The Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) share price is in focus today after the company announced it will extend operations at the Eraring Power Station until April 2029, providing up to two more years of support for NSW’s electricity grid and further certainty for energy users.

What did Origin Energy report?

• Eraring Power Station operations extended from August 2027 to 30 April 2029
• No major maintenance overhauls planned ahead of revised closure
• Eraring Battery’s final stages expected online by early 2027, lifting storage capacity to 700MW/3,160MWh
• Extension aligns with existing NSW Government agreement and is not expected to impact 2030 emissions targets
• Eraring Community Fund remains in place to support local projects through 2032

What else do investors need to know?

The decision to keep Eraring Power Station open longer comes after Origin assessed customer needs, market conditions, and AEMO’s advice on system security risks in NSW. While renewables and new battery storage projects are progressing, Origin says continued coal-powered generation is needed to maintain reliable supply for homes and businesses over the transition.

Origin confirmed it will not invest in further major maintenance for Eraring ahead of the 2029 closure and reiterated its aim for net zero emissions by 2050. The company will keep supporting employees through its Future Directions program, which has already funded 525 training courses, and continue backing local communities around Eraring with its $5 million Community Fund.

What did Origin Energy management say?

Origin CEO Frank Calabria said:

Our decision to keep Eraring operating until April 2029 provides more time for renewables, storage and transmission projects to be delivered, and reflects uncertainty regarding the reliability of Australia’s aging coal and gas fleet. We are pleased to provide greater certainty for the community, our people and the market about Eraring’s future, and I want to commend the professionalism and focus of the Eraring team in continuing to maintain and operate the plant reliably given the vital role it continues to play for energy users in NSW.

What’s next for Origin Energy?

Origin has signalled that the extension should not derail the company’s climate goals, with scope remaining to meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets and longer-term net zero ambitions. After Eraring’s closure in 2029, Origin will focus on its large-scale battery and other clean energy assets at the site.

The final stages of the 700MW/3,160MWh Eraring Battery are due online in early 2027. This should deliver about 4.5 hours of storage, positioning Origin to play a key part in supporting NSW’s energy transition away from coal.

Origin Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the Origin Energy share price has declined 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Origin Energy to keep Eraring Power Station running until 2029 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Australia’s electrification story is moving out of policy papers and into the real economy. 

Power networks are being upgraded, data centres are expanding, electric vehicles are becoming more common, and commercial buildings are getting smarter and more energy-intensive.

All of this requires one thing Australia cannot avoid: more electrical infrastructure. That creates demand for the businesses that supply equipment and deliver the work on the ground.

Here are two ASX-listed companies exposed to that trend from different angles.

IPD Group Ltd (ASX: IPG)

IPD Group sits in the supply chain for electrical and automation equipment. It distributes products used in power distribution, industrial systems, data centres, renewables, and mining operations.

In December, IPD Group announced the acquisition of Platinum Cables for $37.5 million upfront, with potential earn-out payments of up to $7.5 million tied to profit growth through to December 2026. Platinum Cables reported FY2025 revenue of $44.8 million and operating earnings (EBITDA) of over $8 million. IPD Group management also said the acquisition is expected to be earnings accretive by around 11.5% on a pro forma FY 2025 basis, before any synergies.

The acquisition expands IPD Group’s footprint in specialist electrical cabling, particularly in mining, infrastructure, and large-scale projects. Platinum Cables will continue operating as a standalone business, with its management team retained.

Beyond the deal itself, IPD Group has highlighted improving conditions across commercial construction and engineering work. Management recently pointed to growth in non-residential building activity and stronger momentum in engineering construction, alongside demand linked to data centres, EV charging infrastructure, and broader grid upgrades.

In simple terms, IPD Group benefits when Australia builds or upgrades the systems that move electricity safely and efficiently.

SKS Technologies Group Ltd (ASX: SKS)

SKS Technologies focuses on delivering the infrastructure rather than supplying the components.

The company provides electrical, IT, communications, and audio-visual services, handling everything from design and installation through to integration and ongoing maintenance. Much of its work is project-based, and management reports that around 94% of revenue comes from repeat customers.

In recent years, data centres have become a major part of the business. SKS Technologies has said data centre-related work made up more than half of FY2025 revenue, driven by large-scale investments from global technology companies. Revenue from data centre projects rose sharply, from $31 million in FY 2024 to over $140 million in FY 2025, according to company materials.

In May 2025, SKS Technologies secured a $100 million contract to deliver a third data centre facility in Melbourne for an international hyperscale operator, following earlier stages of the same development.

Most recently, SKS provided an update at its annual general meeting, where management outlined expectations for the year ahead. The company said it is estimating revenue of around $320 million, supported by a healthy project pipeline.

Why this tailwind matters for Australia

Australia cannot afford to stand still on energy and digital infrastructure.

Electricity demand is rising as transport, industry, and buildings become more electrified. At the same time, data usage continues to grow rapidly, driven by cloud computing, artificial intelligence, streaming, and enterprise digital systems. These trends place increasing pressure on power grids, backup systems, cooling, and network reliability.

Unlike discretionary spending, this infrastructure is essential. Businesses, households, hospitals, and governments all rely on it functioning smoothly. Delaying upgrades only increases future costs and risks.

What’s driving this long term

Several forces are at work:

• Electrification of transport and industry, including EV charging networks and electric machinery
• Data centre expansion, as Australia builds capacity to support digital services and AI
• Grid modernisation, to handle renewable energy, higher loads, and reliability requirements
• Urban growth and commercial construction, which increase baseline power needs

These are multi-decade trends rather than short-term cycles.

Foolish Takeaway

IPD Group and SKS Technologies operate in different parts of the same system, but both are linked to Australia’s need to build, upgrade, and maintain critical electrical infrastructure.

For investors interested in long-term national trends rather than short-term market themes, these types of businesses highlight how electrification shows up in the real economy.

The post 2 under-the-radar ASX small caps engineering Australia’s electrification push appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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 Ipd Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Ipd Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sks Technologies Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Here at The Motley Fool, we have been covering extensively the economic conditions that have benefited Australian small caps recently. 

Bronwyn Allen covered earlier this month that ASX small-cap shares outperformed the larger players by almost 2.5 times in 2025. 

S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) shares delivered total returns (capital growth plus dividends) of 10.56% last year.

Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX Small Ords Index (ASX: XSO) – tracks companies ranked 101 to 300 by market cap – delivered a total return of 24.96%.

Late last year, another report showed that investors were increasingly looking to capture opportunities across the full spectrum of the Australian equity market rather than concentrating exclusively on the blue-chip heavyweights.

A new report from VanEck Australia indicates that economic tailwinds could be coming for global small-cap companies. 

The case for global small caps 

According to VanEck Australia, we could be about to see a strong surge in global small caps. 

The report said that with markets forecasting two rate cuts in 2026 to stimulate demand, quality small companies could benefit should faster economic growth eventuate. 

These kinds of assets have historically outperformed during expansionary environments.

Additionally, global small companies are trading at historically low levels. 

The speculative 2024/25 rally led by mega-caps, notably the “Magnificent Seven” resulted in the relative underperformance of global small-caps, compared to the broader small-cap market as measured by the Russell 2000 over the past two years.

The report said the speculative rally has led to strong outperformance of low-quality small companies. This has come as investors sought those companies that may have been positioned to benefit from the rise of AI, with less consideration of profitability. 

However, with political uncertainty, geopolitical risks, and inflation concerns flaring up again, speculative assets have started to come under pressure during the last quarter of 2025. 

If these market conditions persist, we could experience an uptick in market volatility in 2026 despite overall economic growth remaining strong. Taking history as a guide, this backdrop bodes well for a quality rotation within the global small companies complex.

According to VanEck, valuations for global small caps are reasonable/attractive relative to global large caps (MSCI World Index), with valuations at 25-year lows.

How to gain exposure to global small-cap companies?

Based on the report from VanEck, a continued easing of tariff policy could support a shift toward a manufacturing-led expansion in the US economy. This is an environment in which high-quality small-cap stocks have historically outperformed the broader market.

Further, markets are forecasting two more rate cuts in 2026. This is typically positive for small-caps, as cheaper access to credit enables them to grow their businesses.

We think the small size of these companies means that double digit growth is potentially more achievable as they are coming off a lower base than large caps.

Global quality small-caps could shine in 2026.

For investors looking to capture exposure to small-cap companies based outside of Australia, there are a few ASX ETFs to consider:

• VanEck MSCI International Small Companies Quality ETF (ASX: QSML) – 150 international developed market small cap quality growth securities. 
• Vanguard MSCI International Small Index ETF (ASX: VISM) – provides exposure to more than 3000 small companies listed in major developed countries. 
• Global X Russell 2000 ETF (ASX: RSSL) – Tracks approximately 2,000 companies that represent the smallest constituents of the Russell 3000 Index. 

The post Why the small-cap renaissance is only just beginning: Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares are an interesting investment consideration in the current economic climate.

The ASX telco share is by far the leader in Australia’s telco space, with the widest network coverage, the most subscribers, and the most useful spectrum assets to deliver a strong service to customers.

Warren Buffett’s track record at Berkshire Hathaway is impressive, as he has chosen a number of stocks that have generated excellent long-term returns. Let’s consider whether he’d like Telstra shares.

Is the ASX telco share an appealing buy?

The Omaha investor has previously said that one of his favourite types of investments is a monopoly because of the economic moat and having no serious competitors.

Telstra does have some competition in Australia, such as Optus, TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG), Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC), Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB), Aldi Mobile, and more.

But, I’d say Telstra has a stronger market position than leaders in industries like banking or mining.

That market position has given Telstra the confidence to regularly increase prices for subscribers. While that may slow growth, it maximises revenue and helps increase margins.

Telstra also provides the network for a number of smaller challengers that focus on value, so if those telcos gain subscribers, Telstra can win here too.

Would Warren Buffett buy Telstra shares?

Broker UBS thinks the company’s net profit and dividend can increase each year between FY26 and FY30, which is a strong tailwind for shareholder returns in the coming years.

UBS wrote in a note earlier this month:

We have a Neutral [rating] on TLS. TLS is trading on 8x FY26e EBITDA, offering 4% dividend yield which we view justified for 8% DPS [dividend per share] CAGR over next 3yrs, with upside should we see greater price rises and Intercity Fibre revenue coming online faster than anticipated.

Based on the projection on CMC Markets, Telstra shares are valued at 24x FY26’s estimated earnings. That may not be the lowest price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio the business has traded at over the last few years, but it could be reasonable given the ongoing earnings growth in the coming years.

But Warren Buffett hasn’t shown much interest in materially investing in telecommunications businesses during his stellar investing years.

So, while Telstra shares are an attractive investment in my view, it’s probably not going to be one that delivers an average total shareholder return of 20% per year over the next decade or two from where it is today.

The post Would Warren Buffett buy Telstra shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The BHP Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is in focus today after the miner reported record copper and iron ore production for the half-year ended 31 December 2025, with copper volumes flat at 984 kt and group copper production guidance lifted for FY26.

What did BHP report?

• Group copper production steady at 984 kt; FY26 copper guidance upgraded to 1,900–2,000 kt (from 1,800–2,000 kt)
• Escondida copper operation achieved record concentrator throughput; FY26 guidance now 1,200–1,275 kt (up from 1,150–1,250 kt)
• Iron ore production rose 2% to 134 Mt, with WAIO recording all-time high shipments
• Steelmaking coal up 2% to 9.2 Mt; energy coal up 10% to 8.1 Mt
• Copper prices rose 32% to US$5.28/lb; iron ore prices up 4% to US$84.71/wmt
• Unit cost guidance unchanged across most assets; net debt expected at US$14–15 billion

What else do investors need to know?

BHP has announced an innovative US$2 billion infrastructure transaction with Global Infrastructure Partners for WAIO’s power network, freeing up capital while retaining operational control. The Jansen potash project in Canada remains on track for production in mid-2027, positioning BHP for growth in future-facing commodities.

China’s commodity demand stayed resilient, though momentum eased in the second half. India is emerging as a major driver of growth, particularly in steel and copper. Meanwhile, BHP’s copper growth pipeline is advancing, including progress at the Vicuña project in Argentina and environmental approvals for Escondida’s expansion in Chile.

What did BHP management say?

BHP Chief Executive Officer Mike Henry said:

BHP delivered another half of very strong performance with operational records at our copper and iron ore assets. This was achieved safely and in a positive commodity price environment, with copper prices up 32% and iron ore prices 4% higher year on year. We have increased FY26 group copper production guidance off the back of stronger delivery across our assets… BHP enters the second half of FY26 with strong operating momentum. We’re investing for the decade ahead, with a significant copper growth pipeline and a pathway to ~2 Mt of attributable copper production in the 2030s.

What’s next for BHP?

Looking ahead, BHP is focused on delivering growth in copper and iron ore while maintaining disciplined cost control. Major projects like Jansen Stage 1 are progressing, and further investments support BHP’s ambition to grow copper output to 2 million tonnes in the next decade.

Management highlighted ongoing strategies to strengthen the balance sheet, decarbonise operations—such as the rollout of battery-electric equipment in the Pilbara—and capitalise on favourable commodity trends worldwide. Investors can expect updates on growth projects and further guidance when the final FY26 results are published.

BHP share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the BHP share price has climbed 21%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post BHP lifts copper guidance after record half-year output appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Investing in ASX penny stocks doesn’t come without risk.

After all, just because a stock is trading cheaply does not mean it is a bargain.

But for investors looking to add some high-potential options to their watchlist, here are two with fresh guidance from Bell Potter that could have upside. 

Oneview Healthcare PLC (ASX: ONE)

ONE’s Care Experience Platform (CXP) is a unified set of digital tools in a single bedside solution that connects patients, families, and care teams with services, education, and information during hospital stays.

The system is fully automated, integrated, and personalised, which streamlines nursing workflows and positively impacts safe and timely hospital discharges.

Bell Potter has recently raised its valuation on this penny stock thanks to improving cash flows and a key contract win. 

The broker noted that the company reported an operating cash outflow of approximately €1.4m, supported by €3.5m in cash receipts, resulting in a cash balance of €4.6m at the end of the period. 

The result shows a clear improvement both quarter on quarter and year on year, marking the second consecutive quarter of improving cash performance.

Bell Potter also noted the recent contract win as a positive for this ASX penny stock. 

ONE has secured access to a top ten US health system / GPO (name not disclosed) that covers 85 hospitals and 15,000 beds, which is similar in scale to ONE’s current onboarded beds. Access to the GPO is via an amendment to Baxter’s existing arrangement and enables hospitals to purchase ONE’s products.

The broker has raised its price target on Oneview Healthcare to $0.50 (previously $0.25). 

We have rolled forward our DCF valuation and lowered our WACC from 12.5% (after allowing for adjusting our RFR to 4.5%) to 10.1% to reflect improving confidence and cadence of new customer wins.

Based on yesterday’s closing price of $0.40, this indicates an upside of 25%. 

Alcidion Group Ltd (ASX: ALC)

Alcidion is a provider of intelligent informatics software for the healthcare sector.

Its share price has risen 25% already in 2025. 

Bell Potter pointed out in a recent report that FY26 contracted revenue is already above FY25. 

FY26 contracted revenue is currently $43.1m (including both sold & renewals), an increase of +$6.8m from $36.3m at the prior quarter and already 6% above FY25 full-year revenue.

Alcidion Group also upgraded its FY26 guidance, lifting EBITDA and operating cash flow from simply “positive” to at least in line with FY25, with potential upside tied to the successful completion of the UHSx contract and the ongoing conversion of new revenue opportunities.

This implies EBITDA >$4.8m and operating cash flow >$5.8m, which Bell Potter views as readily achievable.

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter maintains a buy recommendation on this ASX penny stock along with a price target of $0.17 (previously $0.15). 

Based on yesterday’s closing price, this indicates an upside of 36%. 

The post Two ASX penny stocks Bell Potter thinks are worth watching in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) share price is in focus today after the company reported record platform net inflows of $5.6 billion in Q2 FY26, with total Funds Under Administration (FUA) reaching $152.3 billion as at 31 December 2025, up 26% on last year.

What did HUB24 report?

• Record Q2 FY26 platform net inflows of $5.6 billion (up 2% on pcp, up 42% excluding large migrations)
• Half-year platform net inflows of $10.7 billion (up 13% on pcp)
• Total FUA of $152.3 billion as at 31 December 2025 (up 26% on pcp)
• Platform FUA of $127.9 billion (up 29% on pcp); PARS FUA of $24.4 billion (up 11% on pcp)
• Active advisers using the platform increased 8% to 5,277
• HUB24 ranked first for net inflows for an eighth consecutive quarter

What else do investors need to know?

HUB24 continues to gain market share, lifting its platform position to 9.3% as at 30 September 2025, up from 7.9% a year prior, and is now the sixth largest in the sector by FUA.

The company announced the development of an Innovative Lifetime Retirement Solution (IRIS) with TAL, broadening its retirement product offering and set for launch in the second half of FY26.

The group also advanced its myhub ecosystem, aimed at solving advice practice productivity challenges by leveraging AI and integrating third-party and in-house platforms. A pilot is planned for 1HFY27.

What did HUB24 management say?

HUB24 Managing Director and CEO Andrew Alcock said:

Our record platform inflows and strong adviser engagement reflect HUB24’s ongoing leadership and our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that help advisers support clients through all life stages.

What’s next for HUB24?

Looking ahead, HUB24 plans to launch its new lifetime retirement solution with TAL in 2HFY26, and will continue investing in platform enhancements like productivity tools and reporting upgrades for advisers. The company also intends to pilot its new myhub ecosystem in 1HFY27, aiming to further integrate its technology stack and support advice practices.

HUB24 is progressing with the proposed transition of the HUB24 Super Fund trustee role to within the HUB24 Group, pending regulatory approval, with updates promised as the process advances.

HUB24 share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, HUB24 shares have risen 51%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post HUB24 posts record inflows in Q2 FY26 earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• BHP lifts copper guidance after record half-year output
• AMP appoints Blair Vernon as CEO, Alexis George to retire
• Telix Pharmaceuticals receives China’s nod for Illuccix prostate cancer imaging NDA
• Northern Star Resources revises FY26 cost guidance after lower gold sales

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 positions in and has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. 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 AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) share price is in focus today after the company announced Blair Vernon will become the new Group Chief Executive Officer, with Alexis George set to retire after leading major transformation and growth since 2021.

What did AMP report?

• Blair Vernon appointed as incoming Group CEO, effective following Alexis George’s retirement on 30 March 2026
• Alexis George stepping down after a successful five-year tenure overseeing transformation and growth
• Vernon’s contract includes a base salary of $1.4 million, with annual and long-term incentive opportunities
• Ms George will stay on for a smooth handover before exiting
• New search for a Chief Financial Officer to begin, following Vernon’s move from CFO to CEO

What else do investors need to know?

AMP has undergone significant change under Ms George, selling its AMP Capital and Advice business units and sharpening its focus on core growth opportunities. The board said the appointment of Blair Vernon follows a thorough internal and external recruitment process designed to support a seamless leadership transition.

The company has emphasised stability, with Mr Vernon having previously led transformation efforts and served in executive roles across both Australian and New Zealand operations. The board is confident that strong executive bench strength will support AMP’s momentum in its next chapter.

What did AMP management say?

Blair Vernon commented:

It’s a privilege to take on the leadership of AMP, a company with a proud legacy of serving the financial needs of Australians and New Zealanders. AMP is delivering against its strategy, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in executing our strategic ambitions and delivering positive outcomes to customers, shareholders, communities and colleagues. I want to thank Alexis for her incredible contribution to AMP and all its stakeholders, and for her support over so many years. I wish her well for the future and look forward to continuing to work with her during our transition.

What’s next for AMP?

AMP says the executive handover will be managed carefully to maintain stability and delivery of ongoing strategy. The board and new CEO will continue to focus on growth and customer outcomes as the company enters its next phase.

A formal search for a new Chief Financial Officer is set to begin soon. The company says all incentives and contractual arrangements for Ms George’s departure will proceed as previously disclosed.

AMP share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, AMP shares have risen 13%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post AMP appoints Blair Vernon as CEO, Alexis George to retire appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Origin Energy to keep Eraring Power Station running until 2029
• BHP lifts copper guidance after record half-year output
• HUB24 posts record inflows in Q2 FY26 earnings
• Telix Pharmaceuticals receives China’s nod for Illuccix prostate cancer imaging NDA
• Northern Star Resources revises FY26 cost guidance after lower gold sales

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 Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) share price is in focus after the company announced the Chinese regulator has accepted the New Drug Application for Illuccix, Telix’s lead imaging agent for prostate cancer. The pivotal Phase 3 study in China reported a positive predictive value of 94.8% and showed the agent led to a change in treatment for over two-thirds of patients.

What did Telix Pharmaceuticals report?

• The Chinese NMPA has accepted the New Drug Application for Illuccix for prostate cancer imaging.
• Illuccix China Phase 3 study met its primary endpoint, recording a 94.8% positive predictive value in patients with biochemical recurrence.
• 67.2% of patients experienced a change in treatment as a result of Illuccix PSMA-PET imaging.
• Submission was made in partnership with Grand Pharmaceutical Group Limited for the Greater China region.
• The submission seeks a broad label covering multiple stages of prostate cancer care.

What else do investors need to know?

The China pivotal study results confirm Illuccix’s clinical performance in Chinese patients is comparable to outcomes in international studies. Notably, the imaging agent demonstrated strong accuracy even in patients with very low PSA levels and across various metastatic sites.

Prostate cancer remains a major and growing health challenge in China, with diagnoses increasing by about 6% annually. Wider government support for nuclear medicine is expanding imaging access, with a jump in PET/CT camera installations in China in recent years.

What’s next for Telix Pharmaceuticals?

Telix expects to work closely with its partner Grand Pharmaceutical Group and Chinese regulators during the approval process. If successful, the launch of Illuccix in China could significantly expand Telix’s commercial footprint and support its strategy to deliver precision medicine in large and growing markets.

Looking forward, Telix continues to build out its product portfolio and international operations, aiming to address unmet needs in oncology and rare diseases both in China and worldwide.

Telix Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Telix shares have declined 57%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Telix Pharmaceuticals receives China’s nod for Illuccix prostate cancer imaging NDA appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• BHP lifts copper guidance after record half-year output
• HUB24 posts record inflows in Q2 FY26 earnings
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The Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price is in focus after the company revised its FY26 all-in sustaining cost (AISC) guidance to A$2,600–2,800 per ounce. The gold miner also confirmed its annual production guidance will now be 1,600,000–1,700,000 ounces.

What did Northern Star report?

• FY26 AISC guidance lifted to A$2,600–2,800/oz (up from A$2,300–2,700/oz)
• FY26 Group production guidance downgraded to 1.6–1.7 million ounces (previously 1.7–1.85 million ounces)
• Higher royalties due to increased gold prices are expected to add around A$40/oz to costs
• Sustaining capital guidance for FY26 remains steady at ~A$750 million, or ~A$450/oz
• 1H FY26 actual AISC was A$2,720/oz

What else do investors need to know?

Northern Star flagged these cost and production changes after disappointing gold sales across all three production centres in the December quarter. Management says the main drivers for higher AISC are lower volumes and increased royalties as gold prices have risen.

The company is sticking with its sustaining capital expenditure targets, signalling confidence in its long-term asset investment. Investors can expect further detail when Northern Star releases its December quarterly results on 22 January.

What’s next for Northern Star?

Northern Star says these guidance changes are intended to give investors a clearer picture of FY26 expectations ahead of the quarterly report. The company will update shareholders further on its performance and outlook once the full quarterly results are out.

Focus will now turn to how management executes operational improvements and whether gold prices remain high enough to offset rising costs for the remainder of the year.

Northern Star share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Northern Star resources shares have risen 63%, 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 revises FY26 cost guidance after lower gold sales appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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