Analyst recommendations: American Express, Blackrock, Goldman Sachs, Steven Madden, Verisign...

Every day, find a selection of analysts' recommendations covering North America and the UK. The list only includes companies that have been the subject of a change of opinion or price target, or of a new coverage. It may be updated during the session. This information is used to shed light on the movements of certain stocks or the market sentiment on a company.

• American Express: Baptista Research LLP initiated coverage with a recommendation of hold. PT set to $181.
• Barratt: HSBC upgrades from hold to buy targeting GBp 570.
• Bellway: HSBC upgrades from hold to buy targeting GBp 2700.
• Berkeley: HSBC upgrades from sell to hold, targeting GBp 4000.
• Blackrock: Baptista Research initiated coverage with a recommendation of hold. PT set to $703.
• Goldman Sachs: Barclays cuts Price Target to $437 from $495, Overweight rating kept.
• Persimmon: HSBC upgrades from hold to buy targeting GBp1550.
• Redrow: HSBC upgrades from hold to buy targeting GBp 670.
• Steven Madden: Citi upgrades to buy from neutral. PT up 23% to $42.
• Taylor Wimpey: HSBC upgrades from hold to buy targeting GBp 150.
• Union Pacific: Baptista Research initiated coverage with a recommendation of hold. PT set to $219.
• VeriSign: Baptista Research initiated coverage  with a recommendation of hold. PT set to $240.