-- Eni (ENI.MI) logged a weaker-than-expected first quarter but guided for improved conditions for the full year, which Berenberg dissected in a note published Wednesday.
The Italian oil and gas company is rated hold with a price target of 22 euros.
The research firm noted that first-quarter adjusted EBIT was 11% lower than consensus, while the 20% jump in full-year operating cash flow expectations and a 90% surge in its share buyback guidance were supported by higher commodity prices.
However, expected lower results from Eni's downstream and global gas and LNG portfolio prompted analysts to cut their adjusted EPS projection for 2026 by 0.9%, and raise it by 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively, for 2027 and 2028.
"Eni has had an exceptional start to the year from an exploration standpoint ... Shareholder returns remain attractive, in our view, with a dividend yield of 4.4% and a buyback of around 4.2%, but after exceptional recent performance, we see better value elsewhere in the sector," analysts said.