Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and

events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently

featured in the blog include: Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NYSE: PBR), Charlotte

Russe Holding (Nasdaq: CHIC), Allion Healthcare Inc. (Nasdaq:

ALLI), Gafisa SA (NYSE: GFA) and Shaw Communications Inc. (NYSE:

SJR).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free

Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579

Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst

Blog:

Petrobras Downgraded to Hold

We are changing our recommendation on Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras

(NYSE: PBR) ADRs from Buy to Hold. We like Petrobras for its positive

production-growth profile and the improving outlook for its downstream

business. For the near future, we are concerned with the effects of

higher costs and lower oil prices.

Moreover, the discovery of the giant Tupi field opens up a new range of

possibilities for the company in the long run. Third quarter 2008

results were better than expected thanks to the depreciation of the real

and high oil prices. Total oil and gas production reached 2,437 million

oil-equivalent barrels per day, from 2,389 million in the previous

quarter and 2,309 million in the same period of 2007. However, we were

disappointed by higher costs during the quarter.

CHIC Upped on Buyout News

Charlotte Russe Holding (Nasdaq: CHIC) reported

weaker-than-expected results for its fiscal fourth quarter and the

company's first quarter EPS guidance was below the market's expectations.

More important, however, was that the company received an unsolicited

takeover bid from private equity firms KarpReilly and H.I.G. Capital.

The all-cash deal is priced at $9.00 to $9.50 per share, or about $200

million. That is in-line with Charlotte Russe's book value of $9.20

share and about 35% above its November 11 closing price.

Allion Healthcare in the Pink

Allion Healthcare Inc. (Nasdaq: ALLI) is a national provider of

specialty pharmacy and disease management services focused on HIV/AIDS

patients.

ALLI reported better-than-expected 3Q08 net income of $2.9M, or EPS of

$0.12, compared with net income of $1M and EPS of $0.06 in 3Q07.

Adjusted EBITDA in 3Q08 was $7.7M versus $2.3M in 3Q07, and $7.3M in

2Q08, and reflects the contribution from the Biomed acquisition, lower

legal expenses and organic growth in the Specialty HIV business.