All three U.S. market indices are trending upward in afternoon trading. Brokerage analysts shared some of their latest upgrade ratings with the investing community today:

Upgrades

Take-Two (NASDAQ:TTWO): Take-Two was upgraded from Neutral to Buy by MKM Partners, and its target price adjusted to $20 from $16. MKM projects TTWO offering a competitive release slate in 2012, notably featuring Grand Theft Auto V, and ought to see positive results from its expensive licensing agreement with Major League Baseball expiring.

Heartland Express (NASDAQ:HTLD): Heartland has moved up from Underperform to Sector Perform according to RBC Capital Mkts, with a price target up from $14 to $16. Yesterday, Morgan Keegan Analyst Chaz Jones slashed his rating of the stock from Outperform to Market Perform. Keegan, in a letter to clients, noted that although Heartland boasts industry-leading sales margins, well-paid drivers and positive financial results, the company’s conservative leanings may permit its peers to move ahead if the trucking industry grows in 2012.

Three additional upgrades today include:

Tesco (NASDAQ:TESO) where Global Hunter Securities upgraded its rating on this company from Accumulate to Buy and changed its price target to $19; UniTek Global Services (NASDAQ:UNTK) was upgraded by KeyBanc Capital Mkts from Hold to Buy and changed its price target to $8; and, Pacific Sunwear (NASDAQ:PSUN) caught an upgrade from Janney Mntgmy Scott from Neutral to Buy and changed its price target to $4.

Further Reading: Ford Shares Rise 2% as Sirius Surges 10%, Leading Markets Higher>>

To contact the reporter on this story: Brooke Edge at staff.writers@wallstcheatsheet.com

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

Get Your FREE Special Report: 4 Things You Must Know About the US Economy Now!