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This ASX 200 stock just got a big upgrade from Bell Potter

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Farmer holding grains in his hands.

A new report from Bell Potter has projected a strong 12 months for ASX 200 stock Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC). 

GrainCorp is an agribusiness and processing company with a history spanning more than 100 years. 

The company operates the largest grain storage and logistics network in eastern Australia.

GrainCorp also provides grain marketing services to all major grain-producing regions in Australia as well as to its overseas growers. 

Its share price is down almost 23% over the last year. 

However a new report from Bell Potter suggests it could be a value opportunity for this ASX 200 stock following an update. 

Strong update 

In yesterday’s report, Bell Potter said that GrainCorp’s earnings outlook is improving due to both higher crop volumes and stronger margins. 

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) has upgraded its 2026-27 east coast winter crop forecast by 2.8mt, or 12%, to 26.6mt, with particularly strong improvements in NSW and Victoria. 

Although this remains below the previous year’s crop, the forecast is around the five-year average.

According to the broker, the company may process less grain from the summer harvest than last year, but it is expected to make more money from each tonne it processes. 

The expected summer crop is falling from 4.6 million tonnes to 3.4 million tonnes, but the profit margin on processing oilseeds is looking much stronger. 

This improvement is partly because crops in the Northern Hemisphere are weaker while Australia’s crop outlook is improving, creating more favourable pricing conditions for the ASX 200 company. 

So, while volumes are down, higher margins could more than make up for it and support stronger profits.

Big price target upgrade 

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter has upgraded its FY27 EBITDA estimate by 15% and raised its target price from $5.90 to $7.15 per share. 

From current levels, this indicates a 14% upside. 

The ABARE crop report is positive and likely to lead to consensus upgrades. However, the margin backdrop at this point, in terms of both grain basis and oilseed crush margins, looks possibly the strongest it has for three years. To us this is key, as consensus FY27e expectations (which this crop estimate underwrites) looks to be carrying forward the margin environment of FY25-26e, which was materially weaker. This implies that there is both volume and margin upside potential within consensus FY27e expectations.

The post This ASX 200 stock just got a big upgrade from Bell Potter appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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