Tag: Stock pick

  • The next 3 years could be huge for this ASX healthcare stock. Here’s why

    A male doctor and a woman in scrubs in the foreground smile.

    An ASX healthcare stock is back in focus today after a fresh update lifted confidence in its long-term outlook.

    The Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) share price is up 7.77% to $20.80.

    Over the past year, the stock has climbed around 70%, making it one of the strongest ASX performers in the healthcare sector.

    Let’s take a closer look at what the company announced to the market.

    What’s behind today’s update

    Today’s update focused on the company’s main product, DAYBUE, which is used to treat Rett syndrome, a rare neurological condition.

    The company’s US partner now believes global sales could reach about US$700 million by 2028. That is a big increase from current levels and suggests demand for the treatment is continuing to grow.

    More than 2,000 patients in the US have now been treated with DAYBUE. Importantly, around 55% of patients are still using the drug after 12 months, which has helped support steady, repeat revenue over time.

    Further growth is anticipated from the introduction of a new powder version of the drug, a larger US sales team, and potential approvals in Europe and other markets.

    A key benefit for Neuren is that it earns milestone payments and royalties, while its partner handles most of the sales and marketing costs.

    Why investors are taking notice

    This update helps explain why investors continue to back the stock, even after its strong run.

    Neuren is now valued at about $2.5 billion, despite having just one approved product. However, that product is already generating solid income and still has plenty of room to grow.

    The company also has another drug in late-stage development, which could add a second source of revenue in the future.

    What the chart is telling us

    Looking at the technical side of things, the share price remains in a healthy uptrend.

    The stock has been moving sideways between $18.50 and $21 for several months, with buyers stepping in around the $18.50 to $19 level. The price is still sitting above key trend lines.

    The relative strength index (RSI) is sitting near neutral levels, suggesting the stock is not overbought, despite the strong 12-month run. That leaves room for further upside if positive news continues.

    Foolish bottom line

    Today’s announcement supports the long-term growth outlook for Neuren.

    There is clear momentum in sales and patient numbers, with more growth opportunities ahead. While expectations are high, the business continues to make steady progress.

    The post The next 3 years could be huge for this ASX healthcare stock. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited right now?

    Before you buy Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • 2 ASX growth shares set to skyrocket in 2026 and beyond

    A woman rides through an office on a scooter with a rocket strapped to her back as colleagues cheer.

    The market has a habit of throwing out excellent businesses when sentiment turns sour. Over the past six months, we have seen exactly that play out across parts of the tech sector.

    Two ASX growth shares that stand out to me right now are Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO). Both are down more than 30% over the past six months. And in both cases, I think the share price weakness says far more about market mood than business quality.

    Catapult Sports shares

    Catapult is a stock I keep coming back to because the fundamentals continue to improve, even when the share price does not.

    The company sits at the heart of elite sport, data, and software. Its technology is embedded inside professional teams across more than 40 sports globally, and once adopted, it is very hard to replace. That shows up clearly in its metrics.

    In the first half of FY26, Catapult grew annualised contract value by 19% on a constant currency basis and lifted management EBITDA by 50% year on year. Retention remained above 95%, which puts it in rare company among global SaaS businesses. This is not a company struggling to find demand. It is one that is scaling with discipline.

    What really excites me is the operating leverage now emerging. Contribution margins are improving, free cash flow is turning positive, and the business is moving steadily closer to its longer-term margin targets. The acquisitions of Perch and IMPECT also expand Catapult’s addressable market and deepen its competitive moat, particularly in performance analytics and scouting.

    After a sharp pullback, the market is once again offering a chance to buy a global SaaS leader with improving profitability and a long runway for growth.

    Xero shares

    Xero is another example of a business whose share price has recently disconnected from its operational performance.

    In the first half of FY26, Xero delivered revenue growth of 20%, free cash flow growth of 54%, and a Rule of 40 outcome of 44.5%. Subscriber numbers rose to 4.6 million, churn remained low, and average revenue per user continued to climb. This is exactly what you want to see from a mature SaaS platform.

    The acquisition of Melio strengthens Xero’s position in the US, which remains its biggest long-term growth opportunity. Importantly, management continues to emphasise disciplined capital allocation and improving efficiency, with operating expenses as a percentage of revenue trending lower.

    I think Xero’s investment in artificial intelligence is another underappreciated driver. Its AI financial assistant, JAX, is not a marketing gimmick. It is designed to automate workflows, improve insights, and deepen customer engagement. Over time, that could support both retention and pricing power.

    Despite all this, Xero shares have fallen heavily from their highs. For long-term investors, I see this as an opportunity rather than a warning sign.

    Foolish Takeaway

    Both Catapult Sports and Xero are high-quality ASX growth shares that are executing well in challenging market conditions. They are not without risk, but their competitive positions, recurring revenue, and improving profitability give them genuine earnings power.

    If sentiment stabilises and execution continues, I would not be surprised to see both stocks outperform the share market meaningfully in 2026 and beyond.

    The post 2 ASX growth shares set to skyrocket in 2026 and beyond appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Catapult Group International right now?

    Before you buy Catapult Group International shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Catapult Group International wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Catapult Sports and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Titan Minerals shares leaping 14% on Wednesday on ‘spectacular’ gold results

    A woman in a business suit sits at her desk with gold bars in each hand while she kisses one bar with her eyes closed. Her desk has another three gold bars stacked in front of her. symbolising the rising Northern Star share price

    ASX gold stock Titan Minerals Ltd (ASX: TTM) shares are on fire today.

    Titan Minerals shares closed yesterday trading for 91 cents. In late morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $1.035 apiece, up 13.7%.

    For some context, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is down 0.1% at this same time while the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) itself is just about flat.

    Today’s outperformance is nothing new for Titan Minerals shares.

    With today’s intraday gains factored in, shares in the ASX gold stock are up 168.8% over 12 months, racing ahead of the 7.9% gains posted by the ASX All Ords and also handily beating the 115.9% gains achieved by the All Ords Gold Index.

    The miner has been a clear beneficiary of the surging gold price. Currently, the gold price has reached a new record high of US$4,597 per ounce, gaining 73% over the past full year.

    But Titan Minerals has hardly been sitting on its laurels.

    Here’s what’s piquing investor interest again today.

    Titan Minerals shares surge on exploration update

    Investors are piling into Titan Minerals following a resource drilling update from its Dynasty Gold Project, located in Ecuador.

    The miner has been completing resource definition diamond drilling at Dynasty as it works towards a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) update in Q1 2026.

    The latest infill results boosting Titan Minerals shares stem from drilling completed at the Cerro Verde prospect within Dynasty.

    Titan Minerals said the drilling delivered “exceptional wide, high-grade results”. It noted the strong results confirm the tenor and continuity of mineralisation at Dynasty, improving the company’s confidence and supporting resource categorisation upgrades.

    Among the significant intercepts, the ASX gold stock reported 38.5m at 3 g/t Au, 5.6 g/t Ag from 168.8m, including 7.5m at 11 g/t Au, 12.7 g/t Ag. (Note, Au = gold; Ag = silver.)

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the exploration results boosting Titan Minerals shares today, CEO Melanie Leighton said, “I’m excited to share these latest drill results which demonstrate the pedigree of the Dynasty gold system and its ability to consistently deliver exceptional wide, high-grade results from shallow depths.”

    She said the “phenomenal result” is likely to lead to resource upgrades at the Brecha-Comanche target, Cerro Verde prospect.

    “Our infill drilling has highlighted the quality and remarkable predictability of the Dynasty gold orebody, with latest results set to support resource classification upgrades and a robust MRE update suitable for feasibility studies,” Leighton explained.

    Addressing the temporary halt in drilling at Dynasty, she added:

    A pause in drilling will allow receipt and compilation of 2025 drill results and for the team to plan the next phase of drilling, which will be a combination of exploration to test new and conceptual targets, and resource extensions identified from latest geological and mineralisation modelling.

    The post Titan Minerals shares leaping 14% on Wednesday on ‘spectacular’ gold results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Titan Minerals Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Titan Minerals Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Titan Minerals Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Up more than 100% this month, this gold stock just hit a new record on drilling results

    a woman wearing a sparkly strapless dress leans on a neat stack of six gold bars as she smiles and looks to the side as though she is very happy and protective of her stash. She also has gold fingernails and gold glitter pieces affixed to her cheeks.

    Shares in LinQ Minerals Ltd (ASX: LNQ) hit a new record high on Wednesday after the company announced more strong drilling results from its Gilmore project.

    The New South Wales-focused gold developer said that the second hole of a drilling campaign at the Dam deposit, which is 600m from the Gidginbung open-pit mine, returned 142m at 1.01 grams per tonne of gold.

    LinQ Minerals Executive Chair Clive Donner said that it was another “high value result” from the company’s Gilmore project, which, coupled with previous exploration results, significantly extended the grade and thickness of shallow gold at the project.

    Mr Donner said there were multiple assays still pending, “and we anticipate further news flow this month”.

    Backing up strong results

    LinQ earlier this month reported results from the first hole of the drilling campaign, which intersected 114m at one gram per tonne of gold.

    The company added on Wednesday:

    With the results of the two remaining Dam holes pending, LinQ is highly encouraged by the assay results returned from both (hole one) and (hole two). Additionally, when coupled with the recent results from the Southern Zone phase 1 program, LinQ considers the Southern Zone to represent a significant mineralised district.

    Happy hunting grounds

    The Gilmore project is 100% owned by LinQ and is located between West Wyalong and Temora in New South Wales.

    The company said:

    This region is recognised as Australia’s premier porphyry gold-copper province home to multiple large-scale operating mines. The Gilmore Project hosts the full suite of the Macquarie Arc intrusive gold-copper systems, analogues to the nearby Cadia, Cowal and Northparkes Systems. The Company holds ~597km2 of tenements with a 60km belt of +20 known prospects and 6 mineral resource deposits. The extensive tenement package positions the Company as a major player in the region offering advanced brownfield and greenfield opportunities for copper-gold porphyry and epithermal gold deposits.

    Gilmore itself hosts a resource estimated at 516 million tonnes of ore containing about 3.7 million ounces of gold and 1.2 million tonnes of copper.

    LinQ shares traded as high as 43 cents on the news on Wednesday, up 16.2%, a new record for the stock, before settling back to be 5.5% higher at 38 cents.

    LinQ shares have more than doubled since the start of this month, soaring after the results from the first exploration hole were announced to the market.

    LinQ Minerals was valued at $63.3 million at the close of trade on Tuesday.

    The post Up more than 100% this month, this gold stock just hit a new record on drilling results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Up 211% in a year, guess which ASX 200 gold share just announced new high-grade results

    Happy miner giving ok sign in front of a mine.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold share Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) has more than tripled investors’ money over the past 12 months.

    Part of those outsized returns come with due thanks to the rocketing gold price. Gold is trading for US$4,597 per ounce today. That’s right near its all-time highs. And it sees the gold price up a remarkable 73% since this time last year.

    But shareholders in Pantoro Gold will have done even better.

    In morning trade today, Pantoro Gold shares are down 3%, trading for $5.23 apiece. While that’s underperforming the 0.1% gains posted by the ASX 200 today, investors who bought the ASX 200 gold share 12 months ago will still be sitting on gains of 211.3%.

    Or enough to turn a $6,000 investment into $18,679.

    In one year.

    Now, here’s the latest from Pantoro Gold’s Norseman Gold Project, located in Western Australia.

    ASX 200 gold share returns high-grade intercepts

    In a market release this morning, Pantoro Gold announced that infill drilling at Daisy South, situated with the Norseman Project, has returned high-grade gold intersections.

    The ASX 200 gold shares said these results support its existing mineralisation model and an updated open-pit mining study.

    Pantoro also noted that initial step-out drilling has returned high-grade extensions to mineralisation within the Daisy Shear Zone, which is situated south of the project’s current Mineral Resource.

    Management said that mine design and planning are underway. Pantoro Gold intends to develop Daisy South in conjunction with its Gladstone Everlasting Open Pit project over the next two years.

    Among the top results from the extensional drilling, the ASX 200 gold share reported 14m at 9.17 g/t Au (including) 2m at 23 g/t Au and 1m at 65.58g/t Au.

    As for the some of the top results from the Mineral Resource infill drilling, Pantoro reported 4m at 7.5 g/t Au (including) 1m at 22.32 g/t Au; and 9m at 4.92 g/t Au (including) 1m at 15.5 g/t Au and 1m at 11.61 g/t Au.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the results that have yet to lift the ASX 200 gold share today but could support it longer term, Pantoro Gold managing director Paul Cmrlec said:

    These high-grade results from Daisy South support the development of an additional open pit to be mined at the same time as the Gladstone Everlasting Open Pit, located just 900 metres to the west. Mining the pits simultaneously is expected to improve fleet efficiency and extend the open pit life of the Gladstone Everlasting Mining Centre.

    Mine planning and approvals are progressing, and further drilling is planned to continue to extend the resource.

    The post Up 211% in a year, guess which ASX 200 gold share just announced new high-grade results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pantoro right now?

    Before you buy Pantoro shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Pantoro wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Top Australian stocks to buy with $2,000 right now

    Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    If you have $2,000 sitting in your bank account with no immediate plans for it, it could be worth putting it to work in the share market.

    After all, the potential returns on offer from Australian stocks are vastly superior to what you would earn from a savings account.

    The good news is that you do not need a large portfolio or a complex strategy to get started. Sometimes, investing a single amount into high-quality businesses and letting time do the heavy lifting can be a sensible approach.

    With that in mind, here are two Australian stocks that could be good options for investors with $2,000 to invest right now.

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

    Although recent history might suggest otherwise, CSL remains one of the highest-quality businesses on the Australian share market.

    It is a global biotech giant with a specialty in plasma therapies, specialty pharmaceuticals, and vaccines. This means it is operating in areas of healthcare where demand is driven by long-term medical needs rather than economic cycles. This gives CSL a level of resilience that few companies can match.

    What sets CSL apart from many others is its ability to reinvest for growth. It consistently directs capital into research, manufacturing capacity, and global expansion, which has supported decades of earnings growth. In FY 2025, CSL spent US$1.36 billion on R&D and will be spending a similar amount again in FY 2026. This ensures that it has a pipeline of potential therapies to entrench its position and drive growth over the long term.

    For investors looking to put $2,000 into an Australian stock they can hold with long-term confidence, I think CSL could be worth considering.

    I’m not alone with this view. The team at Morgans has a buy rating and $249.51 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of over 40% for investors.

    REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

    Another Australian stock that could be a good pick for the $2,000 is REA Group.

    It is the company behind one of Australia’s most powerful digital platforms. REA Group’s realestate.com.au has become the default destination for property buyers, sellers, and agents, giving REA a dominant position in online real estate advertising. That dominance creates strong pricing power and valuable data advantages.

    Looking ahead, REA’s growth is not solely tied to property volumes. The company continues to expand its suite of products and services, increasing revenue per listing and deepening its role across the property transaction process. Over time, this creates opportunities for earnings growth even in softer housing markets.

    UBS thinks it could be an Australian stock to snap up. It has a buy rating and $255.00 price target on its shares. This is 35% higher than current levels.

    The post Top Australian stocks to buy with $2,000 right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in CSL right now?

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CSL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • If I invest $15,000 in Macquarie shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026?

    a woman sits in comtemplation with superimposed images of piles of gold coins, graphs and star-like lights above her head as though she is thinking about investment options.

    Owning Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares has largely been a good call for investors since the GFC, with the investment bank going through a significant expansion over the last 16 years, as well as growing passive income payouts in most years.

    As an ASX financial share, the business typically trades on a relatively lower price-earnings (P/E) ratio than other sectors, allowing the business to reward investors with a decent dividend yield. It also typically likes to be fairly generous with the dividend payout ratio.

    According to CommSec, there are currently seven analyst buy ratings on the business, making this a good time to consider whether Macquarie shares can provide an appealing passive income in 2026. Let’s look at the dividend potential of a $15,000 investment.

    Potential 2026 payout

    The projection from CommSec suggests that the business could see a significant increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $10.85 in the 2026 financial year.

    If the business has a fruitful year, the projection is that it could pay an annual dividend per share of $7.10 in 2026. Pleasingly, the forecasts on Commsec suggest EPS and the dividend could rise again in 2027, with the payout increasing to $7.70 per share. But today’s focus is the FY26 payment.

    At the time of writing, the possible payout for the 2026 financial year translates into a dividend yield of 3.4%, excluding franking credits. Grossed up for the likely franking credits, it’s a dividend yield of around 4%.

    What would happen with a $15,000 investment in Macquarie shares?

    Based on the potential dividend payout for FY26, a $15,000 investment in Macquarie shares could unlock $510 of annual passive cash income.

    Including the potential franking credits, the payout would translate into just over $580 of grossed-up dividend income.

    But, there’s also the potential capital growth that could occur over the next year.

    A 12-month time period is fairly short when it comes to shares – it’s better to think about three years, or more, into the future.

    Having said that, analysts’ price targets generally indicate to investors where they expect the share price to be in a year from the time of the investment call.

    According to CMC Markets, of recent analyst price targets on the business, the average price target is $222.59, implying a possible rise of approximately 8% from where it is at the time of writing.

    Therefore, analysts suggest that a $15,000 investment in Macquarie shares could increase to nearly $16,200 over the next 12 months. If the dividends and Macquarie share price rise as analysts predict, it could be a market-beating year for the ASX financial share.

    But, there could be other ASX shares that could deliver an even stronger return.

    The post If I invest $15,000 in Macquarie shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Macquarie Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Macquarie Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Macquarie Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Up 45% since August, ASX All Ords gold stock jumps on key approval

    Teen standing in a city street smiling and throwing sparkling gold glitter into the air.

    The All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up 0.3% in morning trade today, with ASX All Ords gold stock Brightstar Resources Ltd (ASX: BTR) charging ahead of those gains.

    Brightstar Resources shares closed yesterday trading for 52.5 cents. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for 53.5 cents apiece, up 1.9%.

    That sees shares in the Aussie gold miner up 44.6% since the stock plumbed one-year closing lows of 37 cents on 20 August.

    Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

    ASX All Ords gold stock leaps on regulatory approval

    Investors are bidding up Brightstar Resources shares today after the company announced that the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) has given the green light to commence mining operations at the Lady Shenton project.

    The project, located in Western Australia, is an important part of the Menzies Hub resource package that Brightstar Resources is developing within the Goldfields Hub.

    The ASX All Ords gold stock said that, having already received approval for the Native Vegetation Clearing Permit, the Lady Shenton deposit (estimated at 352,000 ounces of gold graded at 1.4 grams of gold per tonne) is ‘mine ready’ for production.

    Brightstar plans to haul the gold ore it mines from Lady Shenton to its proposed CIL gold recovery processing plant in Laverton.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the regulatory approval helping to boost the ASX All Ords gold stock today, Brightstar Resources managing director Alex Rovira said, “We are pleased to receive approval for the Mining Development and Closure Proposal for the open pit development of the Lady Shenton mine in Menzies.”

    Rovira noted, “This signifies a key milestone for the development of our Menzies assets, which once in operation will represent the first mining to occur since the successful Selkirk mining JV in 2024.”

    He added:

    Lady Shenton is now ‘mine ready’ and represents a low capex, high-margin deposit for Brightstar that complements the broader Goldfields Hub development. We look forward to releasing the updated DFS2.0 and providing a development update and timeline for the Menzies and Laverton Gold Projects this quarter.

    Rovira noted that as an unhedged gold producer, Brightstar “remains well placed in a strong gold price environment”.

    The ASX All Ords gold stock owns and operates two underground mines, and is a near-term developer of the 1.6Moz at 1.6g/t Au Goldfields Hub. Brightstar Resources is targeting final investment decision (FID) in the March quarter.

    Looking ahead, Rovira concluded:

    With over 4 million ounces of Mineral Resources on granted mining leases, Brightstar has a strategic objective of developing both the Goldfields and Sandstone Projects in the coming years as part of our aspiration to be a multi-asset, mid-tier scale WA gold producer.

    The post Up 45% since August, ASX All Ords gold stock jumps on key approval appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Brightstar Resources Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Brightstar Resources Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Brightstar Resources Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • BlueScope share price pushes higher amid $438m special dividend

    Excited couple celebrating success while looking at smartphone.

    The BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) share price is pushing higher again on Wednesday.

    In morning trade, the steel products company’s shares are up almost 1% to $30.06.

    Why is the BlueScope share price rising today?

    Today’s rise has nothing to do with recent takeover interest and everything to do with capital returns.

    According to the release, BlueScope has announced plans to return $438 million in surplus cash to shareholders through an unfranked special dividend.

    BlueScope will be rewarding shareholders with $1.00 per share, which is the equivalent of a 3.3% dividend yield at current prices.

    The company notes that the surplus cash that is being returned has been generated from recent initiatives. This includes the sale of BlueScope’s 50% interest in the Tata BlueScope joint venture for $167 million, the agreement to sell 33 hectares of land at West Dapto for $76 million, and the ongoing realisation of the residual projects in the BlueScope Properties Group. These are delivering a working capital release of around $200 million over FY 2025 and FY 2026.

    Why is it returning capital?

    The BlueScope board revealed that it has elected to return this surplus cash to shareholders through an unfranked special dividend because an on-market buy-back is currently not available due to corporate activity and regulatory settings.

    It notes that its dividend decision is part of BlueScope’s established capital management framework and is independent of any prior or potential future proposals for the company.

    Commenting on the capital return, BlueScope’s managing director and CEO, Mark Vassella, said:

    This special dividend demonstrates BlueScope’s ability to generate and distribute returns to its shareholders. With a clear line of sight to the completion of our current significant capital investment program, BlueScope is positioned to not only return to the robust cash generation it has been known for, but to strengthen it further with the enhanced earnings of the business. The Board will continue to carefully balance investment in growth with shareholders’ returns as cash flows build.

    There could be more returns to come in the future. BlueScope highlights that in addition to these recent cash generating initiatives, its free cash generation is set to ramp up over the next 12 to 18 months.

    This is expected to be delivered as the company works through the balance of its major investment program, with a reduction in capex of at least $500 million expected in FY 2027 relative to FY 2026.

    BlueScope shares will go ex-dividend for this special dividend on 20 January. After which, it is expected to be paid to eligible shareholders next month on 24 February.

    The post BlueScope share price pushes higher amid $438m special dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BlueScope Steel Limited right now?

    Before you buy BlueScope Steel Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BlueScope Steel Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • A fourth contract win in under a month has this ASX 200 company’s shares at a new record high

    Man raising both his arms in the air with a piggy bank on his lap, symbolising a record high.

    Shares in Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) are again hitting record levels after the company announced its fourth major contract win in less than two months.

    The company said in a statement to the ASX that it had been awarded a “major long-term maintenance contract with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) valued at approximately $300 million in aggregate over five years”.

    The company went on to say:

    Under the contract, the company will continue to provide fixed plant and shutdown services, delivering generalist mechanical and access services across Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

    Monadelphous Managing Director Zoran Bebic said the contract award reflected the company’s strong reputation for delivering safe and reliable maintenance services.

    He added:

    We are delighted to continue supporting Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations, where Monadelphous has provided services for more than 30 years.

    Latest in a series of wins

    The new contract win follows a $110 million suite of contracts announced just last week, a $175 million contract win with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) also announced last week, and a $250 million contract win with Rio Tinto in December.

    That contract with Rio was a major construction contract at the company’s Brockman iron ore project, also in the Pilbara.

    Monadelphous said at the time:

    The multidisciplinary contract, valued at approximately $250 million, includes fabrication and supply, detailed earthworks and concrete, structural, mechanical, piping and electrical and instrumentation works associated with the construction of a new primary crusher and overland conveyor, as well as modifications to existing plant. Work under the contract will commence immediately and is expected to be completed in 2027.

    Set up for a strong year

    At the company’s AGM in late November, chair Rob Velletri said the company had in 2025, secured about $2.3 billion in new contracts and contract extensions, which was a record, plus had added another $570 million since the end of the financial year.

    Mr Bebic said at the time the company was forecasting revenue for the half-year ending December 30 of about $1.5 billion, with full-year revenue expected to be about 20% to 25% higher than the previous year.

    Monadelphous shares traded as high as $29.51 on Wednesday morning, up 3.3% and a new record.

    Monadelphous Group was worth $2.85 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday. The company has more than doubled in value over the past year.

    The post A fourth contract win in under a month has this ASX 200 company’s shares at a new record high appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Monadelphous Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Monadelphous Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Monadelphous Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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