(Updates share moves, milestones)

** Shares of Metcash rise as much as 6.9% to A$3.410, their biggest intraday gain since June 26, 2023

** Stock hits its highest level since Oct. 22

** Analysts see upside for Aussie retailer after its half-year results

** Citi upgrades stock to "Buy" from "Neutral", raises PT to A$3.70 from A$3.40

** MTS on Monday reported underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of A$134.6 mln ($87.19 mln)

** Citi says while NPAT was in line with guidance, Food business earnings were more resilient than expected

** "Food margin very strong despite disinflation and increasing competitive intensity," Jefferies says

** Stock top gainer on the benchmark index

** Six of 12 analysts rate stock "buy" or higher, five "hold" and one "sell"; their median PT is A$3.60 – LSEG data

** Stock down 8.6% YTD as of last close

($1 = 1.5437 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Aaditya Govind Rao in Bengaluru)

((Aaditya.govindrao@thomsonreuters.com;))