Author: openjargon

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) shares are trading in the red on Wednesday afternoon.

At the time of writing, the shares are down around 1% and are changing hands for 12.48 a piece.

Despite today’s slump, the shares are up around 12% over the past months and have rebounded an impressive 30% since they fell to a multi-year low of $9.62 in mid-May.

Now the question is, can Flight Centre shares keep flying higher? Or is today’s decline the beginning of the next share price crash?

Here’s what the experts think.

Buy, sell or hold Flight Centre shares? Here’s what brokers tip for the next 12 months.

If broker analysis is anything to go buy, we should see a lot more out of Flight Centre shares over the next year.

Market Index data shows a consensus buy rating for the ASX travel shares over the next 12 months. The average $15.36 target price implies a potential 23% upside ahead, at the time of writing.

TradingView data shows something similar. Out of 17 analysts, 15 have a buy or strong buy rating on Flight Centre shares. Another two rate the shares as a hold, however they all agree an upside ahead.

The average $14.69 target price implies a potential 18% upside, at the time of writing. Although some tip the shares to jump 45% to $18.13 over the next 12 months.

UBS is positive on Flight Centre Travel Group. The broker has retained its buy rating and $14.70 price target on the travel company’s shares.

Morgans also believes the recent share price weakness has created an opportunity for investors. The broker pointed to the company’s financial strength and the potential for a stronger recovery in the second half of FY27. It has a buy recommendation and $14.80 target price on the shares.

Jarden recently upgraded Flight Centre shares to a buy rating with a $15.90 target price.

What could drive the ASX travel stock higher?

Slower-than-expected profit growth, higher travel costs, geopolitical tensions, and inflation concerns pulled the brakes on Travel Centre’s shares earlier this year. 

But improved travel demand and less fuel price volatility has helped investor confidence recently. 

If fuel supply continues to improve and lower interest rates boost consumer spending, we could well see a stronger rebound ahead.

The company is also due to release its FY26 earnings results in late-August. If the result comes in ahead of market expectations we could see another lift in the share price. 

The post Flight Centre shares rebound 30% from multi-year low: Can they keep climbing higher? 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having another difficult session on Wednesday as investors respond to a weaker lead from global markets.

At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.69% to 8,743 points.

The session looked much worse earlier on. The ASX 200 fell as low as 8,676.7 points this morning before trimming some of those losses.

Still, the decline has been enough to push the index back near its lowest levels in weeks.

Here’s what is dragging on the market today.

Oil is back in focus

Crude prices have been pushed higher after renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Fresh attacks on commercial vessels, along with another round of US military strikes against Iran, have put supply risk back in the spotlight.

According to Trading Economics, WTI crude is trading at around US$72.32 a barrel, up 2.66%, while Brent crude is near US$76.05 a barrel, up 2.55%.

That has helped support energy shares, even as the broader market loses ground.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are up 4.8% to $7.43, while Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are 2.79% higher to $28.75.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) shares are also up 1.63% to $10.315.

Miners and tech drag on the index

The problem for the ASX 200 is that the gains in energy are being offset elsewhere.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 3.3% to $56.925, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are 2.35% lower to $164.19.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are also weaker, falling 0.93% to $18.21.

The selling has also spread beyond resources.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares are down 1.63% to $249.22, Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) shares have dropped 2.43% to $29.935, and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares are off 2.47% to $4.945 following the recent outage.

Overall, 128 ASX 200 shares are falling, 62 are rising, and 10 are unchanged.

Banks and defensives soften the fall

The ASX 200 is still lower, but support from the banks and defensives is helping limit the damage.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are down 0.41% to $166.01, although the rest of the major banks are holding up a little better.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares are 0.25% lower at $36.04, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is flat at $39.22, and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) has edged 0.31% higher to $35.55.

The supermarkets are also giving the market some support.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are up 0.79% to $39.73, while Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) has added 0.43% to $23.42.

QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) is also in positive territory, climbing 0.96% to $25.23 on the back of a leadership update.

The post Why the ASX 200 is sliding towards a 4-week low 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 positions in and has recommended Goodman Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Goodman Group, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are falling on Wednesday as investors weigh up concerns around the company’s leadership.

The selling is also coming on a weak day for the broader market, with geopolitical tensions and higher oil prices putting pressure on sentiment.

At the time of writing, the WiseTech share price is down 7.06% to $34.73.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) tech stock had been recovering over the past week, but today’s fall shows investors are still nervous.

Here’s the latest.

Leadership concerns return

The latest pressure appears to be linked partly to fresh commentary around WiseTech’s leadership structure.

According to the report, one analyst has cut their fair value estimate on the stock by 6% to $130 per share after White stepped down as Chair.

But White isn’t walking away from the business. He remains on the board as an Executive Director, while Raelene Murphy has taken over as Independent Chair.

The move gives WiseTech a cleaner governance setup after months of scrutiny.

However, it doesn’t remove the question around White’s influence on the business.

The report quoted one analyst describing White’s exit as adding “friction” and creating a risk that “more signal gets lost at every step.”

White has been closely tied to WiseTech’s strategy, product direction, and culture for a long time.

Even with White still on the board, some shareholders may be wondering whether WiseTech can keep the same pace with a different person in the Chair.

Shipping worries add to the pressure

The broader market is also working against WiseTech today.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.8% to 8,735 points after US-Iran tensions pushed oil prices higher and rattled global markets.

The benchmark index fell as much as 1.5% earlier in the session, with a large majority of stocks trading in the red.

There is also a more direct sentiment issue here.

WiseTech provides software to the logistics, trade, and supply chain industries. This means that any disruption around major shipping routes can still weigh on how investors think about the stock.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil and shipping routes.

If attacks on commercial vessels continue, freight costs and shipping delays could all become bigger talking points.

A rough ride for shareholders

WiseTech shares are still up around 5% over the past week, but the longer-term damage is pretty hard to miss.

The stock is down close to 50% in 2026 and almost 70% over the past year. It also remains a long way below its 52-week high of $121.31.

Recent trading has also been messy.

The stock jumped 7.31% on Monday and another 5.65% on Tuesday. Earlier, it rose 14.26% on 24 June after falling 18.44% two days before.

The business remains profitable, and brokers are still positive on WiseTech. But today’s fall shows investors are still not ready to move past the recent uncertainty yet.

The post Why the WiseTech share price is sinking 7% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 50% or more in the next 12 months
• These ASX tech shares crashed hard. Could they double from here?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• WiseTech shares surge 10% as Richard White steps back from chair role
• Are WiseTech shares ripe for a rebound?

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

Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH) shares are sliding on Wednesday after the homewares retailer released its latest trading update.

At the time of writing, the Adairs share price is down 4.03% to $1.43.

The fall comes after a better recent run for the ASX retail stock. Adairs shares are still up around 14% over the past month, although they remain down 18% since the start of 2026.

The update had a few moving parts, with growth in parts of the business offset by a weaker result elsewhere.

Here’s what the company told investors.

Weak furniture sales weigh on Adairs

In its trading update, Adairs expects FY26 group sales to land between $640 million and $641.5 million.

At the midpoint, this represents an increase of 3.7% on FY25.

However, group underlying EBIT is expected to come in between $53.5 million and $55.5 million, which would be down 1.3% on FY25.

The main drag is Focus on Furniture, where Adairs now expects to recognise a non-cash impairment of between $62 million and $68 million against goodwill and brand intangible assets.

After the impairment and other significant items, the company expects to report a statutory net loss after tax of around $43 million for FY26.

Focus on Furniture drags

Adairs said its core retail business and Mocka both delivered sales and earnings growth in FY26.

The Adairs division is expected to report sales of about $458.5 million to $459 million, up 3.7%, with underlying EBIT up 14.6%.

Mocka also had a strong year, with sales expected to rise 22.1% and underlying EBIT up 28.1%.

However, the furniture side of the group was much weaker.

Focus on Furniture sales are expected to fall 5.7% to between $111 million and $111.5 million. Underlying EBIT is expected to drop 68.3% to between $3.5 million and $4 million.

Management pointed to heavy competitor discounting, weaker conversion, product underperformance, and execution challenges.

Adairs has brought in new management and is working through changes across the business, including clearing poorly positioned stock and improving operations.

Balance sheet holds up

Adairs said net debt was about $49 million at the end of June, down from $67.6 million a year earlier. It was also well below the company’s $135 million facility limit.

The Focus on Furniture impairment is also non-cash. Adairs said it shouldn’t cause any issues with its lenders, franking account, or ability to pay a dividend.

Still, the update gives shareholders a lot to think about.

The core Adairs business is growing, and Mocka is having a strong run. But Focus on Furniture is bringing down group earnings and now needs a proper turnaround.

Attention now turns to when Adairs will release its FY26 results on 24 August.

The post This ASX retail stock is falling as a $68 million furniture headache bites 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 positions in and has recommended Adairs. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Adairs. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares have fallen further into the red today.

At the time of writing, the ASX gold shares have fallen by over 5% to $11.30 each.

The update means Evolution Mining shares have now fallen roughly 11% this week alone, reversing any gains made through late June.

The stock is now down around 11% year to date, but still an impressive 44% higher than this time last year.

What has happened to Evolution Mining shares today?

There isn’t any price-sensitive news out of Evolution Mining today, or earlier this week, to explain the latest sell-off.

It’s likely the latest share price drop is due to broader weakness across the gold sector.

The price of gold has fallen sharply over the past month. At the time of writing, gold is trading around US$4,110 per ounce, down from around US$4,500 in June and significantly below the US$5,300 to US$5,400 range seen earlier this year.

Given that lower gold prices translate directly into lower expected revenue and cash flow for ASX gold miners like Evolution Mining, it has a direct influence on share prices.

At the same time, it’s likely that many investors are taking their profit off the table after the shares climbed higher through June.

Evolution is due to release its June-quarter production and cash-flow results in mid-July. Ahead of major operational updates, it’s not usual for some investors to sell some of their shares in anticipation of the next announcement. This is particularly the case when commodity prices are falling. 

What do brokers tip next for the ASX gold miner?

It looks like the experts are divided about the outlook for Evolution Mining shares over the next 12 months; however, the majority agree there will be some upside ahead.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating on the gold stock. However, the average target price of $13.82 implies a potential 21% upside over the next 12 months.

TradingView data shows some analysts are a little more bullish. The majority (nine out of 20) of analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Evolution Mining shares. Another eight have a hold rating on the stock, and three rate the shares as a sell or strong sell.

The average $13.66 target price also implies around a 21% upside, at the time of writing. However, the more bullish of the bunch have forecast the shares to surge another 72% up to $19.45 a piece over the next 12 months. 

The team at Morgans think recent sector weakness provides a compelling entry point for Evolution Mining shares. The broker has a buy rating and a $15 target price on the mining shares.

Macquarie also has a buy rating on the ASX gold shares and a $14 target price.

Bell Potter is also bullish on the outlook for the gold giant’s shares. The team has a buy rating and a $16.45 target price.

The post Why Are Evolution Mining shares crashing over 5% today? 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.

The Qube Holdings Ltd (ASX: QUB) share price is in focus today after the company announced the Supreme Court has approved the scheme of arrangement for Rubik Australia to acquire all Qube shares, and the board declared a fully franked special dividend of 34.65 cents per share.

What did Qube report?

• The Supreme Court of NSW approved Rubik Australia’s acquisition of 100% of Qube shares.
• Qube declared a fully franked special dividend of $0.3465 per ordinary share.
• Trading in Qube shares will be suspended at close today, with scheme implementation scheduled for 14 August 2026.
• Scheme consideration for shareholders is $5.20 cash per share, less the interim and special dividends.
• Key scheme dates: Special Dividend Record Date is 14 July, payment on 23 July, Scheme Record Date is 24 July, Implementation Date is 14 August 2026.

What else do investors need to know?

The court’s approval means the scheme is now legally effective and Qube has lodged the orders with ASIC. Shareholders (other than UniSuper, which will receive shares in Rubik Australia Holdings) set to receive cash for their Qube shares need to be on the register at 7:00 pm, 24 July 2026.

The total cash payment per Qube share from Rubik Australia will be reduced by the sum of both the $0.0535 interim dividend declared in February and the $0.3465 special dividend. The special dividend record date is 14 July 2026 and payment will be made on 23 July 2026.

What’s next for Qube?

Trading in Qube shares on the ASX will be suspended after today’s close. The scheme implementation remains on track for 14 August 2026, when eligible shareholders can expect payment. Any changes to the timetable will be communicated through the ASX.

This acquisition marks a significant turning point for Qube, with the board expressing confidence shareholders are being fairly compensated. Investors should keep an eye out for further updates on the transition process.

Qube share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Qube shares have risen 21%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Qube shares: Scheme now effective and special dividend declared 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.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have fallen further into the red in Wednesday morning trade.

At the time of writing, the ASX mining giant’s shares are down around 3% for the day, and are changing hands at $56.98 a piece.

The latest slump means BHP shares have now tumbled 13% from an all-time high recorded in mid-June.

Thanks to a strong rally earlier in the year, the shares are still 25% higher year to date and around 49% higher than this time last year.

What caused the latest sell-off?

Improved copper prices and overall commodity tailwinds helped BHP shares reach a new all-time high in mid-June.

But this was quickly followed by another softening in the price of both copper and iron ore, which dragged BHP shares lower. 

Copper futures are now around US$6.12 per pound, down from a high of around a $6.6 per pound in June. 

Iron ore prices have also fallen close to an annual low of around US$98 per tonne. In mid-May, the metal was trading around the US$111 per tonne mark.

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East, sustained inflation concerns, slowing steel demand, and uncertainty about China’s property sector all also weighed heavily on investor sentiment over the past month.

The question now is, what’s next for BHP shares?

Are BHP shares a buy, sell, or hold?

If broker analysis is anything to go by, the mining giant’s shares are now trading around fair value.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating on BHP shares. Although the average $62.66 target price implies a potential 10% upside at the time of writing.

TradingView data shows the same sentiment. The majority of analysts (13 out of 19) have a hold rating on BHP shares. Another four rate the mining stock as a strong buy, and two rate the shares as a sell or strong sell.

The average $63.54 target price implies a potential 11% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. But the range between the maximum and minimum target prices is huge. Some forecast the shares to fall around 31% to $39.19. Meanwhile, others are bullish that BHP shares could soar 64% to $93.75 over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Morgan Stanley is one of the more bullish brokers among the bunch. The investment bank recently reaffirmed its buy rating on BHP shares and maintained a 12-month price target of $67.50. The broker likes that BHP is exposed to surging copper demand and thinks the company’s iron ore operations are performing well.

Elsewhere, DZ Bank recently upgraded its stance on BHP shares from sell to hold. The broker has an average price target of $65 per share.

Catapult Wealth also has a buy rating on BHP shares, citing a robust balance sheet and an attractive dividend yield.

Meanwhile, Sanlam Private Wealth has a hold rating on the mining giant and flags concerns around a cost blowout and impairment at the company’s Jansen potash project and the potential for more industrial action at BHP’s Pilbara operations.

The post BHP shares slump 13% from their peak: Are the ASX mining shares a buy, sell or hold? 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) shares are back in the red on Wednesday as investors digest the gold producer’s latest update.

At the time of writing, the Ramelius share price is down 3.51% to $2.885.

The move adds to a difficult start to the year for the ASX 200 gold stock. Ramelius shares are now down around 5% over the past month and 30% in 2026.

Ramelius has now closed out FY26, and the market is getting its first look at how the June quarter finished.

Let’s take a closer look at the announcement.

Stronger finish to the year

According to the release, Ramelius produced 53,466 ounces of gold in the June quarter.

That represents a 40% increase on the prior quarter and lifted full-year production to 192,182 ounces.

This means Ramelius finished FY26 inside its guidance range of 185,000 to 205,000 ounces. Management said this was the 6th year in a row that the company has met its production guidance.

The stronger quarter was helped by improved haulage rates, particularly at Dalgaranga, while the Never Never underground operation remained on track.

Managing Director Mark Zeptner said the June quarter was a strong finish to the year and showed “consistent delivery” from the operations team.

Cash and gold balance grows

Ramelius also finished the quarter in a strong financial position.

The company reported underlying free cash flow of $183 million. This included growth capital and exploration, but came before dividends, share buybacks, and tax payments.

It ended June with cash and gold of $649.6 million.

Ramelius also kept returning money to shareholders during the quarter. It paid a fully-franked interim dividend of $54.4 million and completed $30.5 million of share buybacks.

The total buybacks now stand at $140.7 million under the company’s $250 million buyback program.

Why are Ramelius shares falling?

Ramelius hasn’t yet provided final all-in sustaining costs (AISC) for the June quarter. These figures will be included in the full quarterly report, which is due on 29 July.

Until those numbers land, investors don’t have the full margin detail, even though production and cash flow both look healthy.

There is also a lot happening across the project pipeline.

At Mt Magnet, stage one circuit works have started, while stage two and three works are close to completion. The camp expansion, wind project, and major project recruitment are also moving along.

Ramelius is also working through the Edna May Hub transaction. The company estimates this could deliver almost $600 million of pre-tax value once cash, retained free cash flow, and share consideration are included.

The post $650 million in cash and gold, guidance hit: Why this ASX 200 stock is still falling 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.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) shares looked to be finding their feet last week. Not anymore.

The hearing implant leader slipped 2.3% to $124.49 during Wednesday morning trade, putting the brakes on what had been an impressive recovery.

The stock had rallied around 10% last week and is still up 28% over the past month. That’s no small feat after suffering one of the biggest share price collapses on the ASX this year.

But before investors start celebrating, it’s worth remembering the bigger picture. Cochlear shares remain down 52% in 2026 and have lost almost 60% over the past 12 months.

So, is today’s weakness simply a pause after a strong rebound, or are investors being reminded why the shares fell so hard in the first place?

A reality check

It’s easy to forget just how brutal April was. On 22 April, Cochlear dropped a trading update that landed like a lead balloon.

Demand for hearing implants across developed markets came in below expectations. Then, to make matters worse, conflict in the Middle East disrupted shipments and triggered order cancellations.

Management didn’t just trim guidance; it took a chainsaw to it. The company cut its FY26 underlying net profit forecast from $435 million to $460 million down to just $290 million to $330 million.

The market’s response was swift and ruthless. Cochlear shares plunged more than 40% in a single trading session as investors suddenly questioned whether one of the ASX’s highest-quality healthcare companies had lost its mojo.

Since then, the debate has been simple: was this a nasty bump in the road or the start of a much tougher journey?

The bull case hasn’t disappeared

Here’s the thing. Cochlear’s long-term competitive position hasn’t suddenly vanished.

The company still controls around half of the global cochlear implant market, making it the clear industry leader. That leadership has been built over decades through research, innovation, and close partnerships with surgeons and hospitals around the world.

Those advantages are incredibly difficult for rivals to replicate.

The growth runway for Cochlear shares also remains enormous. More than six million people across developed markets are estimated to be eligible for cochlear implants, yet only around 3% have received one.

That leaves plenty of room for future growth as awareness increases, diagnosis rates improve, and hearing technology continues to evolve.

What do the experts think?

Brokers aren’t exactly pounding the table, but neither are they rushing for the exits.

According to TradingView data, most analysts currently rate Cochlear shares as a hold. The average 12-month price target is $127.33, only about 3% above the current share price. In other words, the market thinks the easy money from the recent rebound may already have been made.

That said, there are still plenty of optimists. Six of the 18 analysts covering Cochlear rate the healthcare stock as either a buy or strong buy. The most bullish forecast sees the stock climbing another 38% over the next year.

On the flip side, two brokers recommend selling, with the lowest target price sitting at $95, implying a downside of roughly 23%.

The post Cochlear shares are slipping again. Is the comeback already over? 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 Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) share price is in focus after the company announced it has priced an underwritten public offering of 2,275,000 American Depositary Shares (ADSs), raising nearly US$50 million before costs. The funds will support expansion of IperionX’s titanium production technologies and R&D activities.

What did IperionX report?

• Priced public offering of 2,275,000 ADSs at US$21.98 per ADS
• Gross proceeds of approximately US$50 million (before costs)
• Offering led by US institutional investors
• Funds to be used for commercialising titanium and alloy technology, plus site expansion
• Expected closing date: 9 July 2026 (subject to conditions)

What else do investors need to know?

Each ADS will represent 10 ordinary IperionX shares, with the total 22,750,000 shares to be issued from the company’s existing placement capacity under Listing Rule 7.1. The capital raise is being managed by Cantor as sole bookrunner, with Roth Capital Partners and B. Riley Securities acting as co-managers.

Net proceeds from the offer will be directed towards advancing the scale-up and expansion of IperionX’s Virginia Titanium Manufacturing Campus, furthering its titanium metal research, and developing the Camden-Titan Project in Tennessee. Extra funds will go towards general corporate purposes.

What’s next for IperionX?

With fresh funding, IperionX plans to accelerate the commercialisation of its proprietary titanium technologies and continue building out its production capabilities in the United States. The company sees these investments supporting its goal to become a key producer of high-quality, lower-cost, and more sustainable titanium alloys.

The outlook includes ongoing expansion at core US sites and increased R&D to enhance process efficiencies. Management also flagged continued focus on developing the Camden-Titan Project and supporting general business initiatives.

IperionX share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, IperionX shares have declined 7%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post IperionX launches US$50m capital raise for titanium expansion 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.