Category: Stock Market

The Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) share price is in focus after the company posted a 4.9% rise in Funds From Operations (FFO) to $1,188 million for 2025, and recorded its fifth consecutive year of earnings and distributions growth.

What did Scentre Group report?

• Funds From Operations (FFO) rose 4.9% to $1,188 million (22.82 cents per security)
• Distributions increased 3.4% to $923 million (17.72 cents per security)
• Statutory profit came in at $1,779 million
• Customer visitation climbed 2.7% to 540 million visits
• Portfolio occupancy reached a record 99.8%, the highest since 2013
• Net Operating Income (NOI) was up 4.8% on a like-for-like basis

What else do investors need to know?

Scentre Group’s Westfield destinations saw business partner sales hit a record $30 billion in 2025, up 3.6% from the prior year. The company also achieved an 11% increase in Westfield membership to 5 million, highlighting steady customer engagement.

The year included expansions and redevelopments at Westfield Sydney, Southland, Burwood, and Bondi, attracting global brands and new precincts. Strategic joint ventures brought in $2.2 billion of new capital, including the partial sales of interests in Westfield Chermside and Westfield Sydney.

What did Scentre Group management say?

Scentre Group CEO Elliott Rusanow said:

Our strategy is to grow the economic activity that occurs at each of our 42 Westfield destinations located throughout Australia and New Zealand. This strategy continues to deliver strong operating performance and continued growth in earnings.

Our 2025 results represent our fifth consecutive year of earnings and distributions growth and we expect these to continue to grow in the years ahead.

What’s next for Scentre Group?

Management is targeting at least 4.0% growth in FFO per security for 2026, aiming for 23.73 cents, with distributions tipped to rise another 4% to 18.43 cents per security. Scentre Group plans to keep investing in redevelopments, such as the $240 million project at Westfield Bondi, and intends to increase its investment in Carindale Property Trust, subject to market conditions.

The company is also focused on unlocking value from its 670+ hectares of prime land, with planning proposals lodged to deliver over 16,000 dwellings, while progressing its goal to reach net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.

Scentre Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Scentre Group shares have risen 4%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

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The post Scentre Group lifts profits and distributions with busy Westfield redevelopments appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Emerald Resources lifts profit 23% as gold projects drive growth
• Woodside Energy Group posts record 2025 production and maintains dividend
• Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure lifts revenue and distributions for FY25
• Nine Entertainment grows earnings, focuses on digital future
• Monadelphous Group posts record half-year result as new contracts boom

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI) share price is in focus after the company reported full-year FY-25 TIC revenue of $307.6 million, up 3.9%, and an 11.9% lift in distributions to 24.625 cents per security.

What did Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure report?

• Terminal Infrastructure Charge (TIC) revenue rose 3.9% to $307.6 million
• EBITDA increased 5.2% to $294.3 million
• Statutory net profit after tax was $29.2 million
• Funds From Operations (FFO) grew 10.6% to $173.3 million
• Net debt stood at $1,975.7 million at year end
• Total distributions for FY-25 climbed 11.9% to 24.625 cents per security

What else do investors need to know?

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure completed a major refinancing, securing $1.07 billion in new loan facilities. This refinancing repaid previous debt, covered early repayment costs, and retired $410 million of revolving credit facilities, improving balance sheet flexibility and reducing funding costs.

The company continues to progress $429.6 million in committed non-expansionary capital (NECAP) projects, including the Shiploader 1A and Reclaimer 4 upgrades, which are on track and within budget. These upgrades are expected to boost revenue from July 2027.

Operationally, the business achieved strong safety results, reporting no serious injuries or illnesses for employees or contractors, and only one minor dust-exceedance incident was recorded for the year.

What did Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure management say?

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure CEO and Managing Director Michael Riches, said:

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure’s FY-25 performance reflects the continued resilience of the business and the consistency of its earnings profile. Financial performance was underpinned by the stability of DBI’s take-or-pay contracts, growth in the underlying terminal infrastructure charge and the continued delivery of revenue-enhancement and cost-efficiency initiatives. The December refinancing has improved balance sheet flexibility and reduced funding costs, while preserving substantial debt capacity to fund committed NECAP projects at a lower cost of capital. The refinancing has demonstrated the strong credit profile of DBI and that there are other low cost sources of debt capital open for DBI to access for future refinancings. This should continue to allow DBI to improve its balance sheet, lower interest costs and reduce refinancing risk. The capital allocation review has supported a material uplift in distribution guidance for TY-25/26 to 26.375cps. DBI will continue to focus on growing and managing our business to create long term value for securityholders in line with our stated objectives. Our goal is to continue to deliver sustainably growing returns to securityholders over the long term and FY-25 has been a clear demonstration of our drive to achieve that goal and our ability to execute against our plans and commitments.

What’s next for Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure?

Looking ahead, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure has upgraded its distribution guidance for TY-25/26 to 26.375 cents per security, reflecting a 7.7% increase on previous guidance and targeting future payout ratios at the upper end of the 60–80% FFO band. Management is focused on delivering 3–7% distribution growth each year, supported by stable take-or-pay contracts and ongoing NECAP project investments.

The group will continue to prioritise major NECAP upgrades, organic revenue opportunities, and disciplined debt management. It is also exploring options to diversify through potential acquisitions and alternative uses for its infrastructure while maintaining a strong commitment to ESG and sustainability outcomes.

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure shares have risen 36%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

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The post Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure lifts revenue and distributions for FY25 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Emerald Resources lifts profit 23% as gold projects drive growth
• Woodside Energy Group posts record 2025 production and maintains dividend
• Scentre Group lifts profits and distributions with busy Westfield redevelopments
• Nine Entertainment grows earnings, focuses on digital future
• Monadelphous Group posts record half-year result as new contracts boom

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.

Five years ago, in February 2021, I could have bought Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares for $81.56.

At the time, the world was still dealing with the fallout from COVID-19. Interest rates were ultra-low, economic uncertainty was high, and many investors questioned how quickly the major banks would recover.

Fast forward to today, and CBA shares are trading at $178.53.

That is more than a doubling of the share price in just five years.

A recovery that surprised many

CBA’s rebound from the pandemic was stronger than many expected.

As government stimulus, a resilient labour market, and a booming housing market supported borrowers, credit quality held up better than feared. Arrears remained manageable, bad debts stayed contained, and earnings rebounded.

Importantly, CBA did not just recover. It built on that recovery.

The bank maintained strong deposit growth, disciplined lending, and continued investing heavily in technology and digital capability. Over time, that consistency translated into growing profits and reliable dividends.

Its latest first-half result, released this month, once again highlighted that resilience. Cash net profit after tax came in 6% higher at $5.4 billion and the interim dividend was declared at $2.35 per share, fully franked. Return on equity remained strong and capital levels stayed comfortably above regulatory minimums.

In short, CBA has continued to execute.

Dividends added up

Of course, the share price is only part of the story.

Over the past five years, CBA has paid the following fully franked dividends per share:

• September 2021: $2.00
• March 2022: $1.75
• September 2022: $2.10
• March 2023: $2.10
• September 2023: $2.40
• March 2024: $2.15
• September 2024: $2.50
• March 2025: $2.25
• September 2025: $2.60
• March 2026 (declared): $2.35

That is a total of $22.20 per share in cash dividends over five years.

If I had held those shares, that would have been a meaningful income stream on top of the capital growth.

So what would $10,000 have become?

Now for the numbers.

If I had invested $10,000 into CBA shares in February 2021 at $81.56, I would have bought approximately 122.6 shares.

At today’s share price of $178.53, those shares would now be worth about $21,900.

That is more than double the original investment in capital value alone.

On top of that, those 122.6 shares would have generated roughly $2,720 in dividends over the past five years, based on the $22.20 per share paid during that period.

Add it together, and that original $10,000 would have effectively turned into around $24,600 in combined share value and cash dividends, before even taking franking credits into account.

Foolish takeaway

CBA has not been the cheapest bank share over the past five years. In fact, it has often traded at a premium to its peers.

But it has delivered consistency. It recovered strongly from COVID-19, continued to grow earnings, maintained strong capital, and kept rewarding shareholders.

If I had bought CBA shares five years ago and simply held on, I would likely be very pleased with the result today.

The post If I’d bought CBA shares 5 years ago, here’s what I’d have now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Buy, hold, sell: ANZ, CBA, NAB, and Westpac shares

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. 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 Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 6% lift in Group EBITDA to $201 million and a 30% jump in underlying net profit to $95 million for the half-year ended 31 December 2025.

What did Nine Entertainment report?

• Group revenue (continuing operations): $1.06 billion, down 5% on the prior year
• Group EBITDA (continuing operations): $192 million, up 6% on H1 FY25
• Net Profit After Tax (NPAT, continuing operations): $95 million, up 30%
• Statutory net profit: $81 million, up 42% on pcp
• Interim dividend: 4.5 cents per share, unfranked, payable 23 April 2026
• Underlying subscription revenues grew 13% and group EBITDA margin improved from 16.2% to 18.2%

What else do investors need to know?

Nine delivered its second consecutive half of EBITDA growth, despite a subdued advertising market, as streaming service Stan and the group’s mastheads led the way. The company executed significant cost reduction, delivering about $43 million in efficiencies during the half, with $32 million of these savings expected to continue.

Strategic reshaping of the business saw Nine announce the acquisition of QMS Media and the sale of Nine Radio. The restructuring of its NBN and Darwin TV operations as affiliates will bring in additional proceeds and tax benefits, supporting the shift to a more digital, scalable business. The Domain sale generated cash used for a special dividend and strengthened Nine’s balance sheet, leaving the group in a net cash position of $158 million at period end.

What did Nine Entertainment management say?

CEO Matt Stanton said:

Nine’s second consecutive half of EBITDA growth was achieved against the backdrop of a soft advertising market – with growth from Stan, the metro mastheads and the AFR, as well as a resilient result from Total TV. Our business continues to be defined by strong audience reach and engagement, coupled with disciplined cost management.

Over the past six months, there have been material strategic and operational achievements that will cement Nine’s path for the future.

These transactions will create a higher-growth, digitally powered and resilient Nine Group for our consumers, advertisers, people and shareholders. This positions Nine well for the future, enabling the Group to withstand industry disruption and deliver long-term sustainable value to our shareholders. The strategic transformation represents a step change in Nine’s asset portfolio, with digital growth businesses expected to account for 60% of revenue from FY27, up from 45% in FY25.

What’s next for Nine Entertainment?

Looking ahead, Nine expects to complete the QMS Media acquisition and finalise recent divestments by mid-2026, pending approvals. The company is forecasting ongoing audience and subscriber growth in its digital and streaming businesses, with cost discipline and selective investment in technology and content across all divisions.

Total Television revenues for Q3 FY26 are expected to hold steady, with ongoing cost-cutting initiatives offsetting inflationary pressures. The business remains focused on shifting further toward digital growth, aiming for 60% of group revenue from digital sources by FY27. Investment in data capabilities and content is aimed at supporting Nine’s future earnings and connecting more deeply with audiences and advertisers.

Nine Entertainment share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the Nine Entertainment shares have declined 35%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period. 

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The post Nine Entertainment grows earnings, focuses on digital future appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Monadelphous Group posts record half-year result as new contracts boom
• AUB Group posts half-year profit, lifts FY26 guidance
• Mercury NZ results: Profit and dividend up as renewables power HY26
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nine Entertainment. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) share price is in focus after the ASX engineering group reported record half-year revenue of $1.53 billion, up 45.6%, with net profit after tax jumping 52.6% to $64.9 million. The Board declared an interim dividend of 49 cents per share, fully franked.

What did Monadelphous report?

• Revenue: $1.53 billion, up 45.6% on the prior period
• EBITDA: $116.2 million, up 45.6%
• Net profit after tax (NPAT): $64.9 million, up 52.6%
• Earnings per share: 65.2 cents
• Interim dividend: 49 cents per share, fully franked
• Cash balance: $322 million at period end
• Secured $1.4 billion in new contracts and extensions since 1 July 2025

What else do investors need to know?

Monadelphous saw strong activity across both its Engineering Construction and Maintenance and Industrial Services divisions. Construction revenue rose 67%, supported by service expansion and larger projects in renewables through Zenviron. Maintenance services revenue grew 32.1%, driven by higher energy sector activity and continued strong iron ore demand.

The company made three strategic acquisitions during the half: Kerman Contracting, Australian Power Industry Partners, and High Energy Service, further expanding its service offering in non-process infrastructure and high-voltage solutions. A robust cash flow from operations of $171.1 million delivered a cash flow conversion rate of 186%.

What did Monadelphous management say?

Managing Director Zoran Bebic said:

Long-term demand in the resources and energy sectors is expected to continue, supported by an improved global economic growth outlook. Continued investment in new and existing operations in Western Australia’s iron ore sector is driving demand for both maintenance and construction services, with the energy sector to offer substantial prospects. The outlook for energy transition metals is strengthening, and Australia’s Net Zero emissions objective continues to drive long-term investment in energy generation, storage and transmission infrastructure. Leveraging its broad services capability, Monadelphous is well positioned to capitalise on the growing pipeline of opportunities.

What’s next for Monadelphous?

Monadelphous is forecasting full-year FY26 revenue to be about 30% higher than last year, with operating margins consistent with this half. Its $1.4 billion contract book and recent acquisitions put the company in a strong position for continued growth, especially in energy transition, infrastructure, and renewables.

The company remains focused on delivering quality earnings, maintaining disciplined risk management, and building on its collaborative customer relationships to support long-term sustainability and shareholder value. Monadelphous aims to support the decarbonisation of the resources and energy sectors, leveraging its growing capabilities and new strategic footholds.

Monadelphous share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the Monadelphous Group shares have risen 90%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

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The post Monadelphous Group posts record half-year result as new contracts boom appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The team at Morgans has been busy looking at its financial models for a number of ASX dividend stocks.

Two that have fared well and been given buy ratings following their results releases are named below. Here’s why Morgans remains bullish on these stocks:

IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

Morgans continues to recommend this intellectual property services company to clients.

In response to its half-year results, the broker has put a buy rating and $5.39 price target on the ASX dividend stock. It said:

IPH’s 1H26 result was broadly in line with consensus, reporting like-for-like (LFL) revenue and EBITDA growth at the group level. Whilst Canada and Asia showed growth, ANZ remains impacted by lower US PCT filings. IPH’s valuation is undemanding (<8x FY27F PE), however we note investor patience is required given the delivery of organic growth (and return of key US PCT’s) looks to be the catalyst for a sustained re-rating. Maintain Buy recommendation.

As for income, Morgans is forecasting fully franked dividends of 38 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 39 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.67, this equates to very generous dividend yields of 10.3% and 10.6%, respectively.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

Another ASX dividend stock that is rated highly by the team at Morgans is Sonic Healthcare.

It responded to its better than expected half-year results by retaining its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $28.64. It said:

1HFY26 result was better than expected, with underlying NPAT c4% ahead and organic revenue growth of 5%, demonstrating resilience across most regions. Underlying EBITDA was broadly in line, margins expanded and cost discipline remained evident. Importantly, FY26 guidance was maintained, an operational review of the US business is underway, and sale-and-leaseback activity introduces capital management optionality.

While structural growth remains moderate, we view the result as evidence that the market’s “broken core” narrative has been overstated. Execution now becomes the key driver, but at subdued trading levels, the risk/reward skews favourably. We adjust FY26-28 estimates (mainly FX related), with our target price decreasing to A$28.64. BUY.

With respect to income, the team at Morgans is expecting Sonic Healthcare to reward shareholders with dividends per share of $1.08 in FY 2026 and then $1.11 in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $23.02, this would mean dividend yields of 4.7% and 4.8%, respectively.

The post Morgans says these buy-rated ASX dividend stocks offer yields up to 10% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Australian share market may have hit a record high this month, but the gains have not been evenly spread.

Banks and miners have done much of the heavy lifting. Outside those sectors, a number of high-quality ASX shares are still well below their previous peaks. And that is where I think the opportunity may lie.

Warren Buffett has always made it clear that he is not interested in cheap stocks for the sake of it. He wants wonderful businesses at fair prices.

In my view, recent weakness in parts of the ASX has dragged some quality names lower than necessary. That does not make them guaranteed winners, but it may make the risk-reward more attractive than it has been in years.

Here are a few that stand out to me.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman shares are down around 22% from their highs.

This is a global industrial property heavyweight with exposure to logistics, warehouses, and data-related infrastructure. It benefits from long-term structural trends such as ecommerce growth and supply chain modernisation.

I do not see Goodman as a cheap company in the traditional sense. It rarely trades at bargain valuations. But when sentiment cools and the share price pulls back meaningfully, I think it can offer a fair entry point into a high-quality platform with strong development capabilities and global reach.

That feels far more Buffett-like than chasing a low-quality stock just because its price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is low.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech has fallen roughly 63% from its high. That is a dramatic re-rating.

The company still operates a mission-critical global logistics software platform. Its products are deeply embedded in customer workflows, and switching costs are significant. Those characteristics resemble the kind of durable competitive advantage Buffett often talks about.

Of course, high-growth software shares can be volatile, and expectations were stretched at the top. But after such a sharp decline, I think the conversation shifts from overhyped to whether the market is now too pessimistic.

If the business continues to execute and grow earnings over time, the current weakness could prove to be a compelling buying opportunity.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

Treasury Wine shares are down almost 60% from their high.

This is a globally recognised wine business with premium brands and international distribution. It has faced challenges, including shifting demand and margin pressures, but I believe the underlying asset base still has value.

Buffett would likely ask whether the long-term earnings power of the business is impaired, or whether sentiment has simply overshot to the downside. If earnings can stabilise and grow from here, buying after such a large pullback could prove rewarding.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL shares are down around 47% from their high.

This is one of Australia’s highest-quality global healthcare businesses. It has a long track record of innovation, strong margins, and disciplined capital allocation.

The recent de-rating reflects softer periods of performance and higher expectations resetting. But if you believe CSL can return to steady earnings growth over the coming years, then I think the lower share price may represent one of the best entry points that we have seen in some time.

Again, this is much closer to Buffett’s philosophy than simply buying something because it looks statistically cheap.

Foolish takeaway

The ASX may be at record highs, but that does not mean every share is expensive.

Banks and miners have led the charge. Meanwhile, several high-quality growth names are still 20% to 60% below their previous peaks. In my view, that is where investors should be looking.

I am not saying these are guaranteed buys. But if I am going to follow Buffett’s logic, I would rather buy strong businesses when sentiment is weak than chase sectors that are already at record valuations.

The post I’m listening to Warren Buffett and buying cheap ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Goodman Group, Treasury Wine Estates, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 14% lift in underlying NPAT to $90.4 million and raised its FY26 profit guidance.

What did AUB Group report?

• Underlying NPAT rose 14% to $90.4 million (1HFY25: $79.3 million)
• Reported NPAT up to $35.3 million (1HFY25: $26.4 million)
• Underlying earnings per share: 77.54 cents (up from 68.07 cents)
• Fully franked interim dividend of 27.0 cents per share (1HFY25: 25.0 cps)
• FY26 underlying NPAT guidance upgraded to $220–230 million, representing 9.9%–14.9% growth over FY25

What else do investors need to know?

AUB Group reported strong profit growth across most divisions, especially in Australian broking (up 11.4%) and international operations (up 29%), thanks to acquisition activity and higher average commission income per client. However, New Zealand broking profit dipped 12.8% due to weak corporate market conditions and ongoing investment in gaining market share.

Capital management remains solid, with a leverage ratio of 2.49x and $143.5 million in accessible cash and undrawn debt at 31 December 2025. The interim dividend will be paid on 2 April 2026, but the dividend reinvestment plan is still suspended.

Nick Dryden has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, having served previously as deputy CFO and interim CFO.

What did AUB Group management say?

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

The Group delivered another strong profit result in 1H26, with robust earnings growth in most Divisions. This was despite a disappointing performance in New Zealand and unfavourable currency headwinds from continued weakening of the US Dollar. I would like to thank our teams, member businesses and insurer partners for their commitment and execution. Above all, I thank our customers for their trust and their reliance on our advice for their insurance needs.

What’s next for AUB Group?

The company has upgraded its FY26 underlying NPAT guidance to between $220 million and $230 million, assuming the completion of its Prestige acquisition no later than 1 May 2026 and growth in AUB 360 and Pacific Indemnity. AUB Group expects ongoing profit and margin growth through bolt-on acquisitions and organic expansion.

Foreign exchange remains a watchpoint, but the company has certain hedges in place for the remainder of FY26. Strategic investments and careful capital management remain a focus for the year ahead.

AUB Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, AUB Group shares have declined 12%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post AUB Group posts half-year profit, lifts FY26 guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Nine Entertainment grows earnings, focuses on digital future
• Monadelphous Group posts record half-year result as new contracts boom
• Mercury NZ results: Profit and dividend up as renewables power HY26
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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

The Mercury NZ Ltd (ASX: MCY) share price is in focus today after the company posted HY2026 results showing a 28% lift in EBITDAF to NZ$537 million and a 130% jump in net profit after tax (NPAT) to NZ$20 million, despite a 5% fall in total revenue.

What did Mercury NZ report?

• Revenue from continuing operations: NZ$1,664 million, down 5% from the prior period
• EBITDAF: NZ$537 million, up 28% on HY25
• Net profit after tax (NPAT): NZ$20 million, up 130% on HY25
• Interim dividend: 10 cents per share, up 4% on HY25 (record date 5 March, payment 1 April)
• Net tangible assets per share: $3.33, up from $3.26 a year ago

What else do investors need to know?

Mercury says it reinvested half of its HY26 earnings—around NZ$270 million—into new and existing generation assets, with all three of its major renewable projects progressing on schedule and within budget. The company’s new Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Station unit began operations in January, while the Kaiwera Downs Stage 2 and Kaiwaikawe wind farms are both expected to start generating during 2026 and 2027.

Mercury continues to focus on supporting its customers by helping them manage energy costs and offering targeted support where needed. The company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) remains open for shareholders, offering a 2% discount.

What did Mercury NZ management say?

Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton said:

Our disciplined strategic execution is delivering a strong performance today, while enabling us to invest significantly in new renewable generation for New Zealand, helping meet future demand growth and build resilience.

What’s next for Mercury NZ?

Looking ahead, Mercury’s full-year EBITDAF guidance of NZ$1 billion remains on track, helped by higher renewable generation and cost management. The company also plans to invest NZ$590 million in hydro refurbishment over the next decade, building on the completed upgrade of the Karāpiro Hydro Station.

Mercury’s long-term strategy is to add 3.5 TWh of new renewable generation by 2030, supporting New Zealand’s transition and aiming to power an extra 430,000 homes. Management says the strong balance sheet and prudent risk settings underpin continued investment in high-quality renewable assets and sustainable shareholder returns.

Mercury NZ share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Mercury NZ shares have declined 6%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Mercury NZ results: Profit and dividend up as renewables power HY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

One of the best reasons to own Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares each year is usually the passive income payments in the form of dividends.

The ASX mining share recently reported its annual result for the 2025 financial year and it came with another large dividend for shareholders.

In this article, we’re going to look at how large the upcoming dividend payments are projected to be, which could be quite sizeable. As a reminder, in the 2025 financial year, Rio Tinto’s board of directors declared an annual dividend per share of US$4.02.

Let’s see what’s expected next of the ASX mining share.

FY26

When looking at the FY25 figures, UBS said that the FY25 operating profit (EBITDA) and dividend (with a payout ratio of 60%) were in line with what market analysts were expecting, with a stronger contribution from copper and aluminium, while offsetting the softer contribution from iron ore.

UBS said that Rio Tinto’s track record continues to improve, with the ASX mining share’s guidance unchanged.

The broker noted that Rio Tinto is now focused on organic growth and cost savings.

UBS noted that Rio Tinto believes the iron ore price is weak due to soft fundamentals (with robust supply). There are expectations that high-cost miners will reduce production if the iron ore price trades at around US$90 per tonne. Rio Tinto’s own higher-cost trucked tonnes could be curtailed if it “makes sense”.

The African iron ore project Simandou is “ramping up broadly to plan”, with the first shipment from the port in December 2025.

Rio Tinto thinks it can deliver volume growth of a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3% by 2030.

The ASX mining share thinks it can capitalise on productivity benefits – it has delivered $650 million by December 2025 (which will benefit FY26) and expects to materially increase this in 2026 and 2027. This is being driven by a leaner organisational structure with fewer management layers and a sharper focus on non-core asset closures (according to UBS), as well as a stronger discipline on efficiency (such as with contractors and maintenance).

UBS also said that the average unit of cost per copper tonne is on track for a CAGR of around 4% across the business between 2024 to 2030.

The broker predicts that Rio Tinto’s dividend per share could climb by more than US$1 per share in FY26 to US$5.07 per share, along with a large jump in profitability.

FY27

Earnings are predicted to rise again in the 2027 financial year for Rio Tinto, which bodes well for potential dividend payments.

UBS predicts that the Rio Tinto dividend per share could climb to US$5.85 in the 2027 financial year.

FY28

The dividend may have peaked for the rest of the decade in the 2027 financial year, though the payout could settle at a similar sort of level.

UBS suggests the annual dividend payout could be US$5.81 per Rio Tinto share in FY28.

FY29

Owners of Rio Tinto shares could see another solid year in the 2029 financial year, though earnings and the dividend are forecast to reduce a little in the year.

The annual payout is projected to be US$5.65 in FY29, according to UBS.

FY30

The last year of this series of projections could be a strong one for shareholders and an improvement on FY29.

The forecast from UBS suggests that Rio Tinto could pay an annual dividend per share of US$5.76 in the 2030 financial year.

In terms of UBS’ view on Rio Tinto shares, the broker said:

We maintain a Neutral rating and see the risk/reward as balanced with solid performance & volume growth offset by a muted iron ore price outlook.

It has a price target of $160 on the ASX mining share.

The post Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2030 for Rio Tinto shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.