Kesa Electricals, which owns UK chain Comet, posted first-quarter figures last week.

Comet recorded a 4.3% like-for-like rise, although analysts were concerned about its gross margin, and the group posted total sales growth of 8.2%, helped by World Cup demand.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch prefers Kesa over rival Dixons and increased its price target from 135p to 143p. The broker said Kesa’s discount to Dixons was “unjustified, given Kesa’s better risk/reward profile and stronger balance sheet”.

Oriel prefers Dixons, but upgraded Kesa to hold from reduce, encouraged by the performance of French chain Darty.

Investec stuck to its hold recommendation but “remained sceptical” about prospects for profit recovery at Comet, noting: “Broad-brush market share objectives, rather than specific measures, do little to dispel our scepticism.”

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