Berenberg Ups Poste Italiane Price Target, Estimates on Expected Higher Earnings, Dividends

06:56 AM EDT, 07/27/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Berenberg lifted its price target and forecasts for Poste Italiane (PST.MI), expecting the company's earnings to substantially increase on the back of its recently unveiled strategic measures alongside "strong" second-quarter results. The Italian parcel operator and services distribution network's revenue came in at 3.39 billion euros in the quarter, above the research firm's forecast of 3.36 billion euros, supported by higher insurance revenue, according to a note published Monday. "Poste said that there would be no reason not to raise its 2026 dividend above 2025's EUR1.25," the research firm wrote. "On a standalone basis, excluding the acquisition of Telecom Italia [TIT.MI], we raise our forecast 2028E EBIT for Poste Italiane from EUR3.7bn to EUR3.9bn due to the benefit of higher interest rates for net interest income (NII) at BancoPosta and also due to the benefit of the strategic measures announced at Poste's strategic update on 24 July. These strategic measures include an uplift in the Postal Savings revenue agreement from cEUR1.8bn to cEUR1.9bn pa and also the cEUR20m benefit to NII of merging the payments part of Postepay into BancoPosta, a measure which Poste calls 'Phase 1' of its reorganisation of its Financial Services unit." Net income and adjusted EPS estimates for 2026 were lifted by 3.1% and 3.2%, respectively. For 2027 and 2028, the projections for both metrics were also increased. As such, the price target was raised to 32.90 euros from 30.10 euros, while the stock's buy rating was maintained.