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Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)

Deutsche Bank upgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. from Hold to Buy.
Deutsche analyst said "We highlight 3 reasons for our upgrade: (1) leverage to an improving macro environment, which could drive upside to comps and EPS, (2) strong balance sheet and cash flow, and (3) reasonable valuation, particularly considering the lack of growth stories in the restaurant sector. We're raising our EPS ests. 2009E goes to $3.75 from $3.69. 2010E goes to $4.11 from $3.93.

Jan 11 · 3:35:00 PM · Source: StreetInsider.com
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by Rich Pike

CKE Restaurants (CKR)

Carl's Jr. is reporting that through Jan. 8, interest in Kim Kardashian’s salad commercial has received unparalleled press coverage, garnering 258 million media impressions (potential viewers/readers), more than three times the quantity achieved by any one of the chain’s previous celebrity commercial stars and, amazingly, more than all of them combined.
“Kim Kardashian has been an absolute joy to work with and her genuine charm, charisma, beauty and brains have endeared her to a huge base of fans,” said Brad Haley, e.v.p. of marketing for Carl’s Jr. “Because of Kim’s immense popularity, her commercial is not only a hit on television, its a hit in the digital space as well. And, the result is that the new salads, particularly Kim’s favorite the Cranberry Apple Walnut Grilled Chicken Salad, have been selling at record pace. As the commercial says, ‘Who says salads can’t be hot?’”

Jan 11 · 3:30:00 PM · Source: Business Wire
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by Rich Pike

Cheesecake Factory (CAKE)

Janney Mntgmy Scott downgraded Cheesecake Factory from Neutral to Sell.
Analyst Mark Kalinowski said in a client note that his sources have suggested that casual dining operators' sales at restaurants open at least a year were no better in December than in October and November, when the indicator was down by 4 percent to 5 percent.

Jan 11 · 3:17:00 PM · Source: MSN Moneycentral
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by Rich Pike

Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD)

Morgan Keegan upgraded Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. from Perform to Outperform.

Jan 11 · 3:12:00 PM · Source: StreetInsider.com
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by Rich Pike

Disney (DIS)

China is big enough to support two Disneyland resorts, Bill Ernest, president of The Walt Disney Co.'s parks in Asia said amid concerns the company's new Shanghai park would draw visitors away from its one in Hong Kong.
Ernest noted that in the U.S., where the population is about a quarter of the size of China's, there are already two major resorts; in Orlando, FL, and in Anaheim, CA. "We think there's plenty of room," Ernest said at a groundbreaking ceremony Dec. 14 for a long-awaited expansion of Hong Kong's Disneyland. "We think there's plenty of business there that supports both parks."

Jan 1 · 1:54:00 PM · Source: Post Gazette
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by Michael Oliveto

Disney (DIS)

The Walt Disney Company announced that Disney has completed its acquisition of renowned character franchise company, Marvel Entertainment Inc.
Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on December 31, Marvel shareholders will receive a total of $30 a share in cash plus approximately 0.7452 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own.

Dec 31 · 9:10:00 PM · Source: Reuters
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by Michael Oliveto

Amazon (AMZN)

Amazon.com had the happiest customers this holiday season, according to a survey from ForeSee Results released Wednesday.
The Seattle-based e-commerce giant scored the highest in a customer satisfaction report from online retail consulting firm ForeSee, followed by Netflix and QVC. Apple and outdoor-gear retailer Cabela's rounded out the top 5 in the survey, which polls 10,000 visitors to the top 40 US retail sites by revenue each November and December.

Dec 31 · 2:58:00 PM · Source: CNN Money
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by Michael Oliveto

McDonald's (MCD)

The abrupt retirement of Ralph Alvarez, 55, McDonald's president and chief operating officer, came as a surprise to people in and around the company. The company announced December 1 that Alvarez was retiring, effective December 31, because of chronic knee pain.
His departure is the second time in a little more than three years that the company's No. 2 executive has left suddenly. In 2006, investors and analysts were similarly surprised when Alvarez's predecessor, Michael Roberts, announced his resignation.

Dec 31 · 12:38:00 PM · Source: Chron
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by Michael Oliveto

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