Author: openjargon

  • 3 ASX 200 dividend shares that just upped their payouts

    Man putting in a coin in a coin jar with piles of coins next to it.

    Earnings season has continued this Thursday, with a cavalcade of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares reporting their latest numbers to investors. Many of them have also revealed the next dividend their investors can look forward to. So today, let’s go over three prominent blue-chip ASX 200 dividend shares and check out what kind of income is coming investors’ way.

    Three ASX 200 dividend shares that just boosted their payouts

    South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

    Mining stock and ASX 200 dividend share, South32, is first up. The miner had some impressive numbers to show off this morning. Although revenues were only up 1% to US$5.82 billion, underlying earnings grew 38% to US$2.46 billion. Profits after tax attributable to members roared higher, jumping 410% to US$1.09 billion.

    That all helped South32 to declare a final dividend of 5.4 US cents per share. Like most payouts from this ASX 200 dividend share, this one will come with full franking credits attached.

    This new final dividend is more than double what investors bagged this time last year, up 107.7% over 2025’s final dividend of 2.6 US cents per share. Right now, South32 shares are trading on a trailing dividend yield of 1.81%.

    Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

    Since the resumption of Qantas’ shareholder payouts last year, the airline has become a favourite ASX 200 dividend share amongst income investors. That trend continues into the back half of 2026. This morning, Qantas revealed a final dividend of 19.8 cents per share, fully franked.

    That matches 2026’s interim dividend, and represents a 20% hike over 2025’s final ordinary payout of 16.5 cents per share.

    This came despite Qantas also reporting an underlying profit before tax of $2.06 billion, down 11.82% from 2025. The national carrier’s earnings per share (EPS) also fell 12.73% to 96 cents.

    Qantas stock is currently trading with a dividend yield of 3.8%.

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

    Finally, let’s talk about ASX 200 dividend share and popular blue chip, Wesfarmers. The Bunnings, Kmart, OfficeWorks, and Target owner also dropped its report today. There were lots of green numbers on display.

    For FY2026, Wesfarmers reported revenue of $47.27 billion, up 3.4% year on year. Earnings before interest and tax excluding significant items rose 7.3%, while statutory net profits after tax (excluding significant items) jumped 8.3% to $2.87 billion.

    That enabled Wesfarmers to declare a fully-franked final dividend of $1.20 per share. That represents an 8.11% rise over last year’s equivalent payout of $1.11 per share.

    Wesfarmers is presently sitting on a dividend yield of 2.68%.

    The post 3 ASX 200 dividend shares that just upped their payouts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Qantas Airways right now?

    Before you buy Qantas Airways shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Qantas Airways wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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.

  • Nvidia shares jump after earnings report. Here’s what has investors excited

    Flag of USA on a processor, CPU Central processing Unit, or GPU microchip on a motherboard.

    Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) shares are moving higher in after-hours trading after the chip giant released another monster quarterly result.

    The Nvidia share price finished Wednesday’s regular session down 1.59% at US$209.66, but quickly turned around after the result.

    At the latest check, the shares were up 4.71% after hours to US$219.53.

    The quarterly numbers were strong, but it was management’s longer-term outlook that really caught investors’ attention.

    Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.

    Another huge quarter

    Nvidia reported second-quarter revenue of US$96.2 billion, up 18% from the previous quarter and 106% from a year earlier.

    That comfortably beat Wall Street expectations of around US$92.3 billion.

    Adjusted earnings came in at US$2.22 per share, also ahead of the US$2.09 analysts were expecting.

    Once again, Data Center did most of the heavy lifting. Revenue from the division reached US$89 billion, up 117% year on year and representing more than 90% of total sales.

    CEO Jensen Huang said AI had “reached its inflection point”, adding that demand continued to accelerate as more AI labs, cloud providers, and businesses increased spending.

    The company’s next-generation Vera Rubin platform is also moving into full production, with systems already running at major cloud partners.

    The company also returned around US$26 billion to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends during the quarter.

    What stood out?

    While the quarterly result was impressive, the biggest talking point came during the earnings call.

    Management said it expects revenue to grow by around 70% in fiscal 2028, well ahead of the roughly 45% growth Wall Street had been expecting.

    What makes that outlook even more interesting is that Nvidia is still struggling to keep up with demand. The company indicated it can currently meet only around 70% of demand, with supply still falling short.

    WAM Global analyst Laura Hargrove said the one-year guidance “signals confidence in the durability of demand for AI chips”.

    She also pointed out that demand is becoming broader, with enterprise customers, sovereign AI programs, and specialised cloud providers accounting for a growing share of revenue.

    Investors clearly liked what they heard, with Nvidia shares climbing more than 4% in after-hours trading.

    There was also plenty to like in the near-term outlook.

    Nvidia expects third-quarter revenue of around US$108 billion, ahead of Wall Street estimates of roughly US$104 billion.

    What should investors watch?

    There are still a few areas worth keeping an eye on.

    Gross margins are expected to slip slightly from 75% to around 74% in the third quarter as memory and component costs rise.

    Management also expects margins to fall further later in the year before starting to recover.

    So, if you own Nvidia shares, it’s worth seeing how this metric tracks over the next few quarters.

    The post Nvidia shares jump after earnings report. Here’s what has investors excited appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now?

    Before you buy Nvidia shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Nvidia wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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

  • Buy, hold, sell: Whitehaven, Endeavour, Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares

    A financial expert or broker looks worried as he checks out a graph showing market volatility.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.9% to 9,049.3 points on Thursday.

    Among the 11 market sectors of the ASX 200, healthcare is the only one in the green, up 0.3%.

    As earnings season continues, brokers are busy updating their ratings.

    Let’s check out some new recommendations.

    Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)

    This ASX healthcare share is $20.60 apiece, up 2.2% today and up 8% over 12 months.

    Bell Potter reiterated its buy rating on Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares after the company’s 1H FY26 report.

    Neuren Pharmaceuticals announced a maiden fully-franked interim dividend of 15 cents per share.

    The broker kept its 12-month share price target at $25.50. 

    This implies potential capital gains of almost 25% ahead.

    Analyst Thomas Wakim said:

    The dividend provides a moderate yield for shareholders, however capital growth will dominate future shareholder returns and is the reason to own the stock in our view, particularly as the binary Phase 3 readout in PMS draws closer (estimated in ~1H CY28), the result of which will largely determine whether NEU is a one-trick pony or whether they repeat the glory a second time round with NNZ-2591.

    Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

    The Whitehaven Coal share price is $8.10, up 0.4% today and up 19% over 12 months.

    Morgans downgraded its recommendation from buy to hold due to recent share price strength.

    After reviewing the miner’s FY26 results, the broker reduced its 12-month target from $8.50 to $8.05.

    This implies the ASX 200 energy share is already fully valued.

    Morgans commented:

    WHC delivered a mixed result, with EBITDA broadly in line with consensus expectations, although underlying NPAT missed slightly.

    A 6c dividend was declared, consistent with consensus.

    The effects of poor coal prices in the 1H provided a significant headwind for the full-year result.

    FY27 guidance was softer than expected, with production growth appearing limited given the unchanged upper end of group guidance, while both costs and capital expenditure expectations have moved higher.

    Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

    The Endeavour share price is $3.05, down 0.5% today and down 23% over 12 months.

    Morgans maintained a trim call on the ASX 200 consumer staples share after Endeavour’s FY26 report.

    The broker cut its target price from $3.20 to $2.95, suggesting a 3% downside ahead.

    Morgans said:

    There were no major surprises in EDV’s FY26 result after the company pre-announced its key numbers (sales, underlying EBIT and underlying NPAT) in early August.

    However, the outlook for costs was greater than anticipated as EDV increases investment to execute its new strategy.

    Management noted that competition remains intense in the Retail segment, particularly in the online channel, while Hotels sales growth softened in early 1H27 across all key categories (food & beverage, gaming and accommodation).

    We expect FY27 to be a disruptive year as EDV implements its transformation initiatives.

    Liquor demand also remains under pressure from elevated interest rates, ongoing cost-of-living pressures and a subdued consumer environment.

    Given these headwinds and the execution risk associated with the transformation program, we believe the balance of risks remains skewed to the downside.

    The post Buy, hold, sell: Whitehaven, Endeavour, Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Neuren Pharmaceuticals right now?

    Before you buy Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Neuren Pharmaceuticals wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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

  • Corporate Travel Management reports FY25 and 1HY26 earnings

    Man waiting for his flight and looking at his phone.

    The Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) share price is firmly in the spotlight today after the company reported a resilient FY25 underlying EBITDA of $83.6 million, while also disclosing a statutory net loss after tax of $346.7 million due to significant goodwill write-downs.

    What did Corporate Travel Management report?

    • FY25 underlying EBITDA: $83.6 million; FY26 forecast: $113.6 million
    • Total Transaction Value (TTV): $9.6 billion in FY25 (up from $9.1 billion in FY24); FY26 forecast: $9.8 billion
    • Revenue: $643.4 million in FY25; FY26 forecast: $669.9 million
    • Statutory net loss after tax: $346.7 million (includes $357.7 million goodwill impairment)
    • Strong liquidity: $107 million cash as at 30 June 2026 and new $175 million funding package
    • No dividend declared, as remediation and balance sheet strengthening takes priority

    What else do investors need to know?

    CTM has made significant progress on customer remediation, with around 78% of its $246 million refund program either agreed or close to being finalised. The bulk of settlement payments can be spread through to Q1 FY28, helping manage cash flow.

    Governance and risk management have received a major boost, with new board-led oversight, stronger controls, and leadership appointments across legal, commercial, and transformation teams. These changes aim to create a more disciplined and transparent business.

    A new strategic initiative, CTM One, focuses on leveraging technology and data—like CTM’s proprietary Lightning and Sleep Space platforms—to drive higher quality growth, better customer outcomes, and stronger operating leverage globally.

    What did Corporate Travel Management management say?

    Managing Director and CEO Ana Pedersen said:

    Today is a significant step forward for CTM and these results demonstrate the resilience of CTM’s underlying business.

    Customer remediation is now well advanced, with 78% of refunds agreed or close to finalisation. The recently announced $175 million funding facility provides the certainty and flexibility to complete the process while continuing to support the business. Across our global operations, we continued to retain customers, win new business and grow transaction volumes despite a period of significant disruption.

    Our focus is on continuing to deliver for customers, improving operating leverage and building a more connected global business positioned for sustainable long-term growth.

    We recognise this has been a challenging period for investors, clients, partners and our people, and we are grateful for their ongoing support and confidence in CTM.

    What’s next for Corporate Travel Management?

    CTM is preparing for an FY26 earnings recovery, forecasting underlying EBITDA to rise back towards FY24 levels and focusing on disciplined execution of its CTM One strategy. Transaction volumes in early FY27 are tracking in line with expectations, with strong customer retention and new project wins.

    As remediation obligations are resolved, restoring the balance sheet, investing in technology, and strengthening the company’s global platform remain core priorities. Dividends may remain suspended in the short term, but more guidance is expected at the upcoming AGM.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Corporate Travel Management reports FY25 and 1HY26 earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Corporate Travel Management right now?

    Before you buy Corporate Travel Management shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Corporate Travel Management wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 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.

  • Clarity Pharmaceuticals FY26 earnings: Revenue jumps, losses widen as clinical pipeline progresses

    a doctor wearing a white coat with a stethoscope around her neck stares out a window with her hand to the side of her face as though in deep thought.

    The Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 68% jump in revenue to $8 million, alongside a net loss of $107.2 million for the year ended 30 June 2026.

    What did Clarity Pharmaceuticals report?

    • Revenue increased 68% to $8.0 million
    • Net loss after tax widened to $107.2 million (up 67%)
    • Research and development spend rose to $91.1 million
    • Liquid assets grew to $178.3 million at year end
    • No dividend declared for FY26
    • Net tangible assets per share up to 49.9 cents (from 28.1 cents)

    What else do investors need to know?

    Clarity raised $203 million in fresh capital through a placement at the end of July 2025, strengthening its cash reserves for future clinical trials and commercialisation. The company received a $9.8 million R&D tax incentive refund, highlighting its ongoing investment in Australian radiopharmaceutical research.

    The year was marked by significant clinical progress, with flagship prostate and neuroendocrine tumour imaging and therapy candidates advancing through multiple phase II and phase III trials. Manufacturing and supply agreements were expanded to support the anticipated launch of key products.

    What did Clarity Pharmaceuticals management say?

    Executive Chair Dr Alan Taylor said:

    Our strong progress across clinical, regulatory, and manufacturing activities this year lays the foundation for our transition from developer to commercial stage. We remain focused on bringing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals to patients globally.

    What’s next for Clarity Pharmaceuticals?

    Clarity is prioritising late-stage clinical trials and regulatory submissions in the US for its core copper-based SAR technology platform. The company will also focus on building its commercial infrastructure, supported by expanded manufacturing capabilities and new executive appointments.

    Looking ahead, Clarity remains well funded and plans to progress new studies targeting unmet needs in cancer care, while preparing for product launches in the US and other key markets.

    Clarity Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Clarity Pharmaceuticals shares have declined 33%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which is flat over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Clarity Pharmaceuticals FY26 earnings: Revenue jumps, losses widen as clinical pipeline progresses appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Clarity Pharmaceuticals right now?

    Before you buy Clarity Pharmaceuticals shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Clarity Pharmaceuticals wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • Why is the ASX 200 falling to a 4-day low today?

    Disappointed man with his hand to his forehead, looking at a falling share price on his laptop.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is losing ground on Thursday, with another wave of selling pushing the market closer to the 9,000-point mark.

    At the time of writing, the benchmark is down 0.77% to 9,057 points after touching an intraday low of 9,053 points.

    That puts the index at its lowest level in 4 trading days and continues the pullback from the stronger levels seen earlier this month.

    There also aren’t many places for investors to hide today, with 144 shares trading lower compared with just 48 moving higher.

    So, what’s behind the weakness?

    Rate hike concerns are growing

    The biggest issue hanging over the market is the changing outlook for interest rates.

    Wednesday’s hotter-than-expected inflation figures already had investors reconsidering whether the RBA could raise rates again.

    Household spending increased 1.1% in July and was 7% higher than a year earlier, showing Australian consumers are still spending despite higher borrowing costs.

    The latest figures have added to concerns that another RBA rate hike could be on the way.

    That’s worth watching with the share market still trading close to record highs and valuations are already looking pretty high.

    Morgan Stanley has warned that Australian equities are “not priced for a hike”, noting the ASX 200 is trading on a 12-month forward P/E ratio of 18.1 times.

    With another rate hike now a real possibility, investors are becoming more cautious after the market’s run towards record levels.

    Most sectors are moving lower

    The weakness is spread across most sectors, but several large companies are doing plenty of damage to the index.

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 0.95% to $66.76, while fellow heavyweight Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are 0.15% lower at $155.22.

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares have dropped 1.36% to $82.14, while Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are down 3.21% to $38.89.

    Property shares are also weaker, with Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) down 1.06% to $27.92.

    Nonetheless, there are still a few pockets of strength.

    Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares are up 4.39% to $9.63 following its FY26 result, while CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares are 0.44% higher at $173.20.

    Foolish takeaway

    The ASX 200 is now sitting less than 60 points above the psychological 9,000-point mark, so that level will be worth watching if the selling continues.

    Much will depend on whether concerns around another rate hike ease or build further in the lead-up to the RBA’s September meeting.

    The post Why is the ASX 200 falling to a 4-day low today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

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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 positions in and has recommended CSL, Goodman Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, Goodman 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 leading brokers rate Woolworths shares as a buy following its results?

    Woman smiles at camera at she buys greens from the supermarket.

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are under pressure on Thursday.

    In afternoon trade, the supermarket giant’s shares are down 3% to $38.96.

    Is this a buying opportunity for investors? Let’s see what two leading brokers are saying about the company following its results release this week.

    What are brokers saying?

    Bell Potter was pleased with the company’s performance in FY 2026, noting that its net profit was ahead of expectations. It said:

    WOW reported a FY26 underlying NPAT ahead of our expectations at $1,599m (BPe $1,511m and VA $1,553m). Key operating statistics of the result included: Operating results: Revenue of $71,539m was up +4% YoY (vs. BPe $71,431m and VA of $71,628m). EBITDA of $6,089m was up +7% YOY (vs. BPe of $6,123m and VA of $6,133m). Underlying NPAT of $1,599m was up +15% YOY (vs. BPe of $1,511m and VA of $1,553m). Group gross margin was up +12bps YoY and CODB was down -13bps YoY.

    In response to the result and outlook commentary, the broker has made a material increase to its near-term estimates. It revealed that “NPAT changes are +16% in FY27e and +12% in FY28e.”

    This has led to Bell Potter increasing its price target on Woolworths shares to $42.35 (from $35.50).

    However, with potential upside now just under 9%, that isn’t quite enough for a buy rating, and the broker has held firm with its hold recommendation. It commented:

    There has been a clear acceleration in the topline of the Australian food business in recent quarters (>200bp outperformance since 2Q26) and material recovery in the Big W business driving a return to growth at WOW. Continued growth in eCommerce sales in the Australian Food business (>17% in penetration in 4Q26), A material uplift in digital platform traffic (+13% YoY in 4Q26) and growth in active rewards members (to 10.8m users) are all encouraging signals for investments in online capability and customer capture. In the near term, WOW should also benefit from reduced supply chain implementation costs ($113m expense in FY26).

    What else are brokers saying?

    The team at Morgans is a little more positive on Woolworths shares. Following a review of the results, the broker has retained its accumulate rating (between buy and hold) with an improved price target of $43.50. This implies potential upside of almost 12% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Commenting on its recommendation, Morgans said:

    WOW’s FY26 result was slightly better than expected. Australian Food earnings were in line with our forecast, while Australian B2B and W Living exceeded expectations. NZ Food was softer following a challenging 2H26. Encouragingly, Australian Food sales momentum has continued into early FY27, supported by the popular Disney Ooshies collectibles campaign. 

    Excluding this benefit, sales growth remained solid, indicating the underlying business continues to perform well. We adjust FY27/28/29F underlying EBIT by +2%/+2%+4%. Our target price increases to $43.50 (from $37.30), reflecting changes to earnings forecasts and a higher valuation multiple. The multiple expansion reflects continued positive momentum in the core Australian Food segment, our increased confidence that this sales growth can be sustained, and improved execution. We maintain our ACCUMULATE rating.

    The post Do leading brokers rate Woolworths shares as a buy following its results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woolworths Group right now?

    Before you buy Woolworths Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Woolworths Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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

  • Aeris Resources: FY26 profit surges on revenue growth and cash boost

    Two workers on a tablet at a mine site, with mining machinery behind them.

    The Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS) share price is in focus today after releasing its FY26 results, highlighted by a 22% lift in revenue to $702.8 million and net profit after tax soaring 295% to $178.5 million.

    What did Aeris Resources report?

    • Revenue rose 22% to $702.8 million
    • EBITDA jumped 81% to $290.2 million
    • Net profit after tax surged 295% to $178.5 million
    • Operating cash flow more than doubled to $275.6 million
    • Net assets climbed to $599.5 million, up 89%
    • Cash and cash equivalents increased to $164.9 million from $28.2 million

    What else do investors need to know?

    Aeris Resources strengthened its balance sheet during FY26 after a successful $96.8 million capital raising. Proceeds were partly used to fully repay and cancel a $50 million loan facility, saving around $6 million in interest and fees for the year ahead.

    Operationally, copper production at Tritton rose 19% to 23,000 tonnes, boosting revenue, while the Cracow operation benefited from higher gold prices despite lower gold output. The company also recognised historical tax losses for the first time, resulting in a $51.5 million income tax benefit and further supporting statutory profits.

    Investing activities were stepped up, including development at Murrawombie, early works at Constellation, and increased exploration, leading to improvements in Aeris’ Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Statement.

    What did Aeris Resources management say?

    Aeris’ Executive Chairman Andre Labuschagne said:

    Aeris delivered strong FY26 financial results, underpinned by continued operational improvement, resilience and cost discipline, enabling Aeris to maximise the benefit of a favourable commodity price environment. These factors resulted in strong operating cash flows, further strengthening our cash balance and overall financial position.

    The significant progress made during FY26, together with our strong balance sheet and continued focus on operational improvement, positions Aeris well to deliver another strong performance in FY27 and advance our growth opportunities.

    What’s next for Aeris Resources?

    Aeris Resources finished FY26 with no debt, increased cash reserves, and a stronger net asset base, providing flexibility for growth. The company will focus on advancing its Constellation project and supporting exploration across its assets.

    Management says it remains committed to disciplined cost management, operational improvement, and investigating strategic mergers and acquisitions to drive stakeholder value. Investors can expect further updates on project progress and potential resource upgrades through FY27.

    Aeris Resources share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Aeris Resources shares have risen 138%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) by a wide margin.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Aeris Resources: FY26 profit surges on revenue growth and cash boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aeris Resources right now?

    Before you buy Aeris Resources shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Aeris Resources wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • 7 ASX 200 shares downgraded by brokers this week

    Upset business woman in hijab working inside office,.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.8% to 9,057.1 points as earnings season continues today.

    After reviewing companies’ results, brokers have reduced their ratings on numerous ASX shares.

    Let’s see a sample.

    PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

    The PLS Group share price is $5.23, down 1.2% today and up 123% over 12 months. 

    Over the past month, this ASX 200 lithium share has ripped 23% higher.

    Morgans downgraded PLS shares from hold to trim after the miner’s FY26 results.

    The broker commented:

    PLS delivered an in-line FY26 Underlying EBITDA result and surprised with a maiden 5cps fully franked final dividend (22% FCF payout).

    We view PLS as fairly valued at current levels, with its premium to peers already reflecting the company’s best-in-class execution, balance sheet and growth optionality.

    Depleted lithium inventories leave scope for short-term upside, though we see the medium-term outlook as more volatile given uncertainty around supply and demand drivers.

    The broker retained its 12-month price target of $4.60, which implies a 12% downside ahead.

    Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

    The Paladin Energy share price is $12.31, down 2.1% today and up 64% over 12 months. 

    Over the past month, this ASX 200 energy share has jumped 29%.

    Morgans downgraded Paladin Energy shares from buy to accumulate due to recent share price strength.

    Following the uranium miner’s FY26 report, the broker increased its target price to $14.10.

    This suggests a potential 15% upside ahead.

    Morgans said:

    Cash is starting to flow — PDN delivered positive operating cash flow for the first full year since the restart, generating US$38m in FY26 and marking the transition from ramp-up story to steady-state and cash-generating producer.

    Guidance beaten across the board — Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) exceeded FY26 production, sales and cost guidance, providing further evidence that the operation can sustainably deliver and continues to build momentum as it enters more steady state operations.

    Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) 

    The Lovisa share price is $27.14, down 1.7% today and down 34% over 12 months. 

    Over the past month, this ASX retail share has soared 27%.

    Morgans downgraded Lovisa shares, on valuation grounds, from buy to accumulate after the retailer’s FY26 report.

    The broker reduced its 12-month price target to $31.

    This implies a potential 14% upside ahead.

    Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: ORA)

    The Ora Banda share price is $1.59, down 1.9% today and up 84% over 12 months. 

    Over the past month, this ASX 200 gold share has ripped 42% higher.

    MA Financial Group downgraded Ora Banda shares to a hold rating after the miner’s FY26 report.

    The broker raised its 12-month price target from $1.40 to $1.60.

    This implies a potential 1% upside ahead.

    Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR)

    The Sandfire Resources share price is $23.47, down 2.8% today and up 85% over 12 months. 

    Over the past month, this ASX 200 copper share has leapt 22%.

    The Sandfire Resources share price struck a new record of $25 on the back of its FY26 report yesterday.

    Morgans downgraded Sandfire Resources shares from accumulate to hold with a $23 target.

    This indicates the stock is fully valued now.

    The broker commented:

    SFR resumed dividends with a 35cps final dividend (+86% vs expectations) and we see scope for this to build further as its cash balance continues to grow with no drawn debt, supported by a favourable base metals price environment.

    SFR’s asset quality, management quality and balance sheet strength, alongside emerging growth optionality, underpin its case as a core copper exposure for long-term investors, though the stock appears fully valued at current prices.

    Scentre Group (ASX: SCG)

    The Scentre share price is $3.57, down 1.4% today and down 12% over 12 months. 

    Over the past month, this ASX 200 real estate investment trust (REIT) has fallen 8%.

    Jarden downgraded Scentre shares to a hold rating after reviewing the property group’s 1H FY26 results.

    The broker has a $4.05 target, which suggests a potential 13% upside ahead.

    Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

    The Inghams share price is $2.05, up 2.3% today and down 26% over 12 months.

    Over the past month, this ASX 200 consumer staples share has fallen 9%.

    Jarden downgraded Inghams shares to a hold rating after the company’s FY26 results.

    The broker’s target is $2.50, which implies a potential 22% upside ahead.

    The post 7 ASX 200 shares downgraded by brokers this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pls Group right now?

    Before you buy Pls Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Pls Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Ma Financial Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Buy, hold, sell: Coles, Paladin Energy, and Woodside shares

    A man in his 30s with a clipped beard sits at his laptop on a desk with one finger to the side of his face and his chin resting on his thumb as he looks concerned while staring at his computer screen.

    There are a lot of ASX shares out there for investors to choose from.

    To narrow things down, let’s take a look at what the team at Morgans is saying about the three popular shares listed below. 

    Here’s what it is recommending:

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    This supermarket giant delivered a result that was largely in line with expectations in FY 2026 despite a challenging operating environment. Morgans said:

    COL’s FY26 result was broadly in line with expectations, with Supermarkets the key highlight while Liquor remained soft. Despite a challenging operating environment due to ongoing cost-of-living pressures, geopolitical uncertainty and increasing regulatory complexity, COL continued to gain market share in Supermarkets with momentum building across its digital business. COL also outlined several initiatives to support its next phase of growth. 

    Alongside the ongoing development of its VIC automated distribution centre, the company plans to accelerate investment in stores, online capacity and technology, while repositioning its liquor offering with a greater focus on supermarket co-locations and a more integrated food and drinks proposition.

    In response to the release, Morgans has retained its accumulate rating (between buy and hold) with an improved price target of $25.40. It adds:

    We adjust FY27/28/29F underlying EBIT by +1%/+2%/+2%. Our target price increases to $25.40 (from $24.60) and we maintain our ACCUMULATE rating.

    Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

    This uranium producer’s FY 2026 results impressed Morgans. It highlights that the Langer Heinrich Mine outperformed guidance for production, sales and costs. The broker said:

    Cash is starting to flow – PDN delivered positive operating cash flow for the first full year since the restart, generating US$38m in FY26 and marking the transition from ramp-up story to steady-state and cash-generating producer. Guidance beaten across the board – Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) exceeded FY26 production, sales and cost guidance, providing further evidence that the operation can sustainably deliver and continues to build momentum as it enters more steady state operations. 

    However, due to recent share price strength, the broker has downgraded Paladin Energy’s shares to an accumulate rating with an improved price target of $14.10. It adds:

    Following recent share price strength, we move to an ACCUMULATE (previously BUY) with an increased price target of A$14.10ps.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

    Energy giant Woodside outperformed expectations in the first half of FY 2026 according to Morgans. 

    It highlights that stronger than expected realised prices underpinned an earnings beat. It said:

    WDS delivered a 1H26 EBITDAX beat (+6%) and inline underlying NPAT result (+1%). Underlying NPAT of US$1,334m ~1% ahead of consensus and ~3% ahead of MorgansF, was driven by stronger realised pricing (+20% yoy) and trading activity. Costs were inside the ranges pre-announced with the Q2 report. The interim dividend of US57cps (+8% YoY) was held at an 80% payout of underlying NPAT despite gearing (20.6%) sitting marginally above the 10-20% target range. A H2 skew in production and realised prices will help, while management also announced a US$350m pa cost savings target from 2028. 

    However, due to its current valuation, the broker has held firm with its hold rating and $32.20 price target. It concludes:

    We maintain our HOLD rating and A$32.20 target price.

    The post Buy, hold, sell: Coles, Paladin Energy, and Woodside shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woodside Energy Group Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Woodside Energy Group Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Woodside Energy Group Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 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.