Financial ratings wrap-up: Clearwire, Nokia, Research In Motion and more

The following list includes ratings changes and financial information for wireless companies announced this week by investment-banking and financial-services firms.
Carrier
–RBC Capital Markets downgraded Clearwire to sector perform from outperform and lowered its price target to $9 from $15 on more conservative valuation.
–RBC Capital Markets upgraded MetroPCS to outperform from sector perform saying it believes the company can outperform its peers in a weak economy.
–Morgan Stanley lowered its price target on Leap Wireless to $49 from $69 on new assumptions based on the weak economic climate.
–Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered its long-term corporate credit rating on Pakistan Mobile Communications Ltd. to B- from B. The outlook remains negative. The move follows S&P’s decision to lower the long-term and short-term sovereign credit ratings on Pakistan with a developing outlook.
Handset and infrastructure vendors
–RBC Capital Markets cut its price target on Research In Motion to $65 from $90 on near-term risks to growth and margins, intensifying competition and a deteriorating macro demand environment. The firm also trimmed its estimates on RIM to $3.58 from $3.62 for 2008 and to $4.41 from $4.68 for 2009. Barclays Capital decreased its price target on RIM to $60 from $90 and adjusted its EPS estimates to $3.40 from $2.73 for 2008 and to $3.61 from $3.84 for 2009.
–Oppenheimer downgraded Nokia to perform from outperform and removed its $22 price target on margin concerns and competitive challenges. RBC Capital Markets lowered its price target on Nokia to $16 from $24 on poor consumer trends in October and a deteriorating November. Credit Suisse First Boston slashed its price target on Nokia to 12 Euros from 16 Euros and lowered its estimates on the company. Barclays Capital lowered its price target on Nokia to $15.50 from $23 and cut its EPS estimates to $2 from $2.16 for 2008 and to $1.34 from $1.95 for 2009.
–Barclays Capital lowered its price target on Palm to $2 from $4 and decreased its EPS estimates to a loss of 64 cents rather than a loss of 53 cents for 2008 and to a loss of 25 cents rather than a loss of 4 cents for 2009. The move was a result of concerns about the company’s position in the eroding handset market.
–Credit Suisse First Boston lowered its price target on Apple to $120 from $135 and reduced its estimates on lower PC trends. Barclays Capital lowered its price target on Apple to $113 from $121 and cut its EPS estimates to $4.75 from $4.95 for 2008 and to $5.70 from $6 for 2009.
–Barclays Capital lowered its price target on Ericsson to $6 from $9 and cuts its 2009 EPS estimate to 58 cents from 77 cents on market concerns.
Other
–Barclays Capital raised its price target on Tellabs to $5 from $4.50 after the company detailed plans to refocus for growth in 2010.