Category: Stock Market

The Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus today after the company secured a one-year extension of its Defence Maintenance Contract with the Department of Defence, valued at $107 million. The deal, effective from 1 December 2028, underscores Ventia’s strong position as a trusted partner for the Australian Defence Force.

What did Ventia Services Group report?

• Secured a one-year, $107 million extension for the Defence Maintenance Contract (DMC) with Department of Defence
• Contract commences 1 December 2028, with options for a further four years
• DMC includes repair and maintenance of critical equipment such as tanks and surveillance systems
• Ventia maintained asset availability above 95% during high-tempo Defence operations
• Provides 24/7 nationwide vehicle and equipment recovery services

What else do investors need to know?

Ventia’s extension of this large-scale defence contract highlights its reputation for supporting essential infrastructure and critical national needs. The DMC plays a significant role in helping Australian Defence Force units prepare for and return from operations and exercises.

The contract also demonstrates the company’s strong operational expertise, with proven surge capability during intense periods. High asset availability underpins the confidence the Department of Defence has shown in Ventia.

What did Ventia Services Group management say?

Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Dean Banks said:

This contract extension reinforces Ventia’s position as a trusted sovereign partner to Defence and our proven ability to deliver integrated solutions in complex environments. For more than 36 years, we’ve supported Defence capability, and we remain committed to strengthening this partnership while exploring opportunities to broaden our services to meet the evolving needs of the Australian Defence Force.

What’s next for Ventia Services Group?

With this contract extension, Ventia is well-placed to maintain its important role in supporting the Australian Defence Force over the coming years. Management sees continued opportunities to expand service offerings and deepen its relationship with Defence as requirements evolve.

Investors can watch for further announcements regarding contract renewals or expansions, as well as any strategic moves Ventia makes to broaden its defence and infrastructure portfolio across Australia and New Zealand.

Ventia Services Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services Group shares have risen 41%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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The post Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) share price is in focus today after the company reported a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) jump of 369% to $339 million and a 2% rise in normalised NPAT to $229 million for the first half of FY26.

What did Challenger report?

• Statutory NPAT up 369% to $339 million
• Normalised NPAT up 2% to $229 million
• Normalised basic EPS up 2% to 33.3 cents per share
• Fully franked interim dividend up 7% to 15.5 cents per share
• Normalised group ROE at 11.4%, 70 basis points above target
• Group Assets Under Management increased 3% to $128 billion

What else do investors need to know?

Challenger recorded an 11% increase in total Life sales to $5.1 billion, led by record domestic annuity sales, which rose by 37% to $3.1 billion. Offshore reinsurance sales also hit a record $695 million, up 13%.

Funds Management Funds Under Management (FUM) grew 3% to $116.2 billion, with innovation continuing in alternative offerings. The company also launched Challenger IM LiFTS Notes on the ASX and took a minority stake in Fulcrum Asset Management to expand its alternatives capability.

Challenger remains strongly capitalised, boasting $1.7 billion in excess capital above APRA’s minimum. Reflecting confidence, the board declared a fully franked interim dividend of 15.5 cents per share and announced a plan to buy back up to $150 million of shares on-market.

What’s next for Challenger?

Challenger is targeting normalised basic EPS for FY26 of between 66 and 72 cents per share, with normalised NPAT guidance of $455 million to $495 million. The company remains focused on growing its retirement partnerships, expanding its offshore reinsurance platform, and innovating in retirement income solutions.

Strategic partnerships with superannuation funds and advice technology platforms will aim to boost accessibility to annuity products and lifetime income streams, positioning Challenger well to support the next growth phase in Australia’s retirement income market.

Challenger share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Challengers share have risen 37%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 recommended Challenger. 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.

Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX: ALK) shares were on fire on Monday.

The ASX gold stock raced 11% higher to end the session at $1.76.

This lifted its market capitalisation to $2.4 billion, which is the highest it has ever been.

The good news is that Bell Potter thinks there’s more to come and is tipping this ASX gold stock as a buy.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with the company’s half-year results release on Monday. In response to the release, the broker said:

ALK reported a 1HFY26 financial result broadly in-line with our expectations. The result was distorted by the completion of the merger with Mandalay during the period. Compared with our forecasts, revenue was a slight beat and some costs were reported below the line. Key metrics included revenue of $404m (vs BPe $385m), EBITDA of $170m (vs BPe $148m) and statutory NPAT of $65m (vs BPe $69m). […] ALK’s gold hedge book remains in place, with 46,150oz @ A$2,862/oz for delivery to June 2027. Following the merger with Mandalay this is diluted down to <20% of production providing relatively greater leverage to the gold price.

But the real standout for the broker was a notable step-up in operational and financial performance during the second quarter. It believes that if this continues, the market could re-rate this ASX gold stock. It adds:

In our view, the highlight and key takeaway from the result was the significant step-up in operational and financial performance between 1QFY26 and 2QFY26, which marked the first full quarter of operation for the consolidated Alkane/Mandalay group. Group production lifted from 30.0koz to 42.8koz qoq, AISC dropped from A$2,988/oz to A$2,739/oz qoq. EBITDA (adjusted) lifted by 287%, from $38m in 1QFY26 to $147m in 2QFY26 and EBITDA (adjusted) margins lifted from 26% to 57% qoq.

While benefiting from the tailwinds of rising gold prices, it still demonstrated a substantially improved foundation for ALK. We anticipate that if ALK maintains consistent delivery at this level, the market will continue to positively re-rate the stock.

Should you buy this ASX gold stock?

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $1.95 price target on Alkane Resources shares.

Based on its current share price of $1.76, this implies potential upside of approximately 11% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

The improving operational performance has ALK tracking to meet FY26 production and cost guidance, which is unchanged. ALK offers multi-mine gold and antimony exposure across three attractive jurisdictions, a strong balance sheet and operating platform focused on organic and inorganic growth options. We retain our Buy recommendation and $1.95/sh target price.

The post Why this $2.4b ASX gold stock could be a top buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Which gold miner has just reported record production results?

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.

The Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC) share price is in focus today after reporting half-year revenue of US$645.4 million, down 4.6%, and a net profit after tax of US$43.7 million, a decrease of 34.9% from the prior corresponding period.

What did Reliance Worldwide report?

• Revenue from ordinary activities: US$645.4 million, down 4.6% on the prior period
• Reported net profit after tax (NPAT): US$43.7 million, down 34.9%
• Reported EBITDA: US$111.1 million, down 22.2%
• Interim unfranked dividend: US2.0 cents per share (paid as 2.8206 Australian cents per share)
• On-market share buy-back of approximately US$15.3 million announced
• Basic earnings per share: 5.7 US cents, down 33.7%

What else do investors need to know?

The half-year results were impacted by increased US tariffs and weaker demand in the US and UK. The company noted that net sales in the Americas dropped by 7.2%, while the Asia Pacific region saw a mild 0.7% decline. EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) sales rose slightly by 2.4%.

Despite a challenging environment, RWC achieved cost savings of US$4.4 million through better sourcing, manufacturing efficiencies, and distribution improvements. The interim total shareholder distribution of US4.0 cents per share, split evenly between a cash dividend and a buy-back, is above the company’s usual payout ratio due to lower NPAT this period.

What’s next for Reliance Worldwide?

Management has reaffirmed its commitment to distributing 40–60% of annual NPAT via both dividends and buy-backs, highlighting confidence in the company’s long-term strategy. The board continues to see value in returning capital to shareholders, particularly through buy-backs in the current share price environment.

The business is focusing on cost controls, and improving operational and manufacturing efficiency. The company remains alert to global economic pressures, and is ready to adjust as trading conditions shift across its major regions.

Reliance Worldwide share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Reliance Worldwide shares have declined 28%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which haas risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26

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.

Morgans has been very busy running the rule over a number of ASX shares this month.

Three that the broker has been looking at are in this article. Let’s see whether it rates them as buys, holds, or sells. Here’s what you need to know:

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Morgans was a touch disappointed with this hearing solutions company’s half-year results. It notes that the Nucleus Nexa system was to blame, with contracting taking longer than anticipated.

In response to its results, the broker has retained its hold rating with a trimmed price target of $214.93. It said:

The 1H26 result was softer than expected, with revenue, margins and profit negatively impacted mainly on longer than anticipated contracting for the newly launched Nucleus Nexa system (Nexa). Soft Cochlear Implants (CI) growth mis-matched sales, reflecting unfavourable emerging market mix and delayed developed market momentum, while Services was flat and Acoustics surprised to downside on increased competitive pressures.

While Nexa adoption accelerated late in the half and management maintained FY26 guidance, but now is targeting the lower end of the range, it increases reliance on a strong 2H recovery which appears optimistic, especially in light of flat GM and FX headwinds. We adjust our FY26-28 estimates and lower our target price to A$214.93. We maintain a cautious stance, but move to HOLD on share weakness.

Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL)

Another ASX share that Morgans has been looking at is uranium developer Deep Yellow.

The broker has made some changes to its financial model to reflect first production timing, its cash balance, and its uranium price assumptions. This has resulted in the broker retaining its speculative buy rating with an improved price target of $2.56. It said:

We update our outlook and forecasts for DYL to reflect a series of changes at the corporate, project and macro level since our last update. Key revisions include adjustments to first production timing at Tumas, cash position and an uplift to our bull-case uranium price assumption. We maintain our SPECULATIVE BUY rating and increase our price target to A$2.56ps (from A$1.92ps).

Webjet Group Ltd (ASX: WJL)

A third ASX share Morgans has been looking at is online travel agent Webjet. It notes that takeover talks have ended and Webjet has downgraded its earnings guidance.

The broker appears to believe that this may not be the last downgrade and has concerns over cyclical and structural threats. As a result, it has put a hold rating and 61 cents price target on its shares. It said:

WJL announced that potential takeover discussions with both Helloworld (HLO) and BGH Capital have ceased. WJL has downgraded its FY26 EBITDA guidance by another 7-9%. Earnings uncertainty remains high given cyclical and structural threats and at a time when WJL is investing in its business for longer term success. Given WJL is no longer in play, focus returns to the fundamentals of the business which look challenged in the near term. We retain a Hold rating with a new price target of A$0.61.

The post What is Morgans saying about Cochlear, Deep Yellow, and Webjet shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Where to next for Webjet shares after a 26% crash?
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Where to from here for Cochlear shares?
• Utilities outperform as ASX 200 ascends to a 3-month high
• Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today

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

Markets don’t move in straight lines. Some weeks it is interest rates spooking investors. Other weeks it is AI disruption, geopolitics, or earnings season surprises. But while headlines change constantly, the characteristics that drive long-term wealth creation rarely do.

If I were putting fresh money to work today, these are three ASX shares I’d feel comfortable buying and holding through the volatility.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

The first ASX share I would buy is Goodman Group. It sits at the heart of logistics, ecommerce, and data infrastructure, developing and owning industrial properties in key infill locations across major global cities.

While property can be cyclical, Goodman’s strategy focuses on high-demand sites that are difficult to replicate. That scarcity supports long-term value creation.

Importantly, the group has been expanding its exposure to data centres, an area benefiting from structural growth in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. That gives Goodman a foot in both physical logistics and digital infrastructure, which bodes well for its earnings growth in the coming years.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

Another ASX share I would buy is ResMed. ResMed operates in sleep apnoea and respiratory care, which are two areas supported by long-term demographic trends. Ageing populations, rising obesity rates, and greater awareness of sleep disorders are driving demand and look set to continue doing so for a long time to come.

In fact, the company estimates that it has a total addressable market in excess of 1 billion people. This gives it a significant growth runway over the next decade and beyond.

In addition, ResMed has evolved beyond hardware. Its growing software ecosystem connects patients, healthcare providers, and insurers, creating recurring revenue and deeper customer relationships.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

A final ASX share I’d consider is TechnologyOne. It provides software to governments, universities, and large enterprises. The good thing about these customers is that they rarely switch providers lightly, which has historically created strong retention and recurring revenue.

In addition, the company’s shift to a full SaaS model has improved visibility and margins, while its expansion into the UK has opened up a meaningful new growth avenue. So much so that management believes TechnologyOne is positioned to double in size every five years.

If it delivers on this, then its shares could deliver strong returns for investors over the next decade, especially after significant share price weakness recently.

The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy and hold through market volatility appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 2 ASX tech stocks smashed to multi-year lows
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• The $10,000 Test: Which ASX shares would I still own after 10 years?

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

The last few months have hit the tech share space hard because of AI worries. Amid all the volatility, there’s one particular ASX share I think that’s very well suited to succeed during a period like this.

Don’t get me wrong, I do think a number of the ASX tech shares that have been sold off could be an attractive buy. I’m intending to invest in two this week.

But, there is one ASX share that looks like it could be a clear buy to traverse this difficult period, in my view. It’s investment house Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL). There are a few reasons why I think it’s a great investment.

Not significantly exposed to the tech sector

The tech selling has been widespread and indiscriminate, plenty of which may have been overdone.

Soul Patts has not suffered a huge decline. In-fact, at the time of writing, the Soul Patts share price is slightly up in 2026 to date.

The investment house owns a large portfolio of assets across a range of sectors including resources, telecommunications, industrial property, building products, swimming schools, agriculture, water entitlements and a lot more. Tech isn’t a significant part of the portfolio.

The diversification is a strong part of the strategy, meaning the business is protected against the risk of being too exposed to any particular industry in its portfolio.

Can invest in opportunities

Soul Patts’ investment portfolio isn’t a fixed list of assets of businesses. It can sell something if it wants to.

More importantly, the ASX share can decide to invest in opportunitiesif the investment team like the look of a possible pick.

Soul Patts has shown skill and bravery at investing during rough times and taking advantage of lower prices.

I don’t know what Soul Patts is planning to invest in this year, but I reckon any investments will boost diversification and increase the earnings power of the business over time.

Over the last five and ten years it has significantly boosted its diversification and the ability to earn cash flow during all economic environments.

Great long-term return

I think the Soul Patts set up is quite similar to Berkshire Hathaway, though it hasn’t performed as well as Warren Buffett’s incredible long-term investment track record. 

But, the Soul Patts portfolio has performed solidly for investors, delivering a double-digit return.

According to CMC Invest, Soul Patts has delivered an average total shareholder return (capital growth plus dividends) of 12.2% over the past decade, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns of course, but I think the track record is promising and shows the type of compounding results that can be produced by the ASX share.

The post The 1 ASX share I’d buy to navigate the tech wreck appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why it’s a great time to buy these ASX 200 shares in these rocky times
• 3 ways to play the ASX tech share sell-off
• This Australian stock is 15% cheaper today, but it’s a “forever” hold
• 2 ASX dividend shares raising dividends like clockwork
• Is this the right time to invest in ASX defensive shares?

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Building wealth on the ASX does not have to mean constantly rotating between themes or chasing the next hot stock.

For long-term investors, a small group of well-chosen exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be enough.

Together, they can provide global diversification and structural growth, all without needing to pick individual stocks.

With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs to consider buying and holding for years.

Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

The first ASX ETF to consider is the popular Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF.

This fund gives investors access to a broad basket of shares from developed markets outside Australia. It includes companies from the United States, Europe, Japan, and other advanced economies.

Instead of betting on a single country or sector, this ASX ETF spreads risk across over a thousand businesses. That means exposure to global leaders in healthcare, technology, banking, industrials, and consumer goods.

VanEck MSCI International Value ETF (ASX: VLUE)

A second ETF that could suit a buy-and-hold strategy is the VanEck MSCI International Value ETF.

This fund takes a value approach to global markets, focusing on shares that screen attractively on metrics such as price-to-book and earnings multiples. That usually leads to exposure to established businesses in sectors like financials, industrials, and energy.

While it is worth noting that value investing can fall out of favour during strong growth cycles, it has historically delivered competitive long-term returns when market leadership rotates. This appears to be what is happening at present, with growth names being indiscriminately sold off.

Overall, holding the VanEck MSCI International Value ETF alongside broader market ETFs could add balance, particularly during periods when expensive growth stocks correct. It was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

The final ETF to consider for the long term is the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF.

As governments and businesses digitise operations and move to the cloud, the need to protect data and infrastructure continues to grow. This fund provides exposure to the companies operating at the front line of that challenge.

Rather than betting on a single cybersecurity stock, this ASX ETF spreads exposure across multiple global players. They appear well-positioned to benefit from this structural shift, especially as regulatory requirements are likely to keep demand elevated.

Overall, as a thematic allocation within a diversified portfolio, the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF offers access to a structural growth industry that is likely to grow materially over the next decade.

The post 3 excellent ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• The ultimate 4-ETF portfolio for ASX investors in 2026
• Why these ASX ETFs could be best buys
• The ASX ETFs I think could beat the Australian share market over the next 5 years
• Why I would buy these ASX ETFs with $50,000
• Why I think this Vanguard ETF is a strong buy in 2026

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 positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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

To narrow things down, let’s see what analysts are saying about three popular shares, courtesy of The Bull. Here’s what they are recommending:

Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI)

The team at Bell Potter is bullish on this commercial explosives company and has named it as a buy this week.

The broker has been impressed with its transformation and highlights its cyclical leverage and structural growth as reasons to invest. It explains:

Orica is a mining and infrastructure solutions provider. Orica’s transformation is gaining traction, with diversified growth across blasting solutions, speciality mining chemicals and digital solutions. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $992 million in fiscal year 2025 were up 23 per cent on the prior corresponding period. The significant rise was underpinned by strong demand for sodium cyanide, increased digital product uptake and solid execution across manufacturing assets. Management has upgraded its medium term EBIT target, and an additional $100 million buy-back program is underway. Orica offers a compelling blend of cyclical leverage and structural growth.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)

Over at DP Wealth Advisory, its team has named this energy giant as a hold this week.

While it sees positives, such as its investment in Octopus Energy, it isn’t enough for a more bullish recommendation. DP Wealth Advisory said:

This energy provider delivers services to more than 4 million Australian customers. It’s also a significant exporter of LNG through its stake in APLNG (Australia Pacific LNG). A positive for Origin is its 22.7 per cent interest in Octopus Energy in the UK and, in particular, the Kraken Technologies platform. A spin-off of Kraken into a stand-alone entity should add value to ORG.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Analysts at Fairmont Equities aren’t buyers of this health imaging technology company’s shares despite their heavy decline. The equities firm has named Pro Medicus shares as a sell this week.

Fairmont Equities appears concerned that the decline could continue if sentiment doesn’t improve in the near term. It said:

This medical technology business is one we have successfully traded on several occasions during the past few years. However, since mid-2025, we have stayed away from expensive technology companies, such as PME, due to negative market sentiment. On February 12, 2026, the company announced revenue from ordinary activities of $124.8 million in the first half of 2026, an increase of 28.4 per cent. Underlying net profit of $67.3 million was up 29.7 per cent.

However the share price was severely punished following the result. Perhaps, the result fell short of market expectations. The shares have fallen from $330.48 on July 17, 2025 to trade at  $132.86 on February 12, 2026. The shares may fall further if sentiment doesn’t improve.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Orica, Origin Energy, and Pro Medicus shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Utilities outperform as ASX 200 ascends to a 3-month high
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• 2 ASX shares I’d buy after seeing their results this week!
• Should you just forget ASX tech stocks after the AI selloff?
• Recap: Winners and losers from earnings season week 2

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Pro Medicus. 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.

On Monday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) started the week with a small gain. The benchmark index rose 0.2% to 8,937.1 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to rise again

The Australian share market looks set to rise again on Tuesday following a mixed start to the week in Europe. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 15 points or 0.15% higher. Wall Street was closed for the President’s Day holiday but in Europe, the DAX was down 0.45%, the FTSE rose 0.25%, and the CAC edged 0.05% higher.

Oil prices rise

It could be a good session for ASX 200 energy shares such as Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.4% to US$63.73 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.3% to US$68.62 a barrel. Traders were buying oil in response to demand optimism.

New Hope shares downgraded

The team at Bell Potter thinks that New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) shares are overvalued. This morning, the broker has downgraded the coal miner’s shares to a sell rating with a slightly improved price target of $4.10. It said: “We move to a sell recommendation following recent share price strength and a subdued thermal coal price outlook. NHC’s low-cost operations will continue to underpin margins through the coal price cycle, funding capital expenditure commitments and supporting shareholder returns.”

Gold price eases

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) could have a subdued session on Tuesday after the gold price eased overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.65% to US$5,013.1 an ounce. Traders may have been taking profit after a solid run from the precious metal.

BHP results

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares will be on watch on Tuesday when the mining giant releases its eagerly anticipated half-year results. According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts expect the Big Australian to report revenue of US$51.26 billion, EBITDA of US$25.98 billion, and an underlying net profit of US$5.07 billion. It said: “BHP is well funded for its current projects at WAIO, Escondida and Jansen, with the upside in metal prices amassing free cash flow. As a result, we estimate a USD 60 cent interim dividend, representing a higher-than-usual first half payout ratio.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday 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 BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.