(Updates)
** Shares of AI server maker Hewlett Packard Enterprise
HPE.N up as much as 6.4% at $20.09; highest since July this
year
** Barclays upgrades HPE to "overweight" from "equal
weight", citing persistent growth in its AI sever revenues and
improvement in storage
** HPE boasts a slightly higher gross margin on AI servers
than its peers - Barclays
** Brokerage raises stock's PT to $24 from $20, says HPE "is
the best way" to invest in an enterprise hardware recovery as
most other players have some AI-related premium
** Sees 13% accretion from takeover of networking gear maker
Juniper Networks JNPR.N ; brokerage says combined with HPE
assets, including Aruba Networks, can lead to share gains
** Seven of 17 brokerages rate HPE stock "buy" or "higher"
and 10 "hold"; their median PT is $21 - LSEG data
** Including session moves, HPE stock up nearly 17% YTD
(Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru)
((AnujaBharat.Mistry@thomsonreuters.com;))