Equity Briefing: Upgrades and Downgrades for August 6th: AGNC, AHT, AMTG, ARRS, AWK, AZSEY, BEAV, BMPI, BPO, B

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

Wunderlich  raised its price target on shares of American Capital Agency Corp. AGNC from $34.00 to $35.00. They have a hold rating on the stock.

FBR Capital  upgraded shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust AHT from an underperform rating to a market perform rating. FBR Capital now has a $9.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $7.00.

JMP Securities  initiated coverage on shares of Apollo Residential Mortg AMTG. They issued an outperform rating on the stock.

Jefferies Group  upgraded shares of Arris Group, Inc. ARRS from a hold rating to a buy rating. Jefferies Group now has a $16.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $13.00.

Robert W. Baird  upgraded shares of American Water Works Co Inc AWK from a neutral rating to an outperform rating. Robert W. Baird now has a $41.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $35.00.

JPMorgan Chase  upgraded shares of Allianz SE AZSEY from a neutral rating to an overweight rating.

Cowen  downgraded shares of BE Aerospace, Inc. BEAV from an outperform rating to a neutral rating.

Acceleron Equity  initiated coverage on shares of Bill My Parents BMPI. They issued a buy rating on the stock and set a $3.30 price target.

Citigroup  downgraded shares of Brookfield Properties Co. BPO from a buy rating to a neutral rating.

Credit Suisse  upgraded shares of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. BZH from an underperform rating to a neutral rating. Credit Suisse now has a $2.50 price target on the stock.

Wells Fargo & Co.  upgraded shares of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. BZH from an underperform rating to a market perform rating.

B. Riley  upgraded shares of Callidus Software Inc. CALD from a neutral rating to a buy rating. B. Riley now has a $6.25 price target on the stock.

BMO Capital Markets  downgraded shares of Chesapeake Energy CHK from an outperform rating to a market perform rating. Their analysts now have a $25.00 price target on the stock.

Benchmark Co.  downgraded shares of CryoLife, Inc. CRY from a buy rating to a hold rating. Their analysts now have a $6.00 price target on the stock.

Goldman Sachs  initiated coverage on shares of CVR Energy, Inc. CVI. They issued a neutral rating on the stock.

Capstone  upgraded shares of Curtiss-Wright CW from a hold rating to a buy rating. Capstone now has a $38.00 price target on the stock.

FBR Capital  upgraded shares of Crexus Investment CXS from an underperform rating to a market perform rating.

Ascendiant Capital Markets  initiated coverage on shares of Echo Therapeutics ECTE. They issued a buy rating on the stock and set a $2.00 price target.

Lazard Capital  upgraded shares of Endologix, Inc. ELGX from a neutral rating to a buy rating. Lazard Capital now has a $15.00 price target on the stock.

RBC Capital  downgraded shares of Edwards Lifesciences EW from a top pick rating to an outperform rating. Their analysts now have a $105.00 price target on the stock.

Raymond James  initiated coverage on shares of First Community Co. FCCO. They issued an outperform rating on the stock.

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