BUZZ-Babcock powers ahead, UK nuclear contract win stems slide

Babcock stages strong rebound in heavy volume & posts biggest single-day move higher since last May.

** Babcock, Flour named 2 lead bidders for 7 billion pound ($11.65 billion) contract to manage decommissioning of the UK's nuclear sites.

** Shares hit 3-month low last week following launch of rights offering to fund company's purchase of Avincis.

** Street is heavily tilted in favour of stock with 6 buys, 4 holds & lone sell.

** Goldman has Babcock on conviction buy list, a position it reiterated following Avincis news.

** Top (Taiwan OTC: 8419.TWO - news) -ranked Jefferies analyst estimates Babcock's nuclear revenue could quadruple to £1 billion in 4-5 years.

** Shares of rival bidders Atkins and Serco slightly weaker.

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