2206 GMT - The rise in China's birth rate should help improve sentiment toward The a2 Milk Company's major infant-formula market, Morgan Stanley analysts say. They warn that tangible impacts on industry volumes are expected to lag the recovery in birth rates, but nonetheless call it out as a likely positive for the Australia-listed producer. They tell clients in a note that China's latest births data implies a 5.8% on-year rise in the number of new babies in 2024. MS has an equal-weight rating and A$5.90 target price on the stock, which is at A$5.81 ahead of the open. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 19, 2025 17:06 ET (22:06 GMT)

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