** Brokerage Stifel starts coverage on software firm Roper Technologies ROP.O with "buy" rating and PT of $685
** New PT represents 17.5% upside to the stock's last close
** Brokerage sees upside to ROP's diversified business and its specialized software products across various niche markets
** "We believe that Roper's focus on software will continue to drive increased organic growth as it leverages advanced technologies to enhance product offerings, streamline operations and expand its customer base" - Stifel analysts
** 11 of 18 brokerages rate stock "buy" or higher, 6 rate "hold", 1 rate sell; their median PT is $645 as per data compiled by LSEG
** ROP up 12.1% YTD
(Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan)
((Padmanabhan.Ananthan@thomsonreuters.com;))