Premarket Roundup: Google, Direct Sellers

Among the premarket stories for Friday, Oct. 9, from AP Financial News:

NEW YORK (AP) — An analyst sharply raised his share price target on Google Inc. Friday, just two days after the online search leader's CEO Eric Schmidt said an economic recovery is under way in the U.S. and Europe.

NEW YORK (AP) — Rising unemployment and access to consumers in growing overseas markets are benefiting direct sellers of products including personal care items, nutritional supplements and housewares, an analyst said Friday.

NEW YORK (AP) — NetApp Inc.'s decision to resume giving guidance won praise from analysts Friday, with one saying it's a good start for the data storage company's new CEO.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Credit Suisse analyst upgraded Lam Research Corp., saying the semiconductor-equipment maker will benefit from improved capital spending among chip makers as the economy gets better.

NEW YORK (AP) — An Oppenheimer analyst on Friday boosted his rating on regional bank FirstMerit Bancorp, saying shares could rise if the company purchases a failed bank with its excess capital.