Australia's Woodside Energy slips; Jarden lifts TP on Louisiana LNG project stake sale plans

** Shares of Australia's Woodside Energy Group WDS.AX down 5% at A$23.37

** Stock tracks the energy sub-index, which is down 5.1%

** Jarden lifts its target price for Woodside Energy to A$26.10 from A$25.60

** Brokerage says selling more of its stake in the Louisiana LNG LLC (project) would strengthen WDS' balance sheet and improve its overall project returns

** Jarden says due to the low internal rate of return (IRR) of the project, an equity sell-down stake will increase WDS' overall return on its investment, cut its net debt, and reduce future investment expenditure

** Brokerage says co should prioritize risk mitigation in the near term via equity divestment, securing gas supply, and firming LNG contracts

** Five of 14 analysts rate the stock "buy", and nine rate "hold"; their median price target is A$25.55, as per data compiled by LSEG

** YTD, stock down 5%