Stock Pick

  • Solstice Minerals: Nanadie drilling extends copper-gold system

    A group of gold nuggets.

    The Solstice Minerals Ltd (ASX: SLS) share price is in focus today after the company reported more wide copper-gold intercepts from ongoing drilling at its 100%-owned Nanadie Copper-Gold Project in WA’s Goldfields. Notably, a 148m intercept at 0.77% copper and 0.20g/t gold from one drill hole signals the growing scale of the deposit.

    What did Solstice Minerals report?

    • Diamond drilling hit 148m at 0.77% copper and 0.20g/t gold from 201m (NANRCD018), expanding mineralisation beyond the current resource boundary.
    • Another diamond tail delivered 36m at 0.70% copper and 0.21g/t gold to end of hole (NANRCD026), confirming nearby high-grade results.
    • Step-out RC drilling produced multiple strong intercepts, including 43m at 0.59% copper and 0.21g/t gold (NANRC044), outlining mineralisation further south.
    • Drilling footprint now spans 100–200m width, over at least 1.2km of strike, remaining open at depth and along strike.
    • Solstice holds $45 million in cash and zero debt to fund ongoing exploration.

    What else do investors need to know?

    Ongoing reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling is mapping out high-grade copper-gold zones that stretch well past the existing mineral resource estimate (MRE). Multiple rigs are operating at Nanadie, with another RC rig arriving soon to speed up campaign progress.

    The company is awaiting results from a deep, step-down diamond hole (NANRCD005) drilled some 500m beneath the current MRE. On top of this, assays from an extra 12 diamond tails and 18 RC holes are pending, so further updates are expected over coming months.

    What did Solstice Minerals management say?

    CEO & Managing Director Nick Castleden said:

    Ongoing diamond and RC drilling continues to show that Nanadie is developing into a substantially larger copper-gold system that extends well beyond the current Mineral Resource.… The combined 148m intercept in NANRCD018 is particularly encouraging.… The results to date continue to reinforce our view that Nanadie is growing into a much larger copper-gold system than previously recognised, with the host gabbro and zones of copper sulphide mineralisation extending well beyond the limits of drilling.

    What’s next for Solstice Minerals?

    Solstice expects a steady flow of drill results in the months ahead as it tests the depth and lateral growth of the Nanadie system. Follow-up work will also focus on defining higher-grade positions, potentially improving future resource estimates.

    With a strong cash position and no debt, Solstice is well funded to advance Nanadie, continue drilling, and explore new targets across its growing land position.

    Solstice Minerals share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Solstice Minerals shares have risen more than 800%, significantly outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

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    The post Solstice Minerals: Nanadie drilling extends copper-gold system appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Solstice Minerals right now?

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

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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.

  • Northern Star Resources posts record profit and higher dividend for FY26

    a man wearing a gold shirt smiles widely as he is engulfed in a shower of gold confetti falling from the sky. representing a new gold discovery by ASX mining share OzAurum Resources

    The Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price is in focus today after the gold miner delivered a record net profit after tax (NPAT) of A$1.7 billion, up 24% year on year, and boosted its fully franked dividend to 55 cents per share.

    What did Northern Star Resources report?

    • Revenue rose 19% to A$7.6 billion (FY25: A$6.4 billion), driven by a 26% higher realised gold price.
    • Statutory NPAT of A$1.66 billion, with underlying NPAT at A$1.79 billion (up 26%).
    • Underlying EBITDA increased 22% to A$4.27 billion.
    • Cash earnings totalled A$2.91 billion, up 1% from last year.
    • Fully franked FY26 dividend of 55 cents per share, including a 30 cent final dividend.
    • On-market buy-back program commenced, with A$129 million spent to buy back over 6.3 million shares so far.

    What else do investors need to know?

    Northern Star ended FY26 with A$1.2 billion in cash and bullion, maintaining a strong balance sheet despite higher capital investments and shareholder returns. The group kicked off commissioning for the KCGM Mill Expansion, a key growth project expected to unlock greater operational consistency and support future cash flows.

    The company is investing heavily in both organic growth and exploration, including the ongoing integration of the Hemi gold project. During the year, capital investment focused on expanding processing facilities and upgrading key mining infrastructure, while a new power station was built at KCGM to support future mining volumes.

    What did Northern Star Resources management say?

    Commenting on its results, Northern Star’s managing director, Stuart Tonkin, said:

    We are at an important inflection point for Northern Star. The KCGM Mill Expansion marks a significant milestone for the Company, with the expanded processing plant expected to deliver greater operational consistency and reliability, while supporting a significant increase in free cash generation as it ramps up.

    We have a strong track record of disciplined capital allocation, supported by an investment-grade balance sheet, and have returned $3.3 billion of cumulative capital management to shareholders to date. As we enter this next phase, disciplined capital allocation remains a priority, with a clear commitment to generating superior shareholder returns.

    To enhance the quality of the portfolio, the KCGM Mill Expansion is expected to structurally reset the cost base and create a stronger platform for long-term value creation. The development of Hemi provides a further opportunity to strengthen the portfolio and underpin the Company’s growth profile.

    What’s next for Northern Star Resources?

    Looking to FY27, Northern Star has guided to group gold production of 1.5–1.65 million ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of A$3,050–3,450/oz. The KCGM ramp-up is underway, with production expected to reach 550–650koz in its initial stages.

    Capital expenditure is forecast between A$2,550 million and A$2,935 million, with flexibility to adjust spending as operational needs evolve. The group is also allocating A$230–250 million for exploration, focusing on growing resources and extending mine life at key operations including KCGM, Pogo, and Hemi.

    Northern Star Resources share price snapshot

    The Northern Star Resources share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of 24%. This has been driven largely by a rising gold price.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Northern Star Resources posts record profit and higher dividend for FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Northern Star Resources right now?

    Before you buy Northern Star Resources 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 Northern Star Resources 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

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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.

  • Medibank FY26 earnings: Profit and dividend rise

    Scientist looking at a laptop thinking about the share price performance.

    The Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) share price is in focus after unveiling its FY26 results, with underlying net profit after tax rising 2.9% to $636.8 million and the full-year dividend increasing 6.7% to 19.2 cents per share, fully franked.

    What did Medibank report?

    • Group revenue from external customers grew 5.9% to $9,115.2 million
    • Underlying NPAT rose 2.9% to $636.8 million
    • Full-year fully franked ordinary dividend lifted 6.7% to 19.2 cents per share
    • Group operating profit increased 6.7% to $813.5 million
    • Medibank Health segment profit up 31.3% to $100.7 million
    • Total claims paid of $6.9 billion, delivering around $299 million in customer value

    What else do investors need to know?

    Medibank added 22,100 net resident policyholders over the year, with its core Medibank brand showing improved growth momentum and ahm continuing to grow ahead of the market. Non-resident policy units fell 2.3%, mostly due to reduced student numbers amid tighter migration settings.

    The company maintained strong capital levels, with a Health Insurance required capital ratio of 13.3%—above its targeted range, partly due to APRA supervisory adjustments. Operating expenses rose 7.1% as Medibank invested in brand, technology, and customer rewards, but productivity savings of $10 million were achieved.

    What did Medibank management say?

    Medibank’s CEO, David Koczkar, commented:

    We continued to deliver value for the 6 million people who trust us with their health and wellbeing, as household budgets remain under pressure. Despite this, people continue to prioritise their health. Today’s result reflects the strength of the business, the trust our customers and patients have in us, and the progress we have made towards our 2030 ambitions.

    What’s next for Medibank?

    Looking ahead, Medibank expects FY27 resident health insurance gross margins to be broadly consistent with FY26, and continued solid growth from its non-resident and Medibank Health segments. The company will focus on disciplined market share growth, further investments in digital health, and integrating recent acquisitions.

    Management flagged robust appetite and financial capacity for further M&A to support Medibank’s long-term growth strategy and deliver value to shareholders.

    Medibank share price snapshot

    The Medibank share price has fallen short of the performance of the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past year with a decline of around 4%.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Medibank FY26 earnings: Profit and dividend rise appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Medibank Private Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Medibank Private Ltd 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 Medibank Private Ltd 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

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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.

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