I reworded and simplified this post and it now appears in the thread titled "Analyst comments and ratings info" Moderator: i tried to delete this post but was unable to do so - I will try again to delete later (or tomorrow) sorry for any confusion
In my opinion you have to equate Analysts to marketing/PR people. Just as you (hopefully) don't think you'll be better looking if you use Avon soap - as the marketing would like you to believe, why would you think that you'll get wealthier if you buy a stock an analyst recommends? Most analysts work for either brokerage houses or investment banks. Brokerage analysts role in life is to create "interest" in a stock and hence generate commissions through their brokers. Investment bank analysts typically support the companies they take public (and have a significant position in) by issuing positive statements. They are in both cases only trying to generate business and revenue for themselves and their company - not for you. The only value of analysts, imho, is to trade off of the news price-ripples they cause when issuing up and down grades
The longer I trade the more inclined I am to listen to nobody. No news, no analysts, nothing. I watch the charts for 15-30 minutes off the open and the market tells me what I need to know. It is the only analyst I trust.