Category: Stock Market

  • Ramelius Resources share price on watch amid 79% surge in Ore Reserves

    Gold bars with a share price chart in the background.

    The Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) share price is in focus after the company announced a 79% jump in Ore Reserves to 4.3 million ounces of gold and a 17% lift in Mineral Resources to 14 million ounces at 30 June 2026, signalling a significant step-up in its growth ambitions.

    What did Ramelius Resources report?

    • Group Mineral Resources increased 17% to 14Moz of gold (260Mt at 1.7g/t)
    • Ore Reserves surged 79% to 4.3Moz of gold (70Mt at 1.9g/t Au)
    • FY26 drilling added 1.8Moz of new discovery ounces at an average cost of A$55/oz
    • Key gains included a maiden 1.6Moz Ore Reserve for the Never Never underground (Dalgaranga) and 260koz at Roe underground (Rebecca-Roe)
    • The Mt Magnet hub remains central, with reported Mineral Resources up 21% to 10Moz

    What else do investors need to know?

    Ramelius continued strengthening its core Mt Magnet hub while advancing higher-value, longer-life projects. The 2026 Resources and Reserves update was underpinned by historic levels of exploration, notably at Dalgaranga, Galaxy, and the Cue deposits.

    The company achieved an attractive discovery cost of A$55/oz, supporting ongoing exploration spend (A$90–110 million is budgeted for FY27). Ramelius has also set a company-wide Exploration Target of up to 1.6Moz, showing confidence in future conversion.

    A detailed production and cost outlook to FY30, including guidance for FY27, is expected in September. The updated resource base provides a platform for the company’s longer-term production goal of 500,000 ounces per annum by FY30.

    What’s next for Ramelius Resources?

    Ramelius is targeting further organic growth via aggressive exploration, aiming to convert more resources and boost production scale. With additional open pit and underground targets identified across Mt Magnet, Dalgaranga, and Roe, exploration will remain a key focus.

    Investors can look forward to updated production, cost, and exploration plans in September, which should give more visibility around FY27 guidance and Ramelius’ path towards its 500,000-ounce annual production target by 2030.

    Ramelius Resources share price snapshot

    The Ramelius Resources share price has been a strong performer over the past 12 months, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a gain of around 30%.

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    The post Ramelius Resources share price on watch amid 79% surge in Ore Reserves appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ramelius Resources right now?

    Before you buy Ramelius Resources shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Ramelius Resources wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • 3 reasons why the Zip share price could be a great buy

    Happy investor holding up 3 fingers amidst an orange background.

    The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price could be significantly undervalued if it’s able to deliver on its growth potential.

    Zip is a rapidly growing buy now, pay later business with its main operations in Australia and the US. It has provided guidance that it intends to exit New Zealand.

    The business recently reported its FY26 result which included a number of impressive growth metrics.

    Given the guidance the business provided for FY27, the outlook looks promising for several reasons.

    Rapid expansion in the US

    To buy an ASX growth share, I think we need to see that the company’s core offering has a compelling future.

    I think it’s safe to say that Zip is growing rapidly in the US, which is now its biggest source of growth.

    In FY26, the US was responsible for around two-thirds of the company’s revenue and that percentage is likely to keep growing. The company’s total revenue grew by 24.7%, with 37.3% revenue growth in the US in Australian dollar terms and just 4.6% revenue growth for ANZ. In US dollar terms, US revenue rose 44.3%.

    The US is also the company’s only source of customer growth. During FY26, US active customers rose 9.3% to 4.65 million, while ANZ active customers decreased 8% to 1.88 million. ANZ revenue grew because of transaction growth.

    In FY27, Zip is expecting US total transaction value (TTV) growth of more than 30%.

    Increasing profit margins

    Zip is not just growing its revenue; its profit margins are increasing thanks to operating leverage, allowing the profits to grow much faster than revenue.

    The buy now, pay later business reported in FY26 that its total income rose by 24.6% to $1.35 billion, cash gross profit grew by 26.2% to $642.3 million and cash operating profit (EBTDA) jumped 57.9% to $268.9 million.

    I’m not expecting Zip’s cash EBITDA to continue growing at that pace forever, given how challenging it is to grow profit as the numbers get bigger.

    But, as the company grows, I think its expanding scale and operating leverage will improve profit margins. The company expects its operating margin to rise again in FY27 to between 20% and 22%.

    Good Zip share price valuation

    At the time of writing, Zip’s share price is valued at 28x FY26 earnings, which I don’t think is very expensive, given its US TTV is expected to grow by at least 30%.

    The projection on Commsec suggests the business could grow its earnings per share (EPS) by close to 48% to 13.6 cents in FY27, 17.8 cents in FY28 and 22.4 cents in FY29.

    Those EPS forecasts suggest the company is valued at 19x FY27’s estimated earnings at the time of writing. With projections of further profit growth in FY28 and FY29, the company could seem cheap at this level.

    The post 3 reasons why the Zip share price could be a great buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Zip Co right now?

    Before you buy Zip Co shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Zip Co wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

  • Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure posts stronger profit and higher distribution

    Two men look at delivery manifest of loaded truck.

    The Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI) share price is in focus after the company posted a 14.2% rise in statutory net profit after tax to $49.2 million and confirmed plans for an 8.5% increase in its full-year distribution.

    What did Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure report?

    • Terminal Infrastructure Charge (TIC) revenue of $156.5 million, up 3.6% on H1 FY25
    • EBITDA of $150.5 million, up 4.7% from H1 FY25
    • Statutory net profit after tax of $49.2 million, up 14.2% year on year
    • Funds from Operations (FFO) of $92.7 million, up 10.2%
    • Q2 FY26 distribution of 6.75 cents per security, with FY27 guidance of 28.62 cents per security (up 8.5%)
    • Net debt of $2,012.3 million at 30 June 2026; investment grade balance sheet reaffirmed

    What else do investors need to know?

    Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure successfully issued a $350 million, five-year fixed rate bond under its new medium-term note program. This is part of its ongoing capital management strategy to diversify funding sources and manage refinancing risk.

    The company continues to invest in major sustaining capital projects, with $370.6 million of committed non-expansion capital works in progress, including the Shiploader 1A and Reclaimer 4 projects. These are on track to be added to the regulated asset base by July 2027, potentially boosting future revenue.

    Operationally, there were no fatalities, serious injuries, or reportable environmental incidents during the half. The terminal remains fully contracted on a take-or-pay basis through to June 2028, supporting stable cash generation.

    What did Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure management say?

    Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure CEO and Managing Director Michael Riches said:

    H1-26 performance reflects the continued resilience of the business and the consistency of its earnings profile. During the period, we announced TIC guidance for TY-26/27 of $4.02 per tonne, an 8.1% increase on the prior year, demonstrating the value of DBI’s stable and predictable pricing arrangements with customers, the quality of the delivery on its capital program (and consequent NECAP Asset Base additions) and the strength of its business model.

    he issuance of Australian Medium-Term Notes during H1-26 has further diversified DBI’s sources of debt funding and reflects DBI’s proactive approach to managing its balance sheet, its refinancing risk and its cost of capital. This enhances DBI’s financial flexibility and supports the funding of committed NECAP projects while maintaining an investment-grade credit profile.

    Distributions also continue to grow, with guidance issued for TY-26/27 of 28.62 cents per security, payable in quarterly instalments. This represents an 8.5% increase on TY-25/26 distributions and reflects the continued strength and predictability of DBI’s cashflows.

    DBI remains focused on growing and managing the business to create long-term value for securityholders. Our objective remains to deliver sustainable growth in securityholder returns over time, and the first half of 2026 demonstrates our continued progress against that commitment.

    What’s next for Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure?

    Looking ahead, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure aims to deliver further organic revenue growth through the inclusion of completed capital projects in its asset base and completion of the Shiploader 1A and Reclaimer 4 builds. The company reaffirmed its medium-term distribution growth target of 3–7% per annum, subject to market conditions.

    Management is also exploring opportunities for diversification, ongoing refinancing to manage debt costs, and environmental and sustainability initiatives across the terminal. With stable long-term contracts in place, the business plans to continue its focus on supporting future cashflow and shareholder distributions.

    Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure share price snapshot

    The Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the last 12 months with a gain of almost 11%.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure posts stronger profit and higher distribution appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure right now?

    Before you buy Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • SkyCity rejects takeover offers, focuses on strategy and asset sales

    Three guys in shirts and ties give the thumbs down.

    The SkyCity Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SKC) share price is in the spotlight today after the company confirmed it had received and rejected two conditional takeover proposals – one from Oaktree Capital Management at NZ$0.70 per share, and another party at NZ$0.75 – after judging they did not adequately reflect SkyCity’s value.

    What did SkyCity Entertainment Group report?

    • Company received two conditional, non-binding indicative takeover offers for all shares at NZ$0.70 and NZ$0.75 per share
    • Both offers required extensive due diligence and other substantial conditions
    • SkyCity’s board unanimously rejected both proposals as not reflecting true company value
    • Continues to progress $275–300 million asset monetisation program, including sale of investment properties
    • Operating model reset underway, aiming for $30 million in benefits for FY27, growing to $70 million in FY28

    What else do investors need to know?

    The two takeover proposals were conditional on matters such as at least 8 weeks of due diligence, arranging debt financing, securing board and shareholder approval, and several regulatory and structural hurdles. The board was also asked to provide exclusivity and not change SkyCity’s existing asset or debt arrangements during talks.

    After careful review with management and advisers, SkyCity’s board found the proposals undervalued the business and that their conditions could disrupt ongoing operations. The company advised both interested parties it would only proceed if improved terms were presented, but no revised offers were received.

    What’s next for SkyCity Entertainment Group?

    The company says it remains focused on its current strategy, including completing its asset sales program—already securing unconditional agreements for the 99 Albert Street and Victoria Street properties, as well as a non-binding agreement for its Grand Hotel. The board is also progressing a group-wide operating model reset and undertaking a strategic review of SkyCity Adelaide following a recent agreement with the South Australian regulator.

    By sticking to its strategic priorities, SkyCity aims to strengthen its financial footing and unlock additional value for shareholders over the coming years.

    SkyCity Entertainment Group share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, SkyCity shares have declined 11%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post SkyCity rejects takeover offers, focuses on strategy and asset sales appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in SkyCity Entertainment Group right now?

    Before you buy SkyCity Entertainment Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and SkyCity Entertainment Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • Vulcan Steel lifts earnings, declares higher FY26 dividend

    a female steel worker wearing a high visibility vest with her protective helmet tucked under her arm smiles as she carries a clipboard in a large warehouse of steel products.

    The Vulcan Steel Ltd (ASX: VSL) share price is in focus after the company reported a 20% lift in FY26 reported earnings per share to NZ 14.4 cents, while reported EBITDA rose 19% to NZ$129.3 million.

    What did Vulcan Steel report?

    • Reported EPS: NZ 14.4 cents, up 20% on FY25
    • Adjusted EPS: NZ 15.1 cents, up 10.8% on FY25
    • Reported EBITDA: NZ$129.3 million, up 19% on FY25
    • Adjusted EBITDA: NZ$130.3 million, up 16% on FY25
    • Operating cashflow: NZ$73.0 million, down 30% year on year
    • Final dividend: 4.5 NZ cents per share, fully franked and imputed; 7.0 NZ cents total for FY26

    What else do investors need to know?

    Vulcan Steel’s recently acquired rollforming business made a strong contribution, exceeding expectations with nine months of trading and bolstering the company’s value-added processing. The company delivered its first year-on-year growth in underlying volumes since FY22, helped by both internal improvements and shifting market conditions.

    Customer service remained a focus, with Vulcan maintaining a 98% on-time delivery rate. Net bank debt fell by NZ$5.1 million to NZ$227.3 million, and the company continued to invest in its hybrid site network, including opening a new location in Toowoomba, Queensland.

    What did Vulcan Steel management say?

    Managing Director and CEO Gavin Street said:

    Vulcan improved its operational performance in the 2026 financial year, with higher sales volumes and continued market share growth across Australia and New Zealand despite global trade uncertainty and mixed conditions in our domestic markets. The successful integration of the recently acquired rollforming business was a key highlight for the year. Contributing nine months of trading, the division delivered results ahead of expectations and strengthened Vulcan’s value-added processing capability.

    What’s next for Vulcan Steel?

    Vulcan said New Zealand’s industry is beginning to stabilise with signs of recovery, though the pace may be swayed by the upcoming general election. In Australia, economic conditions remain mixed, with rate settings and policy uncertainty acting as headwinds.

    The company aims to keep the momentum going in FY27 by focusing on customer service and margin improvements, while looking for opportunities linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and broader business cycles. Vulcan flagged ongoing risks from global trade and geopolitics but remains focused on supporting growth in both countries.

    Vulcan Steel share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Vulcan Steel shares have declined 17%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Vulcan Steel lifts earnings, declares higher FY26 dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vulcan Steel right now?

    Before you buy Vulcan Steel shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Vulcan Steel wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • Monadelphous posts record FY26 profit and dividend, buoyed by growth

    Cheerful businessman with a mining hat on the table sitting back with his arms behind his head while looking at his laptop's screen.

    The Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) share price has been in focus after the company posted record revenue of $2.98 billion, up 31.5% from last year, and net profit after tax climbed 52.1% to $127.3 million.

    What did Monadelphous report?

    • Revenue rose 31.5% to a record $2.98 billion (including joint ventures)
    • Net profit after tax surged 52.1% to $127.3 million
    • EBITDA increased 42.9% to $226.0 million, with a margin of 7.6%
    • Earnings per share grew 50.1% to 127.6 cents
    • Full year fully franked dividend of 108 cents, up 50%
    • Secured over $2.7 billion in new contracts and extensions since July 2025

    What else do investors need to know?

    Monadelphous’ Engineering Construction division delivered revenue of $1.37 billion, a 48.5% increase, spurred by strong iron ore sector activity and integrated services projects. Its Maintenance and Industrial Services arm also hit a record $1.61 billion, up 20%, benefiting from ongoing energy sector work and robust maintenance demand with iron ore customers.

    The company made several strategic acquisitions, including Kerman Contracting, Australian Power Industry Partners, and High Energy Service, broadening its service capability across non-process infrastructure and high-voltage electrical services. With more than $680 million in new contracts secured since July 2026, Monadelphous enters the new financial year with a strong committed work pipeline.

    What did Monadelphous management say?

    Managing Director Zoran Bebic commented:

    The long-term outlook for the resources and energy sector remains strong. Investment is expected in both new resource projects and existing operations, with multiple gas construction projects and sustained demand for maintenance services presenting opportunities in the energy sector.

    Increasing demand, coupled with Australia’s energy transition, is driving long-term investment in energy generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure, with Monadelphous well positioned to capitalise on these opportunities by leveraging its broadening services capability.

    What’s next for Monadelphous?

    Looking forward, Monadelphous expects continued strong activity in the resources and energy sectors, underpinned by a robust project pipeline and significant investment in energy transition opportunities. The company plans to focus on consolidating its expanded business in FY27, following a period of substantial growth, while maintaining flexibility for further strategic growth moves.

    Management says its strengthened balance sheet and enhanced delivery capability, including recent acquisitions, position Monadelphous well for long-term sustainable growth and value delivery for shareholders.

    Monadelphous share price snapshot

    The Monadelphous share price has smashed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of over 50%.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Monadelphous posts record FY26 profit and dividend, buoyed by growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Monadelphous Group right now?

    Before you buy Monadelphous Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Monadelphous Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • AUB Group FY26 results: record underlying profit and higher dividend

    Business people discussing project on digital tablet.

    The AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) share price is in focus today after the company delivered record underlying NPAT of $224.6 million for FY26, up 12% from the prior year, and lifted its fully franked final dividend to 71 cents per share.

    What did AUB Group report?

    • Underlying NPAT rose to $224.6 million (FY25: $200.2 million).
    • Reported NPAT was $96.0 million, down from $180.1 million a year earlier.
    • Underlying earnings per share increased to 183.69 cents (FY25: 171.75 cents).
    • Fully franked final dividend of 71.0 cents per share declared (FY25: 66.0 cps), bringing total FY26 dividend to 98.0 cents, up 7.7%.
    • Strong underlying profit growth in International (+19.6%), Australian Broking (+10.0%), and BizCover (+19.9%) business segments.
    • Leverage ratio of 2.30x, with $330.5 million in accessible cash and debt facilities at 30 June 2026.

    What else do investors need to know?

    AUB Group saw solid organic growth across most segments, with International, Australian Broking, and BizCover leading the improvements. New Zealand Broking’s earnings declined slightly in Australian dollar terms due to currency movements and competitive pressures, despite a modest lift in local currency profit.

    The company completed the acquisition of Prestige in the International division, helping lift its international EBIT margin. Agencies achieved organic growth in gross written premium, though performance was tempered in the strata insurance market. The dividend reinvestment plan remains suspended.

    What did AUB Group management say?

    AUB Group CEO and Managing Director, Michael Emmett, said:

    AUB Group begins FY27 with greater scale, a stronger portfolio and clear opportunities to lift returns for shareholders. In FY26, we delivered record earnings and higher margins, despite moderating insurance markets, while continuing to invest for long-term growth.

    This performance reflected the breadth of the Group, led by strong progress in International and continued momentum across Australian Broking, BizCover and Agencies. In FY27, our focus is clear: integrate Prestige effectively, lift performance where we have more to do, and use our expanded platform to deliver stronger shareholder returns.

    What’s next for AUB Group?

    Looking ahead, AUB Group has issued FY27 underlying NPAT guidance in the range of $245 million to $265 million, signalling anticipated earnings growth of 9.1% to 18% for the year ahead. Management sees clear opportunities arising from the recently acquired Prestige business and ongoing improvements in its international and domestic divisions.

    The company plans to focus on integrating acquisitions, optimising operational performance, and leveraging its broader platform to drive shareholder returns, all while keeping a close eye on foreign exchange movements and macroeconomic conditions.

    AUB Group share price snapshot

    AUB Group shares have underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with an 11% decline.

    View Original Announcement

    The post AUB Group FY26 results: record underlying profit and higher dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aub Group right now?

    Before you buy Aub Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Aub Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 recommended Aub 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.

  • Tourism Holdings lifts dividend 62% on higher profit, eyes takeover proposals

    Australian notes and coins symbolising dividends.

    The Tourism Holdings Ltd (ASX: THL) share price is front of mind for investors after the company reported a 34% jump in underlying NPAT to $46.1 million and lifted its full-year dividend by 62% to 10.5 cents per share for FY26.

    What did Tourism Holdings report?

    • Statutory NPAT from continuing operations of $39.9 million (FY25: loss of $14.1 million)
    • Underlying NPAT up 34% to $46.1 million
    • Sale of services revenue (rentals) up 11% to $517.5 million; total revenue $852.9 million (down 5%)
    • Full-year dividend of 10.5 cents per share, up 62%
    • Net operating cashflows up 67% to $67.3 million
    • Net debt reduced to $436 million; leverage improved, equity ratio at 41%

    What else do investors need to know?

    Tourism Holdings delivered on its four key strategic priorities, including the sale of its UK & Ireland business and exiting two loss-making Australian dealerships, which helped further strengthen its balance sheet. The company also consolidated manufacturing in Australasia and unlocked about $5 million in labour, corporate, and digital savings.

    Shareholders will want to note two current takeover proposals: a $3.10 per share bid from BGH consortium and a competing offer between $3.30 and $3.40 per share from a credible strategic acquirer. Both proposals remain non-binding and subject to due diligence over the next six weeks.

    What did Tourism Holdings management say?

    CEO Grant Webster said:

    Rentals remain the engine of thl. Sale of services revenue increased 11% to $517.5 million, the average rental fleet grew 11.5% and RevPARV increased 1% to $58,000.

    We entered the second half of FY26 with real momentum. The Middle East conflict in March disrupted international travel with the flow on impacts on fuel pricing impacting domestic tourism for a time. Southern Hemisphere booking intake has since recovered to be ahead of the prior year, with New Zealand intake over the last four weeks up around 40%, Canada is on track for record rental revenue this summer season, and recent U.S. intake is tracking around 45% ahead. That tells us a portion of demand was deferred rather than lost.

    Operationally this was a year of delivering hard actions. We consolidated Australasian manufacturing into Hamilton and launched a redesigned Winnebago range, opened a new Queenstown site on 17 August, exited two loss-making Australian dealerships and delivered approximately $5 million of underlying labour, corporate and digital cost savings.

    What’s next for Tourism Holdings?

    Tourism Holdings says the fundamentals remain supportive of its $100 million underlying NPAT goal, even though the delay in RV sales market recovery and international disruptions have tempered near-term expectations. Recent booking trends are positive, with New Zealand and Australia up around 40% and 15% respectively over four weeks, and Canada and the US seeing record or strong rental demand.

    While uncertainty from the Middle East conflict has impacted FY27 momentum, management continues to focus on fleet growth, manufacturing efficiencies, and further cost initiatives, believing the longer-term potential is intact for shareholders.

    Tourism Holdings share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Tourism Holdings shares have risen 17%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Tourism Holdings lifts dividend 62% on higher profit, eyes takeover proposals appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Tourism Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Tourism Holdings Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Tourism Holdings Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • $1,000 buys 120 shares in an incredibly reliable ASX dividend stock

    Investor kissing piggy bank.

    The ASX dividend stock Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) has delivered reliable dividends to shareholders this decade. I think it could be a top investment for passive income in the coming years and it’s enacting business plans to deliver it.

    Universal Store owns a portfolio of premium youth fashion brands across retail and wholesale businesses. Its core businesses are Universal Store and Perfect Stranger. It also has CTC (which operates the THRILLS and Worship brands). The company has more than 120 stores across Australia.

    Compelling dividend record

    The business started paying a dividend in FY21 and it has increased its payout every year since then, including in FY26.

    In the recent 2026 financial year report, the Universal Store board of directors hiked its annual dividend per share by 11.7% to 43 cents. At the time of writing, Universal Store now has a dividend yield of 5.2% excluding franking credits and 7.4% including franking credits.

    But, it’s more than just the dividend that makes this business attractive.

    Strong business growth

    In FY26, overall sales grew 12.9% to $376.1 million, with Universal Store sales growing 11.5% (amid 8.1% like-for-like (LFL) sales growth). Perfect Stranger sales soared 40.8% to $35.9 million, with 13% LFL sales growth.

    Operating leverage was clear in the FY26 result. The company achieved a 140 basis point increase in the gross profit margin to 62.5%, operating profit (EBIT) climbed 17.2% to $64 million, and underlying net profit grew 16.3% to $40.5 million.

    Dividend growth is not guaranteed, of course, but Universal Store has delivered regular dividend growth, including during the high-inflation period three years ago and in FY26 amid the Middle East fallout.

    The outlook looks good for further dividend growth because of the company’s plans and the strong start to trading in FY27.

    Management intends to open between 16 and 20 stores across the group in FY27, with nine to ten new Universal Stores, between six and eight Perfect Stranger stores and one or two new THRILLS stores.

    It also plans to reopen a temporarily closed store, refurbish four or five stores and relocate three stores. The company said it continues to be prudent in ensuring the long-term profitability of new stores and lease renewals.

    FY27 has started strongly with 9.1% overall direct-to-consumer sales growth.

    Universal Store sales are up 5.5% (with 2.9% LFL sales growth), Perfect Stranger sales are up 45.8% (with 17.6% LFL sales growth) and CTC direct-to-consumer sales are up 10.1% (with 3.8% LFL sales growth).

    Time will tell whether the business can continue this strong level of sales growth over the rest of FY27 amid the challenging retail conditions.

    $1,000 investment in the ASX dividend stock

    At the time of writing, if an investor invested $1,000 into Universal Store shares, they’d be able to buy 120 shares with a little bit of money left.

    Based on the FY26 payout – but I expect growth in FY27 – an investor would receive $51.60 of cash and approximately $22.11 of franking credits.

    It’s not as cheap as it was earlier this year, but this ASX dividend stock continues to impress me, and I’d happily buy some shares today.

    The post $1,000 buys 120 shares in an incredibly reliable ASX dividend stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Universal Store right now?

    Before you buy Universal Store shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Universal Store wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 15% for 10 years: Is this ASX ETF a no-brainer buy?

    Two kids are selling big ideas from a lemonade stand on the side of the road for cheap!

    If I told you there was a simple ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) out there, one that charges a paltry fee and has returned 15% per annum for the past decade, would you rush out to buy it without a second thought? I wouldn’t blame anyone who was tempted.

    That’s exactly what the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) seems to be offering investors right now.

    This ETF and index fund is indeed a simple one. It holds the largest 500 companies listed on the American markets, weighted by market capitalisation. In this way, it can be thought of as an American equivalent to the uber-popular Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

    Buying the world’s best stocks with this ASX ETF

    But instead of investing in the likes of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), IVV is far more impressive in terms of scope and scale. The ASX is home to some fine companies. But very few are heavyweights beyond our shores. Not so with IVV. This ASX ETF literally contains dozens, if not hundreds, of companies that sell goods and services right around the world.

    These companies include many names you might be familiar with. General Motors, Coca-Cola, Deere & Co, PepsiCo, Walmart, Procter & Gamble, Netflix, Colgate-Palmolive, IBM, Mastercard, Texas Instruments, Costco… the list goes on. And we haven’t even got to this ASX ETE’s heavyweights. Like most US-based index funds, the iShares S&P 500 ETF is dominated by tech stocks. Its top holdings are also the most powerful companies in the world right now. They include NVIDIA, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Tesla.

    It’s these companies that investors largely have to thank for IVV’s incredible performance over the past decade. As we mentioned earlier, this ASXE TF has delivered a 15% return every year for the past ten years. Specifically, it is 15.72% per annum over the ten years to 31 July 2026.

    That’s real wealth-building stuff. Helped in no small part by IVV’s minuscule management fee of 0.04% per annum. That’s $4 a year for every $10,000 invested.

    So is IVV a no-brainer buy?

    Given that the US is home to the vast majority of the world’s best companies, I think it is prudent for most ASX investors to have some exposure to US stocks in their portfolios. They are just a cut above what the ASX has to offer, at least in my view. IVV is a great way to get that US exposure. It is a simple, cheap ETF that provides a lot of diversification. What more could one want?

    Saying that, I do think investors need to temper their expectations, though. I would be shocked if the iShares S&P 500 ETF kept returning 15% per annum over the coming ten years. Many of its holdings have reached critical mass, and, at multi-trillion-dollar valuations, will find it difficult to keep growing at the rates they have enjoyed in the past.

    Saying that, there is plenty of innovation still happening within IVV’s portfolio. Either way, I think this ASX ETF is indeed a no-brainer buy for any ASX investor with a long time horizon.

    The post 15% for 10 years: Is this ASX ETF a no-brainer buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in iShares S&P 500 ETF right now?

    Before you buy iShares S&P 500 ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and iShares S&P 500 ETF wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Coca-Cola, Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, and Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Colgate-Palmolive, Costco Wholesale, Deere & Company , International Business Machines, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Tesla, Texas Instruments, Walmart, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended General Motors. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.