Equity Brief: Ratings Changes for November 28th: GMCR, GOOG, HERO, HIG, HUM, IAG, IDIX, IPG

2012-11-28 16:16:31 -

A number of stocks were upgraded and downgraded by equities research analysts

today, as reported by Analyst Ratings Network ( bit.ly/equitybriefdaily)

and Equity Brief:



Canaccord Genuity raised its price target on shares of Green Mountain Coffee

Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) from $39.00 to $45.00. They have a buy rating on

the stock.



Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG). They issued an

outperform rating on the stock.



Deutsche Bank upgraded shares of Hercules Offshore, Inc. (NASDAQ: HERO) from a

hold rating to a buy rating. Deutsche Bank now has a $8.00 price target on the

stock, up previously from $5.00.



Drexel Hamilton initiated coverage on shares of Hartford Financial (NYSE: HIG).

They issued a buy rating on the stock.



Zacks upgraded shares of Humana (NYSE: HUM) from an underperform rating to a

neutral rating. Zacks now has a $69.00 price target on the stock. Zacks' analyst

wrote, "We are upgrading our recommendation on Humana to Neutral on the back its

strategic acquisitions and alliances that are enhancing membership, earnings and

Medicare coverage. Improved 2012 earnings guidance also provides optimism.

Strong financials and sturdy ratings are the other positives. Humana's third

quarter earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but lagged the year-ago

results due to lower income in the Retail and Employer Group segments, partially

offset by higher earnings from Health and Well-Being Services. Improved

memberships led to revenue growth, offset by higher expenses and benefit ratio.

Humana's dependence on Medicare Advantage plans, rising expenses, adverse impact

of healthcare reform and high competition raise concerns. Overall, we believe

the company needs to follow prudent expense management and focus on growth

through acquisitions and diversifying its earning sources to attract long-term

investors."



HSBC upgraded shares of IAMGOLD Corp (IAG) from a neutral rating to an

overweight rating.



Deutsche Bank initiated coverage on shares of Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(IDIX). They issued a buy rating on the stock.



Wedbush reiterated its outperform rating on shares of Interpublic Group of

Companies, Inc. (IPG). They have a $12.75 price target on the stock.



Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW).

They issued a buy rating on the stock and set a $71.00 price target.



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