Tag: Stock pick

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is in focus today after the mining giant reported half-year earnings to December 2025, highlighted by an 11% revenue increase to USD27.9 billion and a 28% lift in profit attributable to BHP shareholders to USD5.64 billion.

What did BHP Group report?

• Revenue rose 11% to USD27,902 million
• Attributable profit increased 28% to USD5,640 million
• Underlying EBITDA up 25% to USD15,462 million; margin improved to 58%
• Underlying attributable profit up 22% to USD6,202 million
• Net operating cash flow increased 13% to USD9,372 million
• Interim dividend lifted 46% to US 73 cents per share, fully franked

What else do investors need to know?

BHP’s copper division now contributes more than half of group EBITDA for the first time, reflecting robust demand and strong commodity prices. Copper production guidance for FY26 has been upgraded to 1.9–2.0 million tonnes, aided by record throughput at Escondida and solid performances in South Australia and Chile.

The company remains committed to investing in organic growth, with capital and exploration expenditure largely steady at over USD5.2 billion for the half. Management highlighted active asset portfolio initiatives, including a major silver streaming agreement at Antamina, which will unlock additional cash and improve financial flexibility. BHP also continues to progress the Jansen potash project in Canada, with first production still targeted for mid-2027.

What did BHP Group management say?

BHP Chief Executive Officer Mike Henry said:

We continue to prosecute our strategy of operational excellence, distinctive social value creation and growth in copper and potash… At a Group level, we again delivered a safe, reliable half, with resilient margins and cash flows that support disciplined investment and strong shareholder returns.

What’s next for BHP Group?

BHP remains optimistic about global economic growth, forecasting around 3% for calendar 2026. The company expects supportive demand for its key commodities, notably copper and iron ore, and is investing in both expansion of Tier 1 assets and greenfield projects like Jansen (potash) and Vicuña (copper, gold, silver).

Capital expenditure guidance is unchanged at around USD11 billion per annum for FY26 and FY27, with an average of USD10 billion per year between FY28 and FY30. BHP plans to continue unlocking portfolio value while maintaining focus on cost discipline and productivity, especially in response to a persistently higher cost environment.

BHP Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, BHP Group shares have risen 23%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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The post BHP Group posts 28% profit jump and higher dividend in half-year earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs for a classic Warren Buffet-style portfolio
• Sims FY26 half-year earnings: Profit surges, dividend rises
• A rare opportunity to buy 1 of Australia’s top shares?
• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26

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 recommended BHP 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.

Australia’s education industry is undergoing a significant shift, shaped by policy change, cost-of-living pressure, and the acceleration of digitisation. These three players are all exposed to one or more of these factors in different ways. So, are they worth a look?   

Janison Education Group Ltd (ASX: JAN)

Janison is a provider of online assessment platforms and digital exams, including the national standardised NAPLAN and competitive ICAS tests. It also delivers the NSW Selective High School and Opportunity Class placement tests on a 5-year state government contract, secured in 2024.

It’s a small-cap stock trading around $0.21. In December, it attracted some investor interest, hitting a 12-month high, on the back of announcing a significant contract with the NZ Ministry of Education. The 5-year deal will see Janison deliver New Zealand’s new SMART online assessment tool to schools, at a value of $21 million.

In FY25, it did not reach profitability. However, it reported some positive indicators, including:

• 9% revenue growth over the prior corresponding period to $46.8 million
• Solid balance sheet with $11 million cash on hand and a 44% increase in operational cash flow
• EBIT improvement from $10.6 million loss to $7 million loss

The assessment market remains ripe for digitisation, and Janison has a track record of securing major contracts in the space. Based on its 2025 results, it’s a bit of a speculative play right now. That said, I think it has real potential for growth in 2026, so it’s going on my watchlist.  

G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM)

G8 is Australia’s largest provider of childcare, running over 400 centres nationwide. Amidst challenging conditions for the sector, the company has been rolling out its ‘network optimisation’ strategy, which includes divesting underperforming centres, to improve operational efficiency and financial performance.

While its centres have seen an uptick in quality, with 96% of assessed centres meeting or exceeding the National Quality Standard as at HY25, occupancy rates have continued a downward trend.

In HY25, centre occupancy rates declined 3.7 percentage points on the prior corresponding period, most likely driven by cost-of-living pressures. In addition, expectations of a seasonal occupancy uplift in October 2025 were not realised.

On 10 February 2026, the company released an announcement regarding a goodwill non-cash impairment of $350 million to be recognised in its full-year results, as well as the suspension of its final dividend for the year. In the same announcement, G8 reported that EBIT guidance for CY25 has not changed, suggesting management believes fundamental operations remain steady.  

Its share price tumbled in the ensuing week, falling from $0.63 on 9 February to $0.48 on 16 February. It will be interesting to see what it reports in its full-year results, to be announced next Monday.

As it stands, this one is a little too risky for me. But if you’re comfortable with a turnaround play and believe it can withstand significant headwinds, it may be cheap right now.   

IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL)

IDP Education is a leader in the international student market and co-owner and official provider of the IELTS English proficiency test.

IDP also delivers a range of international student services, from course advice to visa and accommodation support, to help students secure educational opportunities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA.

In FY25, IDP reported revenue of $888.2 million, a 14% year-on-year decline and a 29% decrease in student placements, likely driven by the tightening of policy in key markets, Australia and Canada.

The Australian Government initially proposed a hard international student cap of 270,000 for 2025, seeking to cut numbers by some 16% on 2023 figures. This was later replaced with a soft cap system, whereby educational institutions face penalties if they exceed allocations.

In Canada, the government plans to issue 408,000 study permits in 2026, with only 155,000 for newly arriving international students and the remainder for current and returning students. This represents a 7% drop from 2025 and a 16% drop from 2024.

Investors have naturally been cautious in this landscape, and IDP’s share price has fallen some 60% in the past year. But IDP has shown operational resilience and disciplined cost management in challenging conditions.

It has a solid multi-year strategic transformation plan in progress, and I think this is a business that can bounce back. If you’re comfortable with the prospect of continuing short-term volatility, I believe current prices present an attractive opportunity to invest in a quality business.

The post School’s in: Are these ASX education shares making the grade? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Melissa Maddison 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 Janison Education Group. 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 Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 70.9% jump in underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) to $60 million and a 3.7% lift in sales revenue for the half year ended 31 December 2025.

What did Sims report?

• Underlying NPAT rose 70.9% to $60.0 million (HY25: $35.1 million)
• Sales revenue grew 3.7% to $3,778.6 million
• Underlying EBIT surged 65.9% to $121.1 million
• Statutory NPAT was a loss of $29.9 million, due to significant one-off items
• Interim dividend increased 40% to 14 cents per share
• Return on Invested Capital improved to 6.2%

What else do investors need to know?

Underlying performance was strong across most business units. Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) delivered a 247.5% jump in underlying EBIT, driven by robust global demand for used DDR4 chips as hyperscale and AI data centre builds accelerate. Sims’ North America Metal (NAM) and Sims Adams Recycling (SAR) divisions both delivered higher trading margins and improved profitability, even as trading in processed scrap reduced sales volumes.

The Australian and New Zealand segment saw softer ferrous markets owing to high Chinese steel exports, but stronger non-ferrous trading offset some of the impact. Capital expenditure dipped while the company’s net debt position improved to $306.8 million.

What did Sims management say?

Group CEO and Managing Director Stephen Mikkelsen commented:

Underlying EBIT of $121.1 million is a good solid result in a difficult market and reflects the strength of our strategy and the disciplined execution of key initiatives.

SLS’s excellent first half is a reward for the effort and attention we have put into that division over the last five years, and it is satisfying to see the results coming through.

What’s next for Sims?

Sims expects continued strong demand for non-ferrous metals, benefiting margins in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Structural supply pressure on DDR4 chips should support further profitability in SLS, as major technology shifts drive global demand for repurposed hardware.

However, management cautions that high Chinese steel exports will keep regional ferrous prices under pressure in the near-term. The company will continue to focus on disciplined cost management and investment in automation, logistics, and digital transformation to drive long-term growth.

Sims share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Sims shares have risen 51%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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The post Sims FY26 half-year earnings: Profit surges, dividend rises appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP Group posts 28% profit jump and higher dividend in half-year earnings
• A rare opportunity to buy 1 of Australia’s top shares?
• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises

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 REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) share price has been one of the hardest-hit S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares over the last few months. Since August 2025, it’s down around 37%, at the time of writing, as the chart below shows. That’s a big hit for one of Australia’s top shares.

This business is the owner of a number of impressive real estate-related businesses including realestate.com.au, realcommercial.com.au, PropTrack, flatmates.com.au and Mortgage Choice. It also has international investments including Indian and US real estate portal businesses.

I can see why the REA Group share price has fallen so much recently – artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to dramatic impacts to certain software businesses and REA Group could be caught up in that.

Plus, there is attention on the business with invigorated competition from Domain under new ownership. There’s also greater attention and pushback on realestate.com.au’s price increases.

It’s rare to be able to buy one of the ASX’s leading growth shares at such a discounted price.

Is this an attractive REA Group share price?

Broker UBS suggests that the “sell-off appears overdone as [the] AI narrative continues to dominate”.

UBS said while concerns are “valid”, it’s not seeing any meaningful evidence in the recent FY26 half-year result.

The broker said the valuation is attractive for a stock that’s continuing to deliver “resilient double-digit earnings growth” and it also called it the most AI defensive business of the online classifieds space.

In that result, the business reported buy yield growth of 14%, net profit growth of 9%, a dividend hike of 13% and a share buyback of up to $200 million.

REA Group is looking to utilise AI within its business to support the customer experience. UBS wrote:

Company commentary suggests while AI spend is increasing, it is a “new tool” to help optimise customer experience and substituting existing tech spend, rather than adding incremental pressure on costs growth.

Why is this one of Australia’s top shares to buy today?

UBS believes the business can deliver further yield growth and bigger profit margins, despite competitor discounting. This is a promising sign for the REA Group share price, in my view.

The broker said:

We remain confident on REA’s ability to achieve positive jaws in 2H26e due to less lumpy marketing and better listings environment as we cycle weaker comps (UBSe 2H26e +2.6%). Macro remains key risk into 2H, with another 1-2 RBA rate hikes pencilled in by our economics team, but this could drive upside risk to volumes as mortgage stress drives more stock to market.

We remain confident on REA’s ability to deliver double digit yield growth over next 3 years (UBSe +13%). For FY27e, we see a likely mid to high single digit price rise in FY27e plus mid single digit contribution from further penetration of Amax and Luxe. This is despite potential discounting behaviour from competitors.

Analysts are still expecting the business to deliver price rises in the coming years and it’s not actually worried by competitors or AI because REA Group still drives significant buyer leads and it has the biggest audience. Additionally, AI currently remains a very small part of REA Group traffic:

Industry feedback suggests REA still delivers largest number of buyer enquiry leads to agents, driven by continued growth in audiences (146.1m avg monthly visits in 1H26, vs 132.2m in FY25). Management noted traffic from AI remains <1% and recently declined (although early days), further suggesting strength in direct eye-balls to platform.

Using the forecast from UBS, the REA Group share price is valued at 35x FY26’s estimated earnings.

The post A rare opportunity to buy 1 of Australia’s top shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP Group posts 28% profit jump and higher dividend in half-year earnings
• Sims FY26 half-year earnings: Profit surges, dividend rises
• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 SEEK Ltd (ASX: SEK) share price is in focus after the company posted strong half-year results, highlighted by a 21% lift in sales revenue and a record interim dividend.

What did SEEK report?

• Sales revenue rose 21% to $647 million
• Net revenue up 12% to $601 million
• EBITDA increased 19% to $267 million
• Adjusted profit jumped 35% to $104 million
• Reported loss of $178 million, impacted by a $356 million Zhaopin impairment
• Record fully franked interim dividend of 27 cents per share, up 13%

What else do investors need to know?

SEEK strengthened its lead in the Australian recruitment market, with its placement share now 4.9 times its nearest competitor. While paid job ad volumes in ANZ dipped slightly due to macroeconomic factors, AI-enabled product innovations boosted pricing and yield. Asia’s revenue growth was more modest at 4%, with volumes falling but yield climbing 17% on upgraded ad tiers.

On the cost front, SEEK continued investing heavily in AI technology, product development, and infrastructure, keeping operating costs well below revenue growth. The company completed the reacquisition of Sidekicker in May 2025, with Sidekicker’s results now included.

What did SEEK management say?

CEO and Managing Director Ian Narev said:

This was another half of demonstrable progress across all our strategic priorities. Our placement share lead in Australia grew to 4.9x our nearest competitor; and whilst Asia declined slightly, underlying marketplace metrics are strong and improving across the board. New products introduced last year are driving customer choice, and creating tangible value that hirers are willing to pay for. The resulting yield growth led to double digit revenue growth, even as macroeconomic conditions continued to impact volumes. We maintained our commitment to investment, at the same time as maintaining our commitment to operating leverage. By prioritising discretionary capital towards grow-the-business activity such as AI focussed product development and containing run-the-business costs, we kept cost growth well below revenue growth despite significant investment. The result was 19% EBITDA growth and 35% Adjusted Profit growth.

What’s next for SEEK?

SEEK has upgraded its full-year FY2026 guidance, now expecting net revenue of $1.19 billion to $1.23 billion and EBITDA of $530 million to $550 million. Revenue growth is predicted to remain in the low double digits, with continued focus on AI-driven product enhancements and improved marketplace execution. The SEEK Growth Fund is also moving to divest its stake in Employment Hero in 2026, which could unlock further value.

Management remains optimistic about SEEK’s data-led advantages and technology investment, despite a mixed short-term economic outlook in parts of Asia and Australia. The group is emphasising innovation, operating leverage, and sustained growth as it navigates evolving hiring landscapes.

SEEK share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, SEEK shares have risen 8%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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The post SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR) share price is in focus today after the company posted a record first half NPAT of $87.2 million, up 36% year-on-year, and declared a fully franked 12.4 cent interim dividend, up 38%.

What did Deterra Royalties report?

• Revenue from continuing operations: $117.2 million, up 12%
• Net profit after tax (NPAT): $87.2 million, up 36%
• Underlying EBITDA: $109.1 million (margin 93%), up 11%
• Net debt reduced to $148.8 million (from $308.5 million at end December 2024)
• Fully franked interim dividend of 12.4 cents per share (75% of NPAT), up 38%
• Divestment of non-core precious metal assets for around $124 million, achieving a ~28% pre-tax IRR

What else do investors need to know?

Deterra Royalties saw solid production from its cornerstone Mining Area C (MAC) iron ore asset, with first half output rising 6% to 72.6 million wet metric tonnes. The company also made substantial progress at its Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, including a US$435 million first drawdown of a U.S. Department of Energy loan and a further DOE equity investment in the project joint venture.

The divestment of non-core precious metals assets (acquired via the Trident Royalties transaction) allowed Deterra to pay down debt and strengthen liquidity, leaving $344 million in undrawn facilities for future opportunities. Net tangible assets per share improved, and the balance sheet remains conservative with gearing at just 6%.

What’s next for Deterra Royalties?

Looking ahead, Deterra will continue to focus on maximising returns from its MAC and Thacker Pass royalty streams, while keeping a close eye out for new royalty investment opportunities. The company plans to maintain its dividend payout at 75% of NPAT, supported by steady cash flows and a strong balance sheet.

Ongoing project development at Thacker Pass is progressing towards the late 2027 target for first lithium production, with detailed engineering now 80% complete. Deterra will also look to deploy its available debt capacity carefully as new value-accretive opportunities arise.

Deterra Royalties share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Deterra Royalties shares have declined 2%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX:JDO) share price is in focus today after the specialist business lender reported a 32% jump in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $59.9 million for the half year ended 31 December 2025, alongside 7% growth in its loan book.

What did Judo Capital report?

• Statutory NPAT of $59.9 million, up 32% on the prior half and 46% year-on-year
• Profit before tax (PBT) rose to $86.5 million, up 26% half on half and 53% on the prior corresponding period
• Gross loans and advances (GLA) grew 7% since June to $13.4 billion, 15% higher year on year
• Net interest margin (NIM) held steady at 3.03%, with 2H26 NIM guidance upgraded to around 3.15%
• Cost-to-income (CTI) ratio improved to 48.5%, 890 basis points lower than a year ago
• Capital position remains strong, with CET1 ratio at 12.6%

What else do investors need to know?

Judo continues to grow its lending at rates above the broader banking system, supported by a customer-led value proposition and productivity gains. The bank’s deposit base also hit a new high of $10.9 billion, boosted by the launch of an intermediated at-call savings account, with further product innovation planned.

Asset quality remains stable, though there was a small rise in accounts more than 90 days past due, which the bank says relates to a handful of exposures across several sectors. Judo successfully completed a $150 million Tier 2 capital issue in October, underpinning continued growth without the need for more core equity.

What did Judo Capital management say?

CEO and Managing Director Chris Bayliss said:

Today’s result demonstrates that Judo continues to successfully execute against its clear and simple strategy. We are on track to achieving our existing FY26 guidance for significant profit growth, and realising the operating leverage inherent in our business model… Our passion to support SMEs continues to guide everything we do, and I’m very confident about the strength of our business as we move into the second half of the year and beyond.

What’s next for Judo Capital?

Judo reaffirmed its FY26 guidance, expecting profit before tax to land between $180 million and $190 million, and upgraded its loan growth range to $14.4–$14.7 billion. Management is targeting ongoing productivity improvements, further product launches, and deepening its focus in regional and agribusiness lending.

The bank expects operating leverage to improve further in the second half of FY26, with a cost-to-income ratio below 50% and an anticipated return on equity in the low-to-mid teens as it continues to scale.

Judo Capital share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement

The post Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus today after the company secured a one-year extension of its Defence Maintenance Contract with the Department of Defence, valued at $107 million. The deal, effective from 1 December 2028, underscores Ventia’s strong position as a trusted partner for the Australian Defence Force.

What did Ventia Services Group report?

• Secured a one-year, $107 million extension for the Defence Maintenance Contract (DMC) with Department of Defence
• Contract commences 1 December 2028, with options for a further four years
• DMC includes repair and maintenance of critical equipment such as tanks and surveillance systems
• Ventia maintained asset availability above 95% during high-tempo Defence operations
• Provides 24/7 nationwide vehicle and equipment recovery services

What else do investors need to know?

Ventia’s extension of this large-scale defence contract highlights its reputation for supporting essential infrastructure and critical national needs. The DMC plays a significant role in helping Australian Defence Force units prepare for and return from operations and exercises.

The contract also demonstrates the company’s strong operational expertise, with proven surge capability during intense periods. High asset availability underpins the confidence the Department of Defence has shown in Ventia.

What did Ventia Services Group management say?

Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Dean Banks said:

This contract extension reinforces Ventia’s position as a trusted sovereign partner to Defence and our proven ability to deliver integrated solutions in complex environments. For more than 36 years, we’ve supported Defence capability, and we remain committed to strengthening this partnership while exploring opportunities to broaden our services to meet the evolving needs of the Australian Defence Force.

What’s next for Ventia Services Group?

With this contract extension, Ventia is well-placed to maintain its important role in supporting the Australian Defence Force over the coming years. Management sees continued opportunities to expand service offerings and deepen its relationship with Defence as requirements evolve.

Investors can watch for further announcements regarding contract renewals or expansions, as well as any strategic moves Ventia makes to broaden its defence and infrastructure portfolio across Australia and New Zealand.

Ventia Services Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services Group shares have risen 41%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ventia scores $107m defence contract boost: What investors need to know appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SEEK delivers double-digit growth and record dividend in FY26 half-year results
• Deterra Royalties declares record profit and bigger dividend for 1H26
• Judo Capital: profit surges 32% and loan growth outlook rises
• Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26
• Reliance Worldwide half-year earnings: profit falls, dividend steady

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 Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) share price is in focus today after the company reported a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) jump of 369% to $339 million and a 2% rise in normalised NPAT to $229 million for the first half of FY26.

What did Challenger report?

• Statutory NPAT up 369% to $339 million
• Normalised NPAT up 2% to $229 million
• Normalised basic EPS up 2% to 33.3 cents per share
• Fully franked interim dividend up 7% to 15.5 cents per share
• Normalised group ROE at 11.4%, 70 basis points above target
• Group Assets Under Management increased 3% to $128 billion

What else do investors need to know?

Challenger recorded an 11% increase in total Life sales to $5.1 billion, led by record domestic annuity sales, which rose by 37% to $3.1 billion. Offshore reinsurance sales also hit a record $695 million, up 13%.

Funds Management Funds Under Management (FUM) grew 3% to $116.2 billion, with innovation continuing in alternative offerings. The company also launched Challenger IM LiFTS Notes on the ASX and took a minority stake in Fulcrum Asset Management to expand its alternatives capability.

Challenger remains strongly capitalised, boasting $1.7 billion in excess capital above APRA’s minimum. Reflecting confidence, the board declared a fully franked interim dividend of 15.5 cents per share and announced a plan to buy back up to $150 million of shares on-market.

What’s next for Challenger?

Challenger is targeting normalised basic EPS for FY26 of between 66 and 72 cents per share, with normalised NPAT guidance of $455 million to $495 million. The company remains focused on growing its retirement partnerships, expanding its offshore reinsurance platform, and innovating in retirement income solutions.

Strategic partnerships with superannuation funds and advice technology platforms will aim to boost accessibility to annuity products and lifetime income streams, positioning Challenger well to support the next growth phase in Australia’s retirement income market.

Challenger share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Challengers share have risen 37%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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The post Challenger earnings: Statutory NPAT surges 369% in H1 FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Challenger. 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.

Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX: ALK) shares were on fire on Monday.

The ASX gold stock raced 11% higher to end the session at $1.76.

This lifted its market capitalisation to $2.4 billion, which is the highest it has ever been.

The good news is that Bell Potter thinks there’s more to come and is tipping this ASX gold stock as a buy.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with the company’s half-year results release on Monday. In response to the release, the broker said:

ALK reported a 1HFY26 financial result broadly in-line with our expectations. The result was distorted by the completion of the merger with Mandalay during the period. Compared with our forecasts, revenue was a slight beat and some costs were reported below the line. Key metrics included revenue of $404m (vs BPe $385m), EBITDA of $170m (vs BPe $148m) and statutory NPAT of $65m (vs BPe $69m). […] ALK’s gold hedge book remains in place, with 46,150oz @ A$2,862/oz for delivery to June 2027. Following the merger with Mandalay this is diluted down to <20% of production providing relatively greater leverage to the gold price.

But the real standout for the broker was a notable step-up in operational and financial performance during the second quarter. It believes that if this continues, the market could re-rate this ASX gold stock. It adds:

In our view, the highlight and key takeaway from the result was the significant step-up in operational and financial performance between 1QFY26 and 2QFY26, which marked the first full quarter of operation for the consolidated Alkane/Mandalay group. Group production lifted from 30.0koz to 42.8koz qoq, AISC dropped from A$2,988/oz to A$2,739/oz qoq. EBITDA (adjusted) lifted by 287%, from $38m in 1QFY26 to $147m in 2QFY26 and EBITDA (adjusted) margins lifted from 26% to 57% qoq.

While benefiting from the tailwinds of rising gold prices, it still demonstrated a substantially improved foundation for ALK. We anticipate that if ALK maintains consistent delivery at this level, the market will continue to positively re-rate the stock.

Should you buy this ASX gold stock?

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $1.95 price target on Alkane Resources shares.

Based on its current share price of $1.76, this implies potential upside of approximately 11% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

The improving operational performance has ALK tracking to meet FY26 production and cost guidance, which is unchanged. ALK offers multi-mine gold and antimony exposure across three attractive jurisdictions, a strong balance sheet and operating platform focused on organic and inorganic growth options. We retain our Buy recommendation and $1.95/sh target price.

The post Why this $2.4b ASX gold stock could be a top buy 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.