The Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) share price is in focus after the company hit the upper end of its FY26 production guidance, with the Karlawinda Gold Project delivering 123,589 ounces of gold for the year and Q4 output of 30,437 ounces.

What did Capricorn Metals report?

• Q4 gold production: 30,437 ounces
• FY26 gold production: 123,589 ounces (top end of 115,000–125,000oz guidance)
• AISC expected within FY26 guidance range of $1,530–$1,630/oz
• Cash and gold on hand at 30 June 2026: $507.0 million
• Q4 cash build before capex and dividend: $68.2 million
• Maiden dividend payment in Q4: $22.8 million

What else do investors need to know?

Development at the Karlawinda Expansion Project (KEP) is shifting into commissioning, with major site construction largely complete. Capricorn has invested $44.8 million in KEP in Q4, covering key equipment and pre-production mining. The Mt Gibson Gold Project (MGGP) saw $1.2 million spent in early procurement and contract work, as Capricorn positions itself to move forward swiftly once all permits are received. Recent federal government approvals mean the MGGP is now advancing to the next stage of state environmental review. A maiden dividend was paid in Q4, highlighting the board’s confidence in operational cash flows and future growth.

What’s next for Capricorn Metals?

Commissioning at the Karlawinda Expansion Project is expected to ramp up this quarter, following the completion of key plant and infrastructure works. At the Mt Gibson Gold Project, focus is on finalising environmental approvals and progressing early-stage project development. Capricorn aims to build on its operational momentum, targeting steady production, careful cost management, and project pipeline advancement in the coming financial year.

Capricorn Metals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Capricorn Metals shares have risen 51%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Capricorn Metals hits upper end of FY26 gold production guidance, advances project expansions appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Genesis Minerals proposes Vault merger to create gold powerhouse
• Regis Resources hits top end of FY26 guidance
• Infratil shares on watch after CDC Data Centres’ valuation climbs
• Greatland Resources posts record FY26 gold output
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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 rose 2.77% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 7% in FY26. 

On the The Bull this week, two experts give us their views on three ASX 200 shares as the new financial year gets underway.

Let’s check them out. 

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The Pro Medicus share price fell 28.64% in FY26 amid a broader sector rout. 

However, that 12-month statistic hides the dramatic nature of the Pro Medicus share price rebound since February. 

Since its 52-week low of $107.75 on 24 February, Pro Medicus shares have skyrocketed 94%! 

Morgans has a buy rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share.

In a note issued last week, the broker said: 

PME has re-gained positive momentum (MoMo) off its multi-year lows. The move reflects a closing of the value gap flagged in our recent note (1 June), not any change to the underlying business.

With a >50% price move in June and heavy buying across the network in the mid to low $100s, taking some profits on new and overweight positions is hard to argue against, but absolutely view maintaining positions in PME as a core growth holding.

With the near-term upside/downside skew now less favourable, happy to lock in some outsized profits while maintaining a core growth holding.

Morgans increased its 12-month price target on Pro Medicus shares to $230. 

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP share price soared 62% to finish FY26 at $59.40. 

James Bills from Shaw and Partners has a hold rating on the market’s largest ASX 200 mining share. 

Bills said: 

BHP remains a cornerstone of the Australian sharemarket, underpinned by its scale, diversified commodity exposure and strong balance sheet.

While iron ore continues to drive earnings, BHP is increasingly leveraged to future-facing commodities, including copper, where demand is expected to increase significantly due to growth in data centres and electric vehicles.

Despite near term volatility in commodity prices and sensitivity to global growth, the company’s disciplined capital management and strong cash generation support shareholder returns.

Holding remains appropriate given its quality asset base and exposure to long term structural demand trends.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

The Woolworths share price rose 28.67% to $40.03 in FY26.

This made Woolworths shares the best performer within the consumer staples sector last year.

The defensive sector had a strong year in FY26 amid resurgent inflation and rising interest rates. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) rose 10.09% and delivered total returns of 13.72%. 

Bills has a sell rating on Woolworths shares. 

The analyst explains: 

Woolworths is facing increasing competitive pressure in the supermarket sector, along with possible margin compression driven by higher operating and supply chain costs.

While the share price has made a notable recovery since October 2025, the outlook is challenging given increasing cost of living pressures among price sensitive shoppers.

With a relatively modest dividend yield and limited short term catalysts, it may be prudent to reduce exposure and redeploy capital into opportunities with stronger growth prospects.

 

The post Buy, hold, sell: Pro Medicus, BHP, Woolworths shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why BHP and these ASX shares could be strong buys this week
• Should you buy BHP shares in FY27? This is what experts think
• What are experts saying about these red hot ASX shares?
• Healthcare shares lead the ASX 200 again as sector rotation gathers pace
• 9 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings for FY27

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) share price is in focus today after the company received a superior merger proposal from Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD), valuing Vault at $5.6 billion and offering a 15.7% premium to its previous closing price.

What did Vault Minerals report?

• Received an unsolicited binding merger proposal from Genesis Minerals 
• Proposed consideration: 0.7629 Genesis shares plus $0.475 in cash for every Vault share
• Total implied Vault equity value: $5.6 billion, or $5.274 per share
• The offer represents a 15.7% premium to Vault’s last closing price
• Mix and match facility available for shareholders to elect cash or scrip, within set limits

What else do investors need to know?

The Vault board has unanimously determined that the Genesis proposal is a “Vault Superior Proposal” under its existing agreement with Regis Resources. As a result, Vault has notified Regis and triggered a five business day matching right period, expiring at 11:59pm (AWST) on 10 July 2026. During this time, Regis may choose to make a matching or superior proposal to Genesis’s offer.

The Genesis offer is not subject to finance or due diligence and is otherwise on similar terms to the proposed Regis merger, including conditions precedent and break fees. Vault shareholders are advised that no action is required from them at this stage while the matching right period is ongoing.

What’s next for Vault Minerals?

Vault will await any response from Regis Resources within the five business day period before making further announcements. The outcome of this process will determine whether Vault proceeds with the Genesis proposal or the existing Regis scheme.

The company has reiterated that until the matching right period concludes, it is unable to comment further on the Genesis proposal. Shareholders are encouraged to stay informed as updates become available.

Vault Minerals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Vault Minerals shares have risen 82%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Vault Minerals receives superior $5.6bn merger proposal from Genesis Minerals appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Genesis Minerals proposes Vault merger to create gold powerhouse
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX 200 stocks storming higher this week on big announcements
• Up 70% in a year, guess which $4.6 billion ASX 200 gold stock is leaping higher again today
• Genesis Minerals: FY26 guidance met and growth projects advance

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.