0154 GMT - Australian data-center operator NextDC's bull at Jefferies still sees plenty of scope to boost funding for expansion following its announcement of a subordinated debt offering. Analyst Roger Samueltells clients in a note that the ASX-listed company's A$500 million offering is prudent and provides additional flexibility at an attractive price. It also means that NextDC, which still has A$4 billion in headroom on its current facilities, can raise more senior debt in future if needed. Samuel says he's confident that NextDC can deliver faster ramp-up in its billing capacity. Jefferies raises its target price 3.3% to A$18.70 and keeps a buy rating on the stock, which is down 4.0% at A$13.77. ([email protected])

0142 GMT - WiseTech Global's 1H earnings beat leaves its bull at Morgan Stanley mulling an attractive risk/reward profile amid the logistics-software provider's cost drive. Analyst Andrew McLeod tells clients in a note that the Australian company's December-half result allayed some market fears over earnings growth and free cash flow. He calls the 30% reduction in staff in favor of artificial intelligence "a surprise positive", and flags company commentary that the integration of its US$2.1 billion E2Open acquisition is ahead of schedule. With a new pricing model helping address broader market concerns over the sustainability of SaaS revenues, McLeod maintains an overweight rating on the stock. Its target price falls 23% to A$100.00. Shares are down 1.6% at A$48.23. ([email protected])

0124 GMT - WiseTech Global's decision to reshape its operating model using artificial intelligence is backed by its bull at Citi. Analyst Siraj Ahmed thinks the logistics-software provider Wisetech is well positioned to introduce agentic capabilities that can materially automate and enhance customer workflows. However, execution on product development could be tougher over the near term due to the 50% reduction in relevant staff. Ahmed keeps a buy rating on the stock, but opens a negative catalyst watch on the stock ahead of logistics operator DSV's capital markets day in May. He sees rising risk that DSV will take its software needs in-house. Citi cuts its target price 40% to A$65.35. Shares are up 0.2% at A$49.09. ([email protected])

0055 GMT - Barrenjoey analyst Daniel Morgan seeks to soothe any concerns about Lynas Rare Earths' license renewal in Malaysia. The rare earth producer's operating license is due to expire Monday and a renewal has not yet been received. "Although the license renewal is imminent and may worry some in the market, this is typical of the historical licensing timetable/process," says Morgan. He says the "regulatory environment in Malaysia has improved, and the [Atomic Energy Licensing Act] has been amended to allow for licenses to be longer than the three years maximum under the old act." Lynas is up 6.7% at A$18.39. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0044 GMT - Worley loses in bull in Barrenjoey after its 1H profit result. Engineering giant Worley faces "a number of near-term overhangs limiting share price upside," says Barrenjoey analyst Megan Kirby-Lewis. That includes professional-services earnings headwinds and increasing exposure to construction work that typically attracts a lower multiple than engineering, Kirby-Lewis says. The Australian investment bank downgrades Worley to neutral from overweight. It cuts its target price on the stock to A$13.10/share from A$16.45. Worley falls 6.4% to A$10.96, adding to a 10% loss Thursday. ([email protected]; @RhiannonHoyle)

0026 GMT - Divergent fortunes of Super Retail's leading businesses help to keep Barrenjoey at neutral. The bank is encouraged by Supercheap Auto's positive momentum, with like-for-like sales accelerating to 5% in the key holiday period across November and December. That's a solid result in a highly promotional and competitive market, analyst Tom Kierath says. "However, Rebel still seems a work in progress given supply chain challenges and stock loss issues which will take some time to resolve," he says of Super Retail's sports equipment and clothing brand. Rebel's like-for-like sales growth improved in November and December to 5%, but slowed in the first eight weeks of 2H to 2%. Super Retail is up 1.4% at A$15.47 today.([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

0019 GMT - Ramsay Health Care's strong 1H result doesn't persuade Barrenjoey to turn bullish on the stock. Revenue growth of 8.7% in Ramsay's Australian private-hospital business was the stand out in the result, analyst Saul Hadassin says. Barrenjoey raises its price target by 13% to A$38.25/share. That reflects 2%-5% EPS upgrades across FY 2026-2028 and revised assumptions around capital expenditure. "We remain neutral rated, with the stock trading on a near-term price-to-earnings of 28X, and think the market has already priced in a sizeable, medium-term recovery in Australian earnings," Barrenjoey says. Ramsay's average PE multiple over 10 years is 26X. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

0014 GMT - Citi is intrigued by Virgin Australia's profits holding up despite it cautiously adding capacity in a strong travel market. Virgin Australia reported 1H Ebit of A$490 million. That was 5% higher than consensus hopes for A$466 million. Analyst Samuel Seow says fuel, depreciation and better margins in its Velocity frequent-flyer business were the drivers of the 1H result. "Interestingly, while profit/financial metrics are ahead, it appears Virgin Australia is comfortable growing slower than peers to achieve above-industry pricing/yield," Citi says. This trend appears to be continuing in 2H, with higher revenue-per-average-seat-kilometer and lower capacity than competitors. "However, this isn't impacting profitability with guidance largely in line/modestly ahead," Citi says. Virgin Australia is unchanged at A$3.15. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

0010 GMT - Consensus expectations for Harvey Norman's 2H earnings look optimistic to Jefferies. Harvey Norman reported sales growth of 3.5% on-year in Australia in January. That was slower than the 4% growth reported by rival JB Hi-Fi for its own-name stores. Analyst Michael Simotas notes there was an extra Saturday in 2026 than the same period a year earlier. That should have been a tailwind for sales. The upshot is that Harvey Norman's sales growth is lagging consensus expectations in 2H of a more than 5% improvement, Jefferies says. So, "consensus expectations for 19% 2H net profit growth look optimistic," it says. Jefferies had a hold call and A$7.10/share price target ahead of the 1H result. Harvey Norman is down 7.7% at A$5.84 today. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

2358 GMT - Shares of Coles fall 6.4% to A$20.76 after the supermarket operator's trading update in 2H so far looks weaker than that of chief rival Woolworths. Coles says its supermarket sales rose 5.3% in the first seven weeks of 2H when tobacco is excluded. That's below the 5.8% growth reported by Woolworths for its food business in Australia. Jarden analyst Ben Gilbert says modest cuts to FY 2026 expectations are likely. "That said, early January was likely impacted by cycling of Woolworths strike benefits," Jarden says. ([email protected]; @dwinningWSJ)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires