UPDATE: Stifel Nicolaus Initiates Patterson Companies at Buy; Discount at Trough

Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Patterson Companie

with a Buy rating and a $39 price target. Stifel Nicolaus noted, "[W]e look forward and believe the current discount is unlikely to widen further and actually may narrow. We point to: (1) Patterson's N.A. consumables showing signs of share stabilization; (2) Patterson's long-term advantage in high-tech dental equipment; (3) an overweighting to N.A. basic equipment, which we view favorably despite near-term pressure; and (4) an overall N.A. dental market that may be poised for a modest recovery." Patterson Companies closed at $33.99 on Wednesday.