Bauxite miner Metro Mining Ltd (ASX: MMI) reported its full year results recently, posting a major increase in net profit and also announcing a share buyback.

The results have confirmed the ASX small cap miner’s status as undervalued in the eyes of the team at Shaw and Partners, which reiterated a bullish price target for the shares.

More on that later. First, let’s have a look at the results.

Record performance

Metro Mining said in a statement to the ASX last week that it had shipped a record 6.2 million tonnes of bauxite, which was a 9% increase year-on-year.

The company’s net profit came in at $142.3 million, up from a loss of $22 million the pervious year, and the company had $57.5 million in cash and $58.9 million in senior debt at the end of the year.

The company’s guidance for this year’s production was set at 6.6-7.1 million tonnes of bauxite, with Metro’s confidence allowing it to start a share buyback.

As the company said:

Due to confidence in the company’s financial position, operational performance and long-term outlook the board believes that the current share price does not reflect the underlying value of the company’s assets and prospects. As part of its ongoing capital management strategy, Metro is pleased to announce its intention to undertake an on-market share buy-back of up to 5% of shares on issue.

ASX small-cap shares looking cheap

The Shaw and Partners team had a look at the full year result and said it was “strong”, with underlying EBITDA up 95% to $73 million and net debt close to zero.

They added:

The result was delivered despite a weaker bauxite price in 2H25, delivery of bauxite into low price legacy contracts, and a number of operational issues which have now been addressed.

 They also believed the production guidance could be conservative.

Metro has released production guidance for CY26 of 6.6-7.1Mt (Shawf 6.8Mt). In CY25 the flow sheet proved itself capable of delivering in excess of 7Mt, and so we view the guidance as realistic but conservative. CY25 was impact by an unseasonal tropical low in April which caused the Skardon River channel to silt up, and restrict the amount of bauxite which could be loaded on barges. The operation also suffered from an unplanned barge loader outage in October and weather disruptions in late December.

Shaw and Partners has a price target of 15 cents on Metro Mining shares, compared with 7 cents currently.

Metro Mining was valued at $433.9 million at the close of trade on Friday.

The post This ASX small-cap miner could more than double: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Oil prices rocket to 4-year high as ASX energy giants surge

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

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price was on fire in February.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock closed out January trading for $149.36. When the closing bell sounded on 27 February, shares were swapping hands for $174.62 apiece.

That saw shares in Australia’s biggest bank up a whopping 16.9% over the month just past, smashing the 3.7% gains posted by the ASX 200 over this same period.

But investors who owned the stock throughout the month will have raked in even bigger gains than the CBA share price boost suggests.

That’s because CBA traded ex-dividend on 18 February.

When the bank reported its half year results on 11 February, management declared a fully franked interim dividend of $2.35 a share. Although that passive income won’t be paid out until 30 March, it will go to investors who held the stock at market close on 17 February.

So, if we add that $2.35 back into the $174.62 closing price at the end of the month, then the accumulated value of CBA shares in February was up 18.5%.

Here’s what’s been stoking investor interest.

CBA share price catching tailwinds

Last month started auspiciously for the CBA share price following the 3 February interest rate increase by the Reserve Bank of Australia, with another hike possibly looming in 2026.

That’s important because higher benchmark interest rates could help Australia’s biggest bank increase its net interest margin (NIM) and boost profitability.

Not that profitability is a big issue for CommBank.

As mentioned up top, CBA reported its half year results (H1 FY 2026) on 11 February.

And the big four bank’s cash net profit after tax (NPAT) came in at an eyewatering $5.45 billion, up 6% on H1 FY 2025. CommBank’s half year NIM of 2.04% was steady on an underlying basis.

Commenting on the results that saw the CBA share price close up 6.8% on the day, CEO Matt Comyn said:

Our balance sheet settings remain resilient with strong levels of capital, deposit funding and provisioning given the economic backdrop and geopolitical issues. Our financial position enables us to support lending growth, continue investing to accelerate our technology modernisation agenda and enhance our GenAI capability…

Top dogs on the ASX 200

With the strong CBA share price gains, February also saw the Aussie bank retake the title of biggest stock on the ASX from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) on 12 February.

CBA had only lost that crown to BHP two weeks earlier, after CommBank had commanded the top ASX stock crown from some 18 months.

But with the BHP share price also racing higher over the month just past, CBA handed the title back to BHP on 27 February.

The battle continues.

The post How the CBA share price rocketed 17% in February appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy in March
• 3 of the best blue chip ASX shares I’d buy in March
• 3 ASX ETFs for a stress-free start to investing
• These ASX 200 shares jumped 15% or more in February
• The one question I always ask before buying an ASX share

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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Oil prices have spiked to a 4-year high as escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran fuels volatility in global energy markets.

According to Trading Economics, Brent crude has surged above US$77 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) has jumped past US$70. Earlier in the session, prices briefly climbed even higher, marking the strongest levels since mid-2022.

The rally comes as traders rapidly price in the latest geopolitical risk.

Oil surges as supply fears intensify

Coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets have triggered a broader regional escalation. That has included recent Israeli strikes in Beirut and projectile exchanges involving Hezbollah.

Iran has already retaliated, and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that further and more forceful responses remain possible. That threat of continued escalation is keeping energy markets on edge.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the key flashpoint. The narrow waterway handles roughly 1/5th of global oil shipments, meaning any disruption could have immediate implications for global supply.

Shipping companies are reportedly rerouting vessels, while insurers reassess war risk premiums in the region. Even if physical supply remains intact for now, traders are clearly building in a geopolitical risk premium.

OPEC+ has approved a modest output increase of around 206,000 barrels per day for April. However, that represents less than 0.2% of global demand and is unlikely to offset any material disruption if the conflict intensifies further.

Woodside shares power higher

The oil rally is flowing directly through to Australia’s largest energy producers.

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is up 6.15% to $30.05, and is nearly up 30% in 2026.

With a market capitalisation of around $57 billion, Woodside remains one of the ASX’s most significant oil and LNG exposures. Sustained higher oil prices typically translate into stronger revenue and operating cash flow, particularly for large-scale producers with global export operations.

Investors appear to be repositioning quickly in anticipation of improved earnings momentum if elevated crude prices persist.

Santos joins the rally

It is a similar case for Santos Ltd (ASX: STO).

The Santos share price has risen 5.62% to $7.14, and is now up around 16% this year.

Santos generates revenue from a diversified portfolio of oil and gas assets across Australia and international markets. Like Woodside, it benefits directly from higher realised oil prices, which can support cash flow and balance sheet flexibility.

The company has a market capitalisation of about $23 billion.

What happens next?

The key question for investors is whether this spike proves temporary or marks the start of a more sustained move higher.

If the conflict escalates further or materially disrupts supply through the Gulf, crude prices could remain elevated. However, any sign of de-escalation may see some of the geopolitical premium unwind quickly.

For now, oil is back in focus, and ASX energy heavyweights are leading the charge in 2026.

The post Oil prices rocket to 4-year high as ASX energy giants surge appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Ampol, EOS, Lynas, and Woodside shares are roaring higher today
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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

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.

Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) shares were the biggest winners on the ASX on Friday with a gain of 28%. Investors appeared pleased with Block’s latest earnings update and announcement that it would cut 4,000 jobs.

During Monday morning trading, the ASX stock lost some of Friday’s gains, 4.7% at $89.74.

Over the past 6 months, Block shares are down around 23%, reminding investors just how volatile Block can be.

Easy money management

Block is the company behind Square, Cash App, and Afterpay. Its goal is simple: make moving and managing money easier outside the traditional banking system.

The $54 billion ASX share provides digital payments technology to small businesses, peer-to-peer transfers, banking-style services to consumers, and buy now, pay later solutions through Afterpay.

The latest result gave investors something to cheer. Gross profit rose solidly year on year, Cash App continued to grow, and management lifted full-year guidance.

For the full year that ended 31 December 2025, gross profit increased 17% to US$10.36 billion. This reflects a 21% jump in Cash App gross profit to US$6.34 billion and a 9% lift in Square gross profit to US$3.94 billion.

AI will replace 4,000 cut jobs

Just as importantly, Block announced it would cut more than 4,000 roles as part of a push to streamline operations and lean more heavily on AI. The market clearly liked the focus on efficiency and margin improvement and jumped at Block shares.

There are real strengths here. Block has a large and engaged user base, strong brand recognition in digital payments, and an ecosystem that links merchants and consumers. If it can keep growing gross profit while tightening costs, operating leverage could drive stronger earnings over time.

Fierce competition, regulatory scrutiny

But risks remain. Competition in payments and digital wallets is intense. The buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector faces regulatory scrutiny and credit risk, especially if consumer spending slows. Profitability has also been inconsistent, and investor confidence has been shaken during previous sell-offs.

So, are Block shares back in play? The 24.7% upswing in the past 5 days suggests sentiment is improving. However, the real test will be whether management can turn cost cuts and AI investment into sustained profit growth. If execution improves, the current pullback could look like an opportunity. If not, volatility may stick around.

What next for Block shares?

Analysts are pretty bullish on Block shares. TradingView data shows 2 out of 3 analysts have a strong buy rating on the stock, and one has a hold.

The maximum target price is $256, implying a massive 172% upside for investors at the time of writing. Even the average $163.67 target price represents a potential 74% gain for investors over 12 months.

The post Are Block shares back in play? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 Block. 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.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares just capped off a strong month of outperformance only to kick off the new month with a bang.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) drone defence company closed out January trading for $3.32. When the closing bell sounded on 27 February, shares were changing hands for $3.62 each.

This saw the DroneShield share price up 9.0% in February, outpacing the 3.7% monthly gain posted by the ASX 200.

As for March, halfway through the first trading day of the new month, shares are trading for $4.02 each, up a whopping 11.1%.

With no fresh news out from the company today, investors look to be bidding up the stock on the heels of the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran. With Iran responding to the attacks, and both sides deploying plenty of drones, the market appears to be pricing in material demand growth for drone defence technologies.

Now, here’s what sent the stock higher in February.

How DroneShield shares raced ahead of the ASX 200 in February

The ASX 200 drone defence stock enjoyed a big lift from two price sensitive releases in the month just gone.

On 25 February, DroneShield shares closed the day up 12.6% following the release of the company’s full calendar year 2025 results.

Among the highlights, the company achieved a 276% year-on-year increase in revenue to $216.5 million. And earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) swung to a positive $4.5 million, following a loss of $8.6 million reported in 2024.

On the bottom line, DroneShield’s profit after tax of $3.5 million was up 367% from the prior year.

Investor interest in DroneShield shares also looks to have been piqued by the company’s reported $2.3 billion sales pipeline. That’s up 92% increase over the last 12 months.

DroneShield independent non-executive chairman Peter James said on the day:

FY 2026 already has $104 million in secured revenue of which $22 million has been recognised to date. Secured SaaS in FY 2026 is at $22 million, of which $2 million has been recognised to date, and SaaS expected to increase further as additional sales are secured.

What else did the ASX 200 drone defence company report?

DroneShield shares closed up another 8.9% the following day, 26 February.

That big boost followed news that the company had inked six new contracts with a western military end-customer. The contracts are valued at a total of $21.7 million.

Pleasingly, DroneShield revealed that it had all the required items for the new contracts in stock. The company expects to deliver the orders in the first quarter of 2026.

The post Why DroneShield shares soared in February and are rocketing into March 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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

March is already shaping up to be an interesting month for ASX investors.

With earnings season behind us and the ASX 200 hovering near record territory, I’m not looking to make bold short-term calls. Instead, I’m focusing on high-quality businesses that I’d be comfortable owning through market ups and downs.

Here are five ASX 200 shares I’d buy in March and hold with confidence.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA shares are rarely cheap, but there’s a reason for that.

In its half-year results last month, the big four bank continued to demonstrate why it commands a premium to its peers. In addition, its scale, digital capability, and deposit franchise give it structural advantages in the Australian banking market. While the broader banking sector can be cyclical, CBA has consistently delivered strong returns on equity and disciplined capital management.

If I want exposure to the financial sector, I’m happy to pay up for quality rather than chase a lower multiple elsewhere.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

ResMed remains one of my favourite ASX 200 growth shares.

Sleep apnoea is significantly underdiagnosed worldwide, and ageing populations only strengthen the long-term demand outlook. ResMed’s connected ecosystem, strong cash generation, and ongoing product innovation make it more than just a device manufacturer.

For investors looking beyond the next quarter and into the next decade, I think this is a compelling healthcare compounder.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is not exciting, but it is disciplined.

With exposure to Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and an expanding industrial and lithium portfolio, Wesfarmers combines defensive retail earnings with long-term growth optionality. Management has a strong track record of capital allocation, and the group’s balance sheet provides flexibility.

If volatility increases, I like having a diversified operator like Wesfarmers in the portfolio.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Hub24 continues to benefit from structural growth in superannuation and the shift toward professional financial advice.

As funds under administration grow, operating leverage can kick in. Platform businesses with recurring revenue and scalable models often become powerful long-term compounders.

It may not be the cheapest stock on the ASX 200, but for investors seeking growth exposure in financial services, I think it remains attractive.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Another ASX 200 share that I think is worth considering is Telstra.

Its mobile business continues to deliver strong earnings growth, and its dividend remains attractive, with approximately 90% franking. I also like Telstra due to its cost discipline and defensive qualities. Connectivity remains an essential service regardless of economic conditions.

In a market trading near record highs, I like balancing growth names with reliable income generators.

Foolish takeaway

There’s no single perfect stock to buy in March. But if I were building or adding to a portfolio today, I’d be comfortable allocating capital across these ASX 200 shares.

Together, I believe they offer a blend of growth, resilience, and income that I think makes sense in the current environment.

The post 5 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy in March appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, Hub24, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24, ResMed, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24 and Wesfarmers. 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 start the week with a decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.5% to 9,154.6 points.

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

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)

The Ampol share price is up 2% to $28.79. This follows the release of an update on its proposed acquisition of EG Australia. It revealed that the ACCC has competition concerns with 54 EG Australia sites. It adds: “Ampol and EG have an opportunity to respond to the matters raised by the ACCC and, under the current timeframe, the ACCC must issue a determination by 5 June 2026. Ampol remains confident in its position and will continue to work constructively with the ACCC to address the issues identified.”

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

The EOS share price is up 7% to $9.60. This morning, this ASX defence stock announced that it has secured new remote weapon system (RWS) orders valued at approximately $17 million. It notes that the largest component is a US$12 million order for R400 RWS units from an established Middle Eastern government customer. The company also revealed that it has finalised a $100 million two-year secured term loan facility. This will support growth across the business, provide additional working capital, and help fund payments related to the acquisition of MARS.

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)

The Lynas share price is up 5% to $20.00. This has been driven by news that Lynas has received a letter from the Malaysian Department of Atomic Energy confirming that the Lynas Malaysia operating licence has been renewed for 10 years. The company’s CEO, Amanda Lacaze, said: “Lynas welcomes the longer licence term which provides greater investment certainty for Lynas and for our rare earths supply chain partners and customers. On behalf of all Lynas employees, we thank the Malaysian Government for its attention to this matter and its support for the rare earths industry in Malaysia.”

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price is up 4.5% to $29.60. Investors have been buying Woodside and other ASX energy shares on Monday after war in the Middle East sent oil prices racing higher. According to Bloomberg, in Asian trade, both Brent crude oil and WTI crude oil prices have jumped over 5.5%. Some analysts believe oil prices could creep towards US$100 a barrel if the war drags on.

The post Why Ampol, EOS, Lynas, and Woodside shares are roaring higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. 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.

Shares in Michael Hill International Ltd (ASX: MHJ) are pushing higher after the jewellery retailer released its half-year results.

In midday trade, the Michael Hill share price is up 2.27% to 45 cents. Earlier in the session, the stock reached 46.5 cents, a 12-month high and a 5.68% gain on the day.

The shares are now up almost 35% in 2026.

Here is what the company reported.

Earnings growth returns

For the 26 weeks ended 28 December 2025, Michael Hill delivered comparable EBIT of $31 million. This reflects an increase of 28.6% on the prior corresponding period.

Group revenue increased 3% to $371 million, supported by positive performances in Australia and Canada and a return to growth in New Zealand. Same-store sales rose 3.8% across the group.

Gross margin was broadly steady at 61.2%, compared to 61.3% a year earlier. Management said higher gold and silver input costs were largely offset by improved product mix and disciplined pricing.

Reported EBIT came in at $38.9 million, compared to $32.4 million in the prior half. The difference between comparable and reported EBIT primarily reflects lease accounting impacts under AASB 16.

Balance sheet strengthens, inventory reduced

Inventory declined by $11.3 million to $201.9 million during the half. Net cash at period end stood at $20.7 million, compared to a net debt position of $9.8 million a year earlier. That represents a $30.5 million improvement.

The company said it refinanced its existing debt facility on improved terms and continued to focus on working capital discipline.

The store network reduced to 285 locations across Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, down from 294 at the end of FY25 H1.

No interim dividend declared

The board has elected not to declare an interim dividend for the half year.

However, management indicated it intends to return to dividends at the full-year result, subject to trading conditions.

Trading update shows continued momentum

Michael Hill also provided an update for the first 8 weeks of the second half of FY26.

Group sales are up 4.5%, with same-store sales increasing 6% year-on-year.

Looking at a regional basis:

• Australia same-store sales up 6.5%
• Canada up 13%
• New Zealand up 7.1%

Management also cited solid trading across Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year periods.

Foolish Takeaway

The latest result shows improving profitability, stronger cash generation, and better inventory management. While revenue growth remains modest, margin resilience and cost discipline appear to be supporting earnings growth.

With shares at a 12-month high, attention now turns to whether trading momentum continues into the second half.

The post Michael Hill shares hit 12-month high after first-half profit jump 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is starting the week in the red. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.55% to 9,146.2 points.

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

Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN)

The Brainchip share price is down 9.5% to 14 cents. This struggling semiconductor company’s shares have come under pressure again since the release of its full-year results last week. It was another disappointing release, with Brainchip reporting revenue of US$1.9 million and a massive operating loss of US$21.7 million for the 12 months. Investors appear to be doubting whether Brainchip will ever gain any meaningful commercial traction given how it is competing with companies that have R&D budgets that dwarf its own.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The Fortescue share price is down 4% to $20.24. This has been driven by the iron ore giant’s shares going ex-dividend this morning for its latest payout. Last month, Fortescue released its half-year results and reported a 23% increase in net profit after tax to US$1.9 billion. This allowed the Fortescue board to increase its fully franked interim dividend by 24% to 62 Australian cents per share. Eligible shareholders can now look forward to receiving this dividend later this month on 30 March.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas share price is down 6% to $9.36. This appears to have been driven by war in the Middle East after the US struck Iran. And with Iran retaliating against its neighbours, this could impact travel demand in the near term. In addition, it is expected to cause oil prices to spike. And given how fuel is an airline’s biggest operating cost, this could have a negative impact on its second-half earnings. A number of other ASX travel stocks are trading lower today in response to the news.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

The Westpac share price is down 3% to $41.22. This is despite there being no news out of Australia’s oldest bank. However, it is worth noting that all of the big four banks are trading lower today. This could have been driven by profit-taking from some investors after strong gains were recorded in the sector in February. This has seen the S&P/ASX 200 Financials index tumble by 2.7% on Monday afternoon.

The post Why Brainchip, Fortescue, Qantas, and Westpac shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 great ASX 200 blue-chip shares I’d buy right now
• Is the Fortescue share price a buy in March?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Which ASX 200 mining shares raised their dividends this earnings season?
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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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained a healthy 3.7% in February, with plenty of thanks to these top-performing ASX 200 stocks.

From market close on 30 January through to the closing bell on 27 February, these stocks delivered gains of 17% to more than 27%.

So, which companies were the ones to buy at the end of January and own throughout February?

I’m glad you asked!

ASX 200 stocks leaping higher in February

At the top of my list for February, we find Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC).

The Lynas Rare Earths share price gained an impressive 27.4% over the month just past, closing at $18.98.

The ASX 200 stock enjoyed a big boost after reporting its half-year results (H1 FY 2026) last week. Highlights included a 62.7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the six months to $413.7 million. And on the bottom line, Lynas’ net profit after tax (NPAT) of $80.2 million was up 1,259% from H1 FY 2025.

Rival rare earths miner Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) also shot the lights out in February. If you’d bought the ASX 200 stock at the end of January and sold at market close on 27 February, you’d have booked a gain of 25.9%.

The critical minerals miner reported its full-year results on 18 February. Although mineral sands revenue of $976 million was down 13.5% year on year, investors bid up the stock amid expectations of declining costs and capital expenditures in 2026, and a stronger outlook for mineral sands and rare earths markets.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) – formerly known as Pilbara Minerals – was another top stock to own in February. PLS shares closed the month up 21%.

The ASX lithium miner released its half-year results on 19 February. Highlights included a 47% year-on-year increase in revenue to $624 million. And PLS swung to a NPAT of $33 million, up from a $69 million loss in the prior corresponding half year.

Moving away from the ASX 200 mining stocks for a moment, Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) shares gained an impressive 18.5% in February.

Australia’s biggest private hospital operator reported its H1 FY 2026 results on 26 February. Ramsay reported a 9.7% year-on-year increase in revenue from contracts with customers to $9.34 billion. And NPAT of $160.7 million was up from a $104.9 million loss in 1H FY 2025.

Which brings us back to the Aussie miners.

Buoyed by the ongoing strength in the global gold price and its half-year results release on 19 February, Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) shares gained 17.1% over the month just past.

In H1 FY 2026, the ASX 200 gold stock achieved a 40% year-on-year increase in half-year gold sales revenue to $1.09 billion. NPAT of $323 million was up 73% from H1 FY 2025.

Honourary mentions

Two of best known names on the index, which includes the biggest ASX 200 stock by market cap, also shot the lights out over the month just past on the back of their own strong earnings results.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares gained an impressive 16.4% in February.

And the BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price surged 15.5%, which saw the Aussie mining giant reclaim its title as the top-listed Australian stock from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).

Quite a month!

The post 5 of the best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in February revealed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Ampol, EOS, Lynas, and Woodside shares are roaring higher today
• The PLS Group share price has soared 150% in a year. Is it still a buy in March?
• Lynas Rare Earths shares: Malaysia licence renewed for 10 years
• What is Morgans saying about Ramsay Healthcare and Karoon Energy shares?
• Which ASX 200 mining shares raised their dividends this earnings season?

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 recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.