Analysts' Actions: A Daily Roundup of Street Research
CHANGE IN RATINGS
Akamai
target raised at Piper: Piper said it is raising its target price on AKAM to $27 due to strong quarter, no signs of slowdown. Maintained Outperform rating.
Akamai
upgraded at Jefferies: Jefferies said it was upgrading AKAM from Hold to Buy and target raised by $11 to $27 on growth in online media. FY 2006 EPS estimate raised by $0.30 to $0.70.
Amedisys
upgraded at Raymond James: AMED was upgraded from Outperform to Strong Buy, Raymond James said. Stock dropped 9% yesterday, which presents a buying opportunity. Company still on track for mid-teens organic revenue growth.
Amkor
upgraded at Deutsche Bank: Deutsche Bank said it is upgrading AMKR to Buy citing better fundamentals and fiscal strength. Raised target price to $10.
@Road
upgraded at Raymond James: ARDI was upgraded from Market Perform to Outperform, Raymond James said. Stock is already pricing in loss of the VZ business. Outlook for other top customers remains stable.
Dendrite
downgraded at Bear: DRTE was downgraded to Underperform, Bear Stearns said. Company warned this quarter, and is facing a transition period over the next several quarters.
Electronic Data Systems
upgraded at Jefferies: Jefferies said it was upgrading EDS from Hold to Buy and raising the target by $5 to $30 on Q4 results and improved outlook. FY 2006 EPS estimate raised from $0.93 to $1.11.
Lincoln National
added to Focus List at Wachovia: Wachovia said it is adding LNC to its Focus List. Sees potential long-term shareholder value from acquisition of Jefferson-Pilot.
R.H. Donnelley
downgraded at Deutsche Bank: Deutsche Bank said it is downgrading RHD to Hold from Buy. Concerned about 2006 EPS expectations. Lowered target price to $69 from $80.
Wisconsin Energy
downgraded at Baird: Baird said it was downgrading WEC from Outperform to Neutral on Q4 results and near term pressure. Maintained $43 target.
XMSR
upgraded at Stifel Nicolaus: Stifel Nicolaus said it was upgrading XMSR from Hold to Buy citing its long-term OEM position underappreciated. Maintained $34 target.
STOCK COMMENTS / EPS CHANGES
Axclis Tech.
outlook raised at Goldman: Goldman said it is raising its estimates on ACLS for the full year to 20-cents a share from a loss of 11 cents a share. Maintained Outperform rating.
ATMI
outlook lowered at Goldman: Goldman said it now sees ATMI earning 90-cents a share in 2006, from previous estimate of 92-cents a share. Company announced disappointing Q4 results.
Cigna
estimates boosted at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley said it is increasing its estimates on CI for the full year to $8.35 a share from $8.30 a share. Target raised to $135 a share.
Diamond Offshore Drilling
estimates raised at Jefferies: Jefferies said it was raising FY 2007 EPS estimates on DO by 9-cents to $8.24 on Q4 results and continued growth opportunities. Maintained $100 target.
Brinker International
outlook revised at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley said it is increasing its estimates on EAT for the full year to $1.99 a share from $1.97 a share. Maintained Equalweight rating.
Energy Conversion Devices
estimates lowered at Jefferies: Jefferies said it was lowering FY 2006 EPS estimates on ENER by 11-cents to $-0.77 on fiscal 2Q 2006 results. Maintained Buy rating and $65 target.
Equinix
estimates lowered at Jefferies: Jefferies said it was lowering FY 2006 EPS estimates on EQIX by 18-cents to $-0.90 on Q4 results. Maintained Buy rating and $54.50 target.
Foundation Coal
outlook cut at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley said it is lowering its estimates on FCL for the full year to $1.88 a share from $2.20 a share. Maintained Overweight rating.
Foundation Coal
outlook cut at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley said it is lowering its estimates on FCL for the full year to $1.88 a share from $2.20 a share. Maintained Overweight rating.
IAC/Interactive
target raised at Piper: Piper said it is raising its target price on IACI to $34.
IAC/Interactive
outlook raised at Goldman: Goldman said it is lowering its estimates on IACI for the full year to $1.51 a share from $1.57 a share. Leveraging the broad portfolio of business to deliver consistent revenue and profit growth.
Lazard
outlook boosted at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley said it is increasing its estimates on LAZ for the full year to $2.27 a share from $1.93 a share. Target upped to $40 a share from $29 a share. Company has operating leverage in strong M&A cycle.
Maidenform
Brands outlook cut at Goldman: Goldman said it is increasing its estimates on MFB for the full year to 93-cents a share from 97 cents a share. Company cuts guidance. Maintained Inline rating.
Newfield Exploration
outlook lowered at UBS: UBS said it is lowering 2006 EPS estimates on NFX to $12.55 from $14.55 after 4Q shortfall and lower production growth outlook. Reduced target price to $58 from $60.
NAVTEQ
estimates raised at Jefferies: Jefferies said it was raising FY 2006 and 2007 EPS estimates on NVT by $0.02 and $0.04 to $1.32 and $1.76 respectively on Q4 results and guidance. Maintained Buy rating and $58 target.
Navteq
estimates raised at UBS: UBS said it is raising 2006 EPS estimates on NVT by 2 cents to $1.23. Company issued positive guidance after solid 4Q results. Maintained Buy rating.
Navteq
estimates raised at CSFB: CSFB said it is raising 2006 EPS estimates on NVT by 6 cents to $1.23 after solid 4Q results. Maintained Neutral rating.
Oil States Int'l
estimates raised at Jefferies: Jefferies said it was raising FY 2006 EPS estimates on OIS by 10-cents to $2.80 on Q4 results. Maintained Buy rating and $48 target.
Oracle
estimates raised at Prudential: Prudential said it is raising its 2007 estimates on ORCL by 3 cents to 89 cents a share to reflect acquisition of Siebel. Maintained Neutral Weight rating.
Pacer
outlook raised at UBS: UBS said it is raising 2006 EPS estimates on PACR by 6 cents to $1.80 after strong 4Q results. Sees quarter as a catalyst for multiple expansion. Raised target price to $39 from $32.
Pediatrix Medical Group
estimates raised at Jefferies: Jefferies said it was raising FY 2006 EPS estimates on PDX by 5-cents to $5.45 on Q4 results. Maintained Hold rating and $95 target.
Protective Life
outlook raised at Goldman: Goldman said it is increasing its estimates on PL for the full year to $3.95 a share from $3.80 a share. Maintained Inline rating.
Quest Software
estimates cut at Goldman: Goldman said it is lowering its estimates on QSFT for the full year to 59-cents a share from 60-cents a share. Maintained Outperform rating.
Reynolds American
outlook raised at Goldman: Goldman said it is raising its estimates on RAI for the full year to $8.20 a share from $7.63 a share following Q4 results. Still concerned about long-term outlook. Maintained Underweight.
Aramark
outlook lowered at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley said it is lowering its estimates on RMK for the full year to $1.68 a share from $1.70 a share. Maintained Overweight rating and $31 target price.
Whole Foods
estimates lowered at UBS: UBS said it is lowering 2006 EPS estimates on WFMI by 6 cents to $1.41 after 1Q results were lower than lofty expectations. Raised target price to $58 from $53. Maintained Reduce rating.
Whole Foods
outlook lowered at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley said it is lowering its estimates on WFMI for 2006 to $1.47 a share from $1.48 a share. Target raised to $80 a share from $76.50. Buy on weakness.
XL Capital
outlook cut at Goldman: Goldman said it is lowering its estimates on XL for the full year to $8.10 a share from $8.50 a share.
XTO Energy
estimates lowered at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley said it is lowering its estimates on XTO for the full year. With visible production growth from a multi-year drilling inventory and top of class returns, views the stock as a "Have."
XTO Energy
estimates lowered at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley said it is lowering its estimates on XTO for the full year. With visible production growth from a multi-year drilling inventory and top of class returns, views the stock as a "Have."