The team at Morgans has been busy running the rule over a number of ASX stocks recently.
Three that have received upgrades are listed below. Let's now dig deeper into these upgrades and see what the broker is saying about these stocks.
TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG)
Morgans believes that recent share price weakness has created an opportunity for investors to snap up this telco company.
While it has stopped short of labelling TPG shares a buy, it has put an accumulate rating and $5.50 price target on them. Commenting on the stock, the broker said:
Following recent share price weakness, we upgrade TPG to an ACCUMULATE recommendation. Our target price remains unchanged at $5.50. Recent challenges facing Optus could benefit Vodafone's mobile growth while TPG's upcoming capital management initiatives could deliver share price upside.
Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI)
Another ASX stock that has been upgraded recently is Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure. It is the owner of the Dalrymple Bay Terminal (DBT), which is a major coal export facility.
Once again, Morgans made the move on valuation grounds following a period of share price weakness. It has put an accumulate rating and $4.73 price target on its shares. It also expects a generous dividend yield from its shares. The broker explains:
We upgrade DBI to ACCUMULATE from HOLD given recent share price weakness (albeit has bounced off the share price low) upon the exit of its major shareholder. Forecasts unchanged. 12-month target price remains $4.73/sh. We don't view the fundamentals of the business and asset as having changed with Brookfield's exit. At current prices, we estimate DBI may deliver a 12-month potential return of c.16% (including 5.7% cash yield). We view this as attractive given DBI's low risk profile.
ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)
Finally, this banking giant received an upgrade from Morgans following news of its cost cutting plans.
However, that upgrade was from sell to trim with a $29.24 price target, so this isn't unfortunately a signal to buy. Commenting on the bank, Morgans said:
ANZ announced a headcount reduction that it says will eliminate duplication and complexity, stop work that doesn't support its priorities, and sharpen its focus on improving non-financial risk management. The market may be cynical that the cost-out will be reinvested back into the business, and the headcount reduction will reduce the ability of the bank to compete for revenue and/or undertake business improvements. Perhaps these concerns will be discussed with ANZ's strategy update to investors on 13 October. Our target price lifts to $29.24/sh. We upgrade from SELL to TRIM, with 12 month potential TSR of -6%.
