According to analysts at Morningstar, the commodities sector of laboratory service provider ALS (ASX:ALQ) is set to continue its downward spiral.

The analysts have maintained a fair value estimate of A$8.40 per share for the company.

They also stated that the near-term market dynamics have not altered enough to necessitate an update to their forecasts.

Currently, shares in ALS are up by 0.5%.

A breakdown of analyst opinions reveals five out of nine rate the stock as ‘buy’ or higher, while four recommend ‘hold’, with a median price target of A$12.90, according to LSEG data.

This year up to the last close, the stock saw a decline of 6.7%.

ALS (ASX:ALQ) is a major provider of laboratory services in Australia.

Shares of Spirit Technology Solutions (ASX:ST1) gained as much as 2.44% reaching A$0.042, forecasted to record the largest rise since September 12th, if the current trend continues.

The IT services firm stated that they managed to secure A$5 million ($3.23 million) via two tranches convertible note placement.

The stock is on its way to experience a second consecutive session of rises.

Trading saw about 125,800 shares change hands, in comparison with the 30-day average volume of 380,603 shares.

The stock has fallen 36.9% this year, as of the last close.

Spirit Technology Solutions is an IT services company.

Morningstar analysts have launched their coverage on Centuria Capital Group (ASX:CNI) with an estimated fair value of A$1.75 per security.

Currently, Centuria’s shares have fallen by 0.7% to A$1.37.

The analysts suggest that the company is undervalued at present, as the market seems to be concentrating on near-term outflow risks while overlooking long-term growth opportunities.

The brokerage firm predicts an annual funds under management growth recovery of 5% for the remaining duration of its 10-year discrete forecast period.

It was noted that Centuria doesn’t possess the economies of scale that larger fund managers like Charter Hall and Goodman Group enjoy.

Out of nine analysts, four rated the stock as ‘buy’ or higher, four as ‘hold’, and one as ‘sell’; their median price target stands at A$1.70, according to LSEG data.

This year, until the last close, the stock has plummeted 19.4%.

Centuria Capital Group is a fund management firm based in Australia.

Australian gold stocks, symbolised by AXGD, have seen an 8.7% decrease for the month, on track for their worst month since February 28, if these losses persist.

The fundamental cause behind this decline is a fall in bullion prices, which may have their heaviest monthly loss since February due to high-for-longer U.S.

interest rates.

This week, the sub-index declined by 6.1%.

If this trajectory continues, it could be their largest weekly fall since July 21.

Among the corporations affected, gold miners Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST) and Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM) have seen a monthly fall of 12.3% and 5.7% respectively.

Northern Star Resources’ shares are also on track for their worst month since February 28, if these losses persist.

This week, Newcrest Mining experienced an 8.6% fall, putting it on track for its worst week since July 1, 2022.

Despite the overall market decline, symbol AXGD rose 4.6% this year as of the most recent close, compared to a 0.2% fall in the benchmark index.

Northern Star Resources is a renowned gold mining company that primarily operates in Australia.

Financial services firm Jefferies has stated the recent launch of a real estate portal, View.com.au, by View Media Group does not pose a threat to its rivals REA Group (ASX:REA) and Domain Holdings Australia (ASX:DHG).

Jefferies claims that View Media’s consumer experience so far has proven below par.

Furthermore, View is not designed to directly compete with the core listing business of REA Group and Domain Holdings Australia.

At present, REA Group’s shares are down by 1.1% at A$152.77, while Domain Holdings Australia’s shares are up by 0.1% at A$3.94.

REA Group (ASX:REA) is a multinational digital advertising business specializing in property.

Shares of toll road operator Atlas Arteria (ASX:ALX) have dropped up to 2.5% to reach A$5.47.

The stock had reached its lowest point in 16 months on Thursday, and it appears to be headed for another day of losses if the current trend continues.

These losses were incurred after the French government proposed a new tax regime for transport infrastructures.

The resulting impact, according to analysts at Jefferies, could be around 36 Australian cents per share for Atlas Arteria.

Jefferies commented that there is little positive news in the new budget for operators, but this development was expected.

Despite the bearish outlook, Jefferies maintains its ‘buy’ rating for the stock with a median price target of A$6.88.

Although the analysts' median price target is A$6.66, their average rating is at ‘hold’.

The company’s shares have seen an activity of about 497,791 shares changing hands, compared to the 30-day average volume of 3.3 million shares.

As of last close, Atlas Arteria’s stock has dropped 15.1% this year.

Atlas Arteria (ASX:ALX) is a toll road operator company.

Shares of the Australian diversified miner, South32 (ASX:S32), soared by as much as 4%.

Current performance indicates the company’s potential for its best day since September 15th, provided the gains remain firm.

The firm has been upgraded to a ‘buy’ status from a ‘neutral’ rating by analysts at Citi Research.

Citi predicts that South32’s share price will rebound from recent lows as the major spot commodity prices are reportedly significantly higher than the market’s anticipations for FY24.

The company’s EPS estimate was significantly reduced post the company’s announcement of the FY24 cost forecast.

With the rising prices of coking coal and alumina, the consensus EPS estimates are expected to surge, opines Citi.

Citi further added that South32 has the highest operating leverage amongst the diversified miners.

According to LSEG data, out of 15 analysts, 10 have rated the stock ‘buy’ or higher, whilst five have stuck with ‘hold.’ The median PT stands at A$4.08.

As of the last close, the stock had shed 18.3% year-to-date.

South32 (ASX:S32) is a global diversified miner with operations in several commodities including aluminium, nickel, silver, zinc, lead, and thermal coal.

Liontown Resources shares (ASX:LTR) have fallen by 1.7%, largely due to the higher capital cost estimate for Kathleen Valley project.

The cost now is projected to be A$951 million, marking a 6% increase from the previously announced A$895 million in January.

Kathleen Valley project, based in North-East of Perth, is considered one of the primary assets of Liontown Resources.

It is set to be acquired by Albemarle Corp.

Despite this recent plunge, Liontown’s share price has clocked in an increase of 125.8% this year.

Liontown Resources is an Australian mining company focusing on the exploration and development of high-quality lithium deposits.

Analysts at Citi report that while Brickworks' (ASX:BKW) earnings in FY23 were weak, the value of their business investments saw a ‘significant’ rise.

Brickworks, a building materials maker and property developer, has seen its share price increase up to 3.2% to A$24.85, on track for its best day since March 23 if these gains hold.

Citi has slightly raised the Price Target for Brickworks to A$28.75/share from a previous A$28.50/share.

Despite recognizing potential near-term earnings softness for the company, the brokerage firm believes that Brickworks provides unique exposure in a market where industrial assets continue to be in strong demand.

In place of furthering its earnings, Brickworks is currently focusing on maximizing returns from its invested capital, while reducing capital intensity according to Citi.

This analysis contributes to Citi’s decision to retain their ‘buy’ rating on the stock.

Brickworks' stock has seen an 8.6% raise this year as of its last close.

Brickworks (ASX:BKW) is a building materials manufacturer and property developer based in Australia.

GNR Engineering (ASX:GNG) shares have seen an uptick of as much as 2.4%, reaching A$2.160.

This uptick is poised to mark the company’s best day since September 22, subject to the preservation of the gains.

GNR Engineering, an Engineering contractor, has announced it has secured an A$155 mln engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN).

The contract regards the Mungari Future Growth Project – Process Plant in Western Australia.

The contract’s primary assignment involves expansion of the current Mungari process plant’s yearly throughput.

This includes necessitated modifications to the process plant buildings along with related infrastructure.

The stock is on track for its fourth consecutive week of gains, assuming the gains persist.

As of latest closure, the stock had increased by 9.1% year to date.

GNR Engineering is an established engineering contracting firm specializing in offering comprehensive solutions to its clientele.