JPMorgan thinks Assaí Atacadista, one of the largest retailers in Brazil, is a strong investment play as the company begins to reflect better operating trends. Analyst Joseph Giordano upgraded Assaí, a Brazilian self-service wholesale company with almost 300 stores that trades on the New York Stock Exchange, to overweight from neutral. JPMorgan also raised its price target by $2.50 to $17.50, implying upside of almost 30% over the next year. "We revisit our views on the Brazilian cash & carry space ahead of 1Q24 results," Giordano wrote in a note Tuesday. A more flexible balance sheet would enable Assaí to take advantage of the fact that major competitors are not opening new stores, he said.

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Persons: Assaí Atacadista, Joseph Giordano, Giordano, Atacadão, Assaí Organizations: JPMorgan, New York Stock Exchange Locations: Brazil, Brazilian, U.S