Author: openjargon

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) shares are having another strong session on Thursday after the network services company released a fresh update.

At the time of writing, the Megaport share price is up 6.43% to $9.76.

That adds to a much stronger run over the past month, with the stock now up more than 40% over that period.

Here’s what investors are reacting to today.

Guidance stays in place

Megaport’s announcement this morning appeared to give investors a bit more certainty around the year ahead.

The company reaffirmed its FY26 combined group guidance, with revenue still expected to come in between $302 million and $317 million. It is also sticking with an EBITDA guidance of 21% to 24% of revenue, while capex is expected to land between $90 million and $100 million.

The update also follows a better run of news flow from the company. Late last month, Megaport announced a 3-year compute and storage contract worth about $35.4 million. The deal is expected to add around $11.8 million in annualised recurring revenue.

Why investors are taking another look

Megaport helps businesses connect to cloud providers, data centres, and network services through its platform.

Demand for that kind of infrastructure has grown as companies use more cloud services, data, AI workloads, and distributed systems.

Megaport has also expanded beyond its core network business through its acquisition of Latitude.sh. Latitude adds a compute layer to the business, including CPU, GPU, and storage services, giving Megaport a wider offer across network, compute, and storage.

The company said network annual recurring revenue reached $272 million at 31 March, up 23% on a constant currency basis. Compute ARR also rose 31% to US$58.7 million, excluding the recently announced contract.

New security product launched

Megaport also highlighted its new DDoS Protection product in the investor presentation.

DDoS attacks are designed to overwhelm a website, service, or network with large amounts of traffic. Megaport’s product is built to filter that malicious traffic inside its own network, rather than forcing customers to route it through a separate service.

Customers can protect their internet traffic while staying within Megaport’s existing platform.

Foolish Takeaway

Megaport has given investors a few things to work with today.

The reaffirmed guidance has helped settle some nerves, while the recent contract gives the market another reason to watch Latitude.sh.

But after a 40% rally in a month, I would not be rushing in at any price.

I’d rather see the next update and whether the revenue growth is flowing through to earnings.

The post Why Megaport shares are rocketing 40% in a month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 tech shares rebound 20% in 5 weeks: experts reveal stocks to buy
• 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 50% or more in the next 12 months
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• The five best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in April revealed
• 3 ASX shares benefiting from the rise of digital infrastructure

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 Megaport. 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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a strong session on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.75% to 8,861.5 points.

Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are pushing higher:

Amcor (ASX: AMC)

The Amcor share price is up 5% to $55.29. Investors have been buying this packaging company’s shares following the release of its quarterly results. The packaging giant reported a 77% jump in net sales to US$5.91 billion and an 87% increase in adjusted EBITDA to US$892 million. The key driver of this was the acquisition of Berry. Amcor’s CEO, Peter Konieczny, commented: “Third quarter results were in line with expectations and reflect the resilience of our business as we mark the first anniversary of bringing legacy Amcor and Berry together as One Amcor.”

Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP)

The Credit Corp share price is up 10% to $12.06. This has been driven by the release of a market update from the debt collector this morning. Management revealed that it is on track to deliver record earnings in FY 2026. It is projecting net profit after tax of $100 million to $110 million, which will be up from $94 million in FY 2025. It also advised that its ledger investments will be higher than previously expected at $295 million to $330 million and gross lending is now expected to be higher at $420 million to $430 million.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)

The Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price is up 5% to $12.97. This morning, Neuren advised that Q1 DAYBUE (trofinetide) net sales were US$101 million during the first quarter. This is up 20% from the prior corresponding period. Neuren’s CEO, Jon Pilcher, commented: “This was a strong start to the year for DAYBUE. I am very encouraged by the initial uptake and enthusiasm for DAYBUE STIX following the limited launch in Centers of Excellence (COEs) and I look forward to seeing the impact of the recent broader US launch.”

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

The Zip share price is up 4% to $2.63. This has been driven by a trading update from the buy now pay later provider. In the United States, Zip reported year-on-year total transaction volume (TTV) growth of over 40% in April. Pleasingly, this was achieved with strong credit outcomes. In addition, Zip reaffirmed that it expects to achieve full-year cash earnings before tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBTDA) of $260 million, with at least 40% TTV growth in the US market.

The post Why Amcor, Credit Corp, Neuren, and Zip shares are charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Tabcorp, Light & Wonder and Amcor shares are making waves on Thursday
• Why are Amcor shares surging higher today?
• Why are Zip shares storming higher on Thursday?
• Amcor earnings surge on Berry acquisition
• CSL and Wesfarmers among scores of ASX shares hitting fresh 52-week lows

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

This $10 billion ASX industrial stock jumped 6% to $22.19 on Thursday after Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI) delivered a strong first-half result.

The rally continues a solid recovery for the ASX industrial stock following its March dip. Orica shares are now up around 8% over the past month and roughly 32% over 12 months, comfortably outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has gained about 8% over the same period.

So, what sparked today’s sharp move higher?

Scale and global footprint deliver

The ASX industrial stock is one of the world’s largest providers of commercial explosives and blasting systems used in mining and infrastructure projects. Orica also has growing exposure to mining technology, digital solutions, and chemical services.

Its strength lies in scale, long-term customer relationships, and its global manufacturing and supply network. And today’s results showed those advantages are still delivering.

The company posted record first-half EBIT of $512 million, up 5% year on year. Underlying net profit after tax rose 8% to $283.1 million, while earnings per share increased 12% to 60.7 cents.

Revenue slipped 1% to $3.88 billion, but investors appeared far more focused on profit growth and margin strength.

Record earnings

Demand remained strong for Orica’s premium blasting products and advanced technology offerings. Supportive gold and copper market conditions also helped drive earnings higher.

Managing Director and CEO Sanjeev Gandhi said:

We have delivered record earnings in the first half, driven by strong demand for premium products and advanced technology offerings, robust gold and copper markets and disciplined commercial execution. Despite a challenging environment, our first half EBIT was the highest in over 20 years and highlights the continued commitment of our people and the resilience and adaptability of Orica’s diversified portfolio, manufacturing asset base and global supply network in a market that continues to value quality, security of supply and technology-enabled outcomes.

Share buyback, explosives takeover

Investors in the ASX industrial stock also welcomed signs of disciplined capital management. Orica completed its $500 million share buyback during the period and resumed its Dividend Reinvestment Plan. That reinforces confidence in the balance sheet and cash generation.

The company was also active strategically. Management announced agreements to acquire Nelson Brothers’ explosives business in North America, as well as the Danafloat range, expanding Orica’s footprint in copper processing and mining chemicals.

At the same time, the business successfully navigated disruptions in ammonium nitrate supply and resolved major litigation issues in the United States.

What next for Orica?

Looking ahead, management expects full-year underlying EBIT growth across all business segments and regions, assuming no major external disruptions emerge.

The ASX industrial stock also plans to continue investing in supply chain security, premium product adoption, and digital technology offerings.

Cost reduction remains another major focus. Management is targeting at least $100 million in long-term savings, with most of the benefits expected to flow through from 2027 onwards.

Importantly, the balance sheet remains strong, with leverage sitting at the lower end of management’s target range. That gives Orica flexibility to continue investing in growth while supporting shareholder returns.

The post Why is this ASX industrial stock storming higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Orica posts record first-half earnings and higher dividend
• 7 ASX 200 shares just upgraded to strong buy ratings

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 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.

On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised the official cash rate to 4.35%. 

As reported by Bernd Struben, Australia’s official interest rate is now back at its post-pandemic 2024 highs.

November 2011 was the last time rates were higher than the current level. 

The decision from the RBA was influenced by inflation and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 

The RBA said:

In addition, the conflict in the Middle East has resulted in sharply higher fuel and related commodity prices, which are already adding to inflation. There are early signs that many firms experiencing cost pressures are looking to increase prices of their goods and services. Short-term measures of inflation expectations have also risen.

Why this matters for investors 

As a quick refresher, the RBA cash rate acts as a benchmark for the Australian economy. 

When the cash rate rises, borrowing becomes more expensive for businesses and consumers. 

This can slow economic activity and reduce company profits, often putting downward pressure on share prices. 

On the flip side, when the cash rate falls, borrowing is cheaper. 

This can stimulate spending and investment, which can boost corporate earnings and generally support higher share prices. 

In this way, changes in the cash rate influence both company fundamentals and investor behaviour across the ASX.

For the everyday Aussie, changes in the cash rate affect how much they pay on mortgages, loans, and credit cards. 

This has a direct influence on spending power and the overall cost of living.

But it isn’t bad news for every ASX-listed company when interest rates are high. 

Here are some options for investors looking for companies that could stand to benefit from a high-interest-rate environment. 

Big banks

Banks make much of their profit from the difference between:

• the interest they charge borrowers (home loans, business loans), and
• the interest they pay depositors and wholesale lenders

This difference is called the net interest margin (NIM).

When the Reserve Bank of Australia raises rates, banks usually increase mortgage and business lending rates fairly quickly, but deposit rates often rise more slowly.

That can widen margins and increase profits.

This (not always) can mean bank shares like the big four can benefit in a high-interest-rate environment. 

Investors may choose to target these banks individually. However, another option is to target an ASX ETF that includes all the big four bank shares. 

One such option is the VanEck Australian Banks ETF (ASX: MVB). 

Insurance companies

Another subsector of the ASX that can outperform in high-rate environments is insurance shares. 

These companies can benefit from interest rate rises because they invest premiums and earn more when yields rise. 

Some options include: 

• QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)
• Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)
• Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

The post Where to invest with interest rates rising appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ANZ shares: Profit jumps in 2026 half-year earnings
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 ASX All Ords shares downgraded by brokers this week
• What is Morgans saying about Stanmore Resources and Suncorp shares after results?
• 6 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

ASX 200 stock Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI) is in focus today as investors hastily exit their positions. 

Dalrymple Bay owns and operates the metallurgical coal export facility at Dalrymple Bay,  located at the Port of Hay Point, south of Mackay in Queensland. It is the world’s largest coal export facility, serving the coal-rich Bowen Basin and is an important link in the global steelmaking supply chain.

Today, its share price is down more than 3% despite the broader ASX 200 storming ahead. 

At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is a full 1% higher.

This comes after an investor update earlier this week.

What did Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure report?

• Funds From Operations (FFO) rose 10.6% year-on-year to $173.3 million
• EBITDA increased 5.2% to $294.3 million for FY-25
• Distributions per security lifted 11.9% to 24.625 cents
• Capital projects worth $429.6 million completed or underway as at 31 March 2026
• $1.07 billion in new debt financing executed during the period
• Zero serious injuries or illnesses recorded for FY-25

Despite these results, its share price has fallen almost 4%. 

After a volatile 2026 so far, its share price remains 6% higher than the start of the calendar year. 

What is Morgans saying about this ASX 200 stock?

The team at Morgans have released updated guidance on this ASX 200 stock following its investor presentation. 

The broker noted that this ASX 200 company’s share price has increased 17% since Morgan’s high conviction upgrade of the stock’s rating in March. 

However it seems the broker now views it as fully valued. 

We moderate from BUY to HOLD, given 12 month potential total return has compressed to c.3%. 12 month target price set at $5.31/sh, down -4cps from previously due to negligible forecast changes related to actual March CPI (used in the July annual escalation of TIC revenue), higher QCA-approved non-expansionary capex for inclusion in the asset base than previously indicated by DBI (also impacts July’s revenue escalation), and updated debt service forecasts. 

Limited upside

From today’s share price hovering around $5.26, this updated price target of $5.31 from Morgans indicates it is trading close to fair value. 

The broker said the next key event is this month’s AGM. 

We expect DBI to provide new DPS guidance for the next 12 months at or around that time and target 29.5cps.

It appears the broader market agrees there is limited upside for this ASX 200 stock.

Specifically, 8 analyst forecasts via TradingView place an average upside potential of roughly 5% on the company.

The post Why did this ASX 200 stock just get downgraded by Morgans? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Highlights from Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure’s latest investor presentation

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

Shares in Star Entertainment Group (ASX: SGR) are down around 4% today at the time of writing, with investors reacting cautiously after the company announced its latest financing update despite it appearing, at first glance, to resolve a key near-term risk.

Refinancing removes risk but raises new concerns

The likely catalyst for today’s decline is the company’s announcement that it has secured a new debt facility with WhiteHawk Capital Partners. The agreement will refinance Star’s existing debt in full, providing a US$390 million (approximately A$540 million) facility over a three-year term.

While this removes the immediate risk of a liquidity crunch, the terms of the deal suggest the company remains under significant financial pressure. The facility includes strict covenants, including minimum liquidity thresholds and minimum EBITDA requirements (from March 2027 onwards), which highlight how tight the company’s operating environment remains.

Following completion of the deal, Star expects to have around A$130 million in additional liquidity. This provides breathing room to continue operations and execute cost-cutting and strategic initiatives.

However, the structure of the facility includes an interest reserve requirement and ongoing amortisation obligations starting in 2027. There are also increasing liquidity thresholds over time, meaning the company must maintain higher cash buffers as the facility progresses.

In other words, while the refinancing buys time, it does not eliminate the underlying financial strain.

Market remains cautious on turnaround outlook

The broader issue weighing on the share price is uncertainty around Star’s turnaround. The company continues to face regulatory, operational, and earnings challenges following well-documented issues in recent years.

Even with refinancing secured, investors are questioning whether the business can generate sufficient earnings to comfortably meet its future obligations while also investing in growth.

Today’s news reinforces that Star remains in a recovery phase, with limited margin for error. Until there is clearer evidence of sustained earnings improvement and operational stability, sentiment toward the stock is likely to remain fragile.

Star Entertainment Group shares are down 35% so far in 2026.

The post Here’s why Star Entertainment Group shares are sinking lower today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why did this ASX 200 stock just get downgraded by Morgans?
• Buy, hold, sell: Mineral Resources, Fortescue, Champion Iron shares
• What’s going on with NextDC shares today?
• 4 top ASX 200 shares including Rio Tinto and Macquarie notching new 52-week plus highs today
• FleetPartners shares surge 6% on half-year results

Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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.

ASX mining shares are rising strongly on Thursday with the S&P/ASX 300 Metal & Mining Index (ASX: XMM) up 3.1%.

This compares to a 0.9% increase for the broader S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO).

The long-term outlook for the mining sector is strong, with five key elements driving a new commodities super cycle today.

However, not all ASX mining shares are a good buy — or at least, not today.

Here, we canvas the views of three brokers on three different ASX iron ore mining shares.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

The Mineral Resources share price is $70.82, up 2.2% today and up 239% over 12 months.

Mineral Resources produces iron ore and lithium, and provides services to the mining sector.

For 3Q FY26, Mineral Resources reported 7.2Mt in iron ore shipments from Onslow.

It also reported sales of 115k dmt in lithium spodumene concentrate at an average price of US$2,105/dmt, up 92% over the quarter, from Wodgina and Mt Marion.

Morgans maintained an accumulate rating on MinRes shares and raised its 12-month target from $67 to $71.

Morgans said:

Strong 3Q26 beat against expectations led by Onslow and lithium. FY26 guidance upgraded marginally across Mining Services, Onslow, Wodgina and Mt Marion. Diesel headwinds are emerging but remain contained.

No supply risk currently but cost inflation is apparent. Compelling outlook supported by continued deleveraging and commodity prices.

Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) 

The Champion Iron share price is $5.06, up 2.2% today and up 9.5% over 12 months.

Champion Iron, which is an iron ore pure-play mining company, released its Q4 FY26 report last week.

The miner reported production of 3.4 million wmt of 66.2% Fe concentrate, up 8% from Q4 FY25.

After reviewing the report, Bell Potter maintained its hold rating and cut its price target form $5.55 to $5.

Bell Potter commented:

CIA expect to ramp-up high-grade concentrate (DRPF grade) production from mid2026. While we expect iron content price premiums for this product, full value-in-use premiums are unlikely to be realised until longer-term offtake is secured.

Free cash flow should improve from FY27 as capex rolls off, supporting debt servicing and ongoing dividends. However, on our iron ore price outlook, earnings will peak in FY27.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The Fortescue share price $21.19, up 2.6% today and up 32% over 12 months.

In the company’s third quarter update, Fortescue reported total iron ore shipments of 48.4 Mt, down 5% year-over-year.

However, the miner said it had shipped a record 148.7Mt in the nine months to 31 March, up 4% on the same period last year.

Bell Potter downgraded Fortescue shares to a sell rating and reduced its 12-month target from $20.30 to $18.15.

The broker said:

FMG’s core iron ore operations continue to perform very well and benefit from an elevated iron ore price.

However, we anticipate higher costs to emerge in 2HCY26 as low-cost inventories are exhausted, putting pressure on earnings.

We are wary of the “portfolio optimisation” review encompassing Iron Bridge.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Mineral Resources, Fortescue, Champion Iron shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 top ASX 200 shares including Rio Tinto and Macquarie notching new 52-week plus highs today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why the ASX 200 is charging higher today
• Buy, hold, sell: Mineral Resources, Dyno Nobel, Iluka Resources shares
• How I’d aim for a 7% dividend yield in a SMSF

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 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.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares climbed 2.5% to $14.67 on Thursday afternoon, after the company completed a major $1.7 billion capital raise.

NextDC shares have now surged around 28% over the past month and are up roughly 8% for the year, matching the performance of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

So, what did the company actually announce?

Booming demand data centres

NextDC operates data centres across Australia. These facilities support cloud computing, artificial intelligence workloads, enterprise storage, and digital infrastructure for major businesses and government clients.

Demand is booming. And NextDC is clearly preparing to scale aggressively. On Thursday, the company confirmed it had completed a $1.7 billion wholesale subordinated Hybrid Securities Offer. The deal includes a $1.0 billion Initial Series and a $0.7 billion Delayed Draw Series.

A major part of the announcement was the backing from La Caisse, which committed to subscribing for the full offer amount.

Massive war chest

That support appears to have boosted investor confidence in NextDC shares.

The raise significantly strengthens NextDC’s financial position. Following the transaction and additional debt facilities, the company expects pro forma liquidity of approximately $8.4 billion as at 30 June 2026. That’s a massive war chest for future expansion.

Importantly, the structure of the deal also matters. The Hybrid Securities rank junior to senior debt and sit outside the company’s senior debt covenants. They also come without equity conversion features. In plain English: existing shareholders of NextDC shares are not being diluted.

That likely helped sentiment too, especially after many capital raisings in the tech sector have historically come with dilution concerns.

What next for NextDC shares?

NextDC expects settlement and issue of the Initial Series to occur on 15 May 2026. The Delayed Draw Series can then be issued over the next 12 months, subject to standard conditions.

The broader goal is clear. NextDC wants more financial firepower to fund its rapid expansion plans as demand for digital infrastructure accelerates.

The company is positioning itself at the centre of Australia’s data centre boom, fuelled by cloud migration, AI growth, and increasing enterprise demand for secure digital infrastructure.

Management of NextDC shares also highlighted its focus on operational sustainability and innovation, particularly as customers require increasingly complex and mission-critical services.

Foolish Takeaway

The company’s strengthened liquidity position now gives it more flexibility to expand capacity, invest in new projects, and support long-term growth.

That appears to be why investors are piling into NextDC shares today.

The market increasingly sees data centres as one of the biggest structural growth themes on the ASX. And with billions now available to fund future projects, NextDC is signalling it intends to remain one of the sector’s key players.

The post What’s going on with NextDC shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• NEXTDC wraps up $1.7bn hybrid offer, lifts liquidity
• Why I think these ASX 200 shares could outperform the market over 10 years
• ASX 200 tech shares rebound 20% in 5 weeks: experts reveal stocks to buy
• Why is everyone talking about Westpac, Ampol and NextDC shares on Tuesday?
• NextDC shares pull back after a funding update. Here’s what you need to know

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 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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up a welcome 0.9% in early afternoon trade on Thursday, with these four large-cap ASX 200 shares jumping to new 52-week plus highs.

So, which ASX stocks are notching new high-water marks today?

Read on!

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

Rio Tinto shares are up 2.1% at time of writing, changing hands for $178.27 apiece.

That’s not just a new one-year highs for the ASX 200 mining giant, but if the stock can hold onto these gains to market close, it will mark a new all time high.

Rio Tinto shares have surged 53.6% over the past 12 months, not including dividends.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie shares are also smashing records today.

Shares in the ASX 200 diversified financial company are up 0.6% today, trading for $241.94 each.

That will also mark a new all-time closing high for the stock, if it can maintain these gains to the end of the trading day.

Macquarie shares have gained 22.4% over 12 months, not including dividends.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

The third ASX 200 share trading at new 52-week plus highs is Mineral Resources.

Shares in the lithium miner and diversified resources producer are up 1.9% at time of writing, swapping hands for $70.64 each.

That’s the highest level since May 2024. And comes after Mineral Resources shares have surged an eye-popping 238.5% over the past 12 months.

Yep, that’s no typo.

If you’d invested $10,000 in Mineral Resources shares a year ago, you’d be sitting on $33,850 today.

Which brings us to the fourth ASX 200 share hitting new one-year plus highs today.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

Shares in PLS– formerly known as Pilbara Minerals – are up 0.8% at time of writing, trading for $6.29 each.

That sees the ASX 200 lithium share not just trading at new one-year highs but also at a new record high, if it can hold these gains to market close today.

And if you thought Mineral Resources shares were on fire this past year, take a look at the 307.5% 12-month leap in PLS shares.

That’s enough to turn that $10,000 investment one year ago into $40,750 today.

What’s sending these mega-cap ASX 200 shares to new one-year plus highs?

You’ll notice that three of the ASX 200 shares above are in the mining business.

Atop their own operational successes, they’ve also been catching tailwinds from bullish commodity prices, notably iron ore, copper, and lithium.

Macquarie, which owns Macquarie Bank, has also been benefiting from its positive exposure to trading and capital markets via its financial services segment.

The post 4 top ASX 200 shares including Rio Tinto and Macquarie notching new 52-week plus highs today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Mineral Resources, Fortescue, Champion Iron shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why the ASX 200 is charging higher today
• Buy, hold, sell: Mineral Resources, Dyno Nobel, Iluka Resources shares
• How I’d aim for a 7% dividend yield in a SMSF

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 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.

Shares in ASX small cap FleetPartners Group (ASX: FPR) have risen 6% at the time of writing after the company reported its half-year results, with investors encouraged by steady earnings growth, strong cash generation, and continued capital returns.

What did FleetPartners report?

For the six months to 31 March 2026, revenue rose 4% to $392.5 million, while statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 7% to $37.1 million.

Earnings per share (EPS) also saw a strong lift, up 14% to 17.3 cents per share. On an underlying basis, net profit after tax excluding amortisation (NPATA) came in at $39.6 million, up 2% on the prior year.

Whilst the results may look underwhelming at first glance, they highlight the strength of FleetPartners’ business model, which is built on recurring, lease-based income. Growth in the company’s lease portfolio continued to underpin earnings, generating stable cash flows despite softer end-of-lease income during the period.

The acquisition of salary packaging provider Remunerator also contributed to performance, strengthening the group’s position in the growing novated leasing market. Demand in this segment remains solid, particularly as electric vehicle incentives continue to drive uptake.

Management noted that while new business volumes were broadly flat, momentum improved toward the end of the half, with April pipeline activity reaching its highest level in 12 months.

FleetPartners continues to stand out for its cash generation and disciplined capital management. The company declared a fully-franked interim dividend of 11.9 cents per share, consistent with its target payout ratio of 60% to 70% of NPATA.

This sits alongside an ongoing share buyback program, reflecting confidence in both the balance sheet and future earnings. Cash conversion remained strong, highlighting the quality of earnings and the capital-light nature of the model.

The balance sheet also remains robust, with ample liquidity and diversified funding sources supporting future growth.

Outlook remains steady

Looking ahead, FleetPartners expects modest growth in new business writings through FY26, with margins remaining broadly stable. While macroeconomic conditions remain mixed, the company’s limited exposure to fuel price volatility and its annuity-style income provide a degree of insulation.

Overall, the result reinforces FleetPartners’ position as a resilient, cash-generative business, and these could be key factors behind the positive market reaction.

The post FleetPartners shares surge 6% on half-year results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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.