Author: openjargon

Shares in oOh!Media Ltd (ASX: OML) have surged as much as 40% in early morning trade after the outdoor advertising company revealed it had received a takeover approach from private equity firm Pacific Equity Partners (PEP).

The sharp move caught the market’s attention and sparked a rally in a stock that, prior to the announcement, had been trading 34% lower than when it started the year.

Private equity bid sparks the rally

The catalyst for the surge was an unsolicited, non-binding indicative offer from PEP to acquire 100% of oOh!Media at $1.40 per share via a scheme of arrangement.

That price represented a 65% premium to where the stock had been trading yesterday, triggering an immediate higher re-rating when trading commenced this morning.

Takeover offers often lead to this kind of step-change in share price as the market anchors to the bid price minus a discount reflecting uncertainty surrounding the deal.

Why is the share price trading below the offer?

Even after the rally, oOh!Media shares are trading around $1.20 (at the time of writing), well below the proposed $1.40 offer price.

That roughly 15% discount reflects market uncertainty about the likelihood of the deal progressing.

At this stage, the proposal is non-binding and subject to a number of conditions, including due diligence, board approval, regulatory clearances, and final investment committee sign-off from PEP.

There’s also no guarantee a binding agreement will be reached at all.

In situations like this, the market assigns a probability to the deal completing. If investors believed the takeover was certain, the share price would sit much closer to $1.40. The current discount suggests that the market is pricing in some execution risk.

What comes next?

From here, the situation becomes a waiting game for oOh!Media investors.

The key milestone will be whether PEP progresses from an indicative proposal to a binding offer. That typically follows due diligence and further negotiation with the board.

There’s also the possibility of competing bids emerging, particularly given oOh!Media’s position as a leading out-of-home advertising network across Australia and New Zealand.

However, until something more concrete is announced, the share price is likely to trade in a range that is pulled higher by the takeover price, but capped by uncertainty.

Foolish bottom line

oOh!Media’s 40% surge is welcome news for investors, but there is still some uncertainty about whether this deal will proceed. After all, the takeover price of $1.40 is well below where oOh!Media shares were trading less than a year ago (around $1.80 in August 2025). Investors will be hoping that this is just the start of a bidding war that pushes the price even higher.

The post oOh!Media shares rocket 40% higher on takeover offer appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• This is the ASX 300 share offering a 9% dividend yield!

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.

Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) shares are out of favour with investors on Wednesday.

In morning trade, the ASX 100 gold stock is down 1.5% to $5.99.

Why is this ASX 100 gold stock falling?

Investors have been selling the gold miner’s shares following the release of its third-quarter update.

For the three months ended 31 March, Westgold reported production of 93,145 ounces of gold. This was down 16.4% quarter-on-quarter from 111,418 ounces. This means that production now totals 288,500 ounces financial year to date.

Management advised that its weaker production in the third quarter was driven predominantly by lower head grades from the Starlight mine and the New Murchison ore purchase agreement (OPA) in the Murchison and from Beta Hunt in the Southern Goldfields.

Nevertheless, the ASX 100 gold stock has reaffirmed its production guidance for the full year. It continues to expect production of 345,000 ounces to 385,000 ounces for FY 2026.

Sales and costs

Westgold reported gold sales of 69,900 ounces at an average price of A$7,080 per ounce. This generated revenue of A$495 million.

Excluding gold production from ore purchased under the OPA, the ASX 100 gold stock’s all-in sustaining cost (AISC) was A$2,931 per ounce in the first quarter. This was in-line with the prior quarter.

The company’s AISC inclusive of the OPA was A$3,338 per ounce, down from A$3,466 per ounce. Management advised that this was driven by lower OPA costs quarter-on-quarter.

This underpinned an underlying cash build of A$285 million, before investments in growth (-A$81 million), share buybacks (-A$3 million), proceeds from asset sales (+A$14 million), and exploration (-A$13 million).

At the end of the quarter, the ASX 100 gold stock had a cash, bullion, and liquid investments balance of A$856 million. It remains 100% debt free and unhedged.

Management commentary

Westgold’s managing director and CEO, Wayne Bramwell, was pleased with the quarter but flagged that costs are now expected to be at the high-end of its guidance range in FY 2026. He said:

Westgold delivered another strong quarter in Q3 FY26, with cash generation lifting treasury to $856M. Underlying quarterly cash build of $285M underpins a business that is continually building strength to internally fund growth and return capital to shareholders.

FY26 production guidance has been maintained. While full year costs are expected to finish toward the top end of guidance, this reflects both broader industry inflationary pressures and deliberate operational decisions taken to maximise cashflow.

The post Why is this ASX 100 gold stock under pressure today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Westgold Resources posts $285M quarterly cash build
• Why this top ASX gold share could rise 50% from here
• ASX gold shares tumble as bull run faces its first big test in 1Q CY26

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.

S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) coal stock Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR) is outperforming today.

Stanmore Resource shares closed yesterday trading for $2.24. In early morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $2.27 apiece, up 1.3%.

For some context, the ASX 300 is down 0.4% at this same time.

This follows the release of Stanmore’s March quarter update (Q3 FY 2026).

Here’s what we know.

ASX 300 coal stock lifts on production recovery

Stanmore Resources shares are marching higher today despite the ASX 300 coal stock reporting a 33.3% quarter on quarter decline in run of mine (ROM) coal mined to 4.0 million tonnes.

Like many Aussie miners, Stanmore’s production was impacted by inclement weather conditions during the first months of the quarter. But investors will have noted that production picked back up in March amid record coal mined at Stanmore’s South Walker creek.

Stanmore reported saleable production of 3.2 million tonnes of coal, down 17.9% from Q2 FY 2023.

Total coal sales of 3.0 million tonnes were down 25%. And the ASX 300 coal stock received lower overall prices over the March quarter, pressured by a higher proportion of thermal coal in its sales mix.

Thermal coal, broadly used for power generation, sells for less than coking coal, which is mostly used for steel production.

Turning to the balance sheet, as at 31 March, Stanmore Resources reported consolidated cash of US$166 million, with net debt of US$79 million and total liquidity of US$436 million.

The miner reaffirmed its full-year FY 2026 saleable production guidance to be in the range of 12.8 million tonnes to 13.4 million tonnes of coal. Capital expenditure guidance was also maintained in the range of US$85 million to US$95 million.

What did Stanmore Resources management say?

Commenting on the results helping lift the ASX 300 coal stock today, Stanmore Resources CEO Marcelo Matos said, “The first quarter of 2026 reinforced the resilience of our business, with operations recovering strongly in the latter part of the period to deliver saleable production within the expected annual run rate of guidance.”

Matos continued:

This followed the arrival of ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji in early January, which caused widespread disruption across open-cut producers in Queensland. Strong opening inventories helped buffer the impact for Stanmore, supported by a proactive operational response to prioritise coal availability and record volumes at South Walker Creek in March.

As for the impact of the Middle East conflict, Matos noted:

Metallurgical coal prices improved quarter-on-quarter amid the weather-related supply constraints, although gains were moderated by ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty associated with the conflict in the Middle East.

The resulting impact on fuel markets has become increasingly evident in recent weeks, with industry participants managing both supply and price risk.

The post ASX 300 coal stock lifting off today on production rebound appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Stanmore Resources: Coal output recovers in March quarter
• Why this ASX coal stock is sinking 9% today

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 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 stock Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) is back in focus on Wednesday after releasing a trading update before the market opened.

The share price is up 13.39% to $41.25 at the time of writing, continuing a strong run that has been building for months.

It has gained roughly 25% in the past month and is now up more than 160% over the past year.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s driving the move.

Earnings outlook lifted on strong second-half

According to the release, Codan said it has been trading above expectations in the second-half of FY26.

This has prompted management to lift its full-year earnings outlook.

The company now expects earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of about $235 million, with net profit after tax (NPAT) around $170 million.

That represents growth of more than 60% compared to FY25, which is well above what was previously expected.

Management noted that the upgrade is being driven by stronger performance in the communications division, where demand has remained solid.

Communications division doing the heavy lifting

Codan had previously guided to revenue growth of 15% to 20% for FY26, but now expects to land at the top end of that range.

Growth is being supported by ongoing demand from defence customers, particularly in areas linked to unmanned systems.

There is also continued demand for software-defined radios, which are being used across a wider range of applications.

At the same time, margins are starting to lift as more volume comes through.

Codan is now expecting communications segment margins to reach 30% in FY26, which is earlier than previously flagged.

That compares to a margin of around 26% in FY25, which shows how much it has improved.

Minelab still contributing in the background

While the communications division is leading the current upgrade, Codan’s Minelab business is also tracking well.

Revenue from Minelab is running ahead of the strong first-half, helped by a favourable gold price and recent product releases.

The ASX stock also highlighted solid demand across key markets, which has supported sales numbers in the second-half.

Foolish takeaway

Codan is doing a lot right at the moment.

Demand in communications is holding up, margins are improving, and earnings are moving higher as a result.

That has been enough to keep the share price trending in the right direction over the past year.

But after such a strong run, I would be a bit more patient from here.

The business still looks in good shape and the momentum could carry on, but I’d wait for a pullback before getting involved.

The post Up 13% today. Here’s why this $6.6 billion ASX stock is on the move again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Codan FY26 earnings surge more than 60% on strong communications segment
• This ASX 200 stock has jumped 149% in a year, and brokers tip more upside to come
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 ASX 200 shares I’d buy as the share market rebounds
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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 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.

Most people will never run a business. But that doesn’t mean they can’t own one — or several hundred.

The share market exists precisely for this purpose. It lets ordinary investors become silent owners of real businesses generating real cash flow, without needing to manage staff, chase invoices, or sit through board meetings.

Income-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) take this idea one step further. Rather than doing the homework on individual companies, the fund does it for you — bundling dozens of dividend-paying businesses into a single holding that pays out distributions at regular intervals.

The question most investors never quite get around to answering is: How do I actually build this kind of income stream if I don’t have a lump sum sitting ready to deploy?

That’s where dollar-cost averaging comes in.

The quiet power of regular contributions

Dollar-cost averaging — or DCA — is the practice of investing a fixed dollar amount at regular intervals, regardless of what the market is doing. When prices fall, your contribution buys more units. When prices rise, it buys fewer. Over time, this tends to smooth out the average cost of your investment.

It’s not a strategy designed to maximise returns. It’s designed to maximise discipline.

For most Australians building wealth around a salary, DCA reflects reality anyway. You earn, you save, you invest — consistently and repeatedly. The structure simply puts intention behind what would otherwise be an ad hoc process.

Applied to income-producing ETFs, dollar-cost averaging creates something compounding and structural over time: a growing portfolio that throws off increasing distributions each year, without requiring you to make active calls on markets or individual companies.

3 income ETFs worth considering

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) is the obvious starting point. With nearly $7 billion in funds under management, it is the largest dedicated income ETF in Australia. The VHY ETF tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index, holding 79 companies, including names such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). Its approximate dividend yield sits at 4.3%, and its management fee of 0.25% keeps costs reasonable. For a regular investor building toward income, VHY is a sensible core holding.

For those seeking a global income layer, the SPDR S&P Global Dividend Fund (ASX: WDIV) offers exposure to 97 high-yielding companies across international markets, yielding approximately 5.2% and charging a fee of 0.35%. Adding WDIV alongside a domestic holding reduces concentration in Australian banks and resources, sectors that dominate the local income landscape.

Investors looking for a lower-cost domestic option might also consider the iShares S&P/ASX Dividend Opportunities ESG Screened ETF (ASX: IHD), which carries a management fee of 0.23% and delivered a one-year total return (dividends and capital gains) of over 23%. IHD applies an ESG screen, meaning it excludes companies that don’t meet certain environmental, social, and governance criteria.

Foolish Takeaway

The goal of dollar-cost averaging into income ETFs is not to get rich overnight. It is to build a machine — slowly, methodically — that generates cash flow from businesses you own but never have to run.

In the early stages, reinvesting distributions accelerates the compounding. As the portfolio grows, those same distributions can become income you actually spend.

No strategy removes market risk entirely, and ETF distributions are not guaranteed to remain constant year to year. But for investors who want exposure to the income-generating capacity of Australian and global businesses without the active management burden, a regular contribution plan into a small basket of income ETFs is one of the most straightforward approaches available.

The best time to start is usually before you feel ready.

The post How to dollar-cost average your way to passive income with ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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 Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The BSP Financial Group Ltd (ASX: BFL) share price is in focus after the bank delivered an 18.5% jump in first quarter revenue and 14.6% growth in unaudited net profit after tax to K278 million.

What did BSP Financial Group report?

• Revenue rose 18.5% year-on-year to K900 million
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) reached K278 million, up 14.6%
• Cost-to-income ratio increased to 45.0% (up 140 basis points)
• Capital adequacy ratio stood at 23.9%, still above regulatory minimums
• Total operating expenses grew 22.3% as investment in modernising progressed
• Loans grew 9.7%; deposits climbed 17.9% compared to the prior corresponding period

What else do investors need to know?

BSP Financial Group continues to invest in its Modernising for Growth program, leading to a temporary rise in expenses and cost-to-income ratio. Management anticipates expenses will peak in 2026 and 2027, aiming to return to a 42–45% cost-to-income range after that.

Papua New Guinea’s addition to the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list in February has not materially affected BSP’s customers or operations. The bank reports robust compliance and continues to support efforts to have PNG removed from the grey list.

Credit impairment charges increased notably during the quarter, mostly due to a small number of customer-specific provisions; however, portfolio quality remains in line with expectations and overall provisioning has not materially changed.

What’s next for BSP Financial Group?

Looking ahead, BSP intends to keep investing in technology and infrastructure as part of its growth strategy, with the expectation that efficiency ratios will normalise once transformation spending eases. Management remains cautious given regional and global uncertainties, particularly the potential for inflation and economic pressures linked to international events.

Asset quality and portfolio performance are being closely monitored, with no immediate need for additional provisions, but the bank stays alert to emerging risks across its lending book.

BSP Financial Group share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement

The post BSP Financial Group Q1 2026 earnings: Profit and revenue climb as bank continues investment appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Mesoblast shares in focus after key Phase 3 milestone for low back pain
• Stanmore Resources: Coal output recovers in March quarter
• Zimplats shares: Production dips and costs rise
• Woodside Q1 2026 earnings: Revenue grows, Scarborough and Trion progress
• Liontown shares: Expansion works begin at Kathleen Valley

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 Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) share price is in focus after the company announced it has reached its patient recruitment target in its pivotal Phase 3 trial for chronic low back pain. This milestone could pave the way for regulatory filing and potential commercial launch of rexlemestrocel-L, Mesoblast’s novel cell therapy.

What did Mesoblast report?

• Pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial (MSB-DR004) for rexlemestrocel-L in chronic low back pain reached full patient enrolment of at least 300 participants
• Trial is placebo-controlled, with 12-month primary endpoint of pain reduction
• Secondary endpoints include improvements in function, quality of life, and opioid cessation
• Top-line results expected mid-calendar year 2027
• Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation from US FDA, providing eligibility for priority review

What else do investors need to know?

Mesoblast’s Phase 3 trial is evaluating a single intra-discal injection of rexlemestrocel-L, aiming to replicate earlier results that showed clinically meaningful pain reduction and reduced opioid use for up to three years. The company plans to use positive trial outcomes to support a regulatory submission to the US FDA in the second half of 2027, seeking approval for commercialisation.

The company notes that chronic low back pain associated with degenerative disc disease affects more than 7 million Americans. This indication could represent a substantial market opportunity, and Mesoblast’s proprietary cell therapy technology is positioned as a potential disease-modifying, non-opioid alternative.

What did Mesoblast management say?

CEO Silviu Itescu said:

This is a major milestone toward delivering on our corporate goal of bringing to market a non-opioid, disease-modifying therapy for patients suffering from chronic low back pain, a condition with significant unmet medical need.

What’s next for Mesoblast?

Mesoblast expects to deliver top-line Phase 3 results by mid-2027, after the last patient completes follow-up. If successful, the company aims to file a Biologics License Application with the FDA in the third quarter of 2027. RMAT designation may help accelerate review processes.

Meanwhile, Mesoblast continues to advance its broader pipeline in inflammatory diseases and maintains a strong intellectual property portfolio, with over 1,000 patents worldwide. The company’s commercial partnerships in Japan, Europe, and China also provide additional revenue potential.

Mesoblast share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement

The post Mesoblast shares in focus after key Phase 3 milestone for low back pain appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BSP Financial Group Q1 2026 earnings: Profit and revenue climb as bank continues investment
• Stanmore Resources: Coal output recovers in March quarter
• Zimplats shares: Production dips and costs rise
• Woodside Q1 2026 earnings: Revenue grows, Scarborough and Trion progress
• Liontown shares: Expansion works begin at Kathleen Valley

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.

Two of the ASX’s hottest shares are starting to wobble.

Shares in 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) and Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) have delivered eye-watering gains over the past year, but recent pullbacks are raising eyebrows.

4DMedical has surged an astonishing 1,520% over 12 months, though it’s slipped 28% in the past month. Meanwhile, Electro Optic Systems is still up around 676% for the year, but dropped more than 5% on Tuesday.

If you’ve been along for the ride, it’s been spectacular. If not, the big question now is simple: Is there any upside left for these 2 red-hot ASX shares?

4DMedical

The company develops advanced medical imaging technology that creates detailed, real-time 3D and 4D views of lung function. Its platform helps doctors diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases more accurately than traditional imaging methods.

This $3 billion ASX share has delivered a remarkable growth story. A $3,000 investment just a year ago — buying 10,000 shares at $0.30 — would now be worth roughly $47,100.

But after such a massive run, valuation becomes far less clear. The company remains in a growth and commercialisation phase and is still loss-making, with much of the share price momentum driven by contract wins and future expectations.

While its technology is gaining traction and new deals continue to support sentiment, the lack of consistent earnings adds a layer of risk. Much of the recent share price strength appears tied to what the growth stock could achieve, rather than what it is currently delivering financially.

According to TradingView data, the average analyst price target sits at $4.47, about 5% below the current share price. That suggests expectations may already be stretched in the near term.

Electro Optic Systems

Electro Optic Systems operates in the defence and advanced technology space, an area currently benefiting from rising geopolitical tensions and increased military spending.

That backdrop has helped drive strong investor interest and price gains for this ASX share over the past year.

However, as with many high-growth companies, sentiment can shift quickly. Any slowdown in contract momentum or changes in defence spending outlooks could weigh on performance.

At the time of writing, the ASX share is trading at $9.70, and analyst views remain mixed. Price targets range from around current levels up to $16, implying potential upside of roughly 65%.

That widespread highlights the uncertainty surrounding the stock, even after its strong run.

Foolish Takeaway

Both companies have delivered extraordinary gains, but recent pullbacks suggest momentum may be cooling.

For existing investors, the focus may shift to protecting gains. For those on the sidelines, the decision is less straightforward. When shares climb this quickly, expectations can outpace fundamentals, and that’s when the risks start to rise.

The post The ASX’s hottest shares just stumbled — warning sign? 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 positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems. 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.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares are rising on Wednesday morning.

At the time of writing, the banking giant’s shares are up 0.5% to $36.22.

Why are ANZ Bank shares rising?

Investors have been buying the big four bank’s shares today following the announcement of an acquisition.

According to the release, ANZ has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Worldline S.A’s 51% share in Worldline Australia. It is the joint venture between ANZ and Europe’s leading payment and transaction provider, Worldline S.A, that commenced in 2022.

Worldline Australia, which is also known as ANZ Worldline, is headquartered in Melbourne and provides Australian-based businesses with access to point of sale and online payments technology.

At its launch in 2022, the bank highlighted that the service would give Australian merchants access to some of the world’s most advanced payment solutions, proven internationally and adapted to meet the unique requirements of the Australian market.

Why is it acquiring the stake?

The release states that management believes the acquisition is consistent with ANZ’s 2030 strategy and will enable the bank to directly provide its customers with a holistic bank offering. This is part of its ambition to be a leading payments and transaction bank in the region.

Commenting on the deal, ANZ’s managing director of institutional transaction banking, Lisa Vasic, said:

The ANZ 2030 strategy puts transaction banking at the centre of what we deliver to customers – whether it’s improving their experiences, offering them leading technologies and platforms, or keeping them safe.

This acquisition will allow us to strengthen our direct relationship with our customers and better meet our customer’s needs, as we continue to focus on providing our small business customers, right up to our largest Institutional customers, with a compelling merchant proposition.

How much will it cost?

ANZ advised that it has agreed to acquire Worldline S.A’s 51% share in ANZ Worldline for an enterprise value of $89 million (on a 51% basis), with an estimated implied equity value of approximately $30 million.

Subject to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) approval, completion is expected to occur in the second half of the 2026 fiscal year. The bank expects the transaction to have a 6 basis points impact on its Level 2 CET1 ratio.

It notes that there will be no change to the existing ANZ Worldline operations on completion. Its customers will continue to use ANZ Worldline services and products as they do today.

The ANZ Bank share price is X over the past 12 months.

The post ANZ Bank shares push higher on acquisition news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why ANZ, Challenger, Hub24, and Lynas shares are dropping today

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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are pushing higher on Wednesday morning.

At the time of writing, the energy giant’s shares are up almost 2% to $32.97.

Why are Woodside shares rising?

Investors have been bidding the company’s shares higher today after it released a quarterly update which was ahead of expectations.

According to the release, Woodside reported production of 45.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) for the March quarter.

This is ahead of expectations from Macquarie, which had forecast production of 43.7 MMboe for the period.

Management advised that Sangomar, Shenzi, North West Shelf Project and Pluto LNG all delivered outstanding reliability at or above 99% during the three months.

Strong sales

Woodside’s sales volumes also came in strong at 51.7 MMboe, comfortably above Macquarie’s estimate of 46.6 MMboe.

This helped drive operating revenue of US$3.26 billion for the quarter, which was also ahead of the broker’s expectation of US$3.09 billion.

The stronger than expected result was supported by a higher average realised price of US$63 per barrel of oil equivalent, up 11% on the prior quarter.

This reflects improved market conditions, including higher spot prices for LNG and oil-linked products.

Management commentary

Woodside’s new CEO, Liz Westcott, was pleased with the quarter. She said:

Production for the period was 45.2 million barrels of oil equivalent, underpinned by exceptional reliability of our world-class assets, including 99.9% at Sangomar and 99.0% at Shenzi. In Western Australia, Pluto LNG achieved 100% reliability for the third consecutive quarter, while the North West Shelf Project delivered 99.7%. Output from our Western Australian assets was impacted late in the quarter by Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle. The team’s cyclone response ensured we maintained the safety of our people, assets and the environment throughout the shutdown and restoration of operations.

We have seen modest increases to our portfolio average realised pricing in the quarter, driven by elevated spot prices. Further benefits of currently higher spot prices will be realised in subsequent quarters for LNG due to lagged contract pricing.

Outlook

There have been no changes to Woodside’s guidance for FY 2026.

Total production is expected to be 172mmboe to 186mmboe with production costs of US$1.5 billion to US$1.8 billion and capital expenditure of US$4 billion to US$4.5 billion.

Following today’s gain, Woodside shares are now up 40% since the start of the year.

The post Up 40% in 2026: Why are Woodside shares charging higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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.