Electronics retailers Best Buy Co., Inc. ( BBY ) caught a big upgrade on Friday from analysts at Goldman Sachs. The analyst lifted its rating on BBY to “Buy” from “Neutral,” citing “optionality on product cycle recovery, macro recovery, and capital allocation.” Goldman also noted that the stock is trading at a low multiple in relation to its peers, and boosted its price target to $47 from $44. Best Buy shares rose $1.50, or +3.7%, in premarket trading Friday. The Bottom Line We removed shares of BBY from our “recommended” list last May 13, when the stock was trading at $37.06. The company has a 1.38% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $40.45. The stock has technical support in the $35 price target. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $43-$45 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Best Buy Co., Inc. ( BBY ) 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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Best Buy Upped to “Buy” at Goldman Sachs (BBY)

Soft drink superpower The Coca-Cola Company ( KO ) saw its coverage initiated with a “Buy” rating on Friday by analysts at Buckingham Research. The analyst also set a $65 price target on KO shares, which had closed at $53.95 on Thursday. That target represents a nearly 21% upside to Thursday’s closing price. Coca-Cola shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Friday. The Bottom Line We have been recommending shares of KO since July 30, when the stock was trading at $49.28. The company has a 3.26% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $53.95. The Coca-Cola Company ( KO ) 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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The Coca-Cola Company Started as a “Buy” at Buckingham Research (KO)

Satellite television operator DirecTV ( DTV ) saw its rating cut on Friday by analysts at Citigroup. The analyst lowered its rating on DirecTV from “Buy” to “Hold,” but maintained its $38 price target on the stock, which had closed at $34.60 on Thursday. DirecTV shares fell 48 cents, or -1.4%, in premarket trading Friday. The Bottom Line Shares of DTV are trading right near all-time highs. The stock has technical support in the $28-$30 price area. We do not currently rate this non-dividend paying stock, but we do follow the company closely. DIRECTV ( DTV ) does not currently pay a dividend. 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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DirecTV Cut to “Hold” at Citigroup (DTV)

The market was able to get its legs under it for the most part as we get set for options expiration tomorrow. This event can often times move stocks a bit more than usual. We added another dividend stock recommendation to our list this morning that follows in the criteria of yesterday’s addition. Be sure to check out the link below if you did not read the e-mail alert that was sent out this morning. Commodity-related stocks played the role of spoiler as far as the market being able to build on the late rally, with names like CF Indistries ( CF ) , Mosaic ( MOS ) , Peabody Energy ( BTU ) , Schnitzer Steel ( SCHN ) , and EOG Resources ( EOG ) leading the way lower. Nike ( NKE ) had a nice day as the company blew away estimates last night. Ross Stores ( ROST ) was down after the company reported its quarterly results. 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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Market Wrap-Up for Mar.18 (CF, MOS, ROST, NKE, BTU, more)

HVAC and aerospace products maker United Technologies Corporation ( UTX ) on Thursday saw its price target and earnings estimate boosted by analysts at Barclays Capital. The analyst said it now sees UTX shares, which had closed at $72.19 on Wednesday, reaching $81. Barclays Capital also raised its 2010 earnings estimate to $4.60 from $4.55, citing positive sentiment following the company’s recent analyst day. The firm maintained its “Overweight” rating on the stock. United Technologies shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line Shares of UTX have a dividend yield of 2.35%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $72.19. The stock has technical suuport in the $65 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead reistance around the $75-$76 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. United Technologies Corporation ( UTX ) 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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Barclays Capital Raises Target, Estimate for United Technologies (UTX)

Oil producer ConocoPhillips ( COP ) saw its “Buy” rating reiterated on Thursday by analysts at Deutsche Bank. The analyst also backed up its $60 price target for COP shares, which had closed at $52.98 on Wednesday. The firm noted that “We came into March’s mad oil analyst meeting season with the view that only ConocoPhillips had the potential for a catalyst, new-news event. We retain that view. We think that the company can re-iterate big disposals ($15bn est, including LUKOIL ( LUK )) constrained capex, & long term growth from a lower base. We also believe that material plans must be released if COP’s target of cutting refining to just 15% of capital employed is to be met. With just $6bn of debt to pay down, we believe FCF potential will impress on generous dividend raises & $10bn+ buyback.” “The simple bull argument is the free cash flow generation. In this note we outline what we think is a potential $6bn this year, $13bn next for a share count reduction approaching 22% by end 2011…Risks include a disappointing execution of their recently announced restructuring plan, much weaker oil and gas prices, or an unexpected acquisition that puts further pressure on equity holders.” ConocoPhillips shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line We have been recommending shares of COP since Oct.7, when the stock was trading at $48.41. The company has a 3.78% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $52.98. ConocoPhillips ( COP ) 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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Deutsche Bank Reiterates “Buy” Rating on ConocoPhillips (COP)

Package delivery giant FedEx Corporation ( FDX ) said Thursday that its fiscal third quarter profit more than doubled from last year, beating analyst estimates. The Memphis-based company reported fiscal third quarter net income of $239 million, or 76 cents per share, compared with $97 million, or 31 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 7% from last year, to $8.7 billion. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a smaller profit of 72 cents per share, on lower revenue of $8.32 billion. Looking ahead, the company said it expects to earn $1.17 to $1.37 per share in the fiscal fourth quarter, which straddles analysts’ current estimates of $1.26 per share. The company also boosted its full-year 2010 guidance to a range of $3.60 to $3.80 per share, up from a prior outlook of $3.45 to $3.75 a share. Analysts expect $3.65 per share for the year, on average. FedEx shares fell $1.80, or -2%, in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line Shares of FDX have a dividend yield of .49%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $89.80. The stock has technical support in the $81-$82 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $92-$97 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. FedEx Corporation ( FDX ) 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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FedEx Q3 Profit Beats View; 2010 Forecast Raised (FDX)

The market continued to move higher following yesterday’s afternoon run, after the Fed’s non-move on interest rates. We added a new name to our recommended list this morning that should be suited for dividend investors looking for a bit more growth, but with a smaller dividend yield. Be sure to check that out in the link below, if you did not read the e-mail alert we sent out this morning. As for today’s action, Lincoln National ( LNC ) and Blackrock ( BLK ) moved nicely higher on positive Wall Street chatter. Also in the financial space, we saw seeing buying in names like Franklin Resources ( BEN ) , PNC Financial ( PNC ) , and State Street ( STT ) . Commodity stocks did fairly well, with names like Massey Energy ( MEE ) and BHP Billiton ( BHP ) closing in the green. International Paper ( IP ) was another stock winner in today’s action. 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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Market Wrap-Up for Mar.17 (BLK, LNC, PNC, STT, MEE, IP, more)

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)

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)

Credit card issuer Discover Financial Services ( DFS ) said late Tuesday that it saw a first quarter loss, hurt by one-time charges, and intimated it would soon pay back its federal TARP bailout loan. The Riverwoods, Illinois-based company reported a first quarter net loss of $104 million, or 22 cents per share, compared with a profit of $120.4 million, or 25 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, the company saw an adjusted profit of 11 cents per share. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a slightly higher adjusted profit of 12 cents per share. Discover said it bolstered its loan loss provisions by $305 million in the first quarter. It also said it had received regulators’ approval to repay the $1.2 billion in federal debt it received as part of the government’s TARP bailout program last year. In order to help repay the debt, the company will take on an additional $350 million in new debt during the second quarter. Discover Financial shares fell 23 cents, or -1.5%, in premarket trading Wednesday. The Bottom Line We have avoided shares of DFS since our early June coverage began last year, when the stock was trading at $15.70. The company has a .52% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $15.30. The stock has technical support in the $12-$14 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $18 price level. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Discover Financial Services (

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Discover Financial Posts $104 Million Q1 Loss; Will Repay TARP (DFS)

The recent trend of the market rallying before a Federal Reserve interest rates announcement was in force once again today. Most market particiapants were not expecting a rate increase, and the there was no surprise as the Fed stood pat on rates. Commodity-related shares were up after a bullish Wall Street call helped lift shares of Peabody Energy ( BTU ) following yesterday’s sell-off. Other names that moved up included Schnitzer Steel ( SCHN ) , Potash ( POT ) , and Freeport McMoran ( FCX ) . Most of these dividend stocks have fairly low dividend yields and are the most risky for long-term investors that are not able to be as nimble as active traders. Wal-Mart Stores ( WMT ) and Phillips-Van Heusen ( PVH ) continue to gain following yesterday’s spike higher. Other stocks that moved higher and are currently on our “recommended” list included Public Storage ( PSA ) , Dr. Pepper Snapple Group ( DPS ) , and Toronto-Dominion Bank ( TD ) . We are concerned that some of our recommendations are beginning to get a bit overdone after the mamy months of continued gains. We’ll be sure to keep subscribers alerted as to any changes we decide to make. 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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Market Wrap-Up for Mar.16 (PSA, FCX, WMT, POT, BTU, TD, more)