South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shares climbed as much as 2.5% at Monday’s open before easing to trade around 1.7% higher at $3.97 in early afternoon trade.

The mining giant has been a standout performer over the past year, with its shares gaining 31%, comfortably outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen just 1% over the same period.

So, what impressed investors?

South32 unveils strong operating update

South32 released its June quarter production report alongside details of a transformational portfolio reshaping.

The headline announcement of South32 shares was the sale of its aluminium value chain business – excluding Mozal Aluminium – to Alcoa in a deal worth up to US$5.6 billion. The transaction also transfers around US$1.2 billion of rehabilitation provisions and is expected to reshape South32 into a more focused base metals producer.

Operationally, the company also delivered several positive surprises. Copper production at Sierra Gorda exceeded FY26 guidance by 2% and generated record annual distributions of US$401 million. Manganese production also beat expectations, finishing 1% above guidance in Australia and 4% ahead in South Africa.

Group sales volumes rose 15% during the June quarter, unlocking around US$200 million of working capital and supporting stronger cash generation.

South32 also returned US$327 million to shareholders during FY26 through dividends and on-market share buybacks while continuing to invest in future growth, spending approximately US$710 million developing its Hermosa zinc-lead-silver project in Arizona.

What management said

The update also marked the company’s first production report under new CEO Matt Daley, who officially succeeded Graham Kerr on 1 July. Daley said:

We continued to deliver strong operating results, exceeding Group production guidance for FY26. We increased quarterly sales volumes by 15%, capturing the benefit of strong market conditions across many of our commodities, and releasing working capital which added to the Group’s cash generation. On 1 July, we announced a step change for South32, with the sale of our aluminium value chain business to Alcoa. Once complete, this sale will unlock significant value for shareholders and reposition South32 as a leading upstream base metals focused company. Our portfolio will be built around high-margin, long-life assets in favourable jurisdictions, with approximately 85% of pro-forma earnings from base and precious metals and approximately 55% production growth from approved projects.

What else should investors know?

Management highlighted continued strong production from Cannington, Sierra Gorda, and its manganese operations. Development at Hermosa remains on schedule, with key US permitting milestones achieved.

Despite higher freight and raw material costs linked to geopolitical disruptions, South32 said it maintained disciplined cost control across the business.

Looking ahead, the company plans to optimise its existing operations while progressing open-pit development at Cannington and managing water impacts at its Australian manganese business. Updated FY27 production guidance for Australia Manganese is expected with its upcoming full-year results on 27 August.

Daley added:

Looking ahead, our focus on operational excellence, a strong balance sheet and transformational growth in base metals leaves us well positioned to deliver value for shareholders.

The post Why South32 shares edge higher on strong results and landmark deal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• South32 reveals FY26 operating results
• Deep Yellow announces major construction contracts for Tumas Project
• Fletcher Building secures $60m for local cement production in NZ
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in South32. 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.

Are you looking forward to living a comfortable retirement lifestyle but aren’t sure whether your superannuation is on track to get you there?

Or perhaps you want to find out the superannuation balance you’d need to maintain a good standard of living, do some regular activities, meals out, and perhaps even an occasional overseas trip.

Here’s a rundown of what the average Aussie has in their super at 56 and 66 years old, and what you’d need at each age to have enough for retirement.

Find out how yours compares.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 56?

There isn’t an exact figure for the average superannuation balance at age 55, but the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has a good guideline.

ASFA’s data shows that at age 55 to 59, the average Australian male has around $319,743 in superannuation. The average female in the same age bracket has approximately $242,945.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 66?

The average 65 to 69-year-old Australian male has an average superannuation balance of $448,518, and women have around $392,274.

Age 56 versus age 66: Why is the gap so wide?

The difference between super balances at age 56 versus age 66 is significant. 

Over the 10-year period, average balances increase by up to $150,000.

It could be that these individuals have had more time to add additional contributions to their superannuation balance. 

But it also shows the importance of compounding. It’s clear that accumulating wealth early on, investing in a well-performing fund, and at a risk profile that suits your own, can supercharge your balance down the line.

Are these average balances enough to retire on?

No. In fact, the average Australian is quite far behind.

ASFA estimates that it’ll cost single Australians around $55,923 per year. It’ll cost couples living together closer to $78,566 per year in total.

These figures also assume you’ll start your retirement at age 67. It also assumes that you’ll receive a part Age Pension around this time and that you own your home outright.

In order to fund this type of comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that single Australians will need around $630,000 in their superannuation at age 67. Meanwhile, couples will need around $730,000 combined at the same age.

Ok, so how much do Aussies need in their superannuation by age 56 and 66 to be on track?

Using ASFA’s Super Balance Detective tool, I’ve calculated what you’d need at ages 56 and 66 to reach that sum.

At age 56, you need around $416,000 in your superannuation.

At age 66, this should be more like $618,500 in order to live comfortably when the time comes. 

As you’ll see. These sums are significantly higher than the average at each age milestone.

And this means you’ll need to bridge the gap another way.

It’s a good idea to start by making additional contributions. You can take advantage of additional concessional or non-concessional contributions, whether this is via salary sacrificing or by making after-tax payments (within your annual limits).

Government initiatives (if eligible) could also help bridge the gap between the superannuation balance you have and what you need.

The post Average superannuation balance for 56 vs 66-year-olds in 2026. How does yours compare? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why South32 shares edge higher on strong results and landmark deal
• Billionaire Andrew Forrest’s buy up sends ASX mining share soaring
• Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday
• VAS vs VGS: Which Vanguard ETF is winning so far this year?
• South32 reveals FY26 operating results

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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.

Shares in EQ Resources Ltd (ASX: EQR) have surged more than 20% after it was revealed iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest has bought a major stake in the company.

Cornerstone stake bought out

EQ Resources said in a statement to the ASX that Dr Forrest had bought Oaktree Capital Management’s 16.8% stake in the company.

The company added:

Oaktree has been a cornerstone investor in EQR since 2023, supporting the Company’s acquisition of the Barruecopardo tungsten mine in Spain and the ongoing expansion of the Mt Carbine tungsten mine in North Queensland, which together have positioned EQR as the largest western tungsten producer. This transaction is at the shareholder level and will not impact the strategy, day-to-day operations, management or employees of EQR.

EQ Resources Managing Director Craig Bradshaw thanked Oaktree for their support, saying they backed the company’s vision at a pivotal time.

He said regarding the transaction:

We warmly welcome Dr Forrest’s investment in the Company. It is a strong endorsement for EQ Resources to see the ownership baton passed from a financial investor to a stalwart of the Australian mining industry with a proven track record of developing and growing assets. This is a great vote of confidence in EQ Resources, our people, and the growth strategy we are executing across our operations in Australia and Spain.

Dr Forrest said he was glad to be backing an Australian critical minerals producer, “at the moment the world has woken up to how fragile critical mineral supply chains have become”.

He added:

Tungsten is essential to the machines that build our homes, hospitals, cities and modern-day energy systems, as well as the semiconductors in every phone and computer. Yet global supply is remarkably concentrated. We are proud to become a long-term shareholder in a company that is de-risking its operations, ramping up production and beginning to generate real cash flow. We look forward to seeing the business continue to grow.

Dr Forrest founded iron ore producer Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and remains Executive Chair and a major shareholder with slightly more than a third of the group’s shares under his ownership.

Tungsten shares a multi-bagger

EQ Resources shares added 22.7% in early trade to 27 cents. The company’s shares are up 610.5% over a 12-month period.

In a recent investor presentation, the company made the point that China currently controls 85% of global tungsten supply.

EQ Resources produced 1,189 tonnes of tungsten trioxide in FY26 and said both of its mining operations had opportunities to scale up.

EQ Resources is valued at $1.13 billion.

The post Billionaire Andrew Forrest’s buy up sends ASX mining share soaring appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why South32 shares edge higher on strong results and landmark deal
• Average superannuation balance for 56 vs 66-year-olds in 2026. How does yours compare?
• Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday
• VAS vs VGS: Which Vanguard ETF is winning so far this year?
• South32 reveals FY26 operating results

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.