0450 GMT - Australian retailers should benefit from stronger consumer demand in the first half of 2026, say Citi analysts in a note. Citi economists expect the Reserve Bank of Australia to finish this cycle's interest-rate cuts in December 2025. This leads their analyst colleagues to forecast a rise in consumers' spending capacity of between A$50 billion and A$90 billion over the 12 months through June 2026. This indicates an acceleration in retail spending in the second half of the period, they say. The analysts note that spending capacity rose by about A$20 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, well short of their A$70 billion forecast due to consumers opting to save more. ([email protected])

0443 GMT - Regis Resources looks cheap following a 13% drop in its shares since the start of last month, UBS analyst Levi Spry says. The bank upgrades its rating to neutral from sell. "As a hedge-free, debt-free, A$ gold miner, RRL continues to generate strong cash flows and trade on sector-leading FCF [free cash flow] yields," Spry writes in a note. He says Regis is facing higher costs--like its peers--which leads UBS to pare its target on the stock to A$4.60 a share from A$4.75 previously. The company "continues to feature in M&A speculation given its lack of material organic growth projects and questions on returns," says Spry. Regis is up 2.8% at A$4.42. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0437 GMT - Clarity Pharmaceuticals' bulls at Canaccord Genuity are even more confident in their buy call after asking around about the company's prostate-cancer theranostic. Canaccord's analysts tell clients in a note that their discussions with industry experts suggest that the market for Clarity's SAR-bisPSMA imaging agent is larger than investors anticipate. They expect positive results from a coming head-to-head trial, which they see addressing a key need for detection in patients with low prostate-specific antigen levels. They raise their forecast for PSMA PET imaging sales for the next three to five years to US$730 million, from US$520 million previously. Canaccord lifts its target price 34% to A$9.00. Shares are up 7.2% at A$4.19. ([email protected])

0403 GMT - The performance of AMP's bank prevents Jarden analysts from becoming more positive on the financial-services provider. AMP's platforms business showed strong momentum in the June quarter and there appear to be opportunities in wealth management, but that isn't enough to turn the analysts bullish. They tell clients in a note that the Australian company's bank is earning less than its cost of capital. They are also wary on risks from continuing class actions. Jarden lifts its target price by 11% to A$1.55 but maintains a neutral rating. Shares are down 0.3% at A$1.68. ([email protected])

0204 GMT - Superloop's bulls at Morgan Stanley reiterate their overweight rating on the stock, flagging an opportunity for the broadband provider to grow subscriber numbers. Later this year, the government-owned National Broadband Network will increase service speeds of 100 Mbps or higher at no extra cost to customers. With lower-speed plans unchanged, the MS analysts point out that this means that incumbents holding a total 79% market share could end up charging more for 50 Mbps plans than Superloop charges for its 500 Mbps NBN-based plan. This could present an opening for the challenger to attract new users, they say. MS lifts its target price 26% to A$3.35. Shares are up 2.3% at A$3.13. ([email protected])

0144 GMT - AMP loses its bull at Jefferies but still looks positioned for growth, according to the investment bank's analysts. They tell clients in a note that the Australian wealth manager's 2Q result was solid, but lower their recommendation to hold from buy on the stock's 40% rally over the past month. They see clear evidence that growth is returning to AMP's platform and superannuation businesses, and feel positive about the ASX-listed company's lifetime and retirement solutions. Jefferies lifts its target price 16% to A$1.80. Shares are down 0.6% at A$1.675. ([email protected])

0459 GMT - WiseTech Global's estimate that it can generate US$50 million of synergies from its acquisition of e2open looks conservative to Jefferies analyst Roger Samuel. He points out that e2open managed to reduce costs by US$30 million following its own earlier acquisition of INTTRA. Samuel tells clients in a note that he also sees potential for revenue synergies, with several e2open products likely to appeal to the logistics software provider's existing customers. The reverse is also true, he adds. Samuel says that discussions with former senior e2open executives have increased his conviction in the merits of combining the companies. Jefferies lifts its target price by 21% and keeps a buy rating on the stock, which is up 0.9% at A$116.19. ([email protected])

(END) Dow Jones Newswires