Analysts upgrade Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands

Analysts upgraded Wynn Resorts Ltd. and Las Vegas Sands Corp. on by Tuesday as international growth opportunities in Macau were expected to remain strong in 2011.

KeyBanc Capital Markets upgraded Wynn Resorts to "hold" from "underweight" and raised its earnings estimates for the casino company.

Analyst Dennis Forst now sees Wynn Resorts earning 74 cents a share for the fourth quarter, up from a previous estimate of 52 cents. For the full year, he expects earnings of a $1.92 a share, up from $1.69.

Forst said Wynn Resorts will likely continue to see strength from its operations in Macau through the end of the year. On Monday, the Chinese territory reported a 66 percent surge in gambling revenue in December.

Separately, Sterne Agee analyst David Bain reiterated his "buy" rating on Las Vegas Sands Corp. and lifted his price target to $53 from $50.