AWC Alumina Limited

2335 GMT [Dow Jones] Alumina Ltd.'s (AWC.AU) valuation is looking a little stretched after a circa-45% lift in shares year-to-date, says J.P. Morgan analyst Lyndon Fagan, who cuts the stock's rating to underweight from neutral. "While we recognize a lack of identifiable catalysts to drive a share price derating, we believe an underweight recommendation is now justified based on stretched valuation metrics versus mining sector peers such as Rio Tinto PLC (RIO)," he says. AWC is also facing shrinking margins, with spot alumina prices down and the Australian dollar stronger, he says. Fagan has a price target of A$1.50 on the stock. AWC last traded at A$1.605 a share. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; Twitter: @RhiannonHoyle)

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