0449 GMT - Australian supermarket operator Woolworths is expected by UBS analysts to reiterate its annual food earnings guidance when it gives its 3Q sales update. The investment bank's analysts think that the country's largest supermarket operator will post March-quarter Australian food sales of A$13.8 billion, slightly above the consensus forecast of A$13.7 billion. As with rival Coles, they want information on how Woolworths is handling requests from suppliers to pass on additional costs. The analysts tell clients in a note that shallower and fewer discounts are one approach that Woolworths could follow, and keeping a close eye on how enduring cost pressures will be. UBS has a neutral rating and A$37.25 target price on the stock, which is up 0.2% at A$37.95. ([email protected])

0327 GMT - Coles's bulls at UBS think that the Australian supermarket operator's sales growth probably slowed modestly over its fiscal 3Q. The investment bank's analysts forecast 3.5% total supermarket sales growth over the quarter, reasoning that the 3.7% growth seen in the first seven weeks of the period slowed to 3.3% over the remainder. They tell clients in a note that the big question they want answered is how the Australian company is treating requests from suppliers to pass on higher costs. They wonder if Coles's margins are being compressed or whether suppliers are having to bear additional costs. UBS has a last-published buy rating and A$25.00 target price on the stock, which is up 0.4% at A$22.93. ([email protected])

0316 GMT - PLS Group's stronger-than-expected production and meaningful cost outperformance drove a clear 3Q beat, according to its bull at RBC Capital Markets. Strong lithium pricing supported what analyst Kaan Peker calls a step-change in margins and cash generation. Peker tells clients in a note that PLS's underlying operational performance was solid, adding that balance-sheet strength and reaffirmed guidance reinforce near-term confidence. RBC has a last-published outperform rating and A$5.20 target price on the stock, which is up 4.1% at A$5.91. ([email protected])

0307 GMT - WiseTech Global keeps its bull at Morgans despite the broker's analysts feeling more cautious on the logistics-software provider's growth outlook. The analysts keep a buy rating on the stock despite trimming their revenue forecasts to reflect pressures on freight volume and sentiment from the Middle East conflict. They tell clients in a note that they are also adjusting their FY 2027 and 2028 forecasts to account for the risk that Danish-listed freight forwarder DSV moves some business away from WiseTech and onto its in-house systems. However, they like WiseTech's track record of growth and cash-flow generation, and see it as a likely beneficiary of AI adoption over the long term. Morgans cuts its target price 16% to A$70.40. Shares are down 2.0% at A$43.51. ([email protected])

0302 GMT - CHEP pallet owner Brambles is seen at Morgans as an attractive long-term investment amid global macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. Analyst Alexander Lu sees fiscal 2026 earnings landing at the lower end of Brambles's 8%-11% guidance range and trims the stock's earnings multiple, though he continues to rate it at accumulate. Lu writes in a note to clients that Brambles has strong market positions and can adjust pricing to reflect cost inputs. New business wins and increased operational efficiency should drive improved operating leverage and free cash flow generation, Lu adds. Target price falls 5.6% to A$25.50. Shares are down 1.8% at A$21.86. ([email protected])

0253 GMT - The share-price fall that followed the release of Bank of Queensland's 1H result turns Morgans analyst Nathan Lead more positive on the regional lender. Lead raises his recommendation on the stock to accumulate from hold, telling clients in a note that the Australian bank's attractive fully franked dividend and upcoming capital release may appeal to income-oriented investors. While the stock is still trading above his intrinsic value estimate, Lead thinks the bank's move to increase its payout ratio to 75% from 65% speaks to the confidence in its capital position. Morgans keeps a A$7.39 target price on the stock, which is up 1.5% at A$6.65. ([email protected])

(END) Dow Jones Newswires