UK MARKET TALK ROUNDUP: BROKERS COMMENTS

14th Jun 2010 07:51

Broker comments in the UK today. Compiled by Dow Jones Newswires Markets Desk, [email protected] Contact us in London. +44-20-7842-9464 [email protected] 0651 GMT [Dow Jones] Weir Group's (WEIR.LN) acquisition of the Linatex group of companies looks good, and is "just what we want to see," says a trader. Also notes the company's update, saying it continues to be optimistic on its outlook. Another trader notes Weir's aftermarket orders exceed expectations, adding there is a positive emerging trend in the original equipment orders. Expects profit in 2H '10 to be well ahead of 2H '09 profit in constant currency terms. Shares closed Friday at 951p. ([email protected]) 0640 GMT [Dow Jones] JPMorgan upgrades Drax (DRX.LN) to neutral from underweight and raises price target to 365p from 330p, reflecting the strong upward earnings pressure given the rally in UK gas and electricity prices over the last three months. While JPM is not convinced the rally is sustainable, its magnitude and duration mean it is hard to ignore, the brokerage says. "Provided there is sufficient market liquidity, Drax should be able to take advantage of the rally to increase its forward sales for '11 and '12." Shares closed Friday at 368p. ([email protected]) 0639 GMT [Dow Jones] HSBC initiates coverage of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC.LN) with an overweight rating and 77p target price. The brokerage says the outlook for key markets is improving but the Caribbean market is still weak. Nevertheless, it adds that the company has a "sensible strategy combined with attractive dividend yield." Shares closed Friday at 56p. ([email protected]) 0631 GMT [Dow Jones] Morgan Stanley downgrades Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.LN) to underweight from equalweight, and cuts its target price to 50p from 65p. Says Lloyds faces the biggest risk among UK banks of missing consensus beyond FY'10, given pressure on net interest margin, tepid GDP growth and industry funding strains. "Although many concerns are in the price at 1x 10E TNAV, Lloyds is a relative underweight as we see normalized returns close to cost of capital and our European Banks have 20%+ upside." Says Barclays (BARC.LN) is its top pick, with 37% to Morgan Stanley's new target price of 400p, from 425p. Has Barclays at overweight. Lloyds shares closed Friday at 54p, and Barclays at 291p. ([email protected]) 0627 GMT [Dow Jones] Royal Bank of Scotland upgrades Wolseley (WOS.LN) to hold from sell, and lifts its target price to 1490p from 1390p. Says the upgrades reflect stronger residential restocking and cost performance. "Challenges remain but we now see limited downside at Wolseley, particularly given positive investor sentiment towards the stock and its recovery potential," adds Royal Bank of Scotland. Shares closed at 1588p. ([email protected]) Contact us in London. +44-20-7842-9288 [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 14, 2010 02:51 ET (06:51 GMT)