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Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:

Nat'l Semiconductor Kept a Buy

National Semiconductor Corp (NYSE: NSM) is an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] of analog and mixed signal integrated circuits. February quarter results beat consensus expectations, on both the top and bottom lines.

Forward guidance is for a revenue decline of 5-10% in the next quarter. New higher-margin products continue to grow in the mix, and management has refocused R&D into areas that should sustain margins.

Are Cosi & Jamba Going Extinct?

Negative cash flow and a threadbare balance sheet makes survival challenging for some restaurant operators.

As the recession deepens, cash flow tumbles and credit tightens, the restaurant industry is right-sizing excess capacity that was added to satiate shareholders' thirst for growth.

Virtually every operator has closed under-performing restaurants built in sub-par locations -- as competition for the "A" spots intensified -- while they dramatically scaled back expansion plans.

Some restaurant chains -- those that rapidly expanded despite sub-par profitability -- face extinction. Cosi Inc (NASDAQ: COSI) and Jamba Inc (NASDAQ: JMBA) are 2 such examples.

Freddie to Treasury: "More, Please"

Yesterday, after market close, Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) reported its 4Q08 and FY08 financial results. During the quarter, the company had a net loss (available to the common shareholders) of $23.9 billion or $7.37 per diluted share.

The huge increase in loss was driven primarily by net mark-to-market declines on the company's derivative portfolio, guarantee assets and trading securities. Increased credit-related expenses, security impairments and additional valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets were also the major contributors to the increased loss.

St. Jude Medical a Buy to $40

St. Jude Medical (NYSE: STJ) is a leading medical device manufacturer producing consistent double-digit revenue and earnings growth over the past decade.