Category: Stock Market

The TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) share price has risen in recent weeks, but the business is still down 33% from its former all-time high in June 2025, as the chart below shows.

When a great business like TechnologyOne is down – and it’s down 18% in the last six months – I think it’s a great time to look at the stock as a potential opportunity.

The company describes itself as Australia’s largest enterprise software company, with a global presence. It has more than 1,300 subscriber customers which includes leading businesses, government agencies, local councils, and universities.

There are a few reasons why I think this business could be a top buy. Let’s get into it.

Great revenue growth

I think one of the most fundamental drivers of the TechnologyOne share price over time is whether its revenue is growing at a satisfactory pace.

Net profit growth is essential to send the underlying value of a business higher, with revenue being an important factor for that.

The world is becoming increasingly digital and this is a strong tailwind for TechnologyOne. The company is growing revenue in multiple ways.

Winning new subscribers is an important element – it has done very well in Australia and now it has its sights on markets like the UK, which has a similar sort of list of organisations such as councils, businesses, schools, universities and government. It recently won two important London councils, which I think bodes well for the future.

Another element of growth is how the company unlocks more revenue from its subscribers by investing in improving its software offering for customers. This is one of the main reasons why TechnologyOne is able to consistently deliver double-digit annual recurring revenue (ARR) growth each year.

In FY26, it expects to grow its FY26 ARR by between 16% to 18%, with the company targeting the top end of the guidance range.

Rising profit margins

As a software business, the company is able to tap into pleasing scale benefits where revenue can grow faster than expenses.

As I mentioned earlier, net profit is the ultimate driver of shareholder returns, so improving profit margins helps the business grow at a faster pace.

TechnologyOne expects to grow its profit before tax (PBT) in FY26 by between 18% to 20%. This impressive projection is, according to management, down to its software as a service (SaaS) offering and its products being turbocharged through AI.

The ASX share says that it’s delivering improving margins from significant economies of scale, with the profit before tax margin expected to increase to at least 35% in the long-term.

I think this bodes very well for the future as it builds towards its ARR target of $1 billion by FY30.

Compelling TechnologyOne share price valuation

According to the projection on Commsec, the business is forecast to deliver earnings per share (EPS) of around 50 cents in FY26 and 59 cents in FY27.

That means it’s currently trading at 57x FY26’s estimated earnings and 48x FY27’s estimated earnings.

While this isn’t as cheap as it was a few weeks ago, I think the business has an incredible future ahead and I think it’s undervalued by the market because of AI concerns. I think the company’s economic moat, reputation and customer service will allow it to stay ahead of any rivals and continue to grow profit.

The post Is the TechnologyOne share price an opportunity too good to pass up? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• $10,000 invested in these ASX 200 shares 10 years ago is worth…

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

The Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP) share price is getting hammered today.

Shares in the embattled S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) auto parts company closed yesterday trading for 51.5 cents. In earlier trade, shares just plunged to 40.5 cents each, down 21.4%. At time of writing, shares have recovered a touch, changing hands for 42.0 cents each, down 18.5%.

For some context, the ASX 300 is down 0.1% at this same time.

Unfortunately for longer-term shareholders, today’s sharp sell-off isn’t unique for the stock. Indeed, the Bapcor share price is now down a steep 92.2% since this time last year.

Here’s what’s got investors reaching for their sell button today.

Why is the Bapcor share price in free fall?

The ASX 300 auto parts company is taking a hit after releasing a trading update.

The company reported achieving positive sales momentum between February and April from the turnaround activities intended to restore growth.

However, the Bapcor share price is under heavy pressure, with management noting that the company’s trading performance for the second half of FY 2026 has been negatively impacted by the Middle East conflict.

Bapcor noted that trading conditions have “materially deteriorated” since late March. The headwinds have been fuelled by the Iran war as well as increasing interest rates.

Higher Aussie interest rates have led to a strong Australian dollar relative to the New Zealand dollar, which the company noted is negatively impacting the earnings of its New Zealand business segment.

As such, the ASX 300 stock downgraded its full year FY 2026 earnings guidance from what it provided on 26 February, two days prior to the outbreak of the Iran war.

Bapcor now expects to deliver FY 2026 underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $144 million to $150 million (post AASB16). That’s down from prior guidance of $150 million to $160 million.

Pre AASB16 (which accounts for leases), Bapcor now expects full year underlying EBITDA of $62 million to $68 million, down from previous guidance of $74 million to $79 million.

What did management say?

Commenting on the trading update that’s crushing the Bapcor share price today, CEO and managing director Chris Wilesmith said:

We are pleased with the positive momentum of the turnaround, which has been delivered through decisive actions we’ve taken to improve pricing, stock availability and team engagement.

This is despite the challenging external environment which was not contemplated when we began this turnaround, and which has slowed the rate of improvement contemplated in our previous guidance. We will continue driving initiatives during the important trading months of May and June.

The post Why on earth is the Bapcor share price crashing 21% on Thursday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

The Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) share price is in the spotlight as the company hosted its 2026 Investor Day, revealing a refreshed medium-term strategy through to FY30. Key highlights include $95 million in annualised cost savings already actioned and the announcement of a new share buyback program of up to $300 million.

What did Worley report?

• Annualised cost savings: $95 million actioned, with an additional $25 million underway, exceeding the company’s $100 million target
• Revenue growth: Aggregated revenue has grown by 15% CAGR from FY22 to FY25
• EBITA margin: Guidance for FY26 EBITA margin (excluding procurement) of 9.0–9.5%
• Share buyback: Launching a new on-market buyback of up to $300 million following a completed $500 million program
• Digital investment: $70 million planned investment in digital and AI over the next two years
• Backlog: Backlog has increased to $16.9 billion as at March 2026

What else do investors need to know?

Worley’s Investor Day presentation outlined a renewed focus on full project delivery and expansion into future-facing markets such as data centres, nuclear, and energy transition materials. The company highlighted notable new partnerships, including with Baker Hughes on LNG projects and Orbia on a lithium facility in Louisiana, as well as contracts supporting power and data centre growth in the US and feasibility work on rare earths in Brazil.

While the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has delayed some project awards and impacted current year financial expectations (with FY26 underlying EBITA growth now unlikely), Worley remains positive about its long-term prospects. The company emphasised the resilience of its business model, global diversification, and a disciplined approach to risk and capital allocation.

What’s next for Worley?

Worley’s medium-term strategy is focused on scaling its full project delivery capacity, targeting double-digit growth in underlying EBITA through to FY30. Management plans to reinvest cost savings into digital and AI capabilities, while pursuing growth in integrated gas, energy transition materials, and critical infrastructure. The business is also expanding its leadership team to support these ambitions.

Despite near-term headwinds from global uncertainty, especially in the Middle East, Worley expects structural megatrends such as energy transition, infrastructure modernisation, and digital acceleration to drive demand in its core and adjacent markets. The company believes its capital-light model and global scale uniquely position it for long-term value creation.

Worley share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Worley shares have declined 8%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Worley unveils new growth strategy and $300m buyback at Investor Day appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

After a bruising year on the ASX, Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) has failed to win over investors with its latest result.

The accounting software company released its FY26 result today, with revenue moving strongly higher but profit going backwards.

At the time of writing, the Xero share price is down 3.93% to $77.82.

That adds to a painful run for shareholders. Xero shares are now down 32% in 2026 and 55% over the past year.

Here’s what was in the result.

Revenue jumps, but profit goes backwards

According to the release, Xero reported operating revenue of NZ$2.8 billion for the year ended 31 March 2026, up 31% on FY25.

That included 28% growth in constant currency. Excluding the Melio acquisition, organic revenue growth was 21%.

The company also grew its customer base to 4.92 million. That was up 11% from last year, with 506,000 net customer additions.

Average revenue per customer increased 23% to NZ$55.44, helped by price changes, product mix, payments revenue, and currency movements.

Adjusted EBITDA rose 18% to NZ$757.4 million, while free cash flow increased 9% to NZ$554 million.

Unfortunately, the strong revenue and cash flow numbers did not stop reported profit from going backwards.

Net profit after tax (NPAT) fell 27% to NZ$227.8 million as Xero said its Melio-related acquisition costs weighed on reported earnings.

Melio drives the US expansion

Xero’s US push remains one of the biggest pieces of the update.

The company said the US was its fastest-growing market, with revenue up 240%, or 30% on a pro-forma basis.

A large part of that growth is tied to Melio, the US payments platform Xero acquired last year.

Xero said global payments revenue grew 53% in FY26.

The company is also putting more weight behind artificial intelligence (AI).

Management said more than 500,000 customers are now using its generative AI features. It also said 2.6 million customers used some form of AI feature over the past year.

While that sounds promising, investors will now want to see how it flows into revenue and margins.

Outlook points to more growth

Xero guided to FY27 operating revenue of between NZ$3.62 billion and NZ$3.73 billion.

It also expects adjusted EBITDA of between NZ$860 million and NZ$920 million.

That points to more growth, although management said the result will include extra US brand spending of up to NZ$55 million.

The board has also approved a share buyback of up to $550 million which should help with share dilution.

Foolish takeaway

There’s enough in this result to see why some investors may still like Xero.

The business is still growing, customer numbers are higher, and free cash flow remains healthy.

The problem is that the market has become much tougher on expensive software stocks on the ASX.

After a 53% fall over the past year, expectations are now much lower than they once were.

The post Why Xero shares are falling despite a big jump in revenue appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

After two years of underperformance, the global biotech giant is showing signs of a meaningful recovery.

Cast your mind back to the height of the pandemic and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) looked untouchable.

The global plasma and vaccine giant had delivered extraordinary returns for decades and commanded a premium valuation that reflected its status as one of Australia’s highest quality businesses.

What followed has been tough for CSL investors.

Plasma collection disruptions, a costly acquisition, and rising costs weighed on earnings and sentiment alike.

But for patient investors, the story today looks considerably more interesting.

What went wrong and why it is now reversing

The core issue for CSL through 2023 and 2024 was the hangover from the pandemic.

Plasma collection centres struggled to rebuild donor volumes after COVID-19 disruptions, and the cost of collecting each litre of plasma rose sharply.

At the same time, the $16.4 billion acquisition of Vifor Pharma added significant debt and integration complexity.

Today, both of those headwinds are easing.

Plasma collection volumes have recovered materially, and CSL’s RIKA automated plasma collection technology is now reducing the cost per litre collected, restoring the unit economics that underpin CSL Behring’s profitability.

Vifor’s iron deficiency and nephrology products are integrating well and contributing meaningfully to group earnings. 

Some indicators are improving

For the first half of FY2026, CSL reported net profit after tax of US$1.93 billion, up 16% on the prior corresponding period, with the CSL Behring division posting revenue growth of 13%.

SEQIRUS, the company’s influenza vaccine business, continues to perform strongly as demand for high-dose influenza vaccines grows among older populations.

Free cash flow is recovering, and CSL recently increased its interim dividend, signalling management confidence in the earnings trajectory.

The long-term case remains strong

CSL operates in markets with high barriers to entry.

Plasma-derived therapies require decades of manufacturing expertise, a vast donor network, and regulatory approvals.

The global demand for immunoglobulins, albumin, and clotting factors continues to grow as populations age and access to specialist care expands in emerging markets.

Analysts’ average price target on CSL shares is well above current trading levels.

With a lower earnings multiple than it has historically attracted, the entry point today for CSL shares looks more attractive than it has in recent years.

Foolish Takeaway

Despite having a rough time of late, CSL shares are well poised to deliver in the future.

CSL exhibits many quality indicators, such as consistent earnings growth, a widening competitive moat, and a management team with a long track record of disciplined capital allocation.

For Fools with a multi-year time horizon, CSL looks like one of the most attractive large-cap opportunities on the ASX today.

The post Why CSL shares could be one of the best buys on the ASX right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Bhagwan Marine Ltd (ASX: BWN) recently released a trading update which indicated earnings would be below last year’s result and also below consensus analyst estimates.

Shares still looking cheap

That said, the analyst team at Shaw and Partners think the stock is a buy at current levels, with a bullish share price target on the company. We’ll get to that later.

First let’s have a look at what the company announced. Earlier this week Bhagwan Marine said it was facing a tougher trading situation.

The company said:

The conflict in the Middle East, together with organisational restructuring within the energy sector, has resulted in selected delays to the award and commencement of spot and short-term projects. These delays are considered timing-related rather than structural in nature, with underlying long-term demand remaining strong.

The company said it now expected EBITDA to be in the range of $38.5-$40.5 million, excluding contributions from the recently-acquired Riverside Marine and acquisition costs.

Including the Riverside business, the result is expected to be in the range of $44.5-$46.5 million.

This compares with full year earnings last year of $50.9 million and consensus expectations for this year of $56.3 million.

Bhagwan said it was doing what it could to limit the impact of negative effects from the Middle East war.

It said:

Pricing structures include mechanisms to mitigate variable operating costs, including fuel pass through provisions and pricing adjustments at contract renewal or extension. The Company maintains strong visibility over its fuel supply arrangements and has not experienced any fuel-related disruptions. Higher operating costs arising from the conflict and broader inflationary pressures are being closely managed and are expected to be substantially recovered over time.

Despite the cost issues, the company said, “supported by strong tendering activity and a healthy project pipeline, the outlook remains positive despite the short-term geopolitical and economic environment”.

Valuation undemanding

Shaw and Partners said in a note to its clients that the company had retained its buy rating as it was trading at a discount to its peers.

The Shaw team added:

We view the earnings soft-patch as timing-related rather than structural, reflecting delays to spot and short-term project awards amid geopolitical disruption, not a deterioration in demand or pricing.

They said they believed that Bhagwan had not lost any customers over the period, and, “core activity in ports, decommissioning and industrial sands is tracking at or ahead of expectations, reinforcing that underlying earnings power and utilisation remain intact”.

Shaw and Partners has lowered its price target for Bhagwan Marine from 90 cents to 60 cents, however this is still well above the current price of 32 cents.  

Bhagwan Marine is valued at $127.1 million.

The post This ASX resources service provider could almost double in value, Shaw and Partners says appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Selloffs can make investors uncomfortable.

They can also create better buying opportunities when the long-term story remains intact.

That is how I am looking at two ASX shares that have come under pressure this week. One is a market-leading bank. The other is a much higher-risk growth stock exposed to a powerful defence theme.

The road could be bumpy for both, but I would still be willing to buy with a long-term view.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA shares were sold down after the bank’s third-quarter update, and I can understand why the market reacted that way.

The result was solid rather than spectacular, and the stock had been trading on a very demanding valuation. When expectations are high, even a reasonable update can disappoint.

But I think the bigger picture is more important.

CBA remains Australia’s highest-quality major bank in my view. It has a powerful deposit franchise, deep customer relationships, strong digital capability, and a brand that gives it an advantage few competitors can match.

Those qualities are valuable through the cycle.

The Australian economy may be entering a more difficult patch, with higher fuel prices, inflation pressure, and interest rates weighing on households and businesses. That could mean more volatility for bank shares in the short term.

But CBA is exactly the type of bank I would want to own through that environment. It has the scale, balance sheet, and customer base to keep generating strong profits even when conditions become less favourable.

The share price may still not be cheap, even after the fall. That is why I would be patient rather than rushing in.

But if the market keeps marking CBA down, I think long-term investors could be getting a rare chance to buy a first-class ASX blue chip at a better price.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

DroneShield is a very different proposition.

Its shares came under pressure after the company advised that it had received an ASIC notice requiring it to provide reasonable assistance with an investigation.

The investigation relates to announcements and information provided to the ASX in November 2025, as well as trading in DroneShield shares the same month. The company said it will cooperate fully and that it is unclear what action, if any, may result.

This clearly adds risk.

Governance issues and regulatory investigations can weigh heavily on confidence, especially for a growth stock where sentiment is already important.

Even so, I think investors should separate the near-term uncertainty from the long-term market opportunity.

DroneShield develops artificial intelligence-based platforms that protect against advanced threats such as drones and autonomous systems. Its customers include military, government, law enforcement, critical infrastructure, and airports.

That market still looks very attractive to me.

Drones are becoming cheaper, more capable, and more common in modern conflict and security planning. Defence forces and civilian organisations are increasingly having to think about how to detect, track, and respond to drone threats.

That gives DroneShield a strong thematic tailwind if it can keep converting demand into contracts, scaling production, and maintaining technology leadership.

I would treat this as a higher-risk holding. The ASIC investigation needs to be watched closely, and the share price could remain volatile. But for investors comfortable with that risk, I think the long-term counter-drone opportunity remains compelling.

Foolish takeaway

CBA and DroneShield have very different risk profiles.

CBA is a high-quality blue-chip bank facing valuation pressure and a more uncertain economy. DroneShield is a fast-growing defence technology business facing regulatory uncertainty and share price volatility.

Neither selloff should be ignored. But I do not think either destroys the long-term investment case.

For patient investors, I would be happy to consider buying both shares after this week’s falls, while accepting that the next few months may not be smooth.

The post Why I would buy CBA and DroneShield shares after selloffs this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia and DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

ASX All Ords gold stock Aurum Resources Ltd (ASX: AUE) is sliding today.

Aurum Resources shares closed yesterday trading for 71.0 cents. In early morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for 70.5 cents apiece, down 0.7%%.

For some context the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is down 0.2% at this same time.

Longer term, the ASX All Ords gold stock remains up 44.1% over 12 months, racing ahead of the 4.0% on-year gains posted by the benchmark index.

Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

ASX All Ords gold stock dips despite 330,000 ounce resource boost

Aurum Resources shares are sliding after the miner announced a 24% increase in Indicated Resources at its Boundiali Gold Project, located in Cote d’Ivoire.

Following that 330,000-ounce increase, the project’s Indicated Resources now stand at 1.70 million ounces of gold.

Management credited the successful conversion of Inferred to Indicated Resources to the company’s intensive infill drilling campaign at the project.

This also lifted the total Boundiali Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by 6% to 3.22 million ounces of gold.

The ASX All Ords gold stock revealed that its total Resource now stands at 4.38 million ounces of gold, which includes the 1.16 million ounces at its Napie Gold Project.

Aurum Resources’ 100,000 metre drilling program is ongoing at Boundiali. The miner plans to deliver its next major MRE update in the third quarter of calendar year 2026.

What did Aurum Resources management say?

Commenting on the upgraded resources that have yet to lift the ASX All Ords gold stock today, Aurum Resources managing director Caigen Wang said:

This rapid growth is a direct testament to our unique operational model; by owning and operating our own fleet of diamond drill rigs (16), we have grown Boundiali from a greenfield discovery to a 3.22-million-ounce gold asset in just 28 months. Our group Resource base now stands at 4.38 million ounces of gold.

Looking to what could impact Aurum Resources shares in the coming months, Wang added:

The year ahead represents a pivotal transition for Aurum, with our aggressive 100,000 metre diamond drilling program ongoing at Boundiali to support our Feasibility Studies and our plans to return to Napie and complete another 30,000 metres of drilling before year end

We remain focused on testing numerous high-priority targets that have yet to see a drill bit, as well as testing depth and strike extensions where all deposits remain open.

As for funding the ongoing drill campaign, Aurum Resources reported a cash position of $61 million.

The post Up 44% in a year, ASX All Ords gold stock slips despite 330,000-ounce gold boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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.

GrainCorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) shares are crashing on Thursday morning.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 stock is down 12% to $5.45 following the release of its half-year results.

ASX 200 stock crashes on results

Investors have been selling the agribusiness and processing company’s shares after it reported a softer first-half result.

For the six months ended 31 March 2026, GrainCorp reported underlying EBITDA of $136 million, down 33% from $202 million in the prior corresponding period.

In Agribusiness, EBITDA fell 26% to $104 million from $141 million a year earlier. This reflected weaker conditions in East Coast Australia, where total grain handled was 26.5 million tonnes, compared with 29.5 million tonnes a year ago.

The ASX 200 stock said this was due to a lower carry-in position and reduced grower selling activity, which weighed on receivals and left margins at multi-year lows.

There were some positives in the division. Non-grain port volumes increased to 1.5 million tonnes from 1.2 million tonnes, supporting better utilisation of port infrastructure. GrainCorp also reported an improved result from its International business, supported by record Western Australian grain production.

Nutrition and Energy EBITDA was $46 million, down 39% from $75 million in the prior corresponding period.

Human Nutrition performed solidly, with processing sites crushing 277,000 tonnes of canola seed, but edible oils sales volumes were lower due to softer customer demand. Agri-energy sales volumes and margins were also lower, impacted by uncertainty in US biofuel policy. This was partly offset by record Animal Nutrition sales of 390,000 tonnes.

This ultimately led to underlying net profit after tax declining by over half to $33 million from $69 million. Statutory net profit after tax was $5 million, down from $58 million.

Despite the profit decline, the ASX 200 stock’s board elected to maintain its fully franked interim dividend at 14 cents per share.

Management commentary

Commenting on the half, GrainCorp’s managing director and CEO, Robert Spurway, said:

GrainCorp’s 1H26 result reflects a disciplined performance in a challenging global grain market. Oversupply of grain and associated low pricing have compressed margins across the supply chain and reduced grower selling activity, limiting available volumes and increasing competition for grain brought to market.

Against this backdrop, we are tightly focused on cost management, capital discipline and portfolio optimisation. We have maintained strong execution across our network and continue to diversify our business.

Spurway also revealed that the company hasn’t been meaningfully impacted by the Middle East conflict. He added:

We have experienced minimal impact from the Middle East conflict to date, with our supply chain continuing to operate as normal. GrainCorp’s resilient business model, integrated supply chain and strong balance sheet underpin our demonstrated ability to consistently navigate commodity cycles and capitalise on opportunities to deliver long-term value for shareholders.

Outlook

GrainCorp reaffirmed its FY 2026 earnings guidance of underlying EBITDA between $200 million and $240 million and underlying net profit after tax between $20 million and $50 million.

The post ASX 200 stock crashes 12% on half-year results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• GrainCorp shares: 1H26 profit drops but guidance stands
• Nervous investors turn to ASX 200 defensives as global energy shock drags on

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.

One of the most powerful and predictable demographic shifts in our history is already underway.

Australia is getting older, and fast.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics projects that older Australians will make up between 21% and 23% of the total population by 2066.

This is happening already.

The wave of baby boomers moving into their eighties is already reshaping demand for healthcare, aged care, and hospital services in ways that will compound for decades.

For investors, the question is which ASX companies are best placed to capture that demand.

Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG)

Regis Healthcare offers perhaps the most direct exposure to Australia’s ageing demographic of any ASX-listed company.

As one of Australia’s largest aged care operators, Regis delivers residential care, home care, day therapy, respite services, and retirement living to more than 10,000 Australians, supported by a team of over 12,000 professionals.

The business recently delivered an 18% jump in revenue in its most recent half-year result, and the government’s 2026 Budget gave the stock a further boost.

The Federal Government announced $3 billion in additional aged care funding, including a $5-per-resident-per-day increase for concessional residents and $2 billion in interest-free loans for new developments.

Jarden analysts flagged Regis as a direct beneficiary of those changes, upgrading consensus net profit estimates by 6.5% and carrying an $8.50 price target on the stock.

Even after a sharp recent pullback, Regis shares have risen more than 560% over the past five years, a track record that speaks for itself.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)

Ramsey Health Care is a more diversified way to capture the ageing population theme.

Australia’s largest private hospital operator runs more than 70 facilities across the country.

While hospital demand broadly rises with an ageing population, the most exciting long-term opportunity sits in Ramsay’s rehabilitation, allied care, and home-based care operations.

Its rehab at home program delivers in-home support following hospitalisation for common age-related conditions including cardiac events, joint replacements, and falls.

This segment currently represents a small share of Ramsay’s total revenue, but the growth potential is significant as the healthcare system increasingly shifts toward community-based and in-home care models.

Ramsay’s share price has recovered approximately 22% over the past twelve months, and with the ageing demographic providing new avenues for future growth, long-term investors could be the ones to benefit.

Estia Health Ltd (ASX: EHE)

Estia Health rounds out the trio as a pure-play residential aged care operator with a growing footprint across Australia.

Like Regis, Estia stands to benefit directly from the government’s recent aged care funding reforms.

Occupancy rates across the sector have recovered strongly from their pandemic lows, and with the supply of new aged care beds lagging the demographic demand curve, operators like Estia sit in an increasingly favourable structural position.

The combination of government tailwinds, demographic inevitability, and improving operating leverage makes Estia an interesting consideration for long-term investors comfortable with the regulatory nature of the sector.

Foolish Takeaway

Demographics move slowly but they move with certainty.

Australia’s ageing population will drive demand for aged care and healthcare services for at least the next three decades.

The companies best positioned to serve that demand are already building the capacity to meet it.

Regis, Ramsay, and Estia each offer a different risk and return profile within the same compelling theme.

The post The ageing Australia megatrend: 3 ASX shares built to benefit appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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.