Why Citi just became even more bullish on the CSL share price

This healthcare share could be a quality option for investors…

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Key points

  • CSL has been named as Citi's top pick in the ANZ healthcare sector
  • The broker has become even more bullish on the biotherapeutics giant this week
  • It believes recent industry results indicate major improvements in the plasma market

The CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) share price could be great value at current levels.

That's the view of one leading broker, which has become even more bullish on the biotherapeutics giant's shares this week.

What is the broker saying about the CSL share price?

According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating and lifted their price target on the company's shares to $345.

Based on the current CSL share price of $296.85, this implies potential upside of 16% for investors over the next 12 months.

Why is Citi bullish?

Citi has become even more bullish on CSL following the release of results from industry rivals Grifols and Takeda. Its analysts note that these results are pointing to major improvements in trading conditions for the plasma market.

In fact, everything appears to be falling into place with demand and pricing strengthening and donor costs softening. It is partly for this reason that CSL is the broker's top ANZ healthcare pick.

Citi explained:

Results from Grifols (June HY) and Takeda (June Q) show continued improvement overall in the operating environment for the plasma industry – this is as we anticipated and supportive of our CSL forecasts. The key points from the results were: 1) Demand is very strong, and prices are up mid-single digit, showcasing the pricing power of plasma companies; 2) Plasma collections are now well above pre-covid levels; 3) Plasma donor fees are coming down, helping margins.

CSL is our top pick – Australia/NZ Healthcare.

Outside this, the broker expects "the settlement of the Vifor deal, and a positive outlook on plasma collection at the FY22 result will continue to see the share price outperform over the next 12 months."

All in all, Citi appears to believe that this could make now an opportune time to snap up CSL shares before it is too late.

Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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