08:18 AM EDT, 05/14/2026 (MT Newswires) -- RBC Capital Markets lowered its rating on Intertek Group (ITRK.L) to sector perform from outperform, after the company's board stated it "would be minded to recommend"EQT's (EQT.ST) sweetened final takeover proposal after previously rejecting the latter's three offers.

"The strategic review announced by ITRK on April 14th has made a sale or breakup of the Intertek portfolio a live possibility. We see preserving the status quo as the least likely outcome of the review and think that a take-private, trade sale or demerger of the 'Energy &Infrastructure'(E&I) assets all potentially have their merits, though we see a trade sale to a listed player as a lower probability given the heightened geopolitical uncertainty at present,"the research firm said Wednesday.

EQT's latest offer to Intertek shareholders amounted to 60 pounds sterling per share in cash, after the British quality assurance provider rejected its earlier bids of 58 pounds per share, 54 pounds per share, and 51.50 pounds per share. RBC believes Intertek shareholders would vote in favor of the latest proposal if EQT moves to make a firm offer.

"Since we cannot be certain that a firm offer will follow the confirmatory due diligence set to occur through the PUSU period (likely now extended to 11th June), we lower our rating to Sector Perform,"analysts noted.

The stock's price target stands at 58.50 pounds.