A number of stocks were upgraded and downgraded by equities research analysts today, as reported by Analyst Ratings Network (http://bit.ly/equitybriefdaily) and Equity Brief:
Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of Golar LNG Partners (GMLP) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating. Clarkson Capital now has a $36.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $33.00. They wrote, "Last week, GMLP announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire the LNG carrier Golar Grand (2006 built, 145,000cbm) from GP unitholder GLNG (Outperform; $46 PT) for a price of $265M. . Expect acquisition to drive distribution growth of ~10%, increasing estimates. Holding distribution coverage steady at ~1.4x, we estimate distribution growth of ~10% over the next 12 months, to $2.10/unit vs $1.90/unit currently. Due to the accretive acquisition, our FY2013 earnings per unit (EPU) estimate also increases to $2.45 from $2.40. The Street expects FY2013 EPU of $2.27 however we do not believe the Grand has yet been accounted for in all numbers."
Wunderlich raised its price target on shares of Gulfport Energy Co. (GPOR) from $40.00 to $44.00. They have a buy rating on the stock.
Imperial Capital upgraded shares of Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc. (GPRE) from an in rating to a line rating. Imperial Capital now has a $10.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $4.00.
Zacks reiterated its neutral rating on shares of Haemonetics Co. (HAE). They have a $86.00 price target on the stock.
Goldman Sachs upgraded shares of HCA Holdings Inc (HCA) from a neutral rating to a buy rating. Goldman Sachs now has a $39.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $31.00.
SunTrust initiated coverage on shares of Halcon Resources (HK). They issued a buy rating on the stock and set a $9.00 price target.
Gilford Securities initiated coverage on shares of Horizon Technology Finance (HRZN). They issued a hold rating on the stock. They wrote, "Horizon is led by a five person team. Each team member has at least 12 years' experience in venture lending. In the past, they have held senior-level positions in companies such as GATX Ventures, Inc., Transamerica Technology Finance, Financing for Science International, Inc., and GE Life Sciences. The management team's network of contacts in the venture capital community serves as a main source of investment opportunities."
Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) from a hold rating to a buy rating. Cantor Fitzgerald now has a $16.00 price target on the stock.
Bank of America upgraded shares of China Lodging Group (HTHT) from a neutral rating to a buy rating. They wrote, "We are upgrading China Lodging Group (HTHT) to Buy from Neutral as we see more clarity on the outlook of the economy hotel sector and expect the sector will see margin expansion next year. We expect RevPAR to be able to rise over 2% YoY due to the improvement in China's economy next year while the lower inflation environment should slow down the pace of cost increase."
SunTrust upgraded shares of Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG) from a neutral rating to a buy rating. SunTrust now has a $37.00 price target on the stock.
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