WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares have taken a heavy hit on Friday.

In mid-afternoon trade, the WiseTech share price is down 11.08% to $42.30. Earlier in the session, the stock fell as low as $40.59 before recovering slightly. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has also weakened during this period.

It has been a brutal period for shareholders. The stock is now almost 40% lower over the past month and down around 16% this week alone.

The sharp decline hasn’t been driven by any new announcements from the company this year. Instead, the weakness appears to be part of a broader pullback across global technology stocks.

No company news, but heavy selling continues

Global markets have seen heavy selling in technology names over the past week. In the US, the Nasdaq Index has dropped sharply amid growing concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) disruption and stretched valuations across the sector.

Software stocks have been among the weaker performers during this period. WiseTech, as one of the ASX’s larger technology companies, has been caught up in that trend.

The size of the sell-off suggests investors are pulling back from technology stocks in general, and not responding to any specific issue at WiseTech.

A look at the business

WiseTech develops logistics and supply chain software used by freight forwarders, customs brokers, and transport providers around the world. Its flagship CargoWise platform is used across more than 190 countries.

The company has built a reputation as one of the ASX’s leading software performers. Since listing in 2016, it has delivered strong revenue growth and expanded through both product development and acquisitions.

WiseTech has a market capitalisation of roughly $14.1 billion and more than 336 million shares on issue.

Despite the recent sell-off, the company’s core business model remains unchanged.

Results just around the corner

WiseTech is scheduled to release its half-year results and interim dividend announcement on 25 February 2026. That update will provide clearer insight into revenue growth, margins, and management commentary on current trading conditions.

With the share price already under pressure, the upcoming result carries added weight. Investors will be looking for evidence that earnings growth remains on track and that the recent sell-off has been overdone.

Foolish bottom line

At $42.30, WiseTech shares are trading well below their levels from just a month ago. The speed of the decline highlights how quickly market sentiment can shift, particularly in the technology sector.

The upcoming results later this month are likely to play a key role in determining the stock’s near-term direction.

The post Why WiseTech shares are plunging 11% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today
• 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather
• A once-in-a-decade chance to buy ASX 200 tech stocks like WiseTech, Megaport and NextDC?
• Buy this ASX tech share after the AI software selloff
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

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 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week deep in the red. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 1.35% to 8,923.1 points.

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

Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)

The Austal share price is down 21% to $4.99. This follows the release of a disappointing earnings guidance update from the ship builder on Friday. Austal revealed that it had previously overstated its potential earnings for the year. Its previous guidance included incentives that had already been recognised in Austal USA’s forecast. As a result, there was a US$17.1 million overstatement included in its FY 2026 EBIT guidance. This led to Austal updating its EBIT guidance for FY 2026 to approximately A$110 million from A$135 million previously.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price is down 19% to $199.69. This morning, Cochlear released its half-year results and reported a 1% increase in sales revenue to $1.176 billion and a 9% decline in underlying net profit to $195 million. And while management has reaffirmed its earnings guidance for FY 2026, it expects to be at the lower end of its $435 million to $460 million range. A slower-than-expected rollout of the new Cochlear Nucleus Nexa system was largely to blame for the soft performance.

Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK)

The Nick Scali share price is down 19% to $19.31. This was despite the furniture retailer releasing its half-year results and reporting strong revenue and profit growth. Nick Scali’s revenue was up 7.2% to $269.3 million and its net profit was up 36.4% to $41 million. Though, investors may be disappointed with the performance of its UK operations, which posted a loss of $5.6 million for the half.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The WiseTech Global share price is down a further 10% to $42.61. This is despite there being no news out of the logistics solutions technology company. However, it is worth noting that most ASX tech stocks are falling heavily today. So much so, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index is down by almost 4% this afternoon. WiseTech shares are now down by approximately 38% since just the start of the year. Artificial intelligence disruption concerns have been weighing heavily on software stocks.

The post Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather
• Everything you need to know about the latest Cochlear dividend
• Cochlear shares sink 17% on results day
• Why are Austal shares plunging more than 20% today?
• Nick Scali shares plunging 11% today despite big dividend boost

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Cochlear and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear and Nick Scali. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 1.3% at 8,925.3 points at the time of writing on Friday.

The market is taking a breather after a strong week that saw the ASX 200 lift to a 14-week high of 9,043.5 points.

Earnings season is well underway, with strong results from several majors pushing the ASX 200 3.84% higher by Thursday’s close.

On Wednesday, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) surprised the market with a 6% cash profit lift for 1H FY26.

That saw CBA shares snatch the crown as the largest ASX 200 stock by market cap back from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) on Thursday.

CBA declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share, up 4% from 1H FY25, with the ex-dividend date next Wednesday.

Check out other ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend next week here.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) also surprised with a $1.94 billion cash profit in 1Q FY26, up 75% on the 2H FY25 quarterly average.

That news sent ANZ shares to a record high of $40.95 today.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) also impressed with a 41% lift in statutory profit to $714.4 million for 1H FY26.

Northern Star will pay a fully-franked interim dividend of 25 cents per share.

The positive result sent the largest gold miner on the ASX 200 to a record high of $30.21 per share yesterday.

While some ASX 200 shares are hitting record highs, many are skirting new lows this week.

ASX 200 shares at 52-week lows on Friday

Scores of ASX 200 shares are hitting multi-year lows today.

Here is a sample of them.

JB Hi‑Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

The JB Hi‑Fi Ltd share price fell 3.9% to an 18-month low of $76.34 on Friday.

The popular retailer is due to release its earnings report on Monday, according to our calendar.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple & Webster shares dipped 5.2% to a two-year low of $7.24.

This ASX 200 retail share got smashed this week after dropping its 1H FY26 report.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price has disintegrated on Friday after the release of the company’s 1H FY26 results.

The ASX 200 healthcare share nosedived 17.8% to a two-and-a-half-year low of $202.21.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price tumbled 5.4% to a three-year low of $72.26 on Friday.

Tech shares are having a rough trot, particularly those in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) space, due to fears that AI will replace them.

The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) is down 24% in the year to date.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus shares dived 8.3% to a two-and-a-half-year low of $118.23 on Friday.

Investors thrashed this ASX 200 healthcare share despite the company reporting record results this week.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Aristocrat Leisure shares dipped 4.9% to an 18-month low of $48.48 on Friday.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Today, the WiseTech share price tanked 14.7% to a three-and-a-half-year low of $40.59.

Wisetech will release its earnings report on Wednesday.

Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne shares dropped 7.1% to an 18-month low of $20.17 today.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price fell 2.8% to a two-year low of $8.83.

Guzman y Gomez (ASX: GYG)

Guzman y Gomez shares dropped 8.7% to a record low of $18.58 on Friday.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

The Mirvac Group share price fell 1.6% to a 52-week low of $1.90.

The ASX 200 property share will be on watch next Wednesday when the company releases its earnings report.

Dexus (ASX: DXS)

This ASX 200 REIT share fell 2.5% to a 52-week low of $6.16 on Friday.

Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)

The Objective Corporation share price fell 4% to a two-year low of $12.88 today.

The post 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today
• Everything you need to know about the latest Cochlear dividend
• Cochlear shares sink 17% on results day
• Cochlear posts modest sales growth but lower profit as Nexa launch continues
• Are Temple & Webster shares a buy after falling 32% yesterday following earnings results?

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear, Objective, Technology One, Telix Pharmaceuticals, Temple & Webster Group, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Objective, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Cochlear, Pro Medicus, Technology One, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Starting out in the share market can feel scary. There are hundreds of ASX shares, sharp daily price movements, and no shortage of opinions about what to buy.

If I were beginning with just $500 today, I would keep things simple. The goal at that stage would not be to maximise returns. It would be to build confidence, good habits, and a foundation I could build on over time.

Here is how I would approach it.

Step 1: Focus on learning

With $500, I think the most valuable return is experience.

I would avoid trying to pick a speculative ASX stock or time the market. Instead, I would treat that first investment as a long-term position and a learning opportunity. Watching how a share moves, how dividends are paid, and how company announcements affect a share price helps build familiarity.

The aim would be to get comfortable with the process rather than chasing quick gains.

Step 2: Look for broad exposure

If I were not comfortable stock-picking from the off, I wouldn’t worry. A good alternative would be to choose a low-cost exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks a broad index.

For example, something like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) provides exposure to 300 of the largest shares on the ASX in a single trade. That reduces the risk of picking the wrong individual stock early on.

With one purchase, I would gain exposure to banks, resources, healthcare, infrastructure, and more. It is a simple way to participate in the overall market while I continue learning.

Step 3: Commit to regular investing

That $500 would not be a one-off decision. I would make a plan to add to the portfolio regularly, even if the amounts were small.

As my confidence grew, I might begin adding individual ASX shares to my portfolio.

High-quality, established companies with robust business models are often better starting points than small speculative names. The focus would remain on businesses, I understand, and would be comfortable holding through market ups and downs.

Consistency matters more than starting size. Investing $200 or $500 at regular intervals builds discipline and allows compounding to begin working early.

Over time, those steady contributions can grow into a meaningful portfolio.

Step 4: Avoid overtrading

One of the easiest mistakes beginners make is trading too often.

With $500, brokerage costs can quickly eat into returns if you are constantly buying and selling. I would aim to make one considered purchase and then let it sit while I continue contributing.

Patience is a skill that becomes more valuable the longer you invest.

Foolish Takeaway

If I were starting with $500, I would not try to be clever. I would aim to be consistent.

By starting small and committing to regular investing, I would build the habits that matter most. Over time, those habits can do far more for wealth creation than any single stock tip ever could.

The post ASX beginner? Here’s what I would do if I were starting with $500 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today
• 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather
• This ASX biotech just entered a trading halt. Here’s what we know
• Everything you need to know about the latest Cochlear dividend
• ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. 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 Botanix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: BOT) share price has been placed in a trading halt today. This comes after the management team asked the ASX to pause trading while it prepares an announcement.

Before the halt, Botanix shares were down 2.61% to 11 cents. The stock is now down about 17% so far this year, adding to what has already been a tough period for investors.

According to the ASX notice, trading will remain on hold until the company makes its announcement or until normal trading resumes on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, whichever comes first.

Why has trading been halted?

In its announcement, Botanix said the trading halt relates to a potential capital raising.

A capital raising involves issuing new shares to existing and sometimes new investors to raise funds. The proceeds are then used to grow the business, strengthen the balance sheet, or support product launches.

The company has not yet disclosed the size, structure, or pricing of the proposed raising. Further details are expected once trading resumes.

A quick refresher on Botanix

Botanix is a dermatology company based in the United States.

Its lead product, Sofdra, has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis, or excessive underarm sweating.

Sofdra is described as the first and only new chemical treatment approved for this condition, marking an important milestone for the company.

As Botanix builds out its commercial operations, it is not yet consistently profitable. The business requires funding to support marketing, distribution, and day-to-day operations as it rolls out Sofdra.

The company has a market capitalisation of about $220 million and nearly 2 billion shares on issue.

What investors should watch next

When trading resumes, the market reaction will likely depend on the size and pricing of the capital raising.

If new shares are issued at a discount to the last traded price of 11 cents, it could put short-term pressure on the share price. On the other hand, if investors see the raising as strengthening the company’s position, sentiment could improve.

Investors will also want clarity on how the funds will be used and whether new shareholders will have a chance to participate.

Foolish Takeaway

While capital raisings can strengthen a company’s position, they can also dilute the existing value of current shareholdings.

Ultimately, Botanix’s longer-term performance will hinge on whether Sofdra can generate impactful sales and move the business toward profitability.

The post This ASX biotech just entered a trading halt. Here’s what we know appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today
• 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather
• ASX beginner? Here’s what I would do if I were starting with $500
• Everything you need to know about the latest Cochlear dividend
• ASX shares with ex-dividend dates 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.

ASX earnings season continues this Friday, with the latest numbers coming in from a few ASX 200 shares today. One of the ASX 200 shares reporting today is healthcare stock Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH). And boy, are Cochlear’s latest numbers and new dividend, prompting a dramatic reaction from the markets.

The company, best known for its hearing implants, revealed its financial results for the six months to 31 December 2025 this morning. And they caused quite the stir.

As we covered earlier this session, Cochlear reported half-year sales revenue of $1.18 billion, up just 1% on the prior corresponding period.

It didn’t get any better from there. Cochlear also revealed a statutory net profit of $161.5 million, down a nasty 21%. Underlying profits were a little better, but still came in at $195 million, a drop of 9% from the same period in 2024.

Investors are reacting savagely to what Cochlear had to say today. The healthcare stock closed at $245.64 a share yesterday afternoon. However, investors have sent those shares down a horrid 17.7% at the time of writing to just $202.24.

But let’s discuss Cochlear’s latest dividend.

Cochlear shares crash 17% on lower profits, but dividend steady

Over the past few years, Cochlear has built up a reputation as a decent ASX dividend growth stock. The company paid out $2.55 per share in annual dividends back in 2021, and has been increasing them ever since. Shareholders enjoyed a total payout of $3 per share in 2022, $3.30 in 2023, $4.10 in 2024 and $4.30 in 2025. That’s a compounded annual growth rate of 13.95% per annum.

Unfortunately, that dividend growth reputation is now at risk. Today, Cochlear unveiled a 2026 interim dividend of $2.15 per share. That’s flat on both last year’s interim payment and last year’s final dividend, both also worth $2.15 a share. This latest dividend represents a payout ratio of 72% of Cochlear’s underlying earnings, slightly above the company’s 70% payout ratio policy.

This dividend will come partially franked at 85%.

Cochlear shares will trade ex-dividend for this payment on 19 March next month. Payment day will then roll around on 13 April. The company does not have a dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) in operation, so shareholders will have no option but to receive this payment in cash.

As Cochlear’s interim dividend is steady, the company now trades on both a trailing and forward dividend yield of 2.13% at current pricing.

The post Everything you need to know about the latest Cochlear dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today
• 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather
• Cochlear shares sink 17% on results day
• Cochlear posts modest sales growth but lower profit as Nexa launch continues
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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

S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) shares are 1.5% lower at 9,145.2 points at the time of writing on Friday.

The market is taking a breather after a strong week that saw the ASX All Ords rise to a 14-week high of 9,281.8 points.

Between Monday and Thursday, the ASX All Ords ascended 3.65% on the back of strong results from several major companies.

The stand-out was an unexpected 6% cash profit lift from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) in 1H FY26.

The result saw the market’s biggest ASX 200 bank share reassume the crown as the largest stock by market cap on the All Ords.

CBA declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share, up 4% from 1H FY25, with the ex-dividend date next Wednesday.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) also surprised with a $1.94 billion cash profit in 1Q FY26, up 75% on the 2H FY25 quarterly average.

The news sent ANZ shares to a record high (surpassed today at $40.95), alongside several other ASX All Ords large-cap shares.

Meantime, earnings season continues on Friday.

Next week, a small group of ASX All Ords shares will go ex-dividend.

To pick up a dividend payment, you must own the stock before the ex-dividend date.

On the ex-dividend date, share prices tend to fall because the stocks are less valuable without their next dividends attached.

This also presents an opportunity to buy the stock or do some dollar-cost averaging if you’re already a shareholder.

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates coming up

ASX All Ords share	Ex-dividend date	Dividend amount	Pay date
Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)	17 February	55 cents per share	18 March
Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS)	17 February	10.2 cents per share	12 March
Spheria Emerging Companies Ltd (ASX: SEC)	17 February	1.3 cents per share	27 February
WAM Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: WMX)	17 February	0.005 cents per share	27 February
Regal Partners Global Investments Ltd (ASX: RG1)	18 February	6 cents per share	23 March
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd (ASX: CBA)	18 February	$2.35 per share	30 March
Teaminvest Private Group Ltd (ASX: TIP)	19 February	1.5 cents per share	27 March

Which companies are reporting next week?

According to the calendar, we’ll hear from JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) on Monday.

On Tuesday, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares will be on watch as the miner releases its 1H FY26 numbers.

On Wednesday, Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) will report.

Thursday will be a huge day for the ASX All Ords.

We’ll hear from Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), and ZIP Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP), as well as Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

On Friday, Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN), Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1), and QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) will be up.

The post ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, CSL, and CBA shares
• What’s going on with ASX bank stocks this week?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why ANZ, CBA, Northern Star, and Origin Energy shares are charging higher today
• The ASX 200 is back over 9,000 points! It’s thanks to just 2 ASX shares

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group and Zip Co. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bravura Solutions, Goodman Group, Megaport, The Lottery Corporation, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Goodman Group, The Lottery Corporation, and Wesfarmers. 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 having a poor finish to the week. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 1.3% to 8,919.9 points.

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

AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)

The AMP share price is up 8% to $1.38. Investors may believe this financial services company’s shares were oversold on Thursday following the release of its full-year results. AMP posted a 20.8% increase in underlying net profit after tax to $285 million. However, statutory profit was down 11.3% to $133 million. The team at Ord Minnett saw the heavy decline as a buying opportunity. This morning, it upgraded AMP’s shares to a buy rating with a reduced price target of $1.65 (from $2.05).

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

The GQG Partners share price is up 7% to $1.73. This follows the release of the fund manager’s full-year results. GQG Partners posted a 6.3% increase in revenue to US$808.3 million and a 7.3% lift in net income to US$463.3 million. This allowed the company to lift its total dividends to 14.69 US cents per share. GQG Partners’ CEO, Tim Carver, said: “While we faced some headwinds in 2025, our team achieved several important milestones this year. On the back of a very strong 2024, GQG steadily grew funds under management (FUM) in the first half of 2025, reaching a month-end record high of USD 172.4 billion as of 30 June 2025.”

Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

The Nextdc share price is up 5.5% to $14.26. This may have been driven by news that Google parent, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG), has raised US$100 billion from a 100-year bond sale to fund its artificial intelligence spending. This level of spending appears to support the view that NextDC’s data centres are well-positioned to benefit from growing demand over the next decade and beyond.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)

The Origin Energy share price is up a further 3.5% to $11.90. This energy giant’s shares have been charging higher this week following the release of its half-year results. Origin Energy reported an underlying profit of $593 million. While this was down from $924 million in the prior corresponding period, it appears to have been better than feared. Another positive was that management upgraded its Energy Markets full-year underlying EBITDA guidance.

The post Why AMP, GQG, NextDC, and Origin Energy shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 stocks smashing the benchmark this week
• Why are AMP shares lifting off in Friday’s sinking market?
• GQG shares rise 4% as resilient earnings ease fund outflow concerns
• GQG Partners posts strong FY25 earnings and record FUM
• $2,000 invested in AMP shares at the start of 2026 is now worth…

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Gqg Partners and Nextdc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet and Gqg Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Amcor PLC (ASX: AMC) shares are trading higher again on Friday morning. At the time of writing, the shares are up another 0.20% to $70 a piece.

The uptick means the shares are now up 10.27% for the month of February alone, although they’re 11.89% below the trading price reported this time last year.

What has driven Amcor shares higher this month?

The packaging giant posted its results for the December quarter last week, which boosted the share price higher. The company announced a huge 68% increase in its quarterly net sales, and its adjusted EBITDA soared 83% higher.

The bumper results have come straight off the back of its recent acquisition of Berry Global. The US$6.4 billion deal added around US$2.2 billion in quarterly sales and also gave US$55 million in synergy benefits.

Management also confirmed full-year guidance, expecting adjusted EPS between US$4 to US$4.15. This translates to 12% to 17% growth on a constant currency basis.

The company also declared an unfranked interim dividend of 93 Aussie cents per share. Amcor pays quarterly dividends, with this latest declared payout up 356% from the prior corresponding quarter.

At the time, Amcor CEO Peter Konieczny said, “Our Q2 financial performance was in line with expectations in a challenging volume environment. Strong Adjusted EPS growth was driven by disciplined execution and synergy benefits from the Berry acquisition at the upper end of expectations.”

Investors were clearly thrilled with the result, with many rushing to snap up shares in the packing business while prices were still cheap.

What do the analysts think of the stock?

Brokers confirmed their buy recommendations for Amcor shares after the company delivered its solid quarterly results. 

Analysts at Goldman Sachs and Jeffries said the results were broadly in line with expectations.

The team at Morgans, however, said that the results were softer than they expected. The broker was pleased that synergy benefits were at the high end of guidance, but it expected more from operating performance. But Morgans thinks the company could improve performance in the second half of FY26. 

Is there any more upside left?

Data shows that most analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Amcor shares (18 out of 22 analysts). The maximum target price is $86.50 a piece, which implies a 23.62% upside ahead at the time of writing.

Even the average target price of $76.48 implies a 9.32% upside over the next 12 months.

It’s fair to say that it looks like we could see more gains from the packaging business this year.

The post Amcor shares jump 10% higher in February. Is there more upside ahead? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Argo Investments reports record profit and dividend
• 3 ASX 200 stocks jumping higher in this week’s falling market
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Motley Fool 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 Goldman Sachs Group and Jefferies Financial Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

With just a few hours of trade left before Friday’s closing bell, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 2.5% for the week, with plenty of lifting help from these three surging ASX 200 stocks.

One this week’s outperforming companies is a national energy provider, one develops and manages data centres, and the third produces building materials.

Which fast-rising stocks am I talking about?

Read on!

ASX 200 stocks leaping higher this week

The first outperforming ASX 200 stock on my list for the week is NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT).

Shares in the data centre operator and developer closed last Friday trading for $12.71. At time of writing, shares are changing hands for $14.28 each. This sees the NextDC share price up 12.4% for the week.

There was no fresh news out from the company this week. But NextDC shares look to have benefited from a broader rebound in US and Aussie tech stocks, following the sharp sell-off last week.

Moving on to the second fast-rising ASX 200 stock this week we have AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL).

Shares in the Aussie energy provider closed last week trading for $8.95. Shares are currently trading for $10.16 each. This puts the AGL share price up 13.6% for the week.

Most of those gains were delivered on Wednesday. AGL shares closed up 11.8% on the day following the release of the company’s half year results (H1 FY 2026).

AGL reported underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $1.09 billion for the six months, in line with H1 FY 2025.

While underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) was down 6% year on year to $353 million, management fine-tuned their FY 2026 underlying EBITDA guidance to the range of $2.02 billion to $2.18 billion. Full year NPAT guidance was narrowed to $580 million to $680 million.

Management also declared a fully franked interim dividend of 24 cents per share, up 4.3% from last year’s interim payout. AGL shares trade on a fully franked 4.8% dividend yield.

Which brings us to…

Also racing higher

James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX) shares also raced ahead of the benchmark this week.

Shares in the building materials company closed last week trading for $32.46 and are currently swapping hands for $36.68. That sees this ASX 200 stock up 13.1% for the week.

James Hardie shares closed up 11.8% on Wednesday following the release of the company’s third quarter results.

Highlights included a 30% increase in net sales for the three months to US$1.24 billion.

Adjusted EBITDA of US$330 million was up 26%.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks smashing the benchmark this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why AMP, GQG, NextDC, and Origin Energy shares are racing higher today
• Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, CSL, and CBA shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• A once-in-a-decade chance to buy ASX 200 tech stocks like WiseTech, Megaport and NextDC?
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX growth shares

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.