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Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Nokia, Safeway, Sirius XM, Skull Candy, Teva, and More
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Stocks are hitting new highs almost daily, but investors are still leery and many worry about buying the top or getting caught by the next major market correction. 24/7 Wall St. looks over dozens of analyst research reports each morning to find new ideas. Some of the analyst calls cover stocks to buy, others cover stocks to sell. These are this Friday’s top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen from Wall Street research firms.Source: Jon Ogg in NYC
Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) was added to the U.S. and EU Focus Lists at Credit Suisse. The firm’s target price in euros implies 23% upside, and it was called a new equity story emerging around robust bottom-line growth and margin expansion, supported by material cash distribution ahead.
Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) is being acquired for $40 per share after closing at $39.47. So far we have seen the grocery chain raised to Neutral from Sell at UBS, and shares were downgraded to Hold from Buy at BB&T.
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) closed at $3.55 and is still under its supposed buyout price. Macquarie has raised the rating to Outperform from Neutral and believes that Sirius is worth $4 per share, versus a prior $3.75 price target. The firm believes that the minority shareholders are now in a better bargaining position, and it sees growth ahead in the next three-year period.
Skullcandy Inc. (NASDAQ: SKUL) is trading up more than 20% after strong earnings and guidance. A firm called Northland Securities has raised its rating to Outperform, looking for even more upside. Be advised that the consensus price target was less than $6 before the news, and the stock already closed at $7.43 and was indicated up above $9 in the premarket.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays. The big jump is in the Barclays price target — up to $65 from $42 (versus a $49.82 closing price).
Other Key Analyst Calls
Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: ANR) was downgraded to Sell from an already cautious Neutral rating at Goldman Sachs.
Boulder Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: BDBD) was reiterated as Buy with a $17.50 price target and called a growth platform that is still underappreciated by Canaccord Genuity.
Copa Holdings S.A. (NYSE: CPA) was raised to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
GT Advanced Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GTAT) was raised to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse, and the price target was raised to $24 from $18 (versus a $16.98 close) based mostly on nearing commercialization of new products.
Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (NASDAQ: JAZZ) was started as Overweight at Barclays.
Polycom Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM) was raised to Buy from Neutral by Citigroup.
The Fresh Market Inc. (NASDAQ: TFM) was raised to Buy from Neutral at UBS; Sterne Agee reiterated its Neutral rating and lowered its price target to $35.
Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) was downgraded to Hold from Buy, after a huge earnings disappointment, at Argus.
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