Down 22%: Why Bell Potter just upgraded this ASX 200 stock

Let's see why the broker has turned bullish on this beaten down stock.

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Key points

  • Bell Potter has upgraded Endeavour Group to a buy rating, citing its improved retail sales trajectory and solid performance in hotels and pubs, despite its shares being down 22% over the past year.
  • Endeavour's retail sales increased in the first quarter of FY26, with effective promotions and a 20.9% growth in online sales, alongside consistent performance across its hotels business.
  • The broker forecasts a 17.5% upside and a 5.2% dividend yield over the next year, attributing potential growth to retail sales momentum, and noting key risks from elevated promotional costs and pricing pressures.

If you are looking for cheap stocks to buy, then it could be well worth considering the ASX 200 stock in this article.

That's because the team at Bell Potter believes that its beaten down shares are great value ahead of a potential turnaround in fortunes.

Which ASX 200 stock?

The stock in question is drinks giant Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV). It owns the Dan Murphy's and BWS brands, as well as a network of over 350 hotels and pubs. Its shares are down 22% since this time last year.

According to the note, the broker was pleased to see that Endeavour's retail sales trajectory improved in the first quarter after a soft start to the financial year. It said:

Following a soft start to FY26, EDV's retail sales trajectory improved over 1Q26, with positive sales growth in September. Targeted promotions during school holidays and footy finals delivered strong sales, however consumer spending was relatively subdued outside of key events. Promotional intensity across the retail liquor market remained elevated throughout 1Q26, particularly in the online channel where sales grew by 20.9%.

It also notes that its hotels business performed well, with gross across all key verticals. It adds:

Hotels continued to perform well, with growth across food, bars, gaming and accommodation. Pub+ now accounts for ~30% of food and bar transactions.

But the main positive is that its positive growth early in the second quarter of FY 2026. It explains:

Positive retail sales growth has continued in October. Promotional intensity across the retail liquor market is expected to continue to be elevated through 2Q26. In 2Q26 EDV will cycle the WOW supply chain disruption, which was a $40-50m revenue impact in 1H25a. Hotels sales growth in October was modestly below 1Q26, driven by beer pricing and event timing. Elevated costs remain a headwind in 1H26e.

Time to buy this ASX 200 stock

The note reveals that Bell Potter has upgraded the ASX 200 stock to a buy rating with a $4.30 price target.

Based on its current share price of $3.66, this implies potential upside of 17.5% for investors over the next 12 months.

In addition, the broker is forecasting a fully franked 5.2% dividend yield over the next 12 months, boosting the total potential return to almost 23%.

Commenting on its upgrade, the broker said:

We upgrade to Buy. We expect strong 2Q26e Retail sales growth to be underpinned by recent rate cuts, a softer comp following 2Q25 supply chain disruptions, and the growth observed in October. We believe growth in Retail will build positive momentum heading into the April/May strategy refresh, where muted expectations suggest a higher likelihood of an upside surprise. Key risk includes potential gross margin pressures from EDV led promotional activity and/or lower prices at Liquorland.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Endeavour Group. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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