UBS analysts have singled out energy conglomerate Santos as their top choice within the Australian energy sector.

The financial services institution has raised its price target on Santos to A$8.95/share from A$8.80/share.

Additionally, UBS has increased its price target on Woodside to A$35.40/share from the previous A$35/share.

The potential restart of drilling activities at Santos' Barossa project by the end of 2023 could assuage potential downward pressure on the stock.

The brokerage has also elevated its average Brent oil price predictions for the fourth quarter of 2023 and for the entirety of 2024, setting them at $92/barrel and $87/barrel, respectively, in light of an anticipated supply crunch.

UBS continues to forecast robust demand from China in the final three months of the year and upholds a conservative outlook for oil demand in 2024.

UBS points out that among the energy companies, Woodside has the highest degree of leverage to changes in the price of oil.

Santos is a leading oil and gas exploration and production company, with high-quality assets and projects predominantly located throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Macquarie predicts that the first quarter preliminary production and cash flow metrics for Genesis Minerals' Leonora project are better than expected.

The financial services firm set a price target of A$1.90 for the Australian gold mining company.

During the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024, Leonora produced 34.1 kilo ounces of gold, which was 8% more than what Macquarie had estimated.

Genesis Minerals reported a cash and bullion build of A$14 million, far exceeding Macquarie’s expectation of an A$15m cash outflow.

Macquarie also anticipates that Genesis Minerals will experience a surge in its production over the fiscal year 2024, along with an increase in stockpiles.

Genesis Minerals' shares have also been performing well, gaining 0.6%, and are 1.3% up year-to-date as of the last close.

Genesis Minerals is an Australian gold mining company with several operations across the country.

Analysts at UBS indicate a low risk of deal completion for the takeover of Australian gold miner, Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM), by Newmont Corp.

They forecast good catalysts for both companies following the deal’s closure in 2023.

Despite a moderating short-term outlook for gold, UBS continues to recognise NCM as a valuable component of gold on the ASX while maintaining a price target of A$26.20.

Newcrest (ASX:NCM) shares increased by 0.9%, following a 15.7% rise this year, as of the most recent closing.

Newcrest Mining is a leading Australian gold miner.

Newcrest (ASX:NCM) has declared a special dividend.

The decision was made to distribute a fully franked special dividend of US$1.10 per share for Newcrest shareholders.

Newcrest is a prominent gold mining company with operations spanning five countries.

Raiz Invest (ASX:RZI) has reported that its global funds under management (FUM) for the month of September have increased significantly by 19.1%.

The total global FUM that the company managed in September was A$1,162.74 million, thereby reflecting a strong gain of 19.1% compared to earlier statistics.

Raiz Invest is an Australian based financial services company which specializes in micro-investing, financial education and customer engagement.

Urbanise (ASX:UBN) anticipates a significant boost in its cash flows by AUD 2.4 million over the next twelve months.

The company’s core development team continues to maintain its stability and integrity.

On October 4, Urbanise implemented headcount reductions that are projected to contribute to cash flow improvements of AUD 1.1 million annually.

The company has also managed to cut down on its non-core development headcount requirements.

Urbanise is committed to achieving sustainable cash flow by the financial year 2025.

Urbanise is a company involved in developing urban environments, intending to create intelligent buildings and cities.

Insurance Australia Group (ASX:IAG) announced that William McDonnell has been appointed as its new Chief Financial Officer.

The decision came from the company’s Managing Director and CEO, Nick Hawkins.

Hawkins had been instrumental in ensuring McDonnell’s appointment as CFO of Insurance Australia Group (ASX:IAG).

Insurance Australia Group is a leading insurer specializing in vehicle, home, business, travel and boat insurance policies.

Thales has sealed the deal on its acquisition of Tesserent, cementing its position in the global cybersecurity market.

Tesserent is among the largest cybersecurity companies in Australia and New Zealand.

With this move, Thales enhances its cybersecurity business with anticipated revenues of more than €2.4 billion expected by 2024.

Thales is a French multinational company, specializing in various fields including aerospace, defense, security and transportation services.

Shares of Neometals, an Australian sustainable battery materials producer, experienced a significant rise.

Neometals (ASX:NMT) saw an increase of up to 16.1% to A$0.36, making it their greatest intraday percentage gain since June.

The company has reported improved lithium yields from 83% to over 93% at Primobius' LiB recycling hub.

Additionally, Neometals (ASX:NMT) stated that their hydrometallurgical refinery trials have produced lithium fluoride with a 95% purity rate, leading to potential savings in operating and capital costs.

The company also surpassed its 30-day average for shares exchanged, with over 1.3 million shares changing hands.

Despite this success, Neometals (ASX:NMT) stock remains down 61.2% year to date, when calculated from the last closing price.

Neometals is a leading sustainable battery materials producer based in Australia focused on enhanced lithium recovery.

Horizon Gold sees a decline in shares by as much as 4.5% to A$0.315.

This is their lowest level recorded since August 23.

The company announced a 1-for-5 renounceable entitlement issue, aimed to raise A$7.5 million.

The issue price, established at A$0.30 per share, represents a 9.1% discount to the stock’s last closing price on September 20.

Horizon Gold plans to direct the funds acquired from this capital raise towards the Gum Creek Gold Project scoping study in Western Australia.

The resources drilling is planned to begin in Q4 of 2023.

Additional plans include repaying accumulated debt, according to the company.

Despite the recent dip, Horizon Gold’s stock is still up 6.4% this year, as of the last close.

Horizon Gold (ASX:HRN) is involved in the exploration and development of gold properties in Australia.