MICROBIX BIOSYSTEMS: (MBX-TSX)
Yesterday's close 77¢, up 15¢
Microbix Biosystems Inc. will soon receive the blessing of the U.S. Patent Office for a process that has the potential to double the amount of influenza vaccine made annually. Annual global flu vaccine production capacity is about 350-million doses.
Upside: An article about the company's "yield enhancement technology" was published in the latest issue of Vaccine, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Leonard Zehr
LEGACY HOTELS REAL ESTATE TR.: (LGY.UN-TSX
Yesterday's close $13.75, up 25¢
Legacy REIT put itself on the block in early March. A 7-per-cent decline in Legacy's unit price over the past three weeks is an open door for investors to get in now before it is sold, according to a report by TD analyst Sam Damiani.
Upside: He raised his rating to "buy" from "hold" yesterday. Legacy could sell for $13.50 to $15, he said. Lori McLeod
EQUITABLE GROUP: (ETC-TSX)
Yesterday's close $34.23, up 23¢
Banks are raising mortgage rates before the Bank of Canada starts lifting rates this summer. That will affect other mortgage stocks in different ways, according to BMO Nesbitt Burns.
Upside: Equitable Group Inc., with half of its mortgage portfolio floating-rate, could see an improvement in its net interest margin, while Home Capital Group Inc. could lag because of its 60- to 90-day mortgage rate guarantee to prospective borrowers. Allan Robinson
BOMBARDIER INC.: (BBD.B-TSX)
Yesterday's close $5.48, up 12¢A strong first quarter this week from Bombardier Inc. has analysts looking for its fiscal 2008 profit to increase 43 per cent to 20 cents a class B share, up 2 cents from a week ago.
Upside: Bombardier's share price target yesterday was increased to $6 from $4.95 by Benoit Poirier, an analyst with Desjardins Securities. UBS has the highest price target of $6.75, according to Bloomberg. Allan Robinson
COCA-COLA: (KO-NYSE)
Yesterday's close $53.05 U.S., up 87¢ Coca-Cola Co. has addressed many of the past concerns about the company and is moving towards a more balanced
portfolio of beverages. Moreover, there are signs of stabilization in problem markets such as Japan, said Citigroup analyst Bonnie Herzog.
Upside: She raised her recommendation on Coke to "buy" from "hold" and boosted her price target to $59 (U.S.) a share from $50. Angela Barnes