Research notes

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Research Notes

Donald strengthens strategic rare earth position

Astron Limited
3:27pm
March 10, 2026
The Donald Project resource update confirms strategic heavy rare earth exposure, with improved definition of Dy and Tb supporting the project’s importance to Western rare earth supply chains. Strong strategic backing from Energy Fuels (UUUU.NYS), with the Donald Project to supply REEC feedstock to its White Mesa Mill in the US, where rare earth prices are currently materially higher than in China. Valuation increases to A$373m (+10%) following model updates, while our target price reduces to A$0.90ps reflecting the rebasing of equity after ATR’s redomicile to Australia. This change was mechanical and non-dilutionary, as Hong Kong shareholders received 2 ASX shares for every 1 share previously held, with the share price adjusted accordingly. There was no change in the underlying equity value. Maintain SPECULATIVE BUY.

Steady 2H26 outlook, ahead of leverage/Opex benefits

Earlypay
3:27pm
March 10, 2026
EPY’s recent 1H26 result saw the group deliver underlying NPATA of A$1.8m down from $2.6m in 1H25. No interim dividend was declared (due to retained earnings position). The group maintained capital flexibility with ~3.0cps of surplus capital earmarked for further Buybacks/ Dividends/ Growth initiatives. Funds-in-use in EPY’s core Invoice Finance division declined ~16% YoY as a result of client attrition in 2H25, which set a lower starting base into 1H26. This grew progressively in 1H26 with originations within management expectations, however utilisation was lower toward year-end. Trade Finance FIU also reduced as the group continued to rebalance away from large exposures. Equipment Finance FIU grew +37% YoY, with Origination momentum continuing to build. Prior FY26 guidance for NPATA growth of ~15-20% (i.e. $6m NPATA) was withdrawn in Nov’26 due to softer than expected customer utilisation of Invoice Finance, along with costs/timing of implementation of the group’s new Loan Management system. EPY however is now guiding 2H26 earnings to be likely consistent with 1H26 (i.e. FY26 Underlying EPS is expected to be ~1.4cps). The Board intends to pay all retained earnings as a fully franked dividend in FY26.

International Spotlight

Adobe Inc.
3:27pm
March 10, 2026
Incorporated in 1983, Adobe operates as a globally diversified software company. It operates through the following business segments: 1) Digital Media, which offers creative cloud services (including software such as Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro and Acrobat); 2) Digital Experience, which provides solutions including analytics, social marketing, media optimisation etc, and 3) Publishing and Advertising, which includes legacy products for eLearning and technical document publishing, web application development.

Model update

Catapult Sports
3:27pm
March 6, 2026
We update our FY26 forecast to incorporate US$4m of transaction costs related to the Impect and IsoLynx transactions. This was scheduled to come through in 2H26. We understand this will likely be removed from management EBITDA (hence we leave this unchanged at US$23.8m for FY26). Our reported EBITDA is lowered by that amount to US$13.3m. Our price target and recommendation remain unchanged.

1H26 result: Accelerating investment

Endeavour Group
3:27pm
March 4, 2026
There were no major surprises in EDV’s 1H26 result following the company’s trading update in January. While EDV continues to work on its refreshed strategy with further details to be provided at an investor day on 27 May, management confirmed that the combined Retail and Hotels portfolio will be retained. Management also noted that they will continue investing in Dan Murphy’s to restore its price leadership, while accelerating hotel renewals and electronic gaming machine (EGM) replacements. We decrease FY26-28F underlying EBIT by between 0-1%. Our target price falls to $3.65 (from $3.70) and we retain our HOLD rating.

Tungsten in strategic demand

EQ Resources
3:27pm
March 4, 2026
The ammonium paratungstate (APT) price continues to climb, above US$1,600 per metric tonne unit (mtu – 10kg). We have lifted the modelled short-term price to US$1,300/mtu, and our long-term price from US$600/mtu to US$700/mtu. Our valuation and target price have lifted from A$0.16 per share to A$0.23ps. Continued strength in the tungsten price, a most critical metal, could lead to a further increase in our target price. With the share price above our target price, we lower our rating to TRIM from Speculative Buy. Tungsten concentrate production at the start of this current March Quarter may have been affected by the Wet Season in north Queensland at Mt Carbine, and to some extent at Barruecopardo, Salamanca Province, Spain.

FY25 result: Well positioned for the year ahead

Waypoint REIT
3:27pm
March 3, 2026
Waypoint REIT (WPR) delivered a solid FY25 result with FFO of 16.64c, in-line with upgraded guidance and FY26 outlook modestly ahead of expectations. The portfolio continues to perform as a yield-focused vehicle, with limited near-term execution risk following the renewal of the majority of FY26 lease expiries with key tenant Viva Energy (VEA), securing ~12% rental uplift. WPR trades at ~13% discount to NTA ($2.90) and offers a ~7% FY26F distribution yield. We upgrade WPR from Hold to ACCUMULATE. Our target price increases to $2.75 (prev. $2.70).

1H26 Result: Some speed bumps but managed ok

Income Asset Management Group
3:27pm
March 3, 2026
IAM reported its 1H26 result with revenue of ~A$9.1m, +13% on pcp (1H25 ~A$8m), but ~A$1m below our estimate. It was an overall resilient half for IAM, seeing Bond/Loan FUA growth and a strong net trading income performance. Having right-sized its cost base with annualised cash costs now around A$17m, further topline line growth from here should result in operating leverage coming through. We expect the business to continue to move towards profitability. Speculative Buy maintained.

Long-term targets trimmed

Capstone Copper
3:27pm
March 3, 2026
Small 4Q25 EPS miss vs expectations but the near-long term reset in production targets (265kt vs 280kt near term, 375kt vs 400kt long term) was the driver of the -9% share price reaction, in our view. We trim our long-term production assumptions and target price to A$16ps (from A$16.60ps). Even on a moderated growth profile, CSC still delivers ~60% production growth to CY30 from current CY26 forecasts and trades cheaply at 6x/4x CY26/CY27 EV/EBITDA, pricing in US$4.25/lb copper into perpetuity. Maintain BUY with a A$16ps target price (previously A$16.60ps).

International Spotlight

McDonald's Corp
3:27pm
March 3, 2026
McDonald’s Corporation (MCD.NYS) is a global QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) business known for signature menu items such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, and Fries. The Golden Arches logo is one of the most instantly recognisable symbols of American consumer culture in the world.

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