0030 GMT - Macquarie analysts see reasons not to assume that lower Australian interest rates accelerate the country's housing market and housing credit growth. Rate cuts have historically led to such a scenario, but they warn in a note that what is likely to be a modest easing cycle and stretched affordability could lead to smaller benefits this time around. They also think that accelerated amortization could drag credit growth. On the flip side, they observe that existing borrowers may choose to reduce their repayments due to cost-of-living pressures, which would help lenders' credit growth. ([email protected])

0024 GMT - Recent comments from Technology One's management is seen by Bell Potter analyst Chris Savage as supporting his view that the enterprise software provider could lift its annual profit guidance. Savage points out in a note to clients that a presentation by the CEO at February's annual general meeting highlighted the fact that it raised its guidance for fiscal 2024, which ended Sept. 30. Coupled with a comment that the fiscal 2025 outlook is strong, Savage still thinks that the Australia-listed company could lift its profit guidance for the current year to something like 14%-18% growth. Bell Potter raises its target price 3.4% to A$30.50 and keeps a hold rating on the stock, which is down 1.9% at A$28.98. ([email protected])

2357 GMT - Slowing new car sales in Australia costs ARB Corp its bull at Citi. Analyst Sam Teeger cuts his recommendation on the vehicle-accessory maker and retailer to neutral from buy, citing increased near-term caution from accelerating decline in Australian motor sales. New vehicle sales fell 8% in February, compared with January's 2% decline. Teeger tells clients in a note that the trend is negative for ARB's June-half aftermarket sales. He sees the weakness persisting through the rest of the calendar year, although there is upside risk given Citi's expectation that the Reserve Bank of Australia cuts the cash rate twice more in 2025. Target price falls by 23% to A$39.54. Shares are down 3.4% at A$34.01. ([email protected])

2341 GMT - Cochlear's new bull at Citi sees no cause for concern in slowing sales at the hearing-implant maker. Raising his recommendation to buy from neutral, analyst Mathieu Chevrier tells clients in a note that the company is simply seeing the usual slowdown in sales ahead of the launch of its next sound processor model. He isn't worried that the economics of processor upgrades are changing. Chevrier contends that the stock's current valuation at 36 times fiscal 2026 earnings, compared with a historical average of 39, offers a good entry point. Citi lifts its target price 3.4% to A$300.00. Shares are up 1.4% at A$266.98. ([email protected])

2336 GMT - Xero keeps its bull at Goldman Sachs on what analyst Kane Hannan sees as the Australia-listed company's strong positioning within a competitive cloud-accounting industry. Hannan reckons that the pricing and functionality of the company's so-called Xero Simple plans will increase its benefit from tax digitization in the U.K. In the U.S., he sees the prospect of payments growth from Xero's synchronization with Bill.com, as well as benefits from a deepened partnership with payroll company Gusto. GS keeps a buy rating and A$201.00 target price on the stock, which is down 0.4% at A$172.24. ([email protected])

2309 GMT - ResMed gets a new bull at Citi, where analyst Mathieu Chevrier points to the breathing-tech maker's strong EPS growth, free cash-flow and balance sheet. Raising his recommendation on ResMed's Australia-listed stock to buy from neutral, Chevrier values the company at 24 times projected fiscal 2026 earnings, in line with its pre-Covid average. Its current valuation of 22 times fiscal 2026 earnings therefore looks reasonable, he writes in a note. He points out that ResMed has seen little impact from the roll-out of new weight-loss drugs, and sees risks associated with such treatments being continuously pushed back. Citi lifts its target price 7.3% to A$44.00. Shares are at A$36.92 ahead of the open. ([email protected])

2245 GMT - Australians have their eyes turned to the Queensland capital of Brisbane as cyclone Alfred appears set to make landfall in the coming days. With 4.5 million people in its path, there's the potential for billions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses across southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. It's extremely rare for cyclones to hit so far south with smaller tourism centers and farms further north the usual victims of cyclones. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has estimated that 1.8 million homes will be affected by the category-2 storm. The economic impact could be significant. ([email protected]; @JamesGlynnWSJ)

2222 GMT - Catapult's bulls at Jefferies see three reasons to believe that the sports-tech provider can maintain its recent share-price outperformance. Listed first in an analyst note to the investment bank's clients is operational leverage emerging from continued penetration of wearable devices. With Catapult having integrated its SBG Sports Software acquisition, the analysts also see a tailwind from the cross-sale of products to more existing clients. Finally, they highlight long-term price increases as products become more entrenched in clients' workflows. Jefferies raises its target price on the stock 39% to A$4.60 and maintains a buy rating. Shares are at A$3.58 ahead of the open. ([email protected])

(END) Dow Jones Newswires