Investment Analysts’ ratings reiterations for Wednesday, February 27th:
Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) had its neutral rating reiterated by analysts at Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs currently has a $45.00 target price on the stock.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) had its market perform rating reiterated by analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein. Sanford C. Bernstein currently has a $69.00 price target on the stock.
European Aeronautic Defence and Space company (EPA: EAD) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at Commerzbank Corporates & Markets. They currently have a $57.14 target price on the stock.
Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) had its neutral rating reissued by analysts at JPMorgan Chase. JPMorgan Chase currently has a $74.00 target price on the stock.
Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Deutsche Bank. They currently have a $88.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $77.00. The analysts wrote, “Ecolab shares rose 4% following an in-line Q4 earnings release as below consensus Q1 ’13 guidance was more than offset by strong Q4 results at Nalco (EBIT +47%) and Ecolab’s European cleaning business (EBIT +48%), a reasonable explanation for the Q1 shortfall (tough Energy comp, pension, sale of vehicle care) and reaffirmed ’13 EPS guidance of +13-17% ex Champion and +16-20% with Champion. With the European restructuring gaining traction (margins +110 bps in ’12; another 100bps in ‘13E), the $2.2B Champion acquisition (on track to close by quarter end) likely to accelerate upstream growth in Energy (shale, oil sands) and valuation a fair 21.5x ‘13E EPS, Buy.”
Edison International (NYSE: EIX) had its buy rating reissued by analysts at Wunderlich. They currently have a $51.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $49.00. The analysts wrote, “Edison International (EIX) reported 4Q core operating EPS of $1.79 versus $0.77 a year ago (our/consensus was $1.00/$1.04). Adjusting for non-recurring items and reflecting the retroactive rate case impact, 4Q EPS were closer to $1.47. For the full year 2012, core EPS of $3.58 benefited from the retroactive application of the 2012 rate case (GRC) and $0.21 of cost reductions.”
Edison International (NYSE: EIX) had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Deutsche Bank. Deutsche Bank currently has a $51.50 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $51.00. The analysts wrote, “EIX reported 2012 results and initiated 2013 guidance well above expectations, largely related to O&M cuts and a repair deduction tax benefit. While the earnings impact of these benefits is not expected to flow through to 2015 when rates are reset in the next General Rate Case (GRC), we see them providing other positive non-earnings impacts going forward, including providing rate headroom. We continue to view the SONGS risk as manageable. Reiterate Buy, as we continue to expect above-average earnings growth and constructive regulation to merit a premium valuation.”
Endesa SA (MCE: ELE) had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Banesto Bolsa SA Sociedad. They currently have a $28.70 target price on the stock.
Bouygues SA (EPA: EN) had its hold rating reiterated by analysts at Societe Generale. Societe Generale currently has a $24.68 price target on the stock.
Ferrovial SA (MCE: FER) had its reduce rating reissued by analysts at AlphaValue. They currently have a $14.68 target price on the stock.
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (ETR: FME) had its neutral rating reissued by analysts at Goldman Sachs. They currently have a $68.83 target price on the stock.
First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at Goldman Sachs. They currently have a $27.00 target price on the stock.
Shanda Games (NASDAQ: GAME) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at Nomura. The firm currently has a $4.00 price target on the stock.
Societe Generale SA (EPA: GLE) had its outperform rating reissued by analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods currently has a $46.75 price target on the stock.
GDF Suez SA (EPA: GSZ) had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at Nomura. They currently have a $16.36 target price on the stock.
Health Care REIT (NYSE: HCN) had its overweight rating reissued by analysts at Barclays Capital. Barclays Capital currently has a $70.00 target price on the stock, down from their previous target price of $71.00.
Home Depot (NYSE: HD) had its neutral rating reissued by analysts at Nomura. Nomura currently has a $70.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $63.00. The analysts wrote, “The 5.1% gap stands as one of the wider margins in years. HD‟s execution remains impressive: it saw more storm-related lift and it rode an expanded presence and new brands to strong effect in appliances. LOW made progress during Q4 but remains in transition. LOW‟s adjusted traffic has improved despite muted top-line growth as GMs have stabilized. 1H 2012 saw HD outpace LOW in this adjusted metric by 3.2%. That narrowed to 1.4% and 1.1% in Q3 and Q4. Our HD EPS estimates are unchanged for 2013/14 at $3.60 & $4.15. However, they reflect a rebalancing within quarters to reflect stronger comp gains during Q2 and Q3 and more modest gains in Q1 and Q4.”
Home Depot (NYSE: HD) had its hold rating reiterated by analysts at Deutsche Bank. The firm currently has a $70.00 price target on the stock.
HollyFrontier Corp (NYSE: HFC) had its conviction-buy rating reiterated by analysts at Goldman Sachs.
Host Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HST) had its market outperform rating reissued by analysts at JMP Securities. They currently have a $17.00 target price on the stock.
IBM (NYSE: IBM) had its sector perform rating reissued by analysts at RBC Capital. They currently have a $215.00 target price on the stock.
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) had its market outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at JMP Securities. JMP Securities currently has a $26.00 target price on the stock.
Inditex SA (MCE: ITX) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at Nomura. They currently have a $157.14 price target on the stock.
James Hardie Industries (ASX: JHX) had its underperform rating reiterated by analysts at CIMB. The firm currently has a $8.38 price target on the stock.
KeyBanc (NYSE: KEY) had its underweight rating reissued by analysts at Barclays Capital. Barclays Capital currently has a $9.00 price target on the stock.
