It is difficult to know which way to jump when it comes to investing in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.).
So much so that even the big banks are polarised in their opinions of the jet engine maker.
The shares rose 3% on Wednesday after UBS said they were ‘abnormally cheap’ and upgraded its call to ‘buy’ while doubling the price target to 200p.
Yet, just a day earlier Barclays downgraded to ‘equal weight’.
Both agreed the re-opening of China after the mass Covid lockdowns could be a boon, particularly if, like Rolls, you are paid per hour your jet engines are in use.
However, Barclays sees this as largely priced in with the shares, which are up 66% in the year to date.
Monday (March 13) sees the start of a US investor roadshow from the FTSE 100-listed company, so no doubt there will be further changes among the 17 banks and brokerages that cover its stock.
At the moment the largest cohort (eight) is with Barclays (neutral on the outlook for the stock), with seven ‘positives’ and two ‘negatives’.
The consensus price target, meanwhile, is 124p, a discount to the current 158p stock market valuation, which also should suggest Barclays' analysis is closest to reality.
That said, successful investment is often about seeing what the herd can’t.
If all else fails there’s always the Harry Hill solution (from TV Burp, which ran from 2001 to 2012 and was required viewing for parents of this era).
The comedian might have said: “I like UBS; I also like Barclays. But which is better at analysing Rolls-Royce? There’s only one way to find out: fight!!”