M&S Sheds Label of Analysts’ Least-Favored U.K. Retailer 

(Bloomberg) --

Marks & Spencer Group Plc is no longer analysts’ least favorite British retailer.

RBC’s move to outperform on Tuesday -- the third broker upgrade in less than a week -- means that based on a score of consensus recommendations, M&S has pulled clear of Sports Direct International Plc, with whom it had shared the joint lowest-ranking in the FTSE 350 General Retailers index. The consensus -- a proxy for the ratio of buy, hold and sell ratings -- is now 2.58, the highest since July 2018.

RBC’s bullishness stems from M&S’s “price investment in high volume lines, less confusing promotional activity and stronger new innovation pipeline,” analyst Richard Chamberlain wrote in a note.

His move follows recent upgrades by Goldman Sachs, which cited improving customer opinions on the company’s womenswear range, and JPMorgan. Plenty remain skeptical, however, with a downgrade by Morningstar on Monday meaning the London-based clothing and food retailer still only has four buy ratings among 24 analysts.

After a year in which M&S fell out of the FTSE 100 index and the share price is down 13% even after a recent rally, the upgrades at least provide investors with some positive signs moving into 2020.

--With assistance from Sam Unsted and Lisa Pham.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ivan Edwards in London at iedwards16@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Beth Mellor at bmellor@bloomberg.net, Paul Jarvis

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