Shares of Swiss industrial conglomerate Georg Fischer rose 1% to 52.50 Swiss francs on Friday after Research Partners upgraded its rating to 'Kaufen' from 'Halten' and set a price target of 65 francs, implying 25% upside potential.
The upgrade follows similar actions by UBS and CFRA in recent weeks. CFRA initiated coverage with a 'Buy' rating in early August, while UBS had previously raised its recommendation. The stock surged 14% on July 17 following the release of Georg Fischer’s first-half results, after trading within a narrow range for months.
Georg Fischer reported solid first-half growth despite an ongoing restructuring phase. The company’s operating profit margin declined due to currency effects and underutilization in the first quarter, though management expects an improved second half. The restructuring concluded in early July with the sale of its aerospace precision casting unit, marking the final step in a multi-year corporate overhaul.
Chief Executive Andreas Müller emphasized the company’s focus on delivering stronger free cash flow, maintaining discipline, and growing across all segments. 'We need to demonstrate this by strengthening the desire of installers for our solutions,' Müller said in a July interview with cash.
