It certainly has been a very busy week for brokers as earnings season gathers momentum.
Unsurprisingly, this has led to the release of countless broker notes over the last few days.
Three shares that have been given buy ratings are listed below. Here's why brokers are bullish on them:
Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL)
According to a note out of Citi, it has retained its buy rating and $19.70 price target on this organic infant formula company's shares. The broker has been in China recently and its research indicates that Bellamy's should be able to increase the price of its products in the lucrative market once its CFDA has finally been granted. The broker isn't as bullish on rival A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) which it rates as a sell. It fears that inventory levels of its English language labelled product are getting too high. While I wouldn't be a seller of a2 Milk, I completely agree that Bellamy's shares are a buy at these levels. Citi also tipped Freedom Foods Group Ltd (ASX: FNP) shares as a buy due to the growing presence of its Australia's Own branded Kid's Milk product.
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP)
A note out of the Macquarie equities desk reveals that its analysts have retained their outperform rating and $41.00 price target on this mining giant's shares ahead of its full-year results release. According to the note, the broker isn't expecting any surprises later this month when BHP releases its results. It has dismissed any concerns over rising iron ore production costs and expects them to be much lower than its rivals. I agree with Macquarie on BHP and consider it a share to buy.
Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)
Analysts at UBS have retained their buy rating and lifted the price target on this insurance giant's shares to $16.50 following the release of its full-year results yesterday. The broker appears to have been pleased to see Suncorp's results come in ahead of expectations and has been encouraged by signs that its general insurance margins are improving. While I'm not ordinarily a big fan of insurance companies, I do agree that Suncorp's result was strong and that it could be a decent option for investors.
