BEST OF THE BROKERS
BETFAIR
Numis rates the online betting group as a “buy” with a target price of 1,150p, ahead of first-half result to be published on 14 December. The broker forecasts sports revenue for the second quarter of £66m, up from £60m in the first quarter. It expects first-half numbers to show healthy growth in Ebitda to £42m, up from £36m, and says that as the sportsbook is added to the site investor sentiment should improve further.
HAMWORTHY
Evolution Securities rates the marine engineering group an “add” and increases its target price from 700p to 750p after contract awards were announced yesterday worth £40m with Hyundai and Hoegh. The broker increases its forecast for March 2012 earnings per share to 33p from 29.5p, and March 2013 to 40.4p from 38.4p. Evo expects these forecasts to form a base, and could expect further improvement as the year progresses.
ADMIRAL
Nomura rates the insurance group as a “buy” with a target price of 1,900p, ahead of a third-quarter management statement on Thursday. The broker expects Admiral to confirm it will meet consensus earnings expectations for the full year, and is looking for policy count growth to moderate to around +28 per cent for the nine-month stage. The focus is likely to be on claims trends, which have precipitated the recent share price fall.