** Ventia Services Group trades 3.9% higher at A$3.46, after hitting a near 1-year low earlier in the day
** Stock hovers around more than 9-month low hit on Thursday
** Australia's competition regulator begins civil proceedings against infra services provider's unit for alleged price fixing for services at Department of Defence bases
** Macquarie cuts PT by 9% to A$4.26, citing greater uncertainty over proceedings
** Says Department of Defence important client, contributed ~18% to co's H1 FY24 rev
** Adds Department not awarding any or less contracts for renewal a key risk
** Stock rated "buy" on avg; median PT is A$4.45 - LSEG
** VNT up 6.1% this year, as of last close
(Reporting by John Biju in Bengaluru)
((John.Biju@thomsonreuters.com;))