The Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) share price is in focus today after the packaging company delivered a robust half-year operating result, with underlying NPAT up 32.2% to $77.8 million and revenue climbing 9.7% to $1,127.6 million.

What did Orora report?

• Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of $77.8 million, up 32.2% on the prior period
• Revenue rose 9.7% to $1,127.6 million
• Group EBITDA increased 14.4% to $218.2 million
• Earnings per share up 40.6% to 6.2 cents
• Interim dividend steady at 5.0 cents per share (79% payout ratio)
• Operating cash flow soared 50.9% to $189.7 million; cash realisation 112.4%

What else do investors need to know?

Orora’s Cans business recorded strong volume growth of 11.2%, supported by new capacity and a continued shift in consumer preference toward aluminium. Revenue in this segment jumped 18.6%, and investments in capacity expansion—like the Revesby Line 2—helped meet elevated demand, especially from Queensland customers.

For the Glass division, the Saverglass business saw a 2.6% lift in volumes, mostly driven by tequila and vodka bottles, while Gawler managed a modest revenue increase. The company also pushed ahead with sustainability initiatives, aiming for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and increasing recycled content across its packaging products.

A major on-market share buyback underpinned returns to shareholders, with 47.6 million shares repurchased for $100.7 million in 1H26. Orora announced the intention to buy back up to a further 10% of issued shares.

What did Orora management say?

Brian Lowe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said:

Orora has delivered a robust operating result for the first half of FY26, underpinned by disciplined execution. In line with our full year guidance, we achieved EBITDA growth across all businesses, reflecting the strength of our operating platform and the benefits of our recent investments and business optimisation actions.

What’s next for Orora?

Orora’s outlook for FY26 remains positive, with the company expecting higher EBIT from its Cans business and further volume growth driven by customer demand and completed expansion projects. Saverglass’ annual EBIT is expected to be steady in local currency, with cost savings and improving order trends supporting the second half.

For Gawler, EBIT is forecast around $30 million, offset by higher depreciation from recent investments. Across the group, cash flow is anticipated to improve as major capital projects wind down, allowing more funds to be returned to shareholders through dividends and ongoing buybacks.

Orora share price snapshot

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

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The post Orora earnings: robust half-year profit growth and outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• AMP FY25 result: 21% profit lift and higher AUM
• Origin Energy posts $557m half-year profit and upgrades guidance
• Breville Group posts record half-year sales and lifts dividend
• Northern Star Resources lifts profit 41%, maintains dividend after active half
• IAG FY26 half-year result: profit down, revenue up, dividend steady

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 Orora. 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.

There are few ASX dividend stocks that are projected to pay a dividend yield as large as GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) in the next few years.

The business is a funds management company that’s headquartered in the US, though it has global operations in places like the UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia.

It offers clients a few different investment strategies, including US shares, global shares, international shares (excluding US shares), and emerging market shares. Investing in dividend shares is also an option.

After a difficult recent period of underperformance in 2025 due to limited exposure to technology businesses, that decision now looks wise, given how many tech stocks have sold off amid concerns about AI’s impact on industries.

With investment performance beginning to look solid again compared to the benchmark, I wouldn’t be surprised to see net inflows improve for GQG, considering good investment returns are ultimately what clients want to see.

It’s important to note that the direction of the ASX dividend stock’s funds under management (FUM) will play a very important part in the performance of its net profit and dividend.

We’re going to have a look at how large the dividends could become in the coming years.

Dividend projection

While the short term seems to suggest uncertainty for GQG’s FUM and earnings, analysts are optimistic that payouts can grow in the subsequent years after 2026.

Broker UBS is currently forecasting that the ASX dividend stock could pay an annual dividend per share of US13 cents in FY26, US13 cents in FY27, US14 cents in FY28, and US15 cents in FY29.

At the current GQG share price, that translates into a dividend yield of 11.4% in FY26 and 13.1% by FY29.

I can’t imagine there are many ASX dividend stocks that are going to pay a double-digit yield in FY26 and a larger payout in FY29.

Is this a good time to invest in GQG shares?

After the recent release of GQG’s monthly FUM update for January 2026, broker UBS said the business was a buy, with a price target of $2, implying a potential double-digit return over the next year.

The January update showed FUM of US$165.7 billion, up 1.1% month over month, but below UBS’ estimate of $167.2 billion, with net outflows accelerating to US$4.2 billion compared to the broker’s estimate of $3 billion.

The net outflows of 2.5% of FUM was more than offset by a 3.6% rise in investment returns.

Outflows were stronger than expected in the emerging markets and US strategies across less visible institutional channels.

UBS now thinks net outflows could reach $31.5 billion in 2026, up from its previous forecast of $20 billion, which is higher than market analyst (consensus) estimates of $13.7 billion. A return to inflows is forecast for mid-2027. The broker said:

We continue to see value appeal as a market-hedge, noting recent AI-related market volatility in early Feb has benefited GQG’s defensive positioning with performance green shoots emerging across its key strategies with strong absolute and relative returns.

…Our PT $2.00 (prev $2.10) incorporates our earnings changes and assumes a 10x PE given the depth of investment underperformance and outflows.

Clearly, this is a higher-risk idea, but if it’s able to return to net inflows next year, it could be an undervalued opportunity offering big passive income.

The post This ASX dividend stock is projected to pay a 13% yield by 2029 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why ASX, CSL, GQG, and Meteoric Resources shares are sinking today
• GQG Partners lifts FUM to US$165.7b in January update
• 3 quality ASX shares to buy with $10,000
• ASX 200 financials flew but tech and mining shares faltered last week
• 3 ASX 200 stocks jumping higher in this week’s falling market

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

Healthcare shares are one of the sectors that are largely underrepresented here in Australia. 

It makes up roughly 6% of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). 

By comparison, financials and materials make up more than 56%. 

This means that for investors wanting exposure to healthcare shares, looking at an international ETF can be a good option. 

A report from iShares suggests the long-term outlook is positive with policy headwinds easing.

Here are three reasons why now might be a good time to gain exposure to global healthcare shares. 

Policy headwinds easing

According to iShares, US policy uncertainty saw valuations in healthcare suppressed at near 30-year lows in 2025.

However, the policy uncertainty that hung over the sector last year has now largely resolved. 

President Trump’s Most Favored Nation executive order has spurred major drug companies to negotiate deals on medication pricing, and investor focus is swinging back to the sector’s strong innovation pipeline. 

This sparked outperformance in the last quarter of 2025. 

Healthcare led all global sectors in Q4 – gaining more than 10% after President Trump’s Most Favored Nation executive order prompted pharmaceutical giants such as Pfizer and Eli Lilly to negotiate pricing with the White House and helped to resolve uncertainty over US tariff policies.

Heavy investment

In the report from iShares, it said clear policy direction, alongside investor concerns regarding a possible technology sector bubble in the United States, prompted significant movement into healthcare investments toward the end of last year. 

In November 2025, ETFs targeting this sector experienced their largest monthly global inflows in five years, attracting US$6.8 billion across the industry. 

With clarity now emerging for what has recently been an unloved sector, we see an opportunity for investors to refocus on the positive fundamentals and long-term supportive trends that may propel healthcare forward in 2026.

Despite gaining momentum, iShares believes the sector is still undervalued.

With healthcare valuations still looking cheap relative to global equities – trading at around a 13% discount despite the recent performance surge – now may be the time for investors to consider adding more exposure to the sector.

AI buildout and defensive safety

While some sectors are being threatened by AI takeover, healthcare shares are being positively impacted by AI.

Industry experts said AI is now increasingly being used in hospitals to automate clinical notes, staffing rosters and billing, freeing up staff for more valuable tasks, and patient care. 

Additionally, AI is beginning to transform the medical research field, accelerating drug development from early studies to human trials and market launch.

The report also reinforced that, as well as offering opportunities to tap into innovation and some of the long-term ‘mega forces’ shaping the global economy today, healthcare exposure can provide additional benefits for those looking to build a diversified share portfolio.

How do investors gain exposure to global healthcare?

For investors looking to add this sector to their portfolio, here are three ASX ETFs to consider. 

The first is the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ). It tracks the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Healthcare Sector Index. This index includes small, mid, and large-cap biotechnology, healthcare, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals companies.

Another option is the BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: DRUG). 

It is made up of 60 of the largest global healthcare companies (outside of Australia). 

Finally, Vaneck Vectors Global Health Leaders ETF (ASX: HLTH) invests in 50 fundamentally sound and attractively valued companies with the best growth prospects in the healthcare sector.

The post 3 reasons to target global healthcare in 2026 -expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• AMP FY25 result: 21% profit lift and higher AUM
• Why this ASX healthcare share could double its value in 2026
• Orora earnings: robust half-year profit growth and outlook
• This ASX dividend stock is projected to pay a 13% yield by 2029
• Origin Energy posts $557m half-year profit and upgrades guidance

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Pfizer. 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 Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) share price is in focus today after the company posted a half-year statutory profit of $557 million and lifted guidance for its Energy Markets segment. Underlying profit came in at $593 million, while adjusted free cash flow rose to $705 million.

What did Origin Energy report?

• Statutory profit of $557 million, down from $1,017 million in HY25
• Underlying profit of $593 million, down from $924 million in HY25
• Underlying EBITDA of $1,589 million, compared to $1,926 million in HY25
• Adjusted free cash flow up to $705 million, from $518 million in HY25
• Interim dividend of 30 cents per share, fully franked
• Adjusted net debt/EBITDA ratio at 2.0x

What else do investors need to know?

Origin’s Energy Markets business delivered strong underlying EBITDA of $860 million, up $122 million year on year, thanks to higher electricity gross profit and ongoing cost savings. Customer growth remains healthy, with 96,000 new accounts and churn well below the market average.

In the Integrated Gas segment, underlying EBITDA was $860 million, reflecting lower LNG prices and volumes at Australia Pacific LNG, but production remained steady at 339 PJ. Octopus Energy continued to grow international customer numbers, though the division posted an underlying EBITDA loss as investment ramped up.

What did Origin Energy management say?

Frank Calabria, Chief Executive Officer, said:

Origin’s first half results are solid, allowing an upgrade to full-year guidance for Energy Markets. Retail performance continued to strengthen, grid-scale batteries added further portfolio flexibility, gas production was steady, and cost management remained disciplined as commodity prices softened.

What’s next for Origin Energy?

Origin has upgraded its Energy Markets full-year underlying EBITDA guidance to between $1,550 million and $1,750 million, with electricity business performance driving the improvement. Cost to serve is also expected to improve, with management on track to achieve targeted savings by FY26.

Investment continues across battery storage, gas infrastructure, and digital platforms, aiming to support the energy transition and deliver steady returns. The company expects capital expenditure of $900–$1,100 million for the year, reflecting expanded investment in new battery projects.

Origin Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Origin Energy shares have risen 8%, slightly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

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The post Origin Energy posts $557m half-year profit and upgrades guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• AMP FY25 result: 21% profit lift and higher AUM
• Orora earnings: robust half-year profit growth and outlook
• Breville Group posts record half-year sales and lifts dividend
• Northern Star Resources lifts profit 41%, maintains dividend after active half
• IAG FY26 half-year result: profit down, revenue up, dividend steady

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.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) is an exciting ASX technology stock. It has drawn plenty of positive attention in the last couple of years. 

The company is a leading global provider of elite athlete wearing tracking solutions and also analytics for athlete tracking. 

It is one of the standout, good-quality tech stocks in the mid-cap space. 

The key target market of Catapult is elite sporting teams and organisations. 

According to Bell Potter, the pro sports technology market is currently valued at US$36bn in 2025. It is forecast to double to US$72bn by 2030.

These signs all point towards a positive long-term outlook for this ASX technology stock. 

Analysis from Bell Potter agrees there is plenty of upside for Catapult Sports shares. 

So why did the broker just reduce its price target on this technology stock?

Let’s find out. 

Lack of catalysts 

This ASX technology stock has experienced some significant volatility over the last 12 months. 

Its share price closed yesterday at $3.53. 

Overall, it is down 7% over the last 12 months. 

What’s more intriguing is the fact that it is down 52% since its yearly highs last October. 

According to Bell Potter, there is some potential for Catapult to be removed from the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) at the next rebalance in March. 

The broker also noted Catapult will not report its next result till May, and it does not expect much news flow between now and then.

Updated forecast

In yesterday’s report, Bell Potter updated its FY26 statutory forecasts for this technology stock to include approximately US$3.8 million in flagged transaction costs related to the IMPECT acquisition, which were previously excluded. 

As a result, statutory EBITDA for FY26 has been reduced by 22% from US$17.2 million to US$13.4 million, although the underlying (management) EBITDA forecast remains unchanged.

The inclusion of these transaction costs also lowers FY26 operating and free cash flow forecasts, partly offset by revised working capital assumptions. 

Bell Potter now forecasts FY26 free cash flow of US$6.8 million, down from US$7.7 million previously, but still expects higher underlying free cash flow than FY25 (US$10.6 million forecast vs US$8.6 million actual in FY25, excluding transaction costs).

No need to panic 

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter reduced its price target to $5.50 (previously A$6.50). 

However, this still suggests plenty of upside for this technology stock. 

The broker also maintained its buy recommendation.

Based on yesterday’s closing price of $3.53, Bell Potter’s new target is an upside of 55.8%. 

The post Why did this broker just downgrade its price target on this exciting technology stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 of my high-conviction ASX 200 share picks for February
• Bell Potter names the best ASX shares to buy in February
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why I’m bullish on these buy-rated ASX shares in February

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

The Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) share price is in focus today after the company posted record half-year revenue, up 10.1% to $1.1 billion, and delivered a small lift in profit.

What did Breville Group report?

• Total sales revenue rose 10.1% to $1,098.7 million
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 0.7% to $98.2 million
• EBITDA grew by 2.9% to $182.8 million
• Interim dividend of 19 cents per share fully franked, up from 18 cents last year
• Net debt improved to $43.6 million from $55.1 million in the prior period
• Basic earnings per share was 68.0 cents (67.8 cents in 1H FY25)

What else do investors need to know?

Breville delivered its strongest first-half sales result, with growth across all major markets. The Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions all posted revenue gains, partly offset by a slightly lower gross margin due to higher US tariffs. Operating expenses climbed in line with revenue growth, driven by increased headcount and wage inflation as the business expanded geographically.

The company’s inventory reduced to $435.2 million, while cash at bank increased strongly to $176.8 million, supporting a healthier balance sheet. The board declared a fully franked interim dividend of 19 cents per share, with no dividend reinvestment plan in place for this period.

What’s next for Breville Group?

Breville Group says it’s tracking to plan and continues to prioritise innovation, new product development, and expanding its global reach. The company’s board remains confident, focusing on further organic growth opportunities, efficiency improvements, and navigating ongoing economic headwinds, including tariffs and inflation.

Investors can expect Breville to keep investing in new geographies and product categories. Management has signalled a continued commitment to capital discipline and delivering value for shareholders going forward.

Breville Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Breville shares have declined 8%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

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The post Breville Group posts record half-year sales and lifts dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• AMP FY25 result: 21% profit lift and higher AUM
• Orora earnings: robust half-year profit growth and outlook
• Origin Energy posts $557m half-year profit and upgrades guidance
• Northern Star Resources lifts profit 41%, maintains dividend after active half
• IAG FY26 half-year result: profit down, revenue up, dividend steady

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 Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price is in focus today after the gold miner reported NPAT of $714 million, up 41% from last year, and declared a fully franked interim dividend of 25 cents per share.

What did Northern Star Resources report?

• Revenue rose 19% to $3,414.3 million, fuelled by a 31% increase in gold prices.
• Statutory net profit after tax climbed 41% to $714.4 million (earnings per share: 50.0 cents).
• Underlying NPAT was $759.8 million, up 49% from last year.
• Underlying EBITDA increased 34% to $1,875.5 million.
• Cash earnings totalled $1,100 million, or 77.0 cents per share.
• Fully franked interim dividend: 25.0 cents per share, unchanged year-on-year.

What else do investors need to know?

Northern Star’s underlying free cash flow was negative $320 million this half, impacted by a softer second quarter, prior-period tax payments of $275 million, and ongoing capital investment in major growth projects. Despite these outflows, the balance sheet remains strong, with $1,176 million in cash and bullion, and a net cash position of $293 million.

Operating cash flow fell 18% to $1,031.2 million, reflecting higher mining costs, increased royalties, and inflationary pressures. The company recognised a non-cash impairment charge of $77.6 million relating to its exploration portfolio.

What did Northern Star Resources management say?

Managing Director & CEO Stuart Tonkin said:

This first half result demonstrates the resilience and growing returns we are embedding in our business, which allowed the Board to declare a 25cps interim dividend despite a soft operating performance. Our balance sheet remains in a net cash position notwithstanding the significant investments we are making to transform Northern Star into a lowest-half global cost producer. We look forward to safely commissioning the KCGM Mill Expansion on schedule in early FY27, positioning the business for a significant uplift in cash generation and ROCE. This enhanced cash flow outlook strengthens our ability to deliver attractive returns on investment, supports capital management, and allows us to continue to advance the Hemi Development Project in a disciplined manner.

What’s next for Northern Star Resources?

The company is continuing to invest in growth, with major projects like the KCGM Mill Expansion and Hemi Development Project on track. These developments are expected to strengthen returns and lift cash generation into the future.

Despite revising FY26 production and cost guidance in January, Northern Star remains focused on operational excellence and growth. The company reaffirmed its goals of improving production, reducing unit costs, and delivering long-term value for shareholders.

Northern Star Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Northern Star Resources shares have risen 54%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

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The post Northern Star Resources lifts profit 41%, maintains dividend after active half appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• AMP FY25 result: 21% profit lift and higher AUM
• Orora earnings: robust half-year profit growth and outlook
• Origin Energy posts $557m half-year profit and upgrades guidance
• Breville Group posts record half-year sales and lifts dividend
• IAG FY26 half-year result: profit down, revenue up, dividend steady

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 Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) share price is in focus today after the insurance giant posted a 23% jump in revenue to $11.14 billion, while net profit after tax (NPAT) fell 35.1% to $505 million for the half year ended 31 December 2025.

What did Insurance Australia Group report?

• Revenue: $11.14 billion, up 23.3% from 1H25
• Net profit after tax (NPAT): $505 million, down 35.1%
• Gross written premium (GWP): $8.93 billion, up 6.0%
• Reported insurance margin: 13.5%, down from 19.4%
• Interim dividend: 12 cents per share, franked to 25%
• Return on equity (ROE): 13.8%, down from 22.7%

What else do investors need to know?

The result was impacted by severe weather events, particularly in the newly acquired RACQ Insurance Limited (RACQI) portfolio, contributing to higher than expected claim costs. Excluding RACQI, insurance profit was stronger, and the reported margin was 17.7%.

IAG completed its $855 million acquisition of 90% of RACQI in September 2025. The half-year results include four months of contribution from this business. IAG also announced an on-market share buy-back of up to $200 million, reflecting its strong capital position.

The board determined to pay an interim dividend of 12 cents per share, payable on 13 March 2026, with a 25% franking rate. The dividend reinvestment plan will apply.

What’s next for Insurance Australia Group?

IAG is maintaining its FY26 profit guidance, expecting high single-digit GWP growth and an insurance profit between $1,550 million and $1,750 million. The integration of the RACQI business is expected to strengthen IAG’s Queensland footprint, with further improvements in the reported insurance margin anticipated as RACQI is fully integrated into IAG’s reinsurance program.

The company has announced a buy-back of up to $200 million in shares, and continues to invest in technology and claims transformation to help offset inflationary pressures and improve efficiency.

Insurance Australia Group share price snapshot

Over the pat 12 months, IAG shares have declined 18%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post IAG FY26 half-year result: profit down, revenue up, dividend steady appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• ANZ Group posts $1.94b cash profit as costs drop in 1Q26
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Superloop flags $4 million margin risk from AGL telecom business exit

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 ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price is in focus as the bank posted a first-quarter cash profit of $1.94 billion and a statutory profit of $1.87 billion. Cash profit jumped 75% compared to the second-half 2025 quarterly average, driven largely by lower expenses and stronger revenue.

What did ANZ Group report?

• Cash profit for 1Q26: $1.94 billion, up 75% from 2H25 quarterly average
• Statutory profit: $1.87 billion for the quarter
• Operating income: $5.7 billion, up 4% on 2H25 quarterly average
• Operating expenses: $2.8 billion, down 21%
• Cash return on tangible equity (RoTE): 11.7%, up 173 basis points
• Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio: 12.15%, up 12 basis points

What else do investors need to know?

ANZ says its efficiency program is delivering results, with an 8% reduction in expenses helping to boost profit and bring the cost-to-income ratio under 50%. The bank saw growth in both customer deposits (up 5% to $787 billion) and lending (up 1% to $837 billion) over the quarter, supported by broad-based strength across divisions.

Credit quality remains sound overall, with low portfolio losses and a slight improvement in past-due housing loans in both Australia and New Zealand. The bank completed more than 60% of planned role exits as part of its simplification push, and reported stable liquidity and capital positions.

What did ANZ Group management say?

ANZ Chief Executive Officer Nuno Matos said:

The quarterly result highlights the early progress we are making in executing our ANZ 2030 strategy.

Our productivity program aimed at removing duplication and simplifying the bank is well underway, delivering a significant reduction in expenses while growing revenue. There was an improvement across our key financial metrics, including the return on tangible equity which rose to 11.7% and cost to income ratio to below 50%.

Looking ahead, we continue to be fully engaged in executing our ANZ 2030 strategy. This is the beginning of our five-year journey to become the best bank for customers and shareholders in Australia and New Zealand.

What’s next for ANZ Group?

ANZ is pressing ahead with its ANZ 2030 strategy, which focuses on simplifying operations, embedding its new executive team, and integrating Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN). The migration of Suncorp Bank customers to ANZ platforms is on track for completion by June 2027.

The bank reiterated its FY26 cost guidance and expects further gains from process improvements and digital upgrades—aiming to deliver a single digital front-end for all retail and SME customers by September 2027.

ANZ Group share price snapshot

Over the 12 months, ANZ shares have risen 26%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post ANZ Group posts $1.94b cash profit as costs drop in 1Q26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
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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.

Warren Buffett has never claimed to be a trader or a market timer. Instead, the Oracle of Omaha has built his fortune by doing a few simple things exceptionally well. These are buying high-quality businesses, making sure they have durable competitive advantages, and paying a reasonable price for them. He then holds those businesses for a very long time.

The good news is that there is a simple way to replicate the philosophy behind his approach with ASX shares.

That’s where the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat AUD ETF (ASX: MOAT) comes in.

Warren Buffett-style investing, systemised

This ASX ETF is built around a concept Buffett often talks about: economic moats.

These are competitive advantages that allow a company to defend profits against competitors over long periods of time. They can come from brand strength, switching costs, scale, regulation, or intellectual property.

The fund tracks an index that identifies companies believed to have sustainable competitive advantages and then applies a valuation filter. Importantly, this mirrors Buffett’s preference for quality at a fair price, not simply buying the cheapest stocks available.

In other words, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat AUD ETF isn’t about bargain hunting. It is about owning great businesses without overpaying.

The kind of businesses Buffett likes

Holdings change over time, but the fund consistently owns businesses that feel very Buffett-like.

Examples from the current portfolio include United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS), a logistics giant with global scale that would be almost impossible to replicate today, Danaher (NYSE: DHR), a diversified life sciences and diagnostics company built around recurring demand and disciplined capital allocation, and Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), which owns premium beverage brands with strong pricing power.

There are also defensive consumer names such as Clorox (NYSE: CLX) and Mondelez International (NASDAQ: MDLZ), as well as high-quality industrial and technology companies that benefit from long-term structural demand rather than short-term hype.

These are not speculative businesses. They are companies designed to keep compounding.

The long-term results speak for themselves

Over the past 10 years, the index tracked by the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat AUD ETF has delivered an average total return of 16.06% per annum.

To put that into perspective, a $20,000 investment made 10 years ago would now be worth roughly $90,000, assuming returns were reinvested. That is the power of compounding applied to quality businesses.

What’s even more notable is that this outperformed the S&P 500 index, which returned around 15.09% per annum over the same period. That gap may not sound large in a single year, but over a decade it becomes meaningful.

It is a strong reminder that Buffett’s core philosophy still works, even in a market dominated by technology and rapid change.

Foolish takeaway

Investing like Warren Buffett with ASX shares doesn’t require picking individual stocks or waiting for market crashes.

By focusing on businesses with durable advantages and sensible valuations, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat AUD ETF offers ASX investors a straightforward way to apply Buffett’s principles in a diversified, rules-based way.

As Buffett himself has shown for decades, that is often exactly the point.

The post This is the easy way to invest like Warren Buffett with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Danaher and United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Constellation Brands. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended 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.