Broker tips: Babcock, Johnson Matthey, Great Portland Estates

20th Nov 2014 13:07

Engineering support services group Babcock International's interims were "very solid", Investec analyst John Lawson said in a research note on Thursday."The group continues to successfully replenish its order book (an ongoing challenge for any outsourcing group) and yesterday's announcement with regards to the Defence Support Group was very timely. A very robust story and we maintain our 'buy' rating."First-half results from Johnson Matthey came in well ahead of consensus estimates and should reassure investors who were worrying about full-year forecasts, according to broker Liberum."Overall these results will underpin current consensus for this year and next which was looking questionable given an anticipated slowdown in European car and truck markets which account for 50% of light duty vehicle catalyst profits and 30% of truck profits."Credit Suisse has initiated coverage of property investment and development company Great Portland Estates with an 'outperform' recommendation and 808p price target.The bank said that the shares are trading on a 13% premium to their estimate of spot net asset value, 2% less than sector peer Derwent London. "Based on our relative pricing model, we expect Great Portland's shares to outperform the peer group over the next 12 months."