…and some to sell

Debenhams Sharecast

Berenberg has downgraded Debenhams, fearing the retailer faces fierce competition – and is “severely structurally challenged” by long leases, which are restricting a big move online. Target price 46p. Sell. 52.78p.

Intu Properties Shares

The UK’S biggest shopping centre owner, Intu, has raised its dividend. But this show of faith is at odds with consumer uncertainty and rising business rates. Jefferies rates it “underperform”, reiterating its 229p target. Sell. 290p.

Melrose Industries The Times

Melrose buys, improves and sells firms, and has an excellent record. Big successes with metering firm Elster and security business Nortek bode well. Shares have soared: a good time to take some profits. Sell. 241.5p.

Pearson Investors Chronicle

The educational publisher has suffered a major profit warning and “woeful” results. Squeezed demand in the US amid the rise in digital education has hammered sales, along with regulatory changes in the US and UK. Sell. 687p.

Standard Chartered Shares

The emerging markets-focused bank has crept back into profit after suffering its first loss in more than 25 years in 2015. But the $1.1bn profits were below expectations, and the private equity unit is proving troublesome. Too many uncertainties. Sell. 725p.

Virgin Money The Times

The bank is grabbing credit card market share with enticing interest-free periods for borrowers: lending grew by 55% to £2.4bn last year. But “breakneck lending sprees can end in tears”. Sell. 327p.