Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are under pressure on Thursday morning.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 gold stock is down 4% to $18.65.

This compares unfavourably to a 2% gain by the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold index in early trade.

Why are Northern Star shares falling today?

Investors have been selling the gold miner’s shares today following news of a leadership change.

According to the release, Northern Star’s managing director, Stuart Tonkin, has advised the board of his intention to step down during the first quarter of FY 2027.

Tonkin will remain in the role until that time, which the company notes will see the conclusion of its current strategic plan and the commissioning of the KCGM Fimiston Mill Expansion.

Major leadership change

Tonkin has been with Northern Star for 13 years, serving as chief operating officer and chief executive officer.

The company notes that during his tenure, it grew from a small Western Australian gold miner into Australia’s largest ASX-listed gold producer, with three production centres and more than 10,000 staff and contractors across Western Australia and Alaska.

It also highlighted his role in major acquisitions and integrations, including Plutonic, Kanowna Belle, Kundana, Jundee, South Kalgoorlie, Pogo in Alaska, Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, the merger with Saracen Minerals, and the takeover of De Grey Mining.

Commenting on his decision to leave, Tonkin said:

After 13 years leading Northern Star through significant growth, I’m proud to leave the Company in an exceptional position. The team, the assets and the outstanding growth outlook is unique and after many years of rewarding challenges, I have decided to step down.

I am very proud of what we have achieved at Northern Star and I want to especially thank my executive team and all our staff and contractors for the role they’ve played in building such a great company over the years, there is an exciting future ahead.

Northern Star’s chair, Michael Chaney, thanked Tonkin for his contribution, noting that he would leave a legacy of assets and growth opportunities for the company. He commented:

On behalf of the Board and our shareholders, I want to thank Stu for his phenomenal efforts over the last 13 years. He can be rightly proud of his achievements, and he will leave a legacy in the form of assets and growth opportunities that will deliver benefits for all stakeholders for decades to come. Along with my fellow Directors, I look forward to working with Stu to achieve a smooth transition to a new leader in the coming months.

Succession process underway

Northern Star said the board has started a formal process to facilitate an orderly transition to a new managing director.

A leading global search firm will be appointed shortly, with the board to consider both internal and external candidates.

2026 has been very turbulent for Northern Star shares and this latest news certainly adds to it. So much so, following today’s move, the gold miner’s shares are down almost 25% year to date.

The post What’s going on with Northern Star shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Northern Star Resources announces CEO succession plan
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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.

Copper is already trading near record highs, but according to a new report from Pitt Street Research there could be more good news to come for investors will an “extreme” copper crunch on the way.

Pitt Street has this week sent a research note to its clients arguing that copper could be the best performing metal in the 2020s, and has named two producers which it says are well placed to benefit.

Let’s have a look at what they’re saying about copper supply first.

Deficits to grow

Pitt Street Research argues that copper has the potential to mirror gold’s stellar performance, as “the emerging supply/demand gap … is only going to continue to grow”.

They added:

Global copper consumption is ~26.5Mt today, and the deficit is a modest ~200,000tpa. But consumption is forecast to rise sharply as EVs (~80kg copper vs ~25kg for ICE cars), renewable energy, grid infrastructure and data centres scale simultaneously. Bloomberg has estimated that demand will reach ~35Mt by 2035 and ~50Mt by 2050.  

Pitt Street said no major new world-class copper deposit had entered production at scale in more than a decade, and existing mines are ageing and ore grades are declining.

New discoveries also take 7-10 years to come into production, they said.

They added:

The crunch will mean significantly higher copper prices. We are already seeing an impact with LME copper prices up >50% in 18 months and believe more growth is to come. ASX will gain exposure to the upside in the copper price. However, not all copper companies are created equal. The companies that will do the best will be the companies that have high-quality projects in favourable jurisdictions with persistent operational performance.

Miners worth a look

In terms of ASX-listed copper producers, Pitt Street Research likes Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR).

While Evolution is mainly thought of as a gold producer, Pitt Street said they have good copper exposure embedded within their high-quality assets.

Pitt Street said:

Ernest Henry is a large-scale iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposit with a long mine life to at least 2040 and significant resource depth. The operation contains approximately 1.4Mt of copper and 2.8Moz of gold in resources, supporting long-term production of around 50kt copper per annum. Beyond Ernest Henry, Evolution also has exposure through Northparkes, creating a broader copper portfolio. Copper contributes approximately 25% of group revenue, with a strategic target of increasing this to 40% over time. This indicates a deliberate shift towards greater copper leverage.

And finally, to Sandfire, Pitt Street said they had diversified from a single asset producer into a diversified global copper company with producing assets in Europe and Africa.

Pitt Street said:

All things considered, we believe Sandfire represents a direct, scalable and relatively low-cost copper exposure, with both operational stability and growth. In the context of the copper price scenarios, it offers strong leverage in the base and bull cases, while remaining resilient in downside environments due to its cost position.

The post With an “extreme” copper crunch coming, here are 2 shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Evolution Mining shares crash 36% from an all-time high: Buy, sell or hold?
• Why ASX gold miners Evolution Mining and Northern Star could keep shining in 2026
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why are Sandfire, Capstone and BHP shares jumping in Wednesday’s sinking market?

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

The IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) share price is in focus after the company announced it has successfully commissioned a cutting-edge six-axis powder metallurgy press at its Titanium Manufacturing Campus in Virginia, with production capacity now tripling across high-value titanium components.

What did IperionX report?

• Commissioned a 300-ton, six-axis SACMI powder metallurgy press, tripling existing titanium component manufacturing capacity
• Platform enables production rates of up to 11 million parts annually using single-cavity tooling
• Press supports more complex titanium components for defence, aerospace and industrial markets
• Designed to integrate with new HSPT furnace capacity slated for arrival in June
• Manufacturing pathway aimed at reducing production costs, waste, and lead times

What else do investors need to know?

The newly commissioned SACMI press vastly expands the range of titanium products IperionX can manufacture in the United States, including fasteners, gears and brackets, supporting defence and aerospace supply chains.

With the addition of the SACMI press, IperionX can now deliver enhanced product flexibility, complex geometries, and more consistent production, allowing the company to serve larger and more demanding customer programs. The press uses titanium powder made from U.S.-sourced feedstocks through IperionX’s patented processes, bypassing traditional supply chains.

Installation and commissioning of new HSPT furnaces will begin after their arrival in June, helping to accelerate customer qualification and high-volume manufacturing.

What did IperionX management say?

CEO Anastasios (Taso) Arima said:

Commissioning this advanced SACMI press is an important milestone for IperionX. It gives us greater titanium manufacturing capacity and more flexibility to manufacture a wider range of titanium components for customers in defense, aerospace and industrial markets.

Titanium is a critical material, but its use has often been limited by cost and supply chain challenges. By combining our U.S.-sourced titanium powder, patented HAMR process, powder metallurgy pressing and HSPT sintering and forging, IperionX is building a more scalable platform for domestic titanium manufacturing.

This new press, together with our upcoming furnace expansion, is designed to help move customer programs from prototypes toward repeatable, higher-volume production.

What’s next for IperionX?

IperionX plans to further integrate the SACMI press with new furnace operations to fast-track customer qualification, low-rate initial production and large-scale titanium component manufacturing. Management aims to support U.S. industry with more reliable, cost-effective domestic titanium supply, particularly for defence, aerospace, automotive and electronics markets.

The company’s continued innovation in titanium metal technologies supports strategic expansion and new partnerships as manufacturing capacity grows in the coming months.

IperionX share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, IpeirionX shares have increased 31%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post IperionX expands U.S. titanium manufacturing with new six-axis press appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• L1 Long Short Fund boosts dividend as returns eclipse market
• Contact Energy shares resume trading after 5% stake sale
• Northern Star Resources announces CEO succession plan
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares have delivered solid returns over the last several years since COVID-19, and investors have also received plenty of passive income in that time.

The ASX bank share has focused on residential lending, and this has served it well over the years, with largely stable bad debts and pleasing demand.

At the time of writing, the Westpac share price has risen 38% over the past five years, as the chart below shows.

If an investor had invested $10,000 into the ASX bank share five years ago, they would have been able to buy 389 Westpac shares.

How many Westpac shares could we buy now?

Following that pleasing rise of the ASX bank share, investors can’t buy as much of the business as they could a few years ago.

Investing $10,000 in the ASX bank share now would mean investors could get 281 Westpac shares.

What’s the likelihood of further gains from here?

One of the best drivers for a rising Westpac share price is growing earnings.

The latest we’ve heard from the ASX bank share is the FY26 half-year result, which didn’t have strong growth.

It generated $3.5 billion in net profit (excluding notable items), down 1%. It also reported $3.4 billion in statutory net profit, down 3% year over year and 5% half over half.

The business actually reported a solid level of underlying growth, with both lending and deposit growth of 7%.

One of the main positives was the 7% growth in Australian housing loans, with the proportion of new loans originated through the proprietary channel rising during the year. That means the business was less reliant on brokers for growth, enabling it to capture more of the lending margin.

Even more impressively, Australian business lending increased by 16% – it reported solid growth in its target sectors of agriculture, health, and professional services. Over time, that could be a larger driver of growth.

Two of the most important measures of the ASX bank share’s success over the rest of the decade are its costs and profitability compared to its peers.

By the end of FY29, it’s targeting a cost-to-income ratio below its peer average and a return on tangible equity (ROTE) above the peer average.

If Westpac can achieve those targets, its shareholder returns could be pleasing.

But analysts are not exactly positive on the business right now. According to CommSec’s collation of analyst opinions, there are currently seven hold ratings and nine sell ratings.

It looks like there are better opportunities out there than Westpac shares.

The post 5 years ago, $10,000 bought 389 Westpac shares. But how many would it buy now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Which big four ASX bank stock is the best buy right now?

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.

Not all dividend stories are created equal.

Some companies pay generous yields but struggle to grow them.

Others offer modest starting yields but compound their payouts reliably over time.

The three stocks fall into the second category, and all three are forecast to increase their dividends in FY 2026.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) has rebuilt its dividend every year since the pandemic-induced cut in 2020, and FY 2026 looks set to extend that streak.

In the first half of FY 2026, CBA declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share, a 4.4% increase on the prior year, backed by a 5% lift in statutory net profit to $5.41 billion.

Looking ahead to the full year, CMC Invest projects that CBA could pay an annual dividend of $5.05 per share in FY 2026, representing approximately 4% year-on-year growth.

At current share prices, that implies a grossed-up dividend yield of approximately 4.5%, including the value of franking credits.

CBA’s appeal as a dividend stock is not primarily about yield size.

It also appeals to its 800,000 individual shareholders due to a dominant market position and a track record of growing its payout in each of the past five consecutive years.

Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) is one of the most consistent dividend growers on the ASX, having lifted its annual payout in every year since divesting Coles in 2020.

In the first half of FY 2026, Wesfarmers declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $1.02 per share, up 7.4% on the prior year, funded by a 9.3% lift in underlying net profit to $1.6 billion.

Bunnings and Kmart both delivered strong first-half contributions, while the Covalent Lithium joint venture’s refinery completed below cost estimates.

The latter produces high-quality lithium hydroxide, adding a new earnings stream to an already diversified business.

CMC Invest forecasts Wesfarmers to pay an annual dividend of $2.20 per share in FY 2026.

Furthermore, Wesfarmers management has stated clearly that the company seeks to grow dividends over time in line with earnings and cash flow growth, a policy that provides long-term income investors with confidence in the trajectory of the payout.

For investors seeking a reliable, growing income stream from one of Australia’s most resilient retail businesses, Wesfarmers should be of particular interest.

Telstra

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is one of the most consistent dividend growers among Australia’s large-cap stocks, having lifted its annual payout in each of the past four years.

In the first half of FY 2026, Telstra delivered a 10.5% increase in its interim dividend to 10.5 cents per share, backed by group cash EBIT growth of 14% and mobile services revenue growth of 5.6%.

Telstra’s mobile division, which continues to grow revenue through a combination of price increases and customer additions, is a key reason for these numbers.

Analysts forecast Telstra’s full-year FY 2026 dividend at 21 cents per share, representing a more than 10% increase on FY 2025’s 19-cent payout.

In addition, Macquarie has an outperform rating on Telstra with a price target of $5.04, and UBS forecasts annual dividend increases continuing through to FY 2030, underpinned by sustained mobile earnings growth and the company’s disciplined cost-reduction program.

It is worth noting that Telstra’s interim dividend for FY 2026 was 90.5% franked rather than fully franked, a slight reduction from prior years that investors should factor into their after-tax yield calculations.

Foolish Takeaway

CBA, Wesfarmers, and Telstra represent three very different businesses, but all three share a common characteristic: a management team committed to growing the dividend over time and the earnings power to back that commitment up.

In a market where income is increasingly hard to find without taking on excessive risk, these three ASX dividend stocks deserve a place on every income investor’s watchlist.

The post 3 ASX stocks expected to increase their dividends in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why CBA shares might never retake the biggest ASX stock crown from BHP
• ANZ, Westpac, NAB and CBA shares: Analysts rate 2 a hold, and 2 a sell
• Are CBA, Westpac, NAB and ANZ shares heading for more pain?
• 3 strong ASX 200 shares for retirees to buy and hold
• 3 of the best ASX 200 blue-chip shares to buy now

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 Macquarie Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

In a letter to shareholders released this morning, the L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF) noted that it has rewarded shareholders with a net return of 44.7% over the last 12 months and delivered a fully franked quarterly dividend of 3.7 cents per share.

What did L1 Long Short Fund report?

• Net portfolio return of 44.7% for the 12 months to 31 March 2026 (versus ASX 200 AI’s 11.7%)
• Three-year annualised return of 15.9% p.a. (ASX 200 AI 9.5% p.a.)
• Five-year annualised return of 16.1% p.a. (ASX 200 AI 8.6% p.a.)
• Dividend increased to 3.7 cents per share for Q3 FY26, fully franked
• Total dividends paid since IPO have increased every year

What else do investors need to know?

The fund commenced paying dividends on a quarterly basis in FY26, aiming to provide more regular income to shareholders. The company expects total dividends to continue increasing, supported by ongoing strong investment performance.

L1 Long Short Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) remains open, offering shareholders the option to reinvest dividends flexibly without brokerage or extra fees. The upcoming dividend payment will be made on 22 June 2026, and investors can elect to participate in the DRP until 3 June 2026.

What’s next for L1 Long Short Fund?

The company expects the dividend stream to continue rising, reflecting the portfolio’s performance and earnings capacity. Management underscores their focus on delivering strong risk-adjusted returns and ongoing communication with shareholders.

Investors are encouraged to keep up to date via company updates, reports, and events, with further info available on the L1 Long Short Fund website.

L1 Long Short Fund share price snapshot

Over the last 12 months, L1 Long Short Fund shares have risen 47%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post L1 Long Short Fund boosts dividend as returns eclipse market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• IperionX expands U.S. titanium manufacturing with new six-axis press
• Contact Energy shares resume trading after 5% stake sale
• Northern Star Resources announces CEO succession plan
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

Coal was supposed to be in terminal decline.

Instead, it has become one of the best performing commodities of 2026, and New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) shareholders have been among the biggest beneficiaries.

The company’s third-quarter FY 2026 update, released this week, tells investors a great deal not just about New Hope itself but about the state of the broader coal market right now.

What the quarterly update showed

New Hope reported a 5% quarter-on-quarter increase in group run-of-mine coal production to 4.3 million tonnes for the April quarter.

Group coal sales rose 10.4% to 3.2 million tonnes, while the average realised sales price improved 1.2% to $140.7 per tonne.

Together, those improvements lifted underlying EBITDA 21.7% to $130.1 million compared to the prior quarter.

At its key operating asset, Bengalla Mine in the Hunter Valley, saleable coal production rose 13.5% to 2.1 million tonnes and Free On Board (FOB) cash cost fell 12.4% to $74 per tonne, tracking well below the company’s FY 2026 guidance range of $81 to $89 per tonne.

That cost performance gives New Hope some protection against any near-term softening in coal prices.

What this tells us about the coal market

The quarterly update is also a useful window into the broader thermal coal market, and the picture it paints is more constructive than many investors might expect.

The Newcastle thermal coal benchmark averaged US$127.6 per tonne during the April quarter, up 16.5% on the prior quarter, driven by a combination of factors.

Middle East tensions have pushed natural gas prices higher, causing power stations across Asia to switch back to cheaper coal as a substitute fuel.

Moreover, cold weather across North Asia simultaneously lifted heating demand, while Japan and South Korea continued to prioritise grid stability through reliable coal-fired baseload generation.

Meanwhile, a longer-term supply squeeze is developing in the background.

Years of reduced investment in new coal mine development, driven by ESG pressures on banks and institutional investors, also has led to global supply gradually tightening as demand falls more slowly than anticipated.

That mismatch benefits low-cost producers like New Hope, who is now selling into a progressively tighter market.

The balance sheet and shareholder returns

Beyond the operational numbers, New Hope also took meaningful balance sheet action during the quarter.

The company successfully issued $300 million in new convertible notes due 2032 while repurchasing $293.3 million of notes due 2029, extending its debt maturity profile and reducing near-term refinancing risk.

The cash balance at quarter end stood at $571 million.

Shareholders also received a fully-franked interim dividend of 10 cents per share during the quarter, totalling $84.3 million.

Foolish Takeaway

New Hope’s quarterly update confirms that the coal price recovery is real.

For investors comfortable with the ESG considerations that come with owning a thermal coal stock, New Hope offers a cash-generative, low-cost producer with a strong balance sheet and a track record of returning capital to shareholders.

For those who are not, the update at least provides a useful read on what is driving energy markets in 2026.

The post Here is what this ASX stock’s quarterly update tells investors about the coal market in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 Contact Energy Ltd (ASX: CEN) share price hit the spotlight today following news that major shareholder Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT) completed the sale of a 5% stake in the company, comprising over 53 million ordinary shares at $9.25 per share.

What did Contact Energy report?

• Infratil sold 53,531,358 ordinary shares, equating to 5% of Contact Energy’s issued share capital
• Shares were sold at $9.25 each
• The trading halt on Contact Energy shares will be lifted
• No changes announced to company operations or leadership

What else do investors need to know?

The sale by Infratil represents a significant shift in Contact Energy’s shareholder structure, with Infratil confirming it has sold down its holding but remaining a substantial shareholder. The trading halt, put in place to manage the market implications of this transaction, is set to be lifted soon following completion of the block trade.

There have been no announcements regarding changes to Contact Energy’s strategy, operations, or management as a result of this transaction. Everyday shareholders are likely to see increased liquidity in Contact’s shares as a result of the sell-down.

What’s next for Contact Energy?

Contact Energy has reiterated its commitment to ongoing business strategy, focusing on providing reliable energy solutions and supporting New Zealand’s transition to renewable energy. The company remains focused on operational efficiency and enhancing shareholder value, according to previous communications.

With Infratil’s partial exit, investors will be watching for any further movements in the shareholder register, but no changes to long-term company plans were flagged today.

Contact Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Contact Energy shares have risen 1%, matching the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has also risen around 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Contact Energy shares resume trading after 5% stake sale appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• IperionX expands U.S. titanium manufacturing with new six-axis press
• L1 Long Short Fund boosts dividend as returns eclipse market
• Northern Star Resources announces CEO succession plan
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

Green hydrogen has been one of the most hyped investment themes of the past five years.

Australia, with its vast renewable energy resources and proximity to energy-hungry Asian markets, has positioned itself as a potential global leader in green hydrogen exports.

But after a difficult 2025, which saw dozens of major projects cancelled or delayed globally and production costs stubbornly high, ASX investors may be asking whether now is the right time to capture this theme.

Why the near-term picture is challenging

Green hydrogen has had a rough time of late.

The product currently costs significantly more to produce than fossil fuel alternatives.

Until the cost of renewable electricity falls further and electrolyser technology scales, green hydrogen will struggle to compete on price in most markets.

Investors who bought into the hype in 2021 and 2022 have learned this the hard way.

But the long-term case remains intact

Yet despite the doom and gloom, there is reason to be optimistic.

The global green hydrogen market was valued at US$9.09 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$134.86 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 56.75%.

Australia has signed export agreements with Japan, South Korea, and Germany.

These markets all face structural energy insecurity and are actively seeking clean hydrogen imports.

Furthermore, Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy, backed by funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, continues to invest in bringing production costs down through scale.

The question for investors may not therefore be whether green hydrogen has a future, but which ASX stocks offer the best exposure.

Fortescue

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) offers the most direct large-cap ASX exposure to green hydrogen through its Fortescue Energy division.

This division is pursuing a series of large-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia projects across multiple continents.

The company has committed to achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions across all its operations by 2030.

This target requires it to produce and consume significant volumes of green hydrogen itself.

The company’s balance sheet, backed by its iron ore earnings, gives it the financial capacity to stay in the game longer than any pure-play hydrogen developer.

For investors, Fortescue offers a way to gain green hydrogen optionality while being underwritten by a profitable, cash-generative iron ore business.

Woodside

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) takes a more pragmatic approach to the hydrogen opportunity.

The company pursues both blue hydrogen projects using carbon capture and storage as a near-term bridge, and green hydrogen development as a longer-term ambition.

Its H2Perth project aims to produce green hydrogen and ammonia for export from Western Australia, leveraging the state’s abundant solar and wind resources.

Woodside’s financial strength, with operating revenue of US$3.26 billion in Q1 2026, gives it the capacity to fund long-dated hydrogen development alongside its core LNG business without straining the balance sheet.

In that sense, Woodside represents a more conservative and diversified way to access the theme.

Global X Hydrogen ETF

For investors who want broader exposure to the global hydrogen value chain without picking individual companies, the Global X Hydrogen ETF (ASX: HGEN) is a great ASX-listed option.

The fund invests in companies globally across hydrogen production, fuel cell development, and hydrogen infrastructure, and has delivered remarkable gains in the past 12 months.

That recovery reflects growing investor optimism that the cost curve for green hydrogen is beginning to inflect downward, even if commercial viability at scale remains a few years away.

Foolish Takeaway

For patient investors, Australia’s advantages in renewable energy production make it one of the most credible potential green hydrogen exporters.

FMG and WDS offer diversified exposure with strong balance sheets as a backstop.

HGEN, on the other hand, provides a higher-risk, higher-reward way to invest in the entire global hydrogen value chain.

The post Is green hydrogen still Australia’s next great opportunity? Here is what ASX investors need to know appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price is in focus after the company announced its Managing Director, Stuart Tonkin, will step down during the first quarter of FY27. Tonkin’s 13-year tenure has seen Northern Star grow into Australia’s largest ASX-listed gold producer, providing leadership through a significant period of expansion and transformation.

What did Northern Star Resources report?

• Managing Director Stuart Tonkin to exit in Q1 FY27
• Company has expanded to three production centres across WA and Alaska
• Over 10,000 staff and contractors now employed
• Fimiston Mill Expansion to be commissioned before Tonkin departs
• Board commencing process to appoint new Managing Director

What else do investors need to know?

Northern Star’s growth under Tonkin was delivered through a series of major acquisitions and mergers. These included the addition of Plutonic, Kanowna Belle, Jundee, Pogo in Alaska, and the large-scale takeover of De Grey Mining, bringing the substantial Hemi development project into the fold.

An orderly succession is being prioritised. The board plans to engage a global search firm, and will consider both internal and external candidates to ensure the company’s next phase of leadership matches its strong growth ambitions.

What did Northern Star Resources management say?

Managing Director Stuart Tonkin said:

After 13 years leading Northern Star through significant growth, I’m proud to leave the Company in an exceptional position. The team, the assets and the outstanding growth outlook is unique and after many years of rewarding challenges, I have decided to step down.

I am very proud of what we have achieved at Northern Star and I want to especially thank my executive team and all our staff and contractors for the role they’ve played in building such a great company over the years, there is an exciting future ahead.

What’s next for Northern Star Resources?

The immediate focus for Northern Star will be commissioning the KCGM Fimiston Mill Expansion while delivering on the final year of its current strategic plan. The upcoming leadership transition has been carefully planned, aiming for a seamless handover while maintaining momentum in both operations and strategy.

Longer term, the company continues to target further growth, backed by its sizable production base in Australia and Alaska, ongoing project development, and a commitment to strong safety and stakeholder outcomes.

Northern Star Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Northern Star shares have risen 1% matching the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has also risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Northern Star Resources announces CEO succession plan 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.