UPDATE: Stifel Nicolaus Resumes Buy, $25 PT on Berkshire Hills Bancorp

Stifel Nicolaus resumes its coverage on Berkshire Hills Corp BHLB with a Buy rating and a price target of $25 as the company'e earnings power suggests potential for share price appreciation. Stifel Nicolaus says, "We view the Berkshire Hills story as having many positive attributes including: 1) a high performance-oriented culture; 2) a well- devised consolidation strategy; 3) organic growth potential independent of the economy; and 4) a forward thinking approach to retail branch banking. We think Berkshire Hills' ability to transact accretive acquisitions will help to drive the bank's future earnings profile to a level more favorable than some of its peers." BHLB closed at $21.83 on Monday.