Glaxosmithkline Share News (GSK)

Societe Generale has kept a 'sell' recommendation on AstraZeneca (AZN), questioning the reasoning behind a potential takeover by US pharmaceutical peer Pfizer.Societe said: "In our view, given AZN's forecast revenue and earnings profile through 2018-2019 (an earnings decline until 2018), which is well appreciated, any company seriously wishing to acquire AZN would have to have a rose-tinted view of the cost-cutting potential from such a deal and a rose-tinted view of AZN's R&D pipeline potential."Killik has maintained a 'buy' recommendation on GlaxoSmithKline, saying that the company's major three-part transaction with Swiss pharmaceuticals peer Novartis on Tuesday will accelerate growth, provide cost savings and generate increased returns."We believe today's announcement is attractive, and the shares have responded positively as a result. The transaction will accelerate the group's strategy and substantially strengthens two of its core businesses. Jefferies has raised its target price for pharmaceuticals group Shire from 3,400p to 3,550p and kept a 'buy' rating, saying that the recent share-price weakness has presented an "attractive buying opportunity".The broker trimmed its estimates due to "sluggish" first-quarter ADHD prescriptions trends in the States, but still believes that group earnings will growth at a "robust" 13% rate over 2013-2018.Goldman Sachs has initiated coverage of Pets at Home (PAH) with a 'buy' rating, saying that it expects the company to grow sales and profit strongly over the next three years.It also applauded PAH's "multi-faceted growth strategy", which includes the aggressive increase in the penetration of veterinary and grooming services within its stores.BC