EnCana (ECA) (LRE) (NFX) (TC) Ratings Changes or Initiations

EnCana Co. (ECA), Lrr Energy L.P. (LRE), Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) and Thompson Creek Metals Co. Inc. (TC) had ratings initiated or upgraded on them.

BMO Capital Markets upgraded EnCana Co. (ECA) from a "Market Perform" rating to an "Outperform" rating. They have a price target of $28.00 on the company.

Oppenheimer upgraded Lrr Energy L.P. (LRE) from a "Perform" rating to an "Outperform" rating on the company. They have a price target of $24.00 on the company.

Raymond James upgraded Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) from an "Underperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Thompson Creek Metals (TC). They placed a "Market Perform" rating on the company.

AuRico (AUQ) (CG) (CLR) (D) (NFX) (TGA) (TRGL) Upgraded by Analysts

AuRico Gold (AUQ), Centerra Gold Inc. (CG), Continental Resources, Inc. (CLR), Dominion Resources, Inc. (D), Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX), Transglobe Energy (TGA) and Toreador Resources Co. (TRGL) were upgraded by analysts. Canaccord Genuity upgraded AuRico Gold (AUQ) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating. They have a price target of $9.50 on the company. Canaccord Genuity upgraded Centerra Gold Inc. (CG) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating. They have a price target of $16.50 on the company. Capital One upgraded Continental Resources, Inc. (CLR) from a "Neutral" rating to an "Add" rating. They have a price target of $97.00 on the company. Credit Suisse upgraded Dominion Resources, Inc. (D) from a "Neutral" rating to an "Outperform" rating. They have a price target of $59.00 on the company. Tudor Pickering upgraded Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) from an "Accumulate" rating to a "Buy" rating. Salman Partners upgraded Transglobe Energy (TGA) from a "Hold" rating to a "Speculative Buy" rating. They have a price target of $12.75 on the company. KeyBanc upgraded Toreador Resources Co. (TRGL) from an "Underweight" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Newfield (NFX) (HWD) (PAAS) (DO) (CHK) (HUSA) (EE) Ratings, Price Targets

Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX), Harry Winston Diamond (HWD), Pan American Silver (PAAS), Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (DO), Chesapeake Energy (CHK), Houston American Energy (HUSA) and El Paso Electric (EE) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Desjardins upgraded Harry Winston Diamond (HWD) from a "Sell" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Pritchard downgraded Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

TheStreet downgraded Pan American Silver (PAAS) to a "Hold" rating.

Williams Capital initiated coverage on Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (DO). They placed a "Hold" rating and price target of $72.00 on the company.

Capital One upgraded Chesapeake Energy (CHK) to a "Neutral" rating.

MLV & Co downgraded Houston American Energy (HUSA) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating.

Jefferies Group upgraded El Paso Electric (EE) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Newfield Exploration (NYSE:NFX) Upgraded to Outperform by Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) announced that it has upgraded Newfield Exploration (NYSE: NFX) from Market Perform to Outperform, and increased its target range from $35-$40 to $56-$60.

According to Wells Fargo, it's decision was based on Newfield's exploration potential, discount of valuation, operational catalysts and growing focus on oil.

Especially noted by Wells Fargo was Newfield's Monument Butte & Bakken programs which are the chief area where it's exposure to oil is located.

Natural gas also continues to play a major part in its valuations, as it accounts for 54 percent of Newfield's portfolio, while crude stands at 46 percent.

It was also felt by Wells Fargo that the Monument Butte asset in the Uinta Basin held by Newfiled Exploration is highly undervalued by the street, another significant factor in its upgrade of the company stock.