Australian Broker Moves 31 July


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



In the big brokers' spotlight today, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (FMG) and Sandfire Resources Limited (SFR) after their June quarter production updates.

There was plenty of praise for FMG's production, and a couple of price target increases for the stock have come through as a result. SFR's update was less well received, as it saw a number of price target reductions and also a rating downgrade.

Brokers also took a closer look at Macquarie Group Limited (MQG) after it reported its June quarter update. See below for plenty of other broker updates reported in the last 24 hours.
 
Coca-Cola Amatil Limited CCL Jefferies lowers Coca-Cola Amatil Limited (CCL) price target from $9.50 to $9.  Cites general review of sector, prefers supermarkets (seeing long term tailwinds) and electronic retailers (on strong sales), but warns continued challenging environment for discretionary retail and travel.
Cimic Group Limited CIM Credit Suisse lowers Cimic Group Limited (CIM) price target from $35 to $34. Retains outperform rating. Broker believes weaker results are already reflected in the share price.
Cimic Group Limited CIM UBS lowers Cimic Group Limited (CIM) price target from $25 to $23. Retains neutral rating. Notes first half results worse than expected, but considers outlook to be positive.
Coles Group Limited. COL Jefferies raises Coles Group Limited. (COL) price target from $19 to $20.50.  Cites general review of sector, prefers supermarkets (seeing long term tailwinds) and electronic retailers (on strong sales), but warns continued challenging environment for discretionary retail and travel.
Csl Limited CSL UBS retains buy rating on Csl Limited (CSL). Retains $331 price target. Broker likes exposure to flu vaccine sales growth.
Flight Centre Travel Group Limited FLT Jefferies lowers Flight Centre Travel Group Limited (FLT) price target from $13 to $12.  Cites general review of sector, prefers supermarkets (seeing long term tailwinds) and electronic retailers (on strong sales), but warns continued challenging environment for discretionary retail and travel.
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd FMG UBS raises Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (FMG) price target from $13.60 to $17.50. Retains buy rating. Notes strong Chinese demand, recovery in Asia and Europe, weak exports from Brazil. But adds iron ore prices at current levels are not sustainable.
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd FMG Citi retains sell rating on Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (FMG). Retains $11.70 price target. Notes better than expected production, however, valuation unchanged, and therefore implies sell rating.
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd FMG Macquarie raises Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (FMG) price target from $15 to $18. Retains outperform rating. Is pleased with earnings momentum, and has upgraded its forecasts for the medium term.
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd FMG Morgan Stanley retains equalweight rating on Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (FMG). Retains $12.15 price target. Notes production was lower than expected.
Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia Limited GMA Macquarie lowers Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia Limited (GMA) price target from $2.90 to $2.70. Retains outperform rating. Broker believes there is value in the company at current share price, but notes volatility ahead.
Gwa Group Limited. GWA Credit Suisse upgrades Gwa Group Limited. (GWA) rating from neutral to outperform. Lowers price target from $3.15 to $3.05. Cites share price fall as unlocking value. Sees continued pick up in home improvement spending.
Ioof Holdings Limited IFL Citi lowers Ioof Holdings Limited (IFL) price target from $5.50 to $4.70. Retains neutral rating.  
Jb Hi-Fi Limited JBH Jefferies raises Jb Hi-Fi Limited (JBH) price target from $41 to $43.  Cites general review of sector, prefers supermarkets (seeing long term tailwinds) and electronic retailers (on strong sales), but warns continued challenging environment for discretionary retail and travel.
Janus Henderson Group Plc JHG Credit Suisse lowers Janus Henderson Group Plc (JHG) price target from $21.47 to $21. Retains underperform rating. Blames weaker expected investment flows.
Janus Henderson Group Plc JHG Macquarie raises Janus Henderson Group Plc (JHG) price target from $36 to $38. Retains outperform rating. Cites better than expected underlying earnings in second quarter.
Macquarie Group Limited MQG Citi raises Macquarie Group Limited (MQG) price target from $110 to $125. Retains neutral rating. Says first quarter update was better than expected. As a result, Citi lifts its earnings forecast by 16% for FY21. Is please with sale of Eu rail operation.
Macquarie Group Limited MQG Jefferies raises Macquarie Group Limited (MQG) price target from $138 to $145. Retains buy rating. Broker likes strength in business model and upside in trading during higher volatility, but warns that further impairments cannot be ruled out.
Macquarie Group Limited MQG Morgan Stanley retains overweight rating on Macquarie Group Limited (MQG). Retains $120 price target.  
Macquarie Group Limited MQG UBS retains neutral rating on Macquarie Group Limited (MQG). Retains $105 price target.  
News Corporation NWS Macquarie raises News Corporation (NWS) price target from $22.52 to $23.18. Retains outperform rating. Broker believes an improvement in digital assets and books will offset weakness in print and other advertising reliant assets.
Oceanagold Corporation OGC UBS lowers Oceanagold Corporation (OGC) price target from $4.70 to $4.60. Retains buy rating. Blames slow restart of Didipio mine. Still sees growth prospects as strong.
Orocobre Limited ORE Citi raises Orocobre Limited (ORE) price target from $3 to $3.90. Retains buy rating. Expects lithium pricing may present risks, but in longer term ORE has an attractive product mix.
Pilbara Minerals Limited PLS Citi raises Pilbara Minerals Limited (PLS) price target from $0.220 to $0.320. Retains sell rating. Cites better than expected Q4 production report.
Pilbara Minerals Limited PLS Macquarie raises Pilbara Minerals Limited (PLS) price target from $0.130 to $0.270. Retains underperform rating. Cites better than expected Q4 production report.
Rio Tinto Limited RIO UBS retains neutral rating on Rio Tinto Limited (RIO). Retains $102 price target.  
Sandfire Resources Limited SFR Citi lowers Sandfire Resources Limited (SFR) price target from $5.60 to $5.40. Retains neutral rating. Cites better than expected Q4 production report, but also rising costs.
Sandfire Resources Limited SFR Credit Suisse lowers Sandfire Resources Limited (SFR) price target from $5.70 to $5.40. Retains outperform rating. Notes Q4 production and guidance better than expected, but also exploration stunted due to covid-19 impact.
Sandfire Resources Limited SFR Macquarie downgrades Sandfire Resources Limited (SFR) rating from outperform to neutral. Lowers price target from $5.60 to $5.20. Blames weaker than expected guidance in Q4 production report.
Sandfire Resources Limited SFR Morgan Stanley lowers Sandfire Resources Limited (SFR) price target from $6.35 to $6.10. Retains overweight rating.  
Sandfire Resources Limited SFR UBS lowers Sandfire Resources Limited (SFR) price target from $6 to $5.70. Retains buy rating. Blames lower than expected guidance in Q4 production report.
Seven West Media Limited SWM Credit Suisse raises Seven West Media Limited (SWM) price target from $0.07 to $0.10. Retains neutral rating. Cites renegotiation of debt arrangements.
Treasury Wine Estates Limited TWE Jefferies lowers Treasury Wine Estates Limited (TWE) price target from $10.50 to $10.  Cites general review of sector, prefers supermarkets (seeing long term tailwinds) and electronic retailers (on strong sales), but warns continued challenging environment for discretionary retail and travel.
Woolworths Group Limited WOW Jefferies raises Woolworths Group Limited (WOW) price target from $41.50 to $44.50.  Cites general review of sector, prefers supermarkets (seeing long term tailwinds) and electronic retailers (on strong sales), but warns continued challenging environment for discretionary retail and travel.
Wisetech Global Limited WTC Credit Suisse resumes outperform rating on Wisetech Global Limited (WTC). Resumes $23.60 price target. Broker likes strong organic growth profile, reasonable valuation.
Zip Co Limited. Z1P Citi initiates neutral rating on Zip Co Limited. (Z1P). Initiates $6.70 price target.  
 



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