Broker Recommendations
Monday broker round-up
Wood Group: Jefferies downgrades to underperform with a target price of 480p.
Dechra can create value through M&A - JPMorgan
Analysts at JPMorgan Cazenove initiated coverage on Dechra Pharmaceuticals at 'overweight' on Monday, calling the veterinary products manufacturer a "diamond in the ruff".
JP Morgan recommends clients add further to equity positions
Equity strategists at JP Morgan recommended clients use the consolidation to "add further" to their positions in stocks, arguing that investor positioning was "light" and that companies' profit margins were set to improve.
Jefferies downgrades Wood Group over dividend risks
Jefferies has downgraded Wood Group, over concerns that the dividend could come under pressure at the energy services firm.
Credit Suisse downgrades Kingfisher on 'lack of catalysts'
Kingfisher’s turnaround plan is still “the right plan”, believes Credit Suisse, but analysts reckon the stock “lacks a near-term catalyst” and faces downside risks from the wider economies of the UK and France.
Peel Hunt initiates Centamin at 'hold'
Peel Hunt initiated coverage of gold miner Centamin at 'hold' with a 95p price target on Friday, saying it sees a production recovery at the Sukari mine starting in the second quarter, but with an increased year-over-year cost base.
JPMorgan upgrades Pearson on return to higher education growth
JPMorgan Cazenove upped its rating on shares of education publisher Pearson on Friday as to 'overweight' from 'neutral' and hiked the price target to 1,050p from 850p, citing a return to higher education growth and a better business model.
Apple rallies on Needham upgrade to 'strong buy'
Apple shares rallied on Thursday as Needham upped its stance on the tech giant's shares to 'strong buy' from 'buy ahead of its press event next week and bumped up the target price to $225 from $180, arguing that the company's "ecosystem" has value upside.
JPMorgan Cazenove downgrades Lookers amid cost inflation woes
JPMorgan Cazenove downgraded its recommendation on car dealership Lookers to 'neutral' from 'overweight' and cut the price target to 98p from 129 on Thursday, highlighting the problem of cost inflation.
Berenberg downgrades Bodycote to 'hold' on valuation grounds
Berenberg downgraded Bodycote shares to 'hold' from 'buy' on Thursday on valuation grounds.
Merlin Entertainments is a 'sell', Berenberg says
Merlin Entertainments is incorrectly “priced for perfection” and investors should sell the theme park operator’s shares, Berenberg analysts said.
Asos still a 'buy' but with risks, say Barclays, Jefferies
Barclays and Jefferies have maintained their recommendations for Asos, the online specialist, but believe there are still risks associated with the stock.
Peel Hunt downgrades Polypipe after full-year results
Analyst at Peel Hunt downgraded their recommendation on stock in Polypipe following the recent sharp run-up in the share price.
Informa boosted by Morgan Stanley upgrade to 'overweight'
Morgan Stanley upped its stance on shares of events company Informa to 'overweight' from 'equalweight' on Tuesday as it highlighted decent trading and a lowly rating versus peers.
Monday broker round-up
IWG: RBC Capital Markets upgrades to sector perform with a target price of 260p.
Capital & Regional faces tough conditions but still a 'buy' for Berenberg
Berenberg has reduced its price target on Capital & Regional but insisted the property group remained a buying opportunity, despite the challenging conditions surrounding shopping centres.
JPMorgan ups Legal & General to 'neutral' after de-rating
JPMorgan Cazenove upgraded its stance on Legal & Geneal to 'neutral' from 'underweight' on Monday, lifting the price target to 285p from 239p on management delivery and following a de-rating of the shares.
Morgan Stanley ups rating on Rolls Royce on improving cashflow
Morgan Stanley has upgraded its rating on engines group Rolls-Royce, arguing that market share gains are likely to drive sector-beating cashflow growth.
RBC Capital downgrades Cairn Energy as the 'fast money' moves on
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets downgraded shares of oil and gas outfit Cairn Energy from 'outperform' to 'sector perform' on Friday, noting that the "chance of a quick, 160p, payout" had been deferred.
Deutsche Bank stays neutral on European shares as political risks fade
Strategists at Deutsche Bank stuck to their 'neutral' view for European stocks, despite their being overvalued, arguing that a US-China trade truce and shift towards a Brexit deal would sustain the 'overshoot' in valuations versus their estimate of fair value.