Analysts' Actions: AWK, NLY, RF, PGR

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- CHANGE IN RATINGS

American Water (AWK) was upgraded at Robert Baird from Neutral to Outperform. $41 price target. Company is keeping a tight lid on costs and increasing operating efficiency, Baird said.

Annaly Capital (NLY) was downgraded at FBR Capital Markets from Market Perform to Underperform. Company is leveraged to prepayment risk, FBR said.

Eldorado Gold (EGO) was downgraded to Hold at TheStreet Ratings.

Giant Interactive (GA) was downgraded to Hold at TheStreet Ratings.

Progressive (PGR) was downgraded at Credit Suisse from Outperform to Neutral. $18 price target. Company is seeing higher costs and underwriting losses, Credit Suisse said.

Regions Financial (RF) was upgraded at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch from Neutral to Buy. $8 price target. Stock continues to trade at a discount to its peers, BofA/Merrill said.

Wellcare (WCG) was upgraded at Wedbush from Neutral to Outperform. $72 price target. Company has attractive assets and margin stability but trades at a discount, Wedbush said.

STOCK COMMENTS / EPS CHANGES

Agrium (AGU) numbers were raised at UBS. Shares are now seen reaching $110. Estimates were also raised to reflect scheduled C$900 million share buyback, UBS said. Buy rating.

Health Net (HNT) numbers were reduced at Cantor Fitzgerald. Estimates were also cut, given the company's underwriting problems, Cantor said. Hold rating.

MarkWest Energy (MWE) numbers were cut at UBS. Shares are now seen reaching $57. Estimates were also lowered on lackluster second-quarter results, UBS said. Buy rating.

NYSE Euronext (NYX) numbers were lowered at UBS. Shares are now seen reaching $32. Estimates were also lowered on decreased volume assumptions for all businesses except U.S. cash, UBS said. Buy rating.

SBA Communications (NYX) numbers raised at Deutsche Bank. Shares are now seen reaching $72. Estimates were also increased, given the company's new guidance. Buy rating.

Target (TGT) numbers were raised at UBS. Shares are now seen reaching $71. Estimates were also increased on solid setup into second-quarter EPS results, UBS said. Buy rating.

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This article was written by a staff member of TheStreet.