** Citi increases EPS forecast for Australia's footwear retailer Accent Group AX1.AX for FY27 and FY28 by 27% and 41%, respectively

** Says increase primarily reflects co's cost out strategy

** Keeps FY26 earnings broadly unchanged and sees EBIT of A$81.5 million ($58.87 million)

** Sees FY30 EBIT margin at 7.9%, up from prior forecast of 4.8%

** Sets new price target to A$0.6, up 5% from the old one

** 2 of 11 analysts rate the stock "buy" or higher, 8 "hold" and 1 "sell"; their median PT is A$0.73 – according to data compiled by LSEG

** Stock down 40.7% YTD as of last close

($1 = 1.3845 Australian dollars)