U.S. Market Set to Open Flat After ADP Report and Ukraine Developments

U.S. Market Set to Open Flat After ADP Report and Ukraine Developments. ADP reported that private employers added 139,000 jobs in February, missing economists' expectations of 160,000 jobs. Additionally, January's number was revised downward by 48,000 to only 127,000 jobs. Ukraine and Russian remain at a standoff while Secretary Kerry visited the region yesterday, Russia’s President Putin said that he has no control over the Russian troops in the Ukraine Crimea region calling the troops local security forces. According to Ukrainian officials Russia has moved over 16,000 troops into the Crimea region.  Additionally, Russia test fired a ICBM missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads yesterday breaking a treating with the U.S.

Upgrades:

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B): S&P raised their rating from 3 Stars to 5 Stars. Pre-market: 118.67 +0.10 (0.08%)

Ericsson (ERIC): RBC Capital raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform and raised their rating from $13.00 to $16.00. Pre-market: 12.91 +0.20 (1.57%)

Pandora Media (P): MKM Partners raised their rating from Sell to Neutral and placed a target price of $39.00 on the company. Pre-market: 39.45 +0.28 (0.71%)

Smith & Wesson (SWHC): Cowen raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform. Pre-market: 13.00 +1.20 (10.17%)

Towers Watson (TW): Goldman Sachs raised their rating from Buy to Conviction Buy and placed a target price of $134.00 on the company.

Downgrades:

Staples (SPLS): B. Riley lowered their rating from Buy to Neutral and lowered their target price from $18.00 to $15.00. Pre-market: 13.35 -0.12 (-0.89%)

Walt Disney (DIS): S&P lowered their rating from 5 Stars to 4 Stars. Pre-market: 82.08 +0.37 (0.45%)

Coverage Initiated:

Santander Consumer USA (SC): Stephens initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and target price of $30.00.

Earning Reports:

Brown Forman (BF.B): Reported EPS of $0.82 beating estimates by +$0.07. Pre-market: 85.12 +0.82 (0.97%)

Navistar (NAV): Reported EPS of -3.07 missing estimates by -$1.27. Pre-market: 36.00 -1.79 (-4.74%)

PetSmart (PETM): Reported EPS of $1.28 beating estimates by +$0.07. Pre-market: 68.60 +0.94 (1.39%)

Smith & Wesson (SWHC): Reported EPS of $0.35 beating estimates by +$0.06. Pre-market: 13.00 +1.20 (10.17%)

Markets: 
Futures at 7:58: Dow +0.10%. S&P +0.15%. Nasdaq +0.17%. Crude -0.31% to $103.01. Gold -0.16% to $1336.00. U.S. 10 Year -3/32 to 2.709%.

Europe: London -0.49%. Paris -0.09%. Frankfurt -0.15%. 

Asia: Japan +1.20% to 14898. Hong Kong -0.34% to 22580. China -0.89% to 2053. India +0.32% to 21277. 

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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. 

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