UBS downgrades Premier Investments

March 22, 2010

UBS has downgraded Premier Investments (NEUTRAL, price target $9.00) despite a positive view on the company’s medium term prospects. The broker neutralised its view based on recent share price strength on short term operating headwinds.

In a note on the company’s first half results, UBS says apparel trading conditions were likely to remain difficult in the second half of the year, particularly given the company is cycling a comparable period that benefited from government stimulus.

This is a view shared by Citi (HOLD, price target $8.80). Citi goes on to say that historically PMV’s PE ratio has a strong correlation with movements in like-for-like sales, which suggests a weak share performance as the company faces operating headwinds over the second half of the year.

However, UBS says that over the medium term, the company remains strategically positioned with a strong balance sheet that it could deploy by licensing an international brand and rolling out new stores. Alternatively the group could acquire a small to mid sized retailer.

Also focusing on the PMV’s balance sheet, Goldman Sachs JBWere (BUY, price target $10.40) says an acquisition of capital management initiative is necessary to drive a share price re-rating. The broker expects this to occur over the next 6 to 12 months.

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UBS downgrades Premier Investments

March 22, 2010

UBS has downgraded Premier Investments (NEUTRAL, price target $9.00) despite a positive view on the company’s medium term prospects. The broker neutralised its view based on recent share price strength on short term operating headwinds.

In a note on the company’s first half results, UBS says apparel trading conditions were likely to remain difficult in the second half of the year, particularly given the company is cycling a comparable period that benefited from government stimulus.

This is a view shared by Citi (HOLD, price target $8.80). Citi goes on to say that historically PMV’s PE ratio has a strong correlation with movements in like-for-like sales, which suggests a weak share performance as the company faces operating headwinds over the second half of the year.

However, UBS says that over the medium term, the company remains strategically positioned with a strong balance sheet that it could deploy by licensing an international brand and rolling out new stores. Alternatively the group could acquire a small to mid sized retailer.

Also focusing on the PMV’s balance sheet, Goldman Sachs JBWere (BUY, price target $10.40) says an acquisition of capital management initiative is necessary to drive a share price re-rating. The broker expects this to occur over the next 6 to 12 months.

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