Category: Stock Market

  • Netwealth shares surge 12% as record inflows power earnings growth

    Ecstatic man giving a fist pump in an office hallway.

    Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) shares have jumped 12% as at the time of writing on Wednesday after the wealth platform provider delivered a standout half-year result, highlighted by record inflows and strong double-digit revenue growth.

    Prior to the announcement, Netwealth shares had underperformed the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and were down almost 30% over the past 12 months.

    Today’s result and the share price reaction are therefore a welcome boost for investors who were eager to see evidence that Netwealth’s growth momentum remains firmly intact.

    Revenue and earnings power ahead

    Netwealth reported total income of $193.8 million for the half, up 24.7% on the prior corresponding period. EBITDA rose 23.9% to $96.7 million, with margins holding near 50%, underscoring the operating leverage in the platform model.

    Net profit after tax increased 19.9% to $69 million, while earnings per share climbed 20.5% to 28.1 cents. The company also declared a fully-franked interim dividend of 21 cents per share, up 20%.

    While operating expenses rose 25.5% to $97.1 million due to continued investment in people, technology, and governance, margins remained resilient. That balance between growth and reinvestment appears to have reassured the market.

    Record inflows drive platform growth

    The real highlight however was flows.

    Netwealth delivered record half-year custodial inflows of $16.4 billion, up 10.7%. Funds under administration (FUA) surged 23.6% to $125.6 billion, reflecting both strong net flows and positive market movements.

    Managed account net flows rose 42.7% to $3.4 billion, while total funds under management climbed 30.6% to $31.4 billion. Client accounts increased 13.7% to 172,221, and the number of advisers using the platform rose 7.3% to 4,089.

    These metrics point to continued structural gains in market share, particularly as advisers shift toward technology-led, scalable platforms.

    Foolish bottom line

    Netwealth has consistently positioned itself as a beneficiary of multiple long-term industry shifts, including the consolidation of legacy platforms and the rising demand for user-friendly and integrated wealth technology.

    With strong revenue growth and margins holding near 50%, investors are seeing the strength of this business and its sustained inflow momentum.

    Growth remains strong, flows are setting records, and for now, Netwealth’s competitive position appears to be strengthening.

    The post Netwealth shares surge 12% as record inflows power earnings growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Netwealth Group Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Why are Telix shares trading higher today?

    Female scientist working in a laboratory.

    Shares in Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) were trading higher on Wednesday after the company said it had filed a key regulatory approval in Europe.

    Telix, in a statement to the ASX, said it had submitted a marketing authorisation application (MAA) in Europe for its brain cancer imaging candidate, TLX101-Px.

    Dual regulatory process on foot

    The company said it had been preparing the regulatory packages for Europe and the US concurrently and was “bringing forward the European submission to meet an agreed filing date while aligning with aspects of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) package to support the additional application”.

    The new submission covers the major European markets, Telix said.

    The company added:

    In Europe, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of glioma with 18F-FET (FET-PET) is currently performed under physician-supervised use through hospital-based production at a limited number of sites. However, there is currently no generally available commercial product in Europe that ensures consistent quality and access for glioma imaging, an acute and immediate need. Telix aims to expand patient access to advanced imaging that can distinguish progressive or recurrent glioma from treatment-related changes in both adults and children, with potential for additional future indications.

    Telix said the drug was also being developed as a patient selection and response assessment tool for its glioblastoma therapy candidate, “which has been granted orphan drug designation in Europe and the U.S. and is the subject of the Phase 3 IPAX-BrIGHT trial in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, launching in multiple European countries”.

    Telix Precision Medicine Chief Executive Officer Kevin Richardson said:

    We see a compelling opportunity in Europe to broaden access to authorized targeted radiopharmaceuticals for brain cancer imaging and therapy, and as such this submission is an important milestone for Telix. The strategic value of this submission is particularly relevant to establishing widespread glioma imaging as part of our corresponding therapeutic development program. We have been able to utilize aspects of our FDA package to expedite the European filing, which has been submitted in accordance with a pre-defined date agreed with the regulator, with the U.S. resubmission to follow.

    Telix shares were trading 2.8% higher on the news on Wednesday morning. The company’s shares are not far off their 12-month lows of $8.26 and well below the highs of $31.97 achieved about a year ago.

    Some brokers believe the stock is undervalued, with Citi reiterating its buy rating on the stock with a price target of $34.

    Telix was valued at $2.99 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

    The post Why are Telix shares trading higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Telix Pharmaceuticals shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Why Medibank shares are jumping 7% today

    private health insurance diagram.

    The Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) share price is rocketing on Wednesday after the health insurer released an update to the market.

    At the time of writing, the Medibank share price is up 7.08% to $4.84. By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up modestly 0.5%.

    Let’s take a closer look at what the company announced.

    Premium changes locked in for 2026

    According to the release, Medibank confirmed that its health insurance premiums will rise by an average of 5.10% from 1 April 2026, following approval from the Federal Health Minister.

    The change applies across both Medibank and ahm branded policies. This equates to an average increase of $2.14 per week, or $4.46 per week for a family policy.

    Management said the increase reflects rising costs across the healthcare system. These include higher hospital charges, increased claims activity, and broader inflationary pressures.

    Medibank also highlighted its efforts to manage costs. The company said it has removed around $125 million from operating expenses over the past eight and a half years, which it believes has helped limit premium increases.

    It added that the group continues to focus on efficiency while investing in digital services and preventative health programs to improve long-term member outcomes.

    Customer support measures were also outlined, including hardship support options and no gap arrangements for certain services.

    A snapshot of Medibank’s operations

    Medibank is one of Australia’s largest private health insurers, operating under the Medibank and ahm brands. The group provides hospital and extras cover to millions of members, along with a range of health services through its Amplar Health division.

    The company has around 2.75 billion shares on issue and a market capitalisation of roughly $12.4 billion.

    Over the past 12 months, Medibank shares have traded between $3.93 and $5.31. At around $4.84, the stock remains below its 12-month high but well above its yearly low.

    Medibank also returns capital to shareholders through dividends. Based on the current share price, the stock offers a dividend yield of approximately 4%.

    What comes next for Medibank

    Premium adjustments are important in supporting margins as healthcare costs continue to rise across the system.

    The key issue for the market will be whether higher pricing is sufficient to offset claims growth and utilisation trends in the months ahead.

    Medibank is due to report its half-year results tomorrow morning. That update should provide clearer details on underwriting margins, claims experience, and capital management settings for the remainder of the year.

    The post Why Medibank shares are jumping 7% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Medibank Private Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Medibank Private Ltd shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Magellan shares surge 5% as dividend boost offsets earnings pressure

    Businessman studying a high technology holographic stock market chart.

    Shares in Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) surged as much as 8% early on Wednesday before retreating to a 5% gain (at the time of writing) after the fund manager delivered a steady interim result and announced a sharply higher dividend.

    While statutory profit declined, investors focused on stability in the core business and robust capital management. In a sector still battling fee compression and mixed flows, in addition to Magellan’s company-specific issues, the result was enough to shift sentiment.

    50% dividend boost

    The standout feature of the result was the dividend.

    Magellan declared a fully-franked interim dividend of 39.5 cents per share, up 50% on the prior corresponding period. The payout aligns with the group’s revised policy to distribute at least 80% of operating profit and signals confidence in underlying cash generation.

    For income-focused investors, the increase reinforces the company’s commitment to returning capital even as parts of the operating environment remain challenging.

    Operating profit after tax held flat at $83.1 million for the half year, while operating earnings per share rose 5% to 48.6 cents, helped by ongoing share buybacks.

    Statutory NPAT, however, fell 27% to $68.9 million. The decline was largely due to a $20.5 million negative fair value movement on financial assets, i.e., essentially accounting adjustments for paper losses from changes in the market value of investments Magellan holds.

    Encouragingly, strategic partnership income more than doubled to $25.7 million, driven by stronger contributions from Barrenjoey and Vinva. This growing earnings diversification appears to be gaining investor recognition.

    Assets under management rose 3% to $39.9 billion, with institutional inflows offsetting continued retail global equity outflows.

    Foolish bottom line

    Magellan ended the half with $504 million in liquid capital and no debt. The company also returned $38.4 million to shareholders through on-market buybacks during the period.

    After a 13% share price decline over the past year, Wednesday’s sharp rally suggests the market may be reassessing whether the worst is priced in. For now, steady profits and a stronger dividend were enough to improve sentiment.

    The post Magellan shares surge 5% as dividend boost offsets earnings pressure appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Magellan Financial Group shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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.

  • NAB shares race to record high on strong Q1 update

    Woman with an amazed expression has her hands and arms out with a laptop in front of her.

    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares are charging higher on Wednesday.

    In morning trade, the banking giant’s shares are up 6% to a record high of $47.96.

    NAB shares climb on update

    Investors have been buying the big four bank’s shares after it delivered a strong first-quarter trading update.

    According to the release, for the December 2025 quarter, NAB reported cash earnings of $2.02 billion. This is up 15% compared to the average quarterly result in the second half of FY 2025.

    The bank’s statutory net profit came in at $2.21 billion and its underlying profit rose 12%, supported by a 6% lift in net operating income and lower credit impairment charges.

    Net interest income increased 3% over the prior half average, while total net operating income rose 6%. Excluding Markets & Treasury income, revenue grew 4%, reflecting volume growth, higher fees and commissions, and lower customer remediation costs.

    Another positive was that NAB’s net interest margin edged up 2 basis points to 1.80% for the quarter. Excluding Markets & Treasury and liquid assets, margins were broadly stable, with improved deposit outcomes offsetting ongoing lending competition.

    In addition, it revealed that its expenses were broadly flat over the quarter, as higher technology and personnel costs were balanced by productivity benefits and lower remediation and restructuring expenses.

    Lending and deposits growth

    NAB’s business lending continued to be a standout performer. Australian business lending rose 2% in the quarter, including 3% growth in Business & Private Banking.

    Housing lending also strengthened, growing 1.1 times system (excluding Advantedge run-off).

    Customer deposits increased 1% over the quarter to $667.5 billion, with solid growth in transaction accounts.

    Asset quality improves

    Another highlight was that the bank’s asset quality showed further signs of resilience.

    Its credit impairment charge was $170 million for the quarter, and the ratio of non-performing exposures to gross loans and acceptances fell 8 basis points to 1.47%.

    Provision coverage remains strong, with the collective provision to credit risk-weighted assets ratio at 1.31%.

    Strong start to FY 2026

    NAB’s CEO, Andrew Irvine, was pleased with the bank’s start to the year. He said:

    We have started FY26 strongly. Underlying profit rose 12% compared with the 2H25 quarterly average, driven by increases across each of our customer facing divisions and a supportive Australian economic environment. Pleasingly, asset quality outcomes also improved over 1Q26 and we have maintained appropriate balance sheet settings.

    Disciplined execution of our strategy has delivered further progress this quarter across our key priorities of growing business banking, driving deposit growth and strengthening proprietary home lending. Australian business lending rose 2% including 3% growth from Business & Private Banking (B&PB), with market share gains in SME and total business lending. Australian home lending grew 1.1x system excluding Advantedge run-off, with drawdowns via proprietary channels improving from 41% in 2H25 to 46% in 1Q26.

    Speaking about its outlook, Irvine added:

    We continue to target productivity savings of more than $450 million for FY26 and for FY26 operating expense growth to be less than FY25 growth of 4.6%. NAB is well placed to manage our bank for the long term and to support our customers, while delivering sustainable growth and returns for shareholders.

    The post NAB shares race to record high on strong Q1 update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in National Australia Bank Limited right now?

    Before you buy National Australia Bank Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Superloop shares rocket on major acquisition and strong profits

    A man is connected via his laptop or smart phone using cloud tech, indicating share price movement for ASX tech shares and asx tech shares

    Shares in Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC) have jumped more than 10% after the company reported a return to profit, a major acquisition, and a guidance upgrade.

    The broadband provider said in a statement to the ASX that revenue for the half had jumped 23% to $317.6 million, “driven by strong customer and market share gains in consumer and wholesale”.

    Back in the black

    Underlying EBITDA jumped 46% to $55.8 million while net profit was $5.1 million compared with a loss of $7.8 million for the same period last year.

    The company added 74,000 new customers for the half, a gain of 21%, with total customer numbers now sitting at 805,000.

    Superloop also upgraded its underlying EBITDA outlook for the full year to $112 to $120 million, up from $109 to $117 million.

    Managing Director Paul Tyler said regarding the results:

    Superloop has delivered fantastic results for the first of half of FY26, including record organic Consumer customer growth, an increase in revenue of 23%, and an increase of 46% in underlying EBITDA to $55.8 million, leading to net profit after tax of $5.1 million for the half. Both the Consumer segment and the Wholesale segment achieved strong revenue growth, 29% and 28% respectively. Consumer added a record 49,000 customers during the half, and Wholesale experienced accelerated growth in the last two months, setting the business up for a strong second half.    

    Major deal announced

    In a separate statement to the ASX, Superloop said it had struck a deal to acquire Lightning Broadband for $165 million in cash.

    The deal would bring with it Lightning Broadband’s fibre to the premises network of 24,000 built lots nationally and a further 30,000 contracted lots.

    Supleroop said Lightning was also the default last mile service provider across more than 400 multi and single-dwelling units nationally.

    Superloop said it expected synergies of $5 million to be achieved within three years, and the buyout was priced at 15 times Lightning’s estimated 2027 earnings.

    Mr Tyler said the deal was a crucial step in building out Superloop’s “smart communities” asset base.

    He added:

    The combination of Lightning Broadband with Superloop’s existing Smart Communities portfolio, including the acquisition of Frontier Networks during the first half, creates a serious challenger to incumbents. With a combined built and contracted book of approximately 170,000 lots, we have clear visibility of long-term sustainable growth.” “Lightning Broadband’s strength in multi-dwelling units complements our expertise in broadacre, build-to-rent and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation. Our existing fibre network, including 2,500km of metropolitan footprint, enables direct connection to Lightning Broadband buildings, driving cost synergies and increasing network resilience.

    The deal is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of FY26.

    Superloop shares rallied hard on the news, hitting a high of $2.86 before settling back to be 12.8% higher at $2.73.

    Supleroop was valued at $1.25 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

    The post Superloop shares rocket on major acquisition and strong profits appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Superloop Limited right now?

    Before you buy Superloop Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Fletcher Building shares steady on half-year results and construction exit

    A man stands with hands on hips surveying construction of three high-rise buildings.

    The Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) share price is in focus after the Kiwi building products and materials group posted half-year revenue of $2.87 billion and an improved net operating cash flow of $156 million.

    What did Fletcher Building report?

    • Revenue from continuing operations: $2,866 million, largely steady on the prior period
    • EBIT before Significant Items: $145 million (5.1% margin, matching last year)
    • Net profit after tax from continuing operations: $45 million (up from a $88 million loss last year)
    • Net loss after tax including discontinued operations: $11 million
    • Net cash from operating activities: $156 million (up from $87 million)
    • Net debt: $1,164 million, below internal targets
    • No interim dividend declared

    What else do investors need to know?

    Fletcher Building is in the midst of shrinking and reshaping its business, including a major step: the $315.6 million sale of its Construction division, expected to complete in the first quarter of FY27. This is a significant milestone in shifting the company’s focus to building product manufacturing and distribution.

    Ongoing portfolio simplification, tight cost control, and better operational execution kept results steady, despite subdued market conditions across New Zealand and Australia. The business also maintained around $800 million in available liquidity, supporting its financial flexibility through choppy times.

    The half-year brought additional provisions and legal costs for legacy construction and Australian plumbing matters, but disciplined capital management led to lower net debt and improved working capital performance.

    What did Fletcher Building management say?

    Managing Director and CEO Andrew Reding commented:

    The first half of FY26 was another demanding period for the building industry, with subdued markets across New Zealand and Australia. Conditions differed between a particularly weak first quarter and a more stable second quarter. In that environment, our core manufacturing businesses held up well, supported by disciplined cost control and better operational execution. Just as importantly, we continued to make real progress on our strategy around simplifying the Group, strengthening the balance sheet, and embedding a decentralised operating model that improves accountability and performance.

    What’s next for Fletcher Building?

    Looking ahead, Fletcher expects market conditions in New Zealand to remain soft through the rest of FY26, with no strong recovery likely before calendar 2027. Australia is seeing early signs of market stabilisation, but conditions remain patchy.

    The company believes actions already taken—especially around cost, portfolio simplification, and capital discipline—should support better performance as markets recover. There’s no interim dividend for this half, with payout plans on hold until debt reduction targets are reached. The focus for now remains on completing asset sales, progressing strategy, and managing volatility.

    Fletcher Building share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Fletcher Building shares have risen 4%, slightly trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Fletcher Building shares steady on half-year results and construction exit appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Fletcher Building Limited right now?

    Before you buy Fletcher Building Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Nickel Industries lifts 2026 quota, driving stronger outlook and margins

    a man sits on his sofa loong at his phone and raises a fist to the air in happy celebration.

    The Nickel Industries Inc (ASX: NIC) share price is in focus after the company received a substantial 60% increase in its 2026 RKAB nickel ore sales quota, now set at 14.3 million wet metric tonnes (wmt). January 2026 also saw an estimated Adjusted EBITDA from Operations of around US$50 million, boosted by higher nickel prices.

    What did Nickel Industries report?

    • 2026 RKAB sales quota increased to 14.3 million wmt (up from 9.0 million wmt)
    • ~60% quota increase, significantly above peer group
    • January 2026 Adjusted EBITDA from Operations of ~US$50 million
    • Nickel pig iron (NPI) margins from RKEF operations up 150% to ~US$2,800/t in January
    • ENC HPAL margins exceeded US$10,000/t in January
    • 2025 NPI production base of 124,966 Ni tonnes

    What else do investors need to know?

    The increased RKAB quota means Nickel Industries can continue to supply up to 6.0 million wmt of saprolite ore to its rotary kiln electric furnace (RKEF) operations and meet the 8.3 million wmt demand for its ENC HPAL limonite ore in 2026. This positions the company to maintain stable production while supporting ongoing ramp-up at the new ENC project.

    Unlike many industry peers, which reportedly received less than 30% of their requested RKAB quotas, Nickel Industries’ strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials were credited for the substantial allocation. The company also plans to apply for further quota increases as 2026 progresses, especially after commissioning the ENC project.

    What’s next for Nickel Industries?

    Nickel Industries will submit further documentation for the 2026 RKAB approval and expects to apply for additional quota increases later in the year. The company is also focused on ramping up the new ENC HPAL project to its full annual capacity of 72,000 tonnes of nickel, aiming to diversify its nickel portfolio and reduce carbon emissions.

    With expectations of higher nickel and NPI prices continuing into the year, management indicates the company is highly leveraged to market improvements, with increased EBITDA expected if price trends hold.

    Nickel Industries share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Nickel Industries shares have risen 30%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Nickel Industries lifts 2026 quota, driving stronger outlook and margins appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Nickel Industries Limited right now?

    Before you buy Nickel Industries Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • After being sold down on weak results, one broker thinks Reliance Worldwide is a good buy

    A plumber gives the thumbs up.

    Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC), in its own words, had a “challenging first half”, reporting this week that both sales and profits had fallen.

    But that has, at least in the eyes of the team at Macquarie, created a buying opportunity for a company they see as fundamentally sound.

    So let’s have a look at the first-half results.

    Falls across the board

    Reliance said earlier this week that net sales fell 4.6% to US$645.4 million, while net profit fell 34.9% to US$34.7 million.

    The plumbing supplies company also announced an interim dividend of US2 cents, down from US2.5 cents, and a buyback of US$15.3 million, which it said would be the equivalent of another US2 cents per share in value.

    A lot of the negative impact during the half, the company said, was caused by US tariffs.

    The company said:

    The expected full year net impact of tariffs in FY26 is in the range of US$25 million to US$30 million, with the impact weighted to the first half of FY26. The benefits from the transfer of product sourcing away from China to lower tariff countries, coupled with price adjustments and cost reduction measures, will continue to flow through in the second half of FY26.

    The company’s Chief Executive, Heath Sharp, said it was a difficult start to the year.

    He added:

    The first half has been particularly challenging as we have dealt with the twin impacts of US tariffs and weak end markets. However, we are really pleased with the progress we have made with our key strategic initiatives, which have further strengthened the business and mean we are well placed to benefit from an upturn in volumes. While residential remodelling and new construction markets remained subdued, we have made significant progress on a number of strategic initiatives. We commissioned our new assembly facility in Poland and finalised plans for a new facility in Mexico which will support activity in the Americas and lower the impact of associated tariffs. During the half we also launched new product ranges with key distributors in Germany, France and Italy, while SharkBite Max was launched nationwide across Australia.

    The company said it expected trading conditions for the second half of the year to be “broadly consistent” with the first half.

    Shares looking cheap

    The team at Macquarie have looked at the result and believes there’s room for significant share price recovery.

    They said the company looks well-positioned for volume recovery alongside improvements in pricing, “so we believe any indication of volume recovery will be positive for the stock”.

    The Macquarie team added:

    This was a disappointing result, with known issues lingering longer than expected. At its core, Reliance is still executing well in a tough context. We believe valuation remains attractive given the leverage to an improvement in the volume outlook.

    Macquarie has a price target of $4.75 on Reliance shares compared with $3.50 currently. If the price target were achieved, it would represent a total shareholder return of 37% including dividends.

    The post After being sold down on weak results, one broker thinks Reliance Worldwide is a good buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Reliance Worldwide Corporation Limited right now?

    Before you buy Reliance Worldwide Corporation Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and 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.

  • Magellan Financial Group grows dividend as steady 1H26 results land

    A businessman looking at his digital tablet or strategy planning in hotel conference lobby. He is happy at achieving financial goals.

    The Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) share price is in focus today after the company delivered a steady interim result, with operating profit holding firm at $83.1 million and a 50% lift in fully franked dividends to 39.5 cents per share.

    What did Magellan Financial Group report?

    • Assets under management (AUM) rose 3% to $39.9 billion at 31 December 2025
    • Operating earnings per share increased 5% to 48.6 cents
    • Operating profit was $83.1 million, unchanged from 1H25
    • Strategic partnership income surged 109% to $25.7 million
    • Investment management revenue fell 17% to $106.9 million
    • Interim dividend jumped 50% to 39.5 cents per share, fully franked

    What else do investors need to know?

    Magellan maintained a strong capital position at the end of December, holding $504 million in liquid assets and no debt. Share buy-backs continued, with $38.4 million returned to shareholders during the half.

    Net flows were positive for the institutional segment thanks to inflows into Airlie Australian Equities and Global Listed Infrastructure. Meanwhile, retail outflows stabilised while new client and product wins, especially through Vinva, added diversity to the income stream.

    Recent investments in leadership, technology and governance are aimed at supporting scalable, operationally robust growth across Magellan Investment Partners, which also completed a rebrand in the half.

    What’s next for Magellan Financial Group?

    Looking forward, Magellan plans to expand its global distribution, especially in Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe, while continuing to focus on performance and operational efficiency. Further innovation and investment in automation and AI are on the agenda, along with ongoing development of strategic partnerships.

    The company remains committed to returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share buy-backs, while carefully assessing future growth and investment opportunities. Management has highlighted sustaining and growing institutional client relationships as a key priority for the second half.

    Magellan Financial Group share price snapshot

    Over the pat 12 months, Magellan Financial Group shares have declined 19%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Magellan Financial Group grows dividend as steady 1H26 results land appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Magellan Financial Group shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.