Category: Stock Market

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares are losing altitude today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) airline stock closed yesterday trading for $8.70. During the Thursday lunch hour, shares are swapping hands for $8.53 apiece, down 2.0%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time.

Qantas shares have come under heavy pressure since the outbreak of the war in Iran on 28 February.

On 27 February, shares closed at $9.95. This puts the ASX 200 stock down 14.3% since investors woke to news of the Middle East conflict on 28 February. That’s roughly twice the 7.2% losses posted by the benchmark index over this period.

Qantas has in part been pressured by potential disruptions to its international routes. Though to date, the company has not made any major changes to its schedule.

But an even bigger potential hit to the airline’s profits, and Qantas shares, could come if the oil price remains elevated.

Brent crude oil is currently trading for US$103 per barrel. That’s up 69% year to date and up 43% since 27 February.

Qantas shares facing profit hit

Qantas former chief economist Tony Webber warned that in a worst case scenario of a “prolonged conflict” in the Middle East, Qantas earnings could fall to $544 million. That’s down more than 54% from prior earnings forecasts of $1.19 billion.

Should the war drag on, Webber said (quoted by The Australian Financial Review):

They will cut capacity most on longer sectors where fuel costs are a higher percentage of total costs and where reducing capacity provides the strongest fare response, usually routes with more business and fewer leisure travellers.

To give you an idea of just how much jet fuel prices can impact Qantas shares, on 26 February Qantas said it expected fuel costs for H2 FY 2026 to be around $2.5 billion, inclusive of hedging and carbon costs.

But in light of the surging oil price and ongoing war in Iran, Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)  analyst Ian Myles said Qantas’ overall costs could increase by $250 million over two to three months.

Myles cautioned that Qantas’ earnings could fall by $315 million if the company doesn’t cut costs and reduce flights.

Myles noted (quoted by the AFR):

Qantas arguably has an … opportunity with off-peak flights on deeper domestic routes depending on Virgin’s response, albeit the savings are not that material and more likely to be driven by physical fuel conservation needs … the fuel savings are relatively small [compared to] customer inconvenience and limited ability to move the other costs.

Internationally, the opportunity is reduced flying hours of the Airbus A380s, whose fuel usage is twice the rate of smaller aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350.

The post Why Qantas shares could be flying into turbulence appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Qantas stock is down 17.7% in a month. Time to buy?
• Down 15% in March, should you buy Qantas shares today?
• 3 massively popular ASX 200 shares experts say to sell (inc. CBA)
• Why BHP, EchoIQ, Life360, and Qantas shares are racing higher today
• Why is the Woodside share price getting smashed on Tuesday?

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

Shares in Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX: WBT) are in a trading halt on Thursday following an announcement to the market.

The halt comes after a strong move in the previous session, with Weebit Nano shares finishing 5.09% higher at $4.54. Despite that gain, the stock remains under pressure in 2026 and is down roughly 10% year to date.

Here’s what investors need to know.

Trading halt tied to capital raising

According to the release, Weebit Nano requested the trading halt pending an announcement related to a proposed capital raising.

The company stated the raise is expected to include an institutional placement alongside a share purchase plan.

This suggests the company is looking to bring in fresh capital from both professional investors and existing shareholders.

The halt will remain in place until the earlier of an announcement being made or the resumption of trading on Monday, 30 March.

Balance sheet move, not an operational update

Details remain sketchy at this stage, but the structure points to a funding round aimed at strengthening Weebit Nano’s balance sheet.

Separately, the Australian Financial Review has reported that the company is planning a capital raise of around $100 million.

While that figure has not been confirmed in the ASX release, it provides context around the potential scale of the transaction.

The move is not linked to a new product milestone or commercial agreement. Instead, it looks to be a capital management decision as the company continues to develop its semiconductor memory technology.

Share price context

Weebit Nano has been one of the stronger performers on the ASX over the past year, with the stock still up more than 100% over 12 months.

However, recent performance has been more mixed.

The stock has pulled back from its record high of $6.25 reached in late January and is now close to 30% lower.

At a market capitalisation of roughly $950 million, the company is still a growth stock. Its valuation depends more on future commercial progress than current earnings, especially as it works towards wider adoption.

What happens next

The key focus now is on the terms of the capital raising.

This includes the size of the placement, the pricing relative to the last traded price, and any dilution impact for existing shareholders.

Discounted placements can often place short-term pressure on share prices once trading resumes, particularly if issued at a material discount.

At the same time, a successful raise would leave the company better funded to progress its plans.

The post This ASX tech stock is frozen today. Here’s what’s going on appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 ASX tech shares tipped to jump up to 140% higher
• Why 4DMedical, Block, PEXA, and Weebit Nano shares are launching higher today

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

Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VGN) shares are up 0.8% at the time of writing on Thursday morning to $2.54 a piece. Today’s share price uptick follows a 11.5% rally in the airline’s share price on Wednesday. 

The Australian airline company’s share price has struggled recently after news that ongoing conflict in the Middle East will severely tighten jet fuel supply. Reports are that Virgin Australia’s partnership with Qatar Airways is also being tested as the conflict in the Middle East continues to affect aviation routes. This also dented investor sentiment earlier this month.

Qatar Airways currently owns 25% of Virgin Australia and provides aircraft and crew for several services under a wet lease arrangement.

For the year-to-date the shares are down 27% and they’re down 21.4% over the year.

But the latest uptick suggests that Virgin Australia shares could have finally reached the bottom and are beginning to ascend.

What is pushing Virgin Australia shares higher?

There hasn’t been any price-sensitive news out of Virgin Australia this week to explain the sudden share price reversal. This suggests the rebound is driven by broad market sentiment.

Virgin Australia recently raised its domestic airfares in response to rising jet fuel costs, which could help maintain or even boost revenue. 

At the same time, the airline’s share price has fallen heavily in the past month, by almost 20%, due to concerns about how tightened fuel supply will affect Australia’s travel companies. The shares bottomed to an all-time low on the 20th of March which sparked interest from bargain-hunting investors.

Another positive which has possibly supported the share price increase is a jump in demand for domestic travel. With many international flights postponed or cancelled, many Australians are refocusing their attention to short-haul domestic travel instead. 

Will the ASX travel stock’s share price keep climbing?

TradingView data shows that seven out of eight analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Virgin Australia shares. One more has a hold rating.

The average target price is $3.86, which implies a potential 51.5% upside at the time of writing. Although, some are even more bearish and expect Virgin Australia shares to soar 66.7% higher to $4.25 over the next 12 months.

The post Virgin Australia shares fly 13% higher: Is this the start of the rebound we’ve all been waiting for? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• What’s next for Virgin Australia, Qantas shares as fuel prices surge?
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• Virgin Australia posts 1HFY26 earnings

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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.

Markets have been a bit unsettled lately. But that can create opportunities to step back and think about where to allocate fresh capital, especially when prices have pulled back across different parts of the market.

Here are three Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs) I think are worth a closer look as we head into April.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG)

The Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF is the kind of fund I think of as a set and forget option.

It bundles together multiple asset classes, including Australian shares, global equities, and fixed income, into a single investment.

What stands out to me is how it simplifies decision-making. Instead of choosing between regions or sectors, you’re getting a pre-built portfolio that automatically rebalances over time.

In periods where markets are volatile, that structure can be useful. You’re not trying to pick the exact winner. You’re staying invested across everything.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF offers investors something more familiar.

It gives broad exposure to the Australian market, including banks like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), miners like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), and other large domestic businesses like Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

This is particularly useful for income investors. The Australian market tends to offer higher dividend yields than many global markets, supported by franking credits. The VAS ETF captures this.

At the same time, it still provides exposure to companies that benefit from economic growth and commodity demand.

Overall, I think it’s a simple way to anchor a portfolio in the local market while collecting income along the way.

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)

The Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF fills a gap that many portfolios overlook.

A lot of global investing ends up heavily concentrated in the United States. The VEU ETF deliberately excludes the US and instead provides exposure to Europe, Asia, and emerging markets.

That changes the mix. You’re getting access to different economic cycles, currencies, and industries that don’t always move in sync with the US.

In a world where diversification matters, I think that’s an interesting angle to add.

Foolish takeaway

The VDHG, VAS, and VEU ETFs each serve a different purpose.

One simplifies everything into a single portfolio, one anchors you to the Australian market and its income, and one expands your reach beyond the US.

Together, I think they can complement each other and help build a more balanced portfolio.

The post 3 top Vanguard ETFs I would buy in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why ASX dividend shares could still be better than term deposits
• How long will it take for the ASX 200 to recover? Expert
• How I’d invest $20,000 in ASX shares right now to help build long-term wealth
• What could $500 a month in ASX 200 shares become in 20 years?
• Buy, hold, sell: Breville, Goodman, and Wesfarmers shares

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It has been a tough week for Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL) shares.

As well as facing a pullback in oil prices, the ASX energy stock made a disappointing announcement on Wednesday.

What did the ASX energy stock announce?

The energy exploration, development, and production company’s shares crashed deep into the red yesterday after releasing an update on drilling activities at its Isabella prospect in the Offshore Otway Basin.

The ASX energy stock revealed that pressure depletion during the testing period does not support a commercial development of the Isabella field. As a result, the well is now being plugged and abandoned.

The company’s managing director and CEO, Jane Norman, said: “The result at Isabella is disappointing but geological data from this well will help inform our future exploration prospects.”

What is Bell Potter saying

Bell Potter notes that a final investment decision on the East Coast Supply Project has been delayed until subsequent wells are drilled.

However, this doesn’t change when first gas is being targeted nor the probability of success at other wells. The broker said:

A final investment decision for the East Coast Supply Project has now been deferred until subsequent wells are drilled, expected in 2H 2026. The current drill program, budget and target for first gas from 2028 are unchanged. The Isabella result does not impact the probability of success at subsequent exploration wells.

Should you invest?

According to the note, Bell Potter remains positive on the ASX energy stock.

In response to the update, its analysts have retained their buy rating with a reduced price target of $2.70 (from $3.40). Based on its current share price of $1.65, this implies potential upside of 64% for investors over the next 12 months.

Importantly, it notes that “AEL’s existing producing assets account for around $2.50/sh of this valuation.”

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

AEL’s conventional gas assets deliver into Australia’s east coast market. Debottlenecking at Orbost could incrementally lift near-term production and contracted prices are expected to strengthen this quarter on indexation and new sales agreements.

There are short term risks associated with the market’s response to outcomes of the ECSP drill program currently underway. However, ECSP should lift production from 2028, with the development of an existing discovery and two relatively low-risk exploration prospects which on success could be tied into latent existing pipeline and processing infrastructure capacity.

The post Why this sold-off ASX energy stock could rise 60%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 top Vanguard ETFs I would buy in April
• Up 66% since August, why is this $4 billion ASX 200 gold stock sinking today?
• Following a key approval, one broker tips 80% upside for this ASX rare earths stock
• A major long-term deal is lifting this ASX stock today
• Which emerging ASX gas producer could deliver almost 80% gains?

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stock Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) is sliding today.

Vault Minerals shares closed yesterday trading for $4.02. In late morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for $3.98 apiece, down 1.1%. This sees the miner commanding a market cap of $4.1 billion.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.2% at this same time, while the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is down 1.5%.

The Aussie gold miners are broadly underperforming today following another overnight dip in the gold price. Gold is currently trading for US$4,497 per ounce, according to data from Bloomberg. That’s down from US$5,322 per ounce at the beginning of March.

Still, you’re unlikely to hear investors who bought the ASX 200 gold stock at the recent closing lows of $2.40 on 1 August complaining. Vault Minerals shares remain up 65.8% since then.

Now, here’s what’s happening today.

ASX 200 gold stock boosting capacity

Vault Minerals shares are sliding today despite the miner announcing positive progress at its King of the Hills plant upgrade.

The ASX 200 gold stock is working to increase King of the Hills’ throughput capacity to some 6.0 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). The plant upgrade will increase throughput capacity by around 50% at a capital intensity of $57 per tonne of increased annual throughput capacity.

The miner said that the first state of the plant upgrade project has progressed on time and within budget, and it is now in the final stages of commissioning.

With the new primary crusher installation completed, management expects first ore to be fed into it next Tuesday, 31 March. As the old crusher was taken offline this past Tuesday, Vault has around 90,000 tonnes of crushed stocks on the ground. The miner expects this to provide uninterrupted mill feed prior to crusher ore commissioning.

As at 28 February 2026 Vault reported stockpiles of 15 million tonnes at King of the Hills, containing around 180,000 ounces of gold. The stockpiles are located nearby the processing facility.

The ASX 200 gold stock noted that this provides it with “significant operational flexibility to maintain base load mill feed under a range of operating scenarios, which may be required to be implemented to mitigate the risk of supply disruptions of key operational inputs due to the current tensions in the Middle East”.

Looking ahead, Vault Minerals said that the second stage of the King of the Hills plant upgrade is also still on schedule and budget. The miner is targeting completion of stage two in the second quarter of FY 2027. That will deliver increased plant capacity of 7.5 to 8.0 Mtpa.

The post Up 66% since August, why is this $4 billion ASX 200 gold stock sinking today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Vault Minerals: KoTH plant upgrade commissioning kicks off
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX gold shares down 31% since war began: What should you do?
• Why ASX 200 gold stocks like Northern Star and Evolution Mining are storming higher today
• Why are ASX 200 gold stocks like Northern Star and Newmont down so much today?

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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.

Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: BRE) secured a key approval this week, with the Brazilian Government granting the company a trial mining licence for the “ultra-high grade” Monte Alto rare earth and critical minerals project the company is developing.

The team at Canaccord Genuity has had a look at the announcement, and while they haven’t changed their target price on the company, the target is still well above the current share price of $4.30. More on that later.

Major news

Firstly, what did the company itself say this week?

Brazilian Rare Earths said the newly-granted licence allows it to extract up to 2000 tonnes per year of product from the Monte Alto deposit, “enabling BRE to produce bulk shipments for potential customer offtakes and metallurgical testing at its Camaçari pilot plant”.

Trial mining at Monte Alto will also support the commissioning and operation of the company’s fully permitted pilot plant, which remains on schedule to start operations in the third quarter of 2026.

Brazilian Rare Earths managing director Bernardo da Veiga said:

Securing the Trial Mining Licence is a significant milestone for Monte Alto and a major step forward in BRE’s integrated ore-to-oxides development pathway in Brazil. This approval reflects the strength of our permitting work, the quality of our engagement with local communities and government stakeholders, and the advantages of Monte Alto’s deliberately low-impact development model. With ultra-high-grade mineralisation, dry processing and a quarry-scale operating model, Monte Alto has been designed from the outset to support a staged, capital-efficient path through permitting and development. Just as importantly, trial mining can now supply high-grade material for customer evaluation and for our fully permitted pilot plant at Camaçari, linking upstream production with downstream processing capability in Brazil. That integrated model is central to our strategy to rebuild a leading Brazilian rare earths and critical minerals supply chain.

Shares looking cheap

Canaccord said it continued to look towards the publication of a maiden mineral resource estimate as a key valuation catalyst for the company.

As a recap, our modelled development scenario is based on an assumed Mining Inventory of just 3 million tonnes of ultra high grade primary material, which … supports a 10-year project at 7ktpa NdPr oxides through an integrated mine + refinery development. A larger mineral resource estimate would clearly support a longer mine life, in our view.

Canaccord has a speculative buy rating on Brazilian Rare Earths shares and price target of $8, which is 86% higher than the current share price.

The ASX rare earths company was valued at $1.24 billion at the close of trade on Wednesday.

The post Following a key approval, one broker tips 80% upside for this ASX rare earths stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why 4DMedical, Brazilian Rare Earths, Clarity, and Tuas shares are racing higher today
• Why is this ASX rare earths stock storming 7% higher today?
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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

Shares in Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF) are seesawing on Thursday after the company released an update just before early morning trade.

At the time of writing, the stock is up 2.72% to $1.89. The gain comes despite a continued broader downtrend, with Nufarm shares now down around 20% since the start of 2026.

Let’s take a closer look at what was announced.

Strategic deal extended to 2050

According to the release, the company has strengthened its strategic collaboration with bp, expanding an existing agreement focused on biofuels.

The update centres on its Carinata business, which produces a non-food oilseed crop used as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.

Under the revised terms, the marketing and offtake agreement has been extended to 2050, providing longer-term visibility over demand for Carinata oil.

The deal also supports the expansion of supply, backed by established grower networks and partnerships across multiple regions.

In addition, the agreement includes a funding model linked to milestone progress. This is intended to support ongoing investment in seed development, crop performance, and supply chain scaling.

Focus on scaling biofuels platform

Nufarm is positioning Carinata as a key pillar of its longer-term growth strategy, particularly as demand for lower-emissions fuels continues to build.

It noted that sectors such as aviation and heavy transport are increasingly turning to biofuels, given they are more difficult to electrify.

Since the original agreement in 2022, the program has expanded beyond Argentina into Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It has also been introduced in Australia through existing grower and distribution networks.

Management highlighted that the crop can be grown on existing farmland as part of crop rotation systems. This allows farmers to generate additional income while also contributing to emissions reduction goals.

The company also pointed to lifecycle emissions benefits, with Carinata-based fuel delivering lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.

Shares remain under pressure

Despite the long-term nature of the update, the share price has seen only a small move.

From a technical view, Nufarm shares remain under pressure. The stock is trading closer to the lower end of its recent range, with momentum indicators such as relative strength index (RSI) sitting in the mid-30s, pointing to weak buying interest.

The broader backdrop also remains challenging. Agricultural input companies have faced softer conditions in recent periods, alongside cost pressures and mixed demand across key markets.

Foolish takeaway

Today’s announcement reinforces Nufarm’s strategy to build out its biofuels platform through long-term partnerships and scalable supply chains.

The extended agreement with bp provides improved visibility over future demand and supports continued investment in the Carinata business.

However, the limited response suggests investors are still weighing near-term pressures against longer-term opportunities, particularly with the stock already down heavily in 2026.

The post A major long-term deal is lifting this ASX stock today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Gas supply in Australia was a hot topic even before the military action in Iran threw a spanner in the works of global gas supplies.

How we supply our own markets has been a topic of increasing interest for the past few years, with the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory a closely watched area for potential new gas supplies.

Emerging producer

One of the companies that has been active in the region is Beetaloo Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: BTL), which has a big year ahead of it, at least according to the analyst team at Canaccord Genuity.

Beetaloo Energy is currently a modestly-sized company, valued at just $305.3 million, but the Canaccord team thinks there’s potential for this value to grow quickly this year, given the milestones the company is looking to check off.

As Canaccord said in a note to its clients recently:

Beetaloo Energy is an Australian gas company focused on developing unconventional gas resources in the Northern Territory, Australia. It is a dominant player and acreage holder in the Beetaloo Basin – a basin with large, well understood gas potential that has historically been overlooked due to its isolation and above-ground risk. With regulatory risk now largely in the rearview mirror and clear market pull factors emerging, we expect change.

Beetaloo in December made a final investment decision to go ahead with its Carpentaria pilot project, where it is targeting first gas sales by the end of calendar year 2026.

That project has a 10-year gas sales agreement with the Northern Territory Government.

Canaccord said re the development:

If the pilot proves commercial, we expect majors to move quickly, with Betaloo’s strategic foothold and first-mover advantage positioning it as a prime beneficiary of the basin’s potential re-rating.

Other companies active in the Beetaloo Basin include Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Tamboran Resources Corporation (ASX: TBN).

Banner year for the company

The Canaccord analysts said further:

CY26/27 marks a key inflection point for Beetaloo as it enters the execution phase after years of appraising/de-risking. Near-term potential catalysts include: 1) recommencement of the C-5H flow test, targeting higher rates and potentially higher estimated ultimate recoveries; 2) installation and commissioning of the Carpentaria Gas Plant (equipment delivery expected 1HCY26, commissioning in Q3 CY26); and 3) commencement of pilot gas sales in 2HCY26, with a ramp to nameplate in CY27/28. In parallel, Santos is set to commence a $300m program in July, and Tamboran is targeting commissioning of its own pilot project in CY26.

The Canaccord team have a speculative buy recommendation on Beetaloo Energy shares, compared with just 25.5 cents currently. That would represent upside of 76.7% if achieved.

The post Which emerging ASX gas producer could deliver almost 80% gains? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) shares have burst out of the gates on Thursday morning.

At the time of writing, the ASX tech stock is up 11% to $3.95.

This compares favourably to the ASX 200 index, which is trading largely flat today.

Why is this ASX tech stock surging?

Investors have been fighting to get hold of the sports technology solutions company’s shares this morning following the release of a trading update before the market open.

According to the release, Catapult expects its closing annual contract value (ACV) for FY 2026 to be in the range of US$133 million to US$134 million with low churn. This represents reported year-on-year growth of 27% to 28% on a constant currency basis.

The ASX tech stock notes that this includes ACV that is being contributed by the acquisitions of IMPECT and Perch, and is consistent with its track record of strong, durable subscription revenue growth.

However, management revealed that the integration of those acquisitions has placed temporary capacity pressure on Catapult’s finance and collections function.

As a result, a portion of second-half receivables that would have ordinarily been collected before 31 March is expected to be received in early FY 2027. This will result in a materially higher closing accounts receivable balance relative to a year earlier.

As a result, the ASX tech stock expects FY 2026 free cash flow (excluding transaction costs) to only be between US$5 million to US$6 million. This is down from US$8.6 million in FY 2025.

Nevertheless, following the successful capital raise and acquisition of IMPECT, Catapult expects to end FY 2026 with a cash balance of approximately US$50 million and no debt.

Strong earnings growth expected in FY 2026

The ASX tech stock advised that it is expecting its FY 2026 management EBITDA, which is a non-IFRS measure of operating profitability, to grow by approximately 50% year-on-year as its profitability continues to outpace its strong top-line growth.

Management highlights that this expected performance reflects the accelerating operating leverage in Catapult’s business model and the company’s continued discipline in managing its fixed and variable cost base.

In light of Catapult’s management EBITDA continuing to expand, the company expects its FY 2026 Rule of 40 metric to improve on the record 33% that it achieved in the first half of the financial year.

The post Which ASX tech stock is surging 11% on strong trading update? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Catapult Sports delivers strong FY26 growth and profitability
• This could be a once-in-a-decade opportunity to buy cheap ASX tech stocks
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.