WPP PLC (LSE:WPP) "weighing options" for its 40% stake in Kantar should drive a reassessment of what this asset or parts of the group’s portfolio could be worth, suggests US bank Citi.
Reports last week suggested WPP was mulling a sale of its Kantar holding and Citi reckons that, plus all the other associate and investment holdings, might be worth as much as £2.5 billion.
Marks and Spencer Group PLC (LSE:MKS) is showing clear evidence that its partway through a "significant re-invention", according to analysts at Deutsche Bank.
“There is some understandable concern with regards to some consumer and cost headwinds for FY25e, but in our view M&S sales should continue to outperform the market and cost reductions delivered this year will likely annualise,” Deutsche analyst Adam Cochrane said in a note.
FTSE 100-listed owner of Premier Inn, Whitbread PLC (LSE:WTB), copped an upgrade after exhibiting robust performance in its third quarter, as highlighted in a recent broker note from Liberum.
Premier Inn significantly outperformed the competition with its fully integrated model, said analysts, as evidenced by the 9% year-over-year increase in revenues per available room (RevPAR).
Ferro-Alloy Resources Ltd (LSE:FAR) (FAR) has got production back on track after sourcing additional concentrate from different suppliers, says house broker Shore Capital.
As such, FAR has now stockpiled sufficient material for seven months of production assuming current rates.
Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC (AIM:CMCL, NYSE-A:CMCL) made a good comeback in the second half of the year to produce 75,416oz gold at Blanket in 2023, says broker Cavendish.
Fourth-quarter production from Blanket was 20,172oz.
Shares in Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) are up around 1.1% after Morgan Stanley named it as its top UK banking pick.
“Deposit mix migration has slowed down during Q3, which could make 4Q [net interest margins] less bad than feared and provides better visibility for 2024.”
Citigroup has updated its European food delivery forecasts to reflect recent app and web data from its innovation lab, which suggest Just Eat Takeaway.com NV (LSE:JET, NASDAQ:GRUB) could have the edge over rivals this results season.
Just Eat is expected to unveil its results for the fourth quarter on 17 January, and Deliveroo is due to publish its results two days later on 19 January.
Trident Royalties PLC (AIM:TRR, OTCQX:TDTRF) has retained its position among Liberum’s top picks, with the broker seeing a significant upside as the mining capex cycle turns up again.
“Right now, the upswing in the mining capex cycle is being led by the Juniors rather than the Majors.
Thor Energy PLC (AIM:THR, OTCQB:THORF, ASX:THR)’s footprint in the uranium sector is a strategic goldmine in the midst of a uranium renaissance underway in the US, according to WH Ireland analysts.
Seen as a direct response to the growing need for nuclear power to supplement renewable energy sources, the US has announced a major investment plan, earmarking as much as US$500 million to enhance its domestic uranium processing capabilities.