** Analysts at Jefferies say cash earnings for Aussie lender Westpac WBC.AX will be flat from pcp at A$3,493 million ($2.24 billion), 1% below Visible Alpha consensus in its upcoming first-half results on May 5

** Jefferies upbeat on ongoing "Unite" program, an initiative aimed at reducing costs and improve earnings, says it is focused on simplifying product offerings and technology stack, showing positive management direction

** Raises price target of co marginally to A$28.35 from A$28.34, while stock's last closing price is A$32.84; maintains "hold" rating

** Brokerage forecasts a flat A$0.76 dividend per share, below Visible Alpha estimate of A$0.80 per share

** One of 12 analysts rate the stock "buy", six "hold" and five "sell" or lower; their median PT is A$28.00 – LSEG data

** Stock up 1.6% YTD, as of last close

($1 = 1.5625 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Adwitiya Srivastava in Bengaluru)

((Adwitiya.Srivastava@thomsonreuters.com))