FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Once again, the automotive sector is captivating investors on Friday. The reason is the outlook for the coming year, because a few days after UBS, the analyst firm Jefferies is now also coming around the corner with a change in favorites from Mercedes-Benz to BMW. This had a noticeable impact on the shares, which rose by 1.4 percent in Tradegate trading compared to the Xetra close and fell by a good one percent.

Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois cited a better risk profile in terms of growth, customs prospects and CO2 compliance as the reason for the switch to BMW. In addition, spending at the Munich-based company had reached a high point this year, while Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, would first have to reposition itself and raise funds. There was a change of favorites on Tuesday from Patrick Hummel of UBS. He had cited the improved free cash inflow and the particularly attractive return prospects as reasons./tih/jha/