0325 GMT - Eagers Automotive shakes off its bears at UBS amid improved near-term earnings momentum at the Australian auto dealer. Raising their recommendation to neutral from sell, UBS analysts tell clients in a note that Eagers has maintained stronger front-end margins than they had expected and is executing well on controlling operating costs. The analysts add that Eagers is benefiting from stronger momentum from BYD vehicles with consumers, while its investment in CanadaOne looks more accretive and higher quality than UBS had expected. UBS lifts its target price 76% to A$33.00. Shares are down 0.5% at A$32.40. ([email protected])

0132 GMT - St. George Mining's Araxa project in Brazil could be the next new source of niobium, given it neighbors operations of the world's largest niobium producer, closely held CBMM, Macquarie analysts say in a note. "Its speed to market is enabled by the access to infrastructure, operational know-how, and a skilled workforce in a stable regulatory regime," the analysts say. They say St. George's drilling program "continues to impress." They also highlight its exposure to rare earths, and strong market sentiment. "We see attractive value in SGQ," say the analysts. Macquarie has an outperform rating and A$0.20 target on the stock. It trades down 16% at A$0.089. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

2334 GMT - News Corp's bulls at UBS will be watching for downside risk in book publishing when the media conglomerate posts its 1Q earnings report. The investment bank's analysts tell clients in a note that July publishing industry data showed sales decline accelerating from the prior quarter. They anticipate a 5% 1Q decline in book publishing revenue for the dual-listed company, and a 3% decline over the full fiscal year. UBS trims its price target for News Corp's Australia-listed stock by 3.6% to A$67.50 and maintains a buy rating. Shares are down 1.8% at A$44.93. News Corp is the parent company of Dow Jones & Co., publisher of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires. ([email protected])

2327 GMT -- UBS analysts are waiting on an improvement in G8 Education's occupancy trends before turning more positive on the Australian childcare provider. They tell clients in a note that valuation multiples look undemanding given their expectation of compound annual EPS growth of 6% over three years, but that they prefer to stay neutral in the absence of more positive occupancy data. They say that ongoing government funding of childcare worker wage increases should help improve labor constraints, leaving G8 better placed for when occupancy does rise. UBS cuts its target price by 20% to A$0.72. Shares are down 2.9% at A$0.68. ([email protected])

2319 GMT - ANZ's announcement of its large notable items so close to its annual results announcement will probably make it harder to interpret the numbers, Macquarie analysts warn. They tell clients in a note that none of the items were a surprise, but that the Australian bank's decision to disclose them just over a week before its annual results announcement will likely muddle consensus estimates. This is generally seen as unfavorable by investors, they warn. Macquarie has a "neutral" rating and A$34.00 target price on ANZ shares, which are up 0.8%, at A$37.13. ([email protected])

2258 GMT - Collins Foods' bulls at Citi reckon it looks well placed to beat its annual profit guidance. The investment bank's analysts tell clients in a note that the Australian fast-food franchiser's guidance was based on domestic consumer conditions failing to improve. This increasingly appears over overly conservative, they say. They add that the outlook in Europe has improved with exclusivity in two German states and potential for acquisitions. Citi raised its net profit forecasts through fiscal 2028, and expects 14% net-profit growth in fiscal 2026. Citi lifts its target price 29% to A$13.07 and keeps a buy rating on the stock, which is at A$10.52 ahead of the open. ([email protected])

2201 GMT - Australian stocks are on track to rise at the open despite a soft lead from U.S. equities. ASX futures are up by 0.2% ahead of Wednesday's session, suggesting that the S&P/ASX 200 benchmark index should bounce from the 0.9% decline that represented its fifth loss in six trading sessions. Tuesday's fall came as the Reserve Bank of Australia held interest rates and signaled caution amid worries over resurgent inflation. Ahead of Wednesday's session, Woodside Energy said it expected to hoist its dividend by 50% from 2032 on higher sales and cash flow. BlueScope Steel promoted Tania Archibald to CEO and MD from early 2026. The DJIA fell 0.5%, the S&P 500 shed 1.2% and the Nasdaq Composite gave up 2.0%. ([email protected])

(END) Dow Jones Newswires