The Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) share price is in focus today after the ACCC blocked its planned acquisition of RAC Insurance, citing concerns over reduced competition in Western Australia’s car and home insurance markets.

What did Insurance Australia Group report?

• The ACCC has formally opposed IAG’s proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance (RACI).
• The decision follows an in-depth Phase 2 review under the new formal merger regime.
• If approved, IAG’s WA market share would have climbed to 55–65% in motor insurance and 50–60% in home and contents.
• IAG currently supplies insurance products nationally under brands like NRMA, CGU and WFI.
• The determination does not impact IAG’s other business activities or previous acquisitions.

What else do investors need to know?

The ACCC found that combining IAG with RACI would substantially lessen competition for both motor vehicle and home insurance in Western Australia. The regulator noted that other insurers wouldn’t provide enough competitive pressure to offset this.

The proposed deal was first opposed by the ACCC in December 2025, under the informal regime. IAG resubmitted for approval under the formal merger rules that started in January 2026. The process included detailed consultation and analysis of submissions from industry stakeholders.

If the parties wish to challenge this determination, they may lodge a public benefit application for further review, which allows a separate consideration of the potential benefits versus the public detriment.

What’s next for Insurance Australia Group?

IAG is now expected to maintain its existing brands and strategies in Western Australia without the RAC Insurance acquisition. The group still has a strong presence through brands like NRMA and CGU, and previously announced growth plans, including digital innovation and customer experience enhancements.

Any further action on the acquisition will depend on whether IAG decides to pursue a public benefit application with the ACCC. Otherwise, IAG’s focus is likely to remain on organic growth in existing markets and delivering value for shareholders.

Insurance Australia Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Insurance Australia Group shares have declined 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has declined 1% over the same period.

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The post ACCC blocks Insurance Australia Group’s RAC Insurance acquisition appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Some of the best ASX shares aren’t really about Australia at all anymore. Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) and Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) have both been smashed over the past year, but their real story is playing out overseas. And that global growth engine is exactly what makes these ASX shares worth a second look.

Zip rose 1% on Tuesday to $2.24, but remains down 52% over 12 months. Catapult shares climbed 6% to $3.13, still 56% lower than a year ago. Beaten-up share prices, sure, but the underlying businesses tell a very different story.

Zip: the US is the whole game now

After trading between $1.38 and $4.93 over the past 12 months, this ASX share faces plenty of potential catalysts, chief among them continued growth in its increasingly lucrative US market.

A broader tech sell-off, competition worries, slowing growth fears, geopolitical uncertainty and higher-for-longer interest rates have all hammered sentiment. But look past the noise, and the real story is where Zip’s growth is actually coming from. The company has spent years reshaping itself around product development, profitability and international expansion. And the US now sits at the centre of everything.

The numbers back it up. The US accounted for roughly two-thirds of Zip’s revenue in FY26. Revenue from that market surged 44.3% in US dollar terms, dwarfing the 4.6% growth recorded across ANZ.

Customer trends confirm the shift. Active US customers jumped 9.3% to 4.65 million, while ANZ customers actually shrank 8% to 1.88 million. Zip expects US total transaction value to grow more than 30% in FY27, making American expansion arguably the single biggest driver of this ASX share’s earnings and valuation from here.

A proposed Nasdaq dual listing could add another catalyst, lifting Zip’s profile among US investors and supporting its ambitions in the world’s largest BNPL market.

For anyone eyeing Zip, that’s a genuinely compelling setup: a beaten-down share price, accelerating earnings growth, solid broker support, and a massive US opportunity still unfolding.

Catapult: the sport-tech flying under the radar

Catapult builds athlete performance and analytics technology used across elite sport, with customers spanning the AFL, NRL, Premier League, NFL, NBA, MLB and international rugby.

What makes this ASX share genuinely interesting is how deeply embedded its technology becomes. Clubs use Catapult to measure physical workloads, review video, assess tactical patterns and manage preparation.

Over time, more of those functions get folded into the same ecosystem. Years of performance data build up inside Catapult’s systems, creating serious switching costs and sticky, recurring revenue.

The results reflect that stickiness. Annualised contract value rose 28% to US$133.8 million in FY2026. Revenue climbed 19% to a record US$140.7 million, driven by SaaS revenue of US$118.6 million, up 21%. SaaS and other recurring revenue now makes up 95% of total revenue.

Growth here comes from three angles: signing new organisations, expanding within existing customers, and cross-selling more of its software suite. With major leagues, clubs, universities and sporting programs scattered across the globe, this ASX share still has plenty of room to run.

The post Down over 50%: 2 ASX shares to buy for global growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus after the company secured a significant contract extension in Western Australia, expected to add around $110 million in revenue over the extension period to June 2028.

What did Ventia Services Group report?

• Secured a contract extension for Court Security and Custodial Services with the WA Government
• Extension runs from March 2027 through June 2028
• Expected to generate approximately $110 million in revenue over the term
• Continues a partnership with the WA Department of Justice started in 2017
• Services include court security, custody, transport, medical movements, and support

What else do investors need to know?

This contract extension underlines Ventia’s established position as a key provider of critical justice services in Western Australia. The deal is set to maintain Ventia’s revenue pipeline and offers visibility for stakeholders well into 2028.

Ventia’s ongoing collaboration with the Department of Justice ensures it remains responsive to changing operational needs and increasing demand across the state’s justice system. The contract supports Ventia’s broader strategy to deliver essential infrastructure and community services through innovation and sustainability.

What did Ventia Services Group management say?

Mark Ralston, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, said:

We are pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the Government of Western Australia and support the delivery of these essential services. Since 2017, our team has worked closely with the Department of Justice to respond to evolving operational requirements and increasing demand across the State’s justice system. Our experienced workforce across metropolitan and regional Western Australia is well positioned to continue delivering these critical services, supporting the safe and effective operation of the justice system and the communities it serves.

What’s next for Ventia Services Group?

The extension provides Ventia Services Group with revenue certainty for another 15 months starting from March 2027. The company’s focus now remains on meeting its commitments in Western Australia and seeking further growth opportunities across Australia and New Zealand’s essential service sectors.

Ventia continues to target new contracts and innovative solutions that align with its commitment to sustainable and reliable infrastructure services for its diverse customer base.

Ventia Services Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services shares have risen 20%, running ahead of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has declined 1% over the same period.

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The post Ventia wins $110 million WA contract extension appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.