GameStop Corp (NYSE:GME) soared as much as 110% on Monday before being temporarily halted from trading after the return of meme stock trader Roaring Kitty to social media.
Given the brick and mortar video game retailer’s poor performance recently, analysts were left mulling whether the rally may mark the return of the meme stock frenzy.
Aviva plc has several earnings tailwinds coming from several directions in 2024, analysts at Berenberg believe, adding the outlook for the insurer is “extremely strong”.
Margin improvement after the dramatic re-pricing of UK motor insurance and another leg up in pricing for UK home insurance in 2024 – in which Aviva is the market leader – are two.
RBC maintained an outperform rating on AFC Energy PLC (AIM:AFC, OTC:AFGYF), reflecting confidence in the company's growth strategy following its latest capital markets event (CME).
“The CME showed the constructive steps taken to formulate and implement a go-to-market strategy for AFC’s fuel conversion business,” said analysts. “Looking ahead, the priority is on ‘getting the reactors right’ – as stated by management – and confirming deployment partners which should help unlock the value of that business.”
JP Morgan anticipates Prudential PLC (LSE:PRU) will significantly increase its capital returns to shareholders from 2025.
Despite robust growth in new business value and promising free cash-flow prospects, the insurance giant continues to trade at discounted valuations — approximately 0.55 times its expected enterprise value and about 0.7 times its comprehensive equity for 2024.
British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (LSE:IAG) has an opportunity to beat market expectations, that’s according to analysts at JP Morgan.
The American investment bank’s own earnings forecast is already pitched some 8% above wider market consensus, following a recent ‘double upgrade’ to its view on the airline – to ‘overweight’ from ‘underweight’.
BHP Group Ltd (LSE:BHP, ASX:BHP) confirmed it has seen a second bid approach rebuffed by rival Anglo American PLC (LSE:AAL).
While adding up to the same headline value - around £34 billion - and still requiring a slew of disposals, the transaction was structured to give Anglo investors a bigger stake in the enlarged business; around 16.6%, up two percentage points.
Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) could be in line for ‘dramatic earnings upgrades’ as pace builds on the rollout of its weight loss drugs, analysts say.
Wegovy sales could hit 76 billion Danish Krone (US$11 billion) this year, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) said in a note, after starter doses increased six-fold up to early May.
Caledonia Mining Corporattion plc’s profit recovery in 2024 comes ahead of two major catalysts due shortly, says broker Liberum.
" 64%-owned Blanket gold mine’s good start has continued into the current period (further evidence of a sustainable turnaround): in April, 8.0koz (100% basis) was produced, resulting in operations generating US$7.1 million that month (before working capital and tax)."
Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) is the most compelling turnaround story in European staples, according to analysts at Barclays, who have tweaked their price target up to £52 (£50 previously).
After two consecutive strong volume quarters, this year’s second quarter could see a sizeable margin beat.
Shield Therapeutics PLC (AIM:STX, OTCQX:SHIEF)'s full-year results, where the company reported a trebling of total revenues, were consistent with a recent first-quarter business update, said broker Peel Hunt.
Analysts highlighted the company’s strengthened balance sheet with a $10 million financing from Sallyport Commercial, supplementing its existing $20 million debt facility.
National Grid PLC (LSE:NG.) is looking a better bet currently than fellow power peer SSE, according to analysts at UBS.
Results from both are due the week after next with National Grid due Thursday 23 May and SSE the day before.
Analysts at broker Liberum reiterated its buy rating on Ilika PLC (AIM:IKA, OTCQX:ILIKF) shares, highlighting the group’s £3.4 million capital raise to support the advancement of its Goliath solid-state battery (SSB) projects.
This initiative aims to expand the target capacity from 0.5 to 1.5 MWh/a, enabling the company to scale production volumes and refine its technology.
Dr Martens PLC (LSE:DOCS) investors will need to brace for lower earnings and a subdued share price over the next few years as it continues its shift to a direct-to-consumer model, analysts believe.
Barclays cut its earnings per share forecasts by 56% for the 2025 financial year and by 46% for the year after, following the shoe retailer’s recent profit warning.