Research notes

Stay informed with the most recent market and company research insights.

A man sitting at a table with a glass of orange juice.

Research Notes

Copper & Precious Metals in Quebec

Pivotal Metals
3:27pm
September 14, 2026
Our Valuation of A3.3cps is underpinned by the Horden Lake Cu-Ni-Au-Pt-Pd-Ag-Co deposit, Quebec. Metallurgical testwork confirms copper recoveries of >90%, with 50-70% of the precious metals (Au/Pt/Pd/Ag) recovered, predominantly in a 24% Cu concentrate, and recovery of 50% of contained nickel to an attractive 12% Ni concentrate, containing recovered cobalt. Quebec is an attractive exploration and mining jurisdiction, ranking well on the various studies into investment attractiveness and corruption. Hydroelectric power dominates the Quebec grid, with electricity amongst the lowest cost in the world. The Quebec government supports flow-through share financing. Its Natural Resource and Energy Fund for direct equity investment in projects has C$1 billion. The levels of metal prices and price expectations are critical for PVT, with approximately 50% of the in-situ metal value attributable to copper. There is potential to increase the Horden Lake resource. Exploration is in progress on the Belleterre tenements for high grade gold and polymetallic deposits.

No-Go for NewGround

Vysarn
3:27pm
September 14, 2026
Following the update on 3/09 that VYS was in discussion with the NewGround vendors to extend the completion date of the transaction agreement, VYS confirmed today that both parties have mutually agreed not to proceed with an extension, and the agreement will therefore be terminated. Unwinding NewGround from our forecasts sees PBT fall by 14% in FY27 and 19% in FY28 (first full year of ownership). At EPS we reduce our forecast by 11% and FY28 by 14%. Unwinding the cash consideration and noting the recent $65m raise – which included ~$15m for growth initiatives and working capital – the company has significant balance sheet optionality. Our target price falls in line with our earnings downgrades to $1.20 (from $1.40). The stock is now trading on 21x PE in Welltech’s first full year of ownership (FY28), with a gold-plated balance sheet. No value is being ascribed to the asset management business with catalysts imminent in relation to offtake and the 5C licence.

Incentives. Network debt and risk-free rates. Buyback.

Aurizon Holdings
3:27pm
September 14, 2026
We review the CEO’s new long-term incentive targets (upside potential if achieved without heightened capital intensity), Network’s recent debt issue and risk-free rate influences, and the reactivated buyback program. Forecast changes at the group level are immaterial. Target price $3.50/sh (-6 cps). Potential TSR at current prices of 0% (including 6.3% yield based on upper end of FY27 DPS guidance). HOLD retained.

Model update ahead of FY30

Ramelius Resources
3:27pm
September 10, 2026
RMS is expected to release FY27 guidance and an updated outlook to FY30 in Sep-26, following execution of the EPC contract for the Mt Magnet mill expansion, providing greater clarity on project costs and timing. Following an analyst change, we retain our BUY recommendation with a revised price target of A$4.74 per share.

Geopolitical hedge

GrainCorp
3:27pm
September 10, 2026
Given its share price rally into today’s announcement, investors were clearly hoping for more than GNC achieving the mid-point of its FY26 guidance range. An additional A$30m of systems transformation costs didn’t help sentiment either. However, a larger than expected 2026/27 grain crop, improving canola crush and grain trading margins and A$12m of Business Transformation benefits, all bode well for higher earnings in FY27. We have materially upgraded our forecasts. Following share price weakness and given an improved FY27 outlook, we move to an ACCUMULATE rating with a A$7.48 price target. While GNC is a hedge on geopolitics and rising grain prices, the key risk is El Niño.

Itinerary restored, delays expected

Corporate Travel Management
3:27pm
September 10, 2026
After a long suspension (since 22 August 2025), CTD has resumed trading after lodging its FY25 and FY26 audited accounts. Material earnings restatements have been made. Following years of overcharging clients, CTD will refund them A$246m by 30 September 2027, supported by its new A$175m debt facility. FY27 guidance will be provided at the AGM. We forecast earnings to fall materially due to a higher AUD, reduced special project work and higher corporate costs. Earnings growth should resume from FY28 given new management’s strategy. The acceleration of new client wins in the first two months of FY27 is encouraging. Given what has gone on, it will take time for confidence to rebuild and risks remain. However, we think CTD is a turnaround story under new leadership with material upside potential if it executes. We resume coverage with a BUY and A$3.06 PT.

A master class

Aroa Biosurgery
3:27pm
September 10, 2026
ARX has reported positive interim results from the MASTRR Registry showing low infection rates which we expect will support greater surgeon adoption. We sit towards the upper end of the FY27 guidance which has revenue forecast to grow at 18% (mid-point). We have made no changes to forecasts or target price. The share price continues to languish despite operational and clinical progress; with 45% upside to our target price, we think ARX is undervalued. Buy.

Heartache, not heart failure

EchoIQ
3:27pm
September 9, 2026
EIQ has received a Not Substantially Equivalent (NSE) determination on its initial EchoSolv HF 510(k), despite an extensively validated dataset generated in line with FDA guidance. The device cannot be marketed under this application as submitted, pushing back the biggest near-term catalyst and revenue driver. Decision is a setback, but the timing points to a fixable problem. The determination landed day 264 of the FDA's 270-day clock, leaving the agency no scope to seek further information and forcing a decision on what it had. Management confirms a single outstanding statistical point, not a safety or clinical issue, and says the letter invites resubmission. We read this as a file closed on expiry rather than a technology rejected, and the 510(k) route stays open. In any case, the regulatory and timing risks have increased, reflected in a valuation cut to A$1.10. Warrants the negative market reaction but ultimately view the validity of the tool as intact, this reads as a setback in how the data was presented and assessed, not a failure of the underlying technology itself.

International Spotlight

BYD Co Ltd
3:27pm
September 9, 2026

PLS: the current resource is merely a suggestion

Paladin Energy
3:27pm
September 8, 2026
The current Patterson Lake South (PLS) resource may only represent part of the story - The mine plan supports ~9Mlbpa over nine years, yet mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike, drilling density declines materially below 350m. We expect the resource and mine life to increase materially in time. Simply simple - PLS is one of the highest-grade undeveloped uranium projects globally, but its development plan is surprisingly conventional, with a TBM decline, proven mining methods, a standard Athabasca processing flowsheet and uncomplicated tailings storage reducing technical risk. We maintain an ACCUMULATE rating with a reduced price target A$13.30ps (previously A$14.10ps) with the removal of our 10% price premium.

News & insights

Discover what drove August's market rally, from AI investment and strong earnings to rising oil and gold, and what it means for your portfolio.
Read more
Kevin Warsh used his Jackson Hole address to flag rising inflation pressure and a private-purchases measure running hotter than headline GDP.
Read more
See how global share markets performed in July 2026, from US tech gains to Asian and Australian market strength. Read Scott Fraser's update
Read more