Berenberg reiterates 'buy' rating on WH Smith.


Analysts at Berenberg reiterated their 'buy' rating and 1,600.0p target price on retailer WH Smith on Monday as it said the group's potential high street exit looked "sensible".

  • WH Smith
  • 03 March 2025 14:59:44
WH Smith

Source: Sharecast

Berenberg said WH Smith was "well positioned" to benefit from structural growth trends in the global travel concession market, in its view, noting that airport passenger volume growth, as well as continued product category expansion and higher average transaction values, should be "supportive". It also reckons that the opportunity for further tender wins, particularly in North America, also remains "vast".

"On 25 January, press reports stated that WH Smith was exploring a potential sale of its UK high street business as part of a strategic review," noted the German bank. "Given the structural decline of the division, we view this move as positive – removing an overhang from the investment case and potentially driving a re-rating of the earnings multiple."

Berenberg said its analysis implied the division could be worth £120.0m-190.0m and stated that with this cash available to WH Smith, it could then further invest into its higher-growth travel division.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com


Exchange: London Stock Exchange
Sell:
0.00
Buy:
0.00
Change: 74.87 ( 0.38 %)
Date:
Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes

Compare our accounts

If you're looking to grow your money over the longer term (5+ years), we have a range of investment choices to help.

Halifax is not responsible for the content and accuracy of the Markets News articles. We may not share the views of the author. Understand the risks, please remember the value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invest. We don't provide advice so if you are in any doubt about buying and selling shares or making your own investment decisions we recommend you seek advice from a suitably qualified Financial Advisor. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.