New Analyst Ratings (OXF, STKL, HTM, HOGS)

Published on Thursday, 26 August 2010 07:42 Written by Danny Miller

New York, August 26^th (TradersHuddle.com) – Following are some of the new analyst ratings before the market open.

Research Firms Initiate or review:

Oxford Resource Partners (NYSE:OXF), the producer of surface coal reserves in the Northern Appalachia and the Illinois Basin, was initiated with a Hold at Citigroup.

SunOpta (NASDAQ:STKL), the owner and operator of businesses in the natural and organic food markets, was initiated with a Buy at Chardan Capital Markets and target price of $7. The analysts said the company is now taking prominent shelf space in the produce aisles of many mainstream US food retailers. They estimate that organic foods are generally priced at a 25-40% premium to similar conventional food products. While this price premium has been a headwind for industry growth in the current economic environment, they believe that rising GMO grain-bean prices could force conventional food companies to raise prices, despite hedging programs, leading to a softening of the value proposition in relation to organic food products.

US Geothermal (NYSE:HTM) was initiated with Outperform at Raymond James.

Zhongpin (NASDAQ:HOGS), the processor and distributor of fresh and frozen pork, processed meat products, and vegetables within, and outside China, were initiated with Buy at Maxim and target price of 18. The firm believes there is long-term growth potential, as pork is the number one meat consumed in China and well positioned to capitalize on market trend.