NOL Upgraded By Salomon Smith Barney

Salomon Smith Barney has upgraded its recommendation on shipping group Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) to a buy from an outperform on the back of its new management and a strong U.S. market. Salomon said in a research report that the market had "over-punished" NOL with a sell-off following Standard & Poor's warning of interest rate risk exposure by shipping companies. "We think the market has overreacted to interest-rate fears. Given top-notch new management and still strong U.S. growth, we are upgrading our rating to buy," Salomon said. It added it was unimpressed by S&P's conclusions, adding that it was not forward looking given the change in NOL's management. Salomon said its fundamental view of NOL had not changed.