Category: Stock Market

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CUV) shares are pushing higher on Monday.

At the time of writing, the ASX 300 stock is up 6.5% to $13.48.

What’s going on with this ASX 300 stock?

Investors have been buying the biotechnology company’s shares after it unveiled encouraging progress on a brand new drug delivery platform that could materially expand its long-term growth runway.

According to the release, Clinuvel has commenced dosing in a preclinical study of its controlled-release liquid injectable peptide platform, known as VLRX-L.

This marks the first time one of the ASX 300 stock’s next-generation delivery technologies has entered formal preclinical evaluation. This is a milestone that investors have clearly welcomed judging by its share price move on Monday.

What is VLRX-L?

The announcement reveals that VLRX-L has been designed to control the release of peptides, including Clinuvel’s melanocortin-based drugs, through a flexible liquid dose.

The current preclinical study is focused on assessing safety, release kinetics, and the reproducibility of drug delivery using in-vitro models. Results from the study are expected in the second half of 2026.

Importantly, this platform has been developed entirely in-house at Clinuvel’s Research, Development & Innovation Centre in Singapore. The VLRX-L program follows more than a decade of research into peptides, polymers, and controlled-release delivery systems. Management believes this highlights the depth of capability that the company has quietly been building behind the scenes.

The company’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Dennis Wright, described the early in-vitro data as encouraging and reproducible. He said:

Through extensive preliminary work and iterative innovation we have arrived at a VLRX-L candidate platform that has demonstrated encouraging, reproduceable results in-vitro. The platform now needs to be challenged in in-vivo models to understand how it may ultimately deliver therapies for patients.

If these initial results are successful in 2026, we will look at the optimal pathways to scale up and commercialise this technology, with a view to extensively expanding our pipeline with our own IP.

Speaking about the ASX 300 stock’s long term goal, Dr Wright said:

Long-term, the goal is to establish a suite of delivery platforms for melanocortins, and other peptides, which meet the diverse needs of a range of patient groups, addressing some of the challenges of technologies currently offered on the market. It is exciting that we can now start to unveil the work of our VALLAURIX team and our ambitions for the next generation of CLINUVEL’s products.

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals shares are now up almost 20% since this time last year.

The post This ASX 300 stock is racing 6% higher on exciting news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Up 97% in a year, guess which ASX 300 gold stock is leaping higher again on Monday
• Guess which ASX 200 stock is crashing 11% on trading update
• Global X announces dividends for DTEC, WIRE and other ASX ETFs
• Buy this ‘unique’ ASX mining stock for a 17% return: Bell Potter
• Insiders are buying. Can Pro Medicus shares finally turn the corner?

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 300 Index (ASX: XKO) gold stock Black Cat Syndicate Ltd (ASX: BC8) is leaping higher today.

Black Cat shares closed on Friday trading for $1.405. In early morning trade on Monday, shares are changing hands for $1.475 apiece, up 5%.

For some context, the ASX 300 is up 0.2% at this same time.

With today’s moves factored in, the Black Cat share price is now up 97.3% since this time last year, racing ahead of the 6.20% returns delivered by the benchmark index over this same period.

Now, here’s what’s grabbing investor interest today.

ASX 300 gold stock lifts off on drilling update

The Black Cat share price is jumping higher after the company released an exploration update from its Kal East Gold Operation, located in Western Australia.

The ASX 300 gold stock highlighted that the large Fingals open pit – one of the long-term feed sources for Kal East – remains open in all directions and at depth. Management said that the mine life at Fingals is “only constrained by drilling”.

A recent grade control program, involving 167 holes for 8,960 metres, identified multiple high-grade zones at Fingals outside the existing resource but within the open pit.

The miner noted that Fingals currently has a probable open-pit ore reserve of 2,039kt at 1.7g/t Au for 113koz of gold.

Black Cat has already outlined plans for an initial underground operation after completion of the open-pit mining. With mining at Fingals accelerating, the Aussie gold miner expects the first ore to be fed into the Lakewood processing facility in March.

Atop the progress at Fingals, the ASX 300 gold stock also reported that mining at its Majestic underground project is “progressing well”, noting that first ore drives have been accessed and are in development.

Black Cat plans to commence grade control and extensional drilling at Majestic during the March quarter.

What did management say?

Commenting on the results helping boost the ASX 300 gold stock today, Black Cat managing director Gareth Solly said, “These Fingals drilling results emphasise the long-term potential of both the open pit and future underground mine.”

Solly added, “The high-grade results have already identified bonus ounces within the planned open pit with the potential for additional mineralisation from follow up drilling.”

Looking ahead, Solly said:

Mining activities at Fingals and Majestic are progressing well with the operations on track to provide all Ore to Lakewood from late March 2026 onwards. The study to expand Lakewood from 1.2mtpa to 1.5mtpa is also progressing to plan, as part of our more gold sooner strategy.

Importantly, these developments and expansions will continue to be funded entirely from operating cashflow, highlighting the strength of Black Cat’s operations and balance sheet.

The post Up 97% in a year, guess which ASX 300 gold stock is leaping higher again on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX 300 stock is racing 6% higher on exciting news
• Guess which ASX 200 stock is crashing 11% on trading update
• Global X announces dividends for DTEC, WIRE and other ASX ETFs
• Buy this ‘unique’ ASX mining stock for a 17% return: Bell Potter
• Insiders are buying. Can Pro Medicus shares finally turn the corner?

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.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) shares are in the spotlight on Monday.

In morning trade, the ASX 200 stock is down 11% to $14.03.

Why is this ASX 200 stock crashing?

Investors have been selling the retail conglomerate’s shares this morning following the release of a trading update.

According to the release, like for like sales were up 2.5% on the prior corresponding period during the first half of FY 2026. This led to Super Retail’s total sales increasing 4.2% year on year to a record of $2.2 billion.

Management advised that this comprises Supercheap Auto revenue of $813 million, Rebel revenue of $741 million, BCF revenue of $520 million, and Macpac revenue of $122 million.

How are its businesses performing?

Commenting on the ASX 200 stock’s performance, group managing director and CEO, Paul Bradshaw, said:

Supercheap Auto delivered a solid first half result, with revenue growth accelerating in the second quarter and gross margin broadly in line with the prior comparison period.

The Rebel business also performed positively despite cycling strong sales in the prior corresponding period. Though, its sales growth came at the expense of margins. Bradshaw adds:

Rebel delivered credible like-for-like sales growth in the half, cycling a strong Christmas trading period from the prior year. Realised gross margins were lower due to higher levels of promotional activity. Store network activity was high in the period, with associated costs further weighing on profit before tax. A total of 7 store openings, 6 closures and 3 refurbishments/relocations were actioned in the period.

Things weren’t so positive for the BCF business, which underperformed expectations. Its managing director explained:

BCF did not match the strong level of sales from the prior year. Fishing and Marine categories were heavily impacted in the period by macro weather/environmental factors in Victoria and South Australia. BCF gross margins were broadly in line with the prior year.

Finally, the Macpac delivered strong sales growth but felt the impact of clearance activity on its margins. Bradshaw said:

Macpac continued to realise strong like-for-like sales momentum. Gross margins were impacted by clearance activity earlier in the half.

Profit guidance

In light of the above, the ASX 200 stock is guiding to a normalised profit before tax of $172 million to $175 million for the first half, subject to its audit review.

This is down from $186 million in the prior corresponding period and $206 million a year before that.

Paul Bradshaw concludes:

For the purpose of this trading update, normalised profit before tax does not include items considered unusual by their nature or size and or not being in the ordinary course of business. The Group had no drawn bank debt, and maintained a positive cash balance at the end of the first half.

I would like to thank all of our team members whose commitment and tireless efforts continue to deliver great experiences for our customers and a solid outcome for our shareholders. I look forward to providing further details on our first half performance at our interim results presentation on 26 February 2026.

The post Guess which ASX 200 stock is crashing 11% on trading update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Super Retail Group reports record H1 FY26 trading result
• How I’d build a $1,000-a-month passive income from ASX shares
• 3 Australian shares with bullish catalysts heading into 2026

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

Global X has announced the final distribution (or dividend) amounts for a variety of its ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

These include Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE), which exposes investors to copper shares all over the world.

ASX WIRE has tailwinds due to a 37% lift in the copper price over the past year, as global demand increases due to the energy transition.

It also includes Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC), which has had a stellar run since inception in October 2024.

ASX DTEC is leveraging a massive increase in worldwide defence spending amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Global X reveals next lot of dividends for ASX ETFs

We have summarised the dividend amounts and dividend reinvestment prices (DRPs), rounded to two decimal places.

Global X will pay investors this Friday, 16 January.

ASX ETF name	Distribution amount	DRP price
Global X Australia 300 ETF (ASX: A300)	23.74 cents per unit	$50.71 per unit
Global X Uranium ETF (ASX: ATOM)	2.51 cents per unit	$22.87 per unit
Global X S&P/ASX 200 Covered Call Complex ETF (ASX: AYLD)	22.24 cents per unit	$10.03 per unit
Global X Australian Bank Credit ETF (ASX: BANK)	2.77 cents per unit	$9.97 per unit
Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC)	1.53 cents per unit	$17.40 per unit
Global X EURO STOXX 50 ETF (ASX: ESTX)	34.48 cents per unit	$111.98 per unit
Global X S&P World ex Australia GARP ETF (ASX: GARP)	4.07 cents per unit	$12.87 per unit
Global X Australia ex Financial & Resources ETF (ASX: OZXX)	8.96 cents per unit	$10.50 per unit
Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (ASX: PAVE)	2.40 cents per unit	$12.57 per unit
Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call Complex ETF (ASX: QYLD)	1.91 cents per unit	$11.39 per unit
Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)	3.51 cents per unit	$23.27 per unit
Global X US 100 ETF (ASX: U100)	3.48 cents per unit	$16.59 per unit
Global X USD High Yield Bond (Currency Hedged) ETF (ASX: USHY)	12.53 cents per unit	$10.56 per unit
Global X USD Corporate Bond (Currency Hedged) ETF (ASX: USIG)	12.48 cents per unit	$9.68 per unit
Global X US Treasury Bond (Currency Hedged) ETF (ASX: USTB)	7.16 cents per unit	$9.27 per unit
Global X S&P 500 Covered Call Complex ETF (ASX: UYLD)	2.75 cents per unit	$11 per unit
Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE)	6.21 cents per unit	$22.02 per unit
Global X S&P/ASX 200 High Dividend ETF (ASX: ZYAU)	11.34 cents per unit	$9.68 per unit
Global X S&P 500 High Yield Low Volatility ETF (ASX: ZYUS)	13.70 cents per unit	$14.28 per unit

The post Global X announces dividends for DTEC, WIRE and other ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 10 ASX shares I’d buy with $10,000 in 2026 to beat the market
• Own the Global X GARP ETF? The fund just made some key changes
• 2 compelling ASX shares I’d buy in a heartbeat
• Guess how much $10,000 invested a year ago in these global ASX ETFs is worth today
• Why Australian small-cap shares are shining

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Global X Copper Miners ETF. 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.

If you are looking for exposure to the mining sector, then it could be worth considering Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) shares.

That’s the view of analysts at Bell Potter, which believe this unique ASX mining stock could be a top buy.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter has been busy updating its forecasts after revising its commodity price deck. It said:

Prices for copper, zinc and silver have exhibited a significant rally in FY26TD, with current spot prices up 43%, 11% and 156% YoY, respectively. We mark-to-market December 2025 quarter prices: copper 9% higher than BPe; zinc 20%; and silver 31%.

Looking ahead, we raise our FY26-27 price forecasts by: 9% / 5% for copper to US$10,980/t / US$11,000/t (consensus: US$10,718/t / US$10,918/t); 13% / 10% for zinc to US$3,050/t / US$2,950/t (consensus: US$2,969/t / US$2,841/t); and 23% / 51% for silver to US$54/oz / US$62/oz (consensus: US$40/oz / US$51/oz). To help contextualise the materiality of these upgrades for Woodlawn, mine site revenue mix over FY26-27 averages 50% for copper, 25% for zinc and 12% for silver.

Bell Potter also highlighted a number of tailwinds for the mining stock’s Woodlawn project. It adds:

Watch out for these Woodlawn tailwinds: 1) Sustainment of elevated silver prices will accelerate the paydown of the silver stream liability with Sandstorm Gold (capped at $27m); and 2) benchmark copper TC / RCs have reportedly collapsed to US$0/dmt for CY26 due to excess smelting capacity and scarcity of concentrate supply, while zinc TC / RCs are forecast to see a modest recovery during the year. We expect lower aggregate TC / RCs in CY26 to enhance Woodlawn EBITDA generation and margins.

But the catalysts don’t stop there. It adds:

Near-term catalysts: 1) Woodlawn operational update, outlining achievement of steady-state production, and subsequent financial updates (quarterly revenue, EBITDA and margins); 2) exploration updates at Woodlawn; 3) Sulphur Springs FID and financing package finalisation; and 4) a potential Mining Services contract award.

Should you buy this ASX mining stock?

In light of the above, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on the ASX mining stock with an improved price target of $5.80 (from $5.20).

Based on its current share price of $4.96, this implies potential upside of 17% for investors over the next 12 months.

The broker concludes:

With Woodlawn de-risking behind us, DVP presents a unique small-cap copper-zinc exposure that is relatively undervalued compared with peers in the Resources space.

The post Buy this ‘unique’ ASX mining stock for a 17% return: Bell Potter appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Buy, hold, sell: Develop Global, Metcash, and Treasury Wine shares
• Bell Potter names three engineering companies to buy
• Top broker just raised its price target on this ASX materials stock
• Why 4DMedical, Develop Global, EOS, and Maas shares are racing higher today

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.

When company executives start buying shares with their own money, investors usually pay attention.

That is what is happening at Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME). In late December, several senior leaders stepped in to buy shares on market, committing significant personal capital as the stock continued to slide.

Just weeks later, Pro Medicus shares hit an 8-month low of $210.01 on 7 January. By Friday’s close, the stock was trading at $210.21, down 2.64% for the day and about 22% lower over the past 12 months.

After such a sharp pullback, the key question is whether insider buying signals confidence that the worst of the selling may be over.

A strong pullback for a premium stock

Pro Medicus has been one of the ASX’s standout growth stories for years, driven by strong demand for its Visage medical imaging software. The company has built a reputation for high margins, recurring revenue, and long-term contracts with major hospitals, particularly in the US.

At its peak last year, the share price traded at $336. Even after the recent sell-off, Pro Medicus remains valued at around $22 billion, indicating the high regard investors continue to hold for the business.

That said, the stock has gone through a clear reset. Higher interest rates and weaker sentiment towards expensive growth stocks have weighed heavily on the share price. Importantly, there has been no major downgrade to earnings guidance or contract momentum, suggesting the pullback has been more about valuation than fundamentals.

What the chart is showing

Technically, the stock has been in a clear downtrend since late last year.

The $210 level now stands out as a key support area, with buyers stepping in each time the stock has dipped below that level. If this support fails, the next downside level would likely be closer to $200.

Momentum indicators suggest selling pressure may be easing. The relative strength index (RSI) is sitting around 33, which is close to oversold territory. While this does not guarantee a bounce, it does suggest the buyer may be starting to regain interest.

On the upside, resistance sits near $230, followed by a stronger level around $250. A move above those levels would likely signal improving sentiment.

Insider buying stands out

One of the clearest signals during this sell-off has been buying from Pro Medicus’ leadership team.

In late December, several senior executives and directors bought shares on market as the price continued to fall. CEO Dr Sam Aaron Huppert and Executive Director Anthony Hall each invested close to $1 million, while Chairman Peter Kempen also added to his holdings with a $134,000 purchase.

In total, management committed well over $2 million of personal capital in a short period. While insider buying is no guarantee of short-term gains, multiple large purchases at similar price levels often reflect confidence in the company’s outlook and long-term value.

Is now the time to buy?

Pro Medicus remains a high-quality business with a strong competitive position and long-term growth potential. While the stock still trades at a premium valuation and short-term volatility could persist, the combination of technical support, a low RSI, and significant insider buying suggests that the risk-reward balance may be improving.

For long-term investors, this recent weakness may be worth watching closely as sentiment begins to stabilise.

The post Insiders are buying. Can Pro Medicus shares finally turn the corner? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Core Lithium, Paladin Energy, Pro Medicus, and Rio Tinto shares are dropping today
• Why these ASX growth stocks could be much bigger in 2030 than today
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy with $30,000 this week
• 5 incredible ASX growth stocks to buy for 2026
• How I’d build a growing passive income stream from ASX shares over 15 years

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 Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) share price is in focus today after the company reported a record first half revenue of $2.2 billion and normalised profit before tax expected between $172 million and $175 million.

What did Super Retail Group report?

• Group revenue for H1 FY26 is anticipated at $2.2 billion, up from the prior year.
• Normalised profit before tax (PBT) forecast between $172 million and $175 million.
• Supercheap Auto posted $813 million in revenue and PBT of $101–$102 million.
• rebel reported $741 million in revenue and $53 million PBT.
• BCF contributed $520 million in revenue and $39 million PBT; Macpac added $122 million in sales and $7 million PBT.
• Group like-for-like sales up 2.5%, with strong growth in Macpac (7.8%) and Supercheap Auto (3.5%).

What else do investors need to know?

The Group reported robust sales performance despite higher promotional activity, which weighed on gross margins, particularly at rebel. Store network activity was high, with 7 new store openings, 6 closures, and 3 refurbishments or relocations completed during the half.

Group and unallocated costs included duplication expenses for a new distribution centre in Victoria and the launch of a new HR and payroll platform, both on track for completion in the second half of the financial year. At the end of the half, Super Retail Group maintained a positive cash balance and no drawn bank debt.

What did Super Retail Group management say?

Group Managing Director and CEO Paul Bradshaw said:

I am pleased to report that Super Retail Group has delivered another record first half sales result. The Group traded well, albeit with an elevated level of promotional intensity impacting realised gross margins, most notably in rebel.

What’s next for Super Retail Group?

The Group expects to finalise its first half results and provide a more comprehensive update during its interim results presentation on 26 February 2026. Key projects—including a new distribution centre and upgraded payroll system—remain on track to go live in the second half, supporting ongoing operational improvements.

Management continues to focus on balancing growth in sales with disciplined cost and margin management as the business navigates a dynamic retail environment.

Super Retail Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Super Retail Group shares have risen 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Super Retail Group reports record H1 FY26 trading result appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Aristocrat Leisure scores $190m settlement and ends Light & Wonder litigation
• Light & Wonder settles Aristocrat lawsuit with $190m payout
• Cochlear shares lag the ASX 200 after a tough year. Is it time to buy?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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 Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail 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 Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) share price is in focus today after the company announced a $190 million settlement from Light & Wonder (ASX: LNW), ending legal action over the alleged use of Aristocrat’s intellectual property in competing games.

What did Aristocrat Leisure report?

• Received USD $127.5 million (approx. AUD $190 million) compensation from Light & Wonder for IP infringement
• Light & Wonder to permanently cease sales of the Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon games worldwide
• Light & Wonder must destroy all documents containing Aristocrat’s proprietary maths information
• Litigation in Australia and the US dismissed as part of the settlement
• Confidential procedures agreed for dealing with Aristocrat maths in some hold and spin games

What else do investors need to know?

The confidential settlement ends a significant legal battle between Aristocrat and a key competitor, bringing certainty and a material cash inflow. Light & Wonder has acknowledged the use of some Aristocrat math techniques and committed to permanently remove the affected games globally.

Both companies have affirmed the importance of respecting intellectual property and fair competition. The agreement also sets up confidential procedures in case similar intellectual property issues arise in Light & Wonder’s other products.

What did Aristocrat Leisure management say?

Aristocrat CEO and Managing Director, Trevor Croker, said:

Aristocrat welcomes fair competition but will always robustly defend and enforce its intellectual property rights. As an ideas and innovation company our intellectual property is vital to our ongoing success. We are committed to protecting the great work of our dedicated creative and technical teams. We welcome this positive outcome, which includes significant financial compensation and follows the decisive action we took to ensure the preservation of Aristocrat’s valuable intellectual property assets. This decisive action included securing a preliminary injunction in September 2024, at which time the court recognised that Light & Wonder was able to develop Dragon Train by using Aristocrat’s valuable trade secrets and without investing the equivalent time and money.

What’s next for Aristocrat Leisure?

With litigation resolved, Aristocrat can redirect focus to its global gaming, online, and content creation businesses, underpinned by its commitment to innovation and protecting creative assets. The settlement strengthens Aristocrat’s position as a leader in gaming technology and should enhance confidence among shareholders and partners.

The one-off compensation is expected to support further investment in product innovation and growth. Management has reaffirmed its dedication to upholding fair competition while safeguarding the work of its teams worldwide.

Aristocrat Leisure share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Aristocrat Leisure shares have declined 19%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Aristocrat Leisure scores $190m settlement and ends Light & Wonder litigation appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Super Retail Group reports record H1 FY26 trading result
• Light & Wonder settles Aristocrat lawsuit with $190m payout
• Cochlear shares lag the ASX 200 after a tough year. Is it time to buy?
• Top 5 ASX 200 retail shares of 2025
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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 Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Light & Wonder Inc. 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.

Generating passive income from the share market doesn’t have to involve picking individual dividend stocks.

For many investors, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a simple and diversified way to build an income stream over time.

ASX income ETFs provide exposure to dozens, or even hundreds, of businesses in a single investment, helping smooth volatility while still delivering regular distributions.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth considering for a passive income portfolio.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF is one of the most widely used income-focused ETFs on the ASX.

It invests in Australian shares with higher-than-average forecast dividend yields, based on broker research. This naturally results in a portfolio dominated by established, cash-generative blue-chip businesses.

Key holdings typically include companies such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). These businesses have long histories of paying dividends and tend to form the backbone of many income portfolios.

For investors seeking franked income and exposure to Australia’s biggest dividend payers, the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF could be a top choice.

Betashares Global Royalties ETF (ASX: ROYL)

Another ASX ETF to look at is the Betashares Global Royalties ETF. It offers a very different approach to income investing.

Rather than relying on traditional dividend-paying shares, this ASX ETF invests in businesses that earn revenue from royalties. These royalties are typically paid for the use of intellectual property, natural resources, or technology, providing a distinct and often more resilient income stream.

The fund’s holdings include stocks such as ARM Holdings (NASDAQ: ARM), Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE: WPM), and Universal Music Group. Many of these businesses benefit from long-term contracts and structural growth trends, rather than short-term economic cycles.

The Betashares Global Royalties ETF could be particularly appealing for investors looking to diversify their income sources beyond banks, miners, and property stocks. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

Finally, while not designed as a pure income fund, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF can still play an important role in a passive income strategy.

This ASX ETF focuses on high-quality Australian shares with strong balance sheets, sustainable earnings, and attractive profitability metrics. These characteristics often support reliable dividends that can grow steadily over time.

Its holdings include popular shares such as Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW). While its dividend yield may be lower than high-yield ETFs initially (3.4% at present), its emphasis on quality can help grow income over the long term.

For investors who want to balance passive income with capital preservation and growth, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF could be a valuable complement to higher-yield funds. It was also recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post 3 strong ASX ETFs to buy for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Vanguard reveals next lot of dividends for VAS and other ASX ETFs
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to supercharge your portfolio
• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs for beginners in 2026
• Own Betashares ASX ETFs? Here’s your next dividend
• 10 excellent ASX ETFs to buy in 2026

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Telstra Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Two popular ASX 200 media shares — REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) and Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) — are currently circling their 52-week lows.

REA shares are down 20.5% to $186.49 over 6 months, while Nine Entertainment has tumbled 32% over the same period to $1.13, at the time of writing.

Although the reasons behind the fall differ, both companies are under pressure from a combination of structural challenges, regulatory scrutiny, and shifting investor sentiment.

With share prices well off their highs, investors are now asking the question: does this sell-off present a buying opportunity, or are there more headwinds ahead?

Let’s take a closer look at the ASX media shares and see how analysts are reading the situation.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group shares, which give investors exposure to property platform realestate.com.au, have taken a noticeable hit in 2025.

Importantly, the sell-off appears to be driven more by sentiment and concerns around future growth than by any major deterioration in the underlying business.

The ASX media share continues to dominate its market, benefits from strong pricing power, and is still delivering earnings growth. Even though the share price has fallen, REA’s latest results show the business continues to grow.

In the first quarter of FY26, revenue rose by about 4% compared with last year, while profits increased by roughly 5%, supported by steady demand in REA’s key markets.

That said, several factors have made investors more cautious. The ASX media share reported a decline in new national property listings, which has raised questions about near-term growth. Adding to the uncertainty, the ACCC launched an investigation into the company’s pricing practices in May.

Despite these concerns, analysts have not turned overly bearish. Macquarie has a neutral rating and a price target of $220. Other brokers are more optimistic. UBS has a price target of $255, which points to a 37% upside.

While some targets have been trimmed recently, the average 12-month price target for the ASX 200 media stock still sits 11% above the current price.

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

Nine Entertainment’s share price decline has been more dramatic in the past 6 months. Part of the drop was technical rather than purely fundamental.

In May, the company sold its 60% stake in Domain, returning capital to shareholders via a special dividend. When the stock went ex-dividend on 11 September, the share price fell sharply by 34% to reflect that payout.

However, the ASX media share is facing genuine operational challenges. Analysts are increasingly wary of the company’s heavy reliance on its free-to-air television business, which remains highly exposed to a softer advertising market.

As a result, some brokers have downgraded revenue forecasts for 2026 from around $2.7 billion to closer to $2.3 billion.

Looking ahead, Nine’s key challenge will be stabilising earnings from its traditional television and radio assets. The ASX media share will have to achieve meaningful growth through its digital platforms such as Stan.

Macquarie’s research team has expressed continued caution, pointing to uncertainty around free-to-air advertising spending and the need for disciplined cost management to support earnings.

Even so, analyst expectations have not collapsed. Most brokers have trimmed their price targets recently, with the 12-month price average now sitting at $1.31. That suggests potential upside of 16% from current levels.

The majority of analysts continue to rate the stock as a (strong) buy, largely reflecting the significantly lower share price.

The post Are these 2 ASX 200 media shares a bargain? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are Nine Entertainment or News Corp shares a better buy?
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy with $30,000 this week
• The simple buy and hold investing lesson that still works with ASX shares today
• 5 incredible ASX growth stocks to buy for 2026
• Down 20% in a year, can REA Group shares rebound in 2026?

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 Nine Entertainment. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.