MONY Group PLC (LSE:MONY) shares rose 4% to 154.3p after Jefferies upgraded the price comparison website operator to buy from hold, lifting its price target to 230p from 205p and arguing that fears over artificial intelligence disrupting the sector are misplaced.
The broker said MONY, which operates MoneySuperMarket, has de-rated to a five-year valuation low of around nine times forward earnings, presenting what it describes as a compelling entry point, particularly given a dividend yield it estimates at close to 7%, a decade high for the stock.
Jefferies argued that so-called agentic AI, which refers to artificial intelligence systems capable of independently browsing the web and completing tasks on a user's behalf, will not disintermediate price comparison websites because regulatory complexity and the need to handle sensitive consumer data make platforms like MONY essential partners for AI systems rather than targets for disruption.
It pointed to MONY's February launch of a MoneySuperMarket app within ChatGPT as concrete evidence of this partnership dynamic playing out.
The broker also highlighted MONY's SuperSaveClub loyalty programme as an underappreciated competitive advantage, arguing it drives customer retention and cross-selling across insurance, energy and financial products verticals in a way that should expand margins over the medium term.
On the outlook, Jefferies said rising motor insurance premiums should boost consumer switching activity in 2026, providing a cyclical tailwind for MONY's largest revenue stream.