MS forecasts softer European oil & gas markets, favours Eni over peers
** Morgan Stanley forecasts a softer outlook for the European energy sector, favouring Eni ENI.MI, while expressing concern for Equinor EQNR.OL and Galp Energia GALP.LS, both downgraded to 'underweight'
** The broker sees downside risks due to weakening oil and gas markets, maxed out share buybacks and no bargain investment opportunities
** "Crude oil markets are tight now but likely to soften after 3Q as seasonal demand strength wanes and both OPEC and non-OPEC production growth resumes," says the broker in a note
** Morgan Stanley cuts Equinor over gas price sensitivity and waning distributions, and Galp due to financial strain and overvalued Mopane discovery in Namibia
** It also cuts Repsol REP.MC to "underweight" due to weak refining margins, subdued oil and gas prices and lack of immediate growth triggers
** It raises Eni, from "equal-weight" to "overweight", due to fast debt reduction from asset sales, ability to maintain dividends despite market conditions and attractive valuation against peers
** The broker keeps "overweight" for TotalEnergies TTEF.PA, highlighting the company's superior resilience in a softer market environment
Reporting by Jesus Calero
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
