0324 GMT - Westpac's long spell of soft mortgage growth looks set to continue for another three years, undermining any arguments that the stock could outperform its Australian bank peers, Morgan Stanley analysts say. They point out that Westpac's Australian mortgage portfolio has grown by less than the overall market, and at a lower rate than the average of its major peers, for five consecutive years. They anticipate three more years of below-market growth rates after Westpac's decision to stop accepting new business at its Rams subsidiary. The analysts calculate that the run-off from the Rams portfolio leaves Westpac needing to lift new lending by 11% amid robust competition. This contributes to their unchanged underweight rating on the stock. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

0307 GMT - Australia's REA Group remains bullish at Bell Potter despite pressure on the stock from U.S. takeover interest in rival property advertiser Domain. Analyst Michael Ardrey tells clients in a note that REA's valuation multiples have been compressed back toward their two-year averages due to CoStar's bid for Domain, which ranks as the No. 2 property advertiser in the Australian market behind News Corp.-controlled REA. He points out that the entry of a significant global peer with a large balance sheet into the local market could threaten REA's economic moat over the medium to long term. Bell Potter maintains a buy rating on the stock but cuts its target price 6.0% to A$264.00. Shares are down 0.3% at A$229.60. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

0251 GMT - Alcidion's new bull reckons that the healthcare software provider is well placed to deliver positive annual earnings, and maybe even a net profit. Bell Potter analyst Thomas Wakim raises his recommendation on the stock to buy from hold, telling clients in a note that a combination of a cost-cutting restructure with the signing of a large-scale patient-record contract has already delivered modestly positive 1H Ebitda. With A$8 million in licensing revenue scheduled to be recognized in 2H, Wakim anticipates a welcome shift in profitability across Alcidion's full-year result. Bell Potter keeps a A$0.11 target price on the stock, which is down 1.25% at A$0.079. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

0029 GMT - Treasury Wine Estates' bull at Morgan Stanley stays positive on the stock despite the potential for significant market disruption from U.S. trade tariffs. Analyst Melinda K. Baxter tells clients in a note that tariffs on imports to the U.S. could help the Australian company thanks to the fact that 80% of its U.S. sales are produced locally. However, that could be benefit by a squeeze on other global markets as European producers redistribute inventory previously destined for the States. Baxter is keeping an eye on tariffs and Chinese consumer sentiment but maintains an overweight rating and A$12.90 target price on the stock for now. Shares are down 0.5% at A$10.03. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

2323 GMT - Any positive effect from CAR Group's larger-than-expected U.S. price increases is offset by increased churn among recreational-vehicle dealers, Citi analyst Siraj Ahmed says. He tells clients that conversations with dealers point to a 6% price increase across all verticals at CAR's Trader Interactive business, effective from April 1. This compares with his prior forecast of a 5% price increase from mid-May. However, he says that the revenue benefit is countered by a 4% on-year drop in dealer numbers on Trader Interactive. His key question is whether weaker consumer confidence will negatively affect vehicle demand. Citi has a "buy" rating and A$43.40 target price on the stock, which is down 2.25%, at A$32.63. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires