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<WIRE> Bravura Solutions' (ASX:BVS) Shares Surge in Response to Positive Outlook

Shares of Australia’s Bravura Solutions (ASX:BVS) saw an increase as high as 13%, potentially marking it as the company’s worst day since November 8, if the current losses persist.

The stock has reached its highest point since February 23, highlighting a trend of steady growth.

The financial software solution company announced their plans to achieve a positive Cash EBITDA run rate by the end of FY24.

In addition, the company expressed that it will be unveiling a 3-year strategic plan in late October 2023, which is anticipated to provide clearer earnings performance, profitability, and refined product and customer focus.

Despite the recent growth, the stock has experienced a decline of 29.1% this year until the last close.

Bravura Solutions (ASX:BVS) is a financial software solution company based in Australia.


<WIRE> Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) Tanks as Weak Lithium Output Outlook Overshadows Massive Profit

Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) faced a severe downfall with an intraday drop of as much as 6.7% to A$4.77, marking its worst intraday plunge since April 26.

The company surfaced as the second-biggest loser within the ASX 200 benchmark index.

While snapping a five-day winning streak, the stock may still manage to gain over 1% across the week, provided the losses do not escalate.

For FY24, Pilbara Minerals predicts producing between 660 and 690 thousand tonnes of spodumene concentrate, which stands lower than last year’s production of 620.1 thousand tonnes.

This foreseen production at the top end fails to meet the Visible Alpha consensus of 700.0 kt.

Jefferies and Citi were expecting FY24 outputs of 755.8 kt and 713.5 kt respectively.

Pilbara Minerals' FY23 statutory profit immensely soared, quadrupling to A$2.39 billion ($1.53 billion) due to strong sales volume and increased average realized prices.

Despite this shadowing effect, Jefferies still foresees a longer-term value through additional production capacity expansions.

As of the last close, the stock of Pilbara Minerals has shot up by 36.3% this year, in contrast with a 2% rise in the ASX 200 benchmark index.

Pilbara Minerals is an Australian lithium miner involved in the production of spodumene concentrate.


<WIRE> Accent Group (ASX:AX1) Rated 'Buy' by Citi Following Strong Yearly Results; Share Prices Skyrocket

Citi has upgraded Accent Group to ‘Buy’ and has increased the price target for the apparel retailer, following the company’s optimistic annual results.

Accent Group’s shares saw a significant surge of up to 20.3%, reaching A$2.220.

This is the highest intraday gain recorded since April 2020.

Accent Group is currently trading 19.2% higher at A$2.20, marking its highest level since May 23.

The company has emerged as the top gainer in the ASX All Ordinaries index.

The upgrade to ‘Buy’ from the previous ‘Neutral’ rating, along with an increase in the price target to A$2.12 from A$1.80 are significant jumps.

On Thursday, after the market hours, Accent Group reported a FY net profit after tax of A$88.7 million, compared with A$31.5 million in the previous year.

Their FY total sales showed a 24% increase from the previous year, totaling A$1.57 billion.

Citi states that sales trends are better than expected.

The firm also indicated that FY24 and FY25 NPAT estimates are up by 8% and 18%, respectively.

Among 10 analysts examining the stock, one rated it ‘Buy’, seven kept it at ‘Hold’, and two rated it ‘Sell’.

The median price target according to Refinitiv data is A$1.95.

As of the last close, the stock saw a 16.1% increase this year.

Accent Group is an apparel retailer known for its trend-oriented fashion and sturdy financial performance.



<WIRE> BHP Group (ASX:BHP) Shifts Focus to Growth with Commodity Diverse Options - Macquarie

According to analysts at Macquarie, BHP Group (ASX:BHP), recognized as the largest miner listed globally, is shifting its focus towards more growth, banking on its diversified commodity portfolio.

The brokerage believes that if BHP were to obtain approvals for mining expansion at its copper operations in Chile, it could alter the output from the Escondida mine.

Macquarie points out that the company’s management has been placing a substantial emphasis on its copper growth options.

They foresee that the company will concentrate on achieving substantial organic growth post the 2028 Olympic Dam major smelter maintenance program from its Australian copper operations.

BHP Group’s stock has decreased 5.7% this year, as per the last closing figures.

BHP Group (ASX:BHP) is a global mining company known as the world’s largest miner in terms of market capitalization.


<WIRE> Analysts Lower Target Price on Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC) Following Production Outlook Miss

Price targets for Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC) have been reduced by analysts, following a disappointment in the company’s annual production forecast for fiscal 2024.

Citi bank has cut its price target for Whitehaven to A$7.60 from A$7.80, while financial advisory firm, Ord Minnett, has taken it down to A$7.20 from A$8.40.

Last Thursday, Whitehaven predicted a weaker than projected annual managed coal output for FY24, which also prompted a suspension of their buyback programme.

Whitehaven (ASX:WHC) is expected to face several headwinds in FY24 including large tax payments, closure of Werris Creek, and significant development capital expenditure, which will all likely affect their free cash flow, according to Ord Minnett.

Citi bank has consequently reduced its FY24 and FY25 EBITDA estimates for the country’s largest independent coal miner by 23% and 15%, respectively.

This downgrade in earnings is due to weaker production and higher costs.

Out of 12 analysts, five rate the stock as ‘buy’ or higher, five suggest to ‘hold’ and two advise to ‘sell’ the stock.

Their median price target is A$7.60, according to Refinitiv data.

As of the last closing, Whitehaven’s stock was down 26.5% this year.

Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC) is Australia’s largest independent coal miner.


<WIRE> Macquarie Raises Price Target on Air New Zealand (ASX:AIR), Elevates Earnings Expectations

Macquarie analysts have raised the price target on Air New Zealand (ASX:AIR) from NZ$0.90 to NZ$0.98, citing materially lower net debt for the carrier as the primary factor.

Earnings per share (EPS) estimates for FY24 and FY25 have also been increased by 1% and 3% respectively.

The key highlight of the operating cash flow was the reduction in net debt, says Macquarie.

The brokerage also forecasts an additional capital of around NZ$300 million to NZ$650 million, which could be returned to shareholders in FY25.

This excess capital could support the company in replacing its Boeing 777 Dreamliner fleet.

The stock of Air New Zealand (ASX:AIR) has seen a 5.4% rise this year as of the last close.

Air New Zealand (ASX:AIR) is a prominent airline based in New Zealand offering both domestic and international flights.


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<WIRE> Barrenjoey Raises Price Target on Bega Cheese (ASX:BGA)

Financial analysts at Barrenjoey have elevated their price estimate for Australian company Bega Cheese (ASX:BGA) from A$3.50 to A$3.60.

They emphasize that the company’s second half earnings showed a strong operational performance, despite facing challenging conditions in the market.

The brokerage firm has chosen to maintain their ‘neutral’ rating for the stock.

Barrenjoey has expressed enduring confidence in the future of Bega Cheese’s branded products.

Despite this, Bega Cheese’s stock has seen a decline of 16.8% this year according to the last recorded closure.

Bega Cheese is a leading Australian dairy company.


<WIRE> Canaccord Foresees Benefit in Macquarie Technology's (ASX:MAQ) Data Centre Expansion

Financial services company Canaccord Genuity predicts positive outcomes from the data centre expansion of Macquarie Technology Group.

The company has enhanced its IC3 Super West data centre, with Canaccord maintaining a ‘buy’ rating and a price target of A$87.50.

For 2023, Macquarie Technology posted profit after income tax attributable at A$17.7 million, a significant increase from A$8.5 million the previous year.

Canaccord believes that the increased planned IC3 Super West capacity could lead to further potential improvements, catering to the demand for AI workloads.

Furthermore, the brokerage contends that the absence of foregone consulting earnings from future periods will not dampen its optimistic outlook for the stock.

Currently, among analysts, four rate the stock as ‘buy’ or higher and two as ‘sell’; their median price target is A$74.65.

As of the last close, the stock has increased by 9.6% this year.

Macquarie Technology Group (ASX:MAQ) is a data center operator that provides integrated solutions for managing IT infrastructure.



<WIRE> Ord Minnett Increases Price Target on Big River (ASX:BRI) due to Resilient Outlook

Analysts at Ord Minnett have raised their price target on Australia’s Big River (ASX:BRI) to A$2.79 from A$2.77.

They believe the resilience of the company’s outlook was a positive surprise compared to earlier expectations.

The brokerage firm continues to believe that Big River (ASX:BRI) will be able to deliver more resilient results in the short-term relative to future expectations.

Further, the firm adds that Big River (ASX:BRI) remains well-positioned to leverage the strengthening medium-to-longer term outlook, and maintains their ‘buy’ position.

The stock has seen a 15% increase this year, as of the last closing price.

Big River (ASX:BRI) is an Australian company known for its resilient business strategy.


<WIRE> Canaccord Reduces Price Outcome on Capitol Health (ASX:CAJ), Indicates Uncertain Margin Recovery

Canaccord Genuity has reduced the price target on Australia’s Capitol Health (ASX:CAJ) from A$0.30 to A$0.27.

The analysts report that the FY23 results for the healthcare services provider met expectations, yet the path to margin recovery remains unclear.

In the near term, the brokerage foresees a rise in interest expenses for Capitol Health.

Moreover, the company is viewed as a potential buyout target.

Consistent margin strains are seen across the diagnostic imaging sector, where consolidation is likely one of the primary ways to cope with an increasing cost base, according to Canaccord.

The stock value of Capitol Health had dropped by 26.6% over the year up till the recent market close.

Capitol Health is a healthcare services provider, mainly in the field of diagnostic imaging.