Broker tips: SSE, Flutter Entertainment

(Sharecast News) - Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on bookmaker Flutter Entertainment from 18,800.0p to 20,300.0p on Friday as it updated its estimates for the group's mid-term targets. Berenberg said Flutter Entertainment did not make its ascent into being a global leader in sports betting and iGaming without having to pass over some hurdles.

"Early implementation of enhanced due diligence measures in the UK, transformational acquisitions as well as a period of high leverage have all been bear points over the years, but Flutter has passed over them successfully," said Berenberg.

Looking ahead, the German bank reckons Flutter has well-positioned itself to continue to deliver solid growth, maintain its market-leading position and achieve its mid-term growth ambitions.

Citi downgraded SSE to 'sell' on Friday as it cited concerns about the deployment of its offshore wind fleet.

"SSE has an attractive set of networks and renewable assets," the bank said. "However, we are increasingly concerned around the deployment of its offshore wind fleet and see risks of further delays, which could impact EPS and/or returns.

"With our more cautious view on long-term gas (and therefore power) prices, we also see downside risk to merchant earnings, which continue to account for 50% of the renewable output."

Citi noted that together with thermal volumes, merchant exposure is about 15% of group EBIT.

"As a result, we see downside risk to 2026/07 consensus EPS," it said. "Longer term, we question the ability of SSE's balance sheet to fund its planned growth and affordability of UK energy bills without a correction in commodity prices or further policy intervention."