• Why are FireFly Metals shares pulling back from near-record levels today?

    Image of young successful engineer, with blueprints, notepad and digital tablet, observing the project implementation on construction site and in mine.

    Shares in FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) took a tumble on Thursday after the company said it had completed a $139 million capital raise to progress its flagship Canadian copper and gold project.

    The company’s shares hit a record high of $1.98 on Monday before the company’s shares went into a trading halt on Tuesday.

    The shares have tripled over the past year from levels as low as 66.5 cents, but took a step down on Thursday to be changing hands for $1.79, down 7.9%.

    This was after the company announced it had raised $143 million from an institutional capital raise at $1.70 per share.

    Existing shareholders in the company will also be able to take up new shares to the value of $5 million at the $1.70 offer price.

    Funds to drive growth

    FireFly stated in a release to the ASX that the money will be used to expand and upgrade the mineral resource at its Green Bay copper and gold project in Newfoundland, Canada, in preparation for a final investment decision.

    FireFly managing director Steve Parsons said the company could now forge ahead with its growth plans.

    This highly successful raising means we can embark on a no-holds-barred drilling campaign aimed at creating further shareholder value in a very timely manner. We will increase the drilling fleet to nine rigs as part of an aggressive onslaught targeting extensions to known mineralisation and new regional prospects. We are also progressing towards a final investment decision by derisking the Green Bay copper-gold project by embarking on upscaled mining studies which are expected to be completed in the first half of CY26. “The name of the game at Green Bay is clearly drive value through the drill bit and derisk a large-scale copper-gold project. So that’s exactly what we are going to do.

    The Green Bay project is made up of multiple assets, with the flagship being the Ming underground mine.

    It also includes regional exploration assets, access to a port, and a processing facility.

    The Ming mine, according to the FireFly website, was originally mined from 1972 to 1982, before restarting in 2012. It was then mined through to 2023 before being mothballed once again.

    As the company explained:

    The Ming Mine consists of a fully operational decline accessible to 950m below surface, and an existing 650m deep shaft. This functional infrastructure provides a significant platform for FireFly to rapidly increase the Mineral Resource for minimal capital outlay and set the Company up for future mining operations.

    FireFly was valued at $1.32 billion at the close of trade on Monday, before the capital raise was announced.

    The post Why are FireFly Metals shares pulling back from near-record levels today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in FireFly Metals right now?

    Before you buy FireFly Metals 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 FireFly Metals 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 18 November 2025

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

  • Up 109% or more! These 4 ASX mining stocks are booming as the silver price hits all-time high

    Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.

    The silver price hit a new all-time high this week, breaking above US$58 per ounce for the first time in history.

    The metal has now surged by 102% this year, leaving the broader market in its wake.

    As a comparison, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has risen by about 5% during the same period.

    Not only that, but silver’s record-breaking rally has even eclipsed gold’s impressive run in 2025.

    All up, the gold price has lifted by about 60% since the start of the year.

    However, investors looking for silver exposure on the ASX face a more limited set of options than they do with gold.

    The silver difference

    The rocketing gold price has seen some of the leading ASX 200 gold stocks storm higher during the year.

    For example, shares in the world’s largest gold miner, Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM), have lifted by about 124% since early January to $137.22 each at the time of writing.

    Fellow ASX mining stock Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) has fared even better, with its share price jumping by 147% in the same timeframe to $11.97 per share.

    Unlike gold, however, there are no dedicated silver mining stocks within the ASX 200.

    That said, one practical avenue for exposure to the metal is through the Global X Physical Silver Structured (ASX: ETPMAG) exchange-traded fund (ETF).

    This ETF is designed to generate returns that mirror the silver price in Australian dollars, minus fees. 

    And shares in ETPMAG have jumped by about 87% since the start of the year, reaching $81.54 at the time of writing.

    On the other hand, the ASX hosts numerous exploration companies advancing their respective silver projects and capitalising on the booming silver price.

    Below we present four ASX mining stocks riding the silver boom in 2025.

    Andean Silver Ltd (ASX: ASL)

    Andean Silver is working to move its Cerro Bayo silver and gold project in Chile towards production.

    So far, the company has defined a resource containing 47 million ounces of silver and 800,000 ounces of gold.

    Its current activities are focused on growing the existing resource base through extension and exploration drilling.

    Andean shares have surged by 149% since the start of the year, reaching $2.09 per share at the time of writing.

    Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL)

    Unico Silver is advancing two silver and gold projects in Argentina: Cerro Leon and Joaquin.

    To date, the company has defined a resource containing 232 million ounces of silver equivalent for the two projects combined.

    It aspires to lift this number beyond 300 million ounces through an ongoing exploration drilling campaign.

    Unico shares have skyrocketed by 230% just this year, climbing to $0.66 per share at the time of writing.

    Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL)

    Silver Mines is progressing its Bowden silver project in New South Wales closer to production.

    The project already holds a resource containing 164 million ounces of silver.

    An optimisation study completed late last year envisaged a 16.5 year mine life at Bowden, producing some 4.25 million ounces of silver per annum over the first ten years.

    Management believes the mineralised system to be open at depth, with the project hosting considerable exploration upside potential.

    Silver Mines shares have jumped by 169% since the start of the year to $0.22 per share at the time of writing.

    Sun Silver Limited (ASX: SS1)

    Sun Silver is advancing its Maverick Springs silver and gold project in Nevada.

    Management believes Maverick Springs to be the largest undeveloped primary silver project on the ASX, with a resource containing 296 million ounces of silver.

    Shares in Sun Silver haven ballooned by 109% so far this year, climbing to $1.34 each at the time of writing.

    The post Up 109% or more! These 4 ASX mining stocks are booming as the silver price hits all-time high appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Unico Silver Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Unico Silver Ltd 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 Unico Silver Ltd 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 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Bart Bogacz 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.

  • 3 exciting ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 20 years

    A group of business people pump the air and cheer.

    If there’s one megatrend that looks set to dominate the next couple of decades, it is artificial intelligence (AI).

    From data centres and semiconductors to cybersecurity and advanced robotics, AI is reshaping the global economy.

    The good news is that there are a number of exchange traded funds (ETFs) out there that give investors exposure to these markets.

    Let’s see why three listed below could be top options for investors looking to make investments that they don’t have to touch for the next 10 to 20 years.

    Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

    Asia is fast becoming the production line for the AI boom. Betashares notes that a huge share of global AI infrastructure depends on Asian technology leaders, especially within the semiconductor supply chain.

    Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE: TSM) and South Korean memory giants SK Hynix (KRX: 000660) and Samsung Electronics supply critical components such as accelerator chips and high-bandwidth memory, with TSMC alone recently reporting a 30% surge in quarterly sales driven by AI demand.

    The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF offers simple exposure to these companies. Its portfolio is also packed with industry heavyweights, including Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU), which all have their own exposure to AI.

    For long-term investors, this ASX ETFs provides a powerful way to tap into the AI boom.

    Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

    As AI technology grows more capable, so too do the threats. This means that cybersecurity is now one of the most resilient and fastest-growing industries within the digital economy.

    Betashares notes that spending on security software is “least likely to be cut” even in downturns, and global cybersecurity spending is expected to hit US$377 billion by 2028.

    The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF gives investors exposure to global leaders such as CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT). These are companies developing AI-powered security tools capable of detecting and neutralising threats at machine speed.

    Over a 20-year horizon, cybersecurity could be about as close as it gets to a non-negotiable global necessity.

    Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

    The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF is another ASX ETF to consider for the long term.

    It provides exposure to companies leading the AI and robotics shift, including ABB Ltd (SWX: ABBN), Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), and FANUC Corp (TYO: 6954). These businesses supply the automation tools, industrial robots, sensors, and AI-enhanced systems that will increasingly power factories, warehouses, transport networks, and healthcare facilities.

    Betashares recently recommended the fund to investors.

    The post 3 exciting ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 20 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf right now?

    Before you buy Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf 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 Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf 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 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Abb, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tencent. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group, Fanuc, and Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CrowdStrike and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 4 ASX shares I’d buy today with $10,000

    A bearded man holds both arms up diagonally and points with his index fingers to the sky with a thrilled look on his face over these rising Tassal share price

    If you have a spare $10,000 and aren’t sure where to invest it, here are the ASX shares I’m currently watching.

    CSL (ASX: CSL)

    After suffering a brutal sell-off in late August and again in late October when the company downgraded its FY26 revenue and profit growth guidance, I think the worst is now over for CSL shares.

    Since the latest price plunge, CSL shares have climbed just over 6.5%. The share price is 0.08% higher at $182.45 at the time of writing this morning, and I’m optimistic that this signals that investor sentiment is now turning more positive. It could mean we’re going to see green shoots of recovery for the ASX biotech company’s shares.

    CSL shares were the fifth most-traded by CommSec clients last week, over half of which was buying activity. If investor interest begins to pick up, it could mean that the share price does too. 

    Data shows the majority of analysts have a buy rating on the shares with a target price as high as $278.05. That implies a potential 52.44% upside at the time of writing.

    Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

    For exposure to the booming defence market, I’d look no further than EOS shares. The Australian company, which develops and produces advanced electro-optic technologies and is focused on the defence space, is well placed to benefit from demand arising from ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. 

    At the time of writing, the shares are up 2.24% at $4.56 each. Analysts are very bullish about the shares too, and all hold a strong buy rating. The maximum target price is $11.18, implying that the stock could surge by a substantial 143% over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

    In the tech space, I have my money on WiseTech shares in 2026. Despite a market sell-off of tech shares in late November, the company has previously demonstrated resilience and growth through economic cycles. It’s also well-positioned to benefit from increased interest trends like automation and cloud computing.

    I think this current low price presents a fantastic buying opportunity for investors. 

    At the time of writing, the shares are 4.35% higher at $75.74 a piece. The data shows that analysts are also bullish on the ASX tech company’s shares. Out of 18 analysts, 14 have a buy or strong buy rating, with a maximum target price of $177.31. That implies the shares could storm 134.19% higher.

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

    When it comes to building passive income, Woolworths is high on my list. The company offers reliable dividend payments supported by defensive earnings, strong cash flow, and a dominant position in the Australian retail market.

    The shares are trading 0.37% lower at the time of writing on Thursday morning at $29.31. Over the year, the shares are still down 2.23% thanks to a sharp sell-off after the company posted a disappointing FY25 result. Although the supermarket giant’s first-quarter sales update in late October provided some relief to investors. 

    The supermarket giant is well-placed to recover over FY26, and I think there is a good opportunity to buy the shares ahead of its resurgence. Data shows that analyst sentiment is also turning. Out of 17 investors, 7 have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares with a maximum price target of $33. This implies a potential 12.51% upside for investors over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

    Bell Potter, which is one of the brokers with a buy rating on the stock, expects the company to pay fully franked dividends of 91 cents per share in FY26 and then 100 cents per share in FY27. 

    The post 4 ASX shares I’d buy today with $10,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy CSL 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 CSL 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 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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 CSL, Electro Optic Systems, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Buying NAB shares? Here’s how the bank aims to cement its market leading business

    Business people discussing project on digital tablet.

    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares are edging lower today.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock closed yesterday trading for $40.42. In morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for $40.26 apiece, down 0.2%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.2% at this same time.

    That’s today’s price action for you.

    Now, here’s how NAB is working to strengthen its business lending arm.

    NAB shares aim to hold their business lending edge

    Amid fierce ongoing competition in Australia’s mortgage lending, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) have both been working to boost their business lending, which tends to offer higher profit margins.

    If they’re successful, that could put NAB shares under pressure as the bank has traditionally been the leader in business lending.

    In response, NAB announced this morning that it is targeting growth in the medium and large business segments. The bank said it is expanding a specialist team of bankers to originate deals and “support a seamless customer experience”.

    The new group will bring together expert business bankers from across NAB’s business & private banking and corporate & institutional banking teams.

    The team will focus on new opportunities in the growing medium and large business segments for the bank. A support team will also help to fast-track customer approvals, simplify onboarding, and bring whole-of-bank solutions to NAB’s customers.

    The overall idea it to reduce the complexity for customers and bankers, which NAB said can often accompany larger transactions.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the new specialist team that’s intended to support NAB shares over time, corporate & institutional banking executive Cathryn Carver said, “There is no area more important to us and our customers than business banking, our heartland.”

    Carter continued:

    While competition has intensified in recent years, we’ve made it very clear that we’re focussed on extending our market leadership.

    We’re taking the best business banking capability from across NAB and creating a team that will be the cornerstone of what being the most customer-centric company in Australia and New Zealand looks like.

    NAB business & private banking executive Andrew Auerbach said, “One in three agribusinesses and one in four SME businesses bank with NAB.”

    Auerbach added:

    With this expansion, we believe we can help meet the ambitions of even more medium and large businesses in Australia. By combining specialist sector expertise, deep local relationships and the full breadth of NAB’s balance sheet, we’re delivering faster, more coordinated support to our customers.

    With today’s intraday moves factored in, NAB shares are up 8.2% in 2025.

    The post Buying NAB shares? Here’s how the bank aims to cement its market leading business appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Commonwealth Bank of Australia right now?

    Before you buy Commonwealth Bank of Australia 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 Commonwealth Bank of Australia 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 18 November 2025

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

  • Which junior biotech’s shares are flying on positive trial news?

    Scientists working in the laboratory and examining results.

    Shares in Argenica Therapeutics Ltd (ASX: AGN) are trading more than 20% higher after the company released positive clinical trial results.

    Argenica, in its own words, is “a biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics to reduce brain tissue death after stroke”.

    No adverse interactions a positive

    The company said in a statement to the ASX on Thursday that it was pleased to report the results of a study of its lead drug candidate ARG-007 and its interaction with clot dissolving agent tenecteplase (TNK).

    As the company said:

    The purpose of this study was to determine whether ARG-007 interferes with the clot dissolving activity of TNK, a genetically modified version of alteplase and a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, recently approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

    The company said blood clots from four donors were assessed as part of the trial, which found that ARG-007 did not inhibit the clot dissolving effect of TNK.

    The company said further:

    This finding is particularly important because demonstrating a lack of inhibition of the activity of clot dissolving drugs is a key FDA requirement when developing a neuroprotective therapy intended to be used alongside standard-of-care thrombolytics like TNK. Confirming that ARG 007 does not interfere with TNK’s mechanism of action significantly de-risks the program, supports the overall safety profile of the drug, and represents a critical step toward resolving the FDA’s questions and advancing the investigational new drug application.

    Building on previous results

    Argenica said this new study complemented a previous study which also showed no adverse interactions with another drug called alteplase.

    The company said it would now move ahead with necessary submissions to the FDA.

    With the TNK drug–drug interaction study now successfully completed, Argenica will incorporate these results into its formal response to the US FDA, addressing one of the key requirements outlined in the FDA’s clinical hold letter1. The two remaining FDA-requested assays have already commenced, and the Company anticipates data from these studies to be available in Q1 CY26. To further strengthen the IND package, Argenica is generating additional data on the maximum tolerated dose of ARG-007 in rats to help inform the clinical safety margin for dosing in humans, as well as collating safety data from the recently completed Phase 2 clinical trial to ensure the FDA has all the relevant data required to lift the clinical hold.

    Argenica shares were trading 20.4% higher at 26.5 cents on the news on Thursday. The company was valued at $28.3 million at the close of trade on Wednesday.  

    The post Which junior biotech’s shares are flying on positive trial news? 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…

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

  • This ASX 200 stock could plummet 50% next year

    a builder wearing a hard hat and a safety high visibility vest closes his eyes and puts his hands on his head as if receiving bad news.

    The Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) share price is 1.8% lower at the time of writing on Thursday morning, at $3 a piece. There have been many peaks and troughs over the past 12 months, but the share price is currently sitting 15.19% higher than this time last year. 

    The dual-listed New Zealand-based building and materials company’s shares are also 0.29% lower on the NZE this morning, at NZ$3.45 per share. 

    The company reported ongoing declines in trading volumes for the first quarter of FY26 and expects challenging conditions to continue for the remainder of the period. While the results were weak, Fletcher Building said it has launched a new cost-out and efficiency programme, targeting around NZ$100 million in annualised savings.

    But the team at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) has an underperform rating on this ASX 200 stock. And they expect there could be a significant share price fall in the near future. 

    Heavy downside ahead for Fletcher Building

    In a note to investors this morning, Macquarie confirmed its underperform rating on Fletcher Building shares. However, the broker raised the company’s target price to NZ$1.73, up from NZ$1.59 previously.

    Despite the increase, using the NZ$3.45 share price at the time of writing, that still implies potential for a huge 49.9% downside over the next 12 months.

    “We raise our TP by 9% to $1.73, from $1.59, on lower RfR rollforward (4.3% or -20bps)… Maintain Underperform given predominantly negative catalysts. Prior FBU research,” the broker said in its note.

    Strong headwinds in the pipeline for the ASX 200 stock

    Macquarie analysts pointed out in the note that NZ residential consents have strengthened over the past three months, up 11% compared to the prior period. 

    “This runs against our view that house consenting levels are running ~30% above sustainable levels,” the broker said.

    Macquarie also said that moves by local governments to shift local road and water infrastructure costs back to residential land developers (away from rate payers and taxpayer-funded transfers) may be pulling forward consenting activity. 

    “In Auckland, development contributions lifted 88% from $24k to $45/k per consented house on avge in greenfield areas. This additional impost falls on resource consents (and related BCs) lodged after 1-Jul-2025. We note that according to the gov’t (INZ), Auckland developers have historically paid two-thirds of new infrastructure via DCs.”

    The broker doesn’t think this pull-forward of activity will be confined to Auckland either, given the new 2026 legislation will be NZ-wide from 2027.

    “Moreover, legislation to cap council rate increases and council shifts to reflect the government’s National Policy Statement on increased intensification (e.g., ACC’s PC120) reinforce the objective of moving more infra cost to developers, while at the same time encouraging earlier rather than later development,” the broker said.

    “Some may point to conventional monetary policy impact on demand, but with increasing unsold inventory levels (11-yr high noted by FBU) and low population growth, we do not share this view.” 

    The post This ASX 200 stock could plummet 50% next year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Fletcher Building 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 Fletcher Building 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 18 November 2025

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

  • I’ve spent $7,000 to fly with my son almost every weekend for a contest. We’ve unlocked awesome perks.

    Steve, his husband, and son doing the JetBlue 25 for 25 challenge.
    Steve Carroll and his family are chasing Mosaic status and 350,000 points as part of JetBlue's "25 for 25" flight challenge.

    • Steve Carroll and his son need to visit 25 unique JetBlue cities to lock Mosaic status for 25 years.
    • He is spending about $7,000 on the adventure and is set to finish it in Fort Myers on December 8.
    • He blazed creative routes, flying to Nantucket for breakfast, DC for lunch, and Orlando for dinner.

    This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Steve Carroll, a New York-based nurse practitioner who chased JetBlue's "25 for 25" challenge to earn 350,000 points and Mosaic status for 25 years by flying to 25 unique cities by December 31. It has been edited for length and clarity.

    Breakfast in Massachusetts, lunch in DC, dinner in Orlando, and back home by midnight. That was one of the epic days that my 10-year-old son and I recently flew — all for JetBlue Airways' "25 for 25" challenge.

    It's been thrilling to plan and execute these trips, with layovers so tight we sometimes barely had time for a bathroom break. Finding a flourishing community chasing this challenge has been one of the best parts.

    The promotion, created for JetBlue's 25th anniversary, is simple: Fly to 25 unique cities in the airline's network between June 25 and December 31, and you'll earn Mosaic 1 status for 25 years plus a lump sum of 350,000 points.

    There are some rules: You must connect your loyalty number to each flight; basic fares don't qualify; flights must be operated by JetBlue (not its partners, such as Cape Air); and only arrival airports count.

    Still, I realized it could be an unforgettable experience for my son Jackson and I. He already loves JetBlue (I think the TV screens do it for him), and his 100th flight ever was on JetBlue; we celebrated with cookies on the plane.

    Steve's son Jackson and the flight crew of Jackson's 100th flight.
    Jackson's 100th flight was on JetBlue.

    Plus, Mosaic status until age 35 means he and his friends could enjoy the perks — like free bags, complimentary drinks, dedicated security and check-in, early boarding, and seat upgrades — on future spring break or summer trips in college. (Editor's note: You must be a Mosaic  3 member or higher to receive complimentary Mint upgrades and a Mosaic 4 for lounge access when JetBlue's open in late 2025.)

    The math also checked out. Completing the challenge would earn each of us a reward of 350,000 points, at least $3,500 in travel apiece, plus the additional points earned from our flights.

    Combining the cash I'd have to pay plus the 100,000 JetBlue points I already had, the whole challenge would cost around $7,000, but I'd essentially be reimbursed in points.

    I started the challenge already holding Mosaic, but securing long-term status gives me more freedom to put everyday spending on other cards and build points with brands like Hyatt via Chase.

    JetBlue's new partnership with United Airlines also means I can tap into reciprocal benefits on United — an attractive perk since we live close to the airline's Newark, New Jersey, base.

    To maximize our time, we mostly fly on weekends and sometimes take up to five flights across a Saturday or Sunday. We'll end up taking closer to 35 flights overall because of the overlap at some departure and connecting airports.

    Our flights so far stretch west to Los Angeles, north to Portland, Maine, and south to Fort Lauderdale. We've also checked off airports like Cleveland, Norfolk, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Manchester in New Hampshire, Raleigh in North Carolina, and Buffalo in New York.

    Jackson in front of a JetBlue plane.
    Jackson and Steve will visit their 25th destination on Thanksgiving.

    Our most ambitious weekend was over Veterans Day in November, when we planned 18 flights and 11 new cities. The government shutdown, however, canceled five of them, but we managed to rebook and still add several new destinations.

    Aside from those cancellations and a huge delay that forced us to postpone a trip, the challenge has been remarkably smooth. And we've met a great community of people also clamoring for 25 years of Mosaic status.

    We recently flew in Mint business class to Los Angeles as our 23rd city and plan to complete the challenge on December 8 in Fort Myers, with about three weeks to spare.

    Piecing together itineraries is like a game of Tetris

    I already had a few JetBlue trips on my calendar to start, but then I created a master list of airports in the Northeast along with their city pairs. I live just north of New York City.

    The goal is to create snaking routes that efficiently hopscotch across the US; we're trying to avoid international flying. I'd sit up in bed when I couldn't sleep and just map out my options.

    Over time, I've figured out a few tricks: book one-ways, sit near the front, and choose the first and last flights of the day. Most fares average about $100 per person.

    I have lounge access to make longer layovers easier, though I occasionally book "illegal" itineraries with very tight connections. Connecting airports, regardless of the time spent there, count as unique destinations.

    Jackson in the cockpit with a JetBlue crew.
    Jackson in the cockpit with a JetBlue crew.

    But, before I risk it, I check the historical arrival times. One trip I planned included a 12-minute layover at New York-JFK, but we still made it because our flight from Hyannis, Massachusetts, landed half an hour early, as expected.

    Weather-tracking helps, too. I adjust my flight if I anticipate a disruption, which my status allows me to do for free. An unofficial tool called "25for25.ai" has also been helpful; you can plug in your starting point and block destinations you've already hit.

    Living in the New York area makes the challenge far more doable. Airports, like White Plains, LaGuardia, Newark, New York-JFK, and Islip on Long Island, are all considered separate, unique cities.

    New York-JFK and Newark are especially useful since they offer so many connections. There's also Hartford, Connecticut, and Philadelphia nearby. That's seven of the 25 we could just drive to.

    Smaller airports like Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts require more creativity because they offer limited frequencies.

    One of our biggest travel days began in White Plains, New York, where we flew to Nantucket and had breakfast in town. We then headed to DC for lunch at the airport, and finally to Orlando for dinner, also at the airport.

    The map shows the flight route from white plains to nantucket to DC to orlando.

    My partner joined us on that trip, making it a family day in the skies. We crossed paths with about 15 other challengers on our legs to DC.

    There is camaraderie in the challenge

    What has been extremely helpful is the dedicated Mosaic Facebook group, where other participants in the challenge share routes and road warrior stories. It's not hosted by JetBlue.

    The challenge has fostered a vibrant and supportive community. (Editor's note: JetBlue told Business Insider that over 500 people have completed the promotion so far.)

    My son and I sometimes see other challengers on our flights and will eat lunch together in the airport between legs. We helped a family of four explore the town during our layover in Nantucket.

    We exchange numbers with almost every person we meet so we can stay in touch. I didn't expect to find such a large and enthusiastic community, but it's become one of the best parts of the challenge.

    I have a little tag on my bag that somebody made for me that says 'JetBlue 25 for 25.' When people see it, they're like, 'Oh, you're doing the challenge.'

    It's been nice getting help along the way, and I appreciate being able to help others, too, cheering them on as everyone scrambles to finish by the holidays.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei drags OpenAI and Google: ‘We don’t have to do any code reds’

    Dario Amodei
    Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says the company is betting on enterprise, which he says sets it apart from OpenAI and Google.

    • Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei took a shot at OpenAI and Google.
    • OpenAI and Google have both declared "code reds" in reaction to rival product releases.
    • Amodei says Anthropic is avoiding the fray by focusing on enterprise AI instead of consumer AI.

    Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei just roasted OpenAI and Google on low heat — with a sprinkle of salt.

    OpenAI CEO Sam Altman this week declared a "code red" at his company after Google, one of its chief rivals in the AI race, released Gemini 3 to much fanfare. Google had earlier announced its own "code red" when ChatGPT launched three years ago.

    Amodei, however, told Andrew Ross Sorkin at The New York Times Dealbook Summit on Wednesday that his company has felt no need to proclaim such emergencies.

    "We have a little bit of a privileged position where we can just keep growing and just keep developing our models," he said, adding that Anthropic has issued no "code reds."

    Amodei said Anthropic is maybe feeling a little less heat in part because it is tailoring its products more for companies than consumers. "We've optimized our models more and more for the needs of businesses," he said.

    Building models for enterprises is different than building consumer-focused ones, he said.

    "You just focus on different things," he said. "You focus less on engagement, you focus more on coding, high intellectual activities, scientific ability."

    The company may have found a sweet spot in enterprise coding, but Amodei said it's starting to look beyond that to finance, biomedical, retail, and energy.

    Anthropic last month released Claude Opus 4.5, which it says is its most advanced AI model yet. It comes with improved features for generating computer code and workplace documents.

    Anthropic is not without serious competition, however. Both Google and OpenAI, among others, offer workplace and enterprise products. Google, of course, is one of the biggest tech companies on Earth. And OpenAI has a lot more resources at its disposal, too.

    Amodei, however, is skeptical about the huge amounts companies like Google, OpenAI, and Meta are spending as they jockey for the top position in the AI race.

    "There's a real dilemma, deriving from uncertainty, in how quickly the economic value is going to grow," he said. Anthropic, he said, is trying to "manage as responsibility as we can."

    "There are some players who are YOLO, who pull the wrist dial too far," he said.

    Anthropic did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Pro Medicus responds to data breach speculation: no client or patient data accessed

    falling telco asx share price represented by mobile phone displaying security breach

    The Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) share price is in focus after addressing speculation of a potential data breach, confirming no client or patient data was accessed and no financial loss occurred.

    What did Pro Medicus report?

    • Investigated unauthorised access of a single company email inbox in July 2025
    • No client systems or patient data were accessed
    • No Pro Medicus products, systems, or databases were affected
    • No operational impact or financial loss resulted from the incident
    • Potential exposure of personal data for approximately 100 current and former employees
    • All impacted individuals have been notified

    What else do investors need to know?

    The company confirmed the cybersecurity incident was isolated to a single mailbox and was quickly contained with the help of external experts. There is no evidence that any commercially sensitive or material information was accessed during the breach.

    Pro Medicus has informed all applicable government authorities as required by law, and all directly affected employees were promptly notified about the possible personal data exposure.

    What’s next for Pro Medicus?

    Pro Medicus states that its systems and client information remain secure. The company continues to review its cybersecurity practices and is committed to protecting data in line with industry best practice.

    There is no expectation of financial or operational impact, with Pro Medicus focusing on its ongoing delivery of medical imaging software solutions and services worldwide.

    Pro Medicus share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Pro Medicus shares have declined 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 2% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Pro Medicus responds to data breach speculation: no client or patient data accessed 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 recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. 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.