24/7 Wall St. » JDSU

24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (ORCL, NOV, MMM, TEVA, JDSU, AMCX, MT, HNR, KSS, WIN, DDS, JKS, PGR, SOL, URRE, MNST, WFR)

Paul Ausick — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:04:02 +0000

The major US stock indexes opened significantly higher this morning as investors were heartened by yesterday’s nationalization of Spain’s Bankia. The Bank of England also keps rates and asset purchases stable. This morning’s report on new US claims for unemployment benefits was in-line with expectations (our coverage here). US natural gas inventories rose last week, but the increase was also in-line with expectations (our coverage here).The US dollar index rose today, now up 0.01% at 80.077. The GSCI commodity index is down fractionally at 648.28, with commodities mostly higher on the small change in the dollar. WTI crude oil closed up 0.3% at $97.08/barrel and Brent crude trades down -0.37% at $112.78/barrel. Gold settled up 0.1% today, at $1,595.50/ounce.

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up nearly XX points to XXX (XX%), the NASDAQ rose more than XX points (XXX%) to XXX, and the S&P 500 rose XX% or nearly X points to XXX.

There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL) cut to ‘hold’ at ThinkEquity; National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NYSE: NOV) maintained ‘buy’ with a lowered target price of $90 at Argus; 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) cut to ‘market perform’ at Bernstein; Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA) cut to ‘hold’ at Needham; and JDS Uniphase Corp. (NASDAQ: JDSU) raised to ‘buy’ at UBS.

Earnings reports since markets closed last night have led to some price changes as of the last half hour of trading today: AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AMCX) is up 2.4% at $40.58; ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) is up 1.9% at $16.42; Harvest Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: HNR) is down -1.6% at $5.71 after posting a new 52-week low of $5.44 earlier today; Kohl’s Corp. (NYSE: KSS) is down -4.6% at $48.52; and Windstream Corp. (NASDAQ: WIN) is down -10.3% at $10.10 after posting a new 52-week low of $9.42 earlier today.

On Friday we are scheduled to get earnings from Dillard’s Inc. (NYSE: DDS), Jinkosolar Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE: JKS), Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA), Progressive Corp. (NYSE: PGR), ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE: SOL), and Uranium Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: URRE).

Other standouts from today include the following stocks:

Monster Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: MNST) is up 9.2% at $71.34 in a 52-week range of $32.35-$83.96. The energy drinks company posted strong results, but buyout rumors continue to lead the charge. More coverage here.

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (NYSE: WFR) is down -24.3% at $2.46 after posting a new 52-week low of $2.41 earlier today. The solar component supplier posted bad results and a weak outlook. More coverage here.

We also took a detailed look today at short interest in a number of stocks — big names, volume leaders, and cult stocks.

Stay tuned for Friday. Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher is giving a speech. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):

8:30 a.m. – Producer price index
9:55 a.m. – Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment

Paul Ausick

Filed under: HI/LOW, Market Close Tagged: AMCX, DDS, HNR, JDSU, JKS, KSS, MMM, MNST, MT, NOV, ORCL, PGR, SOL, TEVA, URRE, WFR, WIN

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (ARMH, BIG, CHKM, CSCO, CPWM, DLB, HGSI, JDSU, LINE, MMM, NOV, ORCL, RGP, TPX, TLLP, TEVA, VRTX)

Administrator — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:25:05 +0000

These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall Street research calls this Thursday.

ARM Holdings PLC (NASDAQ: ARMH) Raised to Market Perform at Bernstein.

Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) Raised to Overweight at Barclays.

Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE: CHKM) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) Reiterated Buy with $24 target at Argus.

Cost Plus Inc. (NASDAQ: CPWM) Cut to Neutral at Wedbush.

Dolby Labs, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) Cut to Neutral at JPMorgan.

Human Genome Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: HGSI) Cut to Market Perform at Leerink Swann.

JDS Uniphase Corporation (NASDAQ: JDSU) Raised to Buy at UBS.

Linn Energy, LLC (NASDAQ: LINE) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.

3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) Cut to Market Perform at Bernstein.

National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NYSE: NOV) Maintained Buy but cut target to $90 at Argus.

Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) Cut to Hold at ThinkEquity.

Regency Energy Partners LP (NYSE: RGP) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.

Tempur-Pedic International Inc. (NYSE: TPX) Raised to Strong Buy at Raymond James.

Tesoro Logistics LP (NYSE: TLLP) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NASDAQ: TEVA) Cut to Hold at Needham.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX) Cut to Outperform at RBC.

If you enjoyed the top analyst upgrades and downgrades, you can join our free email newsletter that includes analyst summaries each morning sent right to your inbox. We also cover top issues such as IPOs, special financial exclusives, mergers and more. Sign up in the box below.

JON C. OGG

Filed under: Analyst Calls Tagged: ARMH, BIG, CHKM, CPWM, CSCO, DLB, HGSI, JDSU, LINE, MMM, NOV, ORCL, RGP, TEVA, TLLP, TPX, VRTX

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AIR, ALL, EPD, FDX, FSLR, HON, JDSU, LNKD, BIN, RHT, SKS, SFY, SPRD, SPWR, TRLG, VCLK, WFM)

Administrator — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:24:05 +0000

These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall Street research calls this Friday.

AAR Corporation (NYSE: AIR) named Bear of the Day at Zacks.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) Raised to Overweight at Barclays.

Enterprise Products Partners. LP (NYSE: EPD) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.

FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) Raised to Strong Buy at Raymond James.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) maintain HOLD with $20 target at Canaccord Genuity.

Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) named Bull of the Day at Zacks.

JDS Uniphase Corporation (NASDAQ: JDSU) Reiterated Buy with $17 target at Argus.

LinkedIn Corporation (NYSE: LNKD) target raised to $140 at Susquehanna.

Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. (NYSE: BIN) Cut to Neutral with $23 target at Credit Suisse.

Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT) Started as Outperform at BMO.

Saks Inc. (NYSE: SKS) Reiterated Buy and $14 target at Argus.

Spreadtrum Communications (NASDAQ: SPRD) Reiterated Buy and raised target to $21 at Canaccord Genuity.

SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWR) Raised to Hold at ThinkEquity.

Swift Energy Company (NYSE: SFY) Reiterated Buy but cut target to $40 at Canaccord Genuity.

True Religion Apparel, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRLG) named value stock of the day at Zacks.

ValueClick, Inc. (NASDAQ: VCLK) Raised to Buy at S&P Capital IQ (late-Thursday call).

Whole Foods Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFM) Raised to Overweight at JPMorgan.

JON C. OGG

Filed under: Analyst Calls Tagged: AIR, ALL, BIN, EPD, FDX, FSLR, HON, JDSU, LNKD, RHT, SFY, SKS, SPRD, SPWR, TRLG, VCLK, WFM

24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (WPI, AZN, ANF, SPWR, YGE, COST, MERU, ACI, VECO, PBY, ADM, CPO, AVP, DPZ, PFE, VLO, ABX, JDSU, MRO, FSLR, V, PFCB, DAL, CHK)

Paul Ausick — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:03:50 +0000

The major US stock indexes opened flat this morning but started to move higher following the better-than-expected ISM report on manufacturing (our coverage here). Construction spending in the US was a bit lower, but not enough to quell the enthusiasm over the manufacturing report. The US dollar index rose slightly today, now up 0.056% at 78.820. The GSCI commodity index is up fractionally at 684.88, with commodities mostly lower on the rising dollar. Cocoa put up a big gain today, while orange juice posted another sharp decline. WTI crude oil closed up 1.2% at $106.16/barrel, and Brent crude trades up 0.17% at $119.67/barrel. Gold settled up 0.1% today, at $1,662.40/ounce.

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up nearly 67 points to 13,280.31 (0.5%), the NASDAQ rose about 4 points (0.13%) to 3,050.44, and the S&P 500 rose 0.57% or nearly 8 points to 1,405.89.

There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSE: WPI) reiterated as ‘buy’ at Canaccord Genuity; AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE: AZN) raised to ‘neutral’ at BofA; Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) raised to ‘buy’ at UBS; SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) raised to ‘buy’ at Citigroup; Yingli Green Energy Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YGE) raised to ‘buy’ at Citigroup; Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) cut to ‘hold’ at Deutsche Bank; and Meru Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: MERU) cut to ‘neutral’ at RW Baird.

Earnings reports since markets closed last night have led to some price changes as of the last half hour of trading today: Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE: ACI) is down -3.8% at $9.39 (more coverage here); Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO) is up 14.8% at $34.67 (more coverage here); Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: PBY) is down -21.8% at $11.67 (more coverage here); Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE: ADM) is up 7.9% at $33.25; Corn Products International Inc. (NYSE: CPO) is down -0.14% at $56.98; Avon Products Inc. (NYSE: AVP) is down -7.6% at $19.95; Domino’s Pizza Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) is down -9.6% at $34.18; Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is down -0.14% at $22.87; and Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE: VLO) is up 0.9% at $24.92.

Tomorrow we get earnings from Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: ABX), JDS Uniphase Corp. (NASDAQ: JDSU), Marathon Oil Corp. (NYSE: MRO), First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR), and Visa Inc. (NYSE: V).

Other standouts from today include the following stocks:

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. (NASDAQ: PFCB) is up 29.7% at $51.46. The company is being taken private in a deal worth $1.1 billion. More coverage here.

Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) is up 0.8% at $11.05. The airlines bought an oil refinery from newly-public Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX). More coverage here.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is up 6.3% at $19.60. The company’s chairman will be replaced and the company reports earnings after markets close today. More coverage here.

Stay tuned for Wednesday. Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo and Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker are giving speeches. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):

7:00 a.m. – Mortgage Bankers Association purchase applications
7:30 a.m. – Challenger job cut report
8:15 a.m. – ADP employment report
10:00 a.m. – Factory orders
10:30 a.m. – EIA weekly petroleum status report

Paul Ausick

Filed under: HI/LOW, Market Close Tagged: ABX, ACI, ADM, ANF, AVP, AZN, CHK, COST, CPO, DAL, DPZ, featured, FSLR, JDSU, MERU, MRO, PBY, PFCB, PFE, SPWR, V, VECO, VLO, WPI, YGE

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AKS, ALTR, BRCM, CPN, CTL, DELL, EW, JDSU, MRVL, NMR, STLD, GWW)

Administrator — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:32:39 +0000

These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street brokerage and research firms this Thursday morning.

AK Steel Holding Corp. (NYSE: AKS) Cut to Underperform at BofA/ML.
Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) Cut to Underperform as Bear of the Day at Zacks.
Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM) Started as Buy at Canaccord Genuity.
Calpine Corporation (NYSE: CPN) Started as Overweight at JPMorgan.
CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) Raised to Overweight at JPMorgan.
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW) Cut to Neutral at Credit Suisse.
JDS Uniphase (NASDAQ: JDSU) Cut to Neutral at UBS.
Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: MRVL) Started as Buy at Canaccord Genuity.
Nomura Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NMR) Raised to Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Steel Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLD) Cut to Neutral at BofA/ML.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW) Maintained Outperform as Bull of the Day at Zacks.

If you enjoyed the top analyst calls, you can sign up in the box below to join our morning email list to receive news directly in your inbox each morning. We include major analyst upgrades and downgrades, IPO and M&A news, special situation developments, observations on Warren Buffett and key market gurus, as well as special exclusive feature stories.

JON C. OGG

Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Analyst Calls Tagged: AKS, ALTR, BRCM, CPN, CTL, DELL, EW, GWW, JDSU, MRVL, NMR, STLD

11 Major Earnings Previews For Wednesday (AET, ALL, AOL, BMC, CMO, CMG, GMCR, JDSU, LVS, NDAQ, QCOM)

Administrator — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:45:34 +0000

Earnings season is still going strong and Wednesday will have many big earnings reports to watch. These are not the only earnings reports coming from big companies, but these are the ones we will be watching closely: Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET); The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL); AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL); BMC Software Inc. (NASDAQ: BMC); Capstead Mortgage Corp. (NYSE: CMO); Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE: CMG); Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR); JDS Uniphase Corporation (NASDAQ: JDSU); Las Vegas Sands Corporation (NYSE: LVS); NASDAQ OMX Group Inc. (NASDAQ: NDAQ); and QUALCOMM Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM).

We have provided estimates from Thomson Reuters on each and offered commentary and guidance on some of these companies. More detailed previews will be available Tuesday morning for the reports due after the closing bell:

Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) estimates are $0.98 EPS and $8.49 billion. Watch the medical loss ratio here as it seems to be in quarters past that insurance outfits have been making more money than they were supposed to be making once the new healthcare laws go into effect. With shares around $44, the year high is $46.01.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) will prove if it has everyone in good hands or not. Thomson Reuters has estimates of $0.97 EPS. With shares around $29, its 52-week range is $22.27 to $34.40.

AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) has now seen shares bounce 60% off of the bottom and that is despite the recent news that Facebook is taking much of the new advertising market share. Estimates are $0.16 EPS per Thomson Reuters data but we just saw $0.28 noted in a Dow Jones preview yesterday. That being said, we are staying out of this one.

BMC Software Inc. (NASDAQ: BMC) is expected to post $0.82 EPS on almost $556 million in sales.

Capstead Mortgage Corp. (NYSE: CMO) is not a market moving stock, but investors who are into the world of high-yielding mortgage REITs will be watching. The estimate is $0.41 EPS (actually FFO) and the next dividend will be likely dependent upon that report. Its dividend yield screens north of 13% today.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is a cult stock if there every was one and now its valuation is close to $11.5 billion and the stock is within 2% of its all-time high. Thomson Reuters has a consensus of $1.83 EPS and $591.1 million in sales. For 2012, the estimates are $8.68 EPS and 2.7 billion in revenues.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) is another huge cult stock down on its luck from recent highs. The stock is still down by more than half. Thomson Reuters has estimate at $0.36 EPS and $1.06 billion in sales.

JDS Uniphase Corporation (NASDAQ: JDSU) still has a huge shareholder base that got buried in the first big tech bubble. At $12.75, the 52-week range is $8.59 to $29.12. Thomson Reuters has a consensus of $0.10 EPS and $390.9 million.

Las Vegas Sands Corporation (NYSE: LVS) is also within striking distance of a near-term high as shares are currently around $49.00 against a 52-week range of $36.05 to $50.68. The consensus estimates from Thomson Reuters are $0.57 EPS and $2.46 billion in sales.

NASDAQ OMX Group Inc. (NASDAQ: NDAQ) is a value stock when it comes to the exchanges and it is not supposedly trying to do any crazy merger right now. At $25.00 the 52-week range is $20.32 to $29.71. The consensus estimate is $0.62 EPS and $417.8 million.

QUALCOMM Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM)is within striking distance of its yearly high as shares are around $58.80 and the 52-week range is $45.98 to $59.84. Thomson Reuters has estimates of $0.90 EPS on $4.57 billion in revenues. Next quarter estimates are $0.89 EPS and $4.49 billion in sales. Keep in mind that if it rallies much more than the current $98.8 billion market cap will be $100 billion.

JON C. OGG

Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Calendar, Earnings Tagged: AET, ALL, AOL, BMC, CMG, CMO, GMCR, JDSU, LVS, NDAQ, QCOM

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (BLK, EMC, GOOG, HUM, IBN, INTC, JDSU, JCI, NCIT, TNP, TXN, TSCO, VLO, WU, CCL, RCL)

Administrator — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:22:36 +0000

These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street brokerage and research firms this Friday morning.

BlackRock Inc. (NYSE: BLK) Cut to Neutral at Citigroup.
EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) Reiterated Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) Maintained Buy but cut target to $700 at Canaccord Genuity.
Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) Cut to Market Perform at Wells Fargo.
ICICI Bank Ltd. (NYSE: IBN) Cut to Underperform and named Bear of the Day at Zacks.
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) Cut to Hold at Kaufman; Reiterated Outperform and raised target to $35 at Credit Suisse; Maintained Hold with $24 target at Canaccord Genuity.
JDS Uniphase Corporation (NASDAQ: JDSU) Raised to Buy at Stifel Nicolaus.
Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE: JCI) Cut to Neutral at JPMorgan.
NCI. Inc. (NASDAQ: NCIT) Cut to Underperform at Wells Fargo.
Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd. Co. (NYSE: TNP) Raised to Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Texas Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: TXN) Cut to Hold at Needham.
Tractor Supply Co. (NASDAQ: TSCO) Reiterated Buy and raised target to $92 at Argus.
Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO) Reiterated Buy with $35 price target at Argus.
Western Union Co. (NYSE: WU) Reiterated Outperform as Bull of the Day at Zacks.

Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) lowered targets and estimates by Credit Suisse.

JON C. OGG

Filed under: Analyst Calls Tagged: BLK, CCL, EMC, GOOG, HUM, IBN, INTC, JCI, JDSU, NCIT, RCL, TNP, TSCO, TXN, VLO, WU

24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (GOOG, JDSU, DRI, CB, LNKD, SAI, VRA, MTN, VLGEA, MW, TLB, MNI, MSO, FSLR, JAG, GBG)

Paul Ausick — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:06:59 +0000

Equities fell sharply after this morning’s opening. Futures were soft prior to the opening bell due largely to continue to worry about Europe and a forecast cut to the European Central Bank’s lending rate from 1.25% to 1%. The mid-morning report on US crude oil stocks put a halt to any thought of a crude price rise, with US inventories growing by 1.3 million barrels following a 3.9 million barrel increase the week before. WTI is trading down almost $1, at $100.30/barrel late in the day, and Brent is trading at $109.45/barrel, down more than $1.35. Gold is up nearly 0.75%, at $1,744.60.

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up more than 45 points to 12,195.61 (0.37%), the NASDAQ fell less than 1 point (-0.01%) to 2,649.21, and the S&P 500 rose 0.20% or more than 2 points to 1,261.02.

There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) started as ‘buy’ with a $725 target price at Canaccord Genuity. Other ratings actions today include JDS Uniphase Corp. (NASDAQ: JDSU) started as ‘buy’ with a $14.75 target price at Jefferies; Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) cut to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ at Argus; Chubb Corp. (NYSE: CB) started as ‘outperform’ at Credit Suisse; and LinkedIn Corp. (NASDAQ: LNKD) started as ‘buy’ with an $85 target price at Canaccord Genuity.

Here are today’s post-earnings news reactions with prices during the last half-hour of trading: SAIC Inc. (NYSE: SAI) is up 6.5% at $12.95; Vera Bradley Inc. (NASDAQ: VRA) is down about -1.5% at $36.62; Vail Resorts Inc. (NYSE: MTN) is up slightly less than -1% at $45.48; Village Super Market Inc. (NASDAQ: VLGEA) is down more than -3.8% at $30.49; and The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. (NYSE: MW) is up more than 20% at $32.68.

Several other standouts from today are as follows…

The Talbots Inc. (NYSE: TLB) is up about 65% at $2.58. The women’s clothing store has received a takeover offer from private equity firm Sycamore Partners for $3.00/share, a 92% premium to the stock’s closing price yesterday.

The McClatchy Co. (NYSE: MNI) is up more than 52%, at $1.80. The newspaper company said that advertising rates have not fallen as badly in the first two months of the current quarter. For the first nine months of this year ad revenue declined -10%, compared with a decline of -5.6% in October and November.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is up more than 32%, to $4.12. Retailer J.C. Penney Co. (NYSE: JCP) acquired a 16.6% stake in the lifestyle and media company today for $3.50/share, or $38.5 million. More coverage here.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) is up more than 4.6%, at 48.26. The company sold its 550-megawatt Topaz solar PV plant to a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-A) for an undisclosed sum. The plant had previously been valued at more than $2 billion. More coverage here.

Jaguar Mining Inc. (NYSE: JAG) is down -9.6%, at $6.55. The junior gold miner said yesterday that its founding CEO had resigned.

Great Basin Gold Ltd. (AMEX: GBG) is up about 17.8%, at $1.19. Another junior gold miner, Great Basin has finalized a $150 million term credit facility for 5 years at a rate 4% above LIBOR.

Stay tuned for Thursday. Here are some noteworthy events on the schedule (all times Eastern):

8:30 a.m. – New US unemployment claims report
10:00 a.m. – Wholesale trade report
10:30 a.m. – EIA weekly natural gas status report
4:30 p.m. – Federal Reserve balance sheet
4:30 p.m. – Money supply report

Paul Ausick

Filed under: HI/LOW, Market Close Tagged: CB, DRI, FSLR, GBG, GOOG, JAG, JDSU, LNKD, MNI, MSO, MTN, MW, SAI, TLB, VLGEA, VRA

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (ALL, AMZN, BX, CTL, CB, DRI, FSL, GEOI, GOOG, JDSU, LNKD, BTU, PEG, DGX, TLB, TRV, UIS, UNH, URBN, WSH)

Administrator — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:25:40 +0000

These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research calls this Wednesday morning.

Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) Started as Hold with $225.00 price target “due to low margins through 2012″ at Canaccord Genuity.
The Blackstone Group LP (NYSE: BX) Raised to Buy with $20.00 price target at Argus.
CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) named as value stock of the day at Zacks.
Chubb Corporation (NYSE: CB) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) Cut to Hold from Buy at Argus.
Freescale Semiconductor Inc. (NYSE: FSL) Reinstated as Outperform at Credit Suisse.
GeoResources, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEOI) Started as Buy with $43 price target “on a concentrated Eagle Ford/Bakken exposure” by Canaccord Genuity.
Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) was initiated with a ‘Buy’ rating and $725.00 price target “on robust growth and great value” by Canaccord Genuity.
JDS Uniphase Corporation (NASDAQ: JDSU) Started in new coverage as Buy with a $14.75 price target at Jefferies.
LinkedIn Corporation (NYSE: LNKD) Started as Buy with $85 price target as “growth trumps valuation” by Canaccord Genuity.
Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU) Downgraded to Neutral from Buy with $43 price target by Goldman Sachs.
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (NYSE: PEG) Downgraded to Neutral from Buy with $33 price target at Goldman Sachs.
Quest Diagnostics Inc. (NYSE: DGX) Started as Hold with $51 target at Auriga.
The Talbots, Inc. (NYSE: TLB) maintained Neutral with $3.00 fair value by Janney Capital Markets.
Travelers Cos. Inc. (NYSE: TRV) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) Raised to Outperform as Bull of the Day at Zacks.
UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) added to the US Focus List at Credit Suisse.
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ: URBN) Maintained Neutral with $23.00 price target at Janney Capital Markets.
Willis Group Holdings, PLC (NYSE: WSH) named Bear of the Day at Zacks.

JON C. OGG

Filed under: Analyst Calls Tagged: ALL, AMZN, BTU, BX, CB, CTL, DGX, DRI, FSL, GEOI, GOOG, JDSU, LNKD, PEG, TLB, TRV, UIS, UNH, URBN, WSH

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (ABAX, BUD, AMAT, BX, COF, CECO, DOV, GS, HUM, JDSU, LVS, NDAQ, RFMD, SWKS, THI, TQNT, WYN)

Administrator — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:04:21 +0000

These are some of this Wednesday’s top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen having an impact from Wall Street research calls.

Abaxis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABAX) maintained Underperform as Bear of the Day at Zacks.
Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) Reiterated Buy with $19 target at Argus.
The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) Cut to Perform at Oppenheimer.
Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) Raised to Outperform at Oppenheimer.
Career Education Corp. (NASDAQ: CECO) maintained Buy but cut target to $21 from $28 at Argus.
Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) Cut to Underweight at JPMorgan.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) Cut to Perform at Oppenheimer.
Humana, Inc. (NYSE: HUM) Reiterated Outperform as Bull of the Day at Zacks.
JDS Uniphase Corporation (NASDAQ: JDSU) Started as Hold at Kaufman Bros.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) Raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs.
NASDAQ OMX Group (NASDAQ: NDAQ) Raised to Buy at Deutsche Bank.
RF Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: RFMD) Started as Underperform with $5.50 target at BofA/ML.
Skyworks Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: SWKS) Started as Buy with $25 target at BofA/ML.
Tim Hortons Inc. (NYSE: THI) Reiterated Buy with $56 target at BofA/ML.
TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TQNT) Started as Underperform with $6.75 target at BofA/ML.
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) named value stock of the day at Zacks.

JON C. OGG

Filed under: Analyst Calls Tagged: ABAX, AMAT, BUD, BX, CECO, COF, DOV, GS, HUM, JDSU, LVS, NDAQ, RFMD, SWKS, THI, TQNT, WYN