** Analysts at Citi raise price target on Australia's Whitehaven Coal to A$8 from A$7.60; maintain "buy" rating on stock

** The country's largest independent coal miner said on Friday that it was optimistic about further gains in metallurgical coal prices and reported quarterly production ahead of estimates, sending its shares nearly 8% higher

** Citi raises earnings estimates on co by 4%-7% across FY25-27

** Expects costs to come in at the lower end of full-year outlook for Whitehaven

** Stock has fallen 9.4% this year, as of last close

(Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

((Rishav.Chatterjee@thomsonreuters.com;))