** Shares of Australia's Charter Hall Retail REIT CQR.AX rise 3.8% to A$3.925, set for their best day since early December 2023

** Morgan Stanley notes the REIT has refinanced its debt book, resulting in a 40bps decline in debt margins, which can offset higher interest rates

** "Had the RBA not hiked rates, or had the rate backdrop today been the same as Aug-25, we suspect the company may have been in a position to increase its 26.4c FY26 EPS guidance" - MS

** Notes a high volume of divestments and acquisitions by co in H1, and says transaction mix is constructive for co with divestments likely yielding <6%, while new acquisitions are generating >6%, brokerage adds

** MS also highlights a solid H1 operational performance, with speciality leasing spreads of +4.1%, and portfolio like‑for‑like rent growth of 3%

** YTD stock down 3.6% after declining 7.1% in 2025

(Reporting by Shruti Agarwal in Bengaluru)

((Shruti.Agarwal@thomsonreuters.com))