• Brokers agree, ARB Corporation shares are looking seriously cheap

    A woman has a big smile on her face as she drives her 4WD along the beach.

    ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB) shares had a bit of a shocker yesterday when the company reported its first-half results, and to be honest, the shares have had a pretty rough trot over the past 12 months.

    ARB shares bounced back strongly today, up 12.9% to $24.12, but they are still 37.1% lower than a year ago and 24.4% lower than at the start of this calendar year.

    The good news for investors is that three brokers who’ve had a look at the result all believe the company has a strong core business, and two have particularly bullish 12-month price targets on the stock.

    More on that later, but let’s first have a look at what the company reported this week.

    Soft profit result

    ARB said in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday that sales revenue fell 1% in the first half to $357.9 million, while net profit was 17.2% lower at $42.2 million.

    The company also kept its fully-franked dividend steady at 34 cents per share.

    The company said sales to the Australian aftermarket fell 1.7%, “affected by lower new vehicle sales for ARB’s core model platforms and the ongoing shortage of accessory fitment resources”.

    The company added:

    Deliveries of vehicles core to ARB’s sales were flat in 1H FY2026. In particular, sales of a number of key new vehicle models declined such as the Ford Ranger (-1%), Ford Everest (-9%), Land Cruiser 70 Series (-12%) and Isuzu D Max (-13%). The LandCruiser Prado recorded a 67% increase in sales for the half, reflecting the significantly lower volumes in the prior period due to the model changeover.

    Sales to export markets were 8.8% higher, the company said, driven by 26.1% growth in the US, offset by flat sales in the rest of the world.

    The company added:

    Sales growth in the United States continues to be well supported by the company’s strategic relationship with Toyota US, the strong performance of the US e-commerce platform launched in 2024, an accelerated new product programme led by a dedicated US engineering team and expanding wholesale channel activity.

    ARB said it had launched a direct-to-consumer e-commerce site in February, which should also bolster sales.

    In terms of the profit fall, the company said the strong Thai baht had an impact; however, the company had largely hedged its baht exposure for the second half of the year.

    On the outlook, the company said it expected the Australian market to remain challenging, while the outlook for the offshore market “remains positive”.  

    ARB shares looking cheap

    The analyst teams at Morgans, UBS, and RBC Capital Markets all had a look at the result and are positive on the outlook for the company.

    The UBS team said that while the Australian market did indeed look challenging, they believed the business’ fundamentals were strong.

    They said:

    We take a step back and look at the strength of the ARB brand. We don’t believe the brand/business is broken, we are excited by the expansion opportunity in the US and ARB has significantly derated. ARB’s share price has fallen 34% since mid Jan26 – We see this as an opportunity to buy a high-quality company on depressed earnings.

    UBS has a price target of $25.50 on ARB shares.

    RBC Capital Markets has a much more bullish price target of $45 on ARB Corporation shares, saying there were clear positives out of the result, including the US sales growth and “upbeat outlook commentary across the Aftermarket, Export and US supporting an improved FY26 outlook”.

    Morgan Stanley, meanwhile, has a price target of $44 on ARB Corporation shares.

    The post Brokers agree, ARB Corporation shares are looking seriously cheap appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in ARB Corporation right now?

    Before you buy ARB Corporation shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and ARB Corporation wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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    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 positions in and has recommended ARB Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Buy recommendation: Broker says this ASX 200 stock goes from ‘good to great’

    A man holding a cup of coffee puts his thumb up and smiles while at laptop.

    Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) shares have been on form this week.

    Investors have been bidding the diversified services company’s shares higher after it released a strong half-year result.

    For the six months ended 31 December, the ASX 200 stock reported a 52.6% increase in net profit after tax to $64.9 million.

    The good news is that the company’s managing director, Zoran Bebic, believes this positive form can continue. He said:

    Long-term demand in the resources and energy sectors is expected to continue, supported by an improved global economic growth outlook. Continued investment in new and existing operations in Western Australia’s iron ore sector is driving demand for both maintenance and construction services, with the energy sector to offer substantial prospects.

    The even better news is that Bell Potter doesn’t believe it is too late to invest in this ASX 200 stock.

    What is the broker saying?

    Bell Potter has been impressed with Monadelphous’ performance in FY 2026 and notes that it is going “from good to great.” It highlights that the ASX 200 stock delivered a first-half result ahead of expectations. It said:

    Group revenue (including JV sales) was $1,530m (BPe $1,502m), up 46% YoY, and in line with guidance. Engineering Construction division revenue was $678m (BPe $671m), up 67% YoY, reflecting significant growth in work delivered from contracts awarded over the past 18 months, greater activity at Zenviron and an expansion of end-to-end capabilities. Maintenance and Industrial Services revenue of $852m (BPe $835m) was a record and up 32% YoY, with growth driven by increased turnaround activity and brownfield energy work delivery, and sustained elevated demand from iron ore clients.

    EBITDA margin of 7.6% was ahead of our 7.3% and consistent with the PcP. The stronger than expected EBITDA margin drove a 5% beat to our EBITDA forecast. NPAT of $64.9m (BPe $60.8m), was up 53% YoY. An interim fully franked dividend of 49cps was declared (BPe 46cps).

    Should you invest?

    In response to the results, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on its shares with an improved price target of $37.00 (from $33.00).

    Based on its current share price of $30.55, this implies potential upside of 21% for investors over the next 12 months. In addition, the broker is forecasting a 3.2% dividend yield over the period.

    Bell Potter believes that the ASX 200 stock is positioned to sustain its strong operating momentum. It said:

    Our Target Price lifts to $37.00/sh (previously $33.00/sh) given the more optimistic earnings growth outlook. We retain the Buy recommendation. We expect MND can sustain current strong operating momentum across the Group in the short-term given its contracted position and further work package awards likely to land in 2H FY26. MND’s increasing liquidity gives the company optionality to lean aggressively on M&A or return excess capital to shareholders.

    The post Buy recommendation: Broker says this ASX 200 stock goes from ‘good to great’ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Monadelphous Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Monadelphous Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Monadelphous Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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.

  • Why this small-cap ASX share could rise 69%

    Two happy excited friends in euphoria mood after winning in a bet with a smartphone in hand.

    If you have a higher-than-average tolerance for risk, it could be worth considering a little exposure to the small side of the market for a balanced portfolio.

    Right now, the team at Bell Potter sees significant value on offer with the small-cap ASX share in this article.

    Which small-cap ASX share?

    The small-cap that Bell Potter is tipping as a buy is Praemium Ltd (ASX: PPS).

    It is a growing investment platform and branded online portfolio administration service provider.

    The broker notes that following the launch of Spectrum in 2024, the small-cap ASX share integrates heritage managed models with broader investment options for a complete high net worth value proposition.

    Bell Potter was pleased with Praemium’s performance in the first half of FY 2026 and believes synergies are on the way. It said:

    PPS delivered a strong result, consistent with prior aspiration for double digit revenue growth and slight operational leverage. PPS does not provide net inflow guidance but mentioned it expects meaningful flows to follow the recent client onboarding. Things generally sound better with PPS now on track to realise +$3m run-rate EBITDA from OV before incrementing. Levers to achieving this include the final FTE synergies, and ending of the TSA, completed in Feb’25, providing confidence in the target.

    Commenting on the result, the broker adds:

    Pro-forma revenue of $56.0m was up +5% on pcp against our $55.6m forecast with Platform revenue ex-churn from OV up +10% on pcp. […] EBITDA of $15.2m was up +18% on pcp. PPS continued to exercise measured cost growth around mid-single digits and captured some initial synergies, the net effect of this driving outperformance against our $14.8m forecast. Below EBITDA line, items were broadly in-line with our thinking, where NPAT of $8.7m was up +11% on pcp.

    Big potential returns

    The broker sees potential for Praemium’s shares to rise strongly from current levels. According to the note, it has retained its buy rating and $1.20 price target on its shares.

    Based on its current share price of 71 cents, this implies potential upside of approximately 69% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Overall, Bell Potter believes that things are looking up for this small-cap and is expecting double-digit revenue growth through to at least 2028. It concludes:

    PPS offered little surprises and remains well placed to reinvigorate sales growth while making the operations leaner. Our Buy rating is unchanged and we continue to see an opening to achieve double digit revenue growth, amplified through cost-out measures.

    The post Why this small-cap ASX share could rise 69% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Praemium Limited right now?

    Before you buy Praemium Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Praemium Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 positions in and has recommended Praemium. 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.

  • Why is the Fortescue share price racing ahead of the benchmark on Wednesday?

    happy mining worker fortescue share price

    The Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price is charging higher today.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) iron ore giant closed trading yesterday for $20.20. As we head into the Wednesday lunch hour, shares are swapping hands for $20.67 apiece, up 2.3%.

    That’s well ahead of the 0.9% gains posted by the ASX 200 at this same time.

    Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

    Fortescue share price jumps on 23% profit improvement

    Investors are bidding up the Fortescue share price following this morning’s release of the company’s half-year results (H1 FY 2026).

    Highlights include record-high first-half iron ore shipments of 100.2 million tonnes. That’s up 3% from H1 FY 2025.

    And revenue for the six months jumped 10% to US$8.4 billion. This was driven by higher sales volumes and an increase in the Hematite (iron ore) realised price to US$91 per dry metric tonne (dmt).

    Pleasingly, costs were lower, with the miner reporting a Hematite C1 unit cost of US$18.64 per wet metric tonne (wmt). That’s down 3% year on year, with management crediting the improvement to an ongoing focus on operational efficiency and cost management.

    In other strong growth metrics helping lift the Fortescue share price today, underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$4.5 billion was up 23% from H1 FY 2025.

    And on the bottom line, Fortescue’s net profit after tax (NPAT) leapt 23% to US$1.9 billion.

    In light of this strong performance, management rewarded passive income investors with a fully franked interim dividend of 62 Aussie cents per share. That’s up 24% from last year’s interim payout.

    If you want to bank that Fortescue dividend, you’ll need to own shares at market close this Friday, 27 February. The ASX 200 miner trades ex-dividend on Monday. You can then expect to receive the latest passive income payout on 30 March.

    Looking ahead, Fortescue provided full-year FY 2026 guidance for iron ore shipments in the range of 195 million to 205 million tonnes.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the results helping boost the Fortescue share price today, Fortescue Metals and Operations CEO Dino Otranto said, “It’s been a standout first half of the financial year.”

    And he pointed to Fortescue’s ongoing green energy push as a key driver of the strong results.

    “We have the lowest operating cost in the industry, and decarbonisation is pushing that even lower,” Otranto said.

    And, like its rival ASX 200 iron ore miners, Fortescue is actively expanding its copper footprint as demand for the red metal sends global copper prices to all-time highs.

    “We expect to finalise shortly the acquisition of Alta Copper, strengthening our copper portfolio in Latin America,” Fortescue Growth and Energy CEO Gus Pichot said.

    With today’s intraday gains factored in, the Fortescue share price is up 15% in 12 months, not including dividends.

    The post Why is the Fortescue share price racing ahead of the benchmark on Wednesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Fortescue Metals Group right now?

    Before you buy Fortescue Metals Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Fortescue Metals Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Why the SiteMinder share price is jumping 8% today

    A man clenches his fists with glee having seen the share price go up on the computer screen in front of him.

    SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR) shares are higher on Wednesday after the hotel software company delivered its half-year results.

    At the time of writing, the SiteMinder share price is up 8.16% to $3.18.

    The gain follows a sharp sell-off in recent weeks. The stock is down roughly 43% over the past month amid broader weakness across artificial intelligence-linked tech names.

    Here’s what the company reported for the 6 months ended 31 December 2025.

    Revenue and ARR continue to accelerate

    SiteMinder reported total revenue of $131.1 million for H1 FY26, up 23% year on year on a constant currency organic basis. This compared to 21% growth in H2 FY25.

    Subscription revenue increased 14%, while transaction revenue rose 38.2%, supported by uptake of products including Dynamic Revenue Plus and the Smart Distribution Program.

    Annualised recurring revenue (ARR) climbed 27.4% to $280.3 million on a constant currency organic basis. Subscription ARR increased 15.7%, while transaction ARR surged 49.2%.

    Net property additions were 2,900 during the half, taking total properties on the platform to 53,000, representing 2.5 million rooms globally.

    Margins expand as scale benefits emerge

    Gross margin improved during the period, reflecting operating leverage and product mix.

    Adjusted subscription gross margin increased 125 basis points to 86.7%. Adjusted transaction gross margin rose 558 basis points to 40.1%. At the group level, adjusted gross margin increased 98 basis points to 67.8%.

    Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled to $12.3 million, up from $5.3 million in the prior corresponding period.

    On a reported basis, operating cash flow improved by $11.6 million to $17.4 million. Adjusted free cash flow was positive at $2.7 million, compared to an outflow in H1 FY25.

    Operating expenses increased during the half as SiteMinder continued investing in product development and go-to-market capabilities. Despite this, adjusted net loss after income tax narrowed to $3.9 million, compared with a loss of $9 million in the prior corresponding period.

    Outlook unchanged

    Management reiterated its focus on sustaining ARR growth while improving profitability metrics.

    Building on the 27.4% ARR growth delivered in H1, the company expects continued ARR growth through FY26, alongside further improvement in adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow.

    SiteMinder noted that transaction product adoption and Smart Platform initiatives remain key drivers of revenue growth and margin expansion.

    Foolish Takeaway

    SiteMinder delivered another period of strong revenue and ARR growth, with margins improving and free cash flow turning positive.

    While the share price has been heavily impacted by the recent tech sell-off, today’s strong result points to continued operational momentum.

    Attention now turns to whether ARR growth and expanding margins can translate into sustained profitability in the second half.

    The post Why the SiteMinder share price is jumping 8% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in SiteMinder Limited right now?

    Before you buy SiteMinder Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and SiteMinder Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Bell Potter says this ASX All Ords stock is a top buy

    Three happy office workers cheer as they read about good financial news on a laptop.

    Now could be a good time to buy the ASX All Ords stock in this article.

    That’s the view of analysts at Bell Potter, who are tipping it as a buy following its half-year results.

    Which ASX All Ords stock?

    The stock in question is Mader Group Ltd (ASX: MAD).

    It is a leading provider of specialised contract labour for maintenance of heavy mobile equipment in the resources and civil industries.

    As well as its core market, Bell Potter notes that it is currently pursuing growth opportunities in large addressable markets. This includes in the United States mining and energy markets.

    Bell Potter highlights that Mader’s performance in the first half of FY 2026 was slightly softer than expected due to weaker margins. However, improvements are expected in the second half. It said:

    MAD delivered Group revenue of $485m (BPe $488m), up 18% YoY. At the divisional level, Australia revenue was $385m (BPe $384m), up 19% YoY, North America delivered revenue of $90m (BPe $91m), up 13% YoY, and RoW revenue was $10.6m (BPe $12.6m), up 36% YoY. Group EBITDA of $56.2m (BPe $61.0m) grew 9% YoY, with weaker than expected margins across the segments: Australia 11.1% (vs BPe 12.1%); North America 17.0% (vs BPe 19.1%); and RoW 14.2% (vs BPe 16.0%).

    Australia and North America profitability is anticipated to improve in 2H FY26 as revenue lifts quicker than the respective segment’s cost bases. The interim dividend was deferred to bring forward achievement of net cash (excluding leases) to support the company’s financial position before it embarks on a “more aggressive approach to organic and inorganic growth opportunities.

    Should you invest?

    The broker sees value in the ASX All Ords stock at current levels. In response to its results, the broker has upgraded its shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $9.70 (from $9.00).

    Based on its current share price of $8.16, this implies potential upside of 19% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

    Our Target Price lifts on a roll forward of our segment DCF models and a lower WACC. The 1H FY26 result puts MAD on track to achieve FY26 NPAT guidance of >$65.0m (BPe $67.3m new; VA $67.6m). MAD continues to expand rapidly into adjacent markets in Australia and convert well on business development opportunities across North America, with labour recruitment and deployment into the region the key constraint. Disclosure of MAD’s next 5-year strategy represents a near-term catalyst.

    The post Bell Potter says this ASX All Ords stock is a top buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Mader Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Mader Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Mader Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Iress shares surge 12% as profit beats guidance and margins expand

    A young man punches the air in delight as he reacts to great news on his mobile phone.

    Shares in Iress Ltd (ASX: IRE) have jumped 12% on Wednesday (at the time of writing) after the financial software provider delivered full-year results ahead of guidance and outlined a clear pathway to higher margins in FY26.

    The rally reflects investor enthusiasm for improving earnings momentum, a strengthened balance sheet, and renewed dividend confidence.

    What did Iress report?

    Iress reported statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $79.3 million for the year ended 31 December 2025, down 10% on the prior year. However, underlying profit after tax (UPAT) rose 16% to $73.9 million, beating guidance.

    Headline adjusted EBITDA increased 2% to $136.2 million, ahead of the $128 million to $132 million guidance range. On a continuing business basis (i.e. excluding divested assets), revenue rose 6% to $504.3 million, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 15% to $132.6 million. Margins expanded to 26%, up 192 basis points.

    Underlying earnings per share increased 16% to 39.6 cents.

    The board declared a final dividend of 13 cents per share, 100% franked, bringing total FY25 dividends to 24 cents per share.

    What else do investors need to know?

    FY25 marked the completion of Iress’ simplification strategy, exiting non-core businesses such as Superannuation and QuantHouse.

    Proceeds from asset sales were used to reduce debt, with leverage falling to 0.5x at year-end, down from 1.0x a year earlier. Net debt reduced materially, providing flexibility to reinvest in product development and support capital returns.

    Performance across the continuing business was robust:

    • Global Trading & Market Data revenue rose 6%, with adjusted EBITDA up 8%
    • APAC Wealth revenue grew 2%, with second-half momentum strengthening
    • UK revenue increased 7%, driving a 50% lift in segment EBITDA

    Operating discipline remained a key theme, with cost controls supporting margin expansion.

    What did management say?

    Group CEO Andrew Russell said FY25 reflected disciplined execution and sharper operational focus following the company’s portfolio reset.

    He highlighted progress on the accelerated business efficiency program, targeting around $30 million in annualised cost savings by the end of FY26, with approximately 60% already delivered.

    What’s next for Iress?

    For FY26, Iress expects revenue of $520 million to $528 million and cash EBITDA of $116 million to $123 million, implying 15% to 23% growth. UPAT is forecast at $84 million to $90 million.

    Importantly, management is targeting a FY26 cash EBITDA margin exit run-rate of more than 25%.

    After a period of restructuring and divestments, investors appear to be backing Iress’ leaner model and improving earnings trajectory.

    The post Iress shares surge 12% as profit beats guidance and margins expand appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in IRESS Limited right now?

    Before you buy IRESS Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and IRESS Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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.

  • Appen share price leaping 14% today on surging full-year earnings

    A female athlete in green spandex leaps from one cliff edge to another representing 3 ASX shares that are destined to rise and be great

    The Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price is racing higher today,

    Shares in the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) tech stock, which provides data solutions for AI applications, closed yesterday trading for $1.325. In late morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $1.51 apiece, up 14%.

    For some context, the All Ords is up 0.9% at this same time.

    This strong outperformance follows the release of Appen’s full calendar year 2025 results.

    Here’s what’s got ASX investors reaching for their buy buttons today.

    (*Note, all figures below in US dollars.)

    Appen share price leaps on earnings growth

    For the 12 months to 31 December, the ASX tech stock reported operating revenue of $230.8 million, up 4.5% from 2024. Management said the ongoing turnaround within Appen Global was supported by strong growth from Appen China.

    While Appen Global revenue of $127.9 million was down 21% year on year, Appen China revenue of $102.9 million was up 75%, driven by new and expanding large language model (LLM) related projects.

    The company credited a greater mix of generative AI projects for the 1.00% increase in gross margin, which came to 40.3% in 2025.

    And the Appen share price looks to be getting a lift with the company reporting a 251% year-on-year increase in underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), before FX, to $12.2 million. That reflects a 5.3% EBITDA margin.

    On the bottom line, management noted that underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) improvement “was minimal despite the EBITDA improvement due to an increase in non-cash amortisation”.

    Appen reported a net loss after tax of $10.3 million, compared to a $10.5 million loss reported in 2024.

    As at 31 December, Appen had a cash balance of $59.8 million, down 33% from last year.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the full-year results boosting the Appen share price today, CEO Ryan Kolln said, “FY25 was pleasing as we saw durable improvements to the business, with new wins in generative AI, operational efficiencies, and the revenue trajectory throughout the year.”

    Kolln added:

    Q4 in particular saw a strong finish to the year for both our China and Global businesses. Appen China achieved a meaningful milestone exceeding $100 million in revenue for the full year.

    What’s ahead for the Appen share price?

    Looking to what’s ahead for the ASX All Ords tech stock, Kolln said:

    With the progress we continue to make, we are confident that Appen is well positioned to capture growth at a global scale as AI adoption deepens across consumer, enterprise and emerging applications. We have a strong balance sheet and maintain our focus on revenue growth and ongoing underlying EBITDA profitability.

    Appen provided full-year 2026 revenue guidance in the range of $270 million to $300 million. The company expects to achieve an underlying EBITDA (before FX) margin of around 5% to 10%.

    With today’s big intraday lift factored in, the Appen share price is now up 75.6% in 2026.

    The post Appen share price leaping 14% today on surging full-year earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Appen Limited right now?

    Before you buy Appen Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Appen Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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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 Appen. 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.

  • WiseTech shares jump 7% on its half-year results

    A man in a suit looks surprised as he looks through binoculars.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares have jumped 7.65% higher in morning trade on Wednesday. At the time of writing, the beaten-down tech stock has climbed to $46.28 a piece. The uptick follows the company’s half-year results for FY26, which it posted ahead of the ASX open this morning.

    It’s good news for the logistics software company after several huge headwinds sent WiseTech shares crashing over the past 8 months.

    This morning’s increase means the shares are now down 32.48% year-to-date and 51.3% on the year.

    Here’s what investors were happy with in WiseTech’s latest results

    For the six-month period ended 31st December 2025, WiseTech posted increases across most of the business

    The company posted an impressive 76% total revenue surge to US$672 million, compared with $381 million in the first half of FY25. 

    Revenue from its CargoWise business increased 12% on the prior corresponding period (pcp) alone, to US$372.4 million. This was thanks to customer growth and global rollouts. The increase included $6.6 million from FY25 M&A and a $3.7 million FX tailwind, with 1H/2H skew now expected to be more in line with FY25 as initiatives continue to roll out. Organically, CargoWise revenue grew by 9% on the pcp, or $30.4 million.

    WiseTech also posted a 31% increase in EBITDA to US$252.1 million, and a 2% increase in underlying net profit to US$114.5 million.

    Its statutory NPAT, however, dropped 36% to US$68.1 million. This was due to increased intangible amortisation and interest expenses related to the consolidation of e2open (which was completed on the 4th of August 2025).

    WiseTech confirmed that on the 30th of July 2025, $2.4 billion of its $3 billion senior unsecured syndicated debt facility was drawn down as bank loans. This was used to complete the acquisition of e2open and provide additional working capital and liquidity. 

    WiseTech’s net leverage ratio was 3.2x as at 31 December 2025. It expects to deleverage to ~3.0x by the end of FY26 and ~2.5x by the end of FY27. It expects to progress toward a long-term target of less than 2.0x by August 2028.

    AI transformation = job cuts

    WiseTech said it is undergoing a “deep AI transformation” in what it described as the “most significant shift in decades”.

    As part of this transformation, the company said it is expecting to reduce teams in FY26 and FY27. Initially, WiseTech said it expects to reduce product and development, and customer service across the company, including e2open, by up to 50% in headcount. 

    Overall, it expects the program will see a reduction of approximately 2,000 roles in FY26 and FY27.

    The post WiseTech shares jump 7% on its half-year results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in WiseTech Global right now?

    Before you buy WiseTech Global shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and WiseTech Global wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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    >>>>> href=”"”https://www.fool.Motley”> contributor Samantha Menzies 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 WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Tabcorp shares surge higher after net profit smashes expectations

    A jockey gets down low on a beautiful race horse as they flash past in a professional horse race with another competitor and horse a little further behind in the background.

    Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) shares have surged as much as 20% in early trade after the company easily surpassed analysts’ expectations for half-year net profit.

    The company said in a statement to the ASX on Wednesday that group revenue was a modest 1% higher at $1.345 billion, while EBITDA before significant items was $2178.4 million, up 14.3%.

    The statutory net profit before significant items came in at $35.7 million, up 61.5%.

    A solid set of numbers

    The team at Jarden has had a look at the result and said that the adjusted net profit figure was a hefty 34% higher than consensus estimates, while the unfranked interim dividend of 1.5 cents, up from 1 cent, was also a positive surprise.

    Jarden has an overweight rating on the stock and a price target of 95 cents.

    Tabcorp Holdings shares traded as high as $1.02 early on Wednesday, up 20%, before settling back to be 15.9% higher at 98.5 cents.

    Cost control the key

    Tabcorp Managing Director Gillon McLachlan said the company was “executing on our game plan while delivering ongoing cost and capital discipline”.

    He added:

    There’s greater depth in our business. I’m proud we’ve delivered double digit earnings growth in a half where wagering operators were impacted by a run of low yields during the Footy Finals and Spring Racing Carnival. We have been able to absorb this through strong execution by the team, particularly on the cost side, and through the diversity in our business. “Through TAB and SKY, our digital, retail and media assets are more closely connected, creating a genuine omnichannel experience for our customers and I expect that to evolve further in the second half of the year. TAB Takeover, TAB Time, Mega Pot and Miss By One products are examples of the differentiation we are creating. “There’s more to do and we’re not where we want to be yet, but we have made significant progress in the first half, and we will remain relentless in executing on our strategy in the second half and beyond.

    Tabcorp’s net debt was $631.2 million at the end of the half, with the company saying its strong balance sheet put it in a good position to pursue growth opportunities.

    No comment was made about Tabcorp’s takeover approach to Betmakers, which the smaller company confirmed earlier this month had happened.

    The company will pay its dividend on March 24 to shareholders on the register on March 3.

    Tabcorp was valued at $1.95 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

    The post Tabcorp shares surge higher after net profit smashes expectations appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Tabcorp Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Tabcorp Holdings Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Tabcorp Holdings Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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    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 positions in and has recommended Betmakers Technology Group. 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.