A number of stocks were upgraded and downgraded by equities research analysts today, as reported by Analyst Ratings Network (http://bit.ly/equitybriefdaily) and Equity Brief:

Davenport initiated coverage on shares of McDonald's (NYSE: MCD). They issued a buy rating on the stock.

BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Merck & Co Inc (NYSE: MRK) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating. BMO Capital Markets now has a $33.00 price target on the stock.

Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of Navistar (NYSE: NAV) from a neutral rating to an outperform rating. Robert W. Baird now has a $30.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $20.00.

Jefferies Group downgraded shares of Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) from a buy rating to a hold rating. Their analysts now have a $8.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $10.00.

Stifel Nicolaus upgraded shares of NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX) from a hold rating to a buy rating. Stifel Nicolaus now has a $27.00 price target on the stock.

Barclays Capital upgraded shares of Ormat Technologies (ORA) from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating. Barclays Capital now has a $18.00 price target on the stock.

Bank of America downgraded shares of Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PBR) from a buy rating to a neutral rating.

Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of Transocean (RIG) to an outperform rating.

Citigroup downgraded shares of Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) from a buy rating to a neutral rating.

Global Hunter Securities downgraded shares of SandRidge Energy Inc. (SD) from a buy rating to a neutral rating. Their analysts now have a $5.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $9.00.

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