Deckers (DECK) (AL) (ECOL) (CSFL) (CSTR) (FST) Ratings, Price Targets

Deckers Outdoor (NASDAQ: DECK), Air Lease Corp. (NYSE: AL), US Ecology Inc. (NASDAQ: ECOL), CenterState Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSFL), Coinstar (NASDAQ: CSTR) and Forest Oil Co. (NYSE: FST) ratings and price targets.

Deckers Outdoor (DECK) had its “buy” rating reiterated by Canaccord Genuity.

Air Lease Corp. (AL) is now covered by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS). They have an “overweight” rating and a price target of $29.00 on the company.

US Ecology Inc. (ECOL) had its price target raised by Wunderlich to $22.00.

CenterState Banks, Inc. (CSFL) was downgraded by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating.

Coinstar (CSTR) was downgraded by Morgan Keegan from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating. They have a price target of $42.00 on the company, down from $60.00.

Forest Oil Co. (FST) was upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They have a price target of $20.00 on the company.

Acuity (AYI) (BMI) (CELG) (CSTR) (DDD) Ratings Reiterated

Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE: AYI), Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: BMI), Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG), Coinstar (NASDAQ: CSTR) and 3D Systems Co. (NYSE: DDD) had ratings on them reiterated by analysts.

Jefferies Group (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Hold" rating on Acuity Brands Inc. (AYI).

Canaccord Genuity reiterated its "Buy" rating on Badger Meter, Inc. (BMI).

Robert W. Baird reiterated its "Outperform" rating on Celgene (CELG).

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) reiterated its "Overweight" rating on Coinstar (CSTR).

Needham & Company reiterated its "Buy" rating on 3D Systems Co. (DDD).

CVS (CVS) (ATVI) (INSU) (BKD) (CWTR) (CSTR) Ratings Reiterated

CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), Activision Blizzard Inc (NASDAQ: ATVI), Insituform Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSU), Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. (NYSE: BKD), Coldwater Creek Inc. (NASDAQ: CWTR) and Coinstar (NASDAQ: CSTR) had ratings on them reiterated by analysts.



Stifel Nicolaus reiterated its "Buy" rating on CVS Caremark (CVS).



Bank of America Merrill Lynch (NYSE:BAC) reiterated its "Neutral" rating on Activision Blizzard Inc. (ATVI).



Stifel Nicolaus reiterated its "Buy" rating on Insituform Technologies, Inc. (INSU).



Bank of America Merrill Lynch reiterated its "Buy" rating on Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. (BKD).



Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated its "Hold" rating on Coldwater Creek Inc. (CWTR).



Merriman Curhan Ford reiterated its "Buy" rating on Coinstar (CSTR).

Noble (NBL) (CLR) (CRM) (CSTR) (EOG) (IPI) (NBL) Upgraded

Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL), Continental Resources, Inc. (NYSE: CLR), Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM), Coinstar (NASDAQ: CSTR), EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG), Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE: IPI) and Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL) upgraded by analysts.

Continental Resources, Inc. (CLR) was upgraded by Global Hunter Securities from an “Accumulate” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $78.00 on the company.

Salesforce.com (CRM) was upgraded by Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Coinstar (CSTR) was upgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) from an “Underweight” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

EOG Resources (EOG) was upgraded by Howard Weil from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $118.00 on the company, up from $114.00.

Intrepid Potash, Inc. (IPI) was upgraded by Scotia Capital to a “Sector Perform” rating.

Noble Energy (NBL) was upgraded by Macquarie from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating.

Ratings on (CELL) (CPL) (CPN) (CRBC) (CSTR) Reiterated

Ratings on Brightpoint Inc (NASDAQ: CELL), CPFL Energia SA (NYSE: CPL), Calpine (NYSE: CPN), Citizens Republic Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRBC) and Coinstar (NASDAQ: CSTR) reiterated by analysts.

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Brightpoint Inc (CELL).

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of CPFL Energia SA (CPL).

Wunderlich reiterated a “buy” rating on Calpine (CPN). They have a price target of $18.00 on the company.

Oppenheimer reiterated an “outperform” rating on Citizens Republic Bancorp, Inc. (CRBC). They have a price target of $1.40 on the company.

Piper Jaffray reiterated an “overweight” rating on Coinstar (CSTR). They have a price target of $68.00 on the company.

Coinstar (CSTR) (BXP) (DIS) (ESRX) (MINI) Ratings and Price Targets

Ratings and price targets on Coinstar (NASDAQ: CSTR), Boston Properties (NYSE: BXP), Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), Express Scripts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESRX) and Mobile Mini, Inc. (NASDAQ: MINI).

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated a “Hold” rating on Boston Properties (BXP). They have a price target of $93.00 on the firm.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) maintained an “Underweight” rating on Coinstar (CSTR). They have a price target of $42.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated a “Hold” rating on Walt Disney (DIS). They have a price target of $44.00 on the stock.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) maintained a “Neutral” rating on Express Scripts, Inc. (ESRX).

Oppenheimer reiterated an “Outperform” rating on Mobile Mini, Inc. (MINI). They have a price target of $28.00 on the company.

F5 Networks (Nasdaq:FFIV), Coinstar (Nasdaq:CSTR), Zimmer Holdings, (NYSE:ZMH), SAVVIS (Nasdaq:SVVS) Stock Market Alerts

Today’s PriceWatch Alerts cover the following stocks: F5 Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:FFIV), Coinstar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSTR), Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ZMH), and SAVVIS Inc. (Nasdaq:SVVS).

In today’s unsure markets these brief PriceWatch Alerts contain concise detailed strategies for each covered stock and include position protection tactics designed to potentially defend investors from unexpected market shifts. While other market reports only provide stock news and opinion, we offer strategies that position investments against uncertainty and increase chances of making a profit, even if a stock goes down.

“Our PriceWatch Alerts go beyond other market reports. Along with a brief concise overview, each PriceWatch Alert provides useful strategies, which ensure potential investments are protected with basic hedging techniques,” says Reid Stratton, Seven Summits Senior Analyst. “These brief company reports contain information that can benefit expert and novice investors who want to stay ahead of the market.”

Seven Summits Investment Research is an independent investment research group, which focuses on the U.S. equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. For more information go to www.SevenSummitsInvestmentResearch.com . CRD# 137114

All stocks and options shown are examples only– not recommendations to buy or sell. Our picks do not represent a positive or negative outlook on any security. Potential returns do not take into account your trade size, brokerage commissions or taxes–expenses that will affect actual investment returns. Stocks and options involve risk, thus they are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling options, a person should request a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options available from Catherine at 800-698-9101 or at http://www.cboe.com/Resources/Intro.aspx . Privacy policy available upon request.





SOURCE Seven Summits Investment Research
Web Site: http://www.SevenSummitsInvestmentResearch.com

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Netflix (Nasdaq:NFLX), Coinstar (Nasdaq:CSTR) And Coming Streaming Video Wars

As the majority of media migrates to a digital delivery system, disruptors like Netflix (Nasdaq:NFLX) and Coinstar (Nasdaq:CSTR) are being challenged themselves by the disruptive technology that streams video, questioning the long-term validity of their business models.

Companies like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) are ready to roll out their own video streaming services, which should cut into the revenue of both companies.

That's not to say there won't be a place for renting physical disks, as there will probably always be that, especially for those going into a store with a kiosk like Redbox to lure them into a quick buy.

And there will always be some that prefer a physical disk and service like Netflix offers, although that will be drastically cut back. Netflix even prefers this because of the resultant lower costs associated with streaming video.

So while Coinstar has a lot of room to grow as far as market penetration with Redbox, they also are going to be increasingly involved with a shrinking market. They have benefited from the migration away from video rental stores, and have a very low price point to attract renters.

But even as they attempt to expand into new markets, the overall physical disk sector will continue to decline, although there will be growth based on Coinstar being completely absent from some markets, so there will be some growth even in shrinking markets, based upon no presence in them at all at this time.

So with the idea in mind that there will be a market for physical DVD rentals for some time, albeit a shrinking one, that leaves the growing demand for streaming video, which is the future growth area for movie and TV show rentals.

The question is whether or not Netflix and Coinstar can compete in that sector with large companies like Amazon.com. I'm not sure that they can at a profitable level.

Once video streaming becomes the major means of video delivery, it will become a commodity which will be based on pricing alone, as there is little in the way of differentiation that can be offered by any company.

Even if one company temporarily offers a new plan, it won't be long afterwards the competitors will roll out the same thing.

There will eventually end up being a few large video streaming companies competing in the space, although it'll probably take several years to work out.

One thing those renting physical disks do have going for them, is streaming is still clunky, and even though the standard of video has been lowered, as far as consumers accepting lower quality, as in the case of YouTube and other streaming video sites, what isn't as readily accepted is when the video stutters in stops in starts because of bandwidth issues.

That's similar to the problem AT&T faced when being the sole network for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone, and they struggled to deliver a quality service.

So that challenge is one that probably gives Netflix and Coinstar some time until the issue is taken care of.

Netflix has already launched a streaming service, while Coinstar doesn't have one in place, which is a huge mistake. But Coinstar has execution issues in their existing business model they have to deal with to compete effectively in the physical DVD market, so have fallen behind in the streaming video growth area so important to those renting videos.

What will probably eventually happen is the two companies will become takeover targets and be assimilated into the giant companies streaming video. I don't see it working out any other way when you consider the financial strength of a company like Amazon, and probably Apple, and others in the near future, who will more than likely enter the market.

Again, all of this is in relationship to a several year period, not in the immediate future, although Coinstar will face more headwinds than Netflix in the short term.

Amazon.com closed Friday at $175.93, gaining $2.22, or 1.28 percent. Coinstar closed at $38.96, down $5.28, or 11.93 percent. Netflix closed at $220.07, gaining $8.58, or 4.06 percent.

Coinstar (Nasdaq:CSTR) Has Two Class Action Lawsuits Filed Against It

After disappointing quarterly results, Coinstar (Nasdaq:CSTR) has had two class action lawsuits filed against them, both alleging the company failed to disclose its real performance during the class period, violating the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Ryan & Maniskas, LLP, one of those filing a class action, said this:

"The complaint alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against Coinstar and certain of its officers and executives. During the Class Period, Coinstar failed to disclose that customers were buying fewer DVDs per purchase; poor inventory management and controls resulted in the Company removing material amounts of old inventory early in 4Q; lower sales of more expensive "Blue-ray" DVDs and poor title selection was resulting in lower overall sales; the 28-day delay movie studios imposed on Coinstar was adversely affecting sales; and competition from online video streaming providers such as Netflix was having a significant adverse impact on revenue."

The other class suit filed by Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, said essentially the same thing. They noted that "...officers and directors are charged with issuing a series of materially false and misleading statements in violation of Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder."

Shares of Coinstar have plunged after the release of their last quarterly results showing them underperforming by a surprisingly wide margin.

Can Coinstar (Nasdaq:CSTR) Survive with Current Business Model?

Coinstar (Nasdaq:CSTR) appears to be in major trouble, as another disruptor is itself being disrupted, and their current business model very questionable as to whether it is sustainable in the long term.

No matter what company it is, those with heavy exposure to a physical disk are going to have trouble once online video streaming becomes the preferred media content delivery system of the majority of consumers.

Even Netflix (Nasdaq:NFLX) knows its best days are behind them if video streaming takes off before they find their own solution and offering in the segment.

Digital delivery for media is the future of the industry, and anyone that doesn't have that as their major focus will eventually fail to grow if they don't quickly and efficiently adapt to that reality.

Coinstar, after their dismal last quarter, and their equally dismal guidance for the next quarter, mentioned in the report they are looking at rolling out a streaming video service, but they didn't seem to have any urgency when they said it, but are rather still trying to figure out how to succeed with their disks and the existing business model entered into with Hollywood.

For example, the 28-day delay isn't working, and the positive outlook from Blu-ray isn't what it was expected to be.

Apparently, as far as the deal with Hollywood goes, consumers aren't being convinced to wait to see a movie 28 days after the DVD is released; although you wouldn't know it from falling DVD sales. People are of course buying copies and sharing them with their friends and family.

So even at one dollar it appears the business model of Coinstar isn't compelling to consumers, at least in a way they can grow with it.

All of this isn't to say Coinstar and others like them won't survive for awhile (some people will always prefer a physical disk), it's to say there are no catalysts that will drive growth.

The hype about Blu-Ray isn't proving to be reliable either, as disk rentals are far below estimates.

There is only one growth trajectory for Coinstar, and that is via video streaming. There will be a core base of physical disk users they can count upon, but growth is with video streaming.

In Coinstar's earnings report, all they had to say about that vital element of their business model is they're "having detailed discussions with a number of partners."

With Netflix and Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) ready to expand and enlarge their video streaming offerings, Coinstar needs to get far beyond the stage of "detailed discussions" and roll something out.

Even there, as with Netflix, the problem is video streaming offers no differentiation at this point, and those with the biggest pockets will always win when it comes to a commodity service or product where price is the determining factor of acceptance by consumers.

Media is getting disrupted again, and any media content delivery company without digital streaming as their major business model, isn't going to have a very pleasant future, as Netflix has already come to understand, and why they're struggling to expand and enlarge that part of their business, as they move away from delivering disks to the home as their core business.

Coinstar must to the same with their business if they are to survive and thrive. Otherwise their name will become synonymous with Borders or Blockbuster. All of this won't happen overnight, but the handwriting is definitely on the wall, even as they are thinking of rolling out video games in their outlets, after a successful test. They're ultimately going to be streamed as well.

Coinstar closed Thursday at $44.24, gaining $1.20, or 2.79 percent. After weak guidance in their earnings report for the first quarter, shares in after-hours trading plummeted to $39.70, falling $4.54, or 10.26 percent.

Coinstar (NASDAQ:CSTR) Remains Under Pressure, No Streaming Path

Analysts have been rapidly downwardly revising their outlook for Coinstar (NASDAQ:CSTR), which has had their share price crushed over the last couple of trading sessions on a hefty lowering of their guidance for sales and earnings.

Needham says, "Coinstar lowered its fourth quarter guidance for sales and earnings. It also lowered 2011 guidance for both items. We are reducing our 2010 earnings per share estimate from $2.20 to $1.95 and our 2011 estimate from $3.50 to $3.00, in line with the range of company guidance...More troubling, Redbox has yet to unveil a viable strategy for providing a streaming service. In our opinion, designing a profitable route to streaming is the company’s number one challenge. Indeed, we don’t see any path the company can take to get from here to there."

Needham & Company reiterates a "Hold" rating on Coinstar, which was trading at $42.56, down $14.39, or 25.27 percent, as of 1:15 PM EST.

Coinstar (NASDAQ:CSTR) Crushed After Hours on Pre-Announcement for Q4

Shares of Coinstar (NASDAQ:CSTR) were hammered after the market closed Thursday, as they gave a preliminary look at their fourth quarter results, and it wasn't pretty, to say the least.

Coinstar's CEO Paul Davis said, "Overall, the performance of the redbox business during the fourth quarter was not in line with our forecast. This was redbox's first holiday season with 28-day delayed titles, and we underestimated the impact that the delay would have on demand during the fourth quarter."

Sales projections for the quarter were lowered from a range of $415 million to $440 million, to close to $391 million. The Street was looking for $427 million.

Concerning earnings, Coinstar said it lowered its prior estimate range of 79 cents to 84 cents to 65 cents to 69 cents. The Street is looking for 84 cents a share.

EPS estimates for full year 2011 were dropped from $3.00 to $3.50 to $2.60 to $310. Sales estimates were lowered from $1.8-$1.95 billion to $1.7-$1.85 billion. The Street at this time is looking for sales of $1.88 billion and EPS of $3.34

Coinstar closed Thursday at $56.95, down 0.28, or 0.49, but was crushed after hours, dropping to $40.90, losing 14.60, or 25.64 percent, as of 5:34 PM EST.

Netflix (Nasdaq:NFLX), Priceline.com (Nasdaq:PCLN), Coinstar (Nasdaq:CSTR) Top 2011 Online Content Picks of Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray released the names of their Top 2011 Online Content Picks, with Netflix (Nasdaq:NFLX), Priceline.com (Nasdaq:PCLN) and Coinstar (Nasdaq:CSTR) their top three.

Piper maintains an "Overweight" rating on Netflix (Nasdaq:NFLX), which was trading at $179.95, down $0.32, or 0.18 percent, as of 11:54 AM EST. They have a price target of $217 on Netflix.

They also have an "Overweight" rating on Priceline.com, which was trading at $404.05, down $1.65, or 0.41 percent. Piper has a price target of $471 on them.

Piper reiterates an "Overweight" on Coinstar, which was trading at $56.05, falling $0.28, or 0.50 percent. They have a price target on them of $74.