JA Solar is downgraded to 'sell,' and Joy Global is downgraded to 'neutral.'
Strong cash flow is setting the stage for major payout hikes at these companies.
Companies that pay out a healthy yield without eating into profits can help investors keep ahead of inflation over the long haul.
FedEx is downgraded to 'underperform,' and UPS is upgraded to 'outperform.'
These companies have increased returns to shareholders while decreasing the payout ratio.
Altria is upgraded to 'buy,' and Red Robin is downgraded to 'neutral.'
JetBlue is upgraded to 'hold,' and Yelp is initiated with an 'equal weight.'
With most property and casualty insurance stocks pulling back since the hurricane hit in late October, Merrill Lynch analyst Jay Cohen names his favorite sector picks.
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