Consumer Staples

The way ahead looks familiar for Wesfarmers. The high road is Coles, Bunnings and Kmart. Centre line is Officeworks, Insurance. The low road is Target, Coal and Chemical/Industrial divisions.

Coca Cola Amatil’s decidedly downbeat AGM this week has analysts at odds over the once reliable strength of the Coke brand.

Analysts look at just which Australian stocks are best placed as consumer appetites grow and housing recovers.

Caltex is slowly closing Kurnell and transitioning into a predominant fuel distributor and marketer. Post result, how do brokers feel about it?

Woolies interim result showed another solid performance, with margins up and costs down, but brokers are increasingly concerned these improvements will strangle future growth.

More growth in Japan can only be good and while there are legal risks for supermarkets the web turns positive for department stores. Maybe it’s time for more equity risk.

The Chartist reports Wesfarmers is nearing technical resistance, suggesting profit-taking is advised.

Coca-Cola Amatil delivered modest profit growth, increased market share and warded off its competitor, but brokers want to see a more consistent performance.

Japan is impacting on the Aussie, Pharma tops investor popularity, advertising spending stays modest and Aldi gives local supermarkets a headache.

There are modest expectations for retailers in the upcoming earnings season but a few might spring surprises, according to brokers.