Stronger Opening
Stocks appear set to open higher
Monday.
Affiliated Computer
(
ACS |
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Chart |
News |
PowerRating) was
upgraded by SG Cowen from Buy to Strong Buy, citing improving demand trends and
earnings improvement over the next two quarters. The firm also raised its price
target on the company from $61 to $68.
USB Piper Jaffray raised Q1earnings
estimates on eBay
(
EBAY |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating) from 16 cent to 17 cents.
Biovail
(
BVF |
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Chart |
News |
PowerRating) reaffirmed 2002 and
2003 earnings growth of 30% to 35%, but lowered Q1 guidance. BVF said it feels
earnings for the first quarter will be between 27 cents and 32 cents. Analysts’
estimates according to Multex were for 34 cents.
Medtronic
(
MDT |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating) will be holding a
conference call at 12:00 PM EST today.
ABN AMRO said it expects the Specialty
Chemicals Group’s consolidation to most likely pick up in the next 12 to 24
months.
Bear Stearns upgraded Cerner
(
CERN |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
from Attractive to Buy based on valuation as it poses a good risk to reward. The
firm has a price target of $60 on the company.
DB Alex Brown downgraded Bristol Myers
(
BMY |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating) from Strong Buy to Buy based on valuation. The firm sees an upside in
the price of BMY near $56.
JP Morgan downgraded AT&T Wireless
(
AWE |
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Chart |
News |
PowerRating) from Buy to Market Perform due to its competitive position against
Sprint PCS
(
PCS |
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Chart |
News |
PowerRating) and Nextel
(
NXTL |
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Chart |
News |
PowerRating).