Morgan Stanley upgrades Haleon on sector leading exposure to defensive product categories

(Sharecast News) - Analysts at Morgan Stanley upgraded their recommendation for shares of consumer healthcare outfit Haleon. To back up their move, they pointed to the company's leading exposure in defensive categories, as well as the now greater clarity on margin expansion.

Hence, the analysts said that they now saw a path towards a high single digit compound annual growth rate for its earnings per share between 2026-30 - which was ahead of its sector peers.

Combined with the uncertain macroeconomic backdrop, they judged the company's shares to be an "attractive defensive play".

They also hiked their target price for the shares from 400.0p to 425.0p.