Berenberg slightly lowerrs target price on BP

(Sharecast News) - Analysts at Berenberg slightly lowered their target price on energy giant BP from 525p to 520p on Friday, following the group's fourth quarter trading update on 14 January. Berenberg said trading update highlighted "material impairments" in Q4, a higher tax rate expected for FY25 and lower net debt helped by $3.5bn of divestments in the period.

"We lower our earnings forecasts following the release and trim our price target to 520p," said Berenberg. "The main positive, in our view, is that the decline in net debt at the mid-point of the guidance is roughly equal to divestment proceeds for the quarter, suggesting that the company covered dividends and buybacks in Q4 from organic cash flow."

The German bank reduced its earnings per share estimates by 4% and 9% for FY25 and FY26, respectively,, driven by lower GLC earnings assumed, combined with a higher tax rate and non-controlling interest assumed.

Berenberg reiterated its 'buy' rating on the stock.





Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com