Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are pushing higher on Thursday morning.

At the time of writing, the mining and mining services company’s shares are up 3% to $65.79.

Why are Mineral Resources shares pushing higher?

Investors have been buying the company’s shares after it delivered a strong quarterly update that included a meaningful upgrade to its lithium production guidance to capitalise on higher prices.

According to the release, for the three months ended 31 December, Mineral Resources produced 138,000 dry metric tonnes (dmt) of attributable spodumene concentrate (SC6) and sold 143,000 dmt.

This comprises production of 85,000 dmt at Wodgina and 81,000 dmt at Mt Marion.

Management revealed that the Wodgina operation achieved a notable processing milestone during the quarter, with recoveries averaging 70% following ongoing optimisation work. This helped offset the impact of lower-grade ore being processed under the mine plan.

At Mt Marion, higher feed tonnes and improved plant utilisation drove an 11% lift in quarterly production, despite some wet weather disruptions.

Mineral Resources’ average achieved lithium price jumped 29% from the prior quarter to US$1,094 per tonne CIF, reflecting stronger market conditions.

Off the back of this performance and stronger prices, management has upgraded its FY 2026 lithium volume guidance at both of its operating assets.

At Wodgina, expected production has been lifted to 260,000 to 280,000 tonnes of SC6, up from 220,000 to 240,000 tonnes previously. Whereas at Mt Marion, its guidance has been increased to 190,000 to 210,000 tonnes, from 160,000 to 180,000 tonnes. Importantly, cost guidance at both sites has been maintained.

Iron ore

While lithium grabs the headlines today, Mineral Resources’ iron ore business also delivered a solid result.

Onslow Iron shipped 8.7 million tonnes during the quarter and 17.3 million tonnes in the first half, with FOB costs of $50 per wet metric tonne in the quarter. Costs continue to track toward the bottom end of its FY 2026 guidance, underlining the benefits of Onslow Iron operating at nameplate capacity.

Balance sheet improvements

The company’s balance sheet continued to strengthen during the quarter. Liquidity increased to more than $1.4 billion during the first half, while net debt was reduced to approximately $4.9 billion.

This is down from $5.4 billion three months earlier and reflects strong cash generation and ongoing deleveraging as major projects move through their ramp-up phase.

Mineral Resources also highlighted progress on its strategic partnership with POSCO, which has agreed to acquire a 30% interest in the company’s lithium joint venture covering Wodgina and Mt Marion for upfront cash consideration of around $1.1 billion, subject to conditions precedent.

The post Mineral Resources shares charge higher on lithium guidance upgrade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Mineral Resources upgrades lithium guidance on strong Q2 sales
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• ASX All Ords shares smashing 52-week highs today
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• ASX 200 materials sector outperforms as mining shares continue their ascent

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) shares are in focus today as the company reported a 91% jump in quarterly revenue to $130 million and a 17% fall in unit operating costs, reflecting lower costs and a transition to full underground mining.

What did Liontown report?

• Revenue up 91% quarter-on-quarter to $130 million from six concentrate parcels sold
• Unit operating costs (FOB) down 17% to $910/dmt; all-in sustaining cost down 22% to $1,059/dmt
• Operating cash flow improved to near break-even, with $390 million cash at quarter end
• Concentrate production increased 21% to 105,342 dmt at an average grade of 5.1% Li₂O
• Underground ore mined up 37% to 308 kt, marking full transition to 100% underground operations
• New binding offtake signed with Canmax for 150,000 wmt per year from 2027

What else do investors need to know?

Liontown marked a key milestone by completing open pit mining at Kathleen’s Corner, positioning its Kathleen Valley operation as fully underground. Underground ramp-up is continuing as planned, targeting 1.5 million tonnes per annum by the end of Q3 FY26 and 2.8 Mtpa steady-state by end FY27.

A highlight was the company’s first successful spodumene spot auction in November, which closed at US$1,254/dmt SC6, pointing to strong buyer demand and a favourable price discovery mechanism.

Liontown ended the period with solid liquidity: $390 million in cash and 13,800 dmt of saleable concentrate on hand. Production cash flow was almost neutral for the quarter, with improving sales volumes and prices helping offset costs.

What did Liontown management say?

Tony Ottaviano, Managing Director and CEO

The December Quarter represented a major operational and financial inflection point for Liontown, with open pit mining completed on schedule and the operation now 100% underground. Underground ore production increased by 37% during the quarter, supported by strong development progress and improving operational leverage, resulting in cashflow-neutral operations. Our US$900 / dmt realised price for the quarter, on an SC6 equivalent basis, reflects the timing of offtake pricing, which was largely set prior to the strong rally in spodumene prices late in the quarter. Pricing strength has continued into 2026, with market conditions now the most favourable experienced since the commencement of production. With underground production continuing to scale, costs trending lower and higher pricing expected to flow through in coming quarters, Liontown is well positioned to deliver a strong financial performance in the second half of FY26.

What’s next for Liontown?

Liontown remains on track to meet its FY26 guidance, with the underground ramp-up expected to deliver lower costs and higher production. Management expects rising spodumene prices from late 2025 to flow through to realised prices in coming quarters, supporting stronger margins.

The company is refreshing its expansion study for a potential 4Mtpa pathway at Kathleen Valley, assessing options for staged growth with a decision contingent on sustained market recovery. Liontown also continues to focus on optimisation initiatives now embedded as routine operations.

Liontown share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Liontown shares have soared 213% outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Liontown earnings: Revenue surges and underground transition completed in Q2 FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Ramelius Resources shares: December 2025 quarterly earnings highlights
• Nickel Industries December 2025 quarter: Strong HPAL margins, mining rebounds
• Mesoblast posts revenue jump and new funding: Key takeaways for investors
• Liontown shares in focus as LG Energy Solution swaps $250m debt for equity
• Whitehaven Coal posts strong Q2 production and cost control

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 Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price is in focus after the company announced LG Energy Solution will convert its entire US$250 million convertible note into equity, resulting in LG Energy Solution holding around 8% of Liontown’s shares. The move will eliminate future interest costs and simplify Liontown’s capital structure.

What did Liontown report?

• LG Energy Solution to convert its full US$250 million convertible note plus accrued interest into equity
• Conversion results in LG Energy Solution holding about 8% of Liontown’s issued shares
• Conversion price set at A$1.62 per share, following adjustment after the August 2025 capital raising
• Convertible note fully eliminated, removing future interest obligations
• Leaves only A$300 million Ford facility and A$15 million WA Government interest-free loan as borrowings
• Balance sheet strengthened with A$390 million cash at bank as at 31 December 2025

What else do investors need to know?

The note conversion simplifies Liontown’s capital structure, freeing up capacity for future growth. By removing a major debt instrument, Liontown can reduce its future interest expenses and present a stronger balance sheet to investors and partners alike.

The conversion also deepens the company’s ties with LG Energy Solution, already a strategic customer and now a substantial shareholder. This relationship supports Liontown’s ambitions to become a leading global lithium supplier.

What did Liontown management say?

Managing Director and CEO Tony Ottaviano said:

LG Energy Solution’s decision to convert their entire holding to equity is a strong endorsement of Kathleen Valley’s tier-one quality and our operational execution.

This conversion delivers immediate benefits to shareholders. It simplifies our capital structure, eliminates future interest obligations on the notes, and strengthens our balance sheet — giving us real financial firepower as we scale production, while remaining focussed on shareholder returns and disciplined capital allocation.

Importantly, it deepens an already important strategic partnership with LG Energy Solution. LG Energy Solution was instrumental in supporting our transition to producer, and their decision to become a significant equity holder further aligns our interests. We now have one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers as both a cornerstone shareholder and a long-term offtake customer — a powerful combination as we execute on Liontown’s full potential.

We look forward to continuing this partnership as we deliver on our shared ambition to supply high-quality, responsibly sourced lithium to the global energy transition.

What’s next for Liontown?

With a more streamlined capital structure and enhanced cash position, Liontown aims to scale up production at the Kathleen Valley lithium project. Management has emphasised a disciplined approach to capital allocation and remains focussed on delivering value to shareholders.

The strengthened strategic partnership with LG Energy Solution is expected to support Liontown’s plans for further downstream growth and long-term offtake, positioning the company strongly for the global shift towards battery minerals.

Liontown share price snapshot

Over the past 12 moths, Liontown shares have risen 213%, strongly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Liontown shares in focus as LG Energy Solution swaps $250m debt for equity appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Ramelius Resources shares: December 2025 quarterly earnings highlights
• Nickel Industries December 2025 quarter: Strong HPAL margins, mining rebounds
• Mesoblast posts revenue jump and new funding: Key takeaways for investors
• Liontown earnings: Revenue surges and underground transition completed in Q2 FY26
• Whitehaven Coal posts strong Q2 production and cost control

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.

If investors are going to buy shares on the Australian stock market, it may as well be some of the most compelling S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) blue-chip shares around.

Some people may love to have a portfolio stuffed full of the greatest names we can buy. This seems like a great time to do it because of lower valuations.

For investors who have been wanting to own a piece of the ASX’s tech shares, but high prices have been off-putting, I think it’s time to pounce.  

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus describes itself as a leading healthcare informatics company that provides a full range of medical imaging software and services to hospitals, imaging centres, and healthcare groups worldwide.

It provides clients with offerings across radiology imaging solutions (RIS), picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), AI, and e-health solutions.

Despite the wonderful progress that the company’s financials have seen recently, the Pro Medicus share price has dropped by more than 40% in the last six months, as the chart below shows.

The FY25 result was a powerful performance by the ASX 200 blue chip, with revenue growth of 31.9% to $213 million and net profit after tax (NPAT) growth of 39.2% to $115.2 million. It has one of the highest operating profit (EBIT) margins on the ASX.

Since the end of FY25, it has won a number of contracts, including new clients, add-on module contracts with existing clients, and the achievement of the authority to operate (ATO) from the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

It’s not cheap, but it’s much better value now. Net profit is still expected to compound strongly in the coming years. The Pro Medicus share price is now valued at 124x FY26’s estimated earnings and 75x FY28’s estimated earnings, at the time of writing.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero has been on a fast-growth journey for many years, and it continues to have big ambitions.

However, despite having the most subscribers and the most operating revenue in its history, the Xero share price has dropped by approximately 45% over the last six months, at the time of writing.

The company’s accounting software is proving to be very popular, as shown by the very high subscriber retention rate (around 99%) each year, as well as the ongoing subscriber count. In the FY26 half-year result, the business reported its total subscriber base increased 10% year over year to 4.6 million.

I’m also pleased to see that Xero’s average revenue per user (ARPU) is growing over time, meaning that the ASX 200 blue-chip share is extracting value from its subscriber base.

The company’s profitability is rapidly increasing, which I think helps justify a higher Xero share price – more than today’s current valuation. In HY26, net profit grew 42% to NZ$135 million and free cash flow rose 54% to NZ$321 million.

For the coming years, I’m predicting Xero’s global subscriber base will continue growing thanks to the tailwind of digitalisation of accounting and financial reporting (including to taxation authorities). I’m also expecting rapid profit growth thanks to its very high gross profit margin of close to 90%.

The post 2 top ASX 200 blue-chip shares worth a spot in your portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX tech shares I would buy with $5,000
• How a beginner investor could build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio
• Here’s my buy list if the stock market crashes in 2026
• Top Australian shares to buy with $7,000 in 2026
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I have a strong belief that investing for the long-term in ASX shares will deliver the best returns.

Compounding is a very powerful financial force that helps grow a number into a much larger figure.

If $100 grew at an average of 10% per year for ten years, it’d be understandable to think it’d be just a little over $200. It actually comes to $259, a rise of 159%. By investing in businesses that are growing at a good pace, we’re more likely to see great results ourselves.

I’m a fan of the below names for the long-term.

Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA)

Tuas hasn’t been operating in Singapore that long, yet it has already become one of the main challengers in the Asian country’s telecommunications sector.

At the recent AGM update, the company revealed continued strong progress with mobile user growth of 20% to 1.34 million. It’s winning customers thanks to its value offerings.

I’m expecting the business to continue gaining market share, particularly once its acquisition of competitor M1 is completed. Broadband could also become a useful contributor if the company can reach a meaningful market share.

As its scale increases, I’m predicting the company’s profit margins will increase thanks to operating leverage.

I’m hoping the ASX share will look to expand beyond Singapore in the years ahead, expanding its total addressable market.

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

Over longer time periods, I think it’s the highest quality businesses that will outperform and rise to the top.

This exchange-traded fund (ETF) gives Aussies an easy way to invest in a portfolio of the best businesses in the world.

It has 300 positions in the portfolio from a number of countries including the US, Switzerland, the UK, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Canada, France, Sweden and more.

The QUAL ETF is well-diversified, in my opinion, as the portfolio is also spread across a number of sectors including IT, healthcare, industrials, communication services and financial services.

The most important part is how it picks the highest-quality companies for its portfolio. Companies involved have a high return on equity (ROE), earnings stability and low financial leverage. This is a powerful combination, in my view.

Over the past five years, the QUAL ETF has returned an average of 15.5% per year. While I’m not expecting it to do as well as that going forward, I think its characteristics are highly effective and likely to unlock further good returns for investors.

I believe this is a very good investment to help investors just invest in the great businesses rather than the entire global share market.

The post 2 incredible ASX shares to buy in February appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 VanEck ETFs on the ASX I rate as buys
• 3 ASX ETFs to buy and hold until 2036
• If a 25-year-old invests $1,250 a month in ASX stocks, here’s what they could have by retirement
• Why Aussies are pouring into ASX ETFs at a record pace
• 3 unstoppable ASX shares to buy with $3,000

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Tuas and VanEck Msci International Quality ETF. 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.

Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) announced this week that its cash pile had surged to $948 million and that its gold production was likely to come in near the top of guidance. But have its shares run too hard on the back of the company’s performance?

The team at Jarden certainly thinks so, saying in a research note published this week that the stock is seriously overvalued.

They noted that the shares are up about 100% over the past three months compared with the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has been flat over the same period.

Valuation just too high

Jarden said the company’s market capitalisation has increased by almost $5 billion over the past three months, “and we estimate that the current Greatland share price implies a long-term gold price of about US$4,600 per ounce into perpetuity”.

The Jarden analysts added:

Whilst management have executed well on the key mining controllables, we simply do not believe that spot gold prices (or a market capitalisation of $9.7 billion compared to a purchase price of US$475m) is sustainable for the high-cost Telfer operation, and high-quality (but technically challenging) Havieron development project.

Jarden increased their 12-month price target for Greatland shares to $5.50 – well below the current price of $13.89, based on a long-term gold price of just US$2400 per ounce.

They did note that this target price would increase to $13 using a gold price of US$5000 per ounce, which is much closer to the actual spot gold price of US$5481.89.

Jarden said it changed its rating on Greatland shares to underweight and reiterated its preference for Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) and Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) in the mid-tier gold sector.

Production numbers looking strong

Greatland earlier this week said it had produced 86,273 ounces of gold during the December quarter, up 6.7% on the previous quarter, at an all-in sustaining cost of $2196 per ounce.

The company also produced 3528 tonnes of copper during the quarter.

Cash flow from operations came in at $406 million, and the company had a closing cash balance of $948 million at December 30, up from $750 million at the end of the September quarter.

Greatland Managing Director Shaun Day said it was a solid result.

We are pleased to have delivered another strong operational performance in the December quarter, with gold production of 86,273 ounces at an AISC of $2,196 per ounce. Key drivers included continued growth in open pit ore mined (a 32% increase in volume of mill feed mined) and maintained high gold recovery of 88.4%, continuing the strong trend from last quarter. “Based on the first half performance, we currently expect full-year production to trend towards the upper end of the guidance range of 260,000 – 310,000 ounces, and full-year AISC towards the lower end of the guidance range of $2,400 – $2,800 per ounce.

Mr Day said the company had “full upside” to the gold price rise during the quarter, and the company “achieved an average realised price of over $6,300 per ounce”.

The post Is it time to sell this surging gold producer? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Which gold producer has built a cash pile of almost $1 billion?
• Greatland Resources delivers strong Q4 cash flow and mine expansion progress
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX gold shares go crazy as gold price rips toward US$5,000 on Friday
• Greatland Resources posts record drilling and grades at Telfer

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.

The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price is in focus today after the company reported managed ROM coal production of 11.0 million tonnes for the December quarter, up 21% on the prior period, and equity sales of 7.0 million tonnes, lifting 18% quarter-on-quarter.

What did Whitehaven Coal report?

• Managed ROM coal production of 11.0Mt for the quarter, up 21% on September
• Equity sales of produced coal reached 7.0Mt, up 18% on prior quarter
• Unit cost of production at ~A$135/tonne for H1 FY26, at the low end of guidance
• Net debt reduced to A$0.7 billion as at 31 December 2025, down from A$0.8 billion
• A$60–80 million annualised cost-savings target on track for FY26
• Share buy-back of 6.3 million shares in H1 FY26 for A$45 million

What else do investors need to know?

Whitehaven’s Queensland and New South Wales operations both showed solid production gains during the December quarter. QLD managed ROM production came in at 5.6Mt, while NSW managed ROM lifted 23% to 5.4Mt, with Narrabri reporting particularly strong volumes.

Coal market conditions supported higher prices for metallurgical coal. Whitehaven’s QLD operations achieved an average sale price of A$225/t, while NSW saw average thermal coal prices at A$163/t, nearly at parity with key industry benchmarks.

Cost discipline remains a focus, with unit costs at the more favourable end of expectations. The company continues to implement cost-saving initiatives across the business, aiming for up to A$80 million in annualised savings by June 2026.

What did Whitehaven Coal management say?

Paul Flynn, Managing Director & CEO:

With a solid second quarter of production and sales, Whitehaven closed the first half of FY26 with 20.0Mt of managed ROM production including 11.0Mt in the December quarter.

We continue to experience strong demand for Whitehaven’s products, with 12.8Mt of equity coal sales for the first half including 7.0Mt for the quarter. Metallurgical coal prices improved during the period, while thermal prices were steady on the previous quarter.

Cost discipline remains a priority, and with a half year unit cost of A$135/t, we are tracking well within the guidance range of A$130-145/t.

Whitehaven’s financial position remains strong, with net debt of ~A$0.7b and liquidity of A$1.5b at 31 December 2025.

What’s next for Whitehaven Coal?

Whitehaven says its FY26 guidance remains unchanged, with ROM coal production and sales expected to be at the upper half of the targeted range. The company expects its unit costs for the half to be around A$135/t, and capital expenditure is within plans.

Management is progressing key growth projects such as the Narrabri Stage 3 Extension and the Winchester South metallurgical coal project. The company plans to maintain strict capital discipline and will update investors on cost-saving progress at the half-year results in February 2026.

Whitehaven Coal share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Whitehaven Coal shares have risen 52%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Whitehaven Coal posts strong Q2 production and cost control appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Perpetual reports mixed results in FY26 second quarter update
• AMP reports FY24 results and cost allocation changes
• Perseus Mining posts quarterly gold output and solid cash, progresses key projects
• IGO posts improved earnings on higher lithium price, Nova strength
• Mineral Resources upgrades lithium guidance on strong Q2 sales

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.

Gold has surged to fresh all-time highs this week, pushing above US$5,300 per ounce for the first time ever. The move extends one of the strongest rallies the precious metal has seen in decades.

Prices are now up more than 20% over the past month, with spot gold currently trading around US$5,321 after hitting a record intraday high of US$5,325.49.

The surge reflects rising demand for defensive assets as investors respond to ongoing global uncertainty.

Why is gold surging?

A renewed rush into safe-haven assets has been the main driver. Rising geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and ongoing uncertainty have unsettled markets, pushing investors toward gold as a store of value.

Currency moves have also helped. The US dollar has weakened in recent weeks, which makes gold cheaper for overseas buyers and boosts global demand.

Central banks are another important source of support. Many have been steadily increasing their gold holdings as they diversify away from the US dollar. That buying has continued into 2026, helping support prices as gold trades at record levels.

Interest rate expectations are also influencing demand. Markets are increasingly expecting interest rate cuts later this year. Lower rates make gold more attractive compared to cash and bonds, which offer less return when rates fall.

Strong demand is also being seen on the ground. Bullion dealers across Australia have reported long queues and strong retail interest as everyday investors look to buy physical gold during the rally.

How far can gold go from here?

Major investment banks have turned increasingly bullish. Several institutions now see gold prices holding above US$5,000 for an extended period, with some forecasts pointing toward US$5,500 or even US$6,000 if current conditions persist.

That said, short-term pullbacks are always possible after such a sharp move. Profit-taking, shifts in sentiment, or changes in currency markets could trigger volatility. Still, many analysts argue that the underlying drivers supporting gold remain firmly in place for now.

How can investors gain exposure?

Investors have several ways to gain exposure to gold, depending on their preferences and risk tolerance.

Buying physical gold bars or coins remains a popular option, though storage and insurance can add complexity.

Another approach is using exchange-traded products that track the gold price. For Australian investors, Global X Physical Gold Structured (ASX: GOLD) offers a simple way to gain exposure to physical gold through the ASX, without the need to store bullion directly.

Gold mining shares are another option, offering potential leverage to rising gold prices.

Foolish bottom line

Gold’s surge above US$5,300 highlights how strongly investors are responding to today’s mix of geopolitical risk, currency weakness, and shifting interest rate expectations.

While the rally may not be smooth from here, gold’s role as a defensive asset stands out in the current environment.

The key question is no longer whether the gold rally can continue, but how much exposure investors are comfortable taking on.

The post Gold hits $5,300! How far can this rally go? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• With gold up 71%, which is the best ASX gold ETF to buy?
• Want to buy gold in 2026? Here are 3 ways to do it

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 Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT) share price is in focus today after the company reported a mixed performance across its business divisions in its second quarter FY26 update, with total group assets under management decreasing to $227.5 billion.

What did Perpetual report?

• Total assets under management (AUM) fell 1.9% to $227.5 billion at 31 December 2025.
• Net outflows of $7.8 billion, or $6.6 billion excluding cash, in the quarter.
• Corporate Trust’s funds under administration (FUA) rose 2.1% to $1.31 trillion.
• Wealth Management’s FUA remained flat at $21.9 billion.
• First-half 2026 performance fees expected to be about $10 million, mainly from J O Hambro and Perpetual Asset Management strategies.
• 1H26 significant items (post tax) are expected between $54 million and $63 million, with no impairments anticipated.

What else do investors need to know?

Perpetual’s Asset Management division saw net outflows and unfavourable currency movements, partially offset by positive market moves. Barrow Hanley and J O Hambro both experienced outflows, while Perpetual Asset Management recorded net inflows on new fixed income strategies.

The Corporate Trust arm delivered growth across all major segments, with particular strength in Debt Market Services and Managed Fund Services. Digital and Market Assets under Administration jumped 4.1% to $585.8 billion.

Discussions are ongoing with Bain Capital Private Equity over the sale of the Wealth Management business. While advanced, there is still no certainty the deal will go ahead, and more information is expected at the half-year results in February.

What did Perpetual management say?

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Bernard Reilly said:

The quarter saw a mixed performance across our businesses. Corporate Trust performed strongly across all three of its segments, Asset Management was impacted by net outflows and Wealth Management was stable despite the ongoing sale process for the business.

What’s next for Perpetual?

Perpetual will provide another update on the potential Wealth Management sale as part of its half year 2026 results, scheduled for 26 February 2026. Management remains focused on keeping expense growth below guidance and continuing investment in the Corporate Trust business.

The outlook includes careful management of costs, as the company tracks positively against its 2%–3% full-year expense growth guidance. Investors can also expect further updates on assets under management performance and progress across the group’s individual boutiques.

Perpetual share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Perpetual shares have declined 14% trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Perpetual reports mixed results in FY26 second quarter update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Whitehaven Coal posts strong Q2 production and cost control
• AMP reports FY24 results and cost allocation changes
• Perseus Mining posts quarterly gold output and solid cash, progresses key projects
• IGO posts improved earnings on higher lithium price, Nova strength
• Mineral Resources upgrades lithium guidance on strong Q2 sales

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 AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) share price is in focus today after the company announced changes to its cost allocation and cost-to-income methodology. AMP reported underlying NPAT of $236 million and revenue of $1,252 million for FY24.

What did AMP report?

• FY24 revenue: $1,252 million
• Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT): $236 million for FY24
• Total controllable costs: $648 million in FY24
• New cost-to-income ratio methodology; restated FY24 CTI at 67.6%
• Re-allocation of $48 million in FY24 costs from Group to business units
• Controllable cost guidance for FY26: $630–$640 million

What else do investors need to know?

AMP has overhauled how it allocates costs following its Business Simplification program. The business unit results for prior periods have been restated, but this doesn’t affect group-wide NPAT or overall controllable costs.

The updated cost-to-income (CTI) ratio methodology, now aligned with industry peers, removes some investment income from the calculation. This offers a more apples-with-apples comparison for investors.

AMP is sticking with its cost guidance for FY25, while FY26 costs are expected to rise moderately to account for inflation and the expansion of AMP Bank GO.

What’s next for AMP?

Looking ahead, AMP expects to keep FY25 costs in line with prior guidance, while projecting a slight increase in FY26 as it invests in scaling up its banking operations and responds to inflationary pressures.

Management believes these changes will give investors a clearer, more meaningful picture of how AMP’s business units are tracking, and supports the company’s focus on ongoing simplification and efficiency.

AMP share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, AMP shares have declined 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post AMP reports FY24 results and cost allocation changes appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Whitehaven Coal posts strong Q2 production and cost control
• Perpetual reports mixed results in FY26 second quarter update
• Perseus Mining posts quarterly gold output and solid cash, progresses key projects
• IGO posts improved earnings on higher lithium price, Nova strength
• Mineral Resources upgrades lithium guidance on strong Q2 sales

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.