Australian Broker Moves 31 August


A selection of ratings upgrades and downgrades, target price changes, and commentary for ASX stocks from major research houses for 31 August.



A notably quieter day for broker moves as earnings season wraps up. The big brokers reacted with caution to Orocobre (ORE) FY20 results, lowering their price targets.

In contrast, they were broadly positive towards FY20 results from Costa Group (CGC), Harvey Norman (HVN) and Nextdc (NXT). Each of those companies were the beneficiaries of price target increases.
 
Autosports Group ASG Macquarie upgrades Autosports Group (ASG) rating from neutral to outperform. Raises price target from $1.100 to $1.650. Notes better than expected FY20 sales results.
Autosports Group ASG UBS raises Autosports Group (ASG) price target from $1.400 to $1.500. Retains buy rating. Broker believes current share price makes co. attractive on valuation basis.
Bega Cheese BGA UBS raises Bega Cheese (BGA) price target from $5.00 to $5.70. Retains buy rating. Sees continued improvement despite challenging conditions.
Boral BLD Jefferies raises Boral (BLD) price target from $5.00 to $5.10. Retains buy rating. Broker is impressed with improvement in margins, strong outlook. Sees limited downside risks to earnings and valuation.
Boral BLD Citi lowers Boral (BLD) price target from $4.35 to $4.22. Retains neutral rating. Broker believes recovery is underway.
Boral BLD Credit Suisse raises Boral (BLD) price target from $3.50 to $3.75. Retains neutral rating. Cites improving margins.
Boral BLD Morgan Stanley raises Boral (BLD) price target from $4.10 to $4.40. Retains equalweight rating. Notes FY20 results in-line with expectations.
City Chic Collective CCX EL&C Baillieu retains buy rating on City Chic Collective (CCX). Retains $3.70 price target. Broker believes co. will continue to deliver strong growth as it expands its operations.
Costa Group CGC Citi raises Costa Group (CGC) price target from $3.40 to $3.75. Retains buy rating. Broker is impressed with performance of international operations.
Costa Group CGC Credit Suisse raises Costa Group (CGC) price target from $3.50 to $3.60. Retains outperform rating. Sees likely pick up in growth.
Costa Group CGC Macquarie raises Costa Group (CGC) price target from $2.87 to $3.53. Retains neutral rating. Broker is impressed with resilience in earnings despite challenging operating environment.
Costa Group CGC UBS raises Costa Group (CGC) price target from $3.25 to $3.55. Retains buy rating. Is pleased with outlook for continued growth.
Flight Centre Travel Group FLT Morgan Stanley lowers Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT) price target from $16.00 to $15.00. Retains overweight rating. Downgrades expected earnings for FY21 on the back of ongoing covid-19 impact. But still sees upside once recovery in travel underway.
Harvey Norman HVN Jefferies raises Harvey Norman (HVN) price target from $4.50 to $5.40.  Upgrades earnings forecasts on the back of FY20 results.
Harvey Norman HVN Citi raises Harvey Norman (HVN) price target from $4.80 to $5.00. Retains buy rating. Predicts sales growth momentum will continue to improve.
Harvey Norman HVN Credit Suisse raises Harvey Norman (HVN) price target from $3.90 to $4.48. Retains neutral rating. Notes FY20 results were solid, but questions ongoing growth after stimulus measures subside.
Harvey Norman HVN Macquarie raises Harvey Norman (HVN) price target from $4.20 to $4.50. Retains outperform rating. Cites better than expected FY20 results.
Harvey Norman HVN UBS raises Harvey Norman (HVN) price target from $4.35 to $4.70. Retains buy rating. Sees growth continuing. Melbourne re-opening could provide further kicker.
Nextdc NXT Jefferies raises Nextdc (NXT) price target from $13.66 to $13.84.   
Nextdc NXT Morgan Stanley raises Nextdc (NXT) price target from $12.00 to $13.40. Retains overweight rating. Cites strength of FY20 results, substantial industry tailwinds.
Nextdc NXT Credit Suisse raises Nextdc (NXT) price target from $11.35 to $11.70. Retains neutral rating. Notes FY20 results in-line with expectations. Sees demand environment strong.
Nextdc NXT Macquarie raises Nextdc (NXT) price target from $10.50 to $12.30. Retains neutral rating. Notes FY20 results in-line with expectations. Sees demand environment strong.
Nextdc NXT Morgan Stanley raises Nextdc (NXT) price target from $12.00 to $13.40. Retains overweight rating. Cites better than expected FY20 results.
Orocobre ORE Citi lowers Orocobre (ORE) price target from $3.90 to $3.70.   
Orocobre ORE Credit Suisse lowers Orocobre (ORE) price target from $3.05 to $2.85. Retains neutral rating. Notes FY20 results in-line with expectations. Disappointed with contraction margin.
Pointsbet PBH Credit Suisse downgrades Pointsbet (PBH) rating from neutral to underperform. Retains $6.50 price target. Blames lack of confidence in ability to deliver sufficient earnings to justify current share price.
Resolute Mining RSG Citi lowers Resolute Mining (RSG) price target from $1.700 to $1.650. Retains buy rating. Is concerned about operational stability in the medium term due to geopolitical risks. However, ramp up of Syama project by end of 2020 should assist.
Resolute Mining RSG Macquarie retains outperform rating on Resolute Mining (RSG). Retains $1.600 price target. Notes lower than expected FY20 results. Outlook remains positive.



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