Broker Recommendations
HSBC slashes target for Carnival, downgrades to 'hold'
HSBC slashed its target price for shares of Carnival - downgrading its recommendation from 'buy' to 'hold' - after the cruiseline operator lowered its outlook for yield growth, management's commentary around worsening bookings for financial year 2020, increasing capacity growth relative to its peers, and risks to the firm's share buybacks.
ShoreCap upgrades Sainsbury to 'hold' on valuation grounds
Analysts at ShoreCap raised their recommendation on Sainsbury's shares from 'sell' to 'hold' on valuation grounds, but shied away from recommending a 'buy' following the recent loss of Argos Sainsbury boss, John Rogers, and the likelihood of a flat medium-term earnings trajectory for the grocer.
Berenberg reiterates 'buy' rating on Smith and Nephew
Analysts at Berenberg retained their 'buy' rating on medical equipment manufacturer Smith & Nephew on Monday but slightly lowered their price target on the group from 2,265p to 2,250p.
Monday broker round-up
Royal Dutch Shell: Goldman Sachs reiterates buy with a target price of 3,200p.
Berenberg lowers price target on Next Fifteen following 'mixed' interim results
Analysts at Berenberg lowered their price target on digital marketing firm Next Fifteen Communications from 680p to 630p on Friday following the group's mixed interim results.
Exane starts JD Sports at 'outperform'
Exane BNP Paribas initiated coverage of JD Sports at 'outperform' with an 830p price target on Friday, arguing that it's a rare growth retailer in the UK.
RBC Capital Markets upgrades CMC Markets to 'outperform'
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets upgraded their rating on shares of CMC Markets from 'speculative risk' to 'outperform' on Thursday following the group's first-half pre-close update.
Peel Hunt slashes target on Ted Baker following profit warning
Analysts at Peel Hunt absolutely slashed their target price on fashion retailer Ted Baker from 950. 0p down to 500. 0p on Thursday following a far from "ordinary" profit warning from the group.
Thursday preview: US ISM services PMI, Ted Baker in the spotlight
The spotlight on Thursday will shift towards the latest services sectors Purchasing Managers Indices on both sides of the Atlantic, with investors likely keen to assess to what extent economic weakness in manufacturing might be filtering into the remainder of the economy, whether in the US or in the euro area.
Peel Hunt cuts rating on M&S to 'sell', downgrades numbers
Peel Hunt has “thrown in the towel” on Marks & Spencer, slashing its rating and warning that a hoped-for recovery might never materialise.
Canaccord raises price target on Ferguson as US transformation continues
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity raised their price target on plumbing and heating products distributor Ferguson from 6,125p to 6,270p on Wednesday as the group enters the last phase of its transformation into a solely US-focused group.
Berenberg slashes target price on Sirius Minerals as funding woes continue
Analysts at Berenberg slashed their price target on fertilizer development company Sirius Minerals from 17p all the way down to 4p on Tuesday, citing increased uncertainties regarding the firm's finances.
Tuesday broker round-up
Carnival: Barclays downgrades to equal weight with a target price of 3,800p.
Credit Suisse starts Hargreaves Lansdown at 'underperform'
Hargreaves Lansdown was under pressure on Tuesday after Credit Suisse initiated coverage of the stock at ‘underperform’ with a 1,740p price target as it launched coverage of the European diversified financials sector.
Merrill sees rally in European shares, cyclicals to outperform defensives
Bank of America Merrill Lynch said on Tuesday that European cyclicals should outperform defensive stocks, as it initiated coverage of the airline sector in its latest strategy note.