Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) and NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares are stirring up investor interest on Tuesday.
As we head into the Tuesday lunch hour, two of the ASX heavyweights are outpacing the 0.8% losses posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) at time of writing, while one is trailing that performance.
Here’s what’s happening.
NextDC shares gain on $1.8 billion funding news
NextDC shares are up a 0.1%, trading for $14.09 each.
This comes after the ASX 200 data centre operator and developer announced that it has secured $1.8 billion in new senior debt facilities from a syndicate of domestic and international banks.
With the new funding in place, NextDC now has $8.2 billion of senior debt available.
The company said it intends to use the new funds for ongoing data centre developments amid strong demand growth, as well as general corporate purposes.
On 20 April, the company reported a record increase in contracted utilisation.
NextDC shares are up 15% in 2026.
Which brings us toâ¦
Ampol shares lift on Macquarie presentation
Ampol shares are also making headlines and outperforming today.
Shares in the Aussie fuel supplier are up 0.5% at time of writing, trading for $35.44 each.
This comes following Ampol’s company presentation at the annual Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) Conference.
As you may be aware, Ampol operates the Lytton refinery, located in Brisbane, one of only two domestic refineries remaining in Australia.
Management focused on the impacts of the Middles East conflict, noting that the world is losing around 10 million barrels of oil per day due to the ongoing hostilities.
Ampol said it was well placed at the start of the Iran war at the end of February, with its crude and product secured through Q2 2026. The ASX 200 energy stock expects tightness during Q3.
The company added that domestic refining plays a critical role when global supply is disrupted.
Management noted, “Ampol is uniquely positioned through its integrated supply chain, with domestic refining, independent trading and shipping capabilities and a national terminal and distribution network.”
In the first quarter of 2026, Ampol reported a Lytton Refiner Margin (LRM) of US$25.45 per barrel.
Ampol shares are up 10% in 2026.
And finallyâ¦
Westpac shares sink amid economic outlook concerns
Joining Ampol and NextDC shares in turning heads today, Westpac released its first half results this morning.
Shares in the ASX 200 bank stock are down 1.8%, changing hands for $37.80 each, despite Westpac reporting a 3% year on year increase in statutory net profit to $3.4 billion. However, statutory net profits were down 5% from the prior half.
On the passive income front, management declared a fully franked interim dividend of 77 cents per share. That’s up from last year’s interim dividend of 76 cents per share.
Investor may also be favouring their sell buttons amid concerns over the Iran war’s looming impact on the Aussie economy and the bank’s second half performance.
“The war in the Middle East is presenting challenges for some customers, and the economic impact of the conflict will continue through the year,” Westpac’s CEO Anthony Miller said.
Westpac shares are down 3% in 2026.
The post Why is everyone talking about Westpac, Ampol and NextDC shares on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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More reading
- Everything you need to know about the latest Westpac dividend
- NextDC shares pull back after a funding update. Here’s what you need to know
- Brent crude oil price rips to 4-year high amid missile strikes in Strait of Hormuz
- Westpac share price rises on $3.5bn first-half profit
- NEXTDC secures $1.8bn in new senior debt to boost liquidity
Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.