Company Interview / Three stocks on Rudi's radar

Key points

Wide broker target range and hold stance on Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) amid binary oil-price outlook UBS shifts to a more constructive stance on KMD Brands (ASX:KMD), seeing a move from survival to recovery Ord Minnett prefers nib Holdings (ASX:NHF) but still views Medibank Private (ASX:MPL) positively versus other insurers Ongoing uncertainty around travel and retail, with Guzman y Gomez (ASX:GYG) and Domino’s Pizza (ASX:DMP) highlighted as potential short-covering beneficiaries

Rudi Filapek-Vandyck from FN Arena views the current environment for energy, retail and healthcare stocks as highly uncertain, with broker calls reflecting this mixed backdrop. On Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS), Filapek-Vandyck points out that broker price targets range widely between $26 and $35, while the share price trades near the top of that band. He notes Morgans shifts to a hold rating, seeing this as consistent with a binary oil-price outlook and elevated valuation.

Turning to retailers, Filapek-Vandyck highlights KMD Brands (ASX:KMD), owner of Rip Curl and Kathmandu. He notes the group’s tough recent history, including a heavily dilutive capital raising to repair the balance sheet. However, UBS is seen as warming to the stock, with Filapek-Vandyck emphasising its view that Kathmandu sales remain resilient and that KMD is moving from survival to recovery, justifying a buy rating.

In healthcare, Filapek-Vandyck cites Ord Minnett’s preference for nib Holdings (ASX:NHF) over Medibank Private (ASX:MPL), while still viewing Medibank more favourably than other insurers. He adds that brokers generally see private health insurers holding up better than other financials. On travel, he notes positive reaction to Flight Centre’s (ASX:FLT) sale of its bicycle business, but stresses ongoing uncertainty. He also references Guzman y Gomez (ASX:GYG) and Domino’s Pizza (ASX:DMP) as examples where low expectations and heavy shorting can set up sharp upside surprises.