BEST OF THE BROKERS
SPORTINGBET
Evolution Securities rates the online bookmaker “buy” and has a target price of 70p. The broker thinks the £119m acquisition of Australian rival Centrebet makes strong strategic and financial sense, coupled with high quality European business and good current trading. Evolution adds that trading in May has been robust.
AVIVA
Killik & Co rates the insurance group a “buy” with a target price of 428p. The broker sees long term potential for the company, which aims to shore up its returns in new and strategic markets, though it does not expect to see high growth in the short term. Killik adds that Aviva is trading below its enterprise value and its net asset value.
MAN GROUP
Numis Securities rates the alternative investment firm an “add” and has trimmed its target price by 2p to 290p. The broker believes Man is an attractive short to medium term risk-reward trade off, even if returns in its AHL funds remain volatile. But the broker has cut its pre-tax profit forecast by 41 per cent to $354m due to lower fee incomes.