Merck, Wal-Mart, Restaurant Brands International Upgraded

Analysts are weighing in on Dow stocks Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE:WMT), as well as Burger King parent Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE:QSR). Here's a roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on MRK, WMT, and QSR shares.

Berenberg Eyes Multi-Year Highs For Merck Shares

Berenberg raised its price target on MRK to $66 from $62 -- territory not seen since 2001. At last check, the stock is off 0.2% at $65.37. This is a change of pace for Merck & Co., Inc. shares, which have advanced roughly 30% year-over-year, and last week hit a 15-year peak of $65.87. Not surprisingly, analysts are already in the Dow stock's bullish corner. Ten of 14 brokerage firms with coverage on MRK have handed it a "buy" or better opinion, with just a single "sell" rating to be found.

Wal-Mart Gets Post-Earnings Love on Wall Street

Following yesterday's upbeat earnings report, WMT received positive analyst attention overnight. Specifically, RBC, Goldman Sachs, and Stifel raised their price targets on the stock, which was last seen 1% higher at $72.21. This continues Wal-Mart Stores Inc's red-hot February, which has seen the shares rise over 8%. If this continues, upgrades could be just around the corner. After all, 15 of 23 analysts consider WMT a "hold" or a "strong sell."

Restaurant Brands International Receives Trio of Price-Target Hikes

CIBC, RBC, and BMO raised their price targets on QSR, perhaps impressed with the company's latest buyout plans. Nonetheless, the stock is down 0.8% at $57.16, pulling back slightly after yesterday's session, in which it hit a record peak of $57.98. Meanwhile, short-term options traders are very call-skewed toward Restaurant Brands International Inc. The stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.78 sits just 6 percentage points from a 52-week low.