BUZZ-Whitbread: hits record as brokers get behind stock

** Hotel & coffee shop operator Whitbread (LSE: WTB.L - news) , which recently issued robust trading statement, hits all-time high as both Deutsche Bank (Xetra: 514000 - news) & UBS upgrade ratings on stock

** Deutsche Bank upgrades stock to "buy" vs "hold" & ramps TP up to 6,000p vs 4,600p ahead of a growth update from co DB expects in April 2015 & describes as a "catalyst event"

** Broker says Whitbread's consistent performance (double-digit CAGR up & down P&L over past 7 yrs) inspires confidence, flags economic backdrop likely to be more benign over next 5 yrs

** UBS (NYSEArca: FBGX - news) 's rating moves to "neutral" vs "sell"; notes RevPAR growth surprised positively (9% in FY15). While it expects growth to moderate, says continuation of current trend would lead to consensus upgrades

** Says Costa could trade at premium to Starbucks (Swiss: SBUX.SW - news) - if returns keep improving & growth outlook remains as attractive as it is now (Costa at earlier stage in its growth, with its international business still unprofitable (but with potential))

** Whitbread, up 2.4 pct, easily top FTSE 100 riser, & among most actively traded stocks on index (RM (LSE: RM.L - news) : tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)