Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has reported a huge jump in full year revenues while also saying it expects to easily beat that amount in the current year.

The drug company said in a statement to the ASX on Friday that full year revenue had come in at US$803 million, up 56% year on year, and at the lower end of its upsized guidance range of US$US800-$US820 million.

The company posted an operating profit of US$29.8 million, well down on the US$55.2 million achieved the previous year, with increases in research and development costs, marketing and manufacturing all taking their toll.

Revenue to soar past $1 billion

Telix provided guidance for the current year, saying it expected to turn over US$950-US$970 million ($1.35-$1.38 billion), while the company would spend US$200-US$240 million on research and development.

Managing director Dr Christian Behrenbruch said regarding the result:

Our strong commercial performance in 2025 provides a platform for continued growth across Telix’s global Precision Medicine franchise. The revenue guidance we are issuing today reflects our confidence in sustaining the momentum of our core cash generative business. Consistent with our stated strategy, we are reinvesting earnings to prioritize the acceleration of our best-in-class therapeutic pipeline, which now includes three pivotal stage trials in prostate, kidney and brain cancer. We also intend to continue to expand the Precision Medicine growth opportunity through label expansion studies and new product launches. In 2026 we are focused on delivery of these near-term priorities to further strengthen the foundations for long-term revenue and earnings growth.

Teliox said its cash balance at the end of the year was US$141.9 million.

The company said its Precision Mdeicine division grew revenue by 22%, “driven by continued increase in Illuccix volumes and successful launch of Gozellix in the U.S”.

In this division, the company earlier this week said it had submitted a marketing authorisation application (MAA) in Europe for its brain cancer imaging candidate, TLX101-Px.

The company said it had been preparing the regulatory packages for Europe and the US concurrently and was “bringing forward the European submission to meet an agreed filing date while aligning with aspects of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) package to support the additional application”.

Telix shares were 7.9% higher following the company releasing its full year results on Friday, but they are still well short of analysts’ expectations for the shares.

RBC Capital Markets has a $17 price target for the shares, while 13 analysts surveyed by Tradingview have a range of price targets from $16.35 right up to $32.25.

The post This biotech says it will turn over more than $1 billion next year. Is it undervalued? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Prediction: Telix shares could triple in value this year
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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

With less than half a day’s trade remaining before Friday’s closing bell, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 1.8% for the week, with due thanks to these three rocketing ASX 200 shares.

Here’s why these three stocks have surged 22% to almost 29% this week.

ASX 200 shares lifting off this week

The first company making investors very happy this week is Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL).

Shares in the wealth management and technology company closed last Friday trading for $21.37. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $26.11 each. That sees this ASX 200 share up 22.1% for the week.

Netwealth shares closed up 13.6% on Wednesday, following the release of the company’s half-year results (H1 FY 2026).

Highlights included a 24.7% year-on-year increase in revenue to $193.8 million. And with net profit after tax (NPAT) up 19.9% to $69 million, management boosted the fully-franked interim dividend by 20% to 21 cents per share.

Moving on to the second ASX 200 share shooting the lights out this week, we have Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB).

Shares in the Aussie shipbuilder closed last week trading for $4.87 and are currently trading at $6.25 each. This puts the Austal share price up 28.5% for the week.

The bulk of those gains were delivered on Monday, when Austal shares closed up 19.5%.

That big lift followed on an even steeper sell-down last Friday. Austal shares crashed 22.8% on 13 February after the company released an update downgrading its FY 2026 earnings guidance after uncovering an accounting error.

The shipbuilder reduced its full-year EBIT guidance to $110 million, down from prior guidance of $135 million. But on Monday, bargain hunters clearly swooped in.

Which brings us to…

Leading the charge

The top performing ASX 200 share on my list for this week is Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB).

Shares in the fintech company closed last Friday trading for $76.57. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $98.55 apiece, putting the Hub24 share price up 28.8% for the week.

Shares closed up 14.2% on Thursday following the company’s half-year results report.

Investors piled into the ASX 200 share after Hub24 reported a 26% year-on-year increase in revenue to $245.9 million.

Underlying EBITDA of $104.9 million was up 35% on H1 FY 2025. And on the bottom line, the company achieved a 60% increase in NPAT to $68.3 million.

With profits up, management rewarded passive income investors with a fully-franked interim dividend of 36 cents per share, up 50% from last year’s interim payout.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares storming 22% to 29% higher this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Austal shares take off on new Aussie contract win
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• Bullish or bearish? Bell Potter gives its verdict on this high-flying ASX 200 stock
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• HUB24 shares jump 12% higher. Are the shares still a buy for 2026?

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 Hub24 and Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group. 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.

Shares in PolyNovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) are pushing higher on Friday after the medical device company released its half-year results.

In mid-afternoon trade, the PolyNovo share price is up 2.99% to $1.035. Despite today’s gain, the stock remains down around 15% so far in 2026.

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

Sales growth led by US and MTX uptake

PolyNovo delivered group sales of $68.2 million for the half, up 26% on the prior corresponding period.

US sales rose 25.3% to $51.7 million, continuing to represent the bulk of revenue. The company added 95 new hospitals during the period, taking its US footprint to more than 800 hospitals.

Rest-of-world sales increased 28.3% to $16.5 million. Growth was recorded across several markets, including Australia, Canada, India, Germany, and Turkey.

NovoSorb MTX, the company’s newer product targeting soft tissue reconstruction, recorded group sales of $6.2 million. That represents a growth of 195% compared to the prior year, from a lower base.

Total revenue came in at $75 million, up 25.2% year on year.

Of that, $68.2 million was commercial product sales, while BARDA revenue contributed $2 million during the half. BARDA income was lower than the prior year following the completion of the US pivotal trial for full-thickness burns.

Profit impacted by lower trial revenue

Net profit after tax (NPAT) fell sharply to $0.05 million, down from $3.3 million in the prior corresponding period. The decline reflects lower BARDA revenue and ongoing investment in growth initiatives.

On an adjusted basis, EBITDA came in at $4.7 million, up 82% year on year. Management said underlying operating performance improved despite the reduction in trial-related income.

Operating cash flow was positive at $9 million, compared to an outflow in the prior year. The company ended the half with $29.2 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Capital expenditure for the period totalled $10.8 million, largely related to the completion of a new manufacturing facility in Port Melbourne. Construction of the facility has now been finalised.

Strategic updates and leadership changes

During the half, Bruce Peatey commenced as Chief Executive Officer from 1 December 2025. Amy Demediuk was also appointed company Secretary and General Counsel.

PolyNovo said it remains on track to submit a premarket approval application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for NovoSorb BTM in full-thickness burns in FY26.

Management highlighted continued investment in its NovoSorb technology platform and geographic expansion, particularly in China and Japan.

Foolish Takeaway

PolyNovo’s commercial business continues to grow at a solid rate, led by strength in the US. NovoSorb MTX sales are rising quickly from a smaller base, indicating early progress in newer applications.

Statutory profit was significantly lower due to reduced BARDA revenue compared to the prior period. This highlights how trial-related income previously supported reported earnings.

The share price remains below levels seen earlier this year, even after today’s rebound. The focus now shifts to sustaining commercial growth and converting that momentum into consistent profitability in the second half of FY26.

The post PolyNovo shares rise after first-half sales climb 26% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Shares in offshore services provider Bhagwan Marine Ltd (ASX: BWN) have not exactly set the world on fire since the company listed on the ASX in mid-2024.

But according to the team at Shaw and Partners, the company is deeply undervalued and is looking good following a recent acquisition.

Complementary acquisition

Bhagwan, in February, announced to the ASX that it would buy Riverside Marine Holdings for $130 million.

The company said at the time that it “represents a step-change in scale and scope for Bhagwan, strengthening the company’s position as a preferred marine solutions provider”.

Bhagwan said the 100-year-old Riverside operated about 30 vessels across five brands and had longstanding clients in the industrial resources, scientific research, transport, and logistics sectors.

It also said that 88% of Riverside’s revenue was repeatable, while its forecast EBITDA for FY26 was $26.2 million.

Bhagwan Managing Director Loui Kannikoski said regarding the deal:

This is a transformational milestone for our company. Riverside is an excellent strategic and cultural fit. Its highly complementary operations enhance diversification across service offerings, commodity exposure and geographic presence, creating meaningful synergies that strengthen our collective capabilities.

Mr Kannikosi said they were also excited by Riverside’s long-term growth potential.

Shares looking cheap

The Shaw team said the acquisition was a good fit.

Riverside significantly boosts repeatable revenue for Bhagwan from 40%-50% through long-term multi year contracts with tier- 1 clients. Riverside also geographically diversifies Bhagwan into North QLD and the Pilbara and diminishes Bhagwan’s exposure to oil and gas (from 66% of rev to about 50%.) Riverside operates a capital-light business model whereby it manages vessels owned by its clients. Finally, Riverside achieves industry-leading EBITDA margins of about 40%.

The Shaw team said Riverside’s industrial sands business could benefit from the construction boom in the lead up to the Brisbane Olympics, and it also had good growth opportunities in its Port Hedland business in Western Australia.

They added that Riverside had key relationships with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Mitsubishi in the region, while Bhagwan offered sub-sea services to the oil and gas sector.

Shaw has a price target of 90 cents on Bhagwan Marine shares, which it has increased by 10 cents following the announcement of the Riverside deal.

Bhagwan shares were trading at 44 cents on Friday, compared to the 63 cents listing price in mid-2024.

The company was valued at $137.1 million at the close of trade on Thursday.  

The post Looking for a 100%-plus gain? This offshore services company might fit the bill appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

Three ASX 200 mining shares that are the largest players in their segments have been re-rated by analysts this week.

This follows all three companies releasing their 1H FY26 earnings.

Let’s take a look.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP share price is up 0.8% to $53.66 on Friday.

BHP is the largest ASX 200 mining share on the market. The company is a major iron ore and copper producer.

This week, BHP reported a 28% profit lift to US$5.64 billion for 1H FY26, and also announced a US$4.3 billion silver streaming agreement.

The news sent the BHP share price to a near-record high of $54.20. The all-time high is $54.55, set in mid-2021.

Following the 1H FY26 report, brokers reviewed their ratings and 12-month price targets for BHP shares.

Bank of America reiterated its buy rating and raised its target from $57 to $60.

Morgan Stanley kept its buy rating but cut its target from $56.50 to $55.50.

Ord Minnett retained its buy rating and lifted its price target from $51 to $54.

RBC Capital reiterated its hold rating on the ASX 200 mining share and lifted its target from $51 to $55.

Macquarie reiterated its hold rating and lifted its price target from $51 to $52.

UBS kept its hold rating but increased its target from $47 to $52.

Citi also kept its hold rating and raised its price target from $48 to $52.

Morgans maintained its hold rating and lifted its target from $48.60 to $49 per share.

Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR)

The Sandfire Resources share price is down 0.63% to $18.85 on Friday.

Sandfire is the largest ASX 200 copper mining share on the market.

This week, Sandfire reported a 94% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) to US$96.3 million for 1H FY26.

After reviewing the numbers, several brokers have revised their ratings and 12-month targets.

Morgans kept its hold rating on Sandfire Resources shares and increased its price target from $18.90 to $20.40.

Macquarie reiterated its hold rating with a price target of $20.10.

Morgan Stanley kept its sell rating on the ASX 200 copper mining share with a price target of $16.20.

Canaccord Genuity upgraded Sandfire Resources shares to a buy. The broker lifted its 12-month target from $19.50 to $21.

UBS maintained its sell rating and raised its target from $17.75 to $18.05.

The Sandfire Resources share price hit a record high of $21.75 last month.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS Group share price is down 0.8% to $4.35 at the time of writing.

PLS Group, formerly known as Pilbara Minerals, is the largest ASX 200 lithium mining share on the market.

This week, PLS Group reported a 241% lift in underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) to $253 million for 1H FY26.

The positive result prompted brokers to rethink their ratings and 12-month price targets.

Citi reiterated its hold rating with a price target of $5.25.

Morgan Stanley retained its buy rating on the ASX 200 lithium mining share with a price target of $5.

Bell Potter maintained its hold rating with a price target of $4.60.

RBC Capital reiterated its buy rating and lifted its PLS Group share price target from $5.10 to $5.20.

The PLS Group share price reached a two-and-a-half-year high of $5.16 last month.

The post Brokers review 12-month price targets for 3 ASX 200 mining shares post-results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Looking for a 100%-plus gain? This offshore services company might fit the bill
• Should you buy PLS shares after its results?
• Buying BHP shares? Here’s why this was a HUGE week for the ASX mining giant
• BHP share price lifts amid brokers re-rating the miner post-results
• I never thought I’d buy BHP shares, but I’m reconsidering. Here’s why

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week in the red. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.15% to 9,072.5 points.

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

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

The Guzman Y Gomez share price is down 10% to $18.33. Investors have been selling the burrito seller’s shares following the release of its half-year results. Guzman Y Gomez reported global network sales growth of 18% to $681.8 million and net profit after tax growth of 44.9% to $10.6 million. Investors may be disappointed with the performance of its US operations, which recorded an EBITDA loss of $8.3 million. This is up from a loss of $5 million a year earlier.

Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

The Inghams share price is down 16% to $2.05. This has been driven by the release of the poultry producer’s half-year results. Inghams reported largely flat revenue of $1.61 billion and a 64.9% decline in net profit after tax to $18.1 million. The latter was driven primarily by higher operating costs in Australia. Looking ahead, management has downgraded its EBITDA guidance for FY 2026. It now expects underlying EBITDA of $180 million to $200 million, which is down from $215 million to $230 million previously. Inghams’ CEO and managing director, Ed Alexander, said: “Pre AASB 16 earnings of $80.6 million for the first half of FY26 were disappointing, with the results impacted by the cost of managing excess inventory and supply chain transition inefficiencies as the business implemented an operational reset following customer changes experienced in FY25.”

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

The Megaport share price is down 5% to $10.37. This is despite the release of its half-year results, which revealed record revenue and earnings. Megaport reported a 26% increase in revenue to $134.9 million and EBITDA growth of 28% to $35.3 million. The company’s CEO, Michael Reid, said: “Our global business continues to scale, with the United States delivering exceptional momentum, pushing the Americas to 24% YoY ARR growth. This performance was driven by rising NRR and consistent new logo acquisition.”

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

The Rio Tinto share price is down over 3% to $163.18. This follows the release of the mining giant’s full-year results. Rio Tinto reported a 9% increase in underlying EBITDA to US$25.36 billion. However, underlying earnings were flat at US$10.87 billion, which led to the Rio Tinto board holding its total dividends at US$4.02 per share. This was short of the market’s expectations. Nevertheless, Rio Tinto’s chief executive, Simon Trott, was pleased with the year. He said: “Our solid financial results demonstrate clear progress as we embed our stronger, sharper and simpler way of working. We achieved an 8% uplift in CuEq production driven by the ongoing ramp-up of the Oyu Tolgoi underground copper mine and record iron ore production since April from our Pilbara operations.”

The post Why Guzman Y Gomez, Inghams, Megaport, and Rio Tinto shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Inghams shares plunge 13% as earnings slump and FY26 guidance cut
• Megaport shares tumble despite record results
• Guzman y Gomez shares crash to a record low following half-year results
• Guzman y Gomez posts 1H26 earnings
• Why are Rio Tinto shares sinking today?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Megaport. 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.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a small decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down slightly to 9,081.3 points.

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

PWR Holdings Ltd (ASX: PWH)

The PWR share price is up 12% to $9.85. This follows the release of the advanced cooling technology company’s half-year results. PWR reported a 27.8% increase in revenue to $80.4 million and a 38.6% lift in net profit after tax to $5.7 million. Management advised that this was driven by higher volumes across the Motorsports and Aerospace and Defence (A&D) market sectors. PWR’s acting CEO, Matthew Bryson, said: “This result reflects strong revenue performance across Motorsports and Aerospace & Defence, together with the early operating leverage from our new, purpose-built Stapylton facility. The move to a significantly larger and more advanced manufacturing platform is a structural step-change for the business, positioning PWR to capture further growth in these key market sectors while strengthening our position in technically complex, niche advanced cooling markets.”

QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)

The QBE share price is up 8% to $21.71. This morning, QBE released its full-year results and reported gross written premium growth of 7% to US$23.96 billion and a 21% jump in net profit after tax to US$2.158 billion. QBE’s CEO, Andrew Horton, said: “QBE delivered strong performance in 2025, exceeding our financial plan for the year. Profitability remains attractive across the majority of lines and the year ahead appears constructive for further growth, and a continuation of solid returns.”

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix share price is up 9% to $9.94. Investors have been buying the radiopharmaceuticals company’s shares following the release of its full-year results. Telix posted a 56% increase in revenue to US$803.8 million, which was in line with its upgraded guidance. And while Telix’s adjusted EBITDA was down 41% to US$39.5 million, this is reflective of increased operating expenditure driven by strategic acquisitions, investment in commercial infrastructure, and research and development. Looking ahead, the company is guiding to revenue of US$950 million to US$970 million.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

The Zip share price is up 2% to $1.89. This has been driven by news that the buy now pay later provider is launching a $50 million on-market share buyback. Zip’s CEO and managing director, Cynthia Scott, said: “Today’s announcement reflects Zip’s disciplined and balanced approach to capital management. The Buy-Back program is consistent with our capital management framework and objective to maximise shareholder value. It demonstrates confidence in the strength of our balance sheet, and long-term strategy. We remain focused on investing in growth and driving sustainable profitability, while also returning surplus capital to shareholders where appropriate.”

The post Why PWR, QBE, Telix, and Zip shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• QBE shares race 7% higher on strong full-year result
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• QBE Insurance posts 2025 profit and dividend increase in FY25
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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 PWR Holdings and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended PWR Holdings. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) shares jumped 7.3% higher to $21.52 during Friday lunch hour trade.

The share price surge comes after the insurance company reported a 21% profit increase for the full year 2025.

Solid jump in profit and premiums

QBE is Australia’s second-largest international insurer. It offers a broad suite of products across personal, commercial, corporate and institutional markets, spanning underwriting and reinsurance.

The ASX financial company delivered a strong FY 2025 performance. It managed to lift statutory net profit after tax about 21% to US$2.16 billion from US$1.78 billion a year earlier, comfortably ahead of market expectations.

Gross written premiums climbed roughly 7% to nearly US$24 billion, reflecting solid rate momentum and broader portfolio growth. The combined operating ratio improved to 91.9%, indicating healthier underwriting margins and a better balance between premiums and claims costs.

Lower catastrophe claims

The combined operating ratio improvement reflects successful portfolio optimisation and lower catastrophe claims, with the net cost from catastrophes at just 4.1% of net insurance revenue, well below the group’s allowance

QBE Group CEO, Andrew Horton said:

Driven by our purpose to enable a more resilient future, 2025 has been a year of meaningful progress for QBE. Underpinned by disciplined execution of our strategic priorities, our efforts to rebalance the portfolio and stabilise performance have delivered tangible improvements, and the business has built strong momentum.

Investment income remained resilient, supporting overall profitability alongside underwriting gains. QBE lifted its full-year dividend by about 25% to $1.09 per share, with a roughly 50% payout ratio, underscoring strong capital generation.

What next for QBE Insurance?

Looking ahead, management reaffirmed guidance for mid-single-digit premium growth and a combined operating ratio of around 92.5% for FY 2026. It’s signalling confidence in continued disciplined execution.

The insurer is doubling down on underwriting discipline and portfolio optimisation, having largely exited its North American non-core book.

Mr Horton commented:

Our Portfolio Optimisation efforts have delivered meaningful change over the last few years. The exit of our North America non-core portfolio progressed well and broadly concluded this year, leaving us with a more focused business with substantially less property catastrophe exposure.

 It also plans to step up investment in digital, cloud and AI to lift efficiency and sharpen underwriting performance.

QBE shares snapshot

In the past year QBE shares have had many ups and downs, with the share price moving roughly between $18 and $24. Since the start of the year the ASX financial stock has found its way up again, gaining 9%.

Over the past 12 months QBE shares increased value with almost 6%. However, they’re still trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

The post QBE shares race 7% higher on strong full-year result appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why PWR, QBE, Telix, and Zip shares are storming higher today
• QBE Insurance posts 2025 profit and dividend increase in FY25
• Are Suncorp or QBE shares a better buy after yesterday’s sell-off?
• ASX 200 financials flew but tech and mining shares faltered last week
• What the stronger Australian dollar means for your shares

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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.

Amid ongoing strength in the Aussie labour market, should ASX investors brace for further interest rate hikes from the Reserve Bank of Australia?

According to Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) senior economist Ashwin Clarke, that wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Yesterday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest jobs data. With the number of workers increasing by 17,800 in January, unemployment stayed steady at 4.1%.

However, CBA noted that the trend unemployment rate, which takes out month‑to‑month “noise” to show the underlying direction, declined to 4.1% in January from 4.2% in December.

Following on strong jobs data in December, CBA said the January figures point “to a labour market that remains slightly tighter than the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) would prefer”.

As you’re likely aware, earlier this month the RBA lifted interest rates for the first time since November 2023, boosting the official cash rate to the current 3.85%.

“The board has been closely monitoring the economy and judges that some of the increase in inflation reflects greater capacity pressures,” the RBA said at the time.

And the RBA is keeping a close eye on those unemployment figures. “Various indicators suggest that labour market conditions remain a little tight,” the board said in making its 3 February decision to boost interest rates.

A tighter labour market puts upwards pressure on wages and adds fuel to the inflation fire.

What CBA now expects from interest rates

“While the monthly gains in employment look modest, the underlying trend shows the labour market remains a little too tight to bring inflation back to the RBA’s target midpoint,” Clarke said.

The RBA has a mandate to keep inflation with the range of 2% to 3%.

CBA noted that trend employment increased by 24,700 in January, and the trend underemployment rate held steady at 5.9%, close to its lowest level in three decades.

The bank added, “The continued strength in hiring suggests monetary policy may still need to do more work to contain inflation.”

As for what ASX investors should expect from RBA interest rates, Clarke said:

The December print highlighted the risk that the labour market was strengthening at the end of 2025, and [Thursday’s] data confirms that this was the case with a gradual strengthening continuing in early 2026. This strengthening likely reflects the lagged effects of momentum building in the real economy over 2025.

Importantly, this data was before interest rates were increased by 25bps in February, but this will likely be cold comfort for the RBA.

CBA expects the RBA will likely keep rates on hold at its next meeting in March.

As for the May meeting, Clarke said, “The release reinforces our expectation that rates will be increased by the RBA in May and that the risks sit for further rate increases from there.”

Stay tuned!

The post With trend unemployment falling, here’s the latest RBA interest rate forecast from CBA appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Recap: Winners and losers from earnings season week 3
• Are ASX bank stocks back in favour after earnings season?
• Why are CBA shares falling today?
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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.

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price reached an 18-month high of $27.34 in early trading on Friday.

That’s the highest share price for the market’s largest oil and gas company since September 2024.

By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.1% as the market takes a breather following yesterday’s record high.

Woodside and other ASX oil shares are rising today on fears that US military action in Iran may be imminent.

This could impact the global oil supply because Iran could disrupt oil export shipments along the critical Strait of Hormuz.

More than 20% of global oil and gas exports, mostly from Iran, Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), pass through the strait.

The strait runs between Iran in the north and Oman and the UAE in the south.

It is the only sea channel linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

What’s the latest on US-Iran nuclear talks?

US President Donald Trump has set a deadline for Iran to reach a nuclear agreement.

Analysts at Trading Economics said:

Trump signaled that negotiations would likely have no more than 10 to 15 days to advance.

At the same time, the US has deployed its largest military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion, raising the prospect of a broader and more sustained operation than last June’s overnight strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The move has heightened the risk of supply disruptions, with investors concerned that a US-Iran conflict could prompt Iran to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for crude exports from the region.

Reports indicate US intervention would likely be limited to a one-week campaign.

Israel’s government is hoping for regime change in Iran. 

Oil price rises to a 6-month high

Fears of disruption to the global oil supply sent Brent crude oil futures to a 6-month high above US$71.60 per barrel today.

Brent crude is now on track for a weekly gain of more than 5%.

WTI crude oil futures are trading above US$66.45 per barrel, which is also a 6-month high.

WTI crude is also heading for a weekly gain of more than 5%.

The analysts said the largest drawdown in US crude inventory since early September is adding to today’s bullish market momentum.

Government data shows US crude inventory fell by 9 million barrels last week.

Right now, the Woodside share price is up 0.11% to $27.13 per share.

Meantime, earnings season continues, with Woodside scheduled to release its full-year FY25 results next Tuesday.

The post Why did the Woodside share price just hit an 18-month high? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.