LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Deutsche Bank downgraded a host of UK retailers on Friday, saying the biggest debate right now is whether we are in the "calm before the storm" with regards the inflationary impact on consumer spending and retailer margins or whether we are creating a "storm in a teacup".
The bank said in a research note that "we may be at the trough of negative news flow".

"Consumer confidence has sequentially weakened from March, retail spending slowed in April and other than petrol pump prices inflation is yet to step up," it said. "However, this is not 2022 and retailers are better hedged on energy costs, supply chain disruption is limited, freight costs look manageable and the consumer shock appears less palpable."

Deutsche downgraded B&M European Value Retail and Wickes to 'sell' from 'hold' and Currys and Dunelm to 'hold' from 'buy'.

The price targets for B&M and Wickes were cut to 155p from 175p and to 165p from 235p, respectively. Deutsche trimmed its price target for Currys to 150p from 155p, while the Dunelm PT was slashed to 850p from 1,200p.

At 1245 BST, B&M shares were down 1.3% at 172.90p, while Wickes was 1.8% lower at 178.20p. Currys was 1.8% weaker at 149.10p and Dunelm shares were off 2.8% at 776.50p.

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