Naz News, Gappers and FLE's

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Just FYI re: Baltic and shipping comments...fairly interesting...

Expanding tanker and dry bulk coverage; initiating on container shipping -- Global Hunter Securities (19.11 -0.11)

Global Hunter Securities is expanding their coverage of the shipping sector with new initiations on one dry bulk, four tanker and five container shipping stocks. Although firm continues to have the view that dry bulk stocks have potential for investors with risk tolerance, they are initiating on Diana Shipping Inc. (DSX) with a Neutral rating, given its current vessel and earnings profile. Firm remains constructive on the tanker sector, with a forecast of a strong crude tanker rate environment in 2015 and 2016. Firm has a more conservative view of the product tanker market, but believe that the rate picture will be solid. In the tankers, firm is initiating coverage of Euronav SA (EURN) with a Buy rating and Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC), Frontline 2012 Ltd. (FRO) and Hafnia Tankerswith Accumulate ratings. In the container shipping sector, firm believes that after a multi-year period of overcapacity the container shipping industry is poised for a modest recovery over the next two years. Firm is basing their stock ratings for cos under coverage on their forecast of their ability to grow earnings in what they believe will be an improving environment, as well as stock valuation. Firm rates Costamare (CMRE) as Accumulate, and Seaspan Corp. (SSW), Diana Containerships Inc. (DCIX), Danaos Corporation (DAC) and Global Ship Lease (GSL) as Neutral.