Broker tips: Croda, Hargreaves Lansdown, Ryanair

4th Sep 2013 11:19

Exane BNP Paribas has upgraded its rating for speciality chemicals group Croda International from 'neutral' to 'outperform' following the stock's underperformance so far this year.The bank highlighted that Croda has underperformed the consumer ingredients sector by 17% in the year to date due to concerns over fading momentum in Consumer Care, which accounts for 75% of earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). While the recent softness in Consumer Care has raised questions over loss of market share and innovation, Exane said that its business remains "rock solid". "Recent weakness appears nothing more than bad weather and unfavourable FX," analysts said.Canaccord Genuity raised its target price for financial services group Hargreaves Lansdown after a set of "impressive" annual results, but decided to maintain its neutral stance on the stock on Wednesday."With uncertainty remaining over the revenue margins in FY14 and FY15 we leave our [...] 'hold' investment recommendation unchanged."UBS has cut its recommendation for Irish budget airline Ryanair from 'buy' to 'neutral' after the company surprised markets with a profit warning on Wednesday.The Swiss bank has adjusted its forecasts to reflect recent moves in fuel, currency and also yield expectations in what it thinks is a "less-disciplined capacity environment". As such, the target price for the stock has been reduced from €7.60 to €7.30.BC