Australian Broker Moves 26 August


A selection of ratings upgrades and downgrades, target price changes, and commentary for ASX stocks from major research houses for 26 August.



Another brisk day for broker moves as we wind down another earnings season. 

The big brokers reacted with caution to results from Scentre Group (SCG) and Bingo Industries (BIN), generally lowering their price targets on each company.

In contrast, they were more upbeat on results from Ansell (ANN), Stockland (SGP), Spark Infrastructure Group (SKI), and Seven Group (SVW). Each of those companies were the beneficiaries of price target increases.
 
Ampol ALD Jefferies lowers Ampol (ALD) price target from $30.00 to $28.50. Retains hold rating. Blames worse than expected FY20 results. Notes weaker balance sheet is concerning.
Ampol ALD Credit Suisse raises Ampol (ALD) price target from $21.88 to $25.51. Retains neutral rating.  
Ansell ANN Citi raises Ansell (ANN) price target from $35.00 to $41.00. Retains neutral rating. Broker is impressed with FY20 results, but notes that share price appreciation has undermined value at current price.
Ansell ANN Jefferies raises Ansell (ANN) price target from $43.15 to $44.20. Retains hold rating. Upgrades earnings estimates for FY21 by 4.7% on the back of strong FY20 results.
Ansell ANN Credit Suisse raises Ansell (ANN) price target from $42.50 to $43.00. Retains outperform rating.  
Ansell ANN UBS raises Ansell (ANN) price target from $38.75 to $39.00. Retains neutral rating.  
AUB Group AUB Credit Suisse raises AUB Group (AUB) price target from $15.75 to $16.00. Retains outperform rating.  
Bingo Industries BIN Citi lowers Bingo Industries (BIN) price target from $3.00 to $2.80. Retains buy rating. Is pleased with FY20 results.
Bingo Industries BIN Credit Suisse downgrades Bingo Industries (BIN) rating from outperform to neutral. Lowers price target from $2.45 to $2.40. Blames cost pressures, operational headwinds. Lowers FY21 earnings expectations by 8%.
Blackmores BKL Citi downgrades Blackmores (BKL) rating from neutral to sell. Lowers price target from $79.80 to $60.50. Cites weaker sales in China, risks continue, but sees earnings picking up in medium term.
Fortescue Metals Group FMG Morgan Stanley raises Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) price target from $12.65 to $12.70. Retains equalweight rating.  
Hub24 HUB Citi raises Hub24 (HUB) price target from $14.40 to $17.55. Retains buy rating.  
Hub24 HUB Credit Suisse raises Hub24 (HUB) price target from $12.40 to $16.30. Retains neutral rating.  
Integral Diagnostics IDX Citi raises Integral Diagnostics (IDX) price target from $4.90 to $5.35.   
Integral Diagnostics IDX Jefferies raises Integral Diagnostics (IDX) price target from $4.00 to $4.10.   
Integral Diagnostics IDX Credit Suisse upgrades Integral Diagnostics (IDX) rating from neutral to outperform. Raises price target from $4.30 to $4.50. Broker is impressed with co's ability to generate cash despite challenges.
Nanosonics NAN UBS lowers Nanosonics (NAN) price target from $7.50 to $7.20. Retains buy rating.  
News Corporation NWS UBS raises News Corporation (NWS) price target from $22.20 to $25.00. Retains buy rating.  
Nitro Software NTO Morgan Stanley raises Nitro Software (NTO) price target from $1.800 to $2.60. Retains overweight rating.  
Oil Search OSH Citi upgrades Oil Search (OSH) rating from neutral to buy. Raises price target from $3.76 to $3.87. Broker believes worst is behind co. based upon FY20 results.
Oil Search OSH Credit Suisse raises Oil Search (OSH) price target from $3.20 to $3.23. Retains neutral rating.  
Opthea OPT Goldman Sachs retains buy rating on Opthea (OPT). Retains $5.20 price target. Notes strong balance sheet and prospective clinical trial pipeline.
Perenti Global PRN UBS lowers Perenti Global (PRN) price target from $2.00 to $1.900. Retains buy rating.  
Qube QUB Jefferies raises Qube (QUB) price target from $2.85 to $2.91. Retains buy rating. Blames worse than expected FY20 results as trigger for downgrade to earnings expectations by 17% for FY21.
Qube QUB Credit Suisse lowers Qube (QUB) price target from $3.50 to $3.20. Retains outperform rating.  
Reliance Worldwide Corporation RWC Morgan Stanley raises Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) price target from $3.20 to $3.50. Retains equalweight rating.  
Scentre Group SCG Citi lowers Scentre Group (SCG) price target from $2.06 to $1.980. Retains sell rating.  
Scentre Group SCG Credit Suisse lowers Scentre Group (SCG) price target from $3.02 to $2.81. Retains outperform rating.  
Scentre Group SCG Morgan Stanley raises Scentre Group (SCG) price target from $2.66 to $2.70. Retains overweight rating.  
Senex Energy SXY Morgan Stanley raises Senex Energy (SXY) price target from $0.300 to $0.310. Retains equalweight rating.  
Servcorp SRV UBS raises Servcorp (SRV) price target from $3.80 to $4.00. Retains buy rating.  
Seven Group SVW Jefferies raises Seven Group (SVW) price target from $0.070 to $0.140.   
Seven Group SVW Credit Suisse raises Seven Group (SVW) price target from $0.100 to $0.125. Retains neutral rating.  
Seven Group SVW UBS raises Seven Group (SVW) price target from $0.120 to $0.140. Retains neutral rating.  
Spark Infrastructure Group SKI UBS raises Spark Infrastructure Group (SKI) price target from $2.10 to $2.20. Retains neutral rating.  
Spark Infrastructure Group SKI Morgan Stanley raises Spark Infrastructure Group (SKI) price target from $2.10 to $2.18. Retains equalweight rating.  
Spark Infrastructure Group SKI UBS raises Spark Infrastructure Group (SKI) price target from $2.10 to $2.20. Retains neutral rating.  
ST Barbara SBM Goldman Sachs raises ST Barbara (SBM) price target from $4.30 to $4.40. Retains buy rating. Expects operational environment to continue to improve. Sees lower costs to support margins.
ST Barbara SBM Morgan Stanley raises ST Barbara (SBM) price target from $3.65 to $3.85. Retains overweight rating.  
Stockland SGP Jefferies downgrades Stockland (SGP) rating from buy to hold. Raises price target from $3.81 to $4.11.  
Stockland SGP Goldman Sachs raises Stockland (SGP) price target from $4.38 to $4.48. Retains buy rating. Cites upgrades to FY21 earnings expectations. Notes co. beat expectations in FY20 results.
Stockland SGP Citi raises Stockland (SGP) price target from $3.16 to $3.65. Retains neutral rating.  
Stockland SGP Credit Suisse downgrades Stockland (SGP) rating from outperform to neutral. Raises price target from $3.56 to $3.96. Broker is impressed with FY20 results, but downgrades on the basis of share price appreciation undermining value proposition.
Stockland SGP UBS raises Stockland (SGP) price target from $3.55 to $3.80. Retains neutral rating.  
Stockland SGP Morgan Stanley raises Stockland (SGP) price target from $4.35 to $4.45. Retains overweight rating.  
Super Retail Group SUL Goldman Sachs raises Super Retail Group (SUL) price target from $10.30 to $11.60. Retains buy rating. Broker is impressed with management's ability to defensively position the business. Upgrades EPS estimates for FY21 by 6% and FY22 by 11.5%.
Western Areas WSA Citi lowers Western Areas (WSA) price target from $2.70 to $2.65.   
Western Areas WSA Credit Suisse raises Western Areas (WSA) rating from neutral to outperform. Raises price target from $2.40 to $2.50. Sees past the valley to the recovery on the other side.
Western Areas WSA UBS lowers Western Areas (WSA) price target from $2.60 to $2.35. Retains neutral rating.  
Western Areas WSA Morgan Stanley raises Western Areas (WSA) price target from $2.55 to $2.65. Retains overweight rating.  
Xero XRO Jefferies raises Xero (XRO) price target from $81.24 to $92.86. Retains hold rating. Is pleased with co's acquisition of Waddle, sees as supportive of earnings growth.



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