EYE ON EQUITIES/ STOCKS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR SCREEN

Vermilion Energy Trust has agreed to acquire an 18.5-per-cent interest in the Corrib gas field off the Irish coast for an initial $100-million (U.S.), said UBS analyst Travis Wood. Production could begin in 2011 making this the "acquisition we've been waiting for."

Upside: The share rating went to "buy" from "neutral" and the price target to $35 (Canadian) from $32.

(VET.UN-TSX)

Yesterday's close $29.26, up 48 cents

AGF Management Ltd. still faces credit loan losses from its trust division, although its cost-cutting efforts have been better than expected, said Richard McCormick, an analyst with Blackmont Capital.

Upside: The rating was raised to "hold" from "sell" and the price target to $9 from $8.50. The 2009 and 2010 earnings are forecast at 85 cents and 95 cents a share, respectively.

(AGF.B-TSX)

Yesterday's close $12.90, up $1.29

Sherritt International Corp. has finalized financing for its 40-per-cent owned $4.51-billion (U.S.) Ambatovy laterite nickel project in Madagascar.

Upside: The shares are reiterated "buy" by John Hughes, an analyst with Desjardins Securities and the price target raised to $6.95 (Canadian) from $6.40. The partners have the right to exchange the new loans for up to 15 percentage points of Sherritt's stake.

(S-TSX)

Yesterday's close $5.31, up 4 cents

Solar-power module manufacturer First Solar Inc. is likely to face pressure on profit margins and the near-term risks "cause us to step aside until visibility returns" and future positive catalysts become apparent, said Jonathan Dorsheimer and Josh Baribeau, analysts with Canaccord Capital.

Downside: The share rating was reduced to "hold" from "buy," although the price target remains at $180 (U.S.).

(FSLR-Nasdaq)

Yesterday's close $159.48 U.S., down $11.71

The outlook for Intel Corp. is improving based on industry comments from personal computer and hard disk drive participants at a recent trade show, said analysts with UBS Securities.

Upside: Intel shares were reiterated "buy" with a price target of $18 (U.S.). The forecast 2009 share profit was raised to 55 cents from 50 cents and the 2010 profit estimate was maintained at $1.

(INTC-Nasdaq)

Yesterday's close $16.31 U.S., up 21 cents

SOURCE: BLOOMBERG