Analyst Action: New Stock Ratings

Among the new ratings issued Wednesday on Wall Street:

* Barnesandnoble.com Inc. (BNBN; close and change: $10.56, down 56 cents) was raised to “accumulate” from “hold” by Prudential Securities, with a $15 target.

* Championship Auto Racing (MPH; $20, down 25 cents) was raised to “strong buy” from “hold” by CIBC World Markets Inc.

* PepsiCo Inc. (PEP; $34, up 69 cents) was raised to “buy” from “market perform” by Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities.

* PMC-Sierra Inc. (PMCS; $288.63, up $18.25) was rated new “strong buy” in new coverage by Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown, with a $325 target.

* Tweeter Home Entertainment Group (TWTR; $31.50, down 13 cents) was reinstated “strong buy” by Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown, with a $46 target.

* Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. (VTSS; $55.81, up $5.81) was rated new “buy” in new coverage by Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown, with a $70 target.