Software giant Microsoft Corporation ( MSFT ) saw its price target and earnings estimates boosted on Wednesday by analysts at Citigroup. The analyst raised its price target for MSFT stock, which had closed at $29.37 on Tuesday, to $32. Citigroup also lifted its earnings estimates for the company, citing recent cost-cutting measures, and maintained its “Buy” rating. Microsoft shares rose 9 cents, or +0.3%, in premarket trading Wednesday. The Bottom Line We have been recommending shares of MSFT since Aug.28, when the stock was trading at $24.69. The company has a 1.77% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $29.37. Microsoft Corporation ( MSFT ) is a “recommended” dividend stock, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Citigroup Raises Target, Estimates for Microsoft (MSFT)

Insurance and financial services provider Hartford Financial Services ( HIG ) saw its earnings estimates cut on Wednesday by analysts at FBR Capital Markets. The analyst lowered its estimates for HIG through 2011, citing the company’s decision to sell shares in order to pay back its TARP bailout loans. FBR Capital currently rates the stock as a “Market Perform” with a $29 price target. Hartford Financial shares, which had closed at $27.26 on Tuesday, rose $1.04, or +3.8%, in premarket trading Wednesday. The Bottom Line We have avoided shares of HIG since our early June 2008 coverage began, when the stock was trading at $71 a share. The company has a dividend yield of .73%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $27.26. The stock has technical support in the $21-$23 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $30 price level. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Hartford Financial Services ( HIG ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Hartford Financial’s Estimates Cut at FBR Capital (HIG)

Teen clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ( ANF ) saw its price target and earnings estimates boosted on Wednesday by analysts at Jesup & Lamont. The analyst said it now sees shares of ANF, which closed at $43.91 on Tuesday, reaching $55. Jesup also boosted its earnings estimates for the stock, citing higher recent sales, and maintained its “Buy” rating. Abercrombie shares rose 22 cents, or +0.5%, in premarket trading Wednesday. The Bottom Line We have been avoiding shares of ANF since our June 2008 coverage began, when the stock was trading at $67.37. The company has a dividend yield of 1.69%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $41.52. The stock has technical support in the $37 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $44-$48 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ( ANF ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Abercrombie & Fitch’s Target, Estimates Raised at Jesup & Lamont (ANF)

Asset manager BlackRock, Inc. ( BLK ) saw its rating and price target boosted on Wednesday by analysts at Credit Suisse. The analyst raised its rating on BLK to “Outperform” from “Neutral,” lifting its price target for the stock to $280 from $270. BlackRock shares had closed at $212.35 on Tuesday. Suisse, which also added the stock to its “Focus List,” noted the company has underperformed asset manager peers by 11% year-to-date, and lauded the stock’s attractive current valuation. Consequently, the firm raised its 2011 earnings estimates for BLK to $13.50 from $13.30 per share, which is ahead of the consensus estimate of $13.22. BlackRock shares rose $6.73, or +3.2%, in premarket trading Wednesday. The Bottom Line We have just added shares of BLK to our “recommended” list. The company has a 1.88% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $212.35. BlackRock, Inc. ( BLK ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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BlackRock Upgraded to “Outperform” at Credit Suisse (BLK)

GPS maker Garmin Ltd. ( GRMN ) said Wednesday that it will double its annual dividend for 2010 only, and disclosed plans to move its place of incorporation from the Cayman Islands to Switzerland. The company will pay a $1.50 annual dividend this year, instead of its regular 75-cent payout. In 2011, however, it will resume its normal dividend of 75 cents. The new dividend will be paid on April 30 to shareholders of record on April 15. Shareholders are set to vote on the company’s move to Switzerland on May 20. Garmin shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Wednesday. The Bottom Line We have been avoiding shares of GRMN since our early June 2008 coverage began, when the stock was trading at $51.34. The company has a 2.12% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $35.30. The stock has technical support in the $30 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $37-$39 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Garmin Ltd. ( GRMN ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Garmin Boosts Dividend for 2010; Plans Move to Switzerland (GRMN)

Cleaning products maker The Clorox Company ( CLX ) on Tuesday saw its rating and price target boosted by analysts at Barclays Capital. The analyst raised its rating on CLX to “Overweight” from “Equal Weight,” citing recent top line momentum. Barclays also raise its price target for the stock, which had closed at $62.93 on Monday, to $71 from $67. In addition, the firm set its 2010 and 2011 earnings estimates for CLX at $4.23 and $4.73, respectively. Clorox shares rose 71 cents, or +1.1%, in premarket trading Tuesday. The Bottom Line We have been recommending shares of CLX since July 30, when the stock was trading at $60.26. The company has a dividend yield of 3.18%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $62.93. The Clorox Company ( CLX ) is a “recommended” dividend stock, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Clorox Upgraded at Barclays Capital (CLX)

Semiconductor maker Microchip Technology Inc. ( MCHP ) late Monday boosted its fourth quarter guidance, sending its shares higher. The company said it now expects fourth quarter net income of 37 cents per share, or 42 cents per share on an adjusted basis. That compares to prior guidance for 34 to 36 cents per share, or 39 cents to 41 cents per share when excluding one-time items. On average, Wall Street analysts expect a lower profit of 36 cents per share for the quarter. MCHP also boosted its revenue outlook, saying it expects an 8% sequential gain, which translates to $270.1 million. It had previously predicted a 3% to 7% revenue gain. Analysts currently expect $264 million in revenue for the quarter. Microchip Technology shares rose 86 cents, or +3.1%, in premarket trading Tuesday. The Bottom Line We have been recommending shares of MCHP since July 22, when the stock was trading at $25.88. The company has a 4.90% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $27.84. Microchip Technology Inc. ( MCHP ) is a “recommended” dividend stock, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Microchip Technology Boosts Q4 Guidance; Shares Rise (MCHP)

Health care company UnitedHealth Group Inc. ( UNH ) saw its shares removed from Goldman Sachs’ prestigious “Conviction Buy” List on Tuesday. The analyst maintained its “Buy” rating on the stock, however. Goldman said the move was spurred by its desire to reduce its exposure to Medicare Advantage, which is an option Medicare beneficiaries have to receive benefits through private insurance plans. UnitedHealth Group shares fell 28 cents, or -0.9%, in premarket trading Tuesday. The Bottom Line We have avoided shares of UNH since our early June 2008 coverage began, when the stock was trading at $33. The company has a .09% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $32.53. The stock has technical support in the $28-$30 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $35 price level. We would remain on the sidelines for now. UnitedHealth Group Inc. ( UNH ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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UnitedHealth Removed from Goldman Sachs’ “Conviction Buy” List (UNH)

Pediatric nutrition company Mead Johnson Nutrition ( MJN ) on Friday saw its price target raised by analysts at Goldman Sachs. The analyst boosted its price target on MJN to $57 from $52, noting the growing possibility (which it pegged as a “one-third” chance) of an acquisition by a larger entity. It sees a “deep pool” of strategic interest in the company, which was spun off from Bristol-Myers ( BMY ) back in December. Goldman reiterated its “Buy” rating on the stock. Mead Johnson shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Friday. The Bottom Line We have been recommending shares of MJN since Aug.25, when the stock was trading at $39.81. The company has a 1.55% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $51.71. Mead Johnson Nutrition ( MJN ) is a “recommended” dividend stock, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Mead Johnson’s Price Target Raised at Goldman Sachs (MJN)

Chip maker National Semiconductor Corporation ( NSM ) on Friday said its third quarter profit more than doubled from last year, helped by higher sales and lower costs. The Santa Clara-based company reported third quarter net income of $53.2 million, or 22 cents per share, compared with $21.1 million, or 9 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Revenue surged nearly 24% from last year, to $361.9 million. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a smaller profit of 18 cents per share, on lower revenue of $348.6 million National Semi CEO Don Macleod said in a statement that “Our sequential and year-on-year revenue growth demonstrates top-line improvement, driven by both our core analog business and traction in several new emerging areas.” National Semiconductor shares rose 46 cents, or +3.2%, in premarket trading Friday. The Bottom Line We have avoided shares of NSM since our early June 2008 coverage began, when the stock traded at $23.74. The company has a 2.23% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $14.34. The stock has technical support in the $12-$13 price area. If the shares can rebound, we see overhead resistance around the $18 price level. We would remain on the sidelines for now. National Semiconductor Corporation ( NSM ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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National Semiconductor Q3 Profit Surges, Beating View (NSM)

Aircraft maker The Boeing Company ( BA ) on Thursday saw its price target lifted by analysts at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch. The analyst raised its price target for BA to $77 from $65, noting that the stock normally outperforms as we head into the summer Air Shows season. Bank of America/Merrill Lynch maintained its “Buy” rating on the stock. Boeing shares, which had closed at $70.01 on Wednesday, were mostly flat in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line We have been recommending shares of BA since Aug.27, when the stock was trading at $47.82. The company has a 2.40% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $70.01. The Boeing Company ( BA ) is a “recommended” dividend stock, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Boeing’s Price Target Boosted at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch (BA)

Liquor and golf products maker Fortune Brands, Inc. ( FO ) saw its earnings estimates lowered on Thursday by analysts at Goldman Sachs. The analyst lowered its estimates for FO through 2012, noting that the recent sale of its Cobra golf unit will likely eat into earnings. Goldman maintained its “Buy” rating and $50 price target on the stock, however, which had closed at $47.03 on Wednesday. Fortune Brands shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line We had removed shares of FO from our “recommended” list back on Sept.30, when the stock was trading at $43.48. The company has a 1.62% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $47.03. The stock has technical support in the $40-$42 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $50-$54 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Fortune Brands, Inc. ( FO ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Fortune Brands’ Estimates Cut at Goldman Sachs (FO)