The Bank of Ireland (NYSE: IRE) is trading up 4.6% at $3.86 while Allied Irish Banks plc (NYSE: AIB) is trading down almost 4% at $1.29 after Fitch ratings downgraded Ireland today.

BioFuel Energy Corp. (NASDAQ: BIOF) is trading up 4% at $2.50 on almost 50,000 shares, likely on more hopes of approval on E15… Keep in mind that this ran to $2.40 from $1.95 yesterday and the market cap before this morning’s pop up was $61 million.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) beat earnings but the run up had already factored much of that move into the shares.  The stock is down 2% at $63.40 on active volume; shares had been under $54 as recently as late-July.

Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ: EQIX) is getting crushed as shares are down nearly 25% at $79.65 on active trading after it slashed Q3 and 2010 guidance; at least two downgrades have also been seen.

JA Solar Holdings, Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO) is trading up 6% at $8.80 after a supply agreement with BP Solar was announced.  Shares are up about 6% at $8.80 in active trading.

Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) is recovering slightly after earnings despite a slightly weaker report and despite guidance for 2011 being a tad softer than expectations.  Much of the news was priced in as this one got killed.  Shares are trading up 1.8% at $49.40 on active trading volume.

T-3 Energy Services Inc. (NASDAQ: TTES), which is into products used in the drilling and completion of new oil and gas wells, is HALTED PENDING NEWS.

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JON C. OGG

Citigroup picked up new coverage on many stocks today.  Its new HOLD rated positions are as follows: Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI) and Smith Intl (NYSE: SII).  Its new BUY rated stocks are as follows:  Halliburton (NYSE: HAL), National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV), and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB).  Citi also made two downgrades as both Weatherford (NYSE: WFT) and BJ Services (NYSE: BJS) were downgrades to HOLD from BUY ratings.

UBS has also made a select call on Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) as it was started as a BUY rating.

Jefferies started coverage on T-3 Energy Services Inc. (NASDAQ: TTES) as a BUY rated stock. Jefferies also downgraded Nova Biosource Fuels (AMEX: NBF) to HOLD from BUY.

Jon C. Ogg
July 1, 2008