Analyst EPS Change

MKM Partners reiterated a Buy rating and raised its price target on KB Home (NYSE: KBH) from $24 to $26 26 following meetings with KBH management and the establishment of our 2014 EPS and book value estimates.

"Meetings yesterday with KBH’s CEO and CFO provided us with added confidence in KBH’s land strategy and potential for operating margin expansion over the next 6 quarters," analyst Megan McGrath, CFA comments. "Although 2Q order growth is expected to slow into the single digits (following the guidance provided at KBH’s recent investor day), KBH management appeared at ease with the tradeoff to higher prices and better margins."

The firm lowered FY 13 EPS to $0.33 and established a FY14 EPS estimate of $0.91.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on KB Home click here. For more ratings news on KB Home click here.

Shares of KB Home closed at $23.04 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $6.46-$25.14.

Canaccord Genuity analyst Greg Miller raised estimates and its price target on Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: AKAM) from $46 ot $51 on strong growth momentum.

"With strong volume momentum in the underlying business and continued improvements in the company’s cost structure as spelled out in the 10-Q, we increasingly believe Akamai is once again set to deliver impressive results for the balance of the year despite the incremental investments in the business this and next year," Miller said.

Mr. Miller added, "With multiple companies in the sector reporting similar trends, we believe the surprisingly accelerating revenue growth reported by AKAM in Q1/13 is sustainable throughout the year. We believe guidance remains conservative."

The firm raised 2013 EPS estimates from $1.95 to $1.99 and 2014 EPS from $2.02 to $2.09.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Akamai Technologies click here. For more ratings news on Akamai Technologies click here.

Shares of Akamai Technologies closed at $46.12 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $25.90-$48.47.

Jefferies raised estimates and its price target on Buy-rated Diana Shipping (NYSE: DSX) from $11 to $12 following Q1 results.

"Diana Shipping reported a 1Q13 EPS loss of $0.04, which was slightly below Street consensus of an EPS loss of $0.03 but better than our estimate of an EPS loss of $0.07 primarily due to better than expected charter rates earned during the quarter and lower than expected vessel opex and G&A expenses incurred during the quarter."

Q2 EPS goes from ($0.08) to ($0.06), FY 2013 EPS goes from ($0.32) to ($0.21) and FY 2014 EPS goes from ($0.25) to ($0.15).

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Diana Shipping click here. For more ratings news on Diana Shipping click here.

Shares of Diana Shipping closed at $10.11 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $5.89-$11.09.

Needham & Company raised estimates on Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) following better-than-expected Q2 results but is maintaining an Underperform rating, saying with the stock up 50% YTD - before last night's gains - the market has more than priced the positives.

Analyst Richard Kugele comments, "Credit where credit is due to HPQ for exceeding EPS guidance this quarter, and maintaining the high-end of expectations for the year. We were wrong to be too cautious on their performance in 2Q, expecting that industry conditions would weigh on their 2H and
lead to downward estimate revisions. However, with the stock up nearly 50% (prior to the positive after-hours action), we believe the market has more than priced in expectations for a better-executing HP trampling overly-conservative guidance. We remain concerned with the company's positioning in servers, PCs, tablets and smartphones, and these areas will be difficult to fix as each represents either an area of price aggression, weak demand, late-arriving solutions, or a lack of products altogether. Maintain Under Perform."

The firm raised FY 2013 EPS from $3.48 to $3.59 and FY 2014 was maintained at $4.13.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Hewlett-Packard click here. For more ratings news on Hewlett-Packard click here.

Shares of Hewlett-Packard closed at $21.23 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $11.35-$24.05.

Topeka Capital upgraded Pacific Sunwear of California (NASDAQ: PSUN) from Hold to Buy with a price target of $4.50 (from $2.50). Analyst Dorothy S. Lakner noted strong performance in women's business.

"With 5 quarters of positive comps under its belt and a demonstrated ability to meet or beat guidance, PSUN seems on track to deliver better than expected results this year, driven by a strong rebound in its women's business. While men's is less vibrant, PSUN is doing well enough to allow us to envision a return to profitability, perhaps within the next year," said Lakner.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Pacific Sunwear of California (NASDAQ: PSUN) click here. For more ratings news on Pacific Sunwear of California click here.

Shares of Pacific Sunwear of California closed at $2.92 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $1.31-$3.13.