Marks & Spencer Stock: Deutsche Bank Lowers Price Target, Retains Buy Rating

The Marks & Spencer (LON:MKS) share price target was cut by analysts at Deutsche Bank in a recent note to clients. However, the firm maintained a ‘Buy' rating on MKS, signaling continued confidence in the retailer's long-term prospects.

This revision reflects a more cautious outlook on the broader UK consumer market.

Deutsche Bank has adjusted its price target for Marks & Spencer from 450p to 435p. This adjustment comes amid concerns about declining real wage growth and rising unemployment in the UK, factors expected to dampen consumer spending. The revised target is said to reflect a tempered, yet still positive, view on the company's potential.

Marks & Spencer shares have declined 5.9% this year after an almost 6% decline in the last three months.

The move by Deutsche Bank is part of a broader reassessment of UK retail stocks. Earlier this week, the bank downgraded Wickes and Associated British Foods (ABF) to ‘Sell' from ‘Hold' while also lowering its rating for Kingfisher to ‘Hold' from ‘Buy.'

Other financial institutions have also weighed in on Marks & Spencer. Earlier this month, Barclays reduced its target for MKS to 430p from 445p, while maintaining an ‘Overweight' rating. RBC Capital lowered its target for the stock to 400p from 420p in July, retaining an ‘Outperform' rating. In June, Citi analysts raised their target for MKS to 380p from 370p, maintaining a cautious ‘Neutral' rating on the stock.

The consensus among analysts reveals a mixed outlook. While Marks & Spencer has demonstrated resilience and growth in its primary sectors, macroeconomic headwinds are causing some to adopt a more conservative stance.