0352 GMT - Woolworths needs to execute its strategy well through the key November and December trading period if it is to meet its annual guidance, Macquarie analysts say. They are positive on the Australian supermarket giant's broadening efforts to drive top-line growth, pointing to industry feedback suggesting its rivals have been matching its price-reduction strategy. Its loyalty program is one area of focus, they say in a note to clients. Macquarie's analysts currently forecast 4% growth in Australia food earnings for fiscal 2026, which is at the bottom of Woolworths's qualitative guidance for mid- to high-single-digit growth. Macquarie trims its target price by 2.3% to A$29.60 and stays neutral on the stock. Shares are up 3.3% at A$28.53. ([email protected])

0333 GMT - Xero's bulls at Morgan Stanley see potential for a significant share-price move when the cloud-accounting software provider reports its 1H results next month. Assessing the stock's underperformance since Xero announced the acquisition of Melio in June, MS analysts think that shares are likely to jump by 8-10% if Xero meets consensus revenue and earnings expectations. The analysts reckon a rise of up to 15% could follow stronger-than-expected revenue and earnings performance. Less likely, but still possible in their view, is a 10-20% fall if revenue and earnings fall short. This would suggest cost cuts and competition have hit growth, they add. MS has an outperform rating and A$235.00 target price on the stock, which is down 3.0% at A$146.23. ([email protected])

0255 GMT - Appen's limited earnings visibility keeps Jefferies analyst Jennifer Xu cautious on the Australia-listed data-annotation provider. Xu tells clients in a note that Appen's 3Q revenue and earnings were driven by a strong China market. Less positively, the U.S. artificial-intelligence market remains uncertain, with visibility particularly limited in large-language model projects. Jefferies keeps a hold rating on the stock with a A$1.00 target price. Shares are down 4.4% at A$0.79. ([email protected])

0244 GMT - Ansell's bulls at Jefferies reckon the Australia-listed company will have pricing power if U.S. tariffs are imposed on medical personal-protective equipment. Analysts Vanessa Thomson and David Stanton tell clients in a note that strong brand recognition and the unfavorable economics around onshore production should allow Ansell to continue its policy of offsetting tariff impacts through higher prices. While waiting for clarity on healthcare PPE tariffs, Ansell's track record on this front bodes gives them confidence that it can complete its current phase of tariff-related price rises. Jefferies lifts its target price by 10% to A$43.00 and keeps a buy rating on the stock, which is down 0.6% at A$36.105. ([email protected])

0055 GMT - The gap between Morgan Stanley's discounted cash flow model for miner Lynas Rare Earths and its price target on the stock reflects the fact that Lynas is the "most progressed" in a race to expand rare-earths production, MS analyst Rahul Anand says in a note. MS has a base-case DCF of A$13.45/share and price target of A$19.45/share on Lynas. MS recently moved to an equal-weight rating on the stock. That reflects government funding and joint U.S.-Australia efforts to bring on more supply, which could impact long-term prices, says Anand. Lynas is little changed at A$15.28, after reporting a rise in 1Q production and revenue. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0035 GMT - Mineral Resources posts a strong 1Q operational result across all segments, including iron ore, lithium and mining services, says RBC Capital Markets analyst Kaan Peker. Attributable iron-ore shipments beat RBC's expectations, with Onslow reporting stronger volumes and lower costs than the broker expected. Lithium production and sales also beat RBC's expectations, as did prices, Peker says. In Mineral Resources' mining services unit, volumes are tracking toward the top end of FY guidance, he adds. RBC has an outperform rating and A$45.00 target on the stock. Shares rise 11% to A$47.05. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0034 GMT - Megaport's bulls at Macquarie see revenues accelerating after fiscal 2026 on the Australian tech-services provider's reinvestment. The investment bank's analysts tell clients in a note that recent investment in the U.S. is reinforcing scale impacts, with a U.S. ban on rival interconnect provider HKT further assisting demand for Megaport's services. Rising cloud costs and AI are driving enterprises to overhaul private networks, which the Macquarie analysts think is already having an impact on demand. Macquarie lifts its target price on the stock by 9.5% to A$18.50 and keeps an outperform rating. Shares are up 5.3% at A$16.55. ([email protected])

0015 GMT - IGO's 1Q is operationally soft, with production at both its Nova and Greenbushes mines below what RBC Capital Markets expected, says analyst Kaan Peker. Yet free cash flow beat RBC's expectations because of the A$50 million Windfield dividend. That benefited the balance sheet and resulted in higher net cash, Peker says. RBC has an outperform rating and A$5.50 target on IGO. The stock is up 0.2% at A$5.46. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0000 GMT - Nick Scali's bulls at Macquarie see potential for the Australian furniture retailer to beat its profit guidance, given its consistent track record of doing so. Retaining an outperform rating on the stock, the analysts observe that, while their A$33.4 million net profit forecast for the retailer's fiscal first half sits within the A$33 million-A$35 million guidance, Nick Scali has beaten its last 14 guidance statements. They tell clients in a note that Nick Scali is winning local market share from weaker-performing brands, and that gross margins in the U.K. are beating expectations. Macquarie lifts its target price 29% to A$28.20. Shares are down 0.1% at A$25.33. ([email protected])

0756 GMT - Pop Mart's revenue is expected to rise on its overseas store expansion and intellectual property platform model, CGS International analysts write in a report. The Chinese toy company's revenue could more than double in 4Q 2025 and rise 35% in 2026, they say, adding that Pop Mart is likely to operate 100 stores in the U.S. by end-2026. Emerging IPs including Twinkle Twinkle are also gaining traction, suggesting long-term growth in revenue contribution from non-Labubu IPs, they add. CGS International maintains its add rating on the stock and target price of HK$391.0. Shares last closed at HK$228.20. ([email protected])

(END) Dow Jones Newswires