Author: openjargon

The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price has come back sharply from its highs.

At around $75.86 on Wednesday, the shares are now roughly 20% below their 52-week peak.

That is a meaningful pullback for one of the ASX’s best-known blue chips. But has it gone far enough to create a top buying opportunity?

Here is how I see it.

Why I like Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers owns a collection of businesses that already have strong positions in their respective markets.

Bunnings remains the standout for me. Its scale, brand strength, and dominant position in home improvement give Wesfarmers a business that would be extremely difficult to replicate.

Kmart has also become an increasingly important part of the group, with its value-focused offering giving consumers a reason to keep shopping even when household budgets are under pressure.

Officeworks adds another established retail business, while Wesfarmers also has exposure to industrial and other operations.

That mix means the company is not relying on a single product or customer group to drive earnings.

I also like the way Wesfarmers has approached capital allocation over many years. Management has shown a willingness to invest where it sees attractive returns and move away from businesses where the opportunity becomes less compelling.

For a long-term investor, I think that discipline is a major part of what makes Wesfarmers stand out.

The earnings outlook still looks healthy

The recent weakness in the Wesfarmers share price would concern me more if analysts were also expecting profits to fall.

That is not currently the case. Wesfarmers generated earnings per share (EPS) of $2.53 in FY26. Consensus forecasts indicate EPS could increase to $2.72 in FY27, $2.90 in FY28, and $3.11 in FY29.

By FY29, earnings would be around 23% above the FY26 level, which would give the business a reasonable base from which to grow.

The dividend is also expected to move higher alongside earnings. Consensus estimates point to dividends per share of $2.34 in FY27, $2.49 in FY28, and $2.71 in FY29.

For me, that adds another layer to the investment case. Wesfarmers is not just relying on share price appreciation to generate returns.

Is the valuation attractive enough?

This is where I would keep expectations sensible. At $75.86, Wesfarmers is trading on a P/E ratio of around 28 times estimated FY27 earnings.

That is still a premium valuation, so I would not describe the shares as cheap simply because they have fallen 20%.

But the picture improves as earnings grow. By FY29, today’s price would represent roughly 24 times forecast earnings.

I think that is easier to justify for a business with the quality of Bunnings, the momentum of Kmart, and a strong long-term record of capital allocation.

Foolish takeaway

I think Wesfarmers is becoming a much easier share to buy at around $76.

The valuation still asks investors to pay for quality, so I would not expect a bargain-style return simply because the shares are 20% below their high.

But I think the combination of strong businesses, steady earnings growth, and rising dividends makes today’s price look increasingly reasonable.

For me, that is enough to put Wesfarmers back near the top of my ASX buy list.

The post Down 20%: Is the Wesfarmers share price a top buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Bell Potter has recently started coverage of Sports Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SEG), and the broker believes big things are in store for the company.

New acquisition to drive growth

Sports Entertainment Group operates the SEN sports radio network across Australia, and also has operations in digital media, live events, television syndication, and talent management.

Bell Potter said the company offers an attractive proposition for advertisers.

As they said:

SEG has curated a portfolio capable of delivering a whole-of-sport strategy targeting a valuable cohort for advertisers at the top of the funnel, then additional value as content filters through operating channels/segments; this operating model delivered an underlying EBITDA contribution margin of 20.4% in FY26 versus group underlying margin of 14.8%.

Sports Entertainment Group also recently finalised the takeover of New Zealand group MediaWorks for $107.6 million.

The company said when announcing the takeover that they expected the acquisition to be materially earnings per share accretive before synergies were factored in.

Synergies were estimated at about $5 million per year.

Sports Entertainment Group said MediaWorks was New Zealand’s number-one audio business, with about 59% audience share in the 25-to-54 demographic.

Sports Entertainment Group Chief Executive Officer Craig Hutchinson said after the deal was finalised:

Today marks a landmark moment for Sports Entertainment Group. Completing the acquisition of MediaWorks which is New Zealand’s #1 audio business transforms SEG into a truly scaled, trans-Tasman media group reaching more than 5 million listeners across Australia and New Zealand. This is exactly the kind of strategically important and value driving transaction we have been building toward. Both businesses are performing strongly into Q1 FY27. We are already seeing the benefits of the combination in our advertiser conversations and digital platform integration planning. The MediaWorks management team, led by CEO Wendy Palmer, has been outstanding throughout this process and we look forward to building something exceptional together.

Media shares looking cheap

Bell Potter said in its research note on the company that it expected the company to generate a compound annual growth rate of 13% in EBITDA from FY26 to FY29.

The company was expected to benefit from NZ$50 million in tax losses held by MediaWorks, as well as a healthy calendar of major sporting events over the medium term.

Bell Potter also expected the company to restart dividend payments at the end of FY28.

The broker has a price target of 45 cents on Sports Entertainment Group shares, compared to 26.5 cents currently.

If achieved, this would constitute a 69.8% return. The company is valued at $84.8 million.

The post Top broker says this ASX stock could rise 70% 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 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.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are trading around $151.07 on Wednesday.

That follows a weaker period for Australia’s largest bank, with investors weighing up higher interest rates, a cooling housing market, and what both could mean for earnings.

So, with the share price back around $150, is CBA still worth buying?

Why CBA remains so popular

CBA has long been one of the most highly valued banks on the ASX, and I think there are good reasons for that.

Its scale gives it a powerful position across mortgages and deposits, while years of investment in digital banking have helped make it an important part of customers’ everyday financial lives.

That combination has allowed CBA to generate strong returns while maintaining a large and relatively stable funding base.

It also helps explain why investors have traditionally been willing to pay a premium for the shares compared with other major banks.

The question today is whether that premium still makes sense as the economic backdrop becomes more difficult.

Housing and rates are creating pressure

CBA’s recent share price weakness has coincided with a tougher period for Australia’s housing market.

National home prices fell for a sixth consecutive month in September and were 5.2% below their peak, while higher borrowing costs have reduced buyer purchasing power and weighed on transaction activity.

Interest rates are adding to that pressure. The Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the cash rate by another 25 basis points in late September to 4.6%, its highest level in 15 years. The RBA has also left the door open to further tightening if inflation remains too high.

For CBA, that creates a mixed picture. Higher rates can support banking margins depending on how quickly lending and deposit rates move. But they also make mortgages more expensive, reduce borrowing capacity, and can eventually weigh on credit growth or increase financial stress among customers.

The RBA still believes most mortgage borrowers are relatively well placed, with less than 2% of variable-rate owner-occupiers currently estimated to have a cash flow shortfall.

That gives me some comfort, but I would still expect the housing and rate environment to remain an important influence on CBA over the next year.

Does $151 look reasonable?

CBA earned $6.58 per share in FY26, and consensus forecasts point to modest earnings per share growth to $6.67 in FY27 and $6.86 in FY28.

At $151.07, the shares are valued on a P/E ratio of roughly 22.6 times FY27 earnings.

I would not call that cheap. Investors are still paying a substantial price for CBA’s quality.

But I am more comfortable with that valuation when the share price is around $150 than I was at considerably higher levels.

The dividend also continues to move in the right direction. After paying $5.05 per share in FY26, consensus forecasts point to $5.15 in FY27 and $5.30 in FY28.

Foolish takeaway

I would still buy CBA shares at around $150.

The housing downturn and higher interest rates give investors legitimate reasons to be more cautious, and I do not think the current valuation leaves room for complacency.

But the recent pullback has made the price easier for me to accept. CBA remains the major Australian bank I would most want to own, and at around $150, I think the quality of the business is worth paying for.

The post Are CBA shares still worth buying near $150? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. 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.

Droneshield vs Nextdc shares: Which ASX tech stock comes out on top?

Everyday Aussie investors looking for exposure to cutting-edge technology on the ASX might find themselves weighing up Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO) and Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) . Both companies occupy high-potential corners of the tech sector, but their businesses – and their fundamentals – offer very different investment propositions. If you’re tossing up between Droneshield shares and Nextdc shares, here’s a side-by-side look at what sets each apart.

The case for Droneshield

Droneshield specialises in high-tech solutions that detect and defeat drones, using artificial intelligence-powered hardware and software. Its products target threats from drones used by criminals or terrorists, providing protection for government, military, airports, and critical infrastructure. With a global presence – operating across Australia, the US, and the UK – Droneshield’s offering is right at the intersection of defence, security, and new technology.

Looking at its numbers, Droneshield currently has a market cap of $1.69 billion, but it remains unprofitable according to its latest earnings per share figure (-$0.033). Notably, its P/E ratio is a staggering 433.75 – but with negative EPS, that ratio may be derived from underlying or future earnings rather than trailing profits, so I’d treat that with some caution. Droneshield doesn’t pay a dividend, in line with most early-stage tech or defence businesses. It has also seen a significant drop in sentiment, with a year-to-date return of -40.75%.

The case for Nextdc

Nextdc is Australia’s largest independent provider of data centre and interconnection services. Its big data centres house thousands of companies’ IT infrastructure, connecting businesses, cloud providers, and telecom carriers. Nextdc’s focus is on enabling the digital economy with secure, scalable, and highly connected spaces – making it a backbone provider for everything from large enterprise to small tech startups.

Fundamentally, Nextdc is considerably larger than Droneshield, with a market cap of $8.08 billion. Unlike many tech companies, its reported earnings per share is positive, at $0.122, and its P/E ratio – while high at 88.03 – is typical for a business reinvesting for expansion in a fast-growing, capital-intensive sector. Like Droneshield, Nextdc does not pay a dividend, choosing instead to channel its earnings into growth. Its year-to-date return is -12.92%, which although negative, is much milder compared to Droneshield’s recent performance.

Valuation comparison

There are a few key points of difference in the fundamentals:

Metric	Droneshield	Nextdc
Market Cap	$1.69 billion	$8.08 billion
P/E Ratio	433.75	88.03
Earnings Per Share (EPS)	-0.033	0.122
Dividend Yield	0.00%	0.00%
YTD Return	-40.75%	-12.92%

Note: Droneshield’s reported P/E ratio may be based on a different earnings measure (such as underlying or forecast earnings) than the negative EPS shown, which is why they appear inconsistent. Nextdc’s P/E and EPS figures are more aligned.

Neither company offers a dividend, so this is really a comparison of growth potential and business momentum rather than current income.

Recent share price momentum

Comparing recent share price performance up to 2 October 2026:

• Droneshield closed at $1.83, showing a 6.41% rise on the day, yet remains down 40.75% year-to-date.
• Nextdc closed at $10.74, rising 1.32% on the day, with a year-to-date decline of 12.92%.

Both companies had positive daily gains on 2 October 2026. However, over 2026 so far, Droneshield has suffered much steeper share price falls than Nextdc.

Which is the better buy?

Weighing it all up, I’d lean towards Nextdc as the stronger buy in this head-to-head. While both companies are unfranked and offer no dividend, Nextdc stands out for having positive earnings, a far more moderate (though still high) P/E ratio for its sector, and much better share price resilience in 2026. Droneshield’s technology is fascinating and its potential market is compelling, but the company is still unprofitable and investors have recently marked it down heavily, as shown in its 40%+ year-to-date drop. For me, that signals higher risk and a longer path to proven success.

Nextdc provides essential infrastructure for the digital world, enjoys significant scale, and is already generating profits, even if it trades at a growth premium. If I had to pick between them for an ASX tech buy right now, my pick would be Nextdc.

The post Droneshield vs NextDC: Which ASX tech share is the better buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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 draft. 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.

A superannuation balance of $950,000 is significantly higher than the Australian national average for all age groups.

It also comfortably exceeds what the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) determines is necessary for a comfortable retirement.

It’s a solid amount of money to support a good retirement lifestyle, but there is an additional bonus. A balance as high as $950,000 can also generate a great passive income from ASX dividend shares.

Here’s how much you could earn.

What passive income could a $950,000 superannuation balance generate?

To calculate your potential annual passive income, you need to multiply your total superannuation balance by the overall dividend yield of your portfolio.

But obviously, the answer changes depending on what that yield is.

Generally, as your yield goes up, the passive income you can earn off the same balance also increases.

Break it down for me by yield

If your portfolio is low-yielding, at around 3%, you’ll be able to earn around $28,500 per year in passive income. That’s because $950,000 x 3% = $28,500 in dividend payments.

There are lots of stable options around this level. Investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) yields around 3%, as does banking giant Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and conglomerate Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

Then, if you increase your yield closer to 4%, you could earn a little more. A $950,000 portfolio could generate around $38,000 per year at this yield.

There are still lots of great options around the 4% level. Think mining giants BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), or telcos like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). Some of the other major banks, including National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) also yield around this level at the time of writing.

If you can raise your yield higher towards 5%, your passive income would increase to around $47,500 every year. 

My top 5% yielding ASX shares would be defensive infrastructure companies like Transurban Group Ltd (ASX: TCL) or Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI). 

Raise your portfolio’s yield even higher to 6% and you could earn a $57,000 annual dividend income off the same superannuation portfolio. That’s a decent passive income!

Around this level, I’d lean towards shares like APA Group Ltd (ASX: APA) or AGL Group Ltd (ASX: AGL). These both have a long history of paying long term reliable dividends to shareholders and they also yield around the 6% level.

Can’t I just invest in the highest yield stock I can find so I can earn more off my superannuation balance?

There are dividend shares available which pay much higher yields, some which even exceed over 15%. 

But remember, the general rule is that the higher the yield, the more volatility and risk associated with that stock.

When it comes to ASX dividends, high-yielding shares could be cyclical businesses that fluctuate significantly with market cycles, niche companies with strong cash conversion, or perhaps they have discounted share prices. 

It doesn’t mean high-yield shares should be avoided, but instead, they should be part of a diversified portfolio.

The post How much passive income can I earn from a $950,000 superannuation balance? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Transurban Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Telstra Group, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Do you have $15,000 to invest?

If you do and don’t enjoy picking individual stocks, then it could be worth considering the exchange traded funds (ETFs) in this article.

They can be particularly attractive because they allow investors to access entire markets or investment strategies through a single trade.

With that in mind, here are three top ASX ETFs that investors could consider buying this October.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF could be a good option for investors who want to combine quality and value.

The fund invests in US companies that have sustainable competitive advantages, or economic moats.

These advantages can come from things such as powerful brands, high switching costs, cost advantages, intellectual property, or network effects.

It is worth noting that simply having a strong business isn’t enough to make the portfolio. The strategy also looks for companies trading at attractive prices relative to their fair value.

This means that rather than automatically owning the biggest companies in the market, the fund is trying to identify businesses capable of protecting their profits from competition while avoiding excessive valuations.

That could make the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF a top option for buy and hold investors.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

Another ASX ETF to look at is the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF.

This fund provides investors with access to consumer staples stocks from around the world.

These are businesses selling products people tend to buy regardless of what is happening with the economy, including food, beverages, household goods, and personal care products.

That can make the sector quite different from areas such as technology or discretionary retail, where demand can move around significantly as economic conditions change.

This combination of recurring demand and global operations could make the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF a strong choice for investors looking for a more defensive form of international exposure.

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)

A final ASX ETF for investors to consider buying is the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF.

As its name implies, this fund invests across developed and emerging markets around the world, but deliberately leaves the United States out.

This could make it a good way to access parts of the global share market that can sometimes receive less attention than Wall Street.

It also means investors gain exposure to different industries, economic cycles, and sources of growth.

For those looking for a broad international investment without relying on US stocks, the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF could be worth a closer look.

The post Where to invest $15,000 in ASX ETFs in October appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The upcoming share market listing of data centre company Firmus is shaping up to be the biggest float since Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) went public back in the 1990s, and the company’s valuation is living up to the hype.

Recent reports indicate that the Firmus initial public offer has been priced at $11 per share, valuing the company at $43.7 billion.

And while you can’t buy Firmus shares just yet, you can get exposure by buying into Maas Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MGH).

Diversified services company leans into AI

Maas Group has been buying up Firmus shares in recent years and now owns 3.2% of the company.

Maas Group Chair Stephen Bizzell told the company’s recent annual general meeting that the company had made a considered investment in AI.

He said:

During the year and subsequent to financial year end, Maas took meaningful steps to increase its exposure to next-generation infrastructure. This included a strategic investment in Firmus Grid Limited, securing significant electrical infrastructure work supporting the development of AI and data infrastructure in Australia through JLE Group, and the acquisition of commercial property with power availability and grid proximity for future digital and energy infrastructure developments. These initiatives, together with the proposed Construction Materials divestment, represent a clear evolution in the Group’s strategic direction.

AI driving a higher valuation

Macquarie has released a new research report into Maas Group, with a conservative valuation for the company’s Firmus stake.

The broker said that the $43.7 billion valuation of Firmus implied a value of $4 per share for Maas Group’s holding, but it was currently only ascribing $1.42 per share in its valuation of the company.

Macquarie added:

MGH is in a period of transition after divesting the construction materials business and accelerating growth in its civil construction and hire and electrical businesses. Further contract awards and updates in this segment (including Firmus IPO), and strategic M&A, will be catalysts.

Macquarie increased its price target on Maas Group shares from $6.75 to $8.15, up from the current $6.76.

Maas Group also announced this week that the divestment of the construction materials business had formally been completed, and it had been paid $1.61 billion.

The company also remains entitled to receive contingency payments of up to $120 million, subject to the achievement of agreed commercial and operational milestones.

Macquarie said the deal gave Maas Group “substantial capital flexibility”, which was reflected in the company’s shareholders approving a buyback of up to 20% of its shares.

Maas Group is valued at $2.53 billion.

The post Buy this ASX share to get exposure to the Firmus IPO 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia 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.

Bell Potter has released some new research reports this week, with two in particular piquing my interest.

The broker predicts that the companies in question could appreciate substantially in value over the next 12 months.

Let’s see who they like.

6K Additive Inc (ASX: 6KA)

This company’s shares have dropped 30% over the past 12 months, but the Bell Potter team seem to think a turnaround is on the cards.

Some recent news from the company was an announcement that it had executed a final loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a US$27.4 million secured financing facility.

The company said the loan would be used to support the ongoing expansion of its US manufacturing capacity “for critical materials used across aerospace, defense, space, energy and advanced manufacturing applications”.

6K Additive Chief Executive Officer Frank Roberts said:

Finalising this agreement with EXIM marks an important milestone for 6K Additive and reinforces the strategic importance of expanding domestic production of the critical materials essential to America’s defense and advanced manufacturing industries. This investment directly supports the Make More in America Initiative and provides 6K Additive with the funding required to execute our planned capacity expansion while preserving our existing capital to support continued growth.

Bell Potter said even prior to this announcement, the company expected to be funded to profitability.

The broker said 6K Additive had a technological competitive advantage.

They said further:

The company’s UniMelt systems are energy efficient, high yield and accept recycled metal feedstock. We expect Additive Manufacturing to be a beneficiary of the US Department of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy to support rebuilding the country’s Defense Industrial Base. Expanded capacity should support a step-change in revenues and earnings from 2027.

Bell Potter has a speculative buy recommendation on 6K Additive shares, with a price target of $1.50, compared with 70 cents currently.

If achieved, this would be a 114% increase.

Artrya Ltd (ASX: AYA)

Bell Potter said Artrya had recently secured its fourth customer for its Salix platform, which improves the detection and management of coronary artery disease.

The broker noted that the new customer was the largest of the four customers to date, with expected scan volumes roughly equal to the other three customers combined.

Bell Potter added:

The agreement has a five-year term with a base US$0.5m contracted fee covering the five-year term (US$100k pa), plus per scan fees for Coronary Plaque and Coronary Flow (once FDA approved).

Bell Potter has a buy recommendation on Artrya shares and a price target of $6, compared with the current price of $3.08.

If achieved, this would represent a 94.8% return. Artrya is valued at $531.1 million.

The post 2 ASX stocks Bell Potter says could rise 95% and 114% 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 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 Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) share price is in focus after the company reported first quarter gold production of 83,000 ounces, meeting expectations, and boosted its cash and bullion position to $1.28 billion as at 30 September 2026.

What did Regis Resources report?

• Group gold production: 83,000 ounces for Q1 FY27
• Pre-tax cash and bullion generated: $146 million (including $51 million Vault break fee)
• Cash and bullion on hand at 30 September 2026: $1.28 billion
• Tax payments during quarter: $53 million
• Duketon production: 56,100 ounces; Tropicana (30% attributable): 27,000 ounces

What else do investors need to know?

Production for the September quarter was broadly in line with guidance, despite some activities being affected by significant rainfall late in the period. The company reminds investors that its full-year FY27 production guidance of 360,000 to 400,000 ounces is weighted towards the second half, while capital expenditure is skewed to the first half as new open pits are brought online.

Regis Resources will provide full operational and financial details, including All-In Sustaining Costs, with the complete September quarterly results due for release on 20 October 2026. Management will also host a conference call for investors on the same day.

What’s next for Regis Resources?

Investors can look forward to further updates as Regis ramps up production through the remainder of FY27. The focus for the coming quarters will be on delivering second-half weighted production while managing growth capital as additional open pits commence operations.

The upcoming quarterly results on 20 October will offer further insight into cost performance, operational efficiencies, and any adjustments to guidance, helping shareholders better understand the company’s path forward.

Regis Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Regis Resources shares have risen 17%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has declined 2% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Regis Resources share price steady after Q1 production update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Austral Resources Australia Ltd (ASX: AR1) announced about a month ago that it planned to merge with Hammer Metals Ltd (ASX: HMX) in a scrip deal, which valued the smaller company at $80.7 million.

The analysts at Shaw and Partners have run the ruler over the deal and like what they see.

They have issued a new research report into Austral Resources with a buy recommendation and a very bullish share price target, which I’ll get to shortly.

First, let’s have a look at the deal.

Copper assets coming together

Austral has agreed to acquire Hammer for 1.29 Austral shares, while Hammer shareholders will also get shares in a new company that will be spun out to hold its existing gold projects.

Following the merger, Hammer shareholders will own about 31.1% of Austral, which describes itself as “a pure-play ASX listed copper producer and developer operating in Queensland, pursuing an active regional consolidation strategy to feed its Rocklands and Mt Kelly processing hubs”.

Hammer’s board has unanimously supported the deal, along with major shareholders who control about 16% of the company’s shares.

Hammer’s Chair Russell Davis said the deal was a better outcome than a previous offer from Larvotto Resources Ltd (ASX: LRV).

He said:

The Scheme delivers materially higher headline value and provides Hammer shareholders with an expected 31.1% ownership interest in a larger Queensland-focused copper producer, developer and explorer. Austral’s existing oxide production at Mt Kelly, planned restart of the Rocklands sulphide processing facility and ongoing regional consolidation strategy provide an attractive development and production pathway for the combined portfolio. In particular, the proximity of Kalman to Rocklands creates strong strategic logic and the potential for Kalman to become an important long-term source of sulphide feed.

Mr Russell said the board also believed that Austral’s regional operating capability, processing infrastructure, and funding capacity provided a stronger platform to advance Hammer’s broader Mt Isa portfolio and unlock value from its substantial resource and exploration portfolio.

Broker likes the look of the deal

Shaw and Partners said the deal represented a capital-efficient route to growth for Austral.

They said Hammer added resources and exploration upside on top of Austral’s existing copper inventory and would help ramp up production through the company’s Rocklands concentrator.

The broker added:

For HMX holders the offer is a premium to the undisturbed price and provides continued exposure to Mount Isa as well as immediate exposure to copper producing operations.

Shaw and Partners has a price target of 28 cents on Austral shares, compared with the current 7.1 cents.

If achieved, this would constitute an increase of 294.4%.

Austral is valued at $188.5 million.

The post This ASX copper company could rise almost 300%, Shaw & Partners says 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 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.