** Analysts at Jefferies lower their price target on Australia's Lynas Rare Earths LYC.AX to A$20.50 from A$22.00, keep 'buy' rating

** Brokerage says NdPr production of 1.857 kt fell short of Visible Alpha consensus estimate of 2.199 kt on ore variability and higher concentrate impurities at Mt Weld in Western Australia

** Rare earths producer on Wednesday posted quarterly sales revenue jump of about 70% to A$288.9 million ($202.06 million), but was nearly 20% below the VA consensus estimate

** Expects LYC capex growth to A$707 million from A$496 million over next five years due to an estimated increase in cost of expanded HRE facility and expenditure on thorium extraction, industrial residue management - Jefferies

** Stock up 23.6% YTD

($1 = 1.4298 Australian dollars)