FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Investors increasingly focused on Bechtle on Thursday following a buy recommendation from Berenberg Bank. After the private bank raised its recommendation from "hold" to "buy", the IT service provider's share price rose by almost five percent. The share was thus the fourth-largest winner in the MDax. With a price target that was raised from 41 to 57 euros, the new analyst Nicole Winkler promises 17.5 percent more potential.

The expert argued that the market leader among German IT service providers for small and medium-sized companies is not only growing at an above-average rate, but also offers profitability above the sector average. She expects Bechtle to continue to achieve this. Bechtle sets itself apart from the competition with its focus on SMEs and its close-knit network of locations, which enables it to be close to its customers. Bechtle is also taking part in the consolidation of the industry with global ambitions.

Meanwhile, the shares of competitor Cancom remain rated neutral with "Hold" by Winkler. They rose by 0.9 percent in the environment of the generally very strong technology sector./tih/jha