Friday, December 30, 2011

Google (GOOG) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) ratings and price targets.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Robert W. Baird.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) raised their price target on Google to $685.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage on Google. They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $725.00 on the company.

Benchmark Co. reiterated a “Buy” rating on Google. They have a price target of $700.00 on the company.

Google was trading at $646.21, gaining $3.81, or 0.59 percent, as of 1:31 PM EST.

Ford (F) Says Brand Sales Surpass 2 Million

According to Ford Motor (NYSE:F) sales analyst Erich Merkle, Ford brand vehicle sales surpassed the 2 million mark in the U.S. for 2011.

The company added that utility vehicles are poised for a 30 percent increase in sales, while Ford's smaller cars are on track for a 20 percent gain.

In 2010, Ford sold just over 1.9 million cars in the U.S. Brand sales were up close to 18 percent through November.

J.D. Power noted that overall auto sales in the United States are on pace to top $13 million.

For 2011, Ford holds a market share in the U.S. of close to 17 percent, making them the No. 2 automaker in the market. General Motors (NYSE:GM), with the help of the government, is No. 1 in sales, holding a 20 percent market share.

As of November, the Ford brand sold 1.86 million new vehicles in the U.S. market. After that was GM's Chevrolet brand at 1.61 million, Toyota Motor Corp's (NYSE:TM) Toyota brand at 1.29 million and Honda Motor Co's (NYSE:HMC) Honda brand at 0.93 million.

Ford was trading at $10.74, gaining $0.06, or 0.61 percent, as of 1:21 PM EST.

Bank of America (BAC): How Low Will it Go?

Closing in on the end of 2011, Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) has the dubious distinction of being the worst performer in the Dow, plunging about 60 percent on the year, depending on where they end today.

The question is of course how low this shrinking bank and share price can go, and how much more market cap they'll lose, after having $80 billion slashed in 2011.

Other than slashing more expenses and selling off more assets, there is no clarity of how the bank is going to grow going forward.

The enormous amount of litigation hanging over the company is a major variable which disallows for any type of stability and consistency in the performance of the company; something investors are especially looking for heading into 2012.

Add to that the potential fallout from the sovereign debt disaster in Europe, and the overall financial sector is volatile and weak, with uncertainty rank among investors.

This isn't an undervalued stock, it's a stock deserving every bit of the beating down it's getting, as major investors have found out when attempting to buy it at lower levels, which now seem to have no bottom to them.

With no apparent growth strategy in place, Bank of America will continue to be under pressure in 2012.

Bank of America was trading at $5.45, down $0.01, or 0.09 percent, as of 11:39 AM EST.

Qualcomm (QCOM) (EMC) (SAP) (AKAM) Among Top Tech Picks for 2012

Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM), EMC (NYSE:EMC), SAP (NYSE:SAP), Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ:AKAM) and Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) were among the top picks in the tech sector for 2012, as analysts and advisors look to larger and more stable companies at this time.

All of the companies listed are among the market leaders in their respective categories, and that is what is being looked for after the extremely volatile 2011 year, where top lists were hammered throughout 2011.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), IBM (NYSE:IBM) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) are other top picks for 2012, which along with Oracle, are among the overall favorites of all sectors for 2012.

Akamai Technologies was trading at $32.10, down $0.02, or 0.06 percent, as of 11:10 AM EST. SAP was at $53.05, gaining $0.16, or 0.30 percent. EMC was at $21.82, up $0.23, or 1.07 percent. Qualcomm was at $54.87, rising $0.02, or 0.04. Oracle was at $25.78, down $0.02, or 0.08 percent.

ExxonMobil (XOM) (HAL) (SLB) (CVX) (NBL) Among Top 2012 Picks

With stability and predictability major considerations for 2012, energy companies are among the attractive investment candidates for the year, led by ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM), Halliburton (NYSE:HAL), Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB), Chevron (NYSE:CVX) and Noble Energy (NYSE:NBL).

With the majority of investment advisors' top picks doing horrible last year, they're attempting to build out some credibility by focusing on and recommending large-cap stocks that don't have a lot of downside risk.

These of course inevitably include large energy companies which are assured of continuing demand like those mentioned above, which are all on the 2012 lists of many institutional investors.

Exxon Mobil was trading at $85.14, down $0.13, or 0.15 percent, as of 11:06 AM EST. Halliburton was at $34.25, up $0.46, or 1.36 percent. Schlumberger was at $67.68, gaining $0.27, or 0.40 percent. Chevron was at $106.85, falling $0.62, or 0.58 percent. Noble Energy was trading at $94.73, dropping $1.30, or 1.35 percent.

McDonald's (MCD) Will Continue to Soar

With analysts and investors looking for consistency and longevity heading into 2012, McDonald's (MCD) is on numerous "Buy" lists, based on their continual earnings growth over the years.

The largest fast-food business in the world, McDonald's is positioned to do well in good and bad economic times, making them a solid bet both income and growth going forward.

McDonalds was trading at $100.52, down $0.29, or 0.29 percent, as of 10:45 AM EST.

IBM's (IBM) Future Looks Bright

As measured by sentiment from brokerages, analysts, and leading mutual funds, International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) is among the favorites in looking ahead to 2012.

IBM garnered a lot of attention this year when it was discovered Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) had been acquiring shares in the company throughout 2011.

Buffett's realization IBM was now a service company with a big moat and growth potential, put the tech giant on everyone's radar again, although many investors have stayed with IBM through the years.

IBM was trading at $185.56, down $0.62, or 0.33 percent, as of 10:34 AM EST.

Microsoft's (MSFT) Time to Rise?

Most of those looking at great stock performers for 2012 are gravitating towards quality companies with proven track records, like Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT).

While Microsoft has gotten a bad rap, it remains a solid performer, and is undervalued in most analysts' eyes.

They are rated a "Buy" by S&P, and are held by a significant number of the leading mutual funds.

Microsoft was trading at $26.03, up $0.01, or 0.04 percent, as of 10:28 AM EST.

Will Apple (AAPL) Growth Continue?

Among most of the experts, looking ahead to 2012, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) remains among the top performing companies.

Over the last 10 years, Apple has grown its shares at a 43 percent clip on average. Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), for one, still sees them performing strongly going forward.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) has them on its list of top stocks for 2012.

The difference going forward is the loss of Steve Jobs leadership, and whether or not current leadership can perform at a level close to Jobs.

Of the major companies favored in 2012, Apple could be the most volatile because investors remain skittish because of the unproven ability of its executives to show they can perform in the absense of Jobs.

But the company does have enough momentum from existing product lines to probably push through 2012. The key will probably be Apple leaders just staying out of the way and not making major mistakes.

CarMax (KMX) (FTR) (WIN) (OZRK) (JAH) (FRX) Ratings, Price Targets

CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), Frontier Communications (NYSE: FTR), Windstream (NYSE: WIN), Bank of the Ozarks (NASDAQ: OZRK), Jarden (NYSE: JAH) and Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX) ratings and price targets.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) initiated coverage on Frontier Communications (FTR). They have a "Neutral" rating on the firm.

Piper Jaffray initiated coverage on Windstream (WIN). They have a "Neutral" rating on the firm.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) was downgraded by Stephens to an “Equal Weight” rating.

Jarden (JAH) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Oppenheimer (NYSE: OPY).

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) lowered their price target on Forest Laboratories (FRX) to $40.00.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) raised their price target on CarMax, Inc. (KMX) to $30.00.

Expedia (EXPE) (PLXT) (OFC) (RDC) (FRX) (CBB) Ratings, Price Targets

Expedia (NASDAQ: EXPE), PLX Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: PLXT), Corp. Office Properties (NYSE: OFC), Rowan Companies (NYSE: RDC), Forest Labs (NYSE: FRX) and Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE: CBB) ratings and price targets.

ThinkEquity initiated coverage on PLX Technology Inc. (PLXT). They have a "Buy" rating and price target of $4.00 on the firm.

Jefferies Group (NYSE: JEF) cut their price target on Corp. Office Properties (OFC) to $21.00.

Rowan Companies (RDC) was downgraded by Global Hunter Securities from a “Buy” rating to an “Accumulate” rating

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) lowered its price target on Forest Labs (FRX) from $45.00 to $40.00.

Expedia (EXPE) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS).

Piper Jaffray (PJC) initiated coverage on shares of Cincinnati Bell Inc. (CBB). They have a "Neutral" rating on the firm.

News Corp. (NWSA) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) ratings and price targets.

News Corp. (NWSA) was upgraded by RBC Capital to a “Top Pick” rating.

Needham & Company reiterated its “Hold” rating on News Corp. on December 15th.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) raised their price target on News Corp. to $21.00. They have an “Equal Weight” rating on the company.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its “Neutral” rating on News Corp. on November 25th. They have a price target of $17.00 on the company.

News Corp. closed Thursday at $17.87, gaining $0.42, or 2.41 percent.

Verizon (VZ) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Verizon (NYSE: VZ) ratings and price targets.

Verizon had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (JEF).

Oppenheimer (NYSE: OPY) reiterated its “Outperform” rating on Verizon. They have a price target of $42.00 on the company.

Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a “Buy” rating on Verizon. They have a price target of $45.00 on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) reiterated its “Conviction Buy” rating on Verizon.

Verizon has been under pressure because of recurring outages and the slapping of a new $2 fee on customers.

Medtronic (MDT) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) ratings and price targets.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) raised their price target on Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) to $44.00.

Susquehanna initiated coverage on Medtronic. They placed a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $40.00 on the company.

Standpoint Research downgraded Medtronic from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Medtronic closed Thursday at $38.34, climbing $0.91, or 2.43 percent. They have a market cap over $40 billion.

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) ratings and price targets.

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE: JEF). They have a price target of $35.00 on the company.

Chesapeake Energy had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Sterne Agee.

Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on Chesapeake Energy. They placed an “Outperform” rating and a price target of $36.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) reiterated its “Buy” rating on Chesapeake Energy . They have a price target of $32.00 on the company.

Barclays Capital (NYSE: BCS) raised their price target on Chesapeake Energy from $35.00 to $38.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Oppenheimer (NYSE: OPY) raised their EPS on Chesapeake Energy. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Canaccord Genuity reiterated a “Buy” rating on Chesapeake Energy. They have a price target of $49.00 on the company.

Human Genome Sciences (HGSI) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) ratings and price targets.

Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS).

Citigroup (NYSE: C) lowered their price target on Human Genome Sciences to $8.00.

Barclays Capital (NYSE: BCS) initiated coverage on Human Genome Sciences. They placed an “Equal Weight” rating and a price target of $8.00 on the company.

Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) from $17.00 to $15.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Summer Street has a price target of $23.00 on Human Genome Sciences.

Amazon.com (AMZN) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) ratings and price targets.

Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS).

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) reiterated its “Overweight” rating on Amazon.com. They have a price target of $260.00 on the company.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) reiterated an “Overweight” rating on Amazon.com. They have a price target of $256.00 on the company.

Morgan Keegan initiated coverage on Amazon.com. They placed an “Outperform” rating and a price target of $210.00 on the company.

Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage on Amazon.com. They placed a “Hold” rating and a price target of $225.00 on the company.

Nomura (NYSE: NMR) reiterated its “Neutral” rating on Amazon.com.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) reiterated its “Buy” rating on Amazon.com. They have a price target of $240.00 on the company.

Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) ratings and price targets.

The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS).

UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) cut their price target on The Mosaic Company to $63.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) downgraded The Mosaic Company from an “Overweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target of $57.00 on the company, down from $62.00.

Canaccord Genuity downgraded The Mosaic Company from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALXN) ratings and price targets.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALXN) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Leerink Swann.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) cut their price target on Alexion Pharmaceuticals to $83.00.

Barclays Capital (NYSE: BCS) initiated coverage on Alexion Pharmaceuticals. They placed an “Overweight” rating and a price target of $77.00 on the company.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) raised their price target on Alexion Pharmaceuticals to $67.00 on October 24th.

Alexion closed Thursday at $70.98, up $0.06, or 0.08 percent.

United Technologies (UTX) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) ratings and price targets.

United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) was downgraded by FBR Capital (NASDAQ: FBCM) from a “Hold” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $90.00 on the company.

Argus downgraded United Technologies from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Nomura (NMR) reiterated its “Buy” rating on United Technologies.

Jefferies Group (NYSE: JEF) reiterated its “Buy” rating on United Technologiesh. They have a price target of $90.00 on the company.

Sterne Agee reiterated a “Buy” rating on United Technologies. They have a price target of $87.00 on the company.

Amgen (AMGN) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) ratings and price targets.

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) raised their price target on Amgen (AMGN) to $65.00.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) raised their price target on Amgen to $73.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) reiterated a “Neutral” rating on Amgen. They have a price target of $65.00 on the company.

TheStreet upgraded Amgen to a “Buy” rating.

UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) raised their price target on Amgen (AMGN) to $59.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Barclays Capital (BCS) initiated coverage on Amgen. They placed an “Equal Weight” rating and a price target of $65.00 on the company.

Mosaic (MOS) (NXPI) (PNFP) (CHK) (COH) Ratings Reiterated

The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI), Pinnacle Financial Partners (NASDAQ: PNFP), Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) and Coach (NYSE: COH) had ratings on the reiterated by analysts.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated its "Buy" rating on The Mosaic Company (MOS).

Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Buy" rating on NXP Semiconductors (NXPI).

Sterne Agee reiterated its "Buy" rating on Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP).

Sterne Agee reiterated its "Buy" rating on Chesapeake Energy (CHK).

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Coach (COH). They have a price target of $64.00 on the company.

Verizon (VZ) (IEX) (EK) (FISV) (LECO) Ratings Reiterated

Verizon (NYSE: VZ), IDEX Corp. (NYSE: IEX), Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK), Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV) and Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LECO) had ratings on the reiterated by analysts.

Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Verizon (VZ).

Jefferies Group reiterated its "Buy" rating on IDEX Corp. (IEX).

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Eastman Kodak Company (EK). They have a price target of $0.75 on the company.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Fiserv, Inc. (FISV). They have a price target of $61.00 on the company.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Outperform" rating on Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. (LECO). They have a price target of $46.00 on the company.

Chesapeake (CHK) (HGSI) (LPS) (RAVN) (SCHW) Ratings Reiterated

Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK), Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI), Lender Processing Services Incorporated (NYSE: LPS), Raven Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: RAVN) and Charles Schwab (NASDAQ: SCHW) had ratings on the reiterated by analysts.

Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Chesapeake Energy (CHK).

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Human Genome Sciences (HGSI).

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Lender Processing Services Incorporated (LPS). They have a price target of $16.00 on the company.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Outperform" rating on Raven Industries, Inc. (RAVN). They have a price target of $73.00 on the company.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Charles Schwab (SCHW). They have a price target of $12.00 on the company.

Amazon.com (AMZN) (SRCL) (TJX) (WAG) (AFFY) (ALXN) Ratings, Price Targets

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Stericycle Inc. (NASDAQ: SRCL), TJX Companies Inc. (NYSE: TJX), Walgreen (NYSE: WAG), Affymax, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFY) and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) ratings and price targets.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN).

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Stericycle Inc. (SRCL). They have a price target of $82.00 on the company.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Neutral" rating on TJX Companies Inc. (TJX). They have a price target of $68.00 on the company.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Walgreen (WAG). They have a price target of $35.00 on the company.

Robert W. Baird reiterated its "Outperform" rating on Affymax, Inc. (AFFY).

Leerink reiterated its "Outperform" rating on Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALXN).

Mosaic (MOS) (MFRM) (SMBC) (TRH) (GDI) Ratings, Price Targets

The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: MFRM), Southern Missouri (NASDAQ: SMBC), Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TRH) and Gardner Denver (NYSE: GDI) ratings and price targets.

William Blair initiated coverage on Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM). They placed an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Sandler O’Neill initiated coverage on Southern Missouri (SMBC). Theys placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

The Mosaic Company (MOS) had its price target lowered by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to $59.00.

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (TRH) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Gardner Denver ( GDI) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

EDENOR (EDN) (DXCM) (PKE) (SNTS) (SXI) Ratings, Price Targets

EDENOR S.A. (NYSE: EDN), DexCom Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM), Park Electrochemical Corp. (NYSE: PKE), Santarus (NASDAQ: SNTS) and Standex International Corp. (NYSE: SXI) ratings and price targets.

EDENOR S.A. (EDN) was downgraded by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

Wunderlich Securities initiated coverage on DexCom Inc. (DXCM). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $12.00 on the company.

Park Electrochemical Corp. (PKE) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Santarus (SNTS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Standex International Corp. (SXI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Kforce (KFRC) (NEU) (NXPI) (PNFP) (LAD) (OFC) Ratings, Price Targets

Kforce Inc. (NASDAQ: KFRC), NewMarket Co. (NYSE: NEU), NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI), Pinnacle Financial Partners (NASDAQ: PNFP), Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE: LAD) and Corporate Office Properties (NYSE: OFC) ratings and price targets.

NewMarket Co. (NEU) had its price target raised by Longbow Research from $200.00 to $225.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by analysts at Jefferies Group.

Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Sterne Agee.

Kforce Inc. (KFRC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Lithia Motors, Inc. (LAD) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Corporate Office Properties (OFC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Pandora (P) (HOLI) (RYN) (GMET) (GPX) (ITI) Ratings, Price Targets

Pandora Media (NYSE: P), Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd (NASDAQ: HOLI), Rayonier Inc. (NYSE: RYN), GeoMet, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMET), GP Strategies Co. (NYSE: GPX) and Iteris, Inc. (NYSE: ITI) ratings and price targets.

Collins Stewart initiated coverage on Pandora Media (P). They placed a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $13.00 on the company.

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd (HOLI) was upgraded by Roth Capital from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Rayonier Inc. (RYN) had its price target raised by Stifel Nicolaus from $48.00 to $51.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

GeoMet, Inc. (GMET) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

GP Strategies Co. (GPX) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Iteris, Inc. (ITI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Emergent (EBS) (IEX) (BKD) (GTLS) (FLWS) (HPY) Ratings, Price Targets

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS), IDEX Corp. (NYSE: IEX), Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. (NYSE: BKD), Chart Industries (NASDAQ: GTLS), 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS) and Heartland Payment Systems Inc. (NYSE: HPY) ratings and price targets.

Caris & Co. initiated coverage on Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

IDEX Corp. (IEX) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF).

JMP Securities initiated coverage on Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. (BKD). They placed an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Chart Industries (GTLS) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (FLWS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Heartland Payment Systems Inc. (HPY) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

News (NWSA) (HGSI) (SUSQ) (BELFB) (UACL) (BC) Ratings, Price Targets

News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA), Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI), Susquehanna Bank (NASDAQ: SUSQ), Bel Fuse, Inc. (NASDAQ: BELFB), Universal Truckload Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: UACL) and Brunswick Co. (NYSE: BC) ratings and price targets.

News Corp. (NWSA) was upgraded by RBC Capital to a “Top Pick” rating.

Human Genome Sciences (HGSI) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

Susquehanna Bank (SUSQ) had its price target raised by Susquehanna to $10.00. The y have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Bel Fuse, Inc. (BELFB) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Universal Truckload Services, Inc. (UACL) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Brunswick Co. (BC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Fossil (FOSL) (CHK) (MLNX) (INAP) (CYN) (CYTK) Ratings, Price Targets

Fossil (FOSL), Chesapeake Energy (CHK), Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. (MLNX), InterNAP (INAP), City National Co. (CYN) and Cytokinetics, Inc. (CYTK) ratings and price targets.

Fossil (FOSL) had its price target lowered by FBR Capital from $100.00 to $90.00. They have a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF).

Wunderlich Securities initiated coverage on Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. (MLNX). They placed a “Hold” rating and a price target of $36.00 on the company.

InterNAP (INAP) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

City National Co. (CYN) was downgraded by Miller Tabak from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Cytokinetics, Inc. (CYTK) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Mosaic Company (MOS) (ACTV) (SGY) (ARII) (ASGN) (BBCN) Ratings, Price Targets

The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), Active Network (NASDAQ: ACTV), Stone Energy (NYSE: SGY), American Railcar Industries (NASDAQ: ARII), On Assignment, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASGN) and BBCN Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBCN) ratings and price targets.

The Mosaic Company (MOS) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

Active Network (ACTV) is now covered by ThinkEquity. They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

Stone Energy (SGY) had its price target raised by Rodman & Renshaw from $34.00 to $36.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

American Railcar Industries (ARII) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

On Assignment, Inc. (ASGN) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

BBCN Bancorp, Inc. (BBCN) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Amazon.com (AMZN) (TRIP) (COO) (SKBI) (LDR) (AFSI) Ratings, Price Targets

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Travelbyus, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP), The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO), Skystar Bio Pharmaceutical Co. (NASDAQ: SKBI), Landauer, Inc. (NYSE: LDR) and Amtrust Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFSI) ratings and price targets.

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) initiated coverage on Travelbyus, Inc. (TRIP). They placed a “Market Perform” rating on the company.

The Cooper Companies, Inc. (COO) had its price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) to $80.00.

Skystar Bio Pharmaceutical Co. (SKBI) was upgraded by WBB Securities from a “Sell Short” rating to a “Sell” rating. They have a price target of $2.50 on the company.

Landauer, Inc. (LDR) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Amtrust Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Amgen (AMGN) (ALXN) (FRNK) (BIDU) (CEDU) (KEM) Ratings, Price Targets

Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN), Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN), Franklin Financial (NASDAQ: FRNK), Baidu.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU), ChinaEdu (NASDAQ: CEDU) and KEMET Co. (NYSE: KEM) ratings and price targets.

Amgen, Inc. (AMGN) had its price target raised by Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) to $65.00.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALXN) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Leerink Swann.

Sandler O'Neill initiated coverage on Franklin Financial (FRNK). They placed a “Hold” rating on the company.

Baidu.com, Inc. (BIDU) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

ChinaEdu (CEDU) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

KEMET Co. (KEM) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Linkedin (LNKD) (AFFY) (ALXN) (BHE) (CODI) (UTX) Ratings, Price Targets

Linkedin Co. (NASDAQ: LNKD), Affymax, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFY), Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN), Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE), Compass Diversified Holdings (NASDAQ: CODI) and United Technologies Co. (NYSE: UTX) ratings and price targets.

Collins Stewart initiated coverage on Linkedin Co. (LNKD). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $86.00 on the company.

Affymax, Inc. (AFFY) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Robert W. Baird.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALXN) had its price target lowered by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) to $83.00.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

United Technologies Co. (UTX) was downgraded by Argus from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Verizon (VZ) (FNFG) (MDT) (VSEC) (CNBC) (COLB) Ratings, Price Targets

Verizon (NYSE: VZ), First Niagara Financial Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FNFG), Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), VSE Co. (NASDAQ: VSEC), Center Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: CNBC) and Columbia Banking (NASDAQ: COLB) ratings and price targets.

Verizon (VZ) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF).

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. (FNFG) is now covered by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

Medtronic, Inc. (MDT) had its price target raised by Citigroup (NYSE:C) from $40.00 to $44.00.

VSE Co. (VSEC) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Center Bancorp Inc. (CNBC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Columbia Banking (COLB) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Nokia (NOK) Faces Challenging 2012

While business media have continued to hammer down Nokia (NYSE:NOK), it remains to be seen if its fortunes are as bad as they are made to appear.

For example, some media jumped on the possibility Samsung could overtake Nokia for the overall mobile phone market in 2012. That's based upon a report from Korea Economic Daily, which says Samsung is looking to increase mobile phone sales by 15 percent in 2012. Saying it, and doing it, of course, are two separate things.

Secondly, the other element in the mix is the release of Nokia’s Lumia 800, which has only generated about 2 percent of sales in Europe. That is being reported as a failure by Nokia to generate interest in its smartphones using Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Window 7 technology.

The truth is that was, in my opinon, a phont sent out into the market to simply have an entry while Nokia prepares its smartphone line for future release.

To make the smartphone strategy look as if it has failed for Nokia is ridiculous at this point.

Nokia has yet to begin its smartphone strategy, which won't really get going until the mid-, or latter part of 2012.

Nokia was trading at $4.785, up $0.045, or 0.95 percent, as of 2:46 PM EST.

Citigroup (C) (BAC) (JPM) (WFC) Jumping on Economic News

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), Citigroup (NYSE:C), JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM), Wells Fargo (WFC) were all trading up today in response to the appearance of strength in Italian bonds, as well as jobless claims, while rising, still managed to remain below the 400,000 mark for the week.

It shows the market is grasping at anything that can be construed as positive in order to give it some movement into positive territory. It won't last.

Bank of America was trading at $5.39, gaining $0.11, or 2.08 percent, as of 2:27 PM EST. Citigroup was trading at $26.66, rising $0.53, or 2.01 percent. JPMorgan was trading at $33.27, up $0.62, or 1.90 percent. Wells Fargo was trading at $27.67, increasing $0.56, or 2.07 percent.

Pandora (P) (FRNK) (SMBC) (ARII) (CNBC) (CYTK) Ratings, Price Targets

Pandora Media (NYSE: P), Franklin Financial (NASDAQ: FRNK), Southern Missouri (NASDAQ: SMBC), American Railcar Industries (NASDAQ: ARII), Center Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: CNBC) and Cytokinetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTK) ratings and price targets.

Franklin Financial (FRNK) is now covered by Sandler O'Neill. They have a “hold” rating on the firm.

Pandora Media (P) is now covered by Collins Stewart. They have a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $13.00 on the firm.

Southern Missouri (SMBC) is now covered by Sandler O’Neill. They have a “Buy” rating on the firm.

American Railcar Industries (ARII) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Center Bancorp Inc. (CNBC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Cytokinetics, Inc. (CYTK) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Pinnacle (PNFP) (BHE) (CODI) (GDI) (EBS) (FNFG) Ratings, Price Targets

Pinnacle Financial Partners (NASDAQ: PNFP), Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE), Compass Diversified Holdings (NASDAQ: CODI), Gardner Denver (NYSE: GDI), Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) and First Niagara Financial Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FNFG) ratings and price targets.

Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Sterne Agee.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Gardner Denver (GDI) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS) is now covered by Caris & Co.. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. (FNFG) is now covered by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF). They have a “Buy” rating on the firm.

NXP (NXPI) (INAP) (ASGN) (BC) (ACTV) (BKD) Ratings, Price Targets

NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI), InterNAP (NASDAQ: INAP), On Assignment, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASGN), Brunswick Co. (NYSE: BC), Active Network (NASDAQ: ACTV) and Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. (NYSE: BKD) ratings and price targets.

NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF).

InterNAP (INAP) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

On Assignment, Inc. (ASGN) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Brunswick Co. (BC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating

Active Network (ACTV) is now covered by ThinkEquity. They have a “buy” rating on the firm.

Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. (BKD) is now covered by JMP Securities. They have an “Outperform” rating on the firm.

Linkedin (LNKD) (MFRM) (FLWS) (HPY) (LAD) (HGSI) Ratings, Price Targets

Linkedin Co. (NASDAQ: LNKD), Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: MFRM), 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS), Heartland Payment Systems Inc. (NYSE: HPY), Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE: LAD) and Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) ratings and price targets.

Linkedin Co. (LNKD) is now covered by Collins Stewart. They placed a “buy” rating and a price target of $86.00 on the firm.

Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM) is now covered by William Blair. They have an “Outperform” rating on the firm.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (FLWS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Heartland Payment Systems Inc. (HPY) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Lithia Motors, Inc. (LAD) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Human Genome Sciences (HGSI) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

IDEX (IEX) (BBCN) (ITI) (KFRC) (CYN) (CHK) Ratings, Price Targets

IDEX Corp. (NYSE: IEX), BBCN Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBCN), Iteris, Inc. (NYSE: ITI), Kforce Inc. (NASDAQ: KFRC), City National Co. (NYSE: CYN) and Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) ratings and price targets.

IDEX Corp. (IEX) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF).

BBCN Bancorp, Inc. (BBCN) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Iteris, Inc. (ITI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Kforce Inc. (KFRC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

City National Co. (CYN) was downgraded by Miller Tabak from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF).

Affymax (AFFY) (SXI) (TRH) (CEDU) (NWSA) (COLB) Ratings, Price Targets

Affymax, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFY), Standex International Corp. (NYSE: SXI), Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TRH), ChinaEdu (NASDAQ: CEDU), News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) and Columbia Banking (NASDAQ: COLB) ratings and price targets.

Affymax, Inc. (AFFY) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Robert W. Baird.

Standex International Corp. (SXI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (TRH) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

ChinaEdu (CEDU) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

News Corp. (NWSA) was upgraded by RBC Capital to a “Top Pick” rating.

Columbia Banking (COLB) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Alexion (ALXN) (MLNX) (OFC) (PKE) (SNTS) (HOLI) Ratings, Price Targets

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN), Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. (NASDAQ: MLNX), Corp. Office Properties (NYSE: OFC), Park Electrochemical Corp. (NYSE: PKE), Santarus (NASDAQ: SNTS) and Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd (NASDAQ: HOLI) ratings and price targets.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALXN) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Leerink Swann.

Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. (MLNX) is now covered by Wunderlich. They have a “Hold” rating and a price target of $36.00 on the firm.

Corp. Office Properties (OFC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Park Electrochemical Corp. (PKE) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Santarus (SNTS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd (HOLI) was upgraded by Roth Capital from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Amazon.com (AMZN) (AFSI) (GPX) (GTLS) (SKBI) (TRIP) Ratings, Price Targets

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Amtrust Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFSI), GP Strategies Co. (NYSE: GPX), Chart Industrials (NASDAQ: GTLS), Skystar Bio Pharmaceutical Co. (NASDAQ: SKBI) and Travelbyus, inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) ratings and price targets.

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

Amtrust Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

GP Strategies Co. (GPX) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Chart Industrials (GTLS) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Skystar Bio Pharmaceutical Co. (SKBI) was upgraded by at WBB Securities from a “Sell Short” rating to a “Sell” rating. They have a price target of $2.50 on the firm.

Travelbyus, inc. (TRIP) is now covered by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF). They placed a “Market Perform” rating on the firm.

Mosaic (MOS) (DXCM) (BIDU) (UACL) (UTX) (KEM) Ratings, Price Targets

The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), DexCom Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM), Baidu.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU), Universal Truckload Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: UACL), United Technologies Co. (NYSE: UTX) and KEMET Co. (NYSE: KEM) ratings and price targets.

The Mosaic Company (MOS) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

DexCom Inc. (DXCM) is now covered by Wunderlich Securities. They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $12.00 on the firm.

Baidu.com, Inc. (BIDU) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Universal Truckload Services, Inc. (UACL) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

United Technologies Co. (UTX) was downgraded by Argus from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

KEMET Co. (KEM) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Verizon (VZ) (LDR) (EDN) (VSEC) (GMET) (BELFB) Ratings, Price Targets

Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Landauer, Inc. (NYSE: LDR), EDENOR S.A. (NYSE: EDN), VSE Co. (NASDAQ: VSEC), GeoMet, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMET) and Bel Fuse, Inc. (NASDAQ: BELFB) ratings and price targets.

Verizon (VZ) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF).

Landauer, Inc. (LDR) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

EDENOR S.A. (EDN) was downgraded by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating.

VSE Co. (VSEC) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

GeoMet, Inc. (GMET) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Bel Fuse, Inc. (BELFB) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Intel (INTC) (HPQ) (MSFT) (Dell) Pushing Tech Up

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) are helping the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index trade in positive territory in morning trading.

They was in spite of Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) and eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) trading down.

The market is a little more positive today, as news outlets attempt to spin the economy is improving.

Amazon was down more than most major tech companies on the negative response from Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), saying they may miss sales consensus for the fourth quarter, citing comScore data.

Intel was trading at $24.51, gaining $0.28, or 1.18 percent, as of 11:34 AM EST. Hewlett-Packard was at $25.59, rising $0.39, or 1.55 percent. Microsoft was at $25.91, up $0.09, or 0.35 percent. Dell was trading at $14.76, increasing $0.09, or 0.58 percent.

Amazon (AMZN) Drops on Goldman (GS) Warning

Even though the overall tech sector was performing fairly well in morning trading, shares of Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) were under pressure after Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) cited data from comScore, pointing to the company performing below consensus.

The current consensus on Amazon is 40 percent sales growth, while the comScore data show sales growth of 38 percent in the fourth quarter, according to Goldman analyst Heather Bellini.

Bellini wrote in a note, “While the comScore numbers are just one data point which does not capture international sales or break out individual companies’ sales, taken alone they seem to suggest the potential for downside risk to consensus forecasts.”

Amazon was trading at $171.24, falling $2.65, or 1.52 percent, as of 11:22 AM EST.

Fossil (FOSL) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Fossil (NASDAQ: FOSL) ratings and price targets.

FBR Capital (NASDAQ: FBCM) lowered their price target on shares of Fossil (FOSL) from $100.00 to $90.00 today. They have a "Market Perform" rating on the company.

In other recent action on Fossil, Benchmark Co. upgraded them from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating. They have a price target of $115.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) reiterated its “Buy” rating on Fossil. They have a price target of $114.00 on the company.

Telsey Advisory Group initiated coverage on Fossil. They placed a price target of $106.00 on the company.

DexCom Inc. (DXCM) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on DexCom Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM) ratings and price targets.

Wunderlich initiated coverage on DexCom Inc. (DXCM). They placed a "Buy" rating and price target of $12.00 on the company.

Other recent action on DexCom includes Canaccord Genuity reiterating it “Buy” rating on the company.

MLV & Co initiated coverage on DexCom. They placed a "Buy" rating and price target of $11.00 on the company.

McNicoll Lewis & Vlak initiated coverage on DexCom. They placed a "Buy" rating on the company.

Pandora Media (P) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Pandora Media (NYSE: P)ratings and price targets.

Collins Stewart initiated coverage on Pandora Media (P). They have a "Neutral" rating and price target of $13.00 on the firm.

Other recent action on Pandora Media includes Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) initiated coverage on Pandora Media. They have a "Neutral" rating on the company.

Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage on Pandora Media. They have a "Hold" rating and price target of $13.00 on the firm.

Albert Fried & Company reiterated its “Market Perform” rating on Pandora Media.

News Corp. (NWSA) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) ratings and price targets.

RBC Capital upgraded News Corp. (NWSA) to a "Top Pick" rating today.

Other recent action on News Corp. includes Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) raising its price target on the company to $21.00. They have an "Equalweight" rating on the firm.

Needham & Company reiterated its “Hold” rating on News Corp.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its “Neutral” rating on News Corp. They have a price target of $17.00 on the firm.

Mellanox Technologies (MLNX) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Mellanox Technologies (NASDAQ: MLNX) ratings and price targets.

Wunderlich Securities initiated coverage on Mellanox Technologies (MLNX) today. They have a "Hold" rating and price target of $36.00 on the firm.

In other recent action on Mellanox Technologies, Lazard Capital reiterated its “Neutral” rating on the firm.

Barclays Capital (NYSE: BCS) reiterated its “Overweight” rating on Mellanox Technologies

Active Network (ACTV) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Active Network (NASDAQ: ACTV) ratings and price targets.

ThinkEquity initiated coverage on Active Network (NASDAQ: ACTV). They have a "Buy" rating on the company.

Other recent analyst action on Active Network includes Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) lowering its price target on Active Network to $21.00.

Raymond James (NYSE: RJF) initiated coverage on Active Network. They have a "Strong Buy" rating on the firm.

UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) initiated coverage on Active Network. They have a "Buy" rating and price target of $22.00 on the company.

Linkedin (LNKD) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Linkedin (NASDAQ: LNKD) ratings and price targets.

Collins Stewart initiated coverage on Linkedin (LNKD) today. They have a "Buy" rating and price target of $86.00 on the firm.

UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) recently reiterated its “Buy” rating on Linkedin.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) initiated coverage on Linkedin. They have a "Neutral" rating on the firm.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated its “Neutral” rating on Linkedin. They have a price target of $67.00 on the company.

Medtronic (MDT) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) ratings and price targets.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) raised its price target on Medtronic (MDT) to $44.00 in a note today.

Other recent analysts' actions on Medtronic include Standpoint Research downgrading them from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Zacks Investment Research reiterated a “Neutral” rating on Medtronic. They have a price target of $35.00 on the firm.

Susquehanna initiated coverage on Medtronic. They have a "Neutral" rating and price target of $40.00 on the firm.

Verizon (VZ) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Verizon (NYSE: VZ) ratings and price targets.

Jefferies Group (NYSE: JEF) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Verizon (NYSE: VZ) today.

Other action taken by analysts on Verizon (VZ) in December include Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) reiterating its “Conviction Buy” rating on them.

Stifel Nicolaus reiterated its “Buy” rating on Verizon. They have a price target of $45.00 on the firm.

Oppenheimer (NYSE: OPY) reiterated its “Outperform” rating on Verizon. They have a price target of $42.00 on the firm.

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) ratings and price targets.

Jefferies Group (NYSE: JEF) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) today.

Other recent analyst action on Chesapeake Energy (CHK) had Citigroup (NYSE: C) reiterating its "Buy" rating on the firm. They have a price target of $32.00 on them.

Barclays Capital (NYSE: BCS) raised its price target from $35.00 to $38.00. They have an "Overweight" rating on the firm.

Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on Chesapeake Energy. They have an "Outperform" rating and a price target of $36.00 on the firm.

Amazon.com (AMZN) Ratings, Price Targets

Updates on Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) ratings and price targets.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Amazon.com (AMZN) today.

Other analyst action on Amazon in December included Morgan Keegan initiated coverage on Internet retailer, starting them with an "Outperform" rating and a price target of $210.00.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) reiterated its “Overweight” rating on Amazon.com. They have a price target of $256.00 on the firm.

Morgan Stanley (MS) reiterated an “Overweight” rating on Amazon.com. They have a price target of $260.00 on the firm.

DexCom (DXCM) (FNFG) (MLNX) (MFRM) (HOLI) (UTX) Ratings, Price Targets

DexCom Inc. (NASDAQ:DXCM), First Niagara Financial Group (NASDAQ:FNFG), Mellanox Technologies (NASDAQ:MLNX), Mattress Firm (NASDAQ:MFRM), Hollysys Automation Technologies (NASDAQ:HOLI) and United Technologies (NYSE:UTX) ratings and price targets.

Wunderlich initiated coverage on DexCom Inc. (DXCM). They have a "Buy" rating and price target of $12.00 on the company.

Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI) was upgraded by Roth Capital from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

William Blair initiated coverage on Mattress Firm (MFRM). They have an "Outperform" rating on the company.

Wunderlich initiated coverage on Mellanox Technologies (MLNX). They have a "HOld" rating and price target of $36.00 on the firm.

Argus downgraded United Technologies (UTX) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) initiated coverage on First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG). They have a "Buy" rating on the company.

Edenor (EDN) (LNKD) (P) (NWSA) (TRIP) (ACTV) (BKD) Ratings, Price Targets

Edenor SA (NYSE:EDN), LinkedIn (NYSE:LNKD), Pandora Media (NYSE:P), News Corp. (NASDAQ:NWSA), TripAdvisor (NASDAQ:TRIP), Active Network (NYSE:ACTV), Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD) ratings and price targets.

Collins Stewart initiated coverage on LinkedIn (LNKD). They have a "Buy" rating and a price target of $86 on the firm.

Edenor SA (EDN) was downgraded by Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

Collins Stewart initiated coverage on Pandora Media (P). They have a "Neutral" rating and price target of $13 on the company.

Raymond James initiated coverage on TripAdvisor (TRIP). They have a "Market Perform" rating on the stock.

News Corp. (NWSA) was upgraded by RBC Capital Markets from an "Outperform" rating to a "Top Pick" rating.

ThinkEquity initiated coverage on Active Network (ACTV). They have a "Buy" rating on the firm.

JMP Securities initiated coverage on Brookdale Senior Living (BKD). They have an "Outperform" rating on the firm.

Endeavour (END) (IMN) (ISSI) (ORB) (ORRF) Ratings, Price Targets

Endeavour International Co. (NYSE: END), Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISSI), Orbital Sciences Corp. (NYSE: ORB) and Orrstown Financial Services (NASDAQ: ORRF) ratings and price targets.

Endeavour International Co. ( END) was upgraded by Rodman & Renshaw from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $12.50 on the company.

Imation Corp. (IMN) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc. (ISSI) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Orbital Sciences Corp. (ORB) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Orrstown Financial Services (ORRF) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

MWI (MWIV) (NBL) (PEBO) (PII) (SBX) Ratings, Price Targets

MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. (NASDAQ: MWIV), Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL), Peoples Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: PEBO), Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) and Seabright Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SBX) ratings and price targets.

MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. (MWIV) was upgraded by CL King from a “Buy” rating to a “Strong Buy” rating.

Noble Energy (NBL) had its “Overweight” rating reiterated by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM).

Peoples Bancorp Inc. (PEBO) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Polaris Industries Inc. (PII) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Seabright Holdings, Inc. (SBX) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Quidel (QDEL) (OSIS) (PCH) (PCTI) (JDAS) (MLI) Ratings, Price Targets

Quidel Co. (NASDAQ: QDEL), OSI Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIS), Potlatch Co. (NYSE: PCH), PC-Tel Inc. (NASDAQ: PCTI), JDA Software Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: JDAS) and Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MLI) ratings and price targets.

Quidel Co. (QDEL) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Wedbush.

OSI Systems Inc. (OSIS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Potlatch Co. (PCH) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

PC-Tel Inc. (PCTI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

JDA Software Group, Inc. (JDAS) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Sears (SHLD) (SKUL) (KED) (LCRY) (EGBN) (LII) Ratings, Price Targets

Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHLD), Skullcandy Inc. (NASDAQ: SKUL), Kayne Anderson Energy Development Co. (NYSE: KED), LeCROY Co. (NASDAQ: LCRY), Eagle Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGBN) and Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) ratings and price targets.

Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) had its “Sell” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

Skullcandy Inc. (SKUL) had its “Overweight” rating reiterated by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC). They have a price target of $26.00 on the company.

Kayne Anderson Energy Development Co. (KED) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

LeCROY Co. (LCRY) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Eagle Bancorp, Inc. (EGBN) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Lennox International Inc. (LII) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Molycorp (MCP) (DNKN) (PWRD) (GRA) (JAH) (STBZ) Ratings, Price Targets

Molycorp, Inc. (NYSE: MCP), Dunkin Brands (NASDAQ: DNKN), Perfect World Co Ltd (NASDAQ: PWRD), W.R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA), Jarden Co. (NYSE: JAH) and State Bank Financial (NASDAQ: STBZ) ratings and price targets.

Molycorp, Inc. ( MCP) had its price target lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) from $57.00 to $39.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Dunkin Brands (DNKN) was upgraded by DA Davidson from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Perfect World Co. Ltd (PWRD) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

W.R. Grace & Co. (GRA) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Jarden Co. (JAH) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

State Bank Financial (STBZ) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Starbucks (SBUX) (MRX) (PHH) (SCI) (CRFN) (DDIC) Ratings, Price Targets

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), PHH Co. (NYSE: PHH), Service Co. International (NYSE: SCI), Crescent Financial Co. (NASDAQ: CRFN) and DDi Corp. (NASDAQ: DDIC) ratings and price targets.

Starbucks (SBUX) was upgraded by DA Davidson from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its “Overweight” rating reiterated by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC). They have a price target of $43.00 on the company.

PHH Co. (PHH) had its price target lowered by FBR Capital from $24.00 to $20.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Service Co. International (SCI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Crescent Financial Co. (CRFN) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

DDi Corp. (DDIC) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Google (GOOG) (DDD) (CDTI) (RTIX) (SBNY) (FSRV) Ratings, Price Targets

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), 3D Systems Co. (NYSE: DDD), Clean Diesel Technologies (NASDAQ: CDTI), RTI Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ: RTIX), Signature Bank (NASDAQ: SBNY) and FirstService Co. (NASDAQ: FSRV) ratings and price targets.

Google Inc. (GOOG) had its price target raised by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to $685.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

3D Systems Co. (DDD) had its price target lowered by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) to $12.00.

Clean Diesel Technologies (CDTI) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $8.50 on the company.

RTI Biologics Inc. (RTIX) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Signature Bank (SBNY) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

FirstService Co. (FSRV) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Webmd (WBMD) (ZLCS) (CAVM) (SWS) (BHLB) (EDMC) Ratings, Price Targets

Webmd Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD), Zalicus Inc. (NASDAQ: ZLCS), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), SWS Group, Inc. (NYSE: SWS), Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: BHLB) and Education Management Corp. (NASDAQ: EDMC) ratings and price targets.

Webmd Health Corp. (WBMD) had its “Hold” rating reiterated by Stifel Nicolaus.

Zalicus Inc. (ZLCS) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Wedbush. They have a price target of $5.00 on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its price target lowered by MKM Partners from $26.00to $23.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

SWS Group, Inc. (SWS) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Education Management Corp. (EDMC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Sears (SHLD) (CLDX) (CAVM) (MRT) (PNCL) (AV) Ratings, Price Targets

Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHLD), Celldex Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDX), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (NYSE: MRT), Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NASDAQ: PNCL) and Aviva Plc (NYSE: AV) ratings and price targets.

Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) had its price target lowered by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from $43.00 to $30.00. They have a “Sell” rating on the company.

Celldex Therapeutics Inc. (CLDX) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Wedbush. They have a price target of $6.00 on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its price target lowered by Wedbush to $24.00.

Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (MRT) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (PNCL) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Aviva Plc (AV) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Microsoft (MSFT) (NU) (CAVM) (PMTC) (RDWR) (CFX) Ratings, Price Targets

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT), Northeast Utilities System (NYSE: NU), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Parametric (NASDAQ: PMTC), Radware Ltd. (NASDAQ: RDWR) and Colfax Co. (NYSE: CFX) ratings and price targets.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Stifel Nicolaus. They have a price target of $32.00 on the company.

Barclays Capital initiated coverage on Northeast Utilities System (NU). They placed an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its price target lowered by Mizuho from $29.00 to $27.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the company.

Parametric (PMTC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Radware Ltd. (RDWR) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Colfax Co. (CFX) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Veeco (VECO) (CAVM) (MN) (VAL) (HXL) (IDCC) Ratings, Price Targets

Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Manning & Napier Inc. (NYSE: MN), The Valspar Co. (NYSE: VAL), Hexcel Co. (NYSE: HXL) and InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDCC) ratings and price targets.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its price target lowered by Stifel Nicolaus from $35.00 to $33.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Sandler O’Neill initiated coverage on Manning & Napier Inc. (MN). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

The Valspar Co. (VAL) had its price target raised by Longbow Research from $40.00 to $45.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Hexcel Co. (HXL) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Medicis (MRX) (MN) (CAVM) (FTNT) (GLCH) (CEVA) Ratings, Price Targets

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), Manning & Napier Inc. (NYSE: MN), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ: FTNT), Gleacher & Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLCH) and Ceva Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA) ratings and price targets.

Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Manning & Napier Inc. (MN). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $15.00 on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its “Perform” rating reiterated by Oppenheimer.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its price target lowered by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to $38.00.

Fortinet, Inc. (FTNT) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Gleacher & Company, Inc. (GLCH) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Ceva Inc. (CEVA) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Aetna (AET) (MFRM) (CAVM) (LHCG) (MERU) (VSI) Ratings, Price Targets

Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET), Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: MFRM), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), LHC Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LHCG), Meru Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: MERU) and Vitamin Shoppe (NYSE: VSI) ratings and price targets.

Aetna Inc. (AET) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Citigroup (NYSE:C). They have a price target of $56.00 on the company.

Barclays Capital (NYSE:BCS) initiated coverage on Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM). They placed an “Overweight” rating and a price target of $30.00 on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Needham & Company.

LHC Group, Inc. (LHCG) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Meru Networks Inc. (MERU) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Vitamin Shoppe (VSI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

NStar (NST) (CAVM) (CHFC) (CPTS) (AUO) (AVX) Ratings, Price Targets

NStar (NYSE: NST), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Chemical Financial (NASDAQ: CHFC), Conceptus, Inc. (NASDAQ: CPTS), AU Optronics Corp. (NYSE: AUO) and AVX Co. (NYSE: AVX) ratings and price targets.

Barclays Capital (NYSE:BCS) initiated coverage on NStar (NST). They placed an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its price target lowered by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) to $16.00.

Chemical Financial (CHFC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Conceptus, Inc. (CPTS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

AVX Co. (AVX) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Molycorp (MCP) (MFRM) (CAVM) (SHLD) (BBNK) (BGS) Ratings, Price Targets

Molycorp, Inc. (NYSE: MCP), Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: MFRM), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHLD), Bridge Capital Holdings (NASDAQ: BBNK) and B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE: BGS) ratings and price targets.

Molycorp, Inc. (MCP) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)

UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) initiated coverage on Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $28.00 on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its “Hold” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF). They have a price target of $32.00 on the company.

Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) had its “Sell” rating reiterated by ISI Group. They have a price target of $25.00 on the company.

Bridge Capital Holdings (BBNK) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

B&G Foods, Inc. (BGS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Boyd (BYD) (MFRM) (CAVM) (MRX) (VLTR) (KWR) Ratings, Price Targets

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: MFRM), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), Volterra Semi (NASDAQ: VLTR) and Quaker Chemical Co. (NYSE: KWR) ratings and price targets.

KeyBanc initiated coverage on Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $28.00 on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its price target lowered by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) to $40.00. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its “Overweight” rating reiterated by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)

Volterra Semi (VLTR) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Quaker Chemical Co. (KWR) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Forest Oil (FST) (CAVM) (NBL) (MRX) (TOFC) (TWIN) Ratings, Price Targets

Forest Oil Co. (NYSE: FST), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL), Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), Tower Financial Co. (NASDAQ: TOFC) and Twin Disc Inc. (NASDAQ: TWIN) ratings and price targets.

CapitalOne initiated coverage on Forest Oil Co. (FST). The placed an “Add” rating on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Auriga. They have a price target of $37.00 on the company.

Noble Energy (NBL) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Sterne Agee. They have a price target of $117.00 on the company.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its price target lowered by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) to $41.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the company.

Tower Financial Co. (TOFC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Twin Disc Inc. (TWIN) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Kodiak (KOG) (MN) (CAVM) (MRX) (DORM) (DWA) Ratings, Price Targets

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. (NYSE: KOG), Manning & Napier Inc. (NYSE: MN), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), Dorman Products Inc. (NASDAQ: DORM) and DreamWorks Animation (NYSE: DWA) ratings and price targets.

Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) initiated coverage on Manning & Napier Inc. (MN). They placed an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its “Hold” rating reiterated by Benchmark Co.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. (KOG) was downgraded by Northland Securities from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $10.00 on the company.

Dorman Products Inc. (DORM) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

DreamWorks Animation (DWA) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Apple (AAPL) (CASC) (CAVM) (WIRE) (ASPS) (SRT) Ratings, Price Targets

Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Cascade Co. (NASDAQ: CASC), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Encore Wire Corp. (NASDAQ: WIRE), Altisource Portfolio (NASDAQ: ASPS) and StarTek, Inc. (NYSE: SRT) ratings and price targets.

Apple, Inc. (AAPL) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Sterne Agee.

Global Hunter Securities initiated coverage on Cascade Co. (CASC). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $60.00 on the company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its price target lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) to $37.50. They have an “Overweight” rating on the company.

Encore Wire Corp. (WIRE) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Altisource Portfolio (ASPS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

StarTek, Inc. (SRT) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

CH Energy (CHG) (CAVM) (ADVS) (AEA) (BKI) (SRI) Ratings, Price Targets

CH Energy Group Inc. (NYSE: CHG), Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), Advent Software Inc. (NASDAQ: ADVS), Advance America, Cash Advance Centers (NYSE: AEA), Buckeye Technologies Inc. (NYSE: BKI) and Stoneridge, Inc. (NYSE: SRI) ratings and price targets.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its “Hold” rating reiterated by Wunderlich. They have a price target of $25.00 on the company.

Advent Software Inc. (ADVS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Advance America, Cash Advance Centers (AEA) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Brean Murray initiated coverage on CH Energy Group Inc. (CHG). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $67.00 on the company.

Buckeye Technologies Inc. (BKI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Stoneridge, Inc. (SRI) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Valspar (VAL) (SHLD) (SBX) (SRI) (MERU) (LHCG) Ratings, Price Targets

The Valspar Co. (NYSE: VAL), Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHLD), Seabright Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SBX), Stoneridge, Inc. (NYSE: SRI), Meru Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: MERU) and LHC Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LHCG) ratings and price targets.

The Valspar Co. (VAL) had its price target raised by Longbow Research from $40.00 to $45.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the firm.

Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) had its price target lowered by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from $43.00 to $30.00. They have a “Sell” rating on the firm.

Seabright Holdings, Inc. (SBX) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Stoneridge, Inc. (SRI) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Meru Networks Inc. (MERU) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

LHC Group, Inc. (LHCG) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

PHH (PHH) (MRX) (SCI) (PII) (MRT) (PNCL) Ratings, Price Targets

PHH Co. (NYSE: PHH), Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), Service Co. International (NYSE: SCI), Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (NYSE: MRT) and Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NASDAQ: PNCL) ratings and price targets.

PHH Co. (PHH) had its price target lowered by FBR Capital from $24.00 to $20.00. They have an “Outperform” rating on the firm.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its price target lowered by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to $38.00.

Service Co. International (SCI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Polaris Industries Inc. (PII) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (MRT) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (PNCL) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Molycorp (MCP) (DDD) (AUO) (JDAS) (HXL) (IDCC) Ratings, Price Targets

Molycorp, Inc. (NYSE: MCP), 3D Systems Co. (NYSE: DDD), AU Optronics Corp. (NYSE: AUO), JDA Software Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: JDAS), Hexcel Co. (NYSE: HXL) and InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDCC) ratings and price targets.

Molycorp, Inc. (MCP) had its price target lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) from $57.00 to $39.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the firm.

3D Systems Co. (DDD) had its price target lowered by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) to $12.00.

AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

JDA Software Group, Inc. (JDAS) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Hexcel Co. (HXL) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Google (GOOG) (SHLD) (CPTS) (DORM) (SWS) (VSI) Ratings, Price Targets

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHLD), Conceptus, Inc. (NASDAQ: CPTS), Dorman Products Inc. (NASDAQ: DORM), SWS Group, Inc. (NYSE: SWS) and Vitamin Shoppe (NYSE: VSI) ratings and price targets.

Google Inc. (GOOG) had its price target raised by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to $685.00. They have a “Neutral” rating on the firm.

Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) had its “Sell” rating reiterated by ISI Group. They have a price target of $25.00 on the firm.

Conceptus, Inc. (CPTS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Dorman Products Inc. (DORM) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

SWS Group, Inc. (SWS) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Vitamin Shoppe (VSI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Kodiak (KOG) (END) (GLCH) (GRA) (CFX) (ISSI) Ratings, Price Targets

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. (NYSE: KOG), Endeavour International Co. (NYSE: END), Gleacher & Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLCH), W.R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA), Colfax Co. (NYSE: CFX) and Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISSI) ratings and price targets.

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. (KOG) was downgraded by Northland Securities from an “Outperform” rating to a “Market Perform” rating. They have a price target of $10.00 on the firm.

Endeavour International Co. (END) was upgraded by Rodman & Renshaw from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $12.50 on the firm.

Gleacher & Company, Inc. (GLCH) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

W.R. Grace & Co. (GRA) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Colfax Co. (CFX) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc. (ISSI) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Starbucks (SBUX) (MRX) (BGS) (BKI) (AVX) (CEVA) Ratings, Price Targets

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE: BGS), Buckeye Technologies Inc. (NYSE: BKI), AVX Co. (NYSE: AVX) and Ceva Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA) ratings and price targets.

Starbucks (SBUX) was upgraded by DA Davidson from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its price target lowered by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) to $41.00. They have a “Buy” rating on the firm.

B&G Foods, Inc. (BGS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Buckeye Technologies Inc. (BKI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

AVX Co. (AVX) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Ceva Inc. (CEVA) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Boyd (BYD) (JAH) (NBL) (PMTC) (RDWR) (QDEL) Ratings, Price Targets

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Jarden Co. (NYSE: JAH), Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL), Parametric (NASDAQ: PMTC), Radware Ltd. (NASDAQ: RDWR) and Quidel Co. (NASDAQ: QDEL) ratings and price targets.

Boyd Gaming (BYD) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Jarden Co. (JAH) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Noble Energy (NBL) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Sterne Agee. They have a price target of $117.00 on the firm.

Parametric (PMTC) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Radware Ltd. (RDWR) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Quidel Co. (QDEL) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Wedbush.

Sears (SHLD) (DWA) (FTNT) (DDIC) (DNKN) ( EGBN) Ratings, Price Targets

Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHLD), DreamWorks Animation (NYSE: DWA), Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ: FTNT), DDi Corp. (NASDAQ: DDIC), Dunkin Brands (NASDAQ: DNKN) and Eagle Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGBN) ratings and price targets.

Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) had its “Sell” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

DreamWorks Animation (DWA) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Fortinet, Inc. (FTNT) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

DDi Corp. (DDIC) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Dunkin Brands (DNKN) was upgraded by DA Davidson from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Eagle Bancorp, Inc. (EGBN) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Noble (NBL) (LII) (OSIS) (AV) (BBNK) ( SBNY) Ratings, Price Targets

Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL), Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII), OSI Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIS), Aviva Plc (NYSE: AV), Bridge Capital (NASDAQ: BBNK) and Signature Bank (NASDAQ: SBNY) ratings and price targets.

Noble Energy (NBL) had its “Overweight” rating reiterated by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM).

Lennox International Inc. (LII) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

OSI Systems Inc. (OSIS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Aviva Plc (AV) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Bridge Capital (BBNK) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Signature Bank (SBNY) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Microsoft (MSFT) (PCH) (PCTI) (MRX) (AEA) (ASPS) Ratings, Price Targets

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT), Potlatch Co. (NYSE: PCH), PC-Tel Inc. (NASDAQ: PCTI), Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), Advance America, Cash Advance Centers (NYSE: AEA) and Altisource Portfolio (NASDAQ: ASPS) ratings and price targets.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Stifel Nicolaus. They have a price target of $32.00 on the firm.

Potlatch Co. (PCH) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

PC-Tel Inc. (PCTI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its “Overweight” rating reiterated by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC). They have a price target of $43.00 on the firm.

Advance America, Cash Advance Centers (AEA) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Altisource Portfolio (ASPS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Medicis (MRX) (KWR) (LCRY) (MWIV) (ORB) (ADVS) Ratings, Price Targets

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX), Quaker Chemical Co. (NYSE: KWR), LeCROY Co. (NASDAQ: LCRY), MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. (NASDAQ: MWIV), Orbital Sciences Corp. (NYSE: ORB) and Advent Software Inc. (NASDAQ: ADVS) ratings and price targets.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its “Overweight” rating reiterated by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM).

Quaker Chemical Co. (KWR) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

LeCROY Co. (LCRY) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. (MWIV) was upgraded by CL King from a “Buy” rating to a “Strong Buy” rating.

Orbital Sciences Corp. (ORB) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Advent Software Inc. (ADVS) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Molycorp (MCP) (VECO) (VLTR) (WIRE) (CLDX) (MRX) Ratings, Price Targets

Molycorp, Inc. (NYSE: MCP), Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO), Volterra Semi (NASDAQ: VLTR), Encore Wire Corp. (NASDAQ: WIRE), Celldex Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDX) and Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: MRX) ratings and price targets.

Molycorp, Inc. (MCP) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM).

Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Volterra Semi (VLTR) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Encore Wire Corp. (WIRE) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Celldex Therapeutics Inc. (CLDX) had its “Outperform” rating

reiterated by Wedbush. They have a price target of $6.00 on the firm.

Medicis Pharmaceuticals (MRX) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

Apple (AAPL) (SKUL) (WBMD) (ZLCS) (AET) (CDTI) Ratings Reiterated

Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Skullcandy Inc. (NASDAQ: SKUL), Webmd Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD), Zalicus Inc. (NASDAQ: ZLCS), Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) and Clean Diesel (NASDAQ: CDTI) had ratings on them reiterated by several analysts.

Apple, Inc. (AAPL) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Sterne Agee.

Skullcandy Inc. (SKUL) had its “Overweight” rating reiterated by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC). They have a price target of $26.00 on the firm.

Webmd Health Corp. (WBMD) had its “Hold” rating reiterated by Stifel Nicolaus.

Zalicus Inc. (ZLCS) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Wedbush. They have a price target of $5.00 on the firm.

Aetna Inc. (AET) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Citigroup (NYSE:C). They have a price target of $56.00 on the firm.

Clean Diesel (CDTI) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $8.50 on the firm.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) Ratings Reiterated

Cavium Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM) had ratings on them reiterated by several analysts.

Cavium Networks, Inc. (CAVM) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Needham & Company.

Cavium Networks, Inc. had its “Hold” rating reiterated by Benchmark Co..

Cavium Networks, Inc. had its “Hold” rating reiterated by Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF). They have a price target of $32.00 on the firm.

Cavium Networks, Inc. had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Auriga. They have a price target of $37.00 on the firm.

Cavium Networks, Inc. had its “Perform” rating reiterated by Oppenheimer.

Cavium Networks, Inc. had its “Hold” rating reiterated by Wunderlich. They have a price target of $25.00 on the firm.

Apple, Inc. (AAPL) Ratings, Price Targets

Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) continues to have a number of analysts convinced they can at least maintain their performance, even as those watching the company are looking closely to see if they stumble after the death of visionary founder and former CEO Steve Jobs.

Many analysts are reiterating their outlook on Apple (AAPL) while they watch and wait to see how the company performs in the post-Jobs era.

Sterne Agee reiterated its "Buy" rating on Apple today.

Canaccord Genuity reiterated its "Buy" rating on Apple earlier in the month. They have a price target of $560.00 on the firm.

Barclays Capital (NYSE: BCS) reiterated an “Overweight” rating on Apple.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) also reiterated an “Overweight” rating on Apple. They have a price target of $607.00 on the company.

Apple was trading at $404.64, down 1.89, or 0.46 percent, as of 11:44 AM EST.

Cavium Inc. (CAVM) Ratings, Price Targets

Cavium (NASDAQ: CAVM) had several analysts weigh in the company today.

Wunderlich reiterated its "Hold" rating on Cavium. They have a price target of $25.00 on the firm.

Benchmark Co. reiterated its "Hold" rating on Cavium.

Wedbush lowered its price target on Cavium to $24.00.

MKM Partners also cut its price target on Cavium, lowering it to $23.00. They cited valuation as the catalyst behind the call.

Cavium was trading at $27.90, falling $0.58, or 2.04 percent, as of 11:31 AM EST.

Microsoft (MSFT) Has Mixed Outlooks from Analysts

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) hasn't had much movement on its stock for years, and while the company continues to generate a lot of revenue and earnings, investors haven't been convinced the tech giant will be able to sustain that, even though they in fact have year after year.

Even so, Stifel Nicolaus reiterated its "Buy" rating on Microsoft, with a price target of $32.00 on the company.

On the other hand, JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) lowered its price target on Microsoft earlier in December to $28.00.

Goldman (NYSE:GS) maintains a "Neutral" rating on Microsoft, with a price target of $29.00 on them.

Microsoft had its price target lowered by Ticonderoga from $34.00 to $31.00. They have a "Buy" rating on the company.

Microsoft was trading at $25.99, down $0.06, or 0.21 percent.

Citigroup (C) (BAC) (JPM) (MS) (WFC) Under Pressure Again

Citigroup (NYSE:C), Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) and Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) are all under pressure again today as the banks in Europe kept their deposits at the ECB last night, suggesting they're holding back from lending to one another. The appears to be having a negative effect on the sector.

Big European banks were trading down as well, with the Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE:RBS) trading at $6.19, falling $0.21, or 3.28 percent, as of 10:34 AM EST. Deutsche Bank (DB) was at $37.28, down $1.39, or 3.59 percent.

Wells Fargo was trading at $27.30, falling $0.31, or 1.12 percent. Bank of America was at $5.35, declining $0.13, or 2.37 percent. Citigroup was at $26.38, down $0.52, or 1.93 percent. Morgan Stanley was at $15.11, dropping $0.18, or 1.18 percent. JPMorgan was at $32.81, down $0.22, or 0.67 percent.

Cascade (CASC) (DNKN) (MFRM) (NST) (MN) Ratings, Price Targets

Cascade Corporation (NYSE:CASC), Dunkin Brands (NASDAQ:DNKN), Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:MFRM), NSTAR (NYSE:NST) and Manning & Napier (NYSE:MN) ratings and price targets.

DA Davidson, raised its rating on Dunkin Brands (DNKN) from "Underperform" to "Neutral."

UBS (NYSE:UBS) initiated coverage on Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM). They have a "Buy" rating on the firm.

KeyBanc Capital initiated coverage on Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM). They have a "Buy" rating and a price target of $28.00 on the firm.

Barclays (NYSE:BCS) initiated coverage on NSTAR (NST). They have a "Overweight" rating on the firm.

Global Hunter Securities initiated coverage on Cascade Corporation (CASC). They have a "Buy" rating and price target of $60.00 on the firm.

Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) initiated coverage on Manning & Napier (MN). They have a "Outperform" rating on the firm.

Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Manning & Napier (MN). They have a "Buy" rating and price target of $15.00on the firm.

Starbucks (SBUX) (KOG) (MFRM) (NU) (END) Ratings, Price Targets

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX), Kodiak Oil & Gas (NYSE:KOG), Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:MFRM), Northeast Utilities (NYSE:NU) and Endeavour International (NYSE:END) ratings and price targets.

Starbucks (SBUX) was upgraded from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating by DA Davidson,

Kodiak Oil & Gas (KOG) was lowered from "Outperform" to "Market Perform" by Northland Securities. They have a price target of $10.00 by the firm.

Barclays (NYSE:BCS) initiated coverage on Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM). They have an "Overweight" rating on the firm.

Barclays initiated coverage on Northeast Utilities (NU). They have an "Overweight" rating on the firm.

Rodman & Renshaw boosted its rating on Endeavour International (END) from "Market Perform" to "Outperform." They have a price target of $12.50 on the company.

POSCO (PKX) (EA) (FTR) (LNKD) (ROK) (USM) Ratings Reiterated

POSCO (NYSE: PKX), Electronic Arts Inc. (NYSE: EA), Frontier Communications (NYSE: FTR), Linkedin Co. (NASDAQ: LNKD), Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK) and United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE: USM) had ratings on them reiterated by analysts.

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) had its “Buy” rating reiterated by Sterne Agee. They have a price target of $27.00 on the company.

Frontier Communications (FTR) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $5.50 on the company.

Linkedin Co. (LNKD) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $67.00 on the company.

POSCO (PKX) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $89.00 on the company.

Rockwell Automation Inc. (ROK) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $78.00 on the company.

United States Cellular Corporation (USM) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $46.00 on the company.

Dynegy (DYN) (UTHR) (VMED) (WTSLA) (AGCO) (CHU) (CTSH) Ratings Reiterated

Dynegy Inc. (NYSE: DYN), United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR), Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED), Wet Seal (NASDAQ: WTSLA), AGCO Corp. (NASDAQ: AGCO), China Unicom Hong Kong (NYSE: CHU) and Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) had ratings on them reiterated by analysts.

Dynegy Inc. (DYN) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $3.00 on the company.

United Therapeutics (UTHR) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Wedbush.

Virgin Media (VMED) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by analysts at Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $22.00 on the company.

Wet Seal (WTSLA) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $3.50 on the company.

AGCO Corp. (AGCO) had its “Outperform” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $51.00 on the company.

China Unicom Hong Kong (CHU) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $22.00 on the company.

Cognizant (CTSH) had its “Neutral” rating reiterated by Zacks Investment Research. They have a price target of $67.00 on the company.

Ford (F) (GM) (TM) (HMC) Drop on U.S. Slowdown Concerns

Ford (F), General Motors (GM), Toyota (TM) and Honda (HMC) all closed down on Tuesday on concerns over the probable slowing of car sales in the U.S., and most likely Europe as well.

Some of this came from data released by The Conference Board, which show less than 10 percent of consumers surveyed saying they planned on acquiring a car in the next 6 months.

That could be devastating, as many people buy cars in the U.S. during tax season. If the auto industry is slow over the next six months, it doesn't bode well for the rest of 2012.

The European market is also very suspect in 2012 in light of the ongoing sovereign debt crisis in the region.

Honda closed Tuesday at $29.84, falling $0.42, or 1.39 percent. Toyota closed at $64.36, down $0.59, or 0.91 percent. General Motors ended the session at $20.09, declining $0.41, or 2 percent. Ford closed at $10.81, falling $0.14, or 1.28 percent.

Wynn Resorts (WYNN) (MGM) (BYD) (LVS) Jump on DOJ Opinion

Shares of Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN), MGM International (NYSE:MGM) and Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD) jumped on Tuesday, while Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) also closed higher, as an opinion from the Department of Justice may result in states running more online gambling.

The opinion centers around the Wire Act of 1960, which the DOJ seems to have reversed direction on, which would open up the door for the sale of lottery tickets within states, as the Department of Justice said that wouldn't violate the Wire Act.

Along with the strongly branded casino operators, others that will likely benefit from the opinion would be game content or online gaming tech providers Konami (NYSE:KNM), IGT (NYSE:IGT), Bally Technologies (NYSE:BYI) and WMS Industries (NYSE:WMS).

Boyd Gaming closed Tuesday at $7.63, climbing $0.68, or 9.78 percent. MGM Resorts closed at $10.42, up $0.46, or 4.62 percent. Wynn Resorts closed at $113.53, jumping $3.53, or 3.21 percent. Las Vegas Sands ended the session at $43.99, increasing $0.45, or 1.03 percent.

Lockheed (LMT) (GCA) (HAFCD) (HRB) (LNET) (NPTN) (INVN) Downgraded

Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE: LMT), Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GCA), Hanmi Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: HAFCD), H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), LodgeNet Interactive Corp. (NASDAQ: LNET), Neophotonics Corp. (NASDAQ: NPTN) and Invensense Inc. (NASDAQ: INVN) were downgraded by analysts.

Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc. (GCA) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Hanmi Financial Corp. (HAFCD) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

H&R Block, Inc. (HRB) was downgraded by Standpoint Research from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Lockheed Martin Co. (LMT) was downgraded by Standpoint Research from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

LodgeNet Interactive Corp. (LNET) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Neophotonics Corp. (NPTN) was downgraded by ThinkEquity from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on Invensense Inc. (INVN). They placed an “Outperform” rating and a price target of $13.00 on the company.

Pantry (PTRY) (TWX) (WHR) (ANCX) (BLK) (CTBI) (INVN) Downgraded

Pantry (NASDAQ: PTRY), Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR), Access National Corp. (NASDAQ: ANCX), BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTBI) and Invensense Inc. (NASDAQ: INVN) were downgraded by analysts.

Pantry (PTRY) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “Neutral” rating to an “Underperform” rating.

Time Warner Inc. (TWX) was downgraded by Caris & Company from a “Buy” rating to an “Above Average” rating.

Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) was downgraded by Sidoti from a “Buy” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Access National Corp. (ANCX) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) was downgraded by Standpoint Research from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating.

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (CTBI) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from an “Outperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) initiated coverage on Invensense Inc. (INVN). They placed an “Overweight” rating and a price target of $15.00 on the company.

Xylem (XYL) (ACH) (ACHC) (CAST) (INVN) Get New Coverage

Xylem (NYSE: XYL), Aluminum Corporation of China (NYSE: ACH), Acadia Healthcare (NASDAQ: ACHC), Chinacast Education Co. (NASDAQ: CAST) and Invensense Inc. (NASDAQ: INVN) getting new coverage from analysts.

Gabelli initiated coverage on Xylem (XYL). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $38.00 on the company.

First Global initiated coverage on Aluminum Corporation of China (ACH). They placed an “Underperform” rating on the company.

Avondale Partners initiated coverage on Acadia Healthcare (ACHC). They placed an “Outperform” rating on the company.

Roth Capital initiated coverage on Chinacast Education Co. (CAST). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) initiated coverage on Invensense Inc. (INVN). They placed a “Buy” rating on the company.