March 19 – Chiquita Brands International * Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded the corporate family rating of Chiquita Brands International to B2 from B3. At the same time, Moody’s upgraded the ratings on Chiquita’s senior unsecured notes to Ca Moodys ups Chiquitas corp family rating to B2

Continue reading here:
Moodys ups Chiquitas corp family rating to B2

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 .

View post:
Cliffs Natural Resources’ Price Target, Estimates Boosted at FBR Capital (CLF)

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 .

Read the original here:
Deutsche Bank Reiterates “Buy” Rating on ConocoPhillips (COP)

Athletic footwear and apparel maker Nike, Inc. ( NKE ) said late Wednesday that its fiscal third quarter profit more than doubled from last year, when results were hampered by a big one-time charge. The Beaverton, OR-based company reported fiscal third quarter net income of $496 million, or $1.01 per share, compared with $244 million, or 50 cents per share, in the year-ago period. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a much lower profit of 89 cents per share for the quarter. Revenue rose 7% from last year, to $4.7 billion. Nike shares jumped $3.12, or +4.4%, in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line We just added shares of NKE to our “recommended” list on the stellar results and guidance. Nike, Inc. ( NKE ) 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 .

See the original post:
Nike Q3 Earnings Easily Beat View; Shares Rise (NKE)

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 .

Here is the original post:
Guess?, Inc. Q4 Profit Surges, Beating View; Dividend Raised (GES)

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 .

See more here:
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 .

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

We are adding a new stock to our database of nearly 1600 dividend-paying stocks as Patterson Companies ( PDCO ) has initiated a dividend payout. Patterson Companies ( PDCO ) – This company operates as a distributor serving dental, companion-pet veterinarian, and rehabilitation supply markets in the United States and Canada. Its Dental Supply segment provides consumable dental supplies, such as x-ray film and solutions; impression and restorative materials; hand instruments; sterilization products; anesthetics; infection control products, such as protective clothing, gloves, and facemasks; paper, cotton, and disposable products; toothbrushes; dental accessories; printed office products, office filing supplies, and practice management systems to office-based healthcare providers; x-ray machines, handpieces, dental chairs and handpiece control units, diagnostic equipment, dental lights, compressors, chair-side restoration systems, and inter-oral cameras; practice management and clinical software; hardware and networking solutions; and patient education solutions. The company’s Veterinary Supply segment provides consumable supplies, such as lab supplies, paper goods, needles and syringes, gauze and wound dressings, sutures, latex gloves, and orthopedic and casting products; pharmaceuticals comprising anesthetics, antibiotics, ointments, and nutraceuticals; diagnostics, such as on-site testing products; biologicals, including vaccines and injectibles; and equipment and software. Its Rehabilitation Supply segment offers dressing devices, grooming devices, and toileting, dining, and bathing aids; braces, splints, and orthotics; exercise bands, putty, weight balls, and mats; walkers, canes, and wheelchair accessories; rolls, wedges, seating and standers, and mobility assistance products; motor stimulation products; products for heating and cooling therapies, electrical stimulation, laser, ultrasound, paraffin, iontophoresis, and therapeutic creams and lotions; and rehabilitation equipment and software. Patterson Companies, Inc., formerly known as Patterson Dental Company, was founded in 1877 and is based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

View original post here:
New Dividend Stock Added to Database (PDCO)

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 .

See the article here:
Market Wrap-Up for Mar.16 (PSA, FCX, WMT, POT, BTU, TD, more)

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 .

Originally posted here:
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 .

Link:
Clorox Upgraded at Barclays Capital (CLX)

Restaurant chain operator Brinker International, Inc. ( EAT ) saw its rating and estimates decreased on Tuesday by analysts at Piper Jaffray. The analyst cut its rating on EAT to “Underweight” from “Neutral,” and set a $16 downside price target on the shares, which had closed at $19.67 on Monday. The firm noted that “On a relative basis, we prefer the limited service segment to casual dining on merits of valuation, supply/demand and demographics. Specific to Brinker, comps trends (at Chili’s primarily) are at risk with the evolving, but yet to be determined, “tool kit” of value messaging. With EAT shares trading above our price target by nearly 23% (stock up 32% YTD) and when considering the risk of sequentially weaker SSS, we see limited multiple and earnings expansion on the horizon. We are lowering our 3Q10 Chili’s comp estimate to (4%) versus (3%) prior.” Piper Jaffray also said that “We now expected (Q3) earnings to decline 9.0% to $0.41 per share versus $0.44 prior. Total revenues are expected to decline 5.0% to $814.2 million versus $837.1 million prior, partially based on our systemwide same-store sales estimate of (4.0%) versus (3.2%) prior…According to our channel checks, March is “better” so far. Big picture, we credit Brinker with reducing debt and 1H10 improved SSS and traffic, but we believe this is reflected in the current stock price.” Brinker International shares fell 55 cents, or -2.8%, in premarket trading Tuesday. The Bottom Line We have avoided shares of EAT since our early June 2008 coverage began, when shares traded at $20.09. The company has a 2.24% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $19.67. The stock has technical support in the $15 price area. If the shares can firm up here, we see overhead resistance around the $21-$23 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now. Brinker International, Inc. ( EAT ) 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 .

View original post here:
Brinker International Downgraded at Piper Jaffray (EAT)