** Jefferies forecasts Commonwealth Bank of Australia's CBA.AX 1H26 cash earnings growth of 2% on p-c-p to A$5,220 million ($3.66 billion)

** Estimates interim dividend to be A$2.30 per share, up A$0.05 from last year

** Brokerage sees upside risk to expenses

** Flags extent of NIM pressure from funding costs, expenses, and capital optionality to be key issues to look out for in upcoming HY results scheduled for Feb 11

** 13 of 14 analysts rate the stock "sell" or lower, 1 "hold"; their median PT is A$123.5 – according to data compiled by LSEG ** Stock down 4.7% YTD

($1 = 1.4280 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)

((Jasmeenaraislam.shaikh@thomsonreuters.com))