Benzinga’s Top Upgrades (AVAV, VTR, SNH, NHP, MPG, CRZO, S, ANN, STP, URI)

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) was today upgraded from Neutral to Buy by Broadpoint AmTech Research at a price target of $36. AeroVironment, Inc.AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) was today upgraded from Neutral to Buy by Broadpoint AmTech Research at a price target of $36. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) is now trading at $30.55, 8.35% up. Yesterday’s AVAV closed at $28.16. At Broadpoint AmTech Research price target of $36, AVAV presents an upside gain of over 30% over yesterday’s closing price.

Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) climbed 3.45% to $42.25 on 283K shares. Today Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) to Buy from Hold at a price target of $44. In the previous trading session, VTR closed at $40.83.

Senior Housing Properties Trust (NYSE: SNH) increased 3.88% to $20.07 on 186K shares after Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Senior Housing Properties Trust from Hold to Buy at a price target of $23. In the current fiscal, SNH gained only 7%.

Nationwide Health Properties Inc. (NYSE: NHP) was today upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from Hold to Buy. Price target increased to $36. Now NHP is up 3.70% at $33.89 on volume of 236K shares.

Maguire Properties, Inc. (NYSE: MPG) was also upgraded by Stifel Nicolaus from Sell to Hold. Maguire Properties, Inc. (NYSE: MPG) is now trading at $2.28, 5% up. The 52 week trading range for MPG is $0.32 - $3.61.

United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI) increased 8.63% to $9.70 on 395K shares in the morning trading hours after Oppenheimer upgraded URI to Outperform from Perform at a price target of $14. In the last six months, URI gained over 88%. Today Oppenheimer also analyzed (retail) stocks.

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRZO) was also upgraded today by Sun Trust Rbsn Humphrey to Buy from Neutral, and raised their price target to $31. CRZO is now up 3.70% at $23.90 in the morning trading hours. In the last six months, CRZO climbed up by around 45%.

Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE: S) was today upgraded by Credit Suisse to Outperform from Neutral. Price target increased from $4 to $6. Now Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE: S) is up 11% at $3.44 on huge volume of 27.42 million shares.

AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) also rallied 6.78% to $13.86 on 663K shares after Jesup & Lamont upgraded AnnTaylor to Buy from Hold at a price target of $17.

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE: STP) climbed 7.51% to $14.75 on 1.52 million shares. Today HSBC Securities upgraded Suntech Power to Neutral from Underweight.