Barclays lifts Aedifica to 'overweight' on growth strategy

** Barclays upgrades Belgian healthcare real estate company Aedifica AED to 'overweight' from 'underweight', citing its return to a growth strategy

** "We support Aedifica's return to a growth strategy," the brokerage says

** Barclays increases forecasts, including more acquisitions, lifting 5-year EPS compound annual growth rate to 0.9% from 0.3%

** The analysts note that a possible merger with Cofinimmo COFB could further boost EPS growth and enhance company relevance

** "The combined entity would be more liquid and relevant, enabling easier conversations with US-based investors, who up until now have been largely unfamiliar with the company", write analysts in a note

** They raise price target by 23% to EUR 74, highlighting attractive earnings yield and defensive income stream

** Out of 15 analysts that cover Aedifica, nine rate the stock "strong buy" or "buy," and six rate it "hold"