Market Perform - Price 16.10 on Dec. 1 by First Global Securities Downgraded from Outperform: Sharp reductions in the capital-equipment budgets of OEM [original-equipment-manufacturer] and distribution customers [is expected] to continue until the economy stabilizes. Strategic rebalancing, product divestments, manufacturing consolidation and reduction in variable compensation and discretionary costs [is what should] drive down operating expenses. Market cap: $5 billion.

Long-Term Buy - Price 12 on Dec. 2 by Hilliard Lyons This top-10 home-furnishings retailer's sales model is center[ed] on in-home design advice; it also offers several third-party credit options. ETH manufactures most of its line [in North American factories]. ...To reflect the impact of declining consumer confidence, [spending and] credit...we're reducing our fiscal-year '09 sales-rate forecast from minus-11% to minus-18%, and our EPS estimate from $1.64 to $1.13. We're reducing FY10E-EPS from $1.82 to $1.40. ...We believe ETH entered the quarter with inventory levels on the high side...yet we forecast ETH to remain modestly free-cash-flow-positive after the dividend (yielding: 8.3%) through FY10; net of cash, debt to total capitalization was 21%. We're reducing our target from 25 to 17, where the shares would trade at double-digit discounts to the five-year medians of [enterprise value]/Ebitda and forward price/earnings ratio on FY10 results. Market cap: $346 million.

Hold - Price 25.96 on Dec. 1 by Jefferies & Co. With crude-oil-tanker spot charter rates expected to be weaker in 2009 than '08, we believe Frontline's earnings, cash flow, and dividend payments are likely to be lower in 2009... .FRO is also expected to experience an increase in cash break-even levels in 4Q08 and 2009 due to higher vessel-operating-cost expectations, which increase the hurdle for earnings, cash flow and dividend payments... .We believe FRO will resume its policy of distributing net income in the form of dividends in 2009...[providing] support for the shares. We're maintaining Hold ...but reducing our target to 26 from 36. Target risk includes: significant decline in oil demand and excessive growth in the global-tanker fleet. Market cap: $2.3 billion.

Hold - Price 16.84 on Dec. 2 by Sterne, Agee & Leach Maintaining Hold and six-to-12-month target of 17... .Any announcement by GE to meaningfully adjust its cost structure, which would further reassure investors of its ability to sustain its $1.24 annual dividend, would likely be viewed...as a positive, particularly in light of [the] macroeconomic environment. ...[A] critical component to reigniting sustainable interest in GE's shares [would be] accelerate[d] reduction of GECC as a part of [GE]'s overall business portfolio. We're lowering our 4Q08E EPS to 50 cents from 58 cents, our FY08E EPS to $1.92 from $2, and our FY09E EPS to $1.70 from $1.85... .We believe in the long-cycle infrastructure businesses... . Market cap: $178 billion.

Strong Buy - Price 11.35 on Dec. 2 by Needham & Co. Guess? [looks as if it] has trend-right merchandise and lean inventory, and is well-positioned to navigate the consumer slowdown. [Due to a likely] difficult holiday season, we're decreasing our F4Q and FY08 EPS estimates by eight cents, to 76 cents and $2.49, respectively, down from 84 cents and $2.57. Our FY08 EPS of $2.49 is in the middle of raised guidance of $2.47 to $2.53 versus $1.99, and represents 25% growth. We are decreasing our FY09 EPS estimates to $2.79, down from $3.06. Target: 41 [down from 62]. Market cap: $1 billion.

Consumer Short-Term Opportunity/High-Risk Profile - Price 36.66 on Dec. 2 by Ameriprise Financial Heinz reported Q2 EPS grew 22% to 87 cents compared to the Street's 76 cents. Total revenue was $2.6 billion compared to the Street projection of $2.7 billion. Profit growth reflects strong volume growth with its Ore-Ida brand and solid ketchup sales as well as favorable currency hedging. Looking forward, HNZ reaffirmed its fiscal 2009 EPS of $2.87 to $2.91. ...We believe Heinz is well managed with solid long-term profit- growth potential... .The Street projection is $2.90. Risks include consumer spending, economic volatility, currency volatility, changes in consumer taste, increased competition. Market cap: $11.4 billion.

Sector Perform - Price 7.52 on Dec. 1 by RBC Capital Markets HST appears well-positioned to weather the downturn from a liquidity standpoint, [despite] rapid deterioration in operating fundamentals over the past two months -- particularly in upper upscale and luxury sub-segments that comprise a significant portion of its property Ebitda [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization]. But there now may be greater...earnings and Ebitda deterioration [ahead]. We still like HST's portfolio positioning and deem valuation on a replacement-cost basis exceedingly attractive, but the shares appear poised for a more in-line performance in FY09. Accordingly...[we] reduced our rating from Outperform. New target: 9. Market cap: $4 billion.

Market Outperform - Price 35.47 on Dec. 2 by Avondale Partners LHCG announced completion of two acquisitions. [Lafayette, La.-based LHCG provides health-care services in rural communities in the southern U.S., and is focused on growing its home-based services through acquisitions and startups.]...[A]bout 82% of revenues in 2006 were from Medicare. We favor the long-term outlook for the home-nursing sector and LHCG. Home health is the lowest-cost setting of Medicare post-acute care; the sector is fragmented and growing. LHCG '09 guidance call[s] for revenues above our previous estimates....Trading at 18 times our 2009 EPS estimate and growing [at above] 20%, we believe shares of LHCG remain attractive. Target: 37. Market cap: $655 million.