Shrinking wait times for Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL, ETR:APC)'s new iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max is “increasingly concerning” as it points to muted demand, analysts at UBS believe.
Wait times are far shorter than for the iPhone 15 lineup released last year, even factoring in supply chain distortions in 2023, analysts highlighted.
Deutsche Bank has increased its price target for AG Barr PLC (LSE:BAG), the maker of Irn Bru and Tizer, from 685p to 760p, citing operational improvements and progress in boosting profit margins. The bank maintains a "buy" recommendation on the stock.
Analysts highlighted that AG Barr performed well in the first half of the year, despite challenges such as poor summer weather and difficulties in the UK pub and restaurant sector.
Hut Group owner THG PLC's (LSE:THG) plan to spin off its Ingenuity business should "release underlying value", according to analysts at Peel Hunt.
Last week the nutrition, beauty and financial publishing group said it has begun working on selling its digital and logistics arm, as well as tweaking its listing category on the London Stock Exchange so it can be included in the FTSE indices.
The nuclear energy sector may be approaching a tipping point, according to UBS, as growing demand for reliable, low-carbon power and new policy incentives drive renewed interest in the industry.
This potential "nuclear renaissance" could benefit key companies like Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.), which has developed its own small modular reactor (SMR), along with firms involved in uranium mining, equipment manufacturing, and engineering.
Wizz Air Holdings PLC's (AIM:WIZZ) ambitious profit goals for the financial year are under scrutiny, with Deutsche Bank raising concerns over the airline's escalating costs.
Analyst Jaime Rowbotham suggests that the low-cost carrier may struggle to meet its earnings guidance, despite anticipated revenue gains.
Whitehaven’s Narrabri coal mine has received permits for its Stage 3 expansion, triggering a US$5 million payment to Ecora Resources PLC (LSE:ECOR, TSX:ECOR, OTCQX:ECRAF), notes Peel Hunt.
Payment will be made in instalments, the broker believes, which says the development is a marginal positive for Ecora, adding additional cash flows from the Narrabri disposal "that we believe are not included in consensus estimates for the group".
Back in April, Imperial Leather-owner PZ Cussons (LSE:PZC) announced a review of its Africa operations that could yet lead to the FTSE 250-listed company ditching operations in the continent entirely.
Amid a plummeting Nigerian naira and wider macroeconomic uncertainty in the region, chief executive Jonathan Myers declared “a strategic review of our brands and geographies” in order to refocus “on where the business can be most competitive”.
After Rightmove PLC (LSE:RMV) this morning revealed it had rejected a third bid from Rupert Murdoch's REA Group, the frustrated Australian rival is now expected to mount a hostile takeover if it really wants to seal the deal.
REA expressed "disappointment" at the rejection of its third offer, said it is "frustrated" at the lack of substantive engagement, and reiterated that it believes that the latest is a "highly compelling proposition" for Rightmove shareholders, and at a significant premium to peers.
Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE) has a 'sell' rating slapped on it by UBS, adding its voice to a growing list of brokers expressing concern about the pricing trends in the US spirits sector.
The Swiss bank sees weak pricing extending into 2025 with its concern that the industry is losing its pricing power as consumers become more price-sensitive.
Four-lettered German supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl are struggling to retain their foothold in the UK supermarket sector, according to UBS analysis.
Both discount chains are showing multi-year low store growth rates, due in no small part to an erosion of price competitiveness compared to domestic rivals J Sainsbury PLC (LSE:SBRY) and Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO).
Investment analysts at UBS have warned that weakening sales growth at LVMH is posing a risk to margins and causing a delay to a potential recovery phase for the global luxury bellwether.
UBS analyst Zuzanna Pusz expects to see decelerating organic sales growth (OSG) in the third quarter, despite an easier comparable basis.
Shield Therapeutics PLC's (AIM:STX, OTCQX:SHIEF) share price rose 8% following the announcement of successful phase III trial results for its iron deficiency treatment, Accrufer, which could pave the way for its use in children.
The UK-based speciality pharmaceutical company reported that the oral drug, known scientifically as ferric maltol, showed significant efficacy and safety in paediatric patients aged 2 to 17, with an average haemoglobin increase of 1.25 g/dL over 12 weeks.