• Elders FY25 earnings: resilient profit and strategic growth

    a man puts his hand on the nose of a bull in a lovely green rural setting with the bull raising his nose to meet the man's touch.

    The Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) share price is in focus today as the agribusiness outlined resilient financial results for FY25, highlighted by underlying EBIT growth to $143.5 million and continued dividend stability at 36 cents per share.

    What did Elders report?

    • Sales revenue grew to $3.2 billion, up 2.2% from FY24
    • Gross margin increased to $684.6 million (21.4%)
    • Underlying EBIT rose to $143.5 million (up from $128.0 million)
    • Underlying net profit after tax climbed to $86.0 million, a 34% improvement
    • Dividend held steady at 36.0 cents per share (100% franked)
    • Leverage ratio decreased to 1.8 times (excluding AASB 16), with a strong target for FY26

    What else do investors need to know?

    Elders delivered growth despite challenging seasonal conditions, with dry weather affecting retail product results in South Australia and Victoria. Diversification across Agency, Real Estate, and Feed & Processing supported revenue and margin improvements.

    The year saw eight acquisitions completed, including Delta Agribusiness, which enhances Elders’ regional footprint. A new divisional structure was implemented to drive sharper focus and operational accountability.

    Cash generation was strong, with operating cash flow at $117.9 million and cash conversion exceeding 137%. Management maintained cost growth below inflation, supporting ongoing profitability.

    What’s next for Elders?

    Elders expects its leverage to return to below 2.0 times in FY26 as working capital initiatives and improved seasonal conditions take effect. Management’s focus is on extracting synergies from recent acquisitions—particularly Delta Agribusiness—and expanding backward integration to drive margin gains.

    The company’s strategic ‘Eight Point Plan’ continues to target 5–10% EBIT and EPS growth through the cycle and a return on capital above 15%. Elders is also investing in technology, operational discipline, and sustainable growth across all business divisions to reinforce its position as Australia’s most trusted rural brand.

    Elders share price snapshot

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

    View Original Announcement

    The post Elders FY25 earnings: resilient profit and strategic growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Elders Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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 Elders. 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.

  • Resmed posts Q2 FY26 earnings growth, lifts dividend

    a bearded man sits at his desk with hands behind his head and feet on his desk smiling widely while looking at his computer screen which has market data on it, indicating a please share price rise.

    The Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD) share price is in focus after the company reported second quarter revenue up 11% to $1.4 billion and diluted earnings per share rising 15% to $2.68.

    What did Resmed report?

    • Revenue rose 11% year-over-year to $1,422.8 million (up 9% in constant currency).
    • Gross margin increased by 320 basis points to 61.8% (non-GAAP: 62.3%).
    • Income from operations grew 18% to $491.7 million (non-GAAP: up 19%).
    • Net income came in at $392.6 million, up 14% from the prior year period.
    • Diluted earnings per share were $2.68 (non-GAAP: $2.81), up 15% and 16% respectively.
    • Quarterly dividend declared at US$0.60 per share; $88 million returned to shareholders.

    What else do investors need to know?

    Resmed’s second quarter growth was fuelled by robust demand for its sleep and respiratory care devices. Sales improved across most regions, with the US, Canada and Latin America seeing an 11% rise, and Europe and Asia posting 6% constant currency growth (excluding software).

    The company reported a $6 million restructuring-related charge, linked to finalising workforce planning initiatives started earlier in the year. Despite slightly higher selling and administration costs, Resmed delivered strong operating cash flow of $340 million and continued its buyback program, repurchasing $175 million in shares.

    What’s next for Resmed?

    Heading into the second half of FY26, Resmed plans to increase investment in digital health solutions and innovation, aiming to expand global access to home-based care. The company is strategically focused on scaling up its AI-enabled technology, following recent FDA clearance for its Smart Comfort device.

    Management maintains a goal of sustainable, profitable growth supported by further product development and capital returns, with continued emphasis on research, operational efficiencies, and global market expansion.

    Resmed share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Resmed shares have declined 10%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Resmed posts Q2 FY26 earnings growth, lifts dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in ResMed Inc. right now?

    Before you buy ResMed Inc. shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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 ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. 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.

  • Nine Entertainment shakes up portfolio: QMS buy, radio sale, and digital focus

    A newscaster appears in front of a world map with 'Breaking News' flashing at the bottom of the screen of an old fashioned television receiver with dials.

    The Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) share price is in focus this morning, following news of a strategic shake-up. Nine is acquiring digital outdoor media platform QMS Media for $850 million, while offloading its radio assets and transitioning its regional TV station NBN to affiliate status. Digital growth businesses are expected to generate over 60% of revenue by FY27, up from about 45% in FY25.

    What did Nine report?

    • Acquisition of QMS Media for $850 million (cash and debt free basis), with completion targeted before 30 June 2026.
    • Sale of Nine’s radio assets for $56 million and conversion of NBN to affiliate under WIN Network for $15 million.
    • Net one-off cash tax loss benefits of approximately $178 million, offsetting tax from a previous Domain stake sale.
    • Pro forma EBITDA contribution of $113 million from these transactions in CY26, with an implied multiple of 5.3x.
    • EPS accretion forecast: marginally positive pre-synergies and low double-digit percent including synergies in FY26.
    • Expected unfranked dividends for FY26 and part of FY27 due to tax loss utilisation reducing available franking credits.

    What else do investors need to know?

    Nine’s asset reshuffle means future growth will be more heavily anchored in fast-growing, resilient digital segments, including Streaming, Outdoor and Publishing. The acquisition of QMS, a digital outdoor market leader, adds significant scale and a complementary revenue stream to Nine’s portfolio.

    The Group expects cost savings of up to $20 million a year from integrating QMS, particularly through shared back-end operations and procurement. On the flip side, the sale of the lower-growth radio and regional TV businesses will allow Nine to focus on its core metro and digital assets. Nine’s leverage will rise temporarily to about 1.8x but is anticipated to revert to its target range (1.0x–1.5x) by the end of FY27.

    What did Nine management say?

    Matt Stanton, CEO, said:

    Today’s announcements mark a critical milestone in our Nine2028 transformation. These transactions will create a more efficient, higher-growth, and digitally powered Nine Group for our consumers, advertisers, shareholders and people. This positions Nine well for the future, enabling the Group to withstand industry disruption and deliver long-term sustainable value to our shareholders.

    What’s next for Nine?

    Nine is accelerating its transition into a digital-first media business. Management sees significant opportunities from cross-platform advertising, greater operational efficiency, and bundled offerings for advertisers. The addition of QMS is expected to add new capabilities and help Nine diversify revenue further.

    Nine continues to guide to EBITDA growth in H1 FY26 and expects its balance sheet to strengthen post-2027 after realising transaction-related tax benefits. Investors should note dividends will temporarily be unfranked due to reduced franking credits, but the company remains committed to a 60–80% payout ratio of net profit before significant items.

    Nine share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Nine Entertainment shares have declined 20%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Nine Entertainment shakes up portfolio: QMS buy, radio sale, and digital focus appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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 Nine Entertainment. 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.

  • Is the Mineral Resources share price going to hit $70.00 this year?

    A man wearing a shirt, tie and hard hat sits in an office and marks dates in his diary.

    The Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) share price was under pressure on Thursday.

    The mining and mining services company’s shares ended the day almost 4% lower at $61.02.

    This followed the release of the company’s second quarter update.

    While this decline is disappointing, it could have created a buying opportunity for investors according to analysts at Bell Potter.

    What is the broker saying?

    Bell Potter was pleased with the company’s performance during the quarter, noting that iron ore, lithium, and mining services volumes were ahead of expectations. It said:

    MIN reported quarterly attributable sales above our estimates, including: Onslow iron ore 4.8Mt (BP est. 4.6Mt); Pilbara Hub iron ore 2.4Mt (BP est. 2.0Mt); Wodgina SC6e 76kt (BP est. 60kt); and Mt Marion SC6e 67kt (BP est. 42kt). Mining Services volumes were 85Mt (BP est. 81Mt; 1Q FY26 81Mt) with ramp-up at third party sites. In 1H FY26, Onslow FOB costs were A$52/t (FY26 guidance A$54-59/t) and group capex $600m, expected to trend lower in 2H (FY26 guidance $1,140m). At 31 December 2025, MIN had net debt of $4.9b and available liquidity of $1.4b, $0.5b and $0.3b improvements on the prior quarter, respectively.

    The broker was also pleased to see that Mineral Resources is looking to take advantage of the strength in lithium prices by upgrading its production guidance for FY 2026. It adds:

    MIN has upgraded FY26 SC6e sales volume guidance by 17% and 18% (midpoint) at Wodgina and Mt Marion, respectively, highlighting strong operational flexibility that enables the company to capitalise on improved lithium prices. All other FY26 guidance metrics are maintained.

    The midpoints of guidance point to substantially lower attributable group SC6e sales in 2H (184kt SC6e vs 286kt in 1H) across its operations as mining moves into areas with greater ore variability. Persistent lithium market prices and operational execution could result in further upgrades to SC6e guidance, with MIN receiving the full value uplift prior to completion of the US$765m POSCO selldown scheduled to complete in the current half.

    Could the Mineral Resources share price hit $70.00?

    According to the note, Bell Potter believes the company’s shares are heading to the $70.00 mark.

    It has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $70.00 (from $68.00). Based on the current Mineral Resources share price, this implies potential upside of 15% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

    Completion of the $1.2b MIN-POSCO lithium transaction will accelerate balance sheet deleveraging paired with higher cash flows from the ramp-up of Onslow iron ore sales. MIN is positioned to benefit from current lithium market pricing strength, holding around 268ktpa (SC6 attributable, pre-POSCO deal completion) of offline spodumene production capacity. MIN’s mining services platform delivers a stable earnings stream that is expected to expand with internal and third-party volume growth.

    The post Is the Mineral Resources share price going to hit $70.00 this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Mineral Resources Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • PLS Group books 49% revenue leap and strong cash flow in December quarter earnings

    a man sits at his computer pumping his fist as he smiles widely with eyes closed and an expression of great joy as he looks at his laptop screen in his own home with a cup nearby.

    PLS Group (ASX: PLS), formerly known as Pilbara Minerals, is in focus today as the company delivered a 49% jump in quarterly revenue to $373 million and reported a strong cash balance of $954 million.

    What did PLS Group report?

    • Revenue rose 49% on the prior quarter to $373 million
    • Sales volumes increased 8% to 232,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate
    • Average realised sales price surged 57% to US$1,161/tonne (SC5.2 basis, CIF China)
    • Cash operating margin from operations was $166 million, up from $8 million
    • Cash balance grew 12% over the quarter to $954 million as at 31 December 2025
    • Unit operating cost (FOB) increased 8% to $585 per tonne

    What else do investors need to know?

    PLS Group continues to optimise operations at its Pilgangoora mine, delivering in line with its production plan despite recent lithium market volatility. The company completed construction of its mid-stream demonstration plant and is reviewing timelines for key growth projects including the Pilgangoora P2000 expansion and the Colina Project in Brazil.

    Its lithium hydroxide joint venture facility in South Korea remains idled, with spodumene redirected to other customers while the market stabilises. The board is set to decide on a potential restart of the Ngungaju processing plant in the March quarter.

    What’s next for PLS Group?

    Looking ahead, PLS Group is keeping its growth options open while remaining disciplined on costs and capital allocation. The company expects to update investors on the feasibility study for its next production expansion and on the timing for restarting the Ngungaju plant in the coming months.

    With a strong financial position and steady operational delivery, PLS Group is well placed to benefit as long-term demand for lithium recovers, driven by energy storage and electric vehicle adoption.

    PLS Group share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, PLS Group shares have risen 97%, strongly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post PLS Group books 49% revenue leap and strong cash flow in December quarter earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Pilbara Minerals Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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 high flying ASX small-cap AI stock you need to pay attention to!

    Man looking at digital holograms of graphs, charts, and data.

    Yesterday, ASX small-cap stock Black Pearl Group Ltd (ASX: BPG) shot 13% higher. 

    This exciting AI stock is now up almost 20% year to date. 

    For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 2.29% in that same period.

    This rapid growth is hard to ignore, even for a small-cap stock. 

    What’s more intriguing, is the bullish long-term outlook from Bell Potter. 

    Introducing Black Pearl Group

    Blackpearl Group is a data technology platform that develops and operates a lead prospecting and marketing product suite via its proprietary Pearl Engine platform and augmented large language model developed by BPG in 2022. 

    The company transforms anonymous, unstructured web visits and data layers into identifiable prospects to significantly increase efficacy for SME ad/marketing spend by targeting prospects with a high intent to buy. 

    It was initially listed on the ASX last November. 

    Since then, its stock price has been hovering between $0.80 – $1.00. 

    Yesterday, it shot more than 13% higher. 

    New analysis from Bell Potter indicates this could be just the beginning of a strong year for the ASX small-cap stock. 

    The broker is expecting plenty of growth this year. 

    Strong ASX debut quarter

    In yesterday’s report, Bell Potter was impressed with growth in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).

    Bell Potter said ARR significantly outperformed expectations, rising $4.3m (+114% YoY, +22% QoQ) to $23.7m, well ahead of Bell Potter’s $20.3m forecast, despite 3Q typically being seasonally softer.

    The broker said outperformance was driven by penetration into higher value customers and Data-as-a-Service contracts. 

    ARR has been pulled forward by ~two quarters, reaching levels Bell Potter had previously forecast for 1Q27.

    This drives improved EPS loss forecasts of 2.3% (FY26), 15.4% (FY27) and 21.8% (FY28).

    Essentially, Bell Potter sees the company’s debut quarter as a strong validation of its multi-venture model.

    Price target upgrade from Bell Potter

    Based on this guidance, Bell Potter has retained its speculative buy recommendation. 

    It also increased its price target to $1.91 (previously $1.45). 

    From yesterday’s closing price, this indicates an upside of 94.90%. 

    Our valuation increases to $1.91/sh following the ~2qtr pull forward of ARR within our expected $50m horizon and re-weighting of our Bull/Base/Bear case scenarios. BPG is growing and executing quickly during a land-grab phase of AI implementation into sales and marketing technology stacks, primarily into the large US SME market.

    The post The high flying ASX small-cap AI stock you need to pay attention to! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Could Mesoblast shares hit $4.45 in 2026?

    A young man goes over his finances and investment portfolio at home.

    Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) shares have had a choppy run over the past year.

    Despite some strong operational progress, the biotechnology company’s shares finished Thursday’s session at $2.58, well below their recent highs.

    So, has the market become too cautious on the Mesoblast story, or is there more going on beneath the surface?

    Let’s take a look at what Bell Potter is saying following the company’s latest update.

    What is the broker saying?

    Bell Potter believes Mesoblast continues to make meaningful progress, particularly as it moves deeper into the commercial phase with its lead product, Ryoncil.

    Commenting on its second quarter update, the broker highlighted the strength of revenues relative to expectations and the early signs of commercial momentum. It said:

    Ryoncil gross revenues for the December quarter had previously been reported at $35m (+60% vs 1Q26). Net revenues were $30m reflecting an increase in the gross to net discount to 14.3% vs 12.8% in 1Q26. The increase in GTN discount is a reflection of the sales mix between medicare and private patients. Our model continues to assume a 13% GTN discount long term. Consensus for Dec qtr revenues was $27.6m, hence the result was an 8% beat.

    Bell Potter also pointed to encouraging real-world data emerging since Ryoncil’s launch, which it believes adds further confidence to the long-term commercial outlook. It adds:

    Of the first 25 patients treated with Ryoncil in the ‘real-world’ clinical setting post launch, 21 (84%) were alive at day 28. The data is highly consistent with data from the clinical trial setting. […] The outcomes highlight the need for clinicians to avoid delays in making Ryoncil available to patients, i.e. it should be made available as early as possible where patients fail to respond to steroid treatment.

    The broker believes this real-world performance should help drive broader adoption, particularly given that reimbursement coverage is now close to universal.

    Debt reset

    Bell Potter also sees the company’s new debt facility as a key positive, both from a balance sheet and earnings transparency perspective. The broker explains:

    The new loan package vastly simplifies the balance sheet and earnings transparency by virtue of the simple 8% charge, paid quarterly – interest only for five years. […] This new facility will considerably lower the cost of finance which we estimate has an all in cost of ~18%. The full year annualised saving on interest charges alone is estimated at ~$14m of which the part year impact on FY26 is estimated at $6m–$7m.

    Importantly, Bell Potter believes improving sales trends and stabilising operating costs should see Mesoblast move closer to cash flow breakeven very soon. It adds:

    Based on the trends for sales and operating expenses, we continue to believe MSB should be generating material positive cash from operations from the June quarter of CY2026, minimising the need for additional debt.

    Should you buy Mesoblast shares?

    In response to the update, Bell Potter has retained its speculative buy rating on Mesoblast shares with an improved price target of $4.45 (from $4.00).

    Based on the current Mesoblast share price of $2.58, this implies potential upside of over 70% for investors over the next 12 months.

    The post Could Mesoblast shares hit $4.45 in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Mesoblast Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Is AI a real threat to CAR Group and REA Group shares?

    Magnifying glass in front of an open newspaper with paper houses.

    CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) and REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) shares are trading at historically low levels. Some of this underperformance has been attributed to fears of long-term threat posed by AI-driven competition. 

    So much discourse surrounding the AI boom has been focussed on identifying stocks set to benefit from technological innovation and integration. 

    However there is also the possibility that some businesses’ core products are challenged by AI tools. 

    This fear may be contributing to why CAR Group Shares and REA Group shares are both trading close to 52 week lows.

    On one hand, investors may say these stocks look increasingly attractive from a valuation perspective. 

    However there are serious questions about the threat of AI, along with other concerns that have influenced this underperformance. 

    A new report from Canaccord Genuity/Wilsons Advisory has shed light on what may be influencing investor sentiment.

    The report also identified key areas of focus that could influence investor decisions during and after February’s reporting season.

    AI and competitive risks 

    Greg Burke, Equity Strategist said these two ASX 200 stocks will be of particular interest this reporting season following a period of material underperformance, driven by several ongoing investor debates that are likely to dominate earnings calls.

    Mr Burke said investors are questioning the potential long-term threat posed by AI-driven competition. 

    Management teams are likely to address these concerns directly, while also highlighting the material revenue and cost opportunities associated with internal AI adoption, and reiterating the strength of their respective data moats and product offerings.

    For REA Group, the report said the key debate regarding competition centres on the extent to which Domain, now owned by CoStar, and Google (which is reportedly exploring a real estate platform), could threaten REA’s leading market position and, over time, erode pricing power and margins.

    Interest rates and cyclical concerns 

    The report also noted that the growing prospect of further RBA rate hikes presents a potential headwind for automotive and real estate listings domestically. 

    This increases the importance of yield and depth growth to support revenue and earnings over the near term. 

    We expect both REA and CAR to deliver strong outcomes on this front in FY26.

    The report also said softness in the US RV market has been a key focus for Car Group investors.

    We expect CAR to point to further signs of improvement in the US RV market, consistent with broadly supportive US macro conditions, including the prospect of multiple interest rate cuts by the Fed this year.

    Are either of these stocks a buy?

    Some of these questions may be answered by management in February’s upcoming reporting season. 

    REA Group said it will announce its results for the half-year ended 31 December 2025 on Friday, 6 February 2026.

    Meanwhile, CAR Group will announce its results for the half year ended 31 December 2025 on Monday 9 February 2026.

    Mr Burke said with sector debates weighing on sentiment, REA and CAR look increasingly attractive from a valuation perspective. 

    They trade on forward P/Es of 25x and 36x, which is ~20% below their five-year averages, while offering above-market, mid-teens EPS growth over the medium term. With these discounts, both stocks appear well positioned for relief rallies if their management teams can ease investor concerns or deliver upgrades to consensus.

    The post Is AI a real threat to CAR Group and REA Group shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy REA Group shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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 recommended CAR Group Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 2 stocks that could turn $100,000 into $1 million by 2035

    a man looks down at his phone with a look of happy surprise on his face as though he is thrilled with good news.

    Turning $100,000 into $1 million over the next decade is not easy, and it is certainly not guaranteed.

    To even have a chance, investors usually need to back businesses with long runways, scalable models, and management teams focused on building much larger companies over time. These are typically ASX stocks that reinvest heavily today in the hope of much bigger rewards tomorrow.

    With that in mind, here are two ASX stocks that I believe have the ambition, strategy, and opportunity to aim for that kind of outcome by 2035.

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

    The first stock that could deliver exceptional long-term returns is Megaport.

    Megaport operates at the heart of cloud computing, networking, and enterprise IT infrastructure. Its platform allows businesses to instantly connect data centres, cloud providers, and increasingly compute resources, without the rigidity of traditional telecom contracts.

    The company has a significant addressable market to grow into over the next decade. Global enterprise spending on cloud services, hybrid IT environments, and AI workloads continues to grow, and all of it depends on fast, flexible, and secure connectivity.

    Multi-cloud adoption, regional data requirements, and AI-driven workloads all make traditional networking harder to manage. Megaport’s software-defined approach is designed for exactly that environment.

    The move into high-performance compute via the Latitude acquisition further broadens this ASX stock’s opportunity. It positions Megaport closer to where networking and compute converge, potentially expanding its role from a connectivity layer into a more central piece of digital infrastructure.

    If Megaport succeeds in embedding itself deeper into global enterprise architecture, its long-term addressable market could be far larger than what its current revenue base implies.

    Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

    Another stock that could potentially turn $100,000 into $1 million by 2035 is online furniture and homewares retailer Temple & Webster.

    At its annual general meeting last year, management spoke about the size of the opportunity still ahead. It estimates its total addressable market to be around $37 billion, made up of a $19 billion furniture and homewares market and a further ~$18 billion home improvement market.

    Importantly, the ASX stock believes both markets remain underpenetrated online. Furniture and homewares online penetration sits at roughly 20%, while home improvement is even earlier in its transition, with online penetration estimated at just 5% to 10%. By comparison, overseas markets such as the US and UK have already reached penetration rates closer to 30% to 35%.

    Despite its strong brand recognition, Temple & Webster is still only a small participant in this market today. Management notes that its share of the Australian furniture and homewares market recently reached a record 2.7%, highlighting just how much runway remains if it can continue to take share over time.

    If Temple & Webster continues executing and gradually deepens its penetration of a multi-billion-dollar market, the scale of the business by 2035 could be meaningfully larger than it is today.

    The post 2 stocks that could turn $100,000 into $1 million by 2035 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Megaport right now?

    Before you buy Megaport shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Why it’s time to sell Whitehaven Coal shares – Expert

    Copal miner standing in front of coal.

    Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares have been on a strong run over the last 12 months. 

    The ASX energy stock climbed almost 3% higher yesterday alongside the release of its quarterly report.

    That takes its growth to 21% in 2026 alone and more than 55% in the last 12 months. 

    The company is Australia’s largest independent coal producer and the leading coal producer in North West New South Wales.

    Yesterday, the company reported managed ROM coal production of 11.0 million tonnes for the December quarter. 

    This was up 21% on the prior period, and equity sales of 7.0 million tonnes, rose 18% quarter-on-quarter.

    But it isn’t all good news for Whitehaven Coal shares. 

    A new report from Bell Potter suggests the stock may have peaked, with the broker changing its recommendation to a sell. 

    Here’s what the broker had to say. 

    Met coal prices to ease

    While Bell Potter did acknowledge the strong quarter, the broker notes that Whitehaven Coal’s production and sales are tracking in the upper half of FY26 guidance, although the midpoints imply a softer performance in the second half. 

    It said near-term output from Queensland is expected to be disrupted by heavy rainfall and Cyclone Koji. Additionally, metallurgical coal prices are likely to ease from current elevated levels as weather conditions normalise and supply chains in the Bowen Basin recover. 

    Thermal coal prices at Newcastle remain weak, and a higher share of Narrabri sales in the mix is expected to drag New South Wales realised prices below the gC NEWC benchmark, as already seen in 2Q FY26. 

    As a result, Bell Potter has revised EPS forecasts down by 12% for FY26 and 2% for FY27, with no change beyond that.

    Sell recommendation for Whitehaven Coal shares

    Whitehaven Coal shares closed trading yesterday at $9.46 after a strong gain. 

    The broker sees this as too high, and has adjusted its recommendation to a sell (previously hold). 

    Bell Potter has a price target of $8.40. 

    This indicates a downside of 11.21%. 

    We move to a Sell recommendation with strong recent share price performance. In the medium term, WHC are positioned to capitalise when coal markets sustainably improve with a diversified portfolio of assets in Queensland and New South Wales and strong organic growth optionality. 

    We have a positive long term met coal outlook, driven by constrained supply and increased demand from steel producers reliant on seaborne met coal (i.e. India).

    The post Why it’s time to sell Whitehaven Coal shares – Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Whitehaven Coal Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.