Allkem (ASX:AKE) disclosed its consolidated net profit from ongoing operations of US$524.6 Million for the fiscal year.

Coupled with the US$1,207.8 million revenue performance from the group, the firm showed a robust financial standing.

Among notable projects, the construction of Sal de Vida is making significant progress, with the James Bay project steaming ahead after approvals received by the federal government for the ESIA.

In Mid-July, Olaroz Stage 2 achieved its first wet production with a commissioning plan in place to increase operations over the next 12-18 months.

An additional 4-5 year mine life until 2027-2028 has been confirmed after Mt Cattlin’s ore reserve update.

High-grade zones of mineralization were discovered after receiving federal approval for James Bay ESIA in January 2023.

However, the company announced no dividends will be dispersed for this year.

Lastly, the Naraha Lithium Hydroxide Plant has successfully achieved initial production.

Allkem is an international mining conglomerate generating and investing in sustainable, cutting-edge resource exploration.

In view of the prevalent low steel spreads, financial services firm Jefferies sees potential mid-term challenges for Australia’s BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL).

The firm expresses continued confidence in BlueScope Steel due to its high-quality steel-building products, distinguishing it from numerous global competitors.

The firm maintains a ‘buy’ rating citing that as an ‘investment appeal’ in the company.

Projections are made for weaker profits in FY24 and FY25 because of the anticipated lower Asian steel spreads as compared to the A$1.10 billion recorded in FY23.

Jefferies suggests that BlueScope Steel may likely suspend its share buy-back program by FY25, following the recent increase to A$400 million within the subsequent year.

Concurrently, Citi sustains a ‘neutral’ rating with a price target of A$23.50, predicting a short-term weakness in the U.S.

steel outlook.

Additionally, Citi enhances its FY24-FY25 EBIT estimates by 25% and 10%, respectively.

Currently, BlueScope Steel shares stand at A$21.17, a 0.5% decrease.

BlueScope Steel has received a ‘buy’ or higher rating from seven out of twelve analysts, four have given a ‘hold’ and one ‘sell’.

Their median price target is A$23.55 according to Refinitiv data.

BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL) is a high-quality steel-building products firm distinctively different from its many global peers.

Coles Group (ASX:COL) has reported growth in Q4 sales, with an increase of 8.0% in supermarkets and a boost of 2.9% in liquor.

Notable during the early part of FY24 is a positive trend in supermarket volumes.

Planned for the FY24 are approximately 15 new stores, six store closures and 50 renewals in supermarkets.

The company also does not anticipate significant property divestments this current fiscal year.

Early trends suggest customers are moving toward home dining options.

While headline inflation appears to stay moderate, with the fresh produce category still in deflation, the expected operating capital for the fiscal year ranges from A$1.2 billion to A$1.4 billion.

Addressing stock loss issues is a priority for Coles Group, with immediate actions being taken.

In the liquor segment, the company is planning to open about 20 new stores, close six stores and renew over 100 stores in the FY24.

Many Australian households may face consistent cost of living pressures in FY24, according to the company’s estimates.

In addition, a recent hike in Victorian payroll tax is estimated to contribute approximately A$20 million annually.

The second ADC is expected to be opened by Coles Group in FY24.

The company mentions that cash flow conversion may be lower for FY24 compared to prior periods but it remains well-positioned for benefitting from Australia’s high population growth and increases in at-home consumption in the medium term.

Efficiencies from a more resilient supply chain will be seen over the next few years, the company said.

Coles Group is a major Australian supermarket, retail and consumer services chain.

Coles Group (ASX:CGJ) has announced a final dividend of 30 Australian cents per share.

They report a financial year profit after tax attributable to A$1,098 million, compared to A$1,048 million from the previous period.

The company anticipates that COVID-19 will continue to impact both its business and the wider community.

As part of its response, Coles Group is launching its ‘Simplify and Save to Invest Program’.

The program aims to generate in excess of A$1 billion in cumulative savings over the coming four years.

The total supermarket price inflation for the year was reported at 6.7%.

The company also expects the New South Wales CFC to be commissioned with an incremental ramp-up period beginning at the end of the second half of the 2024 financial year.

Coles Group is a prominent Australian supermarket, retail and consumer services chain.

BHP Group (ASX:BHP) revealed that demand for commodities in the developed world has reduced substantially.

This is due to the impact of anti-inflationary policies.

The current outlook for the developed world remains uncertain in the near term.

Though the energy crisis has eased, the trailing effect of increased interest rates is predicted to curb economic growth in the developed world in FY24.

The external operating environment in FY23 for BHP was erratic.

The March quarter, however, saw a better-than-expected recovery in various sectors important to commodity demand, sparking hopes of a strong year overall.

BHP expects China and India to continue to be relative sources of stability for commodity demand in the near term.

Several copper-intensive sectors like automobiles, power machinery, consumer durables, and the electricity grid have witnessed solid growth.

However, BHP predicts that continued labour market tightness will continue to influence their cost base throughout FY24.

The company expects to sustain capital and exploration expenditure for FY24 and FY25 at US$10 billion annually, including US$0.4 billion of exploration in FY24.

The company also noted that near-term copper demand would be met by rising primary and scrap supply.

The cost of mining production is now estimated to have increased compared to pre-pandemic levels.

For future predictions, traditional copper demand remains solid while decarbonisation mega-trends are expected to bolster demand.

The Group highlighted how efforts are underway to extend the life of operations at its Cerro Colorado and Antamina sites.

Net debt saw an increment of US$10.8 billion in the same year.

For medium-term estimates, China’s iron ore demand is expected to shrink compared to current rates.

BHP Group is a multinational mining, metals, and petroleum company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.

Woodside Energy Group announced they posted their half-year underlying net profit after tax at a figure of US$1,896 million, displaying a rise from the US$1,819 million reported the year prior.

Furthermore, the company has declared an interim dividend of 80 US cents per share.

The net profit after tax for the half-year revealed itself as US$1,740 million, this reveals a growth when compared to the US$1,640 million reported in the same period the previous year.

With respect to ongoing projects, the Scarborough development was reported as 38% completed, while the Sangomar project reached a completion level of 88%.

An increase in ullage is predicted for KGP in 2024.

The Trion project and the Julimar-Brunello Phase 3 project have both received the final investment decision.

Other focuses for Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) include reducing operating costs, finalizing further discussions between NWS and other resource billionaires for third-party gas processing, and the evaluation of infill and nearfield opportunities to utilize ullage at KGP.

Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) is also pursuing opportunities to reduce Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions at Pluto LNG by using solar energy from the proposed Woodside Solar Project.

Woodside Energy Group is an integrated energy company specializing in natural gas and conventional oil production.

BHP Group (ASX:BHP) has announced its final dividend of US 80 cents per share.

The profit attributable for this financial year was significantly lower than the last, at US$13,420 million compared to the reported US$21,319 million from the previous year.

BHP Group’s profit after tax was also lower this year, at US$12,921 million compared to last year’s US$30,900 million.

Revenue from ongoing operations also saw a decrease, from last year’s reported US$65,098 million to this year’s US$53,817 million.

Despite these setbacks, the company maintains that it is on track to achieve its FY2030 target to reduce operational GHG emissions by at least 30% from FY2020 levels.

BHP Group is a multinational mining, metals and petroleum company, and it stands as one of the largest mining companies globally.

Canaccord Genuity analysts have adjusted the price target on Adairs (ASX:ADH), the Australian home furnishings retailer, from A$1.60 per share down to A$1.40.

They forecast a trend of subdued sales throughout fiscal 2024, hence adjustments were made to the Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) estimates, reducing them to just under A$50 million.

Canaccord has decided to maintain their ‘hold’ rating on Adairs until more promising news regarding earnings or changes in management outlook emerge.

The analysts note that current trading conditions are weak in fiscal 2024, suggesting continued difficulty in the retail environment.

Out of nine industry analysts, three rate Adairs' stock as ‘buy’, five rate it as ‘hold’, and one as ‘sell’, with a median price target of A$1.80, according to Refinitiv data.

The stock has substantially dipped this year, experiencing a 35.7% loss as of the last closing price.

Adairs is a specialty retailer that provides high-quality and fashionable homewares and home furnishings.

Investments banking firm, Citi, has significantly reduced the price target for Australian agricultural business, Elders (ASX:ELD), from A$6.85 to A$6.00 based on a weaker outlook for fiscal year 2024, but it keeps a ‘sell’ rating for the stock.

Elders had announced expectations for its fiscal year 2023 underlying earnings before interest and tax at A$165 million and A$175 million.

This indicates a downgrade from its earlier projection of A$180 million and A$200 million, which was impacted by less-than-expected sales of rural products, among other factors.

Consequently, Citi reduced its fiscal year 2023 underlying EBIT for Elders to A$166 million, reflecting a cautious near-term forecast across the agribusiness sector.

Analysts at Citi noted that while the downgrade in Elders' earnings wasn’t surprising, they were taken aback by its magnitude.

With downside risks looming for the agribusiness industry, the total market that Elders could possibly address is anticipated to decline in the near term.

Out of eleven analysts, four rate Elders' stock as ‘buy’ or higher, six as ‘hold’, and one as ‘sell’ or lower.

The median price target is A$8.39, as per data from Refinitiv.

Elders' stock has suffered a fall of roughly 37.4% this year, up to the most recent close.

Elders (ASX:ELD) is a renowned Australian agricultural business, providing a broad range of services and products related to farming and rural supplies.

Analysts cannot seem to agree on a2 Milk (ASX:ATM), a New Zealand-based dairy producer, even amidst its disappointing predictions for FY24 that were unveiled last Monday.

The company anticipates a low single-digit revenue percentage increase in FY24, a stark contrast from the 10.1% revenue growth logged in FY23.

This shift has been mainly driven by the obstacles encountered in China’s infant milk formula (IMF) market.

Analysists from Citi, for instance, have revised their net profit after tax estimates for FY24 and FY25 downwards by 15% and 13%, in light of this lackluster guidance.

Additionally, Citi highlights that the Chinese infant formula market continues to be fraught with challenges, leading to a potential near-term risk escalation.

Moreover, the China label IMF category has been witnessing a downturn since February/March 2023, Citi indicates.

On the contrary, Morningstar projects that a2 Milk (ASX:ATM) will manage to grow its Chinese infant formula market share to approximately 8% by fiscal 2028, up from the current value of around 5%.

This prediction comes even as the brokerage firm makes several reductions to its short-term estimates.

Morningstar expects a2 Milk to continue capturing a larger market share, aided by the increasing premiumisation that is expected to counterbalance the falling birth rates in China to some extent.

Citi has cut its stock price target to NZ$4.74 per share, while maintaining a ‘neutral’ rating.

On the other hand, Morningstar sticks to its fair value estimate of NZ$8.00 per share, though it continues to maintain a ‘high’ uncertainty rating.

As per Refinitiv data, although one in six analysts consider the stock a ‘buy’ or higher, four rate it a ‘hold’ and one considers it a ‘sell’ or lower.

These mixed views place the median price target at NZ$6.10.

This year, as seen at the previous closure, the a2 Milk stock has dropped approximately 36.6%.

a2 Milk (ASX:ATM) is a dairy company based in New Zealand that specializes in producing and selling milk products that lack the A1 beta-casein protein.