Category: Stock Market

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) shares are lagging the broader market on Thursday.

While the ASX 200 index is up 0.7%, the insurance giant’s shares are trading slightly lower at $7.82, weighed down by competition concerns raised by regulators.

So, what’s going on today? Let’s find out.

ACCC blocks IAG’s proposed RAC Insurance acquisition

The big news dragging on investor sentiment is that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will oppose IAG’s proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance (RACI) from the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia.

In a detailed ruling, the competition watchdog concluded that the deal would likely substantially lessen competition in Western Australia’s insurance market.

RACI is the market leader in both motor and home insurance in the state, while IAG, through brands such as NRMA, is already one of the state’s strongest competitors.

According to the ACCC, combining the two would give IAG:

• 55% to 65% market share in motor insurance, and
• 50% to 60% market share in home and contents insurance.

These are numbers the regulator says would allow IAG to raise premiums and reduce service quality due to less competitive pressure. The ACCC’s chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb, said:

We concluded that the proposed acquisition would eliminate the significant competition between IAG and RACI, and reduce the competitive pressure they each place on rival insurance brands. We concluded that the acquisition would be likely to allow IAG, after acquiring RACI, to increase premiums and reduce the quality of its suite of insurance products, with likely flow on effects to the offerings of other insurers.

The ACCC also rejected the argument that RACI might struggle to compete in the future, adding:

Our investigation found that RACI remains a strong and profitable competitor and is adequately positioned to manage these challenges. We have concluded that if IAG doesn’t acquire RACI, RACI would have the capability to continue to compete effectively in Western Australia in the future.

IAG responds

IAG has acknowledged the ACCC’s decision but isn’t walking away from the proposal.

The ASX 200 stock revealed that it will lodge an application under the new mandatory merger control regime, which begins on 1 January 2026.

IAG’s CEO, Nick Hawkins, maintains that the alliance would ultimately benefit RAC members and the broader WA community. He said:

IAG and RAC have proven track records of successful partnerships and are committed to delivering competitive and accessible insurance products for all Western Australians. As part of the alliance we have committed to staying local, investing in enhancements to the RAC member experience and continuing to deliver high quality and competitive insurance products and services.

This would be made possible by our position as a national insurer, investment in technology capabilities and strong capital management. Together, we would also continue to invest in initiatives that support local communities and provide benefits to RAC, its members and Western Australia.

The post IAG shares fall on ACCC blow appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the Myer share price rocketing 10% on Thursday?
• Is Gemini Enterprise a game changer for Alphabet?
• Gina Rinehart backed ASX rare earths stock jumps 17% on big news
• ACCC blocks Insurance Australia Group’s RAC Insurance acquisition: What investors need to know
• Is WiseTech shaping up as a bargain after its steep decline?

The Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) share price is on fire today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) department store owner closed yesterday trading for 41 cents. In morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for 45 cents apiece, up 9.8%.

For some context, the ASX 300 is up 0.6% at this same time.

Here’s what’s spurring investor interest today.

Myer share price surges on strong trading update

The ASX 300 department store is grabbing plenty of interest today amid the company’s annual general meeting (AGM).

Perhaps the biggest tailwind helping to lift the Myer share price today is the company’s trading update, covering the first 19 weeks of FY 2026.

Addressing the meeting, Myer executive chair Olivia Wirth noted, “We’ve had a very encouraging start to FY 2026.”

How encouraging?

Well, over the first 19 weeks of the new financial year, sales were up 3% from the same period last year. Wirth credited strong sales growth in Myer Retail, up 3.4%, for driving the improved performance.

And the department store’s Homewares, Womenswear, and Concessions all achieved double-digit sales growth.

“We are particularly pleased with the performance of our Myer Exclusive Brands in the Homeware and Womenswear categories supporting the delivery of the increased sales,” Wirth said.

Amid improving performance for Just Jeans, with mid-single-digit sales growth year to date, Myer Apparel Brands sales were up 1.3% year on year for the period. Myer completed its acquisition of Apparel Brands earlier this year.

The Myer share price is also likely getting a lift from the record Black Friday sales, Wirth reported.

“Pleasingly, we also had a strong lead up to Black Friday for Myer Retail, achieving our biggest Black Friday sales performance on record, driven by our Homeware and Womenswear categories,” she said.

And she pointed to the “very important sales period” ahead, with seven weeks of elevated sales expected in the lead-up to the company’s Christmas and Boxing Day sales.

Wirth also highlighted that in FY 2026, Myer is continuing to target its Cost of Doing Business (CODB) as a percentage of sales target of around 29%. She said the company is on track to meet this target for the full year.

How had the ASX 300 stock been tracking longer term?

Despite today’s welcome lift, the Myer share price remains down 63.4% in 2025.

Shares have yet to recover from the 25% plunge suffered on 23 September following the release of the company’s decidedly underwhelming FY 2025 results.

Among the disappointments of the past financial year, with underlying net profit down 30% from FY 2024, the board opted not to declare a final dividend.

The post Why is the Myer share price rocketing 10% on Thursday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• IAG shares fall on ACCC blow
• Is Gemini Enterprise a game changer for Alphabet?
• Gina Rinehart backed ASX rare earths stock jumps 17% on big news
• ACCC blocks Insurance Australia Group’s RAC Insurance acquisition: What investors need to know
• Is WiseTech shaping up as a bargain after its steep decline?

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

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) is betting heavily that the next era of computing will be shaped inside the enterprise. While most of the attention around the company’s AI strategy has focused on consumer-facing products such as Search or Android, the far more consequential battleground may be the enterprise software and cloud ecosystem. This is where Gemini Enterprise, Alphabet’s new AI productivity and workflow platform, steps in. 

The question for long-term investors is straightforward: Can Gemini Enterprise transform Google Cloud from a strong but distant third player into a genuine market leader, and in the process, create a second major profit engine for Alphabet? The answer is promising, but not guaranteed. 

A new foundation for enterprise workflows

At its core, Gemini Enterprise represents Alphabet’s most ambitious attempt yet to embed artificial intelligence (AI) into the daily workflows of millions of employees. It is not just a collection of features added to Workspace or Cloud. Instead, Gemini Enterprise acts as a unifying AI layer that spans communication, content creation, data analysis, automation, and development tools.

That matters, because Google has long struggled to articulate a clear value proposition for enterprises beyond analytics and developer-focused infrastructure. AWS dominated general cloud workloads, while Microsoft solidified its position as the backbone of enterprise productivity. Gemini Enterprise gives Google a differentiated angle for the first time in years: an AI-first productivity environment that feels unified, deeply integrated, and designed around natural language interactions.

Suppose knowledge workers can draft documents, summarize long email threads, analyze spreadsheets, create presentations, extract insights from company data, or build prototypes with conversational prompts. In that case, Gemini Enterprise becomes far more than a feature. It becomes the reason companies reconsider how their employees work, and which platform they standardize on.

Workspace becomes “stickier”

Gemini Enterprise also strengthens Google’s position inside organizations already using Workspace. Historically, Workspace gained traction among start-ups, creative teams, and education customers, but large enterprises remained loyal to Microsoft’s long-standing software footprint.

AI introduces a reset moment. If Gemini Enterprise meaningfully improves productivity within Workplace — through summarization, problem-solving, or workflow automation — then Google gains leverage to expand its share among larger organizations.

What’s important here is not simply the presence of AI features, but how deeply those features integrate with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, and Calendar. The more tightly Gemini is woven into the daily fabric of work, the higher the switching costs become for enterprises. Each incremental improvement reinforces a long-term moat around Workspace and, by extension, Google Cloud.

In this sense, Gemini Enterprise provides Alphabet with an opportunity to transition Workspace from a “good alternative” to a “strategic necessity.”

AI agents could redefine enterprise productivity

The most transformative aspect of Gemini Enterprise may lie in the future, not the present. Alphabet has made clear that its long-term vision involves AI agents — autonomous systems capable of completing full workflows, not just producing drafts or answering questions.

Imagine a system that can pull financial data, generate insights, write a summary, draft a slide deck, send a follow-up email, schedule a meeting, and file documentation, all without human intervention. That is not science fiction; it is the direction enterprise AI is heading.

If Google builds reliable, secure agents that operate on a company’s private data while staying tightly integrated with Workspace, the commercial opportunity becomes enormous. Agents shift AI from a tool into labor augmentation, something companies will pay serious subscription premiums for. Gemini Enterprise is positioning itself as the infrastructure needed to deliver these agents at scale.

This is where the game-changing potential becomes most compelling.

Competition remains the critical variable

Despite its promise, Gemini Enterprise is launching into an exceptionally competitive landscape. Microsoft is pushing Copilot across its entire software suite and has unmatched enterprise distribution. OpenAI continues to shape the narrative around cutting-edge models. Meanwhile, AWS remains the default choice for enterprise infrastructure.

To win, Google must deliver reliability, cost efficiency, secure data handling, and pragmatic usefulness, not just impressive demos. Many enterprises are cautious adopters, and breaking long-entrenched habits requires undeniable value. Gemini Enterprise’s success hinges on whether companies see it as a must-have platform rather than a nice-to-have feature set.

What does it mean for investors?

So, is Gemini Enterprise a game changer? It can be.

Alphabet finally has a credible differentiator in enterprise AI, something it has not enjoyed at scale in the past. Gemini Enterprise strengthens Workspace, enhances Google Cloud’s value proposition, and lays the groundwork for high-margin AI agents that could meaningfully reshape how businesses operate.

But the opportunity is matched by execution risk. The enterprise AI race is crowded, expectations are high, and companies will judge Alphabet on reliability and integration, not model names or benchmark scores.

Investors should view Gemini Enterprise as a potential catalyst with significant upside, but not a guaranteed breakthrough. All eyes are on the company’s execution in the near future.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post Is Gemini Enterprise a game changer for Alphabet? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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Lawrence Nga 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 Alphabet and Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet and Microsoft. 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) shares are on the move on Thursday.

In morning trade, the ASX rare earths stock is up 17% to $4.34.

What’s going on with this ASX rare earths stock today?

Investors have been buying the company’s shares today after it announced the results of the scoping study for its 100%-owned Amargosa Bauxite-Gallium Project in Brazil.

Brazilian Rare Earths, which counts Gina Rinehart as a major shareholder, notes that the study was led by SLR Consulting, with support from other industry specialists. This includes MIPTEC Engenharia & Consultoria, which is a leading Brazilian engineering firm focused on project design and cost estimation for bulk-commodity projects. CM Group, which is an independent bauxite market consultant, also supported the study.

According to the release, the scoping study confirms that the Amargosa Project has the potential to be a large-scale, capital-efficient, direct-ship bauxite (DSB) project with strong economic returns.

Benchmarking by CM Group positions Amargosa as a first quartile project on the global seaborne bauxite cost curve.

Scoping study results

It highlights that the current development pathway is a ~5 million tonne per annum truck-and-shovel DSB operation that leverages existing road infrastructure and an established export port to deliver high-quality, low-silica bauxite into the global seaborne market.

The ASX rare earths stock advised that the operation is forecast to generate robust cashflow and strong earnings.

The study estimates that it will generate average EBITDA of US$102 million per annum. Whereas free cash flow (FCF) of US$84 million per annum is expected over a 17-year life. This is based on a spot bauxite price of US$71 per tonne.

This is expected to lead to strong economic returns. The project is forecast to have an after-tax net present value (8%) of US$630 million and a payback of 1.2 years.

Commenting on the study results, the ASX rare earths stock’s managing director and CEO, Bernardo da Veiga, said:

The Scoping Study supports Amargosa’s potential as a leading, capital-efficient and high-quality DSB project: simple to execute, scalable and highly advantaged by direct access to established road and port infrastructure. Amargosa’s location in Bahia provides a foundation for development, with an experienced mining workforce, favourable taxes and royalty settings, mature regulation and clear government support. Importantly, the Study also evaluates the Southern FIOL rail option that underpinned prior feasibility studies.

We see FIOL as a valuable longer-term expansion pathway at higher bauxite prices, but the optimal starting point is our low-capex 5 Mtpa DSB base case, which materially reduces development risk and capital by deferring rail, major infrastructure and beneficiation requirements. These results highlight the potential for strong margins and durable free cash flow generation from a high-quality bauxite product in a tightening seaborne market, subject to further studies, approvals and financing.

The company’s leader also confirmed that the plan is still to demerge this asset into a separate listing. He adds:

In line with our strategy, we are targeting a 2026 de-merger of Amargosa via an in-specie distribution into a new ASX-listed company, while BRE continues to focus on building value across our exceptional rare earth and critical minerals portfolio.

The post Gina Rinehart backed ASX rare earths stock jumps 17% on big news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Ord Minnett is bullish on these ASX shares

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.

The Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) share price is in focus today after the ACCC blocked IAG’s proposed takeover of RAC Insurance Pty Limited. The regulator concluded the deal would substantially lessen competition in Western Australia’s car and home insurance markets.

What did Insurance Australia Group report?

• The ACCC has formally opposed IAG’s proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance Pty Limited.
• If approved, the deal would have combined two market leaders in WA’s insurance sector.
• IAG’s combined market share in WA would have lifted to around 55–65% for motor insurance and 50–60% for home insurance.
• The ACCC found RACI is a strong competitor and would likely remain so if not acquired.
• No impact reported on IAG’s other operating brands and partnerships across Australia.

What else do investors need to know?

The ACCC’s decision comes after a detailed investigation into how the deal might affect everyday insurance customers in Western Australia. The regulator highlighted concerns about reduced competition, potential for higher premiums, and lower service quality if IAG proceeded with its planned acquisition.

The ACCC also noted that while other big insurers like Suncorp, Allianz, and QBE are active in WA, they are unlikely to provide enough competitive pressure to offset the loss of rivalry between IAG and RACI. Importantly, the ruling only relates to insurance businesses – RAC’s broader automotive and member services are not part of the deal.

What’s next for Insurance Australia Group?

With the ACCC opposing the acquisition, IAG will need to reassess its WA growth ambitions. Investors can watch for further updates from the company on possible responses or revised strategies, including how it will pursue expansion in Western Australia without RAC Insurance’s portfolio.

The company may also continue exploring new distribution partnerships and investments in its existing brands, like NRMA, CGU, and WFI, to drive growth across Australia and New Zealand.

Insurance Australia Group share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement

The post ACCC blocks Insurance Australia Group’s RAC Insurance acquisition: What investors need to know appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 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 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 WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) share price has been under pressure in recent months, giving back a large chunk of the gains it built earlier in the year.

For context, the stock was trading near $130 in February. As of yesterday’s close, it is sitting around $72, which marks a sizeable drop of 45%.

The debate now is whether this fall reflects a real shift in outlook or if the market has simply pushed the share price too low.

Why has the WiseTech share price stumbled?

WiseTech’s pullback has not come as a complete surprise. The company has been working through a period of slower revenue growth as some logistics customers reduced spending and global freight volumes settled after a number of turbulent years.

At the same time, WiseTech has been investing heavily in product development and integrating past acquisitions, which added some short-term pressure to its margins.

This prompted several brokers to trim their 12-month price targets following the company’s softer growth guidance.

On top of that, the broader tech sector has been volatile, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) down almost 20% this year. This led short-term traders to close their positions, which created sharper swings in the WiseTech share price.

What the market might be missing

Despite the recent share price slump, there is plenty to like about WiseTech’s longer-term outlook. The company remains the clear global leader in logistics software through its CargoWise platform, and its customer base includes some of the world’s largest freight forwarders and supply chain operators.

Demand for end-to-end digital logistics solutions continues to grow, and WiseTech is well-placed to capture that growth. Revenue is projected to continue rising, margins are expected to improve as integration winds down, and the company remains well-supported by a strong balance sheet.

Several analysts believe the market reaction has been too harsh. Recent broker price targets are sitting up to 70% above current levels. Macquarie is suggesting WiseTech shares could see meaningful upside over the next couple of years as growth stabilises.

Signs that could point to a turnaround

A number of catalysts could help WiseTech turn the corner. A lift in global freight activity, increased use of new CargoWise tools, smoother acquisition integration, and clearer margin improvement could all help shift investor sentiment.

If the company can deliver on even a few of these points, the WiseTech share price might quickly rebound.

A buying opportunity for investors?

I believe the recent fall has opened up an opportunity that does not come around often for a business of this magnitude. WiseTech remains a global leader in a market that continues to expand, and its long-term fundamentals are still very much intact.

If management continues to deliver, I think today’s share price could look cheap in hindsight. For long-term investors, WiseTech is beginning to look like a far more interesting proposition than it did just a few months ago.

The post Is WiseTech shaping up as a bargain after its steep decline? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Buy, hold, sell: Catapult, Step One, WiseTech Global shares
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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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Fortunately for income investors, there are a lot of options out there for them to choose from on the Australian share market.

But which ASX dividend stocks could be buys in December? Let’s take a look at two that analysts at are recommending as buys:

Amcor (ASX: AMC)

The first ASX dividend stock that analysts are tipping as a buy is packaging giant Amcor.

Morgans is bullish on the company due to its positive outlook and attractive valuation. It has put a buy rating and $15.20 price target on its shares.

Commenting on Amcor, the broker said:

Following AMC’s solid 1Q26 result, management’s increased confidence in delivering FY26 synergy targets, and the reaffirmation of FY26 guidance, we believe the outlook remains positive. Trading on 10.4x FY26F PE with a 6.1% yield, we view the valuation as attractive. Potential positive catalysts include meeting or exceeding expectations in upcoming quarterly results and the successful completion of additional asset sales.

Morgans believes that this positions the company to pay dividends per share of approximately 81 cents in FY 2026 and then 83 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $12.24, this would mean dividend yields of 6.6% and 6.8%, respectively.

GDI Property Group Ltd (ASX: GDI)

Another ASX dividend stock that could be a buy is GDI Property Group.

It describes itself as an integrated, internally managed property and funds management group with capabilities in ownership, management, refurbishment, leasing, and syndication of office properties.

Bell Potter is a fan of the company and has put a buy rating and 85 cents price target on its shares.

The broker highlights that GDI Property’s shares trade at a deep discount compared to their net tangible assets. This could be a buying opportunity for investors. It said:

No change to our Buy recommendation. GDI continues to trade at a significant -41% discount to NTA which reflects no value for its FM OpCo, and while the Perth office market recovery could be a ‘slow burn’ with early leasing wins working through for GDI, we do still see upside from current levels which drops straight through to FFO gains.

As for income, the broker is forecasting dividends of 5 cents per share in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its current share price of 65 cents, this would mean dividend yields of 7.7% for both years.

The post Brokers say buy these ASX stocks for 6% dividend yields in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• See which companies have just been added to key ASX indices
• Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in December
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• Which ASX dividend shares are brokers recommending to clients?
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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 positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The APA Group (ASX: APA) share price is in focus today after the company declared a distribution of 27.5 cents per security for the six months ending 31 December 2025, with payment set for 18 March 2026.

What did APA Group report?

• Distribution of 27.5 cents per fully paid stapled security, payable on 18 March 2026
• Distribution relates to the six months to 31 December 2025
• Record date is 31 December 2025, with ex-date on 30 December 2025
• Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP) available with a 1.5% discount
• New Zealand holders can elect NZD or AUD payment

What else do investors need to know?

APA Group has confirmed that securityholders can participate in the DRP, enabling reinvestment of distributions at a 1.5% discount. The DRP price will be calculated using a 10-day volume-weighted average price after the record date.

For cash payments, New Zealand holders may nominate their preferred currency by the record date. If no election is made, payments to New Zealand addresses will be withheld in NZ dollars until banking details are provided.

What’s next for APA Group?

The distribution payment is scheduled for 18 March 2026, and the final amount will be confirmed on 19 February 2026. Investors who wish to participate in the DRP must lodge election notices by 2 January 2026.

APA Group continues to offer investors flexible payment and reinvestment options, supporting consistent returns for securityholders.

APA Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, APA Group shares have risen 23%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post APA Group declares December 2025 half-year distribution appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa 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.

Gold miner St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) has announced two deals worth $470 million under which it will sell down interests in its Simberi gold operations in Papua New Guinea.

The company has also announced a positive feasibility study for expansion of the Simberi mine, which would add another 13 years to its mine life.

Two major deals announced

Late on Wednesday, St Barbara said it had struck an agreement with Chinese company Lingbao Gold Group (HKG: 3330), which would pay $370 million for a half stake in a St Barbara subsidiary, which in turn would own 80% of the Simberi gold project.

St Barbara separately announced a deal to sell 20% of Simberi to another company, Kumul Mineral Holdings, for $100 million.

St Barbara said the transactions would mean it was fully funded for its share of the expected capital costs of the Simberi expansion project, “thereby significantly derisking the Simberi Expansion Project and accelerating the timeline to final investment decision and expanded production”.  

Deal a boon for shareholders

The company said in a statement to the ASX that the deal valued the Simberi project at more than St Barbara’s current market valuation.

The transaction values 100% of the Simberi Gold Project at $800 million which represents a 31% premium to the current St Barbara market capitalisation. The transaction represents a materially higher premium to the current look through value of Simberi within St Barbara, with St Barbara’s market capitalisation also reflecting its 100% ownership of the development projects in Nova Scotia and substantial cash, bullion, gold sales receivables and investments.

St Barbara said Lingbao was a major Chinese gold producer, which was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with a valuation of about US$2.8 billion.

St Barbara Managing Director Andrew Strelein said the two deals announced on Wednesday would help fast-track the Simberi expansion.

The investments by Lingbao and Kumul in Simberi will help us accelerate the development of the Simberi Expansion Project and the delivery of its value to our shareholders and key stakeholders in PNG.” “This is a high-quality brownfields project with low capital intensity, a highly competitive operating cost structure and long-life resource that has potential to grow in the future. With Lingbao we have a committed, experienced and a well-funded partner. In addition, we welcome Kumul to the project as a co-investor.

St Barbara also announced on Wednesday that the feasibility study into the Simberi expansion indicated it would produce 2.1 million ounces of gold over 13 years out to 2039.

The initial project capital was estimated at US$275 million, with pre-expansion growth capital of a further US$50 million to US$70 million across FY26 and FY27.

Mr Strelein said the project was developing into a “highly compelling opportunity to create real value for St Barbara shareholders”.

The expansion project would double the rate of mining from the current rate of 10 million tonnes of ore per year.

The post St Barbara announces $470 million worth of deals to bolster its expansion plans appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers say buy these ASX stocks for 6% dividend yields in 2026
• APA Group declares December 2025 half-year distribution
• AMP settles legacy class action for $29 million
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• HomeCo Daily Needs REIT posts $219m gain and refinances $810m debt

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.

The AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) share price is in focus after the company announced a $29 million in-principle settlement to resolve a commissions class action, addressing legacy legal issues dating back to 2014.

What did AMP report?

• Reached agreement in principle to settle a class action for $29 million
• Claims relate to commissions paid from July 2014 to February 2021
• Settlement covers AMP and former advice subsidiaries
• Settlement is subject to Federal Court approval and final documentation

What else do investors need to know?

The class action was initiated in 2020 and relates to historical commissions paid by AMP and subsidiaries, including AMP Financial Planning, Charter Financial Planning, and Hillross Financial Services. The settlement also covers claims against Resolution Life Australasia (formerly AMP Life), which provided insurance products during the relevant period.

AMP has emphasised that the agreement involves no admission of liability. The company is continuing to address historic legal matters while focusing on its ongoing operations and customer commitments.

What did AMP management say?

AMP Chief Executive Alexis George said:

I’m pleased that we have resolved another legacy legal matter as we focus on the future and on delivering for our customers and members.

What’s next for AMP?

The $29 million class action settlement awaits approval from the Federal Court of Australia and final documentation processes. If approved, this will help AMP draw a line under a key legacy legal matter.

AMP has been working to resolve legacy legal and regulatory issues, with management signalling an ongoing focus on operational performance and supporting customers in the future.

AMP share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, AMP shares have risen 14%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post AMP settles legacy class action for $29 million appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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