City Pub Group has enjoyed a 14 per cent boost in like-for-like sales in the first six months of trading this year - with a bounce in business continuing into July and August despite the disappointing summer weather. Trade is in line with expectations and Christmas bookings are ahead of where they were last year. Peel Hunt has maintained its 'buy' stance, with a target price of 130p per share.

DFS has held its forecasts despite challenging conditions. Like-for-like sales are in positive territory and the sofa giant continues to win market share. Peel Hunt is bullish over the sector's recovery. It warns that shareholders are "paying too much attention to the current consumer malaise and not enough to the long-term potential here, which is vast". The investment group believes shares deserve a "much higher" rating - with a target price of 200p per share.

(c) 2023 City A.M., source Newspaper