UBS has revised its earnings projections for Pearson PLC (LSE:PSON), signalling caution as the global education provider’s first-half earnings approaches.
The investment bank trimmed its forecast for Pearson’s 2024 earnings per share by 2%, attributing the downturn to disappointing English language testing volumes and legislative changes in Australia that may hinder international student flows.
In one of the more anti-woke stock recommendations of the week, analysts at JPMorgan have tipped Big Oil stocks, particularly British supermajor Shell PLC (LSE:SHEL, NYSE:SHEL).
"Fundamentally, we believe oil and gas is significantly underrated and undervalued in the context of the need for a reality check on Energy Transition," they said.
The London Stock Exchange Group plc turned heads on Wednesday after the Thompson Reuters (TSX:TRIL)-Blackstone consortium sold the final chunk of its interest in the capital markets and data analytics firm.
This fully removed an overhang on LSEG shares following a lengthy divestment process following LSEG’s acquisition of Refinitiv from the consortium in 2019.
FTSE 100’s recent rally still has plenty of legs says Panmure Gordon, despite concerns that the recent spike in UK share prices might soon run out of steam.
“UK valuations remain deeply subdued compared to their historic norms both on a relative and absolute basis,” with discounts only narrowing slightly to 17% from 19%, says the broker.
Burberry Group PLC (LSE:BRBY) is set to see the weak trends encountered at the end of its 2024 financial year continue into 2025, reckon Deutsche Bank analysts.
“With limited evidence in the financials of any improvement in sales or gross margin, we have to turn to the operating cost management lever as the main highlight,” they stated.
AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN) has been landed with a 'sell' rating from UBS, which says that the company's valuation is too high given the potential earn-out payment to partners.
UBS recognises that AZ has a deep pipeline which it continues to supplement with bolt-on M&A and it expects this to be highlighted at the pharma giant’s investor day next week (21 May).
AFC Energy PLC's (AIM:AFC, OTC:AFGYF) latest capital markets day (CMD) has confirmed broker Panmure Gordon’s “positive view” on the hydrogen fuel cell technology company.
AFC has reinforced its market position by expanding its product range across the S Series and S+ Series platforms, now offering generators from 10 to 500 kW.
H&T Group PLC (AIM:HAT) has issued “a positive trading update… which demonstrates continued strong structural demand for its pawnbroking services”, said analysts at broker Shore Capital Markets.
In its analysis, Shore noted the steady performance across H&T's non-pawnbroking operations, which are meeting expectations.
Royal Mail owner International Distributions Services PLC's (LSE:IDS) revised takeover proposal from 'Czech Sphinx' Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group yesterday has received conflicting views from analysts about whether the deal will go through.
Government ministers were reported not to be intending to block the takeover, where the put-up or shut up (PUSU) deadline for a firm offer to be made is 29 May.