As we approach the end of the Easter holiday shortened trading week, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 4.3% since last Thursday’s closing bell, with these three ASX 200 stocks racing ahead of those gains.

One of the top-performing stocks on our list for this week is a major Aussie bank, the second provides buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, and the third earns its keep in the fast food sector.

So, which ASX 200 stocks are leading the charge higher this week?

Read on!

ASX 200 stocks storming higher

First up, we have Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN).

Bendigo Bank shares closed last Thursday (ahead of the Good Friday holiday) trading for $10.12. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $11.51 each.

That sees this ASX 200 stock up 13.4% over the four-day trading week. A lot of those gains were delivered on Thursday.

Bendigo Bank shares closed up 8.4% yesterday after the company released its March-quarter trading update (Q3 FY 2026).

Highlights for the three months included unaudited cash earnings of $137.9 million. That represents an increase of 7.6% from the quarterly average the bank reported in the first half of FY 2026.

Bendigo Bank reported a quarterly statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $109.4 million.

Which brings us to the second ASX 200 stock shooting the lights out this week, Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP).

Zip shares closed last Thursday trading for $1.58, and are currently trading for $1.84. This sees the Zip share price up an impressive 16.5% for the week.

There was no fresh news out from the company this week. But BNPL stocks like Zip have proven to be highly sensitive to interest rate moves and expectations.

With negotiations underway to end the Iran war this week, energy prices came down, which lowered the outlook for inflation. This, in turn, has lowered expectations for future interest rate hikes from central banks like the RBA and the US Federal Reserve.

Leading the charge

The top performing ASX 200 stock on our list for this four-day trading week is Guzman Y Gomez (ASX: GYG).

Shares in the Mexican fast food restaurant chain closed last Thursday trading for $15.20. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $20.67 apiece. This sees the embattled Guzman Y Gomez share price up a sizzling 36% for the week.

The ASX 200 stock closed up 18.6% on Tuesday following the release of its third-quarter trading update.

Investors responded favourably to the company’s 19.5% year-on-year increase in sales to $345.9 million.

The quarter also saw Guzman Y Gomez open five new restaurants in Australia, bringing its global network to 278 outlets.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks surging 13% to 36% in this shortened trading week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are Bendigo Bank shares a buy after jumping 13% this week?
• Why Bendigo Bank, EBR Systems, Strickland, and Woodside shares are rising today
• Up 32% this week, are Guzman Y Gomez shares a good buy today?
• Zip shares plunge again after yesterday’s 19% surge. Here’s what changed
• Why is everyone talking about Sandfire, Bendigo Bank, and DroneShield shares on Thursday?

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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week with a decline. The benchmark index is currently down 0.4% to 8,938 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

Amaero Ltd (ASX: 3DA)

The Amaero share price is up 5% to 32 cents. This has been driven by news that the high-value refractory and titanium alloy powders provider has entered a master purchasing agreement that includes a purchase order for titanium alloy powders with a value of $7.8 million. Amaero’s chair and CEO, Hank J. Holland, commented: “Commercial activity across both segments of Amaero’s business is strong. We are excited to secure a contract for titanium powder shipments in FY2027 that approximates total titanium powder sales in FY2026. We have been advancing numerous titanium powder opportunities over the past 6-12 months with several opportunities potentially exceeding 100 tonnes of annual demand.”

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price is up 4.5% to $2.12. This appears to have been driven by bargain hunters swooping in following a pullback in the biotechnology company’s shares this week. One broker that is likely to approve of this buying is Bell Potter. It currently has a speculative buy rating and $4.45 price target on its shares. This is more than double its current share price.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price is up 5.5% to $14.39. Investors have been buying the radiopharmaceuticals company’s shares following the release of a major update this morning. Telix revealed that the US FDA has accepted its New Drug Application for TLX101-Px (Pixclara). It is a PET agent for imaging brain cancer (glioma). The US FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of 11 September 2026. This essentially means that Telix will find out if it will be approved within the next five months.

Tivan Ltd (ASX: TVN)

The Tivan share price is up 6% to 34.2 cents. This morning, this mineral exploration company announced that it has located high-grade copper-gold mineralisation across multiple sites at the Baucau and Ossu Projects in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Tivan’s executive chair, Grant Wilson, commented: “We are very pleased to share these results today, that will resonate deeply in Timor-Leste, particularly the discovery of high-grade gold. Tivan will be working closely with community and stakeholders in the Ossu and Baucau regions in the months ahead to consolidate our social license to operate and to plan forward works.”

The post Why Amaero, Mesoblast, Telix, and Tivan shares are charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Magellan, Telix and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday
• Should you buy Telix shares after its big US news?
• This ASX gold company is up more than 4% on promising early exploration results
• Up 31% in a month, why are Telix shares lifting off again on Friday?
• Where is the value amongst ASX healthcare shares?

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

Generating a steady income from shares is a goal many Australian investors work toward over time.

The idea is simple. Build a portfolio of businesses that pay reliable dividends, reinvest those payments along the way, and allow the income stream to grow over time.

Reaching $10,000 in annual income does not happen overnight. But with the right approach and a focus on quality, I think it is an achievable long-term target for investors.

Start with the income goal

The first step is understanding what it takes to generate that level of income.

If we assume an average dividend yield of around 4%, a portfolio of roughly $250,000 would be needed to produce $10,000 per year.

That is a meaningful amount, but it highlights something important.

This is a long-term process built through consistent investing, not a one-off decision.

Focus on reliable ASX income shares

When building an income portfolio, I would prioritise businesses that can generate steady cash flow and support their dividends over time.

Three ASX shares that I think fit that profile are Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

Each operates in a different sector, which helps with diversification, but they share a common trait. They provide essential services.

Telstra: Income from essential connectivity

Telstra generates earnings from telecommunications infrastructure that people and businesses rely on every day.

That creates a relatively stable revenue base, which supports consistent dividends.

For income investors, I think that reliability is key. It may not deliver rapid growth, but it can provide a dependable stream of income.

Transurban: Infrastructure-backed cash flow

Transurban offers exposure to toll roads, which are long-life assets with recurring revenue.

Traffic volumes can fluctuate, but the overall demand for transport infrastructure tends to remain steady over time.

Toll increases are often linked to inflation, which can help support gradual growth in distributions.

That combination of predictability and growth makes it appealing for income-focused portfolios.

Woolworths: Defensive earnings and dividends

Woolworths adds a defensive retail component. Supermarket spending is less sensitive to economic cycles than many other areas, which helps underpin consistent earnings.

That stability flows through to dividends, making Woolworths a reliable income payer over time.

It also offers modest growth potential through operational improvements and continued investment in its business.

Building toward the goal

Reaching $10,000 in annual income is about more than just picking the right shares.

It requires consistency.

Regularly adding to your portfolio, reinvesting dividends, and staying invested through market cycles can make a significant difference over time.

For example, investing $1,000 a month into ASX income shares and generating a return of 9% per annum would turn into $250,000 after 12 years. However, that is not a guaranteed return, of course.

The income may start small, but it can grow as the portfolio expands and companies increase their payouts.

Foolish takeaway

Building a $10,000 annual income from ASX shares is a long-term goal, but one that I think is achievable with the right approach.

Telstra offers stable income from essential services, Transurban provides infrastructure-backed distributions with long-term visibility, and Woolworths delivers defensive earnings and consistent dividends.

For me, combining businesses like these and staying consistent over time is the key to building a reliable income stream.

The post How to build a $10,000 annual income with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• My top ASX passive income picks for April
• This ASX 200 giant is rising while the market sells off. Here’s why
• Transurban Group March quarter 2026: Traffic rises across key toll roads
• 3 of the best ASX retirement shares to buy now
• 3 top ASX dividend shares for income investors to buy

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group, Transurban Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are edging lower today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed yesterday trading for $54.56. In late morning trade on Friday, shares are swapping hands for $54.11 each, down 0.8%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.5% at this same time.

That’s today’s price action for you.

Now, here’s how the Aussie mining giant is tapping into the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution to help streamline its operations and boost annual revenue.

How AI is helping support BHP shares

The rapid advancement of AI is transforming businesses around the world.

And BHP is no exception.

Among the unique ways that the technology is helping to support BHP shares is by keeping a virtual eye on the feedstock zooming along BHP’s conveyor belts and into the miner’s crushers.

While cameras have long been employed to try to spot oversized or otherwise unsuitable rocks from breaking a conveyor belt of jamming a crusher, AI is taking things to the next level.

As The Australian Financial Review reports, BHP has already installed dozens of cameras to watch over its iron ore carrying conveyor belts and crushers, with around 50 intended to be in place by July.

“Tearing a conveyor or blocking a crusher, that is two of our highest consequence, highest risk things from a safety perspective,” BHP chief technical officer Johan van Jaarsveld said.

According to van Jaarsveld (quoted by the AFR):

We try to run WA iron ore as close to 100% capacity as possible, so every time you break down, you are losing tonnes that could have been on a ship.

It is watching a video feed, and it can, in a split second, recognise when something is off. It takes about 40 metres or 50 metres to stop the conveyor belt, so the quicker you can make that decision to get the object off, or to intervene, [the better].

As for the impact on BHP shares, van Jaarsveld estimated that the improved early detection of unsuitable ore has already increased the miner’s iron ore revenue by some $50 million over the past year.

And those saving are likely to increase over time.

He noted:

Over time, it can obviously get smarter as things get detected, and it learns what is working and what is not working. That recognition and decision time has been brought down significantly from what it was 10 or 15 years ago.

Van Jaarsveld added that this deployment of AI technology hasn’t seen BHP reduce its workforce.

“We haven’t seen this really reduce the number of people … and generally on the technology side, it tends to add some roles.,” he said.

With today’s intraday dip factored in, BHP shares remain up 50.5% since this time last year, not including dividends.

The post Buying BHP shares? Here’s how AI is boosting the mining giant’s revenue appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Monadelphous wins $145m of new and renewed resources sector contracts
• Buy, hold, or sell? South32, Capstone Copper, and BHP shares
• Why surging ASX 200 copper stocks like Sandfire and BHP shares are ‘vulnerable’
• 3 analysts give their verdict on BHP shares
• ASX 200 sector leaders to buy amid today’s market rally

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

Putting $15,000 to work in the market is an opportunity to build a solid foundation.

For me, the focus would be on balance. I would want a mix of quality, growth, and resilience rather than relying on a single idea.

That way, my portfolio has the potential to perform across different market conditions while still benefiting from long-term compounding.

Here is how I would think about allocating it today.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers would be my starting point. It is one of those businesses that I think can quietly deliver over long periods of time. Its core divisions, particularly Bunnings and Kmart, continue to generate strong earnings supported by well-established market positions.

What I like is the consistency. Even in a mixed economic environment, Wesfarmers has shown it can grow profits and manage costs effectively. That kind of reliability is valuable when building a portfolio.

For me, this would form the defensive core of the investment.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus adds a different dimension. This is a high-quality growth company operating in medical imaging software, with a strong global footprint and a history of winning large contracts.

What stands out is the scalability of the business. It generates high margins and strong cash flow, which allows it to grow without the same level of capital intensity as many other healthcare companies.

Its valuation can look elevated at times, but I think that reflects the business’ quality and growth potential. And with its shares down heavily over the past 12 months, I believe its valuation is the most attractive it has been in years.

For me, this is the type of ASX share that can drive long-term capital growth.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Aristocrat brings a combination of cash flow and growth. Its gaming business remains highly profitable, while its digital division continues to expand, providing exposure to a growing segment of the market.

What I find appealing is how the company has evolved. It is no longer just a traditional gaming manufacturer. It has built a broader platform that includes digital content and recurring revenue streams.

That diversification can support earnings growth over time.

Foolish Takeaway

If I were investing $15,000 in ASX shares today, I would be aiming for a mix of stability and growth.

I think Wesfarmers provides a reliable, high-quality foundation, Pro Medicus offers exposure to a scalable global healthcare business, and Aristocrat adds strong cash flow with an expanding digital growth engine.

Together, I think they could support a balanced portfolio that can perform over the long term.

The post How I’d invest $15,000 in ASX shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $2,000 to invest? 3 ASX shares to consider today
• 2 high-quality ASX stocks to buy and hold long term
• 3 fantastic ASX shares that could help build long-term wealth
• How to invest $300 a month in Australian shares to target a $50,000 annual second income
• Why is everyone selling Wesfarmers shares?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) share price is $9.43, up 1%, as the market awaits news on the Barrenjoey merger vote.

Magellan held an extraordinary meeting this morning for shareholders to vote on the proposed merger with Barrenjoey Capital Partners.

Ahead of the meeting, Magellan revealed that 91% of proxy votes received had approved the merger.

Magellan has about 185.7 million shares on issue, and received 101.9 million proxy votes in favour of the deal.

The Magellan board unanimously recommends the merger.

Magellan is yet to announce the formal outcome from today’s meeting, but the result appears effectively a fait accompli.

The deal values Barrenjoey, an investment bank that launched only six years ago, at $1.616 billion on a 100% basis.

A new era for Magellan

Magellan was an early backer of Barrenjoey, which was founded by former UBS bankers Matthew Grounds and Guy Fowler OAM in 2020.

Barrenjoey’s current and founding CEO, Brian Benari, was previously the CEO of Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF).

Magellan conducted a $130 million institutional capital raise and a $20 million share purchase plan (SPP) at $8.45 per share to help fund the deal.

The Lowy family, founder of the Westfield empire, participated in the institutional raise, investing just over $79 million for 5.1% stake.

The SPP was vastly oversubscribed but had a participation rate of only 17% of shareholders.

Magellan said it received $129.4 million worth of valid SPP applications from 5,195 shareholders.

Magellan employed a savage scale-back that disappointed many investors, and the new shares began trading last Thursday.

Long-suffering retail investors are no doubt hoping that the merger will represent a turnaround for Magellan after five hard years.

Magellan share price slump

The Magellan share price has fallen 78% over five years.

The investment manager began its downhill slide in 2021.

That year, Magellan lost a major client worth 12% of its annual revenue, and chief stock picker and co-founder, Hamish Douglass, resigned.

Funds under management have declined from $113 billion in July 2021, when Magellan shares were worth about $50, to $38 billion today.

At the EGM, Magellan chair Andrew Formica said:

MFG has been on a deliberate and considered journey over recent years.

While we remain firmly committed to our core investment management business, we have also been focused on evolving MFG into a more diversified financial services group.

This strategy has been guided by a clear objective: to build a business that is more resilient, less dependent on any single revenue stream, and better positioned to generate sustainable returns through market cycles.

Our partnership with Barrenjoey has been central to this evolution.

Barrenjoey reported $522 million in revenue and an adjusted NPATA of $108 million for CY25.

Magellan released a presentation before the meeting this morning.

The post Why is the Magellan share price rising today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Magellan, Telix and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday
• Magellan Financial Group shares in focus following Barrenjoey merger approval
• Buy, hold, sell: CSL, Magellan, and Woodside shares
• What is this broker’s view on Magellan Financial Group after yesterday’s disappointing results
• Magellan Financial Group posts March 2026 AUM drop

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

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) shares are back in the red today, with the property giant slipping to a fresh multi-year low.

This comes as weakness across the real estate sector continues following a global sell-off caused by the Middle East crisis.

In early afternoon trade, the Mirvac share price is down 0.29% to $1.71. Earlier in the session, the stock fell as low as $1.685, marking its weakest intraday level since September 2015.

That leaves Mirvac shares down 20% in 2026, extending what has become a persistent de-rating for the ASX property stock.

Let’s take a closer look at what may be keeping pressure.

The rate backdrop is still working against property stocks

Mirvac’s latest weakness still appears to be driven more by broader sector conditions.

Listed property stocks remain highly sensitive to interest rate expectations. That pressure has stayed elevated as bond yields remain high and inflation risks continue to cloud the rate outlook.

Mirvac is especially exposed because it spans both residential development and commercial property, with earnings linked to apartment settlements as well as office and retail asset values.

This leaves the stock vulnerable whenever markets push rate cuts further out, or long-term yields move higher.

Its February half-year result was still solid, with operating profit after tax up 5% to $248 million, residential sales rising 38%, and net tangible assets increasing to $2.26 per stapled security. The interim distribution also lifted to 4.7 cents.

Management also reaffirmed FY26 guidance for operating earnings of 12.8 cents to 13 cents per security and distributions of 9.5 cents, supported by expected residential settlements of 2,000 to 2,300 lots.

That suggests the share price weakness is still more about valuation pressure across the REIT sector.

The valuation backdrop is starting to look more interesting

At $1.71, Mirvac is now trading at a notable discount to its latest book value per share of $2.329.

The stock is also offering a trailing yield above 5%, based on annual distributions of 9.2 cents.

That mix of discounted asset backing and income appeal is likely keeping value-focused investors interested, even while price momentum remains weak.

For now, the chart still suggests the market is applying a larger risk premium to office exposure, residential settlements, and businesses closely tied to the path of interest rates.

With the shares now back at levels last seen more than a decade ago, Mirvac is moving back onto the radar for ASX property investors.

The post Mirvac shares sink to their lowest level since 2015. Is this ASX property giant back on the radar? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX dividend shares near 52-week lows with very tempting yields

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares are tumbling today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) coal stock closed yesterday trading for $8.39. In early afternoon trade on Friday, shares are changing hands for $7.81 apiece, down 5.7%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.4% at this same time. But most energy stocks are doing it tougher today, as witnessed by the 2.1% decline in the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ).

Taking a step back, Whitehaven Coal shares remain up 62.7% over 12 months, smashing the 15.9% one-year returns delivered by the benchmark index. And that’s not including the 10 cents a share in fully-franked dividends the coal miner paid eligible stockholders over this time.

Now, here’s how the company just secured a major liquidity boost.

Whitehaven Coal shares ramping up liquidity

In intraday trade today, Whitehaven announced that it has entered into a new US$600 million (AU$853 million) senior secured syndicated facility with a duration of 4.5 years.

The new facility consists of a US$475 million term loan and a US$125 million revolving credit facility.

The ASX 200 coal stock said it has also received bank credit approvals for an additional US$150 million. Management is maintaining the option to upsize this facility as part of Whitehaven’s current refinancing process.

“The support from banking partners reflects confidence in Whitehaven’s financial discipline, cash flow generation and prudent approach to capital management,” Whitehaven managing director and CEO Paul Flynn said.

The new loans are intended to support Whitehaven Coal shares by increasing the miner’s liquidity position, extending its debt maturity profile, and reducing its funding costs. The miner noted that it will now also have more flexibility to support its operations and capital management objectives.

What did management say?

Commenting on the new funding arrangements intended to support Whitehaven Coal shares over the longer term, Flynn said:

With Whitehaven’s strengthened credit profile and successful integration – and initial improvements – of the Daunia and Blackwater metallurgical coal operations, we are focused on refinancing our acquisition credit facility and establishing a capital structure with more diverse, longer tenor and lower cost debt facilities.

The successful execution of the new senior secured syndicated facility, with a headline rate of around 6%, further strengthens our funding flexibility, extends our maturity profile, materially reduces our funding cost and improves our weighted average cost of capital.

With an eye on Whitehaven Coal stockholders, Flynn concluded:

We look forward to completing the refinancing of the balance of our acquisition credit facility and delivering on our broader financing objectives including delivering value for our shareholders.

The post Buying Whitehaven Coal shares? Here’s how the miner just locked in $853 million in funding appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why KMD, Tamboran Resources, Whitehaven Coal, and WiseTech Global shares are falling today
• These were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in March
• 4 ASX 200 energy shares rated buys
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) shares are showing some resilience on Friday, holding modest gains despite market sentiment remaining fragile.

At the time of writing, the AMP share price is up 0.53% to $1.317.

AMP shares are still down almost 30% in 2026, making today’s gain stand out. The broader market is under fresh geopolitical pressure following developments in the Middle East.

Against that backdrop, AMP’s latest update appears to be giving investors enough reason to stay put.

Here’s what the market is focusing on.

New CEO sets out the next phase

Today’s catalyst was AMP’s annual general meeting (AGM) update, which included addresses from Chair Mike Hirst and new CEO Blair Vernon.

The update gave shareholders their first chance to hear directly from Vernon since taking over from Alexis George at the end of March.

His message focused on AMP’s progress across wealth, banking, and platforms, while reinforcing the company’s existing priorities around growth, productivity, and capital discipline.

That broadly lines up with what The Australian had flagged ahead of the meeting. Investor focus was expected to centre on capital returns, executive pay, and whether the simpler business structure can keep supporting earnings momentum.

In addition, the internal appointment may also be helping settle investors.

Vernon has been with AMP since 2009 and most recently served as Chief Financial Officer before stepping into the top job.

Capital returns still in focus

Capital management was also part of Friday’s AGM discussion.

AMP reiterated that its previously announced $150 million on-market share buyback is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

The company also maintained its 4 cents per share full-year dividend guidance, subject to business performance and board approval.

At a share price of $1.317, that still points to a yield a little above 3%, which may be helping the stock hold up on a weaker market day.

The AGM materials also noted that AMP’s limited franking balance makes buybacks the preferred way to return excess capital.

Why the shares may be holding up

Friday’s modest gain may simply reflect how low expectations had already become.

After falling nearly 30% in 2026, AMP went into the AGM with sentiment already subdued, which means even a small update can be enough to support the share price.

There was no major surprise in the release, but the steady AGM update and capital return focus may be enough to support the shares.

The stock is also still trading below AMP’s reported net tangible assets backing of roughly $1.48 per share. This could be helping attract value buyers at current levels.

The post Why this beaten-down ASX financial stock is still finding buyers today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX shares I’d buy with $10,000 this week
• AMP jumps on $150 million buyback and CEO handover. Is this beaten-down ASX stock turning a corner?
• Why AMP, Greatland Resources, Minerals 260, and Woodside shares are pushing higher today
• AMP shares charge higher on Monday despite market selloff: What’s going on?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX), Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG), and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are grabbing financial news headlines today.

Heading into the Friday lunch hour, two of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stocks are outperforming the 0.4% losses posted by the benchmark index at this time, while one is trailing those losses.

So, which blue-chip stocks are catching ASX investor interest today?

Read on!

Fortescue shares dip on green energy news

Turning to Fortescue shares first, shares in the ASX 200 iron ore giant are down 2.1% at the time of writing, trading for $20.11 each.

This morning, the miner reported on a major milestone in its journey to eliminate diesel from large-scale industry.

The company said it is accelerating the delivery of the world’s first industrial, fully integrated green energy grid at a scale “comparable to a city”.

Fortescue noted that diesel fuel is 100% imported and “subject to extreme price volatility, unreliability and hardship”. The company said the industry’s diesel use results in billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded subsidies.

The ASX 200 miner expects to save US$100 million in fossil fuel costs by next year. Once its decarbonisation program is fully complete, the company expects C1 unit costs to come down by at least another US$2 to US$4 per wet metric tonne.

Fortescue shares are up 33.4% in 12 months, not including dividends.

Which brings us to…

Telix shares leap on US FDA acceptance

Telix shares are once more leaping onto investors’ radars today.

Shares in the ASX 200 diagnostic and therapeutic product developer are up 7.3% at the time of writing, swapping hands for $14.63 apiece.

Investors have been bidding up Telix shares after the company announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration has accepted its resubmitted New Drug Application (NDA) for TLX101-Px1, the company’s glioma (brain cancer) imaging agent.

“The FDA’s acceptance of our NDA resubmission is an important milestone for Telix,” Kevin Richardson, CEO Telix Precision Medicine, said.

“We appreciate the FDA’s constructive engagement and look forward to working closely with the Agency to urgently obtain approval and then bring this product to market for the benefit of patients,” Richardson added.

Telix shares are down 44.9% over 12 months.

Magellan shares gain on $1.6 billion merger update

Like Telix and Fortescue shares, Magellan is making headline news today following a major announcement.

Magellan shares are up 1.3% at $9.46 apiece after the ASX 200 funds manager updated the market on its proposed full merger with Barrenjoey Capital Partners.

Magellan said it will acquire all of the remaining shares in Barrenjoey in a merger that values Barrenjoey at $1.62 billion.

Magellan shares are up 30.4% in 12 months, not including dividends.

The post Why Magellan, Telix and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should you buy Telix shares after its big US news?
• Fortescue shares ease, but this major update could keep momentum building
• Up 31% in a month, why are Telix shares lifting off again on Friday?
• Magellan Financial Group shares in focus following Barrenjoey merger approval
• Where is the value amongst ASX healthcare shares?

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