Tag: Stock pick

The Tyro Payments Ltd (ASX: TYR) share price is in focus after reporting a 5.3% rise in gross profit to $231.8 million and an 8.6% lift in EBITDA to $66.9 million for FY26.

What did Tyro Payments report?

• Gross profit increased 5.3% to $231.8 million
• EBITDA up 8.6% to $66.9 million
• Normalised profit before tax surged 40% to $24.7 million
• Free cash flow rose 49.5% to $29.4 million
• eCommerce volumes climbed 25%
• Number of banking accounts grew by 35%

What else do investors need to know?

Tyro continued its growth in priority markets, with Allied Health up 26% and Dental up 19%. The company reported merchant retention improvements and expanded into new enterprise and franchise customers such as Bakers Delight, Lune, and Drummond Golf.

In banking, deposits were up 27% and loan origination rose 19%. The acquisition of Thriday is set to broaden Tyro’s accounting and financial management offering, aiming to increase the value from multi-product customers who tend to stay longer with the business.

What’s next for Tyro Payments?

Tyro expects to build on its momentum, with forecast FY27 normalised gross profit between $240 million and $255 million and an EBITDA margin of 28.5% to 30.5%. The company is targeting further growth in SME relationships, enterprise wins, and solidifying its strong position in health, eCommerce, and banking.

Management highlighted Tyro’s local focus as a differentiator, with the flexibility to invest in customer-centric capabilities, while maintaining financial discipline to drive long-term shareholder value.

Tyro Payments share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Tyro Payments shares have declined 27%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

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The post Tyro Payments FY26: Earnings rise, growth outlook improves appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ARB Corporation shares: FY26 profit drops but growth investments strengthen outlook
• Southern Cross Gold reports drilling results
• Viva Energy Group posts record 1H26 earnings, boosts dividend
• Mader Group FY26 earnings: Profit jumps 15% on record revenue
• Scentre Group shares on watch as 2026 half year earnings climb and guidance gets a boost

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 recommended Tyro Payments. 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 ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB) share price is on watch after the company reported sales revenue of $702 million, down 3.8%, and net profit after tax of $92.4 million, down 5.2%, for FY26 amid challenging market conditions.

What did ARB Corporation report?

• Sales revenue: $702.0 million, down 3.8% from FY25
• Net profit before tax: $123.0 million, down 8.9%
• Net profit after tax: $92.4 million, down 5.2%
• Basic earnings per share: $1.11, down 5.9%
• Final FY26 dividend announced: 35 cents per share, fully franked
• Net cash holdings: $47.9 million, with no debt

What else do investors need to know?

Despite a softer demand and lower new 4×4 vehicle sales—especially in Australia—ARB’s second half performance showed improvement in profit margins and order book strength compared to the first half. The company also saw strong export sales growth in the United States (up 10.2%), with export sales overall rising slightly by 0.5% to represent 38.2% of total sales.

ARB invested more into engineering and product development, including ramping up new releases and opening a local presence in China and South Africa. The company’s focus on its specialist store network continued, with new flagship sites and a new e-commerce platform supporting omni-channel sales.

What’s next for ARB Corporation?

Looking ahead, ARB expects gradually improving supply for key vehicle models in Australia and internationally, which should support better sales to both retail and original equipment manufacturers in FY27. The company is increasing investment in engineering to deliver more new products, and will further expand its footprint in markets such as China, South Africa, and the United States.

Management highlighted a strong balance sheet with no debt, and says ARB will continue its focus on growing its Aftermarket presence, expanding export channels, and building long-term partnerships with OEM customers in Australia and abroad.

ARB Corporation share price snapshot

The ARB Corporation share price has been among the worst performers on the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a decline of over 50%.

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The post ARB Corporation shares: FY26 profit drops but growth investments strengthen outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Tyro Payments FY26: Earnings rise, growth outlook improves
• Southern Cross Gold reports drilling results
• Viva Energy Group posts record 1H26 earnings, boosts dividend
• Mader Group FY26 earnings: Profit jumps 15% on record revenue
• Scentre Group shares on watch as 2026 half year earnings climb and guidance gets a boost

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 ARB Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation. 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 Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd (ASX: SX2) share price is in focus after the company announced high-grade gold and antimony drilling results at its Sunday Creek Project, including a standout intersection of 0.3 metres at 1,466 grams per tonne (g/t) gold.

What did Southern Cross Gold report?

• Five new drill holes at the 100%-owned Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project, Victoria
• Headline result: 0.3 m at 1,466.4 g/t gold, including 0.1 m at 4,500 g/t gold
• Three composite intersections above 100 g/t gold and four between 50 and 100 g/t gold
• Deepest mineralisation to date at Rising Sun, confirming grade continuity at depth
• Project totals: 278 holes and 134.5 km drilled since late 2020; 96 intersections above 100 g/t gold
• 200,000m drill program underway, with results pending from 76 holes

What else do investors need to know?

The latest results from Rising Sun represent the deepest and highest-grade intersections yet, expanding the project’s known mineralisation zone both laterally and at depth. Notably, these drilling step-outs are delivering consistently high grades, supporting the view that Sunday Creek’s gold and antimony system remains open and continues to grow in scale.

Southern Cross Gold has a strong strategic position, holding 1,392 hectares of key freehold land at Sunday Creek, and is pursuing systematic exploration across a 16,900-hectare tenement package near Melbourne. The project is gaining significance as antimony is recognised as a critical mineral, with applications in batteries, defence, and high-tech manufacturing.

What’s next for Southern Cross Gold?

Southern Cross Gold is pressing ahead with its major 200,000-metre drilling campaign, aiming to define the full extent of the Sunday Creek system by Q1 2027. The company is focused on confirming grade continuity, expanding known mineralised zones, and further testing step-outs beyond current exploration targets.

Given global attention on supply security of critical minerals, Sunday Creek’s gold-antimony resource could become increasingly important, bolstered by improving metallurgical results and strategic positioning with government and industry partners.

Southern Cross Gold share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Southern Cross Gold shares have risen 91%, significantly outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

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The post Southern Cross Gold reports drilling results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Southern Cross Gold lifts Sunday Creek Exploration Target on robust drilling results

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 record group EBITDA of $774.4 million for the half year ended 30 June 2026, up a substantial 154% versus the same period last year, and announced an increased interim dividend.

What did Viva Energy Group report?

• Group EBITDA (replacement cost basis) rose to $774.4 million, up from $304.9 million (+154%).
• Net profit after tax (RC) increased to $371.1 million, up from $62.6 million (+493%).
• Energy & Infrastructure EBITDA grew to $353.7 million, supported by strong refining margins.
• Commercial & Industrial EBITDA (RC) rose 28% to $305.4 million on higher sales volumes and favourable supply deals.
• Convenience & Mobility EBITDA (RC) jumped 86% to $138.7 million, backed by higher retail fuel sales.
• Interim dividend of 7.73 cents per share, at the top end of policy (up from 3.83cps).

What else do investors need to know?

Viva Energy’s performance benefited from elevated regional refining margins, even as operations at the Geelong Refinery were impacted by a fire in April. The refinery was safely restored and all units were back online by June, helping support margins into the second half.

Strong trading momentum was also reported across retail, with increased customer visits and uplift in convenience (ex-tobacco) sales. Lower net debt, now at $1.7 billion, reflects robust cash flow generation and prudent capital management during a period of market volatility.

The interim dividend represents a 70% payout of C&M and C&I net profit (RC), with any additional dividend from refining earnings to be considered at year end. The dividend reinvestment plan remains active, offering a 1.5% discount for eligible shareholders.

What did Viva Energy Group management say?

The company’s CEO, Scott Wyatt, commented:

Viva Energy delivered its highest underlying first half earnings with all business units reporting significant growth. These strong results reflect a substantially improved refining margin environment, as well as improving retail sales growth and continuing strength of our commercial businesses. Strong cash conversion has strengthened our balance sheet with net debt reducing from $2.1 billion at the end of 2025 to $1.7 billion at 30 June 2026. I am proud of the way our team have responded to these challenges and the results we have achieved. We enter the second half with a strong balance sheet and a clear focus on disciplined execution.

What’s next for Viva Energy Group?

Heading into the second half, Viva Energy plans to continue increasing productivity in its convenience operations and further expand its OTR network. The company expects the supply chain transformation to complete by November, aiming to boost store range and private label offerings. Around 20–25 new OTR stores and several site conversions are also in the pipeline for 2026.

Commercial & Industrial earnings are anticipated to remain solid, though some moderation is expected as favourable supply agreements roll off. The Group’s Geelong Refinery will remain focused on capturing strong margin conditions, while ongoing discussions with the Federal Government around fuel security measures could support longer-term stability and growth.

Viva Energy Group share price snapshot

The Viva Energy Group share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a 33% gain, buoyed by strong earnings growth and improved capital returns to shareholders.

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The post Viva Energy Group posts record 1H26 earnings, boosts dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Mader Group Ltd (ASX: MAD) share price is in focus today after the company reported record FY26 revenue of $1.0 billion and net profit after tax (NPAT) of $65.4 million, both up 15% from last year.

What did Mader Group report?

• Revenue of $1,001.1 million, up 15% on the prior corresponding period (PCP)
• NPAT of $65.4 million, a 15% increase versus last year
• EBITDA of $120.7 million, rising 10% year on year
• Net cash position of $35.7 million, compared to net debt of $8.3 million in FY25
• No final dividend declared for FY26

What else do investors need to know?

Mader Group’s Australian business continued to grow, with services expanding across infrastructure and road transport. High-growth verticals and a strong market presence helped drive a 16% revenue increase in Australia.

In North America, revenue rose 12% (or ~17% in constant currency), supported by record headcount and expanding operations, especially in Canada. The Rest of World segment remains strategically important, with new business pursued in regions like New Zealand and Asia.

The company reported a Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate of 3.65 per million hours and invested further in safety initiatives and community engagement, including support for events like the Mader Port to Pub and partnerships with Ronald McDonald House Charities and local Indigenous businesses.

What did Mader Group management say?

Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Justin Nuich said:

I’m proud to announce that we have surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue, marking the successful delivery of the five-year strategic plan established by the Board in 2021… Achieving this milestone is a reflection of our people, our customers and a business model that continues to perform at scale… Looking ahead, with a strong culture, diversified service offering, and a scalable global platform, we are well-positioned to build on this momentum, capture the opportunities in front of us and continue to deliver long-term value for our shareholders.

What’s next for Mader Group?

The outlook for FY27 is upbeat, with Mader targeting at least $1.13 billion in revenue and NPAT of $72.5 million—growth of 13% and 11%, respectively. The company is investing in new service lines, growth initiatives, and an expanded long-term incentive program to underpin its ambition for approximately 15% compound annual growth over the next five years.

While no FY26 dividend was declared, the board continues to review capital allocation, and management remains focused on expanding Mader’s capabilities, strengthening its position in key markets, and supporting sustainable long-term growth.

Mader Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Mader Group shares have declined 13%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

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The post Mader Group FY26 earnings: Profit jumps 15% on record revenue appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Tyro Payments FY26: Earnings rise, growth outlook improves
• ARB Corporation shares: FY26 profit drops but growth investments strengthen outlook
• Southern Cross Gold reports drilling results
• Viva Energy Group posts record 1H26 earnings, boosts dividend
• Scentre Group shares on watch as 2026 half year earnings climb and guidance gets a boost

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 positions in and has recommended Mader Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Mader Group. 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 Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) share price is in focus today after the company reported funds from operations (FFO) of $612 million for the first half of 2026, up 4.4%, and upgraded its full year guidance for both earnings and distributions.

What did Scentre Group report?

• FFO for the half year: $612 million, up 4.4% (11.73 cents per security)
• Distribution for the half: $481 million, up 4.9% (9.215 cents per security)
• Statutory profit: $975 million, boosted by an unrealised property valuation increase of $478 million
• Annual customer visitations reached 552 million, a record for the business
• Occupancy remained high at 99.8%, the best in over a decade
• Upgraded 2026 full year guidance to at least 23.79 cents FFO and a distribution of 18.473 cents per security

What else do investors need to know?

Scentre Group delivered solid customer engagement and strong operational metrics. Customer advocacy improved, with its Net Promoter Score rising 12 points to 65, and Westfield membership grew to 5.2 million, up 11% on the previous year.

The group completed 1,401 leasing deals, with average specialty rent escalations of 5.5%. Business partners’ sales for the year reached a record $30.3 billion, growing 4.2% year on year. Scentre remains highly engaged in ongoing redevelopments at key destinations, including Westfield Bondi, Penrith, and Tuggerah.

On the capital management front, Scentre successfully introduced Australian Retirement Trust as a joint venture partner at Westfield Mt Gravatt and reduced its average debt margin from 2.6% to 1.6%. There is ample liquidity, with $3.5 billion available and all pandemic-era debt refinanced.

What did Scentre Group management say?

Scentre Group CEO Elliott Rusanow said:

Our focus is to continue generating long term earnings growth from our Westfield business in Australia and New Zealand and create significant additional value from our substantial land holdings.

What’s next for Scentre Group?

Management has upgraded full year 2026 FFO and distribution guidance, pointing to growth of at least 4.25%. Scentre is continuing to invest in its retail destinations and progress major redevelopments, especially at Westfield Bondi and other key sites.

At the same time, the group is looking to unlock value from its strategic land holdings by progressing plans to deliver up to 25,600 dwellings, working collaboratively with governments on housing supply. Scentre also aims to strengthen partnerships and drive further economic activity in and around its Westfield centres.

Scentre Group share price snapshot

The Scentre Group share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) on a 12-month basis with a decline of around 8%.

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The post Scentre Group shares on watch as 2026 half year earnings climb and guidance gets a boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Scentre Group sells 50% stake in Westfield Mt Gravatt to ART

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in Medical Developments International Ltd (ASX: MVP) are down slightly more than 20% over the past 12 months, but according to the analysts at Bell Potter there could be some serious upside from here.

Bell Potter has a buy recommendation on the shares and a bullish share price target which I’ll get to shortly. First let’s look at the company’s recently-released full year results.

Modest uplift in earnings

MVP last week announced a net profit of $600,000 for FY26, up from $100,000 for the previous year.

The company’s revenue was up 9% to $42.6 million.

The company’s main business involves the manufacture and sale of Penthrox, better know as the “green whistle” pain relief device.

MVP said in FY26 there was 28% volume growth of Penthrox in the Australian hospital segment and 18% growth in the European market.

Chief Executive Officer Brent McGregor said of the results:

We have delivered a solid financial performance in FY26 with strong cashflow generation. In our Pain Management segment we saw pleasing underlying growth, with stronger volumes in all regions. While demand in our Respiratory business was soft, pricing initiatives and lower costs helped deliver a modest improvement in segment earnings. Accelerating Penthrox volume growth was our priority in FY26. We are delighted by the progress we have made in the period on several important initiatives. This included obtaining regulatory approval for the paediatric indication of Penthrox in the UK and Europe. Penthrox can now be used by children 6 years of age and older in these markets – an important milestone for the Company. We expect to see benefits from access to the broader addressable market in future periods.

For FY27 MVP said it expected higher demand for Penthrox in Europe, “supported by the paediatric indication in Europe and the recently published health economic data”.

The company said the impact to earnings of Middle East supply chain disruptions and US tariffs remained uncertain and continued to be monitored.

Shares looking cheap broker says

Bell Potter said in a note to its clients that the result was broadly in line with their expectations, but they added that the company was poised for growth.

They said:

The completion of the transition in the European distribution arrangements for Penthrox lays a foundation for MVP to focus on improving demand and utilising the recent health economic analysis, published in “Emergency Medicine Australasia” to accelerate hospital adoption across geographical markets. MVP will be seeking to selectively open new markets, leveraging existing approvals and work towards improving the economic value of Penthrox.

Bell Potter has a price target of $1 on MVP shares compared to 50 cents currenty.

MVP is valued at $56.3 million.

The post This ASX small cap healthcare stock is tipped to double in value appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Tyro Payments FY26: Earnings rise, growth outlook improves
• ARB Corporation shares: FY26 profit drops but growth investments strengthen outlook
• Southern Cross Gold reports drilling results
• Viva Energy Group posts record 1H26 earnings, boosts dividend
• Mader Group FY26 earnings: Profit jumps 15% on record revenue

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 Medical Developments International. 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.

Investors looking for a simple way to diversify their portfolios have plenty of Vanguard ETFs to choose from. But the popular Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) take very different approaches.

VGS offers global exposure and a tilt towards growth, while VHY focuses on high-yielding Australian shares.

So, which Vanguard ETF comes out on top?

VGS: Global growth in one ETF

This popular Vanguard ETF invests in around 1,300 companies across developed markets worldwide.

The US accounts for the bulk of the portfolio, with exposure to countries including Japan, the UK, Canada, France, Switzerland and Germany.

Its largest holdings include NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft. That gives investors exposure to some of the world’s biggest technology companies, alongside businesses across healthcare, consumer and industrial sectors. 

VGS charges a management fee of 0.18% per year. Over the past 12 months, it has delivered a return of around 7.4%. Over the past 10 years, the Vanguard ETF has returned approximately 184%.

VGS also recently paid a distribution of around 80 cents per unit.

VHY: The dividend-focused alternative

This popular Vanguard ETF takes a completely different approach.

Rather than looking overseas, VHY targets Australian companies with higher forecast dividend yields. Its major holdings include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), alongside other major Australian companies. 

For income-focused investors, that’s the major attraction. The fund carries a forecast yield of around 4.2%, rising to approximately 5.5% once franking credits are included.

And VHY hasn’t exactly been left behind on performance. It delivered a 7.4% return over the past year and a return of 46% over the past decade. 

VHY charges a 0.25% management fee, slightly more than VGS. Its portfolio also has significant exposure to the Australian banking and resources sectors, meaning investors aren’t getting the same geographic or sector diversification offered by VGS.

Which Vanguard ETF wins?

There isn’t an obvious winner for every investor. VHY could be the better fit for investors who prioritise regular dividend income and want exposure to established Australian businesses. The potential benefit of franking credits is another attraction for eligible Australian investors.

VGS, meanwhile, offers something VHY simply can’t: global diversification and access to sectors such as technology that have a much smaller presence on the Australian share market. 

For an investor focused primarily on long-term capital growth and diversification, I’d give VGS the edge.

But for investors seeking income today, VHY has a compelling proposition.

Ultimately, the better Vanguard ETF depends on whether your priority is global growth or Australian dividend income.

The post VGS vs VHY: Which Vanguard ETF comes out on top? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) share price is in focus today after the company unveiled a major expansion plan for its Meekatharra processing hub, aiming to significantly boost gold production and improve future cashflow.

What did Westgold Resources report?

• Scoping Study for Meekatharra Expansion Plan (MXP) to lift processing capacity from 1.8Mtpa to 2.9Mtpa in FY28
• Expected to add approximately 47,000 ounces per year to gold production, increasing total gold output to 1.6 million ounces over 10 years (up 424,000 ounces)
• Indicative capital cost of $100 million with a targeted payback period of 9 months
• All-in Sustaining Cost (AISC) range forecast between $1,968 – $2,406 per ounce for life-of-mine
• Group NPV uplift of about $1.1 billion at $5,500/oz gold price, up to $1.6 billion at spot ($6,000/oz)
• Westgold holds $939 million in cash, bullion and liquid investments as at 30 June 2026

What else do investors need to know?

The Meekatharra Expansion Plan is designed as a low-capital, brownfields upgrade, leveraging existing infrastructure and equipment that’s already on hand. By installing a parallel crushing and single-stage SAG milling circuit, Westgold aims to process more ore and unlock additional emerging supply, including increased outputs from the Bluebird–South Junction mine and several open pits in its Murchison Open Pit program.

Resource definition drilling and open pit optimisation work has already commenced to further support and de-risk the expansion. Third-party ore purchase agreements are also in place, providing additional flexibility, although these are not critical to the project’s economics.

What did Westgold Resources management say?

Westgold Managing Director and CEO Wayne Bramwell said:

The MXP is a capital-efficient brownfields expansion option to address this emerging constraint. It utilises existing infrastructure and long-lead equipment already procured to increase processing capacity from 1.8Mtpa to 2.9Mtpa, without the capital intensity, execution risk or timeframe of building a new plant.

What’s next for Westgold Resources?

Westgold will now move forward with feasibility-level studies, detailed engineering and execution planning for the Meekatharra expansion, aiming for a final investment decision in late FY27. Brownfields resource definition work will continue in parallel to secure additional future ore sources.

If delivered as planned, the MXP is expected to lift installed capacity in FY28, setting up improved production, lower processing costs and enhanced free cash generation for the group. Production timing and costs remain subject to feasibility outcomes and final approvals.

Westgold Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Westgold Resources shares have risen 97%, significantly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

View Original Announcement

The post Westgold Resources launches $100m Meekatharra expansion plan to boost output 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.

It has been a rollercoaster ride for PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shareholders in 2026. 

The lithium-tantalum producer saw its share price open the year around $4.30 per share. 

After a strong run for lithium shares amidst renewed sector optimism, its share price hit over $6.70 per share. 

Investors’ happiness was short lived however, as it quickly plummeted back down to $4.00 per share in a matter of weeks. 

Since then, it has slowly climbed back into the positive, before PLS shares roared back to life yesterday following full year results. 

This volatility can make it difficult for investors to pinpoint true value. 

However the team at Bell Potter have provided updated guidance for what investors can expect over the next 12 months. 

What did PLS report?

As reported by The Motley Fool yesterday, the company reported FY26 revenue up 152% to $1.93 billion and a shift to a $526 million net profit.

Other results included: 

• Underlying EBITDA: $1,137 million (59% margin; up from $97 million in FY25)
• Net profit after tax: $526 million (from a $196 million loss in FY25)
• Production: 879.5k tonnes spodumene concentrate (up 17%)
• Final dividend: 5 cents per share, fully franked ($161 million distribution)
• Cash balance: $2,290 million (up 135%). 

Investors were seemingly pleased with these results as PLS shares rose by almost 8% yesterday. 

Its share price is now up more than 150% in the last 12 months. 

What is Bell Potter’s view?

The broker saw the FY26 result as broadly in line with expectations, with strong cash generation and a better-than-expected 5c fully franked dividend. 

However, PLS is now entering a large investment cycle, with FY27 capex expected to rise significantly as it progresses projects.

Bell Potter expects the P2000 project could receive investment approval in late 2026, but estimates its cost at around $2.2bn, well above the earlier $1.2bn estimate. 

While PLS has a strong balance sheet with $1.1bn net cash, Bell Potter believes the increased spending and PLS’s conservative approach to its balance sheet could limit shareholder returns in the medium term, despite only modest changes to its earnings forecasts.

Hold recommendation for PLS shares

Based on this guidance, the broker has a hold recommendation on PLS shares. 

The broker also has a price target of $5.20 on PLS shares, indicating a 5% downside from current levels. 

With the material step up in expenditure and the company’s track record for balance sheet conservatism, we believe shareholder returns could be constrained across the medium term.

The post What is this broker’s updated view on PLS shares after big results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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