Author: openjargon

Once a week, I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which ASX shares are being targeted by short sellers.

That’s because I believe it is worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

With that in mind, listed below are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC.

The top 10 most shorted ASX shares

• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has returned to the top of the table with short interest of 17.2%, which is up sharply week on week. Short sellers may be focusing on funding risk, the company’s development pathway, and uncertainty around the uranium market after its heavily discounted capital raising.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has seen its short interest ease to 15%. Short sellers still appear to have concerns over the ASIC investigation into the counter-drone technology company, as well as valuation risk.
• Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has short interest of 12.6%, which is down slightly week on week. This suggests some short sellers remain unconvinced by the pizza chain operator’s turnaround plans.
• 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has seen its short interest rise to 12.4%. The medical technology company remains heavily shorted due to its elevated valuation and modest revenue base. FY 2026 revenue came in at just $7.2 million.
• CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR) has short interest of 12.1%, which is up week on week. Its recent result was well received by the market, but short sellers may still have concerns over its valuation, auto market conditions, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on online classifieds over time.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest rise to 11.8%. Short sellers may be targeting the Penfolds owner due to weak luxury wine demand, excess supply in the Americas, and uncertainty around the pace of its recovery.
• Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has 11.3% of its shares held short, which is down slightly week on week. This uranium producer continues to be targeted despite a positive update. This suggests that short sellers may still be wary of execution risk and uranium market volatility.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has seen its short interest fall to 11%. This elevated short interest may be due to concerns over pressure in leisure travel, softer consumer spending, and the company’s ability to keep improving margins.
• PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) has entered the top ten with short interest of 10.7%. Short sellers may be expecting a slower recovery in prices for the battery-making ingredient, which could weigh on earnings and cash flow.
• Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) has also entered the top ten with short interest of 10.6%. This agribusiness company may be attracting short sellers due to uncertainty around rural conditions, farmer spending, and the timing of an earnings recovery.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, DroneShield, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CAR Group Ltd, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Elders, and 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 GDI Property Group (ASX: GDI) share price is in focus today after the company announced an on-market buyback of up to 5% of its stapled securities, supported by increased available liquidity of $90 million and a continued distribution of 5.0 cents per security.

What did GDI Property Group report?

• On-market buyback of up to 5% of stapled securities announced
• Available liquidity has grown to $90 million post balance date
• Board reaffirmed 5.0 cents per security through-cycle distribution
• Buyback to be funded from cash reserves and undrawn debt facilities
• Over $100 million of non-core assets identified for potential sale

What else do investors need to know?

The announced buyback is fully discretionary, meaning GDI retains flexibility over the volume, price, and timing of any purchases. The board will regularly assess market conditions and capital priorities when deciding how much of the buyback to proceed with.

GDI noted that completion of the full 5% buyback may depend on proceeds from the sale of more than $100 million of non-core assets. These sales could also fund other initiatives, depending on the board’s ongoing assessment of priorities. An Appendix 3C outlining the details of the buyback will be lodged separately with the ASX.

What’s next for GDI Property Group?

Looking ahead, GDI’s board will balance the benefits of the buyback against potential investments in its property portfolio and maintaining distributions to securityholders. The upcoming Stage 1A of the Mill Green Development remains a key focus, and asset sales could provide further flexibility for capital management initiatives.

GDI maintains its cautious approach and will adjust its capital allocation in response to market conditions and the success of future asset sales.

GDI Property Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, GDI shares have declined 13%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which is flat over the same period.

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The post GDI Property Group launches 5% buyback driven by liquidity boost 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.

The EVT Ltd (ASX: EVT) share price is in focus today as the entertainment, ventures, and travel group posted FY26 results showing a 6.3% rise in normalised revenue to $1.31 billion and a 41.3% jump in normalised profit after tax to $54.3 million.

What did EVT Ltd report?

• Normalised revenue of $1,314.9 million, up 6.3% year on year
• Normalised EBITDA of $174.4 million, up 8.4%
• Normalised profit after tax of $54.3 million, up 41.3%
• Reported net profit after tax of $50.7 million, up 51.9%
• Final fully franked dividend of 23 cents per share

What else do investors need to know?

EVT’s hotels division delivered record results, with revenue up 5.1% and EBITDA up 1.0%, underpinned by strong RevPAR. Entertainment also rebounded, growing revenue by 7.7% and EBITDA by a notable 45.8% despite a smaller venue footprint.

The company has identified about $800 million in non-core property assets for divestment over the next three years, with the proceeds set to support further hotel growth and possible special dividends. An independent review of the group’s structure, overseen by Rothschild & Co, is underway to maximise the value of hotel opportunities and return for shareholders.

What did EVT Ltd management say?

Commenting on the results, EVT’s CEO, Jane Hastings, said:

Hotels are our primary future growth platform, and momentum continues across our two growth pillars, EVT Hotels & Resorts and Connect Hospitality. We have identified approximately $800 million of non-core property for divestment on a value-first basis to support hotel growth while the Board will also consider potential special dividends. Management has developed options for the future Group structure to support our hotel growth ambitions and long-term shareholder value, and Rothschild & Co has been engaged to independently assess those options under the oversight of an Independent Board Committee.

What’s next for EVT Ltd?

Looking ahead, EVT expects further EBITDA growth for FY27, with the Hotels division expected to deliver another record year, supported by major redevelopment projects and strategic initiatives. Connect Hospitality and newly launched venues like QT Auckland are tipped to contribute around $13 million in additional EBITDA.

Short-term impacts from development works and weaker snow conditions may temporarily affect some divisions, but the company is focused on delivering value with its strong hotel pipeline and improved entertainment slate. Updates on the group structure review and any divestments will be provided as outcomes are achieved.

EVT Limited share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the EVT Ltd share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a modest 3.5% decline.

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The post EVT Ltd posts profit jump and pivots focus to hotel growth in FY26 results 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. 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.

Analysts are always on the lookout for opportunities on the ASX share market. By responding to share price volatility and regular business updates, investors have a great chance to grab an undervalued stock.

We’re going to look at two ASX shares that are highly rated by analysts. These businesses haven’t received just one buy rating, but multiple positive ratings.

When numerous experts think an ASX share is a buy, it could suggest there’s good potential returns on offer.

Let’s look at two of the most heavily-backed businesses on the ASX.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

Santos is an ASX oil and gas share with a market capitalisation of $27 billion.

According to CMC Invest, there have been eight ratings on the business within the last three months, with nearly all of those coming after the company released its FY26 half-year result. Six of the eight ratings were a buy and two were a hold.

The ASX share reported first-half production of 45.6 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe), which was 3% higher year-over-year.

It delivered revenue of US$2.6 billion, operating profit (EBITDAX) of $1.6 billion, underlying net profit of $397 million and net profit after tax (NPAT) of $355 million.

Santos also managed to generate free cash flow from operations from its strong base business performance.

The Santos board of directors decided to pay an unfranked annual dividend per share of US 11.6 cents per share for a total of $377 million.

The ASX oil and gas share has been making progress with its projects. Santos said Pikka’s first oil was achieved in May, with continuous production from June and the first crude oil cargo was lifted in August.

Santos also said that Barossa delivered seven cargoes by the end of June, with another five cargoes delivered since 1 July.

The company is primed to increase its production in the coming reporting periods, which could help boost earnings.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman is another ASX share that is heavily backed by analysts. It describes itself as a provider of essential infrastructure – the business owns, develops and manages high quality, sustainable logistics properties and data centres in major global cities that are important for the digital economy.

According to CMC Invest, there have been nine ratings on the business within the last three months, with seven of those being a buy.

The business had a solid FY26, with its total portfolio reaching $89 billion, which benefited from revaluation gains of $3.1 billion across Goodman.

It reported portfolio occupancy of 95.6% and like-for-like net property income (NPI) growth of 4%. This helped the business deliver 15.7% operating profit growth of 15.7% to $2.67 billion and 10.1% growth in per-security terms to 129.9 cents.

The ASX share ended FY26 with work in progress (WIP) of $19.7 billion across 50 projects in 12 countries, with a forecast yield on cost of 8.2%. Data centres currently make up 78% of the development WIP. This could help drive earnings for the foreseeable future.

Goodman is aiming for operating EPS growth of 9% in FY27, which is a solid growth rate for a real estate business.

The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL) share price is in focus after the company reported a 6.3% rise in revenue to $917.4 million and a 13.1% jump in net profit to $54.5 million for FY26.

What did Data#3 Ltd report?

• Revenue up 6.3% to $917.4 million
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) up 13.1% to $54.5 million
• Gross sales and other revenue up 12.7% to $3.39 billion
• Basic earnings per share up 13.0% to 35.16 cents
• Total fully franked dividends up 13.0% to 31.75 cents per share
• Final dividend of 18.25 cents per share declared

What else do investors need to know?

Data#3 delivered another record performance in FY26, building on its long history of consistent growth in both sales and earnings. The company improved its financial position thanks to strong cash flow and a disciplined approach to managing costs.

Demand remained resilient, particularly in public sector and infrastructure solutions, despite some customers delaying technology spending decisions. Recurring gross sales, especially through Software Solutions and Managed Services, now account for 70% of total gross sales.

The company completed a board renewal process at the start of the financial year, adding new directors Diana Eilert and Laurence Baynham. The business also received multiple partner and industry awards, including recognition as Microsoft Country Partner of the Year and HP Amplify Impact Partner of the Year.

What did Data#3 Ltd management say?

Brad Colledge, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said:

Data#3 is pleased to report another strong financial result for FY26, with record gross sales of $3.4 billion and earnings before tax up 14% to $78.8 million. This performance reinforces our agility and the continued strength of our people, strategy and business model. Our disciplined focus on cost management and ongoing alignment of our cost base to market demand also saw improved operating leverage and net profit margins this financial year.

What’s next for Data#3 Ltd?

Looking forward, Data#3 aims to accelerate growth in AI, cyber security, cloud, data, and managed services. The company will continue investing in its AI Practice, modernising infrastructure offerings, and expanding managed security services, including launching a new Sovereign Security Operations Centre.

With its strong customer base, vendor partnerships, and solid balance sheet, management remains confident Data#3 can deliver sustainable earnings growth. The FY27 plan places further focus on advisory and managed services, improving operational efficiency, and responding to the changing landscape in digital transformation and compliance needs.

Data#3 Limited share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the Data#3 share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a 14% gain, reflecting the company’s robust financial performance and ongoing demand for technology solutions in the Australian market.

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The post Data#3 posts double-digit profit growth in FY26 earnings 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 recommended Data#3. 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 Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG) share price is in focus after the company reported FY26 revenue up 16% to $1,350.6 million and underlying EBITDA up 10% to $138.0 million, both exceeding earlier guidance.

What did Regis Healthcare report?

• Revenue from services: $1,350.6 million, up 16% year-on-year
• Underlying EBITDA: $138.0 million, up 10%
• Statutory NPAT: $55.7 million, up 14%
• Net operating cash flow: $336.3 million, up 10%
• Final dividend: 9.40 cents per share (100% franked), full year up 13% to 18.40 cents per share
• Net cash position at 30 June 2026: $173.8 million

What else do investors need to know?

Regis achieved mature home average occupancy of 96%, with Camberwell and Oxley facilities successfully ramping up to 99% occupancy by year-end. FY26 also featured the completion and integration of two acquisitions adding 830 beds—Rockpool in Queensland and OC Health in Victoria—and the divestment of two regional homes in Far North Queensland, generating a one-off pre-tax gain of $25.4 million.

The company lifted average advertised room prices by 10% across 70% of its portfolio, aimed at boosting future Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) inflows. New-aged care sector funding reforms, including the reintroduction of RAD retention and higher maximum RAD limits, are expected to provide longer-term cashflow and margin improvements.

What did Regis Healthcare management say?

Regis CEO and Managing Director Andrew Kinkade said:

The FY26 results reflect solid operational performance, underpinned by mature home occupancy at 96%, the ramp-up of Camberwell and Oxley homes, and net RAD cash inflow of $250 million. During the year, the Rockpool and OC Health acquisitions were completed and integrated, adding high-quality homes to the portfolio. Continued investment in people, quality and technology, has strengthened the organisation’s position to meet the evolving needs of residents and clients.

What’s next for Regis Healthcare?

Regis expects to benefit from favourable demographic trends, ongoing high occupancy, and sector funding reforms under the new Aged Care Act. The business will continue its growth strategy—with expansion through a greenfield development pipeline of around 1,300 beds and further acquisitions being evaluated.

Management says the phased repricing of RADs and recurring RAD retention earnings will help support sustainable earnings growth and provide added funding for capital renewal and shareholder returns. Regis is focused on operational excellence, delivering quality outcomes, and leveraging recent technology investments to improve resident experience and productivity.

Regis Healthcare share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Regis Healthcare shares have declined 24%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which is flat over the same period.

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The post Regis Healthcare reports higher FY26 profits and dividend 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.

The Chorus Ltd (ASX: CNU) share price is in focus after the company delivered a solid full-year FY26 result, with revenue growing to $1,029 million and net profit after tax jumping to $37 million.

What did Chorus Ltd report?

• Operating revenue rose 1.5% to $1,029 million
• EBITDA lifted 3% to $726 million
• Net profit after tax climbed to $37 million (FY25: $4 million)
• Operating expenses reduced 2% to $303 million
• Total FY26 dividend increased 4% to 60 cents per share (final dividend of 36 cents per share)
• Total fibre connections rose by 32,000 to 1,147,000, now 96% of all connections

What else do investors need to know?

Chorus continues to make strong progress transitioning to a simpler, all-fibre business. Fibre uptake reached 75.9% of serviceable addresses, edging closer to the company’s 80% target by 2030. The decline in legacy copper connections accelerated, with only 44,000 remaining nationwide at year-end.

Chorus expanded its product range by launching new services such as Express Connect, Unified Transport, and TimeSync, aiming to support next-generation digital needs. The company has also increased its focus on digital inclusion, introducing the affordable Equity Fibre 100 broadband product for eligible low-income households.

What did Chorus Ltd management say?

Chief Executive Officer Mark Aue said:

FY26 marked the start of the second horizon of Chorus’ strategy, extending through to FY29, focused on growth, simplicity and efficiency. We are building momentum towards a simpler, more focused business, while continuing to invest in the digital infrastructure New Zealand will rely on for decades.

What’s next for Chorus Ltd?

Looking ahead to FY27, Chorus expects EBITDA between $730 million and $760 million, capital expenditure of $375 million to $415 million, and a minimum dividend of 62 cents per share (with partial imputation expected). The company plans to continue its copper network retirement, which is now scheduled to be completed by 2028.

Management sees ongoing demand growth for high-capacity, reliable, low-latency connectivity, driven by increasing adoption of artificial intelligence and data centre services. Chorus believes fibre is well-placed to support this demand and remains focused on disciplined investment, improving operational efficiency, and exploring new infrastructure opportunities.

Chorus share price snapshot

Over the past year, Chorus Ltd’s share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a decline of almost 9%.

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The post Chorus Limited FY26 profit surges as fibre uptake climbs and dividend rises 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. 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 GemLife Communities Group (ASX: GLF) share price is in focus today after the company posted its 1H26 results, exceeding its Prospectus forecasts, with revenue climbing 86% and underlying NPAT up 102% on the prior year.

What did GemLife report?

• Revenue of $195.1 million, up 86% on 1H25 Pro Forma and 36% ahead of Prospectus forecasts
• EBIT of $68.3 million, up 89% on 1H25 and 36% above forecast
• Underlying NPAT of $58.5 million, up 102% on 1H25 and 27% above forecast
• Statutory NPAT of $53.3 million, an increase of 59% on 1H25
• Inaugural annual distribution of 1.1 cents per security declared
• Gearing at 32.3%, within target range

What else do investors need to know?

GemLife delivered 208 home settlements in the half, up 75% on 1H25 and 16 above its Prospectus target. Average sale prices jumped 10% to $876,000, reflecting increased demand and more premium home sales. At 30 June, 52 further homes had been completed and sold, awaiting settlement in 2H26.

The company’s development pipeline is strengthening, with 292 homes under contract and 78 additional expressions of interest, giving a total pipeline of 370 homes. GemLife also secured approvals for 593 more homes at three sites during the half, including its first South Australian community.

What did GemLife management say?

Founder, Managing Director and Group CEO Adrian Puljich said:

GemLife is pleased to have delivered a strong 1H26 result, exceeding our final Prospectus forecast period across key financial and operational metrics. This performance reflects our continued focus on product mix optimisation and execution, supporting both average sale prices and build margins, which have remained within our 47-52% target range for the eighth consecutive year. We believe this performance is underpinned by GemLife’s premium market positioning and the efficiencies and cost savings generated through our vertically integrated business model, which has been refined over more than 40 years

GemLife now has a portfolio of 33 communities comprising 10,452 homes, providing clear visibility over future development activity in a sector supported by favourable demographic trends.

At GemLife, our focus remains on innovative and disciplined development execution through our fully vertically integrated platform, yielding greater capital velocity and sustained earnings growth. We are committed to delivering thoughtfully designed communities for our homeowners while generating long-term value for securityholders.

What’s next for GemLife?

GemLife has upgraded its FY26 underlying EPS guidance to 30.0–31.0 cents, up from 28.5–30.0 cents previously. This implies growth of 27% to 31% over FY25, reflecting management’s confidence in continued strong demand and the group’s substantial pipeline.

Looking ahead, GemLife will continue focusing on its vertically integrated model and innovative community development. With more than 3,000 lots in development across 13 sites, the group is well-placed for growth in Australia’s land lease community sector.

GemLife share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Gemlife shares have risen 9%, outpacing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

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The post GemLife beats forecasts and upgrades FY26 guidance 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.

Ampol Ltd (ASX:ALD) share price has been in focus after the company delivered a strong first half for 2026, with a 245% jump in RCOP EBIT to $1,392 million and the interim dividend more than quadrupling to 185 cents per share.

What did Ampol Ltd report?

• Group RCOP EBITDA (excluding Significant Items) rose to $1,637 million, up 152% on 1H 2025
• RCOP Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) (excluding Significant Items) surged to $857 million, up 376%
• Statutory NPAT at $1,363 million, compared to a loss of $25 million last year
• Fully franked interim dividend of 185 cents per share, more than four times the prior year
• EG Australia acquisition completed, supporting retail growth strategy

What else do investors need to know?

Ampol’s strong result was delivered despite global market disruptions from conflict in the Middle East, with reliable supply chains and trading capabilities helping to capture opportunities across its operations. Notably, its refinery performance improved, with Lytton Refiner Margin per barrel reaching a robust US$28.26 and total production up 8.7%.

The company’s Energy Solutions division continued to progress, narrowing losses and increasing public EV charging network bays to 356 across Australia. Ampol also reported sturdy balance sheet metrics, even after settling the EG Australia acquisition, with committed liquidity facilities of $5.8 billion and leverage at 1.8 times.

What did Ampol Ltd management say?

Matt Halliday, Managing Director and CEO, commented:

The first half of 2026 was marked by the Middle East conflict and the consequential impact on the flow of oil and refined products around the world, including Australia and New Zealand which were not immune. Against that backdrop, Ampol’s primary focus was to secure fuel and minimise the impact to our customers. I could not be more proud of the resilience of our business and the capabilities our people demonstrated during this period.

What’s next for Ampol Ltd?

Ampol is expecting ongoing volatility in oil markets due to geopolitical uncertainty, but its physical supply arrangements and recent acquisition of EG Australia are expected to underpin growth. Management is confident in delivering between $65 million and $80 million of annual cost synergies from EG Australia within two years.

The outlook for the second half also includes continued benefits from strong refinery margins, contribution from newly acquired assets, and ongoing investment in the Lytton Ultra Low Sulfur Fuels Project, which is on track to start up later in 2026.

Ampol share price snapshot

The Ampol share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of 34%, supported by strong earnings momentum and resilient refining operations.

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The post Ampol profit and dividend surge in first-half 2026 results 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. 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.

I think one of the best times to invest in a leading ASX dividend stock is when the business has fallen significantly. That’s because of the compelling dividend yield that it can unlock. The business WAM Microcap Ltd (ASX: WMI) is one of the leading dividend picks out there, in my view.

When a share price falls, it delivers a similar boost to the yield. For example, if an investment has a 5% dividend yield and the share price falls 10%, then the yield becomes 5.5%.

I believe WAM Microcap is a compelling investment today because it’s down 35% since October 2021 and 22% from October 2025.

Let’s get into why it’s a compelling buy today for passive income.

Exciting investment strategy

This business is a listed investment company (LIC). WAM Microcap aims to give investors exposure to a portfolio of undervalued ASX microcap shares (the majority of which are growth companies), with a market capitalisation of less than $300 million at the time of acquisition.

WAM Microcap can also provide exposure to “relative value arbitrage and market mispricing opportunities”.

The ASX dividend stock’s main sector focus is industrial shares, which gives it a large hunting ground, though at the end of July 2026 it also had a portfolio double-digit exposure to consumer discretionary, financials and IT stocks.

Investing in small-cap stocks can deliver strong returns because they are earlier in their growth journeys than blue-chip stocks. These businesses are often under-researched by analysts and, as a result, can be mispriced.

Since inception in June 2017, its portfolio has returned an average of 13.1% per year (before fees, expenses and taxes), doubling the return of its benchmark in that time.

Large dividend yield

One of the benefits of the LIC structure is that it enables the investment returns to be turned into a smoothed dividend. Excellent returns in one year can be accumulated to help pay for the dividend in a weak year.

The ASX dividend stock recently announced its FY26 annual dividend. It represents a very large annual dividend yield, which is a pleasing way to receive returns.

In FY26, its annual payout of 10.7 cents per share equates to a grossed-up dividend yield of 10.75%, including franking credits.

Rising payouts

Perhaps what’s even more important to me is that WAM Microcap has provided a very reliable dividend over the years.

It started paying a dividend in FY18, and that dividend has grown every year since then, aside from FY24, when it was maintained. The FY26 payout was only increased by 1%, but when you’re talking about a double-digit dividend yield already, any increase is pleasing.

I think this is a great time to invest in the ASX dividend stock for passive income.

The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 35% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Wam Microcap. 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.