Citi cautious on Australia's Challenger as HY profit misses estimates

Analysts at Citi say Challenger's CGF.AX results "not a positive catalyst" for the stock

The investment management co on Tuesday posted H1 normalised net profit after tax of A$229 million ($162.15 million), below Citi's consensus estimate of A$233 million

Co, however, announced a buy-back of up to A$150 million

There remains hope of much better to come with APRA's new capital settings still to be implemented. Whether this will be enough to materially stimulate sales remains uncertain - Citi

Stock closed down 2.4% at A$8.22 on Tuesday

As of last close, stock down 12.7% YTD

($1 = 1.4122 Australian dollars)