Tag: Stock pick

While the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) slowly grinds higher – 2.8% this year – the real action sits beneath the surface.

2 ASX 200 shares look primed to leave the benchmark behind in 2026: NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) and Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB).

Let’s go and see what brokers like about these ASX growth shares.

NextDC

The $9 billion ASX share rides one of the market’s most powerful structural waves. Businesses are shifting to cloud platforms, rolling out artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, and demanding secure, scalable infrastructure.

As it happens, NextDC is a top data centre-as-a-service provider in the Asia-Pacific, powering critical infrastructure for global cloud platforms, enterprises, and governments.

Demand for its capacity is surging, driven by the cloud shift and the AI boom. That combination fuels long-term earnings growth. Recent share price dips have reset expectations. This has created what many analysts view as a clear valuation gap compared with NextDC’s growth pipeline.

At the start of the week, the company received development approval for its M4 Melbourne data centre project. This supports its expansion pipeline and reflects continued demand for high-quality data centre capacity in major metropolitan markets.

The ASX share continues to invest heavily in new facilities, with capital expenditure directed toward expanding its national footprint and supporting customer growth. NextDC’s outperformance relative to the broader tech sector suggests investors view it more as infrastructure than as a high-growth software stock.

Broker coverage still leans constructive, with several price targets sitting very comfortably above current levels. Some analysts have set the maximum 12-month price target at a whopping $29.36. This points to a 111% upside at the time of writing.

The team at Morgans is less bullish but does see potential for the ASX share to rise strongly from current levels. The broker has a buy rating with a $19 price target. Based on its current share price, this implies a potential gain of 36%.

Mesoblast

This ASX share tells a different story. Mesoblast is a real higher-risk, potentially higher-reward play.

Confidence is rebuilding around its lead therapy, remestemcel-L. In January, the FDA acknowledged positive results for the treatment in patients with chronic lower back pain linked to degenerative disc disease.

Crucially, the agency noted that reductions in opioid use could potentially appear on the product label. In a post-opioid-crisis world, that’s a major endorsement. The healthcare company reports that many patients cut back or even stopped opioids for extended periods.

Sales momentum is also building. The latest quarterly update showed US$30 million in net revenue, driven by growing uptake of Ryoncil in the US. Gross sales hit US$35 million, as more treatment centres came online and real-world outcomes aligned with clinical trials.

However, risks remain. Mesoblast has burned through capital over years of trials, and the cell-therapy market is crowded. FDA setbacks have tested patience, and even with approvals, execution is key.

Still, brokers are bullish. The average 12-month price target for the ASX share is $4.16, suggesting around 73% upside. TradingView shows all covering analysts rate Mesoblast a strong buy, with targets ranging from $3.33 to $5.05.

Bell Potter sees the stock well-positioned, supported by fresh debt funding and rising Ryoncil demand. It’s assigning a $4.45 target, roughly an 84% potential upside.

Foolish Takeaway

These ASX shares won’t behave like the index. NextDC and Mesoblast carry more volatility and more uncertainty.

But they also offer something the broader market can’t: focused exposure to structural growth themes with real catalysts ahead. The ASX 200 may edge forward. NextDC and Mesoblast aim to sprint.

The post 2 ASX shares tipped to storm higher this year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why AMP, GQG, NextDC, and Origin Energy shares are racing higher today

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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 Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) share price is in focus as the company announced it has submitted a European marketing authorisation application for TLX101-Px, its brain cancer imaging agent, aiming to widen access to advanced diagnostics.

What did Telix Pharmaceuticals report?

• Submitted European marketing authorisation application (MAA) for TLX101-Px (O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine, 18F-FET), a glioma imaging candidate.
• The MAA covers major European markets with France acting as the Reference Member State.
• European submission aligns with the United States FDA application, with the US submission to follow.
• TLX101-Px targets better differentiation between progressive or recurrent glioma and treatment-related changes.
• TLX101-Px potentially supports broader access to advanced brain cancer imaging in Europe for both adults and children.

What else do investors need to know?

Telix has been preparing regulatory submissions for both Europe and the United States in parallel, expediting the European application. The aim is to make TLX101-Px commercially available across key European markets, addressing a notable gap where current FET-PET imaging for glioma lacks a consistent, approved product.

The TLX101-Px diagnostic is also intended to help select and track patients in Telix’s ongoing glioblastoma therapy trials, including phase 3 studies in Europe. With no commercial alternatives widely available, Telix’s product could address an urgent clinical need and support future additional indications.

What did Telix Pharmaceuticals management say?

Kevin Richardson, Chief Executive Officer, Telix Precision Medicine, said:

We see a compelling opportunity in Europe to broaden access to authorized targeted radiopharmaceuticals for brain cancer imaging and therapy, and as such this submission is an important milestone for Telix. The strategic value of this submission is particularly relevant to establishing widespread glioma imaging as part of our corresponding therapeutic development program. We have been able to utilize aspects of our FDA package to expedite the European filing, which has been submitted in accordance with a pre-defined date agreed with the regulator, with the U.S. resubmission to follow.

What’s next for Telix Pharmaceuticals?

Telix plans to progress its US regulatory submission for TLX101-Px after meeting its agreed European filing date. The company is also advancing clinical programs for both TLX101-Px and its therapeutic counterpart, TLX101-Tx, aiming to support better diagnosis and treatment options for brain cancer.

If approved, TLX101-Px (proposed brand name Pixlumi®) would be the first widely commercialised FET-PET product for glioma imaging in Europe, potentially improving outcomes for thousands of patients and aligning with Telix’s broader oncology strategy.

Telix Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Telix shares have declined 68%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Telix Pharmaceuticals files European application for brain cancer imaging 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 positions in and has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. 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 Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) share price is in focus today after the wealth platform provider posted a 25% lift in revenue to $193.8 million and record custodial inflows of $16.4 billion for the half.

What did Netwealth report?

• Revenue rose 24.7% to $193.8 million compared to 1H25 (excluding First Guardian expenses)
• EBITDA increased by 23.9% to $96.7 million with an EBITDA margin of 49.9%
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) up 19.9% to $69.0 million; NPAT margin at 35.6%
• Funds under administration (FUA) grew 23.6% to $125.6 billion
• Interim dividend of 21.0 cents per share, up 20% and fully franked
• Record half-year custodial inflows of $16.4 billion, up 10.7%

What else do investors need to know?

Netwealth delivered strong growth in managed accounts, with net flows up 42.7% to $3.4 billion. Client numbers jumped 13.7% to 172,221, and the number of financial advisers using the platform increased by 7.3% to 4,089.

The business continued to diversify its revenue mix, supported by growth in ancillary, management, transaction, and administration fees. While operating expenses rose 25.5% to $97.1 million due to investments in people and technology, the cash flow conversion ratio remained robust at 99.7%.

Netwealth has made progress on strategic initiatives, including the soft launch of its Individual HIN solution and the upcoming launch of Netwealth Private for high net worth clients. The company’s recent partnership with FinClear is expected to further bolster its broker and wealth professional offerings.

What did Netwealth management say?

CEO and Managing Director of Netwealth Matt Heine said:

Netwealth enters this half with strong momentum, continued business growth, and increasing traction across the market and a strong pipeline of new opportunities.

What’s next for Netwealth?

Management reaffirmed its FY26 guidance, expecting EBITDA margin (excluding non-recurring items) of around 49% and capitalised software investment of approximately $12 million, subject to normal market conditions. Netwealth will continue to invest in product, technology and security, aiming to expand its market share across both affluent advice and private wealth segments.

Ongoing initiatives include launching new products for wholesale and institutional clients, further integrating AI and data-driven solutions, as well as continuously enhancing adviser productivity and client engagement. The company anticipates continued benefits from structural shifts in the superannuation and wealth management industry, with momentum expected to flow into FY27.

Netwealth share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Netwealth shares have declined 30%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Netwealth earnings: 24% revenue jump and record inflows 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 positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth 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.

Fortunately for income investors, there are plenty of ASX dividend shares out there to choose from.

To narrow things down, let’s now take a look at two that analysts are currently recommending to clients. Here’s what you need to know:

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

The team at Morgans thinks that travel agent giant Flight Centre could be an ASX dividend share to buy.

It thinks investors should stick with the company during a period of short-term uncertainty, because when operating conditions finally improve, it is expecting Flight Centre’s earnings to rebound strongly. The broker explains:

FLT’s FY25 result was broadly in line with its recent update. Corporate was weaker than expected while Leisure and Other were stronger. FLT’s guidance for a flat 1H26 was stronger than we expected however it was weaker than consensus. Earnings growth is expected to accelerate in the 2H26 from an improvement in macro-economic conditions and internal business improvement initiatives. We have made minor upgrades to our forecasts.

We are buyers of FLT during this period of short-term uncertainty and share price weakness because when operating conditions ultimately improve, both its earnings and share price leverage to the upside will be material.

With respect to payouts, Morgans is forecasting fully franked dividends of 52 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 61 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on the current Flight Centre share price of $13.89, this would mean dividend yields of 3.75% and 4.4%, respectively.

The broker currently has a buy rating and $18.38 price target on its shares.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Over at Bell Potter, its analysts think that Harvey Norman could be an ASX dividend share to buy.

It is one of Australia’s leading retailers, operating the Harvey Norman, Domayne, and Joyce Mayne brands.

Although its shares have risen strongly since this time last year, Bell Potter believes they are still good value. It commented:

Despite the strong re-rate in the name, HVN trades at ~2.0x market capitalisation to freehold property value as Australia’s single largest owner in large format retail with a global portfolio surpassing $4.5b and collectively owning ~40% of their stores (franchised in Australia and company operated offshore). This sees our view that of the 1-year forward ~19x P/E multiple as justified considering the multiple catalysts near/mid-term.

As for income, the broker is expecting fully franked dividends of 30.9 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 35.3 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $6.34, this would mean dividend yields of 4.9% and 5.6%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on its shares.

The post Analysts say these ASX dividend shares are buys for income investors 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 positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) share price is in focus today after the company reported first-half FY26 net profit after tax (NPAT) of $263 million, as natural hazard claims surged to $1.3 billion but underlying insurance margins and capital remained strong.

What did Suncorp Group report?

• NPAT: $263 million, down from $1.1 billion in 1H25
• Gross written premium (GWP): $7.69 billion, up 2.7% from $7.49 billion
• Underlying insurance trading ratio (UITR): 11.7%, at the upper end of the target range
• Interim dividend: 17 cents per share, fully franked (68% payout ratio)
• Net incurred claims: $5.48 billion, up 23% due to natural hazard events
• $168 million of share buy-back completed; targeting $400 million by end of FY26

What else do investors need to know?

Suncorp responded to nine significant natural hazard events, mainly severe storms and hail in south-east Queensland, resulting in more than 71,000 claims this half. Natural hazard costs came in $453 million above allowance, making it one of the costliest periods in Suncorp’s history.

Despite these challenges, GWP rose, especially in its Consumer portfolio, which saw 6.3% growth. Digital uptake is rising, with over 73% of sales made online and customer experience measures such as claim handling speed and satisfaction improving.

Capital management remains a priority. Suncorp’s CET1 capital sits $700 million above its target mid-point, supporting ongoing shareholder returns through dividends and share buy-backs.

What did Suncorp Group management say?

CEO Steve Johnston said:

While Suncorp’s 1H26 reported profits and shareholder returns have been challenged by an elevated level of natural hazard costs and lower investment returns over the half, our underlying business remains resilient as we continue to deliver on our strategic imperatives and drive good momentum leading into the second half of the financial year.

What’s next for Suncorp Group?

Looking ahead, Suncorp expects gross written premium growth at the lower end of the mid-single-digit range, reflecting a competitive and softer market—especially in New Zealand. The underlying insurance margin is tipped to remain at the top half of its 10%–12% target.

Suncorp aims to keep costs under control while investing in growth, technology, and disaster management. Capital management will stay disciplined, with a payout ratio near the middle of the 60–80% range and the completion of a $400 million share buy-back by the end of FY26.

Suncorp Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Suncorp Group shares have declined 16%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Suncorp Group posts resilient 1H26 earnings despite higher claims 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 National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price is in focus today after the bank delivered a strong start to FY26, with cash earnings climbing 15% and underlying profit up 12% compared to the prior equivalent period.

What did National Australia Bank report?

• Cash earnings of $2.0 billion for the quarter, up 15% on the prior period
• Underlying profit lifted 12% to $3.1 billion on higher volumes and lower credit impairment charges
• Revenue rose 6% to $5.6 billion, driven by business and personal banking
• Net interest margin increased by 2 basis points to 1.80%
• Operating expenses were broadly flat, as productivity benefits offset higher staff and technology costs
• Credit impairment charge was $170 million, primarily from business and unsecured retail portfolios

What else do investors need to know?

National Australia Bank saw business lending grow by 2%, with its Business & Private Banking division achieving 3% growth and further gains in market share. Home lending outpaced system growth, with proprietary channel drawdowns improving to 46%.

On the customer front, NAB finished migrating Citi Consumer Business customers to its platforms and opened its first NAB Financial Centre in Chatswood. The bank also rolled out programs to improve customer experience, and provided more than $1 million in disaster relief and community grants after recent weather events.

What did National Australia Bank management say?

NAB CEO Andrew Irvine said:

We have started FY26 strongly. Underlying profit rose 12% compared with the 2H25 quarterly average, driven by increases across each of our customer facing divisions and a supportive Australian economic environment. Pleasingly, asset quality outcomes also improved over 1Q26 and we have maintained appropriate balance sheet settings. Disciplined execution of our strategy has delivered further progress this quarter across our key priorities of growing business banking, driving deposit growth and strengthening proprietary home lending. NAB is well placed to manage our bank for the long term and to support our customers, while delivering sustainable growth and returns for shareholders.

What’s next for National Australia Bank?

NAB aims to continue growing its business and home lending portfolios while keeping operating expense growth below FY25’s rate. The bank is targeting more than $450 million in productivity savings for the full year. Management says the bank remains focused on simple, faster solutions to further improve customer experiences.

Looking ahead, NAB believes its strong capital, funding, and asset quality position will help it support customers and deliver sustainable shareholder returns as markets evolve.

National Australia Bank share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, NAB shares have risen 15%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post National Australia Bank posts strong first quarter FY26 earnings 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.

Kinatico Ltd (ASX: KYP) shares have pulled back sharply in recent months.

Since the start of the year, the small-cap ASX share has dropped approximately 40%.

Whilst this is disappointing, Bell Potter believes the weakness has created an attractive entry point.

What is the broker saying about this small-cap ASX share?

Bell Potter notes that the Know Your People solutions provider has released its half-year results and reported first-half EBITDA of $2.7 million. This was below Bell Potter’s forecast but broadly in line with market expectations. The broker said:

1HFY26 EBITDA of $2.7m was 10% below our forecast of $3.0m but consistent with VA consensus. Key driver of the miss versus our forecast was lower capitalised R&D than forecast ($1.7m vs BPe $2.0m). Revenue of $17.6m and cash of $10.4m had already been flagged. There was no interim dividend and we did not expect any.

Importantly, software-as-a-service (SaaS) revenue continued to grow strongly, rising 49% year on year to $9.7 million and is now accounting for 53% of total revenue. Bell Potter also highlights that the company generated positive free cash flow of $0.7 million and remains debt free.

‘Disrupting, not being disrupted’

Bell Potter’s note is titled Disrupting, not being disrupted, reflecting its view that Kinatico is well positioned in the evolving AI landscape. The broker highlighted:

Kinatico does not provide guidance but did say it expects: A re-acceleration of SaaS revenue growth as the sales pipeline for the new Kinatico Compliance product grows and converts; Continued improvement in operating margins; Positive operating cash flow being maintained; and Ongoing investment in platform development to support long-term growth. The company also highlighted that its early adoption of AI makes it an AI disruptor and its competitive position is protected by multiple reinforcing layers including having AI at the core of its new Kinatico Compliance (KC) product.

Shares tipped to double

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on the small-cap ASX share with a trimmed price target of 40 cents (from 45 cents).

Based on its current share price of 19 cents, this implies potential upside of 110% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

We have rolled forward our EV/EBITDA valuation by a year – so that FY27 is now the base – and apply a 10x multiple to our forecast. We have also increased the WACC we apply in the DCF from 10.3% to 10.6% due to an increase in the risk-free rate from 4.25% to 4.5%. The net result is an 11% decrease in our target price to $0.40 which is still around double the share price so we maintain our BUY recommendation.

Potential catalysts include the Q3 update in April where we expect further q-o-q growth in SaaS revenue but the key catalyst is more likely to be the Q4 update where we expect more significant growth driven by the successful conversion of some large customers to the new KC platform.

The post Bell Potter says this exciting small-cap ASX share can rise 100%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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.

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) shares were one of the fastest-growing on the planet in 2025. The healthcare technology company, which is focused on advanced respiratory imaging and ventilation analysis for the treatment of lung and respiratory diseases, saw its share price explode last year after its flagship product rocketed to success following successful partnerships and commercial contracts.

A good run of financial results and increased adoption of its technology, all while the company smashed its milestone goals throughout the year, sent the share price rocketing.

Most recently, 4DMedical announced that UC San Diego Health was the latest institution to adopt its flagship CT:VQ product. There has already been uptake by other centres, including Stanford University, the Cleveland Clinic, and the University of Miami.

Where is the 4DMedical share price now?

At the time of writing, the shares are 0.92% lower at $3.76 each. The drop means the shares are now 16.96% lower year to date and have fallen 26.18% from their all-time high of $5.09 in mid-January.

But it isn’t all bad news. Since starting their speedy ascent in August last year, 4DMedical shares have rocketed 1,109.68% and they’re now 583.64% above where they were just 12 months ago.

The question now is, what’s next? Can the share price climb even higher, or is it time to sell up ahead of the next downturn?

Are 4DMedical shares a buy, hold, or sell this year?

Despite the strong rally over the past year and the sell-off this month, analysts remain very bullish on the stock’s outlook.

Data shows that two out of three analysts have a strong buy rating on the shares, and the maximum target price is $4.50. That implies a potential 19.68% upside ahead for investors, at the time of writing. 

What’s next from 4DMedical?

Late last month, the healthcare tech company posted its quarterly update and new commercial development. The announcement revealed that its CT:VQ product has moved beyond regulatory approval and into full commercial execution. The technology has now been adopted in five top-tier US academic centres within five months of FDA clearance.

At the same time, the company also revealed that its SaaS revenue grew 31% in the first half of FY26 and that its net operating cash outflows declined 21% in Q2 FY26. 

4DMedical ended the quarter with $56.8 million in cash, rising to a pro forma balance of $206.2 million following a $150 million institutional placement completed in January.

Management estimates the company has around 5.8 quarters of funding available, providing ample time to execute its US commercial strategy.

In 2026, 4DMedical will focus on accelerating the rollout of its newly FDA-approved CT:VQ imaging product through strategic partnerships and new contracts. 

The post 4DMedical shares jump 600% in a year: Time to sell up or can the stock go higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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 Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus today after the company extended its specialist electrical services contract with Transpower in New Zealand, an agreement expected to deliver approximately NZ$160 million in revenue over two years.

What did Ventia Services Group report?

• Contract extension with Transpower for specialist electrical services across New Zealand’s electricity grid
• Expected to generate around NZ$160 million in revenue over two years
• Extension period to commence August 2027
• Ventia to continue operating across North and South Islands, covering about one third of Transpower’s network
• Over 30 years of ongoing partnership with Transpower

What else do investors need to know?

This contract extension forms part of the Transmission Grid Services contract and Contestable Work Panels that began in 2022. It locks in revenue growth and operational presence for Ventia through to at least mid-2029.

Ventia is a major player in essential infrastructure services, supporting utilities like electricity, water, and more, across Australia and New Zealand. This extension builds on Ventia’s strong reputation for safe and reliable delivery, underpinning its longer-term order book and client relationships.

With more than 35,000 people working over 400 sites, Ventia’s continued focus on customer satisfaction and innovation is part of its ongoing strategy to redefine service excellence.

What did Ventia Services Group management say?

Managing Director and Group CEO Dean Banks said:

Our long-standing relationship with Transpower has been underpinned by consistent performance, collaboration and a shared focus on delivering safe and reliable energy infrastructure. We are pleased to be extending our partnership and look forward to continuing to grow our relationship and delivering the critical services that support New Zealand’s energy future.

What’s next for Ventia Services Group?

The contract extension provides Ventia with firm revenue visibility into the next decade, allowing the company to continue investing in technology, workforce development, and geographic expansion across New Zealand.

Management has indicated a strong commitment to enhancing customer value, with a growing focus on sustainable energy infrastructure and innovation—key strengths likely to underpin further contract wins and reliable income streams.

Ventia Services Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services shares have risen 42%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ventia extends NZ$160m Transpower contract: What it means for investors 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 Spark New Zealand Ltd (ASX: SPK) share price is in focus today after the company reported a strong half-year result, with EBITDAI up 10.3% to $448 million and net profit rising 82.9% to $64 million.

What did Spark New Zealand report?

• Reported H1 FY26 revenue of $1,893 million, down 1.2% on H1 FY25
• Adjusted revenue (including data centre business) of $1,917 million, down 1.1%
• Reported EBITDAI of $448 million, up 10.3%, and adjusted EBITDAI of $471 million, up 5.1%
• Net profit after tax of $64 million, up 82.9%; adjusted NPAT of $73 million, up 30.4%
• Free cash flow rose 84% to $107 million
• Interim dividend of 8 cents per share declared, 50% imputed

What else do investors need to know?

Spark’s mobile service revenue grew by 1.6% to $499 million, with the strongest growth coming from higher value post-paid plans. Broadband revenue also nudged up by 0.3%, while cloud revenue increased 1.7%. However, ongoing declines were seen in legacy voice services and other connectivity revenue, mainly due to the Digital Island divestment and customers moving off older products.

The company completed the sale of a 75% stake in its data centre business (‘TenPeaks Data Centres’) at the end of January, receiving $453 million in cash and potential further deferred proceeds, aiming to reduce net debt in the second half. Spark also launched a new financing partnership for handset payment plans and emphasised its continued investment in 5G, customer experience, and AI projects to support growth and improve efficiency.

What did Spark New Zealand management say?

Spark CEO Jolie Hodson said:

Today’s result shows that focused execution in the first six months of our new five-year strategy is building momentum. Mobile remains central to our SPK-30 strategy, and we have delivered a return to revenue growth and ongoing connection stabilisation. Our strategic focus on delivering a better network and better customer experiences is central to our success, and we were pleased to maintain network coverage leadership off the back of more than 100 cell site upgrades and new builds during the half.

What’s next for Spark New Zealand?

Spark reaffirmed its full-year FY26 guidance, expecting adjusted EBITDAI between $1,010 million and $1,070 million, and free cash flow of $290 million to $330 million (subject to no material changes in outlook). BAU capital expenditure is forecast at $380 million–$410 million, with an additional $55 million of data centre strategic capex. The company will pay out 100% of free cash flow as dividends for FY26.

In the coming months, Spark plans more than 100 additional mobile site builds and upgrades, new roaming products, and the launch of satellite-to-mobile services. Management remains focused on cost discipline, digital transformation, and sustainability—highlighted by progress on emissions and expanding social connectivity through products like Skinny Jump.

Spark New Zealand share price snapshot

Over the pat 12 months, Spark New Zealand shares have declined 30%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

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The post Spark New Zealand earnings: profit rebounds, dividend declared 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.