** Shares of National Australia Bank rise as much as 1.2% to A$34.8 to hit their highest since April 4
** NAB posted double-digit drop in first-half earnings on Thursday but talked up strength of economy and said a margin-crunching struggle for home loan market showed signs of easing
** Analysts at Macquarie expect the bank's margins to stabilise in the second half on the back of portfolio benefits
** Expects the lender to face relatively less pressure from its deposit business compared to peers
** Keeps PT unchanged at A$32.50; maintains "Underperform"
** Stock has risen 12.1% this year as of last close
(Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee in Bengaluru)
((Rishav.Chatterjee@thomsonreuters.com;))
Comments