Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (ARO, APC, DO, MMM, FDX, SOLR, IPG, JBHT, KLIC, LIZ, MON, MWW, JWN, NSC, PM, RAX, UPS)

January 7, 2011 by Jon C. Ogg

These are some of this Friday’s key analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen in Wall Street research calls.

Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO) Cut to Underperform at Wells Fargo.
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: APC) Cut to Market Perform at Wells Fargo.
Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. (NYSE: DO) added to Goldman Sachs’ Conviction Buy List.
3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) Raised to Neutral at JPMorgan.
FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) Started as Buy at Jefferies.
GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR) Added to BofA/ML Endeavor List.
Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (NYSE: IPG) Reiterated Buy at Argus.
JB Hunt Transport Services Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT) Started as Buy at Jefferies.
Kulicke & Soffa Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: KLIC) Raised to Outperform at Oppenheimer.
Liz Claiborne Inc. (NYSE: LIZ) Kept as Undeperform but cut target to $4 at BofA/ML.
Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) Reiterated Neutral but raised target to $75 at BofA/ML.
Monster Worldwide Inc (NYSE: MWW) kept as Outperform but target raised to $32 at Credit Suisse.
Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) Raised to Overwight at Morgan Stanley.
Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) Started as Buy at Jefferies.
Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) Cut to Hold at Citigroup.
Rackspace Hosting, Inc (NYSE: RAX) Removed from BofA/ML Endeavor List.
United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE: UPS) Started as Buy at Jefferies.

If you missed yesterday’s analyst calls from 247WallSt.com, the Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades included tickers AMZN, AGNC, AXP, NLY, BUD, ATHR, BJ, BRCD, CHL, DHI, XOM, MSFT, MSI, RAX, GOLD, and TOL.

You can join our free daily email distribution list to hear more about dividend trends, analyst upgrades and downgrades, top day trader and active trader alerts, news on Buffett and other investment gurus, IPOs, secondary offerings, private equity, and more.

JON C. OGG

Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored

A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.