BEST OF THE BROKERS October 14, 2009 ITVInvestec moved ITV from “hold” to “sell” and raised its price target to 46p. The broker believes material management and structural challenges remain and that the valuation already discounts an earnings recovery on a long-term view. But it has a positive macro-view and notes that TV ad spend is improving. AMLINCredit Suisse upgraded Amlin to [...]
Joblessness sees slowest jump in a year October 14, 2009 UNEMPLOYMENT rose in September by less than had been predicted, with the number of Britons claiming jobless benefit increasing at the slowest rate for 16 months, official data showed yesterday, raising hopes that the recent swathe of job losses may be ending. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that the claimant count – which [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS October 13, 2009 TATE & LYLECredit Suisse raised its forecasts for Tate & Lyle by four per cent for next year and seven per cent for the following year, upped its price target to 550p, from 300p, and upgraded its rating to “outperform”. The broker notes that the starch business is holding up and said that the new [...]
Booker cuts debt pile as sales jump October 13, 2009 BOOKER, the UK’s largest cash and carry business yesterday said its first-half profits had climbed by 12 per cent. The group, which runs over 170 branches supplying corner shops, grocers, and restaurants, said it made a pre-tax profit of £29.7m in the 24 weeks to 11 September, up from £26.5m the year before. Booker said [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: DID COSTA PERK UP WHITBREAD’S RESULTS? October 13, 2009 MATTHEW GERARD INVESTECThe first half performance was well guided in the September pre-close, but positive comments on the outlook and a very creditable performance on cash flow and costs may push the shares higher. The positive momentum seen in second quarter has continued into the second half. RICHARD HUNTER HARGREAVES LANSDOWNWith value offerings across many [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS October 12, 2009 BURBERRY GROUPDeutsche Bank raised its target price for Burberry to 620p, with a “buy” recommendation, ahead of the retailer’s second quarter sales update tomorrow. The broker said that expectations appear to be reasonably high, but that it believes that, most significantly, excess inventory will have been cleared through. DUNELM GROUPInvestec said that the recent placing [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS October 11, 2009 VEDANTA RESOURCESGoldman Sachs cut its 2010 earnings estimates for Vedanta to $1.75 per share following the miner’s second-quarter production release and an investor conference call. The broker retains a “neutral” stance on the stock, with a lower price target of 2,426p, to reflect the lower estimates and higher March 2010 net debt. HALFORDSKBC Peel Hunt [...]
IS CARPHONE WAREHOUSE WEATHERING THE DOWNTURN? October 8, 2009 MIKE JEREMY DANIEL STEWART & COI think it was a very satisfying update, with surprisingly good broadband numbers. For TalkTalk to get 77,000 net adds is very strong in a maturing market, especially with the churn figure decreasing. It bodes well for the market share. IPTV?looks like a great opportunity for them, but they are [...]
Uncertainty will see QEand rates held October 7, 2009 QUANTITATIVE EASING (QE) and interest rates should both be kept on hold this month, according to a majority of City A.M.’s shadow monetary policy committee (MPC) ahead of the Bank of England’s decision due at midday today. While seven members voted for no change, Henderson New Star’s Simon Ward, who advocates suspending QE, argues that [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS October 6, 2009 LONMINCanaccord Adams changed its recommendation on Lonmin to a “sell” – from being under review and a “hold” prior to that – and increased the target price to 1,050p. The broker said that the share price is being driven by the potential for Xstrata to bid for the remainder of Lonmin, and argues that the [...]