A significant reset of Virgin Australia’s cost base under Bain Capital’s ownership has set the airline to post similar margins as its bigger rival Qantas, according to analysts at Barrenjoey, one of three investment banks that helped engineer the company’s $2.3 billion float last month.

While Barrenjoey and its lead transport analyst Matt Ryan are urging clients to buy Virgin shares – suggesting they will rise to $3.65 from the $2.98 they closed at on Monday – other brokers are less bullish about its prospects.