Utilities

ISI Group has upgraded CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) from Neutral to Buy and has established a $19.50 price target.

ISI Group has upgraded Westar Energy (NYSE: WR) from Neutral to Buy with a $27 price target.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc (NYSE: DTG) reported a 0.6% rise in its second-quarter net profit. Dollar Thrifty's quarterly net profit increased to $42.5 million, from $42.3 million, in the year-ago period. Its revenue dropped 0.3% to $395.1 million. Dollar Thrifty's earnings per share...

Bank of America reiterated its Buy rating on Westar Energy (NYSE: WR). At the same time, the rating agency reduced its price target on the company's stock from $29 to $28. On Friday, WR closed the day at $24.12.

According to Bank of America, Hawaiian Electric Industries (NYSE: HE) estimates are lowered. Bank of America said that Hawaiian Electric Industries (HE) reported 2Q11 earnings of $0.28, below the $0.31 estimate, based on higher O&M. “We are lowering our P.O. from $24 to $23 based on a lower...

Goldman Sachs is out with its report today on Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR), lowering its PT to $24 from $25. In its report, Goldman Sachs writes, "After 2Q2011 reporting, where POR reported EPS of $0.29 versus GS/ consensus of $0.31/$0.36, we update estimates, lower our price target and...

Dynegy Inc (NYSE: DYN) released its results for the second quarter loss on Monday. Dynegy reported a quarterly loss at $116 million, or $0.95 per share, versus a year-ago loss of $191 million, or $1.59 per share. Dynegy's adjusted EBITDA dropped to $102 million from $124 million. However, analysts...

Goldman Sachs is out with its report today on PPL (NYSE: PPL), raising its PT from $29 to $30. In its report, Goldman Sachs writes, "On the back of higher 2013 estimates we raise our sum-of-the-parts based 12 month target price from $29 to $30 implying a total return of 18%, including a dividend...

According to Jefferies, American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) price target is lowered to $37. Jefferies said that the PUCO Staff filed its recommendations Friday morning -- sided with interveners on the four major issues. “Our price target of $37.00 is based on our 2013 EPS estimate of $3.30 in...

Wunderlich is out with its report today on Ameren (NYSE: AEE), upgrading AEE from Sell to Hold. In its report, Wunderlich writes, "We are upgrading shares of Ameren Corporation to a Hold rating. Shares now appear fairly valued, and with the recent resolution of the Missouri rate case and modest...

According to Morgan Keegan, Spectra Energy Partners (NYSE: SEP) eported Q2 results Thursday that were short of MK and Street estimates. Morgan Keegan said that SEP reported $0.34/unit of DCF vs. MK's $0.43/unit and consensus $0.40/unit. “We are raising our 12-month target yield to 5.5%-6% and...

Jefferies reiterated its Hold rating on CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP). At the same time, the rating agency raised its price target on the company's stock from $19.50 to $20. On Friday, CNP added 0.49% to its value to end the day at $18.59.

This is your Benzinga news summary and traders' outlook for Monday, August 8, 2011, covering headlines from overnight and Monday's pre-market session. Today in domestic pre-market trading, U.S. equity futures are set for another weak morning as traders mull over the S&P credit downgrade of the...

Deutsche Bank is out with a research report on PPL Corp. (NYSE: PPL) with a Hold rating and a $23 price target on shares. In a note to clients, Deutsche Bank writes, "PPL reported solid 2Q11 results on Friday and provided 2013 hedge details for the Supply generation segment for the first time. To...

Wunderlich Securities has upgraded Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) from Sell to Hold and has raised the price target from $28 to $29.