Broker tips: HSBC, Schroders, Centrica

8th Mar 2013 11:12

Nomura has retained its 'buy' rating and 900p target price for global banking giant HSBC after its full-year results earlier this week, highlighting the company's strong cost-control momentum, improving revenue outlook and strong capital position.On current valuations, the broker said that the implied growth premium is c1.0% for a company expected to grow revenue at least 5.0% for the next few years.UBS has upgraded its rating for asset management firm Schroders from 'sell' to 'neutral' and hiked its target price from 1,700p to 2,050p, saying that the company has "strong momentum".Following the group's full-year results on Thursday, Nomura said that most of the headwinds it saw three to six months ago are "reducing materially".Shares in British Gas owner Centrica were under pressure on Friday after JPMorgan Cazenove downgraded its rating on the stock from 'overweight' to 'neutral'.While the broker still sees Centrica as its top pick in the UK utilities sector, it has lowered its recommendation given the shares' re-rating over the last year. It has also removed the stock from its 'Analyst Focus List'.BC