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As restaurants close to stop the spread of coronavirus there is more demand for supermarket food, beverages and fresh produce and Brambles is one of the less obvious beneficiaries.

Aurizon Holdings has reaffirmed FY20 guidance but appears to be increasingly cautious about the outlook for the coal haulage segment.

Qantas asserts that its dominant position in the domestic market and dual brand advantage will support ambitious targets for margin expansion.

Brokers are modestly confident Brambles can negotiate a tough macro outlook and provide reasonable revenue growth in FY20.

Investors are expected to focus on the prospect of sustained capital management as rail freight operator Aurizon seeks to gear up operations following a legal restructure.

The global shipping industry is about to be disrupted, with implications for global exports, and prices.

There is a modest financial benefit in the agreement struck between Aurizon and its coal haulage customers. Of greater significance to brokers is the mending of a sometimes fractious relationship.

Sales growth for the Brambles’ CHEP business reflected strong price realisation and customer expansion in the US, but the critical issue for brokers is easing cost inflation.

The sale of the IFCO plastic crate business will generate cash returns for Brambles shareholders as well as a buyback and refreshes the outlook for the company.

Cost inflation has stymied growth in the first weeks of FY19 for Brambles but the company remains confident cost pressures will ease as the year progresses.