Morningstar's Latest Equity Research

Over a dozen new equity research reports have been issued this month from Morningstar's team of analysts

Alanna Petroff 8 May, 2012 | 4:58PM
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Since the month of May began, Morningstar equity analysts have written new research reports for over a dozen FTSE 350 companies. Click on the company name below to read our analysts’ take on the latest news, earnings, mergers and acquisitions, or CEO departures. Click on the company ticker symbol to see detailed company and stock price information.

Banking Sector:
- HSBC Holdings (HSBA)
- Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY)
- Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
- Standard Chartered (STAN)

Morningstar banking analyst Erin Davis points out that not all banks are created equal, with some on sounder footing than others. Currently, she believes that Standard Chartered is a solid, well-run bank that will allow investors to capitalise on growth in emerging markets. She also believes this bank is being somewhat undervalued by the markets.

To learn more about UK and European bank earnings results from the week of April 30, watch “The Weekly Wrap: Banks and BP”.

Energy:
- BG Group (BG.)
- BP (BP.)

Morningstar analyst Stephen Simko outlines his view on BP after poring over the company’s latest quarterly earnings: “Although BP's first-quarter results were somewhat weak ... this is simply short-term noise and does not reflect the company's long-term recovery story. To us, the road to recovery for BP is still on track, although it's a road filled with uncertainty (relating to the ultimate cost of fines and lawsuits) and no or negative growth (due to asset sales).”

"Sin" Stocks:
- Diageo (DGE)
- Imperial Tobacco Group (IMT)
- SABMiller (SAB)

In addition to analyst research, we also offer readers insights from Rodney Hobson, Morningstar’s ever-popular columnist. In his latest column called “Shareholders Unite and Revolt” he discusses the potential benefits of investing in ‘sin stocks’ such as Diageo.

Consumer-Focused Companies:
- WM Morrison Supermarkets (WRM)
- Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB.)
- Rexam (REX)

Morningstar analysts point out that Morrison Supermarkets is taking a different strategic route from its competitors, and that has impacted sales. “In contrast to nearly all the other grocery operators in Great Britain, Morrison Supermarkets refused to drive market share gains at the expense of margins. As result, like-for-like sales in the first quarter came in at negative 1%, excluding fuel sales. That was the first like-for-like decline in many quarters.” Meanwhile, analysts are still not changing their fair value estimate for the company, which is slightly above the current market value. 

Media:
- British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSY)

Morningstar’s ever-popular columnist Rodney Hobson discusses his personal views about investing in BSkyB in “Shareholders Unite and Revolt”.

Technology:
- The Sage Group (SGE)

Support Services:
- Capita (CPI)

Healthcare:
- Smith & Nephew (SN.)

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

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About Author

Alanna Petroff

Alanna Petroff  is a financial journalist with Morningstar UK.

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