Today, Deutsche Bank adjusted its target price for brick manufacturer Ibstock from 170.0p to 150.0p following the company's third-quarter trading update. The bank's decision was driven by a challenging market backdrop reflected in a 30% reduction in domestic brick deliveries year-to-date, particularly in the new build residential sector.
Despite the unchanged pre-tax profit forecasts for this year, Deutsche Bank made significant downward revisions for its 2024 and 2025 forecasts. The bank now expects £51.0m pre-tax profits for 2024, a substantial decrease from its previous £81.0m estimate, and £57.0m for 2025, down from an initial forecast of £87.0m. Meanwhile, the 2023E pre-tax profit forecast remains steady at around £72.0m.
These changes are primarily due to lower volume assumptions and few signs of recovery in the new build residential sector. Despite the revised forecasts, Deutsche Bank maintains a 'hold' rating on Ibstock's stock.
In related news, despite Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY)'s constrained near-term net interest income outlook and a 130 basis point increase in retail savings balances (now 64.6% of retail deposits), Berenberg continues to hold its 'hold' rating and a 58.0p target price on Lloyds' stock. The bank's strong capital generation, a 14.6% common equity tier 1 ratio, hedge assets reinvestment, and improved mortgage pricing and volumes are expected to offset these challenges, particularly with little or no further Bank of England interest rate hikes anticipated.
Berenberg also predicts a 13% average total annual yield for Lloyds over the next three years and currently favors Barclays and NatWest as investment options.
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