0007 GMT [Dow Jones] STOCK CALL: ABN AMRO upgrades ABC Learning Centres
(ABS.AU) to Buy from Hold, "albeit with a speculative flavor". "The sale
price for 60% of its U.S. assets, which values the business at US$700
million, was short of the US$775 million originally announced," analyst
says. "Nonetheless, the deal does appear to significantly de-risk ABS,
in our view." Price target cut to A$2.50 from A$2.60 vs last trade
A$1.74, down 11%. (SVM)