STOCK UPGRADES AND DOWNGRADES

Analysts' Actions: BRCM, F, QCOM, RVBD, MHP

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- CHANGE IN RATINGS

Actuant (ATU) downgraded at Citigroup to Neutral from Buy, Citigroup said. $29 price target. More balanced risk/reward outlook.

Broadcom (BRCM) rated new Buy at Cantor. $40 price target. Infrastructure business trends remain strong and the NetLogic purchase should boost growth.

Dolby (DLB) rated new Sell at Goldman. $39 price target. Company faces multiple growth headwinds.

Ford Motor (F) rated new Hold at Stifel. Company had been losing market share but is now better positioned for the next major product cycle.

First Niagara(FNFG) upgraded at BofA/Merrill from Neutral to Buy, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch said. $9 price target. Stock appears oversold and sports a 4% dividend yield.

Gartner (IT) rated new Market Perform at Wells. IT was initiated with a Market Perform rating, Wells Fargo said. Company is leveraged to near-term IT spending concerns.

LKQ (LKQ) downgraded at Baird from Outperform to Neutral, Robert Baird said. Valuation call, based on a $37 price target.

McGraw-Hill (MHP) upgraded at Benchmark from Hold to Buy, Benchmark said. $53 price target. Company has strong growth prospects in finance and can unlock value by separating the education business.

Microsemi (MSCC) upgraded at Wells from Market Perform to Outperform, Wells Fargo said. Valuation call, following the recent pullback.

Qualcomm (QCOM) rated new Buy at Cantor Fitzgerald. $66 price target. Long-term trends remain positive for wireless devices.

Riverbed (RVBD) rated new Strong Buy at Needham. $25 price target. Stock looks oversold at current levels.

Spectra Energy (SE) upgraded at UBS to Buy from Neutral, UBS said. $31 price target. Prices already reflect NGL weakness.

Veeco Instruments (VECO) rated new Equal-weight at Piper. Overall market outlook remains uncertain.

Western Gas Partners (WES) upgraded at UBS to Buy from Neutral, UBS said. $48 price target. Continue to expect strong distribution growth.

Xylem (XYL) downgraded at Goldman to Sell, Goldman Sachs said. $24 price target. Company is leveraged to softer European and municipal water markets

TheStreet Staff

06/28/12 - 09:06 AM EDT