Citi says CSL's CEO pick brings key strengths
BUZZ-Citi says CSL's CEO pick brings key strengths ** Citi says CSL's incoming CEO brings commercial, pipeline development experience
** Australia's CSL CSL.AX appointed Deborah Waterhouse as permanent CEO, effective February 2027, after the bell on Wednesday
** Waterhouse is currently CEO of ViiV Healthcare, a joint venture majority-owned by GSK GSK.L
** Brokerage says Waterhouse's experience running a global business in a competitive HIV market bodes well for CSL
** Citi says its experience with Waterhouse suggests she has been thorough, consistent and has demonstrated sound commercial acumen
** Adds, Waterhouse was widely considered the "other" contender in GSK's recent CEO selection process and has worked across several of the company's businesses
** Citi says it is encouraged by the appointment, citing her track record and history of pipeline architecture
** CSL stock up 13% this year, as of last close
(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru)