Premarket roundup: Restaurants, office products

NEW YORK (AP) -A Jefferies analyst started coverage of Panera Bread Co. with a "Buy" rating Thursday, saying that unlike some of its rivals, Panera will increase sales at its older stores and could top Wall Street's expectations.

NEW YORK (AP) -A Citi Investment Research analyst started coverage of Staples Inc. at "Buy" and said the office products retailer is better positioned than rivals for reasons that include domestic growth and margin improvement.

NEW YORK (AP) -An analyst cut his ratings on three investment banks to "Sell" and reduced his price target and earnings estimate, saying all the banks have varying weaknesses that are showing up amid the current downturn in the credit cycle.

NEW YORK (AP) -A Citi Investment Research analyst upgraded shares of Salesforce.com Inc. Thursday, saying the customer management technology company's sales are growing and face "no significant competitive threats."

WASHINGTON (AP) -Government data due out Thursday is expected to show that initial claims filed for unemployment benefits rose last week for the second straight period.