Hargreaves Lansdown still looks cheap and might yet be the subject of a bid battle believes US bank Jefferies.
The wealth platform received a new cash approach yesterday priced at 1,140p from a consortium of private equity companies CVC and Nordic Capital and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
BT Group PLC (LSE:BT.A) offers a "low probability" of any more positive surprises in the near future after new boss Allison Kirkby's maiden update provided a boost, according to Deutsche Bank.
As well as noting the new CEO's quote from last month that she "'loves to squeeze the shorts" (referring to bets against the company by hedge funds), analyst Robert Grindle said he hiked his target price to 140p from 130p after Kirkby made an impact with her first set of results.
Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC) has told City analysts it remains optimistic about growing its UK Corporate Bank, which accounted for 7% of profits last year.
According to Barclays, currently, it has a 22% share of relevant corporate deposits but only a 9% share of relevant corporate lending and wants this latter number to increase.
Deutsche Bank has upgraded its recommendation for Avacta Group PLC (AIM:AVCT), the drug developer and diagnostics specialist, from "sell" to "hold" on valuation grounds.
Specifically, the change of stance comes after a 20% decline in Avacta's share price since Deutsche began its coverage, with the shares falling about 60% over the past year.
Light Science Technologies Holdings PLC (AIM:LST) shares rose 8.3% after announcing a £750,000 contract for its passive fire protection division, LSTH IFB Limited.
The company will install Injectaclad cavity sealant in an 11-storey student accommodation block in Nottingham.