Stocks were indicated higher on Thursday after a monster snap-back rally on Wednesday. With the Fed indicating a dovish stance in 2015, investors are looking for value and overlooked stocks. 24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each morning of the week on the hunt for new investing ideas and new trading ideas for its readers. Some of these analyst research reports cover stocks to buy, and some analyst reports cover sell or stocks to avoid.
These are this Thursday’s top analyst upgrades and downgrades from 24/7 Wall St.
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) was started as Sell and was given a $2 downside price target (versus $2.55 close) at Citigroup.
Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Markets.
Hologic Inc. (NASDAQ: HOLX) was maintained as Buy but was added to the Conviction List at Goldman Sachs, and the price target was raised to $33 from $30 (versus a $26.37 close).
Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) was started as Neutral with a $35 price target (versus a $36.24 close) at Citigroup.
Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM) was raised to the Conviction Buy List from Neutral and the price target was raised to $81 from $77 (versus a $72.53 close) at Goldman Sachs.
Additional top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations included the following companies:
Agile Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: AGRX) was started as Buy at Sterne Agee.
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) was started as Buy with a $27 price target at Jefferies.
Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Markets.
Cepheid (NASDAQ: CPHD) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $60 price objective (versus a $49.79 close) at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $25 price target (versus a $21.29 close) at Citigroup.
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) was started as Buy at Jefferies.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) was raised to the prized Conviction Buy List from Neutral and the price target was raised to $211 from $173 (versus a $167.78 close) at Goldman Sachs.
ALSO READ: 4 Top Internet of Things Stock Picks for 2015
HCA Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HCA) was started as Buy at Sterne Agee.
Key Energy Services Inc. (NYSE: KEG) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Markets.
Lam Research Corp. (NASDAQ: LRCX) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $100 price target (versus a $78.33 close) at Citigroup.
Linear Technology Corp. (NASDAQ: LLTC) was downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Citigroup.
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) was started as Buy at Citigroup.
Oceaneering International Inc. (NYSE: OII) was downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC Capital Markets.
Proto Labs Inc. (NYSE: PRLB) was started as Outperform at Oppenheimer.
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. (NYSE: SBH) was started as Overweight at Piper Jaffray.
ALSO READ: U.S. Hurts Oil Now, but Why It Will Rise in 2015
Tenet Healthcare Corp. (NYSE: THC) was started as Buy at Sterne Agee.
Texas Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: TXN) was started as Buy with a $63 price target (versus a $53.50 close) at Citigroup.
Tyco International Ltd. (NYSE: TYC) was raised Buy from Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
In case you missed Wednesday’s top analyst upgrades and downgrades, they were in shares of Calpine, LendingClub, Rocket Fuel, Symantec, Verizon and more.
Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE
Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
The post Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: AMD, Ally, FedEx, Halliburton, Intel, Tenet, Tyco and More appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..