; $100 price target.