The REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) share price has been one of the hardest-hit S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares over the last few months. Since August 2025, it’s down around 37%, at the time of writing, as the chart below shows. That’s a big hit for one of Australia’s top shares.

This business is the owner of a number of impressive real estate-related businesses including realestate.com.au, realcommercial.com.au, PropTrack, flatmates.com.au and Mortgage Choice. It also has international investments including Indian and US real estate portal businesses.

I can see why the REA Group share price has fallen so much recently – artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to dramatic impacts to certain software businesses and REA Group could be caught up in that.

Plus, there is attention on the business with invigorated competition from Domain under new ownership. There’s also greater attention and pushback on realestate.com.au’s price increases.

It’s rare to be able to buy one of the ASX’s leading growth shares at such a discounted price.

Is this an attractive REA Group share price?

Broker UBS suggests that the “sell-off appears overdone as [the] AI narrative continues to dominate”.

UBS said while concerns are “valid”, it’s not seeing any meaningful evidence in the recent FY26 half-year result.

The broker said the valuation is attractive for a stock that’s continuing to deliver “resilient double-digit earnings growth” and it also called it the most AI defensive business of the online classifieds space.

In that result, the business reported buy yield growth of 14%, net profit growth of 9%, a dividend hike of 13% and a share buyback of up to $200 million.

REA Group is looking to utilise AI within its business to support the customer experience. UBS wrote:

Company commentary suggests while AI spend is increasing, it is a “new tool” to help optimise customer experience and substituting existing tech spend, rather than adding incremental pressure on costs growth.

Why is this one of Australia’s top shares to buy today?

UBS believes the business can deliver further yield growth and bigger profit margins, despite competitor discounting. This is a promising sign for the REA Group share price, in my view.

The broker said:

We remain confident on REA’s ability to achieve positive jaws in 2H26e due to less lumpy marketing and better listings environment as we cycle weaker comps (UBSe 2H26e +2.6%). Macro remains key risk into 2H, with another 1-2 RBA rate hikes pencilled in by our economics team, but this could drive upside risk to volumes as mortgage stress drives more stock to market.

We remain confident on REA’s ability to deliver double digit yield growth over next 3 years (UBSe +13%). For FY27e, we see a likely mid to high single digit price rise in FY27e plus mid single digit contribution from further penetration of Amax and Luxe. This is despite potential discounting behaviour from competitors.

Analysts are still expecting the business to deliver price rises in the coming years and it’s not actually worried by competitors or AI because REA Group still drives significant buyer leads and it has the biggest audience. Additionally, AI currently remains a very small part of REA Group traffic:

Industry feedback suggests REA still delivers largest number of buyer enquiry leads to agents, driven by continued growth in audiences (146.1m avg monthly visits in 1H26, vs 132.2m in FY25). Management noted traffic from AI remains <1% and recently declined (although early days), further suggesting strength in direct eye-balls to platform.

Using the forecast from UBS, the REA Group share price is valued at 35x FY26’s estimated earnings.

The post A rare opportunity to buy 1 of Australia’s top shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• BHP Group posts 28% profit jump and higher dividend in half-year earnings
• Sims FY26 half-year earnings: Profit surges, dividend rises
• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises

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 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 SEEK Ltd (ASX: SEK) share price is in focus after the company posted strong half-year results, highlighted by a 21% lift in sales revenue and a record interim dividend.

What did SEEK report?

• Sales revenue rose 21% to $647 million
• Net revenue up 12% to $601 million
• EBITDA increased 19% to $267 million
• Adjusted profit jumped 35% to $104 million
• Reported loss of $178 million, impacted by a $356 million Zhaopin impairment
• Record fully franked interim dividend of 27 cents per share, up 13%

What else do investors need to know?

SEEK strengthened its lead in the Australian recruitment market, with its placement share now 4.9 times its nearest competitor. While paid job ad volumes in ANZ dipped slightly due to macroeconomic factors, AI-enabled product innovations boosted pricing and yield. Asia’s revenue growth was more modest at 4%, with volumes falling but yield climbing 17% on upgraded ad tiers.

On the cost front, SEEK continued investing heavily in AI technology, product development, and infrastructure, keeping operating costs well below revenue growth. The company completed the reacquisition of Sidekicker in May 2025, with Sidekicker’s results now included.

What did SEEK management say?

CEO and Managing Director Ian Narev said:

This was another half of demonstrable progress across all our strategic priorities. Our placement share lead in Australia grew to 4.9x our nearest competitor; and whilst Asia declined slightly, underlying marketplace metrics are strong and improving across the board. New products introduced last year are driving customer choice, and creating tangible value that hirers are willing to pay for. The resulting yield growth led to double digit revenue growth, even as macroeconomic conditions continued to impact volumes. We maintained our commitment to investment, at the same time as maintaining our commitment to operating leverage. By prioritising discretionary capital towards grow-the-business activity such as AI focussed product development and containing run-the-business costs, we kept cost growth well below revenue growth despite significant investment. The result was 19% EBITDA growth and 35% Adjusted Profit growth.

What’s next for SEEK?

SEEK has upgraded its full-year FY2026 guidance, now expecting net revenue of $1.19 billion to $1.23 billion and EBITDA of $530 million to $550 million. Revenue growth is predicted to remain in the low double digits, with continued focus on AI-driven product enhancements and improved marketplace execution. The SEEK Growth Fund is also moving to divest its stake in Employment Hero in 2026, which could unlock further value.

Management remains optimistic about SEEK’s data-led advantages and technology investment, despite a mixed short-term economic outlook in parts of Asia and Australia. The group is emphasising innovation, operating leverage, and sustained growth as it navigates evolving hiring landscapes.

SEEK share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, SEEK shares have risen 8%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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The post SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR) share price is in focus today after the company posted a record first half NPAT of $87.2 million, up 36% year-on-year, and declared a fully franked 12.4 cent interim dividend, up 38%.

What did Deterra Royalties report?

• Revenue from continuing operations: $117.2 million, up 12%
• Net profit after tax (NPAT): $87.2 million, up 36%
• Underlying EBITDA: $109.1 million (margin 93%), up 11%
• Net debt reduced to $148.8 million (from $308.5 million at end December 2024)
• Fully franked interim dividend of 12.4 cents per share (75% of NPAT), up 38%
• Divestment of non-core precious metal assets for around $124 million, achieving a ~28% pre-tax IRR

What else do investors need to know?

Deterra Royalties saw solid production from its cornerstone Mining Area C (MAC) iron ore asset, with first half output rising 6% to 72.6 million wet metric tonnes. The company also made substantial progress at its Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, including a US$435 million first drawdown of a U.S. Department of Energy loan and a further DOE equity investment in the project joint venture.

The divestment of non-core precious metals assets (acquired via the Trident Royalties transaction) allowed Deterra to pay down debt and strengthen liquidity, leaving $344 million in undrawn facilities for future opportunities. Net tangible assets per share improved, and the balance sheet remains conservative with gearing at just 6%.

What’s next for Deterra Royalties?

Looking ahead, Deterra will continue to focus on maximising returns from its MAC and Thacker Pass royalty streams, while keeping a close eye out for new royalty investment opportunities. The company plans to maintain its dividend payout at 75% of NPAT, supported by steady cash flows and a strong balance sheet.

Ongoing project development at Thacker Pass is progressing towards the late 2027 target for first lithium production, with detailed engineering now 80% complete. Deterra will also look to deploy its available debt capacity carefully as new value-accretive opportunities arise.

Deterra Royalties share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Deterra Royalties shares have declined 2%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX:JDO) share price is in focus today after the specialist business lender reported a 32% jump in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $59.9 million for the half year ended 31 December 2025, alongside 7% growth in its loan book.

What did Judo Capital report?

• Statutory NPAT of $59.9 million, up 32% on the prior half and 46% year-on-year
• Profit before tax (PBT) rose to $86.5 million, up 26% half on half and 53% on the prior corresponding period
• Gross loans and advances (GLA) grew 7% since June to $13.4 billion, 15% higher year on year
• Net interest margin (NIM) held steady at 3.03%, with 2H26 NIM guidance upgraded to around 3.15%
• Cost-to-income (CTI) ratio improved to 48.5%, 890 basis points lower than a year ago
• Capital position remains strong, with CET1 ratio at 12.6%

What else do investors need to know?

Judo continues to grow its lending at rates above the broader banking system, supported by a customer-led value proposition and productivity gains. The bank’s deposit base also hit a new high of $10.9 billion, boosted by the launch of an intermediated at-call savings account, with further product innovation planned.

Asset quality remains stable, though there was a small rise in accounts more than 90 days past due, which the bank says relates to a handful of exposures across several sectors. Judo successfully completed a $150 million Tier 2 capital issue in October, underpinning continued growth without the need for more core equity.

What did Judo Capital management say?

CEO and Managing Director Chris Bayliss said:

Today’s result demonstrates that Judo continues to successfully execute against its clear and simple strategy. We are on track to achieving our existing FY26 guidance for significant profit growth, and realising the operating leverage inherent in our business model… Our passion to support SMEs continues to guide everything we do, and I’m very confident about the strength of our business as we move into the second half of the year and beyond.

What’s next for Judo Capital?

Judo reaffirmed its FY26 guidance, expecting profit before tax to land between $180 million and $190 million, and upgraded its loan growth range to $14.4–$14.7 billion. Management is targeting ongoing productivity improvements, further product launches, and deepening its focus in regional and agribusiness lending.

The bank expects operating leverage to improve further in the second half of FY26, with a cost-to-income ratio below 50% and an anticipated return on equity in the low-to-mid teens as it continues to scale.

Judo Capital share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Judo Capital shares have declined 5%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus today after the company secured a one-year extension of its Defence Maintenance Contract with the Department of Defence, valued at $107 million. The deal, effective from 1 December 2028, underscores Ventia’s strong position as a trusted partner for the Australian Defence Force.

What did Ventia Services Group report?

• Secured a one-year, $107 million extension for the Defence Maintenance Contract (DMC) with Department of Defence
• Contract commences 1 December 2028, with options for a further four years
• DMC includes repair and maintenance of critical equipment such as tanks and surveillance systems
• Ventia maintained asset availability above 95% during high-tempo Defence operations
• Provides 24/7 nationwide vehicle and equipment recovery services

What else do investors need to know?

Ventia’s extension of this large-scale defence contract highlights its reputation for supporting essential infrastructure and critical national needs. The DMC plays a significant role in helping Australian Defence Force units prepare for and return from operations and exercises.

The contract also demonstrates the company’s strong operational expertise, with proven surge capability during intense periods. High asset availability underpins the confidence the Department of Defence has shown in Ventia.

What did Ventia Services Group management say?

Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Dean Banks said:

This contract extension reinforces Ventia’s position as a trusted sovereign partner to Defence and our proven ability to deliver integrated solutions in complex environments. For more than 36 years, we’ve supported Defence capability, and we remain committed to strengthening this partnership while exploring opportunities to broaden our services to meet the evolving needs of the Australian Defence Force.

What’s next for Ventia Services Group?

With this contract extension, Ventia is well-placed to maintain its important role in supporting the Australian Defence Force over the coming years. Management sees continued opportunities to expand service offerings and deepen its relationship with Defence as requirements evolve.

Investors can watch for further announcements regarding contract renewals or expansions, as well as any strategic moves Ventia makes to broaden its defence and infrastructure portfolio across Australia and New Zealand.

Ventia Services Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services Group shares have risen 41%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) share price is in focus today after the company reported a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) jump of 369% to $339 million and a 2% rise in normalised NPAT to $229 million for the first half of FY26.

What did Challenger report?

• Statutory NPAT up 369% to $339 million
• Normalised NPAT up 2% to $229 million
• Normalised basic EPS up 2% to 33.3 cents per share
• Fully franked interim dividend up 7% to 15.5 cents per share
• Normalised group ROE at 11.4%, 70 basis points above target
• Group Assets Under Management increased 3% to $128 billion

What else do investors need to know?

Challenger recorded an 11% increase in total Life sales to $5.1 billion, led by record domestic annuity sales, which rose by 37% to $3.1 billion. Offshore reinsurance sales also hit a record $695 million, up 13%.

Funds Management Funds Under Management (FUM) grew 3% to $116.2 billion, with innovation continuing in alternative offerings. The company also launched Challenger IM LiFTS Notes on the ASX and took a minority stake in Fulcrum Asset Management to expand its alternatives capability.

Challenger remains strongly capitalised, boasting $1.7 billion in excess capital above APRA’s minimum. Reflecting confidence, the board declared a fully franked interim dividend of 15.5 cents per share and announced a plan to buy back up to $150 million of shares on-market.

What’s next for Challenger?

Challenger is targeting normalised basic EPS for FY26 of between 66 and 72 cents per share, with normalised NPAT guidance of $455 million to $495 million. The company remains focused on growing its retirement partnerships, expanding its offshore reinsurance platform, and innovating in retirement income solutions.

Strategic partnerships with superannuation funds and advice technology platforms will aim to boost accessibility to annuity products and lifetime income streams, positioning Challenger well to support the next growth phase in Australia’s retirement income market.

Challenger share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Challengers share have risen 37%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Challenger. 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.

Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX: ALK) shares were on fire on Monday.

The ASX gold stock raced 11% higher to end the session at $1.76.

This lifted its market capitalisation to $2.4 billion, which is the highest it has ever been.

The good news is that Bell Potter thinks there’s more to come and is tipping this ASX gold stock as a buy.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with the company’s half-year results release on Monday. In response to the release, the broker said:

ALK reported a 1HFY26 financial result broadly in-line with our expectations. The result was distorted by the completion of the merger with Mandalay during the period. Compared with our forecasts, revenue was a slight beat and some costs were reported below the line. Key metrics included revenue of $404m (vs BPe $385m), EBITDA of $170m (vs BPe $148m) and statutory NPAT of $65m (vs BPe $69m). […] ALK’s gold hedge book remains in place, with 46,150oz @ A$2,862/oz for delivery to June 2027. Following the merger with Mandalay this is diluted down to <20% of production providing relatively greater leverage to the gold price.

But the real standout for the broker was a notable step-up in operational and financial performance during the second quarter. It believes that if this continues, the market could re-rate this ASX gold stock. It adds:

In our view, the highlight and key takeaway from the result was the significant step-up in operational and financial performance between 1QFY26 and 2QFY26, which marked the first full quarter of operation for the consolidated Alkane/Mandalay group. Group production lifted from 30.0koz to 42.8koz qoq, AISC dropped from A$2,988/oz to A$2,739/oz qoq. EBITDA (adjusted) lifted by 287%, from $38m in 1QFY26 to $147m in 2QFY26 and EBITDA (adjusted) margins lifted from 26% to 57% qoq.

While benefiting from the tailwinds of rising gold prices, it still demonstrated a substantially improved foundation for ALK. We anticipate that if ALK maintains consistent delivery at this level, the market will continue to positively re-rate the stock.

Should you buy this ASX gold stock?

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $1.95 price target on Alkane Resources shares.

Based on its current share price of $1.76, this implies potential upside of approximately 11% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

The improving operational performance has ALK tracking to meet FY26 production and cost guidance, which is unchanged. ALK offers multi-mine gold and antimony exposure across three attractive jurisdictions, a strong balance sheet and operating platform focused on organic and inorganic growth options. We retain our Buy recommendation and $1.95/sh target price.

The post Why this $2.4b ASX gold stock could be a top buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Bell Potter just upgraded its valuation of this ASX gold stock by 39%
• Which gold miner has just reported record production results?

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.

The Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC) share price is in focus today after reporting half-year revenue of US$645.4 million, down 4.6%, and a net profit after tax of US$43.7 million, a decrease of 34.9% from the prior corresponding period.

What did Reliance Worldwide report?

• Revenue from ordinary activities: US$645.4 million, down 4.6% on the prior period
• Reported net profit after tax (NPAT): US$43.7 million, down 34.9%
• Reported EBITDA: US$111.1 million, down 22.2%
• Interim unfranked dividend: US2.0 cents per share (paid as 2.8206 Australian cents per share)
• On-market share buy-back of approximately US$15.3 million announced
• Basic earnings per share: 5.7 US cents, down 33.7%

What else do investors need to know?

The half-year results were impacted by increased US tariffs and weaker demand in the US and UK. The company noted that net sales in the Americas dropped by 7.2%, while the Asia Pacific region saw a mild 0.7% decline. EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) sales rose slightly by 2.4%.

Despite a challenging environment, RWC achieved cost savings of US$4.4 million through better sourcing, manufacturing efficiencies, and distribution improvements. The interim total shareholder distribution of US4.0 cents per share, split evenly between a cash dividend and a buy-back, is above the company’s usual payout ratio due to lower NPAT this period.

What’s next for Reliance Worldwide?

Management has reaffirmed its commitment to distributing 40–60% of annual NPAT via both dividends and buy-backs, highlighting confidence in the company’s long-term strategy. The board continues to see value in returning capital to shareholders, particularly through buy-backs in the current share price environment.

The business is focusing on cost controls, and improving operational and manufacturing efficiency. The company remains alert to global economic pressures, and is ready to adjust as trading conditions shift across its major regions.

Reliance Worldwide share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Reliance Worldwide shares have declined 28%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which haas risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26

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.

Morgans has been very busy running the rule over a number of ASX shares this month.

Three that the broker has been looking at are in this article. Let’s see whether it rates them as buys, holds, or sells. Here’s what you need to know:

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Morgans was a touch disappointed with this hearing solutions company’s half-year results. It notes that the Nucleus Nexa system was to blame, with contracting taking longer than anticipated.

In response to its results, the broker has retained its hold rating with a trimmed price target of $214.93. It said:

The 1H26 result was softer than expected, with revenue, margins and profit negatively impacted mainly on longer than anticipated contracting for the newly launched Nucleus Nexa system (Nexa). Soft Cochlear Implants (CI) growth mis-matched sales, reflecting unfavourable emerging market mix and delayed developed market momentum, while Services was flat and Acoustics surprised to downside on increased competitive pressures.

While Nexa adoption accelerated late in the half and management maintained FY26 guidance, but now is targeting the lower end of the range, it increases reliance on a strong 2H recovery which appears optimistic, especially in light of flat GM and FX headwinds. We adjust our FY26-28 estimates and lower our target price to A$214.93. We maintain a cautious stance, but move to HOLD on share weakness.

Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL)

Another ASX share that Morgans has been looking at is uranium developer Deep Yellow.

The broker has made some changes to its financial model to reflect first production timing, its cash balance, and its uranium price assumptions. This has resulted in the broker retaining its speculative buy rating with an improved price target of $2.56. It said:

We update our outlook and forecasts for DYL to reflect a series of changes at the corporate, project and macro level since our last update. Key revisions include adjustments to first production timing at Tumas, cash position and an uplift to our bull-case uranium price assumption. We maintain our SPECULATIVE BUY rating and increase our price target to A$2.56ps (from A$1.92ps).

Webjet Group Ltd (ASX: WJL)

A third ASX share Morgans has been looking at is online travel agent Webjet. It notes that takeover talks have ended and Webjet has downgraded its earnings guidance.

The broker appears to believe that this may not be the last downgrade and has concerns over cyclical and structural threats. As a result, it has put a hold rating and 61 cents price target on its shares. It said:

WJL announced that potential takeover discussions with both Helloworld (HLO) and BGH Capital have ceased. WJL has downgraded its FY26 EBITDA guidance by another 7-9%. Earnings uncertainty remains high given cyclical and structural threats and at a time when WJL is investing in its business for longer term success. Given WJL is no longer in play, focus returns to the fundamentals of the business which look challenged in the near term. We retain a Hold rating with a new price target of A$0.61.

The post What is Morgans saying about Cochlear, Deep Yellow, and Webjet shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where to next for Webjet shares after a 26% crash?
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Cochlear. 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.

Markets don’t move in straight lines. Some weeks it is interest rates spooking investors. Other weeks it is AI disruption, geopolitics, or earnings season surprises. But while headlines change constantly, the characteristics that drive long-term wealth creation rarely do.

If I were putting fresh money to work today, these are three ASX shares I’d feel comfortable buying and holding through the volatility.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

The first ASX share I would buy is Goodman Group. It sits at the heart of logistics, ecommerce, and data infrastructure, developing and owning industrial properties in key infill locations across major global cities.

While property can be cyclical, Goodman’s strategy focuses on high-demand sites that are difficult to replicate. That scarcity supports long-term value creation.

Importantly, the group has been expanding its exposure to data centres, an area benefiting from structural growth in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. That gives Goodman a foot in both physical logistics and digital infrastructure, which bodes well for its earnings growth in the coming years.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

Another ASX share I would buy is ResMed. ResMed operates in sleep apnoea and respiratory care, which are two areas supported by long-term demographic trends. Ageing populations, rising obesity rates, and greater awareness of sleep disorders are driving demand and look set to continue doing so for a long time to come.

In fact, the company estimates that it has a total addressable market in excess of 1 billion people. This gives it a significant growth runway over the next decade and beyond.

In addition, ResMed has evolved beyond hardware. Its growing software ecosystem connects patients, healthcare providers, and insurers, creating recurring revenue and deeper customer relationships.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

A final ASX share I’d consider is TechnologyOne. It provides software to governments, universities, and large enterprises. The good thing about these customers is that they rarely switch providers lightly, which has historically created strong retention and recurring revenue.

In addition, the company’s shift to a full SaaS model has improved visibility and margins, while its expansion into the UK has opened up a meaningful new growth avenue. So much so that management believes TechnologyOne is positioned to double in size every five years.

If it delivers on this, then its shares could deliver strong returns for investors over the next decade, especially after significant share price weakness recently.

The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy and hold through market volatility appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group, ResMed, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, ResMed, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.