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Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

RBC Capital cuts Beazley price target after results

(Sharecast News) - RBC Capital Markets cut its price target on Beazley on Thursday to 1,000p from 1,125p on lower forecasts, following the company's first-half results a day earlier. "The impact of 2% more caution on the combined ratio and 2% lower annual top-line growth gives low teen underlying cuts to outyear earnings, reflecting the high operational gearing as competition increases and margins normalise," RBC said.

"M&A could underpin organic growth that is becoming harder to achieve, potentially at a marginal cost to tangible NAV.

"Strong starting solvency underpins an unchanged view of $500m annual buybacks for total capital return of 11% on a 12-month view, which should provide good support to the shares."

The bank said its price target was being reduced with lower forecasts, equating to 1.65x book for 17.5% average adjusted return on equity.

On Wednesday, Beazley posted a drop in first-half profit and cut its full-year premium growth guidance to low to mid-single digit, from mid-single digits in April.

RBC Capital maintained its 'outperform' rating on the stock.

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