BP Share News (BP.)

Stocks on the fall in the UK today. Compiled by Dow Jones Newswires Markets Desk, markets.eu@dowjones.com Contact us in London. +44-20-7842-9464 Markettalk.eu@dowjones.com 1506 GMT [Dow Jones] Ambrian has lowered BHP Billiton's (BHP) rating to a hold from a buy and target price to 2,180p from 2,800p due to concerns that BP's (BP) oil spill may have negative consequences for all oil operators in the Gulf of Mexico. Also a cooling off in global economy during the summer months is likely to limit upside. "We think that sentiment on equity exposure to [BHP] is turning to the downside, given its exposure to the mess in the Gulf of Mexico and the concern over the potential financial fallout of BP's accident for the rest of the operators in the Gulf of Mexico," says Ambrian. The Gulf of Mexico accounts for a third of BHP Petroleum's oil profits. BHP Petroleum accounts for about 30% of BHP's Ebitda, Ambrian adds. BHP -0.1% at 1917p. (alex.macdonald@dowjones.com) 0904 GMT [Dow Jones] Collins Stewart cuts BP (BP.LN) price target to 450p from 575p. The brokerage notes it has increased the notional net present value of losses related to the Deepwater Horizon disaster to $40Bln in its sum-of-the-parts valuation for BP. Adds that while the shares offer good fundamental value, the risks of investing remain high. At present, BP is an investment "for the risk-tolerant and long term." Says issues that need to be overcome in the short term include U.S. selling pressure, expectations on the dividend and questions about safety. Keeps the stock at hold. Shares -0.7% at 340p. (michele.maatouk@dowjones.com) 0737 GMT [Dow Jones] Investec Securities downgrades Mouchel (MCHL.LN) to sell from hold, following the company's pre-close update, in which it warns of short-term difficulties. "This looks like a profit warning," says Investec. Investec notes costs are being cut and the group says its FY'0E results will be in line with expectations, before any costs incurred in restructuring the business. 170p price target. Shares -8.3% at 144p. (michele.maatouk@dowjones.com 0708 GMT [Dow Jones] Mouchel's (MCHL.LN) 3Q trading update is downbeat, as expected, with reference to tightening fiscal conditions in both local and central government spending, says Shore Capital. Says while long-term contracts provide some defensive exposure to government spending issues, margins are likely to drift and growth may be hard to achieve in the short term. Notes Mouchel's balance sheet remains indebted, with a substantial pension deficit. Keeps the stock at sell. Shares -4.5% at 150p. (michele.maatouk@dowjones.com) Contact us in London. +44-20-7842-9288 Markettalk.eu@dowjones.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 16, 2010 11:06 ET (15:06 GMT)