Tag: Stock pick

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are catching plenty of attention on Wednesday.

One of the ASX powerhouses is underperforming the 0.9% loss posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in late morning trade, while two are shaking off the wider market malaise and marching higher.

Here’s what’s happening.

BHP shares lift on surging copper prices

BHP shares are in the green today, up 0.7% at $55.87 apiece.

The ASX 200 mining giant is making waves today following the release of its operational review, covering the nine months to 31 March.

Turning to its two top earning commodities, BHP reported a 2% year-on-year increase in iron ore production for the nine months to 197 million tonnes. This was supported by record production at the miner’s integrated Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) systems.

Copper production went the other direction, slipping 3% from the same period in FY 2025 to 1.461 million tonnes. But BHP shares look to be getting support, with the miner achieving a 31% year on year increase in its average realised copper price to US$5.47 per pound.

BHP also confirmed that Brandon Craig, current president Americas, will take over as CEO on 1 July. Current CEO Mike Henry is stepping down from the top job after six and a half years.

DroneShield shares rise on surging revenue

Like BHP shares, DroneShield shares are rising in today’s sinking market.

At time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 drone defence company are up 0.5%, changing hands for $3.83 apiece.

DroneShield is making financial news headlines today following the release of its first quarter (Q1 2026) results.

Highlights for the three months include a 121% year-on-year increase in revenue to $74.1 million. And customer cash receipts of $77.4 million were up 360% from Q1 2025.

Turning to the balance sheet, DroneShield’s cash balance at the end of the quarter was up 13% year-on-year to $222.8 million, with no debt.

Which brings us to…

Northern Star shares slide on update

Joining DroneShield and BHP shares in the top headlines today, Northern Star shares are down 3.0%, trading for $22.94 each.

The ASX 200 gold stock is under pressure following its own March quarter update release. Though to put today’s performance in better perspective, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is down 2.3% at time of writing.

For the March quarter, Northern Star sold 380,807 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $2,709 per ounce. The Aussie gold mining giant reported revenue from gold sales of $2.01 billion.

However, investors may be favouring their sell buttons today, with the company also flagging an uptick in its FY 2026 growth capital expenditures.

Potentially supporting Northern Star shares down the road, management announced an on-market share buyback of up to $500 million.

As at 31 March, Northern Star had a cash and bullion balance of $1.18 billion.

The post Why Northern Star, DroneShield and BHP shares are making waves on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are Northern Star shares sinking today?
• DroneShield share price jumps after reporting 121% Q1 revenue increase
• BHP shares charge higher following third-quarter update
• Northern Star Resources March quarter 2026: higher-margin gold sales and solid cash flow
• DroneShield delivers record 1Q26 revenue and cash receipts

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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares are back in motion on Wednesday, pushing higher after a steady run into April.

The stock is up 4.43% to $33.01 in midday trade, adding to recent gains.

Over the past 12 months, the share price has climbed roughly 50%.

The stock had already been building momentum, and today’s update has kept it going.

Refining margins surge as trading conditions shift

According to the release, Ampol reported a Lytton Refiner Margin (LRM) of US$25.45 per barrel for the March quarter. That is up from US$6.07 a year earlier.

That jump reflects a clear shift in global refining conditions. Tighter product markets and shifting trade flows have lifted margins across the sector.

Production also improved during the quarter. Total output reached 1.434 billion litres, up 10% year-on-year after prior weather disruptions.

Sales volumes steady, but mix continues to evolve

Group sales volumes were broadly flat at 6,125 million litres. The detail underneath was more mixed.

Convenience retail volumes rose 3.5%, while wholesale volumes increased 5.2%. Both areas showed steady demand across the quarter.

Net sales volumes declined, reflecting differences in trading activity compared with last year. International volumes, including New Zealand, edged higher.

Overall demand has held up, even as pricing and supply conditions continue to shift.

Supply disruptions force operational adjustments

The broader backdrop has been shaped by disruption in the Middle East. Ampol said this has affected global oil markets and refined product flows into Australia.

The Lytton refinery processes a different crude slate, which has supported ongoing operations. That said, the company has taken steps to lock in additional supply.

This includes diesel and jet fuel imports through May and June. Agreements have also been put in place to support fuel availability.

Maintenance timing has been adjusted as well. Turnaround work on a key refinery unit has been pushed back to August.

Momentum carrying into the second quarter

Ampol expects stronger trading conditions to continue into the current quarter. The company has entered the period with a well-positioned trading book.

Refining margins remain elevated, although volatility in global markets continues. Crude pricing and supply flows remain key variables.

Consumer demand across Australia and New Zealand has held up despite cost pressures. That strength looks set to carry into the second quarter.

Foolish bottom line

The recent strength in Ampol shares is being backed by improving refining margins and steady demand.

However, much of that tailwind is tied to global conditions that can shift quickly. That leaves the share price exposed if refining margins begin to ease.

The post Why this ASX 200 energy stock is back in focus today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Ampol, Meteoric Resources, Praemium, and Treasury Wine shares are storming higher
• Ampol Q1 2026 trading update: Refiner margins soar, production lifts
• Up 60% in a year, 3 reasons to buy Ampol shares today
• Why Ampol shares just hit a multi-year high as Australia’s fuel squeeze deepens
• 2 ASX 200 blue-chip shares worth owning in April 2026

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.

Superannuation funds have bounced back strongly from a lacklustre March to be performing well so far this month, industry analyst Chant West says.

Strong bounce back

Indeed, on their numbers, funds have almost entirely made up the losses chalked up in March, after markets fell following the US going to war with Iran in late February.

On the numbers calculated by Chant West, the median growth fund fell 3.2% in March, however, the funds have bounced back as share markets rallied, adding 3.1% in April so far, almost offsetting the March falls.

Chant West Head of Superannuation Investment Research, Mano Mohankumar, said the April rally was driven by optimism around a potential de-escalation in Middle East tensions, easing oil prices, and solid corporate earnings. 

He added:

The experience since the start of March is another clear reminder of why it’s important for super fund members to stay patient and maintain a long‑term perspective. Members who panicked after seeing their balances fall in March and switched to lower‑risk options or cash not only crystallised paper losses, but also missed out on the subsequent V‑shaped rebound. Over time, missing out on returns like these can make a significant difference to a member’s balance at retirement due to the power of compounding. That’s why we remind members that super is a long-term investment and encourage them to see a financial adviser if they’re thinking of switching options. An adviser can help assess their broader financial position, including assets held outside of super, and ensure their investment strategy remains appropriate.

Looking at specific investment settings more closely, all growth funds fell 5.2% in March, while high growth fell 4% and balanced fell 2.5%.

For the financial year to the end of March, all growth was up 3.1%, high growth was up 2.8%, and balanced was up 6.6%.

Stronger for longer

Mr Mohankumar said over the longer term, superannuation had proven to be a robust investment.

He added:

Since the introduction of compulsory super in July 1992, the median growth fund has returned 7.9% per annum. The annual CPI increase over the same period is 2.7%, giving a real return of 5.2% per annum – well above the typical 3.5% target. Even looking at the past 20 years, which includes three major share market downturns – the GFC in 2007-2009, COVID-19 in 2020, and the high inflation and rising interest rates in 2022 – super funds have returned 6.5% per annum, which is still ahead of the typical objective.

The post How much have superannuation funds grown so far in April. The answer might surprise you appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Ampol, Meteoric Resources, Praemium, and Treasury Wine shares are storming higher
• This ASX dividend share could deliver a return of more than 25% Macquarie says
• Why is everyone buying Tabcorp shares this week?
• South32 shares are rising again – what just happened?
• Why Northern Star, DroneShield and BHP shares are making waves on Wednesday

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 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.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are back in the spotlight this week after the miner posted its latest update.

At the time of writing on Wednesday morning, Rio Tinto shares have climbed another 0.31% and are changing hands at $174.40 a piece. Earlier this morning, the shares spiked to an all-time high of $174.79.

This morning’s uptick means the shares are now 21% higher over the past month. The shares are also now 56% higher than this time last year.

What did Rio Tinto reveal in its update?

The copper miner posted a 9% year-on-year increase in copper equivalent production in the first quarter of FY26 yesterday. Iron ore production in the Pilbara region also jumped 13%, making it the second-best Q1 production since 2018, even despite weather disruptions and reduced shipments.

The miner said it is focused on expanding production across its core commodity assets. It also said that it is monitoring global geopolitical and commodity market developments and any potential impact in the second half of 2026.

Rio Tinto also said its full-year production and cost guidance for 2026 is unchanged across all major commodities.

What else has pushed the shares higher recently?

Conflict in the Middle East caused Rio Tinto’s share price to crash nearly 15% in the first three weeks of March as investors sold up their ASX shares over fears of commodity price weakness and operational disruptions.

The share price then rebounded nearly 21% to the time of writing. The turnaround is likely a result of a shift in investor sentiment. It looks like buyers have started taking advantage of the sell-off and buying in the dip, hoping that Iran and the US will reach an agreement and end the war.

Are Rio Tinto shares a buy, hold, or sell?

The long-term outlook for ASX mining shares is incredibly positive, with some stating that Australia is in the early stages of a new mining boom. 

This boom is expected to be driven mostly by a transition to green energy. This could support long-term demand for metals like copper. Copper is essential for green energy, acting as a key conductor in renewable technologies, electric vehicles (EVs), and power grids.

Analysts are mostly positive on the outlook for Rio Tinto shares. TradingView data shows that seven out of 15 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating. Another seven have a hold rating.

The average target price of $166.25 implies a potential 5% downside at the time of writing, mostly likely due to the shares’ latest price surge.

But the maximum target price of $189.72 suggests a potential 9% upside over the next 12 months.

The post Rio Tinto shares soar to an all-time high: Buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is everyone talking about Regis Resources, Lynas and Rio Tinto shares on Tuesday?
• Rio Tinto shares close in on record high following strong Q1 update
• Rio Tinto Q1 FY26: Production growth and steady guidance drive optimism
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• PLS vs Rio Tinto shares: Which is the better buy?

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stock Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) is sliding today.

Pantoro Gold shares closed yesterday trading for $3.90 In morning trade on Wednesday, shares are swapping hands for $3.77 apiece, down 3.5%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.7% at this time. And in a better comparison of golden apples to golden apples, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is currently down 2.0%.

Despite today’s slide, Pantoro Gold shares remain up 24.8% over 12 months, outpacing the 13.7% one-year gains delivered by the benchmark index.

Now, here’s what investors are mulling over today.

ASX 200 gold stock hits more high-grade intercepts

Pantoro Gold shares are falling despite the miner reporting on positive exploratory drilling results at its 100%-owned Norseman Gold Project, located in Western Australia.

The ASX 200 gold stock’s surface diamond drilling program at the Scotia Underground Mine, situated within Norseman, is ongoing.

According to the release, extensional drilling in Central Scotia has confirmed wide, high-grade mineralisation. That mineralisation is reported to extend for at least 50 metres below the current Scotia Indicated Mineral Resource.

Management noted that this remains open at depth, which supports the potential for additional development levels beyond Pantoro Gold’s existing mine plan.

The grade control drilling returned multiple high-grade intersections within the current mine plan.

Among the top results from Central Scotia, the ASX 200 gold stock reported one hole with 16.09 metres at 10.59 grams of gold per tonne, including 1.58 metres @ 30.48 g/t Au, and 1.75 metres @ 41.72 g/t Au, and 1.31 metres @ 18.02 g/t Au.

And one of the drill holes from Scotia North returned 3.35 metres @ 14.82 g/t Au, including 2.7 m @ 18.11 g/t Au.

Pantoro Gold said it has approved additional levels outside of the current mine plan to further extend mine life.

What did Pantoro Gold management say?

Commenting on the results that could help support the ASX 200 gold stock longer-term, Pantoro Gold managing director Paul Cmrlec said, “Development at Scotia North is now opening up new mineralisation for production, meaningfully improving production flexibility at the mine.”

Looking ahead, Cmrlec sounded a positive note for the miner’s production growth outlook in FY 2027:

These high-grade infill results, combined with the continued resource growth at Central Scotia and Scotia South, position the mine to grow its production in FY 2027.

While development and production have run behind schedule due to a number of factors in FY 2026, the orebody continues to impress. We remain confident that Scotia will deliver years of high-grade ore feed to Norseman as these additional areas come into full production.

The post How this $1.5 billion ASX 200 gold stock is on track to ramp up FY 2027 production appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

There are a lot of ASX shares to choose from on the local share market.

To narrow things down, let’s see what analysts are saying about three big names this week.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

Morgans has been looking at this big four bank following recent sector updates.

This has seen the broker downgrade its earnings estimates for the near term and reaffirm its sell rating with a reduced price target of $30.72. It said:

We revise our forecasts ahead of ANZ’s 1H26 result in May and reflecting on the recent updates provided by NAB and WBC. FY26-28F EPS downgraded by 6-7%. Target price reduced 6% to $30.72/sh. SELL retained given c.-15% downside at current prices, including 4.4% cash yield.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

The team at Morgans is also feeling bearish about this big four bank.

In response to its recent update, the broker has downgraded its earnings estimates and reaffirmed a sell rating with a $34.56 price target. It explains:

NAB announced a $1.8bn DRP equity raising, increased loan provisioning, and acceleration of capital software amortisation. Material forecast downgrades as we adjust for today’s announcement and introduce increased conservatism into our modelling. SELL given potential TSR at current prices of -12% (including c.4.2% cash yield).

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Bell Potter remains bullish on this logistics solutions technology company.

This week, the broker has retained its buy rating on WiseTech shares with a $78.75 price target.

It believes that the discount that its shares trade on is excessive given its positive growth outlook. It explains:

There are no changes in the key assumptions we apply in the valuations used to determine our target price – multiples of 55x and 30x in the PE ratio and EV/EBITDA and a WACC of 8.6% in the DCF. The net result of the downgrades is a 6% decrease in our target price to $78.75 which is still a significant premium to the share price so we maintain our BUY recommendation.

We note that WiseTech is currently trading at >30% discount to Technology One on an EV/EBITDA basis in both FY26 and FY27. While we believe some sort of discount is now warranted, we believe the current discount is excessive given WiseTech has greater forecast earnings growth over the medium term and also a similar strong competitive moat due to 30 years of proprietary data, deeply embedded software and high switching costs.

The post Buy, hold, sell: ANZ, NAB, and WiseTech shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Still down 40% over the past year, how high could WiseTech shares recover?
• 5 oversold ASX shares to buy before the end of April
• NAB shares: Are they cheap enough to buy after the latest drop?
• Why I don’t own Telstra shares (yet)
• Why ANZ, Challenger, Hub24, and Lynas shares are dropping today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

This ASX bank stock is under pressure today.

Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) shares dropped 7.3% to $6.74 in Wednesday morning trade after the bank released its half-year results. The reaction reflects a sharp 20% fall in statutory net profit after tax to $136 million, which appears to have unsettled investors.

Zoom out, and the picture hasn’t been much better. Over the past 12 months, the $5 billion ASX bank stock is down around 6%, lagging the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has gained 15% over the same period.

So what went wrong?

Growth fails to profit

At first glance, the numbers look mixed. Revenue actually rose 4% to $835 million for the half, showing the ASX bank stock is still growing its top line. But that growth didn’t translate into profit.

The main pressure point was costs. Operating expenses climbed 6%, driven by inflation, ongoing digital transformation, and continued investment in its business banking division. Those rising costs ate into margins, ultimately dragging down earnings.

At the same time, the bank’s lending mix is shifting. Commercial lending grew strongly, up 16% over the half, while housing loan balances declined. That pivot is strategic, with the bank targeting higher-margin business lending, but it also creates short-term friction as the portfolio transitions.

Hidden positives

There were some positives beneath the surface for the ASX bank stock.

Non-interest income rose 13%, supported by higher business lending fees and benefits from the bank’s branch conversion program. Asset quality also held up well, with arrears and impaired assets both improving compared to the previous period.

Provision coverage remained stable, suggesting credit risks are under control for now.

Managing Director and CEO Rod Finch said:

The first half result demonstrates BOQ’s ongoing operational resilience and continued progress on our long-term strategy, including the successful transition to a digital platform and strengthened capital position.

What next for the ASX bank stock?

Looking ahead, management is focused on reshaping the business.

The bank expects to complete the sale of its equipment finance portfolio in the second half of FY26. That move is designed to free up capital, with plans to return around $300 million to shareholders once the deal is finalised.

BOQ is also doubling down on its strategy. It plans to keep growing commercial lending, expand its digital banking capabilities, and drive productivity improvements, all while aiming to keep cost growth below inflation.

There’s also a potential tailwind for the ASX bank stock on the horizon. Management indicated that home lending growth could return as its digital mortgage channels mature, with FY27 shaping as a possible turning point.

Foolish Takeaway

For now, though, investors are focused on the immediate picture: rising costs, falling profits, and a business still in transition.

Until the ASX bank stock can show that its strategy is delivering consistent earnings growth, volatility in the share price may remain part of the story.

The post Why this ASX bank stock is tumbling today after earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Bank of Queensland half-year 2026: profit falls, dividend steady as revenue rises
• 6 ASX 200 shares downgraded by the experts this week
• Buy, hold, sell: Bank of Queensland, Koala, and Westpac shares
• Are Westpac and Bank of Queensland shares a buy, hold or sell?
• Why Bank of Queensland, Guzman Y Gomez, NextDC, and Telix 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.

Shares in Meteoric Resources Ltd (ASX: MEI) have surged by more than 14% after the company said it had raised $40 million in new capital at no discount.

Strongly supported capital raise

The company said in a statement to the ASX that it had received commitments to raise $40 million at 17 cents per share, which was equal to the share price when the capital was raised.

The shares jumped 14.7% on the news to be changing hands for 19.5 cents.

Meteoric Resources said the funding would be used to advance its Caldeira project in Brazil, “via completion of the definitive feasibility study, environmental licensing, continued pilot plant operation, pre-development activities and infill drilling to increase confidence in mining reserve”.

The money would also be used for land acquisition and general working capital.

The company said, following the raise, it would be well-capitalised, with a cash balance of $58 million based on its holdings as of the end of March.

Meteoric Managing Director Stuart Gale said regarding the raise:

To launch this capital raising at no discount to the prior close and be significantly oversubscribed is a great endorsement from investors in the Caldeira Project and the broader rare earth market. Proceeds from the Placement support the current activities and allow us to broaden our engineering studies and design work, including assessment of separation opportunities. There is a significant amount of interest in the rare earth sector as evidenced by several recent acquisitions, including in Brazil. While this is significant and generates great sentiment, we will continue to focus on the development of Caldeira through de-risking activities including the DFS and licence applications while working with key partners to establish a fully funded project financing solution to build the Caldeira Project.

Shares looking cheap

Canaccord Genuity in March singled out Meteoric Resources as one of the rare earths companies to watch.

The broker said in a research note to clients that demand for magnet rare earths is expected to triple over the next decade, underpinned by a combination of structural drivers including the energy transition, automation and robotics, and defence and rearmament.

There are also major barriers to entry on the mining and processing front, the broker said.

Canaccord Genuity has a speculative buy rating on Meteoric Resources, with a share price target of 40 cents.

It also has a bullish price target on Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: BRE), which the broker suggests could reach levels of $8 per share, up from $4.76 currently.

Meteoric Resources is valued at $449.9 million.   

The post Why are shares in this ASX rare earths company surging today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Rio Tinto shares soar to an all-time high: Buy, hold or sell?
• How this $1.5 billion ASX 200 gold stock is on track to ramp up FY 2027 production
• Buy, hold, sell: ANZ, NAB, and WiseTech shares
• Why this ASX bank stock is tumbling today after earnings
• Paladin shares are falling again. Here’s what investors might be overlooking

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 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.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) shares are under pressure on Wednesday after the company released its latest quarterly update.

The stock is down 2.79% to $13.23 in morning trade, extending losses seen earlier in the week.

That comes after a strong run to start the year. Even with today’s drop, the share price is still up around 40% in 2026.

Today’s update puts the focus back on the core numbers and how the ramp-up is tracking.

Let’s take a closer look.

Production moves higher, guidance lifted

The March quarter showed steady progress at the Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia.

Paladin reported uranium oxide production of 1.29 million pounds for the quarter, up 5% on the previous period.

Sales volumes came in at 1.03 million pounds, with an average realised price of US$68.3 per pound, as more contracts moved in line with market pricing rather than fixed agreements.

However, the bigger change came in its guidance.

Full-year production expectations have been lifted to a range of 4.5 to 4.8 million pounds, up from the prior 4 to 4.4 million pounds, reflecting stronger plant performance and improved recovery rates during the quarter.

The operation is still ramping, but output is starting to build more consistently.

Costs and cash remain in focus

While production improved, costs are still a key part of the update.

Cost of production for the quarter came in at US$40.3 per pound, broadly in line with recent periods.

There was also a benefit from processing previously mined stockpiles, which helped keep costs stable.

On the balance sheet, Paladin reported cash and investments of US$219.5 million at the end of March.

The company also retains access to an undrawn US$70 million revolving credit facility, leaving room to fund ongoing operations and development work.

Capital expenditure and exploration spend were lower under the updated guidance, with spending now expected to come in below earlier estimates.

Growth pipeline continues to build

Beyond Namibia, attention is turning to Canada.

The Patterson Lake South project continues to move through development stages, with regulatory approvals progressing.

An environmental approval was received during the quarter, clearing a key hurdle.

At the same time, Paladin has started updating engineering studies to refine the project pathway.

Exploration drilling also continued, targeting extensions and new discoveries around the existing resource.

While still pre-production, the project is expected to play a major role in longer-term growth.

Foolish takeaway

The latest update shows a business continuing to lift output as the ramp-up progresses.

Production is building, guidance has been lifted, and the balance sheet remains solid.

The share price reaction suggests much of that progress was already priced in.

With the stock still well ahead this year, the focus now shifts to delivery across the next few quarters.

The post Paladin shares are falling again. Here’s what investors might be overlooking appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Paladin Energy boosts uranium production and lifts FY26 guidance
• Why Eden Innovation, Elsight, Paladin Energy, and Zip shares are racing higher today
• Why Paladin Energy, Alcoa and Zip shares are making headlines on Friday
• Paladin Energy shares are jumping 7% on big news
• Paladin Energy hikes FY2026 outlook after Langer Heinrich ramp-up

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.

Fresh guidance out of Morgans indicates healthy upside for two ASX All Ords shares. 

Here’s what the broker had to say. 

Gemlife Communities Group (ASX: GLF)

GemLife Communities Group is a developer, builder, owner, and operator within Australia’s Land Lease Community (LLC) sector.

This All Ords stock has fallen almost 10% year to date, however, fresh analysis from Morgans indicates it could rebound. 

The recent share price weakness looks overdone in our view. We have used the pullback as an opportunity to reassess key assumptions (ASP, settlement volumes, home build margins and gearing) in the context of the Iran conflict, a higher rate outlook, softer auction clearance rates and renewed cost inflation concerns.

The broker remains confident in the company’s near-term and long-term earnings growth prospects. It has upgraded the stock to a buy (previously accumulate).

Firstly, the demand thematic remains favourable, supported by a lack of downsizing options for an aging population and a customer cohort less exposed to financing and affordability pressures than other residential segments. Second, GLF’s pipeline and current level of development activity leave the business well placed to capitalise on this demand and drive meaningful volume growth over the next few years.

Lastly management has built a robust business model, characterised by low inventory risk, a vertically integrated platform and a demonstrated track record of managing home build margins through varying cost environments which we believe position GLF well to navigate the current operating landscape.

The broker has a target price of $5.66 on this ASX All Ords stock, which indicates an upside potential of 23% from yesterday’s closing price. 

MA Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MAF)

This ASX All Ords stock is a diversified financial services company, specialising in managing alternative assets, lending, corporate advisory, and equities.

Its share price has fallen significantly in 2026, by more than 30%.

Yesterday, it released its 1Q26 Operating Update.

This included an increase in assets under management (AUM) of 44% on 1Q25 to $14.8 billion. 

Management noted total AUM was down 3% over the quarter, largely due to the previously flagged sale process of Marion shopping centre. 

It said this will have an immaterial impact on FY26 revenue owing to the nature of this single client mandate.

Following the release, the team at Morgans said the key takeaway from the quarterly, in its view, was a softer Asset Management performance. 

The broker said this was impacted by market volatility, which overshadowed continuing robust MA Money loan book growth. 

As a result, the broker downgraded earnings per share (EPS) by 6% to 7% for FY26 and FY27. 

Our price target is revised to A$10.93 (from A$11.69). MAF has demonstrated consistent delivery in recent periods and, in our view, is well placed to deliver strong long-term growth. With >20% upside to our price target following recent share price weakness, we maintain our BUY call.

Despite the lowered price target, there remains an estimated 45% upside for this All Ords stock from yesterday’s closing price of $7.53. 

The post Two ASX All Ords shares with 20% to 45% upside according to Morgans appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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