Top 10 Pre-Market Analyst Calls (AFL, AXP, ABX, CATM, KSS, LOW, LULU, MDAS, MET, MHS, TNK)

It is going to be hard to get traders to care about mere upgrades and downgrades on a day when the Federal Reserve did an inter-meeting emergency rate cut to stave off a 500+ point drop in the DJIA.  But here are some of the calls from analysts today:

• AFLAC inc. (AFL) raised to Buy from Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
• American Express (AXP) downgraded to Hold at Citigroup.
• Barrick Gold (ABX) upgraded to Outperform at Credit Suisse.
• Cardtronics (CATM) started as Buy at Banc of America; started as Buy at Deutsche Bank; started as Buy at Piper Jaffray.
• Kohl’s (KSS) & Lowe’s (LOW) raised to Outperform at Bernstein.
• lululemon althletica (LULU) downgraded to Underperform at BMO Capital.
• MedAssets (MDAS) started as Buy at Deutsche Bank; started as Neutral at Piper Jaffray; started as Market Perform at Wachovia.
• MetLife (MET) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman Sachs.
• Medco Health Solutions (MHS) cut to Neutral at UBS.
• Teekay Tankers (TNK) started as Overweight at JPMorgan; started as Hold at Citigroup.

Jon C. Ogg
January 22, 2008

It’s Your Money, Your Future—Own It (sponsor)

Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? For families with more than $500,000 saved for retirement, finding a financial advisor who puts your interest first can be the difference, and today it’s easier than ever. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors who serve your area in minutes. Each advisor has been carefully vetted and must act in your best interests. Start your search now.

If you’ve saved and built a substantial nest egg for you and your family, don’t delay; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.