UPDATE: BMO Capital Markets Upgrades North American Energy Partners to Outperform on Improved Execution

BMO Capital Markets upgraded North American Energy Partners

from Market Perform to Outperform and raised the price target from $3.50 to $5.50. BMO Capital Markets commented, "We believe the weak market for Heavy Construction and Mining services will weigh on topline growth, but see several positive catalysts over the coming 12-18 months. 1) Conversion of $33 million in working capital related to the divested Pipelines business to cash; 2) Continued deleveraging, Term B facility should be gone in Q4 with additional cash generation used to further reduce debt; 3) Margin expansion; and 4) Additional opportunities for its services outside of the oil sands. The new CEO has been buying stock and accumulated 645,000 shares as of December 2012." North American Energy Partners closed at $3.92 on Wednesday.