NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Shares of Encore Wire rose 34 cents, or 2.2% to $15.61 in morning trading Thursday after broker Southwest Securities upgraded the maker of copper electrical building wire and cable to strong buy from long-term buy. Analyst Michael Coleman said the company's third- quarter earnings should benefit from higher copper prices in July and August backed up by strong volume. He expects Encore Wire's third quarter results to meet or exceed his forecast of earnings per share of 22 cents. Looking ahead, the company's move into MC cable or armored cable in the second-half of 2006 should boost its fortunes. Armored cable is mainly used in the construction of commercial buildings, but also in areas prone to moisture or flooding. As a result, Encore will be a likely long-term beneficiary of the rebuilding effort in hurricane-affected areas in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Coleman raised his price target to $20.