The Metals X Ltd (ASX: MLX) share price is edging lower today, despite the miner releasing a closely watched December quarter update.

At the time of writing, the Metals X share price is down 2.17% to $1.262.

That pullback comes after an extraordinary run. Metals X shares are still up roughly 175% over the past 12 months, helped by surging metal prices and a sharp turnaround at its core tin operations.

A record quarter at Renison

The key update came from the Renison tin operation in Tasmania, which Metals X owns 50% of through its joint venture with Bluestone Mines.

Renison delivered its second-highest quarterly production on record, producing 3,319 tonnes of tin-in-concentrate. That was a 46% increase from the prior quarter and comfortably above recent run rates.

December was particularly strong, with monthly production of 1,318 tonnes, the highest ever achieved at the site. The company credited higher mining rates, improved plant stability, and stronger metallurgical performance.

Mill recovery improved to 82% for the quarter, up from 76% previously, placing the December month among the strongest metallurgical periods on record.

Cash flow jumps as costs fall

Higher production and better recoveries translated into a sharp improvement in financial performance.

C1 cash production costs fell to $16,598 per tonne, a 28% improvement on the prior quarter. All-in sustaining costs (AISC) also dropped to $27,906 per tonne.

Imputed EBITDA more than doubled quarter-on-quarter to $112.5 million, with EBITDA margins rising to around 58%.

Metals X generated an imputed net cash flow of $19.48 million for the quarter. Cash and cash equivalents increased by $14.1 million to $293.6 million, even after continued investment across its broader portfolio.

More than just tin

Beyond Renison, Metals X continues to progress its growth options.

At the Rentails project, the company completed the draft environmental impact statement, with regulatory submissions expected in the March quarter. The concentrator FEED package has now been awarded, keeping the project on track for a final investment decision later in 2026.

Metals X also maintained its strategic investments, including holdings in Elements Ltd, First Tin, NICO Resources, and Tanami Gold. Management said capital allocation remains focused on disciplined growth and value-accretive opportunities.

Why the share price slipped today

Despite the strong numbers, today’s move likely reflects profit-taking after a huge run, rather than disappointment with the quarter.

With Metals X shares up 175% year-on-year, expectations were already high. Some investors may also be cautious after such an outstanding December result, especially with tin prices remaining volatile.

Still, this update reinforces that Metals X is generating serious cash in a favourable commodities backdrop.

The post A blockbuster quarter for this ASX miner. So, why aren’t investors impressed? 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 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.

I am an investor who tries to invest what I can and when I can into the markets. There are precious few certainties in the world of investing. But two of them are that the markets go up far more often than they go down in a stock market crash, and the market has never failed to exceed a previous all-time high. By that logic, it makes sense to get money into the markets as soon as possible.

Saying that, I am also an investor who loves to buy shares at the kind of steep discounts that we do tend to see during a stock market correction or crash. As such, I do tend to keep some money on the sidelines for that time that the inevitable market crash rolls around.

Now, I, along with everyone else on the planet, have no idea when the next market crash will arrive. For all I know, it could be in 2026 or in 2036.

But I do know the companies that I will attempt to load the boat with when that crash does come. 

My stock market crash buy list for 2026

When the market goes through a period defined by intense fear, I usually try to prioritise companies that tend to trade at lofty valuations. That’s because it is often the only time you can buy shares of these companies at reasonable prices. 

As such, I would have my eye firmly on two ASX tech shares in the next crash. Those are TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) and Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME).

Both of these companies are growing at exceptional rates, with high levels of free cash flow and compelling growth runways. As a result, it is normal for both TechnologyOne and Pro Medicus to trade with expensive price tags. But if there is a buying window to snatch up these stocks at a bargain price, I’ll be trying hard to climb through it.

I would also be looking to buy more shares of Washington H. SouL Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL). As I’ve long documented, Soul Patts is one of my top ASX investments, and any chance to buy more shares of this market-beater at low prices would (at least in my view) do wonders for my long-term wealth.

I wouldn’t stop at the ASX, though. These days, stock market crashes are global events. And I will be turning to the US markets when the next one happens as well. Some of the stocks I would be looking forward to loading up on include Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST), Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA), McDonald’s Corp (NYSE: MCD) and Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META). These are all top-quality companies that (with the possible exception of Meta) never seem to go on sale. If they did, I would be there with as much cash as I could muster.

The post Here’s my buy list if the stock market crashes in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, McDonald’s, Meta Platforms, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Technology One, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Pro Medicus, and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX gold share Benz Mining Corp (ASX: BNZ) is off to the races.

Again.

Benz Mining shares closed yesterday trading for $2.25. At the time of writing on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $2.81 apiece, up 24.9%.

For some context, the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index (ASX: XSO) is down 0.3% at this same time.

With today’s intraday jump factored in, the ASX gold share is now up an eye-popping 639.5% in 12 months. Or enough to turn an $8,000 investment into $59,158.

In just one year!

Like most gold explorers and producers, Benz Mining has enjoyed heightened investor interest amid the surging gold price. Gold is currently trading for US$5,180 per ounce, up 89% since this time last year.

And Benz Mining has hardly been sitting idle.

Here’s what’s grabbing investor interest again today.

ASX gold share leaping on high-grade results

Investors are piling into Benz Mining shares following the release of promising drill results from the Icon trend within Benz Mining’s Glenburgh Gold Project, located in Western Australia.

The ASX gold share said that the latest results reinforce Icon’s potential to host a large, long-life open-pit gold operation.

The miner reported on an “ultra high-grade” shallow lens that’s emerging at Icon through infill drilling.

Among the top results at Icon, the company reported 13 metres at 29 grams of gold per tonne from 60 metres.

Management said that the drilling also continues to demonstrate large-scale bulk mineralisation at Icon, including 200 metres at 1.0g/t gold from 76 metres.

Meanwhile, broad step out drilling at the ASX gold share’s Tuxedo prospect extended the mineralisation 200 metres at depth beneath historical shallow drilling.

What did management say?

“Results from the latest drilling at Icon and Tuxedo continue to reinforce our view that this is a large, coherent mineralised system with genuine scale,” Benz Mining CEO Mark Lynch-Staunton said.

Staunton added:

At Icon, infill drilling is delivering exactly what we want to see – improved continuity, increasing confidence in the system, and the emergence of high-grade zones within a broad mineralised envelope. These results continue to demonstrate the quality and robustness of the mineralisation.

When considered together, Icon and Tuxedo sit within the same mineralised footprint and are increasingly shaping up as a single, large open-pit style system.

Looking at what could impact the ASX gold share in the months ahead, Staunton said, “With more than three kilometres of strike already defined and less than 30% tested to date, we are still in the early stages of unlocking the full potential of this system.”

The post Up 640% in a year, why is this ASX gold share rocketing another 25% on Wednesday? 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.

Over the past year or two, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has enjoyed a significant rally. The ASX 200 has lifted from under 7,000 points in late 2023 to the all-time record high of 9,115.2 points that we saw last year. At today’s pricing, the index is sitting at 8,932 points at the time of writing, up more than 30% from that 2023 low. This push higher has obviously been good news for many ASX investors. However, it has also had the less-welcome side effect of reducing the yields that many popular ASX 200 dividend shares trade on.

What was a common yield in 2022 or 2023 now looks like a missed opportunity in 2026.

But although yields are down across the board, there are still opportunities to buy ASX dividend shares today and secure a decent stream of passive income. So today, let’s go over five ASX dividend shares that look set to pay a dividend yield of around 4%, provided they keep their 2026 payouts at at least 2025’s levels, of course.

Five ASX dividend shares that could pay a 4% yield in 2026

First up is Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). This telecommunications provider has long been known as one of the dividend income heavyweights of the ASX. Telstra has done a commendable job of raising its dividends like clockwork in recent years. The 19 cents per share in fully franked dividends that the company forked out last year gives Telstra a trailing dividend yield of 3.94% at current pricing.

It will come as no surprise to income investors that our next stock is an ASX 200 bank. ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), like its major bank peers, has a long and respectable track record of providing its investors with fat dividends. This ASX dividend share has had a heck of a run, up almost 60% since mid-2023. That has reduced its dividend yield substantially. But even so, the $1.66 in dividends per share (albeit partially franked) that this bank paid out in 2025 gives ANZ a trailing dividend yield of 4.56% today.

It’s a similar story with NAB’s ASX banking stablemate Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC). Like NAB, Westpac shares have enjoyed a solid run over the past few years, almost doubling in value since mid-2023 with its 91% gain. In 2025, Westpac funded two fully franked dividends, worth 76 and 77 cents per share respectively. These give this ASX dividend share a dividend yield of 3.94% today.

Last but not least…

Turning away from the banking sector now, it’s time to check out Transurban Group (ASX: TCL). Transurban is famous (or perhaps infamous) for owning the vast majority of tolled arterial roads across Australia, most notably in Sydney and Melbourne. These toll roads give Transurban a steady stream of cash flow, which the company uses to fund a robust and reliable dividend. 2025 was the fourth year in a row that investors enjoyed a dividend increase, with the company paying out 32 cents per share in February and 33 cents in August.  These give the company a trailing yield of 4.86% today (although that doesn’t come fully franked).

Finally, let’s get back to another telco with TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG). TPG is smaller than Telstra, although arguably more agile. But like its larger rival, this ASX dividend share has become a reliable income payer. TPG has funded two dividends per year for the past few years, which have all come in at 9 cents per share (and fully franked) since 2022. Even if we disregard the additional capital return from last year, these dividends give TPG shares a hefty dividend yield of 4.66% today.

The post 5 ASX dividend shares paying 4% a year on average in 2026! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX growth shares trading at much lower valuations can be great investments. When excellent businesses trade at better value, I think it’s worthwhile jumping on the opportunity while it’s still available.

Businesses that are growing (earnings) at a good pace with plans for further expansion are ones I’d focus on.

The three ASX growth shares I’ll highlight are definitely ones to watch and potentially buy.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

GYG is a Mexican food business that is delivering impressive growth.

At the end of the first quarter of FY26, it had 227 restaurants in Australia, 22 in Singapore, five in Japan and seven in the US.

I’m expecting the business to add locations in each country, particularly in Australia as it builds towards 1,000 restaurants in its home market over the next two decades.

The FY26 first quarter demonstrated the progress the company is making – quarterly total network sales grew by 18.6% year-over-year to $330.6 million.

Growing scale should help the business to deliver improving profit margins and help accelerate its bottom line. As long as the company’s Australian comparable sales remain positive and above inflation over time, I think the company is on track for a very good future.

As a bonus, Asian growth (Japan, Singapore and potentially other countries) could help the business deliver more growth than investors are expecting.

The ASX growth share looks a lot cheaper after falling around 40% in the past year.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Lovisa is a retailer of affordable jewellery with a truly global store network spread across numerous countries including Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Germany, the UK, the USA, Canada, South Africa, Poland, Mexico and many more.

The company is delivering rapid sales growth – in the first 20 weeks of FY26, global sales were up 26% year-over-year, benefiting from the ongoing store rollout. It opened 44 new net stores in the first 20 weeks of FY26, taking its total store count to 1,075 across more than 50 markets. It was a year-over-year increase of 148 more stores.

It can take an initial investment and cost to build a particular country’s store network to a certain scale, but once it reaches that scale, size benefits can play an important role in boosting earnings.

I’m expecting the company’s operating profit (EBIT) margin to increase in the coming years.

The ASX growth share looks good value to me after dropping around 30% since the end of August 2025.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

This exchange-traded fund (ETF) invests in some of the best companies in the US. If we’re going to invest internationally, we may as well invest in the best ones.

The fund looks for businesses it thinks have economic moats (competitive advantages) that are more likely than not to endure for at least 20 years and help the business generate strong profits during that time.

An economic moat can come in a variety of forms such as cost advantages, intellectual property, brand power, network effects and regulatory advantages.

With a shortlist of great businesses, the MOAT ETF only invests when Morningstar analysts think they’re trading at good value, which helps improve the chances of the fund outperforming other investments.

It looks cheaper today after dropping around 5% since mid-January.

The post 3 ASX growth shares to buy now while they’re on sale appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Guzman Y Gomez and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) are on the rise on Wednesday. This comes after the gold miner released a major update on its Simberi Gold Project in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The company’s shares were lifted from a trading halt this morning following the announcement. At the time of writing, the St Barbara share price is up 4.05 % to 77 cents, after closing at 74 cents before the halt on Tuesday.

Simberi mining lease extension approved

In an ASX release today, St Barbara confirmed that the Simberi Mining Lease (ML 136) has been formally extended to 2038.

The approval relates to the New Simberi Gold Project and provides long-term certainty over the company’s most important operating asset. The extension aligns with the current mine plan and is based on proven and probable ore reserves outlined in the Simberi feasibility study.

This was one of the key issues holding the project back and now allows St Barbara to move ahead with its next phase.

What the approval unlocks

St Barbara has been planning a major expansion at Simberi, including a move into sulphide ore mining. That expansion is expected to significantly lift gold production and extend the mine’s life.

According to the company, the mining lease extension was an important requirement for funding and ownership changes linked to the project. With the lease now extended, St Barbara expects to move toward a final investment decision later in FY26.

The company has previously said the expanded Simberi operation could produce more than 200,000 ounces of gold each year. That would mark a significant increase from current production levels.

Strategic partners now move closer

Today’s approval also satisfies a key condition tied to previously announced agreements with Lingbao Gold Group and Kumul Minerals Holdings, PNG’s state-owned mining entity.

Under those agreements, Lingbao is set to acquire a 50 % interest in St Barbara Mining, while Kumul is expected to take a 20 % stake in the Simberi Gold Project. Both transactions were dependent on the mining lease extension being finalised.

St Barbara said the lease extension allows these transactions to move forward as planned.

What happens next

Alongside the lease update, St Barbara also released its quarterly results, showing Simberi continues to generate cash despite recent operational challenges.

With the lease extension now locked in, investor focus is likely to shift to funding, final approvals, and timing around the project’s expansion.

Foolish takeaway

Today’s update gives investors clearer visibility on the path ahead, but several milestones still need to fall into place. The next focus will be funding arrangements and progress toward a final investment decision.

Investors are likely to look ahead to the company’s half-year results next month for further detail.

The post A major green light sends this ASX gold stock higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a small decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.3% to 8,915.6 points.

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

Benz Mining Corp (ASX: BNZ)

The Benz Mining share price is up 23% to $2.77. This follows the release of a drilling update from the gold explorer. Strong results were achieved at the Glenburgh Gold Project in Western Australia. Benz CEO, Mark Lynch-Staunton, commented: “Results from the latest drilling at Icon and Tuxedo continue to reinforce our view that this is a large, coherent mineralised system with genuine scale. […] Glenburgh is rapidly emerging as a genuinely large gold system, and each round of drilling continues to build scale, confidence and long-term value for shareholders.”

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE)

The Boss Energy share price is up 9% to $1.96. Investors have been buying the uranium producer’s shares following the release of a solid quarterly update this morning. Boss Energy reported record drummed production of 456 klbs U3O8 and IX production of 406 klbs for the three months from the Honeymoon operation. This represents an 18% and 8% increase, respectively. Another positive was that Honeymoon’s C1 costs were $30 per pound (US$20 per pound). This is down 12% following positive results from reagent optimisation in the wellfields and plant.

Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP)

The Develop Global share price is up 1.5% to $5.60. This follows the release of the mining and mining services company’s quarterly update. The company reported a 98.5% increase in quarterly revenue to $39.1 million from 9,472 tonnes of concentrate sales. Develop’s managing director, Bill Beament, said: “It was a pivotal quarter for Develop which has set up the company for rapid growth in copper, zinc and silver/gold production.”

DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT)

The DigiCo Infrastructure REIT share price is up 4.5% to $2.73. This appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Bell Potter. It upgraded the data centre company’s shares to a buy rating with a $3.25 price target. The broker said: “Stock has been a key underperformer across the REIT sector last 6m (-17% vs. -3% XPJ), but yet there is now more certainty on leasing / FFO in FY26+ post guidance update.” Bell Potter’s price target implies further upside of 19% for investors over the next 12 months.

The post Why Benz Mining, Boss Energy, Develop Global, and Digico shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

A 60% share price fall in just 12 months is enough to scare off even confident investors. When it happens to a popular ASX 200 stock, it naturally raises a hard question. Is this a value opportunity, or a warning sign?

In the case of Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX), I think the answer leans strongly toward opportunity.

Telix shares are trading around levels not seen since early 2024, despite the underlying business continuing to progress. For patient investors, this looks increasingly like a rare reset rather than a broken story.

Why this ASX 200 stock collapsed

The sell-off wasn’t driven by a single issue. It was a combination of disappointment, uncertainty, and broader sector pressure.

Last year, investors became frustrated by delays and shifting timelines across Telix’s development pipeline. Expectations had been high following the success of Illuccix, and when subsequent programs took longer to progress, sentiment turned quickly.

At the same time, the global biotech sector was hit by policy noise out of the US. Proposed tariffs on pharmaceutical products, particularly those manufactured outside the US, weighed heavily on valuations across the industry. Even though the long-term impact was unclear, markets reacted first and asked questions later.

Overlay that with a general risk-off environment for growth stocks, and Telix found itself caught in a perfect storm.

What the market may be missing now

The recent fourth-quarter update showed that Telix’s core business remains very much intact.

The company met its FY25 guidance, delivering strong revenue growth driven by Illuccix, which is now well established in the US prostate cancer imaging market. Importantly, Telix continues to reinvest those cash flows into expanding its product portfolio rather than standing still.

The update also highlighted steady progress across multiple development programs, including kidney, brain, and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical candidates. While not every program will succeed, the breadth of the pipeline materially reduces reliance on a single product over time.

In my view, the market has focused too heavily on what hasn’t happened yet and not enough on what is already working.

Why this could be a rare opportunity

Telix today is not the same company it was before Illuccix was commercialised. It now has meaningful revenue, a growing installed base, and the ability to self-fund development.

Yet the share price suggests the market is treating it like a pre-revenue biotech again.

That disconnect doesn’t last forever.

If Telix continues to execute, delivers incremental pipeline progress, and avoids further major delays, sentiment could turn quickly. From these levels, even a partial re-rating of this ASX 200 stock could produce outsized returns.

Foolish takeaway

Buying a stock after a 60% fall is never comfortable. But discomfort is often where the best long-term opportunities emerge.

Telix Pharmaceuticals remains a high-risk investment. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the price investors are being asked to pay for that risk.

For those with patience and a tolerance for volatility, I think this looks less like a falling knife and more like a once-in-a-decade chance to buy into a proven radiopharmaceutical business at a heavily discounted valuation.

The post Down 60%, is there a once-in-a-decade opportunity in this ASX 200 stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is out of form and trading lower on Wednesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.3% to 8,914.3 points.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB)

The AUB Group share price is down 6% to $30.01. This morning, this insurance broker network company announced the successful completion of a share placement. AUB raised $400 million at a discount of $29.40 per new share. The company advised that the placement saw significant demand and support from both existing and new shareholders. AUB’s CEO, Mike Emmett, said: “We are pleased with the outcome and thank our shareholders for their strong support for the Placement and the transaction. We are excited for Prestige to join the AUB Group and look forward to accelerating our UK Retail strategy to deliver value for shareholders.”

Aurelia Metals Ltd (ASX: AMI)

The Aurelia Metals share price is down 3% to 34 cents. This morning, this gold miner announced that its CEO, Bryan Quinn, will be stepping down to pursue other career opportunities. Mr Quinn plans to remain with the company until the end of July. This is to ensure a smooth leadership transition and maintain the momentum across key operational and growth initiatives. Quinn commented: “I have greatly enjoyed my time working with the Aurelia team. It has been a privilege to lead the company as we improved market value, strengthened our strategic position, and built a strong leadership team with a performance-driven culture.”

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

The DroneShield share price is down 3.5% to $4.04. Investors have been selling this counter-drone technology company’s shares since the release of its update this week. While it was a strong update, investors appear concerned by a reduction in its sales pipeline. Bell Potter wasn’t concerned and has retained its buy rating and $5.00 price target on its shares. It said: “We believe DRO should see material contracts flowing from its $2.1b potential sales pipeline over the next 3-6 months as defence budgets roll over to FY26e.”

Elevra Lithium Ltd (ASX: ELV)

The Elevra Lithium share price is down 14% to $7.89. This morning, this lithium miner released its quarterly update, which appears to have fallen short of expectations. Elevra reported a disappointing 15% quarter on quarter decline in spodumene concentrate production to 44,154 dmt. The company also revealed that its received US$998 per tonne for its lithium, whereas its unit operating costs were US$812 per tonne.

The post Why AUB, Aurelia Metals, DroneShield, and Elevra Lithium shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Is this ASX defence stock the next DroneShield? Broker tips 120% upside

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares are a staple of the ASX. This ASX 200 telco is one of the most widely held shares in Australian investors’ portfolios. It’s not hard to see why.

Since its privatisation back in the 1990s and early 2000s, Telstra has built up a formidable reputation as one of the ASX’s most reliable dividend payers. Its ongoing dominance of the Australian mobile and fixed-line markets arguably gives this company a wide economic moat, protecting its defensive earnings base from competition and less-than-favourable economic conditions.

As it stands today, Telstra shares have come off what has been one of the telco’s best years in quite a while. This time last year, Telstra shares were under $4 each. Today, those same shares are trading at $4.82 at the time of writing, up 21% from a year ago. That gain stretches to an even more impressive 54.3% over the past five years.

In the middle of last year, Telstra delighted investors by hitting $5.14 a share, the highest price the telco had traded at in about eight years. However, that $5.14 share price was far from the highest this company has ever traded at. Today, let’s discuss just how high Telstra has gotten in the past, and whether we might see that level again.

What is the highest price Telstra shares have ever been?

If you thought Telstra had been as high as $6 a share before, you’d be correct. In fact, as recently as 2015, Tesltra reached as high as $6.61. But, although significant at the time, that is not the company’s record price. It is not in the $7, or even $8 range either. No, Telstra’s reigning all-time record high is $9.16 a share. That was reached way back in late 1999. At today’s pricing, Tesltra is roughly half the size that it was back at the turn of the millennium.

That might sound unbelievable. But it’s worth remembering that the Telstra of 1999 is a very different beast from the company we see today. Back then, the company’s primary business was providing landline telephony services. Dial-up internet was still common, and, as a recently privatised company, Telstra faced far less competition. In fact, companies were only permitted to start competing against the former monopoly provider in the 1990s.

This was also before Telstra was forced to sell its old copper network to the NBN in the 2010s, which further eroded its monopolistic position.

Additionally, Telstra shares probably benefited enormously from the stock market boom that the markets enjoyed in the late 1990s, which was only popped by the dot-com crash a few years later. As such, we can conclude that this record high was something of a historical blip.

Perhaps Telstra will hit $9 again at some point in the future. But for now, this stock’s history remains a rather unique story, showcasing the changing nature of the share market.

The post Telstra shares’ last all-time high? It will shock you appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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