Drugstore chain operator Walgreen Company ( WAG ) saw its 2010 earnings estimate lowered slightly on Friday by analysts at Credit Suisse. The analyst cut its 2010 EPS to $2.23 from $2.25, while its 2011 estimate has been set at $2.70. Suisse noted that Walgreen’s near-term outlook is challenging, but maintained its “Outperform” rating and $42 price target for WAG. Walgreen shares, which closed at $34.82 on Thursday, were mostly flat in premarket trading Friday. The Bottom Line We recently removed shares of WAG from our “recommended” list back on Nov.17, when the stock was trading at $39.40. The company has a dividend yield of 1.58%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $34.82. The stock has technical support in the $30-$32 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $38-$40 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Walgreen Company ( WAG ) 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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Walgreen’s 2010 Estimate Cut at Credit Suisse (WAG)

Package delivery giant FedEx Corporation ( FDX ) saw its price target and earnings estimates raised on Friday by analysts at Piper Jaffray. The analyst, which maintained its “Overweight” rating on the stock, boosted its price target to $110 from $100. FedEx shares had closed at $92.67 on Thursday. The firm noted that “Yesterday before the market open FDX reported F3Q10 EPS of $0.76 (144.2% y-o-y growth) above our $0.75 estimate and Consensus $0.72. We’ve raised our calendar 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates roughly 6.5% and 9.4% respectively – 4.0% on average now above Consensus…FDX has strong volume momentum and is focused on improving price which could provide further upside to our margin assumptions moving forward…Core Express and Ground trending well above expectations…Freight (LTL) operating loss materially larger than anticipated.” Jaffray also said that “We’ve raised our calendar 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates roughly 6.5% and 9.4% respectively – 4.0% on average now above Consensus. FDX has strong volume momentum and is focused on improving price which could provide further upside to our margin assumptions moving forward.” FedEx shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Friday. The Bottom Line Shares of FDX have a dividend yield of .47%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $92.67. 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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Piper Jaffray Boosts Target, Estimates for FedEx (FDX)

Iron and coal miner Cliffs Natural Resources Inc ( CLF ) saw its price target and earnings estimates raised on Thursday by analysts at FBR Capital Markets. The analyst said it now sees shares of CLF, which had closed at $65.43 on Wednesday, reaching $81. FBR Capital also raised its earnings estimates for the company, noting it should benefit from rising iron ore prices. The firm currently rates the stock as an “Outperform.” Cliffs Natural Resources shares rose 47 cents, or +0.7%, in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line We removed shares of CLF from our “recommended” list back on Aug. 8, 2008, when the stock was trading at $90.26. The company has a .53% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $65.43. The stock has technical support in the $57-$60 price area. If the shares continue the recent move higher, we see overhead resistance around the $68-$76 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Cliffs Natural Resources Inc ( CLF ) 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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Cliffs Natural Resources’ Price Target, Estimates Boosted at FBR Capital (CLF)

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)

Apparel maker Guess?, Inc. ( GES ) late Wednesday said its fourth quarter profit jumped more than 80% from last year, helped by higher sales, prompting the company to boost its quarterly dividend by 28%. The Los Angeles-based company reported fourth quarter net income of $86.6 million, or 93 cents per share, compared with $47.9 million, or 51 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time charges, adjusted profit was 96 cents per share. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a much lower profit of 82 cents per share. Revenue rose 14% from last year, to $642.0 million. Looking ahead, the company predicted first quarter earnings of 46 to 48 cents per share, which would meet or exceed analysts’ current estimates for 46 cents. Guess also boosted its quarterly dividend by 28%, to 16 cents per share. Guess shares rose $1.28, or +2.7%, in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line Shares of GES will now have a dividend yield of 1.37%, based on the new higher dividend payout and last night’s closing stock price of $46.68. The stock has technical support in the $40-$41 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $50-$54 price levels. Guess?, Inc. ( GES ) 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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Guess?, Inc. Q4 Profit Surges, Beating View; Dividend Raised (GES)

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)

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)

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)

Security and aeronautics company Lockheed Martin Corporation ( LMT ) saw its price target raised on Tuesday by analysts at Morgan Stanley. The analyst boosted its price target for LMT shares, which had closed at $84.12 on Monday, to $100. Morgan noted that Lockheed’s valuation is attractive at current levels, and maintained its “Overweight” rating on the stock. Lockheed Martin shares rose 38 cents, or +0.5%, in premarket trading Tuesday. The Bottom Line We recently removed shares of LMT from our “recommended” list on May 29, when the stock was trading at $82.99. The company has a 3.00% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $84.12. The stock has technical support in the $76-$80 price area. If the shares can pick up momentum on today’s news, we see overhead resistance around the $87-$92 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Lockheed Martin Corporation ( LMT ) 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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Lockheed Martin’s Price Target Boosted at Morgan Stanley (LMT)

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)