Equities Research Analysts’ Upgrades for February, 23rd (ALXN, BMO, CEC, CUZ, CYH, DTV, ELT, ERIC, FTE, GAME, GBG, GMK, HCA, IMPUY, ITC, LAMR, LL, LVLT, PFG, PPC, PTR, SJW, VVUS)

Analysts’ upgrades for Thursday, February 23rd:

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) was upgraded by analysts at UBS AG from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating.

Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO) was upgraded by analysts at Credit Suisse from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating.

CEC Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: CEC) was upgraded by analysts at Morgan Keegan from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating. They now have a $44.00 price target on the stock.

Cousins Properties Inc (NYSE: CUZ) was upgraded by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They now have a $9.00 price target on the stock.

Community Health Systems (NYSE: CYH) was upgraded by analysts at Deutsche Bank from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating.

DirecTV (NYSE: DTV) was upgraded by analysts at Atlantic Equities from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating.

Elster Group SE (NYSE: ELT) was upgraded by analysts at Bank of America from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating.

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) was upgraded by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating.

France Telecom SA (NYSE: FTE) was upgraded by analysts at ING Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating.

Shanda Games (NASDAQ: GAME) was upgraded by analysts at Macquarie from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating.

Great Basin Gold Ltd. (NYSE: GBG) was upgraded by analysts at Raymond James to an “outperform” rating.

Gruma ADR Reptg Four Series B Ord Shs (NYSE: GMK) was upgraded by analysts at UBS AG from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating.

HCA Holdings Inc (NYSE: HCA) was upgraded by analysts at Deutsche Bank from a “buy” rating to a “buy” rating.

Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: IMPUY) was upgraded by analysts at HSBC from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating.

ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) was upgraded by analysts at Wunderlich from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They now have a $85.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $77.00.

Kellogg (NYSE: K) was upgraded by analysts at Deutsche Bank from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating.

Kellogg (NYSE: K) was upgraded by analysts at Citigroup to a “buy” rating.

Lamar Advertising Company (NASDAQ: LAMR) was upgraded by analysts at Caris & Co. to an “average” rating.

Lamar Advertising Company (NASDAQ: LAMR) was upgraded by analysts at Caris & Company from a “below average” rating to an “average” rating.

Lamar Advertising Company (NASDAQ: LAMR) was upgraded by analysts at MKM Partners from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating.

Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL) was upgraded by analysts at Piper Jaffray from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating.

Level 3 (NASDAQ: LVLT) was upgraded by analysts at Morgan Stanley from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating.

Principal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: PFG) was upgraded by analysts at Sterne Agee from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating.

Pilgrims Pride Corp (NYSE: PPC) was upgraded by analysts at Imperial Capital to an “outperform” rating. They now have a $9.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $6.00.

Petrochina ADR Representing 100 Ord Shs (NYSE: PTR) was upgraded by analysts at Credit Suisse from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating.

SJW Corp. (NYSE: SJW) was upgraded by analysts at Brean Murray from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They now have a $29.00 price target on the stock.

VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS) was upgraded by analysts at Brean Murray from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating. They now have a $2.00 price target on the stock.

VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS) was upgraded by analysts at Leerink from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating.

VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS) was upgraded by analysts at Rodman & Renshaw from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating. They now have a $39.00 price target on the stock.

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Posted by Web Inquirer Staff on 23 Feb 2012. Filed under Markets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.