Jefferies analyst Laurence Alexander upgraded Syngenta (SYT) to Buy from Hold and raised his price target for the shares to $88 from $66. The agribusiness operator closed yesterday up $1.30 to $76.23. The unusually warm winter in the U.S. is positive for both insecticide and fungicide demand, Alexander tells investors in a research note. Further, the stock's risk/reward is favorable amid media reports of potential suitors, the analyst contends. He thinks a buyout above CHF470 is "highly likely." Monsanto (MON) and ChemChina have been mentioned as potential suitors for Syngenta.