Category: Stock Market

The EVT Ltd (ASX: EVT) share price is pushing higher on Wednesday after the company released an update this morning.

At the time of writing, EVT shares are up 1.28% to $12.69.

Despite today’s gain, the stock remains under pressure over a longer period, down close to 7% over the past 12 months.

Here’s what the company announced to the market.

Refinancing lifts flexibility

EVT revealed it has successfully completed a refinancing of its debt facilities, increasing its total available funding to $750 million.

This marks an uplift from the previous $650 million facility and comes alongside the group’s ongoing divestment of non-core assets.

Management said the new structure provides greater flexibility as EVT continues shifting its earnings mix toward its hotel operations.

The updated facilities include a $750 million revolving multi-currency loan and a smaller $5 million credit support facility, with a 3-year term.

Pricing on the debt is linked to leverage levels, with margins ranging between 1.25% and 2% per annum. EVT expects a weighted average of around 1.59%.

Backing from major lenders

The refinancing has been supported by a group of major banks, including Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), HSBC, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).

The facilities are secured against a portion of EVT’s property portfolio, with mortgages linked to 14 of the group’s 34 properties.

At the time of refinancing, EVT reported drawn debt of around $610 million, along with more than $90 million in cash.

This leaves the company with additional liquidity and headroom to manage operations and potential investment opportunities.

Management noted strong support from lenders throughout the process, which may help reinforce confidence in the group’s financial position.

What’s driving the share price?

The gain seems to be driven by clearer visibility around EVT’s debt position, with the refinancing giving investors more confidence in how the company is financed.

By refinancing the debt, this removes near-term uncertainty and provides a clearer picture of funding costs and the capital structure.

It also aligns with EVT’s broader strategy of simplifying its portfolio and focusing more heavily on its hotel segment.

Foolish Takeaway

EVT’s refinancing strengthens its balance sheet position and provides additional flexibility as it continues to reshape the business.

While the share price has lifted on the news, the stock remains below levels seen in August 2025.

The update reduces funding uncertainty, but longer-term performance depends on how the company executes its strategy and grows earnings over time.

The post A major funding move is lifting this ASX stock today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• EVT completes $750 million refinancing, focuses on hotel growth
• 35 ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week

HSBC Holdings is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 recommended HSBC Holdings. 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 Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) have risen around 4% in morning trade (at the time of writing), while Pepper Money Ltd (ASX: PPM) shares initially fell as much as 6% before paring back some of the losses, after both companies confirmed (here and here) that takeover talks are officially over.

At the centre of it was a non-binding proposal from Challenger to acquire Pepper at $2.25 per share, an offer which was positioned as its “best and final” offer.

Whilst Pepper shares increased sharply when the offer was first announced, Pepper’s independent board committee ultimately decided the deal wasn’t executable and walked away.

So what actually happened here, and why did Pepper shares react so differently to Challenger shares?

Why Pepper shares fell

Pepper shares are falling because the Challenger takeover proposal was made at a premium to Pepper’s share price before the takeover talks began, and with the deal now off, the market is repricing Pepper shares accordingly.

On 9 February, Challenger announced a non-binding proposal to acquire Pepper Money for $2.60 per share.

At the time, Pepper shares had closed the previous Friday at $1.76, meaning the proposal represented a significant premium for shareholders.

The market reacted immediately. Pepper’s share price surged 28% to $2.26 as investors priced in the possibility of a deal at a much higher valuation. Challenger subsequently revised its offer to a lower price of $2.25 per share, citing changing market conditions, and Pepper shares fell then.

Following today’s drop, Pepper shares are now trading around $1.60, but whilst the rejection may seem to be primarily about valuation, the language used by Pepper’s board to explain the decision is interesting.

Pepper’s independent board committee concluded that Challenger’s proposal was “not reasonably capable of execution.” That’s corporate speak for too many risks and too much uncertainty.

It comes at a time when there is greater focus on private credit markets, but Pepper also said it is experiencing strong momentum in early 2026, with applications up 21% and originations up 34% year on year.

Why Challenger shares rose

Challenger’s share price reaction tells a different story.

Rather than being punished for a failed deal, the stock moved higher, likely because investors were sceptical of the deal’s merits from Challenger’s perspective.

Acquisitions always carry risk, including integration challenges, execution complexity, and the possibility of overpaying.

By not proceeding, Challenger avoids those risks and instead continues with its $150 million share buyback plan, which is (from an investor’s perspective) a cleaner, more predictable way to return capital to shareholders.

What this means for investors

For Pepper shareholders, the drop reflects the loss of takeover upside. The bid premium is gone, and the stock is resetting to fundamentals.

For Challenger investors, the takeaway is more positive, and they can look forward to more share buybacks.

The broader lesson?

M&A deals are never a done deal until they are actually done.

The post Challenger jumps 4%, Pepper Money sinks as takeover collapses appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Buy, hold, sell: Bapcor, Challenger, and DroneShield shares
• Why New Hope, Pepper Money, Pro Medicus, and Reece shares are falling today
• Why Challenger, Meeka Metals, Vulcan Energy, and West African Resources shares are rising today
• Pepper Money shares plunge 10% after Challenger slashes takeover offer

Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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 Challenger. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM) share price is in focus today, with SA Recycling reporting robust growth, highlighted by an 8.3% compound annual sales volume increase from FY21 to FY26 and 147 facilities now operating in 15 states across the US.

What did Sims Group report?

• FY21-FY26 compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales volume of 8.3%.
• HY26 sales volume annualised at over 3,750,000 tonnes.
• 147 operational facilities and 22 shredders as part of SA Recycling’s US footprint.
• 48% gearing ratio and estimated asset base of USD $2.26 billion as at HY26.
• Average annual EBITDA of $496 million (FY21–FY25).
• Average operating cash flow of $353 million between FY21–FY25.

What else do investors need to know?

The group is benefitting from favourable US policy settings, which have supported strong industry investment and demand for recycled metals. Through a dense network of regional facilities and established local sourcing relationships, Sims Group aims to secure consistent scrap supply and maintain stable margins, especially in non-ferrous metals.

Sims continues its disciplined growth strategy by investing in bolt-on acquisitions and advancing operational leverage, with significant utilisation headroom across shredders and yards. The business remains well-capitalised, with ongoing investment capacity for strategic growth.

What’s next for Sims Group?

Looking ahead, Sims Group plans to unlock further value in non-ferrous recovery through process improvements and technology upgrades, as well as capitalising on growing domestic demand for segregated aluminium. The company expects utilisation rates and organic growth to create earnings leverage as the steel cycle improves.

A robust pipeline of bolt-on acquisitions remains in sight, particularly in highly fragmented markets, supporting Sims Group’s ongoing expansion and consolidation in the US recycling sector.

Sims Group share price snapshot

Over the past year, Sims Group shares have risen 34%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Sims Group posts robust US growth through SA Recycling in FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• HomeCo Daily Needs REIT announces Q3 2026 distribution and DRP details
• PEXA Group shares in focus as NatWest goes live on UK platform
• EVT completes $750 million refinancing, focuses on hotel growth
• Challenger share price: Pepper Money bid dropped, $150m buy-back greenlit
• Tuas half-year result: profit leaps as revenue and subscribers grow

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 Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) share price is pushing higher on Wednesday after the mining giant released a major update before market open.

At the time of writing, Rio Tinto shares are up 2.18% to $147.56.

Despite today’s gain, the stock remains under pressure in the short term, down close to 8% over the past month.

Here’s what the company announced.

Landmark deal secures smelter future

According to the release, Rio Tinto has partnered with the Queensland and Commonwealth governments to secure the long-term future of the Boyne aluminium smelter in Gladstone.

The agreement includes up to $2 billion in government support over 10 years through to 2040. This builds on earlier power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed by Rio Tinto, which underpin around $7.5 billion in new renewable energy projects.

The deal is aimed at ensuring the smelter remains internationally competitive once its current power contract expires in 2029.

Boyne Smelters is a key asset in Rio Tinto’s aluminium division and plays a central role in its broader Australian operations. The facility is one of the largest aluminium smelters in the country and supports thousands of jobs across the supply chain.

Management noted the agreement will allow the smelter to transition towards lower-cost and lower-emissions energy over time.

Shift towards renewable energy

A key part of the announcement is Rio Tinto’s continued move towards renewable energy to power its aluminium operations.

The company has already contracted more than 2.8GW of renewable energy capacity in Queensland, alongside over 600MW of storage.

This includes projects such as the Upper Calliope solar development, the Bungaban wind project, and the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap solar and battery system.

In addition, Rio Tinto has agreed to purchase 40% of the output from the Lower Wonga solar and battery project.

These developments are expected to provide a more stable and potentially lower-cost energy mix over time. They also reduce exposure to fossil fuel pricing.

What’s driving the share price higher?

The share price gain suggests investors are reacting positively to the added long-term certainty from the agreement.

Aluminium production is energy-intensive, and securing a reliable and competitive power supply is critical to maintaining margins.

The deal reduces a key risk for Rio Tinto ahead of the 2029 contract expiry and supports the continued operation of a major asset within its portfolio.

It also aligns with the company’s broader strategy to decarbonise its operations while maintaining output.

Foolish Takeaway

Rio Tinto’s latest agreement strengthens visibility over one of its key aluminium assets and reduces uncertainty around future energy costs.

While the stock has pulled back in recent weeks, this morning’s update shows the company is progressing its long-term initiatives.

The post Rio Tinto just locked in a major deal. Here’s why investors are buying today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX mining shares have slumped but long-term outlook is positive
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Why EOS, Latitude, Northern Star, and Rio Tinto shares are falling today
• 2 ASX mining stocks that could rise 60% to 100%+
• Should you buy the dip on ASX mining shares?

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.

The HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN) share price is in focus after the trust announced a quarterly distribution of 2.15 cents per unit, payable on 22 May 2026. Eligible investors have the option to participate in its Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP).

What did HomeCo Daily Needs REIT report?

• Quarterly distribution: 2.15 cents per unit (fully unfranked)
• Ex-date: 30 March 2026
• Record date: 31 March 2026
• Payment date: 22 May 2026
• DRP election closes: 2 April 2026, 5:00pm
• DRP price based on 5-day VWAP, to be announced 14 April 2026

What else do investors need to know?

This distribution relates to the March 2026 quarter and will be paid in Australian dollars. The full amount is unfranked, meaning investors will not receive any franking credits with this payout.

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan is in place for this distribution, allowing eligible unitholders to reinvest part or all of their distribution into additional HDN units. The DRP price will be calculated using the volume-weighted average price over five trading days from 7 to 13 April. Investors not electing to join the DRP will receive their payment in cash.

What’s next for HomeCo Daily Needs REIT?

Looking ahead, investors should watch for more details on the DRP issue price on 14 April 2026. Unitholders interested in reinvesting should ensure their election is lodged by 2 April 2026. The trust remains focused on providing regular income streams to investors through its quarterly distribution strategy.

The fund will likely keep informing the market about property portfolio performance and future distribution expectations as part of its ongoing transparency.

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, HomeCo Daily Needs REIT shares have risen 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post HomeCo Daily Needs REIT announces Q3 2026 distribution and DRP details appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Sims Group posts robust US growth through SA Recycling in FY26
• PEXA Group shares in focus as NatWest goes live on UK platform
• EVT completes $750 million refinancing, focuses on hotel growth
• Challenger share price: Pepper Money bid dropped, $150m buy-back greenlit
• Tuas half-year result: profit leaps as revenue and subscribers grow

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

If you are on the hunt for some new portfolio additions, then it could be worth hearing what analysts at Morgans are saying about the ASX 200 shares in this article.

Is the broker bullish, bearish, or something in between on these names? Let’s find out.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Morgans remains very positive on this appliance manufacturer following the release of a solid half-year result last month.

In response, the broker has put a buy rating and $40.65 price target on Breville’s shares. Morgans highlights the company’s strong operational execution and powerful medium-term tailwinds as reasons to buy. It said:

1H26 was better-than-feared, with double-digit sales growth (+10%) largely offset by tariff costs (~130bp GM impact) to deliver a flat NPAT outcome (+1% on pcp). Crucially, FY26 EBIT growth guidance provides much-needed earnings visibility, alleviating some concerns for an extended transition year and improving our confidence for a resumption of sustainable EPS growth from FY27+.

We continue to be impressed by BRG’s strong operational execution, green shoots in Food Prep, and powerful medium-term tailwinds (geographic expansion, espresso tailwinds, NPD, Best Buy developments). Buy maintained.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Another ASX 200 share that Morgans has been looking at is industrial property giant Goodman.

It highlights that the market is becoming impatient with the longer development timelines for data centres (DCs), but thinks it is worth sticking with this one. As a result, it has put a buy rating and $32.45 price target on its shares. It said:

GMG is leaning hard into data centre (DC) development across scarce, power-enabled metro locations, backed by long-dated capital partners and a conservative balance sheet. FY26 guidance is unchanged, with near-term results reflecting longer development timeframes and a larger share of balance-sheet originated developments. Execution now hinges on converting customer negotiations into commitments across key DC campuses while holding returns.

Whilst the company has flagged the longer development timeframe for DCs, recent share price weakness points to impatience as the market discounts the uncertainty around hyperscale demand, investor appetite and potentially the lower likelihood of an FY26 EPS upgrade.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Finally, Wesfarmers delivered a better than expected result in February.

However, due to its current valuation, the broker thinks Wesfarmers shares are overvalued and feels that investors should wait for a better entry point. It has put a trim rating and $80.50 price target on its shares. It explains:

WES’s 1H26 result was better than expected with productivity and efficiency improvements a key highlight. Earnings for all divisions except Industrial & Safety were either in line or above our forecasts. WES noted that despite a modest improvement in consumer demand, higher costs continued to weigh on many households and businesses, while residential construction activity remains subdued. We adjust FY26/27/28F group EBIT by +2%/+1%/+1%.

Our target price rises slightly to $80.50 (from $79.30) and we maintain our TRIM rating with a 12-month forecast TSR of -2%. While we continue to view WES as a core long-term portfolio holding with a diversified group of well-known retail and industrial brands, a healthy balance sheet, and an experienced leadership team, trading on 30.7x FY27F PE we continue to see the stock as overvalued in the short term.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Breville, Goodman, and Wesfarmers shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $0 in savings? I’d aim for $20k in annual passive income with 3 simple steps
• 5 ASX shares I’d buy with $5,000 today
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• Goodman shares hit 52-week low. Can this ASX 200 stock make a comeback?
• How high does Macquarie think Breville shares will go?

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

ASX bank stocks have slumped across the board over the past month as geopolitical tensions, ongoing conflict in the Middle East, soaring fuel prices, and interest rate growth cause concerns about an economic slowdown.

The Reserve Bank raised the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.10% this month, marking the second consecutive increase in 2026. The bank cited persistent inflationary pressures and a tight labour market for the increase. 

Now the experts are warning that Australia’s inflation rate could keep climbing, and major banks widely predict another cash rate increase in May. 

What’s the latest out of ASX bank stocks?

The Australian share market is dominated by the big 4 major banks. Together, the majors – Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) – make up around a quarter of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by market capitalisation.

Then there are the smaller players, Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ), Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN), and Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO). 

At the time of writing on Wednesday morning, CBA shares are up 1% to $172.86; Westpac shares are up 1.3% to $40.25; NAB shares are up 1.4% to $40.31; and ANZ shares are up 1.3% to $36.93.

Over the month, the major bank shares are down 3%, 6.2%, 11.8%, and 7%, respectively.

Outside of the majors, Macquarie shares are 1.9% higher at the time of writing to $198.71; BOQ shares are 1% higher at $6.83 a piece; Bendigo shares are 0.6% higher at $10.11 each; and Judo shares have climbed 0.3% to $1.48.

Over the month, the smaller bank shares are down 4%, 2%, 6.5%, and 14%, respectively.

Which ASX bank stocks are a buy?

Analysts are the most optimistic about the outlook for Judo Bank shares. It’s the only ASX bank stock where analysts mostly hold a strong buy rating. Its average target price is $2.25, which implies a huge 51% upside at the time of writing. Although some think this could jump even higher, by up to 68% to $2.50 per share.

Sentiment on the outlook for Macquarie shares is mostly very positive. Most analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the bank’s shares. The average $238.28 target price implies the shares could jump 21% from here.

Which ASX bank stocks are a hold?

Analysts are undecided about the outlook for NAB shares, with sentiment mostly for a hold rating. The average target price is $43.90, which implies a potential 1.88% downside at the time of writing.

Brokers are also neutral on the outlook for ANZ shares over the next 12 months. Most have a hold rating with an average target price of $35.56, which implies a potential 0.3% downside at the time of writing.

Sentiment is also neutral on BOQ shares, with data showing most analysts have a hold rating on the stock. However, the average $6.37 target price implies a potential 6.5% downside at the time of writing.

Analysts also mostly have a hold rating on Bendigo shares. Although its average target price of $10.41 implies a 3% upside at the time of writing.

Which ASX bank stocks are a sell?

Sentiment is that CBA shares are overpriced and out of keeping with the company’s fundamentals. Most analysts have a sell or strong sell rating on CBA shares and are tipping an average downside of 23% to $133.85 a piece over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Westpac is also expected to have limited growth over the next few years. Most analysts also have a sell or strong sell rating on the ASX bank’s shares and tip an average downside of 8% to $40.35.

The post ASX bank stocks: Buy, sell, or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How have the ASX big four bank shares held up in March?
• A top ASX dividend stock to buy on a pullback
• Up more than 17% since January, should you buy CBA shares today?
• 3 reasons to buy NAB shares today
• 3 massively popular ASX 200 shares experts say to sell (inc. CBA)

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

The PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) share price is in focus after the company announced NatWest Group PLC (LSE: NWG) has gone live on its UK digital remortgage platform—a significant step in PEXA’s international expansion. The UK integration was delivered ahead of schedule, with initial transactions already underway.

What did PEXA Group report?

• NatWest, one of the UK’s major banks, now live and transacting on PEXA UK’s remortgage platform
• Implementation program completed ahead of forecast timelines
• PEXA’s subsidiary Optima Legal acting as initial conveyancer for the digitised transactions
• Broader roll-out to additional UK conveyancers planned following NatWest’s adoption
• Sale & Purchase transaction capability for NatWest to follow

What else do investors need to know?

PEXA has flagged this as a crucial milestone in modernising the UK property market, bringing digitisation and automation to processes that were previously paper-based and slow. The integration with NatWest, one of the UK’s leading mortgage lenders, sets a strong foundation for further expansion into the UK’s digital property settlement sector.

The company highlights collaborative efforts between PEXA UK, NatWest, and Optima Legal in delivering this launch. PEXA is now set to support more conveyancers and lenders through its scalable digital platform as market adoption grows.

What did PEXA Group management say?

Russell Cohen, PEXA Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director:

NatWest going live on our platform marks an important step in the modernisation of the UK property market. By digitising and automating what has traditionally been a manual, paper-based process, we can enable faster settlement times, improved operational efficiency and a more seamless experience for UK property market participants. I would like to thank the teams at NatWest, PEXA and Optima Legal for their collaboration and commitment during the implementation process, and we look forward to continuing our partnership to support the ongoing digitisation of the property transaction journey for customers in the UK.

What’s next for PEXA Group?

The next focus for PEXA Group will be enabling NatWest’s Sale & Purchase transactions on its UK platform, broadening the service offering. The company plans to roll out participation to more UK conveyancers, further embedding its platform in the local market.

Looking ahead, PEXA’s UK progress is a key plank in its international growth strategy, leveraging its Australian expertise where 90% of property settlements already use its technology.

PEXA Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, PEXA Group shares have risen 32%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post PEXA Group shares in focus as NatWest goes live on UK platform appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Sims Group posts robust US growth through SA Recycling in FY26
• HomeCo Daily Needs REIT announces Q3 2026 distribution and DRP details
• EVT completes $750 million refinancing, focuses on hotel growth
• Challenger share price: Pepper Money bid dropped, $150m buy-back greenlit
• Tuas half-year result: profit leaps as revenue and subscribers grow

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 PEXA Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended PEXA Group. 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 EVT Ltd (ASX: EVT) share price is in focus as the company boosts its main debt facilities to $750 million and secures improved lending terms, signalling ongoing support for its transformation toward the hotel sector.

What did EVT report?

• Main debt facilities increased to $750 million, up from $650 million in 2023
• Secured three-year multi-currency loan with improved margins (1.25%–2.00% vs 1.50%–3.15%)
• Current drawn debt: approximately $610 million; credit support facility drawn: $5 million
• Group cash holdings exceed $90 million
• Four major banks (CBA, HSBC, NAB, WBC) actively participated in refinancing

What else do investors need to know?

The refinancing, together with EVT’s non-core asset divestment program, is designed to give the business greater financial flexibility as it continues to shift its earnings profile toward its hotel and accommodation sector. The new facility is backed by guarantees from most Australian and New Zealand group entities, and secured by property mortgages covering 14 of EVT’s 34 properties, valued at around $1.1 billion.

Interest on the new loan is set according to a leverage ratio grid, with EVT anticipating a current weighted average margin of approximately 1.59% per year. This will be reassessed every six months based on updated earnings and debt levels.

What did EVT management say?

Ms Jane Hastings, EVT CEO, said:

EVT extends its appreciation to NAB, CBA, HSBC and WBC for their strong support and desire to participate as lenders for our Group. We look forward to working with all our banking partners as we continue to progress our growth plans.

What’s next for EVT?

With new banking facilities in place and ample cash on hand, EVT is well-positioned to continue evolving its portfolio and investing in its growing hotel operations. Management highlighted the refinancing as a key foundation for future growth and flexibility, supporting the group’s long-term strategic direction. Investors can expect further updates as EVT progresses its divestment program and seeks new opportunities within the hotel sector.

EVT share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, EVT shares have declined 7%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post EVT completes $750 million refinancing, focuses on hotel growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Challenger share price: Pepper Money bid dropped, $150m buy-back greenlit
• Tuas half-year result: profit leaps as revenue and subscribers grow
• Region Group extends $100m securities buy-back – earnings update
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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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.

Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: BRE) shares are catching the eye on Wednesday.

At the time of writing, the ASX rare earths stock is up 7% to $4.37.

Why is this ASX rare earths stock storming higher?

The rare earths developer’s shares are charging higher today following the release of an announcement revealing a key regulatory milestone for its Monte Alto project in Brazil.

According to the release, Brazilian Rare Earths has secured a Trial Mining Licence from Brazil’s National Mining Agency for the project in Bahia.

Management believes this is a significant step forward in advancing the project from exploration toward staged development and ultimately commercial-scale mining.

What the licence allows

The release reveals that the licence authorises the extraction of up to 2,000 tonnes per annum of material from the Monte Alto deposit.

This will allow the company to produce bulk samples for potential customers and strategic partners, as well as support metallurgical testing.

Importantly, the material will also supply feedstock to the company’s pilot plant at the Camaçari Petrochemical Complex, which is currently under construction and expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2026.

Advancing toward commercial production

The ASX rare earths stock also highlights that the approval is a major step in its permitting pathway.

The next milestone will be the submission of an Economic Development Plan in the second quarter of 2026, which is expected to support the transition toward a full mining concession.

Brazilian Rare Earths’ managing director and CEO, Bernardo da Veiga, said the licence represents a major step forward for the project and the company’s broader strategy. He 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. Together with our existing export approvals, this licence materially advances commercial engagement, reduces development risk and brings Monte Alto closer to staged commercial operations.

The post Why is this ASX rare earths stock storming 7% higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.