Many of Australia's leading brokers have been busy adjusting their recommendations again this week.
This has led to a number of shares being given buy ratings. Three that caught my eye are listed below. Here's why they have been rated as buys:
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL)
According to a note out of Credit Suisse, it has retained its outperform rating and $35.00 price target on this gaming technology company's shares. Although the broker believes that Aristocrat Leisure's Digital revenue momentum may not be accelerating as revenue from older games slides, it still believes the company can win a larger slice of the market through increased investment. The broker has forecast earnings per share of $1.41 in FY 2019, pricing its shares at just 20x forward earnings. I believe this is great value given its growth profile and would class it as a buy.
Huon Aquaculture Group Ltd (ASX: HUO)
A note out of Ord Minnett reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating and $5.41 on the shares of this salmon and trout producer. The broker believes that Huon is capable of growing earnings at an above-average rate over the next couple of years due to margin expansion brought about partly by stabilising costs. Incidentally, the broker has a lighten rating on the shares of rival Tassal Group Limited (ASX: TGR) due to its plan to grow the average size of its fish this year. Ord Minnett expects this to lead to an increase in costs and limit its margin expansion. I think Ord Minnett makes great points on both and Huon could be worth a closer look.
QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)
Analysts at Morgan Stanley have retained their overweight rating and $12.00 price target on this insurance giant's shares ahead of Hurricane Florence hitting the U.S. east coast. The broker believes that the insurer's catastrophe budget is adequate to cover any potential losses brought about by the hurricane. While I think Morgan Stanley is correct with this assumption, I would suggest investors stay clear of the insurer until the full extent of the damage caused by the hurricane is known.
