Tag: Stock pick

The Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) share price is in focus today after the company reported a record first half revenue of $2.2 billion and normalised profit before tax expected between $172 million and $175 million.

What did Super Retail Group report?

• Group revenue for H1 FY26 is anticipated at $2.2 billion, up from the prior year.
• Normalised profit before tax (PBT) forecast between $172 million and $175 million.
• Supercheap Auto posted $813 million in revenue and PBT of $101–$102 million.
• rebel reported $741 million in revenue and $53 million PBT.
• BCF contributed $520 million in revenue and $39 million PBT; Macpac added $122 million in sales and $7 million PBT.
• Group like-for-like sales up 2.5%, with strong growth in Macpac (7.8%) and Supercheap Auto (3.5%).

What else do investors need to know?

The Group reported robust sales performance despite higher promotional activity, which weighed on gross margins, particularly at rebel. Store network activity was high, with 7 new store openings, 6 closures, and 3 refurbishments or relocations completed during the half.

Group and unallocated costs included duplication expenses for a new distribution centre in Victoria and the launch of a new HR and payroll platform, both on track for completion in the second half of the financial year. At the end of the half, Super Retail Group maintained a positive cash balance and no drawn bank debt.

What did Super Retail Group management say?

Group Managing Director and CEO Paul Bradshaw said:

I am pleased to report that Super Retail Group has delivered another record first half sales result. The Group traded well, albeit with an elevated level of promotional intensity impacting realised gross margins, most notably in rebel.

What’s next for Super Retail Group?

The Group expects to finalise its first half results and provide a more comprehensive update during its interim results presentation on 26 February 2026. Key projects—including a new distribution centre and upgraded payroll system—remain on track to go live in the second half, supporting ongoing operational improvements.

Management continues to focus on balancing growth in sales with disciplined cost and margin management as the business navigates a dynamic retail environment.

Super Retail Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Super Retail Group shares have risen 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Super Retail Group reports record H1 FY26 trading result appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Aristocrat Leisure scores $190m settlement and ends Light & Wonder litigation
• Light & Wonder settles Aristocrat lawsuit with $190m payout
• Cochlear shares lag the ASX 200 after a tough year. Is it time to buy?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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 Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) share price is in focus today after the company announced a $190 million settlement from Light & Wonder (ASX: LNW), ending legal action over the alleged use of Aristocrat’s intellectual property in competing games.

What did Aristocrat Leisure report?

• Received USD $127.5 million (approx. AUD $190 million) compensation from Light & Wonder for IP infringement
• Light & Wonder to permanently cease sales of the Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon games worldwide
• Light & Wonder must destroy all documents containing Aristocrat’s proprietary maths information
• Litigation in Australia and the US dismissed as part of the settlement
• Confidential procedures agreed for dealing with Aristocrat maths in some hold and spin games

What else do investors need to know?

The confidential settlement ends a significant legal battle between Aristocrat and a key competitor, bringing certainty and a material cash inflow. Light & Wonder has acknowledged the use of some Aristocrat math techniques and committed to permanently remove the affected games globally.

Both companies have affirmed the importance of respecting intellectual property and fair competition. The agreement also sets up confidential procedures in case similar intellectual property issues arise in Light & Wonder’s other products.

What did Aristocrat Leisure management say?

Aristocrat CEO and Managing Director, Trevor Croker, said:

Aristocrat welcomes fair competition but will always robustly defend and enforce its intellectual property rights. As an ideas and innovation company our intellectual property is vital to our ongoing success. We are committed to protecting the great work of our dedicated creative and technical teams. We welcome this positive outcome, which includes significant financial compensation and follows the decisive action we took to ensure the preservation of Aristocrat’s valuable intellectual property assets. This decisive action included securing a preliminary injunction in September 2024, at which time the court recognised that Light & Wonder was able to develop Dragon Train by using Aristocrat’s valuable trade secrets and without investing the equivalent time and money.

What’s next for Aristocrat Leisure?

With litigation resolved, Aristocrat can redirect focus to its global gaming, online, and content creation businesses, underpinned by its commitment to innovation and protecting creative assets. The settlement strengthens Aristocrat’s position as a leader in gaming technology and should enhance confidence among shareholders and partners.

The one-off compensation is expected to support further investment in product innovation and growth. Management has reaffirmed its dedication to upholding fair competition while safeguarding the work of its teams worldwide.

Aristocrat Leisure share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Aristocrat Leisure shares have declined 19%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Aristocrat Leisure scores $190m settlement and ends Light & Wonder litigation appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Super Retail Group reports record H1 FY26 trading result
• Light & Wonder settles Aristocrat lawsuit with $190m payout
• Cochlear shares lag the ASX 200 after a tough year. Is it time to buy?
• Top 5 ASX 200 retail shares of 2025
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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 Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Light & Wonder Inc. 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.

Generating passive income from the share market doesn’t have to involve picking individual dividend stocks.

For many investors, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a simple and diversified way to build an income stream over time.

ASX income ETFs provide exposure to dozens, or even hundreds, of businesses in a single investment, helping smooth volatility while still delivering regular distributions.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth considering for a passive income portfolio.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF is one of the most widely used income-focused ETFs on the ASX.

It invests in Australian shares with higher-than-average forecast dividend yields, based on broker research. This naturally results in a portfolio dominated by established, cash-generative blue-chip businesses.

Key holdings typically include companies such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). These businesses have long histories of paying dividends and tend to form the backbone of many income portfolios.

For investors seeking franked income and exposure to Australia’s biggest dividend payers, the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF could be a top choice.

Betashares Global Royalties ETF (ASX: ROYL)

Another ASX ETF to look at is the Betashares Global Royalties ETF. It offers a very different approach to income investing.

Rather than relying on traditional dividend-paying shares, this ASX ETF invests in businesses that earn revenue from royalties. These royalties are typically paid for the use of intellectual property, natural resources, or technology, providing a distinct and often more resilient income stream.

The fund’s holdings include stocks such as ARM Holdings (NASDAQ: ARM), Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE: WPM), and Universal Music Group. Many of these businesses benefit from long-term contracts and structural growth trends, rather than short-term economic cycles.

The Betashares Global Royalties ETF could be particularly appealing for investors looking to diversify their income sources beyond banks, miners, and property stocks. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

Finally, while not designed as a pure income fund, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF can still play an important role in a passive income strategy.

This ASX ETF focuses on high-quality Australian shares with strong balance sheets, sustainable earnings, and attractive profitability metrics. These characteristics often support reliable dividends that can grow steadily over time.

Its holdings include popular shares such as Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW). While its dividend yield may be lower than high-yield ETFs initially (3.4% at present), its emphasis on quality can help grow income over the long term.

For investors who want to balance passive income with capital preservation and growth, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF could be a valuable complement to higher-yield funds. It was also recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post 3 strong ASX ETFs to buy for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 10 excellent ASX ETFs to buy in 2026

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Telstra Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Two popular ASX 200 media shares — REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) and Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) — are currently circling their 52-week lows.

REA shares are down 20.5% to $186.49 over 6 months, while Nine Entertainment has tumbled 32% over the same period to $1.13, at the time of writing.

Although the reasons behind the fall differ, both companies are under pressure from a combination of structural challenges, regulatory scrutiny, and shifting investor sentiment.

With share prices well off their highs, investors are now asking the question: does this sell-off present a buying opportunity, or are there more headwinds ahead?

Let’s take a closer look at the ASX media shares and see how analysts are reading the situation.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group shares, which give investors exposure to property platform realestate.com.au, have taken a noticeable hit in 2025.

Importantly, the sell-off appears to be driven more by sentiment and concerns around future growth than by any major deterioration in the underlying business.

The ASX media share continues to dominate its market, benefits from strong pricing power, and is still delivering earnings growth. Even though the share price has fallen, REA’s latest results show the business continues to grow.

In the first quarter of FY26, revenue rose by about 4% compared with last year, while profits increased by roughly 5%, supported by steady demand in REA’s key markets.

That said, several factors have made investors more cautious. The ASX media share reported a decline in new national property listings, which has raised questions about near-term growth. Adding to the uncertainty, the ACCC launched an investigation into the company’s pricing practices in May.

Despite these concerns, analysts have not turned overly bearish. Macquarie has a neutral rating and a price target of $220. Other brokers are more optimistic. UBS has a price target of $255, which points to a 37% upside.

While some targets have been trimmed recently, the average 12-month price target for the ASX 200 media stock still sits 11% above the current price.

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

Nine Entertainment’s share price decline has been more dramatic in the past 6 months. Part of the drop was technical rather than purely fundamental.

In May, the company sold its 60% stake in Domain, returning capital to shareholders via a special dividend. When the stock went ex-dividend on 11 September, the share price fell sharply by 34% to reflect that payout.

However, the ASX media share is facing genuine operational challenges. Analysts are increasingly wary of the company’s heavy reliance on its free-to-air television business, which remains highly exposed to a softer advertising market.

As a result, some brokers have downgraded revenue forecasts for 2026 from around $2.7 billion to closer to $2.3 billion.

Looking ahead, Nine’s key challenge will be stabilising earnings from its traditional television and radio assets. The ASX media share will have to achieve meaningful growth through its digital platforms such as Stan.

Macquarie’s research team has expressed continued caution, pointing to uncertainty around free-to-air advertising spending and the need for disciplined cost management to support earnings.

Even so, analyst expectations have not collapsed. Most brokers have trimmed their price targets recently, with the 12-month price average now sitting at $1.31. That suggests potential upside of 16% from current levels.

The majority of analysts continue to rate the stock as a (strong) buy, largely reflecting the significantly lower share price.

The post Are these 2 ASX 200 media shares a bargain? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• The simple buy and hold investing lesson that still works with ASX shares today
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• Down 20% in a year, can REA Group shares rebound in 2026?

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 recommended Nine Entertainment. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) share price is in focus today after the company resolved its litigation with Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL), agreeing to pay USD $127.5 million (around AUD $190 million) to settle claims of misappropriation of intellectual property.

What did Light & Wonder report?

• Settlement of litigation with Aristocrat Leisure for USD $127.5 million (approx. AUD $190 million)
• Agreement to permanently cease and remove Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon games globally
• Commitment not to use Aristocrat’s intellectual property in future games
• Both parties to dismiss all related claims in Australia and the United States
• Confidential process to resolve potential issues in other existing or developing Light & Wonder games

What else do investors need to know?

The settlement addresses litigation arising from Aristocrat’s claims that elements of its proprietary game mathematics and copyright material were used in two Light & Wonder games. Both companies acknowledged the importance of innovation and intellectual property protection for the gaming industry’s healthiest competition.

Importantly, Light & Wonder stated it has improved internal processes to strengthen compliance and prevent similar issues in the future. The company took immediate action when it learned of inappropriate use of Aristocrat math, attributing the incident to the actions of a former employee.

What did Light & Wonder management say?

Light & Wonder CEO Matt Wilson said:

Light & Wonder is pleased to resolve this matter and move forward. We are firmly committed to doing business the right way – respecting our competitors’ intellectual property rights while protecting our own rights. This matter arose when a former employee inappropriately used certain Aristocrat math without our knowledge and in direct violation of our policies. Upon discovery, we took immediate action and have since implemented strengthened processes aimed at preventing similar issues in the future. This settlement protects the interests of our customers, employees, and shareholders, and allows us to continue our focus on developing and delivering the market-leading content our customers expect—without distraction or disruption.

What’s next for Light & Wonder?

The conclusion of this litigation removes a significant source of uncertainty for Light & Wonder, allowing the company to refocus on its core business and growth strategy. Management says the business will prioritise innovation while upholding integrity and compliance with global standards.

Light & Wonder also signalled its ongoing investment in delivering new digital and land-based gaming experiences, positioning itself as a leader in the competitive global games industry.

Light & Wonder share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement

The post Light & Wonder settles Aristocrat lawsuit with $190m payout appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Cochlear shares lag the ASX 200 after a tough year. Is it time to buy?
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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 Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Light & Wonder Inc. 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.

iShares Core S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV) investors benefitted from a third year of double-digit growth for US stocks in 2025.

The S&P 500 Index (SP: INX) soared 16.39% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 17.88%, according to S&P Global.

But IVV ETF investors didn’t see this level of returns.

Here’s why.

2025 returns for IVV ETF investors

IVV investors did not see 16% growth or 18% total returns because of the weakened US dollar against the Australian dollar last year.

The stronger Aussie dollar reduced returns in our currency from US stocks and the ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking them.

The erosion is clear, with the IVV ETF rising 8.24% to $68.45 per unit, and delivering a total return of 10.13% in 2025.

The same impact was seen across all ASX ETFs tracking the S&P 500 without currency hedging.

The Aussie dollar rose from about 62 US cents in January 2025 to about 67 US cents by the end of the year.

The US dollar was weakened by US interest rate cuts and uncertainty over the impact of new tariffs on business growth and inflation.

If we compare IVV’s performance to the ASX in local dollar terms, the IVV delivered superior capital growth but inferior total returns.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 6.8% in 2025 and produced total returns of 10.32% for investors.

The ASX IVV is a popular way for Aussie investors to gain geographical diversification in their investment portfolios.

Australians have certainly cottoned on to the trend of US stocks outperforming ASX shares every year since 2022.

This has led to substantial inflows into ETFs tracking US indices.

The latest ASX data shows the IVV ETF received a net $1,332.39 million inflow of funds from Aussie investors over the year to November.

By comparison, the most popular ASX ETF for investing in Australian shares, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), received a net inflow of $3,427.44 million.

Top 5 stocks in ASX IVV for share price growth

The following US stocks delivered the strongest capital growth for IVV ETF investors last year.

1. Flash memory designer and manufacturer Sandisk Corp (NASDAQ: SNDK), up 548%

2. Data storage company and hardware manufacturer, Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ: WDC), up 335%

3. Computer data storage company, Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ: MU), up 222%

4. Global data storage solutions company, Seagate Technology Holdings PLC (NASDAQ: STX), up 220%

5. US stocks trading platform provider, Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD), up 183%

Both Sandisk and Robinhood ascended into the S&P 500 index during the second half of the year.

The post Own IVV ETF? Here are your returns for 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are fortunate enough to have $10,000 to invest in ASX dividend shares, then it could be worth considering the three in this article.

They are high-quality businesses with positive outlooks, defensive qualities, and offer attractive forecast dividend yields.

Here’s why they could be top picks for income investors with $10,000 to put to work in the share market this month:

APA Group (ASX: APA)

The first ASX dividend share that could be a top pick is APA Group. It is arguably one of the most defensive income stocks on the Australian share market.

The company owns and operates critical energy infrastructure, including gas pipelines, storage assets, and electricity transmission infrastructure across Australia. These assets are typically governed by long-term contracts and regulated frameworks, which provide highly predictable cash flows.

That stability is what underpins APA’s appeal to income investors. Its focus is on steady earnings, inflation-linked revenue, and consistent distributions, which makes it a strong foundation holding for a dividend-focused portfolio.

The consensus estimate is for dividends of 58 cents per share in FY 2026. Based on its current share price of $8.78, this would mean a dividend yield of 6.6%.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Another ASX dividend share to consider for a $10,000 investment is Transurban Group.

Transurban owns and operates toll roads in Australia and North America, including some of the country’s most important transport corridors. This includes CityLink and the West Gate Tunnel in Melbourne, the Cross City Tunnel and M5 East in Sydney, and AirportlinkM7 in Brisbane.

These assets benefit from long concession lives, pricing power through toll escalation, and traffic volumes that tend to grow over time with population and urban expansion.

While Transurban carries debt, its cash flows are highly visible and resilient, which supports reliable distributions. For long-term investors, it also offers a degree of inflation protection, as tolls typically rise each year.

It is expected to reward shareholders of 69 cents per share in FY 2026. Based on its current share price of $13.95, this represents a dividend yield of 4.9%.

Woolworths Group (ASX: WOW)

Finally, Woolworths Group could be an ASX dividend share for the $10,000. It is one of Australia’s most trusted dividend payers.

As the country’s largest supermarket operator, Woolworths benefits from demand that doesn’t disappear when economic conditions soften. People still need to buy groceries, which helps support earnings and cash generation even during tougher periods.

Analysts expect this to underpin a fully franked dividend of 99.5 cents per share in FY 2026. Based on its current share price of $30.08, this would mean a dividend yield of 3.3%.

The post 3 defensive ASX dividend shares to buy with $10,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) share price has sunk around 40% from September 2025, as the chart below shows. This could be a great time to consider the ASX dividend stock as an opportunity for both steady dividends and potential capital growth.

Premier Investments derives its value from three businesses – Peter Alexander, Smiggle and a substantial stake of Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG).

In my view, Premier Investments could be a compelling opportunity whilst investors are cautious about the prospects of Smiggle and the US tariffs impacting Breville.

Let’s look at the dividend potential of the business.

ASX dividend stock passive income payout potential

Following the sale of its apparel brands (Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Dotti and so on) to Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR), the company’s net profit generation and dividend potential has been reset.

The broker UBS predicts that Premier Investments could generate net profit after tax of $143 million in the (current) 2026 financial year. That equates to potential earnings per share (EPS) of 90 cents, allowing the business to deliver projected passive income of 58 cents per share by the ASX dividend stock.

If the company does deliver that level of income to investors, it’d equate to a grossed-up dividend yield of close to 6%, including franking credits.

But, the payout is projected to steadily increase in the coming years.

UBS suggests the dividend per share could climb to 64 cents in FY27, 73 cents in FY28, 78 cents in FY29 and 84 cents in FY30.

Therefore, by FY30, investing at the current valuation could lead to a grossed-up dividend yield of almost 9%, including franking credits.

Can earnings grow as predicted?

UBS currently expects that the ASX dividend stock’s net profit could climb every year between FY26 to FY30, going from $143 million to $208 million over that period, representing an increase of 45%.

The broker is estimating that Peter Alexander could grow its sales revenue by around 7% in the financial years FY26 to FY28, and then at around 4% for FY29 onwards.

UBS said consumers had upgraded their perception of Peter Alexander, from a functional product to also a gifting brand, increasing the revenue pool and the ability to sustain premium prices.

The broker believes:

Efforts to expand the addressable market into men’s, kids, accessories and plus have increased category & customer participation. This expansion requires a larger store size (from ~150sqm to now ~300sqm), with refurbishments a growth driver, while store growth in ANZ continues as well as further online penetration (in ANZ & beyond).

PA’s entry into the UK has commenced (3 stores) but despite very good in-store execution, performance to date is arguably below expectations noting a weak UK consumer environment and the challenge of replicating the PA ANZ brand perception in a new market.

However, Smiggle is expected to see sales fall 10% in FY26, be flat in FY27 and then deliver growth of 2% in FY28 onwards. UBS said that young families are exposed to the cost of living across all markets and it hasn’t been able to expand its product categories because its customer base is set at ages 4 to 11.

But, the weakness is already recognised by the market, hence the drop of the Premier Investments share price.

UBS has a buy rating on the ASX dividend stock, with a price target of $19, suggesting a potentially significant rise during 2026.

The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 41% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Breville Group. 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 Myer and Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Silver, lithium, and critical minerals prices surged last week amid a broader ongoing commodities rally that is lifting ASX mining shares.

The prices of silver, lithium, palladium, molybdenum, and indium rose by more than 10%, with indium the stand-out with a 24% lift.

The energy transition is boosting demand for lithium to power batteries and silver to build solar panels and modern tech devices.

Silver has other tailwinds, including global economic uncertainty which is leading to investors seeking safe havens in silver and gold.

The restructure of global trade amid US tariffs and geopolitical tensions is also leading to many nations, including the US and China, limiting exports to protect home-based manufacturing and limit technological advancement and defence capabilities elsewhere.

This had led to new categorisations of certain commodities, such as silver, which the US added to its Critical Minerals List in November.

Let’s look at what happened last week with these commodities.

Silver

Last week, the silver price leapt 10.1% to close the global trading week at US$79.95 per ounce.

Silver was the best performing metal or mineral of 2025.

The silver price rose 147% — more than twice the pace of gold — and set a new record at US $83.90 per ounce in the last week of December.

Silver is the ‘poor cousin’ of gold but benefits from the same tailwind of investors seeking safe havens during economic uncertainty.

Tumultuous geopolitics, less faith in the US dollar as the reserve currency, and falling interest rates have fuelled investors’ interest in both.

Silver also has significant industrial uses that have gained relevance in the age of green energy, high technology, and advanced healthcare.

Silver is used in solar panels and tech devices, with Citi estimating that the solar industry is gobbling up 30% of annual production.

Technology device manufacturers use silver to build circuits, connectors, and to solder metals in smartphones, laptops, and other things.

Silver is also essential for electric vehicles (EVs) and data centres. It’s in the wiring due to its superior electrical conductivity to copper.

Last week, ASX 200 diversified miner South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) rose 8.45% to close the week at $3.85 per share.

The South32 share price also hit a 52-week high at $3.87 per share last week.

South32 owns the Cannington mine in north-west Queensland, which is one of the world’s largest producers of silver and lead.

Lithium

Lithium prices also surged last week, with the carbonate price ripping to a two-year high.

The lithium carbonate price leapt 17.2% to close the week at US$20,064.93 per tonne.

Higher demand and lower supply worldwide has seen lithium prices commence a remarkably rapid rebound over the past six months.

There is greater demand for lithium for batteries and power infrastructure, as well as EV manufacturing — especially in China where EVs outsold traditional cars for the first time last October.

China is also seeking to stabilise lithium prices by avoiding over-capacity.

Trading Economics analysts said:

The Bureau of Natural Resources of Yichun, which includes the lithium mining hub in the Chinese Jiangxi province, stated it would cancel 27 mining permits early next year.

The move was consistent with the earlier suspension of activity in CATL‘s Jianxiawo lithium mine as the Chinese government aims to reduce capacity in many goods industries to prevent the ongoing race-to-the-bottom that has stirred deflationary pressures.

Lithium’s surged last week pushed many ASX lithium mining shares to new 52-week highs.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares rose 7.89% to finish the week at $4.65. PLS shares hit a 52-week high of $4.89 over the week.

The Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price streaked 26.5% higher to $2.05, and also struck a new 52-week high at $2.10.

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares increased 17.86% to 33 cents on Friday, after hitting a two-year high at 36 cents during the week.

Critical minerals

The commodities palladium and indium, which are on the US Critical Minerals List, and molybdenum all rose by 10% or more last week.

Palladium is one of the six platinum-group metals (PGMs).

It is used in catalytic converters in low-emission vehicles. Converters process carbon monoxide and other toxic gases into less harmful gases like carbon dioxide and nitrogen, which reduces car emissions.

Palladium futures rose 10.6% last week to finish trading at US$1,870.50 per ounce.

Molybdenum strengthens steel and alloys so they can withstand high temperatures and pressures.

The commodity price price rose 10.3% to US$73.10 per kilogram last week.

Indium, which is largely generated as a by-product of zinc ore processing, is used in touchscreens, LEDs, and solar panels.

The indium price surged 24% to US$73.10 per kilogram.

Iltani Resources Ltd (ASX: ILT) is building an Australian-based portfolio of advanced critical minerals exploration projects.

Iltani’s main focus is its Herberton Project in northern Queensland.

Herberton has a long history of mining for tin, tungsten, copper, silver-lead-zinc, antimony, molybdenum, and gold.

Iltani’s project includes multiple tenements across a 367 square kilometre zone.

Iltani is exploring a large scale silver-indium rich epithermal system at the Orient deposit within the Herberton Project.

The company says:

With additional drilling planned at Orient, Iltani believes there is material potential to increase the grade and size of the Orient System as the project advances towards development.

The Iltani Resources share price has ripped by more than 220% over the past 12 months.

Last week, the ASX mining share slipped 3.9% to finish trading at 62 cents.

The post Silver, lithium, and critical minerals commodities book double digit gains in just one week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers rate 3 ASX All Ords shares that more than tripled in value in 2025
• Up 260% in a year, can this ASX 200 lithium stock keep climbing in 2026?
• ASX 200 materials sector dominates as scores of mining shares hit new highs
• PLS Group shares: After a year of outperformance, is it still a buy?
• 3 monster stocks to hold for the next 3 years

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Core Lithium and 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.

S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) shares rose by 7.11% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 10.56% last year.

The ASX All Ords, which is comprised of 500 companies, slightly outperformed the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

The ASX 200 increased by 6.8% and provided total returns of 10.32%.

The main reason for the All Ords’ outperformance was the impact of a greater number of small-cap shares than the ASX 200.

ASX small-cap shares have market capitalisations between a few hundred million dollars and $2 billion.

Small-caps ripped in 2025 for several reasons, including falling interest rates, which reduced the cost base of young companies with debt.

The rising value of gold explorers was also a factor, according to Blackwattle portfolio managers, Robert Hawkesford and Daniel Broeren.

Demonstrating this, every single one of the five best-performing ASX All Ords shares for capital growth last year were small-caps.

And three junior gold miners were among them.

The question is, are they still good buys for the new year after such strong price growth in 2025?

Are these ASX All Ords stars still good buys?

The experts weigh in.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

Defence company Droneshield achieved the highest share price growth of its ASX All Ords peers in 2025.

The Droneshield share price leapt 300% to close at $3.08 on 31 December.

Droneshield is benefitting from a massive increase in global defence spending amid greater geopolitical turmoil.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX All Ords share with a 12-month price target of $4.50.

In a note, the broker said:

We expect 2026 will be an inflection point for the global counter-drone industry with countries poised to unleash a wave of spending on RF detect and defeat solutions.

Consequently, we believe DRO should see material contracts flowing from its $2.5b potential sales pipeline over the next 3-6 months as defence budgets roll over to FY26e.

Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG)

ASX All Ords gold share Resolute Mining skyrocketed 206% to finish the year at $1.23.

Resolute Mining is an African-focused gold miner currently developing a third gold project, Doropo, in Cote d’Ivoire.

The new mine will supplement existing production from the Syama mine in Mali and the Mako mine in Senegal.

Canaccord Genuity has a buy rating on Resolute Mining shares with a price target of $2.30.

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO)

This ASX All Ords lithium share leapt 206% higher to close out 2025 at 28 cents per share.

Core Lithium shares have benefitted from rising lithium prices over the past six months.

Investors are now anticipating the re-opening of Core’s flagship Finniss Project, which was put into care and maintenance in early 2024 due to weak commodity prices.

Core Lithium released a restart plan last year and reckons it can get Finniss up and running within a month.

But the company needs to find new financial partners first.

Last week, Goldman Sachs retained its hold rating on this ASX All Ords lithium share.

While the broker raised its share price target from 14 cents to 18 cents, this is well below where Core Lithium is trading today.

The post Brokers rate 3 ASX All Ords shares that more than tripled in value in 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Silver, lithium, and critical minerals commodities book double digit gains in just one week
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Experts rate 3 ASX 200 stars of 2025: Is there more growth ahead?
• Here are my top 10 ASX stocks for 2026
• Buy, hold, sell: CBA, CSL, and DroneShield shares

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Core Lithium. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield and Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.