Daily FNArena News - Australia

Downer EDI’s investor day has sparked several rating upgrades as the company’s fortunes improve post the Waratah debacle.

The LNG debate heats up, with Moelis questioning the standalone capacity of Santos and Origin in the east coast CSM race.

While a majority of the brokers in the FNArena database rate Computershare as a Buy, Citi is less bullish given evidence the company is not well positioned for growth in the US.

Orica has delivered an interim profit result slightly better than brokers had forecast despite operational difficulties during the period.

Fund manager Alphinity draws upon the UK experience, where online shopping is already four times proportionately bigger than in Australia, to help assess the future for Australia’s listed retailers and retail REITs.

CMC Markets reports Australian CFD trading shifted to an international footing in April, with Germany and Apple popular along with BHP and the banks.

BA-ML has reinstated coverage on Computershare with a Buy rating, supported by above consensus earnings forecasts from FY14 as acquisitions and better market conditions boost growth.

Wet weather, fund managers views, RBA rate cuts and earnings forecasts all featured in research released by stockbrokers last week.

Following a quarterly trading update brokers continue to rate Brambles as a Buy given an attractive growth outlook.

SAI Global has copped three rating downgrades from major brokers today and a big hit in share price but FY13 potential has others standing steadfast.