The markets surged higher to open the new trading year in 2012.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSEARCA:DIA) closed up 179 points, or 1.47%, to 12,397. The S&P 500 (NYSEARCA:SPY) closed up 19 points, or 1.55%, to 1,277, and the Nasdaq (NASDAQ:QQQ) closed up 43 points, or 1.67%, to 2,648. The following stocks are reacted to brokerage analyst news on Wall Street:

Noble Energy (NYSE:NBL): Recently announcing a major natural gas find, Noble Energy opened up at the bell and continued trading higher for the day. RBC Capital Mkts reiterated its rating of Outperform for NBL and upped its price target from $125 to $130.

Stryker (NYSE:SYK): Synthes filed a complaint today alleging Stryker is looking for ”an improper competitive advantage” in medical implants and spinal surgery instruments.  Synthes claims SYK obtained confidential information from former employees and plundered its San Francisco sales force. Kaufman Bros reiterated its Buy rating for SYK and upped its price target by a dollar to $58.

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF): Opening up at the bell, Raymond James showed staying power.  RJF may be looking to expand and has recently been in talking with Regions Financial. Ticonderoga reiterated its Buy rating for RJF and upped its price target from $32 to $36.

Hologic (NASDAQ:HOLX): Morgan Stanley cited an improved outlook for Hologic’s Tomosynthesis mammography technology to raise valuation on HOLX to Overweight. Kaufman Bros reiterated its Buy rating for this company and upped its price target from $19 to $21.

Joy Global (JOY): Despite a recent production warning, RBC Capital Mkts reiterated its Outperform for JOY and upped its price target from $93 to $97.

Domino’s Pizza (NYSE:DPZ): Even in the face of higher costs for all restaurants, Argus reiterated its Buy for Domino’s Pizza and upped its price target from $35 to $39.

NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA): NVDA opened up at the bell and then settled near recent prices. Sterne Agee reiterated its Neutral rating for NVDA and changed its price target to $16.

NuVasive (NASDAQ:NUVA): NuVasive opened up at the bell and then moved lower. NUVA recently reduced its estimates for the spine market in the U.S. Kaufman Bros reiterated its of Hold rating and dropped its price target from $21 to $15.

Varian Medical (NYSE:VAR): Opening up at the bell, Varian traded up for the day as Kaufman Bros reiterated its Buy rating for VAR and upped its price target from $68 to $72.

ResMed (NYSE:RMD): Opening up at the bell, ResMed drifted lower, but closed higher as Mizuho reiterated its Neutral rating and lowered its price target from $29 to $26.

Maxim Integrated (NASDAQ:MXIM): Sharply up at the opening bell, Maxim Integrated drifted down, but FBR Capital reiterated its Outperform rating for  and upped its price target from $30 to $32.

Crocs (NASDAQ:CROX): Crocs stepped up today and stayed in positive territory. Robert W. Baird reiterated its Neutral rating for CROX and lowered its price target from $21 to $18.

Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ:COLM): Columbia Sportswear had a brief rise today the fell lower as Robert W. Baird reiterated its Neutral rating and lowered its price target from $62 to $53.

Further Reading: Market Recap: Manufacturing Reports Boost Stocks>>

To contact the reporter on this story: Jim Wilkerson at staff.writers@wallstcheatsheet.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Damien Hoffman at editors@wallstcheatsheet.com

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