Analyst Actions: S, VMW, ARO, DIS, AGN

Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S): Collins Stewart on Tuesday upgraded its rating on the company to Buy from Neutral. In a research note to clients, the firm stated, "We are upgrading Sprint to Buy from a long standing Neutral during this time of extreme volatility that have caused Sprint shares to under perform the S&P 500 index after outperforming the index for the first half of the year. With fairly low expectations for 2H11 and 2012, with a stock now trading at 4.6x estimated 2012 EBITDA and with the possibility of change in margin trajectory late 2012 and significant improvement in 2013, we find the stock attractive for investors with a longer-term investment horizon." Collins Stewart has a $5 PT on Sprint stock.

VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW): Barclays this morning upgraded VMware to Overweight from Equalweight. The firm raised its price target on the stock to $114 from $94.

Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO): Jefferies upgraded its rating on the company to Hold from Underperform with a price target of $12.00. In a research note to clients, the firm stated, "Since the beginning of the year, ARO has played out to our thesis with significant top-line and margin erosion YTD. While additional challenges still lie ahead, we think they now are priced into the stock. Additionally, ARO's business model is intact and can perform better once the environment improves. Upgrade to Hold with $12 PT."

Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS): BofA/Merrill Lynch downgraded the company to Neutral from Buy.

Allergan Inc. (NYSE: AGN): Credit Suisse this morning upgraded Allergen to Outperform from Neutral. The firm lifted its price target on the stock to $91 from $81.

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: CVX, ISRG, CREE, TXN

Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX): Oppenheimer & Co. on Thursday upgraded its rating on the company to outperform to Perform with a price target of $110 a share. In a research note to clients, the firm stated that the recent pullback in the stock has created a buying opportunity. "We think market volatility will accelerate investors' flight to quality and benefit CVX. Chevron has the highest unit profit in the industry, and its earnings are highly leveraged to the price of crude oil, which accounts for 68% of production." After spending heavily on capital projects, Chevron plans to start boosting its production by 4% to 5% a year after 2014, the highest among its peers. 

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG): ThinkEquity initiated coverage on the company with a Hold rating and a price target of $330.

Cree Inc. (NASDAQ: CREE): Morgan Stanley upgraded its rating on Cree to Overweight from Underweight.

Texas Instruments Inc. (NYSE: TXN): Longbow Research downgraded its rating on the comany to Neutral from Buy following checks that indicate continued industry order weakness through July. 

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: AAPL, EMC, RENN, HERO, BRCM

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL): Canaccord Genuity on Monday raised its price target on Apple to $515 from $510. The firm retained its Buy rating on the stock.

EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC): Oppenheimer & Co. upgraded its rating on the company to Outperform from Perform with a new price target of $32.

Renren Inc (NYSE: RENN): Maxim Group this morning initiated coverage on the company with a Sell rating and a price target of $7.50.

Hercules Offshore (NASDAQ: HERO): Raymond James upgraded its rating on the company to Outperform from Underperform.

Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM): Pacific Crest on Monday initiated coverage on the company with an Outperform rating and a price target of $46.

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: SPWRA, WFR, PEP, SWY, P

SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWRA): Lazard Capital analyst Sanjay Shrestha on Monday downgraded its rating on the company to Neutral from Buy. In a research note to clients, the analyst contends that deterioration in the Euro market brought on by debt contagion will eventually affect demand, especially in the all-important Italian solar market. 

MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR): Auriga on Monday initiated coverage on the company with a Buy rating and a price target of $11.

Pepsico (NYSE: PEP): Goldman Sachs downgraded the company to Neutral from Conviction Buy. The firm also cut its price target on the stock to $74 from $83. The firm said that it now expects lower North American beverage profit as "intensified competition from Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and a tough macro environment has led to softer-than-expected price realization."

Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY): Goldman Sachs this morning downgraded Safeway to Sell from Neutral, citing valuation, inflation pressures, and moderating top-line growth. The firm slashed its price target on the stock to $20 from $25. 

Pandora Media, Inc. (NYSE: P): JPMorgan on Monday initiated coverage on the company with an Overweight rating and a price target of $22.

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: BSX, FFIV, BIIB, SNV, FRX

Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE: BSX): Credit Suisse on Tuesday upgraded its rating on the company to Buy from Hold citing compelling risk/reward, expectations for an acceleration in EPS growth, and cost reductions.

F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV): Barclays this morning upgraded this rating on the company to Overweight  from Equal-weight. The firm lifted its price target on the stock to $125 from $100.

Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB): Credit Suisse upgraded its rating on the company to Outperform from Neutral. The firm raised its price target on the company to $126 from $100.

Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE: SNV): Wunderlich Securities downgraded to Hold from Buy. The firm lowered its price target on the company to $2.50 from $3.50.

Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX): Argus upgraded its rating on the company to Buy from Hold. 

Full Disclosure: None.

Analysts Actions: RIMM, SPWRA, MMI, BIIB, WEN

Research in Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM): Credit Suisse downgraded iots rating on the company to Neutral from Outperform.

SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWRA): Wunderlich Securities upgraded its rating on the company to Hold from Sell. The firm left its price target unchanged at $16.

Motorola Mobility Holdings (NYSE: MMI): Credit Suisse lowered its rating on the company to Underperform  from Outperform.

Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB): Deutsche Bank raised its rating on the company to Buy from Hold. In a note to clients, the firm stated, "1) Our analysis suggests CONFIRM will show BG-12 is more effective than Copaxone & DEFINE data will remain strong. Combo BG-12 & daclizumab Q3 data are under-appreciated. 2) We believe Tysabri will reach a positive inflection by YE:11 with most pts on drug being JCV negative in US. 3) Our due diligence suggests a greater likelihood of success for hemophilia trials in '12."

Wendy's-Arby's Group (NYSE: WEN): Argus upgraded the stock to Hold from Sell.

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: MRVL, MCP, CAT, PCX, SWKS

Marvell Technology (NASDAQ: MRVL): Lazard Capital Markets on Monday upgraded its rating on the company to Buy from Neutral. 

Molycorp (NYSE: MCP): Piper Jaffray this morning upgraded its rating on the company to Overweight from Neutral. The firm maintained its $73 price target.

Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT): Raymond James upgraded the company to strong Buy from Outperform. The firm maintained a $135 price target on shares of Caterpillar.

Patriot Coal (NYSE: PCX): Goldman Sachs raised its rating on the company to Conviction Buy from Neutral citing valuation and leverage to higher thermal coal prices. The firm raised its price target on the stock to $29 from $28.

Skyworks Solutions (NASDAQ: SWKS): Deutsche Bank downgraded its rating on the company to Hold from Buy to Hold. The firm slashed its price target to $30 from $40. In a research note to clients, the firm stated, "We think Skyworks faces a volatile second half. While we see no serious signs of trouble, we think share loss at Apple, pricing pressure in China, and integration issues will make it difficult for them to keep beating numbers. Long-term industry fundamentals seem strong, and they remain the best company in the sector, but additional near-term uncertainty merits a Hold rating."

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: NOK, MGM, RIG, CLF, LNKD, RENN

Nokia (NYSE: NOK): Wunderlich Securities on Monday downgraded its rating on the company to Hold from Buy.

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM): Bernstein Upgraded its rating on the stock to Outperform from Market Perform citing increased projections for Macau growth. 

Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG): Argus this morning upgraded Transocean to Buy from Hold citing valuation. Price target is $85. 

Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE: CLF): UBS initiated coverage on the company with a Buy rating and a price target of $122.

Linkedin Corporation (NYSE: LNKD): Evercore Partners initiated coverage on the company with an Equal-weight rating and $70 price target.

Renren (NASDAQ: RENN): Oppenheimer initiated coverage on the company with an Outperform rating and $12 price target.

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: MU, WFR, AIG, ORCL, STI

Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU): Wells Fargo on Friday upgraded its rating on the company to Outperform from Market Perform. In a research note to clients, the firm stated, "When Micron reported February quarter earnings in March, February quarter revenue and earnings were better than we had modeled. Through the rest of the May quarter, even though memory spot prices fell Micron’s contract price negotiations resulted in higher DRAM and NAND contract prices. Today we are raising our May quarter revenue and earnings estimates for Micron’s May and August quarters. Our FY11 revenue estimate increases to $8.76 billion from $8.51 billion and our EPS estimate increases to $0.29 from $0.21. We are leaving our FY12 estimates unchanged for the moment"

MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR): Stifel Nicolaus downgraded its rating on the company to Hold  from Buy. The firm also removed its $16 price target on the stock.

American International Group (NYSE: AIG): Bank of America/Merrill Lynch this morning initiated coverage on the stock with a Buy rating.

Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL): Credit Suisse on Friday recommended buying shares on recent weakness and reiterates its Outperform rating and $42 price target. The firm expects Oracle to report a good quarter driven by higher deal volume. 

SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI): Macquarie lowered its rating on the company to Neutral from Outperform. The firm cut its price target on the stock to $26 from $33.

Full disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: AAPL, AIG, RIMM, MMM, ADSK

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL): First Global on Thursday downgraded its rating on the company to Market Perform From Moderate Outperform.

American International Group (NYSE: AIG): Deutsche Bank initiated coverage on the company with a Buy rating and a price target of $34.In a research note to clients, the firm stated, "AIG is the industry leader in P&C insurance markets, aircraft leasing and is a formidable competitor in the U.S. life and retirement market, particularly in fixed annuities. The company also has significant exposure through businesses and investments to the growing PacRim countries. Following restructuring, a new consistency of earnings is poised to be the main driver of stock performance."

Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM): Citigroup downgraded its rating on the company to Hold from Buy. The firm slashed its price target on the stock to $45 from $80.

3M Co. (NYSE: MMM): William Blair initiated coverage on the company with an Outperform rating and a price target of $110.

Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK): RBC Capital Markets initiated coverage on the company with a Sector Perform rating and a price target of $46.

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: ORCL, RSH, FITB, AEO, CMA

Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL): ThinkEquity on Thursday upgraded its rating on the company to Buy from Hold.

RadioShack (NYSE: RSH): Goldman Sachs this morning downgraded its rating on the stock  to Neutral from Buy. In a research note to clients, Goldman cited RadioShack's Q1 results for its decision.

Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB): Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded the company to Outperform from Market Perform.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO): Lazard Capital lowered its rating on the company  to Sell from Neutral.

Comerica (NYSE: CMA): Oppenheimer upgraded the stock to Outperform from Perform. 

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: BBY, KFT, GPS, BMC, ESLR

Best Buy Co Inc (NYSE: BBY): KeyBanc on Monday downgraded its rating on the company to Hold  from Buy.

Kraft Foods Inc (NYSE: KFT): Morgan Stanley cut its rating on the company to Equal Weight from Overweight. 

Gap Inc (NYSE: GPS): BofA/Merrill downgraded the company to Neutral from Buy. 

BMC Software (NASDAQ: BMC): Citigroup on Monday lowered its rating on the company to Hold from Buy. However, the firm maintained its price target of $52.

Evergreen Solar Inc (NASDAQ: ESLR): Citigroup this morning downgraded the company to Sell from Hold. The firm slashed  its price target on the stock to $1 from $3.50.

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: CRM, APC, ELN, TZOO, MDRX

Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM): FBR Capital on Thursday upgraded its rating on the company to Outperform from Market Perform. The firm lifted its price target on the stock to $170 from $155. In a researcn note to clients, the firm wrote, "The main reason for our upgrade is our revised bullish view on the company's diversification efforts. While much of the company's historical strength has been driven by its sales-force automation (SFA) business, we believe its diversification efforts-which got off to a slow start-are now gaining real traction."

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: APC): Lazard Capital upgraded Anadarko with a $100 price target citing higher oil price and production growth forecasts. 

Elan Corp (NYSE: ELN): RBC Capital this morning upgraded its rating on the stock to Outperform from Sector Perform.The firm raised its price target on the stock to $10 from $8.

Travelzoo (NASDAQ: TZOO): Benchmark Co. lowered its rating on the company to Hold from Buy, citing valuation. In a research note to client, the firm said "While we remain confident that Travelzoo's Local Deals has ramped nicely so far this year and may flourish in 2011, we fear that the stock may have overly reflected the potential contribution from Local Deals too quickly. Similar to the pullback that followed the in-line 4Q10 EPS report, we suspect TZOO stock may temporarily correct around the time of the 1Q11 EPS report which should be released within weeks."

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc (NASDAQ: MDRX): Auriga on Thursday downgrade the company to Hold from Buy. The firm cut its price target on the company to $24 from $25.

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: F, STI, CMA, NYX, OPTR, RAX

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F): Credit Suisse on Monday upgraded its rating on Ford citing improving fundamentals and lowered expectations. The firm raised its price target on the stock to $18 from $17. 

SunTrust Banks (NYSE: STI): Janney Montgomery Scott upgraded its rating on the stock to  Neutral from Sell. The firm also lifted its price target on the stock to $27 from $23.

Comerica, Inc. (NYSE: CMA): Sterne Agee upgraded its rating on the company to Buy from Neutral. 

NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX): Wells Fargo this morning downgraded its rating on the company  to Market Perform from Outperform.

Optimer Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: OPTR): Bank of America upgraded to Buy from Neutral. The firm increased its price target on the stock to $17 from $14.

Rackspace Hosting (NYSE: RAX): Raymond James lowered its rating on the company to Market Perform from Outperform, citing valuation.

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: TSLA, SOL, CAG, BMY, AET

Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA): Morgan Stanley upgraded its rating on the company to overweight from equal weight. The firm set a price target of $70. According to Morgan Stanley, Tesla will eventually become the 4th major U.S. Auto manufacturer behind GM, Ford & Chrysler.

Renesola (NYSE: SOL): Brean Murray on Thursday initiated coverage on Renesola with a Buy rating and a price target of $15. 

ConAgra (NYSE: CAG): Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on the stock with a Neutral rating.

Bristol-Myers (NYSE: BMY): Jefferies & Co. lowered its rating on the company to Hold from Buy, citing valuation

Aetna (NYSE: AET):  Oppenheimer downgraded its rating on the company to Perform from Outperform. However, the firm raised its price target on the stock to $42 from $35. 

Full Disclosure: None.

Analyst Actions: NVDA, ALU, BTU, MAR, NOK

Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA): JMP Securities upgraded Nvidia to Outperform from Market Perform with a $25 price target citing positive channel checks and the company's ARM-based Android and Windows initiatives. 

Alcatel-Lucent SA (NYSE: ALU): Goldman Sachs upgraded its rating on the company to Buy from Neutral. In a research note to clients, the firm wrote "We see 46% upside potential in Alcatel-Lucent; we now believe that profits from the company's structurally attractive growing businesses are poised to overtake declining legacy profits." The firm lifted its price target on the stock to €5.5 from €3.5.

Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTU): Goldman Sachs on Monday downgraded the company to Neutral from Buy. 

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR): Goldman Sachs downgraded its rating on the company to Neutral from Buy, citing uncertainty surrounding the proposed spin-off of its timeshare business. The firm lowered its price target on the stock to $38 from $48.    

Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK): Goldman Sachs upgraded its rating on the stock to Buy from Neutral. In a research note to clients, the firm wrote that the Finnish mobile giant is now in a period of "maximum uncertainty, creating a long-term opportunity for value investors. In our view the new CEO's decision to take Nokia back to its hardware-oriented roots as the industry rapidly commoditizes is appropriate, and creates the potential for €1 billion or more in cost reduction."

Full Disclosure: None.