The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Nov. 13, edition that Desjardins Securities analyst Keith Howlett has upgraded Rona ($14.49) to "buy" from "hold" and raised his target price to $15 from $13.50. The Globe's Darcy Keith, Tim Shufelt and Jody White write in the Eye On Equities column that the analyst consensus price target is $13.13. Rona has shuttered 11 unprofitable stores in Ontario and British Columbia. Rona, however, has cautiously resumed expanding the chain, with five new stores due to open in 2015. The company's third quarter results basically matched consensus expectations, but were up by 32 per cent year over year. Mr. Howlett says: "There remains much work to be done in repositioning and upgrading store formats, adjusting merchandise assortments, improving the supply chain and adjusting to the digital age. ... While industry conditions remain challenging, management has regained control." CIBC World Markets analyst Mark Petrie maintained a "sector underperformer" rating on Rona in the Eye column on Aug. 14. Mr. Petrie also maintained an underwater price target of $12. The shares could then be had for $12.56. Canaccord Genuity analyst Derek Dley cut Rona to "sell" in the Eye column on Oct. 28. It was then worth $13.44.