Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are under pressure on Thursday.

In afternoon trade, the supermarket giant’s shares are down 3% to $38.96.

Is this a buying opportunity for investors? Let’s see what two leading brokers are saying about the company following its results release this week.

What are brokers saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with the company’s performance in FY 2026, noting that its net profit was ahead of expectations. It said:

WOW reported a FY26 underlying NPAT ahead of our expectations at $1,599m (BPe $1,511m and VA $1,553m). Key operating statistics of the result included: Operating results: Revenue of $71,539m was up +4% YoY (vs. BPe $71,431m and VA of $71,628m). EBITDA of $6,089m was up +7% YOY (vs. BPe of $6,123m and VA of $6,133m). Underlying NPAT of $1,599m was up +15% YOY (vs. BPe of $1,511m and VA of $1,553m). Group gross margin was up +12bps YoY and CODB was down -13bps YoY.

In response to the result and outlook commentary, the broker has made a material increase to its near-term estimates. It revealed that “NPAT changes are +16% in FY27e and +12% in FY28e.”

This has led to Bell Potter increasing its price target on Woolworths shares to $42.35 (from $35.50).

However, with potential upside now just under 9%, that isn’t quite enough for a buy rating, and the broker has held firm with its hold recommendation. It commented:

There has been a clear acceleration in the topline of the Australian food business in recent quarters (>200bp outperformance since 2Q26) and material recovery in the Big W business driving a return to growth at WOW. Continued growth in eCommerce sales in the Australian Food business (>17% in penetration in 4Q26), A material uplift in digital platform traffic (+13% YoY in 4Q26) and growth in active rewards members (to 10.8m users) are all encouraging signals for investments in online capability and customer capture. In the near term, WOW should also benefit from reduced supply chain implementation costs ($113m expense in FY26).

What else are brokers saying?

The team at Morgans is a little more positive on Woolworths shares. Following a review of the results, the broker has retained its accumulate rating (between buy and hold) with an improved price target of $43.50. This implies potential upside of almost 12% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Morgans said:

WOW’s FY26 result was slightly better than expected. Australian Food earnings were in line with our forecast, while Australian B2B and W Living exceeded expectations. NZ Food was softer following a challenging 2H26. Encouragingly, Australian Food sales momentum has continued into early FY27, supported by the popular Disney Ooshies collectibles campaign. 

Excluding this benefit, sales growth remained solid, indicating the underlying business continues to perform well. We adjust FY27/28/29F underlying EBIT by +2%/+2%+4%. Our target price increases to $43.50 (from $37.30), reflecting changes to earnings forecasts and a higher valuation multiple. The multiple expansion reflects continued positive momentum in the core Australian Food segment, our increased confidence that this sales growth can be sustained, and improved execution. We maintain our ACCUMULATE rating.

The post Do leading brokers rate Woolworths shares as a buy following its results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Walt Disney and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS) share price is in focus today after releasing its FY26 results, highlighted by a 22% lift in revenue to $702.8 million and net profit after tax soaring 295% to $178.5 million.

What did Aeris Resources report?

• Revenue rose 22% to $702.8 million
• EBITDA jumped 81% to $290.2 million
• Net profit after tax surged 295% to $178.5 million
• Operating cash flow more than doubled to $275.6 million
• Net assets climbed to $599.5 million, up 89%
• Cash and cash equivalents increased to $164.9 million from $28.2 million

What else do investors need to know?

Aeris Resources strengthened its balance sheet during FY26 after a successful $96.8 million capital raising. Proceeds were partly used to fully repay and cancel a $50 million loan facility, saving around $6 million in interest and fees for the year ahead.

Operationally, copper production at Tritton rose 19% to 23,000 tonnes, boosting revenue, while the Cracow operation benefited from higher gold prices despite lower gold output. The company also recognised historical tax losses for the first time, resulting in a $51.5 million income tax benefit and further supporting statutory profits.

Investing activities were stepped up, including development at Murrawombie, early works at Constellation, and increased exploration, leading to improvements in Aeris’ Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Statement.

What did Aeris Resources management say?

Aeris’ Executive Chairman Andre Labuschagne said:

Aeris delivered strong FY26 financial results, underpinned by continued operational improvement, resilience and cost discipline, enabling Aeris to maximise the benefit of a favourable commodity price environment. These factors resulted in strong operating cash flows, further strengthening our cash balance and overall financial position.

The significant progress made during FY26, together with our strong balance sheet and continued focus on operational improvement, positions Aeris well to deliver another strong performance in FY27 and advance our growth opportunities.

What’s next for Aeris Resources?

Aeris Resources finished FY26 with no debt, increased cash reserves, and a stronger net asset base, providing flexibility for growth. The company will focus on advancing its Constellation project and supporting exploration across its assets.

Management says it remains committed to disciplined cost management, operational improvement, and investigating strategic mergers and acquisitions to drive stakeholder value. Investors can expect further updates on project progress and potential resource upgrades through FY27.

Aeris Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Aeris Resources shares have risen 138%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) by a wide margin.

View Original Announcement

The post Aeris Resources: FY26 profit surges on revenue growth and cash boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 40% or more in the next 12 months
• Morgans names 3 ASX shares to buy now
• Aeris Resources releases FY27 production and capital guidance

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.8% to 9,057.1 points as earnings season continues today.

After reviewing companies’ results, brokers have reduced their ratings on numerous ASX shares.

Let’s see a sample.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS Group share price is $5.23, down 1.2% today and up 123% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 lithium share has ripped 23% higher.

Morgans downgraded PLS shares from hold to trim after the miner’s FY26 results.

The broker commented:

PLS delivered an in-line FY26 Underlying EBITDA result and surprised with a maiden 5cps fully franked final dividend (22% FCF payout).

We view PLS as fairly valued at current levels, with its premium to peers already reflecting the company’s best-in-class execution, balance sheet and growth optionality.

Depleted lithium inventories leave scope for short-term upside, though we see the medium-term outlook as more volatile given uncertainty around supply and demand drivers.

The broker retained its 12-month price target of $4.60, which implies a 12% downside ahead.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

The Paladin Energy share price is $12.31, down 2.1% today and up 64% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 energy share has jumped 29%.

Morgans downgraded Paladin Energy shares from buy to accumulate due to recent share price strength.

Following the uranium miner’s FY26 report, the broker increased its target price to $14.10.

This suggests a potential 15% upside ahead.

Morgans said:

Cash is starting to flow — PDN delivered positive operating cash flow for the first full year since the restart, generating US$38m in FY26 and marking the transition from ramp-up story to steady-state and cash-generating producer.

Guidance beaten across the board — Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) exceeded FY26 production, sales and cost guidance, providing further evidence that the operation can sustainably deliver and continues to build momentum as it enters more steady state operations.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) 

The Lovisa share price is $27.14, down 1.7% today and down 34% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX retail share has soared 27%.

Morgans downgraded Lovisa shares, on valuation grounds, from buy to accumulate after the retailer’s FY26 report.

The broker reduced its 12-month price target to $31.

This implies a potential 14% upside ahead.

Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: ORA)

The Ora Banda share price is $1.59, down 1.9% today and up 84% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 gold share has ripped 42% higher.

MA Financial Group downgraded Ora Banda shares to a hold rating after the miner’s FY26 report.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $1.40 to $1.60.

This implies a potential 1% upside ahead.

Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR)

The Sandfire Resources share price is $23.47, down 2.8% today and up 85% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 copper share has leapt 22%.

The Sandfire Resources share price struck a new record of $25 on the back of its FY26 report yesterday.

Morgans downgraded Sandfire Resources shares from accumulate to hold with a $23 target.

This indicates the stock is fully valued now.

The broker commented:

SFR resumed dividends with a 35cps final dividend (+86% vs expectations) and we see scope for this to build further as its cash balance continues to grow with no drawn debt, supported by a favourable base metals price environment.

SFR’s asset quality, management quality and balance sheet strength, alongside emerging growth optionality, underpin its case as a core copper exposure for long-term investors, though the stock appears fully valued at current prices.

Scentre Group (ASX: SCG)

The Scentre share price is $3.57, down 1.4% today and down 12% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 real estate investment trust (REIT) has fallen 8%.

Jarden downgraded Scentre shares to a hold rating after reviewing the property group’s 1H FY26 results.

The broker has a $4.05 target, which suggests a potential 13% upside ahead.

Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

The Inghams share price is $2.05, up 2.3% today and down 26% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 consumer staples share has fallen 9%.

Jarden downgraded Inghams shares to a hold rating after the company’s FY26 results.

The broker’s target is $2.50, which implies a potential 22% upside ahead.

The post 7 ASX 200 shares downgraded by brokers this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 ASX mining shares Bell Potter rates a buy
• Why I think the Lovisa share price is an excellent long-term buy right now
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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Lovisa. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Ma Financial Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.