Analysts' Upgrades, Downgrades: Bemis
Change in Ratings
Bemis
(BMS) - Get Report
downgraded at Merrill from neutral to sell. Estimates also cut, to reflect higher energy costs and sluggish demand.
ConocoPhillips
(COP) - Get Report
upgraded at Credit Suisse from neutral to outperform. Big oil names should begin to perform better, relative to the E&P stocks.
Exelon
(EXC) - Get Report
upgraded at Deutsche from hold to buy with a $102 price target. Company is seeing higher demand for nuclear power, as a result of rising coal prices.
Progressive
(PGR) - Get Report
upgraded at Wachovia from underperform to market perform. Company has exceeded expectations for two straight months, and should see strong pricing into the investor meeting in June.
Sealed Air
(SEE) - Get Report
downgraded at Merrill from neutral to sell. Estimates also cut, because higher energy costs will offset lower polyethylene prices.
Stock Comments/EPS Changes
Campbell's Soup
(CPB) - Get Report
estimates cut at Goldman by 9 cents to $1.98 (ex-Godiva), following third-quarter earnings miss. See higher commodity costs in 2009 and see continued challenges in U.S. soup sales. Maintained neutral rating.
McDonald's
(MCD) - Get Report
target raised at Deutsche. Shares of MCD now seen reaching $67. Specialty coffee should help drive profit growth. Buy rating.
This article was written by a staff member of TheStreet.com Ratings.