Shares in Australia’s Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) have climbed 5.3% to A$9.19 in early trading.

This follows the approval of the A$15.35 billion ($9.84 billion) acquisition of the country’s second leading power producer by a consortium headed by Canada’s Brookfield.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has given the green light to the deal, following an A$8.91 per share bid that was put forward by the consortium for Origin Energy in March.

As of the last closing, Origin Energy’s stock has seen a 13.1% rise this year.

Origin Energy is Australia’s number two power producer and a major player in the energy market.

Original Juice Co (ASX:OJC) has recently announced its Q1 gross sales for FY24.

It reported an impressive A$13.4 million, marking a 23% increase compared to the previous corresponding period.

Furthermore, the company gave a forecast for its FY24 sales, projecting them to be in the region of A$59 to A$61 million.

Original Juice Co specializes in the production and sales of a variety of juice products.

Citi analysts have reduced their earnings expectations for Australian lithium companies.

They predict that lithium prices will maintain a steady level for the next 12 to 18 months, and are bearish on the near-term outlook for the commodity.

Citi has lowered the price target for Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) by 20 Australian cents per share, bringing it to A$4.50 per share.

In addition, they have made revisions to the price target on IGO (ASX:IGO), reducing it to A$13 per share from A$15.50.

Core Lithium (ASX:CXO) has also been adjusted in Citi’s rating, dropping from a ‘neutral’ to a ‘sell’.

The firm reports that the demand for electric vehicles has failed to meet high expectations, largely due to an increase in supply.

Despite the current bearish sentiment, Citi remains optimistic about the long-term prospects for lithium.

Citi has highlighted Pilbara Minerals and Allkem (ASX:AKE) as its sector picks, pointing out that Allkem represents the most promising growth outlook.

Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) is a mineral exploration company with a primary focus on lithium and tantalum, based in Australia.

Kathleen Conlon, chairman of Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC), has declared her intention to retire.

Following her announcement, John Humphrey has been elected to succeed her as chairman of Lynas Rare Earths.

John Humphrey has been elected to this position in conjunction with Kathleen’s decision to step down.

Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC) is a company known for mining and refining rare Earth minerals.

Auric Mining (ASX:AWJ) has reported that a total of 4,300 ounces of gold were produced during its second campaign, which took place until October 6 at Jeffreys Find Gold Mine.

The company also highlighted that an additional 36,000 tonnes of gold, currently situated on the run-of-mine (ROM) pad at Norseman, are planned to be hauled to the mill in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, from this second campaign, 113,000 tonnes of gold ore have so far been delivered for processing to the Greenfields Mill located in Coolgardie.

Auric Mining is a mining company focused on discovering high-grade, multi-commodity mineral deposits.

Citi analysts have increased their FY23 earnings projections for gaming and technology company Aristocrat Leisure (ASX:ALL) by 1%.

The earnings upgrade emerges from the company’s better-than-projected growth in its social casino portfolio for the September quarter, says the brokerage.

Moreover, the company maintains a ‘buy’ rating and upholds a PT of A$42.8 per share.

According to Citi, Aristocrat Leisure (ASX:ALL) is also due to see earnings rise following the recent acquisition of NeoGames.

10 out of 11 analysts are rating the stock as ‘buy’ or higher, with 1 rating it ‘hold’ and appointing a median PT of A$44.75 according to LSEG data.

The stock has surged 30.7% this year, up to the last close.

Aristocrat Leisure is an Australian-based gaming and technology company specializing in social casino portfolio.

Financial analysis team Jefferies has increased their price target for Australian firm, Monadelphous Group (ASX:MND) from AUD$15 to AUD$16, while upholding a ‘buy’ rating for their prospects.

Jefferies notably maintains a positive outlook for the company, anticipating substantial growth in multiyear profits.

They predict there’s ample scope for expansion in the engineering and construction sectors, in particular.

They also express confidence in the company’s potential to return to FY17-19 earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) margin levels.

Monadelphous Group’s (ASX:MND) Engineering and Construction and Civil Construction sectors are projected to gain advantage from an escalated level of work-related projects in the Pilbara region.

Jefferies puts forward that new contracts hold more opportunities than risks due to the current scarcity in the labor market.

The financial service firm also states their decision to bring down the EBITDA margin presumptions.

Shares of Monadelphous Group (ASX:MND) have appreciated by 3.4% Year To Date till the latest market closure.

Monadelphous Group operates as a signal provider of construction, maintenance and industrial services to the resources sector.

Analysts at Jefferies are predicting a noticeable deceleration in loan growth and a potential downside risk to net interest margins (NIM), which may adversely impact the second half of 2023 earnings for Australia’s leading banks.

The brokerage also anticipates a moderate increase in bad loans across the banking sector.

According to Jefferies, Westpac (ASX:WBC) might align itself with other banking institutions in the region by launching a buyback valued between A$1 billion and A$2 billion.

The analysts also highlighted that ANZ Group (ASX:ANZ) is currently awaiting a decision from the Australian competition tribunal related to its planned acquisition of the insurer Suncorp (ASX:SUN).

Westpac is expected to release its results on November 6, followed by National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) on November 9.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA), the country’s largest bank, is also scheduled to announce their first-quarter results.

Westpac (ASX:WBC) is one of the top banking companies in Australia, offering a comprehensive range of banking and financial services.

Jefferies commends the comprehensive quarterly production of Australia’s Aeris Resources, which surpassed the financial services company’s forecasts.

The final production for Jaguar exceeded expectations, attributed largely to higher processed grades.

Jefferies maintains its ‘hold’ rating and a price target of A$0.20 per share.

However, the company asserts that increased capital expenditures in FY24’s first half and continued struggles in base metals could potentially strain Aeris' balance sheet moving forward.

Jefferies also mentioned several upcoming studies from Aeris' project set for release over FY24, suggesting these could offer upside potential.

Out of five analysts, three rate the stock as ‘buy’ and two as ‘hold’; their median price target is A$0.29 according to LSEG data.

Despite these endorsements, Aeris' stock has declined 67.3% this year, as of the latest closing.

Aeris Resources is an Australian entity engaged in mining and mineral extraction.

Analysts at Citi anticipate another earnings upgrade for the business travel software maker Serko (ASX:SKO), with the driving force attributed to Booking.com for Business, a leading business travel platform.

Citi’s brokerage department has increased its price target (PT) for shares listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) from 4.35 Australian dollars to 4.75, maintaining its ‘buy/high risk’ rating.

While a weaker macro environment could negatively influence travel demand, the brokerage sees increasing penetration from Booking.com for Business as a significant offset.

The FY24 revenue estimate by Citi for Serko (ASX:SKO) has been lifted by 4% to NZ$71 million ($42.75 million).

The forecast assumes a 5% sequential growth in average revenue per completed room night in H1'24, remaining flat in H2'24, according to the brokerage.

Citi also predicts that Serko (ASX:SKO) will raise its FY24 revenue forecast, keeping cost projections unchanged.

Out of seven analysts, five rate the stock ‘buy’ or higher, while two recommend ‘hold’.

The median PT for ASX-listed shares is A$4.35, as per data from LSEG.

As of the last closing, the ASX-listed shares have risen by 64.1% year-to-date.

Serko (ASX:SKO) is a prominent business travel software maker.