** Australian power producer Origin Energy ORG.AX trading 1.7% higher at A$10.31

** ORG on Thursday reported 1H25 underlying profit ahead of expectations and committed A$1.7 billion ($1.07 billion) to major battery projects

** Underlying profit for 1H25 up 24% from a year ago to A$924 million, ahead of consensus of A$888.3 million

** ORG announces interim dividend of 30 Australian cents per share

** ORG shares ended 1.2% lower on Thursday

SOLID RESULTS, CITI BULLISH ON FLEXIBLE PORTFOLIO

** Citi retains "buy" rating and PT of A$11.50

** Says Origin's fleet of generation assets would reap gains from market volatility and provide a cheaper hedge for its retail business than external hedges

** Lifts 2H25 and FY26 dividend forecasts; hikes FY25 underlying net profit after tax forecast by 31%

** Morningstar says ORG remains in "sound financial health"

** Brokerage flags headwinds from LNG trading gains tapering off and a drop in LNG prices beyond 2025

** Morgan Stanley says it retains "underweight" rating in view of valuation, rising debt

** Four of 11 analysts rate ORG "buy" or higher, five "hold" and two "sell" or lower; their median PT is A$10.73, according to data compiled by LSEG

($1 = 1.5835 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru)

((Sameer.Manekar@thomsonreuters.com;))