Hewlett-Packard: Upgrades, Downgrades

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- CHANGE IN RATINGS

American Physicians Services (AMPH) downgraded at Raymond James to Underperform from Outperform following announced $32.50/share takeover by ProAssurance.

Camelot Information Systems (CIS) initiated at Goldman with a Neutral rating.

Clearwire (CLWR) initiated at Kaufman Brothers with a Buy rating and $8.50 target. Company's wireless data services are set to increase significantly in 2011.

Education Realty Trust (EDR) initiated at Hillard Lyons with a Neutral rating. Student housing sector attractive for several reasons, but EDR is fairly valued.

EZchip Semiconductor (EZCH) initiated at Barclays with an Overweight rating and $30 price target. Fast growing market, complex products with long design cycles.

FormFactor (FORM) upgraded at Goldman to Neutral from Sell.

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) upgraded at JMP Securities to Outperform from Market Perform.

Mellanox Technologies (MLNX) initiated at Barclays with an Equal Weight rating and $20 price target. 2Q disappointment will continue to weight on the stock at least until next results announcement.

Nice Systems (NICE) initiated at Barclays with an Overweight rating and $37 price target. Nice is benefiting from increasing regulatory requirements, continued spending on security surveillance, and potential to make aggressive acquisitions.

PPL Corp (PPL) downgraded at Citi to Hold from Buy. Catalysts in rearview mirror and falling commodity prices. Price target cut to $28.50 from $30.50.

QLT Inc (QLTI) initiated at CK Cooper with a Buy rating and $12 price target. QLTI will continue to be a player in the growing ophthalmology market.

Rio Tinto (RTP) upgraded at RBC Capital to Outperform from Sector Perform.

Vantage Drilling (VTG) coverage initiated at Jefferies with a Buy rating.

STOCK COMMENTS / EPS CHANGES

FormFactor (FORM) target, estimates slashed at Barclays. FORM price target cut in half to $6 from $12. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates lowered to -$2.30 and -$1.60, respectively. Cash burn continues.

Joy Global (JOYG) target, estimates boosted at Barclays. JOYG price target increased to $74 from $70. 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates lifted to $4.15 and $4.65, respectively. 3Q10 results continued a string of strong performances that we expect to continue.

Monsanto (MON) 2010 estimate trimmed at Citi to $2.42 from $2.58 due to another restructuring charge in Roundup and a shift out of corn and into soybeans in Brazil. Maintain Buy rating and $62 price target.

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