Category: Stock Market

The Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX) share price is in focus today after the company unveiled its 2025 full‑year results, which saw a 9.4% lift in proportional toll revenue and a reaffirmed distribution guidance.

What did Atlas Arteria report?

• Proportional toll revenue grew 9.4% to $2,012.3 million
• Proportional EBITDA increased 9.3% to $1,509.9 million, with a 75.0% margin
• Statutory net profit after tax was $181.8 million, impacted by the Temporary Supplemental Tax
• Operating free cash flow per security came in at 34.9 cents
• Distribution paid and guidance for 2025 are both 40.0 cents per security

What else do investors need to know?

Atlas Arteria implemented a new leadership structure during 2025, sharpening its focus on strategic priorities. The company refreshed its executive team, appointing new CEOs at Dulles Greenway and Chicago Skyway to drive results and strategic execution.

Operationally, traffic performance was steady across the portfolio, with Dulles Greenway seeing an 8.2% increase in volume as drivers avoided congestion on alternate routes. The company also submitted a new rate case application for Dulles Greenway in December and continues to pursue growth projects in France, particularly with the A412 motorway.

What did Atlas Arteria management say?

CEO Hugh Wehby said:

2025 was another positive year for Atlas Arteria. We delivered strong revenue growth and steady traffic performance. We continued to build and optimise our businesses to improve safety and customer experience. This performance supports a 40 cps distribution for our investors for 2025, in line with guidance.

What’s next for Atlas Arteria?

Looking ahead, Atlas Arteria reaffirmed its distribution guidance of 40.0 cents per security for both 2025 and 2026, with plans to maintain or exceed this level subject to ongoing business performance. The company highlighted continued growth in free cash flow and an FX hedging program to help support distributions.

Atlas Arteria remains committed to building a resilient, long-term portfolio. Its strategy focuses on optimising current operations, seeking value-accretive growth opportunities, and preparing for French concession retenders in the coming decade.

Atlas Arteria share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Atlas Arteria shares have declined 5%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

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The post Atlas Arteria results: 2025 toll revenue climbs, 40c distribution on track appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• DroneShield wins $21.7m in western military contracts
• Sigma Healthcare shares: 1H26 profit and sales leap
• Qantas earnings: Profit up, higher dividends, and bigger fleet for FY26
• Westgold Resources posts record profit and revenue for H1 FY26
• Vault Minerals posts half-year earnings; declares maiden dividend

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.

There are plenty of emerging sectors that investors can now gain access to through focussed ASX ETFs. 

Traditionally, ETFs were seen as a way to track broad markets or indexes. These were often indexes like the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) or S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX). 

Funds that track these indexes are still great cornerstones of many portfolios. However targeting emerging sectors as well can help capture future growth. 

These are often referred to as thematic ASX ETFs. 

New insights from Global X have highlighted two such sectors that could be set for growth. 

Indian market lag creates opportunity 

A new report from Global X has reinforced the opportunity for Indian equities. 

However it is important to point out it has had a rough start to 2026. 

According to the report, the Indian share market started 2026 with its worst relative performance versus emerging markets in over 30 years.

However, there are three key tailwinds set to kick in that could help future growth. 

Firstly, the ETF provider pointed towards policy stability. 

Global X said India’s government is reducing its fiscal deficit while maintaining significant capital expenditure. This is evident across transport, energy, and defence. 

Continued investment in infrastructure supports long term productivity, while incentives for electronics, semiconductors, and clean energy help shore up domestic manufacturing and supply-chain resilience.

Secondly, trade clarity with the US is improving. 

The long anticipated US – India trade deal removed a major overhang for markets, easing tariff uncertainty and improving sentiment among foreign investors. 

Finally, AI infrastructure is emerging as a growth engine. 

Global X said major global tech companies (including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta and others) have announced large-scale commitments to AI, cloud, and data-centre buildouts across the country. 

With hyperscaler spending accelerating, India is aiming to transition from an outsourcing destination to a foundational AI infrastructure hub.

ASX ETFs to consider if you are looking for exposure to Indian equities include: 

• The Global X India Nifty 50 ETF (ASX:NDIA)
• Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

AI infrastructure buildout 

Another global sector set for future growth is AI and semiconductors. 

Of course, the growth of artificial intelligence is not a new idea. 

However, Global X has outlined the case that the semiconductors sector is moving through an important transition from cyclical to structural. 

What this means is the first phase of the AI trade was driven by demand for compute, concentrating gains in a small group of AI chip designers and hyperscalers as training and inference scaled rapidly. 

Now, as AI systems grow, tightening memory supply, surging storage needs, and rising data centre power demands are revealing infrastructure constraints. This is shifting the story from pure compute to a broader build-out across semiconductors and physical assets.

The AI build-out is now spreading across two distinct layers. The first is the digital layer, which sits within the semiconductor ecosystem and includes memory, foundries, chip designers, equipment, and advanced packaging.

The second is the physical layer, which allows that compute to operate at scale. This includes electricity generation, grid upgrades, data centres, cooling systems, and the broader industrial capacity required to support them. As AI workloads grow, this layer becomes just as critical as the chips themselves.

To target semiconductors directly, an ASX ETF to consider is the Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI). 

For investors looking to target the physical layer of the AI buildout, a fund to consider is the Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF). 

The post Niche ASX ETFs headed for massive growth 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 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.

Do you have space in your portfolio for ASX dividend shares? The Australian share market offers plenty of options to consider.

Here are two high-quality ASX stocks, Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) and Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX: CWP), that lead their respective sectors and could strengthen your income strategy.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

This isn’t the flashy ASX growth darling grabbing headlines. Sonic Healthcare is the steady compounder. The ASX dividend share that just keeps turning the crank.

It’s defensive by design. Recession or boom, patients still need blood tests, biopsies and scans. Diagnostic demand is essential, recurring, and far less exposed to consumer sentiment than most industries.

Sonic’s pathology and imaging network spans Australia, Europe, the US and the UK. That global footprint gives it multiple earnings engines and built-in diversification if one region slows. Few ASX healthcare names match that spread.

The structural tailwinds are clear. Ageing populations and the shift toward preventative medicine mean more testing over time, not less. Rising volumes drive reliable cash flow, while disciplined bolt-on acquisitions have expanded scale without wrecking margins.

And then there’s the income stream.

With a market cap around $10 billion, Sonic pays dividends twice a year and has built a long track record of maintaining – and gradually growing – payouts.

Bell Potter forecasts partially franked dividends of 109 cents per share in FY26 and 111 cents in FY27. At a recent share price of $23.14, that equates to yields of roughly 4.7% and 4.8%.

Brokers see upside, too. The consensus 12-month price target sits near $25.59, implying 10.6% potential gains. Bell Potter is more bullish, with a buy rating and a $28.50 target — suggesting upside closer to 23%.

Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX: CWP)

Cedar Woods is a focused residential developer with one big advantage: control. The ASX dividend share owns a sizeable land bank across key growth corridors, giving it the flexibility to release stock when market conditions suit.

That discipline has helped it generate steady cash flow, fund dividends, and avoid the excessive leverage that trips up many property peers.

The strength here is simplicity. The ASX real estate stock sticks to what it knows: master-planned communities and well-located residential projects. And it executes with a conservative balance sheet. In a housing market undersupplied for years, that’s a powerful position.

But let’s be clear: this is still a cyclical business. Earnings can be lumpy, settlements can shift between periods, and higher interest rates or softer buyer sentiment can quickly slow sales. Construction costs also remain a risk if margins tighten.

The outlook? Australia’s housing shortage hasn’t disappeared. Population growth and limited supply should support medium-term demand. If buyer confidence improves and rates stabilise,

Cedar Woods is well placed to convert its pipeline into rising earnings and dividends. The ASX dividend share just declared a fully franked interim dividend of 14 cents per share, up 40% on last year’s interim dividend of 10 cents per share.

Bell Potter believes the ASX dividend share is well-positioned to benefit from Australia’s chronic housing shortage.

The broker expects this to support dividends per share of 35 cents in FY 2026 and then 39 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $8.60, this equates to 4.1% and 4.5% dividend yields.

The post Chasing income? These top ASX dividend shares could deliver appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Is this ASX 200 healthcare share a great buy after reporting?

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

The Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) share price is in focus today after the company reported 1H26 revenue of $5.5 billion (up 14.9%) and normalised NPAT of $392 million (up 19.2%).

What did Sigma Healthcare report?

• Revenue increased 14.9% to $5.5 billion year-on-year
• Normalised EBIT rose 18.7% to $582.9 million
• Normalised net profit after tax (NPAT) up 19.2% to $392.0 million
• Australian Chemist Warehouse (CW) branded store sales up 17.2%, with like-for-like sales up 15.0%
• International retail network sales jumped 24.5% to over $807 million
• Net debt reduced by $117.1 million to $635.1 million (0.6x normalised EBITDA)
• Interim fully franked dividend of 2.0 cents per share declared, nearly 60% payout ratio

What else do investors need to know?

Sigma continued the expansion of its Chemist Warehouse branded network, adding 13 new Australian stores and growing to 550 stores nationwide. Internationally, the network also expanded, including the addition of new outlets in New Zealand and Ireland.

Integration and transformation programs remain on track, with $13 million of early synergies delivered during the half. Operating cash flow reached $317.4 million, and the company’s balance sheet remains conservatively leveraged, supporting future growth plans.

Sigma has also made progress reinvigorating the Amcal and Discount Drug Stores brands, converting MyChemist franchise stores and enhancing its owned and exclusive product lines.

What did Sigma Healthcare management say?

CEO and Managing Director Vikesh Ramsunder said:

Our first half performance reinforces the strength of Sigma. As an integrated healthcare business we see long-term opportunities for growth, headlined by sustained performance across our core domestic market, led by CW branded stores.

What’s next for Sigma Healthcare?

Sigma says momentum has continued into the early part of the second half of FY26, with Chemist Warehouse branded store sales in Australia up 16.6% and like-for-like sales up 14.4% year to date. The company expects benefits from its integration program to ramp up, with a $100 million annual synergy target set for FY29.

Management remains focused on expanding its retail footprint internationally, growing its portfolio of owned brands, and improving supply chain efficiency. Sigma believes its strong balance sheet and disciplined approach will help drive ongoing growth and shareholder value.

Sigma Healthcare share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement

The post Sigma Healthcare shares: 1H26 profit and sales leap appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• DroneShield wins $21.7m in western military contracts
• Atlas Arteria results: 2025 toll revenue climbs, 40c distribution on track
• Qantas earnings: Profit up, higher dividends, and bigger fleet for FY26
• Westgold Resources posts record profit and revenue for H1 FY26
• Vault Minerals posts half-year earnings; declares maiden dividend

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 Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) share price is in focus today as the company reported a $1,456 million underlying profit before tax for the first half of FY26, with revenue rising to $12.9 billion. The airline also boosted its fully franked interim dividend and announced plans for further shareholder returns, reflecting continued strong performance across its portfolio.

What did Qantas Airways report?

• Revenue of $12.9 billion, up 6% from 1H25
• Underlying Profit Before Tax of $1,456 million, up $71 million
• Statutory Profit After Tax of $925 million
• Underlying earnings per share of 68 cents
• Net Debt of $5.6 billion, in line with target range
• Interim fully franked dividend of 19.8 cents per share, plus up to $150 million share buy-back announced

What else do investors need to know?

Qantas reported growth across its domestic, international, and loyalty divisions. Domestic operations delivered a margin of 18%, while Qantas Loyalty membership and points activity both set new records. The company distributed $400 million to shareholders during the half and will increase its interim payout to $450 million, including an on-market share buy-back.

Fleet renewal and customer investment continued at pace, with delivery of nine new aircraft—supporting network flexibility, sustainability, and a lift in customer satisfaction scores. Qantas also expanded its frontline workforce and further invested in digital and sustainability initiatives, including carbon reduction programs and upgrades to the digital customer experience.

What’s next for Qantas Airways?

The company is targeting further growth supported by strong travel demand and continued transformation benefits, aiming for a $400 million savings target in FY26. Qantas expects Group Domestic revenue per seat (RASK) to increase about 3% in 2H26, with additional international capacity coming online.

Looking further ahead, capital expenditure is planned to rise, supporting new technology aircraft deliveries and the long-haul “Project Sunrise” initiative. Qantas Loyalty is set to grow EBIT by 10–12% this year. Management says net debt will remain within the targeted range and sustainable, fully franked dividends are a focus.

Qantas Airways share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Qantas shares have risen 20%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Qantas earnings: Profit up, higher dividends, and bigger fleet for FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• DroneShield wins $21.7m in western military contracts
• Atlas Arteria results: 2025 toll revenue climbs, 40c distribution on track
• Sigma Healthcare shares: 1H26 profit and sales leap
• Westgold Resources posts record profit and revenue for H1 FY26
• Vault Minerals posts half-year earnings; declares maiden dividend

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 Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) share price is in focus today after the ASX 200 gold miner reported a record half-year profit of $190.7 million and nearly doubled its revenue to $1.24 billion for the six months ended 31 December 2025.

What did Westgold Resources report?

• Revenue surged 98% to $1,237.6 million (H1 FY25: $624 million)
• Net profit after tax was $190.7 million (H1 FY25: $27.6 million loss)
• EBITDA reached $435.5 million
• Unfranked dividend of 3 cents per share paid during the period
• Gold production rose 23% to 195,355 ounces
• Operating cash flow increased to $531.7 million

What else do investors need to know?

Westgold Resources became debt free after repaying its outstanding $50 million facility, finishing the period with $520.6 million in cash and cash equivalents—a 117% lift from June 2025. The bumper results were driven by a sharp increase in the gold price achieved ($5,877/oz vs $3,910/oz a year ago) and higher gold sales volumes.

During the half, Westgold completed the divestment of its Mt Henry–Selene Gold Project to Alicanto Minerals, booking a one-off, non-cash loss of $177.9 million but gaining a 19.9% strategic stake in Alicanto and further cash proceeds. The company also progressed a proposed demerger of its non-core Reedy’s and Comet assets via the planned spin-out of Valiant Gold Limited.

What’s next for Westgold Resources?

Westgold has reiterated its FY26 production guidance of 345,000 to 385,000 ounces of gold, supported by investments in mine development and a healthy resource base. Following the sale of non-core assets and the planned Valiant Gold demerger, the company will sharpen its focus on its major mining hubs in the Murchison and Southern Goldfields regions, aiming to sustain safe, profitable growth while advancing its refreshed ESG strategy.

Westgold Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Westgold Resources shares have risen 221%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Westgold Resources posts record profit and revenue for H1 FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• DroneShield wins $21.7m in western military contracts
• Atlas Arteria results: 2025 toll revenue climbs, 40c distribution on track
• Sigma Healthcare shares: 1H26 profit and sales leap
• Qantas earnings: Profit up, higher dividends, and bigger fleet for FY26
• Vault Minerals posts half-year earnings; declares maiden dividend

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 Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) share price is in focus today after the company unveiled a strong set of half-year results, highlighted by a robust 44% lift in group EBITDA to $384.5 million and the declaration of a maiden 7 cents per share dividend.

What did Vault Minerals report?

• Group gold sales: 169,274 ounces for revenue of $817.3 million, up 20% on the previous corresponding period (pcp)
• Group EBITDA: $384.5 million, up 44% on pcp, with a margin of 47%
• Underlying net profit before tax: $211.7 million, up 93% on pcp
• Statutory net loss after tax: $35.2 million, reflecting the accounting treatment of early hedge settlements
• Cash and bullion at period end: $537.3 million, with no debt
• Maiden interim dividend: 7 cents per share (unfranked), plus ongoing share buy-back

What else do investors need to know?

Vault’s early settlement of H2 FY26 gold hedges for $172.7 million means it is now almost entirely unhedged, with only 10,233 ounces remaining for delivery in early FY27. This provides full exposure to current high gold prices, positioning Vault for increased free cash flow in the coming half. Capital investment continued across its portfolio, including processing plant upgrades at King of the Hills (KoTH) and the Deflector mine transition, aiming for a step-change in production capacity.

The company also maintained a robust balance sheet with $537.3 million in cash and bullion and no debt. Its ongoing share buy-back program reflects a continued focus on shareholder returns, alongside the inaugural dividend.

What did Vault Minerals management say?

Managing Director Luke Tonkin said:

Our solid operating cash flow and disciplined investment have brought Vault to an inflection point earlier than expected, enabling us to reward shareholders with a maiden dividend.

What’s next for Vault Minerals?

Vault’s guidance for FY26 remains at 332,000 to 360,000 ounces of gold production, with portfolio upgrades aiming to drive a 34% lift in Leonora gold output by the end of FY27. Upcoming completion of the KoTH processing facility upgrades is set to deliver increased throughput and operational flexibility.

Management anticipates the company will enter a cash tax-paying position in FY27, paving the way for future franked dividends. Ongoing capital investments and aggressive exploration are intended to support further growth and mine life extension, helping Vault maintain its position as one of the highest-yielding ASX gold companies.

Vault Minerals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Vault Minerals shares have risen 126%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Vault Minerals posts half-year earnings; declares maiden dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• DroneShield wins $21.7m in western military contracts
• Atlas Arteria results: 2025 toll revenue climbs, 40c distribution on track
• Sigma Healthcare shares: 1H26 profit and sales leap
• Qantas earnings: Profit up, higher dividends, and bigger fleet for FY26
• Westgold Resources posts record profit and revenue for H1 FY26

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Today, Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) reported unaudited first-half (1H26) revenue of $348.5 million and underlying EBITDA of $77.7 million, alongside further progress on its UK remediation plan.

What did Corporate Travel Management report?

• Revenue and other income of $348.5 million for 1H26 (unaudited)
• Underlying EBITDA of $77.7 million, representing an EBITDA margin of 22.3%
• Cash balance at 31 December 2025 of $121.2 million, down from $124.0 million at June 2025
• Capex of $19 million aligned to technology and strategic commitments
• Client retention remained strong at or above 97% across all main regions
• Payments of $15 million made to key UK customers in December 2025 as part of remediation

What else do investors need to know?

The company continues to work through the UK forensic accounting review, targeting completion in March 2026. This process includes a remediation plan, involving staged payments to impacted UK clients, to enable release of the overdue FY25 audited accounts.

Outside the UK, reviews found no evidence of similar issues in other regions. Trading conditions remain challenging, with new client sales slightly lower in December reflecting seasonality and some client caution. Nevertheless, client retention and service delivery remain strong, with no major losses reported.

A revised IATA agreement and remediation payments impacted working capital and cash flow during the half-year. The company has amended its debt facility, maintaining sufficient liquidity with a $140 million facility and an undrawn revolving credit component.

What did Corporate Travel Management management say?

Acting CEO Ana Pedersen said:

Our trading performance reflects both the resilience of the business and the quality of our client offering in the face of challenging circumstances.

Our focus on superior customer service, relationship management and enhancing client outcomes coupled with our proprietary technology continues to support customer retention and strong new client wins during the half. We do expect some moderation through the remainder of the financial year, as the uncertainty associated with the audit process has influenced the timing of both renewals and new business conversion.

The finalisation of a remediation plan is well progressed, including constructive discussions on the timing of staged payments. Importantly, we are making progress with KPMG and certain impacted UK customers, which is giving us a much clearer path toward resolving and finalising the outstanding matters.

As these key steps are completed, they will provide enhanced confidence to customers and our team. More broadly, we continue to improve governance, controls and systems across the business, and we recognise there is still more work to do as we complete the review and embed these improvements.

What’s next for Corporate Travel Management?

CTM expects the finalisation of its UK review and remediation plan to enable the release of its delayed FY25 audited results, as well as the 1H26 reviewed financials. The company is targeting reinstatement of ASX share trading in the second quarter of calendar 2026, subject to approvals.

Looking ahead, CTM foresees some softness in trading over 2H26 as audit-related uncertainty continues to influence client decision-making. The business remains focused on customer retention and technology investment to drive long-term growth.

View Original Announcement

The post Corporate Travel Management posts $348.5m 1H26 revenue and UK remediation update 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 Corporate Travel Management. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Corporate Travel Management. 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 Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) share price was on fire on Wednesday.

The supermarket giant’s shares ended the session 13% higher at $35.63.

Investors were buying the company’s shares after it released a solid half-year result.

But does this mean it is now too late to invest? Let’s see what analysts at Bell Potter are saying.

What did the broker say?

Bell Potter wasn’t overly surprised to see the Woolworths share price shoot higher yesterday.

It highlights that the company’s results were comfortably ahead of expectations. This includes an acceleration in revenue growth after a tricky period. The broker said:

Revenue of $37,135m was up +3% YoY (vs. BPe $37,200m and VA $37,223m). EBITDA of $3,206m was up +9% YOY (vs. BPe of $3,127m and VA $3,173m). Underlying NPAT of $859m was up 16% YOY (vs. BPe of $845m and VA $816m).

1H26 was cycling 1H25 results wore the impact of 1H25 industrial action in the Australian Food business ($95m in EBIT) and the impact of supply chain commissioning and dual running costs. Significant items after tax of $485m are largely linked to legal provisions related to historical staff underpayments. Group gross margin was up +18bps YoY and CODB was down 25bps YoY.

Bell Potter was also pleased with management’s outlook commentary. It adds:

Key outlook comments included: (1) Australian Food first 7wks trading showing +5.8% YoY (vs. +2.6% YoY underlying in 1H26) and FY26e EBIT is expected to be at the upper end of the mid-to-high single digit YoY growth range provided in Aug’25; (2) NZ Food first 7wks trading showing +1.7% YOY (vs. +2.8% YoY in 1H26); (3) Big W first 7wks trading is broadly flat YoY and FY26e EBIT is projected to be positive (and significantly weighted to 1H26); and (4) Other LBIT is forecast at $240-260m a modest increase from previous guidance of $240m.

Has the Woolworths share price peaked?

The good news is that Bell Potter believes the Woolworths share price can continue to rise.

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $38.25 (from $30.70).

Based on its current share price of $35.63, this implies potential upside of 7.3% for investors over the next 12 months.

In addition, the broker is forecasting a 2.7% dividend yield, which boosts the total potential return to 10%.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

The clear highlight is the pick-up in top line growth in the Australian food business, which adjusting for supply chain disruptions in the pcp returned to +3.2% YoY in 2Q26 (from +2.1% in 1Q26) and the maintenance of GM despite investing in price. While the stock has closed the gap on its historical trading multiple, we see execution against medium term targets in the Australian and NZ Food businesses as likely to sustain a reasonable level of growth to FY28e.

The post Buy, hold, or sell: Has the Woolworths share price peaked? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 blue chip stocks I would buy with $50,000
• 3 ASX dividend stocks built to pay you year after year
• How high could Woolworths shares rise in 2026?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 ASX 200 stocks including NAB, Woodside and BHP shares charging to new 52-week plus highs today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woolworths 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 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.

When you are investing for 20 years, you are no longer trying to predict next quarter’s earnings. You are backing structural trends, strong businesses, and broad market growth that can compound over decades.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that could be strong long-term holdings for Aussie investors.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The S&P 500 index has been one of the most powerful wealth-building engines in modern financial history. The iShares S&P 500 ETF gives investors exposure to this index with a click of the button.

It provides investors with a slice of 500 leading US stocks across a range of sectors including healthcare, technology, consumer goods, and financials. Holdings include Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD), and Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX).

Over a 20-year timeframe, backing America’s largest and most innovative companies has historically rewarded patient investors. And while there will inevitably be corrections along the way, the long-term trend has been upward.

Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

Diversification is crucial when investing for decades. The Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF helps achieve this by providing exposure to over a thousand stocks across developed markets outside Australia. That includes businesses such as Nestlé (SWX: NESN), Visa (NYSE: V), and Roche Holding (SWX: ROG).

By investing across the US, Europe, and parts of Asia, this ASX ETF reduces reliance on any single economy. Over 20 years, global diversification can help smooth returns while still capturing international growth.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat AUD ETF (ASX: MOAT)

Another buy and hold candidate is the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. It focuses on US companies with sustainable competitive advantages.

Rather than simply tracking market size, it screens for businesses that have wide moats and are trading at attractive valuations. Current holdings include Estee Lauder (NYSE: EL), Microsoft, Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), and Nike (NYSE: NKE).

Quality at a reasonable price is a strategy that has worked for decades, and it remains a sensible approach for long-term investors.

Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

Technology will likely look very different in 2046 than it does today.

The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF provides investors with exposure to companies involved in robotics and artificial intelligence, including Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), and ABB Ltd (SWX: ABBN).

Automation and AI are expected to reshape industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing. Over a 20-year horizon, these technologies could be far more deeply embedded in the global economy than they are today.

The team at Betashares recently recommended this fund.

Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

A final ASX ETF to consider as a buy and hold investment is the Betashares India Quality ETF. It provides access to a group of high-quality Indian stocks.

India’s growing population, expanding middle class, and ongoing economic reforms create a backdrop for long-term expansion. And while emerging markets can be volatile, a 20-year horizon allows investors to ride out short-term swings and potentially benefit from structural growth.

It was also recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post 5 amazing ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 20 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to invest like Warren Buffett using ASX ETFs
• The easy way for Aussies to invest globally on the ASX
• How to build serious wealth with ASX shares
• 3 ASX ETFs for beginner investors to buy in March
• The sleep easy ETF portfolio to survive market crashes

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nike and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Abb, Adobe, Apple, Intuitive Surgical, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, Starbucks, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Nestlé and Roche Holding AG and has recommended the following options: long January 2028 $330 calls on Adobe, long January 2028 $520 calls on Intuitive Surgical, short January 2028 $340 calls on Adobe, and short January 2028 $530 calls on Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Adobe, Apple, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, Starbucks, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.