However, ECM Libra bucked the trend and cut its target price.

The bulk of analysts were bullish that the country's second largest lender will be able to perform well in the fourth quarter.

"With a few ongoing deals expected for completion in fourth quarter, we are confident that the group is able to meet or even surpass our earnings estimates," said OSK Research which has maintained its buy call on the stock with target price of RM13.

Alliance Research reiterated its outperform recommendation, with a target price at RM13.80.

It based the call on the group's "improving profitability, management's proactive approach in streamlining operations and deriving synergies, strong investment banking and potential improvement in consumer banking in 2008."

MIMB Investment Bank, meanwhile, has the stock's target price at RM12.60.

ECM Libra cut its target price to RM12.50 from RM14.70 previously. It explained that BCHB's earnings, excluding gains from the sale of its assets, did not meet forecasts by most analysts.

It also said that BCHB may find it difficult to meet its targeted 10 per cent loan growth for the full financial year.

Loans grew by 6.2 per cent in the nine-month period.

BCHB group chief executive officer Datuk Nazir Razak in a statement when announcing the third quarter results on Monday had said the group is optimistic about the final quarter.

BCHB said its net profit for the third quarter doubled to RM1.03 billion mainly due to the sale of its insurance business.

BCHB ended yesterday's trade at RM10.80, up one per cent or 10 sen.