Morningstar cuts earnings forecast for Z Energy but maintains hold rating

Morningstar cuts earnings forecast for Z Energy but maintains hold rating
Margreet Dietz
By Margreet Dietz July 20 (BusinessDesk) - Morningstar Research lowered its fiscal 2019 earnings per share forecast but kept its hold rating on Z Energy after the country’s biggest fuel retailer downgraded its profit outlook amid a longer-than-anticipated shutdown of a local oil refinery and as high oil prices hurt demand.  On Wednesday Wellington-based Z said it is now forecasting operating earnings of $420 million-to-$455 million for the year through March 2019, down from previous guidance of $450 million-to-$485 million in earnings bef...