Category: Stock Market

  • This ASX 200 tech stock is up 5% on results and ‘unprecedented demand’

    a group of three cybersecurity experts stand with satisfied looks on their faces with one holding a laptop computer while he group stands in front of a large bank of computers and electronic equipment.

    NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares are pushing higher in morning trade on Thursday.

    At the time of writing, the ASX 200 tech stock is up 5% to $14.71.

    Why are NextDC shares rising?

    The ASX 200 tech stock is gaining ground this morning after releasing its half-year results following the market close on Wednesday.

    According to the release, the data centre operator reported record half-year revenue, with net revenue rising 13% to $189.2 million and total revenue increasing 13% to $231.8 million.

    Underlying EBITDA climbed 9% to $115.3 million, while the company reduced its net loss after tax by 8% to $39.4 million.

    A key highlight was the surge in contracted utilisation, which increased 137% over the past 12 months to 416.6MW. The company’s forward order book now stands at 296.8MW, which management expects will progressively ramp into billing between FY 2026 and FY 2029, underpinning future revenue and earnings growth.

    NextDC’s CEO, Craig Scroggie, described the step change in activity as the culmination of years of positioning the company to capture extraordinary demand. He commented:

    The step change in the scale of the Company’s activities over the past six months represents the culmination of many years of work to position NEXTDC to capture the unprecedented demand and reflects our reputation for delivering on time and at scale. Our record forward order book is expected to drive a material uplift in revenues and earnings as we deliver this capacity across the period to FY29.

    Expansion accelerating

    NextDC revealed that it invested $1.285 billion in capital expenditure during the half, focused on developments including S3 Sydney, M3 Melbourne, and KL1 Kuala Lumpur, as well as other expansion activities.

    Importantly, the company upgraded total planned capacity at key projects, including M3 Melbourne from 200MW to 225MW and S4 Sydney from 300MW to 350MW.

    The company also added 33MW of built capacity during the half across NSW/ACT and Victoria.

    With liquidity of $4.2 billion at 31 December and plans to launch a subordinated notes offering in the coming days, NextDC appears well funded to continue its expansion.

    Outlook

    NextDC has reaffirmed its guidance for FY 2026. It continues to expect net revenue of $390 million to $400 million and underlying EBITDA of $230 million to $240 million.

    However, it upgraded capital expenditure guidance to a range of $2.4 billion to $2.7 billion, up from the previous $2.2 billion to $2.4 billion range, reflecting the acceleration of its planned inventory expansion.

    Mr Scroggie adds:

    NEXTDC remains on track to deliver another record financial performance in FY26 on the back of exceptional sales and strong financial performance in 1H26. With total liquidity of A$4.2 billion, record forward order book and record sales pipeline, the Company remains in an outstanding position to take advantage of further customer growth opportunities.

    The post This ASX 200 tech stock is up 5% on results and ‘unprecedented demand’ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy NEXTDC Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nextdc. 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.

  • Perpetual posts higher earnings and tight cost control for 1H26

    young woman reviewing financial reports at desk with multiple computer screens

    The Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 12% lift in underlying profit after tax (UPAT) to $112.7 million and a 2% rise in revenue for the half year ended 31 December 2025.

    What did Perpetual report?

    • Operating revenue of $697.9 million, up 2% on 1H25
    • Underlying profit after tax (UPAT) of $112.7 million, up 12%
    • Net profit after tax (NPAT) of $53.9 million, up 349% year-on-year
    • Interim dividend of $0.59 per share, unfranked
    • Asset Management UPBT of $106.9 million (up 4%), Corporate Trust UPBT of $49.0 million (up 11%)
    • Simplification Program delivered $60 million in annualised cost savings so far

    What else do investors need to know?

    Perpetual kept expense growth tightly controlled at 1%, and its Board reaffirmed full-year expense guidance at 1–2%. Cost savings from the company’s Simplification Program are on track for $70-80 million annually by FY27, with $60 million already achieved.

    Talks with Bain Capital Private Equity for the potential sale of the Wealth Management business are advancing, though there’s no binding agreement yet. Meanwhile, Wealth Management’s funds under advice grew 6% despite profit pressure.

    What did Perpetual management say?

    Perpetual CEO and Managing Director Bernard Reilly said:

    Perpetual delivered a solid first half, with revenue and double-digit underlying profit growth driven by the strength of our diversified business model including Asset Management and Corporate Trust, while Wealth Management continued to show resilience as the sale process continued.

    What’s next for Perpetual?

    Looking ahead, Perpetual plans to keep simplifying its operations to increase focus and reduce costs, supporting sustainable long-term growth. The company remains disciplined in expense management, while investing in new products and innovation within Asset Management.

    Discussions with Bain Capital about selling the Wealth Management division are ongoing, with the company committed to keeping shareholders informed as things progress.

    Perpetual share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Perpetual shares have declined 24%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Perpetual posts higher earnings and tight cost control for 1H26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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

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

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

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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 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.

  • An ASX dividend stalwart every Australian should consider buying

    Person handing out $50 notes, symbolising ex-dividend date.

    There are a few ASX dividend stalwarts that I’d suggest putting in a passive income-focused portfolio. One of those is the business L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF).

    L1 Long Short Fund Ltd is a listed investment company (LIC) that is managed by the fund manager L1 Group Ltd (ASX: L1G). LICs generate accounting profits for their financials by making investment returns from a portfolio of shares.

    L1 Long Short Fund invests in both ASX shares and international shares, while utilising both long-term investing and short-selling strategies. Short-selling means betting that a share price will go down.

    Using that strategy, the ASX dividend stalwart is able to generate returns regardless of whether the market is going up or down.

    Excellent investment returns

    Past returns are not a guarantee of future returns, of course. But, at the same time, an investment manager with a history of strong outperformance is worth paying attention to.

    I’d describe L1 Long Short Fund as being a contrarian investor with a willingness to invest in businesses with a lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios accompanied by confidence of solid earnings growth.

    As of January 2026, the sectors that had delivered the most returns using this investment strategy were (in order of biggest returns): ASX mining shares, then industrials, communication services, utilities and financials. Considering the recent performance of many tech names, it’s probably a good thing the LIC has largely avoided long-term investing in the technology sector.

    Giving its latest view on the ASX share market and global stock market, L1 wrote in the January 2026 update:

    We believe the Australian equity index is relatively fully valued, with several large cap stocks, particularly within the ASX20, trading well above historical multiples and global peers. Encouragingly, we are continuing to find numerous undervalued stocks, where we see a far more compelling combination of strong earnings growth, shareholder-friendly management, conservative balance sheets and significant valuation support.

    We continue to believe that infrastructure, gold, U.S. cyclicals, uranium and ‘quality value’ stocks provide some of the best opportunities globally. Given the enormous outperformance of high P/E stocks in recent years and over the past decade, we are finding more compelling opportunities in ‘Value’ stocks. We believe low P/E stocks will strongly outperform high P/E stocks (in general) over the coming 1-2 years, which the portfolio is well positioned to benefit from.

    I like getting exposure to a range of investments to generate my investment returns, and I like that this ASX dividend stalwart looks at a variety of sectors that may not necessarily be my own preferred hunting ground.

    Since inception in April 2018 to January 2026, the LIC’s portfolio delivered an average return per year of 15.1%. Over the seven years to January 2026, it returned an average of 21.5%. I’m not expecting the returns to be that strong in the years ahead, but it shows how well the LIC has been able to perform.

    These returns have funded pleasing dividends.

    ASX dividend stalwart credentials

    It has increased its half-year dividend per share each year since FY21 and it’s aiming to increase its dividend each year for investors. It has already built up a large accounting profit reserve that can fund rising dividends for years to come.

    The business recently switched to paying quarterly dividends to investors, providing more frequent cash flow for bank accounts.

    Its combined FY26 first quarter and second quarter dividend (totalling 7.1 cents per share) is 13.6% higher than the FY25 first-half dividend. If the business continues increasing its FY26 quarterly dividend by 0.1 cents per share in the next two quarters, its FY26 annual payout will be 14.6 cents per share, translating into a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.7%, including franking credits.

    That’s not a huge starting dividend yield, but I think the payout will progressively grow from here, making it a very appealing ASX dividend stalwart for the long-term.

    The post An ASX dividend stalwart every Australian should consider buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in L1 Long Short Fund Limited right now?

    Before you buy L1 Long Short Fund Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and L1 Long Short Fund Limited wasn’t one of them.

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

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

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in L1 Long Short Fund. 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.

  • Capricorn Metals declares maiden dividend and record profit

    Female miner standing smiling in a mine.

    The Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CCM) share price is in focus today after the company posted record first-half results, including a maiden 5 cents per share fully franked interim dividend.

    What did Capricorn Metals report?

    • Sales revenue up 64% to $350.1 million from the sale of 59,816 ounces of gold at an average price of $5,842 per ounce
    • Underlying net profit after tax up 130% to $144.8 million
    • Underlying EBITDA rose 101% to $215.3 million with a 62% margin
    • Cash flow from operating activities up 141% to $204.5 million
    • Net cash position increased to $440.8 million
    • Maiden fully franked interim dividend of 5 cents per share ($22.8 million) declared

    What else do investors need to know?

    Capricorn Metals delivered a strong operational result at its Karlawinda Gold Project (KGP), producing 62,794 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,627 per ounce. The company is on track to achieve the upper end of its full-year guidance of 115,000 to 125,000 ounces at an AISC of $1,530–$1,630 per ounce.

    During the half, Capricorn advanced growth at the Karlawinda Expansion Project, investing $44.5 million, and progressed exploration and feasibility work at the Mt Gibson Gold Project. The group also completed the acquisition of Warriedar Resources, adding potential new resources in the Golden Range and Fields Find regions.

    What did Capricorn Metals management say?

    Capricorn Executive Chairman Mark Clark said:

    Capricorn delivered another strong half year of operations at Karlawinda, generating record cash flow from operations of $204.5 million and record underlying EBITDA of $215.3 million. This performance continued to bolster the balance sheet, with the net cash position increasing to $440.8 million. Underpinned by this financial strength and the consistently strong operating cashflow of the KGP, the board has declared a maiden fully franked dividend. This dividend is a milestone for Capricorn and reflects the Company’s focus on delivering shareholder returns whilst we pursue our industry leading growth projects.

    What’s next for Capricorn Metals?

    Looking ahead, Capricorn is fully funded to advance both the Karlawinda Expansion and Mt Gibson developments while maintaining a strong net cash position. The Karlawinda expansion is expected to enter commissioning in the first quarter of FY27, which could lift gold production to around 150,000 ounces per year.

    At Mt Gibson, the company is finalising permitting and continuing resource definition drilling, which could unlock further underground mining opportunities. Capricorn says it remains committed to building on its multi-mine, mid-tier Australian gold producer ambitions.

    Capricorn Metals share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Capricorn Metals shares have risen 80%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Capricorn Metals declares maiden dividend and record profit appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Capricorn Metals Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Capricorn Metals Ltd shares, consider this:

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

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

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

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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 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.

  • Worley posts HY26 results

    A couple sit in their home looking at a phone screen as if discussing a financial matter.

    The Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) share price is in focus today as the company reported half-year 2026 results, highlighting 5.4% revenue growth to $6.31 billion and a steady underlying EBITA at $377 million, supported by strong project bookings and ongoing transformation efforts.

    What did Worley report?

    • Aggregated revenue of $6,312 million, up 5.4% on the prior corresponding period
    • Underlying EBITA rose 0.3% to $377 million; underlying EBITA margin excluding procurement increased to 8.8%
    • Underlying NPATA of $207 million, down 4.2%; statutory NPATA of $152 million, down 29.6%
    • Interim dividend of 25 cents per share declared (unfranked)
    • Normalised cash conversion ratio of 95.5%
    • Backlog of $16.7 billion with bookings of $9.8 billion, up 63% on previous half

    What else do investors need to know?

    Worley continues to benefit from its global reach and growing presence across energy, resources, and chemicals, with energy now contributing half of aggregated revenue and resources showing the strongest growth. The company is actively managing its cost base, incurring $82 million in transformation expenses this half, and expects annual cost savings of over $100 million from FY27.

    A $324 million on-market share buy-back has been completed since March 2025, reflecting strong capital management and confidence in future prospects. The Board also reaffirmed its commitment to returning capital to shareholders via the interim dividend.

    Bookings for major projects reached a record $9.8 billion, supported by recent wins across LNG, carbon capture, mining, and energy infrastructure. Worley’s healthy $16.7 billion backlog and a robust pipeline of future opportunities underpin management’s confidence in delivering stable earnings.

    What did Worley management say?

    Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Chris Ashton commented:

    Solid revenue growth and resilient earnings define this result. Worley continues to win the confidence of our customers as their capital investments adjust to global conditions. These results show once again our adaptability in the face of dynamic markets.

    What’s next for Worley?

    Looking to FY26, management is targeting moderate growth in both aggregated revenue and underlying EBITA, with a focus on higher-margin work and expanding end-to-end project delivery. The company expects its transformation and restructuring initiatives to yield material cost savings from FY27, further strengthening earnings resilience.

    Worley is also set to pursue opportunities in growth markets beyond its traditional energy, chemicals, and resources base—supported by digital innovation and the scale of its integrated global operations.

    Worley share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Worley shares have declined 17%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Worley posts HY26 results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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

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

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

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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 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.

  • Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares paused ahead of company announcement

    a woman wearing a dark business suit holds her hand up in a stop gesture while sitting at a desk. She has a sombre look on her face.

    Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) share price trading has been temporarily paused, pending a further announcement from the company, according to today’s ASX market release.

    What did Neuren Pharmaceuticals report?

    • Trading in Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares has been paused by the ASX from 26 February 2026.
    • The company is yet to issue a further announcement explaining the reason for the pause.
    • No financial or operational results were reported in this particular market release.
    • Investors are awaiting more information from Neuren Pharmaceuticals management or the ASX.

    What else do investors need to know?

    A trading pause generally means the company is preparing a significant update or announcement. Until this announcement is made, shares will not trade on the ASX.

    This could relate to a range of matters including financial results, a capital raise, or a market-sensitive development affecting the Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price.

    What’s next for Neuren Pharmaceuticals?

    Investors should keep a close eye on the ASX platform for Neuren’s next update. The pause will likely be lifted once the expected announcement is released.

    We’ll bring you the latest as soon as more details become available.

    Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares have declined 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares paused ahead of company announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

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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 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.

  • 2 ASX growth shares I invested in last week with $4,000

    A young man goes over his finances and investment portfolio at home.

    The ASX growth share space has been hammered over the past few months, particularly names that have a significant technology element to their business. I decided to take advantage of the cheap prices I was seeing.

    AI may well be a problem for a few different business models. But, the effect may take a lot longer to play out, impacts may not be as widespread, and incumbent businesses may be able to utilise AI to their advantage.

    Following significant sell-offs of a number of businesses that I’m bullish about, I decided to put $4,000 into the following two names. I’m just as optimistic about their long-term prospects as I was a year ago.

    Siteminder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

    This software business provides software for many thousands of hotels around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars of reservations. Siteminder (and Little Hotelier) helps hotels operate more efficiently and generate more revenue.

    Siteminder has a goal to increase its organic annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 30% per year in the medium-term. It has introduced a number of additional, profit-boosting modules for hotels which add a lot more data and analysis for clients, even offering tools to allow automatic room price changes throughout the year, depending on the level of demand.

    Due to the software nature and operating leverage of its offering, I’m expecting long-term profit margin growth as long as cost growth is contained and its market share continues rising.

    When I invested, the ASX growth share was down approximately 50% from 29 October 2025, which I think represents a huge decline for a business growing so quickly.

    With profitability and cash flow increasing over time, I think the business has great tailwinds at increasing its underlying value, even if it trades on a lower price/earnings (P/E) ratio (or price to revenue ratio) than it used to. I think it could deliver strong returns over the next three or four years.

    Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

    Temple & Webster is another tech-related business that has been sold off heavily in recent months. It had dropped around 40% since 26 November 2026, making it look a lot cheaper.

    Its FY26 half-year result didn’t impress the market, despite 20% revenue growth to $376 million. FY26 second half trading to 9 February 2026 showed revenue growth of 20%. Home improvement revenue rose 47% to $30 million, which I think bodes well for future growth in this segment.

    I think homewares, furniture and home improvement revenue could all benefit from growing online shopping adoption by Australian (and New Zealand) consumers.

    The ASX growth share’s total addressable market (TAM) is large, which gives the business a big target to aim at and a significant growth runway. I like how much it’s investing in growth activities, customer value and technology. While that may hamper profitability in the short-term, I think it’s the better choice for the long-term for its success.  

    Operating leverage could lead to the business significantly increasing its profit margins in the future, particularly if it can capture a useful market share in New Zealand, where it has just started selling items.

    In five years, I think its market share and profit margins could be considerably larger.

    The post 2 ASX growth shares I invested in last week with $4,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in SiteMinder and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended SiteMinder and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended SiteMinder. 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.

  • Ramsay Health Care posts 1H FY26 earnings; lifts dividend

    Three healthcare workers standing together and smiling.

    The Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHS) share price is in focus after the company reported first-half FY26 net profit after tax attributable to owners of $160.7 million and announced a fully franked interim dividend of 42.5 cents per share.

    What did Ramsay Health Care report?

    • Revenue from contracts with customers: $9,340.8 million, up 9.7% from 1H FY25
    • Net profit after tax attributable to owners: $160.7 million, versus a $104.9 million loss in 1H FY25
    • Underlying net profit after tax after non-controlling interests: $171.7 million, up 8.1%
    • EBITDA: $1,118.4 million, up 6.4%
    • Fully franked interim dividend: 42.5c per share, an increase of 6.3%
    • Basic earnings per share (after CARES): 66.4 cents, up 234%

    What else do investors need to know?

    Ramsay’s results reflected improved performance in its core Australian business and the absence of large impairments seen in the UK segment last year. Group revenue climbed on the back of increased activity and higher case acuity, particularly in Australia and Europe.

    The company proposed to distribute its shareholding in Ramsay Santé, its European business, to shareholders via an in‑specie distribution if approved. The board declared a fully franked interim dividend of 42.5 cents, with a payout ratio of roughly 60% of underlying net profit after tax from continuing operations. Ramsay suspended its Dividend Reinvestment Plan for this dividend.

    What’s next for Ramsay Health Care?

    Looking forward, Ramsay expects EBIT growth in Australia to continue, supported by ongoing activity growth, revenue indexation, and cost control. The UK acute hospital segment is preparing for continued NHS budget constraints until the new NHS fiscal year commences in April, after which additional funding is anticipated.

    In Europe, Ramsay Santé’s focus remains on cost control and operational efficiency, particularly as tariff indexation in France remains low. Across all regions, capital discipline and productivity improvements are key priorities. Group capex guidance for FY26 has been lowered to $755–795 million.

    Ramsay Health Care share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Ramsay Health Care shares have risen 13%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

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    Should you invest $1,000 in Ramsay Health Care Limited right now?

    Before you buy Ramsay Health Care Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

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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 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.

  • Lynas Rare Earths earnings: Profit jumps as growth strategy kicks off

    Female miner in hard hat and safety vest on laptop with mining drill in background.

    The Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) share price is in focus today, after the company reported a sharp jump in half-year net profit to $80.2 million and revenue to $413.7 million.

    What did Lynas Rare Earths report?

    • Revenue grew to $413.7 million (1H FY25: $254.3 million)
    • Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) surged to $80.2 million (1H FY25: $5.9 million)
    • EBITDA rose to $152.4 million (1H FY25: $38.1 million)
    • Closing cash and cash equivalents of $1,030.9 million
    • Rare earth oxide (REO) production increased to 6,375 tonnes
    • Successful $932 million equity raising to support growth

    What else do investors need to know?

    Lynas completed commissioning of the Mt Weld expansion, while the first half of heavy rare earths production at Lynas Malaysia was delivered. The company began shipping separated heavy rare earths to customers, signing initial contracts with pricing reflecting the strategic value of these materials.

    Lynas also announced an expanded heavy rare earth separation facility at its Malaysian site to meet rising customer demand. An MoU was signed with a permanent magnet manufacturer to strengthen the supply chain outside China, and further upstream resource development continued via partnerships in Malaysia. The balance sheet was bolstered by a large equity raise supporting the new Towards 2030 growth strategy.

    What did Lynas Rare Earths management say?

    CEO & Managing Director Amanda Lacaze said:

    The December half of FY2026 was an exciting one for Lynas. We completed commissioning for the Mt Weld expansion project, delivered the first half year of Heavy Rare Earth production at Lynas Malaysia, launched the Towards 2030 growth strategy and successfully completed an equity raising to support our growth agenda.

    All of this occurred in a global context where the focus on rare earth supply chain security is reshaping the market through government actions to address market dysfunction and supply challenges. With the completion of the Lynas 2025 capital investment program during the half year, Lynas is the only company able to capture the full value of this market upside. This is due to our position as the only commercial producer of separated Light and Heavy Rare Earth oxides outside China today.

    “Alongside market movements, half year production volume, sales volume, revenue and average selling price all increased from the prior corresponding period, contributing to a Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) of $80.2m.

    What’s next for Lynas Rare Earths?

    Looking ahead, Lynas is focused on delivering its Towards 2030 strategy, which aims to optimise the performance from recent capital investments and expand further into heavy rare earths production. Management believes the recently completed projects position the company to benefit from rising demand and stronger pricing.

    Lynas’ expanded facilities and strategic partnerships should help it meet customer needs and take advantage of market opportunities as global supply chains look for reliable sources outside China.

    Lynas Rare Earths share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Lynas Rare Earths shares have risen 149%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Lynas Rare Earths earnings: Profit jumps as growth strategy kicks off appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lynas Rare Earths Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Lynas Rare Earths Ltd shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. 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.

  • DroneShield wins $21.7m in western military contracts

    A young woman wearing glasses and a red top looks at her laptop smiling

    The DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) share price is in focus after announcing a package of six contracts totalling $21.7 million with a western military end-customer. The contracts cover dismounted counter-drone systems, spares, and software, with delivery slated for the first quarter of 2026.

    What did DroneShield report?

    • Secured six standalone contracts, valued at $21.7 million, via an in-country reseller
    • Deals cover supply of counter-drone systems, spare kits, and software subscriptions
    • All items are available from existing stock and expected to be delivered in Q1 2026
    • Payment anticipated in the second quarter of 2026
    • No additional material conditions required for fulfilment
    • Previously received $17.8 million in contracts from this reseller over the past seven years

    What else do investors need to know?

    The counterparty is a subsidiary of a large, global, publicly listed company, acting as an intermediary for distribution to the western military end-user. DroneShield notes there is no commitment for further orders from either the reseller or the end-customer at this stage.

    Importantly, DroneShield confirms that the identity of the customer is not expected to have a material effect on the value of its securities. The announcement includes all the information relevant for investors to assess the contract’s impact on the company’s outlook.

    What’s next for DroneShield?

    DroneShield expects to complete delivery on these contracts by the end of Q1 2026, with payments to follow in Q2 2026. The company remains focused on supplying innovative counter-drone solutions to defence and government clients worldwide.

    This win strengthens DroneShield’s track record with major international partners and underscores its position in the growing counter-drone technology sector.

    DroneShield share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, DroneShield shares have risen 299%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post DroneShield wins $21.7m in western military contracts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy DroneShield Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 DroneShield. 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.