LONDON (ShareCast) - Investec has downgraded its rating for drinks giant SABMiller from 'buy' to 'hold' after the recent outperformance in the shares.

"SAB has been a strong performer in a UK consumer staples universe that has run hard over the last few months. Though we remain supporters of the medium-term growth narrative, we view this as an appropriate point to move to the side-lines," Investec said on Tuesday morning.

Despite the downgrade, the broker has raised its target price from 2,680p to 2,720p.

Peel Hunt has retained its 'hold' recommendation and 230p target price for wireless technology and computer chip group CSR after the company's disposal of its handset business to Samsung.

"The company’s cost base will reduce by around $10m in 2013 compared to our forecasts, taking guidance at the mid-point. From 2014 onwards, handset revenues will clearly need to be replaced by sales from other divisions," said analyst Alex Jarvis.

The broker said that the move is "sensible" due to CSR's inability to compete long term in this market. The disposal also completes the process of refocusing on platforms in non-handset markets.

Jefferies has downgraded its recommendation for Borders and Southern from 'buy' to 'hold' and slashed its target price for the stock following yesterday's news that the Stebbing exploration prospect was unsuccessful.

Jefferies says that the key focus for the company now is its Darwin prospect: "the Darwin result opens up the South Falkland Basin by proving a working petroleum system. However, commerciality will depend on the liquids content of the gas/condensate (currently unknown) and whether a more liquids-prone area can be found.

The new target price is set at just 20p, a 40% discount to the broker's risked sum of the parts valuation due to the significant uncertainty surrounding Darwin and likely financing requirements.

BC

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