Leading Independent Investment Research, Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar

Leading Independent Investment Research

Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. We offer an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors. 

Morningstar provides data on more than 500,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 16 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with more than $180 billion in assets under advisement or management as of June 30, 2015. We have operations in 27 countries.

Download the Morningstar Fact Sheet : http://corporate.morningstar.com/US/documents/MarketingFactSheets/AboutMorningstarFactsheet.pdf

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

As a consequence of increasing global risks, tougher regulatory demands, intensifying pressure on net interest margins, higher bad debts and lower than expected returns on equity we reduce earnings forecasts, fair value estimates and rebase medium- to longer-term dividend payout ratios lower to more sustainable long-term levels for three of the four wide moat-rated Australian banks: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank and Westpac Banking Corporation. We cut Australia and New Zealand Banking Group's earnings forecasts and fair value estimate in March 2016 and now rebase its longer-term dividend payout ratio lower. Our preferred banks are the big retail-focused, New South Wales-based, banks Westpac and Commonwealth Bank due to their lower risk profiles, higher ROEs, higher NIMs, lower cost/income ratios, consistently lower-loan-loss rates, less volatility in earnings, and larger exposures to the strongly performing New South Wales economy.Analyst: David Ellis

As a consequence of increasing global risks, tougher regulatory demands, intensifying pressure on net interest margins, higher bad debts and lower than expected returns on equity we reduce earnings forecasts, fair value estimates and rebase medium- to longer-term dividend payout ratios lower to more sustainable long-term levels for three of the four wide moat-rated Australian banks: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank and Westpac Banking Corporation. We cut Australia and New Zealand Banking Group's earnings forecasts and fair value estimate in March 2016 and now rebase its longer-term dividend payout ratio lower. Our preferred banks are the big retail-focused, New South Wales-based, banks Westpac and Commonwealth Bank due to their lower risk profiles, higher ROEs, higher NIMs, lower cost/income ratios, consistently lower-loan-loss rates, less volatility in earnings, and larger exposures to the strongly performing New South Wales economy.Analyst: David Ellis

Challenges Mount for the Wide Moat-Rated Australian Banks

FX Strategist

Greg Gibbs

Fundamental analysis of topical themes in FX

Amplifying Global FX Capital

Amplifying Global FX Capital was founded in 2015 and is fully owned by Greg Gibbs. It is a registered company both in Australia and Colorado, USA and is a licensed in Australia to provide financial services.

We are producing a regular trading view orientated macroeconomic analysis of topical themes in global financial markets, with a particular focus on foreign exchange. We invite you to view an “executive summary” of these reports in “AmpGFX Reports” under our “Research” menu.

These reports are drawn from the analysis of Greg Gibbs and inform the capital management he undertakes on behalf of the company. The trading performance is posted periodically on our website. We aim to build our company into both a research and capital management business. We are currently in the planning phase for managing capital for wholesale customers.

Greg Gibbs has spent his working life of more than 26 years in financial markets, beginning in 1989 at the Reserve Bank of Australia, after completing a Bachelor of Economics Degree (Honours) at the Australian National University. He has been a CFA Charterholder since 2005. He has worked in Sydney, Singapore, New York and London for major global banks and presented on foreign exchange markets to major financial institutions and companies around the world, and maintained a high profile in the financial media.

Before Amplifying Global FX Capital, Greg was the Head of Asia Pacific Market Strategy at the Royal Bank of Scotland based Singapore. He now resides in Breckenridge Colorado.

Macroeconomics

We think the case is clear for the RBA to cut rates tomorrow and are predicting this outcome.  The much lower core inflation reading, evidence of tightening bank credit conditions, some softening recently in credit growth, cooler job vacancies, a stronger AUD, some renewed doubts on China and timing of the 2 July election suggest the RBA needs to be decisive and get ahead of expectations.  Consequently we see further weakness in the AUD and continue to favour gold as we discussed last week outlining risks in China that may spill over to global asset markets and the rebounding JPY that may push the BoJ toward more easing.

We think the case is clear for the RBA to cut rates tomorrow and are predicting this outcome.  The much lower core inflation reading, evidence of tightening bank credit conditions, some softening recently in credit growth, cooler job vacancies, a stronger AUD, some renewed doubts on China and timing of the 2 July election suggest the RBA needs to be decisive and get ahead of expectations.  Consequently we see further weakness in the AUD and continue to favour gold as we discussed last week outlining risks in China that may spill over to global asset markets and the rebounding JPY that may push the BoJ toward more easing.

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/national-storage-reit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13762:1" rel="noopener">National Storage REIT (NSR AU)</a> IE considers Brookfield and GIC’s scheme offer at A$2.80 to be fair and reasonable, as it falls within its valuation of A$2.72 to A$2.86.</li>
<li>The key scheme conditions are shareholder, FIRB and OIO approval. Regulatory approvals should be forthcoming, and the scheme vote is low-risk.</li>
<li>The offer represents an all-time high, and this is a done deal. At the last close and for an 8 May payment, the gross/annualised spread is 1.1%/6.8%.</li>
</ul>


The National Storage REIT (NSR AU) IE considers Brookfield and GIC’s scheme offer at A$2.80 to be fair and reasonable, as it falls within its valuation of A$2.72 to A$2.86.
The key scheme conditions are shareholder, FIRB and OIO approval. Regulatory approvals should be forthcoming, and the scheme vote is low-risk.
The offer represents an all-time high, and this is a done deal. At the last close and for an 8 May payment, the gross/annualised spread is 1.1%/6.8%.


National Storage REIT (NSR AU): Scheme Vote on 15 April

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day. Data in this insight is up to 2nd March, published ~9AM on the 6th March.</li>
<li>The largest industry net increase in the past week was into "Diversified Metals &amp; Mining"; the largest industry net decrease was out of "Healthcare Distributors". Net shorts increased A$4bn WoW.</li>
<li>Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP Group (BHP AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sigma-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15966:1" rel="noopener">Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/flight-centre-travel-group-l" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7537:1" rel="noopener">Flight Centre Travel (FLT AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/telstra-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:690:1" rel="noopener">Telstra Corp (TLS AU)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/boss-energy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4823:1" rel="noopener">Boss Energy (BOE AU)</a>.
</li>
</ul>


Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day. Data in this insight is up to 2nd March, published ~9AM on the 6th March.
The largest industry net increase in the past week was into "Diversified Metals &amp; Mining"; the largest industry net decrease was out of "Healthcare Distributors". Net shorts increased A$4bn WoW.
Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: BHP Group (BHP AU), Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU), Flight Centre Travel (FLT AU), Telstra Corp (TLS AU), and Boss Energy (BOE AU).



Aussie Shorts (2 Mar 2026): BHP Group, Sigma Healthcare, Flight Centre Travel, Telstra, Boss Energy

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Index Rebalance

Vulcan Energy Resources / Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>There is 1 change for the ASX20, 2 for the ASX50, 3 for the ASX100, 3 for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200</a> and 16 adds/9 deletes for the ASX300 in March.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/regis-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20106:1" rel="noopener">Regis Resources</a> and Greatland Resources are potential inclusions to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vaneck-gold-miners-etf-usa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32924:1" rel="noopener">VanEck Gold Miners ETF/USA (GDX US)</a> in March and those passive trackers will need to buy stock on the same day.</li>
<li>The adds have outperformed the deletes for all indices over the last few months, though performance has been flat over the last few weeks for most indices.</li>
</ul>


There is 1 change for the ASX20, 2 for the ASX50, 3 for the ASX100, 3 for the S&amp;P/ASX 200 and 16 adds/9 deletes for the ASX300 in March.

Regis Resources and Greatland Resources are potential inclusions to the VanEck Gold Miners ETF/USA (GDX US) in March and those passive trackers will need to buy stock on the same day.
The adds have outperformed the deletes for all indices over the last few months, though performance has been flat over the last few weeks for most indices.


S&P/​​​​ASX Index Rebalance (Mar 2026): 43 Changes Across Indices as Adds Outperform Deletes

Australia

Centuria Office REIT operates as a real estate investment trust. The Company invests in commercial properties via a listed property trust, as well as owns and manages office assets. Centuria Office serves customers in Australia.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Centuria Office REIT (COF AU)

Challenges Mount for the Wide Moat-Rated Australian Banks

As a consequence of increasing global risks, tougher regulatory demands, intensifying pressure on net interest margins, higher bad debts and lower...

Morningstar, Inc.

AmpGFX - RBA Cut the Obvious Decision

We think the case is clear for the RBA to cut rates tomorrow and are predicting this outcome. The much lower core inflation reading, evidence of...

Greg Gibbs

National Storage REIT (NSR AU): Scheme Vote on 15 April

The offer represents an all-time high, and this is a done deal. At the last close and for an 8 May payment, the gross/annualised spread is 1.1%/6.8%.

Arun George

Aussie Shorts (2 Mar 2026): BHP Group, Sigma Healthcare, Flight Centre Travel, Telstra, Boss Energy

Net shorts increased A$4bn WOW. Companies mentioned in this regulaor weekly report include: BHP (BHP AU), Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU), Flight Centre...

David Blennerhassett

S&P/ASX Index Rebalance (Mar 2026): 43 Changes Across Indices as Adds Outperform Deletes

There are 43 changes across the ASX changes in March. Couple of the adds could also be added to the GDX in March. The adds have outperformed the...

Brian Freitas

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Challenges Mount for the Wide Moat-Rated Australian Banks

As a consequence of increasing global risks, tougher regulatory demands, intensifying pressure on net interest margins, higher bad debts and lower...

Morningstar, Inc.

AmpGFX - RBA Cut the Obvious Decision

We think the case is clear for the RBA to cut rates tomorrow and are predicting this outcome. The much lower core inflation reading, evidence of...

Greg Gibbs

National Storage REIT (NSR AU): Scheme Vote on 15 April

The offer represents an all-time high, and this is a done deal. At the last close and for an 8 May payment, the gross/annualised spread is 1.1%/6.8%.

Arun George

Aussie Shorts (2 Mar 2026): BHP Group, Sigma Healthcare, Flight Centre Travel, Telstra, Boss Energy

Net shorts increased A$4bn WOW. Companies mentioned in this regulaor weekly report include: BHP (BHP AU), Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU), Flight Centre...

David Blennerhassett

S&P/​​​​ASX Index Rebalance (Mar 2026): 43 Changes Across Indices as Adds Outperform Deletes

There are 43 changes across the ASX changes in March. Couple of the adds could also be added to the GDX in March. The adds have outperformed the...

Brian Freitas

S&P/ASX Index Rebalance (Mar 2026): 43 Changes Across Indices as Adds Outperform Deletes