In what appears to be a delayed reaction to a bullish outlook in the company’s annual report released last week, Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) shares have surged to another record high.

The stock hit an early high of $51.64 on Monday before settling slightly to be 2.7% higher at $51.43.

The company’s value has increased 71.6% over the past 12 months, and it is now worth $9.13 billion.

Both Codan divisions performing well

Codan’s major revenue-earning divisions are its Minelab metal detection business and its communications division, which includes technology used in unmanned systems.

The communications divisions last year achieved revenue of $506.2 million, up 22% on the previous year, beating the company’s guidance and “driven primarily by strong demand for unmanned radio systems”, the company said in its annual report released last week.

The company said:

Communications’ segment profit increased by 45% to $156.0 million with segment profit margins expanding to 31%, up from 26% in the pcp, reflecting favourable product sales mix and operating leverage. Pleasingly, the segment exceeded the achievement of 30% end of FY27 profit margin target by 18 months. Revenue from defence customers represented 58% of total Communications revenue (up from 38% in FY25), underscoring the increasing importance of this vertical to Codan and reflecting the global tailwinds of sovereignty and increased defence spending commitments.

Codan said revenue from the unmanned sector more than doubled to $215 million over FY26.

In the metal detection division, Codan said the result was “exceptional”, with revenue up 42% to $362 million and segment profit up 65% on FY25.

The company added:

Minelab successfully launched four new products in FY26 in the gold, recreational and countermine markets, including the new flagship GPZ8000 gold detector, the Gold Monster 2000, the Vanquish 60 and Countermine’s MDS-20 detector. These launches reflect Minelab’s global technology leadership across its detection portfolio.

On the outlook, Codan said it was entering FY27 with positive momentum.

The communications division is targeting full year revenue growth in the order of 20%, with the first half of the year to be “significantly” strong than the same period in FY26. Minelab is well positioned for FY27, with a full 12-month contribution from recently launched products. Early H1 FY27 market conditions have been positive, with strong demand in particular for the new GPZ8000 and Gold Monster 2000 detectors.

The company will provide a further update at its annual general meeting on 20 October.

The post Codan shares hit a new record high after the company predicts another strong year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

If I had $10,000 to invest in Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs) today, these three would be on my shortlist.

Each offers a different way to invest for long-term growth. Here is why I like them.

Vanguard Global Technology Index ETF (ASX: VTEK)

The Vanguard Global Technology Index ETF would be my choice for investors wanting more exposure to global technology.

The fund invests in hundreds of technology stocks across developed and emerging markets.

That includes businesses involved in areas such as semiconductors, software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital infrastructure.

I like this approach because technology is becoming increasingly important across almost every industry. Businesses are spending heavily on computing power, automation, cybersecurity, and digital services, and I expect that trend to continue for many years.

Of course, a technology-focused ETF can be volatile, particularly when valuations are high or growth expectations change.

But for money I could leave invested for the long term, I think the VTEK ETF offers an interesting way to back one of the strongest structural growth areas in the global economy.

Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

I would also consider the VAE ETF. This fund gives investors access to Asian markets outside Japan, including major economies such as China, India, Taiwan, and South Korea.

For me, that opens the door to a different set of long-term opportunities.

Asia is home to some of the world’s largest populations, rapidly developing consumer markets, and important businesses across technology, manufacturing, financial services, and other industries.

It can also complement a portfolio already heavily exposed to Australia or the United States.

There will be periods when Asian markets struggle, and political, regulatory, and economic risks can be higher in some countries.

Even so, I think the region has plenty of potential over the next decade, and the VAE ETF provides a simple way to gain diversified exposure.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG)

The Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF takes a different approach.

Rather than focusing on one region or sector, the fund combines a range of Australian and international investments in a single ETF.

Around 90% of the portfolio is generally allocated to growth assets such as shares, with the remainder in more defensive investments.

I think that makes the VDHG ETF particularly interesting for investors who want a broadly diversified portfolio without having to build and rebalance it themselves.

It could work as a major holding in a portfolio, or simply as another diversified investment alongside existing shares and ETFs.

The high allocation to shares means it can still fall sharply when markets struggle. But over a long timeframe, I like the balance between diversification and growth potential.

Foolish takeaway

I like all three of these Vanguard ETFs for the long term.

The VTEK ETF gives me exposure to global technology, the VAE ETF adds some of Asia’s biggest growth markets, while the VDHG ETF offers a much broader approach.

They are quite different investments, but I think each could have a place in a long-term portfolio.

The post Why I’d invest $10,000 in these strong Vanguard ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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.

It hasn’t been a great start to the week for Wildcat Resources Ltd (ASX: WC8) shareholders.

The lithium stock has dropped 10.29% to 30.5 cents in morning trade after returning from a trading halt.

It hit as low as 29.25 cents during market open.

That leaves Wildcat shares down almost 13% over the past week and around 22% over the past month.

By comparison, the All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) is down just 0.34% on Monday.

So, let’s take a closer look at what exactly did Wildcat announce?

Why are the shares falling?

According to the release, Wildcat has received firm commitments to raise $60 million through an institutional placement.

The placement was supported by new and existing institutional investors, including specialist global resources funds.

Around 196.7 million new shares will be issued at 30.5 cents each.

That price represents a 10.3% discount to Wildcat’s last traded price of 34 cents and an 11.2% discount to its 5-day VWAP.

Wildcat currently has around 1.41 billion shares on issue, so the placement will increase the share count by roughly 14%.

What will the money be used for?

The cash is being directed towards Wildcat’s Tabba Tabba lithium project in Western Australia.

The company plans to use the money on early works, including process plant engineering, roads, village development and potentially ordering long-lead equipment.

Funds will also go towards regional exploration, site establishment and other work needed to get the project ready for construction.

Wildcat said it’s targeting completion of its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) during calendar 2026.

Wildcat is also in advanced discussions with commercial banks, specialist financiers, government funding agencies, strategic partners and potential Tier-1 customers.

How big is Tabba Tabba?

Tabba Tabba already has a maiden mineral resource of 74.1 million tonnes grading 1% lithium oxide.

That includes a probable ore reserve of 46.3 million tonnes at 0.99% lithium oxide.

The project is around 80 kilometres by road from Port Hedland and sits near two major Pilbara lithium operations, Pilgangoora and Wodgina.

Wildcat is continuing exploration across the area while it works through the development studies.

What happens next?

Most placement shares will be issued under Wildcat’s existing placement capacity, with settlement of the first tranche expected on Friday 25 September.

A smaller second tranche of around 13.1 million shares will require shareholder approval at a general meeting expected in November.

The first tranche shares are then expected to be allotted and begin trading on Monday 28 September.

The post Why is this ASX lithium stock crashing 10% on Monday? 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.