The Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) share price is under the spotlight today as the company revealed it is the subject of an AUSTRAC enforcement investigation related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) compliance.

What did Tabcorp report?

• Tabcorp has received a formal notification from AUSTRAC regarding a compliance assessment.
• AUSTRAC expressed serious concerns about Tabcorp’s money laundering and terrorism financing risk management controls.
• An enforcement investigation has commenced, focusing on the effectiveness of Tabcorp’s AML/CTF program and customer monitoring processes.
• The review is currently at an early stage, with all potential outcomes still open—including the possibility of no further enforcement action.

What else do investors need to know?

While the investigation is still in its early days, AUSTRAC’s concerns relate to Tabcorp’s ability to identify and manage risks around money laundering and terrorism financing. The focus will be on compliance with legal obligations and the effectiveness of current policies and monitoring systems.

Tabcorp’s Board and management say they are committed to full cooperation with AUSTRAC, highlighting that ongoing improvements to risk management have been a priority as part of the company’s transformation. There is no indication yet of financial penalties or operational restrictions, but investigations of this type may involve significant scrutiny and resources.

What’s next for Tabcorp?

Tabcorp will work closely with AUSTRAC as the investigation unfolds, with management reaffirming their commitment to raising risk management standards across the business. Shareholders will be keenly watching for further updates from the company or AUSTRAC as more information becomes available over the coming months.

There are no changes to ongoing operations at this stage, but regulatory compliance and the results of the investigation will remain key investor watchpoints in the near term.

Tabcorp share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Tabcorp shares have risen 72%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Tabcorp faces AUSTRAC compliance probe appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX materials stock Imdex Ltd (ASX: IMD) is in focus today after another big jump during yesterday’s trade. 

It is an Australian mining equipment and technology company operating globally.

Its technology includes drilling optimisation products, cloud-connected rock knowledge sensors, and data and analytics to improve the process of identifying and extracting mineral resources.

Yesterday, it rose another 3%, which takes it to a 9% gain over just the last week. 

It is now up 28% year to date and 62% over the last year. 

Investors monitoring this soaring ASX materials stock may be wondering if there is any upside left. 

The team at Bell Potter have provided updated guidance on this rocketing ASX stock. 

It seems the broker believes there’s still plenty of room to run. 

3Q FY26 Business Update

In the recent report, Bell Potter said Imdex’s Business Update was headlined by quarterly revenue of $123m (BPe $122m), up 23% YoY (29% CCY), and a bullish outlook.

The company reported: 

• Quarterly revenue was $123m, up 23% YoY (BPe $122m; up 29% CCY)
• Sensors, services, and software revenue contribution grew to 70% of Group revenue, up from 68% in 1H FY26, partly reflecting the 33% uplift in tools on hire (vs PcP)
• Regionally, the Americas and APAC led revenue growth at 27% and 28%, respectively, with strong demand for sensors and field services, and minimal impacts from the Middle East conflict noted

Bell Potter said these results helped improve the long-term outlook for this ASX materials stock. 

We are encouraged by the significant expansion in CY26 gold and copper Major and Intermediate exploration budgets, suggesting robust uptake of IMD drilling products, tools and software in the shortterm. Together, with greater Junior exploration activity, as a record wave of recently raised equity is increasingly deployed, IMD is well positioned to deliver strong revenue growth and operating leverage over the next twelve months.

Price target increase

Based on this guidance, the team at Bell Potter have increased their share price target to $5.10 (previously $4.60). 

From yesterday’s closing price of $4.43, this indicates a further upside potential of approximately 15%. 

It’s worth noting that opinions appear mixed on the further potential for this ASX materials stock. 

Based off 10 forecasts from analysts via TradingView, price targets range from a low of $3.60 per share, to highs of $5.15. 

Online brokerage platform Selfwealth indicates this ASX materials stock is trading close to fair value.

The post Can this red hot ASX materials stock keep charging higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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

Earlier this week, Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) announced a game-changing merger with Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU).

If the proposal goes ahead, it is expected to create a gold giant with a pro forma market capitalisation of about $10.7 billion and combined anticipated gold production of over 700,000 ounces per year.

Does this make Regis Resources shares a buy? Let’s see what Bell Potter is saying about the proposed merger.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter is positive on the deal and believes it creates meaningful scale, production diversification, and greater relevance to global investors. It explains:

We view this deal as a positive for shareholders and as carrying strategic merit. With no cash component, we look to relative equity valuations and find, based on VA consensus, RRL and VAU trading on similar forward P/E and EV/EBITDA multiples. Forecast EBITDA margins for both are in the 50%-60% range. From a free cash flow perspective, RRL is stronger in both yield terms and absolute dollars, but as VAU completes a major mill expansion at Leonora it catches up over FY28-FY29. We see this as complementary: Leonora will be lifting to an expanded steady state in the next 2 years as RRL potentially increases underground investment and the Tropicana open-pit passes peak production.

In the short-term, as a 700kozpa producer with five operating mines, the combination creates meaningful scale and greater relevance to global investors. It offers genuine diversification of production and spreads the development risk of McPhillamys and Sugar Zone. A debt-free balance sheet with $1.9 billion cash is extremely strong and improves access to capital. In the long-term, we see a more powerful growth platform with potential to compete for genuine top-quality assets. The company will be unhedged, offering full gold price exposure.

Should you buy Regis Resources shares?

According to the note, Bell Potter has responded to the news by retaining its buy rating and $9.45 price target on the gold miner’s shares.

Based on its current share price of $6.51, this implies potential upside of 45% for investors over the next 12 months.

It also expects 5% dividend yields in FY 2026 and FY 2027, which boosts the total potential return to 50%.

The broker concludes:

We make no changes to our forecasts with this update. RRL continues to offer strong free cash generation, dividends and unhedged, debt free gold exposure. Retain Buy.

The post Are Regis Resources shares a buy amid its mega gold merger with Vault Minerals appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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The Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI) share price is in focus after the company reported record first-half EBIT of $512 million, up 5% year-on-year, and an 8% rise in underlying net profit after tax to $283.1 million.

What did Orica report?

• Sales revenue of $3,884.2 million, down 1% from the prior half
• EBIT of $512.0 million, up 5%
• Net Profit After Tax (pre-significant items) of $283.1 million, up 8%
• Earnings per share (pre-significant items) of 60.7 cents, up 12%
• Unfranked interim dividend of 28.5 cents per share, up 14%
• Return on Net Assets at 14.7%, the highest in 13 years
• $500 million on-market share buy-back completed

What else do investors need to know?

Orica continued to deliver strong underlying earnings, with solid demand for premium products, technology offerings and stable gold and copper market conditions. The company finalised its $500 million share buy-back and resumed the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, highlighting a focus on capital management.

Strategic moves included agreements to acquire Nelson Brothers’ explosives business in North America and the Danafloat range, expanding Orica’s reach into copper processing. The company also successfully managed disruptions in ammonium nitrate supply and settled major US litigation.

Orica reported no significant environmental incidents and achieved its 2026 near-term emissions reduction target, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability.

What did Orica management say?

Managing Director and CEO Sanjeev Gandhi said:

We have delivered record earnings in the first half, driven by strong demand for premium products and advanced technology offerings, robust gold and copper markets and disciplined commercial execution. Despite a challenging environment, our first half EBIT was the highest in over 20 years and highlights the continued commitment of our people and the resilience and adaptability of Orica’s diversified portfolio, manufacturing asset base and global supply network in a market that continues to value quality, security of supply and technology-enabled outcomes.

What’s next for Orica?

The company expects full-year underlying EBIT growth across all business segments and regions, provided there are no major new external disruptions. Orica plans to continue investing in supply chain security, growing premium product adoption, and expanding its digital offerings.

Management also reiterated its focus on cost reduction, targeting at least $100 million in enduring savings, with most benefits expected from 2027. The balance sheet remains strong, with leverage at the lower end of targets, supporting further growth initiatives and aiming for sustainable long-term returns to shareholders.

Orica share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Orica shares have risen 25%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Orica posts record first-half earnings and higher dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) share price is in focus after the company completed a major A$1.7 billion Hybrid Securities Offer, boosting its pro forma liquidity to approximately A$8.4 billion as at 30 June 2026.

What did NEXTDC report?

• Completed a wholesale subordinated Hybrid Securities Offer totaling A$1.7 billion
• Offer includes A$1.0 billion Initial Series and A$0.7 billion Delayed Draw Series
• La Caisse has committed to subscribing for the full offer amount
• Hybrid Securities are expected to be classified as debt for accounting and tax purposes
• Pro forma 30 June 2026 liquidity increases to around A$8.4 billion after new debt facilities

What else do investors need to know?

The Hybrid Securities are structured to rank junior to all senior debt, sitting outside the company’s senior debt covenants, without any equity conversion features. This means current shareholders are not facing dilution as a result of this raise.

NEXTDC expects settlement and issue of the Initial Series to occur on 15 May 2026, with the Delayed Draw Series available to be issued within the next 12 months, subject to customary conditions. Advisers on the transaction included Barrenjoey, Cadence Advisory, and Mallesons.

What’s next for NEXTDC?

NEXTDC is focused on scaling its infrastructure platform to support digital economy growth, using the enhanced liquidity to strengthen its balance sheet and invest in further expansion. With new senior debt facilities now in place, the company is well positioned to pursue its capital plan and ongoing operational excellence.

Management highlights the company’s commitment to operational sustainability and innovation in providing mission-critical data centre services for cloud providers, enterprises, and government clients.

NEXTDC share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, NEXTDC shares have risen 7%, slightly trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post NEXTDC wraps up $1.7bn hybrid offer, lifts liquidity appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) shares had a tough time on Wednesday.

The retail giant’s shares ended the day 7% lower following the release of a trading update.

This means its shares are now down 40% from their 52-week high of $121.00.

Does this make JB Hi-Fi shares a bargain buy? Let’s see what Bell Potter is saying.

Are JB Hi-Fi shares a bargain buy?

Bell Potter notes that JB Hi-Fi’s trading update suggests that the key JB Hi-Fi Australia business is performing in line with its expectations in FY 2026.

The same cannot be said for The Good Guys business, which “saw some easing in growth at 2.5% and came in slightly below BPe.”

In response, the broker has made some small revisions to its revenue and earnings expectations. It explains:

We make changes to our revenue assumptions factoring in the GG and e&s performance in the trading update and accounting for some easing within our JBH Aus comparable sales in meeting the current challenging 4Q26 comps. The key division would cycle +8.2% comparable sales during the seasonal quarter and our revised estimates see +1.8% for 4Q26e and +2% for 2H26e and +3% thereafter.

We also apply some conservatism through our FY27/28e forecasts to see market share retention offset by some investment in gross margins, hovering around the 22% level for the overall business and a broadly flat CODB % of sales, with operating margins improving from a low point in FY27e. The net result sees our NPAT forecasts -1%/- 3%/-3% for FY26/27/28e.

Should you invest?

Bell Potter continues to see value in JB Hi-Fi shares at current levels.

It has responded to the update by retaining its buy rating on the retailer’s shares with a trimmed price target of $87.00 (from $90.00).

Based on its current share price of $72.98, this implies potential upside of 19% for investors over the next 12 months.

In addition, the broker expects dividend yields of 4.5% in FY 2026, 4.6% in FY 2027, and 4.9% in FY 2028. This stretches the total potential return beyond 23%.

Bell Potter thinks JB Hi-Fi shares are good value at 17x estimated FY 2026 earnings. It said:

Our PT decreases by ~3% to $87.00 (prev. $90.00) driven by our modest earnings revisions (BPe below Cons), skewed to FY27/28e. While we expect the overall Consumer Discretionary sector to remain challenged through CY26, our preference for JBH is supported by our view as semi-discretionary characteristics seen in the name and ability to maintain market share over a longer-term vs smaller competitors as short term product challenges are mitigated through 4Q26. Trading at ~17x FY26/27e P/E (BPe), we see valuation support and maintain our BUY rating.

The post Down 40%: Are JB Hi-Fi shares a bargain buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares have been on my radar for a while. I have been waiting for the right entry point — ideally below $70 — before pulling the trigger.

If you had invested $10,000 in Xero shares just three weeks ago, you’d already be sitting on a surprisingly strong gain.

Of course, this is a volatile tech stock. It could just as easily pull back again or continue pushing toward its previous highs of $196 reached in mid-2025. But for now, the recent bounce has been hard to ignore.

Serious short-term gain

Back on 13 April, Xero shares were trading at around $70.42, not far from my target entry level. Fast forward to today, and they’re changing hands for $85.82 at the time of writing. That’s a gain of nearly 22% in just three weeks.

Put that into dollar terms, and it gets interesting. A $10,000 investment at $70.42 would have bought roughly 142 shares. At today’s price, those shares would now be worth about $12,186.

That’s more than $2,000 in capital gains in a very short period.

By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has slipped around 1% over the same timeframe, highlighting just how strong Xero’s rebound has been.

So, what’s driving the turnaround?

Part of the story is broader market sentiment. Between late August and the end of March, fears around artificial intelligence disrupting software companies weighed heavily on tech stocks like Xero shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) fell around 48% over that period.

Since late March, however, sentiment has shifted. The tech sector has staged a recovery, with the index rebounding roughly 20% as investors regain confidence in long-term growth prospects.

Recurring revenue, global footprint

Xero shares have benefited from that shift, but the company also has its own strengths. It is a leading provider of cloud-based accounting software for small and medium-sized businesses. Its subscription-based model generates recurring revenue, while its expanding ecosystem of integrations helps improve customer retention.

As more businesses move their financial operations to the cloud, Xero remains well-positioned to capture that demand. Its global footprint and continued investment in product development also support long-term growth.

That said, risks remain. Tech stocks can be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates, valuation multiples, and investor sentiment. Competition in the accounting software space is also intense, particularly from global players.

So what’s next for Xero shares?

According to Morgan Stanley, there could still be plenty of upside. The broker recently reiterated its buy rating on Xero shares with a $130 price target, implying potential gains of around 52% from current levels.

The bottom line is that while short-term gains like this are impressive, they also highlight the volatility that comes with growth stocks.

For investors willing to ride out the ups and downs, Xero remains a company with strong long-term potential. But as missing this rally shows me, timing can make a big difference.

The post $10,000 invested in Xero shares 3 weeks ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) share price is in focus today after the company finalised the migration of $1.8 billion in Xplore Wealth managed account portfolios, boosting Implemented Portfolios’ total funds under management to more than $4 billion.

What did Generation Development Group report?

• Completed migration of $1.8bn Xplore Wealth managed discretionary account (MDA) portfolios
• Implemented Portfolios’ total funds under management (FUM) now exceeds $4bn
• Reinforced position as Australia’s largest independent MDA provider
• Expanded partnership with HUB24 platform broadens access to leading investment admin solutions

What else do investors need to know?

The integration with the HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) platform allows Evidentia Group’s Implemented Portfolios to offer its services across more investment administration platforms. This supports greater distribution and improved capability for its managed account clients.

A managed discretionary account (MDA) lets an investment manager make buy and sell decisions for clients, within agreed strategies, without seeking approval for each transaction. This migration cements Implemented Portfolios’ reputation for scale in this rapidly growing sector.

What’s next for Generation Development Group?

Looking ahead, Generation Development Group appears set to benefit from expanded reach via its integration with HUB24 and increased FUM. These developments may support continued market leadership in the independent MDA provider space.

The company is likely to keep investing in new administration capabilities, positioning itself to capture more of the growing demand for managed account services.

Generation Development Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Generation Development Group shares have declined 17%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Generation Development Group completes $1.8bn client migration appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Generation Development Group and Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Owning BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares usually means receiving a good level of passive income and this year looks like it will be the same. It’s a blue-chip ASX dividend share.

But, I also note that BHP’s share price is up 45% in the past year, as the chart below shows.

I become more cautious about businesses in cyclical industries when their share prices soar because the good times usually don’t last forever. A much higher valuation means a lower dividend yield.

At some point in the medium-term, we could see both resource prices reduce and the BHP share price fall. There’s no rush in buying ASX resource shares – I expect another shift in the supply and demand cycle to help investors buy at a cheaper price.

Until then, there are a few other ASX dividend shares I’d rather buy.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

This company aims to sell to fashion-focused customers through its premium apparel brands, with its principal businesses operating under the Universal Store and Perfect Stranger retail banners.

Discretionary retail may usually be a very cyclical industry, but this ASX dividend share has managed to increase its payout every year since it started paying a dividend in 2021. That’s thanks to very pleasing sales and net profit growth over that period, despite the high inflation.

We can’t be sure what the near-term holds, but the ASX dividend share’s sales growth remains pleasing.

In the first 17 weeks of the second half of FY26, Universal Store banner sales achieved 8.1% like-for-like sales growth, while Perfect Stranger achieved 10% LFL sales growth.

Excitingly, the company is expecting FY26 sales to grow by approximately 11.5%, while underlying operating profit is expected to rise by 15.4%.

According to the forecast on Commsec, the business could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 8.4% in FY26.

Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

I like this as an alternative to BHP shares because it receives consistent rental earnings due to demand for industrial space.

Positive demand trends like online shopping adoption, data centres, refrigerated space and onshoring of supply chains are helping increase the rental potential of industrial properties.

In the first half of FY26, the business reported a strong level of rental progress – net operating income (NOI) grew by 5.1%. This is a great tailwind for the rental profits and distribution.

According to the REIT, its portfolio is, on average, 20% under-rented. This provides future earnings growth potential as contracts come up for renewal in the future.

The ASX dividend share expects to grow its annual distribution by 3% in FY26 to 16.8 cents, translating into a distribution yield of 5.6%, at the time of writing.

Jesse Curtis, head of funds management at Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI), said:

Australia’s industrial sector continues to demonstrate strong structural demand momentum, supported by resilient population growth, sustained public infrastructure investment and a rebound in tenant activity. Additionally, national long-term supply remains constrained driving the increased portfolio occupancy and reinforcing resilient demand for the style of industrial assets that CIP owns in urban infill markets.

I think the future looks very promising for this ASX dividend share for both reliability and growth.

The post Forget BHP shares! Buy these ASX dividend shares instead for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Amcor CDI (ASX: AMC) share price is in focus today as the global packaging leader reported net sales up 77% to US$5.91 billion for the March quarter, driven by the Berry acquisition, and an 87% jump in adjusted EBITDA to US$892 million.

What did Amcor preport?

• Net sales of US$5,914 million for the March quarter, up 77% year-on-year
• GAAP net income of US$278 million and diluted EPS of US$0.60
• Adjusted EBITDA up 87% to US$892 million; adjusted EBIT up 79% to US$687 million
• Quarterly dividend lifted to 65.0 US cents per share (91.0 Australian cents for ASX CDIs)
• Acquisition synergies of US$77 million realised during the quarter
• Year-to-date adjusted EPS climbed 11% to US$2.79

What else do investors need to know?

The standout increase in Amcor’s sales and earnings stems from the completed acquisition of Berry Global, marking the first full fiscal year since integration. Both the Flexible and Rigid Packaging divisions delivered strong gains thanks to synergy benefits and productivity initiatives, though overall volumes were about 1.5% lower versus combined legacy businesses.

The company’s previously announced portfolio optimisation is progressing, with six divestiture agreements reached so far this year. Cash flow remained steady, with a free cash outflow of US$39 million for the quarter after absorbing around US$78 million in one-off transaction and integration costs.

The board’s confidence in long-term growth is underlined by a higher quarterly dividend, up from the prior year even as inventory levels remain elevated to secure customer needs amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

What did Amcor management say?

Amcor CEO Peter Konieczny commented:

Third quarter results were in line with expectations and reflect the resilience of our business as we mark the first anniversary of bringing legacy Amcor and Berry together as One Amcor. Over the past year, we have executed a smooth integration, built a strong leadership structure, and made meaningful progress on synergy delivery and portfolio optimization. While we continue to operate in a challenging market environment, our global scale, diversified portfolio, and strong customer and supplier partnerships position us well. We remain focused on what we can control—ensuring reliable supply, managing costs and pricing responsibly to offset inflation, and supporting our customers. With clear visibility to additional synergy benefits and a proven ability to navigate volatility, we are confident in our outlook and the continued strength of our business.

What’s next for Amcor?

Looking ahead, Amcor expects full-year adjusted EPS of US$3.98 to US$4.03, representing around 12% growth at the midpoint, and free cash flow between US$1.5 and US$1.6 billion. This outlook includes full-year benefits from the Berry integration and reflects the company’s efforts to maintain service levels in the face of supply chain disruptions and Middle East conflict impacts.

Management will continue pursuing portfolio optimisation, cost synergies and productivity gains, though actual results could vary given ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. Investors can expect further clarity on progress at the next scheduled update.

Amcor share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Amcor shares have declined 26%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the sme period.

View Original Announcement

The post Amcor earnings surge on Berry acquisition appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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