The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Desjardins Securities analyst Gary Ho has reaffirmed his "buy" recommendation for AGF Management. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Ho gave his share target a 50-cent boost to $10. Analysts on average target the shares at $9.11. Mr. Ho says AGF's "strong" second quarter results will "put a spotlight on [its] private alt platform potential." As well, he predicts "we could see some M&A materialize near-term." On Wednesday, AGF posted earnings per share of 45 cents, exceeding the 31-cent projection of both Mr. Ho and the Street. Mr. Ho attributed the beat almost entirely to "sizable" private alternative contributions ($16.3-million versus his $5.5-million projection). Mr. Ho says in a note: "Approximately two-thirds of the contributions were from FV pickup of various funds (management appears comfortable with the current valuation marks), and the remainder from monetizations of private credit investments. In 2Q, private alts contributed 21 cents in EPS vs four cents in 1Q23 and five cents in 2Q22. Seed capital increased to $247.3-million ($3.78 per share). A greater private alt mix could result in a valuation rerate."