With so many shares to choose from on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), it can be hard to decide which ones to buy.

The good news is that brokers across the country are doing a lot of the hard work for you.

Three top shares that leading brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here’s why they are bullish on them:

BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL)

According to a note out of Goldman Sachs, its analysts have upgraded this steel producer’s shares to a buy rating with an increased price target of $14.95. The broker made the move after steel spreads improved in Asia and North America. Goldman expects these improvements to continue over the coming months as supply and demand begins to rebalance again. Especially given increasing demand in Australia following additional government stimulus in the construction sector. While it isn’t a company that I’m a big fan of, I think the broker makes some great points.

BWP Trust (ASX: BWP)

Analysts at Ord Minnett have upgraded this property company’s shares to a buy rating and lifted the price target on them to $4.40. The broker notes that funds are flowing back into the property sector and is recommending investors look at companies with long leases. It believes these are undervalued in comparison to others in the sector. BWP ticks a lot of boxes for the broker, hence its upgrade to buy this morning. I agree with Ord Minnett and would be a buyer of BWP’s shares.

Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS)

A note out of the Macquarie equities desk reveals that its analysts have upgraded this healthcare company’s shares to an outperform rating with an improved price target of $3.00. Macquarie believes that Healius won’t be impacted by the pandemic as much as previously expected. It also feels the company is well-placed to benefit from an increase in activity in the near term. In addition to this, it appears to see the potential divestment of its medical centres as a positive. While not my favourite option in the healthcare sector, I think Healius is still worth a closer look.

More reading

• Flight Centre share price and other ASX 200 travel shares look set to continue rising
• Will ASX 200 shares hit a record high in June?
• ASX 200 jumps 2.5%: Big four banks surge higher, CSL announces an acquisition
• Why Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, BWP, G8 Education, & Westpac are zooming higher
• 2 ASX 200 biotech shares to consider buying today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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The LBT Innovations Limited (ASX: LBT) share price is storming higher today after the company announced the achievement of a milestone in the United States.

At the time of writing, LBT Innovations shares last changed hands at 15.5 cents, representing a gain of 10.71%. This takes the company’s current market capitalisation to around $36 million – so we’re very much at the smaller end of the ASX here.

About LBT Innovations

LBT Innovations is a designer of advanced technology solutions for the medical industry. Its core capabilities include artificial intelligence (AI), image analysis, and software engineering solutions that improve medical diagnostic workflows.

The company’s first product, MicroStreak, was a world-first in the automation of the culture plate streaking process. Its second product, the Automated Plate Assessment System (APAS), is currently being commercialised through a 50%-owned joint venture company.

According to LBT, the APAS instrument is the only US FDA-cleared AI technology for automated imaging, analysis and interpretation of culture plates following incubation.

Why the LBT Innovations share price is spiking

This morning, LBT announced the first sale of an APAS Independence instrument in the US to Hennepin County Medical Centre (HCMC).

The sale of the APAS Independence has been completed following the installation of the middleware driver for APAS, which connects the instrument to HCMC’s information management system. This, in turn, enables the automated reporting capability of the APAS technology. 

The APAS driver was developed by Data Innovations and has been successfully interfaced by HCMC. It is now in a testing and validation phase prior to the expected routine clinical use of the urine analysis module.

HCMC is a medium-sized clinical laboratory that provides a full range of diagnostic testing and reporting services. It processes approximately 500 specimens a day, including 300 urine plate analysis.

According to the announcement, the centre has purchased the APAS Independence to support its daily culture plate workflow. With this, HCMC has entered into an annual software license for the FDA-cleared urine analysis model and a 5-year service agreement.

Commenting on the collaboration, HCMC’s director of microbiology, Dr Glen Hansen, said:

“The ability for us to automate the reading of our culture plates with the APAS Independence has increased the work efficiency through the laboratory and has motivated staff who now have more time for other activities.”

Meanwhile, LBT CEO and managing director Brent Barnes said:

“We are thrilled for HCMC to be the site of our first APAS sale in the United States given their status and reputation which will no doubt help provide further commercial validation. Dr Hansen has been a great advocate for the technology and the purchase reflects the positive impact the technology has had within their lab. We continue to work hard with other laboratories in the region as we look to target further U.S. commercial sales.”

More reading

• Leading brokers name 3 ASX 200 shares to buy today
• Flight Centre share price and other ASX 200 travel shares look set to continue rising
• CSL share price drops lower despite announcing a new acquisition
• Are the Rio Tinto, Fortescue and BHP share prices a buy right now?
• Brainchip share price rockets 42% after signing agreement with tier 1 automotive supplier

Motley Fool contributor Cathryn Goh has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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The Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) and other travel-related shares have soared in recent weeks. Many investors may think these shares have raced past fair value given current travel restrictions and recession woes. I believe the forward-looking nature of the markets, combined with the unprecedented stimulus, could see the Flight Centre share price and other S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and All Ordinaries (ASX: XAO) travel shares push higher. 

Lean and cashed-up businesses 

The likes of Flight Centre, Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) and Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) reacted quickly to COVID-19. The companies promptly scaled-back capital expenditure, reduced headcount and raised capital to keep business alive. 

Corporate Travel Management has a very capital-light model. Over 70% of its costs are people-related and 50% of the remaining costs are variable. It has a small physical footprint and has the flexibility to hibernate its business. Its pre-COVID-19 business conditions also saw domestic travel account for approximately 60% of group revenues. This may allow the business to benefit from reopening domestic borders. 

Webjet has implemented a broad range of interim business initiatives. These have included the deferral of its $12.2 million dividend payment for 1H20, over 440 redundancies and 4-day working weeks for the majority of its remaining staff. It recently raised a total of $275 million from an institutional placement and entitlement offer. This lifts the company’s cash and cash equivalents position from $58 million to $333 million. 

Likewise, Flight Centre opted to raise $700 million, a significant amount relative to its ~$1.5 billion market capitalisation back in April. But instead of the share price continuing to slump post-capital raise, Flight Centre is not far off doubling from its March lows and it’s up more than 28% in June alone. 

A slow recovery on the cards 

Webjet commented on China’s early signs of normalisation with hotel bookings leading into March surging 40% from the previous week. Peak daily bookings for domestic flights also soared 230% from the lowest level recorded in February. 

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) “is preparing to scale up its domestic flying from its current 5 per cent of pre-pandemic levels to 40 per cent by the end of July, pending the reopening of state borders.”

Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce has also suggested there is pent-up demand for travel and the airline had already experienced a surge in intrastate bookings. 

This all spells good news for the Flight Centre share price and travel-related cohorts. I believe the market has largely priced-in the negative economic impact of the coronavirus. The travel industry recovery is imminent and consumers are eager for more than just crowded shopping centres and long queues. 

More reading

• Leading brokers name 3 ASX 200 shares to buy today
• Will ASX 200 shares hit a record high in June?
• ASX 200 jumps 2.5%: Big four banks surge higher, CSL announces an acquisition
• 2 ASX 200 biotech shares to consider buying today
• 3 ASX 200 shares to watch this week

Motley Fool contributor Lina Lim has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Corporate Travel Management Limited and Webjet Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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