SThree PLC (LSE:STEM) faced a downgrade from Liberum on Thursday as macroeconomic concerns cast a shadow over the specialist staffing firm’s "robust" full-year results.
Pointing to lacking signs of improvement among SThree’s key markets, Liberum cut the FTSE 250 firm’s share price target from 655p to 610p.
Next year will be a transition period for European banks as the sector moves to a lower interest rate environment, according to analysts at Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).
The current environment is characterised by flattish net interest income (NII), higher fees, manageable operating expenses (opex), and credit costs, the analysts said.
Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) shares dropped on Wednesday in response to its decision to recall over two million vehicles due to Autopilot issues, but the move is a “small step in the right direction,” according to Wedbush’s Dan Ives.
The automaker was forced to recall the vehicles equipped with its Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system in the US after a longstanding investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and despite Tesla's disagreement with the NHTSA's analysis on the matter.
Shares in The Hut Group-owner THG PLC (LSE:THG) jumped over 4% to 85.72p after getting a new 'buy' rating from the analyst taking over coverage of the online beauty and wellness retailer at investment bank Citi.
Monique Pollard, co-head of the investment bank's European internet research team, said she is "encouraged by improving underlying momentum" in the group, led by the THG Beauty arm.
C4X Discovery Holdings PLC (AIM:C4XD)’s latest financial results struck the right notes with equities analysts on Thursday, with Shore Capital Markets predicting considerable upside on current market valuations.
C4X already has licensing deals in place with some of the leading developers for its programmes, with ShoreCap reckoning the agreements with Sanofi and AstraZeneca could deliver up to US$800 million in milestones, with up to US$22 million in preclinical development milestones potentially converting in the near term.
Stifel has adjusted its outlook for Next PLC (LSE:NXT) following a bullish turn for the retailer which saw shares rise 40% year to date.
Next’s strong market performance was a result of multiple guidance upgrades, but in Stifel’s view, Next’s latest trading performance “suggests a return to more historic trends”.
Whitbread PLC (LSE:WTB) and Mitchells & Butlers PLC (LSE:MAB) have been highlighted as top picks in what Liberum analysts describe as a widely-undervalued leisure sector.
“The sector outlook is more stable than it has been for several years, which we believe should prompt a rerating in 2024,” Liberum said in a note.
Ocado Group PLC (LSE:OCDO) led the way as the FTSE 100’s top riser on Thursday morning, despite trimmed-back expectations from Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).
Though Goldman pointed to the growing prevalence of quick delivery, click and collect, and third-party platforms as rivals to Ocado’s grocery business, the bank did point to strong potential in non-food sectors.
Tharisa PLC (LSE:THS, JSE:THA, OTC:TIHRF)’s underlying earnings fell slightly short of Peel Hunt's estimation of US$140 million, though analysts retained the platinum miner’s 'buy' rating with a 195p price target.
The minor discrepancy is attributed to lower cash operating costs, which could not entirely offset the marginally reduced realised pricing.
Taylor Wimpey PLC (LSE:TW.) and Bellway PLC (LSE:BWY) could be among key beneficiaries of a strong rebound within the housing market, according to CitiGroup analysts.
Improving sentiment as mortgage rates decline, and a subsequent return of buyers who had been holding off, should fuel a recovery into next year, Citi analysts said in a note.