The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Aug. 31, edition that ATB Capital Markets analyst Chris Murray has reaffirmed his "sector perform" recommendation for WSP Global. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Murray gave his share target a $5 boost to $175. Analysts on average target the shares at $181.62. Mr. Murray expects WSP's proposed $975-million acquisition of consulting firm RPS Group PLC, announced on Aug. 5, to expand its "environmental capabilities globally while moving the company another step closer to delivering on its 2022 to 2024 strategic plan." Mr. Murray says the transaction appears "less accretive than prior deals." Mr. Murray says in a note: "The proposed transaction is expected to add 5,000 employees and further strengthens WSP's environmental franchise, primarily in the U.K. and Australia, while increasing the company's exposure to consultancy type revenue, which remains a key tenet under management's 2024 plan. Our revised estimates call for net revenue and EBITDA of $11-billion and $1.86-billion, respectively, in 2023, in line with WSP's 2024 targets." Mr. Murray sees the deal closing in the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year.