FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Thanks not least to a study by major Swiss bank UBS, Fresenius shares continued their recovery on Friday and climbed to their highest level since mid-July 2022. In the morning, they gained 2.2 percent to 28.82 euros and were thus the top value in the Dax. On the one hand, it was supported by the fact that, in view of the nervousness ahead of the U.S. labor market report, defensive stocks, i.e. less cyclically sensitive shares, such as those of the hospital operator and healthcare specialist, were in demand. On the other hand, UBS analyst Graham Doyle was positive about the stock.

Doyle highlighted first and foremost the opportunities offered by the infusion subsidiary Kabi and its strategic possibilities, raised his price target for the share by two euros to 32.50 euros and reiterated his "buy" recommendation. Kabi, he said, is far more than just a division of generic injectables and should benefit from more sustainable growth drivers in the future. He pointed to businesses such as nutrition, plasmapheresis and cell therapy and the biosimilars business.

The Fresenius share has already gained almost ten percent since the beginning of the new year, although it had lost about a quarter of its value in 2022./ck/jha/