The Meridian Energy Ltd (ASX: MEZ) share price is in focus today after the company released its January 2026 monthly operating report, revealing a 14.5% year-on-year lift in total generation and strong inflows putting storage well above historical averages.

What did Meridian Energy report?

• January 2026 total generation up 14.5% year-on-year to 1,373 GWh, with both hydro and wind production higher.
• Waitaki catchment water storage ended January at 119% of historical average; snow storage reached 177% of average in early February.
• Monthly inflows were 108% of average, with financial year-to-date inflows 138% of average – the second highest on record for July–January.
• Retail sales volumes rose 2.9% from January 2025; residential segment sales jumped 27.4% (including former Flick customers), SMB 12.5%, large business 15.3%.
• Average generation price for January dropped to just over $1/MWh, nearly 99% lower year-on-year due to extended periods of spilling.
• National electricity demand was 3.1% higher than January 2025.

What else do investors need to know?

January was marked by wet weather, setting rainfall records for parts of both islands, which helped build water and snow storage levels ahead of winter. Storage in the Waitaki and Waiau catchments remained well above typical levels, though national hydro storage decreased from 115% to 92% of average over the month.

Electricity market conditions saw wholesale prices plummet due to the excess water, with the average sales price for generation falling to $1.10 per megawatt hour in January. The heavy inflows and low generation prices impacted both the revenues received and the cost to supply customers, which was also significantly lower than a year ago.

What did Meridian Energy management say?

Chief Executive Mike Roan said:

We are in a really solid position as we move towards autumn. Both water and snow storage in the Waitaki catchment are well above historical averages for this time of year, putting the country in a good position ahead of the coming winter. Extended periods of spilling in both the Waitaki and Waiau catchments have now ended but drove wholesale prices to remarkably low levels in January. Our average generation sales price was just over $1 per megawatt hour last month.

What’s next for Meridian Energy?

With healthy storage levels and strong inflows, Meridian Energy has plenty of flexibility to manage supply and meet increased demand as the country heads into winter. The company continues to track above-average snow and water reserves, giving it confidence to navigate the coming months of potentially higher consumption.

Looking forward, investors will want to watch for any shift in rainfall patterns as autumn arrives and the impact this may have on lake levels, electricity prices and Meridian’s earnings outlook.

Meridian Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Meridian Energy shares have declined 9%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Meridian Energy lifts generation and storage in January 2026 update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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.

The Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price is in focus today after the bank reported a first quarter unaudited statutory net profit of $1.9 billion, up 5% on the prior period’s average. Net profit excluding notable items also rose 6% to $1.9 billion, while CET1 capital remains well above regulatory targets.

What did Westpac report?

• Unaudited statutory net profit: $1.9 billion, up 5% on 2H25 average
• Net profit excluding notable items: $1.9 billion, up 6% on 2H25 average
• Net operating income: $5.81 billion
• CET1 capital ratio: 12.3%, above 11.25% target
• Deposit growth: $12 billion; lending growth: $22 billion
• Net interest margin: 1.94%

What else do investors need to know?

Westpac saw solid lending and deposit growth across both business and household customers, with particular strength in digital transaction account sales. Institutional lending rose by 7%, and business lending also expanded, thanks to technology-driven improvements like the BizEdge platform.

The bank continued its transformation agenda, simplifying operations and rolling out major tech initiatives. Notably, Westpac announced the sale of its RAMS mortgage portfolio, which aims to free up capacity for higher-returning loans. Asset quality improved, with low impairment charges and reduced stressed exposures.

What did Westpac management say?

Westpac CEO Anthony Miller said:

We are optimistic on the outlook for the economy and expect demand for both business and household credit to remain resilient. Our strong financial foundations provide us with the stability and capacity to support our people, customers, shareholders and the broader economy.

What’s next for Westpac?

Looking ahead, Westpac plans to continue its cost reduction drive targeting more than $500 million in productivity gains this financial year. Technology rollouts, including AI training for all staff and expansion of business banking solutions, remain central to the group’s strategy.

Customer migration to the Panorama wealth management platform and the rollout of the Westpac One digital platform for institutional clients are also on track. Management’s continued focus on simplification, efficiency, and customer experience supports the bank’s competitive positioning in a challenging market.

Westpac share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the Westpac shares have risen 18%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Westpac posts $1.9bn profit in 1Q26 as digital push and lending gains continue appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BWP Group posts strong half-year profit and higher distributions
• Cochlear posts modest sales growth but lower profit as Nexa launch continues
• Meridian Energy lifts generation and storage in January 2026 update
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• What’s going on with ASX bank stocks this week?

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.

The ASX 200 materials sector rose by 32% last year, largely due to surging mining shares.

Perhaps the new year is set to be just as strong, with materials already up 12.7% year-to-date, despite the recent commodities rout.

This compares to a 2.7% bump for the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) and a 3.6% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

The largest mining stock on the market, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), reached a near four-year high of $52.64 per share yesterday.

Other ASX mining shares are trading at record highs.

These include gold miner Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and diversified miner Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO).

If you’re looking for investment ideas in the mining space, here are three stocks with buy ratings from the experts.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

The Ramelius Resources share price closed at $4.69 on Thursday, down 0.42% for the day and up 82% over the past year.

Shaw and Partners has a buy rating on this ASX gold mining share.

The broker’s 12-month share price target is $6.50, implying a potential near-40% upside from here.

Shaw and Partners said:

Ramelius is embarking on a heavy investment phase over the next four years, yet our revised gold price outlook suggests they will maintain a robust upward trajectory in liquidity, with free cash flow yields tripling by 2030.

The market likely underestimates the production potential at Dalgaranga, and given management’s history of conservative forecasting, further discoveries at Cue or Magnet could easily push performance beyond current expectations.

Check out some 2026 gold price forecasts here.

Turalco Gold Ltd (ASX: TCG)

The Turalco Gold share price closed 3.7% higher at 71 cents yesterday.

The ASX gold mining share has risen 103% over the past 12 months.

Morgans maintained its buy rating on Turalco after a visiting its Afema Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.

The broker commented:

Afema represents one of the largest undeveloped gold projects on the ASX, hosting a 4.06Moz resource at 1.2g/t Au.

The visit included all key resource prospects, future growth corridors, site infrastructure, core yard and a visit through the local community — reinforcing both the scale of the system and development readiness.

Morgans raised its 12-month share price target from $1.63 to $2.19, implying a potential 200%-plus upside from here.

Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS)

The Aeris Resources share price closed at 53 cents on Thursday, down 6.2% for the day but up 231% over the past year.

After the company released its 2Q FY26 report, Morgans maintained its accumulate rating

The broker also lifted its price target on the ASX copper mining share from 60 to 70 cents.

This suggests a possible 30%-plus capital gain over the next year.

The broker said:

Solid 2Q26 delivery. Cracow continues its strong performance and Tritton operated broadly to plan.

Our earnings forecasts and valuation have been upgraded to reflect the company’s improved earnings outlook for the remainder of FY26 in the current copper and gold price environment.

Check out Goldman Sachs’ 2026 forecast for the copper price here.

The post 3 ASX mining shares to buy: brokers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. 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.

The team at Morgans has been working overtime looking at the countless results releases this week.

Let’s see what the broker thinks of three very big results and whether it thinks these ASX 200 shares are now buys, holds, or sells. Here’s what you need to know:

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Morgans was pleased with this banking giant’s performance during the first half, highlighting that its earnings were comfortably ahead of expectations. This has seen the broker upgrade its earnings estimates materially.

And while Morgans has lifted its valuation, it remains bearish on the investment opportunity here. It has put a sell rating and $124.26 price target on CBA shares. It said:

CBA delivered a meaningful beat of 1H26 earnings expectations. We have materially upgraded our EPS forecasts after factoring in continuation of higher loan growth and benign credit loss environments. We expect DPS growth won’t match EPS growth as we see approaching CET1 capital tightness. Target price lifted to $124.26. SELL retained, with potential TSR of -24% (including 3% cash yield) at current elevated prices and trading multiples.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

Morgans was disappointed with this biotech giant’s half-year results, which were softer and less clean than it was expecting.

However, it was pleased to see the company reaffirm its guidance despite recent chaos. In light of this and its improving outlook, the broker has retained its buy rating with a lowered price target of $241.34. It said:

1HFY26 result was softer and less clean than expected, with adjusted NPATA declining 7% and revenue modestly below forecasts. The result was further complicated by US$1.1bn in impairment charges, largely relating to Vifor and Seqirus, weighing on statutory earnings and sentiment.

Importantly, FY26 guidance was maintained, despite Behring weakness and heightened scrutiny following the announced CEO transition, suggesting a 2H recovery, pointing to an execution reset, not structural impost, in our view. The outlook looks supported through a combination of cost-outs, marketing initiatives, new product launches and diminishing headwinds, reinforced by the Board’s urgency around operational delivery. We adjust FY26-28 forecasts modestly, with our PT decreasing to A$241.34. BUY.

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

Finally, building materials company James Hardie impressed the broker with its third-quarter update. And with the US housing market likely near its trough, Morgans is feeling positive about its medium-term outlook.

In response, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $45.75. It said:

JHX delivered a clean Q3 beat with sequential margin improvement, disciplined execution on AZEK integration, and early evidence that volumes in core Siding & Trim (S&T) are stabilising at low levels. While NPAT remains temporarily weighed by amortisation and higher interest, the underlying margin trajectory and synergy capture both point to improving earnings quality into FY27.

With US housing likely near the trough, we see medium-term upside as organic growth returns, synergies compound, and leverage falls toward <2.0x by 3Q28. We retain our BUY rating and lift our valuation to A$45.75/sh.

The post Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, CSL, and CBA shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) shares will be closely watched today after a shocking 32% share price crash yesterday. 

The company reported:

• Revenue rise of 19.8% to $375.9 million for H1 FY26
• EBITDA (pre-NZ investment) increased 13% to $14.9 million.
• Net cash rose 15.3% to $160.6 million as of 31 December 2025
• Active customers grew 14% year-on-year to ~1.4 million
• Repeat customers made up 62% of total orders
• Free cash flow of $23 million was generated during the half

However investors were not pleased with these results as the company endured a huge sell-off. 

The Motley Fool’s Aaron Teboneras reported yesterday that this was likely due to expectations not being met, as investors may have been hoping for stronger operating leverage at this stage of the cycle.

Its share price has now fallen 44% year to date, including Thursday’s crash. 

Following yesterday’s result, the team at Bell Potter issued updated guidance on Temple & Webster shares 

Here is what the broker had to say. 

Earnings miss 

Temple & Webster is an online-only retailer of furniture and homewares. Some of its products include office furniture, lighting, rugs, wall art, and home décor.

According to the report, Temple & Webster’s 1H26 EBITDA was roughly a 12% miss to consensus. 

The competitive environment coupled with a value driven customer has seen TPW pulling levers of price activation beyond supplier funded promotions during the seasonal period.

Bell Potter also noted key metrics like active customers (1.35m) and repeat rates (62%) were in line with its expectations, however revenue per customer was below.

The broker said while check-out revenue growth is tracking towards 2H26e estimates, challenging comps in 4Q26 sees modest changes to revenue estimates.

Our EBITDA forecasts -10%/-28%/-28% for FY26/27/28e.

Share price target drops

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter lowered its target price on Temple & Webster shares to $13.00 (previously $19.50). 

Following yesterday’s sell-off, Temple & Webster shares closed at $7.64. 

The broker still has a buy recommendation on the consumer discretionary stock.

Its revised price target still indicates 70% upside. 

Our views are unchanged of TPW’s ability to outperform over the long term as market share capture in an expanded TAM is expedited with range, pricing/scale advantages, AI/data capability backed by a strong balance sheet (~$160m cash).

The post Are Temple & Webster shares a buy after falling 32% yesterday following earnings results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

These 2 ASX dividend shares have both lost significant ground over the past 12 months. The share prices of Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) and Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) have fallen 23% and 12%, respectively.

Here are two very different ASX dividend shares that tick both the potential growth and income boxes. Let’s go and check them out.

Sonic Healthcare plays defence for a living

Sonic Healthcare isn’t the flashy growth stock grabbing headlines. This ASX dividend share is the quiet achiever that just keeps compounding.

This healthcare company plays defence for a living. People don’t stop getting blood tests or scans when the economy wobbles. Demand is steady, recurring, and largely immune to economic mood swings.

Sonic’s pathology and imaging empire stretches across Australia, Europe, the US, and the UK. A global footprint few ASX healthcare shares can rival. That diversification gives it multiple earnings engines and a natural hedge when one region slows.

The real magic? Resilience. Ageing populations and the relentless shift toward preventative healthcare keep test volumes humming. Management has layered on disciplined acquisitions over the years, adding scale without blowing up margins.

Where Sonic Healthcare really earns its stripes is in dividends. It pays shareholders twice a year and has a long history of maintaining — and gradually lifting — payouts. Bell Potter forecasts partially franked dividends of 109 cents per share in FY26 and 111 cents in FY27.

At a share price of $21.78 at the time of writing, that’s yields of roughly 4.8% and 4.9%. That’s not bad for a defensive healthcare stock, especially when those dividends are backed by recurring cash flow rather than one-off sugar hits.

Analysts also see growth potential for the ASX dividend share. The consensus target is $25.65, suggesting about 17% upside. Add in a forecast 4.9% dividend yield, and total potential returns could exceed 20%.

Super Retail Group: resilient in a tough market

Super Retail Group has proven it can drive sales in a tough retail environment, but investors are still debating whether earnings can keep up.

The owner of Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF and Macpac recently posted solid revenue growth, supported by resilient demand across auto and leisure categories and continued online traction. The $3.3 billion ASX dividend share has also been disciplined on inventory, helping protect margins in a cautious consumer backdrop.

Even so, profit growth has been patchy. Cost pressures, discounting, and softer discretionary spending have weighed on earnings momentum at times. That’s reflected in the price of the ASX dividend share, which has been volatile over the past year and has lagged the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) during periods of consumer uncertainty.

Like Sonic Healthcare, Super Retail stands out for dividends. The retailer pays shareholders twice a year and has built a reputation for consistent, largely fully franked payouts. In stronger years, it has also delivered special dividends. The current yield is attractive at 4.5% compared to the market. It’s supported by solid cash generation and a generally disciplined payout ratio.

Most analysts rate the ASX dividend share a buy. They have set the average 12-month price target at $16.32, implying a 13% upside, which could bring total earnings for the year to 17.5%.

The post 2 beaten-down ASX dividend shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Are you looking for some new ASX dividend shares to buy? If you are, then it could be worth checking out the three below which have been named as buys by brokers.

Here’s what they are recommending to income investors:

Charter Hall Retail REIT (ASX: CQR)

The first ASX dividend share that has been given the thumbs up by analysts is Charter Hall Retail REIT.

It is a property company that owns a diversified portfolio of convenience-based retail centres that are anchored by supermarkets, service stations, and essential services. These assets tend to be defensive because shoppers continue to spend on groceries and everyday essentials regardless of economic conditions.

The team at Citi is positive on the company due to its successful capital deployment, improving margins, and retail property trends. The broker believes this will support dividends per share of 25.5 cents in FY 2026 and then 26 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.94, this would mean dividend yields of 6.5% and 6.6%, respectively.

Citi has a buy rating and $4.50 price target on its shares.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Over at Bell Potter, its analysts think Harvey Norman could be an ASX dividend share to buy.

It highlights that the retail giant benefits from a unique franchise model that generates robust cash flows and provides flexibility during challenging retail environments. In addition to its core electronics and furniture operations, Harvey Norman owns a substantial property portfolio. This adds another layer of income stability and supports its dividend payments.

Bell Potter expects fully franked dividends per share of 30.9 cents in FY 2026 and 35.3 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $6.51, this represents dividend yields of 4.75% and 5.4%, respectively.

The broker has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on its shares.

IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

A third ASX dividend share that analysts are recommending to income investors is IPH.

It is a global intellectual property services group that helps clients across the world protect their patents, trademarks, and intellectual property.

The company’s defensive business, strong cash conversion, and disciplined capital management have allowed it to pay generous dividends over the past decade.

Macquarie is positive on the company and believes that its cost cutting will offset weaker operating environment. As a result, the broker feels it is positioned to pay fully franked dividends of 39 cents per share in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.58, this would mean dividend yields of almost 11% for both years.

Macquarie has a buy rating and $4.04 price target on its shares.

The post 3 top ASX dividend shares for income investors to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Charter Hall Retail REIT, Harvey Norman, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended IPH Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) shares dropped another 7.81% at the close of the ASX on Thursday afternoon, to $6.14 a piece.

The latest decline means the shares have now crashed 44.28% from their all-time high of $11.02 per share recorded in mid-January.

But it’s not all bad news, thanks to some price surges in 2025, the shares are still 365.15% higher than the trading price this time last year.

What happened to EOS shares this year?

The Aussie defence company, which develops and produces advanced electro-optic technologies, faced a couple of headwinds this month.

The ASX stock benefited from surging demand for exposure to the defence sector amid ongoing geopolitical volatility throughout 2025. And it’s a trend which continues to translate, or potentially exacerbate, in 2026 so far. The company has had several major contract wins recently.

But its share price has fallen sharply since late January, now dropping over 44% over the past month alone.

It looks like investors locked in their gains late last month, and then the sell-off continued into February after speculation that the company might move its headquarters and stock market listing from Australia to Europe to capitalise on rapidly rising defence spending across the region.

This was shortly followed by a scathing short seller report from Grizzly Research which said that it finds “statements that EOS made in the investor call dedicated to the new Korean contract announcements aggressively misleading, and sometimes bordering on outright lies”. 

The report also raised doubts over a recent acquisition.

It said:

Our research in the acquisition of MARSS by EOS in January 2026 uncovers a multitude of issues. We believe management has lied about past revenues and is misrepresenting the economic opportunity of this acquisition.

The following week, the US-based short seller disclosed that it holds a short position in EOS shares, meaning it stands to benefit financially if the share price falls.

In response, EOS requested a trading halt and released a detailed statement. It said it rejects what it describes as the report’s “misleading, manipulatory and pejorative” conclusions. The company also revealed it has instructed legal advisers in Australia and Germany to consider potential legal action.

But the damage to investor confidence has already been made.

But analysts are still bullish

Investor confidence may have been slashed this month, but analyst sentiment remains bullish on the outlook for EOS shares.

TradingView data shows a consensus strong buy rating on EOS shares, and a maximum target price of $12.72. That implies a potential 107.17% upside at the time of writing.

The post EOS shares crashed 44% from their all-time high last month. Is it time to sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems. 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.&lt;/p>

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form again and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.3% to 9,043.5 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall

The Australian share market looks set to tumble on Friday following a poor night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 54 points or 0.6% lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 0.7%, the S&P 500 is down 1%, and the Nasdaq is down 1.6%.

Oil prices sink

It could be a poor finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices sank overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 2.5% to US$63.03 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 2.4% to US$67.73 a barrel. This was driven by news that the IEA has reduced its demand forecast.

Cochlear half-year results

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) shares will be on watch on Friday when the hearing solutions company releases its half-year results. According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts are expecting Cochlear to report underlying net profit after tax of $202.6 million. It said: “Cochlear is seen as a key result to watch given its stretched valuation and the launch of the new Nucleus Nexa system, but we view the outcome as more likely to confirm or be slightly below consensus than surprising it.”

Gold price tumbles

ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a poor finish to the week after the gold price tumbled overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 2.6% to US$4,964 an ounce. Gold fell in response to strong US economic data, which reduced rate cut bets.

Buy Temple & Webster shares

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) shares are undervalued after a heavy decline on Thursday according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating with a reduced price target of $13.00 (from $19.50). It said: “Key metrics, active customers (1.35m) and repeat rates (62%) were in line with BPe, however revenue per customer tracking below. TPW reaffirmed FY26 EBITDA margin guidance of 3-5% post the entry investment into New Zealand (launched in Oct-25). 2H26 has commenced on +20% check-out revenue growth.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are Temple & Webster shares a buy after falling 32% yesterday following earnings results?
• What’s going on with ASX bank stocks this week?
• ASX gold stocks never pay high dividends, but Evolution just changed the game
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Cochlear, Temple & Webster Group, and Woodside Energy Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Gold and silver prices tumbled sharply overnight after reports emerged that Russia is considering a return to the US dollar as part of a broader economic partnership.

According to reports, the proposal could involve Russia pivoting back toward the US dollar settlement system in exchange for closer economic cooperation with the United States.

Markets reacted swiftly.

Silver prices fell nearly 10% in around 30 minutes, dropping back below US$76 per ounce. Gold also slid heavily, shedding roughly 3.5% in 15 minutes and falling back under US$5,000 per ounce.

Across global markets, as much as US$3.2 trillion in value was wiped out within an hour as investors rapidly repositioned portfolios.

What is being proposed?

While details remain limited, the suggested framework includes:

• Cooperation between the US and Russia on fossil fuel production
• Joint investment in natural gas infrastructure
• Partnerships in offshore oil and critical raw materials
• Preferential treatment for US commercial interests
• Russia’s return to US dollar-based trade settlement

In simple terms, the proposal centres on Russia moving away from efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar and instead re-engaging with the American financial system.

That potential shift is what appears to have rattled precious metals markets.

Why would this hit gold and silver?

Gold and silver are often viewed as hedges against uncertainty.

Investors typically buy precious metals when they are worried about geopolitical instability, currency debasement, or fractures in the global financial system. In recent years, one of the dominant narratives has been “de-dollarisation” – the idea that major economies, including Russia and members of the BRICS bloc, were gradually shifting away from the US dollar in trade and reserves.

That narrative has helped underpin demand for gold in particular, as central banks increased bullion purchases and investors sought alternatives to the US dollar.

If Russia were to pivot back to the US dollar system, it would signal a potential reversal of that trend.

In that scenario, fears of a fragmented global currency system may ease. A stronger US dollar outlook can also weigh on gold and silver prices, as both metals are priced in US dollars and tend to move inversely to it.

In short, if confidence in the US dollar rises, the immediate need for alternative stores of value can diminish. That dynamic helps explain the sharp and rapid selling in precious metals following the reports.

A market moving in real time

The speed of the move highlights how sensitive markets are to shifts in global power structures and currency alliances.

Gold falling more than 3% in minutes and silver plunging close to 10% in half an hour underscores just how crowded some of these thematic trades may have become.

For now, what we have are reports of discussions and a potential framework. No formal agreement has been announced.

But the reaction shows that sentiment weighs heavily towards any signs that the global financial architecture could be shifting again.

Whether this proposal advances or fades, the world will be watching closely. The implications stretch far beyond gold and silver prices and into energy markets, currency dynamics, and the broader balance of economic power.

The post Why did the silver and gold price just fall so sharply? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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.