Category: Stock Market

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares just became an even more attractive passive income buy.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) supermarket giant delivered the good news to investors this morning with the release of its full year FY 2026 results.

With full year profits and revenue rising, Coles lifted its final dividend payout by more than 15% from last year.

Now, if you follow along with Coles shares, you’ll know this stock has long been popular with passive income investors for its lengthy track record of paying two fully franked dividends per year. Even during the pandemic-addled year of 2020.

And while there are higher yielding stocks, Coles shares, currently trading for $22.43 apiece, have also gained around 8% over the past 12 months. That’s worth keeping in mind, as even a high-yielding ASX stock that loses significant share price value could see your wealth go backwards.

Before we dig into the numbers, also be aware that one of the two figures we’re using below come from Cole’s interim dividend, which was paid out on 30 March.

That means we’re working partly with the pending dividend yield and partly with a trailing yield. Future yields may be higher or lower depending on a range of company specific and macroeconomic factors.

With that in mind…

Buying Coles shares for a $5,000 annual passive income

Coles paid a fully franked 41 cents per share interim dividend in March.

Today, the ASX 200 supermarket declared a fully franked 37 cents per share dividend.

If you want to bank that passive income payout, you’ll need to own Coles shares at market close on 2 September. The stock trades ex-dividend on 3 September. You can then expect to see that Coles dividend land in you bank account on 22 September.

In total then, Coles has (or shortly will have) paid out 78 cents in fully franked dividends over the past year. That’s up 13% from the company’s FY 2025 payouts.

So, for you $5,000 yearly passive income stream, you’d need to buy 6,411 shares today.

At the current share price, that represents an investment of $143,799.

Coles shares trade on a fully franked dividend yield of 3.5%. Taking those franking credits into account, the ASX 200 stock trades on a grossed-up yield of 5.0%.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 supermarket?

For FY 2026, Coles reported a 2.8% year on year increase in sales revenue to $45.58 billion.

And driving the increased passive income payout, the company achieved a 13.7% lift in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $1.26 billion (excluding significant items).

The post How many Coles shares do I need to buy for $5,000 a year in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Is the Coles share price good value?

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.

In Australia, the average age of retirement is 65 years old. But did you know you can access your superannuation a lot earlier, at age 60?

That’s because, at age 60, you’re officially at preservation age. Which means if you’ve ceased working, you’re eligible to start your retirement and begin drawing down on your superannuation balance.

Of course, the only catch is that you’ll need enough in your super to fund a comfortable retirement lifestyle. 

But what could a comfortable retirement starting at age 60 actually look like? 

Let’s investigate.

What does a ‘comfortable retirement’ mean?

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) divides retirement into two broad lifestyle categories: comfortable and modest.

A comfortable retirement is defined as one that enables retirees to maintain a good standard of living well beyond the Age Pension and a modest retirement. It budgets for expenses such as top-tier private health insurance and regular leisure activities. It allocates funds for home repairs or renovations, the occasional meal out, and perhaps even an annual holiday.

Meanwhile, a modest retirement is defined as being able to cover expenses just slightly above what the full Centrelink Age Pension would provide from age 67.

How much does a comfortable retirement cost?

ASFA estimates that a comfortable retirement will cost around $55,923 per year for single Australians. A couple living together can expect to spend around $78,566 per year combined.

In order to fund this lifestyle level, ASFA has calculated that at age 67, single Australians will need around $630,000. Couples will need a combined superannuation balance closer to $730,000.

But the catch is that these figures are based on the understanding that you’ll retire at age 67, that you will only need to fund around 10 years of retirement, will be eligible to receive a part Age Pension, and you own your home in full.

So, if you want to retire at a much earlier age of 60, you’ll need to work towards a different goal to be able to fund those extra seven years.

I want to retire at age 60. How much superannuation do I need?

Your annual costs will be around the same: $55,923 per year for single Australians and $78,566 per year combined for a couple living together.

But, as I mentioned above, you’ll need to fund an additional seven years that ASFA figures haven’t accounted for.

I’ve done a quick calculation to work out the amount you actually need in your superannuation to retire at age 60 and maintain the same comfortable quality of life.

At age 60, singles will need to have closer to $1 million in their superannuation. Meanwhile, couples will need a combined balance of around $1.3 million at the same age. 

But note, if you don’t own your home outright, you’ll also need to consider how you’ll pay your mortgage or rent.

Is your superannuation on track to retire early?

The post How much do I need in my superannuation to retire comfortably at age 60? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) share price is on the move today after releasing key results from its Green Bay Copper-Gold Project study, including a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) showing robust project economics and a major resource upgrade.

What did FireFly Metals report?

• After-tax NPV_7% of ~A$2.2 billion and IRR of 42% over a 32-year mine life for the 1.8Mtpa base case
• Steady-state annual copper equivalent production of 50kt (base case) and 90kt (4.6Mtpa alternative)
• Average post-tax annual free cash flow of ~A$290 million (base case) and ~A$550 million (4.6Mtpa alternative)
• Average C1 cash costs in the lower quartile, at US$2.05/lb CuEq (base case) and US$1.84/lb CuEq (4.6Mtpa alternative)
• Updated Mineral Resource Estimate: 60.2Mt at 2.4% CuEq (Measured & Indicated), plus 23.5Mt at 2.5% CuEq (Inferred)
• Existing cash and investments of A$183 million and plans for up to A$190 million in new equity funding

What else do investors need to know?

FireFly’s PEA assessed two scenarios for restarting the Green Bay Ming Mine: a 1.8Mtpa base case and a larger 4.6Mtpa option, both indicating a long-lived, high-margin project in Canada’s Newfoundland and Labrador. A significant portion of production targets is supported by higher-confidence resource categories, which helps underpin future development.

With all key environmental permits granted, the company is already underway with select early works intended to fast-track construction. Six drill rigs are active, targeting high-grade extensions and new discoveries near the existing resource, aiming to grow resources and support further mine life extensions.

What did FireFly Metals management say?

FireFly Managing Director Steve Parsons commented:

The findings of the economic study prove that Green Bay is one of the best undeveloped copper projects in the world based on a range of key metrics, ranging from scale and production profile through to financial returns and growth. The base case of 50,000t a year generates strong returns and we have a clear pathway to double that. And that is before allowing for the growth we aim to unlock through our ongoing drilling programs in the high-grade areas of the mine and the highly prospective regional exploration program now cranking up. The project simply ticks every box and is clearly poised to generate outstanding returns for all our stakeholders. The highly enviable nature of Green Bay is reflected in the fact that we have just launched a A$180m share placement across the ASX and TSX exchanges. Once in production, Green Bay has the potential to be one of the biggest copper mines in the world outside those owned by the multi-nationals and diversified mining giants. This means FireFly offers investors virtually pure copper exposure via an asset with genuine world-scale in a tier-one location. Our scale, our concentrated copper exposure and our outstanding growth outlook is a very rare combination in global markets. It is unique on the ASX. FireFly offers concentrated exposure to high-grade copper production in a tier-one location with ongoing growth potential.

What’s next for FireFly Metals?

FireFly plans to complete a definitive Feasibility Study and its maiden Ore Reserve estimate in the first quarter of 2027, aiming to enable a final investment decision and begin full construction soon after. The early works already underway, together with regulatory approvals and available funding, position the company to begin first concentrate production targeted for mid-2029.

The company is also pursuing further resource growth through underground and regional drilling, and is actively working on additional exploration and government funding opportunities to enhance project economics and reduce funding risk for future development phases.

FireFly Metals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, FireFly Metals shares have risen 64%, significantly outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

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The post FireFly Metals reveals robust Green Bay PEA and resource boost 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.

The Integral Diagnostics Ltd (ASX: IDX) share price is in the spotlight after the company reported a 25.6% rise in revenue to $788.7 million, alongside a 50% boost in operating NPAT to $47.4 million for FY26.

What did Integral Diagnostics report?

• Revenue grew 25.6% to $788.7 million
• Operating EBITDA jumped 30.3% to $164.8 million, with margins up to 20.9%
• Operating NPAT climbed 50.1% to $47.4 million
• Operating diluted EPS increased by 23.6% to 12.6 cents
• Fully franked final dividend of 6.0 cents per share (total FY26: 9.3 cents), up 50%
• Operating free cash flow up 30.7% to $106.4 million, with conversion at 82%

What else do investors need to know?

Integral’s strong FY26 performance reflects both organic growth and successful integration of the Capitol Health merger, with more than $14 million in annual synergies realised—well above initial expectations. Patient volumes and Medicare indexation drove much of the revenue uplift, and there was continued momentum in higher value imaging services like CT, MRI, and PET scans.

The balance sheet remains on solid footing. Net debt edged up slightly to $298.9 million, but leverage fell to 2.3x Operating EBITDA, within the company’s target range. Management also reported a reduction in the average interest rate on core debt and confirmed all banking covenants are being met.

What did Integral Diagnostics management say?

Jason Martinez, Managing Director and CEO, said:

IDX delivered a strong FY26 result, with solid revenue growth, improved margins and disciplined execution across the business, resulting in performance in line with our guidance. This translated into enhanced shareholder returns, with operating diluted EPS increasing 23.6% and a fully franked final dividend of 6.0 cents per share, up 50.0% on the prior year.

What’s next for Integral Diagnostics?

Integral Diagnostics says it’s well placed to ride favourable industry trends like increasing demand for diagnostic imaging and the shift to higher-value modalities. Priorities for FY27 and beyond include disciplined core growth, selective network expansion, people and culture investment, and digital innovation.

The company is targeting sustainable revenue growth, ongoing margin expansion above 21%, further productivity gains, and improved patient access. Expected capex for FY27 is $50 million to $60 million for replacement and growth initiatives.

Integral Diagnostics share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Integral Diagnostics shares have declined 16%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

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The post Integral Diagnostics posts profit and dividend growth in FY26 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.

The Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ) share price is in rising today after announcing a new on-market buy-back of up to $250 million, following a strong FY2026 and ongoing commitment to capital management.

What did Aurizon report?

• Launch of an on-market share buy-back program of up to $250 million
• Buy-back to commence on 8 September 2026 and run for up to 12 months
• Initiative follows a strong FY2026 result, continued cash generation, and strong balance sheet
• Capital return aligns with Aurizon’s disciplined capital allocation framework

What else do investors need to know?

Aurizon’s Board sees the current share price as an attractive opportunity to return surplus capital to shareholders, funded by existing debt capacity. The buy-back forms part of the company’s approach to balancing investment in growth, reinvestment, and capital returns.

All shares acquired under the buy-back will be cancelled, which may increase earnings per share for remaining investors over time. Aurizon retains the right to vary, pause or end the program based on market conditions.

What did Aurizon management say?

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Harding said:

The share buy-back program is a part of our capital allocation framework which has been used successfully in the past at value-accretive prices. The purchase of our own shares funded by existing debt capacity maintains our disciplined balance sheet management.

This buy-back is consistent with Aurizon’s clear capital allocation framework, which includes maintaining a BBB+/Baa1 credit rating, reinvesting in our business while investing in growth and delivering returns to our shareholders.

What’s next for Aurizon?

Aurizon will proceed with the buy-back from 8 September 2026, buying shares on market as conditions permit. The Board and management emphasise that capital allocation remains disciplined, with ongoing focus on maintaining investment-grade credit ratings and supporting future growth.

Investors may look for further updates on Aurizon’s operational performance and details on capital management at the next company announcement or results briefing.

Aurizon share price snapshot

The Aurizon share price is up around 15% over the past 12 months, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO).

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The post Aurizon announces $250m buy-back after strong FY2026 earnings 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. 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 Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP) share price is in focus today after the company posted FY26 revenue of $226.6 million, steady on last year, and declared a fully franked final dividend of 6.9 cents per share.

What did Propel Funeral Partners report?

• Revenue: $226.6 million, up 0.3% on FY25 and within guidance
• Operating EBITDA: $55.3 million, down 1.6% year on year
• Operating NPAT: $20.7 million, a 4.0% decline from the prior year
• Total fully franked dividends: 14.4 cents per share (unchanged from FY25)
• Five acquisitions completed in FY26 and since, totalling ~$12 million
• Funding capacity of ~$169 million and strong cash flow conversion of 100.7%

What else do investors need to know?

Propel carried out roughly 22,850 funerals in FY26, marking a 1.1% increase on the previous year, despite a contraction in comparable volumes of about 2%. Average revenue per funeral climbed ~2% to $6,673, supported by recent acquisitions and pricing, but was impacted by foreign exchange movements.

Over the year, Propel made five acquisitions in New Zealand, broadening its network of funeral homes and memorial businesses. The company notes continued focus on its core strategy of investing in death care assets across Australia and New Zealand.

The balance sheet remains solid with about $650 million in total assets, $252 million in freehold property, and a recently extended $275 million debt facility now maturing in October 2029. Gearing sits at roughly 31%, and the net leverage ratio is well within covenant limits at about 2.2 times.

What’s next for Propel Funeral Partners?

Looking ahead, Propel says it is well placed for growth thanks to strong funding, favourable demographics, and contributions from its latest acquisitions. The company notes the industry remains highly fragmented, presenting further acquisition opportunities, though timing is yet to be determined.

In July 2026, Propel produced revenue of approximately $21.5 million, supported by increased average revenue per funeral and ongoing resilience in funeral volumes, despite lower industry death volumes. The company will update shareholders on FY27 trading at its AGM in November.

Propel Funeral Partners share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Propel Funeral Partners shares have declined 32%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

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The post Propel Funeral Partners posts steady FY26 earnings and maintains dividend 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.

The Tyro Payments Ltd (ASX: TYR) share price is in focus after reporting a 5.3% rise in gross profit to $231.8 million and an 8.6% lift in EBITDA to $66.9 million for FY26.

What did Tyro Payments report?

• Gross profit increased 5.3% to $231.8 million
• EBITDA up 8.6% to $66.9 million
• Normalised profit before tax surged 40% to $24.7 million
• Free cash flow rose 49.5% to $29.4 million
• eCommerce volumes climbed 25%
• Number of banking accounts grew by 35%

What else do investors need to know?

Tyro continued its growth in priority markets, with Allied Health up 26% and Dental up 19%. The company reported merchant retention improvements and expanded into new enterprise and franchise customers such as Bakers Delight, Lune, and Drummond Golf.

In banking, deposits were up 27% and loan origination rose 19%. The acquisition of Thriday is set to broaden Tyro’s accounting and financial management offering, aiming to increase the value from multi-product customers who tend to stay longer with the business.

What’s next for Tyro Payments?

Tyro expects to build on its momentum, with forecast FY27 normalised gross profit between $240 million and $255 million and an EBITDA margin of 28.5% to 30.5%. The company is targeting further growth in SME relationships, enterprise wins, and solidifying its strong position in health, eCommerce, and banking.

Management highlighted Tyro’s local focus as a differentiator, with the flexibility to invest in customer-centric capabilities, while maintaining financial discipline to drive long-term shareholder value.

Tyro Payments share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Tyro Payments shares have declined 27%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

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The post Tyro Payments FY26: Earnings rise, growth outlook improves 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 recommended Tyro Payments. 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 ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB) share price is on watch after the company reported sales revenue of $702 million, down 3.8%, and net profit after tax of $92.4 million, down 5.2%, for FY26 amid challenging market conditions.

What did ARB Corporation report?

• Sales revenue: $702.0 million, down 3.8% from FY25
• Net profit before tax: $123.0 million, down 8.9%
• Net profit after tax: $92.4 million, down 5.2%
• Basic earnings per share: $1.11, down 5.9%
• Final FY26 dividend announced: 35 cents per share, fully franked
• Net cash holdings: $47.9 million, with no debt

What else do investors need to know?

Despite a softer demand and lower new 4×4 vehicle sales—especially in Australia—ARB’s second half performance showed improvement in profit margins and order book strength compared to the first half. The company also saw strong export sales growth in the United States (up 10.2%), with export sales overall rising slightly by 0.5% to represent 38.2% of total sales.

ARB invested more into engineering and product development, including ramping up new releases and opening a local presence in China and South Africa. The company’s focus on its specialist store network continued, with new flagship sites and a new e-commerce platform supporting omni-channel sales.

What’s next for ARB Corporation?

Looking ahead, ARB expects gradually improving supply for key vehicle models in Australia and internationally, which should support better sales to both retail and original equipment manufacturers in FY27. The company is increasing investment in engineering to deliver more new products, and will further expand its footprint in markets such as China, South Africa, and the United States.

Management highlighted a strong balance sheet with no debt, and says ARB will continue its focus on growing its Aftermarket presence, expanding export channels, and building long-term partnerships with OEM customers in Australia and abroad.

ARB Corporation share price snapshot

The ARB Corporation share price has been among the worst performers on the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a decline of over 50%.

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The post ARB Corporation shares: FY26 profit drops but growth investments strengthen outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Tyro Payments FY26: Earnings rise, growth outlook improves
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ARB Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation. 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 Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd (ASX: SX2) share price is in focus after the company announced high-grade gold and antimony drilling results at its Sunday Creek Project, including a standout intersection of 0.3 metres at 1,466 grams per tonne (g/t) gold.

What did Southern Cross Gold report?

• Five new drill holes at the 100%-owned Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project, Victoria
• Headline result: 0.3 m at 1,466.4 g/t gold, including 0.1 m at 4,500 g/t gold
• Three composite intersections above 100 g/t gold and four between 50 and 100 g/t gold
• Deepest mineralisation to date at Rising Sun, confirming grade continuity at depth
• Project totals: 278 holes and 134.5 km drilled since late 2020; 96 intersections above 100 g/t gold
• 200,000m drill program underway, with results pending from 76 holes

What else do investors need to know?

The latest results from Rising Sun represent the deepest and highest-grade intersections yet, expanding the project’s known mineralisation zone both laterally and at depth. Notably, these drilling step-outs are delivering consistently high grades, supporting the view that Sunday Creek’s gold and antimony system remains open and continues to grow in scale.

Southern Cross Gold has a strong strategic position, holding 1,392 hectares of key freehold land at Sunday Creek, and is pursuing systematic exploration across a 16,900-hectare tenement package near Melbourne. The project is gaining significance as antimony is recognised as a critical mineral, with applications in batteries, defence, and high-tech manufacturing.

What’s next for Southern Cross Gold?

Southern Cross Gold is pressing ahead with its major 200,000-metre drilling campaign, aiming to define the full extent of the Sunday Creek system by Q1 2027. The company is focused on confirming grade continuity, expanding known mineralised zones, and further testing step-outs beyond current exploration targets.

Given global attention on supply security of critical minerals, Sunday Creek’s gold-antimony resource could become increasingly important, bolstered by improving metallurgical results and strategic positioning with government and industry partners.

Southern Cross Gold share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Southern Cross Gold shares have risen 91%, significantly outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

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The post Southern Cross Gold reports drilling results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Southern Cross Gold lifts Sunday Creek Exploration Target on robust drilling results

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 Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price is in focus today after the company reported record group EBITDA of $774.4 million for the half year ended 30 June 2026, up a substantial 154% versus the same period last year, and announced an increased interim dividend.

What did Viva Energy Group report?

• Group EBITDA (replacement cost basis) rose to $774.4 million, up from $304.9 million (+154%).
• Net profit after tax (RC) increased to $371.1 million, up from $62.6 million (+493%).
• Energy & Infrastructure EBITDA grew to $353.7 million, supported by strong refining margins.
• Commercial & Industrial EBITDA (RC) rose 28% to $305.4 million on higher sales volumes and favourable supply deals.
• Convenience & Mobility EBITDA (RC) jumped 86% to $138.7 million, backed by higher retail fuel sales.
• Interim dividend of 7.73 cents per share, at the top end of policy (up from 3.83cps).

What else do investors need to know?

Viva Energy’s performance benefited from elevated regional refining margins, even as operations at the Geelong Refinery were impacted by a fire in April. The refinery was safely restored and all units were back online by June, helping support margins into the second half.

Strong trading momentum was also reported across retail, with increased customer visits and uplift in convenience (ex-tobacco) sales. Lower net debt, now at $1.7 billion, reflects robust cash flow generation and prudent capital management during a period of market volatility.

The interim dividend represents a 70% payout of C&M and C&I net profit (RC), with any additional dividend from refining earnings to be considered at year end. The dividend reinvestment plan remains active, offering a 1.5% discount for eligible shareholders.

What did Viva Energy Group management say?

The company’s CEO, Scott Wyatt, commented:

Viva Energy delivered its highest underlying first half earnings with all business units reporting significant growth. These strong results reflect a substantially improved refining margin environment, as well as improving retail sales growth and continuing strength of our commercial businesses. Strong cash conversion has strengthened our balance sheet with net debt reducing from $2.1 billion at the end of 2025 to $1.7 billion at 30 June 2026. I am proud of the way our team have responded to these challenges and the results we have achieved. We enter the second half with a strong balance sheet and a clear focus on disciplined execution.

What’s next for Viva Energy Group?

Heading into the second half, Viva Energy plans to continue increasing productivity in its convenience operations and further expand its OTR network. The company expects the supply chain transformation to complete by November, aiming to boost store range and private label offerings. Around 20–25 new OTR stores and several site conversions are also in the pipeline for 2026.

Commercial & Industrial earnings are anticipated to remain solid, though some moderation is expected as favourable supply agreements roll off. The Group’s Geelong Refinery will remain focused on capturing strong margin conditions, while ongoing discussions with the Federal Government around fuel security measures could support longer-term stability and growth.

Viva Energy Group share price snapshot

The Viva Energy Group share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a 33% gain, buoyed by strong earnings growth and improved capital returns to shareholders.

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The post Viva Energy Group posts record 1H26 earnings, boosts dividend 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. 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.