Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) is set to release its third-quarter earnings after the bell Thursday, and analysts at Jefferies are eyeing strong performance in Amazon Web Services (AWS) but noting uncertainties in retail margins.
The firm's price target for Amazon stands at $210.
Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META, ETR:FB2A, SWX:FB) has drawn repeated backing from analysts despite pointing to potentially slower revenue growth ahead in third-quarter results on Wednesday.
Jefferies analysts noted guidance for revenue of $45-$48 billion, or a 12.2% to 19.7% increase, in the fourth quarter did suggest a “limited slowdown” against tougher comparables.
Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) may be forced to cut in half a £2 billion share buyback next year following last week's adverse Court of Appeal decision on motor finance.
The ruling, which found motor dealers had failed to act in the best interest of customers, has led analysts at RBC Capital to revise upward their financial exposure estimates for five banks by almost £1.3 billion, with the black horse bank bearing the brunt of the increased liability.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer face the biggest hit from the National Insurance hike announced by the government yesterday but the marginal impact on other retailers might be greater, suggests Citi.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 1.2% hike in National Insurance (from 13.8% to 15%) and lowered the threshold at which employers start paying NI from £9,100 to £5,000 per year.
Peel Hunt has reiterated its 'buy' and 9p price target for Seeing Machines Ltd (AIM:SEE, OTC:SEEMF), though it does see some near-term challenges for the maker of driver monitoring systems used in 2.2 million cars worldwide.
Specifically, the company is faced with a retrenchment by end users of its technology as the automotive sector has been hit by rising costs, market uncertainty and supply chain issues.
Broker Panmure Liberum has highlighted Galliford Try Holdings PLC (LSE:GFRD) as a likely beneficiary following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget, which included a substantial £24.6 billion boost in capital investment.
This funding is directed at infrastructure, social housing, and other public projects, which are expected to spur significant opportunities within the construction and infrastructure sectors.