Author: openjargon

Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) shares are climbing on Thursday after the company announced a leadership change at the top.

At the time of writing, the Ventia share price is up 0.89% to $6.75.

The stock is now trading close to record highs, with Ventia shares up around 13% since the start of 2026 and 34% higher than this time last year.

Here’s what the company told the market today.

Ventia names its next CEO

According to the release, Ventia has appointed Mark Ralston as its next Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer.

Ralston will replace current Managing Director and Group CEO Dean Banks, with the change to take effect on 1 September 2026.

The company said the appointment follows a detailed internal and external succession process.

Ralston is already well known inside the business, having spent 12 years at Ventia. Over that time, he has held senior roles across enterprise strategy, mergers and acquisitions, telecommunications, and more recently defence and social infrastructure.

Ventia said Ralston will work closely with Banks over the coming months to support a smooth handover.

Chairman David Moffatt said Ralston has a deep understanding of Ventia’s business, customers and markets, and has made a strong contribution to the company’s performance and strategy.

Ralston said he was honoured to lead Ventia and pointed to the company’s “strong business, clear strategy and talented team”.

What does Ventia actually do?

Ventia provides infrastructure services across Australia and New Zealand.

Its work covers areas such as defence, water, power, gas, transport, telecommunications, resources and social infrastructure.

That includes maintaining defence bases, looking after roads and transport networks, supporting utilities, managing facilities, and providing services for government and large corporate customers.

Importantly, this gives Ventia a broad contract base across parts of the economy where maintenance and service work doesn’t just disappear when market conditions get tougher.

The business also has plenty of scale, with more than 35,000 employees and subcontractors working across more than 400 sites.

Keeping things steady

Leadership changes can sometimes make investors nervous, especially when a long-serving CEO is moving on.

But today’s share price reaction suggests the market is comfortable with the choice.

That is likely because Ralston is already well known inside the business. He has been involved with Ventia for more than a decade and has held roles across several parts of the group.

And the company’s recent share price performance also helps. Ventia has had a strong year, and the market appears comfortable with the stock moving into its next leadership phase.

The post Near record highs: Why this ASX 300 stock is rising today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) shares are in the spotlight on Thursday.

In morning trade, the infant formula company’s shares are up 6% to $7.29.

This compares favourably to the performance of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which is down 0.45% at the time of writing.

A2 Milk shares jump on big news

The catalyst for today’s gain has been the announcement of a special dividend.

According to the release, following the receipt of approval from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) to transition its two China label infant milk formula product registrations acquired in connection with the a2 Pokeno facility to a2 branded products, the board has decided to return a substantial amount of cash to shareholders.

A2 Milk advised that the board has now declared a NZ$300 million (A$245 million) special dividend that will be both fully franked and unimputed.

The company notes that this will be paid to eligible shareholders on 24 July 2026.

Speaking of eligibility, A2 Milk shares will go ex-dividend for this payout on 8 July. This means that investors need to own the company’s shares before the market close the day before to qualify for it.

The company estimates that the dividend has a value of 41.36 New Zealand cents per share (33.9 Australian cents per share). Based on its last close price of $6.85, this represented a dividend yield of just under 5%.

Commenting on the return, A2 Milk’s chair, Pip Greenwood, said:

With the necessary China regulatory approvals now in place, the Board is pleased to declare a $300 million special dividend. This reflects our commitment to delivering shareholder returns while maintaining disciplined capital management.

Should you invest?

While Bell Potter has yet to respond to this news, earlier this week it put a hold rating on A2 Milk shares with a price target of $6.90.

The broker commented:

This announcement is a positive development with regard to the internalisation of the CL supply chain and growth levers for FY27-29e. The debate at present is more nuanced around the wide FY27e consensus forecast ranges at EBITDA at NZ$296- 415m and NPAT at NZ$189-285m (both consistent on Bloomberg & VA) which is exceptionally wide for a ASX100 consumer stock.

This likely reflects the issues around 2H26e margin, the recent downgrade saw the top end of revenue consistent with the previous range but margin guidance reduced ~300bp in 2H26e, and expectations of additional marketing support in 1H27e. At current share price levels the stock sits at the more expensive side of the consumer sector (on a FY25-28e PEG ratio) and is likely to be materially more volatile given the polarising views on earnings expectations into the August guidance statement. Our forecasts largely split the divide and for this reason our Hold rating is unchanged.

The post A2 Milk shares jump amid $300 million special dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares are having another strong session on Thursday as investors continue to buy back into the ASX healthcare stock.

At the time of writing, the Pro Medicus share price is up 2.05% to $182.66.

It has been a big month for the company’s shares, which have now climbed around 40% over that period.

That bounce has helped repair some of the damage from earlier in the year. Even after the recent rally, Pro Medicus shares are still down roughly 17% since the start of 2026.

The latest announcement appears to have given the rally another push.

Pro Medicus signs AI agreement

According to the release, Pro Medicus has signed binding heads of agreement (HoA) with Echo IQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ).

The deal would see Pro Medicus take a stake in Echo IQ and work with the company to sell its products in the US.

Echo IQ is an AI and medical technology company working in cardiology. Its software is designed to help doctors make decisions using heart imaging data.

Under the agreement, Pro Medicus will make an initial $10 million investment in Echo IQ through secured convertible notes.

There is also room for another $10 million investment if Echo IQ receives US Food and Drug Administration clearance for its EchoSolv HF product.

EchoSolv HF is an AI-powered tool that helps identify heart failure risk using cardiac imaging data.

Furthermore, the agreement includes a proposed reseller arrangement. This allows Pro Medicus to market and distribute Echo IQ’s products to its healthcare customers, particularly in the United States.

Echo IQ deal opens another door

The update seems to have gone down well because it gives Pro Medicus another way to build out its cardiology offering.

The company is already best known for its Visage Imaging platform, which is used by large healthcare groups to view and manage medical images.

This agreement could add Echo IQ’s AI technology to the mix, while giving Echo IQ access to a much larger customer network.

Pro Medicus CEO Dr Sam Hupert said the company is “looking to offer Visage 7 Cardiology customers the option of using Echo IQ’s technology.”

He said the agreement fits with the company’s strategy of offering a carefully selected suite of algorithms. That includes its own technology, tools created with clinical partners, and third-party algorithms such as Echo IQ.

What comes next?

It’s worth remembering that despite the positive news, the agreement still needs final legal documentation.

The companies said the deal is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Echo IQ also said its FDA submission for EchoSolv HF remains on track for an outcome in the near-term.

The post Pro Medicus shares jump again as AI deal adds fuel to 40% rally appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) share price is in focus today after a trading pause was announced by the ASX, pending further updates from the company.

What did Lendlease Group report?

• Trading in Lendlease securities has been temporarily paused by the ASX.
• No financial metrics or earnings details have been disclosed at this time.
• Investors await a further announcement regarding the reason for the trading halt.

What else do investors need to know?

The ASX has temporarily paused trading of Lendlease Group shares as it awaits additional information from the company. This is a standard procedure when the market is expecting material news that could affect the share price.

It’s not uncommon for companies to request a trading halt ahead of significant announcements, which might range from financial results, capital raisings, acquisitions, or other strategic updates. Lendlease has not provided specific details yet.

What’s next for Lendlease Group?

All eyes are on Lendlease for its next announcement, which should clarify the reason for the trading pause. Investors will be looking for more information before making any decisions.

The company’s future direction will become clearer once further details are released to the market.

Lendlease Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Lendlease shares have declined 47%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Lendlease Group shares paused pending further announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Corporate Travel Management updates investors on delayed FY25 results and UK remediation
• Worley flags FY26 earnings hit from Middle East delays and currency impact
• Pro Medicus signs Echo IQ deal to boost AI cardiology offering
• Ventia Services appoints new CEO in leadership succession
• A2 Milk declares $300 million special dividend after securing China approval

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 Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) share price is in focus after the company released an update highlighting delays to its FY25 and 1HFY26 financial statements and progress on UK customer remediation.

What did Corporate Travel Management report?

• FY25 and 1HFY26 financial statements are substantially advanced but still incomplete
• FY25 and 1HFY26 accounts now expected to be lodged in August 2026
• Estimated FY24 revenue restatement of $10–15 million in the ANZ region, mostly relating to prior years
• Impairment of Europe goodwill expected at GBP 92 million
• Further goodwill impairment expected in ANZ (AUD 77 million) and North America (USD 49 million)

What else do investors need to know?

Corporate Travel Management is focused on completing three key, interconnected activities: finalising financing to support UK remediation, executing agreements with affected UK customers, and completing outstanding financial reporting and audit procedures.

The UK remediation process is well advanced, with Corporate Travel Management in the final stages of negotiating staged refund arrangements with key customers. This remains subject to completion of the FY25 accounts and associated financing, with lenders engaged regarding these developments.

What did Corporate Travel Management management say?

Acting Group CEO Ana Pedersen said:

We recognise the delay is deeply frustrating for shareholders and acknowledge the uncertainty it has created.

We have made meaningful progress towards finalising CTM’s financial statements, UK customer remediation and financing workstreams.
As we move through the final stages, the remaining tasks are interdependent, and we are working through them carefully and with rigour, to ensure a thorough and appropriate outcome.

Importantly, the underlying business remains resilient, with strong customer retention and consistent quality service across our global operations.

What’s next for Corporate Travel Management?

The company now aims to complete and lodge its FY25 and 1HFY26 financial statements in August. Finalising agreements with lenders and impacted UK customers remains a top priority, alongside implementing the staged remediation refunds.

Management says the underlying operations continue to display resilience, and the company will provide further market updates as soon as the remaining processes are finalised.

View Original Announcement

The post Corporate Travel Management updates investors on delayed FY25 results and UK remediation appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Lendlease Group shares paused pending further announcement
• Worley flags FY26 earnings hit from Middle East delays and currency impact
• Pro Medicus signs Echo IQ deal to boost AI cardiology offering
• Ventia Services appoints new CEO in leadership succession
• A2 Milk declares $300 million special dividend after securing China approval

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 Corporate Travel Management. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Corporate Travel Management. 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 Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) share price is in focus after the company flagged a potential hit of up to $60 million to FY26 underlying EBITA from ongoing Middle East conflict disruptions, alongside a $50 million foreign currency translation impact expected in the same period.

What did Worley report?

• No cancellations of Middle East projects to date, but new project starts and awards continue to be delayed
• FY26 underlying EBITA impact now forecast up to $60 million (previously $30–$40 million)
• Additional $50 million estimated translation impact on FY26 underlying EBITA from stronger Australian dollar
• Update reflects increased uncertainty and extended conflict duration in the region

What else do investors need to know?

The Middle East conflict continues to disrupt the progress of Worley’s existing projects across the region, with customer delays on commencing and awarding new projects. While no contracts have been cancelled, ongoing delays are expected to weigh on upcoming financial performance.

Worley also advised that the stronger Australian dollar in the second half of FY26 will reduce the contribution from overseas earnings when translated back into Australian dollars, compounding the previously announced operational impacts. The estimate of foreign currency translation effects remains subject to further exchange rate movements throughout the year.

What’s next for Worley?

Looking ahead, Worley continues to monitor the evolving geopolitical situation. While recent diplomatic developments in the Middle East show some promise, the company remains cautious, acknowledging ongoing uncertainty regarding project timing and regional stability. Management is actively supporting customers and staff in affected regions and adapting resource planning and contract strategies to manage risks.

Worley’s broader strategy focuses on maintaining operational resilience and leveraging its global footprint through diversified service offerings. The company says it is committed to supporting customers as they navigate current disruptions and transition towards more sustainable solutions in the longer term.

Worley share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Worley shares have declined 6%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Worley flags FY26 earnings hit from Middle East delays and currency impact appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Lendlease Group shares paused pending further announcement
• Corporate Travel Management updates investors on delayed FY25 results and UK remediation
• Pro Medicus signs Echo IQ deal to boost AI cardiology offering
• Ventia Services appoints new CEO in leadership succession
• A2 Milk declares $300 million special dividend after securing China approval

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.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares have been gaining momentum in 2026.

The ASX healthcare share is up 18% over the past month and 40% since the start of the year. While the stock remains down 36% over the past 12 months, investors have become increasingly optimistic about the company’s prospects.

That renewed confidence appears to extend well beyond retail investors.

According to an ASX filing released today, global investment giant Vanguard Group recently acquired 17.7 million Telix shares, lifting its voting power to 5.2%.

The sizeable position suggests Vanguard sees value in the healthcare company despite its strong recent rally.

Why are Telix shares attracting attention?

Telix specialises in radiopharmaceuticals, a fast-growing area of healthcare that combines targeted imaging and therapeutic technologies to help diagnose and treat diseases such as cancer.

The company has built expertise across research, development, manufacturing, and commercialisation, creating significant barriers to entry for potential competitors.

Developing radiopharmaceutical products requires specialised facilities, regulatory approvals, and distribution capabilities that are difficult and expensive to replicate.

That gives Telix shares a competitive advantage in a market expected to experience strong long-term growth.

Positive news flow continues

Investor sentiment has improved considerably in recent months following a series of encouraging announcements.

In late February, Telix secured a key regulatory approval filing in Europe, an important milestone as the company expands its commercial footprint internationally.

Momentum continued in April when the company announced that the US Food and Drug Administration had accepted its New Drug Application for TLX101-Px (Pixclara®).

The FDA’s acceptance represents a significant step towards potential commercialisation and broadened the company’s pipeline opportunities.

These developments have helped rebuild investor confidence following a challenging period for Telix shares.

Strong financial performance

The company’s financial results have also strengthened the investment case.

In April, Telix reported first-quarter 2026 group revenue of US$230 million. That represented an 11% increase on the previous quarter and a 23.7% rise compared to the prior corresponding period.

Management of Telix shares continues to guide for strong growth, supported by its expanding Precision Medicine business and a growing portfolio of radiopharmaceutical products.

Importantly, the company continues to invest heavily in research and development, helping advance multiple late-stage programs and future growth opportunities.

Vanguard and analysts see further upside

Vanguard is not alone in its optimism.

According to TradingView data, the majority of analysts covering the ASX healthcare share currently rate it as a strong buy.

The most bullish price target stands at $31.64 per share, implying potential upside of approximately 101% from current levels.

Meanwhile, Morgans has a $24.33 price target on the stock, suggesting upside of around 55%.

While no investment is without risk, Vanguard’s decision to build a sizeable position suggests one of the world’s largest fund managers believes Telix’s growth story is far from over.

The post Why this top investor is snapping up millions of Telix shares 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 Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) share price is in focus after the company announced a binding Heads of Agreement with Echo IQ for a finance facility and reseller agreement, aiming to expand its AI-driven cardiology solutions.

What did Pro Medicus report?

• Signed a binding Heads of Agreement with Echo IQ Ltd for a financing arrangement
• Agreement includes a reseller arrangement for Echo IQ’s AI algorithms in cardiology
• Focus on commercialising solutions for aortic stenosis and heart failure detection
• Definitive agreements expected within 20 business days or the transaction may lapse

What else do investors need to know?

Pro Medicus is broadening its AI strategy by adding third-party algorithms to its Visage 7 Cardiology platform, alongside in-house and partner-developed solutions. The finance facility for Echo IQ is designed to help accelerate its AI offerings, particularly in key disease areas.

While the Heads of Agreement sets out the framework, the deal is subject to final legal agreements. Pro Medicus has committed to updating shareholders once these are completed or if negotiations end without a deal.

What did Pro Medicus management say?

Chief Executive Officer Dr Sam Hupert said:

In addition to providing financial backing, we are looking to offer our Visage 7 Cardiology customers the option of Echo IQ’s technology. This is in line with our AI strategy of offering a curated suite of algorithms that will be a mixture of algorithms created by us, those created in conjunction with our clinical partners and 3rd party algorithms such as Echo-IQ.

What’s next for Pro Medicus?

Pro Medicus plans to proceed with negotiating definitive agreements with Echo IQ over the next 20 business days. The move supports its ambition to grow market offerings and provide innovative, AI-powered cardiology solutions to its customers.

If successful, the agreement will further expand Pro Medicus’ AI capabilities and commercial reach, reinforcing its growth strategy in health imaging.

Pro Medicus share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Pro Medicus shares have declined 35%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Pro Medicus signs Echo IQ deal to boost AI cardiology offering 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 recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. 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 Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus after the company announced Mark Ralston will succeed Dean Banks as Managing Director and Group CEO from 1 September 2026, following a comprehensive succession process.

What did Ventia report?

• Appointment of Mark Ralston as incoming Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2026
• Mark Ralston has over 12 years’ experience at Ventia, leading major business sectors including Defence & Social Infrastructure
• Current CEO Dean Banks to support a seamless leadership transition before stepping down
• Mr Ralston’s remuneration set at A$1.1 million per annum plus incentives
• Shareholder approval required for LTI grant at the 2027 AGM

What else do investors need to know?

The board highlighted that Ralston’s appointment follows an extensive internal and external search, underlining the strength of Ventia’s internal leadership pipeline. Ralston has built deep insight into Ventia’s operations, customers, and markets through a variety of influential roles across the business.

Chairman David Moffatt acknowledged outgoing CEO Dean Banks for strengthening the organisation’s position over the past five years. Moffatt said the board looks forward to Ralston ensuring “continuity in the execution of Ventia’s strategy and ongoing focus on delivering for our customers and shareholders.”

What’s next for Ventia?

Investors can expect a period of stable transition as Ralston is set to work closely with Banks until September, ensuring business continuity. The board intends for the new appointment to support a seamless evolution of Ventia’s long-term customer-focused and innovative strategy.

With operations spanning across key infrastructure segments and a workforce of over 35,000, Ventia aims to maintain its commitment to service excellence and sustainable growth as it enters this new chapter.

Ventia share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services shares have risen 34%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ventia Services appoints new CEO in leadership succession appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares closed around 1% lower on Wednesday afternoon, at $173.92 a piece.

This latest trade price means Rio Tinto shares have now fallen around 11% from an all-time high of $194.47 recorded in early June. 

But it’s still been an incredible success story for the ASX mining stock recently. Even after cooling from a record high, its shares are still around 18% higher year to date and 66% higher than a year ago.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed around 0.2% higher on Wednesday afternoon and is up around 1% year to date.

So, if I bought $5,000 of Rio Tinto shares 12 months ago, what would it be worth today?

Rio Tinto shares were trading around $105 each this time last year, 66% lower than the share price at the time of writing.

That means your $5,000 investment 12 months ago would now be worth $8,300.

Can the miner’s shares return to record highs?

After an impressive rally over the past 12 months, it looks like Rio Tinto shares have now peaked.

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a hold rating on the miner’s shares. But the latest $173.26 target price now implies a very minor 0.4% downside for Rio Tinto shares, at the time of writing.

TradingView data reflects something similar. Eight out of 16 analysts have a hold rating on the shares. Another six have a buy or strong buy rating, and two rate the shares as a strong sell.

The average $184.01 target price implies a potential 6% upside at the time of writing. Although some more bullish analysts still think the share price could increase another 24% to $215.32. Then the more bearish of the bunch forecast Rio Tinto shares to fall up to 16% to a minimum $145.84 price target, at the time of writing.

The team at Bell Potter are very bullish on Rio Tinto shares and believes that we’re only at the beginning of a sustained commodity supercycle. The broker also believes that Rio Tinto is the highest-quality way to gain exposure to copper and aluminium.

Meanwhile, Macquarie lifted its price target on the miner’s shares to $188 in mid-June and downgraded its stance to a hold rating.

The team at Morgans also has a hold rating on the shares. The broker thinks the miner’s balance sheet is strong and dividends are well-supported, but warns that the near-term earnings outlook looks balanced rather than clearly positive. 

The post If I’d invested $5,000 in Rio Tinto shares 12 months ago, guess what I’d have now! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie 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.