Analyst Update: Yandex, Yahoo!, and LinkedIn Corp

Analysts chimed in on search engine specialists Yandex NV (NASDAQ:YNDX) and Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO), as well as professional networking site LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD). Here's a quick roundup of today's brokerage notes on YNDX, YHOO, and LNKD.

• YNDX is 8.5% higher at $13.27 this afternoon, following an upgrade from Goldman Sachs. The brokerage elevated its opinion on Yandex NV to "neutral," noting that the firm gained an advantage from a recent antitrust ruling against Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL). Technically, YNDX is struggling long term, slipping 71% from February 2014's all-time high of $45.42 to its current position. Just last month, the Internet concern set a new all-time low of $9.94. Despite this slide, analysts are bullishly aligned toward YNDX, as six of the eight brokerages tracking the equity rate it a "strong buy."

• YHOO is 1.2% higher at $31.42, despite receiving a price-target cut from MKM Partners. Specifically, MKM lowered Yahoo! Inc.'s price target to $43 from $53. It seems the stock is building on yesterday's momentum, when it bounced sharply off the $29.41 level, located just above YHOO's annual low of $29. On the sentiment front, YHOO saw at least one notable upside bet placed last week. Another group that is bullish toward YHOO is analysts, where 20 of the 27 brokerages tracking the search firm rate it a "buy" or better. However, should the shares resume their longer-term downtrend, a change of heart from this bullish crew could result in selling pressure. In other news, the company announced new original video content for the fall season.

• LNKD received an upgrade to "hold" from "sell" at Brean Capital this morning, and the stock is 1.5% higher at $198.33, as a result. The brokerage issued the upgrade on the belief that LinkedIn Corp's risk/reward set-up appears to be "more balanced." This bump higher has brought the stock face-to-face with its 50-day moving average. LNKD remains at a severe risk for downgrades, though, given its more than 13% year-to-date deficit. The business networking concern has received 17 "strong buys" and three "buys," versus just five "holds" and one "strong sell." If the bullish throng decides to throw in the towel, LNKD could be in for a rough time.