• Up 66% since August, why is this $4 billion ASX 200 gold stock sinking today?

    Two miners examine things they have taken out the ground.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stock Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) is sliding today.

    Vault Minerals shares closed yesterday trading for $4.02. In late morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for $3.98 apiece, down 1.1%. This sees the miner commanding a market cap of $4.1 billion.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.2% at this same time, while the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is down 1.5%.

    The Aussie gold miners are broadly underperforming today following another overnight dip in the gold price. Gold is currently trading for US$4,497 per ounce, according to data from Bloomberg. That’s down from US$5,322 per ounce at the beginning of March.

    Still, you’re unlikely to hear investors who bought the ASX 200 gold stock at the recent closing lows of $2.40 on 1 August complaining. Vault Minerals shares remain up 65.8% since then.

    Now, here’s what’s happening today.

    ASX 200 gold stock boosting capacity

    Vault Minerals shares are sliding today despite the miner announcing positive progress at its King of the Hills plant upgrade.

    The ASX 200 gold stock is working to increase King of the Hills’ throughput capacity to some 6.0 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). The plant upgrade will increase throughput capacity by around 50% at a capital intensity of $57 per tonne of increased annual throughput capacity.

    The miner said that the first state of the plant upgrade project has progressed on time and within budget, and it is now in the final stages of commissioning.

    With the new primary crusher installation completed, management expects first ore to be fed into it next Tuesday, 31 March. As the old crusher was taken offline this past Tuesday, Vault has around 90,000 tonnes of crushed stocks on the ground. The miner expects this to provide uninterrupted mill feed prior to crusher ore commissioning.

    As at 28 February 2026 Vault reported stockpiles of 15 million tonnes at King of the Hills, containing around 180,000 ounces of gold. The stockpiles are located nearby the processing facility.

    The ASX 200 gold stock noted that this provides it with “significant operational flexibility to maintain base load mill feed under a range of operating scenarios, which may be required to be implemented to mitigate the risk of supply disruptions of key operational inputs due to the current tensions in the Middle East”.

    Looking ahead, Vault Minerals said that the second stage of the King of the Hills plant upgrade is also still on schedule and budget. The miner is targeting completion of stage two in the second quarter of FY 2027. That will deliver increased plant capacity of 7.5 to 8.0 Mtpa.

    The post Up 66% since August, why is this $4 billion ASX 200 gold stock sinking today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vault Minerals right now?

    Before you buy Vault Minerals 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 Vault Minerals 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…

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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.

  • Following a key approval, one broker tips 80% upside for this ASX rare earths stock

    Young successful engineer, with blueprints, notepad, and digital tablet, observing the project implementation on construction site and in mine.

    Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: BRE) secured a key approval this week, with the Brazilian Government granting the company a trial mining licence for the “ultra-high grade” Monte Alto rare earth and critical minerals project the company is developing.

    The team at Canaccord Genuity has had a look at the announcement, and while they haven’t changed their target price on the company, the target is still well above the current share price of $4.30. More on that later.

    Major news

    Firstly, what did the company itself say this week?

    Brazilian Rare Earths said the newly-granted licence allows it to extract up to 2000 tonnes per year of product from the Monte Alto deposit, “enabling BRE to produce bulk shipments for potential customer offtakes and metallurgical testing at its Camaçari pilot plant”.

    Trial mining at Monte Alto will also support the commissioning and operation of the company’s fully permitted pilot plant, which remains on schedule to start operations in the third quarter of 2026.

    Brazilian Rare Earths managing director Bernardo da Veiga said:

    Securing the Trial Mining Licence is a significant milestone for Monte Alto and a major step forward in BRE’s integrated ore-to-oxides development pathway in Brazil. This approval reflects the strength of our permitting work, the quality of our engagement with local communities and government stakeholders, and the advantages of Monte Alto’s deliberately low-impact development model. With ultra-high-grade mineralisation, dry processing and a quarry-scale operating model, Monte Alto has been designed from the outset to support a staged, capital-efficient path through permitting and development. Just as importantly, trial mining can now supply high-grade material for customer evaluation and for our fully permitted pilot plant at Camaçari, linking upstream production with downstream processing capability in Brazil. That integrated model is central to our strategy to rebuild a leading Brazilian rare earths and critical minerals supply chain.

    Shares looking cheap

    Canaccord said it continued to look towards the publication of a maiden mineral resource estimate as a key valuation catalyst for the company.

    As a recap, our modelled development scenario is based on an assumed Mining Inventory of just 3 million tonnes of ultra high grade primary material, which … supports a 10-year project at 7ktpa NdPr oxides through an integrated mine + refinery development. A larger mineral resource estimate would clearly support a longer mine life, in our view.

    Canaccord has a speculative buy rating on Brazilian Rare Earths shares and price target of $8, which is 86% higher than the current share price.

    The ASX rare earths company was valued at $1.24 billion at the close of trade on Wednesday.

    The post Following a key approval, one broker tips 80% upside for this ASX rare earths stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Brazilian Rare Earths right now?

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  • A major long-term deal is lifting this ASX stock today

    two business people shake hands through the glass wall of a business office with a board table and laptop computer in view between them.

    Shares in Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF) are seesawing on Thursday after the company released an update just before early morning trade.

    At the time of writing, the stock is up 2.72% to $1.89. The gain comes despite a continued broader downtrend, with Nufarm shares now down around 20% since the start of 2026.

    Let’s take a closer look at what was announced.

    Strategic deal extended to 2050

    According to the release, the company has strengthened its strategic collaboration with bp, expanding an existing agreement focused on biofuels.

    The update centres on its Carinata business, which produces a non-food oilseed crop used as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.

    Under the revised terms, the marketing and offtake agreement has been extended to 2050, providing longer-term visibility over demand for Carinata oil.

    The deal also supports the expansion of supply, backed by established grower networks and partnerships across multiple regions.

    In addition, the agreement includes a funding model linked to milestone progress. This is intended to support ongoing investment in seed development, crop performance, and supply chain scaling.

    Focus on scaling biofuels platform

    Nufarm is positioning Carinata as a key pillar of its longer-term growth strategy, particularly as demand for lower-emissions fuels continues to build.

    It noted that sectors such as aviation and heavy transport are increasingly turning to biofuels, given they are more difficult to electrify.

    Since the original agreement in 2022, the program has expanded beyond Argentina into Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It has also been introduced in Australia through existing grower and distribution networks.

    Management highlighted that the crop can be grown on existing farmland as part of crop rotation systems. This allows farmers to generate additional income while also contributing to emissions reduction goals.

    The company also pointed to lifecycle emissions benefits, with Carinata-based fuel delivering lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.

    Shares remain under pressure

    Despite the long-term nature of the update, the share price has seen only a small move.

    From a technical view, Nufarm shares remain under pressure. The stock is trading closer to the lower end of its recent range, with momentum indicators such as relative strength index (RSI) sitting in the mid-30s, pointing to weak buying interest.

    The broader backdrop also remains challenging. Agricultural input companies have faced softer conditions in recent periods, alongside cost pressures and mixed demand across key markets.

    Foolish takeaway

    Today’s announcement reinforces Nufarm’s strategy to build out its biofuels platform through long-term partnerships and scalable supply chains.

    The extended agreement with bp provides improved visibility over future demand and supports continued investment in the Carinata business.

    However, the limited response suggests investors are still weighing near-term pressures against longer-term opportunities, particularly with the stock already down heavily in 2026.

    The post A major long-term deal is lifting this ASX stock today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Nufarm 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 Nufarm Limited wasn’t one of them.

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

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  • Which emerging ASX gas producer could deliver almost 80% gains?

    Oil worker giving a thumbs up in an oil field.

    Gas supply in Australia was a hot topic even before the military action in Iran threw a spanner in the works of global gas supplies.

    How we supply our own markets has been a topic of increasing interest for the past few years, with the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory a closely watched area for potential new gas supplies.

    Emerging producer

    One of the companies that has been active in the region is Beetaloo Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: BTL), which has a big year ahead of it, at least according to the analyst team at Canaccord Genuity.

    Beetaloo Energy is currently a modestly-sized company, valued at just $305.3 million, but the Canaccord team thinks there’s potential for this value to grow quickly this year, given the milestones the company is looking to check off.

    As Canaccord said in a note to its clients recently:

    Beetaloo Energy is an Australian gas company focused on developing unconventional gas resources in the Northern Territory, Australia. It is a dominant player and acreage holder in the Beetaloo Basin – a basin with large, well understood gas potential that has historically been overlooked due to its isolation and above-ground risk. With regulatory risk now largely in the rearview mirror and clear market pull factors emerging, we expect change.

    Beetaloo in December made a final investment decision to go ahead with its Carpentaria pilot project, where it is targeting first gas sales by the end of calendar year 2026.

    That project has a 10-year gas sales agreement with the Northern Territory Government.

    Canaccord said re the development:

    If the pilot proves commercial, we expect majors to move quickly, with Betaloo’s strategic foothold and first-mover advantage positioning it as a prime beneficiary of the basin’s potential re-rating.

    Other companies active in the Beetaloo Basin include Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Tamboran Resources Corporation (ASX: TBN).

    Banner year for the company

    The Canaccord analysts said further:

    CY26/27 marks a key inflection point for Beetaloo as it enters the execution phase after years of appraising/de-risking. Near-term potential catalysts include: 1) recommencement of the C-5H flow test, targeting higher rates and potentially higher estimated ultimate recoveries; 2) installation and commissioning of the Carpentaria Gas Plant (equipment delivery expected 1HCY26, commissioning in Q3 CY26); and 3) commencement of pilot gas sales in 2HCY26, with a ramp to nameplate in CY27/28. In parallel, Santos is set to commence a $300m program in July, and Tamboran is targeting commissioning of its own pilot project in CY26.

    The Canaccord team have a speculative buy recommendation on Beetaloo Energy shares, compared with just 25.5 cents currently. That would represent upside of 76.7% if achieved.

    The post Which emerging ASX gas producer could deliver almost 80% gains? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

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    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

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  • Which ASX tech stock is surging 11% on strong trading update?

    A young man punches the air in delight as he reacts to great news on his mobile phone.

    Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) shares have burst out of the gates on Thursday morning.

    At the time of writing, the ASX tech stock is up 11% to $3.95.

    This compares favourably to the ASX 200 index, which is trading largely flat today.

    Why is this ASX tech stock surging?

    Investors have been fighting to get hold of the sports technology solutions company’s shares this morning following the release of a trading update before the market open.

    According to the release, Catapult expects its closing annual contract value (ACV) for FY 2026 to be in the range of US$133 million to US$134 million with low churn. This represents reported year-on-year growth of 27% to 28% on a constant currency basis.

    The ASX tech stock notes that this includes ACV that is being contributed by the acquisitions of IMPECT and Perch, and is consistent with its track record of strong, durable subscription revenue growth.

    However, management revealed that the integration of those acquisitions has placed temporary capacity pressure on Catapult’s finance and collections function.

    As a result, a portion of second-half receivables that would have ordinarily been collected before 31 March is expected to be received in early FY 2027. This will result in a materially higher closing accounts receivable balance relative to a year earlier.

    As a result, the ASX tech stock expects FY 2026 free cash flow (excluding transaction costs) to only be between US$5 million to US$6 million. This is down from US$8.6 million in FY 2025.

    Nevertheless, following the successful capital raise and acquisition of IMPECT, Catapult expects to end FY 2026 with a cash balance of approximately US$50 million and no debt.

    Strong earnings growth expected in FY 2026

    The ASX tech stock advised that it is expecting its FY 2026 management EBITDA, which is a non-IFRS measure of operating profitability, to grow by approximately 50% year-on-year as its profitability continues to outpace its strong top-line growth.

    Management highlights that this expected performance reflects the accelerating operating leverage in Catapult’s business model and the company’s continued discipline in managing its fixed and variable cost base.

    In light of Catapult’s management EBITDA continuing to expand, the company expects its FY 2026 Rule of 40 metric to improve on the record 33% that it achieved in the first half of the financial year.

    The post Which ASX tech stock is surging 11% on strong trading update? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Catapult Group International right now?

    Before you buy Catapult Group International 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 Catapult Group International 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…

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

  • Which data centre operator just upgraded its earnings outlook?

    Two IT professionals walk along a wall of mainframes in a data centre discussing various things

    Shares in Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT) are trading higher after the company upgraded its forecast earnings for its CDC data centre business for FY27.

    Upwards revision

    In a statement to the ASX on Thursday, the company said that it had previously forecast that CDC’s FY25 EBITDAF would double to about $660 million in FY27.

    Infratil now estimates that this figure will increase to $680 million to $720 million “based on the updated outlook for delivery of existing contracted capacity and the expectation for continued strong demand”.

    The company also said that FY26 EBITDAF was expected to come in at the lower end of the guidance range of $390 million to $400 million, “reflecting the timing of existing contracted capacity that has been weighted toward the back end of FY26”.

    Infrastructure of the future

    CDC Chief Executive Officer Greg Boorer said recent geopolitical developments have highlighted Australasia’s secure position and competitive differentiation as a strategic location for data centres.

    He added:

    We attended the largest AI event in the United States last week, and one of the key takeaways is that large-scale intelligence generation will be critical to future economic prosperity. The good news is that Australasia is globally front of mind as a preferred secure option for large-scale intelligence generation. As a result, we’re having even more conversations with our strategic customers about their increased capacity needs, and we’re continuing to build new intelligence generation capacity as fast as we can to meet that increasing demand.

    Infratil said CDC had the largest pipeline of data centre capacity in Australia, with 18 operational sites and another five under construction.

    The company added:

    An important contributor to CDC’s ability to fast track development is the minimal water usage enabled by its closed-loop water cooling system. CDC added almost 200 megawatts of built operating capacity in the December quarter.

    Infratil Chief Executive Officer Jason Boyes said data centre demand remained very strong.

    He added:

    Our focus is on supporting CDC to deliver more capacity to meet the growing demand for data centre space across Australasia. Infratil, along with CDC’s other major shareholders, recently provided A$500 million in equity funding to support the acceleration of CDC’s construction programme.

    The Infratil earnings update coincided with an investor tour of CDC’s Eastern Creek campus, where two additional data centres are nearing operational status.

    Infratil shares were 5.2% higher in early trade at $9.72.

    The company was valued at $9.23 billion at the close of trade on Wednesday.

    The post Which data centre operator just upgraded its earnings outlook? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Infratil 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 Infratil 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…

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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.

  • Guess which newly minted ASX 300 gold stock is lifting off today on $500 million news

    gold, gold miner, gold discovery, gold nugget, gold price,

    Newly minted S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) gold stock St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) is marching higher today.

    St Barbara shares closed yesterday trading for 57 cents. In early morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for 58 cents apiece, up 1.8%.

    For some context, the ASX 300 is down 0.1% at this same time.

    If you’ve been paying close attention to the boards, you might have noticed that St Barbara shares joined the ASX 300 at market open this Monday. That came as part of the S&P Dow Jones Indices quarterly rebalance, after the gold miner’s market cap more than doubled over the past year.

    Now, here’s what’s grabbing investor interest today.

    ASX 300 gold stock lifts on investment approval

    The St Barbara share price is marching higher after the miner announced that the transaction with the Lingbao Gold Group’s investment in the New Simberi Gold Project, located in Papua New Guinea, has been approved.

    The ASX 300 gold stock said that all outstanding conditions precedent regarding the Initial Life of Mine Plan, the Construction Work Program, Budget for New Simberi, and the finalisation of agreements with Kumul Mineral Holdings have now been satisfied.

    Lingbao and St Barbara also committed to making a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the New Simberi Gold Project at completion, which is targeted for 1 April.

    St Barabra expects to book a gain on sale of around $500 on the Lingbao transaction.

    Lingbao is acquiring its interest in the New Simberi Gold Project for $370 million in cash. The ASX 300 gold stock said that the retention of its equivalent interest realises a total value of at least $740 million, which is around $500 million more than its expected carrying value for the Simberi business unit prior to Lingbao’s investment.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the investment approval boosting the ASX 300 gold stock today, St Barbara managing director and CEO Andrew Strelein said, “The satisfaction of the final conditions precedent on the Lingbao Transaction allows St Barbara and Lingbao to now move forward to completion.”

    Strelein added:

    We anticipate that the Kumul deal will also close on the 1 April 2026 with only two PNG government approvals now required. Any delay with those final approvals does not impact the timing of the completion of the Lingbao Transaction.

    This is a pivotal moment for St Barbara as we unlock significant immediate value for the company, while opening up a new future for our business as we move to execute the New Simberi Gold Project and deliver value to our shareholders and to our stakeholders in PNG.

    With today’s intraday gains factored in, shares in the ASX 300 gold stock are up 164% in 12 months.

    The post Guess which newly minted ASX 300 gold stock is lifting off today on $500 million news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy St Barbara 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 St Barbara 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…

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  • Is the Telstra share price a buy after increasing mobile plan prices?

    A man wearing a colourful shirt holds an old fashioned phone to his ear with a look of curiosity on his face as though he is pondering the answer to a question.

    The Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price has been on the rise this year, it’s up close to around 10% in 2026. Telstra recently gave another reason why investors may be excited by the ASX telco share as an investment opportunity.

    Telstra offers a variety of services to customers of different sizes. Some of its biggest earnings generators include mobile subscriptions, device sales, NBN connections, cable infrastructure, cybersecurity and so on.

    The company announced price rises for subscribers. Let’s take a look at what was announced and what experts think of it.

    Mobile price rise

    In an online statement, Telstra announced it’s increasing prices from 5 May 2026.

    Telstra said that its customers are doing more on its network than ever before and it’s investing to deliver the “best experience available”, while helping Australians to stay connected.

    The ASX telco share said from 5 May that most postpaid plans will increase by $4 per month, with the price of the premium plan staying the same.

    Pre-paid plans will rise by around $5 and customers will “enjoy increased data allowances across all impacted plans”.

    Telstra said that its price changes “help drive ongoing investment in our mobile network infrastructure, enabling innovation and the rollout of new features that expand connectivity options for customers.”

    It highlighted satellite-to-mobile messaging as one of the changes it has introduced for customers, who can use that service almost anywhere in Australia when beyond the range of its mobile network and with a clear view of the sky.

    Telstra said it’s expanding and upgrading its 5G network, including ‘5G advanced’ in more locations.

    What do experts make of this change for the Telstra share price?

    Broker UBS noted that these price rises came earlier than expected – in recent times, it has happened in July. The price rises announced are likely to flow through to a greater increase in the average revenue per user (ARPU) than expected.

    UBS said that this move gives it comfort that the sector can continue to extract “meaningful price growth from the consumer over the medium term.”

    But, the broker also suggested that the price rise could lead to earlier-than-expected customer churn, starting in the fourth quarter of FY26 compared to the previous expectations of the first quarter of FY27.

    The broker said its estimates for revenue, operating profit (EBITDA) and net profit for between FY26 to FY28 were largely unchanged because the increase in mobile ARPU growth is expected to be offset by lower subscription growth.

    UBS said that due to elevated inflation, the broker thinks the increase will likely be absorbed by customers. Even so, the broker now expects just 0.2% annual subscriber growth in the longer-term, with expectations that Telstra could see a net loss of 16,000 of postpaid and 16,000 of prepaid users in the second half of FY26.

    UBS now forecasts that Telstra’s net profit could reach $2.31 billion in FY26 and $2.48 billion in FY27.

    The broker has a neutral rating on the telco, with a Telstra share price target of $5.30.

    The post Is the Telstra share price a buy after increasing mobile plan prices? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Telstra Corporation 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 Telstra Corporation 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…

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

  • Westpac shares are climbing following UNITE update

    A man in a suit smiles at the yellow piggy bank he holds in his hand.

    Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares are on the move on Thursday morning.

    At the time of writing, the banking giant’s shares are up 1% to $40.83.

    Why are Westpac shares rising today?

    The catalyst for today’s move appears to be the release of an update on the bank’s UNITE transformation program.

    According to the update, Westpac has made solid progress on the large-scale simplification strategy, which is designed to improve customer experience, reduce costs, and lift returns.

    Management notes that the program remains on track, with no changes to its overall scope, timeline, or budget since its FY 2025 results.

    What is the UNITE strategy?

    UNITE is Westpac’s major transformation program aimed at simplifying its operations across technology, products, and processes.

    The bank revealed that it has already decommissioned more than 180 applications, reduced its product set by over 70%, and simplified more than 700 processes.

    Management believes this will lead to a more consistent experience for both customers and employees, while also helping to close the cost-to-income gap with peers.

    Strong progress across key initiatives

    Westpac highlighted a number of milestones achieved so far.

    These include the rollout of its Digital Banker platform to all bankers, consolidation of systems such as its chat platform, and the completion of its wealth platform migration to Panorama.

    The company also confirmed that program discovery is now complete, with 57 initiatives identified and currently being delivered through 10 work packages.

    At present, eight initiatives have been completed, with 49 remaining in progress.

    Investment and benefits

    Westpac revealed that it invested $195 million into the UNITE program during the first quarter of FY 2026, with approximately 73% of that amount expensed.

    The broader program is expected to involve significant investment, with around 40% of total spend forecast to occur across FY 2027 and FY 2028.

    Importantly, management continues to point to meaningful long-term benefits, including reduced operational complexity, improved productivity, and stronger shareholder returns.

    Outlook

    Looking ahead, Westpac has outlined a series of key milestones for the second half of FY 2026.

    These include further progress on mortgage simplification, continued rollout of its Digital Banker capabilities, and advancement of its One Commercial Bank initiative.

    Following today’s move, Westpac shares are now up an impressive 30% over the past 12 months.

    The post Westpac shares are climbing following UNITE update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Westpac Banking Corporation right now?

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

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    Motley Fool contributor 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.

  • Guess which ASX defence stock is jumping 20% on US Navy contract

    A man sits thoughtfully on the couch with a laptop on his lap.

    AML3D Ltd (ASX: AL3) shares are having a strong session on Thursday.

    In morning trade, the ASX defence stock is up 20% to 20.5 cents.

    Why is this ASX defence stock jumping?

    Investors have been buying the additive manufacturing company’s shares following the release of an announcement before the market open.

    According to the release, the ASX defence stock has received an order for high demand, non-safety critical replacement components used in US Navy submarines.

    The release notes that AML3D plans to leverage its proprietary ARCEMY technology to 3D metal print five of the high demand components, which are no longer available from the original manufacturer.

    The order has been signed with BlueForge Alliance, which is a US nonprofit, neutral integrator, supporting the strengthening and sustainment of the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base.

    What is it worth?

    The ASX defence stock advised that this US Navy submarine components contract is valued at ~A$2.61 million (US$1.84 million). This is payable up front and upon meeting contract milestones.

    Management notes that the contract follows successful hydrostatic testing by the US Navy of ARCEMY 3D metal printed components.

    Uniquely positioned

    The company believes this deal highlights that it is uniquely positioned to address supply chain constraints across the US Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base.

    It highlights that its WAM technology produces high quality, complex components that match and exceed those supplied by traditional manufacturers with a significant reduction in lead times.

    Commenting on the contract, the ASX defence stock’s CEO, Sean Ebert said:

    Signing this order is a significant milestone for AML3D. It shows our advanced manufacturing technology is key to solving a wide range of critical supply chain challenges for the US Navy’s submarine program. This latest contract pertains to complex components that are no longer supported by the original manufacturer and could not be sourced in a time and cost-effective manner from the Navy’s traditional supplier base.

    AML3D’s advanced industrial 3D metal printing technology is increasingly being embedded in the US Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base. This contract allows us to continue to build and deepen our longterm, strategic partnership with the US Navy and supports our investment to double capacity at our US Technology Center in Ohio. Our US Scale-up strategy continues to deliver significant growth and value to AML3D and its shareholders. While the latter strategy is being successfully delivered, we at the same time continue to progress our plans to enter into the UK market and other globally significant markets across Europe.

    The post Guess which ASX defence stock is jumping 20% on US Navy contract appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in AML3D Limited right now?

    Before you buy AML3D 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 AML3D 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…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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.