Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) shares are pushing higher on Monday after the gold miner reported a strong June quarter and was pulled deeper into a takeover fight. 

At the time of writing, the Regis share price is up 3.62% to $6.87. 

That continues a decent recent run for the ASX gold stock. Regis shares are now up around 15% over the past month and 54% since this time last year. 

Here’s what investors are looking at today. 

Gold production hits the top end

According to the release, Regis produced 101,500 ounces of gold in the June quarter, up 12% on the previous quarter.

This took group gold production for FY26 to 379,000 ounces, which was at the top end of the company’s 350,000 to 380,000 ounce guidance range. 

Duketon produced 236,000 ounces for the year, landing within its 220,000 to 240,000 ounce guidance range. Tropicana produced 143,100 ounces, beating its 130,000 to 140,000 ounce guidance range. 

The company also said it generated $284 million of underlying cash and bullion during the quarter before a $114 million dividend payment, $64 million in tax payments, and a $25 million diesel fuel duty bill. 

By 30 June, Regis had $1.21 billion of cash and bullion on hand, up $692 million across the financial year.

While that’s a solid result, investors will still be closely watching costs in the full June quarter report.

Regis said all material guidance items, including all-in sustaining costs (AISC), would be within its previously guided ranges. 

But AISC is expected to come in towards the top end of guidance.

The full result, including more detail on costs and margins, is due sometime later this month.

Takeover battle takes another turn

The second update today was about Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU).

Regis said it is considering its position and rights after Vault received a rival proposal from Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD).

Regis had already agreed to acquire Vault through a scheme of arrangement. However, Vault has now received an unsolicited offer from Genesis, which the Vault board has determined is a superior proposal. 

Under the Genesis offer, Vault shareholders would receive 0.7629 new Genesis shares plus 47.5 cents cash for every Vault share.

Vault said the offer valued the company at around $5.5 billion.

Regis now has matching rights under its existing agreement with Vault. That gives the company until the end of 10 July to match or beat the Genesis proposal. 

Can the rally continue?

The production update was a good one, and the increase in cash and bullion was hard to fault.

However, the Vault situation has now become the biggest talking point. 

If Regis walks away, some investors may see that as a sensible move. If it lifts its offer, the market will need to decide whether the extra price is worth paying. 

Either way, the next few days could be very busy for Regis shareholders. 

The post Gold, cash, and a takeover twist: Why this ASX 200 gold stock is climbing today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares have cooled sharply after one of their strongest starts to a year in recent memory. 

The energy giant surged almost 50% during the first four months of 2026 as oil prices climbed amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Concerns over conflict in the Middle East and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent crude prices higher, helping push Woodside shares above $35. 

Since then, sentiment has shifted. Oil prices have retreated as shipping through the Strait resumed and hopes of a fragile peace agreement between Iran and the United States eased supply concerns. As a result, Woodside shares have fallen around 10% over the past month.

Even so, the stock remains up about 18% year to date, and edged 0.5% higher to $28.01 in Monday morning trade.

So, where do Woodside shares go from here?

A business benefiting from higher energy prices

Woodside remains one of Australia’s largest oil and gas producers, with a globally diversified portfolio of LNG and offshore energy assets.

The company’s earnings remain closely tied to commodity prices, which means periods of elevated oil and gas prices can significantly boost profitability and shareholder returns.

That was evident in Woodside’s March quarter update, released on 29 April. Operating revenue increased 7% from the previous quarter to US$3.26 billion, despite production falling 8% to 45.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) due to severe weather in Western Australia.

The production decline was more than offset by stronger commodity prices. Woodside’s average realised price rose 11% quarter on quarter to US$63 per barrel of oil equivalent, highlighting the company’s leverage to higher energy prices.

Dividends remain a major attraction

Another key reason many investors continue to favour Woodside shares is income.

The company paid eligible shareholders a fully franked interim dividend of 83.5 cents per share in March. Combined with its fully franked final dividend of 81.8 cents per share, Woodside currently offers a trailing fully franked dividend yield of around 6%.

For income-focused investors, that remains one of the stock’s biggest attractions, particularly if energy prices remain supportive over the medium term.

What do brokers expect?

Analyst sentiment remains cautious but constructive. TradingView data shows that most brokers currently rate Woodside shares as a hold, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding future oil prices after this year’s sharp volatility.

Even so, the average broker price target sits at approximately $32.71, implying potential upside of nearly 17% from current levels. The most optimistic analyst believes Woodside shares could reach $45.41, representing upside of around 62%.

At the other end of the spectrum, the most bearish forecast is $24.61, suggesting downside of roughly 12%.

The wide range of price targets reflects just how dependent Woodside’s outlook remains on global energy markets.

The risks ahead

The biggest risk for Woodside remains the direction of oil and LNG prices. If geopolitical tensions continue to ease and global supply increases, commodity prices could come under further pressure, reducing earnings and cash flow.

At the same time, global economic weakness could soften energy demand, while cost inflation and project execution risks remain ongoing challenges for large-scale LNG developments.

However, if oil prices remain elevated or geopolitical risks flare up again, Woodside’s earnings could strengthen quickly.

The post Woodside shares soared, then stumbled. What’s next for investors? 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 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.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are edging lower today. 

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed on Friday trading for $60.50. In morning trade on Monday, shares are swapping hands for $60.45, down 0.1%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is just about flat at this same time. 

Longer term, BHP shares have strongly outperformed the 3% one-year gains posted by the benchmark index, with shares in the ASX 200 mining stock up 56.5% in 12 months.    

And that’s not including the two fully-franked dividends, totalling $1.958 a share, that BHP paid to eligible stockholders over this period

Adding appeal to passive income investors, BHP shares trade on a 3.3% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

And Catapult Wealth’s Blake Halligan believes the Aussie mining giant is well placed to deliver more outperformance in the months ahead (courtesy of The Bull). 

Here’s why. 

Should I buy BHP shares today?

Citing the first reason he’s bullish on the ASX 200 mining stock, Halligan said, “The global miner holds dominant positions in iron ore and copper and is leveraged to increasing demand during the energy transition.”

Addressing BHP’s recent, costly operational issues at its Canadian potash project, Halligan said:

A review of the Jansen stage 2 potash project in Canada resulted in a cost blowout of about U$S2 billion to US$6.9 billion. Despite the Jansen impairment and the risk of industrial action at iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, near term earnings momentum remains strong.

Despite that cost blowout, Halligan noted, “Elevated copper prices and strong iron ore prices supported performance in full year 2026.”

Summarising the second and third reasons you might want to buy BHP shares today, Halligan concluded, “The balance sheet remains robust with low net debt, while a recent dividend yield above 3% adds income appeal. BHP offers cyclical upside and long-term growth exposure to copper.” 

A slightly less bullish outlook on the ASX 200 mining stock

Sanlam Private Wealth’s Remo Greco also analysed the outlook for the mining giant this week.

And while he has a longer-term bullish outlook on the company, he issued a hold recommendation on BHP shares for now. 

According to Greco:

Several disappointing events have led us to downgrade BHP to a hold. Cost over-runs at its Jansen stage 2 potash project in Canada lifts the investment cost by about US$2 billion to US$6.9 billion.

Possible industrial action, although averted in June, may re-ignite at the company’s iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Any industrial action may impact stock performance.

Longer term, we like BHP’s exposure to copper – the key metal of the future.

The post Up 57%! 3 compelling reasons to still buy BHP shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.