UBS has raised its rating for precious metals miner Polymetal from 'neutral' to 'buy' and hiked its price target for the stock from 1,170p to 1,300p, saying that it's 'a golden time to buy'.

"We think that now is the right moment to use weakness in the stock price as potential merger with Polyus Gold may be a strong driver."

Investec has initiated coverage of healthcare services provide United Drug with a 'sell' rating and 240p target price, labelling the group's recent share price rise as 'artificial'.

"United Drug's share price has risen by c.60% since it announced its intention to seek a sole Premium Listing in the UK. We think this news, and not business fundamentals, has artificially driven up the share price."

Panmure Gordon has reiterated its 'sell' rating for pubs group Mitchells & Butlers ahead of the company's first-quarter trading statement next week.

The broker expects M&B to have traded "solidly" over the Christmas and New Year period but said that it would have continued to lag the peer group in terms of like-for-like (LFL) sales growth.

The broker has a 225p target price for the stock, implying a downside potential of around 27% from today's prices.

BC

Related share prices
United Drug (UDG) share price
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) share price
Polymetal International (POLY) share price