Top brokers are urging you to buy these ASX shares today

Here are the latest buy ideas from brokers as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) extends its bull run today.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) is extending its bull run today as investors continue to pile back into equities best placed in the post-coronavirus economic recovery.

While value buys are getting increasingly hard to find after the near 30% bounce in the market since the low point of the COVID-19 bear market, there's still a good handful of ASX shares that have room to run higher.

Here are the three latest buy-ideas from top brokers.

Appetite for a big upside

The first is Freedom Foods Group Ltd (ASX: FNP) with Goldman Sachs reiterating its "buy" recommendation on the stock, which also happens to be on its "conviction" list.

This is despite the group's latest warning that its second half earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) would take a big hit.

A number of one-off blows from the COVID-19 pandemic is behind the bad news, including the shutdown of its OOH and Foodservice channels, a $4 million bad debt provisioning and a $5 million restructuring charge.

"We are confident the broader strategy anchored around nutritional dairy and plant based beverages remains on track," said the broker.

"We don't see FNP needing to raise capital in the short term despite elevated leverage…[and] expect earnings to grow significantly in FY21."

Goldman's price target on the stock is $5.75 a share, or a 64% upside to the current share price.

Best leverage to rebounding oil price

The dramatic rebound in the oil price may have put a rocket under the Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price recently, but Credit Suisse thinks there's more room to zoom.

The commodity bounced from a negative US$30+ a barrel to around US$35 a barrel, and the recovery bodes well for Santos' two growth projects Dorado and Barossa.

Credit Suisse believes the breakeven for Dorado is as low around circa US$30 a barrel and that Santos will give the final green light to start on the Barossa project.

"We see STO in the wake of COVID-19 sell-off as potentially more leveraged to an oil recovery over the coming 18 months vs peers," said the broker.

"Most of STO's growth should readily return as the market recovers, and STO has leverage to long-term oil price assumptions should they return to pre-COVID-19 levels."

Credit Suisse rates the stock as "outperform" with price target of $6.61 a share.

Worth more than originally thought

Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded its earnings forecasts for auto parts group Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP) and reiterated its "overweight" recommendation on the stock.

"During lockdown we estimate industry sales were down >25% yoy in Australia and more like 85% in NZ," said the broker.

"Our numbers previously baked in longer duration closures and a more measured ramp up. We now essentially see that pulled forward resulting in a 32% upgrade to FY21e EPS and 10% in FY22e."

The broker lifted its price target on Bapcor to $7.20 from $6 a share, which suggests a 23% upside for the stock.

Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Bapcor. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Freedom Foods 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.

More on Cheap Shares

A young woman lifts her red glasses with one hand as she takes a closer look at news.
Cheap Shares

Why a top fund manager thinks this ASX share is such an exciting stock to own

This stock continues to grow at a strong pace.

Read more »

Stock market chart in green with a rising arrow symbolising a rising share price.
Cheap Shares

2 ASX shares tipped to grow 40% or more in the next 12 months

These ASX shares could deliver huge returns.

Read more »

A financial expert or broker looks worried as he checks out a graph showing market volatility.
Cheap Shares

This fund manager thinks these ASX shares are buys and have big potential!

This fund manager is always on the lookout for exciting ideas…

Read more »

Woman with her kitten on a laptop in her home office.
Cheap Shares

Are Treasury Wine shares a cheap turnaround buy at $5.26?

The brand quality is easy to see. What I am watching is whether management can turn it back into dependable…

Read more »

Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.
Cheap Shares

2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts

These ASX shares are well-liked by analysts.

Read more »

Vanadium Resources share price person riding rocket indicating share price increase
Cheap Shares

2 ASX shares tipped to grow 50% or more in the next 12 months

Analysts are expecting big things from these stocks…

Read more »

Piggybank with an army helmet and a drone next to it, symbolising a rising DroneShield share price.
Cheap Shares

By August 2027, DroneShield shares could turn $10,000 into…

DroneShield shares could deliver very significant, surprising returns.

Read more »

A graphic image of three upward pointing arrows with smoke coming from their bottoms, indicating the arrows are taking off just like the Althea share price today
Cheap Shares

2 ASX shares tipped to grow 40% or more in the next 12 months

These stocks could deliver strong returns, according to experts.

Read more »