0359 GMT - Ansell's near-term profitability could take a hit from U.S. tariffs on countries where it manufactures most of its personal-protective equipment, Barrenjoey analysts say. They point out that the Australia-listed company derives about 68% of its production from Sri Lanka and Malaysia, both of which have been specifically targeted by the Trump administration. They acknowledge that they don't have much information on Ansell's ability to pass through costs to customers, but estimate that their fiscal 2026 net profit forecast could fall by between 9% and 28% if Ansell passes on between 25% and 75%. Barrenjoey has a neutral rating and A$36.20 target price on the stock, which is down 14% at A$29.42. ([email protected])

0330 GMT - BlueScope Steel continues to press for an exemption to a levy on its steel shipments to the U.S., a spokesman says in emailed remarks. The Australia-based steelmaker understands its steel--already subject to a newly introduced 25% tariff at the U.S. border--is excluded from the latest duties announced by President Trump, says the spokesman. "We continue to work with officials in Washington DC and Canberra to seek an exemption from the steel tariff," he says. BlueScope ships steel from its Port Kembla steelworks in Australia to its operations in the U.S., where it is coated with metal and painted. BlueScope meanwhile welcomes Australia's plan to strengthen its antidumping system, the spokesman says. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0323 GMT - The earlier-than-expected arrival of ANZ's new CEO will allow the bank to tackle its risk-governance issues with greater clarity, Jarden analysts write in a note. They tell clients that Nuno Matos's May 12 start date will allow Australia's fourth-largest bank to focus externally on customers, and internally on its risk processes and tech developments. They suggest that refreshing the ranks of executive leadership with global hires may also lead to sharper execution. Importantly, they remind clients that the latest A$250 million capital overlay that ANZ is required to hold is not money lost, but only quarantined. Jarden has an overweight rating and A$30.50 target price on the stock, which is down 1.5% at A$29.21. ([email protected])

0307 GMT - Xero's bulls at Jarden wonder whether the cloud-accounting software provider's change of CFO and increasing cash-flow could lead it to pay dividends. The question is one of several posed without conclusion by analysts Tom Beadle and Liam Robertson ahead of the Australia-listed company's annual result announcement on May 15. Among their other musings is whether a strong balance sheet will support the pursuit of meaningful inorganic growth. They tell clients in a note that they have raised their fiscal 2025 operating expense forecast to 72.9% of revenue, from a prior forecast of 72.1%, due to the CEO's revised remuneration and a recent bout of hiring. Jarden raises its target price 1.7% to A$180.00 and keeps an overweight rating on the stock, which is down 2.8% at A$151.43. ([email protected])

0202 GMT - The ultimate impact of U.S. tariffs on Lovisa depends on the extent to which the Australian fashion-jewelry retailer opts to absorb the hit, Barrenjoey analysts write in a note. They see a range of scenarios, including a 10% hit to fiscal 2026 earnings per share if Lovisa decides to absorb the cost. The other options they consider are for Lovisa to pass on the cost to U.S. consumers through price rises of about 7% or to negotiate better rates from its suppliers. They tell clients in a note that a combination of all three is most likely. Barrenjoey has an overweight rating and A$29.00 target price on the stock, which is down 6.4% at A$22.36. ([email protected])

0154 GMT - Lovisa's bear at Citi sees U.S. trade tariffs as another headwind for the Australian fashion jeweler. Analyst Sam Teeger points out that Lovisa sources most of its supply from China, and also draws upon India and Thailand production. He sees a potential gross margin impact with those countries hit by tariffs of 34%, 26% and 36%. With 22% of Lovisa's stores located in the U.S., Teeger writes in a note to clients that Lovisa is also exposed to any consumer reluctance to spend on newly costly discretionary items such as costume jewelry. Citi has a sell rating and A$25.86 target price on the stock, which is down 5.7% at A$22.52. ([email protected])

0100 GMT - NSW Farmers, which represents producers in Australia's most populous state of New South Wales, urged Australia to invest in new markets after the U.S. imposed a 10% reciprocal tariff on Australian imports. Trump mentioned Australian beef in his speech announcing the tariffs, saying that Australia doesn't import American beef but that the U.S. imports a lot of Australian beef. NSW Farmers say Australian produce is in demand in China, Korea and Japan, and there are growth opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa. The group, however, stood by the Australian government's decision not to retaliate, with NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin saying that "a tit-for-tat approach with the U.S. serves no purpose." ([email protected]; @Mike_Cherney)

0033 GMT - The range of U.S. tariffs elevates earnings risk and operational uncertainty facing Australian small-appliance maker Breville, Citi analyst Sam Teeger says. While increased U.S. inventory should help limit the short-term impact, Teeger points out in a note to clients that Breville's fiscal 2025 earnings guidance only took into account the U.S. administration's previously announced 10% additional tariff rate on China. He is more concerned about risks for fiscal 2026. Teeger notes Breville's sourcing from Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia, which have been hit by tariffs of between 32% and 49%. Citi has a neutral rating and A$38.20 target price on the stock, which is down 5.3% at A$29.94. ([email protected])

0031 GMT - Jefferies analysts Michael Simotas and Naveed Fazal Bawa are striking an upbeat tone on Aussie-based vintner Treasury Wine after Trump announced across-the-board 10% tariffs on many countries. Australian and New Zealand imports will be subject to the 10% rate, but EU imports will be subject to a 20% rate, meaning that Treasury Wine could face less competition from European winemakers in the U.S. The analysts note that Treasury is already insulated somewhat from the tariffs, given that much of the company's wine sold in the U.S. is produced in the U.S. One risk is that European wine no longer sold in the U.S. could be shipped to other markets, like China, and compete with Treasury Wine products there. But the Jefferies analysts aren't too concerned, saying that Treasury's marquee brand Penfolds is "a unique proposition in the eyes of Chinese consumers." Treasury shares were still down about 3.4% in recent trade to A$8.79. ([email protected]; @Mike_Cherney)

2209 GMT - Australia's leading business lobby group is urging the country's government not to retaliate in kind against U.S. tariffs. The Business Council of Australia says it is deeply disappointed by the size of the tariffs, which it believes will hurt economic growth. Even so, the industry group backs Australia's current policy of non-retaliation. "There are no winners in a trade war, which would only risk making our situation worse by forcing Australians to pay more and reducing job security," BCA Chief Executive Bran Black says. ([email protected])

0412 GMT - Platypus Asset Management hasn't fixed on which way it will vote on a resolution seeking an independent review of Rio Tinto's dual-listed structure, says portfolio manager Stephen Butel. However, it has some concerns about the resolution, requisitioned by activist investor Palliser Capital, he says. "Claims by Palliser that post-unification performance more generally is positive seem to be high level at best," Butel says, adding that share price performance is hard to predict. "The cost of unification remains unclear from both parties, as does the impact on franking credits," he adds. Palliser claims the dual listing is an obstacle to dealmaking, although that doesn't bother Butel. "As shareholders, we like the DLC as it makes large-scale, scrip-based M&A--as per the recent [proposed] BHP and Anglo deal--harder to undertake," he says. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires