Premarket roundup: Airgas, Nordstrom

By The Associated Press

Among the premarket stories for Monday, Nov. 2, from AP Financial News:

Airgas Inc. is well-positioned to gain from an economic recovery given improved non-tech industrial production, expectations for rising prices and its strong second-quarter results, said an analyst as he upgraded the industrial gas producer's stock.

Lean inventories, contained costs and improving sales should propel profit growth at Nordstrom Inc., said a Deutsche Bank analyst, upgrading the high-end department store to the firm's highest investment rating.

Barnes Group Inc.'s aerospace business will continue to feel the impact of the recession well into next year, an analyst said, trimming his price target on the stock.