** Analysts at Bell Potter raise price target for Australia's Whitehaven Coal WHC.AX to A$7.00 from A$6.80; reiterate "hold" rating
** Stock rises as much as 2% to A$7.12, its highest since October 21
** Bell Potter says coal producer's focus on operating cost reduction and productivity enhancements place it well to withstand sustained periods of coal price weakness
** Co on Friday reported quarterly coal output of 9 million metric tonnes, which missed Visible Alpha estimate of 9.3 million metric tonnes, after being impacted by flooding at open cut mines
** Brokerage lowers EPS guidance for WHC for FY26 by 21%, raises FY27 guidance by 1%
** WHC up 14.8% YTD
(Reporting by Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru)
((Keshav.singhchundawat@thomsonreuters.com))