Syrah Resources Ltd (ASX: SYR) this week announced a solid 34% increase in its graphite production, with at least one analyst flagging that the company’s shares likely have some decent upside from where they’re trading at the moment.

Syrah this week announced that production from its Balama graphite mine was 34% higher than the previous quarter, coming in at 34,400 tonnes.

The company characterised the performance as “strong”, with improved recovery and high product quality; however, Syrah actually sold its product at a loss, with production costs of US$535 per tonne exceeding the sale price of US$506.

Syrah said it was targeting “no less than 30,000 tonnes” of natural graphite in the March quarter, and that it had the ability to return to higher capacity utilisation as natural graphite demand increases.

The company said:

There is solid demand for Syrah’s natural graphite products, particularly in the ex-China market, due to global supply disruptions and growing spherical graphite production capacity outside of China. Syrah expects to continue breakbulk shipments to ex-China destinations supplying active anode material production (AAM) through 2026, with ongoing container sales shipments to industrial customers outside China, primarily for coarse flake products where greater market shares is being pursued.

Value-added materials in focus

At the company’s Vidalia AAM production facility in the US, testing continued, “incorporating feedback from multiple customers” the company said.

Syrah has offtake agreements for AAM with Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) and Lucid Group Inc (NASDAQ: LCID).

The company added:

Timing of sales commencement under these offtake agreements is being determined by customer qualification progress in testing, as well as very significant commercial and US policy considerations. The agreements with Tesla and Lucid underpin future sales approaching the 11.25ktpa AAM production capacity of the Vidalia AAM facility. The company is working towards achieving earliest possible AAM revenue from Vidalia.

Shares looking cheap

The analysts at Jarden have run the ruler over the Syrah quarterly and maintained their price target of 34 cents per share, which would be a 41.6% increase from current levels.

They said that despite the company currently mining at a loss, its ownership of key assets in the critical minerals supply chain put it in a good position.

They went on to say:

Our base case and 12-month target price is unchanged at $0.34 per share, and remains set in line with our most conservative valuation scenario outcome. SYR controls unique assets that are highly strategic within a critical mineral supply chain. We maintain our Overweight rating accordingly. Key risks to the downside include an extended period of depressed pricing for graphite products and the potential for further equity dilution to maintain liquidity.

The Jarden team said they continued to expect a final investment decision on the phase three expansion of Vidalia this calendar year, “with work to commence in CY27 and 45ktpa AAM production reached in CY31”.

They added that they expect to see margin improvement from Balama as production increases over the year.

The post Looking for double digit returns? This ASX graphite producer might be for you appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Fortescue, Life360, PLS, and Syrah shares are dropping today
• ASX All Ords mining stock sinking on big Tesla news

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 positions in and has recommended Tesla. 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.

Planning for your retirement can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to work exactly how much superannuation you need before that day comes.

Working out the figure which will suit your needs depends entirely on your current living situation, your expected retirement age and what type of retirement you expect to have. 

Do you own your own house? What type of travel do you expect to to? Do you have any debts?

In Australia, your retirement is generally split into two broad categories: modest and comfortable.

A modest retirement, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) is defined as being able to cover expenses slightly above what the full Centrelink Age Pension would provide. 

This includes basic health insurance with limited cap payments, a cheaper model of car, infrequent exercise, a limited budget for home repairs, minimal utility expenses, limiting dining out and maybe an annual domestic trip. It assumes you own your home outright.

Then a comfortable retirement lifestyle is defined as one which allows retirees to maintain a good standard of living. 

This includes top level private health insurance, ownership of a reasonable car brand, regular leisure activities, funds for home repairs and renovations, occasional meals out, and an annual domestic trip.

It goes without saying that every Australian strives for a retirement lifestyle under option B: a comfortable retirement. 

So what does that cost?

How much does a comfortable retirement cost?

Again, according to ASFA, a comfortable retirement is expected to cost approximately $54,240 per year for individuals and $76,505 per year for couples.

How much superannuation do I need for that?

ASFA has run the numbers on the assumption that the retiree(s) will draw down all their capital, receive a part Age Pension, and is a home owner. 

The association has calculated that a comfortable retirement lifestyle for a couple requires a superannuation balance of approximately $690,000 and for a single person this is approximately $595,000.

Help! My superannuation balance is no where near that figure

If your superannuation falls short of the figures above, you aren’t alone. 

The average superannuation balance for Australians aged 40-44 is $140,680 for men and $109,209 for women. For those aged in the 60-64 bracket, the average superannuation balance is $395,852 for men and $313,360 for women. It’s clear, then, that using those figures, a comfortable retirement lifestyle is out of reach for many of us.

But, the good news is, there are things you can do to boost your superannuation balance before it’s too late.

You can make extra concessional or non-concessional contributions, whether this is salary sacrificing or after-tax (within your annual limits). 

You can take advantage of any government initiatives to match contributions and propel your balance just that little further.

It’s important to make sure your super fund is performing well. Even slightly underperforming a benchmark such as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over a long period of time can affect your end balance.

And of course, review your investment strategy to ensure it actually aligns with your retirement goals and risk appetite.

The post How much superannuation do you need to retire comfortably? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Genesis Minerals posts record production, strong cash in December 2025 quarter
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• Capricorn Metals reports record Q2 cash flow and resource growth
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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.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) economists are taking a fresh look at what ASX investors and mortgage holders can expect from interest rates in the year ahead.

This follows Wednesday’s unexpected, and decidedly unwanted, inflation report.

As you’re likely aware, yesterday the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 3.8% in the 12 months to December. That marked a surprising 0.2% increase from the 3.4% CPI print in the 12 months to November.

And potentially impacting the RBA’s interest rate decision when the central bank meets again next Tuesday, 3 February, trimmed mean inflation (the RBA’s preferred gauge) edged up to 3.3% from 3.2%. That’s well above the midpoint of the RBA’s target range of 2% to 3%.

Overnight, ASX investors also learned that the US Federal Reserve opted to keep rates in the world’s biggest economy on hold for now at 3.50% to 3.75%.

The official cash rate in Australia currently stands at 3.60%.

But is it set to move higher?

What CBA now expects the RBA to do with interest rates

Cutting straight to the chase, in a report released on Wednesday, CBA noted:

The Reserve Bank of Australia is widely expected to increase the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85 per cent when it meets next week, following a surprise uptick in underlying inflation.

“The latest inflation data confirms that price pressures, while easing, are still too high,” Belinda Allen, head of Australian economics at CBA said.

As for higher interest rates, she added, “The accumulation of evidence supports our view that a cash rate hike is needed to ensure inflation returns to the midpoint of the target band by the end of 2027.”

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank also pointed to the strength of the Aussie jobs market.

The unemployment rate declined to 4.1% in December, amid an ongoing increase in employment.

According to CBA economists, a tightening jobs market could put upward pressure on wages, making the RBA’s inflation battle more difficult.

Robust household consumption, up 2.8% in 2025, could also push the RBA towards increasing interest rates next Tuesday.

“These areas of strength suggest the economy has more momentum than the Reserve Bank anticipated just a few months ago,” Allen said.

“We expect the RBA to lift the cash rate by 25bp to 3.85% next week,” she said.

Allen concluded, “The RBA’s reaction function is the wild card with uncertainty over the board’s urgency to hike.”

The post Is the RBA about to increase interest rates? Here’s the latest forecast from CBA 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 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 I were sitting on $50,000 in savings, I wouldn’t be comfortable leaving it all in cash for too long. Not because markets can’t pull back, but because over time I think quality businesses give you a far better chance of building wealth than a savings account ever will.

This is how I’d think about putting that money to work across S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares heading into February.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Bunnings and Kmart owner Wesfarmers has a habit of quietly building future growth engines long before they matter to earnings. Whether it’s investing in healthcare, data-led retail, or newer formats that sit outside its traditional big-box strengths, management consistently uses the balance sheet to buy time and flexibility.

What I like right now is that expectations feel more grounded. After a strong run, the share price has cooled, but the business hasn’t lost its ability to create value through reinvestment and experimentation. If even one of its newer initiatives scales meaningfully over the next few years, Wesfarmers could look very different again.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman is where I’d look for long-term structural growth. Rather than being a traditional property trust, this ASX 200 share sits right in the middle of logistics, automation, and data centre demand. Those themes aren’t going away, regardless of short-term economic noise. The fact that Goodman is still trading well below its highs, even as its development pipeline continues to expand, makes it more interesting to me.

This is the kind of stock I’d expect to quietly compound over many years if management keeps executing.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA is one of those businesses that reminds you how powerful a dominant digital platform can be. What appeals to me most is that REA doesn’t need a booming property market to perform. It needs listings, engagement, and pricing power, all of which it continues to demonstrate. Over time, it has proven it can monetise its audience in ways competitors simply can’t match and I expect this to continue in the future.

I see REA as a high-quality ASX 200 stock that deserves a spot in most portfolios.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Wealth technology company Hub24 is a stock I would want to own for the next decade. The ongoing shift toward professional advice, platform consolidation, and transparent investment solutions continues to work in Hub24’s favour. What stands out to me is that growth isn’t just coming from market movements, but from genuine market share gains and adviser adoption. At the end of September, its platform was the sixth largest in Australia with a market share of 9.3%. This was up from 7.9% a year prior.

It’s not cheap, but businesses that keep winning rarely are. If Hub24 continues to deliver, I think its shares could outperform through to 2030.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre is the most cyclical stock in this group. The travel booking business has rebuilt itself significantly over the past few years, with a stronger focus on corporate travel, higher-margin segments like cruising, and a more disciplined cost base. Travel demand doesn’t need to explode for Flight Centre to perform, it just needs to remain resilient.

I like owning an ASX 200 share like this when sentiment is still mixed, but the underlying business is on firmer footing than it was in the past.

Foolish Takeaway

If I were investing $50,000 today, I’d focus on quality, diversification, and businesses I’d be comfortable holding through ups and downs.

This mix gives me defensive strength through Wesfarmers, structural growth through Goodman and Hub24, platform dominance via REA, and cyclical upside through Flight Centre.

The post Where I would invest $50,000 in ASX 200 shares in February appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24 and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, Hub24, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group, Goodman Group, Hub24, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

One of the best performers on the All Ordinaries index today has been Imricor Medical Systems Inc (ASX: IMR) shares.

At the time of writing, this ASX stock is up 18% to a 52-week high of $2.25.

Why is this ASX stock jumping today?

Investors have been bidding this medical device company’s shares higher today after it made a big announcement.

According to the release, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for the company’s NorthStar Mapping System under the premarket notification process.

NorthStar is the first and only MRI-native 3D mapping and guidance system to receive FDA clearance. It is Imricor’s first capital equipment and first software-centric product approval in the United States.

Management notes that this marks the ASX stock’s second FDA clearance, after receiving 510(k) clearance for the VisionMR Diagnostic Catheter earlier this month. It believes the approval significantly strengthens Imricor’s position as the market leader in MRI-guided interventional procedures.

This was no overnight success. The company highlights that NorthStar’s clearance by the U.S. FDA marks the culmination of years of research, development, 3rd party partnerships, and regulatory work. The system is designed and intended to be the central hub of every interventional cardiac MRI lab (iCMR).

And there may be more to come. Management is expecting multiple regulatory clearances and approvals this calendar year, as its full MRI-guided electrophysiology platform is progressively introduced to the market.

This FDA clearance enables the ASX stock to commercially market NorthStar in the United States, which is the world’s largest electrophysiology market.

Commenting on the news, Imricor’s chair and CEO, said:

At Imricor, we have been building a comprehensive suite of uniquely MRI-compatible devices for two decades. These devices, which include both consumable products and capital equipment, enable doctors to harness the superior soft tissue imaging of MRI to precisely guide minimally invasive procedures in a 100% radiation-free setting. Our goal is to enable better, faster, safer and less expensive treatments for patients worldwide; and as the world’s largest market, the United States is critical to our goal.

When it comes to iCMR procedures, NorthStar is the central hub that brings everything together. It’s designed to not only facilitate diagnostic cardiac electrophysiology and ablations procedures, but also to provide MRI guidance capabilities for other procedures. And since NorthStar is primarily a software product, it ushers in Imricor’s software era in which AI will play a big role in the future. NorthStar’s platform provides a path for capability expansion that is virtually unlimited, and we will continue to invest in and expand its capabilities for years to come.

The post Guess which ASX stock is jumping 18% on FDA approval news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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.

The Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price is under pressure on Thursday, down 4.91% to $2.035. The move follows the release of the company’s December quarterly update and a separate capital markets announcement.

Here’s what investors need to know.

A turning point quarter at Kathleen Valley

The December quarter saw Liontown start to deliver on its long-awaited ramp-up.

The company successfully completed open pit mining at Kathleen Valley and transitioned to a fully underground operation. Underground ore mined jumped 37% quarter on quarter to 308kt, while development metres increased 17%.

Liontown processed 642kt of ore during the quarter and produced 105,342 dry metric tonnes (dmt) of spodumene concentrate, up 21% on the prior quarter. Lithium recoveries improved to 63%, and plant availability held steady at 92%.

Costs also moved in the right direction. Unit operating costs fell 17% quarter on quarter to $910 per dmt sold, while all-in sustaining costs (AISC) declined 22% to $1,059 per dmt. The company also reported operating cash flow at breakeven, a significant improvement from the prior period.

Management reiterated that underground ramp-up remains on track, with production targeted to reach 1.5Mtpa by the end of FY26 and 2.8Mtpa steady state by FY27.

Pricing, sales and liquidity improve

Liontown generated $130 million in revenue during the quarter after selling 112,122 dmt of concentrate at an average realised price of US$900 per dmt on a SC6 basis.

SC6 is a standard grade of lithium concentrate containing about 6% lithium. It is the main product sold by hard-rock lithium miners.

One positive was Liontown’s first spot auction, which cleared at US$1,254 per dmt SC6. This showed buyers are willing to pay up outside long-term contracts. Liontown also signed a new binding offtake agreement with Canmax, giving it greater flexibility and more exposure to spot pricing.

The balance sheet remains strong. Liontown finished the quarter with $390 million in cash and 13,800 dmt of saleable concentrate on hand.

LG conversion removes a major overhang

Alongside the quarterly update, Liontown confirmed LG Energy Solution will convert its US$250 million convertible note into shares.

As a result, LG will own about 8% of the company. While this increases the number of shares on issue, it removes future interest costs and clears a long-standing uncertainty for investors.

After the conversion, Liontown will have no remaining convertible debt and more flexibility to fund growth.

Foolish takeaway

The company delivered a materially stronger operational quarter and removed a major overhang from its balance sheet. But with expectations high, the market appears to be focusing on near-term risks rather than longer-term progress.

Liontown is coming out of a heavy investment phase, with costs easing and underground production continuing to ramp up. If execution holds, the recent share price weakness may look attractive to patient investors.

The post This ASX lithium stock is being sold off today. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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 Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) share price is in focus as the gold miner delivered record December-quarter production of 74,261 ounces and grew cash and equivalents to $404 million, all while maintaining tight cost controls.

What did Genesis Minerals report?

• Record quarterly gold production of 74,261 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $2,635 per ounce
• Half-year production of 147,139 ounces at an AISC of $2,578/oz
• Gold sales of 71,346 ounces at an average price of $6,057/oz, generating revenue of $432.2 million
• Cash and equivalents of $403.6 million at 31 December 2025, with no bank debt
• Unaudited half-year NPAT between $235 million and $245 million
• FY26 production outlook maintained at 260,000–290,000oz at an AISC of $2,500–$2,700/oz

What else do investors need to know?

Genesis accelerated its Tower Hill development, achieving major milestones ahead of schedule. These included finalising rail agreements, a mining agreement with the Darlot People, and key government approvals. Operational readiness activities are progressing well, with site establishment works to commence soon.

The miner also awarded a Letter of Intent to Byrnecut for underground mining at Leonora, with full mobilisation planned for May 2026. Genesis maintained a strong focus on sustainability, reporting no lost time injuries for the quarter and releasing new group-wide environmental standards.

What did Genesis Minerals management say?

Executive Chair Raleigh Finlayson said:

We have met or exceeded all our operational targets while making strong progress on our growth agenda. Our record production was accompanied by tight cost control, which was a significant achievement given the cost pressures faced across the industry, and as we continue to lay the foundations to deliver our ASPIRE accelerated growth strategy ahead of schedule. We look forward to unveiling details of our longer-term plan later in the current half, including the mill expansion strategy, as we seek to capitalise on the strength of the long ore position we have established.

What’s next for Genesis Minerals?

Genesis is pushing ahead with its “ASPIRE 400” strategy, aiming to accelerate production growth beyond previous 10-year plans. The Tower Hill project remains a major focus and is on track for first ore in FY28. The company raised its FY26 growth capital outlook to $220–240 million, reflecting earlier development at Tower Hill and associated projects.

An updated long-term plan, including mill expansion studies, is set for release in the June half of 2026. Genesis also expects to become liable for income tax instalments in the current financial year as it fully utilises carried-forward losses.

Genesis Minerals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Genesis Minerals shares have soared 166%, strongly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Genesis Minerals posts record production, strong cash in December 2025 quarter 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.

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) shares are on fire on Thursday.

In morning trade, the ASX AI stock is up 32% to $1.43.

Why are Appen shares rocketing today?

Investors have been scrambling to buy the artificial intelligence data services company’s shares following the release of its quarterly update.

For the fourth quarter of FY 2025, Appen reported revenue of $73.4 million. This was a 10% lift on the prior corresponding period and a 33% increase on the third quarter of FY 2025.

This reflects strong performances from both Appen China and Appen Global.

Management revealed that Appen China’s revenue was $32 million during the quarter, which is up 81% on the prior corresponding period. This side of the business was operating with an annualised revenue run-rate exceeding $135 million in December. This reflects demand from generative AI related projects, including supporting international expansion for Chinese technology companies.

Appen Global’s revenue came in at $41.4 million. This is up 90% on the third quarter, but down 16% on the prior corresponding period. This reflects new project wins, including a previously announced $10 million+ generative AI opportunity that has grown faster than expected.

Growing at an even stronger rate was the ASX AI stock’s earnings. Appen revealed that its underlying EBITDA (before foreign exchange) was $13.3 million. This represents a 182% increase on the prior corresponding period and a $12.3 million improvement on the prior quarter.

Management commentary

Commenting on the company’s performance for the quarter, its CEO and managing director, Ryan Kolln, said:

Q4 was a strong finish to the year for both our China and Global businesses. Appen China exited the quarter with an annualised revenue run-rate growing to over $135 million – a pleasing result, providing strong momentum heading into FY26. In addition to the significant revenue growth, our China business also expanded underlying EBITDA profitability on the previous quarter by $1.0 million to $4.3 million, reflecting gross margin expansion and operating leverage as the business continues to scale.

The Appen Global division continues to improve as the business has executed against its turnaround strategy in a highly dynamic market. Q4 delivered a pleasing 56% revenue growth compared to the prior quarter and underlying EBITDA of $10.2 million – a significant improvement on Q3 and pcp. Growth was driven by new project wins, including the previously announced $10 million+ generative AI opportunity that has grown faster than expected and has continued into FY26.

Outlook

No guidance has been given for FY 2026, but management appears positive on its outlook. Kolln added:

With a strong balance sheet and a dedication to delivering quality data at speed we are well positioned for sustained profitable growth. We maintain our focus on revenue growth and ongoing underlying EBITDA profitability

The post Why are Appen shares rocketing 32% on Thursday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX lithium stock is being sold off today. Here’s why
• Genesis Minerals posts record production, strong cash in December 2025 quarter
• Champion Iron posts record iron ore sales and profits in Q3 FY26
• Viva Energy shares: 4Q25 sales volumes rise, margins improve
• Why is the Whitehaven Coal share price smashing the benchmark on Thursday?

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 Appen. 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 Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) share price is in focus today as the miner delivered record quarterly sales of 3.9 million tonnes and posted net income of $65 million for the three months to 31 December 2025.

What did Champion Iron report?

• Quarterly revenue of $472 million, up 30% year-over-year
• Net income of $65 million; earnings per share of $0.12
• EBITDA of $152 million, up 73% from the prior-year period
• Record iron ore sales of 3.9 million dry tonnes, an 18% increase
• C1 cash cost per tonne lowered to $73.9, down 6% from a year ago
• Cash balance (excluding restricted funds) of $245 million at quarter-end

What else do investors need to know?

Champion Iron is advancing its DRPF project at Bloom Lake to produce direct reduction pellet feed iron ore, with commissioning underway and first shipments expected by the end of June 2026. The company also reduced site stockpiles by 1.1 million tonnes during the quarter, despite some logistical setbacks, and maintains strong liquidity of $751 million to fund growth and operations.

In December, Champion announced a cash tender offer to acquire Norwegian iron ore producer Rana Gruber for around US$289 million, backed by La Caisse and Scotiabank. This deal would broaden the company’s high-grade iron ore portfolio. Work on the company’s Kami Project definitive feasibility study, in partnership with Nippon Steel and Sojitz, also continues with completion targeted for year’s end.

What did Champion Iron management say?

CEO David Cataford said:

I am proud of our team’s ingenuity and perseverance as we advance strategic initiatives designed to unlock value for our stakeholders in the coming months and reinforce our leadership in the high-purity iron ore industry. We expect to continue to benefit from sales of high-purity iron ore inventories previously stockpiled at Bloom Lake. New markets will become available as we initiate shipments of DR quality iron ore from our DRPF project in the near term. Additionally, we remain focused on the potential closing of the Rana Gruber acquisition, which will diversify our portfolio with another proven high-purity iron ore operation, as well as the anticipated completion of the Kami project definitive feasibility study, leveraging our partnership with Nippon Steel and Sojitz. As our multi-year growth capital investment cycle at Bloom Lake nears completion, we continue to rigorously evaluate growth opportunities and capital allocation strategies to optimize shareholder returns.

What’s next for Champion Iron?

Champion’s near-term priority is completing the DRPF project at Bloom Lake, targeting first commercial shipments of DR-quality iron ore by the middle of 2026 to tap new market opportunities. The company also aims to finalise the Rana Gruber acquisition, expanding its asset base and diversifying production locations.

Investors can also keep an eye on the progression of the Kami Project’s feasibility study and management’s strategy to optimise inventory management and capital allocation as the Bloom Lake expansion cycle winds down.

Champion Iron share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Champion Iron shares have risen 8%, running slightly ahead of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Champion Iron posts record iron ore sales and profits in Q3 FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Viva Energy shares: 4Q25 sales volumes rise, margins improve
• Capricorn Metals reports record Q2 cash flow and resource growth
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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 Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 1.1% lift in total group sales volumes for the fourth quarter of 2025, with convenience sales and refining margins highlighted in the update.

What did Viva Energy report?

• Total group sales volumes increased 1.1% to 4,408 million litres in 4Q2025 versus 4Q2024
• Commercial & Industrial fuel volumes rose 3.7% year-on-year, led by aviation fuel
• Convenience sales fell 11.4% to $431 million, with tobacco sales down 33.6%
• Gross margin on total convenience sales improved 4.5 percentage points to 42.2%
• Geelong Refining Margin (GRM) increased to US$12.1 per barrel (up from US$6.7/bbl in 4Q2024)
• The company refinanced and increased its revolving credit facility to US$1.3 billion

What else do investors need to know?

Viva Energy’s convenience business saw softer sales, mainly because of trading interruptions linked to store conversions and the divestment of 15 Liberty Convenience stores, a condition of its OTR Group acquisition. While total convenience sales dropped, the decline in sales excluding tobacco was far less pronounced at just 1.3%, and like-for-like sales in OTR-format stores rose 1.9%.

The company opened 35 OTR stores over FY2025, continuing its network transformation, and completed five Liberty conversions in the December quarter. Despite a small drop in overall retail store numbers, the network remains broad, with more than 985 core fuel and convenience sites nationwide.

What’s next for Viva Energy?

Viva Energy’s new Ultra Low Sulphur Gasoline plant was delivered on time and ahead of new December 2025 standards, which bodes well for compliance and operational efficiency moving forward. The company’s focus remains on growing its convenience formats and enhancing gross margin, while continuing to invest in refining flexibility and core infrastructure.

Looking ahead, management has flagged ongoing emphasis on integrating OTR Group acquisitions and adapting to trends in tobacco and non-tobacco convenience sales. Debt levels remain well managed following the recent refinancing.

Viva Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Viva Energy shares have declined 24%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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The post Viva Energy shares: 4Q25 sales volumes rise, margins improve 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.