StreetInsider.com News Articles

Top 10 News Items 11/02-11/06: Unemployment Rate Now Over 10%, Fed to Keep Rates 'Exceptionally Low' for 'Extended Period', Buffett Does the Biggest Deal of His Life

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:35:59 -0500

Here is a list of the top news items from this week on Wall Street: 1. The unemployment rate rose over 10% this week, marking the first time since 1983. Data from the labor department showed that employers cut another 190,000 jobs last month, pushing the rate of unemployment up from Septembers 9.8%. Although economists had been expecting the unemployment rate to drop to just 9.9%, shares rose sharply on Thursday, closing above the heavily-watched 10,000 level. 2. The Fed held its key interest rates at the 0-0.25% range this week. As this had been expected by traders, the real speculation was

Unusual 11 Mid-Day Movers 11/06: CBBO, OPTT, GROW, MGA Higher; GOK, OSTE, NHWK, OCLS Lower

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:44:20 -0500

Columbia Bancorp (Nasdaq: CBBO) 42% HIGHER; not hearing any news today. Over the last three trading sessions, the stock has been down nearly 30%, with 15% of the move coming yesterday. The stock may simply be correcting today following so much downside. Volume is very heavy today. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc (Nasdaq: OPTT) 32.9% HIGHER; announced, in a partnership with Leighton Contractors Pty, it has received a A$66.46 million grant from the Federal Government of Australia to build a 19 MW wave power project off the coast of Victoria, Australia. The award is one of four renewable energy projects

Trading Radar for 11/09: Dish Network (DISH), Rockwell (ROK), Priceline.com (PCLN), MBIA (MBI), Ticketmaster (TKTM) Report

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:29:19 -0500

The Trading Radar highlights key earnings and economic announcements for tomorrow's trading session: Before Market Opens: Earnings: 4Kids Entertainment (NYSE: KDE) – no consensus Albany Molecular Research (NASDAQ: AMRI) – consensus loss $0.04 American Electric Tech Inc. (NASDAQ: AETI) – no consensus American Water Works Co Inc. (NYSE: AWK) – consensus EPS $0.54 Angiotech Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ANPI) – consensus EPS $0.04 Applied Energetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AERG) – no consensus Assisted Living Concept (NYSE: ALC) – consensus EPS $0.31 ATA Inc. (NASDAQ: ATAI) – consensus loss $0.02 Boots & Coots, Inc. (NYSE: WEL) – consensus EPS $0.01 BPZ Resources, Inc (NYSE: BPZ) – consensus loss $0.03 Caliper Life Sciences (NASDAQ: CALP) – consensus loss

Notable Analyst Rating Changes 11/06: GE, CBS, HD/LOW, M Upgrade; ESLR, RMD, SUN Downgrade

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:24 -0500

UPGRADES: Oppenheimer upgraded General Electric (NYSE: GE) today from Perform to Outperform and raised their price target from $17 to $18. Sandford C. Bernstein also upgraded General Electric from Market Perform to Outperform and raised their price target from $18 to $19. Investors are reacting positively to the two upgrades of General Electric (NYSE: GE) today. Piper Jaffray upgrades CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS) from Underweight to Neutral. Price target increased from $12 to $13. Click Here for more color. Bank of America upgraded home improvement retailers Home Depot (NYSE: HD) and Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) two-notches from

Morning Movers 11/06: ACLS, CVM, ZIOP, LPSN, CABL, ZGEN Higher; NHWK, GOK, CROX, CVI, RAIL, CSTR Lower

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:47:46 -0500

NightHawk Radiology Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NHWK) 26% LOWER; reports Q3 EPS of $0.17, ex-items, 1 cent better than the analyst estimate of $0.16. Revenue for the quarter was $43.5 million, which compares to the estimate of $42.71 million. Sees Q4 adj-EPS of $0.08-$0.10, versus the consensus of $0.15, on sales of $38-$40 million, versus the consensus of $40.13 million. Geokinetics Inc. (AMEX: GOK) 22.1% LOWER; reports Q3 loss of $0.41, cents better than the analyst estimate of ($0.08). Revenue for the quarter was $96.80 million, which compares to the estimate of $133.92 million. Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACLS) 19.5%

Notable Mergers and Acquisitions of the Day: EBAY, CDCS

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:33:13 -0500

eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) today announced that the investor group led by Silver Lake, which had previously entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Skype from the company, has reached a settlement agreement with Joltid Limited and Joost N.V. that gives Skype ownership over all software previously licensed from Joltid and ends all litigation currently pending against the investor group and eBay at the closing of the acquisition. As part of the settlement agreement, Joltid and Skype founders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis will join the investor group, contributing Joltid software and making a significant capital investment

After-Hours Movers 11/05: JSDA, ENOC, SAM, RST, ASEI, KFN Higher; MOVE, FNM, CROX, BEBE, BID Lower

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:32:51 -0500

Move, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOVE) 24.5% LOWER; reports Q3 EPS of $0.00, versus the analyst estimate of $0.02. Revenue for the quarter was $52.90 million, which compares to the estimate of $54.69 million. Sees Q4 sales $47 - $48 million, versus $54.6 million. Sees FY10 $184 - $192 million, versus $230.7 million Jones Soda Co. (NASDAQ: JSDA) 19.4% HIGHER; reports a Q3 loss of $0.06, in-line with the analyst estimate of ($0.06). Revenue for the quarter was $7.2 million, which compares to the estimate of $6.80 million. Enernoc INC (NASDAQ: ENOC) 12.2% HIGHER; reports Q3 adjusted EPS of $1.30, cents

Trading Radar for 11/06: American International (AIG), Scripps (SNI), Suncor Energy (SU), Blackstone Group (BX) Report

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:42:40 -0500

The Trading Radar highlights key earnings and economic announcements for tomorrow's trading session: Before Market Opens: Economics: 8:30am ET

Nonfarm Payrolls - Street Sees (175K)
Unemployment Rate - Street Sees 9.9%

Earnings: Aceto (NASDAQ: ACET) – consensus EPS $0.06 Aercap Holdings N.V. (NYSE: AER) – consensus EPS $0.40 AIRCASTLE LTD (NYSE: AYR) – consensus EPS $0.35 American International Group (NYSE: AIG) – consensus EPS $1.20 Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE: ABR) – consensus loss $1.33 BRIGHAM EXPLORATION CO (NASDAQ: BEXP) – consensus EPS $0.01 Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) – consensus EPS $0.14 Compton Petroleum (NYSE: CMZ) – no consensus Constellation Energy Partners LLC (NYSE: CEP) – consensus loss $0.24 DOLAN MEDIA CO (NYSE: DM) – consensus

Unusual 11 Mid-Day Movers 11/05: RX, FSYS, NWK, ROYL Higher; SMSI, ELMG, PL, CVS Lower

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:43:39 -0500

Smith Micro Software (NASDAQ: SMSI) 26.7% LOWER; reports Q3 adjusted EPS of $0.20, 1 cent better than the analyst estimate of $0.19. Revenue for the quarter was $27.80 million, which compares to the estimate of $29.37 million. Lowers FY09 Guidance from $110 - $115 million to $105 - $110 million, versus $111.30 million consensus. IMS Health (NYSE: RX) 23.6% HIGHER; entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by investment funds managed by TPG Capital and the CPP Investment Board in a transaction with a total value of $5.2 billion, including the assumption of debt. Under the agreement, IMS

Notable Analyst Rating Changes 11/5: PALM, VALE, TRW, ONNN, MDT, SPWRA Upgraded; CMCSA, ARO, DPTR, GRMN TEX Downgraded

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:25:39 -0500

UPGRADES: Barclays Capital has upgraded shares of Palm (NASDAQ: PALM) from the dreaded Underweight to Equalweight this morning, also reducing his price target from $12 to $11. Deutsche Bank upgrades Vale SA (NASDAQ: VALE) from Hold to Buy. Price target increased to $30. Click Here for more color. KeyBanc upgrades TRW Automotive Holdings (NYSE: TRW) from Hold to Buy. Price target $29. Click Here for more color. Deutsche Bank also upgraded TRW Automotive from Hold to Buy. Price target increased by $2 to $23. For mor from Deutsche, Click Here. Piper Jaffray upgrades ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ: ONNN) from Neutral to Overweight. Price target

Morning Movers 11/05: ROYL, RX, FSYS, KAI, SANM Higher; SMSI, CVS, MBRK, INOD, PL, ARO Lower

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:52:21 -0500

Royale Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROYL) 26.4% HIGHER; today released the test results of the Goddard 7-1. On Oct 15 the company announced a new field discovery near its successful Lonestar field. This week's completion activities resulted in a stabilized flow rate of 2,450 MCF per day on a restricted choke. Based on these results the well is capable of significantly higher producing rates, and the company expects to begin production at an initial rate of 2,500 MCF per day. The first follow up to the Goddard discovery began drilling Oct 28. The Wylie #1 will test a similar nearby

Notable Mergers and Acquisitions of the Day 11/5: AGU/CF, SNI, RX

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:48:46 -0500

Agrium Inc. (NYSE: AGU) today announced that it is increasing its exchange offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF) to $92.99 per CF share based on Agrium's closing stock price on November 4, 2009. Under the terms of this best and final offer, CF stockholders would receive $45.00 in cash, an increase of $5.00, or 12.5 percent, in the cash consideration, and one common share of Agrium for each CF share. This offer provides a premium of over 67 percent to CF's closing price on February 24, 2009, the day before Agrium announced

After-Hours Movers 11/04: RSOL, SANM, PARL, VLNC, GIVN, CECO Higher; SMSI, AUTH, WFMI, ANDE Lower

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:28:03 -0500

Real Goods Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: RSOL) 26.5% HIGHER; report Q3 EPS of $0.01, versus the consensus of a $0.01 loss. Revenues were $23 million, versus the consensus of $19 million. Smith Micro Software (NASDAQ: SMSI) 17.3% LOWER; reports Q3 adjusted EPS of $0.20, 1 cent better than the analyst estimate of $0.19. Revenue for the quarter was $27.80 million, which compares to the estimate of $29.37 million. Lowers FY09 Guidance from $110 - $115 million to $105 - $110 million, versus $111.30 million consensus. Sanmina-SCI Corp. (NASDAQ: SANM) 16.7% HIGHER; reports Q4 EPS of $0.00, versus the analyst estimate

Trading Radar for 11/05: Starbucks (SBUX), CBS Corp. (CBS), CVS (CVS), Toyota (TM), Thomson Reuters (TRI)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:42:59 -0500

The Trading Radar highlights key earnings and economic announcements for tomorrow's trading session: Before Market Opens: Economics: 8:30am ET

Employment Cost Index - no Street consensus
Initial jobless claims - Street Sees 520K
Continuing Claims - Street Sees 5.75M

Earnings: Abiomed, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD) – consensus loss $0.21 Abraxis BioScience, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABII) – consensus loss $0.55 ACI Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACIW) – consensus EPS $0.29 Alexandria Real Estate (NYSE: ARE) – consensus EPS $1.13 American Shared Hospital Services (NYSE: AMS) – no consensus ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS) – consensus EPS $0.41 Arbinet (NASDAQ: ARBX) – no consensus ArQule, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARQL) – consensus loss $0.26 Astronics (NASDAQ: ATRO) – consensus EPS $0.15 ATP Oil & Gas

Unusual 11 Mid-Day Movers 11/04: PACR, ABK, AGYS, RHB Higher; STEC, MNTG, CT, VG Lower

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:05:32 -0500

Pacer International (NASDAQ: PACR) 53.5% HIGHER; reports Q3 EPS of $0.02, 3 cents better than the analyst estimate of ($0.01). STEC, Inc. (NASDAQ: STEC) 36.2% LOWER; reports Q3 EPS of $0.50, 3 cents better than the analyst estimate of $0.47. Revenue for the quarter was $98.30 million, which compares to the estimate of $96.58 million. Sees Q4 EPS $0.51 - $0.53, versus $0.52 consensus. Also sees Q409 sales $101 - $103 million, versus $106 million. The stock was also downgraded at ThinkEquity, Deutsche Bank and Wedbush. Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABK) 34.2% HIGHER; reported Q3 EPS of $7.58,

ETF Movers: XLF, XLB, TAN, USO, GLD Up; FAZ, IYT, KRE Lower

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:58:43 -0500

ETF Movers: HIGHER:

Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLF) +0.7%. Up but off the day highs.
Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLB) +1.4%. Strength in commodity names it holds like Freeport McMoran (NYSE: FCX), Newmont (NYSE: NEM), and Alcoa (NYSE: AA).
Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy (NYSE: TAN) +2.1%. Solar names reacting positive to jump in crude
United States Oil (NYSE: USO) +1%. Big draw down in crude inventories and inflaiton fears
SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE: GLD) +0.6%. Gold continues to make new highs on fears of depreciating world currencies, including the dollar.

LOWER:

Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: FAZ) -2.6%: Down but off lows of

Notable Analyst Rating Changes 11/04: VIA, DRIV, JBHT, GD Upgraded; STEC, ENR, DLB Downgraded

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:16:54 -0500

UPGRADES: Wunderlich Securities upgrades Viacom (NYSE: VIA-B) from Hold to Buy. Price target increased from $31 to $34. Click Here for more color. The stock was also upgraded to Outperform at Oppenheimer and to Buy at Miller Tabak. Digital River (Nasdaq: DRIV) upgraded at to Overweight at Piper Jaffray and to Buy at Collins Stewart. Bank of America upgraded JB Hunt (NASDAQ: JBHT) from Neutral to Buy with a $37 price target Credit Suisse upgrades General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD) from Neutral to Outperform. Wells Fargo and FBR Capital upgrade Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET) to Market Perform. For daily

Notable Mergers and Acquisitions of the Day 11/4: TRA/CF, RHB, VCGH

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:34:40 -0500

Terra Industries Inc. (NYSE: TRA) announced that its Board of Directors, with the advice of its financial and legal advisors, has carefully reviewed CF Industries Holdings, Inc.'s (NYSE: CF) latest proposal to acquire Terra for the equivalent of $24.50 in cash (which equals the net value of CF's announced offer of $32.00 that will be reduced by Terra's previously declared $7.50 per share special cash dividend) and 0.1034 of a share of CF common stock, and unanimously rejected it as inadequate, opportunistic and not in the best interests of Terra and its shareholders. In rejecting CF's latest proposal, the Board considered

Morning Movers 11/04: MPAC, ABK, GNVC, RHB, IRE, PACR Higher; STEC, CLRT, VG, TRLG, ANSW Lower

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:19:14 -0500

MOD-PAC Corp. (NASDAQ: MPAC) 93.5% HIGHER; reports Q3 EPS of $0.29, versus the $0.00 reported in the same quarter last year. Revenue for the quarter was $12.6 million, flat from Q308. STEC, Inc. (NASDAQ: STEC) 31.5% LOWER; reports Q3 EPS of $0.50, 3 cents better than the analyst estimate of $0.47. Revenue for the quarter was $98.30 million, which compares to the estimate of $96.58 million. Sees Q4 EPS $0.51 - $0.53, versus $0.52 consensus. Also sees Q409 sales $101 - $103 million, versus $106 million. The stock was also downgraded at ThinkEquity, Deutsche Bank and Wedbush. Ambac Financial Group,

After-Hours Movers 11/03: QLTY, PACR, BGCP, TESO Higher; STEC, TRLG, CLRT, CRL, MYGN Lower

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:03:46 -0500

STEC, Inc. (NASDAQ: STEC) 32.2% LOWER; reports Q3 EPS of $0.50, 3 cents better than the analyst estimate of $0.47. Revenue for the quarter was $98.30 million, which compares to the estimate of $96.58 million. Sees Q4 EPS $0.51 - $0.53, versus $0.52 consensus. Also sees Q409 sales $101 - $103 million, versus $106 million. Quality Distribution Inc. (NASDAQ: QLTY) 26% HIGHER; reports Q3 EPS of $0.06, 4 cents better than the analyst estimate of $0.02. Revenue for the quarter was $162.8 million, which compares to the estimate of $154.65 million. Pacer International (NASDAQ: PACR) 19.9% HIGHER; reports Q3

Trading Radar for 11/04: Cisco (CSCO), Comcast (CMCSA), Tyco (TEL), Molson Coors (TAP) Report

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:42:30 -0500

The Trading Radar highlights key earnings and economic announcements for tomorrow's trading session: Before Market Opens: Economics: 7:30am ET

Challenger Job Cuts - no Street consensus

8:15am ET

ADP Employment Report - Street Sees (190K)

Earnings: 3D Systems (NASDAQ: TDSC) – consensus loss $0.04 Agilysys, Inc. (NASDAQ: AGYS) – consensus loss $0.19 Agrium Inc. (NYSE: AGU) – consensus EPS $0.16 Almost Family (NASDAQ: AFAM) – consensus EPS $0.70 Alvarion (NASDAQ: ALVR) – consensus loss $0.02 Ambac Financial Group (NYSE: ABK) – consensus loss $4.43 American States Water (NYSE: AWR) – consensus EPS $0.51 American Vanguard (NYSE: AVD) – consensus EPS $0.13 Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA) – consensus EPS $0.27 Arch Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: ARJ) – consensus EPS

Unusual 11 Mid-Day Movers 11/03: LNY, BNI, DDRX, BDK Higher; CKEC, TPGI, CHTP, CMLS Lower

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:36:54 -0500

Landry's Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: LNY) 28.3% HIGHER; entered into a definitive merger agreement with a company wholly-owned by Tilman J. Fertitta, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Landry's. Pursuant to the agreement, the Fertitta company has agreed to acquire all of Landry's outstanding common stock not already owned by Mr. Fertitta for $14.75 per share in cash. The offer price represents a premium of approximately 37% over the closing share price of Landry's common stock on November 2, 2009. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) 28.2% HIGHER; The boards of directors of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A)

Notable Analyst Rating Changes: CSX, UNH, DF, TS Upgraded; SNDK, INTC, VALE Upgraded

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:22:35 -0500

UPGRADES: Stifel Nicolaus upgraded shares of CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) from Hold to Buy. The analyst also set a $51 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley upgrades UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) from Equalweight to Overweight. Price target $33. Stephens & Co upgrades Dean Foods (NYSE: DF) from Equalweight to Overweight, sets price target of $20. Stifel Nicolaus also upgraded Dean Foods from Hold to Buy, and set a price target $20. Jefferies & Co upgrades Tenaris S.A. (NYSE: TS) from Hold to Buy. Price target increased from $30 to $44. For daily real-time Upgrades go to http://www.streetinsider.com/Upgrades DOWNGRADES: Wedbush

Morning Movers 10/03: BNI, DDRX, BDK, AIMC, RTEC, MEDW Higher; CKEC, TPGI, IBCP, NSTC, CMLS, HEB Lower

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:39:14 -0500

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) 28.4% HIGHER; The boards of directors of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) and Burlington Northern today announced a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire for $100 per share in cash and stock the remaining 77.4% of outstanding BNI shares not currently owned to increase its holdings to 100%. Based on the number of outstanding BNI shares (including shares currently owned by Berkshire) on Nov. 2, 2009, the transaction is valued at approximately $44 billion, including $10 billion of outstanding BNSF debt, making it the largest acquisition in Berkshire Hathaway

Notable Mergers and Acquisitions of the Day 11/3: BRK.B/BNI, SWK/BDK, PEET/DDRX

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:28:35 -0500

In a surprise move this morning, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.a) (NYSE: BRK.B) has agreed to purchase Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (NYSE: BNI) for a price tag of $44 billion, including $10 billion of outstanding BNSF debt. This is the largest acquisition ever by Buffet's company. Berkshire Hathaway will pay $100 a share in the purchase of the railway company, excluding the 22 percent that Buffet's company already owns. The deal will be primarily composed of Berkshire's "A" share, while the board also approved a 50-1 split of the Company's Class B common stock. On Monday the Berkshire "B"

After-Hours Movers 11/02: BDK, DDRX, ATSI, HLF, HTCH, SNCR, CAR Higher; TNS, HIMX, SVR, TXRH Lower

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:40:54 -0500

Black & Decker (NYSE: BDK) 21.2% HIGHER; Stanley Works has agreed to acquired Black & Decker in a merger that will create an $8.4 billion global industrial leader in an all-stock transaction valued at $4.5 billion. The merger has caused a 20 percent jump in the stock price for Black & Decker in the after-hours market. Click here for the full report. Black & Decker shareholders will receive a fixed ratio of 1.275 shares of Stanley common stock for each share of Black & Decker common stock that they own as of October 30, 2009. This gives an

Unusual 11 Mid-Day Movers 11/02: HGSI, EAC, IUSA, VRTX Higher; CIT, YRCW, GTXI, CPF Lower

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:48:28 -0500

CIT (NYSE: CIT) 63.3% LOWER; As expected, over the weekend, CIT announced that, with the overwhelming support of its debtholders, the Board of Directors voted to proceed with the prepackaged bankruptcy plan. Click here for the full report. YRC Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq: YRCW) 54.7% LOWER; today announced that it intends to launch an exchange offer this week based upon terms discussed with representatives of a committee of the holders of its contingent convertible notes and a committee of the holders of its USF 8 1/2% notes. The successful completion of this exchange would allow the company open access

Trading Radar for 11/03: UBS (UBS), Yamana Gold (AUY), Archer-Daniels (ADM), Royal Caribbean (RCL), Marathon (MRO) Report

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:40:31 -0500

The Trading Radar highlights key earnings and economic announcements for tomorrow's trading session: Before Market Opens: Earnings: Acorda Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ACOR) – consensus losss $0.59 Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc. (NYSE: ALY) – consensus loss $0.13 Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ANR) – consensus EPS $0.38 American Tower Corp. (NYSE: AMT) – consensus EPS $0.17 AmeriSourceBergen (NYSE: ABC) – consensus EPS $0.40 Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) – consensus EPS $0.56 Belo (NYSE: BLC) – consensus EPS $0.05 Bill Barrett Corporation (NYSE: BBG) – consensus EPS $0.35 Blount International (NYSE: BLT) – consensus EPS $0.18 Braskem, S.A. (NYSE: BAK) – consensus loss $0.43 Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P (NYSE: BIP) – consensus EPS $0.05 Cablevision Systems

Notable Analyst Rating Changes 11/02: MOT, UFS, GNW, EL, JWN, WY, RCL, CS Upgraded; RIMM, PALM, CMCSA, ERJ, GERN Downgraded

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:48:38 -0500

UPGRADES: Citigroup upgraded Motorola (NYSE: MOT) from Hold to Buy and lifted their price target from $9 to $10.50. JPMorgan, Raymond James and RBC upgrade Domtar (NYSE: UFS) to Overweight, Outperform and Top Pick, respectively. Fox-Pitt upgrades Genworth Financial (NYSE: GNW) from In-Line to Outperform. Price target $15. UBS and Caris upgrade Estee Lauder (NYSE: EL). Deutsche Bank upgrades Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) to Buy. Price target $45. Click here for the full report. Credit Suisse upgrades Weyerhaeuser (NYSE: WY) to Neutral. Price target increased to $37. Wells Fargo upgrades Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) to Outperform w/ $24-$26 valuation range on '11 estimates.

Morning Movers 11/02: CIT, HGSI, EAC, VRTX, CTB, BC, F Higher; YRCW, GTXI, FSNM, LDK Lower

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:26:02 -0500

CIT (NYSE: CIT) 61% LOWER; As expected, over the weekend, CIT announced that, with the overwhelming support of its debtholders, the Board of Directors voted to proceed with the prepackaged bankruptcy plan. Click here for the full report. YRC Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq: YRCW) 45.8% LOWER; today announced that it intends to launch an exchange offer this week based upon terms discussed with representatives of a committee of the holders of its contingent convertible notes and a committee of the holders of its USF 8 1/2% notes. The successful completion of this exchange would allow the company open access to