0321 GMT - The sales that Endeavour lost due to strikes at Woolworths' distribution centers don't worry its bulls at UBS. Analysts Shaun Cousins and James Meares maintain a buy rating on the stock despite lowering their EPS forecasts due to what they estimate will be A$40 million in lost sales. They write in a client note that consumers are unlikely to significantly change purchasing habits during such a short-lived disruption to stock availability and see potential for the group to recover some sales by March. UBS retains a target price of A$5.00 on the stock, which is up 0.6% at A$4.305. ([email protected])

0110 GMT - South32 may need to shut-in its Mozal aluminum operations in Mozambique, where the miner is finding it hard to bring in raw materials because of road blockages, say Morgan Stanley analysts in a note. "Although negative, a shut-in could mean 50% of alumina sales are made on spot," helping to offset the impact, say the analysts. "However, restart costs will be quite significant" at roughly US$200 million, they say. Watch for likely near-term updates from the miner, the analysts say. MS has an equal-weight rating and A$3.30 target on South32, which is down by 4.2% at A$3.525. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0033 GMT - Transurban's recent traffic data was stronger than expected across the Australian toll-road operator's markets, Macquarie analysts write in a note. They tell clients that strength in traffic adds marginally to near-term earnings prospects, and could signal that the impact of both roadworks and the country's soft economy are subsiding. Macquarie raises its earnings forecasts for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 by 2.9% and 4.9%, respectively, and says that toll reform in Australia's NSW state is the next potential catalyst for the stock. Macquarie lifts its target price by 2.6% to A$13.00 and keeps a neutral rating. Shares are up 0.35% at A$12.935. ([email protected])

0012 GMT - Perpetual would have a better foundation for the proposed turnaround of its investments division if it keeps hold of its wealth-management and corporate-trust units, Morgan Stanley analyst Andrei Stadnik says. He reckons that the tax ruling on the proposed demerger of wealth management and corporate trust has made their sale to KKR looking less likely. He writes in a note that Perpetual's current group structure will now look more attractive to shareholders. MS has an equal-weight rating and A$20.60 target price on the stock, which is down 0.6% at A$19.945. ([email protected])

2358 GMT - Australian funds administrator Generation Development Group's long growth runway and leading value proposition clinch the stock an overweight rating at Morgan Stanley. The investment bank's analysts initiate coverage of the stock, telling clients that GDG has similarities to superannuation-platform operator Hub24, albeit at a much earlier point in its lifecycle. GDG looks well positioned for inclusion in Australia's ASX 300 index, which would improve its visibility and inclusion in portfolios. Hub24 is in the more prestigious S&P/ASX 200 benchmark index and places among the top 100 stocks by market capitalization. MS places an A$4.75 target price on GDG shares, which are up 0.8% at A$3.83. ([email protected])

2330 GMT - Endeavour's bull at Jefferies doesn't foresee any lasting impact on the drinks retailer from the distribution-center disruption that hit sales. Analyst Michael Simotas tells clients in a note that the impact is one-off and should be short-lived. He doesn't think there is any risk that Endeavour will have to lower product prices to restore demand. Supermarket owner Woolworths, whose distribution centers Endeavour uses, is a different matter, he adds. He estimates that Endeavour will end up losing a total A$50 million in sales due to the now-concluded strikes at the centers. Jefferies has a buy rating and A$5.70 target price on the stock, which is down 1.2% at A$4.23. ([email protected])

2313 GMT - Perpetual is likely to hold onto both corporate trust and wealth management after an Australian tax ruling that hit KKR's chances of acquiring the units, Bell Potter analyst Marcus Barnard says. He tells clients in a note that a higher-than-expected tax liability on demerging the assets has hit shareholder returns from the deal so heavily that it is unlikely to be voted through. Barnard thinks that KKR is unlikely to lift its offer by the A$300 million that he reckons would lift the deal valuation to expected levels, while a move for the whole of Perpetual looks costly. Bell Potter keeps a buy rating and A$24.76 target price on the stock, which is at A$20.07 ahead of the open. ([email protected])

2308 GMT - ASX-listed chemicals companies Orica and Incitec Pivot are likely to benefit from a weaker than previously anticipated Australian dollar over the next few years, Macquarie analysts say in a note. Both companies make a lot of their money abroad and have material exposure to the greenback, the analysts say. Macquarie, which has pared its Australian dollar forecasts through FY27, lifts its price target a tad on both stocks. On Orica, the bank raises its target by 1% to A$20.78/share and reiterates an outperform rating. Orica ended Tuesday at A$18.39/share. On Incitec Pivot, Macquarie raises its target by 3% to A$3.15/share and reiterates a neutral call. Incitec Pivot ended at A$3.07/share. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

2304 GMT - Domino's Pizza Enterprises loses its bull at Citi after failing to show evidence of any turnaround at its operations in France. Analyst Sam Teeger tells clients in a note that he has seen little to suggest the Australian fast-food franchiser's recent initiatives have materially improved sales trends. This makes him question whether next year's increase to restaurants' ad fund will be helpful, and leaves him more cautious on the outlook. He cuts his target price 11% to A$32.25 on a lower valuation of the ASX-listed company's European operations. Citi cuts its recommendation to neutral from buy. Shares are at A$31.25 ahead of the open. ([email protected])

1749 ET - Slowing sales growth of DAOU-branded wines could threaten owner Treasury Wine Estates' annual earnings guidance, Citi analyst Sam Teeger warns. He points out that DAOU's 8% sales growth over the four weeks through Nov. 30 is down from 10% and 12% over the two prior four-week periods, and is the lowest rate of growth he has seen from the California brand for several years. He concedes that this may be related to a change in distributor, but tells clients in a note that the decline in Treasury's total Americas sales was twice that of the market average. Citi has a buy rating and A$12.97 target price on the stock, which is at A$11.95 ahead of the open. ([email protected])

0609 GMT - Treasury Wine Estates' physical presence in China should enhance the perception of the Australian producer's Penfolds brand in the country and provide political capital, Jefferies analyst Michael Simotas says. The acquisition of a controlling stake in Ningxia Stone & Moon Winery is not financially material but will complement Treasury's existing third-party sourcing model to scale production of Penfolds in China, he tells clients in a note. Simotas also thinks that the recent discussion of stimulus in China could be positive for local demand. Jefferies has a buy rating and A$15.50 target price on the stock, which closed up 4% at A$11.95. ([email protected])

0452 GMT - Volatile power prices are improving the profitability of battery storage projects in Australia, according to energy analyst Wood Mackenzie. It says that the revenue uncertainty that has been a key constraint on project financing is easing, with investment returns for 4-hour systems in the country's three top electricity market regions exceeding 10%. Price spikes and falling costs are helping improve the viability of projects, Wood Mackenzie says in a report. By 2030, over 80% of battery project revenues in Australia will come from energy arbitrage, it adds. ([email protected])

0427 GMT - Woolworths' earnings hit from strike action at some of its distribution centers could range from A$55 million to A$126 million, Goldman Sachs analysts estimate. In their best-case scenario, Woolworths faces an additional A$90 million sales impact in addition to what has already been disclosed, but recoups some of that as sales ramp up heading into Christmas. The analysts note that clarity on the full impact is unlikely until holiday performance can be assessed. In addition, supermarket operator Coles could see its earnings increase by A$4 million to A$27 million due to Woolworths' challenges. ([email protected])

(END) Dow Jones Newswires