Babcock International PLC (LSE:BAB) is set up to beat expectations, that's according to RBC, which lifted its price target to 1,280p after meeting management and reviewing what it calls a “needle-moving” combination of solid H1 results, a strong order pipeline and flexible capital allocation options. Analysts at the Canadian bank, in a note, repeated an 'Outperform' rating and nudged earnings estimates around 2% higher, leaving forecasts slightly ahead of consensus.
Shares in defence stocks such as Babcock International PLC (LSE:BAB) and BAE Systems PLC (LSE:BA.) led the FTSE fallers on Monday, as Israel and Hamas exchange hostages under the new ceasefire agreement, lowering tensions in the Middle East.
Babcock International PLC (LSE:BAB) shares fell from the all-time high reached earlier in the week after the defence contractor said trading in the first five months of its financial year had been "encouraging", with organic revenue growth and underlying operating margin progress in line with board expectations. The FTSE 100-listed group kept its full-year outlook unchanged, having upgraded its medium-term guidance in June.
Babcock International PLC (LSE:BAB) shares were lifted almost 3% to 884.8p, the highest since summer 2017, as a host of banks and brokers warmed to its Cavendish Nuclear business. JPMorgan analyst David Perry raised his share price target to £11 from £10 as he said the next five years "look very exciting.
Melrose Industries PLC (LSE:MRO, OTC:MLSPF) and Babcock International PLC (LSE:BAB) shares both dropped 8% in early Monday trading, as fears of a global recession triggered by President Trump's sweeping tariffs sent shockwaves through industrial stocks. The two engineering groups, which export a significant share of their output, are particularly exposed to disruptions in global trade and investment.
Shares in BAE Systems PLC (LSE:BA.) and Babcock International PLC (LSE:BAB) fell 4.5% and 7.2% in Monday morning trading as stock markets continued to react to US tariffs imposted by Donald Trump, reactions from other countries and what the economic fallout could be.
BAE Systems PLC (LSE:BA.) and Babcock International PLC (LSE:BAB) are expected to benefit from a sharp rise in UK defence spending, according to Panmure Liberum.
JPMorgan analysts have highlighted further upside at the likes of BAE Systems PLC (LSE:BA.) and Babcock International PLC (LSE:BAB) as Europe plays catch up in its efforts to rearm.