Wedbush analysts have reiterated their outperform rating on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company following the premier global microchip manufacturer’s latest earnings beat.
Wedbush analysts wrote: “While TSMC's quarter had some puts and takes, we are viewing results through a constructive lens, given the positive commentary from TSMC regarding its outlook for artificial intelligence."
Harbour Energy PLC (LSE:HBR) will be Europe’s largest independent exploration and production company when it completes the Wintershall Dea Portfolio acquisition, notes Jefferies.
Assuming it completes in the fourth quarter of 2024 as planned, it triples Harbour's current production taking the pro forma company to 480,000boe/d in 2025, the first full year of trading.
AJ Bell PLC (LSE:AJB) has received a favourable review from Shore Capital Markets following its recent trading update in which the online wealth platform said customer numbers rose above 500,000 in the latest quarter.
Shore Cap reckons AJ Bell is seeing superior gross inflows into its Advised segment compared to its peer group, with improved retail investor sentiment in the run up to the tax year end also noted.
Deutsche Bank analysts have upgraded Royal Mail owner International Distributions Services PLC (LSE:IDS) after news broke on Wednesday of a potential takeover.
IDS was bumped up from a ‘sell’ to ‘hold’ and Deutsche also lifted the delivery firm’s share price target from 160p to 268p.
Has gold’s run to record highs got ahead of itself?
Analysts at RBC suggest it might and that the fundamentals point to a correction over the longer term.
Analysts gave their seal of approval to an end-of-year trading update from the electronics components group, discoverIE Group PLC, which said that revenues were in line with expectations as profit margins improved.
Peel Hunt reiterated its 'buy' advice and 1,000p price target, telling clients: "discoverIE finished the year well, delivering profits in line with our expectations and improving margins. M&A activity continued in [the fourth quarter] and the pipeline of opportunities is strong."
Home furnishings retailer Dunelm Group PLC (LSE:DNLM) booked growth in both in-store and digital channels in the third quarter, though City reactions to the results were mixed.
UBS noted that “trading conditions remain volatile”, but the bank’s outlook remains unchanged after year-on-year sales in the third quarter added 3% “driven by both store and online performance”.
Greencoat Renewables PLC (LSE:GRP) has agreed a 10-year corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) for its Ballybane Phase 1 wind farm with Keppel DC REIT.
The wind farm has an annual output of 67 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable energy, of which Keppel DC REIT will purchase 100% of the electricity generated.
Hospitality sales perked up by 5.2% like-for-like in March led by pubs at 7.2%, which Stifel suggests marks a welcome return to real sales growth (CPI 3.2%) after a slow start to 2024.
Easter falling largely in March this year will have helped, said the broker, adding Loungers and Young’s appeal the most as across the sector operating costs and especially wages will prove sticky this year.
City analysts were divided on Deliveroo PLC (LSE:ROO) stock following the food-delivery company’s first-quarter financial results.
International order growth was a highlight in the company’s earnings, though the revenue take rate was largely underwhelming.
Ferrexpo PLC (LSE:FXPO)’s full-year results were a mixed bag, according to Liberum analysts, as revenue beat estimates but pre-tax earnings missed.
Ukraine-based, the iron ore pellet producer recorded a US$85 million pre-tax loss for the year to December on Thursday, against a US$220 million profit last year.
Liberum has reiterated its 'sell' recommendation for ASOS PLC (LSE:ASC), with a target price of 360p, expressing concerns about the online retailer's recovery and financial health.
In a detailed analysis, concerns were raised regarding the painful transition to a new operating model, which has resulted in a significant decline in sales and profitability in the short term.
Liberum has issued a 'sell' recommendation for International Distributions Services PLC (LSE:IDS), the parent company of Royal Mail, citing significant challenges to a potential takeover, with a target price set at 180p.
The analysis highlights considerable obstacles, chiefly the UK's National Security and Investment Act, which could impede the transaction due to political risks, particularly in an election year.