Among the premarket stories for Tuesday, Jan. 5, from AP Financial News:

-- A Stifel Nicolaus analyst boosted his rating on credit card lender Capital One Financial Corp., saying the worst of losses from loans is likely past, and the company is prepared for regulatory changes in the sector.

-- The utility sector faces pressure from a weak economy, a constrained consumer and energy policy uncertainties, said an analyst on Tuesday as he downgraded his investment ratings on four companies.

-- A Jefferies and Co. analyst lowered his rating on HMS Holdings Corp. stock, a day after news of an acquisition sent shares of the cost-recovery service company to an all-time high.

-- A Stifel Nicolaus analyst upgraded shares of WellPoint Inc., saying the stock will rise about 20 percent this year as the health insurer beats expectations and investors take a more optimistic view of the industry.