Citi hikes earnings forecast for a2 Milk ahead of 1H24 results
** Analysts at Citi estimate for ASX-listed shares of a2 Milk Co
A2M.AX1H24 net profit after tax (NPAT) of NZ$73 million ($44.64 million), down 1% from the year-ago period
** Citi estimates FY24 NPAT of NZ$160 million ($97.84 million), up 3% from the year-ago period
** Analysts forecast a stronger 2H performance vs 1H
** Citi maintains "Buy" rating for the dairy producer on better-than-expected China birth rate in CY23, among others
** Co to report 1H24 earnings on Feb. 19
** Five of 10 analysts rate the stock "buy" or higher, four "hold" and one "sell"; their median PT is A$5.13 –LSEG data
** Stock fell 38.1% in 2023
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