Analyst Comments

This morning News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWSA) and the new News Corporation announced that the separation of News Corporation into two distinct publicly traded companies, 21st Century Fox and the new News Corporation, has been formally approved by the Company's Board of Directors. The Board also authorized a $500 million stock repurchase program for the new News Corporation following completion of the separation.

Commenting on the news, Wells Fargo analyst Marci Ryvicker said, "The spin seems to be on track for NWSA's fiscal year-end, and we are pleasantly surprised by the buyback authorization, which we believe will be followed by a dividend (although this announcement might not be immediate)."

Deutsche Bank's Vikas Gour also made positive comments on the spin-off and he sees valuation upside from the split.

News Corp is expected to give investors an update at its analyst day event on May 28th.

Wells Fargo has an Outperform rating on News Corp.

Deutsche Bank rates News Corp Buy with a price target of $36.50

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) click here. For more ratings news on News Corp. click here.

Shares of News Corp. closed at $32.87 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $18.32-$34.04.

This morning DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH) and NTELOS Holdings Corp. (nTelos)(NASDAQ: NTLS) announced that nTelos and DISH have executed a Letter of Intent to pursue a strategic relationship to co-develop a fixed-mobile broadband service within nTelos's coverage territory serving Virginia, West Virginia and portions of Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky.

Once complete, the service is expected to give nTelos and DISH customers, many of whom are located in underserved rural communities, access to reliable high-speed Internet, whether at home or on the go.

While the development is interesting, Dish CEO Charlie Ergen clearly hasn't taken its eye off the grand prize, Sprint (Nasdaq: S), a company Dish hopes to acquire despite a competing bid from Softbank.

Commenting on today's development, Wells Fargo analyst Marci Ryvicker said, "Today's announcement DOES NOT mean that DISH is building out a network! Rather it means that DISH has found a partner TO HELP DEVELOP a fixed-mobile broadband service utilizing a wireless signal. In fact, we expect the capital outlay for this project to be relatively immaterial to DISH."

Importantly, nTelos is an exclusive wholesale provider of wireless digital PCS services to Sprint Nextel.

"We view today's announcement positively for DISH as it gives Charlie a head start in the development of a fixed internet-mobile broadband offering should he be successful in acquiring Sprint for a minimal capital outlay," said Ryvicker, adding . . . "This test involves only 500k subs - imagine what Charlie could do with 40MM."

Shares of Vanda Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VNDA) ramped on Friday. The move is being traced to "exceptionally positive" feedback for Vanda's experimental tasimelteon to treat non-24-hour disorder.

Feedback was pointed out by analyst Joshua Schimmer of Lazard Capital. He thinks Vanda is well ahead of the game in raising awareness about non-24 hour. He also sees plenty of upside in the stock.

Lazard has a Buy rating on Vanda Pharmaceuticals with a price target of $17.00.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Vanda Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VNDA) click here. For more ratings news on Vanda Pharmaceuticals click here.

Shares of Vanda Pharmaceuticals closed at $7.12 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $2.92-$7.53.

Jefferies maintained a Hold rating but raised estimate and its price target on Zumiez, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) from $28 to $29 following Q1 results.

Analyst Randal J. Konik comments, "1Q results were slightly ahead of the company's guidance range on stronger than expected sales. The 2Q outlook is in line with consensus, though likely cautious given the volatile macro environment and still challenging compares. Although the ZUMZ growth story remains compelling, we find it tough to step in here at current levels. Maintain Hold rating."

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Zumiez, Inc. click here. For more ratings news on Zumiez, Inc. click here.

Shares of Zumiez, Inc. closed at $32.00 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $17.93-$41.96.

(Updated - May 24, 2013 10:48 AM EDT)

MKM Partners downgraded Alkermes (NASDAQ: ALKS) from Neutral to Sell. Alkermes reported Q4 results and updated investors on its pipeline yesterday. Despite mostly bullish / neutral views on the Street, MKM downgraded the stock to Sell, and analyst Jon LeCroy raised concerns about valuation.

"Alkermes announced that it will host an R&D day on July 17 in Boston but slower than expected international enrollment has pushed out the expected pivotal data for ALKS9070 in schizophrenia from late-2013 to 1H14 (next major data for the company). Overall, we view it as a neutral quarter but view 2013 operating cost guidance above our estimate and the delay to the ALKS9070 trial as a mild negative. As a result of Alkermes shares now trading 27% above our Price Target, we are downgrading Alkermes shares from Neutral to Sell," said LeCroy.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Alkermes (NASDAQ: ALKS) click here. For more ratings news on Alkermes click here.

Shares of Alkermes closed at $33.00 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $14.82-$33.17.