Evergreen, Yang Ming Downgraded

U.S. investment bank Salomon Smith Barney downgraded Taiwan's Evergreen Marine Corp. to underperform from neutral and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. to underperform from outperform. Salomon, in a September 19 research note seen by Reuters on Thursday, said it was lowering earnings expectations and ratings for Evergreen and Yang Ming. Salomon set a T$16 target price for Evergreen, the world's largest shipping company, and T$10 for Yang Ming, Taiwan's second largest shipping firm. On Thursday, Evergreen shares ended up T$0.3 at T$18.6, Yang Ming shares were up T$0.3 at T$12.4. Salomon said the main weakness for Evergreen, the flagship of the Evergreen Group, lies in its complex organization, while Yang Ming's core earnings are a major concern.