Bofa/Merrill

Analysts at BofA/Merrill downgrade Education Management Corp (NASDAQ: EDMC) from "buy" to "underperform." EDMC’s shares closed at $19.18 yesterday.

Analysts at BofA/Merrill downgrade ITT Educational Services Inc (NYSE: ESI) from "buy" to "neutral." ESI’s shares closed at $98.66 yesterday.

Analysts at BofA/Merrill downgrade Corinthian Colleges, Inc (NASDAQ: COCO) from "buy" to "neutral." COCO’s shares closed at $14.16 yesterday.

BofA/Merrill downgraded Western Union (NYSE: WU) from “buy” to “neutral.” The target price has been reduced from $24 to $20. WU had recently reporting weak Q4 results and announced disappointing guidance. WU’s shares have lost 2.33% to $16.77 in pre-market trading.

BofA/Merrill initiated coverage of Barclays (NYSE: BCS) with a “buy” rating. BCS’ shares have gained 1.93% to $18.97 in pre-market trading.

Analysts at BofA/Merrill upgrade The Charles Schwab Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHW) from "neutral" to "buy." SCHW’s shares closed at $18.23 yesterday

Analysts at BofA/Merrill upgrade Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) from "neutral" to "buy." The target price for DFS is set to $17. DFS’s shares closed at $13.32 yesterday.

Analysts at BofA/Merrill upgrade American Express (NYSE: AXP) from "neutral" to "buy." The target price for AXP is set to $44. AXP’s shares closed at $38.21 yesterday.

Analysts at BofA/Merrill upgraded Huaneng Power (NYSE: HNP) from “underperform” to “neutral.” HNP’s shares closed at $24.01 yesterday.

BofA/Merrill upgraded Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE: BKD) from “neutral” to “buy.” The target price for BKD has been raised from $22 to $24. After falling 2.15% in yesterday’s closing, BKD gained 1.43% to $17.06 in after hours.

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) was upgraded by Bofa/Merrill to Buy from Neutral. Bofa/Merrill cites macro Asia "tailwinds" for the upgrade. The target was raised to $21 from $14.

BofA/Merrill raised Massey (NYSE: MEE) estimates citing higher met coal rising and increased multiples. Shares are Neutral rated.

BofA/Merrill raised Apollo's (NASDAQ: AINV) price target citing the completed $181M equity offering. This gives Apollo the ability to pursue attractive opportunities. Shares are Buy rated.