0132 GMT - The next few months look to be crucial for Australian broadband providers Superloop and Aussie Broadband, Citi analysts say. They tell clients in a note that price increases and promotions timed to coincide with the end of Australia's financial year on June 30 raise the prospect of heightened volatility in customer churn and net additions. That said, the Citi analysts reckon that the value proposition of both companies make them well placed to navigate the backdrop. ([email protected])

0102 GMT - Sonic Healthcare gets a new bull at Bell Potter, where analyst Martyn Jacobs sees the pathology operator getting over what he calls its Covid-19 hangover. Jacobs initiates coverage of the stock with a buy rating, telling clients in a note that he expects Ebitda margins to start recovering from a rocky spell in FY 2025. Margins will expand by about 110 bps through fiscal FY he reckons. He says that growth is being driven by cost reductions, recent acquisitions, and a normalization of organic operations following Covid-driven disruption. Bell Potter puts a A$33.70 target price on the stock, which is up 1.0% at A$26.49. ([email protected])

0056 GMT - Life360's untapped earnings potential and strong unit economics make the tracking-app developer one of Morgan Stanley analysts' key picks among emerging Australia-listed stocks. They point out that a majority of Life360 users pay nothing, giving the company plenty of opportunity to further monetize its growing range of services. The MS analysts tell clients in a note that Life360's fast user growth is driven largely by word of mouth, which implies low acquisition costs and fast payback. Revenues and growth were resilient even through the Covid-19 pandemic, they add. MS lifts its target price on its Sydney-listed shares 20% to A$40.00 and stays overweight on the stock, which is up 1.1% at A$32.42. ([email protected])

0045 GMT - Patience should be rewarded for investors in Australian retail, suggests Jarden. Spending has so far been sluggish as cost-of-living pressures and geopolitical tensions weigh on the consumer. "There is, however, a strong case to be positive," says analyst Ben Gilbert. They include record savings, moderating inflation and growing disposable income driven by interest-rate cuts. History suggests the biggest lift in retail sales growth comes six months after the second rate cut, Jarden says. It found that pharma and beauty, household goods, fashion, and eating out were the categories that outperformed in the past. In contrast, department stores and food typically lagged. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

0042 GMT - Temple & Webster's bulls at Morgan Stanley reckon that the furniture retailer's home-improvement sales could eventually match those from its core business. MS analysts tell clients in a note that the fast-growing home-improvement business, which they expect to account for about 7% of fiscal 2025 group revenue, is highly complementary to the online specialist's furniture offering. They note that management is replicating a proven strategy, and could ramp up quickly given leverage to existing resources and cross-sell opportunity. MS raises its target price 51% to A$28.00 and keeps an overweight rating on the stock. Shares are up 0.9% at A$22.04. ([email protected])

0029 GMT - KMD Brands shares slump 8.5% to be the worst performer on New Zealand's NZX-50 index after a trading update pointed to weak sales recently. KMD Brands said 2H sales through May 25 are down 1.9%. That compares with 0.5% sales growth in 1H. The chief culprit is the Kathmandu brand, which has notched a 6.4% sales drop in the first four months of 2H. KMD Brands says Kathmandu was hurt by unseasonably warm winter weather in Australia that affected demand for insulation products. Still, KMD Brands says a recent run of cold days in New Zealand and Australia has reignited sales growth. It's upbeat about prospects during the school holidays and ski season. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

2350 GMT - Equity investors should consider an overweight position in uranium, according to Shaw and Partners. The broker names Paladin, NexGen, Silex, Bannerman and Boss Energy as its top picks among ASX-listed stocks. Shaw reckons the uranium price will strengthen over the rest of the year. It expects utilities to return to the market, giving "in to pent up demand." Paladin, Shaw says, "offers exceptional value after the market has overreacted to short term commissioning issues at Langer Heinrich." Shaw has a buy rating and A$10.10 target on the stock. Paladin ended Wednesday at A$7.56.([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

2333 GMT - Bell Potter analyst Marcus Barnard isn't surprised that the terms of Platinum Asset Management's merger with L1 have been adjusted to favor the latter. Barnard tells clients in a note that the changes effectively mean that L1 has taken about A$100 million off the table, which he reckons is probably about the value of management fees related to a A$1 billion institutional mandate that Platinum recently lost. Barnard lowers his Platinum forecasts on the Australian investment manager's latest outflows. Bell Potter cuts its target price 5.8% to A$0.49 but lifts its recommendation to hold from sell. Shares are at A$0.505 ahead of the open. ([email protected])

2312 GMT - Karoon Energy's acquisition of six blocks in Brazil's Santos Basin is the latest positive catalyst for its stock. Citi thinks more are to come. Analyst Tom Wallington expects news soon on the outcome of so-called debottlenecking studies at the Who Dat operation in the Gulf of Mexico. This will help to determine whether Karoon makes a final investment decision on either Who Dat East or Who Dat South next year. "We also expect Karoon to announce the award of an Operation and Maintenance contract for the recently acquired FPSO at Bauna," says Citi, referring to Karoon's flagship operation in Brazil. Moreover, the bank expects a final investment decision for the nearby Neon project by early 2026. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

2234 GMT - Shaw & Partners is a fan of the latest land deal by Cedar Woods Properties. The developer has agreed to buy land in Fairfield, a Melbourne suburb, for A$50 million. "This is an excellent up-market location with park frontage and views of the city," says analyst Larry Gandler. Shaw estimates the transaction adds about A$0.25/share to Cedar Woods's net present value. Cedar Woods has a strong enough balance sheet to develop the project alone, Shaw says, but it may consider bringing in some joint-venture funding. Shaw raises its price target on Cedar Woods by 3.5% to A$7.40/share. Cedar Woods ended Wednesday at A$6.64. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

0534 GMT - Shares in Boss Energy could rally further from here, according to Euroz Hartleys analyst Steven Clark. He reckons Boss "can continue to trade higher on recent sector tailwinds and short positioning unwinding." Boss continues to be one of the most heavily shorted names on the ASX, he says. Short interest is around 19%, says Clark. An upsized financing by Sprott Physical Uranium Trust "has served as a major catalyst for sentiment," he adds. Boss on Wednesday reported achieving FY 2025 production guidance early. Euroz Hartleys keeps a buy call on Boss and raises its target to A$5.10 from A$4.60. The stock is up 4.3% at A$4.66. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires