Analyst Action: New Stock Ratings

A sampling of Thursday’s analyst equity rating changes and new coverage:

* Applebee’s International Inc. (ticker: APPB; Thursday close and change: $25.81, up $1.94) was raised to “strong buy” from “neutral” by Allan F. Hickok at Piper Jaffray Inc., with a 12-month target of $30.

* Bestfoods (BFO; $49.31, up $1.94) was raised to “strong buy” from “market perform” by John M. O’Neil at BT Alex. Brown Inc.

* In new coverage, Market-Watch.com Inc. (MKTW; $72, up $6.50) was rated “buy” by Jamie Kiggen at Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp., with a target of $85; rated “accumulate” by Joel H. Krasner at First Albany Corp., with a target of $100; and rated “buy” by Lanny Baker at Salomon Smith Barney, with a target of $85.

* Philip Morris Cos. Inc. (MO; $40.38, down $1.06) was raised to “buy” from “attractive” by Joanna Scharf at Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder Inc., with a target of $65.