Stock Pick – Page 39 – Curated Stock Market News

Up 10x since July, could this hot ASX stock be the next Droneshield?
If you ever needed a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change on the ASX, look no further than 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX).

At the start of 2025, this little-known medical imaging company was trading for 48 cents per share. By the end of July, the share price was down 50% and had sunk to just 24 cents, the kind of low that makes even loyal shareholders question their sanity.

Fast-forward to today, and 4DMedical is changing lives, especially for its shareholders.

Its share price has skyrocketed to $2.44, which is a whopping 10x return since the end of July, and a five-bagger for anyone who invested at the start of the year.

To put that into dollar terms, a $10,000 investment in 4DMedical made in January would now be worth $50,000, whilst an investor who invested $10,000 during the July dip could be looking at up to $100,000 today.

For many households, that’s the difference between “maybe one day” and “we could actually buy that car and book that Europe trip right now”.

But how has 4DMedical become one of the hottest ASX stocks of 2025?

A 5-year struggle snaps into a 10x move

For most of its life on the ASX, 4DMedical has struggled to meet the expectations of the initial IPO excitement. After IPO’ing in 2020 at $1.25 and peaking at $2.60, the company spent years grinding lower and was at one stage down 90% from its highs.

But 2025 finally brought something different: commercial traction.

Investors stopped hearing promises and started seeing proof.

4DMedical delivered a wave of commercially meaningful wins and renewals with world-class institutions like the University of Michigan and Stanford; the addition of CT:VQ to Philips‘ North American catalogue backed by a $15 million commitment; FDA clearance in September unlocking a US$1.1 billion market; a strategic $10 million investment from ASX giant Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME); a fully underwritten $30.2 million option exercise securing its funding runway; and most recently, Canadian regulatory approval enabling immediate commercial deployment across Canada.

Each milestone reinforced the same message: 4DMedical’s technology is not just innovative, it is being adopted, validated, and scaled.

Could 4DMedical be the next Droneshield?

Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO) became the most exciting stock on the ASX by dominating a niche with powerful global demand. As positive announcement after positive announcement came in, there seemed to be no limit to investor demand for Droneshield shares.

In its own way, 4DMedical is beginning to exhibit similar characteristics, including a large market opportunity, commercial adoption by US hospitals, and a leading technology platform, all built on the highly scalable software-as-a-service business model.

Is 4DMedical’s success guaranteed? Of course not. Commercialisation in healthcare is notoriously difficult.

But investors don’t chase certainties; they chase asymmetric upside, and 4DMedical is one of the ASX stocks right now with a genuine shot at turning into something much larger.

Foolish bottom line

4DMedical is no longer just a speculative moonshot; it is becoming a growth company with a credible story, and for early believers, a wealth-changing story.

It has captured investors’ imaginations for good reason, but whether it becomes the next Droneshield or not will come down to execution. For the first time since its IPO, it feels like the company’s future and its share price are finally moving in the same direction.

The post Up 10x since July, could this hot ASX stock be the next Droneshield? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Should you invest $1,000 in 4DMedical Limited right now?

Before you buy 4DMedical 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 4DMedical 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…

See the 5 Stocks

* Returns as of 18 November 2025

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The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.
16 December 2025
DroneShield bags $49.6m European military contract: What investors need to know
The DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) share price is in focus today after the company announced a $49.6 million contract with a European military customer, with all deliveries and payments expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2026.

What did DroneShield report?
- Secured a $49.6 million contract for handheld counterdrone systems, accessories, and software updates
- Customer is a longstanding European reseller for a military end-customer
- Majority of hardware is already in stock for prompt delivery
- All deliveries and payments anticipated to be completed in Q1 2026
- Brings total contracts from this reseller over three years to more than $86.5 million
What else do investors need to know?

A significant portion of the $49.6 million order is already on the shelf, making it possible for DroneShield to deliver quickly and boost cash flow in early 2026. The company does not expect further material conditions to be satisfied for this contract, which should streamline the revenue recognition.

DroneShield also confirmed that there are currently no obligations for further orders from this specific reseller or end-customer, providing clarity on future pipeline expectations.

What’s next for DroneShield?

DroneShield is focused on completing deliveries and receiving payment for this contract in the first quarter of 2026. The company continues to develop AI-based defence solutions, with a customer base spanning military, government, and critical infrastructure sectors.

With this major contract and a growing history of international defence deals, DroneShield looks set to maintain its innovative approach and build on its reputation in counterdrone technology.

DroneShield share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Droneshield shares have risen 293%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post DroneShield bags $49.6m European military contract: What investors need to know appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Before you buy DroneShield 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 DroneShield 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…

See the 5 Stocks

* Returns as of 18 November 2025

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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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.
16 December 2025
Is there opportunity in 2026 outside the big four bank shares?
There is always plenty of coverage on the big four bank shares in Australia – and for good reason.

These four banks sit inside the top 6 largest companies in Australia weighted by market capitalisation.

Earlier in December I covered the success of Australia And New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) shares in 2025 compared to its peers.

But what about the ASX bank shares outside the big four?

Here is an overview of how some of the others have performed.

A tough year for bank shares

Across the board, it has been overall a down year for bank shares.

Starting with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN), which has fallen more than 20% since the start of the year.Â

That included two horror days of trading in November.

On 11 November, shares lost 8.5% following the release of the company’s first-quarter (Q1 FY 2026) results.

Two weeks later, on 25 November, shares fell another 7.4%.

Elsewhere, Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) has also struggled in 2025.Â

While it does offer banking services, it is primarily involved in investment and commercial banking and asset management, with Macquarie now in the top 50 global asset managers.

Its share price is down more than 9% since the start of the year.

Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) is one of Australia’s largest regional banks still operating independently of the ‘Big Four’ banks.Â

Its share price has also faced volatility this year, and is down approximately 2.7% year to date.

Finally, Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO), which focuses on lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has fallen just over 7%.Â

Most notably, in April, Judo Bank’s share price crashed 19% after releasing its third-quarter update.

Which has the most upside in 2026?

While 2025 has been rough on these bank shares, there is one drawing positive attention from experts.

Judo Bank is tipped by brokers to rebound in 2026.

It appears this may have already begun to be priced in, as its share price is up 12% over the last month since its AGM.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $1.90 price target on Judo Bank shares.

This indicates an upside of almost 11% from yesterday’s closing price of $1.72.

There are other brokers even more bullish.

UBS placed a $2.20 price target on Judo Bank shares in November, and TradingView currently has a consensus price target of $2.15.

These targets indicate an upside of between 25 – 28%.

The post Is there opportunity in 2026 outside the big four bank shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Should you invest $1,000 in Judo Capital Holdings Limited right now?

Before you buy Judo Capital Holdings Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

See the 5 Stocks

* Returns as of 18 November 2025

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
16 December 2025
THEN AND NOW: The cast of ‘Newsies’ 33 years later
Christian Bale is the breakout star of "Newsies."

Buena Vista Pictures, Jason Merritt/Getty Images
- Disney's musical "Newsies" was released 33 years ago, and it was a box-office flop.
- Years later, the movie is beloved by fans, and it's even been adapted into a Broadway musical.
- Christian Bale starred in the film as Jack Kelly, and he's now an A-list celebrity.
In 1992, Disney's movie musical "Newsies" made its debut — and it's since become quite a treasure.

Loosely based on the true story of the 1899 newsboys' strike in New York City, the film features a crew of so-called newsies as they sing their way through oppression and fight for a fairer working system.

"Newsies" was a box-office flop when it was first released, reportedly making less than $3 million at the box office, even though it cost over $15 million to make.

But in the years since, "Newsies" has built up a passionate group of "fansies" and has been adapted into a majorly successful Broadway musical. It has also helped launch the careers of a few young stars.

Here's what the cast of "Newsies" is up to 33 years later:

"Newsies" was Christian Bale's first Disney movie.

Buena Vista Pictures

In 1992, Christian Bale was 17 years old and had a few acting credits to his name until "Newsies" came along.

Bale portrayed the film's lead Jack Kelly, one of the ringleaders behind the newsies' strike.

Bale gave quite a performance singing, dancing, and acting as a rough, 19th-century Manhattan teen fending for himself and his chosen family.

Bale was the breakout star of the "Newsies" cast.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

"Newsies" wouldn't be Bale's last Disney movie.

He'd later star in the early-1990s Disney flop "Swing Kids," voice Thomas in 1995's "Pocahontas," and voice Bagheera in 2019's "Mowgli."

Of course, the actor is perhaps most well known for his roles in "American Psycho," "Ford v Ferrari," and the "Batman" franchise — though he has starred in several other major movies since his "Newsies" days.

David Moscow was a star before "Newsies."

Buena Vista Pictures

David Moscow and Bale had undeniable synergy while starring alongside each other in "Newsies."

Moscow played David Jacobs, "a mouth with a brain" and a coleader in the fictionalized strike against Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.

"Newsies" might have been Moscow's first Disney musical, but the young star was no stranger to the big screen, having starred in Tom Hanks' "Big" just a few years prior.

Moscow has continued acting and has since established himself as a producer.

Toby Canham/GettyImages

Decades after singing and dancing next to the future star of the "Batman" series, Moscow continues to leave a mark on Hollywood.

He appeared in 2003's "Just Married" with Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy and produced over a dozen movies.

Moscow also appeared in 2017's "This Is Christmas" and "One Last Night" — but he's mostly been focusing on behind-the-scenes work.

"Newsies" was one of Luke Edwards' first major movies.

Buena Vista Pictures

Starring as David Jacob's younger brother, Les, in the musical, Luke Edwards was no stranger to acting when he landed the role.

Before starring in "Newsies," Edwards had several acting credits to his name, including a role in the cult-favorite '80s comedy "The Wizard."

You might remember Edwards from 2017's "The Super."

HBO

Edwards has guest-starred on shows like "Without a Trace" and "True Detective," though you might remember Edwards from "American Pie 2" or even "Jeepers Creepers II."

Edwards has also appeared in "The Super," "Adverse," and "My Friend's Play."

Max Casella sang and danced his way into people's hearts.

Max Casella as Racetrack Higgins in "Newsies."

Walt Disney Pictures

One of the older "Newsies" in the bunch, Max Casella was 24 years old when he officially made his musical debut as Racetrack Higgins.

Aside from having a few TV roles in the 1980s and early 1990s, Casella had not appeared in a major theatrical production prior to this one.

He was, however, most well known as the time for his role as Vinnie Delpino on "Doogie Howser, M.D."

Casella has continued to act in numerous big projects.

Dimitrios Kambouris/GettyImages

Since "Newsies," Casella has gone on to make an impressive resume for himself.

He's lent his voice to characters in "The Little Mermaid 2," "Dinosaur," and "Courage the Cowardly Dog." He has appeared in over two dozen "Sopranos" episodes, acted in "Leatherheads," and joined "Boardwalk Empire" in 2010.

I recent years, you might have spotted Casella in "Jackie" alongside Natalie Portman, or on episodes of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "Tulsa King."

Gabriel Damon was a teen when "Newsies" debuted.

Buena Vista Pictures

Although he was only 15 years old when he starred as the spunky Brooklyn newsie Spot Conlon, Gabriel Damon was already quite a seasoned actor with over 30 credits to his name.

Notably, he was the voice of Littlefoot in the fan-favorite animated film, "The Land Before Time."

After "Newsies," Damon stepped away from acting.

He appeared in an episode of "ER."

NBC

Aside from a few appearances on "Baywatch" and a few one-off roles on shows like "ER" and "Sirens," Damon has shied away from the acting industry.

His last noted role was in a short in 2006.

Marty Belafsky's first big movie role was "Newsies."

Walt Disney Pictures

"Newsies" was Marty Belafsky's first-ever movie role.

In the musical, he appeared as the goofy but lovable Crutchy. He was only 16 years old when "Newsies" was released.

Belafsky has had a few roles since.

He plays a security guard in "America's Sweethearts."

Columbia Pictures

With roles in "Pearl Harbor" and "Men in Black II," Belafsky has been on the big screen a few times since 1992.

His last acting credit was in 2013 for the short "Archie Black." For over a decade, he has worked in a different part of the entertainment industry as a media executive.

"Newsies" was Arvie Lowe Jr.'s first-ever role.

Buena Vista Pictures

When he appeared as Boots in the 1992 musical drama, Arvie Lowe Jr. was a 12-year-old actor with no other roles to his name.

Lowe Jr. appeared on numerous popular TV shows throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

Arvie Lowe Jr. in 2022 during an interview with Insider.

Insider

After "Newsies" wrapped, Lowe Jr. found himself starring on popular 1990s shows like "Sister, Sister," "Moesha," and "Smart Guy."

He even starred on the early aughts Disney Channel show "Lizzie McGuire" alongside Hilary Duff.

Since then, he's had a few minor roles in Hollywood, and he's appeared in a few video shorts and commercials. Lowe Jr. is also a graphic designer.

After "Newsies" was released, Ele Keats got a lot of heat from fansies.

Ele Keats as Sarah.

Walt Disney Pictures

Ele Keats had a few acting credits under her belt in Hollywood before landing the role of Sarah Jacobs in "Newsies."

She played Jack Kelly's love interest, which led to backlash from fans who were unhappy about her kiss with Bale. Some have even referred to her character as the "Destroyer of Dreams."

Keats has appeared in a few horror films, and she has a jewelry business.

Michael Buckner/GettyImages

Since starring in "Newsies," Keats has had a number of small roles and has even guest-starred on shows like "CSI," "CSI: NY," and "Cold Case."

In the last few years, she's made a name for herself in the horror-film industry, starring in "Insidious: Chapter 3" and "Ouija: Origin of Evil."

She also owns Ele Keats Jewelry, which has a showroom in Santa Monica.

Bill Pullman was one of the few adults in "Newsies."

Buena Vista Pictures

Actor Bill Pullman played one of the few redeeming adult characters "Newsies" had to offer.

Previously known for his work in "Spaceballs," among other films, Pullman starred in the Disney musical as passionate journalist Bryan Denton.

Pullman has had a successful career post-"Newsies."

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The same year "Newsies" was released, Pullman was featured in "A League of Their Own."

He has also appeared in "Sleepless in Seattle," "Casper," "Scary Movie 4," and "Torchwood," among many other films.

In recent years, he also starred on the USA show "The Sinner."

Robert Duvall played a publishing mogul.

Buena Vista Pictures

Robert Duvall was quite the villain in the musical, where he appeared as publishing mogul Joseph Pulitzer.

Prior to "Newsies," he acted in dozens of works — including "The Godfather" and "The Twilight Zone."

Duvall starred in numerous films after "Newsies."

Frazer Harrison/GettyImages

After "Newsies," Duvall appeared in projects like "The Apostle," "Deep Impact," "Gone in 60 Seconds," and "Kicking and Screaming."

He continues to make a name for himself in Hollywood, and recently appeared in "Widows," "Hustle," and "The Pale Blue Eye."

Correction: December 15, 2025 — An earlier version of this story misstated Luke Edwards' first major role. It was in "The Wizard," not "Newsies."

This story was originally published in August 2018 and most recently updated on December 15, 2025.

Read the original article on Business Insider
16 December 2025
Judge expresses skepticism toward Epstein victim lawsuit against big banks alleging they facilitated sex-trafficking
Jeffrey Epstein flew private jets

US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York
- Jeffrey Epstein victims accused Bank of America and BNY Mellon of ignoring red flags.
- A federal judge expressed skepticism about their lawsuits, saying they were full of "rhetoric."
- Rakoff gave the lawyers a chance to revise their lawsuits with details from the discovery process.
A federal judge expressed skepticism about a pair of lawsuits that victims of Jeffrey Epstein had filed against two banks, suggesting he may dismiss them before they have a chance to go to trial.

At the outset of a Monday afternoon hearing in Manhattan federal court, US District Judge Jed Rakoff unfavorably compared the lawsuits against Bank of America and BNY Mellon to two similar lawsuits he had previously overseen, against JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank. JPMorgan agreed to settle the case for $290 million. Deutsche Bank agreed to settle for $75 million.

Rakoff said the language in the lawsuits against Bank of America and BNY Mellon — which were brought by the same attorneys and filed in October — was "frequently conclusory" and appeared to lack sufficient detail to demonstrate what the banks did wrong. He called the lawsuits "a model of high-pitched rhetoric."

"'Knows' without saying by whom is vague. 'Affiliated' without saying what that means is vague," Rakoff told David Boies, an attorney who brought the case. "A lot of that language is in the complaint."

At the end of the hearing, Rakoff gave the lawyers who brought the lawsuits on behalf of Epstein victims — David Boies, Sigrid McCawley, Brad Edwards, and Brittany Henderson — two weeks to revise their cases with more specific details about their allegations.

The judge said they would be permitted to use material they had already gathered as part of the discovery process in the case, but should put a hold on additional depositions and subpoenas until he issued a ruling, which he said could come at the end of January.

The lawsuits allege that Bank of America and BNY Mellon aided in Epstein's sex-trafficking operation by providing him with banking services and then ignoring red flags tied to his transactions.

Epstein, a well-connected financier, killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on criminal sex-trafficking charges. One of his associates, Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking girls to him.

Monday's hearing was scheduled for the judge to weigh motions to dismiss the two lawsuits outright.

Charlotte Taylor, an attorney at the law firm Jones Day representing Bank of America, argued the lawsuits consisted of "recycled boilerplate allegations" and that they could not prove the bank provided anything other than "routine banking services" to Epstein and his associates. Felicia Ellsworth, an attorney at WilmerHale, said the plaintiffs couldn't prove anyone at BNY Mellon had the "state of mind" to be found liable.

Boies told Rakoff that the banks should have noticed enough smoke around the transactions from bank accounts belonging to Epstein and his associates to know there was a fire. Aside from Epstein's 2008 criminal conviction in Florida, he had been dogged by civil litigation for years, Boies said.

Rakoff expressed skepticism that the pattern of facts alleged in the lawsuit would be enough.

"Last I checked, that's not enough to survive a motion to dismiss," Rakoff said. "You need to have enough allegations as to specific facts."

Following the hearing, lawyers for the Epstein victims appeared eager to revise their lawsuits and include the information they obtained through the discovery process. Rakoff said that material may be redacted on the public docket.

"I think he's giving us a chance," Sigrid McCawley, an attorney at Boies Schiller Flexner, told Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
16 December 2025
Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ is one of her biggest albums on the Billboard 200. Here’s how her others rank.
Taylor Swift performs during The Eras Tour in Dublin.

Charles McQuillan/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
- Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl" has spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
- It surpasses "Folklore" as her third-longest reign atop the chart.
- "The Tortured Poets Department" holds the record in Swift's catalog with 17 weeks at No. 1.
Taylor Swift gave us fair warning in her newest album: "I'm married to the hustle."

Swift's 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," not only broke the record for the biggest sales week ever, but it also continued to amass sales and streams in the US for over two months after its release.

After seven consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, "Showgirl" returned for its eighth and ninth weeks atop the all-genre album chart.

The impressive tally comes just one year after Swift set a personal-best chart record with "The Tortured Poets Department." Keep reading for a ranking of her 16 studio albums (including both originals and rerecords) based on their Billboard 200 performances.

10. "Taylor Swift"

Taylor Swift's debut album, "Taylor Swift," was released in 2006.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 5

Swift's self-titled debut is the only studio album in her catalog that hasn't reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

"Taylor Swift" debuted at No. 19 and scaled the chart for more than a year, peaking at No. 5 in 2008.

9 (tie). "Lover"

Taylor Swift's seventh album, "Lover," was released in 2019.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for one week

Swift's seventh studio album was the first one that she owned outright, thanks to her new label contract with UMG.

"Lover" was promoted by several singles, including "You Need to Calm Down," "The Archer," and "The Man."

Four years later, after Swift kicked off the Eras Tour with "Cruel Summer" near the top of the set list, the fan-favorite song climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for four weeks, becoming the album's biggest hit.

9 (tie). "Red (Taylor's Version)"

The cover art for "Red (Taylor's Version)" was photographed by Beth Garrabrant.

Taylor Swift/UMG

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for one week

The extended tracklist for "Red (Taylor's Version)" included the storied extended cut of "All Too Well," a longtime fan-favorite song in Swift's catalog.

"All Too Well (10 Minute Version)" was released alongside a short film directed by Swift and promoted by a convention-breaking performance on "Saturday Night Live." It became the longest song to reach No. 1 in the history of the Hot 100.

8 (tie). "Fearless (Taylor's Version)"

"Fearless (Taylor's Version)" was released in 2021.

Taylor Swift/UMG

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for two weeks

"Fearless" was the first rerecorded album that Swift ever released.

The "Taylor's Version" series was inspired by the sale of Swift's masters to Scooter Braun in 2019, which she described as her "worst case scenario" in a passionate open letter. Swift decided to remake and rerelease her first six albums in a bid to reclaim ownership of her life's work. (Braun later sold Swift's masters to a private-equity company.)

In addition to faithfully recreating each tracklist, Swift decided to add never-before-heard songs "from the vault" that were written during the album's original creative process but cut from the final product.

"I've spoken a lot about why I'm remaking my first six albums, but the way I've chosen to do this will hopefully help illuminate where I'm coming from," Swift explained. "Artists should own their own work for so many reasons, but the most screamingly obvious one is that the artist is the only one who really knows that body of work."

"For example, only I know which songs I wrote that almost made the 'Fearless' album," she continued. "Songs I absolutely adored, but were held back for different reasons."

Many were skeptical that the "Taylor's Version" project would be embraced by fans, let alone achieve commercial success.

Those skeptics were forced to eat their words when "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" began to outpace the original on streaming platforms. According to Billboard, "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" earned more equivalent album sales in its first week of release than "Fearless" earned over the entire next year.

Four years later, in May 2025, Swift announced that she bought back her masters from Shamrock Capital, giving her complete control over her musical catalog and rendering her "Taylor's Version" project moot.

8 (tie). "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)"

"Speak Now (Taylor's Version)" was released in 2023.

Taylor Swift/UMG

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for two weeks

The rerecorded version of Swift's third album featured six songs from the vault, including two duets with Fall Out Boy and Hayley Williams.

7 (tie). "Reputation"

The album cover for "Reputation."

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for four weeks

"Reputation" arrived after an extended period of silence. Swift's longtime feud with Ye (then known as Kanye West) and Kim Kardashian had reached a fever pitch; in response to a massive social media hate campaign, Swift decamped to London and withdrew from the public eye.

She returned with a new snake-infested aesthetic and "Look What You Made Me Do," a cheeky lead single that poked fun at her own persona — and quickly shot to No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Swift also declined to participate in interviews or media appearances while promoting her sixth album. Instead, she relied on a simple tagline: "There will be no further explanation. There will just be reputation."

7 (tie). "Evermore"

Taylor Swift's ninth album, "Evermore," was released in 2020.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for four weeks

"Evermore" was surprise-released just five months after Swift's previous album, "Folklore." The two were billed as "sister albums," created under near-identical conditions with the same team of collaborators.

"To put it plainly, we just couldn't stop writing songs," Swift explained on social media.

"Evermore" was nominated for album of the year at the 2022 Grammys, but lost to Jon Batiste's "We Are."

6 (tie). "Speak Now"

Taylor Swift's third album, "Speak Now," was released in 2010.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for six weeks

Swift's third album had a lot to live up to, following the blockbuster success of "Fearless."

In response to skeptics — who questioned whether the teen phenom was relying too heavily on her collaborators — Swift decided to write "Speak Now" entirely by herself. She is the only songwriter credited on the standard tracklist.

6 (tie). "Midnights"

Taylor Swift's 10th album, "Midnights," was released in 2022.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for six weeks

Swift's 10th studio album sold over 1 million copies in its debut week, the first to cross that seven-figure threshold since Swift's own "Reputation." (She has now achieved the feat on eight different occasions.)

"Midnights" also won album of the year at the Grammys, joining "Fearless," "1989," and "Folklore" in the prestigious group of victors. Swift is the only artist in history to win album of the year four times.

6 (tie). "1989 (Taylor's Version)"

"1989 (Taylor's Version)" will be released on October 27, 2023.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for six weeks

The rerecorded version of "1989" was released nine years after the original. Swift added five vault songs to the tracklist, including the fan-favorite closer "Is It Over Now?"

5. "Red"

Taylor Swift's fourth album, "Red," was released in 2012.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for seven weeks

"Red" is Swift's fourth studio album. It featured a mishmash of Max Martin-produced pop bangers ("We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," "I Knew You Were Trouble") and country-rock breakup anthems ("State of Grace," "Holy Ground").

4. "Folklore"

Taylor Swift's new album cover and additional promo photos were taken by Beth Garrabrant.

Taylor Swift/Republic Records

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for eight weeks

"Folklore" marked a sonic departure for Swift, stripping down her favored synth-pop production to reveal introspective reflections and intricate narratives.

The pandemic-era album was co-produced by Swift, Jack Antonoff, and Aaron Dessner of The National. It received rave reviews from critics and is widely considered her best work to date.

3. "The Life of a Showgirl"

Taylor Swift's 12th album, "The Life of a Showgirl," was released on October 3, 2025.

TAS Rights Management

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for nine weeks

Cowritten and co-produced with Max Martin and Shellback, "The Life of a Showgirl" was described by Swift as a snapshot of "everything that was going on behind the curtain" during the Eras Tour.

The album's nine-week reign at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 brought Swift's total sum atop the chart to 95, extending her record among solo artists.

Since the Billboard 200 was launched in 1956, only The Beatles have logged more weeks at No. 1 than Swift.

2 (tie). "Fearless"

Taylor Swift's sophomore album, "Fearless," was released in 2008.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for 11 weeks

Swift's sophomore effort had the longest run at No. 1 of any album in the 2000s. "Fearless" has since been certified diamond by the RIAA.

2 (tie). "1989"

"1989" was released on October 27, 2014.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for 11 weeks

Swift's fifth album marked her official pivot from country to pop music, a move that Swift said she had to "really fight — and I mean aggressively fight — to have happen."

In addition to its double-digit streak atop the Billboard 200, "1989" yielded several hit singles on the Hot 100, including "Shake It Off," "Blank Space," and "Bad Blood."

1. "The Tortured Poets Department"

Taylor Swift's 11th album, "The Tortured Poets Department," was released in 2024.

Taylor Swift

Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 for 17 weeks

Swift's 11th studio album, "The Tortured Poets Department," did not leave the No. 1 slot for 12 straight weeks after its debut in April 2024, fending off new releases from stars like Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Zach Bryan.

The uninterrupted reign of "Poets" was rare for a streaming-era release. It became the first album ever by a female artist to spend its first 12 weeks atop the chart, surpassing a record previously held by Whitney Houston's 1987 blockbuster "Whitney." (The all-time record for a consecutive streak among women is held by Carole King's "Tapestry," which spent 15 weeks at No. 1 in 1971.)

Swift briefly yielded the top spot to Eminem and Stray Kids before "Poets" notched 13th, 14th, and 15th consecutive weeks atop the chart.

The album eventually fell to lower positions, but then in December of that same year, it returned for two more weeks at No. 1 after Swift released physical versions of the album's deluxe version, "The Anthology," for Black Friday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
16 December 2025
Netflix’s bid to buy Warner Bros. hinges on a key question: Who does it actually compete with?
"Stranger Things" maker Netflix could face regulatory scrutiny as it looks to buy Warner Bros.

COURTESY OF NETFLIX/Courtesy of Netflix/Netflix © 2025
- Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. in one of the biggest deals in Hollywood's history.
- Government regulators must decide whether Netflix would be too powerful with key WBD assets.
- The key question: Who does Netflix actually compete with?
Would buying Warner Bros. give Netflix too much power?

The streaming giant is telling regulators it won't, and antitrust experts say the answer ultimately depends on how you define who Netflix competes with.

Does Netflix compete with only paid streaming services, a market where it dominates? What about the TV dinosaurs it disrupted, or the social video services nipping at its heels? Could sleep even be a competitor, as its cofounder Reed Hastings famously suggested?

Rival suitor Paramount Skydance has slammed the Netflix-Warner Bros. mega-deal as anticompetitive, arguing that it would harm consumers and Hollywood talent. Netflix is by far the largest paid subscription video streamer, and it would become even stronger with the addition of WBD's studio assets, including HBO and the Warner Bros. library (stocked with fare like Harry Potter and DC Comics).

Netflix, for its part, is advocating for a definition that considers total US TV viewing time. The streamer, which has expressed confidence in its regulatory case, pointed to this in a letter to its employees on Monday.

"Even after combining with Warner Bros., our view share would only move from 8% to 9% in the US — still well behind YouTube (13%) and a potential Paramount/WBD combination (14%)," Netflix's co-CEOs wrote on Monday, citing Nielsen data. A Netflix spokesperson referred to those remarks when asked for comment.

Convincing antitrust regulators of that could be an uphill battle.

"Antitrust regulators are likely to define the relevant market narrowly," said Anthony Palomba, a business professor at the University of Virginia. "The FTC and DOJ have consistently treated streaming as a discrete competitive arena, separate from linear television, theatrical distribution, or social video platforms."

Then there's the Trump factor.

The president has said the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal "could be a problem."

"They have a very big market share, and when they have Warner Brothers, you know, that share goes up a lot," he said.

Reuben Miller, the head of antitrust at financial data service Dealreporter, said Netflix's bid would "be challenged and litigated unless Netflix can convince Trump to come down on their side."

Here's how regulators could determine Netflix's competitive market and, by extension, the future of the media business.

A Netflix-Warner Bros. marriage would dominate paid streaming revenue

A Netflix-Warner Bros. combination would be a colossus. Netflix and HBO Max have accounted for 39% of paid subscription streaming revenue in 2025, per S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Any firm with 30% to 40% market share has historically drawn scrutiny from the US government. If regulators see paid streamers as a distinct market, Netflix's Warner Bros. deal could be in trouble.

Netflix and HBO Max make up 39% of paid streaming revenue in the US this year.

S&P Global Market Intelligence

Consumers may not view social media apps — even when they are watched on a TV screen — as close substitutes for Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu, Palomba said. If so, a Netflix-HBO Max combination could limit choice or lead to price hikes.

There are few recent parallels to Netflix's Warner Bros. acquisition, Dealreporter's Miller said. One could be Charter Communications, which was allowed to expand its cable operation in 2016, but streamers were in their early days then. Miller said it felt like the government was protecting the nascent streaming industry. However, consumer behavior has changed so dramatically since then that he's unsure if those market definitions would be applicable.

"The incentive is to start with the assumption that a merger is illegal," Miller added. "They're going to start with as narrow a definition as possible, so they'll probably start with paid streaming. And then the onus is on Netflix to try and get them to expand that market definition."

If paid and free streaming are competitors, Netflix's case looks better

Although Netflix is easily the most viewed paid streamer in the US, it's not the top streamer on TV screens.

That would be free YouTube, whose viewership share has soared relative to Netflix in recent years. At the end of 2022, Netflix and YouTube each commanded 7.5% of viewership on US TVs. But as of October, YouTube commanded a 12.9% share while Netflix took second place at 8%, according to Nielsen.

Along with its paid peers, Netflix is also battling free streamers like The Roku Channel and Fox's Tubi that are popular among Gen Z.

When adding free streamers into the marketplace, Netflix and HBO Max together accounted for just over a fifth of US streaming minutes in October, MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman wrote on Monday. While 20% share is powerhouse status, it might not be a dealbreaker from an antitrust perspective.

Netflix's streaming minutes share in the US would be well behind YouTube, even with HBO Max.

MoffettNathanson

In the total TV market, Netflix and Warner Bros. combined would still be small

Netflix has argued that it's competing against all of traditional TV, not just streamers.

Its viewership share ranks sixth among TV media distributors, versus its second-place spot in streaming. When measured against cable and broadcast TV, Netflix's 8% share in October was slightly behind the 8.2% share for Paramount, which includes its cable channels and CBS.

Netflix is the sixth-largest TV media distributor by parent company, according to Nielsen.

Nielsen

And since Netflix isn't trying to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's cable networks like CNN, it could argue that it's only adding a fraction of the media conglomerate's viewership time.

Netflix could argue that the combination of Paramount and WBD would be even bigger than its own desired deal by one metric.

MoffettNathanson

Industry insiders and analysts doubt social media will count as competition

Netflix would undoubtedly love a broad definition of its competitive market that includes TikTok, Instagram, and even video podcasts and video games, which are also spaces where the streamer competes.

Some media insiders see an ultra-broad competitive landscape as a bridge too far.

"My clients are not pitching shows to YouTube," a TV agent said.

Corey Martin of LA-based law firm Granderson Des Rochers said that "to compare Netflix to YouTube, or even TikTok, is like comparing apples and oranges," as are video game companies.

Consumers tend to think of paid streamers like Netflix or Disney+ when they want to watch movies, TV, or sports, Martin said, but "they don't necessarily think about YouTube or TikTok."

"Directly, it's hard to say that a video game is competing with a movie, or a video game is competing with the TV, even though they do consume our attention," said Rahul Telang, a business professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

However, some see truth in the idea of an all-consuming battle for attention.

Bernstein analyst Laurent Yoon said Netflix may be a leader in long-form video, but others have better sports offerings. Yoon also wrote in a mid-December note that attention has shifted to short-form video on Instagram and TikTok, and even new micro dramas.

"Critics may claim these are apples and oranges, but we heard the same argument about linear vs. streaming only a decade ago," Yoon wrote.

Read the original article on Business Insider
16 December 2025
Only 47 songs have stayed at No. 1 on the chart for 10 weeks or more — here they all are
Lil Nas X, Olivia Newton-John, Mariah Carey, and Shaboozey.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy; Erik Hein/American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images; Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Axelle Bauer Griffin/FilmMagic; Rebecca Zisser/BI
- A small fraction of all No. 1 hits have ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks or more.
- Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" holds the record for most weeks atop the chart.
- Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" and Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" are tied for second place.
The Billboard Hot 100 is widely regarded as the definitive all-genre singles chart in the US.

Since the chart launched in 1958, over 1,000 songs have reached the coveted No. 1 spot. However, far fewer have remained there for double-digit weeks.

Mariah Carey's 1994 smash "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which has cyclically returned to No. 1 each holiday season since 2019, recently notched its 20th week atop the chart — breaking a tie with Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" and Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" for the longest domination in history.

Keep reading for a roundup of all 47 songs that have ruled the chart for at least 10 weeks, listed in the order they reached that milestone.

Listen to the complete playlist on Business Insider's Spotify.

1. "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

"You Light Up My Life" was the first song in history to chart at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

2. "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John/YouTube

"Physical" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

3. "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men

Boyz II Men/YouTube

"End of the Road" charted at No. 1 for 13 weeks.

4. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston/YouTube

"I Will Always Love You" charted at No. 1 for 14 weeks.

5. "I Swear" by All-4-One

All-4-One/YouTube

"I Swear" charted at No. 1 for 11 weeks.

5. "I'll Make Love to You" by Boyz II Men

Boyz II Men/YouTube

"I'll Make Love to You" charted at No. 1 for 14 weeks.

7. "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

"One Sweet Day" was released on November 14, 1995.

Mariah Carey/YouTube

"One Sweet Day" charted at No. 1 for 16 weeks, making Boyz II Men the first artist in history to earn double-digit weeks atop the chart with three different songs.

8. "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" by Los Del Rio

Los Del Rio/YouTube

"Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" charted at No. 1 for 14 weeks.

9. "Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton/YouTube

"Un-Break My Heart" charted at No. 1 for 11 weeks.

10. "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112

"I'll Be Missing You" was released on May 23, 1997.

Bad Boy Entertainment/YouTube

"I'll Be Missing You" charted at No. 1 for 11 weeks.

11. "Candle in the Wind 1997/Something About the Way You Look Tonight" by Elton John

Elton John/YouTube

"Candle in the Wind 1997/Something About the Way You Look Tonight" charted at No. 1 for 14 weeks.

12. "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy and Monica

Brandy & Monica/YouTube

"The Boy Is Mine" charted at No. 1 for 13 weeks.

13. "Smooth" by Santana featuring Rob Thomas

Santana/YouTube

"Smooth" charted at No. 1 for 12 weeks.

14. "Maria Maria" by Santana featuring The Product G&B

Santana/YouTube

"Maria Maria" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

15. "Independent Women, Pt. 1" by Destiny's Child

Destiny's Child/YouTube

"Independent Women, Pt. 1" charted at No. 1 for 11 weeks.

16. "Foolish" by Ashanti

Ashanti/YouTube

"Foolish" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

17. "Dilemma" by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland

Nelly/YouTube

"Dilemma" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

18. "Lose Yourself" by Eminem

Eminem/YouTube

"Lose Yourself" charted at No. 1 for 12 weeks.

19. "Yeah!" by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris

Usher/YouTube

"Yeah!" charted at No. 1 for 12 weeks.

20. "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey/YouTube

"We Belong Together" charted at No. 1 for 14 weeks.

21. "Gold Digger" by Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx

Kanye West/YouTube

"Gold Digger" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

22. "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce

Beyoncé/YouTube

"Irreplaceable" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

23. "Low" by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain

Flo Rida/YouTube

"Low" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

24. "Boom Boom Pow" by The Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas/YouTube

"Boom Boom Pow" charted at No. 1 for 12 weeks.

25. "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas/YouTube

"I Gotta Feeling" charted at No. 1 for 14 weeks.

26. "We Found Love" by Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris

Rihanna/YouTube

"We Found Love" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

27. "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell

Robin Thicke/YouTube

"Blurred Lines" charted at No. 1 for 12 weeks.

28. "Happy" by Pharrell Williams

Pharrell/YouTube

"Happy" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

29. "Uptown Funk!" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars

Mark Ronson/YouTube

"Uptown Funk!" charted at No. 1 for 14 weeks.

30. "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth

Wiz Khalifa/YouTube

"See You Again" charted at No. 1 for 12 weeks.

31. "Hello" by Adele

"Hello" was released in 2015.

Adele/YouTube

"Hello" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

32. "One Dance" by Drake featuring WizKid and Kyla

Drake/YouTube

"One Dance" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks.

33. "Closer" by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey

The Chainsmokers/YouTube

"Closer" charted at No. 1 for 12 weeks.

34. "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran/YouTube

"Shape of You" charted at No. 1 for 12 weeks.

35. "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber

Luis Fonsi/YouTube

"Despacito" charted at No. 1 for 16 weeks.

36. "God's Plan" by Drake

Drake/YouTube

"God's Plan" charted at No. 1 for 11 weeks.

37. "In My Feelings" by Drake

Drake/YouTube

"In My Feelings" charted at No. 1 for 10 weeks, becoming Drake's third entry on this list. He holds the record for the most solo songs with double-digit weeks atop the Hot 100.

Drake also holds the record for the most No. 1 song debuts in history.

38. "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

Lil Nas X/YouTube

After Lil Nas X recruited Billy Ray Cyrus for a remix, "Old Town Road" dominated the Hot 100 for 19 weeks, the most ever for a collaboration. It also became the fastest song in history to be certified diamond and won two Grammy Awards.

39. "The Box" by Roddy Ricch

"The Box" was released in 2019 and re-released as a single in 2020.

Roddy Ricch/YouTube

"The Box" charted at No. 1 for 11 weeks.

40. "Butter" by BTS

HYBE LABELS/YouTube

"Butter" charted at No. 1 for 10 nonconsecutive weeks.

41. "Easy On Me" by Adele

Adele/YouTube

"Easy On Me" charted at No. 1 for 10 nonconsecutive weeks, becoming Adele's second song to reach the milestone.

42. "As It Was" by Harry Styles

"As It Was" was released on March 31, 2022.

Harry Styles/YouTube

"As It Was" charted at No. 1 for 15 nonconsecutive weeks, the longest reign ever for a British artist.

43. "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

Mariah Carey/YouTube

More than three decades after its release, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" returned to No. 1 in December 2022 for its milestone 10th week on top of the chart.

The holiday hit became Carey's third song to earn double-digit weeks atop the Hot 100, making her the third artist and first woman ever to achieve the feat thrice.

In 2025, the song experienced another holiday-season surge, earning its 20th total week at No. 1 and setting a record for the longest reign in history.

44. "Last Night" by Morgan Wallen

Morgan Wallen/YouTube

"Last Night" charted at No. 1 for 16 nonconsecutive weeks, despite Morgan Wallen's many controversies.

45. "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey

Shaboozey/YouTube

"A Bar Song (Tipsy)," Shaboozey's breakout hit, charted at No. 1 for 19 nonconsecutive weeks, tying "Old Town Road" for the second-longest reign in history.

46. "Luther" by Kendrick Lamar with SZA

"Luther" reached No. 1 on the chart dated March 1, 2025.

Kendrick Lamar/YouTube

"Luther" was released as track three on Kendrick Lamar's album, "GNX," and originally debuted at No. 3 on the Hot 100.

Shortly after Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show (which SZA joined to perform both "Luther" and their 2018 hit "All the Stars"), "Luther" rose to the top spot, where it remained for 13 consecutive weeks.

47. "Ordinary" by Alex Warren

"Ordinary" reached No. 1 on the chart dated June 7, 2025.

Alex Warren/YouTube

"Ordinary" was released as the lead single from Alex Warren's debut studio album, "You'll Be Alright, Kid."

Warren performed the song on the "Love Is Blind" season eight reunion special, which boosted its streaming numbers. It later became a summertime radio hit, reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100 in June 2025, nearly four months after its release.

"Ordinary" spent nine consecutive weeks atop the chart before rebounding for its milestone 10th in late August.

Read the original article on Business Insider
16 December 2025
Meridian Energy lifts hydro storage and sales in November 2025 update
The Meridian Energy Ltd (ASX: MEZ) share price is in focus today after the company released its monthly operating report for November 2025, highlighting national hydro storage reaching 153% of historical average and a 12.1% rise in retail sales volumes compared to November last year.

What did Meridian Energy report?
- National hydro storage increased from 143% to 153% of historical average by 8 December 2025.
- South Island storage reached 157% of average, North Island storage climbed to 132% of average.
- November 2025 inflows were 149% of historical average, with year-to-date inflows the highest since 1988/89.
- Retail sales volumes in November rose 12.1% year on year, with residential segment up 23.2%.
- National electricity demand was 5.9% higher than in November 2024.
- Meridian’s total New Zealand customer connections grew by 20% since November 2024.
What else do investors need to know?

November was the warmest on record for New Zealand, with temperatures above average in most areas and higher rainfall for the North Island and the west of the South Island. Despite drier conditions in the east, strong hydro inflows supported impressive storage levels.

Meridian’s generation for November was 2.7% higher than the same month last year, mainly due to increased hydro output. Year-to-date generation is tracking 12.7% ahead of last year, and the average price received for generation in November rose 93.3% compared to November 2024.

Higher demand from New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd (NZAS) also featured, with average load rising to 569MW from 451MW a year ago.

What’s next for Meridian Energy?

Investors can keep an eye on Meridian’s ability to maintain strong hydro inflows and storage as summer progresses, supporting both generation and retail sales. The company continues to benefit from rising electricity demand and expanded customer connections.

Ongoing investment in renewable energy and a focus on operational efficiency position Meridian well for future growth, though weather patterns and wholesale market dynamics will remain key factors to watch.

Meridian Energy share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement.

The post Meridian Energy lifts hydro storage and sales in November 2025 update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Before you buy Meridian Energy 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 Meridian Energy 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.*

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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
16 December 2025
Buy, hold, sell: CSL, Vulcan, Woolworths shares
Wondering which popular ASX shares to buy, hold, or sell? Let’s take a look at what analysts are saying about three popular options, courtesy ofÂ The Bull.

Here’s what they are recommending to their clients:

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

This biotechnology giant’s shares have fallen hard this year for a number of reasons. But EnviroInvest isn’t recommending that investors buy them just yet and has labelled them as a sell.

It highlights that declining vaccination rates are weighing on its performance and feels that capital could be better deployed in other opportunities. EnviroInvest said:

CSL recently cut revenue and profit growth forecasts for fiscal year 2026. The company’s vaccine division Seqirus is under pressure from declining vaccination rates in the United States. Plasma collection remains healthy, but integration costs involving CSL Vifor, a leader in iron deficiency and nephrology, amid restructuring expenses continue to weigh on margins and cash flow, in my view. In the absence of near-term catalysts and years of share price stagnation, capital could be better deployed elsewhere until the outlook improves.

Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL)

One ASX share that EnviroInvest is positive on is Vulcan Energy. It has put a buy recommendation on the Germany-based lithium developer.

EnviroInvest was pleased with the announcement of its financing package and gives it a materially stronger strategic positioning. It said:

Vulcan recently secured a â¬2.2 billion ($A3.929 billion) financing package to fully fund phase one of its Lionheart project, It’s Europe’s first fully integrated, zero carbon lithium and renewable energy project. Funding enables immediate construction. The package includes â¬1.185 billion in senior debt, â¬204 million in German government grants, â¬150 million from KfW, plus strategic equity from HOCHTIEF, Siemens and Demeter. Phase one targets 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide per year. With funding risk removed and execution underway, VUL’s strategic positioning is materially stronger.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

This supermarket giant has been named as a sell by Alto Capital. It fears that higher costs and subdued discretionary spending could weigh on its growth and profitability. It explains:

The supermarket giant’s full year 2025 results fell short of market expectations, highlighting margin pressure and subdued sales growth. WOW was recently trading on a lofty price/earnings ratio of about 37 times, which leaves limited upside, in our view. Rising costs combined with subdued discretionary spending suggest growth and profitability may remain constrained. We believe much of the upside is already priced in, so investors may want to consider taking some gains in a high cost, low growth environment.

The post Buy, hold, sell: CSL, Vulcan, Woolworths shares 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…

See the 5 Stocks

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended 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.
16 December 2025