When I think about stocks I could be comfortable holding through multiple market cycles, Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is one that consistently makes the list. 

It is not a high-growth story, and it probably never will be. But for long-term investors, especially those focused on income and resilience, I think Telstra has several qualities that make it worth holding well beyond 2026 and into the next decade.

Here are five reasons I would be happy to hold Telstra shares until 2030.

1. A defensive business that still matters

Telstra sits at the centre of Australia’s communications infrastructure. Mobile, broadband, enterprise connectivity, and digital infrastructure are not optional services. They are essential. That gives Telstra a level of defensiveness that many ASX shares simply do not have.

Even during economic slowdowns, consumers and businesses tend to prioritise staying connected. For me, that makes Telstra a useful stabiliser in a diversified portfolio, particularly when markets become volatile.

2. An attractive and relatively reliable dividend

At current prices, Telstra shares offer a dividend yield of around 4%. That may not sound extraordinary, but in the context of a large-cap defensive stock, I think it is appealing.

More importantly, Telstra’s dividend has been supported by improving earnings, disciplined cost control, and capital management initiatives such as share buybacks. While dividends are never guaranteed, Telstra’s recent financial performance suggests management is focused on maintaining shareholder returns while still investing in the business.

3. Network leadership remains a genuine advantage

Telstra continues to invest heavily in its mobile and fixed networks. Management has been clear about the importance of network quality, reliability, and coverage as a competitive advantage.

For long-term investors, this matters. Telecommunications is capital-intensive, and not every competitor can match Telstra’s scale or balance sheet. I see this ongoing investment as a way for Telstra to protect its market position rather than chase risky growth.

4. A clear strategy heading toward 2030

Telstra’s Connected Future 30 strategy is focused on connectivity, digital infrastructure, and treating the network as a product in its own right. I like that the strategy is not built on heroic assumptions about new revenue streams. Instead, it emphasises execution, efficiency, and getting more value from assets Telstra already owns.

I am not assuming this strategy will automatically succeed. But I do think the direction is sensible and aligned with Telstra’s strengths, which reduces the risk of unpleasant surprises. It also has a strong track record after executing its T22 and T25 strategies successfully.

5. A role in a long-term portfolio

I don’t see Telstra Group shares as one to trade in and out of based on short-term news. For me, it fits better as a long-term holding that provides income, resilience, and exposure to essential infrastructure.

By 2030, Australia is likely to be even more dependent on high-quality connectivity. While the competitive landscape may evolve, I find it hard to imagine a scenario where Telstra becomes irrelevant.

Foolish Takeaway

Telstra is unlikely to be the most exciting ASX share in any given year. But when I look at defensiveness, dividends, infrastructure ownership, and strategic clarity, I think it earns its place as a long-term hold. 

For investors who value stability alongside income, I think holding Telstra shares until 2030 is a reasonable and considered choice rather than a bold gamble.

The post 5 reasons to hold Telstra shares until 2030 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How I’d build a $1,000-a-month passive income from ASX shares
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• How I’d build a growing passive income stream from ASX shares over 15 years

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

Passive income does not have to mean complex strategies or years of guesswork.

Sometimes, it comes down to owning a well-run business, letting management do the hard work, and allowing dividends to land in your account while you focus on other things.

The ASX has no shortage of stocks that pay dividends, but only a handful combine income, growth, and balance sheet strength in a way that appeals to long-term investors.

One ASX dividend stock, in particular, is catching the attention of analysts right now. And if forecasts are on the mark, it could offer both a solid income stream and meaningful upside from here.

Which ASX dividend stock?

The stock in question is Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI). It is a specialty youth fashion retailer with a growing national footprint and a portfolio of brands that continue to resonate with its target demographic.

Despite a tougher retail environment, the company has continued to deliver solid sales growth, expand margins, and roll out new stores. Its focus on private label products, disciplined cost control, and selective store expansion has helped support profitability even as consumer conditions have fluctuated.

Importantly for income investors, Universal Store operates with a strong balance sheet and a high payout ratio, which underpins its ability to return cash to shareholders.

$860 of passive income

Universal Store shares are currently trading at $8.15. At that price, buying 2,000 shares would require an investment of $16,300.

According to a note out of Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), the ASX stock is expected to pay total fully franked dividends of 43 cents per share in FY 2026.

If those estimates are accurate, 2,000 shares would generate $860 in cash dividends over the financial year. That equates to a forecast dividend yield of just over 5%, before the benefit of franking credits.

For investors seeking income that is backed by earnings rather than financial engineering, that is a good starting point.

Why Macquarie is bullish

Macquarie currently rates the ASX stock as outperform with a $10.20 price target.

The broker believes the market is undervaluing its shares at current levels. It said:

Outperform. Strong sales growth, improving consumer demand environment & increased conversion + penetration into private label product, alongside ongoing store rollout supporting network sales growth. Valuation: Target price unchanged at $10.20. Stock appears attractively priced, given strong sales growth & GM expansion – trading in line with long run average PE-Rel.

Based on Macquarie’s price target, Universal Store shares offer potential upside of around 25% from the current share price.

This means that if you were to buy 2,000 units in this ASX dividend stock, they would have a market value of $20,400 if Macquarie is on the money with its recommendation. That’s more than $4,000 greater than the price you would pay to buy them today.

The post Buy 2,000 shares of this top ASX dividend stock for $860 in passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Shares in Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) are under pressure on Thursday.

This comes after the global mining giant released an update outlining its key results and dividend dates for 2026.

At the time of writing, the ASX heavyweight’s share price is down 2.90% to $148.21. The move suggests investors are focused on broader market and commodity trends rather than today’s largely administrative update.

While today’s update does not change guidance or dividend policy, it provides important clarity for income-focused investors and sets the calendar for one of the ASX’s most closely watched dividend payers.

Let’s take a closer look.

What Rio Tinto announced

According to the release, Rio Tinto confirmed its key financial reporting and dividend dates for the 2026 calendar year.

The company will release its full-year 2025 results on Thursday, 19 February 2026. As usual, this announcement is expected to include detailed updates on earnings, cash flow, balance sheet strength, capital expenditure, and shareholder returns.

Importantly for investors, Rio Tinto also confirmed that its final dividend for 2025, subject to board approval, will be announced alongside those full-year results.

Following that announcement, Rio Tinto shares are scheduled to trade ex-dividend on 5 March 2026, with the record date set for 6 March 2026. Eligible shareholders can then expect the dividend payment to be made on 16 April 2026.

Looking further ahead, the company will announce its 2026 half-year results on 29 July 2026. That update will include the declaration of the interim dividend for 2026, with shares expected to trade ex-dividend on 13 August 2026 and the payment scheduled for 24 September 2026.

Why this matters for investors

Rio Tinto is one of the ASX’s largest dividend payers, and its distributions are closely tied to commodity prices, operating costs, and capital expenditure decisions.

For income investors, knowing the ex-dividend and payment dates well in advance is critical for portfolio planning, particularly for those managing cash flow or tax outcomes.

For the broader market, the February results will also serve as a key checkpoint on iron ore demand, Chinese steel production, and how management is navigating a softer commodity pricing environment.

What to watch next

While today’s announcement has had little direct impact on the share price, investors are also digesting a separate update confirming preliminary merger discussions with Glencore. Management stressed that talks are at an early stage and that there is no certainty that a transaction will proceed.

Between now and February, attention is likely to remain on commodity prices, Chinese demand signals, and any further updates on potential corporate activity.

I will be watching this one closely as the February results approach.

The post Rio Tinto locks in key 2026 dates. What investors should watch next appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are marching higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stock closed yesterday trading for $24.60. In late morning trade on Friday, shares are changing hands for $25.01 apiece, up 1.7%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time, while the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is up 1.5%.

Despite today’s lift, Northern Star shares remain in the red in 2026, having yet to fully recover from the 8.6% plunge on 2 January.

Why did Northern Star shares kick off 2026 with a whimper?

Although many Aussie investors opted to take an extended New Year’s holiday break, the ASX was open on Friday, 2 January.

And Northern Star shares got pummelled after the miner reported gold sales of around 348,000 ounces for the December quarter. That came in below market expectations amid a series of equipment failures and unplanned maintenance at Northern Star’s production sites over the quarter.

Management also rattled investors after downgrading Northern Star’s FY 2026 gold sales guidance to between 1.6 million and 1.7 million ounces. That was down from previous gold sales guidance of 1.7 million ounces to 1.85 million ounces.

What did the ASX 200 gold stock report?

Northern Star shares are pushing higher today after the miner responded (after market close on Thursday) to an ASX Aware letter questioning the timing and amount of information the company had about its likely gold production and cost outlook prior to the 2 January announcement.

The company noted that in the 2 January release, it disclosed that lower gold sales during the December quarter are expected to impact its annual cost guidance.

As for why Northern Star didn’t provide the market with specifics on cost guidance, today the miner said, “However, any impact on annual cost guidance is not yet known to NST because the company requires further, more complete information that is not yet available to it.”

The miner added, “Accordingly, the likelihood of any impact and its extent was not capable of being disclosed in the announcement.”

The ASX also asked when Northern Star first became aware of the information that led to its FY 2026 gold production downgrade.

The miner replied:

On 1 January 2026 … NST received actual operational and production figures for the December quarter and was in a position to consider – on a reasonably informed basis – whether softer operational performance in that quarter was, having regard to operational performance and actual production in the September quarter prior and expected operational and production outcomes (including ongoing or potential, new challenges to those outcomes) for the balance of FY26, likely to cause a material variation in NST’s published annual production guidance.

There you have it.

Despite a shaky start to 2026, Northern Star shares remain up 51.1% over 12 months, not including dividends.

The post Buying Northern Star shares? Here’s the latest on the gold miner’s production woes appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Shares in Energy Transition Minerals Ltd (ASX: ETM) were 25% higher at a fresh 12-month high on Friday morning after the company announced it had appointed advisers in the US.

Energy Transition Minerals has a suite of offshore assets in the critical minerals space, including the large-scale Kvanefjeld rare earths project in Greenland, where it is locked in a legal battle with the Greenland government over its rights to an exploitation licence for the project.

The company recently told the ASX in a statement that the matter would return to court on January 12.

The company also has lithium projects in Canada and a tin and rare earths project in Spain.

Aiming for a US listing

Energy Transition Metals said in a statement to the ASX on Friday that it had appointed Ballard Partners as strategic advisors in the US.

As the company explained:

Ballard Partners’ mandate will include advising on public policy and regulatory issues which shape the global rare earths supply chain, with a focus on long-term value creation for shareholders and supporting ETM’s role as a responsible commercial participant in critical minerals markets. The appointment reflects Ballard Partners’ extensive experience advising clients in the critical minerals sector on how to protect and advance their strategic interests. Ballard’s expertise in the critical minerals policy space, and the firm’s close connections with key decisionmakers in Washington, underscores its capability to advance ETM’s engagement strategy with US investors and strengthen the Company’s international position as a commercial entity.

The appointment follows the company’s announcement in late December that it had appointed Cohen & Company Capital Markets, which would be advising it on seeking a listing on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in the US.

Energy Transition Minerals Managing Director Daniel Mamadou said on Friday:

As we look to expand our engagement with US stakeholders and explore ways to list on Nasdaq, it is essential that we have leading specialists to guide us through the unique challenges of this market. Appointing local public affairs experts will help ensure that we have the right support to navigate regulatory and investor relationships, accelerating our North American engagement and furthering our international strategy.

Greenland has been in the news again this week, with US President Donald Trump again reiterating that the US needs the island nation for its defence ambitions.

Energy Transition Minerals shares were 25% higher at a new 12-month high of 20 cents early on Friday.

The company was valued at $317.1 million at the close of trade on Thursday.

The post Which rare earths company, with a major project in Greenland, has seen a share price uplift on new US move? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy 2,000 shares of this top ASX dividend stock for $860 in passive income
• Rio Tinto locks in key 2026 dates. What investors should watch next
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• Is the WiseTech Global share price about to shock us all in 2026?
• Why are Mesoblast shares jumping 10% to a 52-week high?

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

The WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) share price has been through a bruising period. After peaking in late 2024, the stock is now down close to 50% from its highs.

But as we move through January, I think the setup is starting to look very different. If a few key things fall into place this year, WiseTech could surprise investors in 2026.

What went wrong in 2025?

There is no denying that 2025 was a difficult year for WiseTech.

The company was affected by governance concerns, media scrutiny, and an ASIC investigation, which weighed heavily on investor sentiment. While no charges have been laid, the uncertainty alone was enough to compress the valuation of a stock that previously traded on a premium multiple.

At the same time, WiseTech embarked on one of the most significant changes in its history. It completed the large e2open acquisition and announced a major shift to its CargoWise commercial model. That combination created execution risk at a time when confidence was already fragile.

For a market that values predictability, it was simply too much at once.

Why 2026 could look very different for the WiseTech share price

Looking ahead, I think the WiseTech story becomes much clearer.

First, leadership stability has returned. Zubin Appoo is now firmly established as CEO, with a clear mandate to sharpen execution, improve productivity, and deliver on strategy. Richard White has stepped back into a focused innovation role, which addresses key person risk concerns raised by investors last year.

Second, the new CargoWise Value Packs model is now live. This is a big deal. WiseTech is moving away from a complex seat-based pricing structure toward a simpler, more scalable transactional model. If it works as intended, it should deepen customer penetration, improve monetisation of AI-driven features, and reduce friction in global rollouts.

Third, the e2open acquisition materially expands WiseTech’s addressable market. The business is no longer just the operating system for freight forwarders. It is increasingly positioning itself as an end-to-end platform across global trade, supply chain planning, and execution. That opens the door to a much larger long-term growth opportunity.

The role of AI and product execution

One area I think the market may be underestimating is WiseTech’s progress on AI.

CargoWise already sits at the centre of enormous volumes of real-world logistics data. Management is embedding AI directly into workflows, from customs classification and compliance to exception handling and container optimisation. This is not experimental AI. It is productivity-focused automation tied directly to customer outcomes.

If WiseTech can demonstrate that these tools materially reduce costs and improve throughput for customers, pricing power should follow.

Guidance matters from here

Ultimately, the bull case hinges on delivery.

WiseTech has reaffirmed its FY26 guidance, despite the integration costs associated with e2open and short-term margin pressure. If management can meet that guidance, execute the commercial model transition smoothly, and avoid further controversies, investor confidence could return quickly.

Given how far the share price has already fallen, it would not take much positive surprise to drive outperformance.

Foolish Takeaway

WiseTech Global remains a high-quality global software business operating in an industry that is only becoming more complex. The problems of 2025 were real, but they also appear addressable.

For investors willing to accept some risk, I think the WiseTech Global share price could genuinely shock on the upside in 2026 if execution improves and the narrative stabilises.

The post Is the WiseTech Global share price about to shock us all in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) shares are having a strong finish to the week.

In morning trade, the biotechnology company’s shares are up 10% to a 52-week high of $3.30.

Why are Mesoblast shares jumping?

Investors have been buying the allogeneic cellular medicines developer’s shares this morning following the release of a sales update.

According to the release, Mesoblast generated gross revenue of US$35.1 million on Ryoncil (remestemcel-L-rknd) sales for the quarter ended 31 December 2025. This represents a 60% increase on the prior quarter ended 30 September.

Mesoblast’s Ryoncil product is used for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (SR-aGvHD). It is the first mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) product that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any indication.

The product is the only FDA-approved product approved for children under age 12 with SR-aGvHD, and will now be evaluated in a pivotal trial as part of a second-line regimen for adults with SR-aGvHD. Management notes that this is a market approximately three times larger than the paediatric market.

Balance sheet strength

Mesoblast notes that the increase in quarterly revenue continues to strengthen its balance sheet.

This is being supported by its entry into a US$125 million facility with its largest shareholder, which substantially lowered the company’s cost of capital and freed up its major assets to provide flexibility for strategic partnerships and commercialisation.

It notes that the new facility has enabled Mesoblast to repay in full its prior senior secured loan.

The new US$125 million five-year interest-only facility has a substantially lower overall cost compared with previous facilities, can be repaid at any time without incurring early prepayment or make-whole fees, does not include exit fees, does not encumber any of Mesoblast’s material assets or intellectual property, and has no restrictions on additional unsecured debt or licensing activities.

Additionally, the company has partly repaid its subordinated royalty facility which will continue to reduce from ongoing revenue and will be fully repaid by mid-2026.

Commenting on recent developments, Mesoblast’s chief executive, Dr. Silviu Itescu, said:

Our strong balance sheet, continued growth in quarterly sales of Ryoncil, and a new lower-cost financing facility provides greater flexibility for strategic partnerships and pursuit of label expansion for Ryoncil.

Following today’s gain, Mesoblast shares are now up by a sizeable 105% over the past six months.

The post Why are Mesoblast shares jumping 10% to a 52-week high? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) gold stock Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX: ALK) is at it again today.

And by ‘it’ I mean charging ahead of the benchmark.

Alkane Resources shares closed yesterday trading for $1.37. In morning trade on Friday, shares are changing hands for $1.47 apiece, up 7.3%.

For some context, the ASX 300 is up 0.2% at this same time.

Today’s outperformance is par for the course for this high-flying ASX 300 gold stock.

One year ago, you could have bought Alkane Resources shares for 53 cents each. If you were to sell those shares at current levels, that would see you sitting on a gain of 177.4%. Or enough to turn a $10,000 investment into $27,736.

In 12 months.

Part of those impressive gains has been driven by the surging gold price. Gold is currently trading for US$4,476.55 per ounce, up 66.4% since this time last year.

And Alkane Resources certainly hasn’t been sitting idle.

Here’s what is stoking renewed investor interest today.

ASX 300 gold stock jumps on production update

The Alkane Resources share price is leaping higher once more today following the release of the gold miner’s December quarterly production update (Q2 FY 2026).

The ASX 300 gold stock reported that it had produced 43,663 ounces of gold equivalent over the three months to 31 December. That brings its first half (H1 FY 2026) production to 80,070 ounces of gold equivalent.

Turning to the balance sheet, as at 31 December, Alkane held $218 million in cash, $14 million in listed investments and another $14 million in bullion, for a total of $246 million. That’s up $15 million from the prior quarter’s end, after the ASX 300 gold stock paid $11 million of FY 2025 income tax.

The company noted that it is debt free except for equipment finance of A$22 million.

Over the quarter, Alkane Resources sold 42,709 ounces of gold and 409 tonnes of antimony.

Management reaffirmed full-year FY 2026 guidance of 160,000 to 175,000 ounces of gold equivalent at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of A$2,600 – A$2,900 per gold equivalent ounce.

What did management say?

Commenting on the results helping lift the ASX 300 gold stock today, Alkane Resources managing director Nic Earner, said:

Alkane has had a solid quarter’s production from our three operating mines which together produced 42,767 ounces of gold and 267 tonnes of antimony (43,663 ounces of gold equivalent) over the quarter.

Tomingley will pour its 750,000th ounce of gold during January 2026, a great testament to the team there. We have further strengthened our balance sheet over the quarter with A$246 million in cash, bullion and listed investments at quarter end.

The post Up 177% in a year, why is this ASX 300 gold stock leaping higher again on Friday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Shares in Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) are trading higher after the company announced it was extending its share buyback by another $750 million.

The gaming company said it had bought back $701.1 million already since February 2025, and given the company’s strong cash generation, had decided to extend.

As the company said:

The board has approved an increase in the on-market share buy-back program to allow up to a further $750 million in shares to be bought back over an additional 12-month period ending 5 March 2027 (up to $1.5 billion in aggregate). The on-market share buy-back program will continue to be conducted on an opportunistic basis and Aristocrat reserves the right to vary, suspend or terminate the on-market share buy-back program at any time.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Croker, stated that the company was able to conduct the extended buyback while also expanding the business.

He said in a statement:

With the $750 million on-market share buy-back program previously announced in February 2025 nearing completion, and our consistently strong cash flow generation, we are able to continue to pursue a mix of returns to shareholders via dividends and share buy-backs while also investing in strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives.

Strong performance

In its most recent profit announcement in November, Aristocrat reported full-year revenue had increased 11% to $6.29 billion and net profit was up 9.4% to $1.42 billion.

Mr Croker said at the time that it was a strong result with double-digit growth across most key metrics.

The group delivered strong revenue and EBITDA growth over the year, again benefitting from strong organic growth and an outstanding portfolio of content across the group. This result once again highlights our market leadership and scale as fundamental strengths of the business , supported by a focus on efficiency and extracting operating leverage as we grow.

Mr Croker said the company had taken “foundational steps that will set up Aristocrat Interactive to accelerate performance, and allow us to fully utilise our content, scale and capabilities”.

He added that the company would continue to pursue strategic merger and acquisition opportunities “in a disciplined and consistent manner”.

Aristocrat shares were 2.4% higher at $58 on Friday morning, not far off their 12-month lows of $54.20.

The company was worth $34.82 billion at that price. Aristocrat is paying an unfranked trailing dividend yield of 1.6%.

Aristocrat will hold its annual general meeting on February 19.

The post Which gaming company has just announced a huge new share buyback? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are on the slide on Friday morning.

At the time of writing, the mining giant’s shares are down over 6% to $142.64.

Why are Rio Tinto shares sinking?

Investors have been selling the company’s shares this morning after responding negatively to a massive announcement.

According to the release, Rio Tinto and Glencore (LSE: GLEN) have been engaging in preliminary discussions about a possible combination of some or all of their businesses. This could include an all-share merger between the two mining giants.

As things stand, the two parties’ current expectation is that any merger transaction would be effected through the acquisition of Glencore by Rio Tinto by way of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement.

However, it has warned that there can be no certainty that an offer will be made or as to the terms of any such offer, should one be made.

It also stressed that nothing in this announcement will be construed as indicating any terms of any such transaction or offer. Rio Tinto reserves the right to introduce other forms of consideration and vary the mix or composition of consideration of any offer.

In accordance with London stock exchange rules, Rio Tinto will have until 5.00 p.m. (London time) on 5 February 2026 to either announce a firm intention to make an offer for Glencore or to advise that no offer will be made.

What is Glencore?

Rio Tinto is of course the world’s biggest iron ore miner and has a market capitalisation of about US$142 billion.

Glencore is valued at US$65 billion as of its last close and is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies. It is a major producer and marketer of more than 60+ commodities that advance everyday life.

The company notes that its customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. It also provides financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities.

In 2024, it generated US$14.4 billion in adjusted EBITDA and US$3.2 billion in marketing adjusted EBIT.

Should the merger go ahead, it would create a monster with a market value of over US$200 billion (~A$300 billion).

However, only time will tell if that will be the case. Glencore and Rio Tinto have looked at a merger in the past, with no deal ultimately being reached. And it appears the market isn’t overly keen on the plan, based on the way Rio Tinto shares are performing today.

The post Rio Tinto shares sink 6% on Glencore merger bombshell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Rio Tinto confirms preliminary merger talks with Glencore
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Scores of ASX mining shares hit 52-week highs
• With the copper price hitting a new record, how can you get exposure?
• Own Rio Tinto shares? They just hit a new record high

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