Analyst Upgrades: Pandora Media Inc, Relypsa Inc, and Sunrun Inc

Analysts are weighing in on Internet radio company Pandora Media Inc (NYSE:P), drugmaker Relypsa Inc (NASDAQ:RLYP), and solar firm Sunrun Inc (NASDAQ:RUN). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on P, RLYP, and RUN. 

• P is blowing up ahead of the bell, up 18.5% after a U.S. Copyright Royalty Board asked the company to raise its payouts to artists next year to 17 cents per 100 plays from 14 cents -- a request Pandora Media Inc called "balanced." Adding fuel to the fire, Albert Fried & Company upgraded its rating to "overweight" from "underweight," and was one of at least eight brokerage firms to lift its price target -- setting up the stock for its best day in over two years. Elaborating on the decision, Albert Fried analysts said, "this new rate was as wise as Solomon in that everyone should walk away with victory." P could certainly use the help on the charts, down 37% since the start of October, largely due to an earnings-induced bear gap -- and exacerbated recently by debt offering plans. Today's expected gains could put the heat on short sellers, as 13.7% of the stock's float is sold short, representing 6.6 days of trading activity, at typical volumes. Last night, P closed at $13.44.

• RLYP is set to pop 2.8% at the open, after being started with a "buy" opinion and $63 price target at H.C. Wainwright & Co. This is more of the same for a stock that's soared nearly 26% month-to-date at $28.31, helped by recent buyout buzz. Amid this sharp rally, traders have been buying to open Relypsa Inc calls over puts at a red-hot pace. Specifically, the stock's 10-day call/put volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) stands at a top-heavy 27.83.

• Finally, RUN is poised to gap another 6.2% higher at the open following yesterday's huge solar surge, boosted by an upgrade to "overweight" from "sector weight" at Keybanc. Already this month, the shares have cruised nearly 75% higher to trade at $11.63. Suffice it to say, short sellers could be on the ropes. During the latest reporting period, short interest on Sunrun Inc rose over 49%, and now comprises 11.3% of its total float. It would take nearly two weeks to buy back these bearish bets, at RUN's average daily volumes.