BEST OF THE BROKERS
RENTOKIL
Standard & Poor’s rates the pest controller “hold” with a reduced 12-month target price of 105p follow disappointing results on Friday. The broker sees little respite from pricing pressures in the textile and hygiene business and continued poor performance from the City Link division. S&P was also surprised by the decision not to reinstate a dividend.
KINGFISHER
Citigroup rates the retailer “buy / medium risk” with a target price of 300p. The broker thinks the firm is on track for solid growth in the UK and France, despite below-forecasts results last week that were dragged down by slowing sales in China. Citi has raised its earnings per share for the year by one per cent to 19.8p.
REED ELSEVIER
Societe Generale rates the publisher “buy” with a 12-month target price of 680p. The broker sees the firm’s increased disclosure of LexisNexis operations as a useful way of highlighting unrecognised value in the business, which should ease fears of overexposure to the US legal market. SG has raised its target by 10p on improved debt figures.