Tag: Stock pick

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) shares are bouncing around in morning trade on Friday.

At one stage, the biotech stock was up almost 9% to $2.63.

But those gains didn’t last and its shares are now down 3% to $2.33.

What’s going on with Mesoblast shares?

Investors have been buying (and then selling) the biotech stock following the release of its half-year results and an operational update.

According to the release, for the six months ended 31 December 2025, Mesoblast reported total revenue of US$51.3 million. This is up sharply from US$3.2 million in the prior corresponding period.

The company’s Ryoncil product generated gross sales of US$57 million and net revenue of US$48.7 million after adjustments. The product also delivered gross profit (excluding amortisation) of US$44.2 million during the half.

While the company still reported a net loss of US$40.2 million, this was an improvement on last year’s US$47.9 million loss.

Mesoblast also ended the period with US$130 million in cash and entered into a US$125 million five-year non-dilutive credit facility, strengthening its balance sheet.

Commercial rollout gathering pace

Operationally, the rollout of Ryoncil continues to build momentum.

To date, 49 transplant centres have been onboarded, with a target of 64 centres representing 94% of US transplants. Coverage now extends to 280 million US lives, supported by federal Medicaid and commercial payers.

Importantly, 84% of patients in real-world settings have been able to complete the initial 28-day treatment regimen and remain alive, consistent with prior clinical experience.

Growth pipeline progressing

Beyond Ryoncil, the company continues advancing its second-generation product, rexlemestrocel-L.

A confirmatory Phase 3 trial in chronic low back pain is nearing completion of its 300-patient enrolment target, while the company plans to move toward full FDA approval for its chronic heart failure program next quarter.

Outlook

Mesoblast advised that it believes it is well-placed to continue growing revenue over the remainder of the financial year. It has guided to full-year FY 2026 Ryoncil net revenue of between US$110 million and US$120 million.

It is possible the market was expecting stronger growth in the second half and have been selling Mesoblast shares today to reflect this.

Commenting on its performance and outlook, Mesoblast’s chief executive, Dr Silviu Itescu, said:

Today we report strong operational and financial performance for the first half of FY2026, a period that marks an important inflection point in Mesoblast’s evolution from clinical development to sustainable commercial execution. Sales momentum for Ryoncil continued to build, driving meaningful revenue and reinforcing the product’s value in addressing significant unmet medical need and the strength of our commercial strategy.

Importantly, we have improved the Company’s financial position with positive cash flow generated from Ryoncil sales, disciplined cost management, and a strategic refinancing, providing greater flexibility to support expansion and late-stage clinical programs. As we enter the second half of FY2026, we remain focused on accelerating commercial uptake, advancing regulatory and label expansion opportunities, and maintaining financial discipline to deliver sustainable long-term shareholder value.

The post What’s going on with Mesoblast shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Mesoblast shares: Revenue surges on Ryoncil® US launch in H1 FY2026
• 2 ASX shares tipped to storm higher this year
• Why this ASX healthcare share could double its value in 2026
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 ASX 200 shares forecast to soar 100% (or more) in 2026

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.

Wilsons Advisory has this week launched its Australian Equity Focus Portfolio, an in-house effort to outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over a rolling three to five-year period.

The Wilsons team said they’re looking to invest “across the spectrum of sectors and styles, however, stock selection typically reflects a bias towards reasonably priced, high-quality businesses with sustainable growth, consistent with our investment philosophy”.

Looking to beat the market with quality companies

That investment philosophy is based around five core principles, with the first being that earnings are the primary driver of shareholder returns.

The team is also looking for “high-quality businesses with strong competitive advantages, high returns on capital, and robust balance sheets, which tend to outperform over the long run”.

They will also be keeping an eye on the macroeconomic outlook, which “informs sector tilts and stock selection”.

The Wilsons team said regarding their approach:

Our portfolio construction process combines bottom-up fundamental analysis with top-down sector and commodity views. It is designed to ensure that stock and sector weightings directly reflect our level of conviction, with capital systematically allocated toward our highest-conviction ideas. For Industrials, position sizing is primarily driven by bottom-up stock conviction rankings, based on a rigorous assessment of business quality, valuation and momentum (with an emphasis on earnings). This is overlaid with top-down sector tilts where applicable, which can scale final position sizes up or down. For Resources, we adopt a top-down starting point, forming views on relative commodity attractiveness before assessing preferred exposures within each commodity based on company-specific fundamentals.

Mining looking strong

The Wilsons team said at the moment they are positive towards the resources sector for a number of reasons, including resilient global growth, a softer US dollar, government policy that is looking to onshore production, and structural demand tailwinds such as the energy transition.

They added:

Within the commodity complex, we are particularly positive towards base metals (copper, aluminium), gold, and critical minerals (rare earths), where we see favourable supply/demand dynamics and supportive medium-term pricing. We remain neutral on energy and modestly underweight iron ore, reflecting less attractive supply/demand dynamics.

The Wilsons portfolio is underweight on banks versus the ASX 200, albeit they are looking more favourably on the sector following the reporting season, and the portfolio has no exposure to retail and domestic cyclicals.

As the Wilsons team said:

As we have written about previously, the monetary policy backdrop has become increasingly challenging for companies exposed to domestic consumer spending, with the RBA having raised rates in February and markets fully pricing at least one further hike later this year. This environment presents risks to retailer earnings and valuations at a time that valuations are already relatively full – particularly for high-quality large cap exposures.

Now to the top 10 companies, and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) tops the list followed by Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD), Santos Ltd (ASX: STO), Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB), and finally Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

The post In Wilsons Advisory’s ideal portfolio, what are the 10 top stock picks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• If I could only buy and hold a single ASX stock, this would be it
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 35 ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week
• Why I’m still backing ASX growth shares for the long run
• Buy, hold, sell: Flight Centre, WiseTech, and Woolworths shares

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

The Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) share price is taking a beating today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) supermarket giant closed yesterday trading for $22.19. In morning trade on Friday, shares are changing hands for $20.50, down 7.6%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is just about flat at this same time.

This follows the release of Coles’ half-year results, covering the 27 weeks to 4 January (H1 FY 2026).

Here’s what we know.

Coles share price tumbles on profit decline

The Coles share price is under heavy pressure today despite the supermarket reporting broadly strong growth figures.

That includes a 2.5% year-on-year increase in sales revenue to $23.6 billion.

Supermarkets sales revenue of $21.37 billion was up 3.6%, although revenue from the company’s liquor division slipped 3.2% to $1.94 billion.

Online shopping showed further growth, with supermarkets eCommerce sales up 27% year on year amid increasing digital engagement.

And earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) – excluding significant items – of $2.21 billion was up 7.8% from H1 FY 2025.

On the bottom line, the supermarket reported net profit after tax (NPAT) – excluding significant items – of $676 million, up 12.5%.

But the Coles share price could be under pressure today with NPAT, including significant items, of $511 million, down 11.3% year on year.

The significant items for the six months come to $235 million, or $165 million after tax. These were recorded as a result of the September Federal Court judgment relating to Fair Work proceedings involving historical underpayment of employees.

On the passive income, management declared a fully-franked interim dividend of 41 cents per share, up 10.8% from last year’s interim payout.

If you’d like to bank the interim Coles dividend, you’ll need to own shares at market close on 9 March. Coles stock trades ex-dividend on 10 March. You can then expect to receive that passive income payout – representing a 2% return at current levels – on 30 March.

What did management say?

Commenting on the half-year results, Coles CEO Leah Weckert said, “We have delivered another strong set of results in a highly competitive operating environment, successfully cycling the competitor industrial action disruption in November and December 2024.”

As for the second half of FY 2026, Weckert said:

As we look ahead, we are well positioned, with a strong balance sheet and cash flow generation, to continue to invest in areas that will strengthen and expand our core customer proposition and deliver value for shareholders.

As at 4 January, Coles held cash and cash equivalents of $598 million.

With today’s intraday losses factored in, the Coles share price remains up 1.6% over 12 months, not including dividends.

The post Why is the Coles share price crashing 8% on Friday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Coles Group shares: Profit jumps, Supermarkets excel
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
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• Here’s the share price I would buy Coles stock at
• Why it’s a great time to buy these ASX 200 shares in these rocky times

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

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shares have come out of the blocks fast this year. They have blasted 30% higher in the first two months of the year to $4.60, at the time of writing.

After drifting through much of the past two years, South32 shares have flipped the script and delivered one of the stronger performances among large-cap miners on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

Investors who were growing impatient are suddenly being rewarded as the market re-rates the diversified miner on the back of improving operations and firmer commodity prices. Now the question is: Can South32 shares keep the rally going?

No hype, real substance

The rally hasn’t come from hype. It has come from execution. South32 has tightened costs, delivered solid production across key assets, and reassured the market that guidance remains intact. The miner has backed it up with strong half-year financial results and solid production numbers, giving the rally real substance.

Copper, silver, and gold have smashed through to fresh record highs this year. The surge in commodity prices has powered South32 shares toward a multi-year high earlier this month. In the past 6 months, the ASX 200 mining stock has seen its value increase by a massive 71% to $20.5 billion.

Controlling cyclical miner

It’s not just macro tailwinds at play. Manganese volumes have impressed, alumina output has stabilised, and aluminium performance has been resilient despite a choppy macro backdrop. When a cyclical miner shows it can control what it can control, the market tends to pay attention. For a diversified producer like South32, stronger pricing flows directly into margins and cash generation.

Capital management has also helped sentiment. The ASX mining stock has maintained a disciplined balance sheet and continued returning cash to shareholders through dividends and buybacks. In a market where investors are demanding both growth and yield, that combination is powerful.

It reinforces the idea that this is not a speculative turnaround, but a business with tangible cash flow underpinning it.

Geopolitical challenges

Still, risks haven’t vanished. Commodity stocks like South32 shares remain at the mercy of global growth. A slowdown in China or a broader industrial downturn would quickly pressure metals prices and earnings expectations.

Operationally, asset-specific challenges remain, including power and geopolitical risks at certain offshore operations. Mining is never a straight-line business, and volatility is part of the package.

What next for South32 shares?

Valuation is another consideration. After a strong run for South32 shares, the easy gains may already be behind the stock. The market is now pricing in continued operational stability and supportive commodity markets. Any stumble in production or softer pricing could see momentum cool just as quickly as it heated up.

So is there more upside? There could be, particularly if base metal demand remains resilient and South32 continues to execute cleanly. Most analysts are still keen on South32 shares with a buy or strong buy rating. They have set an average 12-month price target of $4.80, a modest 4% upside.

Due to the recent share price surge, Morgans recently downgraded South32 shares to an accumulate rating (from buy) with an unchanged price target of $5. This points to a potential gain of roughly 9% over 12 months at current levels.

The post Can South32 shares keep it going after stellar start in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 35 ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week
• Should you buy South32 and Fortescue shares amid strong commodity prices?
• Buy, hold, sell: Fortescue, Solstice, and South32 shares
• Buy, hold, sell: ANZ Bank, Breville, South32 shares
• The 3 ASX shares I’d buy and hold into 2026

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in South32. 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 Alcoa Corporation CDI (ASX: AAI) share price is in focus as the company announces a quarterly dividend of US 10 cents per CDI, payable on 26 March 2026, with a record date of 10 March.

What did Alcoa report?

• Quarterly dividend of US 10 cents per CDI, unfranked
• Dividend ex-date: 9 March 2026
• Record date for eligibility: 10 March 2026
• Payment date: 26 March 2026
• Payments default to Australian dollars but other currencies available on request
• Non-resident withholding tax of 30% applies unless eligible for a reduced treaty rate

What else do investors need to know?

Alcoa advises CDI holders to ensure their payment instructions are up to date to avoid potential delays. Holders in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or US must provide direct credit details, otherwise dividend payments will be withheld until valid banking information is received.

For those residing outside these countries, payments will be made by cheque in Australian dollars unless alternative global wire instructions are received. Alcoa also reminds investors that non-resident withholding tax will be deducted according to US tax law, with the standard rate set at 30% unless a valid tax treaty certification is in place.

What’s next for Alcoa?

Looking ahead, Alcoa CDI holders can update their currency preferences and banking details until 10 March 2026 to ensure smooth dividend reception. The AUD equivalent for this dividend will be announced by 20 March 2026.

Alcoa continues to emphasise its commitment to consistent shareholder returns by maintaining regular quarterly payments while supporting its operational and financial strategies.

Alcoa share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Acola shares have risen 68%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Alcoa announces March 2026 dividend 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.

The Dateline Resources Ltd (ASX: DTR) share price is charging higher on Friday after the company unveiled a new US heavy rare earths acquisition.

At the time of writing, the gold and rare earths developer’s shares are up 8.57% to 38 cents.

That means the stock has now climbed more than 60% since the start of 2026. It extends an already strong run for the small-cap resources company.

So, what did Dateline announce?

Dateline locks in US heavy rare earths project

This morning, Dateline revealed it has acquired the Music Valley heavy rare earth elements project in California.

The project comprises 57 claims covering 1,140 acres in Riverside County, around 8 miles southeast of Twentynine Palms.

According to the company, historical United States Geological Survey work has identified heavy rare earth mineralisation in the area. Reported rock chip results ranged from 6.69% to 15.04% total rare earth oxides, including high levels of yttrium and dysprosium grades.

Heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium are used to enhance magnet strength and heat resistance in electric vehicles, wind turbines, defence systems, and advanced electronics.

Dateline said it plans to undertake mapping, geochemistry, and geophysics to define drill targets at Music Valley.

Expanding its US critical minerals footprint

The acquisition is part of a wider strategic push in North America.

As part of the transaction terms, Dateline has also completed a US$1.05 million investment in Fermi Critical Minerals Inc. Fermi is raising capital to advance uranium and rare earths projects in Wyoming and Colorado.

Dateline Managing Director Stephen Baghdadi said the deal gives the company direct exposure to heavy rare earths mineralisation in California, while also expanding its footprint across uranium and rare earths assets in the United States.

The planned work program at Music Valley will be funded from Dateline’s existing cash balance.

The company already owns 100% of the Colosseum Gold-REE Project in California, located near the Mountain Pass rare earth mine. The addition of Music Valley broadens Dateline’s asset base and strengthens its exposure to US-based rare earths and uranium opportunities.

Foolish Takeaway

Rare earths have become strategically important due to their role in electrification, renewable energy, and defence technologies. And with geopolitics heating up, Western governments are increasingly looking to diversify supply chains away from China.

Dateline’s latest move strengthens its exposure to the growing strategic focus on securing reliable alternative rare earths supply chains.

While investors have responded positively, Music Valley remains an early-stage exploration project. Its ultimate value will depend on successful drilling, resource definition, and the company’s ability to advance the project beyond exploration.

The post Dateline shares surge again after major US rare earths deal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Up 116% in 6 months, guess which ASX All Ords gold stock is rocketing again today on big US news

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

The Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) share price is in focus after the company posted a 15% rise in 2025 DAYBUE royalties to A$65 million and a profit after tax of A$30 million.

What did Neuren Pharmaceuticals report?

• 2025 royalty income from DAYBUE® was A$65 million, up 15% from 2024
• Net profit after tax came in at A$30 million
• Cash and short-term investments stood at A$296 million at year end
• Completed A$50 million share buy-back; new buy-back program starts March 2026
• DAYBUE net sales reached US$391 million, up 12% year on year
• Cumulative DAYBUE income since launch now A$510 million

What else do investors need to know?

Neuren’s partnership with Acadia Pharmaceuticals continues to deliver, with DAYBUE gaining approval for the new powder formulation (DAYBUE STIX) and a growing patient base in the US. Acadia’s guidance for 2026 points to net sales of US$460–490 million, with potential Neuren royalties of A$70–77 million.

Development is progressing on Neuren’s second drug, NNZ-2591, with the Koala Phase 3 trial in Phelan-McDermid syndrome now underway and FDA Fast Track designation secured. Neuren has also expanded its clinical pipeline and added the rare SYNGAP1-related disorder to its targets.

What did Neuren Pharmaceuticals management say?

Neuren CEO Jon Pilcher said:

In 2025 we achieved a critical milestone for Neuren’s value creation strategy with the commencement of our Koala Phase 3 clinical trial of NNZ-2591 in Phelan-McDermid syndrome. There is so much to look forward to this year as we continue to execute that program towards a New Drug Application and in parallel advance NNZ-2591 for Pitt Hopkins syndrome and HIE. All of this is self-funded by our growing revenue from DAYBUE, which has now reached A$510 million since launch in 2023. We are very excited to watch the impact of the recent launch of DAYBUE STIX in the US as a potentially attractive new option for Rett syndrome patients and their families.

What’s next for Neuren Pharmaceuticals?

Looking ahead, Neuren expects ongoing revenue growth from DAYBUE, especially with the broader US rollout of DAYBUE STIX and new regional market opportunities. The company remains well-funded to back its clinical programs, including the pivotal Phase 3 trial for NNZ-2591 and further indications.

A new share buy-back will launch in March 2026, with management highlighting confidence in Neuren’s outlook and financial strength. Investors can watch for updates on European regulatory decisions, Japanese trial results, and further pipeline progress throughout the year.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Neuren shares have declined 5%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Neuren Pharmaceuticals earnings: Profits up, pipeline builds in 2025 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.

Some ASX dividend shares are providing investors with a big dividend yield. Part of the reason why the payouts are so large is because the businesses are undervalued, in my view. 

A good passive income stock is one that can provide resilient dividends and grow its underlying value over time.

There’s not much point buying high-yield ASX dividend shares if the share price and dividend decline over time.

So, I’m going to highlight two high-yield names that have a record of consistency and I think could deliver rising payouts over time.

Shaver Shop Group Ltd (ASX: SSG)

Shaver Shop has a goal to become the leader of hair removal products in Australia, with its national store network selling a variety of male and female wet and dry shave products.

The company recently released its FY26 half-year result which included positive numbers.

In the six months to 31 December 2025, sales grew 2.2% to $128.6 million, operating profit (EBIT) grew 2.5% to $18.1 million and net profit after tax (NPAT) climbed 1.5% to $12.2 million.

Pleasingly, online sales increased by 7.4% and the gross profit margin grew 100 basis points (1.00%) to 46.5%). The main driver of the ASX dividend share’s gross profit improvement was the expansion of its private brand Transform-U.

Work on the store network in the HY26 period is supportive sales growth in the second half of FY26 and FY27. It opened two locations in the first half, with another one planned to open in March 2026. It also refitted one full store and relocated one in the half, with three full store refits and two relocations planned for the second half.

All of the above helped the business maintain its annual dividend per share at 4.8 cents per share in the HY26 result.

In terms of passive income appeal, the ASX dividend share increased its payout each year between FY17 and FY23, maintained it in FY24 and then grew it again in FY25 to 10.3 cents per share. That translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 9.4%, including franking credits, assuming it just kept the dividend the same in FY26.

In the second half of FY26 to 22 February 2026, total sales grew 3.8%. I think this bodes well for another dividend increase in FY26, particularly if Transform-U continues growing.

Hearts and Minds Investments Ltd (ASX: HM1)

The other high-yield ASX dividend share I want to highlight is Hearts & Minds, a listed investment company (LIC).

Pleasingly, there are no management fees or performance fees involved with the portfolio. Instead, it donates 1.5% of its net assets each year to medical research to a variety of organisations. This could unlock life-changing, or life-saving, medical advancements.

The Hearts & Minds portfolio is constructed from two different sources. First, there’s a core group of fund managers that make picks for the portfolio. Second, it holds an annual investment conference where leading investment professionals choose a single stock that could perform.

This approach provides both diversification and can lead to solid returns. The three years to December 2025 showed an average portfolio return of 14.7% per year. That’s a high enough return to fund a large and growing dividend, while also seeing growth in the portfolio value.

Hearts & Minds recently declared a half-year dividend of 9.5 cents and intends to increase its payout by 0.5 cents per share every six months for the foreseeable future. The implied annual dividend per share of 19.5 cents for FY26 translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 9.4%, including franking credits.

The post Get paid huge amounts of cash to own these ASX dividend shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Hearts And Minds Investments. 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 Shaver Shop Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) share price is focus today after the company reported a surge in revenue to US$51.3 million, thanks to the successful commercial launch of Ryoncil® in the US.

What did Mesoblast report?

• Total revenue jumped to US$51.3 million (A$78.3 million), up from US$3.2 million in the previous period.
• Ryoncil® gross profit (excluding amortisation) was US$44.2 million versus nil a year ago.
• Net loss narrowed to US$40.2 million from US$47.9 million, an improvement of US$7.8 million.
• Net operating cash spend was US$30.3 million, with expectations for further reduction in the second half.
• cash and cash equivalents stood at US$130 million at period end.
• Mesoblast provided net revenue guidance for FY2026 of US$110 million to US$120 million.

What else do investors need to know?

Mesoblast’s growth is being driven by its flagship product Ryoncil®, which launched commercially in the US and is now covered by government and commercial payers representing around 280 million Americans. Forty-nine transplant centres have been onboarded, with the aim to reach sixty-four centres covering 94% of US transplants.

The company is also progressing its clinical pipeline. It finalised the Phase 3 protocol for expanding Ryoncil® into adult treatment for steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease and is scaling up manufacturing for its next-generation therapy, rexlemestrocel-L.

What did Mesoblast management say?

Mesoblast Chief Executive Dr Silviu Itescu said:

Today we report strong operational and financial performance for the first half of FY2026, a period that marks an important inflection point in Mesoblast’s evolution from clinical development to sustainable commercial execution. Sales momentum for Ryoncil® continued to build, driving meaningful revenue and reinforcing the product’s value in addressing significant unmet medical need and the strength of our commercial strategy. Importantly, we have improved the Company’s financial position with positive cash flow generated from Ryoncil® sales, disciplined cost management, and a strategic refinancing, providing greater flexibility to support expansion and late-stage clinical programs. As we enter the second half of FY2026, we remain focused on accelerating commercial uptake, advancing regulatory and label expansion opportunities, and maintaining financial discipline to deliver sustainable long-term shareholder value.

What’s next for Mesoblast?

Looking ahead, Mesoblast expects continued revenue momentum as Ryoncil® gains traction in the US market. The company remains focussed on onboarding additional transplant centres, increasing patient access, and expanding the approved uses for Ryoncil® into broader inflammatory conditions.

Beyond Ryoncil®, work continues on rexlemestrocel-L for chronic low back pain and advanced heart failure, with pivotal US trials nearing completion and regulatory filings expected in the coming months. Management is aiming for sustainable growth through product lifecycle extensions and new approvals.

Mesoblast share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Mesoblast shares have declined 2%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Mesoblast shares: Revenue surges on Ryoncil® US launch in H1 FY2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Neuren Pharmaceuticals earnings: Profits up, pipeline builds in 2025
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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) share price is in focus today after the company posted a double digit uplift in profit before tax and raised its interim dividend for the half-year ended 31 December 2025.

What did Harvey Norman report?

• Total system sales revenue up 6.9% to $5.16 billion
• Profit before tax increased 16.5% to $466.31 million
• Net profit after tax & non-controlling interests up 15.2% to $321.91 million
• EBIT up 14.4% to $527.53 million
• Fully-franked interim dividend increased 20.8% to 14.5 cents per share
• Basic earnings per share up 15.3% to 25.84 cents

What else do investors need to know?

Harvey Norman’s franchising operations posted a 14.2% increase in profit before tax, with better margins and robust sales. Overseas company-operated businesses delivered a notable profit lift, especially in Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Ireland, Slovenia, and Croatia, partly offset by expansion costs in the UK.

The property segment’s profit before tax rose 7.8% to $178.82 million thanks to rental growth and low vacancies, and there was a fair value uplift in the New Zealand property portfolio. The balance sheet remains strong, with net assets at $4.95 billion and a low net debt to equity ratio of 13.02%.

Operating cash flows reached $392.88 million, supported by solid cash receipts from both retail sales and franchise fees, with a cash conversion ratio of 96.2%.

What did Harvey Norman management say?

Chairman Gerry Harvey said:

This is a very solid first-half result, with profit growth driven by higher system sales, disciplined cost control and strong performances across our franchising operations and overseas retail businesses.

What’s next for Harvey Norman?

Harvey Norman said sales momentum has continued into January 2026, with aggregated system sales up 4.6% and comparable sales up 4.3% over the prior period. The company remains focused on disciplined growth, cost control, and capital management, aiming to support further expansion in Australia and overseas.

The group’s strong asset base and low gearing leave it well-placed to continue investing in its retail and property operations despite ongoing competition and changing market conditions.

Harvey Norman share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Harvey Norman shares have risen 24%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

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The post Harvey Norman posts 1H26 result 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 positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman. 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.