Skip Header
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.

Berenberg nudges up target price on Croda ahead of FY results

(Sharecast News) - Analysts at Berenberg raised their target on diversified chemicals business Croda from 50.0p to 52.0p on Friday, stating the group's results "should provide what the market has been looking for". Berenberg stated 2024 may be a year, initially at least, when Croda's share price temporarily uncouples from its earnings - to the upside - but noted there was likely to be, in its view, another round of cuts to a "stale" full-year 2024 underlying earnings consensus before its 2023 earnings on 27 February.

"The reasons for this are, in our view, the continued pressure on sales in agriculture and higher compensation expenses. We believe the company may guide for a modest decline in earnings yoy in 2024," said the analysts.

However, the German bank, which reiterated its 'buy' rating on the stock, added that Croda's results should show signs of "a gradual recovery" in consumer care volumes as consumer discretionary incomes improve.

"In an environment of falling discount rates, this may lead to a rally in the share price even against the backdrop of trims to earnings. Low leverage should also enable Croda to hold its FY23 dividend flat despite a decline in earnings," said Berenberg.

"The cuts to 2024 and 2025 EPS reflect higher assumed variable remuneration, reductions to which were (on our estimates) a circa £20.0m tailwind to 2023 EBIT. Shares trade on 25.6x 2025 P/E, below peer Givaudan on 29x."

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

Agronomics investee Solar Foods raises EUR 8m
(Sharecast News) - Cellular agriculture investor Agronomics announced on Friday that its portfolio company Solar Foods had raised an additional €8m through Finnish investment organiser Springvest.
Berenberg hikes target price on Greggs
(Sharecast News) - Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on bakery chain Greggs from 3,550.0p to 3,990.0p on Friday as it noted that customer appeal had broadened as its market share was expanding.
Thousands of UK firms fighting for survival - Begbies Traynor
(Sharecast News) - More than half a million UK business are fighting for survival, according to an industry research published on Friday, weighed down by the weak economy.
Thruvision FY24 adjusted underlying losses widen
(Sharecast News) - Security technology business Thruvision said on Friday that adjusted underlying losses had widened in FY24 as revenues fell.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.