Australian Broker Call

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October 03, 2022

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COMPANIES DISCUSSED IN THIS ISSUE

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The number next to the symbol represents the number of brokers covering it for this report -(if more than 1).

Last Updated: 05:00 PM

Your daily news report on the latest recommendation, valuation, forecast and opinion changes.

This report includes concise but limited reviews of research recently published by Stockbrokers, which should be considered as information concerning likely market behaviour rather than advice on the securities mentioned. Do not act on the contents of this Report without first reading the important information included at the end.

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A2M  A2 MILK COMPANY LIMITED

Dairy

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Overnight Price: $5.40

Credit Suisse rates A2M as Neutral (3) -

While a2 Milk Co's September quarter sales ran ahead of budget given weakness from the New Zealand dollar, Credit Suisse notes earnings are tracking to budget. 

The company continues to transition its English label product to a new label and formulation, with the broker finding the transition smooth so far. Credit Suisse expects reformulations to drive market share gains for a2 Milk Co.

The Neutral rating is retained and the target price increases to $5.25 from $5.15.

Target price is $5.25 Current Price is $5.40 Difference: minus $0.15 (current price is over target).
If A2M meets the Credit Suisse target it will return approximately minus 3% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).

Current consensus price target is $4.99, suggesting downside of -5.7% (ex-dividends)

The company's fiscal year ends in June.

Forecast for FY23:

Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 18.46 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 29.25.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 17.4, implying annual growth of N/A.

Current consensus DPS estimate is N/A, implying a prospective dividend yield of N/A.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 30.4.

Forecast for FY24:

Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 24.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 22.50.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 22.2, implying annual growth of 27.6%.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 3.0, implying a prospective dividend yield of 0.6%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 23.8.

This company reports in NZD. All estimates have been converted into AUD by FNArena at present FX values.

Market Sentiment: -0.5

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

CTM  CENTAURUS METALS LIMITED

Nickel

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Overnight Price: $0.99

Macquarie rates CTM as Outperform (1) -

Centaurus Metals has reported strong intercepts, according to Macquarie, at the Jaguar nickel sulphide project.

A mineral resource update will be delayed to late October due to laboratory backlogs.

The broker retains its Outperform rating and $1.30 target price.

Target price is $1.30 Current Price is $0.99 Difference: $0.31
If CTM meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 31% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).

The company's fiscal year ends in December.

Forecast for FY22:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY22 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 5.60 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 17.68.

Forecast for FY23:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 3.70 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 26.76.

Market Sentiment: 1.0

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

CXO  CORE LITHIUM LIMITED

New Battery Elements

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Overnight Price: $1.11

Macquarie rates CXO as Outperform (1) -

As Core Lithium has announced an institutional placement of $100m (at $1.03/share) to accelerate organic growth, Macquarie lowers its FY23 and FY24 EPS forecasts by -38% and -8%, respectively. Forecasts for FY25 and beyond fall by -5%.

The analyst explains accelerated exploration and development plans also contributed to lower earnings forecasts.

The target price falls to $1.70 from $1.80 and the Outperform rating is unchanged.

Target price is $1.70 Current Price is $1.11 Difference: $0.59
If CXO meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 53% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).

The company's fiscal year ends in June.

Forecast for FY23:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 0.50 cents and EPS of 1.30 cents.
At the last closing share price the estimated dividend yield is 0.45%.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 85.38.

Forecast for FY24:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 6.10 cents and EPS of 20.30 cents.
At the last closing share price the estimated dividend yield is 5.50%.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 5.47.

Market Sentiment: 1.0

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

HAS  HASTINGS TECHNOLOGY METALS LIMITED

Rare Earth Minerals

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Overnight Price: $3.46

Macquarie rates HAS as Outperform (1) -

Macquarie makes only minor changes to its forecasts after reviewing FY22 results for Hastings Technology Metals.

As previously noted, the company is undertaking an institutional placement and share purchase plan to raise $110m. The funds are necessary to enable the Yangibana project to commence production, explains the analyst.

The $6.10 target and Outperform rating are unchanged.

Target price is $6.10 Current Price is $3.46 Difference: $2.64
If HAS meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 76% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).

The company's fiscal year ends in June.

Forecast for FY23:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 5.60 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 61.79.

Forecast for FY24:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 10.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 34.60.

Market Sentiment: 1.0

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

KAR  KAROON ENERGY LIMITED

Crude Oil

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Overnight Price: $1.82

Morgans rates KAR as Add (1) -

Despite the macroeconomic backdrop, Morgans is highly surprised to see Karoon Energy shares trading near recent lows after successfully increasing production and earnings.

Now that the intervention program has completed for producing fields at  Bauna (which unlocked growth at the top end of guidance), attention now turns to the development of the Patola field.

The broker upgrades its base case forecast as a result of the intervention program and sees further upside risk from Patola.

The target price rises to $3.60 from $3.20 and the Add rating is unchanged.

Target price is $3.60 Current Price is $1.82 Difference: $1.78
If KAR meets the Morgans target it will return approximately 98% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).

Current consensus price target is $2.80, suggesting upside of 50.5% (ex-dividends)

The company's fiscal year ends in June.

Forecast for FY23:

Morgans forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 40.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 4.55.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 44.2, implying annual growth of N/A.

Current consensus DPS estimate is N/A, implying a prospective dividend yield of N/A.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 4.2.

Forecast for FY24:

Morgans forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 60.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 3.03.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 52.5, implying annual growth of 18.8%.

Current consensus DPS estimate is N/A, implying a prospective dividend yield of N/A.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 3.5.

Market Sentiment: 1.0

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

LTR  LIONTOWN RESOURCES LIMITED

New Battery Elements

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Overnight Price: $1.49

Macquarie rates LTR as Outperform (1) -

FY22 results for Liontown Resources are largely in line with Macquarie's forecasts. It's felt a cash balance of $453m is sufficient to progress the Kathleen Valley project.

While the broker retains its $2.50 target price, a spot price scenario generates a $14.11/share valuation. It's noted 90% of the planned production from Stage 1 of Kathleen Valley is now under offtake agreements. Outperform.

Target price is $2.50 Current Price is $1.49 Difference: $1.01
If LTR meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 68% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).

The company's fiscal year ends in June.

Forecast for FY23:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 0.90 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 165.56.

Forecast for FY24:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 1.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 149.00.

Market Sentiment: 0.5

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

QAL  QUALITAS LIMITED

Business & Consumer Credit

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Overnight Price: $2.35

Macquarie rates QAL as Outperform (1) -

Qualitas has secured a new $440m commitment from a global institutional investor for the Qualitas Construction Debt Fund II.

Macquarie notes the funds will be immediately deployed ($100m already) into a $440m residential construction senior debt opportunity, and estimates FY23 and FY24 profit accretion of 3.2% and 8.6%, respectively.

According to management, the borrower is a “well-capitalised, local private developer with an established track record of residential apartment project delivery”.

The target rises to $3.21 from $3.19. The Outperform rating is retained.

Target price is $3.21 Current Price is $2.35 Difference: $0.86
If QAL meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 37% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).

The company's fiscal year ends in June.

Forecast for FY23:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 7.60 cents and EPS of 8.10 cents.
At the last closing share price the estimated dividend yield is 3.23%.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 29.01.

Forecast for FY24:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 7.90 cents and EPS of 10.90 cents.
At the last closing share price the estimated dividend yield is 3.36%.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 21.56.

Market Sentiment: 1.0

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

SFR  SANDFIRE RESOURCES LIMITED

Copper

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Overnight Price: $3.73

Macquarie rates SFR as Outperform (1) -

Macquarie is disappointed by the departure of Managing Director and CEO Karl Simich given his 15 years of strong leadership.

Separately, the broker lowers its FY23 earnings forecast by -29%, and FY24 and FY25 forecasts by -1-2%. This follows mixed 1Q FY23 preliminary production results and the life extension of DeGrussa via the processing of lower-grade stockpiles.

Stronger zinc output was offset by weaker copper production in the 1Q. 

After taking into account these lower forecasts (also lower out to FY28), the analyst notes the cumulative reduction in forecasts earnings is only -$14m, and the $5.00 target price remains unchanged. Outperform.

Target price is $5.00 Current Price is $3.73 Difference: $1.27
If SFR meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 34% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).

Current consensus price target is $5.41, suggesting upside of 49.6% (ex-dividends)

The company's fiscal year ends in June.

Forecast for FY23:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 7.02 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 53.17.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 10.3, implying annual growth of N/A.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 2.5, implying a prospective dividend yield of 0.7%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 35.1.

Forecast for FY24:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 6.17 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 60.42.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 4.2, implying annual growth of -59.2%.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 0.8, implying a prospective dividend yield of 0.2%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 86.2.

This company reports in USD. All estimates have been converted into AUD by FNArena at present FX values.

Market Sentiment: 0.6

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources


Morgan Stanley rates SFR as Overweight (1) -

A positive feasibility study for the Degrussa Processing extension project now allows transitional stockpiles to be processed until January 2023. As a result, Sandfire Resources lifts group production guidance for copper by 2.5% and gold by 18%.

Also, the analyst doesn't expect a negative market reaction to news CEO Karl Simich has stepped down, given lengthy service and a capable interim replacement.

The Overweight rating and $5.95 target are maintained. Attractive industry view.

Target price is $5.95 Current Price is $3.73 Difference: $2.22
If SFR meets the Morgan Stanley target it will return approximately 60% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).

Current consensus price target is $5.41, suggesting upside of 49.6% (ex-dividends)

The company's fiscal year ends in June.

Forecast for FY23:

Morgan Stanley forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 5.61 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 66.46.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 10.3, implying annual growth of N/A.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 2.5, implying a prospective dividend yield of 0.7%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 35.1.

Forecast for FY24:

Morgan Stanley forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 14.03 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 26.59.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 4.2, implying annual growth of -59.2%.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 0.8, implying a prospective dividend yield of 0.2%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 86.2.

This company reports in USD. All estimates have been converted into AUD by FNArena at present FX values.

Market Sentiment: 0.6

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

SIG  SIGMA HEALTHCARE LIMITED

Health & Nutrition

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Overnight Price: $0.67

Morgan Stanley rates SIG as Underweight (5) -

Morgan Stanley points out pharmacy distribution revenue for the six months to July 31 contracted by around -7%, indicating Sigma Healthcare continues to lose market share.

The 1H benefit of covid testing masked underlying challenges, according to the analyst.

The broker cuts its FY23 and FY24 EPS forecasts by -70% and -25%, respectively, and the target price falls to $0.43 from $0.48. The Underweight rating is unchanged. Industry view In-Line.

Target price is $0.43 Current Price is $0.67 Difference: minus $0.24 (current price is over target).
If SIG meets the Morgan Stanley target it will return approximately minus 36% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).

Current consensus price target is $0.53, suggesting downside of -21.6% (ex-dividends)

The company's fiscal year ends in January.

Forecast for FY23:

Morgan Stanley forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 1.00 cents and EPS of 0.56 cents.
At the last closing share price the estimated dividend yield is 1.49%.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 119.64.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 0.9, implying annual growth of N/A.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 1.1, implying a prospective dividend yield of 1.6%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 74.4.

Forecast for FY24:

Morgan Stanley forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 1.30 cents and EPS of 1.82 cents.
At the last closing share price the estimated dividend yield is 1.94%.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 36.81.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 2.1, implying annual growth of 133.3%.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 1.6, implying a prospective dividend yield of 2.4%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 31.9.

Market Sentiment: -0.8

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

TWE  TREASURY WINE ESTATES LIMITED

Food, Beverages & Tobacco

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Overnight Price: $12.57

Credit Suisse rates TWE as Outperform (1) -

Credit Suisse expects Treasury Wine Estates to be a beneficiary of foreign exchange market movements, if shelf prices and consumer behaviours remain consistent in the short-term.

Including foreign exchange movements into its outlook would see earnings projections lift to $641m from $617m in FY23, but Credit Suisse has not changed its forecasts given market volatility. 

The Outperform rating and target price of $13.80 are retained.

Target price is $13.80 Current Price is $12.57 Difference: $1.23
If TWE meets the Credit Suisse target it will return approximately 10% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).

Current consensus price target is $14.22, suggesting upside of 15.3% (ex-dividends)

The company's fiscal year ends in June.

Forecast for FY23:

Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 38.37 cents and EPS of 54.81 cents.
At the last closing share price the estimated dividend yield is 3.05%.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 22.93.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 54.6, implying annual growth of 49.8%.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 37.4, implying a prospective dividend yield of 3.0%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 22.6.

Forecast for FY24:

Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 41.95 cents and EPS of 59.93 cents.
At the last closing share price the estimated dividend yield is 3.34%.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 20.97.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 62.5, implying annual growth of 14.5%.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 43.0, implying a prospective dividend yield of 3.5%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 19.7.

Market Sentiment: 0.7

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

XRO  XERO LIMITED

Accountancy

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Overnight Price: $73.51

Macquarie rates XRO as Underperform (5) -

Macquarie retains its Underweight rating and $70 target for Xero following a review of competitor Intuit's updated medium-to long-term strategy. 

At its recent investor day, Intuit noted its international expansion strategy will focus on Canada, UK and Australia over the medium-term, via its QBO ecosystem.

Over the longer term, the broker feels QBO and Mailchimp could combine to produce powerful AI insights for QBO customers (placing pressure on Xero) to better target spending, manage inventory and maximise profitability.

Target price is $70.00 Current Price is $73.51 Difference: minus $3.51 (current price is over target).
If XRO meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately minus 5% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).

Current consensus price target is $97.01, suggesting upside of 35.5% (ex-dividends)

The company's fiscal year ends in March.

Forecast for FY23:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY23 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 16.06 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 457.66.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 29.1, implying annual growth of N/A.

Current consensus DPS estimate is N/A, implying a prospective dividend yield of N/A.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 246.0.

Forecast for FY24:

Macquarie forecasts a full year FY24 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 49.39 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 148.85.

How do these forecasts compare to market consensus projections?

Current consensus EPS estimate is 65.2, implying annual growth of 124.1%.

Current consensus DPS estimate is 9.7, implying a prospective dividend yield of 0.1%.

Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 109.8.

This company reports in NZD. All estimates have been converted into AUD by FNArena at present FX values.

Market Sentiment: 0.3

All consensus data are updated until yesterday. FNArena's consensus calculations require a minimum of three sources

Today's Price Target Changes
Company Last Price Broker New Target Prev Target Change
A2M a2 Milk Co $5.29 Credit Suisse 5.25 5.15 1.94%
CXO Core Lithium $1.06 Macquarie 1.70 1.80 -5.56%
KAR Karoon Energy $1.86 Morgans 3.60 3.20 12.50%
QAL Qualitas $2.37 Macquarie 3.21 3.19 0.63%
SFR Sandfire Resources $3.62 Macquarie 5.00 5.40 -7.41%
SIG Sigma Healthcare $0.67 Morgan Stanley 0.43 0.48 -10.42%
Summaries
A2M a2 Milk Co Neutral - Credit Suisse Overnight Price $5.40
CTM Centaurus Metals Outperform - Macquarie Overnight Price $0.99
CXO Core Lithium Outperform - Macquarie Overnight Price $1.11
HAS Hastings Technology Metals Outperform - Macquarie Overnight Price $3.46
KAR Karoon Energy Add - Morgans Overnight Price $1.82
LTR Liontown Resources Outperform - Macquarie Overnight Price $1.49
QAL Qualitas Outperform - Macquarie Overnight Price $2.35
SFR Sandfire Resources Outperform - Macquarie Overnight Price $3.73
Overweight - Morgan Stanley Overnight Price $3.73
SIG Sigma Healthcare Underweight - Morgan Stanley Overnight Price $0.67
TWE Treasury Wine Estates Outperform - Credit Suisse Overnight Price $12.57
XRO Xero Underperform - Macquarie Overnight Price $73.51
RATING SUMMARY
Rating No. Of Recommendations
1. Buy

9

3. Hold

1

5. Sell

2

Monday 03 October 2022

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The content of this information does in no way reflect the opinions of FNArena, or of its journalists. In fact we don't have any opinion about the stock market, its value, future direction or individual shares. FNArena solely reports about what the main experts in the market note, believe and comment on. By doing so we believe we provide intelligent investors with a valuable tool that helps them in making up their own minds, reading market trends and getting a feel for what is happening beneath the surface. This document is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security or other financial instrument. FNArena employs very experienced journalists who base their work on information believed to be reliable and accurate, though no guarantee is given that the daily report is accurate or complete. Investors should contact their personal adviser before making any investment decision.