The ASX dividend stalwart Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP) is a business that should be on every passive income investor’s watchlist. It’s certainly on mine!

As the name suggests, it’s a real estate investment trust (REIT), which means it’s a business that owns (commercial) property to lease to tenants. It’s Australia’s largest domestic pure-play industrial REIT, with high-quality industrial assets in key cities across Australia.

It has a quality, diverse tenant base leasing buildings such as distribution centres (42% of the portfolio value), manufacturing and production (24%), transport logistics (14%), data centres (12%), and cold storage (7%).

Let’s get into why this is such an appealing ASX dividend stalwart to own for the long term.  

Appealing distribution yield

The business has provided guidance for investors that it’s going to increase its 2026 financial year distribution by 3% year over year to 16.8 cents per unit.

That’s not the highest payout growth rate on the ASX, but it shows the business can increase its payments to investors, even when interest rates are relatively high.

If it does deliver on that payment, the ASX dividend stalwart can provide investors with a FY26 distribution yield of 5.5%.

The passive income increase will be funded by an increase in the funds from operations (FFO) per unit, which is essentially the net rental profit, of up to 6% to a possible 18.5 cents per unit.

If it does achieve that level of profitability, we’re talking about a distribution payout ratio of roughly 91%. That’s rewarding for shareholders while also retaining some of the net rental profit to invest in the business for stronger growth longer term.

Additionally, it’s useful to note that the business partially has such a sizeable distribution yield because it’s trading at a large discount to its underlying asset value. At 31 December 2025, its net asset value (NAV) was $3.95 – it’s priced at a 23% discount to this right now.

The ASX dividend stalwart has growth tailwinds

I’m expecting significant rental growth from the business in the coming years, which is one of the main reasons why I’m calling this an attractive ASX dividend stalwart.

According to the REIT, its portfolio is approximately 20% ‘under-rented’. This means that the current rent is significantly less than the market rent. As contracts come up for renewal, this will help boost the rental income.

The business is expecting net operating income (NOI) growth of 5% per year over the medium term, which is a strong tailwind for future distribution payouts. I doubt many REITs will grow their NOI at a faster pace than that organically.

It also has a development pipeline of around $250 million for the next two years, which should be a useful boost for rental earnings.

Actual demand for industrial space continues to grow thanks to a rising population, increasing e-commerce adoption, limited supply of warehouses, rising demand for cold storage for fresh food and pharmaceuticals, growing numbers of data centres, and the onshoring of supply chains.

Overall, the outlook seems very positive for long-term rental and distribution growth.

The post An ASX dividend stalwart every Australian should consider buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• A once-in-a-decade chance to earn a supersized passive income from ASX shares?
• The smartest ASX dividend stocks to buy with $10,000 right now
• Centuria Industrial REIT declares quarterly distribution for March 2026
• 2 star ASX dividend income stocks for March 2026

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 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 Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is on the move today following the oil and gas producer’s latest announcement.

At the time of writing, the Woodside share price is edging slightly higher by 0.19% to $31.48 in early morning trade.

The gain comes after the company confirmed the appointment of a permanent Chief Executive.

Here’s everything investors need to know.

Woodside confirms new Chief Executive

According to the release, Woodside has appointed Elizabeth (Liz) Westcott as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

Westcott has served as acting CEO since December 2025, following the departure of former Chief Executive Meg O’Neill.

She brings more than 30 years of experience in the global energy industry.

Westcott joined Woodside in 2023 as Executive Vice President for Australian Operations and was later promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Australia.

In those roles, she oversaw several key domestic assets and developments, including the Scarborough Energy Project and the Pluto Train 2 expansion.

Before joining Woodside, Westcott was Chief Operating Officer at Energy Australia, where she managed the company’s electricity generation portfolio.

Earlier in her career, she held senior roles at ExxonMobil, working across Australia, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

Woodside Chairman Richard Goyder noted that the appointment followed a comprehensive search process that considered both internal and external candidates.

Board highlights operational experience

Goyder said the board believes Westcott’s leadership and operational experience make her well-suited to lead the company.

He added that her background across large-scale energy projects and operations positions Woodside to continue delivering long-term value for shareholders.

Westcott said she was honoured to lead the business and plans to focus on disciplined execution and operational performance.

She also highlighted Woodside’s strong portfolio of projects and its long history of supplying energy to global markets.

Key projects remain central to growth plans

Woodside has grown in recent years, particularly after its merger with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)’s petroleum business in 2022. The deal created one of the largest independent oil and gas producers listed on the ASX.

The company is currently progressing several major developments. These include the Scarborough gas project and the Pluto Train 2 LNG expansion in Western Australia.

Both projects are expected to support Woodside’s future production and export volumes in the coming years.

The leadership appointment takes place as Woodside continues advancing a number of large projects across its global portfolio.

Attention will now turn to watching how the company progresses these developments under its newly appointed Chief Executive.

The post Woodside locks in new CEO as energy giant enters next phase appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, CSL, and Woodside shares
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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM) shares are on the rise and catching the eye on Wednesday morning.

In early trade, the ASX 200 stock is up 17% to $21.99.

Why is this ASX 200 stock rising today?

For those unfamiliar with Sims, it is a global leader in metal recycling and the provision of circular solutions for technology.

The company notes that it plays a vital role in helping increase circularity and decarbonisation by supplying recycled materials and re-purposed products.

The ASX 200 stock is pushing higher today following the release of a trading update outlining its expected FY 2026 financial performance.

According to the release, Sims expects FY 2026 underlying EBIT for the group to be in the range of $350 million to $400 million.

This will be at least double the underlying EBIT of $174.9 million that the company reported in FY 2025.

A key driver of this will be the company’s Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) division, which is expected to deliver underlying EBIT between $165 million and $185 million. This reflects continued strength in DDR4 secondary market pricing and sustained hyperscaler activity.

Strong pricing tailwinds

Management highlighted that the ASX 200 stock is benefiting from continued price strength in both non-ferrous metals and memory chip markets.

Within its Metal business, strong non-ferrous prices and improved US domestic ferrous prices are helping to offset ongoing pressure from elevated Chinese steel exports, which continue to weigh on scrap prices in export and ANZ domestic markets.

Higher aluminium prices, driven by supply concerns, have also contributed to improved Zorba prices.

Second half improvement expected

Sims expects a materially stronger performance in the second half of FY 2026, particularly across its North America Metals (NAM) and Sims Asia Pacific (SAR) operations.

This follows what management anticipates will be a strong third quarter.

Based on management’s guidance, second-half underlying EBIT will be $228.9 million to $278.9 million, compared to $121.1 million in the first half.

However, the company cautioned that the outlook for ferrous prices in ANZ remains subdued in the near term.

Sims also noted that the operational impact from the Middle East conflict has been relatively limited to date, though it has led to higher shipping and fuel costs.

Following today’s move, this ASX 200 stock is now up 42% since this time last year.

The post Guess which ASX 200 stock is jumping 17% on strong FY26 guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Shares in Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) have hit a rough patch.

The ASX share dropped to a new 52-week low of $44.76 on Tuesday and has now shed around 32.5% of its value this year.

To put it in perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has lost 1.15% so far in 2026.

What’s behind the slide?

The company’s latest results were uneven. Revenue came in below expectations, which spooked investors.

Even though Aristocrat reported record machine deployments and resilient recurring earnings from its digital gaming division, the market focused on the weaker spots.

Confidence slipped — and the price of the ASX share followed.

Strong core business

Despite the recent weakness, Aristocrat’s core business remains strong.

The gaming company operates across both land-based gaming machines and mobile and digital platforms. That diversification is a major advantage. As player behaviour shifts toward online and mobile gaming, the ASX share can adapt and capture growth in both segments.

Scale is another key strength. Aristocrat is a global leader with a deep library of gaming content and strong relationships with casinos worldwide. Few competitors can match its reach or product depth.

Disciplined capital management

There are also positives on the capital management front. Management has been disciplined, supporting share buybacks and working to reduce debt. That focus can improve earnings quality over time.

In addition, the company still has growth optionality. Expansion in online gaming and potential mergers and acquisitions could provide further upside if executed well.

Growth for the ASX share might also be coming from artificial intelligence (AI). This year AI has been a major overhang on gaming and software ASX shares.

But Aristocrat seems to be embracing AI, not avoiding it. if you look at Aristocrat’s recent annual general meeting update, management is using it to speed up development, improve content and quality, and get products to market faster.

Cyclical and regulatory risks

That said, risks remain.

Gaming revenue can be cyclical. When economic conditions weaken, discretionary spending — including gaming — can come under pressure.

Regulation is another key risk for the $28 billion ASX share. Governments can change rules around gaming, which can impact operations and profitability.

Currency movements can also affect reported earnings, given Aristocrat’s global footprint.

In short, investors should expect some volatility in the near term.

Analyst outlook

Even after the share price fall, analysts remain constructive on the ASX share.

Brokers generally see the recent sell-off as overdone, pointing to the company’s strong fundamentals and long-term growth potential.

The average 12-month price target sits around $66.47, implying potential upside of roughly 48% from current levels.

Macquarie sees a price target of around $63. That points to a gain of 41% from current levels.

The post Is this $28 billion ASX share a bargain after reaching new lows? 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 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.

If you’ve been buying BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares this past year, you’re likely sitting on some healthy gains.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed on Tuesday trading for $49.73. That sees the share price up 25.5% over 12 months, racing ahead of the 9.6% gains delivered by the benchmark index over this same time.

And that doesn’t include the $1.958 in full franked dividends the miner has paid out (or shortly will pay out) over the full year. BHP shares currently trade on a fully franked dividend yield of 3.9%.

Now all of this performance came under the guidance of CEO Mike Henry.

In fact, during his six-and-a-half-year tenure, total shareholder returns have been around 17% a year, with BHP returning some US$80 billion to shareholders over this period.

But in an announcement this morning, BHP revealed that Henry will be stepping down from the top role.

Here’s what we know.

BHP shares coming under new leadership

Australia’s biggest miner reported that Brandon Craig will become its new CEO and director on 1 July.

Commenting on the changing of the guard that investors buying BHP shares will be watching closely, chair Ross McEwan said:

We are very pleased an executive of Brandon Craig’s calibre and extensive experience has been appointed as our new CEO to lead the execution of our strategy. I am confident that his discipline and focus will continue to drive BHP’s high-performance culture and advance the company’s unrivalled pipeline of growth options to maximise shareholder returns.

We would like to recognise the outstanding contribution of Mike Henry to BHP as CEO. Under his leadership, BHP has transformed into a safer and more productive company, financially strong and sharply focused on shareholder value and social value.

“It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of BHP and to have worked with so many truly talented people,” Henry said. “We are creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders, our supply chain, partners and the communities where we operate.”

What we know about the new CEO

BHP said Craig’s appointment as its new CEO followed a formal succession process.

Craig is currently BHP’s president Americas. During his time in this role, BHP became the world’s largest copper producer. And with copper prices surging to new records this past year, that’s provided a material tailwinds for BHP shares.

Previously, Craig led BHP’s Western Australia Iron Ore business, where he worked to increase BHP’s lead as the world’s lowest cost, highest margin major iron ore producer.

Commenting on his appointment, Craig said:

It is an honour and privilege to succeed Mike Henry as CEO of BHP. Thanks to his leadership, BHP is well positioned for the future. Mike will be remembered for his strategic decision-making, portfolio transformation, operational excellence and focus on safety and high-performance culture.

As incoming CEO, I am committed to leading the talented and hard-working people who make BHP a great company and continuing to generate long-term value for all our shareholders.

The post Buying BHP shares? Meet your new CEO appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

When you’re looking for an easy passive income, it can be tempting just to go for the ASX dividend shares that pay the highest yield.

But it’s worth remembering that higher yields often mean higher risk. 

Instead, you want to look for ASX dividend shares that give investors a reliable and consistent payout over a long-term period.

Here are three ASX dividend shares, each yielding a decent 5% to 6%, which I think are a great passive-income play.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)

From electricity and natural gas to solar and LPG, Origin Energy is a leading energy provider to homes and businesses throughout Australia. 

Energy shares are a great option for passive income because they generate substantial cash flows, especially when energy prices are elevated. This allows them to provide high yields to shareholders. 

Because Origin’s assets operate under long-term contracts, often with rising income, it can also be seen as a defensive stock. After all, demand for electricity, gas, solar and LPG is unlikely to decline over the long term. Australians need power, regardless of where we are in the economic cycle.

In the first half of FY26, Origin Energy paid its investors 30 cents per share, fully franked. At the time of writing, its yield is around 5.18%.

Dexus (ASX: DXS)

Dexus is a major Australian property investor, developer, and manager. It has a large, high-grade office portfolio and a smaller industrial portfolio in Australasia. It also manages properties on behalf of third-party investors.

As a real estate investment trust (REIT), Dexus owns a large portfolio of office, industrial, and infrastructure rental assets that generate consistent and predictable income. 

It’s this diversity and reliable income that enable Dexus to pay a reliable dividend to its investors. 

Dexus paid an unfranked interim dividend of 19.3 cents per share in February. At the time of writing, the ASX dividend shares yield around 5.76%.

Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

Centuria Industrial REIT is another real estate investment trust, but this one owns around $4 billion in purely industrial properties. These include manufacturing facilities, distribution warehouses, and data centres.

Like Dexus, Centuria Industrial REIT benefits from consistent rental income from its large portfolio of industrial properties in high-demand areas with low vacancy rates and strong rental growth.

Centria Industrial REIT pays dividends to investors quarterly. Its most recent payment was 4.2 cents per share in January, unfranked. It is scheduled to pay another 4.2 cents per unit, unfranked, in April. In FY25, the company paid investors an annual total dividend of 16.32 cents per share. At the time of writing, Centuria Industrial REIT’s dividends yield around 5.52%.

The post Passive income investors: These 3 ASX dividend shares pay 5% to 6% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• A once-in-a-decade chance to earn a supersized passive income from ASX shares?
• The smartest ASX dividend stocks to buy with $10,000 right now
• Centuria Industrial REIT declares quarterly distribution for March 2026
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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 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 Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is in focus today after the company announced the appointment of Elizabeth (Liz) Westcott as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. Westcott brings more than 30 years’ experience in the global energy sector, including recent leadership across major Australian projects.

What did Woodside Energy Group report?

• Appointment of Elizabeth (Liz) Westcott as CEO and Managing Director, effective immediately
• Westcott has served as Acting CEO since December 2025, previously Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Australia
• Fixed Annual Reward for Westcott set at A$2.3 million, with potential bonuses and incentives
• Material long- and short-term incentive plans established for new CEO
• The Board conducted a comprehensive internal and external search process

What else do investors need to know?

Westcott’s leadership background spans working at EnergyAustralia and a 25-year career at ExxonMobil, covering roles in operations, project execution, and strategic planning across Australia, the UK, and Italy. Since joining Woodside in 2023, she has overseen the company’s Australian Operations, including the Scarborough Energy Project and Bass Strait operator transition.

The Board’s decision highlights their focus on smooth succession and strategic stability. The remuneration structure for the new CEO combines fixed salary, short-term and long-term incentives, and aligns with shareholder interests.

What did Woodside Energy Group management say?

Woodside Chair Richard Goyder said:

Liz’s proven track record of outstanding strategic leadership and disciplined delivery distinguished her as the Board’s top candidate for this role. Liz’s extensive industry experience and strategic vision will be invaluable in leading Woodside at this significant moment in its history, as we position the company to meet growing global energy demand and deliver long-term shareholder value.

What’s next for Woodside Energy Group?

Liz Westcott will lead Woodside through a period of growth and transition, continuing the company’s commitment to operational excellence and disciplined project delivery. Her focus will be on sustainable value creation, executing key growth projects, and maintaining Woodside’s strategy of meeting rising global energy demand.

Investors can expect ongoing emphasis on sustainability, commercial performance, and disciplined execution, as Westcott builds on the foundation laid by her predecessor and works closely with Woodside’s Board and leadership team.

Woodside Energy Group share price snapshot

Over the past year, the Woodside Energy Group shares have risen 37%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 10% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Woodside Energy Group appoints Liz Westcott as CEO 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.

ASX healthcare stock Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) is in the spotlight this week. Yesterday, the company released positive news around its new imaging agent.

Let’s back up and provide a little context. 

Company overview and trial update

Clarity Pharmaceuticals specialises in the development of Targeted Copper Theranostics (TCT) for the imaging and treatment of selected cancers. 

In particular the company works on identification of certain cancer biomarkers. They develop technology to target those biomarkers with either small molecules or monoclonal antibodies.

The company has been engaged in a clinical study. 

The study is evaluating the diagnostic performance of the company’s 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA PET imaging agent. The agent aims to detect recurrent prostate cancer in men with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after initial treatment.

Importantly, the study compared Clarity Pharmaceuticals’ imaging technology with a current standard-of-care PSMA PET scan.

Yesterday, the company released an announcement that the agent showed a 71% true positive rate, meaning that 7 out of 10 positive scans were confirmed as cancer, compared with only 29% for the older agent, 68Ga-PSMA-11.

The biggest improvements were in detecting cancer in the prostate fossa and lymph nodes, where treatment can be curative.

The false negative rate was just 21% for 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA, versus 65% for 68Ga-PSMA-11, confirming its higher accuracy and reliability.

Interestingly, this ASX healthcare stock shot 17% higher on the news, before cooling off and actually finishing the day down 6%. 

Bell Potter provides an update

Following the announcement, Bell Potter released updated guidance on the ASX healthcare stock. 

The broker said Professor Louise Emmett presented key findings from the Co-PSMA study on Monday in London at the European Association of Urology annual conference.

The headline data had been released previously and showed that 64Cu-SARbisPSMA PET outperformed 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET in the detection of biochemical recurrence in men with very low PSA levels.

The totality of the data confirms 64Cu SAR bisPSMA is vastly more accurate for the detection of early stage BCR, particularly in men with very low PSA levels consistent with low tumour burden.

The stage is now set for a readout from the approval study for 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA (AMPLIFY) which has now ceased accepting new patient consents and is practically fully enrolled (n=220). The Co-PSMA data along with data from COBRA and anticipated findings from AMPLIFY will form the basis of submission of a new drug application to be submitted to the FDA.

Upside in tact 

Included in the report from Bell Potter was a speculative buy recommendation. 

The broker also maintained its price target of $6.40. 

From the recent closing price of $3.40, this indicates an upside of 88.2%. 

The false negative rate (i.e. no cancer on the PET image, positive on biopsy/pathology) was 21% for 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA vs 65% for 68Ga-PSMA-11, again demonstrating CU6’s product as clearly superior. 

We conclude that 64Cu-SARbisPSMA also provides a far more satisfactory level of specificity.

The post Exciting clinical news for this ASX healthcare stock earns it a buy recommendation  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 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.

New Hope Corp Ltd (ASX: NHC) shares fell more than 6% yesterday along with many other mining stocks.

Despite this fall, New Hope shares remain up 22% this year. 

Why did New Hope shares fall yesterday?

It seems investors were reacting to two important issues yesterday. 

Firstly, the company released its half-year results.

Some key results included: 

• A 20.1% decline in revenue to $814.4 million
• 84% decline in net profit after tax to $54.3 million – influenced by a 20.4% decline in its average realised selling price, its exposure to increased prime overburden movement, and lower non-regular gains. 
• A reduced fully franked interim dividend to 10 cents per share (from 19 cents per share a year ago).

Secondly, investor sentiment may be changing due to renewed attention to Australia’s energy policy and transition.

As The Motley Fool’s Aaron Teboneras reported yesterday, debate continues over Australia’s energy transition and the role coal will play in the country’s future power mix.

However New Hope Chief Executive Rob Bishop believes it may take time before renewables can fully replace coal.

He argues this is evident right now, as recent geopolitical tensions have reminded policymakers about the importance of reliable power.

What did Bell Potter have to say?

Following yesterday’s earnings results, Bell Potter released updated guidance on New Hope shares. 

The broker said underlying EBITDA and statutory NPAT came in below its expectations. 

Speaking on the Middle East conflict, the broker said it has raised energy security concerns and driven higher prices across the energy commodity complex. 

The spot thermal coal price is US$132/t, up 23% compared with the December 2025 quarter average (US$108/t). 

The broker said any further impact to global LNG supply should support thermal coal demand and prices. 

On the investor call, management noted it is monitoring risks to diesel supply and pricing, with around ~20% of NHC’s cost base exposed to the fuel. We expect any increase in NHC’s cost base to be offset by higher realised prices.

We have increased our realised prices in the current quarter and raised our D&A assumption across FY26-27. EPS changes in this report are: -22% in FY26; -5% in FY27; and unchanged in FY28.

Hold recommendation 

Based on this guidance, the broker placed a hold recommendation on New Hope shares (previously sell). 

The broker now has a price target of $4.50 (prev. A$4.10) on the company. 

However, from yesterday’s closing price of $4.96, this indicates a downside of 9%. 

NHC’s low-cost operations will continue to underpin margins through the coal price cycle, funding capital expenditure commitments and supporting shareholder returns. Beyond ramp-up of New Acland Stage 3, we see a limited organic production growth pipeline and believe NHC may participate in industry consolidation.

The post What is this broker saying about New Hope Group shares? 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 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 Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM) share price is in focus today after the company flagged an expected FY26 underlying EBIT between $350 million and $400 million, with its Sims Lifecycle Services segment contributing strongly.

What did Sims report?

• FY26 Group underlying EBIT expected to be $350–$400 million
• Sims Lifecycle Services underlying EBIT forecast at $165–$185 million
• Stronger prices for non-ferrous metals and memory chips supporting performance
• Metal division sees uplift from aluminium (Zorba) prices and improved US ferrous pricing
• Ongoing headwinds in ferrous prices in Australia and New Zealand

What else do investors need to know?

Sims noted that the ongoing Middle East conflict has had only a limited operational impact so far, mainly affecting shipping and fuel costs. Despite continued high Chinese steel exports putting pressure on scrap prices, Sims’ Metal business remains supported by robust non-ferrous pricing and a focus on sourcing more unprocessed material.

Sims Lifecycle Services continues to benefit from high secondary-market demand for DDR4 memory and strong activity from hyperscale customers. Investors will receive further details on this fast-growing division at Sims’ Investor Day in Nashville on 25 March 2026.

What’s next for Sims?

Looking ahead, Sims expects a strong third quarter and a materially improved second half in both its North America Metals (NAM) and South America Regions (SAR) divisions. However, the outlook for ferrous prices in Australia and New Zealand remains muted in the short term.

The company will unveil more about its SLS segment and key business drivers at the upcoming Investor Day, offering shareholders more clarity on Sims’ strategy amid global market shifts.

Sims share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Sims shares have risen 22%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 10% over the same period.

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The post Sims flags stronger FY26 earnings on robust metals and tech demand 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.