BUZZ — Australia's Superloop rises, Jefferies initiates with 'buy'

(Updates) * Shares of Australia's Superloop rise as much as 4.6% to A$2.5, logging their biggest intraday pct gain since August 19 * Analysts at Jefferies initiate coverage of telecom co with "buy" rating and price target of A$3.6/share * Brokerage views that SLC has underperformed within ordinaries index in last quarter as investors stay concerned about domestic competitors such as Telstra, Optus and foreign entrants like SpaceX's Starlink * However, Smart Communities — SLC's business segment that offers direct fibre to the premises (FTTP), and owns the last-mile fibre infrastructure serving new residential developments — is viewed as a quality earner for SLC, says Jefferies * Brokerage estimates Smart Communities can grow gross profit from A$17 million ($11.88 million) in FY26 to A$40 million by FY29 * Eight of 10 analysts rate the stock "buy" or higher and two "hold"; median PT is A$3.75, according to data compiled by LSEG * Stock down below 4% YTD ($1 = 1.4308 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Rudrannsh Mehra in Bengaluru) ((Rudrannsh.Mehra@thomsonreuters.com)