Insurance and Finance

Oz retailers and offshore sourcing; tweaking broker focus lists; Oz bank sector outlook remains robust; assessing El Nino impact.

The Chartist suggests an opportunity lies in Suncorp as it retaces towards its support level, global factors notwithstanding.

Central banks buy gold; new bank accounting standard; Aussies still like travelling; Primary Health Care sets up IVF clinic; and tough times ahead for retailers.

Genworth Mortgage Insurance beat expectations with its maiden first half results and brokers remain upbeat in the current benign environment.

Michael Gable of Fairmont Equities notes that after drifting off from post-IPO highs, Veda Group is showing signs of a technical recovery.

Brokers welcomed the uplift in IAG’s expected margins for FY14 but still ask the question: Where is top line growth coming from ahead?

Macquarie suggests Veda Group offers several diversification opportunities as the broker initiates coverage of the stock with a Buy.

Citi initiates coverage of Flexigroup, mindful of the increased diversity and potential of the company.

Impact of carbon tax repeal; insurer premium growth slows; pick of high yielders, fund managers and technology/telco stocks; and CBA’s wealth advice headache.

Nick Linton-Ffrost of Fifth Wave suggests Commonwealth Bank is poised for a break-up out of its recent neagative channel.