Robert W. Baird & Company

Visa Inc. (V) - David Koning at Robert W. Baird & Company

The operator of the world's largest retail electronic payments network has previously said it expects fiscal year 2010 and 2011 earnings per share to grow more than 20 percent. Parker wrote in an analyst note that he expects Visa will maintain that outlook, and "provide a little more insight on the roadmap to achieving that type of execution even in a difficult economic environment.". Robert W. Baird analyst David Koning said he expects Visa management will provide an update of business trends through late February and early March "that is slightly better than our current estimates.". Both analysts have the equivalent of "Buy" ratings and $105 price targets on the stock. On Feb. 3, Visa said its fiscal first quarter profit rose 33 percent on increased revenue, even as consumers pulled back sharply on spending 

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMLN) - Thomas Russo at Robert W. Baird & Company

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) , Investors are betting on a positive U. S regulatory outcome this week for Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc's ( AMLN. O ) new diabetes drug, sending shares in the biotech company up as much as 7 percent on Wednesday. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is slated to decide on Friday whether to approve the long acting diabetes drug, called Byetta LAR, being developed by Amylin and partner Eli Lilly and Co ( LLY. N )."The recent moves that we've seen in Amylin and Alkermes are being driven mostly by the upcoming (approval) date for Byetta LAR," said Robert W. Baird & Co analyst Thomas Russo. 

Eli Lilly & Company (LLY) - Thomas Russo at Robert W. Baird & Company

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is slated to decide on Friday whether to approve the long acting diabetes drug, called Byetta LAR, being developed by Amylin and partner Eli Lilly and Co ( LLY. N )."The recent moves that we've seen in Amylin and Alkermes are being driven mostly by the upcoming (approval) date for Byetta LAR," said Robert W. Baird & Co analyst Thomas Russo. 

Alkermes, Inc. (ALKS) - Thomas Russo at Robert W. Baird & Company

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is slated to decide on Friday whether to approve the long acting diabetes drug, called Byetta LAR, being developed by Amylin and partner Eli Lilly and Co ( LLY. N )."The recent moves that we've seen in Amylin and Alkermes are being driven mostly by the upcoming (approval) date for Byetta LAR," said Robert W. Baird & Co analyst Thomas Russo. 

Cerus Corporation (CERS) - Christopher Raymond at Robert W. Baird & Company

Shares of Cerus Corp rose Tuesday as an R. W. Baird analyst upgraded his rating on the company, citing the value and potential of the Intercept blood system. The system is used to clean bacteria, viruses, and parasites out of donated blood prior to transfusion. R. W. Baird analyst Christopher J. Raymond upgraded the stock to "Outperform" from "Neutral" and raised his price target to $5 from $3. Shares of the Concord, Calif., company jumped 31 cents, or 13.2 percent, to $2.67 in afternoon trading. The stock has traded between 60 cents and $3.57 over the last 52 weeks. 

Intel Corporation (INTC) - Tristan Gerra at Robert W. Baird & Company

Intel Corp.: Robert W. Baird analyst Tristan Gerra upgraded a rating on shares of Intel Corp ( INTC ) to outperform from neutral on Mar. 9. In a note, Gerra said that checks with industry sources point to large PC manufacturers recently raising their procurement forecasts for the first half of 2010, in part due to a rebound in corporate PC spending for 2010. "Intel could outperform semiconductor peers this year, notably those with stretched lead times," Gerra wrote. 

McDonald's Corporation (MCD) - David Tarantino at Robert W. Baird & Company

Baird analyst David Tarantino maintained his "Outperform" rating on the world's largest burger chain, calling Monday's report better than expected. In the U. S., McDonald's performance improved. edging up 0.6 percent after a 0.7 percent decline in January. Citi analyst Greg Badishkanian said the U. S results were hurt by the series of snowstorms that pounded much of the country during the month. Still, U. S sales were driven by strong demand for the chain's breakfast dollar menu, McCafe drinks and a Chicken McNugget promotion centered around the Winter Olympics 

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (BWLD) - David Tarantino at Robert W. Baird & Company

Separately, analysts including MKM Partners' Stephen Anderson expect the company to get a boost in 2010 from the recent drop in chicken wing prices. The fall in wing prices was marked in jumbo wings, which are the variety Buffalo Wild Wings uses, than for smaller sized wings, Baird analyst David Tarantino said. "With all in spot prices for wings down 17 percent since guidance was provided, we have a much higher level of conviction in BWLD's ability to meet or beat the 20 percent target, even if comps fall shy," Tarantino, said in a note to clients. Tarantino reiterated his "outperform" rating on the stock 

The Middleby Corporation (MIDD) - Peter Lisnic at Robert W. Baird & Company

The shares added $5.54, or 11 percent, to close at $54.24 Thursday. Peter Lisnic, an analyst with Robert W. Baird & Co., kept his "Outperform" rating and $55 price target on the company. "Risk/reward for the shares appears attractive considering history of execution, above average earnings growth and return profile, and strong free cash flow," he said in a report. 

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (OVTI) - Tristan Gerra at Robert W. Baird & Company

OmniVision Technologies Inc shares climbed Thursday after an analyst upgraded the maker of image sensors for digital cameras and other devices, predicting it will increase its market share this year. OmniVision shares rose $1.25, or 8.8 percent, to $15.46 in afternoon trading. In the past year, the stock has traded between $6.04 and $17.48. In a client note, R. W. Baird analyst Tristan Gerra raised his rating for the stock to "Outperform" from "Neutral" and his share price target to $20 from $15. Gerra said his upgrade stems from checks that indicate the company snagged new deals that will put its products in smart phones from two major North America based smart phone makers in the second half of this year. 

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (OVTI) - Tristan Gerra at Robert W. Baird & Company

OmniVision (OVTI) have spiked higher this morning after Baird analyst Tristan Gerra upped his rating on the image sensor company's shares to Outperform from Neutral, with a new target of $20, up from $15. Gerra contends the company has new design wins at two leading North America based smartphone makers, while also winning sole supplier status at a leading PC maker. "We expect OmniVision will gain significant share this year against its main competitor, primarily with higher resolution sensors along with ramps into dual sensor devices," he writes.