Brokers cut Lanxess to 'underperform' on debt-related risks and low outlook visibility
Adds Exane BNP Paribas' rating change, comments, share move
** German chemicals maker Lanxess LXSG.DE falls around 4% after Jefferies and Exane BNP Paribas downgrade the stock to "underperform" from "hold" on debt-related risks and low visibility on FY guidance
**The brokers note Lanxess' FY guidance is not de-risked as it's dependent on cyclical recovery in end markets with low visibility
** Even though Lanxess may demonstrate strong growth in Q2, BNP Paribas is concerned about sustainability of re-stocking cycle going into H2
**Although signs of demand recovery act as a short-term driver, Jefferies questionsif this boost will last, expecting its earnings recovery to at least lag peers
** BNP Paribas also expects negative free cash flow from higher working capital and financial costs as volumes return
** Jefferies says Lanxess' plan to sell its Urethane Systems business this year means selling cash generative assets from a position of financial necessity,
** The broker adds that the divestiture should provide some support, while BNP cites it as a "no silver bullet"
** The company's multi-year plan to upgrade its portfolio through divestments and M&A "does not appear to have shielded it (vs peers) from the extent of the cyclical downturn", Jefferies adds
** Shares in Lanxess fall to the bottom of German mid-cap index .MDAXI
($1 = 0.9205 euros)
Reporting by Amir Orusov
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