Tag: Stock pick

The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price is in focus after the company received public credit ratings from S&P, Fitch, and Moody’s, with investment grade ratings for its proposed senior secured debt instruments as part of a refinancing program.

What did Whitehaven Coal report?

• S&P Global Ratings assigned a BB+ issuer credit rating, stable outlook
• Fitch Ratings assigned a BB+ issuer default rating, stable outlook
• Moody’s Investors Service assigned a Ba1 corporate family rating, stable outlook
• S&P and Fitch assigned investment grade BBB- ratings to Whitehaven’s proposed senior secured debt
• All ratings reflect the company’s strengthened credit profile and successful operational integration

What else do investors need to know?

Whitehaven’s new credit ratings come as the company looks to refinance its US$1.1 billion acquisition facility. The investment grade ratings on the senior secured debt, in particular, are expected to support better access to global debt capital markets.

This move follows the recent integration of the Daunia and Blackwater metallurgical coal operations. Management highlighted that these additions have improved Whitehaven’s diversification, operating scale, and financial returns.

What did Whitehaven Coal management say?

Managing Director & CEO Paul Flynn said:

These credit ratings recognise Whitehaven’s strengthened credit profile, prudent capital management and the successful integration – and initial improvements – at the Daunia and Blackwater metallurgical coal operations, which have enhanced the Company’s diversification, scale and returns through the cycle. As we progress the refinancing of the US$1.1 billion acquisition facility, these public ratings from all three major global credit rating agencies provide a strong foundation for accessing global debt capital markets and for issuing senior secured debt instruments expected to be rated at investment-grade levels. This will deliver considerable value to our shareholders as we diversify funding, deliver significant cost savings and lower Whitehaven’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC).

What’s next for Whitehaven Coal?

Looking ahead, Whitehaven will focus on completing the refinancing of its existing debt facility. The new credit ratings could enable the company to secure funding on more favourable terms and further diversify its sources of capital.

Management remains committed to disciplined capital management and to strengthening the company’s balance sheet. Investors will be watching for updates as Whitehaven executes its strategy and continues to integrate recent acquisitions.

Whitehaven Coal share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Whitehaven Coal shares have risen 48%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Whitehaven Coal earns credit ratings boost, paving way for refinancing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Westgold Resources secures $600m syndicated facility in balance sheet boost
• Liontown: Production and revenue jump as underground ramp-up continues
• Champion Iron secures 90% acceptance for Rana Gruber takeover
• Contact Energy reports strong support for 2026 retail share offer
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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.

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF) shares are on the move on Thursday morning.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 stock is up 11% to $10.50.

Why is this ASX 200 stock rising today?

The catalyst for the move appears to be the release of an announcement from the quick service restaurant operator after the market close on Wednesday.

That announcement revealed plans to accelerate the ASX 200 stock’s expansion in Germany, alongside an update on its Netherlands operations.

According to the release, Collins Foods has signed an asset purchase agreement with JJ Restaurant to acquire eight KFC restaurants in Bavaria, centred around Munich. This will significantly increase its footprint in the region.

Management notes that the deal will increase the company’s German restaurant portfolio by almost 50%, providing greater scale in one of Germany’s most affluent and populous states.

In addition, Collins Foods has secured an expansion of its German development agreements, which will now target 45 to 90 new restaurant openings over the next four years.

The ASX 200 stock believes this will support its strategy of establishing Germany as its second key growth pillar.

Commenting on the news, the company’s managing director and CEO, Xavier Simonet, said:

There is a significant growth opportunity for Collins Foods in the German market, and we are pleased to be executing on our expansion in a disciplined manner. The KFC brand has substantial potential in Germany with approximately a fifth of the store footprint of the largest competitor, McDonald’s. Despite lower restaurant density, KFC enjoys strong brand awareness and consumer appeal in Germany, supporting a compelling opportunity to expand our market presence.

Collins Foods has agreed to pay 31.1 million euros (A$50.3 million) plus working capital.

It anticipates revenues of 28.2 million euros (A$45.6 million) and EBITDA of 5.3 million euros (A$8.6 million) from the acquired restaurants in the first 12 months of ownership post completion.

Netherlands agreement refocused

Alongside the German update, Collins Foods announced that it has signed a revised and extended corporate franchise agreement for the Netherlands with Yum! Brands.

Management advised that the updated agreement will allow the company to sharpen its operational focus and work toward improving profitability in the Dutch market.

Simonet explains:

The updated Netherlands CFA brings our responsibilities into closer alignment with our other operating markets and will enable us to focus more sharply on improving sales and profitability across our network.

Trading update

In addition, the ASX 200 stock provided the market with a trading update.

It revealed that Australia sales are up 6.2% so far in the second half, while Germany sales are up 9.1% and Netherlands sales are up 4.1%. Same store sales growth is 3.2%, 4.1%, and negative 0.3%, respectively.

The post Guess which ASX 200 stock is rocketing 11% on big Euro news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX retail shares: Experts rate 2 to buy and 2 to sell

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Collins Foods. 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 Collins Foods. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares are under pressure on Thursday morning.

At the time of writing, the lithium miner’s shares are down 2.5% to $1.59.

Why are Liontown shares falling?

Investors have been selling Liontown shares this morning following the release of its half-year results.

According to the release, the company delivered strong growth in production and revenue during the half as the Kathleen Valley lithium project ramps up underground operations.

For the six months ended 31 December, Liontown produced 192,514 dry metric tonnes (dmt) of spodumene concentrate at a grade of 5.0% Li₂O. This represents a 70% increase on the prior corresponding period.

Sales volumes also surged, rising 106% to 189,596 dmt as the Kathleen Valley operation increased output.

Liontown’s average realised price for the period was US$888 per dmt for SC6 concentrate. This is up from US$811 per dmt a year earlier. This helped drive revenue of $207.5 million for the half year, more than double the $100.4 million recorded in the prior corresponding period.

The good news is that its realised price is likely to rise further in the coming quarter. Liontown highlighted that its inaugural Metalshub spot auction in November 2025 cleared at US$1,254 per dmt SC6 for shipment in January 2026.

Ramp-up weighs on earnings

Despite the strong growth in production and revenue, Liontown reported an underlying EBITDA loss of $7.7 million as the project continues to ramp up production.

The company also posted a statutory net loss after tax of $184 million. However, this includes $104.4 million of non-cash charges relating to the LGES convertible note derivative.

Management advised that this accounting charge was largely driven by the company’s share price appreciation during the period and will not recur following the conversion of the LGES notes to equity in February 2026.

Operational costs also declined through the half, with unit operating costs of $985 per dmt and all-in sustaining costs of $1,179 per dmt.

Outlook

Liontown’s managing director and CEO, Tony Ottaviano, was pleased with the half and is positive on its outlook. He said:

Kathleen Valley is now a 100% underground operation. We have delivered a one million tonne per annum underground run-rate on schedule, sold 190,000 tonnes of concentrate across ten shipments, and more than doubled revenue period to period. The underground ramp-up is on track and we expect the second half to be materially stronger as volumes, recoveries, and pricing all continue to improve.

The company’s FY 2026 guidance remains unchanged and cash generation is expected to improve through the second half as production continues to ramp up.

The company also confirmed that work is underway on a refresh of its planned 4 million tonne per annum expansion at the Kathleen Valley lithium operation.

The post Liontown shares drop on $184m half-year loss appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Liontown: Production and revenue jump as underground ramp-up continues
• Australia’s next great ASX mining boom: Are we already in it?
• ASX 200 materials sector leads as earnings season ends with a record high
• Why these 3 ASX lithium shares are charging higher today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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 in focus after the lithium miner reported a 70% jump in production to 192,514 dmt and more than doubled half-year revenue to $207.5 million.

What did Liontown report?

• Production: 192,514 dmt at 5.0% Li₂O (up 70% year-on-year); sales 189,596 dmt (up 106%)
• Revenue: $207.5 million, up 107% from H1 FY2025
• Underlying EBITDA: $(7.7) million, reflecting ramp-up costs
• Statutory loss after tax: $(184.0) million, driven by a one-off $(104.4) million non-cash charge
• Unit operating cost: A$985/dmt (FOB); all-in sustaining cost A$1,179/dmt (FOB)
• Cash balance: $390.5 million at 31 December 2025

What else do investors need to know?

The transition to 100% underground mining at Kathleen Valley has been completed, with operational targets achieved on schedule. Liontown reached a run-rate of 1 million tonnes per annum and is targeting 1.5 Mtpa by the end of March 2026.

Liontown’s balance sheet has been reshaped following the conversion of convertible notes held by LG Energy Solution to equity, reducing pro forma gearing (excluding leases) from 48% to 22%. The company also amended its loan facility with Ford, deferring repayments by 12 months to September 2026.

A 4 million tonne per annum expansion study is underway, aiming to leverage existing infrastructure and capitalise on favourable market trends.

What did Liontown management say?

Liontown’s Managing Director and CEO, Tony Ottaviano, said:

Kathleen Valley is now a 100% underground operation. We have delivered a one million tonne per annum underground run-rate on schedule, sold 190,000 tonnes of concentrate across ten shipments, and more than doubled revenue period to period. The underground ramp-up is on track and we expect the second half to be materially stronger as volumes, recoveries, and pricing all continue to improve.

What’s next for Liontown?

The company is expecting a stronger second half in FY2026 as higher volumes, improving recoveries, and rising lithium prices flow through. Guidance for unit costs and production remains unchanged.

Liontown is actively progressing the 4 Mtpa brownfield expansion study, aiming to position itself as one of the very few producers able to bring additional tonnes to the lithium market quickly. The refreshed balance sheet and deferred debt repayments provide a foundation for both ongoing ramp-up and future growth.

Liontown share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Liontown shares have risen 167%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 12% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Liontown: Production and revenue jump as underground ramp-up continues appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Champion Iron secures 90% acceptance for Rana Gruber takeover
• Contact Energy reports strong support for 2026 retail share offer
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• GQG Partners lifts FUM to US$172.9bn in February 2026

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 Australian share market has no shortage of quality ASX growth shares. But after the recent tech pullback, several sector leaders are trading well below their previous highs — creating what could be compelling long-term opportunities.

If I had $10,000 to invest today, I’d focus on three businesses that dominate their respective niches: healthcare imaging, cloud accounting software, and buy now, pay later (BNPL) payments.

Each ASX growth share has proven technology, strong growth prospects, and significant global expansion potential. While their share prices have all tumbled by 50% or more over the past 6 months, the underlying businesses continue to grow.

Here are three ASX growth shares I’d consider buying today.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

This $22 billion ASX growth share has become one of the most successful technology companies listed on the Australian market. The Melbourne-based business develops advanced medical imaging software used by hospitals and healthcare providers to process and analyse radiology scans.

Its flagship Visage platform is widely regarded as one of the most powerful imaging systems available. It allows doctors to view and interpret medical images rapidly through cloud-based infrastructure.

A key strength of the business is its highly scalable software model. As new hospitals adopt the platform, the company can grow revenue without significantly increasing costs. This has resulted in exceptional profitability, with operating margins among the highest of any ASX technology company.

The main risk for investors is valuation. The ASX growth share has historically traded at premium multiples, and the company’s growth expectations remain high. Any slowdown in contract wins could weigh on sentiment.

Even so, analysts remain broadly positive. The average 12-month price target is $218.44, representing a potential 60% upside from the current price of $136.79.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero is one of the world’s leading cloud accounting platforms for small businesses. Founded in New Zealand, the company now serves millions of subscribers across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the US.

Xero has built a powerful ecosystem that connects small businesses with accountants, banks, and payment providers. This network effect makes the platform increasingly valuable as more users join.

Despite strong operational performance in recent years, the share price has experienced volatility amid the broader technology sector sell-off.

The main risks revolve around competition and execution. Xero is expanding aggressively into the US, which represents a massive opportunity but also a highly competitive market.

Most analysts remain optimistic on the ASX growth share and have set an average price target of $152.48, which suggests a possible gain of 86% over 12 months.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

This ASX growth share has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past few years. Once one of the most speculative names in the buy now, pay later sector, the company has shifted its focus toward profitability and financial discipline.

That strategy appears to be paying off. The company has reported improving margins and stronger cash earnings, while transaction volumes continue to grow in its core markets.

The long-term opportunity remains significant. Digital payments and flexible financing options are becoming increasingly popular among consumers, and Zip’s platform enables shoppers to spread purchases over time while boosting merchants’ conversion rates.

However, risks remain. The buy now, pay later sector is highly competitive, and consumer credit conditions can deteriorate during economic downturns.

Even so, several analysts see improving fundamentals and potential upside for the ASX growth share if the company continues executing its turnaround strategy.

Most brokers have a buy rating on Zip and have set a 12-month price target of $4.21. This points to a massive 146% increase at the current share price of $1.71.

The post Where I’d invest $10,000 in ASX growth shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy and hold forever
• What I’d do as a beginner with $50,000 to invest in ASX shares
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Macquarie says this major fintech stock can rocket almost 100%
• Forget Xero shares, this ASX tech stock is tipped to double in value

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 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.

ASX healthcare stocks have largely struggled over the last 12 months. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is down more than 20% in that span. 

The sector has struggled to break out of its multi-year downgrade cycle, weighed down by negative consensus earnings revisions from index heavyweights. 

However, there are now buy-low opportunities according to experts. 

In a recent report, Canaccord Genuity said this backdrop presents an attractive risk/reward for the sector. 

“After a challenging period for Healthcare returns, valuations across the sector have become increasingly attractive. At the index level, the ASX 100 Healthcare sector now trades at two-decade lows on a relative P/E basis.”

Here are two ASX healthcare shares with big upside according to brokers. 

Anteris Technologies Global Corp (ASX: AVR)

Anteris Technologies is a structural heart company. It researches, develops, commercialises, and distributes various medical technologies and devices. 

It manufactures, distributes, and sells ADAPT & DurAVR regenerative tissue products, and researches and develops regenerative medicine and immunotherapies.

This ASX healthcare stock is down more than 19% over the last 12 months, but has begun to recover from yearly lows. 

Recently, Bell Potter raised its price target to $13 (from $10), along with retaining a speculative buy rating. 

The broker has optimism around its future thanks to progress in getting its DurAVR product approved. 

The product uses a single-piece, native-shaped biomimetic design built to mimic the performance of a healthy aortic valve.

Based on yesterday’s closing price of $8.86, this Bell Potter price target indicates potential upside of almost 47%. 

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

Another ASX healthcare stock tipped to recover is Telix Pharmaceuticals. 

It is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the ongoing development of diagnostic and therapeutic (‘theranostic’) products using targeted radiation.

Its share price has fallen almost 60% over the last year; however, experts are anticipating a bounce back. 

A key announcement earlier this week saw the ASX healthcare stock price jump considerably, which could be the beginning of a long-term recovery. 

On Monday, the share price rocketed 9% higher after the company released encouraging Part 1 results from its global Phase 3 ProstACT study of TLX591-Tx, its novel prostate cancer therapy. 

Results showed the therapy demonstrated an acceptable and manageable safety profile, with no new safety signals and sustained tumour uptake across patients.

The team at Jarden currently have a $21 price target on Telix shares.

Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley has a $24.60 price target. 

Based on yesterday’s closing price of $10.76, these targets indicate an upside of 95% to 129%. 

The post Should you buy low on these ASX healthcare stocks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This drug developer could have huge upside, brokers say
• Four ASX healthcare stocks which are looking cheap
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why Life360, St George Mining, Telix, and Westgold shares are charging higher today
• Telix shares jump 14% on big news

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 positions in and has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. 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 after the company announced it has satisfied the minimum shareholder acceptance condition for its voluntary cash offer to acquire Rana Gruber. Champion now holds acceptances representing approximately 90.07% of Rana Gruber shares, paving the way for potential full ownership pending final conditions.

What did Champion Iron report?

• Champion Iron’s voluntary cash offer for Rana Gruber reached minimum acceptance, with 90.07% of shares tendered.
• The offer price is NOK 79 per Rana Gruber share.
• Champion Iron may acquire all remaining shares via compulsory acquisition under Norwegian law after completion.
• Completion of the offer remains subject to other closing conditions.
• Champion Iron operates the Bloom Lake Mining Complex and holds multiple strategic iron ore assets.

What else do investors need to know?

Champion Iron’s acceptance milestone means it is set to acquire a controlling stake in Rana Gruber, a move that could reshape its position in the high-grade iron ore segment. The company intends to carry out a compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares once all conditions are fulfilled.

This deal builds on Champion’s established presence in Québec’s iron ore industry, with assets like Bloom Lake and a 51% interest in the Kami Project, highlighting its continued growth in premium iron ore products. Investors should note that completion still hinges on other customary closing conditions.

What’s next for Champion Iron?

Assuming all closing conditions are met, Champion Iron aims to finalise the acquisition and integrate Rana Gruber into its operations. The company signalled plans to undertake a compulsory acquisition of any remaining shares under Norwegian law.

Champion’s broader strategy remains focused on high-grade, low-contaminant iron ore production, investing to upgrade and expand its processing capacity. Investors can expect continued focus on operational growth and international market reach.

Champion Iron share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Champion Iron shares have declined 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 12% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Champion Iron secures 90% acceptance for Rana Gruber takeover appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Liontown: Production and revenue jump as underground ramp-up continues
• Contact Energy reports strong support for 2026 retail share offer
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• GQG Partners lifts FUM to US$172.9bn in February 2026

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 Contact Energy Ltd (ASX: CEN) share price is in focus after the company’s retail share offer closed oversubscribed, with around NZ$251 million in applications and strong shareholder demand.

What did Contact Energy report?

• Retail share offer oversubscribed, receiving approximately NZ$251 million in valid applications
• 29,727 eligible shareholders participated, up from 18,667 in the 2021 offer
• Total NZ$125 million raised under the retail offer after accepting an additional NZ$50 million in oversubscriptions
• Retail offer shares issued at NZ$8.75 per share (A$7.36 for Australian investors)
• Settlement and trading to commence on NZX from 13 March 2026, and on ASX from 16 March 2026
• Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) strike price set at NZ$8.75, with shares issued 25 March 2026

What else do investors need to know?

The retail offer is part of Contact’s broader capital raising effort, following a fully underwritten NZ$450 million institutional placement. The total equity raise aims to support the acceleration and potential expansion of Contact’s renewable energy projects, in line with its Contact31+ strategy.

Participation in the retail offer was notably strong, with more shareholders taking part than in previous rounds. All new shares will rank equally with existing ordinary shares, and confirmations on allocations and any surplus refunds will be sent out from 19 March 2026.

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan’s strike price has also been set to benefit investors, using the lower of the five-day volume weighted average price (less a 2% discount) or NZ$8.75, which aligns with the retail offer price.

What’s next for Contact Energy?

Proceeds from the capital raising will be directed towards advancing and potentially upsizing renewable energy developments. These projects are designed to boost Contact’s environmental credentials and future growth as part of its Contact31+ strategic goals.

Investors should watch for further announcements as new projects take shape and the company provides updates on deployment and impacts on future earnings.

Contact Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 moths, Contact energy shares have declined 4%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 12% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Contact Energy reports strong support for 2026 retail share offer appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Liontown: Production and revenue jump as underground ramp-up continues
• Champion Iron secures 90% acceptance for Rana Gruber takeover
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• GQG Partners lifts FUM to US$172.9bn in February 2026

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.

I’ve warned before about falling victim to the superannuation myths which could eat away at your balance and derail your retirement. But what about the secret tips to grow it?

Here are 10 lesser-known ways to boost your superannuation balance to get the most out of your retirement. 

1. Fiddle with your insurance

This isn’t a suggestion to cancel your insurance, but make sure to double check your cover is necessary and the premiums are appropriate for you. Many super funds include insurance but there is no point paying for cover that is far too high. 

2. Take advantage of catch-up concessional contributions

The current concessional contributions cap is $30,000 per financial year. If you contribute less than the before-tax cap in one financial year, the leftover amount gets carried into the next year. In fact, you can carry over your leftover pre-tax cap amounts from the past five years, which means you can make larger contributions above the $30,000 limit without the extra tax. 

3. Use the downsizer contributions rule

Australians aged 55 or above can contribute up to $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale (or part sale) of their property into their complying superannuation fund. This is called a downsizer contribution, and it does not count towards contribution caps. It’s an easy way to boost your balance if you’re planning to sell up.

4. See if you’re eligible for the bring-forward rule

This is similar to the catch-up concessional contribution, but the bring-forward rule applies to after-tax (i.e non-concessional) contributions. Under this rule, eligible Australians can contribute three years’ worth of non-concessional contributions (up to $120,000 per year) at once.

5. Find out about the government co-contribution scheme

Low- and middle-income Australians might be eligible for a government co-contribution if they make after-tax contributions to super. This means you’d be, effectively, boosting your balance with extra government funds.

6. Claim a tax deduction on personal contributions

Many Australians aren’t aware that they can make extra contributions to their superannuation fund and then claim it as a tax deduction. This is a double win. It boosts your superannuation balance and reduces your taxable income at the same time. 

7. Ask your spouse to add extra

Couples can boost their combined super savings by the higher-income earner contributing after-tax funds to the lower-income earner’s account. If your spouse earns less than $40,000 per year, it might even earn you a tax offset.

8. Consolidate your funds

Ok, so this one is actually something the experts will tell you to do. In fact, they say it time and time again. By having multiple superfund accounts across several providers, not only will you struggle to keep hold of how much you actually have, but you’re also paying duplicate fees and insurance premiums. Consolidating accounts into one fund can help reduce costs and increase your final balance.

9. Check for lost super

As I mentioned above, if you have multiple accounts across multiple funds, it’s easy to lose track of your total superannuation balance. In fact, it’s easy to lose one of your accounts altogether. Check that all your superannuation is accounted for. Recovering lost funds will instantly boost your balance.

10. Review your risk appetite

Most superfunds default to a ‘balanced’ option, but it doesn’t need to stay that way. You can change your risk level to something that might work better for you. After all, if a fund even slightly underperforms a benchmark, such as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), over a long period of time, it can seriously dent your end balance.

The post 10 hacks to boost your superannuation (that the experts won’t tell you) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Liontown: Production and revenue jump as underground ramp-up continues
• Where I’d invest $10,000 in ASX growth shares right now
• Should you buy low on these ASX healthcare stocks?
• Champion Iron secures 90% acceptance for Rana Gruber takeover
• Contact Energy reports strong support for 2026 retail share offer

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.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) shares closed 4.84% lower on Wednesday afternoon, wiping out half the gains made the day before.

The US-based software development company’s shares are now 61.36% below an all-time high of $55.87 recorded in October last year. The stock has crashed 34.01% year to date but is 0.19% above its value 12 months ago.

So, if I bought $10,000 worth of Life360 shares at the beginning of March, what are they worth now?

It’s been a turbulent start to the month for Life360 shares.

The stock crashed 18% on Tuesday last week after it posted its FY25 financial results. 

The company delivered record growth in both its subscription and international segments, by 33% and 26% year-on-year, respectively. Life360 also said that it expects strong growth to continue in FY26. 

The news sent investors flocking to the stock, with the share price spiking 15% in early-morning trade shortly after the announcement. But then the share price took a significant U-turn, ending the day down 18%.

This week, the share price took another turn, jumping over 10% on Tuesday. 

There has been no price-sensitive news out of the company following its results announcement, so the zig-zagging share price is likely due to investors taking their gains off the table and then buying back into the stock after the dust had settled.

It has been difficult to keep track of Life360 shares over the past couple of weeks. But yesterday’s 4.84% drop means the stock is now 12.82% lower than at the beginning of March.

That means that $10,000 invested in Life360 shares at the start of March has already lost value, now worth just $8,718.

Meanwhile, $10,000 invested in Life360 shares this time last year would now be worth $10,019.

Should investors sell up before losses worsen? 

Analysts don’t think so. In fact, it looks like the current share price could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy into Life360 shares cheaply. Because if analyst predictions are correct, the tech stock could soar higher this year.

TradingView data shows that most analysts are extremely bullish on Life360’s shares over the next 12 months. 

Out of 15 analysts, 12 have a buy or strong buy rating, and three have a hold rating on the stock. 

The average target price for Life360 shares is $39.82, implying a huge potential 85.9% upside at the time of writing. But some are even more bullish, expecting the stock to rocket 137.81% to $50.94 apiece over the next 12 months.

With these types of returns, $10,000 invested at the start of March could be worth up to $23,781 by this time next year.

The post $10,000 invested in Life360 shares at the start of March is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.