Jefferies says Northern Star Resources' value can be realised without takeover
BUZZ-Jefferies says Northern Star Resources' value can be realised without takeover ** Analysts at Jefferies reiterate their "buy" rating for Australia's Northern Star Resources NST.AX at a price target of A$27.00
** Jefferies says Northern Star Resources does not need a takeover to realise value, citing expected operational improvement and cash generation from its standalone business
** Brokerage says Gold Fields' GFIJ.J proposal has been effectively repriced by moves in bidder's stock, with unchanged offer now implying a value below Northern Star's current valuation
** Says precedent mining deals imply a higher valuation range for Northern Star and restoring meaningful takeover premium would require materially improved offer
** Adds that pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management and Gold Fields' approach sharpened scrutiny on execution and capital allocation, but an asset sale or company-wide transaction is not needed to unlock recovery
** Six of 15 analysts rate the stock "buy" or higher, nine "hold"; their median PT is A$25.65, according to data compiled by LSEG
** Stock down 12.2% YTD, as of last close
(Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru)