Bernstein analyst Richard Clarke has maintained their neutral stance on IHG stock, giving a Hold rating yesterday.
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Richard Clarke has given his Hold rating due to a combination of factors impacting InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) financial performance and outlook. Despite a solid quarter with stronger-than-expected top-line growth and EBIT performance, IHG’s stock faced a decline due to higher-than-anticipated finance costs and the ongoing need for significant capital contributions, known as key money, which has raised concerns among investors.
Additionally, while IHG’s capital returns are set to increase, the company’s premium valuation compared to competitors like Marriott is seen as unjustified given its expected lag in key growth metrics such as Net Unit Growth (NUG) and Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR). These factors combined suggest a balanced outlook, with potential for future growth but also significant hurdles, leading Clarke to adopt a cautious stance and maintain a Hold rating.
In another report released yesterday, Jefferies also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a £95.00 price target.