The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended the day up 0.8% to 6,767 points.

Here are some of the highlights from the ASX today:

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

The Nine share price fell 1% after announcing that the ASX 200 media business has signed a deal with WIN Corporation for a new regional television affiliation agreement.

This minimum 7-year agreement will result in WIN broadcasting Nine’s metropolitan free to air television content from various 9 channels into markets including Tasmania, regional Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Southern New South Wales. Nine said this will provide seamless access to Nine’s television content across all of metropolitan and regional Australia.

Under the new agreement, which commences on 1 July 2021, WIN will pay an affiliation fee of around 50% of its regional advertising revenue to Nine and provide airtime to Nine to allow promotion of Nine’s assets across WIN’s television and radio network. As part of the arrangements between Nine and WIN, WIN will also provide a sales representation service for Nine in Northern NSW and Darwin for a period of time.

Nine CEO High Marks said:

While our relationship with Southern Cross Media Group Ltd (ASX: SXL) has been strong over the last five years, the opportunities presented by the WIN Network to both extend the reach of Nine’s premium content into more regional markets under one agreement, and to work co-operatively with them on a national and local news operation, means that this is the right time for us to return to WIN. The terms of this new affiliation agreement should be positive to Nine’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) from FY22 through the broader reach of Nine’s channels and by enabling incremental efficiencies across both sales and news.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

Today, big four ASX 200 bank Westpac noted that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has today announced that it has closed its investigation into matters related to the AUSTRAC proceedings. This follows the conclusion of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) AUSTRAC-related investigation in December 2020.

The $1 billion operational risk capital add-on, which reflects the bank’s heightened operational risk profile, will remain in place until Westpac completes its remediation under the court enforceable undertaking (CEU).

APRA deputy chair John Lonsdale said:

Although the investigation has not found evidence of breaches of the banking act or the Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR), APRA remains determined to ensure Westpac rectifies its risk governance weaknesses effectively and sustainably.

Under the enforceable undertaking, Westpac has clearly defined executive and board accountabilities for the implementation of its integrated risk governance remediation plan. APRA will be holding Westpac to account for the delivery of the required improvements.

The Westpac share price ended the day lower by 0.3%. 

Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA)

Speedcast announced today that it has completed the restructuring and it’s going to emerge under new ownership, which sets into motion the winding up of Speedcast International Limited.

The new parent company will be called Speedcast Holdings III. The Speedcast business will continue to serve customers under Centerbridge Partners’ new ownership.

Speedcast International Limited has no remaining material assets or liabilities having transferred its assets in exchange for the cancellation of its secured debt. Speedcast said that was done at a significant shortfall to the secured lenders. It will shortly initiate a voluntary liquidation process.

More reading

• Here’s why the Challenger (ASX:CGF) share price is up 80% in 6 months
• Goldman reaffirms its conviction buy on this ASX share on Yallourn shutdown
• Morgans just added this ASX 200 share to its model portfolio
• Why Flight Centre, Northern Star, Southern Cross Media, & Treasury Wine are sinking
• Why ASX income investors should consider this dividend ETF

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Bruce Jackson.

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ASX gold mining shares have been hit by a double whammy recently of weaker gold prices and a rising Australian dollar. As a result, ASX gold shares across the board, such as Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), have fallen by at least ~30% since setting record all-time highs in mid-2020. 

While the gold price might not be going anywhere anytime soon, brokers have called out the following two ASX gold shares for their potential to deliver further growth through exploration and operational upside. 

1. Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) 

The Gold Road share price pushed as much as ~10% higher on Wednesday after the company announced its 2020 full-year results. Gold Road delivered a significant uplift in earnings with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $170.6 million, compared to the $9.8 million EBITDA loss in 2019. This resulted in a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $80.8 million compared to the $4.7 million loss in 2019. 

Gold Road’s financial performance was ahead of Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) estimates. The broker rated Gold Road as an outperform with a $1.50 price target on 11 March. This represents an almost 30% premium to the Gold Road share price as at Friday’s close.

Looking ahead, the broker pointed to the company’s tier-one gold mine, Gruyere, to drive outperformance in the medium term. 

Macquarie acknowledged the recent weakness in the gold price and pressure from the Australian dollar. But it also described Gold Road as a ‘high margin producer’ that should perform well versus ASX gold shares. 

2. Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) 

Newcrest is the largest ASX gold share and one of the lowest-cost gold producers in the world. Despite the company’s size, it is progressing a number of growth options, more notably at its Havieron and Red Chris Projects. 

Morgan Stanley has an overweight rating for Newcrest shares with a $32.10 price target as at 12 March. The Newcrest share price closed today’s session at $24.02.

The broker sees the potential for exploration expansion after a new zone of high-grade mineralisation was discovered at Red Chris. It was also pleased with the advancements made at the Havieron project including board funding approval and early works construction being underway. 

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• ASX 200 drops, Zip down, Afterpay soars
• Why Afterpay, Gold Road, Hansen, & Silver Lakes shares are charging higher
• Why the Gold Road (ASX:GOR) share price is shooting 8% higher

Motley Fool contributor Kerry Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Macquarie Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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For many years, the Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) share price was one that many an ASX investor probably wished they could forget. Since peaking at above $14 per share back in late 2017, Challenger shares have been in freefall.

This is a company that bottomed out at $2.82 per share in just the past 12 months. That represents a loss of 80% over three years or so.

But the Challenger share price has staged a remarkable recovery in recent months. Challenger shares were trading at $3.63 back in mid-September last year. Today, those same shares are going for $6.55 at the time of writing. That’s a recovery of ~80% in just six months, not a bad return.

So what has breathed new life into this annuities company?

Well, to answer that question, we just need to look at how Challenger makes its crust in the first place.

So (as I just mentioned), Challenger provides annuities and other investment products like funds management. But annuities make up the lion’s share of its business. An annuity is a pension of sorts. You provide Challenger with a lump sum of capital, and in return, you receive a fixed percentage of that capital every year as a payment.

What makes annuities unique is the certainty they offer. Most investments don’t offer a guaranteed income, as we saw last year when many traditionally solid ASX dividend-paying shares reduced or axed their dividend payments. Likewise, a house or a property can provide rent, but tenants can always move out and pull the plug on your cash flow.

Annuities take that uncertainty away – in exchange for a lower yield than what you can expect from many shares and the like of course. There’s no free lunch.

A challenging time for Challenger shares

But Challenger has a difficult balancing act to pull off in order for it to make money. It has to invest its clients’ funds in investments itself in order to create a spread it can take profits from. And since it is required to pay a guaranteed income for its annuities, it has to make sure it doesn’t lose too much money.

Unfortunately for Challenger, the best risk-free assets – government bonds – have not had a good few years. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has been slashing interest rates progressively over the past few years (and aggressively last year). As such, government bond yields and cash interest rates have also been cratering.

Fortunately for Challenger though, the past few months have seen this situation reverse, and government bond rates rise substantially.

In November last year, 10-year Australian government bonds were yielding just 0.88% per annum. Today, those same bonds are instead offering 1.65%. At the same time, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: JXO) has been rising in tandem. As have ASX 200 dividends.

This might just be why the fortunes of the Challenger share price have been rising as well.

More reading

• Goldman reaffirms its conviction buy on this ASX share on Yallourn shutdown
• Morgans just added this ASX 200 share to its model portfolio
• Why ASX income investors should consider this dividend ETF
• ASX 200 up 0.95%: Afterpay rises, Westpac’s APRA update, Qantas upgraded
• 435,000 Aussies bought their first shares during the pandemic

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Challenger Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The post Here’s why the Challenger (ASX:CGF) share price is up 80% in 6 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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The Sheffield Resources Ltd (ASX: SFX) share price is soaring on the back of a late market release. The mineral exploration company announced that it has completed the joint venture agreement with YGH Australia Investment Pty Ltd (Yansteel).

For most of the day, the company’s shares were trading relatively flat. However, upon the news breaking on the ASX, the Sheffield share price accelerated to 42.5 cents.

At the time of writing, Sheffield shares have retreated back to 41 cents, up 13.89% with only moments of trading left for the week.

What’s driving the Sheffield share price higher?

The Sheffield share price is racing higher as investors look ahead to the company’s attractive prospect.

In its announcement, Sheffield advised that it’s finalised the transaction with Yansteel under the Share Subscription Agreement and Shareholders Agreement. With securing approval from the project’s lenders, and Yansteel’s $130.1 million investment, Kimberley Mineral Sands Pty Ltd is now jointly-owned.

The strategic partners will focus on completing a final bankable feasibility study for the Thunderbird project. The report will assess an in-depth review of project potential in terms of minable resources and revenue that can be generated. Should all go according to plan, the final investment decision will occur sometime later this year.

Kimberley Mineral Sands is working with Taurus Funds Management and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility in regards to the project financing.

Board restructure

As a result of the ongoing developments, Sheffield has appointed experienced mechanical engineer Mr Gordon Cowe as an independent non-executive director. Mr Cowe has over 30 years of knowledge in leading and managing resources construction projects. He has worked with leading contractors such as Bechtel and Worley Parsons, on a number of projects.

While the board acquires Mr Cowe’s services, joint venture founding directors Mr Will Burbury and Mr David Archer have resigned. The expected outcome has enabled management to now focus on positioning the company to progress its Thunderbird project.

Words from the managing director

Sheffield managing director Bruce McFadzean hailed the milestone achievement, saying:

Our partnership with Yansteel is a great moment for Thunderbird, the people of the Kimberley, and for Sheffield Resources’ investors and stakeholders. We welcome our newly formed partnership with Sheffield and very much look forward to developing the Thunderbird Mineral Sands Project which will provide benefits for all stakeholders.

On behalf of the Board, I extend a warm welcome to Gordon, whose skills complement the next phase of Sheffield’s growth through the development of the Thunderbird Mineral Sands Project. At the same time, I sincerely thank Will and Dave for their achievements in discovering and establishing Thunderbird as a world class project.

The Sheffield share price has gained more than 350% over the past 12 months, but only around 6% year to date.

More reading

• Why this ASX retail share is tipped as “tremendous”
• Why the Corporate Travel Management (ASX:CTD) share price just hit a 52-week high
• Goldman reaffirms its conviction buy on this ASX share on Yallourn shutdown
• Why this ASX 200 tech share is leading the pack this week
• How ASX tech investors can ride the resurgent Nasdaq share boom

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 Bruce Jackson.

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Specialist fashion jewellery retailer Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) certainly didn’t escape the ravages of COVID-19 lockdowns unscathed.

The Lovisa share price plunged by more than 65% from 21 February through to 20 March last year. But it’s largely been uphill from there, with Lovisa shares having rocketed more than 500% from their 19 March 2020 lows.

Despite declining revenues and profits reported for the first half of the 2021 financial year, the ASX retailer ended the half year with $42.5 million cash in hand. The company also upped its interim dividend to 20 cents per share (cps), having paid 15 cps in H1 FY20.

Why one broker thinks this ASX retail share is a Buy

Speaking with LiveWire, Monash Investors’ Simon Shields said Lovisa shares are a Buy, adding, “It’s a stock we’ve been across for a long time.”

Shields said that Lovisa’s global rollout strategy is “very important”.

But we’re very confident in the rollout. When you look at the penetration in Australia and look at the lack of penetration in some of the other markets where it’s growing very quickly. And the fact that it can get its hands on quite a large store network very quickly like it did in Europe, these opportunities do come up from time to time. Every time it opens up a new store, the payback is about a year or less.

Shields went on to say that Lovisa is “a tremendous business, management’s first-class, excellent execution. And when we do our DCF, we get lots and lots of upside.”

DFC, if you’re not familiar, stands for discounted cash flow. It’s a calculation intended to value an investment today based on estimates of its future earnings.

Lovisa share price snapshot

Lovisa shares are gaining today, up 2.54% in late afternoon trade.

So far in 2021, the Lovisa share price has leapt nearly 29% higher. That compares to a 1% gain on the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

Lovisa pays an annual dividend yield of 2.4%, 50% franked.

More reading

• ASX fashion and beauty shares shine on half-year results
• 4 ASX retail shares that Morgans thinks are a ‘Buy’
• Why these ASX shares just raced to 52-week highs or better
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why Costa, Lovisa, OZ Minerals, & Tyro shares are racing higher today

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 Bruce Jackson.

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Although it is on course to end the week in the red, at one stage today the Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) share price climbed to a 52-week high of $22.07.

When the corporate travel booker’s shares hit that level, it meant they were up 29% since the start of 2021.

Why is the Corporate Travel Management share price at a 52-week high?

Investors have been buying Corporate Travel Management shares this year thanks to the rollout of COVID vaccines and the release of a better than expected half year result in February.

In respect to the latter, for the six months ended 31 December, the company reported an 88% decline in total transaction value (TTV) to $403.8 million and a 75% reduction in half year revenue (excluding government grants and other income) to $56.5 million.

If you include government grants of $13.7 million and other income of $4 million, its revenue was down 67% over the prior corresponding period to $74.25 million.

This ultimately led to Corporate Travel Management posting an underlying loss after tax of $26 million and a statutory loss after tax of $36.4 million. This compares to a pre-COVID statutory profit of $32.9 million a year earlier.

Positively, Corporate Travel Management was well-positioned financially to deal with this loss. At the end of the period it had net cash of $119 million and a $178 million undrawn committed finance facility.

And given that trading conditions are improving now, Corporate Travel Management looks set to have a sizeable cash balance leftover when the pandemic passes. This could give it the firepower to make further earnings accretive acquisitions, like the Travel & Transport purchase last year.

What else is support its shares?

A positive reaction to its results by brokers has also given the Corporate Travel Management share price a boost.

For example, both Bell Potter and Credit Suisse put the equivalent of buy ratings and $22.00 price targets on its shares.

However, with the Corporate Travel Management share price now trading in and around this level, the upside could be limited in the near term until another catalyst appears.

More reading

• ASX 200 unmoved, Flight Centre soars, Afterpay keeps falling
• ASX 200 rises, Afterpay sinks, Vocus jumps
• ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: Friday carnage ruins last week of ASX earnings
• These were the best performing ASX 200 shares last week
• Why did Qantas (ASX:QAN) shares soar 4% on Tuesday?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Corporate Travel Management Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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The decision to close the Yallourn power station years ahead of schedule is getting Goldman Sachs more excited about this ASX share on its conviction buy list.

EnergyAustralia sent shockwaves through the energy market and the Morrison government when it said it will close the coal-fired power station four years ahead of forecast.

The move is backed by the Victorian state government but has riled up the federal government who warned of higher power bills.

Origin share price to benefit from Yallourn

But as the debate rages, Goldman believes the Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) share price will be a winner from the earlier Yallourn shutdown in 2028.

“In our view, the risk of accelerating coal generation closures is increasing, as the market makes room for the rapid addition of renewable generation,” said the broker.

“We expect withdrawal of Yallourn, Liddell and potentially other plants to drive upside to the current wholesale electricity price outlook.”

Yallourn could be shut before 2028

This isn’t the only noteworthy prediction made by Goldman. It also believes that Yallourn could be closed even earlier than EnergyAustralia is predicting due to the “very weak” wholesale electricity forward curve.

“Yallourn’s eventual exit requires new capacity, Origin is best placed to leverage its Mortlake peaker for increased utilitisation,” explained Goldman.

“Yallourn accounts for ~12% of peak demand requirements but more importantly the plant accounts for ~15% of FIRM Victorian generation capacity.”

ASX shares charging up from shutdown

Of course, the early retirement of Yallourn will also benefit other coal-fired power station operators. This includes AGL Energy Limited’s (ASX: AGL) Loy Yang and Baywater power plants. Origin owns the Eraring plant in New South Wales.

But the upside for the Origin share price doesn’t only come from higher wholesale electricity prices. It’s APLNG joint venture is another reason why some brokers consider this ASX share a buy.

Goldman’s 12-month price target on the Origin share price is $6.85 a share.

Foolish takeaway

The Yallourn power station employs 500 permanent staff and hundreds of contractors. EnergyAustralia plans to build a 350-megawatt utility-scale battery in the Latrobe Valley by the end of 2026, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Given the growing number of batteries and renewable power projects in the pipeline, lithium miners like the Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) and Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) share price could join Origin in the winner’s circle.

More reading

• Morgans just added this ASX 200 share to its model portfolio
• Why ASX income investors should consider this dividend ETF
• ASX 200 up 0.95%: Afterpay rises, Westpac’s APRA update, Qantas upgraded
• 435,000 Aussies bought their first shares during the pandemic
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau 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 Bruce Jackson.

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It’s a tight race. And markets have yet to close for the day.

But it looks like this week’s top performer on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is… drum roll please… Appen Ltd (ASX: APX).

Appen leads the ASX 200 for the week

With today’s intraday gain of 2.4% factored in, the Appen share price is up 12.6% this week (at the time of writing).

This week’s performance will come as welcome news to longer-term shareholders of the machine learning and artificial intelligence company.

That’s because Appen shares have been on a largely downward slide since the ASX 200 tech darling hit an all-time high closing price of $43.66 on 26 August. This means that, despite the banner week it has just enjoyed, the Appen share price remains 59% below its record highs.

What’s been putting the Appen share price under pressure?

To some extent, the recent falls in the Appen share price shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Not after it soared 150% from 23 March through to 26 August. And not when the wider tech market has come under pressure from fear of rising inflation and the potential for interest rates to rise from their current rock bottom levels.

These same fears put the NASDAQ-100 (NASDAQ: NDX) into a technical correction, with the tech-heavy index falling 11% from 12 February through to 8 March. Like Appen shares, the Nasdaq 100 bottomed out on Monday. In the past three days, it’s gained 5.1%.

Following this week’s gains, the Appen share price is trading at $17.79. That gives the ASX 200 technology share a market capitalisation of around $2.2 billion.

Appen pays an annual dividend yield of 0.6%, 50% franked.

More reading

• The Appen (ASX:APX) share price has fallen 60% from its 52-week high
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 2 ASX tech shares to buy after the selloff
• ASX tech correction? 10 of the worst-hit shares
• ASX All Technology Index teetering on verge of a bear market

Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Appen Ltd. 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 Bruce Jackson.

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Do you remember when the reemergence of long-absent inflation was going to tank blue chip technology shares? When government bond yields were rising and suddenly these high growth, mega-cap tech shares looked overvalued?

Of course you do. It was only a matter of days ago.

Investors fearing an imminent rise in interest rates fled some of the world’s best know tech shares. And in less than a month, from 12 February through to 8 March, the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 (INDEXNASDAQ: NDX) plummeted 11%, putting it into technical correction territory.

Now there have only been 3 trading days in US markets since the closing bell on 8 March. And in those 3 days, the Nasdaq-100 (which contains 100 of the largest technology-related shares on Earth) gained 5.1%.  That’s just 5.5% below its all-time 12 February highs.

Another welcome reminder not to get overly hung up in the latest market angst.

What’s driving tech shares back towards record highs?

There’s no doubt that one of the biggest drivers behind the resurgent tech shares is President Joe Biden’s US$1.9 trillion COVID recovery package, which just passed its final hurdles in the United States.

Chris Gaffney, president of world markets at TIAA Bank, is extremely bullish on the outlook for shares going forward (quoted by Bloomberg):

The administration has slipped a little bit of extra fuel to the equity markets with their bill. It’s going to be rocket fuel. We’re headed to new highs because of all that stimulus money that’s being put out there and it’s more broad-based than the first couple stimulus programs.

Inflation fears have also been calmed here in Australia by Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Philip Lowe. Speaking this week, Lowe stressed the RBA almost certainly won’t move interest rates higher until at least 2024.

That’s likely helped drive our own tech index, the  S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX), to a 7.4% gain since lunchtime on Tuesday, 9 March.

While there are some great ASX tech shares to invest in, Aussies looking for exposure to the tech giants trading on the Nasdaq-100 can do so with an ASX listed exchange traded fund (ETF).

Namely, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ).

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF share price snapshot

NDQ’s top holdings include all the so-called FAANG shares, along with 95 other blue-chip, non-financial shares trading on the Nasdaq.

And long-term shareholders will have little to complain about, with shares up 37% in 12 months. Over that same time, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up 31%.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF share price is edging higher in intraday trade today, up 1.3%.

More reading

• Here’s why investors should like BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX:NDQ)
• IOUpay and Zip were among the most traded ASX shares last week
• Why this ETF could be a fantastic option for ASX investors
• Top ASX shares to buy in March 2021
• 1 great way for Aussies to get exposure to Tencent and Alibaba

Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of BETANASDAQ ETF UNITS. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BETANASDAQ ETF UNITS. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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Australia’s top brokers have been busy adjusting their estimates and recommendations again, leading to the release of a number of broker notes.

Three broker buy ratings that have caught my eye are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone:

Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL)

According to a note out of Morgan Stanley, its analysts have retained their overweight rating and $38.00 price target on this gaming technology company’s shares. The broker’s industry analysis appears to show that Aristocrat Leisure’s digital business is growing strongly. This is thanks largely to the success of its EverMerge and RAID games, which are generating strong revenues. The Aristocrat Leisure share price is trading at $34.50 on Friday afternoon.

CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

Analysts at Morgans have upgraded this biotherapeutics giant’s shares to an add rating with a $301.10 price target. According to the note, the broker believes the recent weakness in the CSL share price has created a buying opportunity for investors. Especially given that the issues it is facing are temporary and not structural. In addition to this, while plasma collections remain tough, the broker appears optimistic that strong demand for flu vaccines will offset this. The CSL share price is fetching $253.07 on Friday.

Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN)

A note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have upgraded this airline operator’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $6.14. According to the note, Citi made the move following the government’s announcement of a major $1.2 billion stimulus package for the tourism sector. It expects Qantas to benefit from this development. In addition to this, Citi appears positive on Qantas’ cost cutting plans and feels it could support its shares if successful. The Qantas share price is trading at $5.29 this afternoon.

More reading

• What this broker thinks about ASX travel shares after government’s stimulus package
• ASX 200 up 0.95%: Afterpay rises, Westpac’s APRA update, Qantas upgraded
• Why the Qantas (ASX:QAN) share price could shoot higher in 2021
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 2 outstanding blue chip ASX shares to buy right now

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of CSL Ltd. 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 Bruce Jackson.

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