Australia's top brokers have been busy adjusting their estimates and recommendations again, leading to the release of a large number of broker notes this week.
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:
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)
According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $334.00 price target on this biotherapeutics company's shares. The broker has concerns over lower plasma collections because of the pandemic. However, it appears optimistic that this could be partly offset by increasing demand for flu vaccines during the next northern hemisphere flu season. I agree with Citi on CSL and think its recent share price weakness is a buying opportunity.
Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)
A note out of UBS reveals that its analysts have upgraded this banking giant's shares to a buy rating with a $20.50 price target. Although it acknowledges that trading conditions remain tough, the broker believes Westpac's outlook isn't as bleak as it looked just a few weeks ago. In addition to this, it believes a further deterioration in asset quality has reduced materially. I agree with UBS on Westpac and believe it and the rest of the big four are good options for investors right now.
Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P)
Analysts at Morgans have retained their add rating and lifted the price target on this payments company's shares to $7.00. According to the note, the broker is pleased with its decision to acquire New York-based QuadPay. It sees it as a lower risk way to enter the lucrative U.S. retail market. And while it expects the U.S. business to be loss-making over the short term, it appears to believe it is worth overlooking this to focus on its significant long term potential in the key market. While it is a high risk option due to its lofty valuation, due to its recent pullback from its high, I think it could be worth a small investment with a long term view.
