The UBS Alpha Preferences is not a rating system, it is a list of “most” and “least” preferred stock selections on a sector relative basis for 41 of the major industries the analysts cover in North America. The duration of the expected relative out- or underperformance is generally expected to be 60 to 90 days.

We screened their list for names that have the best fundamental and technical characteristics. Here are some of the most preferred alpha preference stocks to buy.

Monster Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: MNST) produces a line of energy beverages like Monster Energy, Java Monster and Muscle Monster. First-quarter net sales were recently up 6.5%, which boosted market share a point to 32.7%, just behind Red Bull’s 35% share. The Thomson/First Call estimate for the stock is $62.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has taken a beating over the past year. With iPhone 6, Apple streaming music, new iPads and PCs and other innovation on the way, the stock has a ton of value. The consensus price objective for the iconic name is $535. Investors are paid a 2.8% dividend.

IntercontinentalExchange Inc.‘s (NYSE: ICE) debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.24 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels. The company operates regulated global markets and clearing houses primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil. The consensus price objective for this top name is $182.50

Ingersoll-Rand PLC (NYSE: IR) is benefitting from the U.S housing boom. Climate solutions and residential solutions accounted for 53% and 14% of total 2012 revenue, respectively. That number should grow if the housing market stays strong. The consensus price target for the stock is $50. Investors receive a 1.8% dividend.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) operates some of the most well-known Vegas casinos, including the Venetian, Sands and Palazzo. It also has ventured into Asia, with the Venetian Macau, Sands Macau and Four Seasons Macau. The consensus price target for this top gaming name is $65. Investors are also paid a tidy 2.4% dividend.

Beazer Homes USA Inc. (NYSE: BZH) builds quality single-family homes in 16 states across the country. Like other home builders, low mortgage rates and pent-up demand have fueled earnings growth. The consensus price target is $21.

Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) provides travel products and services to leisure and corporate travelers, offline retail travel agents and travel service providers through a portfolio of brands, including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Hotwire.com, Expedia Affiliate Network, Classic Vacations, Expedia Local Expert, Egencia, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, eLong and Venere.com. The consensus price objective for the stock is $71.

CareFusion Corp. (NYSE: CFN) was just added to the most preferred list at UBS. CareFusion has run higher in the past week, and traders are looking for even more gains in the health care products and services company. The consensus target for the stock is $37.

The UBS alpha methodology provides an alternative and differentiated view of how the analysts evaluate investment opportunities, and it complements their absolute-return based research rating system (which includes ratings and 12-month price targets). For investors, it is important to remember that, in most cases, the time horizon for these names is shorter than the standard 12 to 18 month window. It may make sense to appropriate trading or speculative capital toward these stock.

The analysts at Jefferies scoured their coverage universe for industrial stocks that fit those two categories. They continue to expect several specific end-markets to lead an acceleration in industrial activity in the second half of the year. After a generally lackluster first quarter, the degree of the improvement is difficult to project. So using several important industrial variables, they found that even with no improvement in the industrial economy, second half of the year sales should benefit from easier comparisons.

They believe machinery and auto/transports are relatively more attractive from a valuation perspective. The industrial stock picks of the month that fall in those two categories are:

Ingersoll-Rand PLC (NYSE: IR) also has been on the radar screen of CNBC’s Jim Cramer this week. The company engages in the design, manufacture, sale and service of a diverse portfolio of industrial and commercial products in the United States and internationally. The Thomson/First Call price objective for the stock is $58. Investors receive a 1.50% dividend.

PACCAR Inc. (NASDAQ: PCAR) hit a 52-week high less than two weeks ago. The company designs, manufactures and distributes light, medium and heavy-duty trucks and related aftermarket parts worldwide. The consensus price target for the stock is $50, which is below the current trading level. Shareholders are paid a 1.50% dividend.

AGCO Corp. (NYSE: AGCO) is another name the recently bounced down from a 52-week high. Valuations remain attractive for this agriculture equipment company even after a 30% return since May 2012. The consensus price target is $59. Investors receive a small 0.7% dividend.

Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) is a major railroad that makes the Jefferies list of stocks to buy. Transporting raw materials around the country, the company operates approximately 20,000 miles of route in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Consensus price estimates for the stock are at $85. Shareholders are paid a 2.50% dividend.

Dana Holding Corp. (NYSE: DAN) recently received two grants totaling $3 million to develop technology to improve thermal management systems for battery systems in electric, plug-in hybrid-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. The consensus for the stock is $19.50. Investors receive a 1.10% dividend.

Ryder System Inc. (NYSE: R) is the last stock of the month to buy at Jefferies. Ryder System is more than just a truck rental company these days. It also provides innovative outsourced transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions globally. The consensus price target is $69. Investors receive a 2.00% dividend.

Investors interested in the Jefferies stocks need to remember the main thesis. These are stocks expected to benefit more than others in the second half of 2013. So while they may be the stock picks of the month, there may not be any rush to buy them today.

Today’s focus is on innovation, technology and the ability to expand market share. We are focussed on the stocks on the list that investors can easily buy in the United States, although many of the other picks from this Jefferies Global Conviction List can still be bought in the US markets via the over the counter pink sheets.

In their second-quarter Global Conviction List review, Jefferies adds five very solid U.S. companies to the list.

Automobile sales have exploded in the United Stated, and the first name added to the Jefferies list is a big beneficiary of that growth. TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), based in Livonia, Mich., is literally and figuratively hitting on all cylinders. The Jefferies price target for the stock is $72. The Thomson/First Call estimate for this sector-leading pick is right in line at $71.

Oil field services leader Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL) is showing up on lots of lists of second-quarter stocks to buy. Trading at a very reasonable 13.63 times earnings, the stock has underperformed the rest of the market despite very solid crude oil pricing over the past year. The Jefferies price target for Halliburton is $47. The Wall St. consensus is at $48. The company pays shareholders a 1.30% dividend.

Worldwide industrial leader Ingersoll-Rand PLC (NYSE: IR) makes the grade. It is a huge beneficiary of the home construction boom in the United States with its American Standard, Schlage and Trane brand names, and the stock looks poised to go higher. The Jefferies price target is $64, while the consensus estimate is lower at $57. Ingersoll-Rand pays investors a 1.50% dividend.

A parabolic high flyer in the 1990s that plummeted back to earth after the tech collapse, optical communications test and measurement leader JDS Uniphase Corp. (NASDAQ: JDSU) is forging a solid comeback and makes the Jefferies list. It has a broad product line and solid revenue growth, and the Jeffries price target for this rehabilitated stock is $19. The consensus target is $16.50. A move to the Jefferies price target would represent a 45% gain from current trading levels.

One final stock Jefferies analysts recommended in their report, but did not actually place on the list, is worthy of consideration. Specialty boutique retailer Francesca’s Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: FRAN) may offer investors considerable upside. With 360 stores across the United States targeting female customers, the company has seen solid growth. The Jefferies price target is $42 and the consensus estimate is $39. The move to the price target would represent a huge 45% gain from today’s trading levels.

Instead of chasing momentum stocks or high flyers, the Jefferies analysts have compiled a list of names to add to their global stocks to buy list, that represent not only growth prospects, but solid values. That is exactly the kind of research that investors need to seek and perhaps follow from Wall St.

Portfolio managers Todd Combs and Ted Weschler are getting even more entrenched as far as their ability to add to positions. The new Buffett holdings are below.   American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) was roughly 151.6 million shares, SAME AS last quarter.

Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE: ADM) was listed as a NEW POSITION of 5.95 million shares worth some $163.1 million as of the end of 2012.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (NYSE: BK) appears to be the SAME SIZE at over 19.6 million shares, but that is after gains had been reported in prior quarters.

Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) was more than 400 million shares due to the stock split of 2012, but this is virtually the SAME AS BEFORE.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is the SAME AS BEFORE at 24.1 million shares, but this is lower than in prior quarters.

Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) was 4,333,363 shares, SAME AS last quarter.

READ ALSO: GE is the Best Conglomerate for Investors in 2013

DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA) was already more than a 10% stake, but a new filing shows that Buffett and various entities own a collective 13.6 million shares for a 13.0% stake. This position has grown and grown and is a LARGER STAKE. This stock has risen and risen while Buffett kept adding the position.

Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) was the SAME AS LAST QUARTER at roughly 4 million shares, but this was previously a new position.

DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is a LARGER POSITION AGAIN at almost 34 million shares versus 29.555 million shares before that and it had grown another quarter before as well.

Gannett Co. (NYSE: GCI) was 1.74 million, SAME AS BEFORE but decreased in prior quarters.

General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD) is the SAME AS BEFORE at 3.877 million shares.

General Electric Corp. (NYSE: GE) is listed as THE SAME 588,900 shares, but this is still way down from the 5.008 million shares and 7.777 million shares the two prior quarter.

We have looked at the year-to-date performance of Warren Buffett’s portfolio holdings of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-B) to see which stocks he has that are helping to drive gains so far in 2013. We looked through all of Warren Buffett’s top stock holdings to identify the biggest winners. What is so interesting today is that the actual Berkshire Hathaway shares are outperforming about 90% of the actual stock holdings that make up the Buffett and Berkshire investment portfolio.

We have included the purchase or sale transaction history of each pick. We have also provided color and the implied upside to the Thomson Reuters consensus (mean) price target objective.

Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) remains a relatively new holding for team Buffett but was kept steady last quarter at 27.1 million shares worth more than $1.65 billion. It is also Buffett’s top stock in 2013 so far with gains of more than 15%. We expect that the way Mr. Buffett talked so positively about this oil refinery that he may add to the position ahead. We expect upside to the 1.6% dividend yield and this trades with more implied upside as the $61.30 price is short of the consensus analyst price target of $66.38.

Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) has been on fire in 2013 and shares have been hitting new 52-week highs and this DJIA consumer products giant is up about 13.5% so far in 2013. What is interesting is that Mr. Buffett had been lowering his stake and it had fallen by nearly half of its share amount down to 52.8 million shares. That number may be even lower ahead as Buffett tends to keep selling stocks he starts selling out of. If the position is somehow static, that position would be worth more than $4 billion. This hit a 52-week high on Tuesday above $76.50 and the consensus analyst price target is $78.75 with a 3% dividend yield as of now.

We have two runner-ups which we are not formally counting as Buffett’s best performing stocks even though they have been in the holdings before. United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE: UPS) is technically the third best position in the Team Buffett portfolio, but there is just one small problem. This had been almost entirely eliminated down to 59,400 shares from 261,900 shares last quarter and versus 1.429 million shares two quarters ago. That being said, this 9% gain year to date is almost immaterial for Berkshire’s $242 billion market cap. Ingersoll-Rand PLC (NYSE: IR) is yet another one which would have been great had Buffett remained on its side, but he has sold out of that position in late 2012 as well. That is too bad as this was up 8% year to date in 2013.

Read Also: Many DJIA Dividend Hikes Expected Soon

Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) is actually a new position for Berkshire Hathaway of about 4 million shares worth about $375 million or so today. As Deere & Co. has a market cap of over $36 billion, Buffett could certainly add exponentially to his stake here without rocking the wagon too much. Deere is up by about 8.5% so far in 2013 and the price of $93.75 still has upside if the $96.00 consensus analyst price target turns out to be accurate.

Verisk Analytics Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSK) was a new position, but after growing that Berkshire Hathaway’s new portfolio managers already trimmed that stake down. As of the last quarterly report Verisk was down to only 1.563 million shares worth close to $80 million. This was next on the list of Buffett’s top stock performers in 2013 with gains of about 7.5% year to date. With shares around $55 now, this is now right at the consensus price target of $55.55 for this risk and analysis provider to the insurance industry.

Torchmark Corp. (NYSE: TMK) is the last of the reviewed gainers for the best performing stocks out of Buffett’s 2013 holdings. This insurance stock holding was the same as the prior quarter at a stake of about 4.2 million after having been raised in prior quarters. This was up about 7% year to date and is worth more than $220 million. With shares around $55 now, the consensus analyst target price is almost $58.73.

Lee Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: LEE) was yet another top percentage gainer but it also is one which Warren Buffett and team have already reduced down to only 1.13 million shares from 3,225,822 shares shown initially. This holding was one that Buffett had asked for confidentiality treatment on in his newspaper endeavors. The gain here is 8.8% year to date, but the position is so small on dollar terms at $1.24 per share that it is not even worth noting as it pertains to the Buffett portfolio dollars. That being said, this is another gainer that is less of a stake for Berkshire Hathaway.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) has been raised by Mr. Buffett as a larger position and this was listed as over 67.5 million shares at the last available date. That was up slightly from 66.63 million shares from the previous quarter and versus the prior quarter before that at 64.395 million shares. It is likely that Buffett has been writing put options to grow its stake. This IT-giant is up 6.4% so far in 2013 for Mr. Buffett and his stake here is worth more than a whopping $13.7 billion to Berkshire Hathaway. Berkshire is now the largest shareholder of IBM and the $203 share price still has much implied upside to the consensus analyst target price of $225.76.

It is rare that Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-A) outperforms the stock market. While it is a conglomerate and has many aspects of a holding company, there is also a lot of characteristics here that make investors think they have some bond market safety as well.

Buffett’s newest round of stock holdings should be out in mid-February and his most recent holdings can be seen in full here. We tracked the changes each quarter on each position.

After having reviewed and compiled the Berkshire Hathaway winners and losers, there is one thing that surfaced as an obvious lesson: just because Warren Buffett sells out of a stock it does not automatically mean that you should turn your back on those companies.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) started as Neutral at Goldman Sachs.

Align Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGN) started as Neutral at Goldman Sachs.

American Campus Communities Inc. (NYSE: ACC) reiterated Buy and raised estimates at Argus.

Aruba Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN) started as Neutral at J.P. Morgan and started as Outperform at Oppenheimer.

Foster Wheeler A.G. (NASDAQ: FWLT) cut to Neutral at Lazard.

France Telecom S.A. (NYSE: FTE) named as Bear of the Day at Zacks.

Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) started as Buy with $41 target at Goldman Sachs.

Horace Mann Educators Corp. (NYSE: HMN) named as value stock of the day at Zacks.

Ingersoll Rand PLC (NYSE: IR) maintained Hold into spin-off at Argus, and maintained Outperform and raised target to $53 at Credit Suisse.

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: KORS) started with Conviction Buy rating and $75 target at Goldman Sachs.

Monster Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: MWW) named as Bull of the Day at Zacks.

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE: PMT) raised to Outperform at KBW.

Ruckus Wireless Inc. (NYSE: RKUS) started as Neutral at Goldman Sachs, started as Outperform at Oppenheimer, started as Overweight at Morgan Stanley and started as Hold at Deutsche Bank.

Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) reiterated Buy and raised target by $15 to $115 at Argus.

Tumi Holdings Inc. (NYSE: TUMI) started with Conviction Buy rating and $30 target at Goldman Sachs.

Urban Outfitters Inc. (NASDAQ: URBN) started as Neutral at Goldman Sachs.

Here are some other outlook pieces for the end of 2012 and 2013:

• Fortune’s Top 10 Stocks to Buy for 2013
• BofA’s 10 Defensive and Yield Stock Picks for 2013
• The Big Gold Trade: 2013 Pairing Gold Versus Miners
• S&P 500 Upside Targets for 2013 from Everyone
• Our own 2013 Alternative Energy and Cleantech Outlook for 2013

JON C. OGG

Portfolio managers Todd Combs and Ted Weschler are getting more and more entrenched as far as their ability to add to positions. It should also be mentioned that Warren Buffett was out for much of the summer for his prostate cancer treatment. While the net dollar amounts were not much different, the number of changes here were very significant.

American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) was roughly 151.6 million shares, SAME AS last quarter.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (NYSE: BK) was over 19.6 million shares, another gain versus the more than 18.7 million shares last quarter (and versus 5.6 million shares previously, and the 1,793,915 shares even before then).

Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) was more than 400 million shares, which is about double the number of shares before but that is because of the stock split. Treat this as the SAME AS BEFORE.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is lower yet again and this was about 24.1 million shares versus almost 28.9 million shares last quarter, and lower than the 29.1 million shares two quarters ago. See below at the Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) stake.

Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) was 4,333,363 shares, SAME AS last quarter.

DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA) is now more than a 10% stake and has grown from 9.3 million shares as of June 30, 2012 and higher than the 6 million reported as of March. Furthermore, the stake listed as of 9/30 is irrelevant. Recent filings have shown that Berkshire keeps buying more and more shares on the open market. A filing on 11/13/2012 showed that over the prior few days that some 548,823 shares had been purchased at an average of $112.15 and that the indirect ownership by Berkshire Hathaway was 11,748.045 shares.

Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) was listed as NEW POSITION of about 4 million shares.

DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is a LARGER POSITION again at 29.555 million shares versus 28.4 million shares last time and 22.999 million two quarters ago.

Gannett Co. (NYSE: GCI) was 1.74 million, SAME AS BEFORE but decreased in prior quarters.

General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD) is the SAME AS BEFORE at 3.877 million shares after being a new position before.

General Electric Corp. (NYSE: GE) is a MUCH LOWER STAKE at 588,900 shares versus 5.008 million shares last quarter and versus 7.777 million shares the quarter before.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) is a LARGER STAKE at 15 million shares versus 10 million shares last quarter.

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) 1.51 million shares, SAME AS PRIOR QUARTERS.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) was A LARGER POSITION at over 67.5 million shares, up slightly from 66.63 million shares last quarter and the prior quarter at 64.395 million shares.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) was a MUCH LOWER POSITION again at just under 500,000 shares. This is down from 10.33 million shares last quarter and versus about 29 million shares the prior quarter. The peak was way up at 62 million shares.

Kraft Foods (NASDAQ: KRFT) was AGAIN A LOWER POSITION at 40.46 million shares, down from 58.8 million shares last quarter and versus 78 million shares before that.

Lee Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: LEE) was an ALREADY REDUCED down to 1.13 million shares from 3,225,822 shares shown initially. This was one that Buffett had asked for confidentiality treatment on in his newspaper endeavors.

Liberty Media Corp. (NASDAQ: LMCA) is a the same at 5.5 million shares versus, but that was lifted last quarter from the prior two quarters.

M&T Bank Corp. (NYSE: MTB) is 5.38+ million shares, SAME AS last quarter.

MasterCard Inc. (NYSE: MA) was 405,000 shares, the SAME AS last quarter but up from two quarters before that.

Moody’s Corp. (NYSE: MCO) was 28.4 million; SAME AS last quarter but way down from prior quarters and years.

National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NYSE: NOV) was a LARGER position at 4.18 million shares versus what had been a new position of 2.84 million shares last quarter.

Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) was the SAME AS LAST QUARTER at about 27.1 million shares, but this was a new position last quarter even though it had been telegraphed.

Precision Castparts Corp. (NYSE: PCP) was listed as a NEW STAKE of almost 1.25 million shares.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) was 52.8 million shares, LOWER THAN BEFORE and a steady shrinking position in recent quarters from a peak of 96.3 million shares.

Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) was 4.06 million shares; SAME AS before.

Torchmark Corp. (NYSE: TMK) was more than 4.2 million, SAME AS last quarter after having been raised in a prior quarter.

US Bancorp (NYSE: USB) was DOWN AGAIN to 61.2+ million shares from 66 million shares last quarter and about 69 million shares in the prior quarters.

USG Corp. (NYSE: USG) was 17.072 million shares; SAME AS before.

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) was ALMOST ELIMINATED ENTIRELY down to 59,400 shares from 261,900 shares last quarter and versus 1.429 million shares two quarters ago.

Verisk Analytics Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSK) was LOWERED YET AGAIN to 1.563 million shares.

Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA) was a LARGER POSITION AGAIN at 7.6+ million shares versus 6.8 million shares last quarter and having been a new position of 1.59 million shares two quarters earlier.

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) was 1.555 million shares, a LOWER POSITION YET AGAIN versus 2.079 million shares last quarter and versus 2.865 million shares previously.

WABCO Holdings Inc. (NYSE: WBC) is a NEW POSITION of about 1.6 million shares but that is less than $100 million.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) was THE SAME STAKE at just over 46.7 million shares.

Washington Post (NYSE: WPO) was over 1.72 million shares; SAME AS before.

Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) was HIGHER YET AGAIN at over 420 million shares more than 394.3 million shares last quarter. Buffett keeps growing this stake and he telegraphed that he had.

CVS Caremark Corp. (NYSE: CVS) had been smaller before and it has now been eliminated entirely from prior holdings of just over 5.3 million shares and then 7.106 million shares two quarters ago.

Dollar General Corp. (NYSE: DG) was ELIMINATED ENTIRELY from 3.32 million shares last quarter and versus 4.497 million shares before that.

Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE: IR) has now been entirely eliminated as we expected. Berkshire was down to on 20,400 shares last quarter versus 636,600 shares in the first quarter.   We would note that the total value of today’s public equity holdings was listed as over $75.3 billion, which is up from $74.32 billion last quarter and virtually the same as the $75.3 billion the prior quarter.

JON C. OGG

American States Water Co. (NYSE: AWR) cut to Neutral at Baird.

Annie’s Inc. (NYSE: BNNY) started as Buy at SunTrust Robinson Humphreys.

ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) started as Buy at Jefferies.

ARM Holdings PLC (NASDAQ: ARMH) cut to Sell at Deutsche Bank (Monday overseas call).

AutoZone Inc. (NYSE: AZO) maintained Buy but removed from Conviction Buy List at Goldman Sachs.

Banco Santander S.A. (NYSE: SAN) cut to Hold at ING (Monday overseas call).

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) maintained Overweight but target cut to $30 from $45 at JPMorgan.

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs.

Ingersoll-Rand PLC (NYSE: IR) cut to Neutral at BofA/ML.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) raised to Overweight with $240 price target at Barclays.

Manchester United PLC (NYSE: MANU) initiated after quiet period and started as the following: Neutral at BofA/ML, Outperform at Credit Suisse, Buy at Deutsche Bank, Buy at Jefferies and Neutral at Nomura.

Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: MRVL) raised to Neutral at Nomura.

News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) raised to Overweight at Barclays.

Northern Tier Energy L.P. (NYSE: NTI) started as Outperform at Credit Suisse and started as Buy at Goldman Sachs.

NYSE Euronext Inc. (NYSE: NYX) raised to Outperform at KBW.

TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO) raised to Overweight with $13 target at JPMorgan.

Vodafone Group PLC (NASDAQ: VOD) Cut to Market Perform at Bernstein.

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) has made a rival coverage switch. The firm lowered the rating for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) to Underweight from Neutral, while it has raised Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) to Overweight from Neutral. Barclays PLC (NYSE: BCS) was cut to Neutral at JPMorgan.

Canaccord Genuity noted that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is seeing soft iPhone 4S sales but it sees strong pent-up demand for iPhone 5. The firm also said that Research In Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ: RIMM) weakness persists as channel checks indicate weak BlackBerry sales and the firm maintained below-consensus estimates.

JON C. OGG

Portfolio managers Todd Combs and Ted Weschler are still relatively new and those new positions of under $200 million $300 million are likely tied to them.   We have referenced these new holdings to prior quarters as well.

American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) was roughly 151.6 million shares, SAME AS last quarter.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (NYSE: BK) is HIGHER AGAIN at more than 18.7 million shares versus 5.6 million shares last quarter and higher than the 1,793,915 shares two quarters ago.

CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS) is now a SMALLER POSITION at just over 5.3 million shares versus 7.106 million shares last quarter.  What is interesting is that this position is not an old one and is rather new.

Coca Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) was right at 200 million shares, SAME AS BEFORE yet again.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is a tad lower at almost 28.9 million shares, and that is lower than the roughly 29.1 million shares previously reported.  See below at the Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) stake.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) 4,333,363 shares, SAME AS last quarter.

Da Vita Inc. (NYSE: DVA) is now 9.3 million shares, HIGHER THAN the 6 million reported last quarter.

DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is a LARGER POSITION again at 28.4 million shares or so, up from 22.999 million last quarter and versus 20.348 million shares a quarter before that.

Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) is 3.32 million shares, LOWER THAN the 3.63 million shares last quarter and lower than the 4.497 million shares before that.

Gannett Co. (NYSE: GCI) was 1.74 million, SAME AS BEFORE but decreased in prior quarters.

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD) is the SAME AS BEFORE at 3.877 million shares after being a new position before.

General Electric Corp. (NYSE: GE) is a LOWER STAKE at 5.008 million shares versus 7.777 million shares the quarter before.

General Motors (NYSE: GM) is THE SAME at 10 million shares after having been a new stake last quarter.

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) 1.51 million shares, SAME AS PRIOR QUARTERS.

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM) was A LARGER POSITION at 66.63 million shares versus 64.395 million shares the quarter before.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) was a MUCH LOWER POSITION of 10.33 million shares versus about 29 million shares the prior quarter. The peak was way up at 62 million shares or so at one point in prior quarters.

Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) was AGAIN A LOWER POSITION at about 58.8 million shares versus 78 million shares before and it had been lightened up prior to that as well.

Lee Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: LEE) was a NEW POSITION of 3,225,822 shares, but this was one that Buffett had asked for confidentiality treatment on in his newspaper endeavors.  This should have been known for the most part.

Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LMCA) is a LARGER POSITION YET AGAIN at 5.5 million shares versus 3 million shares last quarter and versus 1.7 million shares the quarter before that.

M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE: MTB) is 5.38+ million shares, SAME AS last quarter.

MasterCard Inc. (NYSE: MA) was 405,000 shares, the SAME AS last quarter but up from two quarters before that.

Moody’s Corp. (NYSE: MCO) was 28.4 million; SAME AS last quarter but way down from prior quarters and years.

National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV) was a NEW POSITION  of 2.84 million shares worth under $200 million at the end of the quarter.

Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) was a NEW POSITION of about 27.1 million shares, but we would advise that this had been telegraphed last month and should not be considered new even if it is fairly large stake after the spin-off.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) was 59.6 million shares, a LOWER POSITION AGAIN versus 73.2+ million last quarter and versus 76.7 million shares a quarter before.  This is down from a peak of 96.3 million shares in prior quarters.

Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) was 4.06 million shares; SAME AS before.

Torchmark Corp. (NYSE: TMK) was more than 4.2 million, SAME AS last quarter after having been raised in a prior quarter.

US Bancorp (NYSE: USB) was DOWN SLIGHTLY to 66 million shares versus about 69 million shares in the prior quarters.

USG Corp. (NYSE: USG) was 17.072 million shares; SAME AS before.

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) was a LOWERED POSITION to 261,900 shares versus 1.429 million shares last quarter.

Verisk Analytics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSK) 1.871 million shares, LOWER AGAIN versus 2.23 million shares last quarter and lower than the 3.445 million shares one quarter earlier.

Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA) was a LARGER POSITION at 6.8 million shares after having been a new position of 1.59 million shares one quarter earlier.

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) was a LOWER POSITION at 2.079 million shares versus 2.865 million shares previously.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) was THE SAME STAKE at just over 46.7 million shares, but that was grown in the last quarter.

Washington Post (NYSE: WPO) was over 1.72 million shares; SAME AS before.

Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) was GROWN YET AGAIN to more than 394.3 million versus more than 383 million shares last quarter. Buffett keeps buying Wells Fargo shares.

Comdisco Holdings (NASDAQ: CDCO) HAS BEEN ELIMINATED after having been roughly 1.5 million shares in prior quarters.

Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE: IR) was ALMOST ELIMINATED ENTIRELY down to on 20,400 shares versus 636,600 shares last quarter.

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) was no longer listed as a position after having been 7.745 million shares last quarter and versus 11.495 million shares the quarter before that.

We would note that the total value of today’s public equity holdings was listed as over $74.32 billion versus about $75.3 billion the prior quarter.  This report is also missing the phrase “Confidential information has been omitted…” in this filing.

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JON C. OGG

Mike Lamach, Ingersoll-Rand’s CEO, said: “Following discussions with Trian Partners over the past few months, we have concluded that Nelson would be a valuable addition to Ingersoll-Rand’s board. We welcome his perspective and ideas as we work towards our shared goal of enhancing value for our shareholders.”

Peltz, who is chief executive officer and founding partner of Trian Fund Management, is one of Ingersoll-Rand’s largest shareholders. He said the company has “great businesses and tremendous potential” and added he’ll be focused on “strategic opportunities to drive growth.”

Peltz has been an advocate of corporate splits as a way to unlock value, most notably in 2008, when he pressed Cadbury Schweppes to spin off its beverage businesses.

Ingersoll-Rand is a conglomerate whose manufactured brands include Thermo King, Kryptonite locks and Club Car golf carts. The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Ingersoll-Rand shares closed at $45.00 on Friday, in a 52-week range of $25.86 to $45.62. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had a mean price target of just $45.21 before this announcement.