Business Insider previously reported that Summers would be stepping back from public life after his ties to Epstein became public.
Mandel NGAN / AFP
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has been barred from the American Economic Association.
The lifetime ban was handed down several weeks after Summers' ties to Jeffrey Epstein became public.
Recently released emails show Summers asked Epstein's advice on romantically pursuing a subordinate.
Larry Summers has been handed a lifetime ban from the American Economic Association.
The AEA did not specifically cite convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but referenced Summers' "conduct, as reflected in publicly reported communications," as inconsistent with the prestigious association's integrity standards. The move from the association came weeks after the emails became public.
Summers, a former Harvard president and US Treasury Secretary under Bill Clinton, has faced sharp scrutiny in recent weeks after a trove of recently released emails detailed his years of correspondence with Epstein that continued until July 5, 2019 — the day before the disgraced financier was arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Business Insider reported that Summers would be stepping back from public life after the emails revealed he had sought Epstein's advice on how to pursue a romantic relationship with a woman he referred to as his mentee.
"I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused," he said in a statement to Business Insider at the time. "I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein."
Summers stepped down from his teaching position at Harvard University on November 21.
The ban from the AEA prohibits Summers from attending, speaking at, or otherwise participating in events or activities sponsored by the nonprofit academic association, which has over 17,000 members.
"The AEA condemns Mr. Summers' conduct, as reflected in publicly reported communications, as fundamentally inconsistent with its standards of professional integrity and with the trust placed in mentors within the economics profession," reads a statement released Tuesday by the AEA, which did not specifically mention Summers' ties to Epstein. "Consistent with longstanding AEA practices and to protect the integrity and confidentiality of AEA processes, the AEA will not comment further on individual matters or the specific considerations underlying this determination."
Summers did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider regarding the AEA's decision.
Netflix's four-part docuseries chronicles the rise and fall of Combs, also known as Diddy, as he goes from hip-hop mogul and billionaire business owner to the subject of a federal prosecution and over 60 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual abuse.
Combs, who pleaded not guilty, was ultimately convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and is serving a 50-month prison sentence. He was acquitted of the most serious charges, including RICO conspiracy and sex trafficking by force or fraud, and is set to be released in May 2028. Combs has denied all wrongdoing in the civil cases.
Not only does the series feature interviews with many who have been inside Diddy's inner circle, including Bad Boy Records cofounder Kirk Burrowes, actor Mark Curry, singer Aubrey O'Day, and one of the sex workers who engaged in Diddy's now-infamous freak offs, but it also includes never-before-seen footage of Combs in the days leading up to his arrest.
The inclusion of the latter has already made waves in the press and infuriated Combs and his team. They've also broadly disputed the allegations presented in the documentary.
"Netflix's so-called 'documentary' is a shameful hit piece," Combs' spokesperson Juda Engelmayer told Business Insider. "Netflix relied on stolen footage that was never authorized for release. If Netflix cared about truth or about Mr. Combs's legal rights, it would not be ripping private footage out of context — including conversations with his lawyers that were never intended for public viewing."
Netflix declined to comment.
"Sean Combs: The Reckoning" director Alexandra Stapleton told Business Insider that she obtained the footage legally, although she wouldn't disclose the details of how it was acquired when asked.
The director — whose previous documentary titles include 2023's "Reggie," on baseball legend Reggie Jackson and 2024's "How Music Got Free" on tech changing the music industry — had been developing the project ever since Combs' former girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, a singer under the name Cassie, accused him of rape and a "cycle of abuse" in a November 2023 lawsuit.
Though the case was quickly settled for $20 million, it opened the floodgates for a wave of misconduct suits against Combs and Ventura; Ventura would later testify against Combs in his federal trial.
Stapleton quickly found an ally in another hip-hop heavyweight, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, whom she featured in "How Music Got Free." The rapper and business mogul, who has feuded with Combs for years, is an executive producer.
Combs' team has said his involvement is due to his feud.
"I definitely knew that there were things that 50 could bring to the table that would be immensely useful to me for access," Stapleton told Business Insider.
The doc offers plenty of revelations via footage and interviews. Below, Stapleton offers insight into the most shocking moments.
Never-before-seen footage shows Diddy's final days before being arrested
"Sean Combs: The Reckoning."
Netflix
Throughout the doc's four episodes, footage from a videographer hired by Combs shows him in the days leading up to his arrest.
Stapleton, who told Business Insider that the footage was acquired "completely legally," said that she had hoped to obtain an interview with Combs.
"I made that very clear behind the scenes that that was a really big goal to get him to sit down and talk, but it never materialized," she said.
In the doc, Combs is in New York City to cooperate with authorities. The footage shows him plotting out the best way to spin the negative press. "We're losing," he says on a call with his team while sitting in his hotel room.
Later in the docuseries, Combs spends an evening in Harlem, where he takes pictures with fans and even accepts a jacket given to him by a supporter. Afterward, while in his SUV, he asks for hand sanitizer and says he needs to take a bath.
"The amount of people that actually I'm coming in contact with, that's what I have to do," he said. "It's time to cleanse, I gotta go under the water, water gotta be boiling hot, put some peroxide in that."
The Bad Boy Records cofounder said Diddy figured out a way for Biggie Smalls to pay for his own funeral
(L-R) The Notorious B.I.G. and Sean Combs.
Netflix
The docuseries doesn't focus exclusively on the last few years of Combs' life. It also delves into his past, specifically the East Coast/West Coast rap rivalry in the mid-1990s that resulted in the murders of Tupac Shakur and Combs' friend, The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls.
Bad Boy Records cofounder Kirk Burrowes recalls in the docuseries Combs' proclamation that he was going to throw the "biggest funeral for Biggie New York has ever seen." However, Burrowes said, when Combs crunched the numbers, he realized he didn't want to foot the bill himself — so he made the funeral a recoupable charge to Biggie Smalls, so the rapper's estate would bear the financial burden.
Stapleton said it was important to feature people from Combs' past, such as Burrowes, to illustrate how Combs has operated.
"What's interesting about Kirk Burrowes is that his allegations go way back in time," she said. "A lot of what he talked about goes all the way back to the early 2000s, so we really thought it was important to include that part."
Combs, Burrowes, and Biggie Smalls' estate did not respond to a request for comment.
A sex worker describes what his freak offs with Diddy and Cassie entailed
Sean 'Diddy' Combs and dancer Cassie attend the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
One of the most shocking elements of the indictment was the detailed sex performances Combs allegedly arranged between female victims and male sex workers, which Combs called "Freak Offs."
In the docuseries, one of those sex workers, Clayton Howard, steps forward to talk about his yearslong encounters with Diddy and Combs' then-girlfriend Ventura. The two dated for over a decade, breaking up in 2018.
Howard said he was first hired by Ventura and Combs in 2009.
"She tells me that I'm there to please her for her husband, they're married, they like to spice things up," Howard says in the docuseries of his first encounter with Ventura.
Howard gives detailed recollections of his sexual encounters with Ventura that included baby oil and instances where Ventura collected Howard's semen, all of which were "heavily regulated" by Combs. Howard said that on the anniversary of the murder of The Notorious B.I.G., the couple would fly him in to party and have sex with Ventura over multiple days. Howard said his sexual encounters with Ventura went on for eight years.
"I think Clayton was pretty comfortable coming forward with his story because he wanted to own his narrative. He was kind of brought out of the woodwork as a result of Cassie's lawsuit," Stapleton said. "I think once it became very public, Clayton's position was, 'I'm a human being, I lived through this a number of years, and I want to share my story.'"
Clayton told Business Insider he has no regrets about participating in the docuseries.
"I'm glad I told the truth, regardless if the world chooses to accept it. The trial exposed enough that those who paid attention know I spoke the truth," Clayton said. "Mr. Combs was guilty, but so was Cassie, and domestic violence does not erase conscious decisions made by her to please her lover."
Ventura did not respond to a request for comment.
Previously, Business Insider reported that Ventura felt pressured into participating. "I was just in love and wanted to make him happy," Ventura testified at Combs' May trial.
"I felt pretty horrible about myself. I felt disgusting. I was humiliated. I didn't have the words at the time to tell him how I felt," Ventura added on the stand. "And I couldn't talk to anyone about it."
Aubrey O'Day says she has no recollection of a possible sexual assault by Diddy
Aubrey O'Day.
Netflix
One of the most chilling moments in the docuseries is when singer Aubrey O'Day reads an affidavit from a woman who said she witnessed Combs and another man sexually assaulting O'Day, though O'Day said she has no recollection of this.
Earlier in the docuseries, O'Day, a former member of the girl group Danity Kane, which was formed by Combs for the 2005 MTV series "Making the Band," reads an email Combs sent to her in 2008, the year she was fired from the group.
In it, he says, "I don't wanna just fuck you. I want to turn you out." He ends the email by saying he's going to finish masturbating while watching porn and thinking of her.
Later in the docuseries, O'Day reads an affidavit from one of the civil lawsuits of an alleged Combs victim. It states that this woman witnessed O'Day in 2005 being sexually assaulted by Combs and another man.
While opening doors looking for the restroom, the woman said she opened one door to find Combs and the other man in sexual acts with O'Day, who was "sprawled out on a leather couch, looking very inebriated." The woman wrote in the affidavit that she is "100% certain" that the person was O'Day.
"Does this mean I was raped?" O'Day says in the docuseries. "I don't even know if I was raped, and I don't want to know."
"Aubrey's contribution and her stories are really very, very complicated and a symbol of the gray area of a lot of this," Stapleton said. "It was very raw for her. It was really deep for her, and it took a lot of conversations for her to feel like, 'I want to be public about this.'"
"It was never about not sharing it; it was more potentially, 'How do I present to the world that this isn't a binary feeling that I have? That I'm not going to sit here and say yes, this is absolutely true when I don't know if it's true, and also be like this is total BS when part of me feels what if it is true?'" Stapleton said. "Aubrey, in real time, was trying to figure out."
O'Day did not respond to a request for comment.
"Sean Combs: The Reckoning" is streaming now on Netflix.
After a relatively calm stretch, the trademark price turbulence of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has returned â and it has been hard to miss.
In recent months, the digital asset surged to an all-time high near US$126,000 before sliding more than 30% from peak to trough. This week alone, the price swung from around US$92,000 to below US$85,000 and then jumped more than 8% overnight.
For long-term observers, this isn’t unusual behaviour. Volatility has always been part of Bitcoin’s story, and historically, these periods of sharp movement tend to arrive with various neat headlines to blame.Â
So what is actually going on, and is any of this relevant for ASX investors?
Why Bitcoin is moving so sharply
Market observers suggest the latest pullback has far more to do with liquidity dynamics than a fundamental shift in sentiment. Analysts tracking flows point to tightening liquidity conditions, with shorter-term traders adjusting their positioning as central bank reserves stabilise again. This often creates pressure across risk assets â Bitcoin included.
At the same time, some of the selling pressure from long-term holders appears to have eased. On-chain data shows renewed accumulation from larger cohorts, which is typically a constructive sign for medium-term price trends.
And importantly, mainstream interest continues to grow. Bank of America recently suggested that a 4% portfolio allocation may make sense for certain investors. Meanwhile, Vanguard has softened its long-standing stance by opening access to Bitcoin exposure across its platform. Whether or not investors agree with those endorsements, they reflect a noticeable shift in institutional acceptance.
Why volatility sometimes has nothing to do with fundamentals
One of the biggest drivers of short-term swings is far more mechanical: leverage.
Both long and short leveraged positions can be wiped out when Bitcoin moves quickly. When that happens, forced liquidations trigger further buying or selling, which can amplify each price move. It’s part of the reason why prices can plunge one hour and rally aggressively the next without any change in broader conditions.
In other words, the volatility is often a function of market structure rather than real economic news.
What this means for ASX investors
Even if you don’t hold Bitcoin directly, its movements increasingly touch the Australian market:
Digital infrastructure companies: ASX names like Block (ASX: XYZ) tend to react to shifts in digital asset sentiment because their revenue models and investor bases overlap with the broader ecosystem.
ASX-listed Bitcoin ETFs: Funds such as the VanEck Bitcoin ETF (ASX: VBTC) and Betashares Bitcoin ETF (ASX: QBTC) move broadly in line with the underlying asset. Swings in Bitcoin flow into these products immediately.
None of this means ASX portfolios must have exposure. But it does underline why more market participants are keeping an eye on Bitcoin’s behaviour, even if they never intend to own a single satoshi.
Foolish takeaway
Bitcoin’s volatility can be unsettling, but it isn’t new. For some investors, the asymmetric nature of the asset â the idea that the long-term upside could outweigh the downside â is enough reason to consider a small, well-defined allocation. For others, the swings alone are reason to steer clear.
The sensible middle ground is simple: invest in assets you understand, in a way that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.
Bitcoin’s price movements will continue to make headlines, but your long-term strategy should remain anchored in discipline, diversification, and patience, whether you hold digital assets or not.
Should you invest $1,000 in Big Tom Coin right now?
Before you buy Big Tom Coin 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 Big Tom Coin 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…
Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant owns Bitcoin. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bitcoin. 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.
Morgans was pleased with this infant formula company’s strong start to FY 2026 and has upgraded its estimates to reflect this.
However, while it is a fan of the company, it feels that its shares are fair value at current levels and has retained its hold rating with a $9.40 price target. It said:
A2M has had a stronger than expected start to FY26 and consequently, it has upgraded its sales and NPAT guidance. We have upgraded our forecasts and forecast strong growth from FY27 onwards. While we rate the company and its management team highly, we believe that the stock is trading on fair multiples (FY27 PE of 31.5x and PEG of 1.8x). We maintain a Hold rating with a new price target of A$9.40.
Morgans has responded positively to the release of this enterprise image management systems provider’s strategic transformation plans. It believes it positions the company for sustainable growth in the coming years.
As a result, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of 76 cents. This is almost 70% higher than where its shares trade today. It said:
M7T released its strategic transformation plans at its AGM, introducing a customer-focused operating model and the upcoming Flamingo AI platform to drive long-term growth, efficiency, and new revenue through modernised imaging solutions. Despite potential near-term revenue softness, the transformation is well-aligned with industry trends and positions M7T for sustainable growth and signals genuine innovation and a commitment to delivering what radiology customers want.
A third ASX share that Morgans has been looking at is marine, defence, and mining products manufacturer.
While its recent trading update was softer than expected, the broker remains positive and sees plenty of upside for investors. In light of this, it has upgraded its shares to a speculative buy rating with a $1.10 price target. This implies potential upside of 30% for investors from current levels. It commented:
VEE’s AGM update was softer than expected, primarily due to delays in receiving ASC orders and a hold-up in obtaining security clearance for the Hunter-class propeller project. Additionally, anticipation around the launch of the Mark III gyro led to purchase hesitancy among potential customers in 1H26. These delays have shifted some work to 2H26, which management expects to be stronger, driven by significant contributions from defence (particularly ASC).
While the trading update was disappointing, we believe VEE’s outlook remains positive with multiple growth opportunities across defence (eg, HII, Northrop Grumman, Hunter Class Frigate Program), propulsion (VEEM Extreme, Sharrow), and gyros (Mark III). Timing of order flow remains uncertain, which is likely to cause earnings volatility in the near term. However, the long-term earnings potential of these opportunities remains significant.
Should you invest $1,000 in The a2 Milk Company Limited right now?
Before you buy The a2 Milk Company 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 The a2 Milk Company 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…
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Mach7 Technologies. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Veem. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
While sectors like materials and industrials have brought strong returns (up 10% to 20%), consumer discretionary has lagged behind.Â
For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) has risen just 4% since January.
However, the team at Bell Potter have just initiated coverage on Beacon Lighting Group Ltd (ASX: BLX) with a buy recommendation.Â
Despite the share price being down roughly 3.5% since the start of the year, and almost 20% since August, Bell Potter has an optimistic price target on this consumer discretionary stock.
Beacon Lighting Group Â
Beacon Lighting Group is a specialist retailer of lighting, fans, globes, and electrical accessories, servicing retail, trade, and wholesale customers.Â
The company retails over 3,500 products, with more than 85% of those designed in-house, which is key to its vertically integrated business model and thus provides high, defensive gross margins.Â
These products are primarily sold through a network of 131 retail stores across Australia, as well as through a significant online presence.Â
Future growth in store
Bell Potter said in yesterday’s report that, as the largest specialist retailer in a fragmented market made up of single-store operators or large multi-category retailers, it has a unique market positioning, as designer, manufacturer, and retailer of lighting products.
The key growth category for BLX is its trade business, currently making up ~40% of group revenue as of FY25, targeting 50% by FY28, which we estimate will grow at a 3- yr CAGR of 10% from FY25-28e. Comparatively, the more mature retail business is expected to grow ~4%, driven by a stable 4-store rollout per annum.
The broker also said the trade segment has benefited from a housing boom versus the retail business stabilising due to cost-of-living pressures and less discretionary income available.
Overall, it expects the total group to grow at a rate of ~7% per annum as it continues to take market share from single-owner operators and expands further into trade and commercial avenues.
Buy recommendation from Bell Potter
The broker has initiated coverage on this consumer discretionary stock with a price target of $3.35.
Yesterday, Beacon Lighting Group shares closed at $2.96.
This means Bell Potter’s price target indicates an upside of approximately 13.18%.
The broker said it views the company’s leading market position in a fragmented market (~12% market share) and vertically integrated business model (FY25 GM ~69%) as attractive and unique characteristics for a specialty goods retailer.
We believe the business is well positioned to take advantage of a recovering retail environment, supported by a strong housing market and construction outlook.
Should you invest $1,000 in Beacon Lighting Group Limited right now?
Before you buy Beacon Lighting Group 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 Beacon Lighting Group 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…
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 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 Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) share price is in focus today after the company declared an interim distribution of 34.0 cents per stapled security for the six months ending 31 December 2025 and reaffirmed its full-year FY26 distribution guidance.
What did Transurban report?
Interim distribution of 34.0 cents per stapled security for the half ending 31 December 2025
Distribution to be paid on 24 February 2026
No interim dividend from Transurban Holdings Limited or Transurban International Limited
Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP) in operation, with no discount applied
FY26 distribution guidance reaffirmed at 69.0 cps
What else do investors need to know?
The interim distribution will be paid entirely from Transurban Holding Trust and its controlled entities, with further details about tax components to be confirmed with the final distribution in August 2026. The DRP allows shareholders to reinvest their distributions at market price, with the pricing period spanning ten trading days from 7 January 2026.
Important dates include 30 December 2025 as the ex-distribution date, 31 December 2025 for record date, and 2 January 2026 as the final day to make DRP elections. The final payment and DRP allotment is scheduled for 24 February 2026.
What’s next for Transurban?
Transurban reaffirmed its commitment to a FY26 distribution of 69.0 cents per stapled security, subject to performance and economic factors. The company plans to provide more details on taxation with the final distribution statement.
Investors should keep in mind that future distributions will ultimately be determined by the Transurban Board and may be influenced by traffic trends and broader economic conditions.
Transurban share price snapshot
Over the past 12 months, Transurban shares have risen 15%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.
Should you invest $1,000 in Transurban Group right now?
Before you buy Transurban Group 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 Transurban Group 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…
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 Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. 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.
Not long ago, Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) wasn’t the first name investors mentioned when discussing a promising ASX gold stock. But the Perth-based miner has flipped the script.
Ramelius’ share price has soared this year, up 74% to $3.61 at the time of writing. The underperforming small speculative miner is now a $7 billion company.
Rebranded mid-tier miner
The gold mining and production business, like many of its competitors, surged on the back of record gold prices. Gold reached record highs in 2025 as lower interest rates in most major economies boosted its performance. With no yield, gold typically does well when rates fall.
However, Ramelius Resources has also quietly rebranded itself and is evolving into one of Australia’s more intriguing mid-tier gold producers. At its core, the company mines, processes, and sells gold from a range of Western Australian operations.
The main hubs are at Mt Magnet and Edna May. The ASX gold stock has grown its mineral resources every year since 2016 and continues to spend strongly on exploration, with a budget of $80 to $100 million earmarked for exploration this financial year.
Bold Spartan acquisition
But what’s really transformed the ‘ugly duckling’ story is the bold move mid-2024: the acquisition of Spartan Resources. This has given Ramelius control of the high-grade Dalgaranga gold project, including the promising Never Never and Pepper deposits.
The acquisition of Dalgaranga means access to high-grade ore, helping maintain strong profit margins. Ramelius can also integrate Dalgaranga with Mt Magnet’s current operations and facilities, creating opportunities for greater efficiency and cost savings.
Gold output doubled by 2030
The board of the ASX miner explained at the end of October that the Never Never gold project will generate $4.6 billion in free cash flow over a mine life of 11 years.
Management also laid out its roadmap to generating half a million ounces of gold per year by 2030. This would be more than double the guidance for the current financial year of roughly 200,000 ounces of gold. Â
What do brokers think?
Analysts are increasingly warming up to the ASX gold stock. If Ramelius can deliver on its integration plan, its results and cash flow stay healthy, and the gold price remains supportive, brokers believe that the share price can surpass the record-high of $4.18 in October.
The majority of brokers are constructive with a buy recommendation. The average 12-month price target is $4.33, which suggests a 20% upside.
Morgans is feeling positive about the miner’s outlook, thanks partly to the $2.4 billion takeover of Spartan Resources. Analysts of the broker have put a buy rating and $4.50 price target on its shares, a potential plus of nearly 25%.
Should you invest $1,000 in Ramelius Resources Limited right now?
Before you buy Ramelius Resources 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 Ramelius Resources 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…
Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley thinks that Jumbo Interactive could be an ASX dividend share to buy this month.
It is an online lottery ticket seller and lottery platform provider. It is best known for the Oz Lotteries app and the Powered by Jumbo platform.
Morgan Stanley has been pleased with its positive start to the financial year and believes it is positioned to reward shareholders with fully franked dividends of 57.7 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 68.4 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $10.76, this would mean dividend yields of 5.4% and 6.4%, respectively.
The broker currently has an overweight rating and $16.80 price target on its shares.
Telstra is another ASX dividend share that analysts are tipping as a buy. As Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, it benefits from nationwide mobile demand, essential network usage, and growing data consumption.
Telstra’s fully franked dividend has been growing at a solid rate in recent years thanks to its successful T22 and T25 strategies. Looking ahead, this trend is likely to continue thanks to its new Connected Future 30 strategy which aims to double down on connectivity and radically innovate the core of its business.
Macquarie expects this to underpin fully franked dividends of 20 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 21 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $4.90, this would mean dividend yields of 4.1% and 4.3%, respectively.
The broker has an outperform rating and $5.04 price target on Telstra’s shares.
Defensive earnings, stable cash flow, and a dominant market position make Woolworths a favourite among income-focused investors.
Supermarkets tend to hold up in all economic conditions because people still need groceries regardless of interest rates, inflation, or consumer sentiment. This makes Woolworths’ dividends highly dependable.
And while its performance has been disappointing this year, there are signs that it is now over the worst and ready to return to solid and sustainable growth.
Bell Potter expects the company to pay fully franked dividends of 91 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 100 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $29.39, this would mean dividend yields of 3.1% and 3.4%, respectively.
The broker has a buy rating and $33.00 price target on Woolworths’ shares.
Should you invest $1,000 in Jumbo Interactive Limited right now?
Before you buy Jumbo Interactive 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 Jumbo Interactive 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…
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Jumbo Interactive and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Telstra Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Jumbo Interactive. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fell 3% in November, but how did BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares stack up?
Well, while two of the ASX mining giants outperformed the benchmark’s losses, only one finished the month in the green.
That middling performance came after all three miners enjoyed a strong run into the end of October. This looks to have limited their gains in November, despite a resilient iron ore price and ongoing gains in the copper price.
Iron ore ended November at just over US$106 per tonne, while copper was trading for US$11,189 per tonne. The red metal has now gained more than 28% year to date.
As for the ASX 200 mining stocksâ¦
Fortescue shares lead the charge
Fortescue shares were the only ones among the big three Aussie miners to gain in the month just past.
Fortescue closed out October trading for $21.29 a share and ended November at $21.41 a share. That saw the stock up 0.6% for the month, handily beating the 3% one-month loss posted by the ASX 200.
There were no new price-sensitive announcements released by the company in November.
BHP shares underperformed Fortescue shares, Rio Tinto shares, and the ASX 200 in November.
Shares in Australia’s biggest miner (and second biggest stock on the ASX) closed on 31 October trading for $43.45 apiece. When the closing bell rang on 28 November, shares were changing hands for $41.67. This saw the BHP share price down 4.1% over the month just past.
Perhaps the biggest headwind impacting BHP shares has been China’s ongoing attempt to assert more control over iron ore pricing in its deals with BHP.
In November, ASX investors learned that China’s government had told domestic steel mills and commodity traders to no longer buy ‘Jingbao fines’ (low-grade iron ore). However, analysts were quick to note that Jinbao fines only make up a small percentage of BHP’s iron ore exports to the Middle Kingdom.
November also saw BHP announce that it was abandoning recently resumed acquisition discussions with global miner Anglo American (LSE: AAL).
BHP stated:
Whilst BHP continues to believe that a combination with Anglo American would have had strong strategic merits and created significant value for all stakeholders, BHP is confident in the highly compelling potential of its own organic growth strategy.
Which brings us to Rio Tinto shares, which outperformed the ASX 200 and BHP but underperformed Fortescue shares in November.
Rio Tinto shares closed out October at $132.87 and finished November trading for $132.28 apiece, down 0.4% for the month.
There were no new price-sensitive releases out from the miner in November.
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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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
"This is Hawkins. It's not Westeros," Matt said in 2022 after the show's star, Millie Bobby Brown, called the Duffer brothers "sensitive Sallies" for not killing off more characters.
While some of the show's main characters have been on the brink of death at times, they're usually rescued by a combination of Eleven's powers and plot armor.
Yet the final season of the hit Netflix show is promising to go out with a bang: the Duffer brothers teased that it features "the most violent death of any season."
"The goal was always to scale up each series with the age of the characters and our audience," Ross Duffer told The Times. "Hopefully, parents don't get too mad at us."
Volume 1 of "Stranger Things" season five ended with a bloody showdown, as Vecna kidnapped 12 kids into the Upside Down and Mike, Lucas, and Robin all nearly died at the hands of a Demogorgon. Mike's parents, Karen and Ted Wheeler, are still in the hospital with Demogorgon-inflicted injuries. As we head into Volume 2, which premieres on Christmas Day, things are not looking good for the residents of Hawkins.
Is death coming for someone in the main cast of the show's final season? Below, we rank 15 main characters in ascending order of likelihood that they'll perish before the series ends.
15. Erica Sinclair
Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair in "Stranger Things" season five.
Andrew Cooper/Netflix
Killing off Erica (Priah Ferguson) wouldn't just be nonsensical — she's one of the youngest characters, often used for comedic relief, and rarely placed in the line of fire — it would be incredibly messed up. Fans wouldn't stand for it, and neither, I hope, would the Duffer brothers. She will live another day.
Risk level: Very Low
14. Dustin Henderson
Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
The showrunners would be sick for killing Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), historically the sweetest boy in Hawkins — especially after the season four finale, when Dustin watched his idol, Eddie, slowly bleed out after getting stabbed to death. I will not accept this as an option.
Risk level: Very Low
13. Jim Hopper
David Harbour as Jim Hopper in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Hopper (David Harbour) already kind of died in the show, vanishing in the season three finale — only to have his survival be revealed in a mid-credits scene.
Of course, while the audience knew that Hopper was alive, the other characters didn't. Their grief was thoroughly explored in season four, especially Eleven's. The duo's emotional reunion in the season four finale is a series highlight.
Hopper's fake-out death would dull the sting of watching him die again, so the Duffer brothers would be wise to avoid it.
Risk level: Low
12. Joyce Byers
Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
As far as adults go, Joyce (Winona Ryder) is at slightly more risk than Hopper, who seems to have a thing for dangerous situations and suicide missions. Still, I doubt the show would leave Will, Jonathan, or Eleven motherless after everything else they've been through.
Despite all the evil forces she's battled in Hawkins (and briefly in Russia), Joyce has remained steadfastly alive. In the first four episodes of season five, she's already faced off with a murderous Demogorgon and with Vecna himself, yet emerged from both with barely a scratch.
Risk level: Low
11. Mike Wheeler
Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Mike (Finn Wolfhard) is one of the few leads who's yet to visit the Upside Down. His death never truly seems like an option — and that doesn't seem likely to change now that Will, Mike's best friend since childhood, has realized his Vecna-like powers.
Even as Demogorgons and other monsters continue to attack Hawkins, Mike is arguably in less danger than ever with Will and Eleven acting as his devoted protectors.
Risk level: Low
10. Holly Wheeler
Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Holly's promotion to core cast member could spell trouble. She's technically been around since season one, but she was aged up and recast with Nell Fisher so she could play a bigger role; Matt Duffer even described Holly as a "centerpiece" in season five. And historically, in "Stranger Things," newcomers are in the most danger.
In the first installment of season five, Holly has already proven essential to the show's endgame. Episode two, titled "The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler," opens with her violent abduction via Demogorgon. She becomes the first of 12 children to be taken captive by Vecna, aka Henry Creel, setting his final plan to destroy Hawkins in motion.
Heading into episode five, "Shock Jock," Holly's body is trapped in the Upside Down, while her mind is trapped inside Henry's memories. Realistically, she could die at any moment.
On the other hand, introducing Nancy and Mike's baby sister into the narrative just to kill her seems callous. Yes, it would follow the show's established pattern, but there are plenty of other newcomers to worry about, namely Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly) and Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton).
It's more likely that Holly will follow an arc similar to Will's in season one — thrown into the thick of the action, victimized by the evils in the Upside Down, but ultimately saved by her family.
Risk level: Medium-Low
9. Max Mayfield
Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Max (Sadie Sink) already died in season four. In the finale, she fell to Vecna's curse, her bones broke, and her heart stopped. She was miraculously resurrected — likely thanks to Eleven's powers, though it was left ambiguous — and she ended the season in a coma.
In season five, Max's body is still in a coma, but her character is far from dead. Episode three, "The Turnbow Trap," reveals that Max's consciousness is trapped inside a web of Henry's memories. For over a year, she has survived by hiding in a cave where Henry refuses to go — a memory that frightens him — but hasn't been able to escape back to reality.
All that may sound dire, but if the Duffer brothers wanted to kill Max, she'd already be dead. Her heroic arc in season four would have been that much more poignant if her life ended in Lucas' arms.
Instead, Sink was reportedly paid upward of $7 million to return as Max for season five. She clearly has a significant role to play in saving Holly and defeating Vecna, especially if psychoanalyzing his past is the key to his downfall.
Risk level: Medium-Low
8. Eleven
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is always at risk in some way; she's spent her entire life being tortured or hunted. Once Vecna is finally defeated, she deserves to live a normal life with her friends and family — at least, one that's as normal as someone with telekinetic and telepathic powers can hope to have.
This could be wishful thinking, but I don't see Eleven's arc ending in death, even if it's a heroic sacrifice. It would be too cruel.
Plus, Eleven already sacrificed herself to save her friends and kill the Demogorgon in season one, assuming the burst of energy would kill her too. Reusing that narrative technique would be a frustratingly predictable move.
Risk level: Medium-Low
7. Jonathan Byers
Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) is the true neutral of "Stranger Things" risk assessments. He's neither likely nor unlikely to die at any given moment. Especially in season four, he was mostly there to move the plot along and lacked any big scenes that threatened his life. (Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Nancy, was in the Upside Down blasting Vecna with a sawed-off shotgun.)
That being said, Jonathan cares deeply for both Nancy and Will, who often find themselves in the line of fire. He's probably the kind of person to sacrifice himself to save his girlfriend or his little brother.
Risk level: Medium
6. Nancy Wheeler
Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Nancy (Natalia Dyer) is one of the few characters who's cool under pressure and handy with a gun. She's certainly been able to hold her own in combat thus far, but as the supernatural threats from Vecna grow ever more menacing, bullets may not be enough.
Nancy is also at a disadvantage for having two younger siblings, Mike and Holly. She has a natural protective instinct and can be bold to the point of recklessness — qualities that could make her extra vulnerable this season.
Lest we forget, Nancy's best friend, Barb (Shannon Purser), was killed by a Demogorgon all the way back in season one. Another of her friends, Fred (Logan Riley Bruner), was killed by Vecna's curse in season four. Now that Holly has been kidnapped by Vecna and Nancy's parents are in critical condition, Nancy's personal tragedies are mounting. Her thirst for justice and revenge may just reach life-threatening, self-sacrificial levels.
Risk level: Medium
5. Lucas Sinclair
Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
There was a popular theory during season four that Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) would sacrifice himself to save Max from Vecna, fueled by the lyrics of Max's favorite song, "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush. ("And if I only could / I'd make a deal with God / And I'd get him to swap our places.")
That hasn't happened yet, but it doesn't mean it can't still happen. More recently, panicked theories about Lucas were reignited when McLaughlin hinted that he might not appear in the series finale.
During an interview with Refresher, Wolfhard said the finale was the most difficult episode to film. McLaughlin replied, "My finale was different, so I don't know."
It's certainly possible that McLaughlin was joking, but it's also possible that Lucas is headed for an ill-fated solo mission.
Risk level: Medium-High
4. Robin Buckley
Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Maya Hawke's neurotic character, Robin, is the newest among all the teenagers, so, judging by the established "Stranger Things" pattern, she's in a significant amount of danger.
The last two teenagers who were added to the core cast, Billy and Eddie, both died expeditiously — not to mention the other teenagers who died in the same seasons they were introduced, including Barb, Heather, Chrissy, Fred, Patrick, and Jason. Robin could be next.
Plus, it's worth noting that Hawke admitted she "would love to die" in season five and give Robin a "hero's moment." This may be a classic "be careful what you wish for" situation.
Risk level: High
3. Steve Harrington
Joe Keery as Steve Harrington in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Steve (Joe Keery) was originally conceived as a side character who was supposed to die all the way back in season one.
Instead, the Duffer brothers fell in love with Keery's performance, and Steve was rewritten with a redemption arc.
"When he comes back and fights the Demogorgon, that was supposed to be Jonathan's dad," Matt said at Geeked Week 2022, per Rotten Tomatoes. "The cast is impacting where you take the narrative, the other writers and directors… It's this living thing."
Steve has been surviving by the skin of his teeth ever since, even as he's been attacked by Demodogs, stabbed by Demobats, and tortured by Soviet soldiers. He's become a fan favorite by throwing himself into the fray, doing everything in his power to shield Nancy, Robin, and the kids from harm. His friendship with Dustin makes him particularly lovable.
Alas, Steve's fan-favorite status may just be his downfall. His long-delayed death would be devastating, which means it would make for great TV — especially as the show comes to an end, when the Duffer brothers won't have to worry about fans swearing off future Steve-less seasons.
Risk Level: Depressingly High
2. Will Byers
Noah Schnapp as Will Byers in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Ever since he was kidnapped by Vecna's puppet Demogorgon in season one, Will (Noah Schnapp) has had a direct connection to the Upside Down. This evil has possessed his body more than once and even used him as an unwitting spy.
The gang believed the connection was severed in season two. However, viewers knew that wasn't the case; Will continued to get goosebumps whenever Vecna was using his powers nearby.
In season five, episode two, "The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler," Will admits that he's always been able to tap into the Hive Mind (the psychic connection that bonds all creatures from the Upside Down, which Vecna channels to control them).
"Ever since he took me, it's like I was permanently changed," Will tells his mother. In episode four, "Sorcerer," Mike explicitly compares Will to Vecna, theorizing that Will could pull the strings of the Hive Mind in the same way.
Two episodes later, Mike's theory proves impressively accurate. When his friends' lives are threatened, Will harnesses his own Vecna-like magic, freezing the Demogorgons mid-attack and killing them from afar.
It's clear that Will's similarities to Vecna will be of tremendous importance in the rest of the season. Unfortunately, because their connection flows both ways, Will also is a liability. As long as he's still alive, Vecna will always have access to the Rightside Up — meaning that Will may need to die if the gang hopes to defeat Vecna for good.
We've seen how hurting one piece of the Hive Mind hurts the rest of it. If one Demogorgon goes up in flames, the rest of them collapse and writhe in agony. If Will is correct that his connection to the Hive Mind is permanent, then killing Vecna could mean killing Will simultaneously.
In the words of Mike, "As far as crazy theories go, I've had crazier." Turning Will into a world-saving martyr would be consistent with the show's motifs. In an interview with Time, the Duffer brothers said they conceptualized "Stranger Things" as "a show about Will." The very first episode is titled "The Vanishing of Will Byers."
Out of all the boys in the original quartet, it would make the most sense for Will's arc to end with some kind of climactic sacrifice. If he managed to save his family and friends, just as they saved him in season one, it would bring the series full circle.
Risk level: Frighteningly High
1. Vecna/Henry Creel
Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in "Stranger Things" season five.
Courtesy of Netflix
Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) is getting more character development in season five, largely thanks to Max poking around in his memories.
Some of these memories suggest a more complex origin story for the Upside Down-dwelling villain — more complex, at least, than a simple case of pure evil personified. What caused Henry Creel, once an unassuming Hawkins High student, to sadistically murder his mother and sister? How did he come to possess his psychic powers? The answers to these questions may surprise us.
Still, whatever the answers are, Vecna has slaughtered an awful lot of people. He remains hell-bent on destroying Hawkins and all our beloved heroes within.
At the end of the day, "Stranger Things" is a popular Netflix show inspired by family-friendly '80s classics like "E.T.," "Ghostbusters," and "Star Wars." The series isn't likely to end without a decisive victory for the good guys. Sure, Darth Vader was once just a kid named Anakin Skywalker, but he still had to die.
