Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are climbing higher again on Tuesday.

At the time of writing, the ASX energy shares are up around 1% and changing hands for $33.82 a piece. 

Today’s increase means the shares are now up around 43% for the year to date and 26% higher than 12 months ago.

The update comes as Woodside posted its first-half FY26 results this morning.

The company reported a 13% increase in operating revenue, a 27% increase in NPAT, a 7% increase in underlying NPAT, and a huge increase in free cash flow to US$352 million.

The strong result saw management declare a fully-franked interim dividend of 57 US cents per share.

Woodside also reaffirmed its full-year FY26 production and capital expenditure guidance. The company expects to complete key projects, including Scarborough, Trion, and Louisiana LNG, in line with previously announced timelines. 

Woodside shares have rocketed higher in 2026

The oil and gas giant’s shares have enjoyed an incredible rally through 2026 so far.

A key driver has been major oil supply concerns and volatility around conflict in the Middle East.

The US and Iran have shown new signs of reaching a potential agreement. But each time it looks like conflict is calming down, it quickly returns. The region is highly volatile, and the movement of oil from the area will continue to be uncertain until a resolution is reached. 

Shipping disruptions and production cuts pushed crude oil prices to a multi-year high of around US$113 per barrel in April, according to Trading Economics data. While the price of oil softened in June and early July, it is now trading back up at around US$85 per barrel.

What do the experts tip for the shares over the next 12 months?

It looks like brokers now think the oil major’s shares are trading around fair value. In fact, some are tipping a downside over the next 12 months.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating on Woodside shares. But the $28.52 average target price now implies a potential 17% downside ahead, at the time of writing.

TradingView data is a little more positive. Out of 16 analysts, eight have a buy/strong buy rating, seven have a hold rating, and 1 rates the stock as a sell.

The average $32.31 target price implies a potential 5% downside, at the time of writing. 

But the difference between the maximum and minimum target price is significant. Some forecast the shares to climb about 29% to $43.47 over the next 12 months. But others think Woodside shares have the potential to fall up to 26% to $25.01, at the time of writing.

The post Here’s what brokers tip for Woodside shares over the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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.

The Abacus Group Ltd (ASX: ABG) share price is in focus today after the company posted Funds from Operations of $81.2 million, down 1.9% on last year, and announced a flat annual distribution of 8.50 cents per security.

What did Abacus Group report?

• Funds from Operations (FFO) of $81.2 million, down 1.9% compared to FY25
• Statutory net loss of $74.5 million, impacted by ASK investment reclassification
• Distribution of 8.50 cents per security, flat year-on-year (payout ratio: 93.6% of FFO)
• Net Tangible Assets (NTA) per security of $1.59, down 7.6% on FY25
• Gearing at 36.2%, within target range (up 1.7 percentage points over FY25)
• Retail operating earnings up 4.5% to $30.0 million; Office operating earnings down 3.2% to $89.6 million

What else do investors need to know?

Abacus Group completed the internalisation of Abacus Storage King during FY26, simplifying its operating model and positioning as a pure-play commercial REIT. This transition enables the company to target operational efficiency and focus on optimising its commercial property portfolio across eastern seaboard markets.

The company’s Office Portfolio, valued at $1.4 billion, remains concentrated in high-quality A-grade assets, with a notable weighting toward Sydney. Retail holdings recorded strong performance, with like-for-like rental growth and 97.4% occupancy, reflecting solid customer demand during the period.

What did Abacus Group management say?

Abacus Group Managing Director Steven Sewell said:

ABG’s strategic priorities are now centred on three clear areas: simplifying the business model, strengthening the platform and positioning the Group for sustainable growth. The Commercial team has a focused platform to concentrate on its core investment, asset management and customer priorities, supporting the delivery of sustainable long-term returns for securityholders.

What’s next for Abacus Group?

Looking ahead, Abacus Group will continue with its focused commercial REIT strategy, aiming for operational efficiency and capital discipline. Non-core asset sales, gearing reductions, and improving free cash flow are near-term priorities.

For FY27, the company has guided to a distribution of 6.70 cents per security, with a targeted full-year payout of 80-90% of FFO and a higher expected franking level. Management intends to drive further value creation through disciplined asset management and selective investment in core office markets.

Abacus Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Abacus Group shares have declined 30%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

View Original Announcement

The post Abacus Group FY26 results 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is enjoying a strong session on Tuesday, with gains spread across most of the market.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up 0.75% to 9,171 points, putting the index at its highest level in 8 trading days.

It also has the market on track for its best session in around 3 weeks, following a fairly mixed run through August.

And there isn’t one big piece of news behind the move. Instead, strength across miners, healthcare, energy, and financial stocks is helping push the market higher.

So, what is driving the ASX 200 today?

Most of the market is in the green

The buying is fairly broad, with 120 of the largest 200 companies trading higher, compared with 74 falling and 6 unchanged.

Mining stocks are doing their part, led by another strong session from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), which is up 1.41% to $68.07.

The mining giant has again pushed to a record high, with strong copper prices continuing to support the stock.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is also up 1.55% to $180.18, while Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) has gained 1.15% to $24.67.

Healthcare and energy shares rise

Healthcare is another strong area of the market today.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares are up 1.78% to $172.12, and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) has climbed 0.54% to $37.29.

Energy stocks are also mostly higher after several companies reported results this morning.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are up 0.93% to $33.79 after the company reported its half-year results and outlined plans to cut costs.

The major banks are higher as well. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is up 0.24% to $157.25, while National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) has risen 0.71% to $38.28.

Reporting season keeps things busy

Reporting season is still driving plenty of individual share price moves.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares are up 0.66% to $22.79 after the supermarket giant released its FY26 results earlier today.

The local market is also outperforming, with a mixed lead from Wall Street. The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fell 0.8% overnight as chip stocks weakened, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) slipped 0.3% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) added 0.3%.

Investors are also watching the RBA after the minutes from its August meeting were released just before midday today.

The RBA left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% earlier this month after 3 increases in 2026, while keeping the door open to another rise if inflation remains too high.

The post Why is the ASX 200 having its best day in 3 weeks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• The average superannuation balance for 50-year-olds in Australia in FY27. How does yours compare?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• ASX 200 healthcare shares soar 9% amid notable FY26 reports from CSL, Pro Medicus

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 positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.