230p +2p
Broker says BUY
CHARLES Stanley yesterday issued a "buy" recommendation on media company UTV, after its AGM statement said the business was on course.
The broker said: "Divisional performances also appear broadly in line with expec
tations, albeit with a wide range of outcomes, and possibly slightly less strong than at the time of the finals.
"Multiples remain too low for a well-run business seeing growth even in difficult markets."
Compass367.25p +11p
Broker says HOLD
GOLDMAN Sachs upgraded the caterer to "neutral" from "sell" following its first-half results. The broker said Compass was managing issues such as food cost inflation effectively and continuing to reduce costs.
Compass said this week that profit before tax rose by a better than expected 25 per cent, and that it will buy back a further £400m of its shares over the next 18 months. Goldman raised its price target by 58p to 365p.
BAT1,980p +14p
Broker says BUY
MORGAN Stanley has raised its rating on British American Tobacco to "overweight" from "equal-weight" and lifted its target price on the Lucky Strike maker to 2,230p from 2,130p.
It said that the tobacco sector is benefiting from consolidation.
The broker added that it foresees double digit earnings per share growth for all European tobacco companies in both 2008 and 2009.
The full article contains 227 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
