Free Stock Picks

CNBC’s Mad Money show host Jim Cramer promoted a number of stocks on December 14, with Citigroup (NYSE: C) being his hot favorite. C opens its gigantic $17 billion equity offer this week. The company is raising capital through stock issuance to repay its government TARP loan.

Jim is also bullish on retailing stocks, Tiffany & Co (NYSE: TIF), Nordstrom Inc (NYSE: JWN) and Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS). While TIF is one of the aggressive companies, JWN is better and KSS the best from this lot, according to Jim Cramer. Cramer also believes that when Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) reports on Tuesday, the consequence on its stock could be explosive. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) has recently gone through a big move and other stocks hold better prospects.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Barclays Capital upgraded its investment rating on Intel shares to overweight from market weight, sending the chip maker’s stock up 46 cents, or 2.3%, to 20.09, on the Nasdaq.

The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 25.97, or 1.17%, to 2237.66, its highest close since September 2008. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index increased 11.58, or 1.05%, to 1114.05

Popularity: 2% [?]

IAMGOLD Corporation (USA) (NYSE:IAG) surged over 2.5% to $15.43 after UBS upgraded IAG from Neutral to Buy while reduced IAG’s price target to $21.50 from $22.50. IAMGOLD Corporation is is engaged in the exploration, development and operation of gold mining properties and the operation of a niobium mine. Its interests include seven operating gold mines, a niobium producer, a diamond royalty, and exploration and development projects located throughout Africa and the Americas.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) was upgraded by Soleil Securities and raised its price target on the stock $13, while maintaining a “Buy” rating on Ford shares, citing Ford continues to make progress on both the cost and revenue side of the restructuring equation. Today , after making a new 52-week high at $9.80, shares of Ford are now up 0.72% to $9.74.

Popularity: 11% [?]

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. (“ChipMOS” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: IMOS – News) today reported its unaudited consolidated revenue for the month of October 2009.

Popularity: 4% [?]

FedEx Corp. shares rose in pre-market trades Tuesday after the delivery giant raised its outlook for second-quarter earnings on increased demand for its international services as well as its cost-cutting efforts.

FedEx (FDX 89.59, +2.07, +2.37%) boosted its profit target to $1.10 a share from its previous estimate of 65 cents to 95 cents a share. The Memphis, Tenn.-based company earned $1.58 a share in the same quarter a year ago.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Apple (AAPL Quote) initiated at Calyon Securities with a Buy rating and $260 price target. Analysts mentioned the much-anticipated potential launch of a tablet product in 2010, and further market share gains for iPhone, esp in China.

Popularity: 15% [?]

Brocade (BRCD) shares are trading higher this morning after Oppenheimer analyst Ittai Kirdon lifted his rating on the stock to Outperform from Perform, setting a price target of $8.50. The stock closed Friday at $7.04.

Popularity: 4% [?]

BMO Capital has upgraded shares of Agrium (NYSE: AGU) from Market Perform to Outperform this morning, also boosting its price target from $55 to $80.

Agrium Inc. produces and markets agricultural nutrients, industrial products, and specialty products worldwide, as well as involves in the retail supply of agricultural products and services in North and South America.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Sysco Corp. (SYY) was upgraded from Hold » Buy on 12/8/2009—a positive sign for the stock that investors typically welcome. FYI, Citigroup uses the following rating scale when analyzing stocks: Buy, Hold, Sell.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Goldman Sachs analyst Matthew Borsch said in a research note he upgraded the managed care sector to “Attractive” from “Neutral” due in part to improving fundamentals from insurers and “limited downside risk” from the health care overhaul debate taking place in Congress.

Health insurance stocks have climbed and fallen for months over developments in this debate. Congress is considering bills that aim to cover uninsured people and control spiraling medical costs.
Managed Care Stock Upgrades

Popularity: 1% [?]

Netflix (NFLX)
Sallie Mae (SLM)
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
JPMorgan Chase (JPM)
Chart Industries (GTLS)
Cogent (COGT)
L-1 Identity Solutions (ID)
Bank of America (BAC)
Plum Creek Timber (PCL)
Globe Specialty Metals (GSM)
Intel (INTC)
ADC Telecommunications (ADCT)
Cooper Industries (CBE)
Celgene (CELG)
Allos Therapeutics (ALTH)
Immunogen (IMGN)
Onyx Pharmaceuticals (ONXX)
CIENA (CIEN)
ArcSight (ARST)
VCA Antech (WOOF)
Petsmart (PETM)
Marriott International (MAR)

Popularity: 7% [?]