Daily FNArena News - Australia

Metcash faces challenges while striving for a growth strategy after a focus on cost reductions, and brokers suspects FY20 will still be tough.

Coca-Cola Amatil will have another year of transition in 2019, recognising the need to invest in sales and marketing after cutting deeply into its cost base.

Aristocrat Leisure’s FY18 result failed to reach hefty expectations but brokers are undaunted, believing the opportunities that abound require an increase in investment.

FNArena’s Monitor keeps track of corporate earnings result releases, including broker views, ratings and target price changes and beat/miss assessments.

The KFC Australia business of Collins Foods continues to perform well amid new menu and delivery initiatives while KFC Europe is promising but requires further work.

Harvey Norman’s Australian franchise has returned to positive sales growth since September, yet brokers remain cautious ahead of the all-important Christmas trading period.

A slowing Australian housing market has made brokers cautious about Brickworks, although the company has signalled an expansion strategy in the buoyant US market.

Is newly-listed Coles the way to access the defensive grocery industry or will under-investment in labour and ranges put pressure on earnings margins?

Brokers consider Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is overvalued, as litigation and competitive headwinds buffet the business.

Consistent with industry data, Automotive Holdings has signalled a slowdown in new car sales in the first four months of FY19.