Earnings season is rolling on this week, with several prominent S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares dropping their latest numbers today. Amongst those shares was energy stock Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD). Income investors may want to have a read to check out Ampol’s latest dividend, because it’s a doozy.

As we covered this morning, it was a bumper set of numbers that Ampol dropped for the first half of its FY2026. The company reported group earnings of $1.64 billion, up a whopping 152% on what it reported for the first half of FY2025. Net profit after tax (NPAT) (excluding significant Items) roared 376% higher to $857 million, while the company reported a statutory NPAT of $1.36 billion. That was up from a loss of $25 million last year.

But let’s get down to the dividends.

Over the past 12 months, Ampol has doled out a total of $1 per share in dividend payments to its investors. That $1 broke down into an interim dividend of 40 cents per share from last September. As well as a 60 cents per share final dividend from April. As is Ampol’s habit, both of these payments came with full franking credits attached.

Ampol shares lift as new monster dividend unveiled

However, what Ampol unveiled this morning puts those payments to shame. Investors just found out that they can expect an interim dividend of $1.85 per share in 2026, up an astonishing 362.5% over the equivalent payout from 2025. It will come fully franked as well.

Together with that final April dividend, this takes Ampol’s 2026 payouts to a hefty $2.45 per share.

Ampol has nominated 4 September next month as its ex-dividend date for this latest payout. So if investors want to receive this monster Ampol dividend, but don’t yet own shares, they will need to buy some before the close of trade on 3 September. Payment day will then roll aorund on 30 September.

Ampol does not currently offer a dividend reinvestment plan (DRP). As such, shareholders will have no option but to accept this dividend as a cash payment.

At the time of writing, the market has reacted positively to Ampol’s earnings, giving the company’s shares a 2.5% boost up to $40.85 each. At this share price, Ampol is trading on a trailing dividend yield of 2.45%. However, this dramatically increased new dividend now gives the company a much-improved forward yield of 6%.

That’s certainly worthy of a closer look if you are a dividend investor looking for income on the ASX today.

The post Everything you need to know about the monster Ampol dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN), and Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares are creating a buzz today.

Two of the high-profile S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) are charging ahead of the 0.3% gains posted by the benchmark index in late morning trade on Monday, while one is in the red.

Here’s what’s grabbing investor interest.

Ampol shares jump on dividend boost

Ampol shares are up 2.5% at time of writing, changing hands for $40.85 apiece.

This follows the release of the Aussie fuel supplier’s half year results (H1 2026).

Highlights for the six months include a 152% year-on-year increase in Replacement Cost Operating Profit (RCOP) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $1.64 billion (excluding significant items).

And on the bottom line, Ampol shares are getting a boost with the company reporting a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.36 billion, up from a loss of $25 million in H1 2025.

And with profits surging, management declared a fully franked interim dividend of $1.85 per share, up a whopping 362.5% from last year’s interim payout.

Bendigo Bank shares slide on economic growth outlook

Unlike Ampol shares, Bendigo Bank shares are in the red today, down 1.1% at $10.38 each.

That comes as investors study the ASX 200 bank stock’s full year results release.

On the positive front, Bendigo Bank reported a 3.0% year-on-year increase in cash earnings to $530 million for the year. The bank also achieved a statutory net profit after tax of $375 million.

The fully franked final Bendigo Bank dividend of 33 cents per share was in line with last year’s final payout.

However, as with the other ASX 200 banks, investors may be favouring their sell buttons with an eye on a potentially slowing Aussie economy dragging on the Bendigo’s growth outlook.

The company noted:

Cost-of-living pressures due to higher inflation (especially since the Middle East conflict) have led to a sharp fall in consumer sentiment. Three RBA rate hikes, softening property prices and geopolitical events are expected to result in more modest economic growth this financial year.

Which bring us to…

PLS shares leap on return to profit

Joining Bendigo Bank and Ampol shares in the financial headlines on Monday, we find PLS, formerly known as Pilbara Minerals.

At the time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 lithium stock are up 7.3%, swapping hands for $5.44 apiece.

That strong performance follows the release of PLS own FY 2026 results.

Investors are responding positively, with PLS reporting a 152% year-on-year increase in revenue to $1.93 billion. PLS achieved a NPAT of $526 million, up from a net loss of $196 million last year.

And passive income investors will be celebrating the return of the PLS dividend. Management declared a final fully franked dividend of 5 cents per share.

PLS suspended its dividend payouts in 2024 amid cratering global lithium prices.

The post Why PLS, Bendigo Bank and Ampol shares are turning heads on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Everything you need to know about the PLS Group dividend
• Everything you need to know about the monster Ampol dividend
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Ampol profit and dividend surge in first-half 2026 results
• Bendigo and Adelaide Bank FY26 earnings: profit lifts to $375.1 million, dividend steady

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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are up 0.27% to 9,086.2 points as earnings season continues on Monday.

Among the 11 market sectors, materials and miners are in the lead today, up 1.7%.

The sector pushed higher amid BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares reaching a new record of $67.72, up 3.9%, in early trading.

The financials sector is the laggard today, down 1%.

Let’s check out some new expert ratings on three ASX 200 sector heavyweights.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The Pro Medicus share price is $191.56, down 0.02% today and down 37% over 12 months. 

Pro Medicus shares jumped 7.1% last week after the company released its FY26 results.

The Pro Medicus share price is up 20% since the downtrodden healthcare sector pivoted on 3 June. 

Morgans maintained its accumulate rating on Pro Medicus shares after the report.

Analyst Iain Wilkie said: 

FY26 confirms PME is executing at an even higher level than the market gave it credit for. EBIT margin of 74.9% and constant currency EBIT growth of 30.6% both beat expectations comfortably, with the FX-driven softness in headline revenue a currency story, not a demand or execution one.

Momentum remains broad-based, implementations are ahead of schedule, renewals are a clean sweep, and the pipeline is opening up in new segments rather than just deepening in existing ones.

Looking ahead, FY27 is shaping as a genuine standout year. With four Trinity cohorts and 15 other implementations already banked rather than still ramping, the P&L gets the full run-rate benefit without needing fresh signings just to stand still.

Nothing in the result gives us any pause for change versus our positive view.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The Fortescue share price is $18.08, up 1.8% today and down 10% over 12 months. 

Morgans has a hold rating on this ASX 200 mining share following the company’s FY26 report last week.

Analyst Adrian Prendergast said: 

A mixed FY26 result from FMG, with higher revenue helping to offset cost increases and elevated admin/R&D to help keep underlying earnings flat.

With the focus on FY27 guidance, Iron Bridge remained a key issue, with the magnetite operation struggling through ramp up and with elevated costs.

Plans for a green steel plant was big news, although difficult to quantify.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price is $155.24, down 1.7% today and down 9% over 12 months. 

CBA reported a 7% increase in its cash net profit after tax (NPAT) to $11 billion for FY26.

John Athanasiou from Red Leaf Securities has a sell rating on this ASX 200 bank share. 

He explained (courtesy The Bull):

CBA shares deserves to trade at a premium given its dominant retail franchise, strong technology platform, solid deposit base and consistent execution.

However, Australian banking remains a mature industry, with intense competition across mortgages and deposits limiting the potential for outsized earnings growth.

At a premium valuation, investors are paying a higher price for quality, leaving little room for disappointment.

After a substantial re-rating, investors may be better served taking some profits and reallocating capital towards businesses offering stronger growth at more reasonable valuations.

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

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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 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.