Author: openjargon

The Alcoa Corporation CDI (ASX: AAI) share price is in focus after the company declared a quarterly unfranked dividend of US$0.10 per CHESS Depositary Interest (CDI) for the period ended 31 March 2026.

What did Alcoa report?

• Quarterly dividend of US$0.10 per CDI declared
• Dividend is 100% unfranked
• Ex-dividend date: 18 May 2026
• Record date: 19 May 2026
• Payment due on 5 June 2026
• Default non-resident withholding tax rate: 30%

What else do investors need to know?

Alcoa CDI holders can receive their dividend payment in Australian dollars as the default, or elect to receive payment in US dollars, New Zealand dollars, or British pounds by providing up-to-date banking details. Holders have until 5pm AEST on 19 May 2026 to update or confirm their preferred payment method.

For CDI holders who don’t register valid payment instructions or don’t reside in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or the US, the payment may be withheld (without interest) until those details are provided, or paid by cheque in Australian dollars for overseas holders. Non-residents should be aware that a 30% US withholding tax applies by default, unless eligible for tax treaty benefits and the correct forms are submitted before the record date.

What’s next for Alcoa?

Alcoa’s consistent dividend payments highlight its ongoing focus on shareholder returns. Investors should watch for any currency conversion updates on 1 June 2026, as well as consider updating tax and banking details to ensure timely payment.

Looking ahead, the company’s next scheduled dividend update will likely reflect any operational or commodity market changes impacting Alcoa’s ongoing capital management strategy.

Alcoa share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Alcoa shares have risen 125%, strongly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Alcoa announces June 2026 dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• News Corporation reports Q3 FY26 profit jump as digital arms shine
• Block shares: Profit jumps 27% as outlook upgraded
• QBE Insurance Group reports Q1 2026 earnings
• REA Group shares: Q3 revenue climbs and user engagement breaks records
• Macquarie Group posts strong FY26 earnings growth

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.

So, I stewed on this yesterday afternoon.

And the more time I spent thinking about it, the crankier I got.

See, the government has announced something that I’m sure is wonderful politics. It’s just also terrible economics.

The announcement? That 20% of the output from new gas projects would be ‘reserved’ for Australians.

Great politics, right? ‘We should keep our gas’ the tabloids would scream. After all, why wouldn’t we?

I’m sure it’s ‘cleverly’ designed, by the spin doctors, for exactly that reaction.

But in reality?

In reality the ‘modest oversupply’ that the reservation would create isn’t really about whether or not we have enough gas. It’s designed to be a de-facto price cap, instead.

But because ‘price caps’ are very 1980s, they pretend it’s a ‘reservation’ instead. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

What’s so bad about price caps?

Well, nothing… if you think that discouraging new drilling projects and spending our national resource wealth to buy votes is a combination that’s a good idea.

See, not only is capping prices awful policy (Russian breadlines, anyone?), but it encourages the (over)use of eternal resources and captures none of that value for the future.

It means the chances of a higher gas royalty in future is now far, far lower (because we’re already costing the gas companies money by making them supply at a below-market price).

And it means the chances of using those royalties to seed a Sovereign Wealth Fund are also far lower, for the same reason.

Yes, rather than demanding more value for our resources, and putting that money aside for future generations, the government has decided to just make the gas companies supply us with cheaper gas, now.

It’s bad policy.

Not only overall, but I hope very clearly specifically for my audience, here.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably an investor. Or on the way to becoming one.

And what is the defining characteristic of an investor?

The ability to ‘defer consumption’.

To put a little away, today, for a lot more, later.

Which is… precisely the opposite of what this policy does.

And not only is it not putting money away for the future, it’s actively preventing future governments doing the same, by shackling future gas projects with this reservation scheme… and encouraging extra use today.

They’re poisoning the well for future governments… and future generations.

All so, as The Whitlams sang, ‘so they can say that the trains run on time’.

Or, well, for a few votes.

The policy would be reckless if it just impacted current revenues and current gas production.

But by locking in future production, they’re undermining future generations.

Sure, gas might be cheaper next year. Maybe even for 5 or 10 or even 20 years.

And then?

And then we’ll have nothing to show for it, having burned through (literally and metaphorically) the potential proceeds that could have funded a far better future.

The more I type, the more disappointed I feel.

They’ve given up a golden opportunity for now, but also stolen that opportunity from the future.

What a terrible legacy.

Can I stretch for an investing ‘so what’ here?

Only by negative example.

The sensible investor should do the opposite of what the government announced yesterday.

We should defer consumption, today, and use the savings to fund a compounding machine that’s very likely to generate funds for far, far more consumption in the future.

We should exercise self-discipline.

We should focus on the future, not the present.

We should build, rather than consume.

Bottom line? We should act, today, as our future selves would like us to act.

Not like the future Australians who will look at Sovereign Wealth Funds in other countries and wonder what we were thinking in 2026, when we decided that we’d just spend their inheritance today, instead.

I suspect they won’t look back with fondness. And nor should they.

Fool on!

The post Why an investor shouldn’t support gas reservation appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Alcoa announces June 2026 dividend
• News Corporation reports Q3 FY26 profit jump as digital arms shine
• Block shares: Profit jumps 27% as outlook upgraded
• Despite a recent trading downgrade this ASX small cap could still return more than 100%: Broker

Motley Fool contributor Scott Phillips 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 News Corporation (ASX: NWS) share price is in focus after the company reported a 9% jump in third quarter revenue to US$2.19 billion and a 13% lift in net income from continuing operations to US$121 million, powered by digital real estate, Dow Jones, and book publishing gains.

What did News Corporation report?

• Revenue rose 9% year on year to US$2.19 billion (Q3 FY25: US$2.01 billion).
• Net income from continuing operations grew 13% to US$121 million.
• Total Segment EBITDA increased 18% to US$343 million.
• Reported EPS from continuing operations was US$0.16 (Q3 FY25: US$0.14); Adjusted EPS was US$0.21 (Q3 FY25: US$0.17).
• Dow Jones revenues increased 8% to US$619 million, with strength in digital and Risk & Compliance.
• Book Publishing revenues up 8% to US$555 million; REA Group’s revenue rose 20% to US$325 million.

What else do investors need to know?

News Corp’s Digital Real Estate Services and Dow Jones segments saw double-digit growth, partly thanks to positive foreign exchange movements and a resilient Australian property market. The company also highlighted strong momentum in its book publishing arm, boosted by bestselling titles tied to new media releases.

News Corp continues to invest in digital expansion, with almost all of Dow Jones’ Wall Street Journal subscriptions now digital-only. Importantly, management remains focused on defending its intellectual property against unauthorised use by AI platforms and “dodgy digital firms,” while also benefiting from new licensing deals with tech firms such as Meta and OpenAI.

What’s next for News Corporation?

News Corp expects continued top-line growth, with strong contributions from digital real estate and information services. The company is optimistic about free cash flow generation for the full year, balancing higher capital expenditures with operational gains.

Investors can also look to developments in digital content licensing and subscription models, as well as the ongoing buyback program, which management believes showcases confidence in News Corp’s long-term value.

News Corporation share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, News Corporation shares have declined 17%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post News Corporation reports Q3 FY26 profit jump as digital arms shine appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Alcoa announces June 2026 dividend
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• QBE Insurance Group reports Q1 2026 earnings
• REA Group shares: Q3 revenue climbs and user engagement breaks records
• Macquarie Group posts strong FY26 earnings growth

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 Block CDI (ASX: XYZ) share price is in focus today after the company posted a first quarter gross profit of US$2.91 billion, up 27% year-over-year, and lifted its full-year outlook.

What did Block report?

• Gross profit grew 27% year-over-year to US$2.91 billion
• Adjusted operating income jumped 56% to US$728 million (25% margin)
• Adjusted diluted EPS rose 52% to US$0.85
• Total net revenue reached US$6.06 billion
• Cash App gross profit increased 38% to US$1.91 billion, while Square grew 9% to US$982 million
• Operating loss was US$172 million, impacted by US$852 million in restructuring and legal costs

What else do investors need to know?

Block accelerated its AI-driven productivity, with “Builderbot” and “Moneybot” tools now reviewing most production code changes and making customer recommendations. As a result, employee output is up and system reliability has improved. The company is also scaling new features, like Cash App managed accounts for children and community engagement tools through Neighborhoods, both showing early adoption.

The company’s lending portfolio continued to expand, with consumer lending origination volumes up 82% and Cash App Borrow originations nearly tripling year on year. Importantly, Block increased share repurchases to US$636 million in Q1, with US$4.7 billion remaining authorised.

What’s next for Block?

Block has lifted its 2026 guidance, now targeting gross profit of US$12.33 billion, up 19% year on year, and adjusted operating income margin of 27%. Adjusted diluted EPS is forecast to jump 62% to US$3.85. For the June quarter, Block expects another 20% gross profit growth and Adjusted EPS of US$0.86.

The business is committed to growing through AI-powered innovation, strengthening its lending offerings, and investing further in high-return areas like sales and customer engagement. Management expects further margin expansion while funding long-term growth.

Block share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Block shares have risen 31%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Block shares: Profit jumps 27% as outlook upgraded appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Alcoa announces June 2026 dividend
• News Corporation reports Q3 FY26 profit jump as digital arms shine
• QBE Insurance Group reports Q1 2026 earnings
• REA Group shares: Q3 revenue climbs and user engagement breaks records
• Macquarie Group posts strong FY26 earnings growth

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 positions in and has recommended Block. 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.

Shares in Gentrack Group Ltd (ASX: GTK) have lost much of their value over the past 12 months, but with a recent acquisition announced as well as a share buyback, the analysts at Shaw and Partners are calling the share a buy.

Share price weakness presents opportunity

Gentrack’s share price peaked at $12.08 back in July last year but has been steadily trading lower since that time, changing hands now for $3.16.

Shaw and Partners says this provides an attractive entry point from a valuation perspective, despite the company’s recent revenue forecast downgrade.

Gentrack said earlier this week that they expected revenue for the full year to come in at $229 to $238 million, which was “lower than our previous guidance”.

They added:

Recurring revenues in FY26 are expected to grow by more than 10% to around $174 million, while non-recurring revenues will be lower than FY25. We expect H1 revenue to be about $110 million of which about $85 million is recurring.

The company did say that based on its pipeline and the market opportunity in both its utilities division and the Veovo division, which services airports, “we stand by our medium-term revenue target of more than 15% CAGR”.

Gentrack said it had taken the strategic decision to prioritise growth and global leadership over short-term earnings.

The company added:

We are continuing to invest in international expansion and product development. Furthermore, for new customer wins and upgrades, with g2.0 we are transitioning our business model to drive higher recurring revenue and lower cost for customer onboarding. In FY26, we expect full year EBITDA to be between $13.5m and $20m and H1 EBITDA to be about $7.8m (all excluding acquisition costs). With strong recurring revenue growth we expect margins to improve to our medium-term target of 15% to 20% EBITDA margin (after expensing all development costs).

The company also said it would conduct a share buyback worth up to $20 million following the release of its first-half results.

Also in late April, the company announced the US$10 million acquisition of Dubai Technology Partners, a premier airport technology business which would be integrated into the Veovo division.

Upside potential

Shaw and Partners said while the downgrade announced would be frustrating for investors, Gentrack shares were now trading on an attractive earnings multiple.

They added:

If GTK, can deliver on its pipeline, grow revenue at more than 15% and lift margins to between 15-20% this should drive a re-rate.

The Shaw and Partners team cut its price target on Gentrack shares to $8 from $11.30, still well above the stock’s current price.

The post Despite a recent trading downgrade this ASX small cap could still return more than 100%: Broker 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 positions in and has recommended Gentrack Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Gentrack Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) share price is in focus today as the insurer reported 11% gross written premium growth for the first quarter of 2026 and continued strong investment returns, underpinned by resilient underwriting.

What did QBE Insurance Group report?

• Gross written premium (GWP) up 11% year-on-year; 7% on a constant currency basis
• Ex-rate GWP growth of 6%, with strength in North America Crop and International portfolios
• Net cost of catastrophe claims at approximately $300 million for January to April 2026
• Investment income of about $500 million in the first four months of 2026
• Core fixed income yield increased to 4.1% at 1Q26 (from 3.7% at FY25)
• Total funds under management of $36.1 billion at 1Q26

What else do investors need to know?

QBE reported that premium growth was particularly strong in targeted areas, including North America Crop and select portfolios in its International division. Market conditions remain supportive, with Group premium rate increases of around 2% in the quarter, although competitive pressures were flagged in commercial property and at Lloyd’s.

On the claims front, QBE noted a net cost of catastrophe claims of roughly $300 million during the first four months of the year, primarily due to multiple events in Australia and storms in the Northern Hemisphere. Direct underwriting exposure to the Middle East conflict remains limited, with estimated net claims around $60 million included in catastrophe costs.

What did QBE Insurance Group management say?

CEO Richard Pryce said:

We are pleased with performance through the start of 2026, underpinned by targeted premium growth alongside resilient underwriting and investment management. We expect mid-single-digit GWP growth with a Group combined operating ratio of ~92.5% in FY26 and remain confident in sustaining strong performance over the medium-term.

What’s next for QBE Insurance Group?

Looking ahead, QBE reiterated its full-year 2026 outlook, expecting mid-single-digit gross written premium growth on a constant currency basis, and a Group combined operating ratio of around 92.5%. Over the medium term, management aims for an adjusted return on equity above 15% and ongoing GWP growth.

The company will release its 1H26 results on Friday 14 August 2026. QBE says it remains focused on disciplined underwriting, portfolio management, and navigating dynamic global insurance markets.

QBE Insurance Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months QBE shares have risen 4%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post QBE Insurance Group reports Q1 2026 earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Alcoa announces June 2026 dividend
• News Corporation reports Q3 FY26 profit jump as digital arms shine
• Block shares: Profit jumps 27% as outlook upgraded
• REA Group shares: Q3 revenue climbs and user engagement breaks records
• Macquarie Group posts strong FY26 earnings growth

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.

Three S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares have delivered extraordinary returns over the past 12 months. PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) has surged around 328%, Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) is up roughly 248%, and Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) has climbed about 137%.

What do they have in common? All three are deeply tied to the global push toward electrification. Lithium and rare earths sit at the centre of electric vehicles, battery storage, and clean energy technologies. That structural demand has powered their massive share price gains.

But after such a strong run, the big question is simple: Can the ASX 200 shares keep going?

PLS Group: Global hard-rock leader

This $20 billion ASX 200 share has been the standout beneficiary of the lithium boom. The company operates one of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium operations in Western Australia and benefits directly from demand for battery-grade lithium spodumene.

The long-term outlook remains positive, supported by electric vehicle adoption and energy storage demand. However, lithium prices have been volatile, and earnings are highly sensitive to commodity cycles.

That’s reflected in broker sentiment. Morgans Financial recently downgraded PLS shares to a “trim” rating with a $5.40 price target, which sits below its current share price of around $6.37. That suggests limited near-term upside after such a strong rally.

Mineral Resources: Multi-commodity growth story

Mineral Resources offers a different angle on the resources boom. The company operates across iron ore, lithium, and mining services, giving it more diversification than pure-play peers.

The ASX 200 share also benefits from its integrated model, controlling both mining operations and infrastructure. That can help improve margins and operational efficiency over time.

Still, the business is capital-intensive and exposed to commodity price swings, particularly in iron ore and lithium markets.

Despite those risks, Morgans remains more constructive here. The broker has an accumulate rating and recently lifted its 12-month price target from $67 to $71, suggesting no further upside from current levels.

Lynas: Critical rare earths supplier

Lynas Rare Earths sits at the centre of another critical supply chain: rare earths magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced electronics.

As one of the few major rare earths producers outside China, Lynas has benefited from geopolitical concerns around supply security and diversification.

However, rare earths prices can be cyclical, and project expansion comes with execution risk.

UBS Group recently trimmed its price target on the ASX 200 share from $23.90 to $23.65, though this still sits comfortably above the current share price of around $19.93.

Foolish Takeaway

So, where does that leave investors?

These ASX 200 shares have already delivered extraordinary gains, driven by strong thematic tailwinds in electrification and critical minerals. But with valuations stretched and commodity cycles inherently volatile, future returns may be more uneven.

The long-term story remains intact. The short-term question is whether expectations have simply run ahead of fundamentals.

The post After gains of up to 330%, can these ASX 200 shares go higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. 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 REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) share price is in focus after the company reported third-quarter revenue of $398 million, up 11% excluding acquisitions, and delivered a 16% lift in EBITDA to $220 million from its core operations.

What did REA Group report?

• Q3 FY26 revenue of $398 million, up 11% excluding M&A (6% unadjusted)
• Operating EBITDA (excluding associates) of $220 million, up 16% excluding M&A (11% unadjusted)
• Operating expenses of $178 million, up 5% excluding M&A (1% unadjusted)
• Record 12.9 million monthly average Australian users and 150 million average monthly visits
• Residential revenue up 12% driven by 14% buy yield growth and higher listing volumes
• Q3 free cash flow of $135 million, up 2%

What else do investors need to know?

REA Group achieved double-digit revenue growth in Commercial, New Homes, and Financial Services during the quarter. Its core residential business saw strong yield growth and a return to growth in listing volumes, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.

Product innovation remains a focus, with artificial intelligence powering new consumer and broker tools and the launch of iGUIDE’s operations in Australia. Record user engagement was highlighted by more properties being tracked, an increase in seller leads, and more active members on realestate.com.au.

REA Group updated its full-year guidance, now expecting group operating costs to rise by low to mid single-digits—an improvement on prior forecasts. The company also continued its share buy-back, reflecting confidence in its long-term outlook.

What did REA Group management say?

REA Group CEO Cameron McIntyre said:

REA Group’s third quarter performance reflects our focus on enhancing our immersive consumer experiences, and increasing the value delivered to customers. The result was underpinned by double digit revenue growth across our Australian businesses and strong double-digit yield growth in our core residential business.

What’s next for REA Group?

REA Group maintains its guidance for a 1–3% decline in national residential Buy listing volumes for FY26, while expecting around 13% buy yield growth to continue driving results. The company anticipates “positive operating jaws” with revenue growth outpacing costs in both Australia and the broader group.

Innovation remains central, with further rollouts of AI-driven features and a focus on differentiated listing products to meet more normalised buyer demand. The group continues to invest in digital solutions for property and financial services across its Australian and international businesses.

REA Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, REA Group shares have declined 30%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post REA Group shares: Q3 revenue climbs and user engagement breaks records appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• News Corporation reports Q3 FY26 profit jump as digital arms shine
• Block shares: Profit jumps 27% as outlook upgraded
• QBE Insurance Group reports Q1 2026 earnings
• Macquarie Group posts strong FY26 earnings growth

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 Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) share price is in focus after the company reported a 30% lift in full-year net profit to $A4,847 million and set a record half-year result.

What did Macquarie Group report?

• Net profit after tax: $A4,847 million, up 30% on FY25
• 2H26 net profit: $A3,192 million, up 93% on 1H26
• Earnings per share: $A12.77, up 30%
• Final dividend: $A4.20 per share (35% franked), total FY26 dividend $A7.00 per share (35% franked)
• Return on equity: 14.0% (FY25: 11.2%)
• International income: 68% of total income

What else do investors need to know?

Macquarie’s operating groups all posted growth, with notable strength from Commodities and Global Markets, where profits grew 49% due to gains from asset sales and higher hedging activity. The Asset Management division benefitted from higher performance fees and completed the sale of its public investments business overseas.

Banking and Financial Services’ performance was driven by growth in loan and deposit balances, despite some margin pressure and rising technology costs.

The group’s capital position remains sound, with the APRA Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio holding steady at 12.8%. Term funding of $A29.9 billion was raised in FY26, and total deposits rose 25% to $A221.5 billion.

What did Macquarie Group management say?

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shemara Wikramanayake said:

Each of our businesses used its specialist expertise in navigating the current environment, identifying opportunities that support long-term growth and delivering positive outcomes for our clients and communities.

What’s next for Macquarie Group?

Looking ahead, Macquarie signalled a cautious approach, maintaining a strong balance sheet that positions the business to weather changing conditions. The dividend payout ratio remains at 50% to 70%, and the on-market share buyback has now concluded.

Management flagged that factors like global economic conditions, interest rate moves, regulatory shifts and foreign exchange impacts could influence near-term performance. Still, Macquarie sees itself well-placed for medium-term growth, backed by diverse income streams and ongoing investment.

Macquarie Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Macquarie Group shares have risen 25%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Macquarie Group posts strong FY26 earnings growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Alcoa announces June 2026 dividend
• News Corporation reports Q3 FY26 profit jump as digital arms shine
• Block shares: Profit jumps 27% as outlook upgraded
• QBE Insurance Group reports Q1 2026 earnings
• REA Group shares: Q3 revenue climbs and user engagement breaks records

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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. 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.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) shares are having a strong week.

This has been driven by a positive reaction to the release of a quarterly sales update.

The good news is that Bell Potter believes this ASX healthcare stock could still have significant upside potential over the next 12 months.

Let’s see what the broker is saying about the pharmaceuticals company.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with Neuren’s update, highlighting that Daybue sales were higher than it was forecasting during the first quarter. It said:

NEU’s commercial partner, Acadia Pharmaceuticals, provided a 1Q26 Daybue sales update, from which NEU receives royalties and milestones. Daybue sales were US$101.2m (+20% on pcp and -8% qoq), a beat to BPe US$96m albeit modestly below Acadia’s US analyst VA cons of US$104m. The 20% growth rate is a welcome uplift from the 11-14% growth in each of the last 5 quarters.

The broker points out that the new Daybue STIX offering is proving to be a strong addition to the portfolio. It adds:

A key driver of the step-up has been the launch of the new powder formulation, called Daybue STIX. Importantly, the improved convenience and flexibility of STIX is helping bring treatment-naïve and previously discontinued patients onto treatment rather than just converting existing patients. Roughly 30% of the 250 STIX patient prescriptions during 1Q were treatment-naïve or previously discontinued patients (split 1:1).

Another positive according to Bell Potter is that Daybue guidance for 2026 is looking achievable following this strong start to the year. The broker explains:

Acadia reaffirmed bullish CY26 Daybue guidance of US$460-490m sales, implying 18-25% growth. The +20% growth in Q1 falls within this ambitious range, thus confidence in meeting guidance is increased. At the end of the day, NEU receive a 10-12% royalty on sales, thus a few million +/- at the sales line makes relatively negligible impact to NEU; importantly, royalties show no sign of easing any time soon.

Following the result, we increase Daybue Nth American sales forecasts, however this is offset by removing previously heavily risk-adjusted EU sales. A reversal of the EMA’s original decision in June is not expected but would be a welcome surprise.

ASX healthcare stock tipped to rocket

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $22.00 price target on Neuren’s shares.

Based on its current share price of $13.05, this implies potential upside of almost 70% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter said:

No changes to our $22.00 PT or BUY recommendation. NEU’s biggest priority is quickly activating the 20+ US clinical sites and enrolling the 160 patients for its Phase 3 trial of NNZ-2591 in Phelan McDermid syndrome. The readout from this Phase 3 trial is the next company-defining catalyst event for NEU albeit remains some time away (end-CY27 pending recruitment). Before then, we will be looking out for updates in NNZ-2591’s other indications throughout 2H CY26, such as Pitt Hopkins and HIE.

The post Guess which ASX healthcare stock could rocket 70% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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.