** Brokerage firm Jefferies raised PT for Ampol ALD.AX to A$31.50 and retained its "buy" rating on the stock
** Jefferies says Ampol's first-half trading update showed higher value retail & commercial businesses are performing well, with strong margins helping offset headwinds from declining fuel volumes
** Earnings per share upgrades were larger given lower net interest expense assumptions and one-off lower-than-average tax rate in 1H25 — brokerage
** The brokerage expects growth to be supported by expansion of U-GO, its self-service stations, and store 'refreshes' in New Zealand
** Six of 10 analysts rate the stock "buy" or higher, four "hold"; their median PT is A$31.50, according to data compiled by LSEG
** Stock is down 1.4% YTD, as of last close
(Reporting by Anjali Singh in Bengaluru)
((anjali.singh2@thomsonreuters.com))