Author: openjargon

There have been many ASX shares that have delivered their latest numbers to investors so far this earnings season. Some have been impressive, others middling. But one report turned my head faster than any other. That would be the earnings from ASX tech stock and dividend share Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME).

The medical imaging software company posted its earnings for the full 20206 financial year on Tuesday of this week.

As we covered at the time, there wasn’t much to turn one’s nose up at. Pro Medicus announced that its revenue for the 12 months to 30 June 2026 came in at $261.7 million, up a whopping 22.9% year on year.

Meanwhile, underlying earnings before interest and tax rose 24.4% to $$16.1 million. That helped to increase the company’s underlying net profits after tax (NPAT) by 24.1% to $144.7 million.

On the bottom line, Pro Medicus reported a statutory NPAT of $265.3 million, up 130.3%.

Those metrics are all well and good, pointing to a company whose growth engine is firing on all cylinders. But it was the dividend that Pro Medicus revealed that really drew my eye.

A massive pay rise from a stellar ASX dividend share

Pro Medicus unveiled a final dividend of 37 cents per share for FY2026. That alone represents a 23.33% hike over the final dividend of 30 cents per share from 2025.

Together with the interim dividend of 32 cents per share from March, it takes Pro Medicus’ 2026 payouts to 69 cents per share. That’s a 25.45% increase over 2025’s total of 55 cents per share.

As is this ASX dividend’s habit, all of those dividends came with full franking credits attached.

If this ascension from 55 to 69 cents per share for Pro Medicus’ payouts was a one-off, that would be one thing. However, this latest increase is just the latest in a long line of dramatic payout rises from this ASX dividend share.

Pro Medicus delivered a dividend hike almost every year of the past 15 years. The last time investors saw a cut was back in 2011. Since 2018, this stock has gone from paying out 6 cents a share to 2026’s 69 cents. That’s a compounded annual growth rate of 35.7%. Wealth-making stuff.

This incredible trajectory exemplifies why I’ve always wanted to own this ASX dividend share. Hopefully, I’ll get my chance before the next dramatic dividend hike.

The post This ASX dividend share just blew me away appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Healthcare results wrap: Are Cogstate and Pro Medicus shares a buy, hold or sell?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why are Pro Medicus shares surging more than 10%?
• Why is everyone talking about CSL, Pro Medicus and BHP shares on Tuesday?
• Pro Medicus FY26: Strong earnings growth and higher dividend

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

The Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASX: ASM) share price will be suspended from quotation after today’s close, following news that all ASM shares will be acquired by EFR Critical Minerals Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Fuels Inc (NYSE: UUUU) This move comes after the Federal Court approved the scheme of arrangement.

What did Australian Strategic Materials report?

• ASM shares will be suspended from quotation as of the close of trading on 19 August 2026
• The Federal Court of Australia approved the scheme by which EFR Critical Minerals will acquire ASM
• Energy Fuels Inc. becomes the new indirect owner of ASM
• All outstanding ASM securities will transfer under the scheme

What else do investors need to know?

Trading in ASM’s securities will halt at the close today. This follows the official lodgement of the Court’s orders with ASIC. The suspension wraps up a process that began when ASM and EFR Critical Minerals proposed the acquisition deal to shareholders.

ASM shareholders will receive consideration according to the scheme’s terms as Energy Fuels Inc. takes ownership. The delisting of ASM means that existing shareholders will soon see their holdings converted as specified by the scheme documentation.

What’s next for Australian Strategic Materials?

With the scheme now approved and ASM securities suspended, EFR Critical Minerals will complete the acquisition process. Energy Fuels Inc. is expected to integrate ASM’s critical minerals operations into its global business.

Shareholders can expect final communication regarding payment and transfer details soon. The company is poised for a fresh chapter under new ownership with a focus on continued resource development.

Australian Strategic Materials share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, ASM shares have risen 109%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post ASM share price suspended as EFR Critical Minerals completes takeover appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Australian Strategic Materials confirms scheme effectiveness as takeover completes
• Australian Strategic Materials: Federal Court approves Energy Fuels takeover
• ASM shareholders back Energy Fuels acquisition in decisive Scheme Meetings

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.

ASX growth shares have spent much of 2026 out of favour, but a few brokers are starting to change their tune.

The ASX 200 has been dragged higher by miners, banks and healthcare, while technology has largely been left behind.

However, things may change going forward.

Here are three names worth watching into the back half of reporting season.

Why brokers are warming to ASX growth shares again

Two things have shifted this year.

Earnings downgrades across the technology sector appear to have bottomed, and several companies have reset their guidance to levels they can realistically beat.

Valuations have also come a long way down from their 2024 peaks.

When a quality business trades at half its old multiple, the risk and reward equation starts to look very different.

WiseTech Global: the comeback candidate

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) has been the most heavily punished technology stock on the ASX.

The shares fell roughly 80% from their November 2024 peak of $141.61 to a low of $28.76 in late June.

They have since rebounded into the mid-$40s.

Macquarie has upgraded the logistics software group to an outperform rating ahead of results, which land on 26 August.

Management has guided to revenue of US$1.39 billion to US$1.44 billion and EBITDA of US$550 million to US$585 million.

The company also hit its US$50 million annualised cost synergy target from the e2open acquisition ahead of schedule.

Delivering inside those ranges would go a long way towards rebuilding credibility with the market.

Megaport: recurring revenue is compounding

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) has had a quieter but more consistent run.

Group annual recurring revenue reached $338 million in the first half of FY26, a 49% increase.

Revenue rose 26% to $134.9 million and EBITDA came in at $35.3 million.

The company added 167 net new customer logos, double the prior corresponding period.

Chief executive Michael Reid highlighted where that growth is coming from.

Our global business continues to scale, with the United States delivering exceptional momentum, pushing the Americas to 24% YoY ARR growth.

Megaport upgraded its outlook after securing $254 million in new contracts and now guides to FY26 revenue of $302 million to $317 million.

The shares recently pushed through the $5 billion market capitalisation mark.

DroneShield: a backlog the market is ignoring

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) is the most speculative of the three.

First-half revenue jumped 74% to $125.8 million, whilst the counter-drone specialist has also locked in contracts that lifted its backlog to $206 million by late July.

Full-year guidance sits at $250 million to $270 million. Yet the share price has fallen roughly 13% over the past month.

Heavy short interest explains part of that disconnect.

The other part is that defence spending is lumpy, and a signed backlog is not the same thing as revenue recognised.

DroneShield reports on 26 August, and its margins in particular will be in focus.

What could derail these ASX growth shares

Each of these businesses is priced for flawless execution.

WiseTech needs to show its artificial intelligence restructuring has not disrupted customers.

Megaport is spending heavily, with FY26 capital expenditure guided at $90 million to $100 million.

DroneShield has to convert its pipeline while protecting its margins.

Any stumble over the coming fortnight is likely to be punished hard.

Foolish takeaway

Reporting season will settle a lot of arguments over the next two weeks.

Brokers see upside in all three of these ASX growth shares, though none of them is a low-risk proposition.

Personally, I would want to see the numbers before adding to any of them.

For investors with a high tolerance for volatility, these ASX growth shares still deserve a place on the watchlist.

The post 3 ASX growth shares brokers say could beat the market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why did WiseTech shares just crash 10%?
• Is the DroneShield share price now too cheap to ignore?
• By August 2027, $8,000 invested in WiseTech shares could turn into…
• WiseTech shares are up 25%. Could this be the start of a huge comeback?
• Down 50% – Are these the best value ASX 200 shares right now?

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield, Megaport, and 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.

ASX gold stock Astral Resources Ltd (ASX: AAR) has had a big week for news at its Mandilla gold project in Western Australia, and according to the analysts at Shaw and Partners the company is one to watch.

They have a buy recommendation on the stock, albeit with a high-risk warning, and a bullish share price target, which I’ll get to shortly.

First let’s look at what the company has announced.

Solid drilling results from WA gold prject

Earlier this week, Astral released the latest drilling from the Theia deposit at the Mandilla project, saying further broad zones of mineralisation had been intersected.

The best results included 52.7m at 4.67 grams per tonne of gold from a depth of 445m, and 21m at 1.61 grams per tonne from 321m.

To date 13 holes of a total of 21 have been drilled.

Commenting on the result, Astral Resources Managing Director Marc Ducler said:

The Theia Deeps drill program, which has now been extended to 21 holes for 11,000m, continues to show tremendous potential for additional growth at Theia, with the program targeting further high-grade extensions to the Theia resource at depth and along strike. These latest assay results … have all demonstrated broad zones of high-grade gold mineralisation beyond the base of the current April 2026 Mineral Resource shell. These programs position Astral for a very active second half of 2026 as we continue to both de-risk and grow the Theia deposit, advance the Mandilla Project definitive feasibility study (DFS) and kick-off a series of very promising exploration programs to test for growth opportunities at Kamperman and across our highly prospective Spargoville tenure.

In addition to the new exploration results, Astral announced it had struck a land-use agreement with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Claimant Group for the project.

The company said the agreement covers protocols for heritage surveys, activities to protect identified sites and clearance procedures to facilitate mining activities at the Mandilla project.

This ASX gold company’s shares are looking cheap

Shaw and Partners said the land use agreement was an important hurdle for the company.

They also said they saw good prospects for a mineral resource upgrade from the company either accompanying or following the DFS.

They added:

We maintain Buy rating on Astral Resources and $0.30 price target. The combination of continued high-grade extensional drilling at Theia and the completion of native title agreements across the Mandilla DFS tenement package both support the de-risking thesis into DFS completion in MarQ’27. Next key catalysts include further Theia Deeps assays, the Spargoville and Kamperman follow-up drilling in SepQ, and delivery of the Mandilla DFS itself.

Astral shares are currently changing hands for 18.5 cents. The company is valued at $297.2 million.

The post This ASX gold stock could jump in value by 60%: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX dividend share just blew me away
• ASM share price suspended as EFR Critical Minerals completes takeover
• 3 ASX growth shares brokers say could beat the market
• Solvar earnings: NPAT up, commercial lending grows, dividend rises
• How many Brambles shares do I need to buy for $5,000 per year of passive income?

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

The Solvar Ltd (ASX:SVR) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 7.5% lift in normalised NPAT to $36.1 million, as well as continued progress in scaling its commercial lending and an increased fully franked dividend for FY26.

What did Solvar report?

• Normalised Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) up 7.5% to $36.1 million
• Statutory NPAT down 6.2% to $29.5 million
• Normalised earnings per share rose 14.7% to 19.0 cents
• Total FY26 fully franked dividend of 19.5 cents per share (including special dividend)
• Loan book in continuing operations up 10.5% to $920.3 million
• Commercial loan book now $109.8 million, with Bennji reaching $49.7 million

What else do investors need to know?

Solvar has been simplifying its operations and investing in scalable growth platforms, with commercial lending through Bennji now a key strategic pillar. The continued rise in the commercial loan book has helped diversify the group’s earnings and underpins a shift towards sustainable long-term growth.

Funding remains robust, with the company securing a new $488 million warehouse facility for Money3 and expanding overall funding capacity to around $1.1 billion. These moves bring over $400 million in available capacity, positioning Solvar for further loan book growth and expected funding cost savings in FY27.

Solvar also completed its exit from the New Zealand market, selling its written-off loan book and reducing future complexity. The group resolved historical ASIC proceedings this year and highlighted improvements made in credit assessment and compliance frameworks.

What did Solvar management say?

Mr Scott Baldwin, CEO and Managing Director of Solvar, said:

FY26 was an important year for Solvar as we continued rebuilding the foundations of the business to create a platform delivering sustainable growth.

What’s next for Solvar?

Solvar expects to see continued growth in both its consumer and commercial lending portfolios heading into FY27. The group will focus on expanding its commercial offering through Bennji, driving productivity through technology, and keeping capital allocation disciplined.

Management believes that Solvar’s strengthened funding platform, scalable operations, and focus on responsible lending leave it well placed to deliver sustainable growth and attractive returns for shareholders.

Solvar share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Solvar shares have risen 6%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Solvar earnings: NPAT up, commercial lending grows, dividend rises appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX dividend share just blew me away
• ASM share price suspended as EFR Critical Minerals completes takeover
• 3 ASX growth shares brokers say could beat the market
• This ASX gold stock could jump in value by 60%: Broker
• How many Brambles shares do I need to buy for $5,000 per year of passive income?

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.

Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) shares are a popular choice for ASX investors looking for passive income.

The ASX blue-chip company is the world’s largest supplier of reusable wooden pallets and crates used for storing and transporting goods. It has a huge global footprint and operates in more than 60 countries, primarily under the Chep brand. 

The company has been operating for over 150 years and has a strong competitive position in the market.

Brambles’ scale, strong cash generation, recurring revenue and long operating history mean it is a classic defensive stock. And these qualities also mean the Australian blue chip is able to pay a regular passive income to its shareholders.

But what if you wanted to generate $5,000 of passive income from Brambles shares every single year? Is it even possible? And if so, what would it entail?

Let’s investigate.

What’s the latest out of Brambles shares?

At the time of writing, Brambles shares are trading for $19.47 a piece. That’s about 15% lower year-to-date and a 16% decline from this time last year.

Brambles shares jumped to an all-time high in September last year, and they stayed relatively consistent for around the next nine months. 

But in mid-May, Brambles shares crashed roughly 26% within a couple of days after the company scaled back its guidance figures for FY26. 

What dividend does Brambles pay its shareholders?

Brambles historically pays its shareholders two partially franked dividends per year, in April and October.

The company most recently paid shareholders a 32.74 cent interim dividend, with 14.05% franking, in April. Assuming Brambles will pay around the same amount for the second half of FY26, a 65 cent total dividend implies a forward dividend yield of around 3.4%.

How many Brambles shares do I need to generate $5,000 per year in passive income?

Assuming Brambles pays a total FY26 dividend of 65 cents per share, investors would need to buy around 7,692 shares in order to earn around $5,000 per year in passive income.

How much would that cost me?

Based on the current share price of $19.47, in order to buy the 7,692 shares needed for the $5,000 passive income in FY26, you would need to invest around $150,000.

It’s not a small amount of money, but if a regular and reliable passive income is your goal, it could be a worthwhile investment over the long-term.

And remember, you don’t have to invest the full $150,000 at once. You can slowly build your investment over time and let compounding do the rest.

The post How many Brambles shares do I need to buy for $5,000 per year of passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX shares could generate $12,000 per year in passive income

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 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.

Yesterday, Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASX: ASM) announced that its members’ and options schemes have now become effective, paving the way for the complete acquisition of ASM by Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE: UUUU). Key details include all ASM shareholders receiving either New Energy Fuels shares or CDIs and a cash component of 13 cents per share.

What did Australian Strategic Materials report?

• The schemes of arrangement to acquire 100% of ASM shares and options are now effective.
• ASM shareholders will receive 0.053 New Energy Fuels CDIs (or shares) and $0.13 cash per ASM share held on record date.
• ASM optionholders will receive $0.50 cash per option held on record date.
• ASM securities will be suspended from ASX trading at the close of 19 August 2026.
• Key implementation dates begin from 19 August, with payment expected on 28 August 2026.

What else do investors need to know?

The Federal Court of Australia has approved both the Share Scheme and Option Scheme, fulfilling the major remaining condition. The company has lodged the court order with ASIC, making the transaction legally binding.

Holders of ASM shares and options on the relevant record dates will automatically receive their consideration. For ineligible foreign shareholders, the New Energy Fuels shares will be sold on their behalf, with proceeds distributed accordingly.

ASM securities will be removed from official ASX quotation on 31 August 2026. From this point, former ASM investors will become shareholders or CDI holders in Energy Fuels Inc., a dual-listed company trading in both Australia and North America.

What’s next for Australian Strategic Materials?

ASM will progress with the implementation of the schemes, transitioning shareholders to New Energy Fuels ownership. Key trading and payment milestones are scheduled between 19 August and early September, finalising the delisting of ASM.

Looking ahead, future value for ASM’s former shareholders will track alongside Energy Fuels, which is focused on scaling critical materials production with newly acquired Australian assets.

Australian Strategic Materials share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, ASM shares have risen 109%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Australian Strategic Materials confirms scheme effectiveness as takeover completes appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Australian Strategic Materials: Federal Court approves Energy Fuels takeover
• ASM shareholders back Energy Fuels acquisition in decisive Scheme Meetings

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.

Yesterday, Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) announced that it had secured two major Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) maintenance contracts across Victoria, worth a combined $160 million over five years. The new deals are set to strengthen Ventia’s footprint in essential transport infrastructure services.

What did Ventia Services Group report?

• Awarded two ITS maintenance contracts in Victoria’s Central and East regions
• Combined estimated contract value of approximately $160 million over five years
• Potential extension options for up to four additional years
• Services cover traffic signals, street lighting, and ITS assets

What else do investors need to know?

Ventia’s success in securing these contracts showcases its established reputation managing complex infrastructure networks. This award highlights the increasing role Ventia is playing in maintaining Victoria’s road system, supporting a safe and efficient transport network.

The contracts are scheduled to commence from 1 December 2026 and include options to extend up to four more years, offering a pathway for recurring revenue and business stability. These wins align with Ventia’s broader strategy to serve essential infrastructure clients across Australia and New Zealand.

What did Ventia Services Group management say?

Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Dean Banks commented:

The award reflects Ventiaʼs proven capability in managing complex, technology enabled infrastructure networks. These contracts align strongly with Ventiaʼs expertise in maintaining critical transport assets and supporting our customers through safe, responsive and data driven service delivery.

What’s next for Ventia Services Group?

Looking ahead, Ventia is positioned to roll out its proven maintenance services for Victoria’s ITS assets, further reinforcing its standing as a transport infrastructure leader. The addition of these contracts not only strengthens Ventia’s portfolio but also bolsters prospects for sustainable, long-term growth.

Management’s ongoing focus remains on delivering safe, reliable, and technology-driven solutions for clients, as well as exploring further opportunities in the infrastructure services market.

Ventia Services Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services Group shares have risen 6%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 2% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ventia wins $160 million Victorian ITS contracts, boosting infrastructure services appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How many Brambles shares do I need to buy for $5,000 per year of passive income?
• Australian Strategic Materials confirms scheme effectiveness as takeover completes
• Why this ASX 200 stock is a buy after posting record results
• The average superannuation balance at age 62 in Australia. How does yours stack up?
• How much are CSL shares worth? 4 brokers have their say

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.

ASX 200 stock Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) made headlines yesterday after releasing its FY26 results.

As reported by James Mickleboro, the gold miner reported record FY26 profit and increased its dividend, backed by strong gold and copper output.

Other key results included: 

• Statutory profit after tax rose 59% to $1,475 million
• Underlying EBITDA increased 44% to $3,171 million with 57% margin
• Group cash flow jumped 76% to $1,389 million
• Final fully franked dividend of 21 cents per share, up 62%
• Total FY26 dividend of 41 cps, returning ~$833 million to shareholders. 

What did management say?

Commenting on the results, Evolution Mining’s Managing Director and CEO, Lawrie Conway, said:

Our record results reflect the quality of our assets and, above all, the efforts of the entire Evolution team. We are delivering on our commitment to shareholders. The record financial performance is on the back of safe, consistent and reliable operational delivery, complemented by our disciplined approach to cost and capital management. Our high-margin business is generating significant cash flow with a record Group cash flow of nearly $1.4 billion.

It was a subdued response from investors, with the ASX 200 stock rising just over 0.2% on the back of the announcement. 

However, Evolution Mining shares have risen 73% over the last 12 months. 

In good news for prospective investors, Bell Potter sees more upside for this ASX 200 stock. 

Here’s what the broker had to say. 

FY26 financial results sets fresh records

The team at Bell Potter said this ASX 200 stock delivered a record FY26 result, with revenue of A$5.56bn, underlying EBITDA of A$3.17bn and net profit of A$1.56bn, despite falling short of Bell Potter’s forecasts. 

The strong operational performance, combined with largely unhedged gold exposure, drove record earnings and free cash flow, while net gearing improved to 0% as EVN moved to A$19m of net cash. 

Management also increased its dividend payout target from ~50% to ~60% of group cash flow, supporting a total FY26 distribution of 41cps and signalling a greater focus on shareholder returns. 

FY27 guidance of 660-730koz of gold and 63-70kt of copper at AISC of A$1,795-1,995/oz was broadly in line with expectations, with higher growth capital reflecting investment in projects Bell Potter views as high-return and highly competitive for capital.

Buy recommendation in tact 

Based on this guidance, the team at Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation on this ASX 200 stock. 

It also increased its price target to $15.55 (previously $15.10). 

From yesterday’s closing price, this indicates a further upside of almost 14%. 

EVN offers fully unhedged gold and copper exposure via a portfolio of high quality, long-life assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions, overseen by a high-quality management team. EVN has demonstrated its intention to increase shareholder returns and gold price exposure. Our NPV-based valuation lifts 3%, to $15.55/sh. We retain our Buy recommendation.

The post Why this ASX 200 stock is a buy after posting record results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Evolution Mining, Whitehaven and Santos shares are creating a buzz on Wednesday
• Evolution Mining smashes records with FY26 profit and dividend surge
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Healthcare results wrap: Are Cogstate and Pro Medicus shares a buy, hold or sell?
• Why did this ASX gold stock just soar 24% in a single session?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

At age 62, Australians are entering the period where their superannuation shifts from being a retirement savings tool, to a main source of income.

By this age, you’ve passed the preservation age, which means you can access your superannuation if you’ve quit working. And you’re five years away from receiving the Age Pension (if you’re eligible for it).

But do you know if you have enough in your super to retire?

Or how your superannuation balance compares to other Australians the same age as you?

Here’s a breakdown of what the average superannuation balance is at age 62 in Australia.

Find out how yours compares.

What is the average superannuation balance for men aged 62 in Australia?

There aren’t exact figures, but brackets determined by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) provide a good guide.

The data shows that the average Australian male aged 60-64 has around $395,852 in their superannuation.

Is your superannuation in line with the average Aussie the same age?

What is the average superannuation balance for women the same age?

Women the same age have quite a lot less. The average balance for Australian women aged 60-64 is around $313,360. That’s a gap of almost $83,000!

Why? 

Women typically take a career break to have children or care for family, and during this time they receive little to no compulsory employer superannuation. Women are also more likely to work part-time and work in lower-paid industries. The missing contributions in their 30s and 40s also mean they lose several years of compounding, which takes a huge toll on their end balance. 

How does your super balance compare?

Are these average super balances enough to retire on?

If you’re happy to live a basic retirement on a tight budget, possibly. But for a comfortable retirement, no.

In fact, the average Australian is quite far behind.

ASFA estimates that it’ll cost single Australians around $55,923 per year to retire. It’ll cost couples living together closer to $78,566 per year in total.

These figures also assume you’ll start your retirement at age 67. It also assumes that you’ll receive a part Age Pension around this time and that you own your home outright.

In order to fund this type of comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that single Australians will need around $630,000 in their superannuation at age 67. Meanwhile, couples will need around $730,000 combined at the same age.

So, how much should I have in my super by age 62 to retire comfortably?

Using ASFA’s Super Balance Detective tool, I’ve calculated what you’d need at ages 62 to reach that sum in the next five years.

Assuming you’re aiming for the $630,000 superannuation balance needed for an individual. At age 62, you should have close to $539,000 to be considered ‘on track’.

How does your superannuation balance compare now?

The post The average superannuation balance at age 62 in Australia. How does yours stack up? 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 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.