Broker Recommendations
Shell becomes Barclays 'top pick' in energy sector
Royal Dutch Shell has overtaken BP as the "top pick" in the sector for Barclays, which feels the oil giant still needs to improve free cash flow growth to boost shareholders returns.
Friday broker round-up
Travis Perkins: RBC Capital Markets upgrades to outperform with a target price of 1,550p.
Superdry faces wholesale issues, Stifel downgrades
Superdry will have a problem with its wholesale sales in its new financial year, Stifel predicted as it downgraded the faux-Japanese fashion chain.
RBC Capital ups Travis Perkins to 'outperform' as it takes longer-term view
RBC Capital Markets upgraded its rating for builders' merchant Travis Perkins to 'outperform' from 'sector perform' on Friday, lifting the price target to 1,550p from 1,180p as it took a long view on the stock.
Real estate sector 'already reflects' soft Brexit upside
The market has already factored much of the upside from an orderly Brexit outturn into the UK real estate sector, broker Liberum believes, accounting for the 9% rise so far this year.
Centrica slumps on Citi downgrade to 'neutral'
British Gas owner Centrica was under the cosh on Friday as Citi cut its stance on the stock to 'neutral' from 'buy' and trimmed the price target to 144p.
RBC reiterates 'outperform' on Compass following 'excellent start to the year'
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets reiterated their 'outperform' rating on British contract foodservice provider Compass on Thursday following a strong performance by the group in Europe over the first quarter of its trading year.
Cannacord ups target on Barratt Developments, sees upside to earnings
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity raised their target price for shares on Barratt Developments following the company's latest six-month financials.
Wednesday broker round-up
National Grid: RBC Capital Markets upgrades to outperform with a target price of 950p.
BoA Merrill Lynch upgrades Vodafone as headwinds 'baked in'
There is "light at the end of the tunnel" for Vodafone, said Bank of America Merrill Lynch on Wednesday, upgrading the mobile telecoms group to a 'buy' rating.
Centrica dividend fears lead RBC to switch to National Grid
RBC Capital Markets has slashed its recommendation on Centrica on growing expectations of a dividend cut, but upped its rating on rival utility National Grid.
Liberum slashes target for Domino's Pizza and reiterates 'sell'
Analysts at Liberum cut their target price for shares of Domino's Pizza on the back of a report in the Sunday Times of a boycott on new store openings by the chain's franchisees.
Berenberg gives Morrisons the nod ahead of Sasda tie-up
Berenberg has upped its rating on supermarket chain Wm Morrison, arguing that it stands to benefit from the proposed merger between rivals J Sainsbury and Asda.
Jefferies bullish on bookies GVC, Hills and PPB
GVC Holdings, William Hill and Paddy Power Betfair were all initiated at 'buy' by Jefferies on Monday as analysts see "at least a decade" of growth in the USA.
Citi upgrades Morrisons on potential gain from Sasda merger
Morrisons could benefit from the merger of Sainsbury's and Asda, Citi analysts believe, leading them to upgrade their rating on the Bradford-based supermarket group.
BHP too 'expensive' for JP Morgan, rivals preferred
JP Morgan Cazenove downgraded its rating on BHP Billiton, arguing that the blue chip miner is too expensive compared to its peers.
Keep adding to shares on Fed pause, JP Morgan says
Strategists at JP Morgan told clients at the start of the week to continue adding to their positions in stocks.