FIRSTGROUP

P 176 174 172 170 68 172 17 May 166 13 May 14 May 15 May 16 May 17 May

Firstgroup has submitted an application for a new open-access rail service between Rochdale and London. It estimates this will provide 1.6m people in the northwest with a "convenient and competitively priced direct rail service". Analysts at Peel Hunt this was a "positive development" although it was "unlikely to have a material impact on our forecasts". They rated it a 'Buy' with a target price of 200p.

RANK 94

P 92 90 88 86 84 94.8 17 May 82 13 May 14 May 15 May 16 May 17 May

Casino operator Rank was given some certainty over long-term investment in casinos after the government allowed it to increase the number of gaming machines per casino. Analysts at Peel Hunt said realising the potential upside will take time but said they were "confident that the initial payback will encourage investors". They rated it 'Buy' with a target price of 100p.

(c) 2024 City A.M., source Newspaper