Morningstar says Collins Foods' core Australian business remains resilient

** Morningstar maintains its fair value estimate on Australia's Collins Foods CKF.AX at A$12.50 per share

** Investment research firm says dining-out and takeaway spending in Australia remains well above pre-pandemic levels and views the shift as structural

** Expects near-term trading conditions for quick-service restaurant operators including Collins Foods, Domino's Pizza and Guzman y Gomez to remain solid

** Adds consumer sentiment is likely to soften amid rising headwinds, but does not expect a sharp deterioration in retail sales momentum

** Expects Collins' Australian division, which it estimates will contribute about 80% of 2027 operating profit, to grow 4% year-on-year

** Seven of 12 analysts rate the stock "buy" or higher, five "hold"; their median PT is A$10.50, LSEG data shows

** CKF down 26% this year, as of last close