Category: Stock Market

Three of Australia’s largest mining companies will report important earnings results next week. 

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) will release its HY26 results on Tuesday, 17 February. 

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) will release HY26 results on Thursday, 19 February.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) will also release FY25 results on Thursday, 19 February.

How are these mining shares performing?

ASX materials and energy sectors have surged in the last month as these industries have benefited from commodity price tailwinds. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Energy (ASX: XEJ) index is up 8.8% in that span. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Materials (ASX: XMJ) index is up 8.66%. 

All three of these mining giants are coming into earnings results red hot, enjoying big gains over the past month: 

• BHP shares are up 12%
• Rio Tinto shares have risen 18.51%
• Whitehaven Coal shares are up 4.25%

What are experts saying ahead of earnings results?

Both Rio Tinto and BHP shares hit multi year highs yesterday. 

BHP shares reached $52.64 per share during Thursday’s trade, its highest share price since April 2022. 

Rio Tinto reached a record $168.78, representing an all-time high. 

With valuations looking full, investors may be cautious to jump in ahead of earnings results. 

However both are experiencing a combination of tailwinds, including commodity price surges and a strong Aussie dollar.

Analysis from Canaccord Genuity and Wilsons Advisory said the materials sector has historically exhibited the best performance during periods of AUD appreciation.

This is good news for BHP and Rio Tinto shares. 

BHP is also benefiting from shifting global demand for copper.

Copper demand is being driven by electrification, renewable energy, data centres, and electric vehicles.

This looks to be good news long-term for the mining giant. 

Is there further upside?

Out of the three mining shares, brokers seem to view BHP and Rio Tinto shares as close to fully valued. 

However based on the tailwinds discussed earlier, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a re-rating should the companies post strong earnings results. 

Meanwhile, a recent note out of Ord Minnett indicated that Whitehaven Coal shares have yet to peak. 

The broker has a target price of $9.90 on the ASX energy stock. 

Yesterday, the share price closed at $8.58. 

If it was to reach the estimate from Ord Minnett, that would mean a rise of more than 15%. 

Foolish takeaway 

For these blue-chip stocks, sentiment seems to point towards recent momentum continuing thanks to a combination of tailwinds. 

Despite valuations seeming full, long term upside remains for BHP and Rio Tinto shares. 

Any share price pull back following earnings results could offer a more attractive entry point. 

The post Mining Mammoths: Are Whitehaven Coal, Rio Tinto or BHP shares a buy ahead of earnings results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• That was fast! BHP relinquishes biggest ASX stock crown as CBA shares rocket
• My 10 best ASX shares to buy in February

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BHP Group. 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.

The GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) share price is in focus today after the investment manager reported higher full-year net income and record funds under management. Net income rose 7.3% to USD 463.3 million for 2025, while FUM reached USD 163.9 billion, up 7.1% from 2024. The company also declared a fourth-quarter dividend of USD 0.0365 per share.

What did GQG Partners report?

• Funds under management (FUM) ended at USD 163.9 billion, up 7.1% from the previous year
• Average FUM rose 10.8% to USD 164.3 billion
• Net revenue increased 6.3% to USD 808.3 million
• Net income attributable to shareholders climbed 7.3% to USD 463.3 million
• Diluted earnings per share grew 6.7% to USD 0.16
• Full-year dividends declared were USD 0.1469 per share, a 7.5% lift

What else do investors need to know?

GQG also announced net outflows of USD 3.9 billion for the year, compared to net inflows of USD 20.2 billion in 2024. Despite this, the company achieved positive investment performance, adding USD 14.8 billion to its FUM.

The business remains well diversified across strategies and geographies, with significant exposure to international, emerging markets, global, and US equities. Around 98% of revenue continues to come from asset-based fees, with management noting that their average fee remains competitive within the industry.

What did GQG Partners management say?

Chief Executive Officer Tim Carver said:

While we faced some headwinds in 2025, our team achieved several important milestones this year. On the back of a very strong 2024, GQG steadily grew funds under management (FUM) in the first half of 2025, reaching a month-end record high of USD 172.4 billion as of 30 June 2025. We ended 2025 with USD 163.9 billion in FUM, a USD 10.9 billion and 7.1% increase over FUM as of 31 December 2024. FUM increased as a result of positive investment performance of USD 14.8 billion, which was partially offset by net outflows of USD 3.9 billion for the year. Since our IPO in October 2021, we have grown FUM by more than 81%.

What’s next for GQG Partners?

GQG Partners is maintaining its focus on active equity management and diversified strategies. Management highlighted strong investment performance since inception across key asset classes, and reiterated that competitive fee structures position the company well against peers.

Looking ahead, GQG plans to continue offering a wide range of investment options across global markets, aiming to balance growth and resilience even in more challenging flow environments.

GQG Partners share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, GQG Partners shares have declined 32%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post GQG Partners posts strong FY25 earnings and record FUM appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• WAM Leaders announces fully franked interim dividend for 2026
• BWP Group posts strong half-year profit and higher distributions
• Cochlear posts modest sales growth but lower profit as Nexa launch continues
• Meridian Energy lifts generation and storage in January 2026 update
• Westpac posts $1.9bn profit in 1Q26 as digital push and lending gains continue

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 Gqg Partners. 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 BWP Trust (ASX: BWP) share price is in focus today after the company announced a 41.2% jump in statutory profit to $221.8 million for the half-year ended 31 December 2025, with revenue up 3% and an interim distribution per security increasing 4.1% to 9.58 cents.

What did BWP Group report?

• Revenue rose 3.0% to $103.6 million (HY24: $100.6 million)
• Statutory profit after fair value adjustments and tax surged 41.2% to $221.8 million (HY24: $157.1 million)
• Interim distribution per security lifted 4.1% to 9.58 cents
• Net tangible assets per security climbed 2.0% to $4.00
• Weighted average capitalisation rate of 5.27% across the property portfolio
• Portfolio value increased by $195.9 million to $3.9 billion, including significant unrealised gains

What else do investors need to know?

BWP completed its management internalisation in August 2025, focusing on strengthening systems and employment arrangements as it transitions to an internal model. The company advanced key leasing milestones, amending 62 Bunnings leases and making progress on development approvals for property expansions in Western Australia and New South Wales.

The Group’s occupancy rate remained solid at 96.7%, with a long weighted average lease expiry of 7.5 years. Divestments included several properties sold at strong premiums, while new debt facilities have improved funding flexibility and reduced risk.

What did BWP Group management say?

Managing Director Mark Scatena said:

The half saw a continued focus on asset repurposing, occupancy improvement and asset recycling whilst transitioning to an internalised management structure, with funding diversified and the balance sheet expanded to support the lower cost of capital post internalisation.

What’s next for BWP Group?

BWP expects to maintain its strategic direction, balancing portfolio optimisation, growth and renewal through the remainder of FY26. Priorities include embedding the internal management model, deploying capital efficiently for site repurposing and tenant-led expansions, and capitalising on further leasing opportunities.

The company guides to a full-year distribution per security of 19.41 cents, about 4.1% higher than FY25. Ongoing rent reviews, site developments, and tenant mix enhancements should underpin future growth, supported by a low supply pipeline in the large format retail sector.

BWP Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, BWP Group shares have risen 8%, slightly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post BWP Group posts strong half-year profit and higher distributions appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Cochlear posts modest sales growth but lower profit as Nexa launch continues
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• Westpac posts $1.9bn profit in 1Q26 as digital push and lending gains continue
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• What’s going on with ASX bank stocks this week?

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 Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) share price is in focus today after the hearing implant leader posted a modest 1% lift in sales revenue to $1,176 million for the half year ended December 2025, but underlying net profit fell 9% to $195 million. The board declared an interim dividend of $2.15 per share, steady on last year and representing a 72% payout ratio.

What did Cochlear report?

• Sales revenue up 1% to $1,176 million (down 2% in constant currency)
• Underlying net profit dropped 9% to $194.8 million
• Statutory net profit down 21% to $161.5 million
• Underlying earnings per share declined 9% to $2.98
• Interim dividend steady at $2.15 per share, 72% payout and 85% franked
• Operating cash flow increased to $136.8 million, free cash flow rose to $82.7 million

What else do investors need to know?

Cochlear launched the Nucleus Nexa System, the world’s first upgradeable smart cochlear implant, following 20 years of R&D. Uptake was strong, with the new system making up 80% of December implant sales, but the registration and contract renewal process delayed momentum in the first half.

Growth in emerging markets saw cochlear implant units lift 6%, although revenue was flat due to a greater proportion of lower-priced devices, particularly in China. Services revenue climbed 2% while Acoustics revenue remained steady. The company increased investment in R&D by 9% and continued to build inventory, lifting working capital.

What did Cochlear management say?

CEO & President Dig Howitt said:

We remain confident of the opportunity to grow our markets. There remains a significant, unmet and addressable clinical need for cochlear and acoustic implants that is expected to continue to underpin the long-term sustainable growth of the business.

What’s next for Cochlear?

Management expects a stronger second half, buoyed by the Nexa System’s availability, more services uptake, and improved Acoustics performance. FY26 underlying net profit is forecast to be at the lower end of the $435–460 million range, reflecting the slower than expected contracting for Nexa. The dividend policy remains at a 70% payout of underlying net profit, and Cochlear will keep investing in R&D and capacity expansion. Foreign exchange movements may influence profit levels in the coming months.

Cochlear share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Cochlear 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 Cochlear posts modest sales growth but lower profit as Nexa launch continues appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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. 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 Meridian Energy Ltd (ASX: MEZ) share price is in focus today after the company released its January 2026 monthly operating report, revealing a 14.5% year-on-year lift in total generation and strong inflows putting storage well above historical averages.

What did Meridian Energy report?

• January 2026 total generation up 14.5% year-on-year to 1,373 GWh, with both hydro and wind production higher.
• Waitaki catchment water storage ended January at 119% of historical average; snow storage reached 177% of average in early February.
• Monthly inflows were 108% of average, with financial year-to-date inflows 138% of average – the second highest on record for July–January.
• Retail sales volumes rose 2.9% from January 2025; residential segment sales jumped 27.4% (including former Flick customers), SMB 12.5%, large business 15.3%.
• Average generation price for January dropped to just over $1/MWh, nearly 99% lower year-on-year due to extended periods of spilling.
• National electricity demand was 3.1% higher than January 2025.

What else do investors need to know?

January was marked by wet weather, setting rainfall records for parts of both islands, which helped build water and snow storage levels ahead of winter. Storage in the Waitaki and Waiau catchments remained well above typical levels, though national hydro storage decreased from 115% to 92% of average over the month.

Electricity market conditions saw wholesale prices plummet due to the excess water, with the average sales price for generation falling to $1.10 per megawatt hour in January. The heavy inflows and low generation prices impacted both the revenues received and the cost to supply customers, which was also significantly lower than a year ago.

What did Meridian Energy management say?

Chief Executive Mike Roan said:

We are in a really solid position as we move towards autumn. Both water and snow storage in the Waitaki catchment are well above historical averages for this time of year, putting the country in a good position ahead of the coming winter. Extended periods of spilling in both the Waitaki and Waiau catchments have now ended but drove wholesale prices to remarkably low levels in January. Our average generation sales price was just over $1 per megawatt hour last month.

What’s next for Meridian Energy?

With healthy storage levels and strong inflows, Meridian Energy has plenty of flexibility to manage supply and meet increased demand as the country heads into winter. The company continues to track above-average snow and water reserves, giving it confidence to navigate the coming months of potentially higher consumption.

Looking forward, investors will want to watch for any shift in rainfall patterns as autumn arrives and the impact this may have on lake levels, electricity prices and Meridian’s earnings outlook.

Meridian Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Meridian Energy shares have declined 9%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Meridian Energy lifts generation and storage in January 2026 update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BWP Group posts strong half-year profit and higher distributions
• Cochlear posts modest sales growth but lower profit as Nexa launch continues
• Westpac posts $1.9bn profit in 1Q26 as digital push and lending gains continue
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• What’s going on with ASX bank stocks this week?

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 Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price is in focus today after the bank reported a first quarter unaudited statutory net profit of $1.9 billion, up 5% on the prior period’s average. Net profit excluding notable items also rose 6% to $1.9 billion, while CET1 capital remains well above regulatory targets.

What did Westpac report?

• Unaudited statutory net profit: $1.9 billion, up 5% on 2H25 average
• Net profit excluding notable items: $1.9 billion, up 6% on 2H25 average
• Net operating income: $5.81 billion
• CET1 capital ratio: 12.3%, above 11.25% target
• Deposit growth: $12 billion; lending growth: $22 billion
• Net interest margin: 1.94%

What else do investors need to know?

Westpac saw solid lending and deposit growth across both business and household customers, with particular strength in digital transaction account sales. Institutional lending rose by 7%, and business lending also expanded, thanks to technology-driven improvements like the BizEdge platform.

The bank continued its transformation agenda, simplifying operations and rolling out major tech initiatives. Notably, Westpac announced the sale of its RAMS mortgage portfolio, which aims to free up capacity for higher-returning loans. Asset quality improved, with low impairment charges and reduced stressed exposures.

What did Westpac management say?

Westpac CEO Anthony Miller said:

We are optimistic on the outlook for the economy and expect demand for both business and household credit to remain resilient. Our strong financial foundations provide us with the stability and capacity to support our people, customers, shareholders and the broader economy.

What’s next for Westpac?

Looking ahead, Westpac plans to continue its cost reduction drive targeting more than $500 million in productivity gains this financial year. Technology rollouts, including AI training for all staff and expansion of business banking solutions, remain central to the group’s strategy.

Customer migration to the Panorama wealth management platform and the rollout of the Westpac One digital platform for institutional clients are also on track. Management’s continued focus on simplification, efficiency, and customer experience supports the bank’s competitive positioning in a challenging market.

Westpac share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the Westpac shares have risen 18%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Westpac posts $1.9bn profit in 1Q26 as digital push and lending gains continue appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Cochlear posts modest sales growth but lower profit as Nexa launch continues
• Meridian Energy lifts generation and storage in January 2026 update
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• What’s going on with ASX bank stocks this week?

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 ASX 200 materials sector rose by 32% last year, largely due to surging mining shares.

Perhaps the new year is set to be just as strong, with materials already up 12.7% year-to-date, despite the recent commodities rout.

This compares to a 2.7% bump for the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) and a 3.6% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

The largest mining stock on the market, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), reached a near four-year high of $52.64 per share yesterday.

Other ASX mining shares are trading at record highs.

These include gold miner Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and diversified miner Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO).

If you’re looking for investment ideas in the mining space, here are three stocks with buy ratings from the experts.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

The Ramelius Resources share price closed at $4.69 on Thursday, down 0.42% for the day and up 82% over the past year.

Shaw and Partners has a buy rating on this ASX gold mining share.

The broker’s 12-month share price target is $6.50, implying a potential near-40% upside from here.

Shaw and Partners said:

Ramelius is embarking on a heavy investment phase over the next four years, yet our revised gold price outlook suggests they will maintain a robust upward trajectory in liquidity, with free cash flow yields tripling by 2030.

The market likely underestimates the production potential at Dalgaranga, and given management’s history of conservative forecasting, further discoveries at Cue or Magnet could easily push performance beyond current expectations.

Check out some 2026 gold price forecasts here.

Turalco Gold Ltd (ASX: TCG)

The Turalco Gold share price closed 3.7% higher at 71 cents yesterday.

The ASX gold mining share has risen 103% over the past 12 months.

Morgans maintained its buy rating on Turalco after a visiting its Afema Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.

The broker commented:

Afema represents one of the largest undeveloped gold projects on the ASX, hosting a 4.06Moz resource at 1.2g/t Au.

The visit included all key resource prospects, future growth corridors, site infrastructure, core yard and a visit through the local community — reinforcing both the scale of the system and development readiness.

Morgans raised its 12-month share price target from $1.63 to $2.19, implying a potential 200%-plus upside from here.

Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS)

The Aeris Resources share price closed at 53 cents on Thursday, down 6.2% for the day but up 231% over the past year.

After the company released its 2Q FY26 report, Morgans maintained its accumulate rating

The broker also lifted its price target on the ASX copper mining share from 60 to 70 cents.

This suggests a possible 30%-plus capital gain over the next year.

The broker said:

Solid 2Q26 delivery. Cracow continues its strong performance and Tritton operated broadly to plan.

Our earnings forecasts and valuation have been upgraded to reflect the company’s improved earnings outlook for the remainder of FY26 in the current copper and gold price environment.

Check out Goldman Sachs’ 2026 forecast for the copper price here.

The post 3 ASX mining shares to buy: brokers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. 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.

The team at Morgans has been working overtime looking at the countless results releases this week.

Let’s see what the broker thinks of three very big results and whether it thinks these ASX 200 shares are now buys, holds, or sells. Here’s what you need to know:

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Morgans was pleased with this banking giant’s performance during the first half, highlighting that its earnings were comfortably ahead of expectations. This has seen the broker upgrade its earnings estimates materially.

And while Morgans has lifted its valuation, it remains bearish on the investment opportunity here. It has put a sell rating and $124.26 price target on CBA shares. It said:

CBA delivered a meaningful beat of 1H26 earnings expectations. We have materially upgraded our EPS forecasts after factoring in continuation of higher loan growth and benign credit loss environments. We expect DPS growth won’t match EPS growth as we see approaching CET1 capital tightness. Target price lifted to $124.26. SELL retained, with potential TSR of -24% (including 3% cash yield) at current elevated prices and trading multiples.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

Morgans was disappointed with this biotech giant’s half-year results, which were softer and less clean than it was expecting.

However, it was pleased to see the company reaffirm its guidance despite recent chaos. In light of this and its improving outlook, the broker has retained its buy rating with a lowered price target of $241.34. It said:

1HFY26 result was softer and less clean than expected, with adjusted NPATA declining 7% and revenue modestly below forecasts. The result was further complicated by US$1.1bn in impairment charges, largely relating to Vifor and Seqirus, weighing on statutory earnings and sentiment.

Importantly, FY26 guidance was maintained, despite Behring weakness and heightened scrutiny following the announced CEO transition, suggesting a 2H recovery, pointing to an execution reset, not structural impost, in our view. The outlook looks supported through a combination of cost-outs, marketing initiatives, new product launches and diminishing headwinds, reinforced by the Board’s urgency around operational delivery. We adjust FY26-28 forecasts modestly, with our PT decreasing to A$241.34. BUY.

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

Finally, building materials company James Hardie impressed the broker with its third-quarter update. And with the US housing market likely near its trough, Morgans is feeling positive about its medium-term outlook.

In response, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $45.75. It said:

JHX delivered a clean Q3 beat with sequential margin improvement, disciplined execution on AZEK integration, and early evidence that volumes in core Siding & Trim (S&T) are stabilising at low levels. While NPAT remains temporarily weighed by amortisation and higher interest, the underlying margin trajectory and synergy capture both point to improving earnings quality into FY27.

With US housing likely near the trough, we see medium-term upside as organic growth returns, synergies compound, and leverage falls toward <2.0x by 3Q28. We retain our BUY rating and lift our valuation to A$45.75/sh.

The post Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, CSL, and CBA shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• What’s going on with ASX bank stocks this week?
• Why CSL shares could be trading at a 94% discount today
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• Here’s an ASX 200 share that I think could beat CSL in 2026

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

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) shares will be closely watched today after a shocking 32% share price crash yesterday. 

The company reported:

• Revenue rise of 19.8% to $375.9 million for H1 FY26
• EBITDA (pre-NZ investment) increased 13% to $14.9 million.
• Net cash rose 15.3% to $160.6 million as of 31 December 2025
• Active customers grew 14% year-on-year to ~1.4 million
• Repeat customers made up 62% of total orders
• Free cash flow of $23 million was generated during the half

However investors were not pleased with these results as the company endured a huge sell-off. 

The Motley Fool’s Aaron Teboneras reported yesterday that this was likely due to expectations not being met, as investors may have been hoping for stronger operating leverage at this stage of the cycle.

Its share price has now fallen 44% year to date, including Thursday’s crash. 

Following yesterday’s result, the team at Bell Potter issued updated guidance on Temple & Webster shares 

Here is what the broker had to say. 

Earnings miss 

Temple & Webster is an online-only retailer of furniture and homewares. Some of its products include office furniture, lighting, rugs, wall art, and home décor.

According to the report, Temple & Webster’s 1H26 EBITDA was roughly a 12% miss to consensus. 

The competitive environment coupled with a value driven customer has seen TPW pulling levers of price activation beyond supplier funded promotions during the seasonal period.

Bell Potter also noted key metrics like active customers (1.35m) and repeat rates (62%) were in line with its expectations, however revenue per customer was below.

The broker said while check-out revenue growth is tracking towards 2H26e estimates, challenging comps in 4Q26 sees modest changes to revenue estimates.

Our EBITDA forecasts -10%/-28%/-28% for FY26/27/28e.

Share price target drops

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter lowered its target price on Temple & Webster shares to $13.00 (previously $19.50). 

Following yesterday’s sell-off, Temple & Webster shares closed at $7.64. 

The broker still has a buy recommendation on the consumer discretionary stock.

Its revised price target still indicates 70% upside. 

Our views are unchanged of TPW’s ability to outperform over the long term as market share capture in an expanded TAM is expedited with range, pricing/scale advantages, AI/data capability backed by a strong balance sheet (~$160m cash).

The post Are Temple & Webster shares a buy after falling 32% yesterday following earnings results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

These 2 ASX dividend shares have both lost significant ground over the past 12 months. The share prices of Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) and Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) have fallen 23% and 12%, respectively.

Here are two very different ASX dividend shares that tick both the potential growth and income boxes. Let’s go and check them out.

Sonic Healthcare plays defence for a living

Sonic Healthcare isn’t the flashy growth stock grabbing headlines. This ASX dividend share is the quiet achiever that just keeps compounding.

This healthcare company plays defence for a living. People don’t stop getting blood tests or scans when the economy wobbles. Demand is steady, recurring, and largely immune to economic mood swings.

Sonic’s pathology and imaging empire stretches across Australia, Europe, the US, and the UK. A global footprint few ASX healthcare shares can rival. That diversification gives it multiple earnings engines and a natural hedge when one region slows.

The real magic? Resilience. Ageing populations and the relentless shift toward preventative healthcare keep test volumes humming. Management has layered on disciplined acquisitions over the years, adding scale without blowing up margins.

Where Sonic Healthcare really earns its stripes is in dividends. It pays shareholders twice a year and has a long history of maintaining — and gradually lifting — payouts. Bell Potter forecasts partially franked dividends of 109 cents per share in FY26 and 111 cents in FY27.

At a share price of $21.78 at the time of writing, that’s yields of roughly 4.8% and 4.9%. That’s not bad for a defensive healthcare stock, especially when those dividends are backed by recurring cash flow rather than one-off sugar hits.

Analysts also see growth potential for the ASX dividend share. The consensus target is $25.65, suggesting about 17% upside. Add in a forecast 4.9% dividend yield, and total potential returns could exceed 20%.

Super Retail Group: resilient in a tough market

Super Retail Group has proven it can drive sales in a tough retail environment, but investors are still debating whether earnings can keep up.

The owner of Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF and Macpac recently posted solid revenue growth, supported by resilient demand across auto and leisure categories and continued online traction. The $3.3 billion ASX dividend share has also been disciplined on inventory, helping protect margins in a cautious consumer backdrop.

Even so, profit growth has been patchy. Cost pressures, discounting, and softer discretionary spending have weighed on earnings momentum at times. That’s reflected in the price of the ASX dividend share, which has been volatile over the past year and has lagged the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) during periods of consumer uncertainty.

Like Sonic Healthcare, Super Retail stands out for dividends. The retailer pays shareholders twice a year and has built a reputation for consistent, largely fully franked payouts. In stronger years, it has also delivered special dividends. The current yield is attractive at 4.5% compared to the market. It’s supported by solid cash generation and a generally disciplined payout ratio.

Most analysts rate the ASX dividend share a buy. They have set the average 12-month price target at $16.32, implying a 13% upside, which could bring total earnings for the year to 17.5%.

The post 2 beaten-down ASX dividend shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.