Broker tips: Micro Focus, Persimmon, H&T

Following Monday's announcement that signalled the end to bid talks at legacy software firm Micro Focus International, Swiss investment bank UBS has slashed its target price on the stock from 450p to 380p.The broker's previous target price was calculated using an EV/NOPAT multiple of 12 (EV/NOPAT: enterprise value divided by net operating profit after tax). However, "we move to a 10x from 12x multiple until evidence of Micro Focus's ability to grow is re-established," said analysts Michael Briest and Chris Grundberg.Nevertheless, a buy rating was kept. Prime Markets says that the dividend boost at house-builder Persimmon should support a break higher in the shares and reiterates its buy recommendation on the stock."Housebuilder Persimmon has today produced a sterling set of numbers, offsetting a revenue fall with a profits boost while reducing net finance costs and net borrowings," said head of dealing at Prime Markets, Richard Curr.The broker expects shares to pick up to 413p in the coming seven to ten days.FinnCap says that H&T Group has made good progress in its core areas, and reiterates its buy rating on the pawnbroker."This pattern of events follows 2010, and gold price-related profit upgrades will no doubt follow," said analyst Duncan Hall.The target price of 450p is left in place.BC Persimmon