Category: Stock Market

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares pushed higher on Thursday after a fresh update on its major acquisition plans.

The energy company’s stock jumped as much as 3.4% in morning trade before easing slightly to $33.21 in the afternoon, still up around 1.3% at the time of writing. The catalyst? Progress on clearing regulatory hurdles tied to its proposed EG Australia acquisition.

Over the past 12 months, Ampol shares have climbed an impressive 49%, comfortably outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has gained just 12% over the same period.

So what changes did Ampol make in its final remedy with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)?

Tackling competition concerns

Ampol revealed it is now offering 41 retail fuel sites for divestment, up from the previously proposed 37. This move is aimed at addressing competition concerns raised by the ACCC.

The company also noted it continues to engage constructively with regulators, suggesting discussions are moving in the right direction. The ACCC is expected to deliver its Phase 2 determination by 5 June 2026, though this deadline may be extended up to 15 business days. Subject to clearance and meeting other requirements, Ampol is targeting a mid-2026 completion date for the transaction.

Just as importantly, talks with potential buyers for those divested sites have “materially advanced.” That’s a key signal to the market and investors in Ampol shares. It shows the ASX energy company isn’t just proposing solutions, it’s actively executing them.

Why does this matter so much?

The EG Australia acquisition is a major strategic play for Ampol. It would significantly expand its retail footprint and strengthen its position in the fuel and convenience market. But like any large deal, it hinges on regulatory approval.

By increasing the number of sites it is willing to sell and progressing negotiations with buyers, Ampol is effectively reducing the risk that the deal gets blocked or delayed.

Investors tend to reward that kind of clarity.

Unlock scale benefits

There’s also a broader implication. Successfully completing the acquisition could unlock scale benefits, improve distribution, and potentially boost long-term earnings. That’s why even incremental updates like this can move the price of Ampol shares.

Of course, risks remain. The deal is not yet approved, and regulatory processes can be unpredictable. There’s also execution risk—integrating a large acquisition always comes with challenges, from operational alignment to cost control. Still, today’s update suggests momentum is building in Ampol’s favour.

What next for Ampol shares?

For now, the market appears to be focusing on the positives: active engagement with regulators, tangible progress on divestments, and a clearer pathway toward completing a key strategic acquisition.

If that progress continues, Ampol shares could have further fuel left in the tank.

The post What key update is fueling Ampol shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week
• Why is everyone talking about Core Lithium, Ampol and Santos shares on Thursday?
• Regis Resources posts solid March quarter with strong cash flow and dividend
• Emerald Resources delivers record cash flow and project progress in March 2026 quarter
• Mirvac provides Q3 FY26 operational update; reaffirms upbeat guidance

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 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.

A couple of very popular ASX 200 shares have released updates this week and the team at Morgans has been digging into them.

Does the broker rate them as buys this week? Let’s see what it is saying after running the rule over their updates:

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

This hearing solutions company’s shares came crashing down to earth on Wednesday after making a major downgrade to its FY 2026 guidance.

While some of this downgrade has been driven by geopolitical impacts, the main driver was a surprising decline in demand in developed markets.

Morgans notes that this demonstrates that cochlear implant (CI) demand is more cyclical and macro-sensitive than previously assumed. As a result, it has put a hold rating on its shares with a heavily reduced price target of $107.17 (from $214.93). This compares to its current share price of $92.88. It said:

COH has delivered a material downgrade to FY26 earnings, cutting guidance by c30% at the midpoint. While FX, geopolitics and cost actions contributed, the key takeaway is more fundamental, with CI demand, especially in developed markets, proving to be more cyclical and macro-sensitive than previously assumed.

This challenges the market’s long-held view as a structural, volume-driven growth story largely insulated from economic cycles. While we view long-term fundamentals as intact, near-term earnings visibility has deteriorated materially, so we wait for demand stabilisation before re-engaging. We adjust our FY26-28 estimates and lower our target price to A$107.17 HOLD.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

Another ASX 200 share that Morgans has been looking at is gold miner Northern Star.

It was pleased with the company’s performance, noting that gold sold came in above its revised expectations thanks to improvements following production issues.

In addition, it notes that a $500 million buy back has been announced, that is commencing today.

In response to the update, the broker has retained its buy rating and $30.00 price target on Northern Star’s shares. This implies potential upside of 33% for investors. It said:

Gold sold of 381koz at AISC of A$2,709/oz beat our revised expectations, with sequential improvement across all three production centres following ongoing production issues. KCGM Mill Expansion on track for commissioning in early FY27; FY26 guidance has been provided and is above 1,500koz at AISC of A$2,600–2,800/oz. Net cash of A$320m; A$500m on-market buy-back announced, commencing ~23 April. We maintain our BUY rating, price target A$30.00ps (unchanged).

The post What is Morgans saying about Cochlear and Northern Star shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week
• Cochlear stock down 40%: How much has this cost ASX investors?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Why Bank of Queensland, Cochlear, Northern Star, and Paladin Energy shares are falling today
• Why Northern Star, DroneShield and BHP shares are making waves on Wednesday

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.9% to 8,763 points on Thursday.

The market is nervously awaiting a fresh round of negotiations between the US and Iran to begin in Islamabad.

Today, the only market sector in the green is energy, which is up strongly by 2.5%.

This follows four straight trading sessions of rises in the Brent Crude oil price, which is now at US$103.40 per barrel at the time of writing.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil and gas is transported, remains effectively shut down.

Investors now fear a global recession if the global energy supply shock does not end soon.

Amid all this pessimism, two experts have revealed their views on three ASX 200 shares.

Let’s see what they think.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

The NextDC share price is $14.63, up 2.2% today and down 8% over the past six months.

John Athanasiou from Red Leaf Securities has a buy rating on this ASX 200 tech share.

Athanasiou said (courtesy The Bull):

Australia’s leading data centre operator provides connectivity and colocation services to cloud, enterprise and government clients across Australia and the Asia Pacific.

Its network of certified facilities underpin critical digital infrastructure amid surging demand for cloud, artificial intelligence and high performance computing. A strong forward order book reflects institutional confidence in its long term growth.

The company continues to build new facilities and sign strategic partnerships, positioning it to capture structural tailwinds in digital transformation and infrastructure demand.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS Group share price is $5.68, down 4.1% today and up 92% over six months.

PLS Group shares rose to a new record high of $6.14 apiece last Friday.

This follows a substantial rebound in lithium commodity prices since mid-2025.

Dylan Evans from Catapult Wealth has a hold rating on this ASX 200 lithium share.

Evans said:

Demand for lithium is well supported, driven by consistent growth and adoption of technologies, including battery energy storage and electric cars.

Demand is revealed in the group’s recently signed off-take agreement with China’s Canmax Technologies, a deal that included a record $US1000 a tonne price floor.

Looking forward, PLS is well placed to grow as it has the means for substantial expansion potential at its existing Pilgangoora operations in Western Australia.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

The Hub24 share price is $85.17, down 0.7% on Thursday and 25% over the past six months.

Athanasiou has a sell rating on this ASX 200 financial share.

Athanasiou commented:

The company’s diversified financial services platform provides investment and superannuation administration technology to advisers and institutions.

Despite its strong technology footprint, current multiples imply high future growth expectations that may be difficult to meet, in our view.

Any slowdown in adoption or execution could put pressure on its share price.

Given what we consider an elevated valuation and the inherent risks in scaling further, HUB24 presents limited upside from current levels, making it a candidate for investors to reduce holdings.

The post Buy, hold, sell: NextDC, Hub24, PLS Group shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• After more than quadrupling investors’ money in a year, are PLS shares still a buy?
• What are experts saying about these red hot ASX 200 shares?
• Buy, hold, sell: Cleanaway, Hub24, and MAAS shares
• Missed out on Hub24 and Netwealth? Bell Potter thinks this ASX tech stock is next
• NextDC shares rocket 27% higher: Buy, hold or sell?

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in Omega Oil and Gas Ltd (ASX: OMA) have piled on fresh gains after the company said it had raised an expanded $60 million to advance its drilling programs in Queensland.

New high water mark

The company’s shares hit a new 12-month high of 99 cents in early trade on Thursday before settling back slightly to 12.8% higher at 97 cents at the time of writing.

The shares have increased more than 300% over the past 12 months from lows of just 20 cents.

Thursday’s share price appreciation is even more impressive, given the new money was raised at 84 cents per share.

The company said it had intended to raise $50 million but had increased the raise to $60 million after strong demand from existing and new investors.

Cornerstone investors in the raise included the Flannery family and Tri-Star Group.

Omega Managing Director Trevor Brown said the company was well-positioned to execute its plans.

We are moving decisively to capitalise on a unique window of opportunity in the Taroom Trough, with government support and market dynamics aligning to accelerate basin development and unlock badly needed new supplies of oil and gas.

This raise underpins an evolution of our execution strategy – undertaking larger diameter, longer, production-ready horizontal wells, with larger stimulation programs and extended flow testing.

This exciting program, scheduled to commence in June, will deliver maximum impact in the shortest possible timeframe, drilling across both our PCA Area and ATP 2081 to provide evidence of the scale and commercial potential of Omega’s extensive acreage area.

At the same time, we are well placed to capture additional growth opportunities as they emerge.

The capital raise means that Omega is fully-funded to drill four vertical wells and one or two horizontal wells, including well stimulation and six-month flow testing.

The company is targeting an initial resource upgrade and reserves estimate in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Shares still looking attractive

The analyst team at Canaccord Genuity has had its eye on Omega for some time and earlier this month reiterated its $1.30 price target and buy recommendation.

The analyst team said, “In our view, regulatory tail risk is fast evaporating, and that could lead to higher corporate activity in a play which is proximal to existing infrastructure and underutilised LNG facilities.”

Omega Oil and Gas was valued at $402.6 million at the close of trade on Wednesday.

The post Up more than 300% over a year, this ASX energy share is hitting new highs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers name 2 skyrocketing ASX energy shares to buy today
• Up 238% in a year, one broker thinks there’s still way more upside for this ASX energy company

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.

Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) shares are moving higher on Thursday after the company released a new update to the market.

The stock is up 4.26% to $3.92 in early afternoon trade, after climbing as high as $3.97 earlier in the session.

Here’s what investors are reacting to.

Deal opens pathway to expand Norseman

According to the release, Pantoro has entered into a partnership with Mega Resources to develop the Norseman Gold Project.

The agreement centres on advancing the Rama Open Pit, with funding and operational support provided by Mega.

Under the deal, Pantoro can advance up to $20 million to support mining activities at Rama.

An initial $15 million loan facility has been agreed, with an option to increase that by a further $5 million.

The funding will be repaid through gold deliveries, set at a fixed price of $1,000 per ounce.

That structure allows Pantoro to advance the project without immediate balance-sheet pressure.

Production and processing terms outlined

Mega will mine and deliver ore to Pantoro’s Norseman run-of-mine pad, where ownership passes to Pantoro.

Pantoro will then process the ore and reconcile gold content under agreed sampling terms.

Payments to Mega will be made on a batch basis, with recovery rates expected between 70% and 80% depending on grade.

Mega has committed to delivering around 115,000 tonnes at an average grade of 4.7 grams per tonne.

The agreement also requires a minimum delivery of 17,700 ounces.

Pantoro’s revenue will come from both processing margins and profit-sharing arrangements.

Underground option adds another layer

The agreement also includes an option for Pantoro to move into underground development at Rama.

This option runs for 12 months and allows Pantoro to propose a work program once open pit mining is completed.

If exercised, the underground phase would also operate under a profit-sharing structure.

Management flagged this as a potential extension to the mine life beyond the current open pit plan.

Pantoro said the high-grade nature of Rama could replace lower-grade stockpiles currently being processed at Norseman.

Foolish takeaway

Pantoro’s latest update adds another growth lever to the Norseman operation.

The funding structure reduces upfront pressure while still bringing new ore into production.

The open pit is the first step, but the underground option could carry more weight over time.

The share price reaction suggests the market is starting to factor that into expectations.

At these levels, I would not be chasing it. The move makes sense, but much of the near-term upside is already priced in after the recent run.

I would be more interested in a pullback, especially if progress at Rama continues to track as expected.

The post This ASX gold stock just made a key move. Here’s why investors are watching closely appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How this $1.5 billion ASX 200 gold stock is on track to ramp up FY 2027 production
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are 0.8% lower at 8,771.1 points on Thursday.

The world is waiting for a second round of talks between the US and Iran to commence in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply is transported, remains effectively shut down.

The US blockade of Iranian ports also remains in place.

The US hopes that by blocking Iran’s own oil exports, it can coerce a peace deal through economic hardship.

In a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump said:

Iran is collapsing financially! They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately- Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day.

Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!!

Amid the ongoing oil shock and fears of a global recession, brokers have indicated continuing confidence in several ASX 200 shares.

These companies received renewed buy ratings this week.

Let’s review.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price is $96.22, down 3.3%, after hitting a 52-week low of $95.81 earlier in the day.

Cochlear shares were smashed this week after the hearing implant device maker downgraded its earnings guidance.

UBS analyst David Low is looking past the downgrade, though, and reiterated his buy rating today.

Low has a 12-month target of $302 on this ASX 200 healthcare share.

This implies a potential 212% upside over the next 12 months.

Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

The Droneshield share price is $3.75, down 2.2% today.

This ASX 200 industrial share has fallen by 20% over six months.

However, it remains 210% higher over 12 months.

Bell Potter renewed its buy rating on Droneshield shares with a 12-month target of $4.80 today.

This implies a potential 27% capital gain ahead.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

The REA share price is $174.39, down 0.9% today.

This ASX 200 communications share has fallen 27% over 12 months, but is up 10% over the past four weeks.

Citi renewed its buy rating on REA shares today with a 12-month price target of $199.

This implies a potential 14% upside ahead.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

The South32 share price is $4.39, down 2.4% today.

Year-to-date (YTD), this ASX 200 mining share has ripped 24% higher.

Citi renewed its buy rating on South32 shares today.

The broker has a target price of $5.40, implying a potential 23% upside over the next year.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

The Northern Star Resources share price is $22.48, down 1.4% today.

The ASX 200 gold share has lost 8% of its value over the YTD.

However, it has recently embarked on a major comeback, rising 31% over four weeks.

Citi reiterated its buy rating on Northern Star Resources shares this week.

The broker’s price target is $29.70, suggesting another 30% growth ahead.

The post 5 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Will global defence ASX ETFs keep climbing? Expert
• Cochlear stock down 40%: How much has this cost ASX investors?
• Regis Resources posts solid March quarter with strong cash flow and dividend
• Emerald Resources delivers record cash flow and project progress in March 2026 quarter
• Mirvac provides Q3 FY26 operational update; reaffirms upbeat guidance

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Cochlear and DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

After a long period of sustained success for global defence stocks and ASX ETFs, these have recently stalled. 

A new report from Betashares points out the strange timing, considering the US’s war in Iran.

Tom Wickenden, investment strategist at Betashares, said the first 12 days of the Iran conflict alone are estimated to have cost the US around US$16.5 billion, a reminder of how quickly modern warfare depletes equipment. 

In response, the US is planning a sharp increase in defence spending, with a proposed budget of around US$1.5 trillion. If approved, it would represent the most significant year-on-year defence budget growth in history.

Importantly, that spending is expected to flow not only to traditional defence contractors, but also to newer players.

These could include areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems. These are becoming central to how wars are fought.

What is global defence?

“Global defence ASX shares” refers to companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange that are involved – directly or indirectly – in the defence and military sector.

These companies often have customers or operations beyond Australia.

In general terms, these companies fall into a few broad categories:

• Defence contractors and manufacturers
• Technology and cybersecurity firms
• Engineering, logistics and services providers

Prominent names in the ASX defence sector over the last year include:

• Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO)
• Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)
• Electro Optic Systems Hldgs Ltd (ASX: EOS). 

Global defence spending continues

The aforementioned ASX defence stocks all shot higher in 2025 as global defence investment skyrocketed. 

According to Betashares, while valuations do remain elevated, these increasingly reflect expectations of sustained profit growth rather than hype.

As a result of global spending developments, for the second year in a row major defence contractors saw their order books grow by over US$100bn. 

The defence contractor order books we track now collectively exceeded US$1 trillion for the first time in history. Record levels of contracted future orders are a positive sign for future profit growth and may support a sustained longer-term rise in defence company share prices.

How to target defence ASX ETFs

Betashares said the Iran war is likely to lead to increased spending to restock US inventories. This reinforces the need for Europe to boost its defence capabilities.

However, it may be the longer-term implications that matter most for investors, long after any resolution in Iran.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine accelerated defence spending, Trump coming back into power fractured the US security umbrella, and now the Iran conflict may be turning these geopolitical trends into a lasting influence on investment markets, rather than a short-term disruption.

For investors, this may strengthen the case for long-term exposure to the defence sector, as part of a broader equities allocation.

Two ASX ETFs investors may consider are: 

• Betashares Global Defence ETF – Beta Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR) – Seeks to provide focused exposure to leading companies that are headquartered in NATO or closely aligned countries, and which derive more than 50% of their revenues from the development and manufacturing of military and defence equipment as well as defence technology.
• Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC) – Targets companies at the forefront of defence innovation — specifically capturing AI, drones, and cybersecurity as the future drivers of defence.

The post Will global defence ASX ETFs keep climbing? Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What are experts saying about these red hot ASX 200 shares?
• Are DroneShield shares a buy after its latest update?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Where to invest $20,000 in ASX ETFs right now
• 3 key takeaways from DroneShield’s latest results

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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 DroneShield and Electro Optic Systems. 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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a poor session on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.85% to 8,768.3 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL)

The Deep Yellow share price is up 6% to $2.09. This follows the release of an exploration update from the uranium producer this morning. Deep Yellow advised that drilling at its flagship Tumas Project was successful. The company notes that drilling on the Tinkas prospect has confirmed the presence of uranium mineralisation in calcretised palaeochannel sediments, as well as in joints and fractures within schistose basement lithologies.

Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP)

The Develop Global share price is up 4.5% to $5.87. Investors have been buying the mining and mining services company’s shares following the release of its quarterly update. Management revealed that production at its Woodlawn copper-zinc mine was successfully stress-tested at rates well in excess of nameplate. The company’s managing director, Bill Beament, said: “It was pivotal quarter for Develop as we made huge progress across our three mining projects, setting up the Company for rapid growth. Woodlawn has met and exceeded our targets, culminating in the start of commercial production during the quarter. We are now set to increase cashflow generation as mining moves into higher-grades, coupled with historically low treatment charges.”

Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG)

The Resolute Mining share price is up 1.5% to $1.47. This follows the release of the gold miner’s quarterly update. The gold miner posted production of 59,603 ounces, which was in line with expectations. In addition, Resolute Mining’s all-in sustaining costs (AISC) were $2,210 per ounce, which was also in line with guidance. This underpinned operating cash flow of $119.8 million, boosting its net cash balance to $315.4 million.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

The Santos share price is up 3% to $7.68. The catalyst for this has been the release of the energy giant’s first-quarter update. Santos recorded a 1% increase in production to 22.5 million barrels of oil equivalent. This supported a 3% increase in sales revenue to US$1.27 billion and free cash flow from operations of US$383 million. Santos’ managing director and CEO, Kevin Gallagher, said: “Our base business continues to perform reliably, supporting free cash flow generation. The Pikka phase 1 oil project is now mechanically complete with commissioning activities progressing well and first sales oil expected in the coming weeks.”

The post Why Deep Yellow, Develop Global, Resolute Mining, and Santos shares are pushing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Resolute shares are on watch after this major quarterly update
• Why is everyone talking about Core Lithium, Ampol and Santos shares on Thursday?
• Santos is back in focus. Here’s why the shares are pushing higher today
• Santos Q1 2026: Higher revenue, project ramp-up, steady guidance
• Deep Yellow provides March 2026 exploration update

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.

Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) shares are in the green after the gold producer released its latest quarterly update today.

At the time of writing, the share price is up around 3.5% to $1.49, adding to a solid run in recent weeks. The stock is now up 13% over the past month and has gained over 21% since the start of 2026.

Here’s what stood out.

Production holds steady as pricing supports cash flow

Resolute reported gold sales of 69,352 ounces for the March quarter, with an average realised gold price of $4,858 per ounce, reflecting stronger gold prices over the period.

That flowed through to operating cash flow of $119.8 million for the quarter, with higher prices lifting overall cash generation.

For the full year, guidance remains unchanged, with the result landing broadly in line with expectations.

The company is targeting production of 250,000 to 275,000 ounces, with all-in sustaining costs expected between $2,000 and $2,200 per ounce.

Balance sheet strengthens as cash builds

The balance sheet was one of the key areas of movement in the update.

Net cash increased to $315.4 million at the end of March, up from $209 million at the end of December.

Total liquidity sits at roughly $425 million, which gives the company more flexibility as it moves into a heavier investment phase.

The increase was supported by higher gold prices and solid cash generation across the quarter.

Resource growth builds scale across key projects

Resolute also released an updated mineral resources and ore reserves statement.

Total mineral resources increased 60% to 17.6 million ounces, while ore reserves rose 55% to 6.8 million ounces.

The increase was largely driven by additions at the Doropo and ABC projects in Cote d’Ivoire.

This lifts the overall resource base and supports longer-term development plans.

Drilling across the ABC project continues to return wide zones of gold mineralisation, with extensions confirmed at Kona South.

Many of the reported intersections sit outside current resource models, which leaves room for further growth as drilling continues.

Doropo moves closer to development phase

The project remains on track, with first gold targeted in the second half of 2028.

Planned activities through 2026 include early works, procurement of long-lead items, and site infrastructure development. This includes bulk earthworks, camp construction, and power supply planning.

Foolish takeaway

Resolute’s latest update shows a business tracking steadily on production while moving into its next phase.

Attention is now shifting to Doropo, which is likely to play a bigger role in how the market values the business over time.

From here, it comes down to how Doropo is delivered.

It’s one to watch, but I’d be more interested in a pullback while development work continues to progress.

The post Why Resolute shares are on watch after this major quarterly update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Deep Yellow, Develop Global, Resolute Mining, and Santos shares are pushing higher today
• Will these top-performing ASX stocks keep charging higher?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• This ASX 200 gold stock has rocketed 200% higher… and there is more to come

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

One of the most dramatic single-stock moments I can recall on the ASX occurred yesterday. It revolved around ASX 200 blue chip share, healthcare stock, and hearing-loss pioneer Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH). Cochlear stock is an ASX staple, having first listed on our stock exchange back in 1995.

Since then, it has carved out a reputation as being one of the ASX 200’s most reliable blue chips, with a leading position in the global hearing loss industry. For years, investors were used to strong and steady returns from this company, resulting in it habitually trading at a lofty valuation. It was arguably the very definition of a sleep-well-at-night stock.

Well, anyone who currently owns this stock probably didn’t sleep too well last night. Yesterday, we saw one of the most shocking trading updates in ASX history. Certainly in Cochlear’s.

As we covered at the time, Cochlear told investors to expect the company to bring in between $290 million and $330 million in underlying net profit over the 2026 financial year. That’s down from the previous guidance of $435 million to $460 million. Ouch.

This downgrade seems to be a consequence of a perfect storm of negativity for Cochlear. The company is being buffeted by supply chain challenges, in part due to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But the company is also dealing with hospital capacity constraints and falling referrals.

Cochlear stock crashes 40% lower: How much have investors lost?

Investors reacted with cold fury to this news yesterday. After closing at $167.94 a share on Tuesday evening, Cochlear tanked a brutal 40.71% in yesterday’s trading alone to finish at just $99.58 a share.

Today, the selling has continued, with Cochlear stock down another 3.1% at the time of writing to $96.40 a share. At this pricing, the ASX 200 healthcare share has now lost 63% of its value in 2026 to date, and 63.7% over the past 12 months. Cochlear stock is also down more than 72% from the most recent record high of over $348 a share, seen back in July 2024.

To put this drop in some more context, the first time Cochlear hit $97 a share was way back in February of 2016. So, at least at this point in time, investors who bought Cochlear shares ten years ago have nothing to show for it except some dividend payments.

No doubt owners of Cochlear stock will be hoping that the company can stage a profitable comeback. But we shall have to wait and see what happens next.

At the current Cochlear stock price, this ASX 200 healthcare share has a market capitalisation of $6.41 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 18.6.

The post Cochlear stock down 40%: How much has this cost ASX investors? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Bank of Queensland, Cochlear, Northern Star, and Paladin Energy shares are falling today
• Why are Cochlear shares down 36% today?
• Are ASX healthcare shares the next to rally?
• Where I’d invest $5,000 in ASX blue-chip shares
• Cochlear cuts FY26 earnings outlook amid softer sales

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