Category: Stock Market

The REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) share price fell 3.6% to an intraday low of $159.77 on Tuesday.

There was no price-sensitive news pertaining to this ASX 200 communications share today.

So, why the tumble from yesterday’s closing value of $165.80 apiece?

REA share price declines amid red day for market

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) took a breather on Tuesday as investors considered how the war in Iran might play out.

The ASX 200 fell 1.39%, and 149 stocks also finished in the red. That included REA shares at $161.58 apiece, down 2.55%.

But there was another factor at play — it’s also ex-dividend day for REA shares.

It’s typical for a company’s share price to fall on ex-dividend day because the stock is no longer trading with the next payment attached.

That means it’s inherently less valuable.

Earnings season came to a close on Friday, and REA is among 35 stocks going ex-dividend this week.

REA shares will pay an interim dividend of $1.24 per share, fully franked, for the 1H FY26 period.

That’s 13% higher than last year’s interim dividend.

Re-cap on 1H FY26 results

The owner of realestate.com.au reported core operations revenue of $916 million for the half, up 5% year over year (yoy).

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) (excluding associates) came in at $569 million, up 6% yoy.

The net profit after tax (NPAT) from core operations was $341 million, up 9%.

REA also announced an on-market share buyback of up to $200 million worth of shares, which is now underway.

REA Group CEO Cameron McIntyre said:

REA Group’s first half performance was underpinned by strong double-digit yield growth in our core residential business. Our focus on richer, more immersive consumer experiences supported record audience and strong engagement. 

Investors were displeased with the earnings report, and the REA share price fell heavily on the day of the news.

Are REA shares a buy?

The REA share price has fallen 34% over the past 12 months.

After reviewing REA’s 1H FY26 report, UBS reiterated its buy rating with a 12-month share price target of $218.90.

Bell Potter retained a buy rating with a target of $211.

JP Morgan kept its buy rating as well, but reduced its price target from $225 to $215.

Morgans upgraded its rating to buy and shaved its price target down from $236 to $230.

Jeffries also upgraded REA to buy with a share price target of $203.

Ord Minnett maintained a hold rating on REA with a share price target of $215.

Macquarie also has a hold rating on REA shares. The broker lowered its price target from $210 to $200 after the 1H FY26 report.

Jarden reiterated its hold rating and slashed its target from $196 to $177.

The post Why did the REA share price fall today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 strong Australian stocks to buy now with $6,000
• ASX 200 shares to buy on the cheap right now
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• How to make $25,000 of passive income a year
• 3 Australian growth stocks to buy in 2026

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 JPMorgan Chase, Jefferies Financial Group, and 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy shares are up 0.45% on Tuesday, and energy is the only one of the 11 market sectors in the green.

The benchmark ASX 200 is down 1.2% as the market digests what the war in Iran might mean for global energy supply and trade.

Oil and gas prices continue to rise today, with Brent Crude at US$79.50 per barrel, up 2.1%, and WTI Crude at US$72.50 per barrel, up 1.6%.

European gas prices have skyrocketed after the US and Israel attack on Iran triggered direct disruption of gas supplies on the continent.

QatarEnergy suspended production of liquefied natural gas at its Ras Laffan and Mesaieed complexes after a drone struck a water tank.

The company feeds about 20% of global LNG supply.

UK natural gas futures jumped 41% to 115 pence per therm, and European futures surged 50% to 48 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh).

German gas rose to 45 euros per MWh, up 34%.

Analysts at Trading Economics said:

The suspension of supply from Qatar threatens around 15% of LNG imports to the European Union, magnifying tight shipments from an already tight global LNG market, and increasing bidding competition from US sources.

Besides the targeted attacks at the LNG facility, LNG carrier operators halted flows of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, limiting supply from other key Middle Eastern gas producers.

Both British and European gas storage levels are below 30%, making them especially vulnerable to external supply shocks.

ASX 200 energy shares on Tuesday

ASX 200 oil & gas shares are somewhat mixed today.

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is up 0.7% to $30.46.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are down 0.7% to $7.21.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares are among the market’s fastest risers today, up 2.1% to $29.67 apiece.

ASX 200 coal shares are also among the fastest movers due to higher thermal prices amid expectations of resilient global demand.

Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) shares are up 4.6% to $6.48.

Whitehaven Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares are 2.2% higher at $8.10.

The New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price is up 7.4% to $5.10 on news of an extended share buyback.

New ratings and price targets after earnings season

With earnings season ending on Friday, the brokers have been busy assessing company reports and re-rating shares accordingly.

Let’s see where they landed on three of the market’s largest ASX 200 energy shares.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

Santos reported underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of US$898 million for FY25, down 30% on FY24.

The ASX 200 energy share will pay an unfranked final dividend of US 10.3 cents per share.

Bernstein reiterated its buy rating on Santos shares yesterday with an improved price target of $7.60.

Morgans retained a hold rating on the ASX 200 energy share, but increased its target from $6.80 to $7.50.

Jarden kept its sell rating with a slightly lower price target of $5.90.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) 

The oil and gas giant reported an NPAT of US$2,718 million, down 24%, for FY25.

Woodside shares will pay a fully-franked final dividend of 59 US cents per share.

RBC retained its buy rating on Woodside shares with a 12-month price target of $31.50.

Citi maintained a hold stance with a target of $28.

Ord Minnett kept a sell rating on Woodside shares with a price target of $24.

Check out more ratings and forecasts for Woodside shares here.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)

Ampol reported a statutory NPAT of $82.4 million for FY25, down 33% year over year.

The ASX 200 energy share will pay a final dividend of 60 cents per share, fully franked. 

Of the five broker notes we’ve seen since Ampol reported, all of them retained buy ratings on the ASX 200 energy share.

Ord Minnett lowered its price target slightly to $35, and Macquarie also cut from $33.65 to $32.50 per share.

Morgan Stanley has a new price target of $31, down from $33.

The post 3 ASX 200 energy shares just given new 12-month price targets post-results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

ASX dividend shares are a great option for Aussie investors looking for reliable income, stability, and long-term growth potential.

There are several companies that pay their investors every quarter, every six months, or every year. ASX dividend shares that pay out every single month are a much rarer find. 

The most popular three are the BetaShares Dividend Harvester Active ETF (ASX: HVST), Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8), and Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT). They all offer a reliable monthly income at a good rate.

But there is another ASX dividend share that I think Aussie investors should consider: The BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equity Yield Maximiser Fund (ASX: YMAX).

What is YMAX?

The Betashares YMAX is an ASX-listed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that is designed to generate an attractive income. It targets the 20 largest Australian shares on the ASX. 

The fund uses a covered call strategy to generate extra income that is typically higher than dividend yields alone. It generally offers lower volatility than a direct investment in the underlying shares. It does not aim to track an index.

What does its portfolio look like?

The ASX dividend share invests in a portfolio that provides exposure to the largest 20 Australian securities listed on the ASX, combined with call options written on the securities in the share portfolio.

The portfolio is passively managed, which means that the weighting of each security will generally mirror the weighting of the security within the Solactive Australia 20 Index, Betashares explains. It also aims to generate dividends, franking credits, and some capital growth. 

It is most heavily weighted into the financial sector (45.7%) and the materials sector (20.8%). 

And as of the 30th of January this year, the top four holdings in its portfolio are Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB).

The portfolio is most heavily weighted into CBA and BHP shares at 15.5% and 15.1% respectively. It is also weighted 8.2% into both Westpac and NAB.

What are the ASX dividend share’s payouts?

When it comes to monthly payouts, the Betashares YMAX is relatively new to the table. Since its inception in April 2013, the fund has been paying quarterly dividends to its shareholders.

But effective from January 2026, the intended distribution frequency of the fund has been amended from quarterly to monthly.

As at 30 January 2026, the Betashares YMAX has a 12-month gross distribution yield of 8.8% and a 12-month distribution yield of 7.4%. The total 12-month franking level is 42.7%.

The fund paid its last quarterly dividend on 19th January. It paid shareholders $0.13247 per share with 31% franking.

Its first-ever monthly dividend payment was paid on the 17th of February, where it handed investors $0.035221 per unit. This came with 37.97% franking. This translates to an annual distribution return of 7.64%.

The fund has confirmed a $0.050699 per unit dividend, with 32.88% franking, will be paid on the 17th of March.

The post For monthly income, an 8.8% ASX dividend share to consider appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Buy, hold, sell: Bannerman, CBA, and Telstra shares
• 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors
• Down almost 40% and at a 52-week low, should you buy this ASX 200 tech stock?
• Fletcher Building shares lift as ASX 200 slides. Here’s why

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

Looking for ASX shares to buy? If you are, then it could be worth hearing what analysts are saying about the three below, courtesy of The Bull.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

Bannerman Energy Ltd (ASX: BMN)

The team at Fairmont Equities sees value in this ASX uranium stock. It believes Bannerman stands to benefit from increasing demand for uranium, which it expects to outstrip supply in the coming years.

As a result, it has named it as an ASX share to buy this week. Fairmont explains:

Bannerman is a uranium development company. Its flagship Etango project is based in Namibia. The uranium sector continues to appeal because demand should continue to outpace supply for the next several years. The company recently announced a joint venture with the China National Nuclear Corporation. The deal de-risks the Etango project and reduces funding risk involving development. BMN is exposed to potential upside in uranium prices.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Morgans thinks that Australia’s largest bank is undoubtedly a high-quality company. However, due to its stretched valuation, it isn’t a buyer at current levels.

In addition, with much of the good news now priced in, the broker is recommending investors sell CBA shares. It commented:

CBA is a high quality company. But the bank’s valuation has stretched well beyond peers, reflecting investor preference for safety and consistency. Much of the good news, including strong deposit margins and sector leading returns, is already priced in, leaving limited scope for upside from here. We see better value elsewhere in the sector and believe the current premium leaves the stock vulnerable to even modest disappointment, which supports our sell rating at these levels.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Morgans is a little more positive on telco giant Telstra, but not enough to justify a buy recommendation.

The broker has named Telstra shares as a hold. It thinks the stock is fairly valued at current levels, stating:

This telecommunications giant offers stable earnings, a strong mobile network and dependable dividends, making it a defensive holding in a volatile market. However, while its core mobile business continues to perform well, the growth outlook is steady rather than exciting. The stock appears fairly valued at recent levels, reflecting its predictable cash flows and limited near term catalysts. For now, Telstra remains suitable as an income‑focused hold due to its defensive earnings stream, but we don’t see a compelling reason to materially increase exposure.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Bannerman, CBA, and Telstra shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors
• 1 miner, 1 bank, and 1 ASX tech share I’d buy this month
• 3 reasons to buy Telstra shares right now
• How the CBA share price rocketed 17% in February
• 5 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy in March

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

ASX dividend stocks are a popular choice for investors seeking long-term growth potential and steady income.

But when it comes to deciding exactly which ASX dividend stocks to go for, there are plenty of options. Almost too many. There are dividend stocks that pay dividends every single month, and others that pay quarterly or annually. Some are fully franked, and some aren’t. There are high-yield stocks, and then there are your blue-chips.

Blue-chip stocks are generally large, well-established, and financially stable companies. They have a strong track record, have reliable earnings, and pay frequent dividends.

If you want a dividend stock that will steadily increase its dividend over time and have solid growth potential, blue-chip stocks are what you need to look at.

Here are three blue-chip dividend stocks that I think all Aussie investors should own in their portfolios. 

BHP Group (ASX: BHP)

Mining giant BHP is one of the largest and most established companies on the ASX, with a strong balance sheet and low debt, even during volatile markets.

In FY25, BHP’s dividend payouts were lower than those received the previous year, reflecting shifts in commodity prices over the 12-month period. But it continues to be a heavyweight for passive income. 

The miner recently reported impressive half-year earnings. On the bottom line, the ASX 200 miner achieved a 22% increase in underlying profit to US$6.20 billion.

This saw management declare a fully-franked interim dividend of 73 US cents (AU$1.03) a share, up 30% in Aussie dollar terms and up 46% in US dollar terms.

Macquarie previously forecast that BHP will pay its shareholders US$1.09 per share in FY26, with a potential dividend yield of 5.7% including franking credits. 

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Internet access and mobile phone connectivity are no longer a perk but a necessity for everyday life. That means Telstra shares tend to perform steadily, regardless of the stage of the economic cycle. 

The ASX dividend stock offers a reliable income stream to investors, too. In fact, one of the best things about Telstra is that its dividend payout ratio is close to 100% of its earnings. That unlocks a good dividend yield.

In its February half-year results, the company declared an interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share, up 10% from the prior period. The dividend was 90.5% franked, with 9.5 cents franked and 1 cent unfranked. On an annualised basis, that represents 21 cents per share for the full year. 

In FY25, Telstra shares paid a fully franked dividend of 19 cents per share.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is another blue-chip company that offers a fantastic passive income. The business owns several leading retailers, including Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and Priceline.

The business recently posted a strong FY26 half-year result, which included a fully-franked interim dividend of $1.02 per share. That’s an increase of 7.4%.

Analyst forecasts suggest the retail giant could deliver an annual dividend per share of $2.16 in FY26, which would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 3.9%, including franking credits.

The post 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why the BHP share price rocketed 16% in February
• 1 miner, 1 bank, and 1 ASX tech share I’d buy this month
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• 3 reasons to buy Telstra shares right now
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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) shares hit a 52-week low of $45.88 today. That leaves the gaming stock down almost 40% from its high.

When a high-quality ASX 200 tech stock falls that far, I think it’s worth looking if this has created a buying opportunity.

In Aristocrat’s case, I believe it has.

Why is this ASX 200 tech stock out of favour?

One of the big concerns weighing on gaming and software-related ASX shares this year has been artificial intelligence (AI).

Investors are asking whether AI-generated content could lower barriers to entry in gaming, reduce differentiation, or allow competitors to catch up more quickly. In theory, that could pressure margins and market share.

But when I look at Aristocrat’s recent annual general meeting update from last month, I see a company leaning into AI rather than running from it. Management highlighted that AI investment across the group is focused on improving content creation, speeding up prototyping, enhancing quality control, and accelerating delivery into market segments.

In other words, AI is being used as a productivity and innovation tool, not something that replaces Aristocrat’s core competitive advantages.

This is still a content-led business. Aristocrat’s strength lies in its intellectual property, deep customer relationships, hardware integration, and global distribution footprint. AI might change how games are built, but it does not automatically recreate decades of brand equity and installed base scale.

The core business is still performing

Strip away the noise, and Aristocrat is still growing. In FY25, revenue was $6.3 billion, up 11%, with EBITDA margins expanding to 41.7%. That is not the profile of a business in structural decline.

In North America, Aristocrat lifted its gaming operations market share to 43% and outright sales share to 31%, both all-time highs. It also held 9 of the top 10 premium leased indexing game titles in December 2025, according to industry data.

Those numbers tell me that, despite investor anxiety, customers are still voting with their wallets.

The ASX 200 tech stock is also pushing deeper into online real money gaming and iLottery, where it holds roughly a 70% share of the US iLottery market. That segment alone represents a long runway for expansion.

A stronger, more focused Aristocrat

Another underappreciated point, in my view, is the significant work that has been done to simplify and focus the portfolio.

The sale of Plarium and Big Fish’s social casual assets means Aristocrat is now more tightly aligned around land-based gaming, social casino, and regulated online gaming. Management has also emphasised its strong balance sheet and minimal leverage.

That matters in volatile markets. A strong balance sheet gives flexibility. It allows continued investment in design and development, selective acquisitions, and share buybacks when appropriate.

From what I can see, this is not a company scrambling to defend itself. It is one that CEO Trevor Coker believes has laid “significant foundational work” for sustainable long-term success.

So, should you buy?

At $45.88 and consensus estimates pointing to earnings per share of $2.58 in FY26, this ASX 200 tech stock is trading on a forward P/E ratio of just 18x.

I think that indicates that the market is pricing in a lot of fear. But when I look at the fundamentals, I see a global leader with growing market share, expanding margins, strong cash flow, and multiple growth avenues across land-based and online gaming.

That does not eliminate risk. AI could reshape the industry faster than expected. Regulatory changes could impact online growth. Execution always matters.

However, for long-term investors willing to tolerate some volatility, I think the current risk-reward looks far more attractive than it did near the highs.

The post Down almost 40% and at a 52-week low, should you buy this ASX 200 tech stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Ltd (ASX: FBU) shares are higher in mid-afternoon trade on Tuesday.

At the time of writing, the Fletcher share price is up 1.38% to $2.95.

This comes despite weakness in the broader market. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is currently down 1.32% as investors react to escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Here’s what the company announced.

Higgins secures 10-year road maintenance contracts

According to the release, Fletcher announced that its subsidiary, Higgins Contractors, has officially signed major road maintenance contracts with New Zealand’s transport authority.

The contracts cover the East Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Hawke’s Bay regions. Each agreement runs for 10 years, starting from April 2026.

Higgins had previously been named as the preferred contractor in December 2025. However, the agreements have now been formally signed and locked in.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Reding said the agreements are an important milestone for Higgins and provide a strong platform for the next decade.

The company also reminded investors that it has entered into a binding agreement to sell its Construction Division to VINCI Construction. The final purchase price could change depending on the outcome of key contract negotiations.

Fletcher and VINCI are still working through the details and will update the market separately.

What does Fletcher actually do?

Fletcher is one of New Zealand’s largest building materials and construction companies.

It operates across New Zealand and Australia. The business makes and supplies building products such as plasterboard, insulation, roofing, piping, and concrete. It also runs trade and retail distribution businesses that supply builders and tradespeople.

Through subsidiaries like Fletcher Construction and Higgins, the group also works on large infrastructure and construction projects.

In recent years, management has reviewed the business and explored selling non-core divisions to streamline operations and strengthen financial performance.

Foolish Takeaway

Fletcher has faced a challenging period, with pressure on earnings and margins in its recent financial results. The share price has also been volatile over the past year, trading between roughly $2.64 and $3.44.

The modest share price gain reflects investor support for the long-term nature of the new road maintenance contracts. Government-backed work that runs for a decade can provide more stable and predictable revenue.

The company is still progressing broader restructuring efforts, and investors will be watching for updates on the proposed sale of the Construction Division.

Any progress on asset sales and restructuring will likely remain a key driver of sentiment this year.

Fletcher shares are outperforming the wider market in what has been a weak session for the ASX.

The post Fletcher Building shares lift as ASX 200 slides. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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

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.

Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX: LIN) shares are defying the broader market on Tuesday.

At the time of writing, the ASX rare earths stock is up 25% to 66.2 cents, even as the ASX 200 index sinks 1.2% into the red.

In fact, at one stage today, its shares were up as much as 35% to 71.5 cents.

Why is this ASX rare earths stock rallying?

The surge comes after Lindian Resources announced that it has executed a binding term sheet to acquire 100% of an operating mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) processing facility in Kazakhstan via a joint venture structure.

According to the release, the acquisition will be made through an incorporated joint venture between Lindian (51%) and local partner RA Group LLP (49%).

The two parties will acquire the SARECO hydrometallurgical plant, which was previously owned and operated by a joint venture between Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and Kazatomprom, for a purchase price of US$15 million.

Importantly, this move transforms the ASX rare earths stock from a concentrate-only producer into a company with downstream MREC production capability, which is a higher-value product that typically attracts stronger payabilities.

A step-change in strategy

Management described the transaction as a “defining step” that fast-tracks Lindian’s transition into an integrated rare earths company with downstream capability.

The purchase price may be US$15 million, but only US$3 million is payable upfront following due diligence. The remaining US$12 million is deferred until three months after commercial MREC production begins, which is expected around the first half of 2027.

This certainly could be a great deal for the ASX rare earths stock. To put it into perspective, Lindian noted that comparable new cracking and leaching plants can cost in excess of A$500 million to construct.

By acquiring an already constructed and operational plant, Lindian also avoids the lengthy permitting, construction, and funding risks associated with greenfield development.

A compelling transaction

Commenting on the deal, the company’s executive chair, Robert Martin, said:

The acquisition of the SARECO Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate facility is a defining step for Lindian. It fast-tracks our transition from a concentrate producer to an integrated rare earths company with downstream capability, materially enhancing margins, commercial flexibility and long-term strategic value. This transaction positions Lindian to be one of the very few non-Chinese companies globally producing both rare earth concentrate and MREC.

What makes this transaction particularly compelling is the capital efficiency. Securing a fully constructed, operational cracking facility for US$15 million, compared to over half a billion dollars typically required for greenfield downstream development, allows Lindian to avoid years of development, construction, permitting and balance sheet risk whilst maintaining our first to market approach. This downstream capability strengthens our negotiating position on all offtake discussions and expands our addressable customer base as we move toward dual production in 2026.

The post Why is this ASX rare earths stock rocketing 35% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Boss Energy, Lindian, Magellan, and New Hope shares are rising today

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.

S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) shares are down 1.5% at 9,289.9 points on Tuesday.

The ASX All Ords hit an all-time high of 9,436.2 points on Friday, the final day of earnings season, and fell 0.13% yesterday.

Today, the market is substantially lower as investors continue to weigh how the US and Israel attack on Iran will affect world order.

Energy is the only sector in the green today as oil and gas prices continue to climb on expectations of disrupted global supply.

Meanwhile, three ASX All Ords shares have hit 52-week lows today.

Are they a buying opportunity, or is it best to steer clear?

Let’s defer to the experts.

4 ASX All Ords shares slumping to 52-week lows

HMC Capital Ltd (ASX: HMC)

This ASX All Ords financial share fell to a 52-week low of $2.54 on Tuesday.

That’s a 72% deterioration over 12 months, but Morgans sees the upside.

The broker retained its buy rating on HMC Capital shares after reviewing the company’s 1H FY26 report.

In a note, Morgans commented:

We still see value in HMC, with our market-to-market NTA at c.$2.30 per share, or c.$3.00 when we factor in our valuation for the listed co-investments (HDN, HCW, DGT), while the c.$60m of recurring funds management EBITDA adds additional value.

Morgans lowered its 12-month price target from $4.85 to $4.45.

Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS)

The Healius share price tumbled to a 52-week trough of 66 cents today.

This ASX All Ords healthcare share has halved in value over the past 12 months.

Morgans reiterated its hold rating after reviewing the pathology services provider’s 1H FY26 report.

The broker commented:

While management maintained FY26 earnings in line with consensus and operational discipline is improving, sustainable earnings leverage remains an open question and dependent on execution.

The broker gives the ASX All Ords healthcare share a 12-month target of 80 cents.

DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT)

This ASX All Ords real estate investment trust (REIT) fell to a 52-week low of $1.93 on Tuesday.

The data centre specialist has lost more than 55% of its value over the past year.

Morgans is optimistic, however, after going over the company’s 1H FY26 results.

The broker commented:

DGT continues to trade at a c.50% discount to NAV of A$4.62/security, yet that NAV does not yet reflect the full value of the 88MW SYD1 expansion, which management estimates will deliver a further c.A$1.50/security of NAV uplift at a targeted 15% yield on cost.

Acknowledging the share price weakness, we continue to see the opportunity in DGT, retaining our Buy rating with a $4.15/sh price target.

Beacon Lighting Group Ltd (ASX: BLX)

This ASX All Ords consumer discretionary share reached a 52-week low of $2.02 today.

That’s a 41% fall over 12 months.

However, Morgans upgraded Beacon Lighting from accumulate to buy on the back of its 1H FY26 report.

The broker commented:

BLX 1H26 result was weaker than expected, driven by softer sales in both retail and trade, which has tempered expectations of a meaningful recovery in the 2H.

Whilst earnings recovery is likely longer dated, we see long-term opportunity in trade, store network growth, and margin expansion as the cycle turns.

The broker lowered its share price target from $3.80 to $3.20.

The post 4 ASX All Ords shares at 52-week lows. Should you buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 35 ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week
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• 3 ASX All Ords shares at 52-week lows: Are they a buy?
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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 HMC Capital. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended HMC Capital and HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares had remarkably different runs in the month just past.

While Coles shares underperformed the 3.7% gains posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in February, Woolies stock raced ahead of those gains.

On 30 January, Coles shares were trading for $21.28. When the closing bell sounded on 27 February, shares were changing hands for $20.56 apiece, down 3.4% for the month.

Woolworths shares, on the other hand, closed out January trading for $30.94 and ended February at $36 each, up 16.4%.

Here’s what’s been happening with the ASX 200 supermarket giants.

Woolworths shares rocket on results

The biggest news out of Woolworths in February was the release of the company’s half-year results on 25 February.

Woolworths shares closed up 13% on the day after reporting (before significant items) a 3.4% year-on-year increase in sales for the six-month period to $37.14 billion.

And with all of the company’s segments achieving year-on-year earnings growth, the ASX 200 supermarket achieved 14.4% growth in earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to $1.66 billion.

On the bottom line, Woolies reported a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $859 million, up 16.4% year on year.

The Woolworths shares also likely got a boost from passive income investors after management increased the fully-franked interim dividend by 15.4% from last year’s payout to 45 cents per share.

If you want to bank the interim Woolworths dividend, you’ll have to hurry. Woolies stock trades ex-dividend tomorrow, meaning you’ll need to own shares at market close today to receive that payout. You can then expect to receive the Woolworths dividend on 2 April.

Coles shares hammered on results

Coles released its own half-year results two days later, on 27 February.

Unlike Woolworths shares, Coles stock closed down 7.4% on the day the supermarket reported.

Market expectations were clearly high following Woolworths’ strong results, with Coles coming under selling pressure despite reporting a 2.5% year-on-year increase in sales revenue to $23.6 billion.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) – excluding significant items – of $2.21 billion increased by 7.8%.

And Coles’ NPAT of $676 million was up 12.5% from H1 FY 2025.

With profits up, management declared a fully-franked interim dividend of 41 cents per share. That’s up 10.8% from last year’s interim payout.

You’ve got a little more time if you’re looking to grab the Coles dividend. The ASX 200 stock trades ex-dividend on 10 March, meaning you’ll need to own shares at market close on 9 March. You can then expect to see that passive income payout on 30 March.

Comparing the results between the two supermarket giants, Woolworths shares look to have benefited from materially stronger key growth metrics than Coles posted in the first half.

The post Here’s how Woolworths shares smashed Coles shares in February appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Broker recommends investors accumulate these ASX shares
• What is Bell Potter saying about Coles shares?
• What is Morgans saying about Helloworld, TPG Telecom, and Coles shares?
• 1 ASX dividend stock down 15% I’d buy right now
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.