Stock Pick

  • Vulcan Steel lifts earnings, declares higher FY26 dividend

    a female steel worker wearing a high visibility vest with her protective helmet tucked under her arm smiles as she carries a clipboard in a large warehouse of steel products.

    The Vulcan Steel Ltd (ASX: VSL) share price is in focus after the company reported a 20% lift in FY26 reported earnings per share to NZ 14.4 cents, while reported EBITDA rose 19% to NZ$129.3 million.

    What did Vulcan Steel report?

    • Reported EPS: NZ 14.4 cents, up 20% on FY25
    • Adjusted EPS: NZ 15.1 cents, up 10.8% on FY25
    • Reported EBITDA: NZ$129.3 million, up 19% on FY25
    • Adjusted EBITDA: NZ$130.3 million, up 16% on FY25
    • Operating cashflow: NZ$73.0 million, down 30% year on year
    • Final dividend: 4.5 NZ cents per share, fully franked and imputed; 7.0 NZ cents total for FY26

    What else do investors need to know?

    Vulcan Steel’s recently acquired rollforming business made a strong contribution, exceeding expectations with nine months of trading and bolstering the company’s value-added processing. The company delivered its first year-on-year growth in underlying volumes since FY22, helped by both internal improvements and shifting market conditions.

    Customer service remained a focus, with Vulcan maintaining a 98% on-time delivery rate. Net bank debt fell by NZ$5.1 million to NZ$227.3 million, and the company continued to invest in its hybrid site network, including opening a new location in Toowoomba, Queensland.

    What did Vulcan Steel management say?

    Managing Director and CEO Gavin Street said:

    Vulcan improved its operational performance in the 2026 financial year, with higher sales volumes and continued market share growth across Australia and New Zealand despite global trade uncertainty and mixed conditions in our domestic markets. The successful integration of the recently acquired rollforming business was a key highlight for the year. Contributing nine months of trading, the division delivered results ahead of expectations and strengthened Vulcan’s value-added processing capability.

    What’s next for Vulcan Steel?

    Vulcan said New Zealand’s industry is beginning to stabilise with signs of recovery, though the pace may be swayed by the upcoming general election. In Australia, economic conditions remain mixed, with rate settings and policy uncertainty acting as headwinds.

    The company aims to keep the momentum going in FY27 by focusing on customer service and margin improvements, while looking for opportunities linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and broader business cycles. Vulcan flagged ongoing risks from global trade and geopolitics but remains focused on supporting growth in both countries.

    Vulcan Steel share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Vulcan Steel shares have declined 17%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Vulcan Steel lifts earnings, declares higher FY26 dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vulcan Steel right now?

    Before you buy Vulcan Steel shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Vulcan Steel wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Monadelphous posts record FY26 profit and dividend, buoyed by growth

    Cheerful businessman with a mining hat on the table sitting back with his arms behind his head while looking at his laptop's screen.

    The Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) share price has been in focus after the company posted record revenue of $2.98 billion, up 31.5% from last year, and net profit after tax climbed 52.1% to $127.3 million.

    What did Monadelphous report?

    • Revenue rose 31.5% to a record $2.98 billion (including joint ventures)
    • Net profit after tax surged 52.1% to $127.3 million
    • EBITDA increased 42.9% to $226.0 million, with a margin of 7.6%
    • Earnings per share grew 50.1% to 127.6 cents
    • Full year fully franked dividend of 108 cents, up 50%
    • Secured over $2.7 billion in new contracts and extensions since July 2025

    What else do investors need to know?

    Monadelphous’ Engineering Construction division delivered revenue of $1.37 billion, a 48.5% increase, spurred by strong iron ore sector activity and integrated services projects. Its Maintenance and Industrial Services arm also hit a record $1.61 billion, up 20%, benefiting from ongoing energy sector work and robust maintenance demand with iron ore customers.

    The company made several strategic acquisitions, including Kerman Contracting, Australian Power Industry Partners, and High Energy Service, broadening its service capability across non-process infrastructure and high-voltage electrical services. With more than $680 million in new contracts secured since July 2026, Monadelphous enters the new financial year with a strong committed work pipeline.

    What did Monadelphous management say?

    Managing Director Zoran Bebic commented:

    The long-term outlook for the resources and energy sector remains strong. Investment is expected in both new resource projects and existing operations, with multiple gas construction projects and sustained demand for maintenance services presenting opportunities in the energy sector.

    Increasing demand, coupled with Australia’s energy transition, is driving long-term investment in energy generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure, with Monadelphous well positioned to capitalise on these opportunities by leveraging its broadening services capability.

    What’s next for Monadelphous?

    Looking forward, Monadelphous expects continued strong activity in the resources and energy sectors, underpinned by a robust project pipeline and significant investment in energy transition opportunities. The company plans to focus on consolidating its expanded business in FY27, following a period of substantial growth, while maintaining flexibility for further strategic growth moves.

    Management says its strengthened balance sheet and enhanced delivery capability, including recent acquisitions, position Monadelphous well for long-term sustainable growth and value delivery for shareholders.

    Monadelphous share price snapshot

    The Monadelphous share price has smashed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of over 50%.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Monadelphous posts record FY26 profit and dividend, buoyed by growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Monadelphous Group right now?

    Before you buy Monadelphous Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Monadelphous Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • AUB Group FY26 results: record underlying profit and higher dividend

    Business people discussing project on digital tablet.

    The AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) share price is in focus today after the company delivered record underlying NPAT of $224.6 million for FY26, up 12% from the prior year, and lifted its fully franked final dividend to 71 cents per share.

    What did AUB Group report?

    • Underlying NPAT rose to $224.6 million (FY25: $200.2 million).
    • Reported NPAT was $96.0 million, down from $180.1 million a year earlier.
    • Underlying earnings per share increased to 183.69 cents (FY25: 171.75 cents).
    • Fully franked final dividend of 71.0 cents per share declared (FY25: 66.0 cps), bringing total FY26 dividend to 98.0 cents, up 7.7%.
    • Strong underlying profit growth in International (+19.6%), Australian Broking (+10.0%), and BizCover (+19.9%) business segments.
    • Leverage ratio of 2.30x, with $330.5 million in accessible cash and debt facilities at 30 June 2026.

    What else do investors need to know?

    AUB Group saw solid organic growth across most segments, with International, Australian Broking, and BizCover leading the improvements. New Zealand Broking’s earnings declined slightly in Australian dollar terms due to currency movements and competitive pressures, despite a modest lift in local currency profit.

    The company completed the acquisition of Prestige in the International division, helping lift its international EBIT margin. Agencies achieved organic growth in gross written premium, though performance was tempered in the strata insurance market. The dividend reinvestment plan remains suspended.

    What did AUB Group management say?

    AUB Group CEO and Managing Director, Michael Emmett, said:

    AUB Group begins FY27 with greater scale, a stronger portfolio and clear opportunities to lift returns for shareholders. In FY26, we delivered record earnings and higher margins, despite moderating insurance markets, while continuing to invest for long-term growth.

    This performance reflected the breadth of the Group, led by strong progress in International and continued momentum across Australian Broking, BizCover and Agencies. In FY27, our focus is clear: integrate Prestige effectively, lift performance where we have more to do, and use our expanded platform to deliver stronger shareholder returns.

    What’s next for AUB Group?

    Looking ahead, AUB Group has issued FY27 underlying NPAT guidance in the range of $245 million to $265 million, signalling anticipated earnings growth of 9.1% to 18% for the year ahead. Management sees clear opportunities arising from the recently acquired Prestige business and ongoing improvements in its international and domestic divisions.

    The company plans to focus on integrating acquisitions, optimising operational performance, and leveraging its broader platform to drive shareholder returns, all while keeping a close eye on foreign exchange movements and macroeconomic conditions.

    AUB Group share price snapshot

    AUB Group shares have underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with an 11% decline.

    View Original Announcement

    The post AUB Group FY26 results: record underlying profit and higher dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aub Group right now?

    Before you buy Aub Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Aub Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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 recommended Aub Group. 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 Latest