2 ASX shares rated as strong buys by brokers

EML Payments is one of the ASX shares that's well liked right now.

| More on:
ASX shares upgrade buy Woman in glasses writing on buy on board

Image Source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

There are a group of ASX shares that many brokers like at the same time.

Brokers are constantly scouring the share market for potential investments that they believe are opportunities. If multiple brokers like a business simultaneously then that may suggest that it's an opportunity. Or they may all be wrong at the same time.

At the moment, these two ASX shares are strongly liked by multiple brokers:

EML Payments Ltd (ASX: EML)

EML Payments is currently rated as a buy by at least three brokers, including UBS.

The broker currently has a price target of $4.80 on EML Payments, which suggest the EML share price could increase by around 25% over the next 12 months, if the broker is right.

The payments business recently reported its FY21 result. It revealed that gross debit volume (GDV) increased 42% to $19.7 billion, driving revenue up 60% to $194.2 million.

Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 65% to $53.5 million. Underlying net profit (NPATA) increased 54% to $32.4 million and operating cashflow rose 121% to $48.8 million.

The segment that experienced the lion's share of the growth was general purpose reloadable (GPR), which saw revenue increase from $41.9 million to $113.5 million. Part of this growth was the PFS business contributing for a full 12 months, but the existing EML business also generated 34% of growth.

In FY22, the ASX share is expecting to generate underlying EBITDA in a range of between $58 million to $65 million.

Regarding the Central Bank of Ireland's (CBI) regulatory action, EML said it has provided CBI with a detailed remediation plan addressing the raised concerns. This plan is expected to be substantively complete by the end of the 2021 calendar year, with remaining items finished by the end of the March 2022.

UBS said that the CBI action is an important positive when looking at what the market was expecting, and it seems EML is likely to keep its licence.

According to UBS, the EML share price is valued at 30x FY23's estimated earnings.

Seven West Media Ltd (ASX: SWM)

Seven West is currently rated as a buy by at least four brokers, including analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). The broker has a price target on the media business of $0.77. That implies the Seven West share price could increase by 75% over the next 12 months, if the broker is right.

Macquarie is positive on Seven West Media's shorter-term prospects, though it also noted the increase of costs which are predominately from the Ashes and the Olympics.

Seven West reported that the metropolitan free to air TV advertising market rebounded strongly, up 25.8% in the second half of FY21 and up 11.5% for the whole of FY21.

Seven's digital revenue increased by 78% year on year, with video on demand market growth of 55%.

There was a large increase in revenue from the ASX share, but operating expenses also declined by 7.5% to $1.02 billion (which excludes depreciation and amortisation). The ASX share's underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) soared 141% year on year to $229 million, whilst net debt reduced 40% to $240 million.

It made a statutory profit after tax of $318.1 million, up from a loss of $201.2 million in FY20.

The broker thinks that Seven West is valued at just 4x FY23's estimated earnings.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended EML Payments. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended EML Payments and Macquarie Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Broker Notes

Human head and artificial intelligence head side by side.
AI Stocks

The future of AI: Best ASX shares to buy now

Brokers are backing these 3 ASX shares for future growth amid the artificial intelligence revolution.

Read more »

A man in trendy clothing sits on a bench in a shopping mall looking at his phone with interest and a surprised look on his face.
Broker Notes

Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

Brokers gave buy ratings to these ASX shares last week. Why are they bullish?

Read more »

An executive in a suit smooths his hair and laughs as he looks at his laptop feeling surprised and delighted.
Broker Notes

These ASX shares could rise 19% and 35%

Analysts expect these shares to deliver big returns over the next 12 months.

Read more »

Two excited woman pointing out a bargain opportunity on a laptop.
Broker Notes

2 exciting ASX shares this fund manager thinks are buys

These stocks could be exciting opportunities to buy.

Read more »

Three happy construction workers on an infrastructure site have a chat.
Resources Shares

3 ASX lithium stocks primed for an electric performance: Macquarie

Time to charge up?

Read more »

Three happy multi-ethnic business colleagues discuss investment or finance possibilities in an office.
Broker Notes

ASX financial shares are up 33% this year. Brokers reveal which stocks to buy for 2025

After such a stellar run, are there any good buys left among ASX financial shares?

Read more »

Smiling man sits in front of a graph on computer while using his mobile phone.
Broker Notes

Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Here's why brokers are feeling bullish about these three shares this week.

Read more »

a man with a wide, eager smile on his face holds up three fingers.
Broker Notes

3 reasons to buy this ASX 200 stock now

Bell Potter thinks investors should be snapping up this stock right now.

Read more »