** Citi ups Swiss investment management firm Partners Group PGHN.S to "buy" from "neutral", citing strategic progress in 2025 and future growth prospects
** The group expanded the number of distribution partners and started raising capital for its seven new wealth-focused evergreen funds, the broker says
** These steps "should all lay the foundations for future growth and ensure Partners remains ahead of (European) peers on wealth offering/distribution," Citi says
** Citi says the stock should benefit from any cyclical recovery in capital markets activity, also expecting evergreens to once again become the main growth engine
** The broker expects FY results and the upcoming CMD to reassure on the growth outlook, particularly from more recent strategic partnerships
** Out of 16 analysts that cover Partners Group, eight rate the stock "strong buy"/"buy", six rate it "hold" and two rate it "sell" - LSEG data
(Reporting by Amir Orusov)
((Amir.orusov@thomsonreuters.com))