Premarket roundup: Progressive, Amgen

Among the premarket stories for Tuesday, May 20, from AP Financial News:

NEW YORK (AP) _ A Wachovia analyst upgraded Progressive Corp. Tuesday, saying the car insurer's business is improving and the company could make a major announcement at a meeting next month.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Positive study data on Amgen Inc.'s developing osteoporosis treatment could give the biotechnology company a positive boost, though Wall Street had been expecting the results.

NEW YORK (AP) _ A Credit Suisse analyst upgraded three utilities, and downgraded one, Tuesday in a wide-ranging analysis of the power sector that forecasts many companies will post an earnings jump of about 10 percent after 2010.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Rudolph Technologies Inc., which makes equipment used to manufacture semiconductors, is poised to gain from its strong leadership in many markets, according to one analyst.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Shares of Home Depot Inc. wavered in premarket trading Tuesday after the home improvement retailer reported a larger-than-expected fiscal first-quarter profit, but posted weaker sales.