UK banks continue to trade well below their low-term ratings, according to analysts at KBW, which makes them attractive currently especially Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) and Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC).
Overall UK banking data remains benign, adds the Stifel-owned broker, but UK volumes remain anaemic and non-interest bearing inflation looks under control; GDP growth revisions remain positive and initial indications from the first interest rate cut suggest a pass-through of 50% on both assets and liabilities
HSBC Holdings PLC (LSE:HSBA) has a clear edge over Standard Chartered PLC (LSE:STAN) in the battle of the Asia-focused banks, which analysts at US bank Citi doubt can be made up.
The banks have similar strategies, notes Citi, but HSBC seems better placed, with a more concentrated Asia footprint, a superior business mix, greater efficiencies and larger structural hedge.
Management of Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) is 'distinctly on it', according to Shore Capital, which hosted a meeting with management of Britain's largest grocer.
This positive feedback from a brokerage, which has a strong track record in retail, allied to a price target hike by UBS helped provide some support for the share price, which was up 1.4% mid-afternoon.
News that construction equipment contractor Ashtead Group PLC (LSE:AHT) is bringing in WestRock alumnus Alex Pease as chief financial officer suggests that the FTSE 100-listed group is closer than ever to announcing a departure from the London Stock Exchange.
Pease, who led the finances at WestRock until its recent merger with Smurfitt Kappa, intends to stay put in Fort Mill, South Carolina, where he will join forces with Ashtead’s chief executive Brendan Horgan.
Labour leader Keir Starmer spoke recently about how those with the broadest shoulders should “bear the heaviest burden”.
He was speaking in relation to what he conceded will be a “painful” October budget in which tax rises are all but an inevitability.
Analysts believe Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.)'s financial liability will be "contained" following an engine issue that caused dozens of Cathay Pacific flights to be grounded.
Deutsche Bank said on Tuesday that while there were "some concerns" over the suspected fuel line issue, "preliminary analysis" suggested Rolls-Royce's financial liability would be limited.
Shares of EnSilica PLC (AIM:ENSI) jumped 5.5% after the company secured its first production order for an Arm-based industrial controller ASIC, which is expected to generate more than $30 million in revenue over seven years.
The contract, initially announced in July 2022, was awarded by a major European industrial OEM and involves a crucial component for factory automation systems.