The Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) share price was in focus today after the company reported FY26 revenue soaring 79% to a record $2,441 million, and underlying NPAT of $480 million—up 452% year on year.

What did Westgold Resources report?

• Revenue: $2,441 million, up 79% from FY25
• Underlying NPAT: $480 million, up 452% from FY25
• Underlying EBITDA: $1,104 million at a 45% margin
• Operating cash flow: $964 million, up 170%
• Free cash flow: $602 million, up 11,940% from FY25
• Fully franked dividend: 10 cents per share
• Closing Treasury balance: $939 million

What else do investors need to know?

Westgold produced a record 387,354 ounces of gold during FY26, with strong contributions from its Murchison and Southern Goldfields operations. The company invested approximately $362 million in mine development, exploration, and infrastructure to boost operational flexibility and future production.

The company remained 100% debt free and fully unhedged, while also completing asset divestments, including the Valiant Gold Ltd demerger. Westgold returned $122 million to shareholders via dividends and buybacks, and has approved a further $50 million buy-back for FY27.

What did Westgold Resources management say?

Westgold Resources’ CEO, Wayne Bramwell, commented:

FY26 was a landmark year for Westgold and delivered a strong outcome for shareholders. Record gold production, improved operating consistency and a favourable gold price drove record earnings, cash flow and treasury growth, strengthening our capacity to invest, grow and return capital… Our strategy and value proposition going forward is clear. We have a business of growing scale, balance sheet strength, asset quality and the team to create value while maintaining a clear focus on shareholder returns.

What’s next for Westgold Resources?

Westgold’s board has adopted a new Shareholder Capital Return Policy, supporting ongoing dividends and share buy-backs. Looking ahead, the company will continue to focus on disciplined capital allocation, investing in its largest and most productive assets to boost production and cash flow.

The company will release further updates on its growth strategy and FY27 guidance in the coming weeks, outlining plans for continued production growth and shareholder value creation.

Westgold Resources share price snapshot

The Westgold Resources share price has significantly outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of 92%.

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The post Westgold Resources posts record FY26 profit, boosts dividend and returns 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. 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 St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) share price is in focus today as the gold miner revealed a statutory profit after tax of $490 million for FY26 and announced a fully franked dividend of 5 cents per share.

What did St Barbara report?

• Statutory profit after tax of A$490 million, up from a loss of A$94 million in FY25
• Revenue from ordinary activities (continuing operations) down 76% to A$3.6 million
• Net assets increased 148% to A$928 million by 30 June 2026
• Cash position of A$475 million with no debt or hedging
• Fully franked final dividend of 5 cents per share declared, payable 16 October 2026
• EBITDA (excluding significant items) loss of A$18 million

What else do investors need to know?

St Barbara’s strong result was largely driven by a A$500 million gain on the deconsolidation of New Simberi Gold, following a major strategic investment by Lingbao Gold Group. This transaction saw St Barbara reduce its ownership in New Simberi Gold to 50% minus one share, making it an investment in associate rather than a controlled entity.

The company reported New Simberi Gold generated an underlying profit of A$40 million for the first nine months, compared to a A$30 million loss in FY25. The board also announced the transfer of A$355 million of FY26 statutory profit to a distributable reserve, supporting the dividend payment.

Additionally, St Barbara is considering an on-market share buy-back of up to 100 million shares, with a final decision expected after an update to the 15-Mile Processing Hub Project Pre-Feasibility Study later in 2026.

What did St Barbara management say?

Managing Director and CEO Andrew Strelein commented:

FY26 was a breakthrough year for St Barbara. We completed the Lingbao strategic investment, secured the funding and early mining lease renewal for FID on the New Simberi Gold Expansion Project, completed permitting and FID for the Touquoy Restart and we delivered a compelling 15-Mile Processing Hub Project Pre-Feasibility Study.

The strengthened balance sheet and healthy funding position has enabled the Board to declare a fully franked dividend of A$0.05 per share. The Company is also considering an on-market share buy-back of up to 100 million shares but will delay a decision until we have been able to announce the results of the update to the 15-Mile Processing Hub Project Pre-Feasibility Study, which is anticipated to be released at the end of September.

The Company is committed to prudent capital discipline and will take the opportunity to pass on the available franked dividends as quickly as the balance sheet and funding outlook permits. St Barbara enters FY27 focused on value creation for shareholders, through project delivery, operational performance and efficient capital management.

What’s next for St Barbara?

Looking ahead, St Barbara intends to remain focused on project delivery and capital management following its recapitalisation and strategic partnership with Lingbao. The board expects to decide on a potential share buy-back after the release of further details on the 15-Mile Processing Hub Project.

The New Simberi Gold Expansion Project and the Touquoy Restart in Canada are both moving forward, with St Barbara highlighting sustainable value creation for shareholders as a top priority for FY27.

St Barbara share price snapshot

Over the past year, the St Barbara shares have risen 84%, significantly outpacing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

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The post St Barbara posts $490m profit and declares 5¢ dividend for FY26 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.

One of the largest ASX consumer discretionary stocks has been tipped to rise significantly following earnings results. 

It has largely been a down year for the sector, which relies heavily on consumer spending and household confidence. These have both come under pressure amid elevated living costs and high interest rates.

However, following earnings results, Bell Potter has issued fresh guidance on Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE). 

Eagers is the largest automotive retailing group in the Australian market. 

The company’s core business involves the ownership and operation of motor vehicle dealerships covering a diversified portfolio of automotive brands.

What did the company report?

Yesterday, the company released half-year results, which included revenue rising 24% to $8.05 billion and net profit after tax up 23% to $165.2 million.

Other results included: 

• Underlying EBITDA up 23% to $364.6 million
• Ordinary interim dividend up 4% to 25 cents per share, fully franked
• Liquidity at $2.61 billion and net debt at $674.9 million as at 30 June 2026
• Acquisition of CanadaOne Auto Group contributed $40.5 million in profit before tax across two months  

Despite the results, this ASX consumer discretionary stock dipped 5% on the announcement. 

However, Bell Potter sees this as a clear buying opportunity. 

Strong results

In yesterday’s report, Bell Potter said Eagers Automotive delivered a strong H1 FY 2026, with underlying operating earnings coming in 4% above Bell Potter’s forecast. 

This was driven by stronger-than-expected revenue and better results in both Australia and Canada. 

The 25-cent fully-franked final dividend was also slightly ahead of expectations.

Bell Potter sees a positive outlook for H2, noting the resilience of the business, continued market-share gains, and opportunities to optimise operations and pursue disciplined growth across Australia and North America. 

While Eagers does not provide formal guidance, Bell Potter expects a significant improvement in H2 earnings, helped by a full six-month contribution from Canada.

Bell Potter has upgraded revenue forecasts by around 1% for FY26 to FY28, but trimmed underlying operating PBT forecasts by around 2% due to slightly lower margin assumptions in Australia and Canada.

Healthy upside for this ASX consumer discretionary stock

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter has retained its buy recommendation on this ASX consumer discretionary stock. 

The broker has a $27.50 price target, indicating almost 24% upside from current levels. 

This TP is >15% premium to the share price so we maintain our BUY recommendation. There is perhaps a lack of catalysts this half but we see continued good monthly VFACTS data in Australia (particularly for Toyota and BYD) as providing support and confidence in a strong H2 result.

The post Why this ASX consumer discretionary stock could be the sector’s top pick  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 recommended BYD Company. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Eagers Automotive Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.