Friday's Analysts' Upgrades and Downgrades
CHANGE IN RATINGS
Atlantic Tele-Networks
(ATNI) - Get Report
downgraded at UBS to Neutral rating from Buy. However, price target lifts to $40 from $35 and FY2008 EPS estimates bump to $2.09 from $2.06.
BigBand Networks
( BBND) downgraded at Jefferies to Hold rating from Buy. Price target slashed to $7 from $16.50 and FY2008 EPS estimates drop to $0.30 from $0.50.
Cullen/Frost Bankers
(CFR) - Get Report
upgraded at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods to Outperform. Estimates cut because of the interest rate cut, but the company has a solid balance sheet and the stock appears inexpensive.
Chipotle
(CMG) - Get Report
downgraded at Citigroup from Buy to Hold. Valuation call, based on a $120 price target. Even so, estimates are also being raised as the company's fundamental growth strategy continues to be successful.
Conseco
(CNO) - Get Report
upgraded at Friedman, Billings Ramsey to Outperform. $19 price target. Estimates also raised, based on management's call for lower LTC losses.
Cognos
( COGN) upgraded at Goldman Sachs to Buy from Neutral based on improved outlook, business momentum and cost controls. Note valuation below peers. Price target pushed to $48 from $42.
CRA International
(CRAI) - Get Report
upgraded at William Blair from Market Perform to Outperform. Valuation call, even after the company posted disappointing earnings last quarter.
First Horizon
(FHN) - Get Report
downgraded at Keefe, Bruyette & Woodsfrom Market Perform to Underperform. Estimates also cut, as the company is struggling to cut costs fast enough to weather the current credit crunch. $23 price target.
Harman International
(HAR)
upgraded at Bear Stearns from Peer Perform to Outperform. $107 price target. Valuation call, plus the company has a record backlog.
Spectra Energy
(SE) - Get Report
downgraded at Jefferies to Hold rating from Buy. Price target dips to $26 from $27.50 and FY2008 EPS estimates hold at $1.60.
Target
(TGT) - Get Report
upgraded at Merrill Lynch to Buy. $77 price target. Company will likely sell its credit portfolio in a manner that adds to earnings.
Ultra Petroleum
(UPL)
initiated at Morgan Stanley with an overweight rating and a $72 price target.
V
ertex Pharma
(VRTX) - Get Report
downgraded at Merrill Lynch to Neutral. Market has high expectations ahead of the upcoming AASLD conference, though uncertainty remains about the data.
STOCK COMMENTS / EPS CHANGES
Jabil Circuit
(JBL) - Get Report
2008 estimates raised at Credit Suisse to $1.33 from $1.21 after company reported solid FQ4 results and guidance. Cites future restruction and new program wins as possible long-term catalysts. Maintained Outperform rating.
Rite Aid
(RAD) - Get Report
2008 estimates cut at Goldman to $0.10 from $0.17 due to sluggish business and lower expectations for sales and EBITDA going forward. Target lowered to $5 from $5.45. Maintained Sell rating.
Molson Coors
(TAP) - Get Report
2007 estimates raised at Goldman to $5.29 from $5.23. Stronger Canadian dollar supports bullish stance and view that company can deliver a step-up in free cash flow in 2008 and beyond. Maintained Buy rating and raised price target to $110 from $105.