0359 GMT - Catapult's bull at Bell Potter thinks the sports-tech company is likely to reiterate its annual outlook when it announces 1H results rather than offer any specific guidance. Analyst Chris Savage expects next month's result to demonstrate good operating leverage. He forecasts a 54% rise in Ebitda off a 14% lift in revenue, with free cash flow rising 28% on year. He expects annualized contract value, a key leading indicator of revenue, to rise 16%, and sees risks tilted to the upside. The only aspect of Catapult's outlook that he thinks could be clarified is the pace of ACV growth. Bell Potter lifts its target price 4.7% to A$2.88 and keeps a buy rating on the stock, which is down 3.9% at A$2.45.([email protected])

0354 GMT - A hiring slowdown at CAR Group's Trader Interactive business is likely to support U.S. earnings growth, Citi analyst Siraj Ahmed says. He tells clients that Citi's analysis of hiring activity suggests that on-year headcount growth at Trader Interactive has slowed to 13% from 19% in June. With Ahmed expecting revenue growth to ease over the six months through December, the slowdown in hiring pace should help support 10% Ebitda growth, which CAR Group would characterize as good. Citi has a buy rating and A$39.50 target price on the stock, which is up 1.0% at A$37.45.([email protected])

0229 GMT - BHP is expected to need to help support its Samarco iron ore joint venture with Vale over the next few years, says Citi analyst Paul McTaggart, after the miners reached a US$32 billion settlement with Brazilian authorities over a 2015 dam collapse. In a few years' time, Samarco should be able to meet the obligations set out under the settlement, McTaggart notes. The JV is gradually ramping up production following the dam disaster, generating about US$800 million in Ebitda and US$500 million in free cash flow last year from 9 million metric tons of output. Production is expected to increase to about 16 million tons in fiscal 2026 and about 27 million tons in fiscal 2029, McTaggart says. BHP rises 1.2% to A$42.88. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0214 GMT - IGO's 1Q Ebitda and free cash flow miss expectations, says RBC Capital Markets analyst Kaan Peker. The miner's Nova nickel operation particularly disappoints, with IGO flagging costs tracking at the upper end of guidance despite it only being the first quarter of the fiscal year, Peker says. No dividend was paid by the TLEA joint venture for 1Q, but that was expected given the investment being made in a chemical-grade processing plant, he says. Peker doesn't expect any dividends from the TLEA joint venture in fiscal 2025. RBC has an outperform rating and A$6.50 target on the stock. IGO falls 0.8% to A$5.27. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0035 GMT - WiseTech Global is a uniquely good and profitable software company despite its change of CEO, Morgan Stanley analysts tell clients in a note. They acknowledge some uncertainty due to Richard White's change of role but reckon that accumulating the stock at current levels will reward long-term investors. WiseTech's CargoWise logistics platform brings significant value to customers and the company has established a widening competitive advantage over peers. There is a long pathway for growth within a large and expanding market, they add. MS cuts its target price 11% to A$120.00 but keep an overweight rating on the stock, which is up 0.2% A$112.23. ([email protected])

0019 GMT - ResMed's bulls at Wilsons say external demand drivers are the most powerful they've seen in 16 years covering the breathing-tech provider. The broker's analysts point to the positive impact of rising health awareness from smart devices, plus obesity treatment and awareness. ResMed's market dominance and tech capabilities also support their continued overweight recommendation. With the stock rallying to trade at 20X Ebitda, they call recent worries over the potential impact of weight-loss drugs "nonsense". Wilsons lifts the stock's target price 4.8% to A$42.18. Shares are up 1.5% at A$38.29.([email protected])

2340 GMT - Lower-than-expected growth in SiteMinder's operating expenses could indicate nervousness at the accommodation-tech provider's revenue outlook, Citi analyst Siraj Ahmed says. He tells clients in a note that LinkedIn data indicates on-year headcount growth of just 4%. That suggests that annual operating-expense growth is tracking lower than his 10% forecast. This is positive for both free cashflow and operating expenses but hints at potential uncertainty over future sales, Ahmed says. Citi has a buy rating and A$7.20 target price on the stock, which is up 2.5% at A$6.67. ([email protected])

2331 GMT - Temple & Webster could still be on course for a 25% lift in annual revenue despite what looks to Citi analyst James Wang like a slight moderation in growth through its fiscal 1Q. Wang tells clients in a note that the online furniture retailer's latest update implies that on-year sales growth slowed from 26% in mid August to 18% over the rest of the quarter, which concerns him. However, he thinks that underlying momentum looks fine. The impact of higher shipping costs on margins is an emerging risk, he adds. Citi has a buy rating and A$13.50 target price on the stock, which is down 3.4% at A$12.11. ([email protected])

2216 GMT - If investors expect a sharp recovery in Metcash's hardware business any time soon then they are likely to be disappointed. Macquarie highlights data that suggest a limited improvement in trade into the medium term. "For example, housing approvals and commencements both remain toward cyclical lows, albeit with a modest improvement in approvals in recent months," Macquarie says. Also, annual construction insolvencies have increased materially in recent years. There were some 3,000 insolvencies in FY 2024. Macquarie downgrades Metcash to neutral, from outperform. It lowers EPS estimates for FY 2025-FY 2028 by 11-12%, driven by the weakness in hardware. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

2202 GMT - Metcash's downbeat trading update is a reminder that hardware is a more volatile business than food, says Citi. This should be considered by investors when assessing what trading multiple Metcash deserves. Analyst Adrian Lemme cuts forecasts for Metcash's net profit by 11% in FY 2025 and by 9% in FY 2026. "The update is also a negative readthrough to Wesfarmers (Sell rated) given Bunnings' exposure to trade/commercial (38% of sales)," Citi adds. The bank retains a neutral call on Metcash and lowers its price target by 15% to A$3.40/share. Metcash ended last week at A$3.19. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

2148 GMT - Super Retail Group's deteriorating sales growth brings out the bear in Wilsons analyst Tom Camilleri. He cuts his recommendation on the Australian retailer to underweight from market-weight, pointing to margin headwinds for its auto business and higher costs in sportswear. Camilleri is surprised by a recent slowdown in sales at the Supercheap Auto chain, and worries that competition suggests a near-term risk of margin compression. He had expected a more positive impact from Rebel Sport's loyalty program by now, and says sportswear sales need to accelerate to offset higher costs. Wilsons cuts its target price 20% to A$12.90. Shares are at A$15.18 ahead of the open. ([email protected])

2137 GMT - The pace at which Aussie Broadband has been adding subscribers could trigger consensus upgrades, says Jefferies. Aussie Broadband added 16,285 residential broadband customers in 1Q, which analyst John Campbell says is a solid beat to expectations. Jefferies forecasts 22,000 new residential subscribers in 1H. Aussie Broadband's business and wholesale subscriber growth was also better than expected. Jefferies says Aussie Broadband's trading multiple isn't expensive, but it retains a hold call for now.([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

2129 GMT - Metcash's disappointing trading update costs it a bull. Jefferies downgrades Metcash to hold, from buy, and lowers its price target by 17% to A$3.40/share on weakness in the hardware business. Subdued building activity has weighed on higher-margin trade sales in its stores. "While we continue to believe in the long term prospects for Hardware & Tools, conditions are still deteriorating and the earnings trough could deepen," analyst Michael Simotas says. Jefferies also thinks Metcash's food and liquor business is likely to face stronger headwinds. Metcash ended last week at A$3.19. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires