Stocks were sharply higher Wednesday, on pace to close out the month with a four-day winning streak, even after a handful of weaker-than-expected economic reports. Investors were encouraged by news that President Obama may present a range of policy options that could create up to a million new jobs.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened sharply higher, turning positive for 2011, led by Caterpillar and Alcoa. The blue-chip index logged a three-day rally in the previous session.
Here are six stocks that are on the move:
Lennar
The homebuilder was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS, based on valuation.
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Toyota
The automaker was downgraded to neutral from outperform at Credit Suisse.
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Reliance Steel
The steel manufacturer was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman Sachs.
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Jefferies Group
The investment services company was downgraded to neutral from buy at Rochdale Research.
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Tesoro
The oil exploration and production company was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
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DR Horton
The homebuilder was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
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