The Liberty Financial Group (ASX: LFG) share price is in focus after releasing its full-year results for FY26, with profit after tax up 7.8% to $143.8 million, even as revenue slipped 3.5% to $1.44 billion.

What did Liberty Financial Group report?

• Revenue from ordinary activities: $1,440.8 million, down 3.5% on FY25
• Net profit after tax attributable to members: $143.8 million, up 7.8%
• Underlying net profit after tax (pre-amortisation): $155.6 million
• Final FY26 distribution: 7.5 cents per stapled security
• Special dividend declared: 15 cents, fully franked, payable 21 September 2026
• Financial assets under management: $15.2 billion (up from $14.7 billion)

What else do investors need to know?

Liberty Group saw its net profit rise despite a softer revenue performance, mainly driven by an increase in average financial assets and improved cost management. The group originated $6.1 billion in new financial assets during FY26, up from $5.1 billion the year prior, boosting total managed assets to $15.2 billion.

The company continued to see higher fee and commission income, especially from its Australian and New Zealand distribution businesses. Expense reductions – particularly in interest costs as funding rates fell – also helped offset the impact of a more cautious economic outlook and slightly elevated provision expenses for expected losses.

What’s next for Liberty Financial Group?

Looking ahead, Liberty Group says it will keep executing its core strategy around customer experience, choice, and risk-adjusted returns. The company plans to offer more self-service tools for customers and partners, continue digital enhancements, and keep building on its diversified lending and investment base across Australia and New Zealand.

Loss management, cost discipline, and business health remain key focuses. Management is aiming to drive profitability through cautious lending, technology investment, and maintaining flexibility to adapt to economic shifts. The group also highlighted its commitment to responsible lending and sustainability, with a climate report due in September 2026.

Liberty Financial Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Liberty Financial Group shares have declined 26%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which is flat over the same period.

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The post Liberty Financial Group grows FY26 profit, rewards shareholders with special dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN) share price is in focus after the mining services company reported FY26 underlying NPAT of $192 million, up 8% on last year, and grew its EBIT(A) margin to 9.8%.

What did Perenti report?

• Underlying revenue: $3.5 billion, steady year on year
• Underlying EBIT(A): $340 million, up 2% from FY25
• Underlying NPAT(A): $192 million, up 8% from FY25
• Underlying EPS: 20.5 cents per share, up 7.3%
• Adjusted free cash flow: $182 million, exceeding $170 million guidance
• Final dividend: 4.50 cps; total dividend of 7.75 cps, up 7%
• Leverage reduced to 0.4x
• Statutory NPAT: $44 million after impairments and discontinued operations

What else do investors need to know?

Perenti delivered its fifth consecutive year of meeting guidance, driven by operational strength and disciplined capital allocation. The company maintained a robust safety record, reporting zero fatalities in FY26 and improved safety metrics, with TRIFR and SPIFR both declining.

As part of an ongoing portfolio transition, Perenti completed the sale of BTP Group and announced plans to divest its AMS fleet in West Africa, expected to return about $150 million over the next year. The company has reinstated its on-market share buyback program, reflecting strong balance sheet discipline and a focus on maximising shareholder returns.

Leadership changes saw Vanessa Torres appointed as Managing Director & CEO in May 2026, bringing deep global mining experience, and Vincent Nicoletti joining as a Non-executive Director.

What did Perenti management say?

Vanessa Torres, Managing Director & CEO of Perenti, said:

Perenti has delivered an excellent FY26, making significant progress in safety, operational and financial performance and continuing an ongoing process of portfolio transition. We are pleased to report another year of zero fatalities, alongside improved TRIFR and SPIFR metrics, consistent with our goal of ensuring our workforce can return home safe and well.

What’s next for Perenti?

Looking ahead, Perenti expects to build on its strong platform, guiding for FY27 revenue between $3.45 billion and $3.65 billion and EBIT(A) of $335 million to $355 million. The work-in-hand stands at $6.2 billion, backed by a $20 billion pipeline of tender opportunities.

The company will continue to focus on capital discipline, operational efficiency, and portfolio optimisation—balancing organic and inorganic growth to maximise total shareholder returns. Management highlighted the steady migration of revenue to Australian and North American operations and progress across sustainability and climate initiatives.

Perenti share price snapshot

The Perenti share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of over 10%.

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The post Perenti lifts FY26 profit, sees opportunities ahead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares have staged a remarkable comeback, surging 24% in just five trading days and around 40% over the past month.

Yet despite the explosive rally, the ASX biotech stock remains down about 3% year to date and 22% over the past 12 months.

So, has the market finally turned the corner or has the rally gone too far? Following last week’s earnings result, brokers have reassessed their forecasts. And their price targets reveal just how divided the experts are about where CSL shares could go next.

Could $200 really be on the cards?

Why are CSL shares on the rise?

The catalyst was CSL’s FY26 result, released last week Tuesday. At first glance, the numbers looked disastrous. CSL reported a US$2.6 billion net loss after tax.

But investors quickly looked beneath the headline figure. The loss included US$7.1 billion of pre-tax impairments and another US$799 million in restructuring costs, much of which was non-cash. Most of the impairments related to CSL Vifor intangibles and under-utilised property, plant and equipment.

Investors had already been warned. In May, CSL flagged around US$5 billion of impairments and cut its FY26 guidance.

Strip those exceptional costs out, however, and the picture looks considerably healthier. Underlying NPATA was US$3.1 billion, down just 2%, while revenue slipped 1% to US$15.8 billion — ahead of analyst expectations.

For investors, the result offered something potentially more important than a big profit: a reset year, a cleaner balance sheet and better-than-feared guidance.

CSL Behring remains the star performer. Its plasma division generated US$11.4 billion of revenue, while immunoglobulin revenue held steady at US$6.2 billion.

CSL Vifor grew revenue 3% to US$2.4 billion, although Seqirus remained a weak spot, with revenue falling 8% to US$2 billion.

Meanwhile, CSL’s transformation program delivered US$176 million in savings, and management committed US$1.5 billion to expand US plasma collection capacity.

The forecast that could send CSL shares higher

Here’s where the bull case gets interesting. CSL expects underlying NPAT to grow approximately 5% in FY27, ahead of consensus expectations of around 2%.

Behring is expected to deliver mid-single-digit growth, with immunoglobulins growing at a mid-to-high single-digit rate.

The major headache remains Vifor, where revenue is expected to plunge about 25% as iron generics enter the market.

Can CSL shares hit $200?

Not every broker is convinced.

Bell Potter retained its hold rating but lifted its target from $120 to $150. TradingView data shows 10 of 17 analysts have a hold rating, while seven rate CSL a buy or strong buy. The average 12-month target of $165.80 is below the current share price of around $168.30.

But the range is enormous. The most bullish forecasts see CSL climbing to $206.72, implying another 23% upside. At the other extreme, the lowest target is just $133.22, suggesting more than 20% downside.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX MQG) is the most bearish, with a neutral rating and target of just over $133. Of the leading brokers, UBS is the standout bull, targeting $181, while Morgan Stanley sees CSL reaching $172.

So, is $200 realistic? It is certainly possible, but the broker forecasts suggest investors shouldn’t mistake a spectacular rebound for a guaranteed recovery.

The post Could CSL shares really hit $200? Experts reveal their 12-month targets appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.