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

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. (L-TSX)

Yesterday's close $32.69, up 79¢

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. results are being hurt by intensified price competition, which is already factored into the share prices, and increased information technology expenses, said UBS Securities Canada analyst Vishal Shreedhar.

Upside: Shares are reiterated "buy" with a price target of $38 because of the company's progress in its restructuring efforts. The 2009 share profit is forecast at $2.30, up 9 cents.

Quebecor Inc. (QBR.B-TSX)

Yesterday's close $26.96, down 25¢

Quebecor Inc. has a "hidden gem" in its wireless business in Quebec and "may consider entering agreements with other new entrants to enhance its handsets purchasing power or to share costs," said Phillip Huang, an analyst with UBS Securities Canada.

Upside: Shares are reiterated "buy-sector top pick" and the price target was raised by $4 to $33.

Salesforce.com (CRM-NYSE)

Yesterday's close $63.61 U.S., down $2

Salesforce.com provides software applications to manage information for sales, marketing and customer support services. The company has about $1.1-billion (U.S.) in cash.

Upside: The price target for the "buy-rated" shares was raised to $76 from $61 by Richard Baldry, an analyst with Canaccord Capital. The share profit is forecast at 64 cents in 2010 and 83 cents in 2011.

SXC Health Solutions Corp. (SXCI-Nasdaq)

Yesterday's close $51.45 U.S., down $1.75

SXC Health Solutions Corp. provides pharmacy information management software to drug store retailers, mail order druggists and health care insurance companies.

Upside: The company has a technology advantage over its peers and the share price target for the "buy" rated shares was raised to $60 (U.S.) from $57.50, by Versant Partners analyst Tom Liston. The profit is forecast at $1.62 in 2009, $1.96 in 2010 and $2.36 in 2011.

Smith International Inc. (SII-NYSE)

Yesterday's close $27.58 U.S., up 72¢

Smith International Inc. supplies premium drill bits and related products to the oil and gas industry.

Upside: The rating was raised to "buy" from "hold" with a share price target of $35 (U.S.) following a 28 million share offering, by Citigroup Global Markets analyst Robin Shoemaker. If Smith stumbles in its efforts to expand internationally while dealing with domestic price pressures it could be a takeover target, he said.

SOURCE: BLOOMBERG