Broker tips: Antofagasta, Direct Line, Supermarkets

Shares in copper miner Antofagasta were continuing their recent upward trend on Friday after analysts at both Morgan Stanley and UBS cited a lack of near-term negative catalysts.Morgan Stanley upgraded its rating on the stock from 'underweight' to 'equalweight', saying that "negative catalysts [have] played out". UBS analysts also gave sentiment a boost after removing Antofagasta from their "Least Preferred" list, saying that strong copper and molybdenum prices, along with a weaker Chilean peso, "could underpin first-half results".Citigroup has upped its rating for Direct Line from 'neutral' to 'buy', saying it sees "significant upside" from further cost reductions at the insurance group. The bank has hiked its target price for the stock from 244p to 306p."We think Direct Line can increasingly use its market-leading position as a competitive advantage in terms of pricing, claims and cost efficiency," Citi said.Shore Capital has repeated its preference for discount retail stocks over incumbent superstore operators after research showed that the Convenience, Discount and Online (CDO) channels will drive growth in the UK grocery market over the next five years.The broker said that Convenience "represents a financially less rewarding channel compared to historic supermarkets", while picking and fulfilment costs associated with Online mean the segment is "less profitable activity and cannibalistic too".BC