PRE-MARKET AUSTRALIAN STOCKS NEWS: AGL Energy (AGL AT) is reportedly nearing a renewable energy funding deal, with infrastructure giant Morrison believed to be the frontrunner to back its wind and solar pipeline

AGL Energy (AGL AT) - Co. is reportedly nearing a renewable energy funding deal, with infrastructure giant Morrison believed to be the frontrunner to back its wind and solar pipeline. (The Australian) Amotiv (AOV AT) - Co. Q1 like-for-like revenue fell 5% Y/Y amid subdued new vehicle sales and supply disruptions in Thailand, with gross margins improving Y/Y; Co. downgraded FY27 guidance, now expecting revenue and underlying EBITA from continuing operations to fall up to 5%, excluding VAFI consolidation, while forecasting both metrics to remain broadly in line with FY26 including VAFI, and announced an on-market buyback of up to 5% of shares. (Dow Jones Newswires) Challenger (CGF AT) - Co. rejected a AUD 4.4bln takeover offer from Daiichi Life Group's Australian unit TAL, citing an insufficient valuation, but intends to continue discussions to explore a proposal the board could recommend, with no certainty of a binding offer or transaction. (The Japan Times) CSL (CSL AT) - Co. affirms FY27 guidance. (Newswires) Elevra Lithium (ELV AT) - Co. Q1 (USD) rev. 74mln (prev. 31mln Q/Q), spodumene concentrate production rose 1% Q/Q to 54,907 tonnes, sales rose 71% Q/Q to 58,134 tonnes, average realised selling price USD 1,276/tonne FOB and unit operating costs fell 14% Q/Q to USD 780/tonne. (Dow Jones Newswires) National Australia Bank (NAB AT) - Co. is recruiting for 172 positions across five Asian locations, including management roles in business lending and wealth, raising questions over whether thousands of Australian redundancies reflect a shift towards lower-cost offshore workers. (AFR) Perseus Mining (PRU AT) - Co. Q1 FY27 gold production reached 92,551oz, exceeding expectations, with all-in site costs of USD 2,035/oz; Co. reaffirmed FY27 production guidance of 420-480k oz and AISC guidance of USD 1,835-2,070/oz, ending the quarter with USD 900mln in cash and bullion. (Dow Jones Newswires) Sandfire Resources (SFR AT) - Co. Q1 (USD) underlying EBITDA 272mln, rev. 480mln (unaudited), copper-equivalent production rose 9% Y/Y to 38,900 tonnes, representing 25% of the midpoint of FY guidance; Co. reaffirmed FY27 production, cost and capex guidance, with net cash of USD 342mln at September 30. (Dow Jones Newswires) St Barbara (SBM AT) - Co. reported a cash balance of AUD 416mln at September 30 and brought forward the expected completion of its 15-Mile feasibility study to Q3 FY27 from Q4 FY27, while maintaining its Q4 FY27 final investment decision target and aiming to complete the sale of its New Simberi interest in Q3 FY27. (Dow Jones Newswires) Broker Ratings/Price Target ALS (ALQ AT) - Price target cut 2% to AUD 23.50/shr by Macquarie. BlueScope Steel (BSL AT) - Price target raised 0.4% to AUD 34.50/shr by Macquarie; price target raised 2.7% to AUD 38.50/shr by UBS. Eagers Automotive (APE AT) - Price target raised 1.4% to AUD 22.30/shr by UBS. Greatland Resources (GGP AT) - Price target raised 2% to AUD 12.50/shr by Macquarie. McMillan Shakespeare (MMS AT) - Upgraded to Outperform from Neutral by Macquarie; price target raised 4.6% to AUD 21.22/shr by Macquarie. Ramelius Resources (RMS AT) - Upgraded to Outperform from Neutral by Macquarie; price target raised 2.7% to AUD 5.80/shr by UBS. Whitehaven Coal (WHC AT) - Price target raised 2.5% to AUD 8.05/shr by UBS.