(Updates with additional details and company comments beginning in the sixth paragraph.). NEW YORK (Dow Jones) Shares of casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment Inc (PNK) climbed Wednesday after the Louisiana Gaming Control Board released February gaming numbers that were better than in previous months. "The results weren't good, but they weren't as bad as expected," KeyBanc analyst Dennis Forst said. The recession has hurt casino operators, many of which built up large debts from grand expansions before the credit crisis hit. But some regional players have fared better than counterparts in tourism related gambling capitals, 
Share:  (Updates with additional details and company comments beginning in the sixth paragraph.).<span class="sent"> NEW YORK (Dow Jones) Shares of casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment Inc (<span class="company">PNK</span>) climbed Wednesday after the Louisiana Gaming Control Board released February gaming numbers that were better than in previous months. "The results weren't good, but they weren't as bad as expected," KeyBanc analyst <span class="analyst">Dennis Forst</span> said.</span> The recession has hurt casino operators, many of which built up large debts from grand expansions before the credit crisis hit. But some regional players have fared better than counterparts in tourism related gambling capitals, ....(Updates with additional details and company comments beginning in the sixth paragraph.).<span class="sent"> NEW YORK (Dow Jones) Shares of casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment Inc (<span class="company">PNK</span>) climbed Wednesday after the Louisiana Gaming Control Board released February gaming numbers that were better than in previous months. "The results weren't good, but they weren't as bad as expected," KeyBanc analyst <span class="analyst">Dennis Forst</span> said.</span> The recession has hurt casino operators, many of which built up large debts from grand expansions before the credit crisis hit. But some regional players have fared better than counterparts in tourism related gambling capitals, . Tweet this 

Production and shipments, meanwhile, will grow by 26% and 20%, the company said. Mills that fabricate sheet and plate steel will, Nucor expects, operate at 85% and 90% capacity in the first quarter, respectively. That's up from the same period of 2009, when those mills were at 63% and 68%, Nucor said. "The strong growth in orders likely indicates that current operating rates are sustainable for at least another quarter," analyst Mark Parr, of KeyBanc Capital Markets, wrote in a note to clients. He attributed the company's strong sheet metal capacity to "continued positive momentum" from the auto industry 
Share:  Production and shipments, meanwhile, will grow by 26% and 20%, the company said. Mills that fabricate sheet and plate steel will, <span class="company">Nucor</span> expects, operate at 85% and 90% capacity in the first quarter, respectively. That's up from the same period of 2009, when those mills were at 63% and 68%, <span class="company">Nucor</span> said.<span class="sent"> "The strong growth in orders likely indicates that current operating rates are sustainable for at least another quarter," analyst <span class="analyst">Mark Parr</span>, of KeyBanc Capital Markets, wrote in a note to clients.</span> He attributed the company's strong sheet metal capacity to "continued positive momentum" from the auto industry....Production and shipments, meanwhile, will grow by 26% and 20%, the company said. Mills that fabricate sheet and plate steel will, <span class="company">Nucor</span> expects, operate at 85% and 90% capacity in the first quarter, respectively. That's up from the same period of 2009, when those mills were at 63% and 68%, <span class="company">Nucor</span> said.<span class="sent"> "The strong growth in orders likely indicates that current operating rates are sustainable for at least another quarter," analyst <span class="analyst">Mark Parr</span>, of KeyBanc Capital Markets, wrote in a note to clients.</span> He attributed the company's strong sheet metal capacity to "continued positive momentum" from the auto industry. Tweet this 

Investor psychology also played a role. Some companies like Fifth Third Bancorp ( FITB ) performed exceptionally well because they benefited from a swing in sentiment as they fought back from the brink of bankruptcy. "Stocks go up a lot when people fear bankruptcy, and that fear goes away," says Brad Thomas, analyst for Keybanc Capital Markets. "The top returners have been stocks that you worried about their futures last time this year — you worried about their ability to remain a going concern.". Not every company benefited from the bounce 
Share:  Investor psychology also played a role. Some companies like Fifth Third Bancorp ( <span class="company">FITB</span> ) performed exceptionally well because they benefited from a swing in sentiment as they fought back from the brink of bankruptcy.<span class="sent"> "Stocks go up a lot when people fear bankruptcy, and that fear goes away," says <span class="analyst">Brad Thomas</span>, analyst for Keybanc Capital Markets.</span> "The top returners have been stocks that you worried about their futures last time this year — you worried about their ability to remain a going concern.". Not every company benefited from the bounce....Investor psychology also played a role. Some companies like Fifth Third Bancorp ( <span class="company">FITB</span> ) performed exceptionally well because they benefited from a swing in sentiment as they fought back from the brink of bankruptcy.<span class="sent"> "Stocks go up a lot when people fear bankruptcy, and that fear goes away," says <span class="analyst">Brad Thomas</span>, analyst for Keybanc Capital Markets.</span> "The top returners have been stocks that you worried about their futures last time this year — you worried about their ability to remain a going concern.". Not every company benefited from the bounce. Tweet this 

In addition, raw material costs have steadily increased. Cooper Tire said it was able to pass on a 7 percent increase in the cost of its tires in January, however. Tire industry analyst Saul Ludwig, of KeyBanc Capital Markets, asked if the industry ''needs to move prices again'' because of increasing raw materials costs. Armes said his company and other tire manufacturers won't be able to keep up with rising rubber prices. ''Materials costs are going up at a rate that we don't have any other way to offset that,'' he said 
Share:  In addition, raw material costs have steadily increased. <span class="company">Cooper Tire</span> said it was able to pass on a 7 percent increase in the cost of its tires in January, however.<span class="sent"> Tire industry analyst <span class="analyst">Saul Ludwig</span>, of KeyBanc Capital Markets, asked if the industry ''needs to move prices again'' because of increasing raw materials costs.</span> Armes said his company and other tire manufacturers won't be able to keep up with rising rubber prices. ''Materials costs are going up at a rate that we don't have any other way to offset that,'' he said....In addition, raw material costs have steadily increased. <span class="company">Cooper Tire</span> said it was able to pass on a 7 percent increase in the cost of its tires in January, however.<span class="sent"> Tire industry analyst <span class="analyst">Saul Ludwig</span>, of KeyBanc Capital Markets, asked if the industry ''needs to move prices again'' because of increasing raw materials costs.</span> Armes said his company and other tire manufacturers won't be able to keep up with rising rubber prices. ''Materials costs are going up at a rate that we don't have any other way to offset that,'' he said. Tweet this 

Written orders for January and February at the furniture retailer Ethan Allen Interiors Inc rose 25 percent from the prior year period , a marked improvement from the fiscal third quarter's 6.1 percent decline, wrote Bradley Thomas at KeyBanc Capital Markets. He is optimistic the company is gaining momentum 
Share:  <span class="sent">Written orders for January and February at the furniture retailer <span class="company">Ethan Allen Interiors</span> Inc rose 25 percent from the prior year period , a marked improvement from the fiscal third quarter's 6.1 percent decline, wrote <span class="analyst">Bradley Thomas</span> at KeyBanc Capital Markets.</span> He is optimistic the company is gaining momentum.....<span class="sent">Written orders for January and February at the furniture retailer <span class="company">Ethan Allen Interiors</span> Inc rose 25 percent from the prior year period , a marked improvement from the fiscal third quarter's 6.1 percent decline, wrote <span class="analyst">Bradley Thomas</span> at KeyBanc Capital Markets.</span> He is optimistic the company is gaining momentum.. Tweet this 

KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts Tahira Afzal, Matt Tucker and Mark Aydin reiterated their Buy rating for shares of McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) with a price target of $33. . Following the McDermott International 4th quarter 2009 earnings call, the analysts lowered their 2010 earnings per share estimate from $2.17 to $2.10 but were still largely positive about the company's prospects. . The KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts wrote that there was an "incrementally more confident tone on J Ray margins in 2010, an important positive – management appeared more comfortable with J Ray margins being in the 10 12% range in 2010 despite prospects of a lighter revenue line. We consider this to be an important positive given management's more cautious tone on 3Q09, which raised some investor concern. Further, our scenario analysis indicates sizeable EPS upside if J Ray can deliver one quarter with a clean margin similar to that seen in 4Q09 (excluding Qatar projects)." 
Share:  <span class="sent">KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts Tahira Afzal, Matt Tucker and <span class="analyst">Mark Aydin</span> reiterated their Buy rating for shares of McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) with a price target of $33. . Following the McDermott International 4th quarter 2009 earnings call, the analysts lowered their 2010 earnings per share estimate from $2.17 to $2.10 but were still largely positive about the company's prospects.</span> . The KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts wrote that there was an "incrementally more confident tone on J Ray margins in 2010, an important positive – management appeared more comfortable with J Ray margins being in the 10 12% range in 2010 despite prospects of a lighter revenue line. We consider this to be an important positive given management's more cautious tone on 3Q09, which raised some investor concern. Further, our scenario analysis indicates sizeable EPS upside if J Ray can deliver one quarter with a clean margin similar to that seen in 4Q09 (excluding Qatar projects)."...<span class="sent">KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts Tahira Afzal, Matt Tucker and <span class="analyst">Mark Aydin</span> reiterated their Buy rating for shares of McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) with a price target of $33. . Following the McDermott International 4th quarter 2009 earnings call, the analysts lowered their 2010 earnings per share estimate from $2.17 to $2.10 but were still largely Tweet this 

KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts Tahira Afzal, Matt Tucker and Mark Aydin reiterated their Buy rating for shares of McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) with a price target of $33. . Following the McDermott International 4th quarter 2009 earnings call, the analysts lowered their 2010 earnings per share estimate from $2.17 to $2.10 but were still largely positive about the company's prospects. . The KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts wrote that there was an "incrementally more confident tone on J Ray margins in 2010, an important positive – management appeared more comfortable with J Ray margins being in the 10 12% range in 2010 despite prospects of a lighter revenue line. We consider this to be an important positive given management's more cautious tone on 3Q09, which raised some investor concern. Further, our scenario analysis indicates sizeable EPS upside if J Ray can deliver one quarter with a clean margin similar to that seen in 4Q09 (excluding Qatar projects)." 
Share:  <span class="sent">KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts <span class="analyst">Tahira Afzal</span>, Matt Tucker and Mark Aydin reiterated their Buy rating for shares of McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) with a price target of $33. . Following the McDermott International 4th quarter 2009 earnings call, the analysts lowered their 2010 earnings per share estimate from $2.17 to $2.10 but were still largely positive about the company's prospects.</span> . The KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts wrote that there was an "incrementally more confident tone on J Ray margins in 2010, an important positive – management appeared more comfortable with J Ray margins being in the 10 12% range in 2010 despite prospects of a lighter revenue line. We consider this to be an important positive given management's more cautious tone on 3Q09, which raised some investor concern. Further, our scenario analysis indicates sizeable EPS upside if J Ray can deliver one quarter with a clean margin similar to that seen in 4Q09 (excluding Qatar projects)."...<span class="sent">KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts <span class="analyst">Tahira Afzal</span>, Matt Tucker and Mark Aydin reiterated their Buy rating for shares of McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) with a price target of $33. . Following the McDermott International 4th quarter 2009 earnings call, the analysts lowered their 2010 earnings per share estimate from $2.17 to $2.10 but were still largel Tweet this 

In addition, the cost of the raw materials in its tires has steadily increased, squeezing profitability. Cooper Tire was able to pass on a 7 percent increase in the cost of its tires in January, however, executives said. . . . Tire industry analyst Saul Ludwig, of KeyBanc Capital Markets, asked executives of the Fortune 500 firm whether the industry "needs to move prices again" because of increasing raw materials costs. 
Share:  In addition, the cost of the raw materials in its tires has steadily increased, squeezing profitability. <span class="company">Cooper Tire</span> was able to pass on a 7 percent increase in the cost of its tires in January, however, executives said. . . .<span class="sent"> Tire industry analyst <span class="analyst">Saul Ludwig</span>, of KeyBanc Capital Markets, asked executives of the Fortune 500 firm whether the industry "needs to move prices again" because of increasing raw materials costs.</span>...In addition, the cost of the raw materials in its tires has steadily increased, squeezing profitability. <span class="company">Cooper Tire</span> was able to pass on a 7 percent increase in the cost of its tires in January, however, executives said. . . .<span class="sent"> Tire industry analyst <span class="analyst">Saul Ludwig</span>, of KeyBanc Capital Markets, asked executives of the Fortune 500 firm whether the industry "needs to move prices again" because of increasing raw materials costs.</span> Tweet this 

This Barron's article contends that cutbacks in defense spending threaten Oshkosh's (OSK) military truck business, which is the center of the company's earnings strength, and that the U.S economy is still too weak for the contractor's other units to pick up the slack. While the U.S. Army recently reaffirmed its award of a key $3 billion, five year contract to supply as many as 23,000 cargo trucks and trailers for use in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of the world, the article argues that the news isn't good enough to sustain a stock price that has gained 448% over the past 12 months. Furthermore, Steve Barger, an analyst for Keybanc Capital Markets, recently downgraded the stock to "hold" from "buy," citing concerns about future earnings in the face of military cutbacks by the Obama administration and the end of the M ATV program this summer. Senior analyst Bill Driscoll, of RBM Capital's 1837 Partners, shares some of Barger's worries 
Share:  This Barron's article contends that cutbacks in defense spending threaten Oshkosh's (<span class="company">OSK</span>) military truck business, which is the center of the company's earnings strength, and that the U.S economy is still too weak for the contractor's other units to pick up the slack. While the U.S. Army recently reaffirmed its award of a key $3 billion, five year contract to supply as many as 23,000 cargo trucks and trailers for use in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of the world, the article argues that the news isn't good enough to sustain a stock price that has gained 448% over the past 12 months.<span class="sent"> Furthermore, <span class="analyst">Steve Barger</span>, an analyst for Keybanc Capital Markets, recently downgraded the stock to "hold" from "buy," citing concerns about future earnings in the face of military cutbacks by the Obama administration and the end of the M ATV program this summer.</span> Senior analyst Bill Driscoll, of RBM Capital's 1837 Partners, shares some of Barger's worries....This Barron's article contends that cutbacks in defense spending threaten Oshkosh's (<span class="company">OSK</span>) military truck business, which is the center of the company's earnings strength, and that the U.S economy is still too weak for the contractor's other units to pick up the slack. While the U.S. Army recently reaffirmed its award of a key $3 billion, five year contract to supply as many as 23,000 cargo trucks and trailers for use in Afghan Tweet this 

According to researcher Dennis Forst at KeyBanc is advising investors to remain cautious of Wynn Resorts Limited (NYSE: WYNN). 
Share:  <span class="sent">According to researcher <span class="analyst">Dennis Forst</span> at KeyBanc is advising investors to remain cautious of <span class="company">Wynn Resorts Limited</span> (NYSE: WYNN).</span> Tweet this