Overseas Business Activity Slows

Overseas Business Activity Slows. Business activities in both China and the Eurozone are continuing to slow. For the fifth straight month in China, the flash manufacturing PMI fell to 48.1 in March from 48.5 in February and missing economist estimates of 48.7. In the Eurozone the flash composite PMI fell to 53.2 from 53.3 in February but topped economist consensus of 52.6. The latest PMI survey signals a 0.5% increase in Q1 GDP after growth of 0.3% in Q4.

Upgrades:

Boston Scientific (BSX): Bernstein raised their rating from Market Perform to Outperform and raised their target price from $12.00 to $15.00. Pre-market: 13.07 +0.25 (1.95%)

Ensco PLC (ESV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Ross Stores (ROST): RBC Capital raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform and raised their target price from $79.00 to $81.00. Pre-market: 74.40 +1.43 (1.96%)

United Continental Holdings (UAL): Raymond James raised their rating from Market Perform to Outperform and placed a target price of $52.00 on the company. Pre-market: 45.02 +0.69 (1.56%)

US Bancorp (USB): Atlantic Equities raised their rating from Underweight to Neutral. Pre-market: 43.08 +0.06 (0.14%)

VMware (VMW): Sterne Agee raised their rating from Neutral to Buy. Pre-market: 110.33 +1.12 (1.03%)

Wells Fargo (WFC): Atlantic Equities raised their rating from Underweight to Neutral. Pre-market: 49.50 +0.38 (0.77%)

Yelp (YELP): JMP Securities raised their rating from Market Perform to Outperform and placed a target price of $113.00 on the company. Pre-market: 86.00 +2.57 (3.08%)

Downgrades:

Abbott (ABT): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce.

AFLAC (AFL): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce.

Bank of America (BAC): Alantic Equities lowered their rating from Overweight to Neutral and lowered their target price from $20.00 to $18.50. Pre-market: 45.02 +0.69 (1.56%)

National Oilwell (NOV): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce. Pre-market: 74.58 +0.11 (0.15%)

Nike (NKE): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce. Pre-market: 75.49 +0.28 (0.37%)

Tiffany & Co. (TIF): Goldman Sachs lowered their rating from Conviction Buy to Buy and lowered their target price from $101.00 to $100.00. Pre-market: 89.11 -1.62 (-1.79%)

Coverage Initiated:

T-Mobile (TMUS): Evercore initiated coverage with an Equal Weight rating and target price of $34.00.

Markets: 
Futures at 8:34: Dow +0.20%. S&P +0.26%. Nasdaq +0.31%. Crude +0.52% to $99.98. Gold -0.97% to $1323.10. U.S. 10 Year -6/32 to 2.768%.

Europe: London -0.13%. Paris -0.20%. Frankfurt -0.23%. 

Asia: Japan +1.77% to 14475.3. Hong Kong +1.91% to 21846. China +0.91% to 2066. India +1.38% to 22055. 

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Russian Aggression Drives Down World Markets

Russian Aggression Drives Down World Markets. Markets around the world are lower today after Russian troops continue their military aggression against Ukraine. Military analysts say that Russian President Putin has little to fear as President Obama’s foreign policy of leading from behind had little effect in Egypt, Syria and Iran. Additionally, if the U.S. does not act in a very strong manner analysts say that China, North Korea and Iran will be emboldened to continue to act aggressively to their neighbors. Just prior to the Ukrainian invasion, Russian warships also docked in Cuba 50 miles of the coast of Florida. Some are now saying the move was a warning to Obama not to interfere in Ukraine. Russia's stock market has plunged and the country's central bank raised interest rates from 5.5% to 7%. The USD-RUB was +1.3% at 36.4489 rubles.

Upgrades:

AFLAC (AFL): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 63.76 -0.32 (-0.50%)

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 116.44 +0.66 (0.57%)

ConoccoPhillips (COP): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 66.01 -0.49 (-0.74%)

Intuit (INTU): Citigroup raised their rating from Neutral to Buy and raised their target price from $75.00 to $94.00. Pre-market: 78.15 0.00 (0.00%)

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 91.15 -0.97 (-1.05%)

Microsoft (MSFT): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 37.87 -0.44 (-1.15%)

National Oilwell Varco (NOV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 76.45 -0.59 (-0.77%)

Nokia (NOK): Canaccord raised their rating from Hold to Buy and raised their target price from $8.00 to $10.00. Pre-market: 7.53 -0.05 (-0.66%)

Southwest Airlines (LUV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Hold to Accumulate.

Travelers Cos (TRV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Downgrades:

Autodesk (ADSK): Citigroup lowered their rating from Neutral to Sell and maintained their target price of $36.00. Pre-market: 51.30 -1.18 (-2.25%)

Brinker International (EAT): Miller Tabak lowered their rating from Buy to Hold. Pre-market: 54.45 -0.55 (-1.00%)

Infosys (INFY): RW Baird lowered their rating from Outperform to Neutral and maintained their target price of $66.00. Pre-market: 60.66 -1.01 (-1.64%)

NII Holdings (NIHD): Gabelli lowered their rating from Buy to Hold. Pre-market: 1.22 +0.07 (6.09%)

Markets: 
Futures at 8:44: Dow -0.85%. S&P -1.01%. Nasdaq -0.99%. Crude +2.04% to $104.67. Gold +1.88% to $1346.40. U.S. 10 Year +7/32 to 2.623%.

Europe: London -1.70%. Paris -2.30%. Frankfurt -2.93%. 

Asia: Japan -1.27% to 14652. Hong Kong -1.47% to 22501. China +0.92% to 2075, India -0.82% to 20947. 

#TopWealthManager #RLPaler #WallStreet #FinancialPlanning #AnalystsRatings #EarningReports #Ukraine #Crimea #RussianInvasion 

CBO Says Obamacare Leads to Job Loss

CBO Says Obamacare Leads to Job Loss. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Obamacare will lead to a sharp decline in the number of hours worked equating to 2 million full-time jobs by 2017. We have already seen companies hiring part time workers instead of full time workers due to the law. Now the CBO says the law will cause some lower income workers to limit their hours to avoid losing federal subsidies provided by Obamacare.  House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said in a statement. "The president's healthcare law creates uncertainty for small businesses, hurts take-home pay, and makes it harder to invest in new workers. The middle class is getting squeezed in this economy, and this CBO report confirms that Obamacare is making it worse."

Upgrades:

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM): Scotia Capital raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform. Pre-market: 38.47 +0.24 (0.63%)

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM): Citigroup raised their rating from Neutral to Buy and placed a target price of $45.00 on the company. Pre-market: 38.47 +0.24 (0.63%)

Becton Dickinson (BDX): Raymond James raised their rating from Underperform to Market Perform.

BlackRock (BLK): Susquehanna raised their rating from Neutral to Positive and raised their target price from $321.00 to $348.00. Pre-market: 289.74 -0.01 (0.00%)

Church & Dwight (CHD): BMO Capital raised their rating from Market Perform to Outperform and raised their target price from $65.00 to $71.00.

Zillow Inc. (Z): CRT Capital raised their rating from Fair Value to Buy. Pre-market: 78.76 +0.15 (0.19%)

Downgrades:

Eaton Corp (ETN): MKM Partners lowered their rating from Buy to Neutral. Pre-market: 67.58 -1.07 (-1.56%)

Sirius XM (SIRI): Wunderlich lowered their rating from Buy to Hold and lowered their target price from $4.20 to $3.80.

Coverage Initiated:

Deckers Outdoors (DECK): B Riley initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $98.00. Pre-market: 75.58 -0.17 (-0.22%)

Laboratory Corp. (LH): Maxim initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $110.00.

Earning Reports:

AFLAC (AFL): Reported EPS of $1.40 beating estimates by +$0.01. After Hours: 62.00 +0.53 (0.86%)

Cognizant Tech (CTSH): Reported EPS of $1.15 in-line with estimates. Pre-market: 92.25 -4.76 (-4.91%)

Estee Lauder (EL): Reported EPS of $1.09 beating estimates by +$0.03. Pre-market: 69.40 +0.21 (0.30%)

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK): Reported EPS of $0.30 in-line with estimates. Pre-market: 52.05 +1.15 (2.26%)

Humana (HUM): Reported EPS of -$0.19 missing estimates by -$1.12.

Merck (MRK): Reported EPS of $0.88 missing estimates by -$0.01. Pre-market: 54.28 +0.77 (1.44%)

Time Warner (TWX): Reported EPS of $1.17 beating estimates by +$0.01. Pre-market: 62.50 +0.10 (0.16%)

Markets: 

Futures at 7:55: Dow -0.16%. S&P -0.27%. Nasdaq -0.21%. Crude +0.58% to $97.75. Gold +0.62% to $1259.00. U.S. 10 Year +6/32 to 2.612%.

Europe: London +0.27%. Paris -0.05%. Frankfurt -0.17%. 

Asia, Japan +1.23% to 14180. Hong Kong -0.60% to 21269. China closed. India +0.24% to 20261. 

#RLPaler #WealthManagement #EarningReports #AnalystsRatings #TopWealthManager #PreMarket #WallStreet

Consumer Electronics Show Opens Today in Vegas.

Consumer Electronics Show Opens Today in Vegas. This year’s CES officially opens today in Las Vegas. The highly anticipated event already has several companies making announcements. Samsung (SSNLF) announced that their smartphones will connect to refrigerators and that their tablets will be powerful enough for business users. The company also is showcasing their curved 4K HD TV’s.  Microsoft (MSFT) said that they have now sold over 3 million Xbox One devices. Sony (SNE) unveiled a waterproof smartphone and Auto manufacturers are looking to turn cars into driverless mobile devices.

Upgrades:

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): RBC Capital raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform and raised their target price from $88.00 to $104.00. Pre-market: 93.35 +1.02 (1.10%)

St Jude Medical (STJ): RBC Capital raised their rating from Underperform to Sector Perform and raised their target price from $44.00 to $64.00.

Yum! Brands (YUM): RBC Capital raised their rating from Outperform to Top Pick and raised their target price from $85.00 to $87.00. Pre-market: 76.98 +1.48 (1.96%)

Downgrades:

AFLAC (AFL): Credit Suisse lowered their rating from Outperform to Neutral. Pre-market: 121.00 +4.98 (4.29%)

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM): Stephens lowered their rating from Overweight to Equal Weight.

Baker Hughes (BHI): Cowen lowered their rating from Outperform to Market Perform and lowered their target price from $70.00 to $56.00. Pre-market: 52.90 -0.50 (-0.94%)

Baxter Intl (BAX): RBC Capital lowered their rating from Outperform to Sector Perform and placed a target price of $73.00 on the company. Pre-market: 69.26 -0.16 (-0.23%)

International Game Tech (IGT): Argus lowered their rating from Buy to Hold. Pre-market: 17.50 -0.08 (-0.46%)

LinkedIn (LNKD): BofA Merrill Lynch lowered their rating from Buy to Neutral and lowered their target price from $270.00 to $240.00. Pre-market: 199.00 -4.92 (-2.41%)

Monsanto (MON): Topeka lowered their rating from Buy to Hold.

Coverage Initiate:

Genworth Financial (GNW): Compass Point initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $22.00. Pre-market: 16.09 +0.31 (1.96%)

WD-40 (WDFC): B. Riley initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $91.00.

Earning Reports:

IHS (IHS): Reported EPS of $1.46 beating estimates by +$0.16.

Sonic (SONC): Reported EPS of $0.13 in-line with estimates. Pre-market: 20.30 +1.05 (5.45%)

Markets: 
Futures at 4:21: Dow +0.25%. S&P +0.12%. Nasdaq +0.48%. Crude +0.57% to $93.96. Gold -0.01% to $1237.80. U.S. 10 Year -3/32 to 2.949%.

Europe: London +0.39%. Paris +0.40%. Frankfurt +0.58%. 

Asia: Japan -0.59% to 15814. Hong Kong +0.13% to 22713. China +0.08% to 2047. India -0.45% to 20693. 

#RLPaler #WallStreet #PreMarket #WealthManagement #EarningReports #AnalystsRatings

Men’s Wearhouse in Hostile Bid for Jos A. Bank.

Men’s Wearhouse in Hostile Bid for Jos A. Bank. Men's Wearhouse (MW) has increased its bid for Jos. A. Bank Clothiers (JOSB) to $57.50 a share. Its earlier offer of $55.00 was rejected by Jos. A. Bank back in November.  (MW) Pre-market: 52.96 +2.37 (4.68%) (JOSB) Pre-market: 57.00 +2.59 (4.76%)

Upgrades:

Boston Scientific (BSX): Oppenheimer raised their rating from Equal Weight to Overweight and placed a target price of $15.00 on the company. Pre-market: 12.15 +0.22 (1.84%)

Celgene (CELG): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Hold to Accumulate. Pre-market: 166.00 -3.81 (-2.24%)

ConocoPhillips (COP): Raymond James raised their rating from Underperform to Market Perform.

Urban Outfitters (URBN): Ascendiant raised their rating from Buy to Strong Buy and placed a target price of $55.00 on the company.

Wynn Resorts (WYNN): Citigroup raised their rating from Neutral to Buy and raised their target price from $167.92 to $222.00. Pre-market: 198.55 +2.55 (1.30%)

Zimmer Holdings (ZMH): Leerink raised their rating from Market Perform to Outperform and raised their target price from $93.00 to $110.00.

Downgrades:

AFLAC (AFL): Credit Suisse lowered their rating from Outperform to Neutral and lowered their target price from $67.00 to $66.00.

AFLAC (AFL): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce.

AGL Resources (GAS): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce.

Apple (AAPL): Standpoint Research lowered their rating from Hold to Sell. Pre-market: 537.99 -2.99 (-0.55%)

Celgene (CELG): Goldman Sachs lowered their rating from Neutral to Sell and maintained their target price of $140.00. Pre-market: 166.00 -3.81 (-2.24%)

Devon Energy (DVN): Guggenheim lowered their rating from Buy to Neutral. Pre-market: 60.60 -0.43 (-0.70%)

eBay (EBAY): Morgan Stanley lowered their rating from Overweight to Equal Weight. Pre-market: 52.10 -1.16 (-2.18%)

Ensco PLC (ESV): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce.

Foot Locker (FL): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Accumulate to Hold.

Halliburton (HAL): Guggenheim lowered their rating from Buy to Neutral. Pre-market: 50.31 +0.18 (0.36%)

Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN): Guggenheim lowered their rating from Buy to Neutral.

Total SA (TOT): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce.

Twitter (TWTR): CRT Capital lowered their rating from Buy to Fair Value. Pre-market: 65.05 -3.95 (-5.72%)

Wendy’s (WEN): Janney Capital lowered their rating from Buy to Neutral and placed a target price of $9.00 on the company. Pre-market: 8.40 -0.28 (-3.23%)

Coverage Initiated:

Phillip Morris Intl (PM): Standpoint Research initiated coverage with a Sell rating. Pre-market: 86.51 +0.98 (1.14%)

Markets: 
Futures at 7:46: Dow +0.20%. S&P +0.18%. Nasdaq +0.11%. Crude +0.40% to $94.33. Gold -0.07% to $1237.70.  U.S. 10 Year +6/32 to 2.978%.

Europe: London +0.17%. Paris +0.01%. Frankfurt +0.26%. 

Asia: Japan -2.35% to 15909. Hong Kong -0.58% to 22684. China -1.80% to 2046. India -0.31% to 20787. 

#RLPaler #WallStreet #PreMarket #WealthManagement #EarningReports #AnalystsRatings