Analysts' Upgrades and Downgrades
Tuesday's Analysts' Upgrades and Downgrades
By TSC Staff
10/31/2006 10:26 AM EST
URL: http://www.thestreet.com/markets/analystsactions/10318818.html

CHANGE IN RATINGS

Acxiom (ACXM) downgraded at Credit Suisse: Credit Suisse is downgrading ACXM to Underperform from Neutral. Believes stock will lag its peers in marketing services universe. Maintained $24 stock price. Cabela's (CAB) downgraded at Credit Suisse: Credit Suisse is downgrading CAB to Reduce from Underperform based on shipping problems. Maintained $17 stock price. Clear Channel (CCU) downgraded at Wachovia: CCU was downgraded from Outperform to Market Perform at Wachovia. Stock is up 9% since news of a potential sale, and a deal is not likely to occur for more than $38. Constellation Energy (CEG) upgraded at UBS: UBS is upgrading CEG to Buy from Neutral. Believes company is much stronger now than before. Raised target price to $71 from $62. Cablevision (CVC) downgraded at Wachovia: CVC was downgraded to Market Perform at Wachovia. Lack of upside potential, even if the deal is increased to $30 a share. Kohl's (KSS) downgraded at AG Edwards: KSS was downgraded from Buy to Hold at AG Edwards. Valuation call, even though the company is one of the few large retailers that's actually on track to post accelerating earnings growth this year. Blue Nile (NILE) downgraded at Piper: Piper is downgrading NILE to an Underperform rating due to concerns over traffic trends and bottom line growth. Riverbed Tech (RVBD) rated new Buy at Deutsche: Coverage of RVBD was started with a Buy rating and $27 price target at Deutsche Bank. Company is the leader in the WDS market, which is expected to grow by at least 40% a year, over the next 3 to 5 years. Tenet Healthcare (THC) downgraded at Deutsche: THC was downgraded from Hold to Sell at Deutsche Bank. $5 price target. Industry-wide issue of rising bad debts will hamper the company's ability to sustain a turnaround. Time Warner (TWX) upgraded at Cowen: TWX was upgraded to Outperform at Cowen. Stock is poised to break out of its 5-year trading range, and will likely outperform the broader market buy at least 15% over the next year. Verizon (VZ) downgraded at Raymond James: VZ was downgraded from Outperform to Market Perform at Raymond James. Estimates also cut because of lower wireless results and high FiOS spending. Margin outlook does not support the current valuation. Verizon (VZ) downgraded at UBS: UBS is downgrading VZ to Neutral from Buy based on more conservative estimates for 2007. Lowered target price to $40 from $41. Warner Chilcott (WCRX) coverage initiated at Goldman Sachs: Goldman is initiating coverage on WCRX with a Neutral rating and target of $17. See upside following selloff due to recent negative news flow regarding key product Ovcon 35. Warner Chilcott (WCRX) initiated at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley initiates coverage of Warner Chilcott with an overweight rating and $18 price target. Warner Chilcott (WCRX) rated new Neutral at JP Morgan: WCRX was initiated with a Neutral rating at JP Morgan. New generic Ovcon product should impact 2007 sales and earnings, and other patents are set to expire in 2008.

STOCK COMMENTS / EPS CHANGES

B/E Aerospace (BEAS) estimates raised at Jefferies: Jefferies is increasing its 2007 estimates to $1.45 from $1.35 due to continuing strong demand for aircraft seating. Price target raised to $31 from $27 and reiterated Buy rating. Clear Channel Outdoors (CCO) target price raised at UBS: UBS is raising its target price on CCO to $25 from $22 following solid 3Q results. Maintained Neutral rating. Clear Channel Outdoors (CCO) price target increased at Jefferies: Jefferies is upping its target on CCO to $30 from $25 following solid Q3 results that included strong cash growth. 2007 estimates raised 7 cents to $0.64. Reiterated Buy rating. Cisco (CSCO) price target raised at Goldman: Goldman is raising its target on CSCO to $29 from $27 and adding it to Conviction Buy List. See market share gains in routers and higher network traffic growth from video on network. Diebold (DBD) target raised at Jefferies: Price target on DBD increased to $52 from $48 at Jefferies. Anticipate greater earnings growth potential in 2007 and 2008. 2007 estimates upped to $2.55 from $2.44 and reiterated Buy rating. Humana (HUM) estimates cut at Jefferies: 2006 estimates on HUM lowered to $2.73 from $2.87, Jefferies said. View disappointing Q3 report as buying opportunity, in part due to positive guidance. Reiterated Buy rating and $75 target. Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) price target raised at Goldman: Goldman is upping its target on ICE to $110 from $79 in anticipation of October OTC commissions data on Thursday. See pressure on shares in wake of lockup expiration as buying opportunity, as fundamentals continue to exceed expectations. Maintained Buy rating. Marvell (MRVL) numbers cut at Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley reduces FY 2007 and 2008 EPS estimates for Marvell Technology, and drops its price target from $33 to $32. Oracle (ORCL) price target increased at Jefferies: Jefferies is raising its target on ORCL to $22 from $20. Expect scale economies to drive margin improvements and see strong growth in earnings and free cash flow. Reiterated Buy rating. Potash (POT) price target increased at Goldman: Target on POT raised to $118 from $103 at Goldman. Company will benefit from competitor Uralkali stopping production at main potash mine due to flooding. 2006 estimates raised $1.00 to $7.50. Maintained Neutral rating.