Morgan Stanley lifts Berkeley Group rating to Equalweight

Published 06/05/2025, 16:34
Morgan Stanley lifts Berkeley Group rating to Equalweight

On Tuesday, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) analysts adjusted their stance on Berkeley Group (OTC:BKGFY) Holdings Plc (BKG:LN) (OTC:BKGFF), upgrading the stock from Underweight to Equalweight and raising the price target to GBP45.50 from GBP42.00. The revision reflects a more favorable outlook on the company’s risk profile and market conditions.

Berkeley Group, known for its premium building status and possessing the highest average selling price among its peers, has been recognized by Morgan Stanley for its well-run operations and experienced management team. The analysts noted that the company has lower leverage to the volume recovery compared to its peers, which tend to have a greater focus on first-time buyers and regions anticipated to see higher house price growth.

The upgrade to Equalweight was prompted by the belief that there is limited downside risk for Berkeley Group. The analysts anticipate improvements in affordability and planning conditions that could provide a better backdrop for the company. However, they also pointed out that relative outperformance is likely to be found elsewhere in the sector.

In terms of valuation, Morgan Stanley remarked that Berkeley Group appears inexpensive at 1.1 times price-to-book (P/B) value compared to its long-term average of 1.6 times. Nonetheless, the analysts expressed the view that the current valuation adequately reflects a more muted earnings growth outlook for Berkeley Group, especially when contrasted with peers that have more operational leverage.

This adjustment by Morgan Stanley suggests a neutral perspective on Berkeley Group’s stock, indicating a shift from the previous concern over the company’s potential performance. With the updated price target, investors now have a new benchmark to consider when evaluating the stock’s future trajectory.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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