Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksCIU.L Share News (CIU)

  • There is currently no data for CIU

Broker tips: Cape, Compass Group, Barratt Developments

Wed, 11th May 2016 12:37
(ShareCast News) - A recent pull-back in the shares of Cape may have thrown up a "window of opportunity" for investors, Numis said.At the company's last annual shareholders' meeting, management reiterated its expectations for the industrial services provider's full-year 2016 performance.The company, which is focused on the energy and natural resources sectors, did however expect some contraction in margins. Cape did not disclose exact figures but said it expected a recovery in the second half thanks to a ramp-up in contracts already on the order books and some refocusing of its operations in the UK.Nonetheless, analyst Thomas Martin opted not to make any changes to his annual forecasts for the outfit.Martin also pointed out how the shares were now trading at a 2017 price-to-earnings multiple of 9.9 and sporting a 6% dividend yield, versus its sector average of 12.6.As a result, he bumped up his recommendation on the stock from 'add' to 'buy' and stood by his target price of 270p.The UK market was continuing to see higher-than-expected costs at Fawley - in part because the projects is larger than anticipated - and lower than expected utilisation for specialist services in the North Sea.However, the firm said the situation at Fawley would settle down and while specialist work could be deferred it would eventually need to be completed to ensure asset integrity.Continued strength in KSA and increased project activity in Oman and Kuwait were also expected to drive a recovery in margins in the second half.Cape also said it would be reviewing its market position across Asia in response to expected activity levels.Order intake during the first three months of the year also saw full replacement of revenues, with the order book flat at year-end levels. Numis reiterated a 'hold' rating and target price of 1,150p for Compass after the food service company reported its first half results.Compass said underlying revenue grew 5.8% to £9.7bn in the six months to 31 March driven by a strong performance in North America.Increased sales in Europe and the Rest of the World were partly offset by ongoing weakness in Australia, Brazil and Offshore & Remote divisions.The FTSE 100 firm posted two profit figures - one before, and one after the restructuring which was announced last July.Compass said its operating profit before restructuring grew 6.4% to £735m, with an operating margin of 7.5%.After restructuring, operating profit grew 4.8% to £724m, with an operating margin of 7.4%."We are encouraged by the strong start to the year and in our view, Compass is a very high quality business and we share management's view that there are promising structural growth opportunities globally with potential for further revenue and margin growth," said Numis "However, we believe that this promise is captured in the FY16 PE ratio of 21.3x." Barratt Developments delivered a solid trading update, with management expressing confidence with respect both to the recent trading and the outlook, Canaccord Genuity said.Indeed, analysts Aynsley Lamin and Matthew Walker pointed out how the homebuilder had decided to increase its land approvals for purchase given its positive outlook, with the company's directors continuing to see attractive returns and margins on land investment.The exceptions were outside of zone 1 and 2 in London, where the group did not see sufficient opportunities that met its hurdle rates for investment."Overall a reassuring update with positive comments on the land market, recent trading and medium-term outlook. We think consensus numbers look well supported but are unlikely to change materially," the analysts said.The group also said it was strongly forward sold."We think consensus numbers look well supported but are unlikely to change materially," Lamin and Walker added in a rsearch report sent to clients.With the shares in the company changing hands on a price-to-net asset value ratio of 1.7, versus 1.95 times for its peers, Canaccord decided to stick with its 'hold' recommendation and share target price of 630p.

Related News

LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Stocks mixed amid weak tech but FTSE 100 edges up
4 days ago

LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Stocks mixed amid weak tech but FTSE 100 edges up

(Alliance News) - London's FTSE 100 nudged higher on Tuesday, outperforming European and US peers, despite fresh falls among technology stocks and ren...

LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Stocks mixed as weak miners weigh in muted trade
5 days ago

LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Stocks mixed as weak miners weigh in muted trade

(Alliance News) - The FTSE 100 gave back early gains on Monday as falls in gold miners and AstraZeneca, plus soft construction figures, dampened early...

WINNERS & LOSERS: PPHE Hotel ends sales process; CMC Markets rises
2 Jul 2026

WINNERS & LOSERS: PPHE Hotel ends sales process; CMC Markets rises

(Alliance News) - The following are the leading risers and fallers among FTSE 100 and 250 index constituents on Thursday.

CIU.L News

Wednesday tips round up: Gulf Keystone, Laird, Aggreko,...
14 Mar 2012

Wednesday tips round up: Gulf Keystone, Laird, Aggreko,...

In the Times, Tempus ponders the ups and downs of Gulf Keystone, the oil explorer focused on Kurdish Iraq. It has a significant prospect called Shai...

Cape eyeing China entry with acquistion
13 Mar 2012

Cape eyeing China entry with acquistion

Cape, the industrial services firm to the energy and mineral sectors, has made a play to enter the Hong Kong market through the purchase of Hong Kong ...

London close: Footsie drops nearly 2 percent on Greek worries
6 Mar 2012

London close: Footsie drops nearly 2 percent on Greek worries

- Uncertainties surrounding Greek debt-swap participation. - Oil falls as EU restarts talks with Iran. - Polymetal tumbles after UBS downgrade. Globa...

FTSE 250 movers: Cape unveils cracking first year on the index
6 Mar 2012

FTSE 250 movers: Cape unveils cracking first year on the index

Cape, the services firm focused on the commodities sector, soared into the top spot after reporting record revenues in its first year on the FTSE 250....

Cape lifted by record revenues
6 Mar 2012

Cape lifted by record revenues

Cape, the services firm focused on the commodities sector, has achieved record revenues in its first year in the FTSE 250. The company makes its mone...

FTSE 250 movers: Ocado soars on impressive festive sales
12 Jan 2012

FTSE 250 movers: Ocado soars on impressive festive sales

There were plenty of company announcements on the FTSE 250 on Thursday, providing some big swings in the market. The biggest mover was Ocado after t...

London open: RBS rises after shake-up, Tesco plummets
12 Jan 2012

London open: RBS rises after shake-up, Tesco plummets

A sharp fall for the retailers was met with a strong showing by the banks this morning, equating to a flat start for the FTSE 100. It has been reasona...

Cape confident in the year ahead
12 Jan 2012

Cape confident in the year ahead

Industrial services provider Cape has given a confident year-end trading update, saying that the strong revenue growth seen in the third quarter conti...