Analyst Action: New Stock Ratings

Among the new and revised stock ratings issued Thursday by Wall Street analysts:

* American Classic Voyages Co. (ticker symbol: AMCV; close and change: $17.31, up 63 cents) was raised to “buy” from “accumulate” by A.G. Edwards & Sons, with a price target of $30.

* Autozone Inc. (AZO; $29.75, down $1.38) was downgraded to “market perform” from “buy” by Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities.

* Compuware Corp. (CPWR; $30.19, up 88 cents) was rated “strong buy” in new coverage by Prudential Securities, with a $39 target.

* Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB; $64.88, down $2) was raised to “buy” from “hold” by Banc of America Securities, with an $80 target.

* Fluor Corp. (FLR; $37.19, up 13 cents) was raised to near-term “accumulate” from near-term “neutral” by Merrill Lynch.

* Mercury Interactive Corp. (MERQ; $31.31, up 31 cents) was rated “strong buy” in new coverage by Prudential Securities, with a $43 target.

* Network Appliance Inc. (NTAP; $46.75, up $1.75) was rated “recommend list” in new coverage by Goldman Sachs.

* Pep Boys-Manny Moe & Jack (PBY; $18.50, down 63 cents) was raised to “strong buy” from “accumulate” by Prudential Securities, with a $25 target.

* Providian Financial Corp. (PVN; $90, up $6.63) was raised to “buy” from “maintain position” by A.G. Edwards, with a $140 target. It was raised to “buy” from “outperform” by Salomon Smith Barney.

* Tribune Co. (TRB; $76.94, up $2.25) was raised to “buy” from “hold” by Wasserstein Perella Securities, with an $85 target.

* Windmere-Durable Holdings (WND; $11.88, up 25 cents) was raised to “aggressive buy” from “hold” by McDonald Investments, with an $18 target.