EUROPE RESEARCH ROUNDUP-Barclays, Ibstock, London Stock Exchange Aug 8 (Reuters) - Securities analysts revised their ratings and price targets on several European companies, including Barclays, Ibstock and London Stock Exchange, on Thursday. HIGHLIGHTS * Barclays BARC.L : HSBC raises target price to 310p from 290p * Ibstock IBST.L : Berenberg raises target price to 200p from 150p * London Stock Exchange LSEG.L : HSBC raises target price to 9,400p from 8,800p * Persimmon PSN.L : JP Morgan raises

Continental: in discussion with Volkswagen on Rivian joint venture Aug 7 (Reuters) - Continental CONG.DE is involved in discussions with Volkswagen and its software unit Cariad on how it could contribute to the carmaker's new joint venture with EV maker Rivian RIVN.O , Continental's Chief Executive said on Wednesday. "We are strongly there and more than happy to support with our platforms going forward...

Continental: focusing on boosting sales to Chinese customers BERLIN, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Continental CONG.DE is looking to raise the proportion of its sales in China to local customers, despite the Chinese market not growing as fast as previously thought, executives said on Wednesday. "We are focusing clearly on the Chinese OEMs," Chief Executive Nikolai Setzer said on a call with investors following second quarter results.

BUZZ-Continental rises on Q2 profit, margin beat ** Continental shares rise 3% in early Frankfurt trade after the German automotive supplier's Q2 results beat expectations ** Q2 adjusted EBIT came in at 704 million euros, up 40.6%. Its margin was 7.0%, above expectations of analysts polled by the company of 6.5% ** Although Continental lowered its 2024 outlook on weaker passenger car demand in Europe and North America, it was broadly in line with a consensus for the automotive sector, J.P.

UPDATE 4-Continental promises stronger second half as cost-cutting measures sink in Q2 profits up 40%, beating expectations Sales outlook lowered amid dampened demand Cost-cutting measures starting to take effect: CFO Shares up 5% Adds detail from investor call in paragraphs 1-4 By Victoria Waldersee and Andrey Sychev BERLIN, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Continental CONG.DE delivered better-than-expected results on Wednesday and said the second half of the year would be even stronger as cost-cutting and re