Tag: Stock pick

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares have jumped higher in Thursday morning trade as investors digest the airline giant’s latest FY26 earnings results.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 airline shares are up around 4% and are changing hands for $9.55 a piece.

Today’s increase is good news for investors after the shares crashed 14% over the past couple of weeks. But it hasn’t done enough to recoup the heavy losses just yet. 

For the year-to-date, the shares are still down around 9%, and they’re 14% lower than 12 months ago.

What did the airline report today?

Qantas reported a 13.8% year-on-year decline in underlying profit before tax, to $2.06 billion. 

Statutory profit after tax fell around 29% to $1.3 billion

For the 12-month period, Qantas reported a 12.7% year-on-year decline in underlying earnings per share to 96 cents.

Qantas’ $6.2 billion of net debt came in at the middle of its target range of $5.5 billion to $6.9 billion for FY26.

With profits down, management declared a fully-franked final Qantas dividend of 19.8 cents per share, and a total dividend of 39.6 cents per share, down 25% from last year’s final payout.

Management forecasts unit revenues to grow by 8–10% in the first half of FY27, despite ongoing pressure from elevated fuel prices.

It looks like investors are happy with today’s update, and many are buying back into the stock while the shares are still trading for cheap.

Is Qantas a turnaround story?

Qantas shares were smashed lower earlier this year as conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel prices put airlines under pressure.

Jet fuel (refined from crude oil) is the highest operating cost for airlines. Given Australia imports more than 90% of its refined fuel, its local prices track global oil prices and currency movements. 

That means that when oil prices increase amid tight supply and geopolitical tensions, jet fuel prices also jumped. This means that airlines, such as Qantas, face higher operating costs, which can pressure profits and potentially weigh on their share prices.

In fact, this morning Qantas reported that the impact from the Middle East conflict has cost the airline an estimated $420 million to date, largely driven by higher jet fuel costs.

But despite the higher fuel costs, the company expects to see unit revenues grow by 8% to 10% in the first half of FY27.

Robust domestic and international travel demand has helped the aviation giant’s shares maintain some level of stability. And signs that inflation and cost-of-living is improving has also likely supported the stock.

What do the experts expect next?

Market expects could revise their forecasts on the Qantas share price in coming days, following the results announcement.

But at the time of writing, it looks like the share could fly a lot higher over the next 12 months.

TradingView data shows the majority (14 out of 15) have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. 

But after the latest slump, all analysts anticipate a strong upside ahead.

The $11.68 average target price implies a potential 22% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. Even the minimum target price implies the shares could jump 13% higher. 

The post Qantas shares jump 4% today: Is this the start of a rebound? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Own Qantas shares? Here’s how much the latest dividend will pay
• Why Wesfarmers, Mineral Resources and Qantas shares are turning heads on Thursday
• Qantas Airways share price on watch as FY26 profit dips but dividend and upgrades unveiled
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 2 ASX 200 shares I’d buy and 2 I’d avoid amid a surging Aussie dollar

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

The team at Bell Potter have been busy casting their eye over the recently published profit reports and has earmarked three miners with the potential for large share price gains.

Let’s see who they like.

Fenix Resources Ltd (ASX: FEX)

Iron ore producer Fenix produced a record 4.4 million tonnes of ore for the full year, boosting net profit by 128% to $12 million, on revenue of $589.7 million, up 87%.

The company also said it expected to further grow production in the current year to 4.7 to 5.3 million tonnes while maintaining costs at FY26 levels.

Bell Potter said earnings came in above its estimates, and there was also a positive surprise in the form of a 1-cent-per-share dividend.

The broker said:

FEX has outlined a clear pathway to incrementally grow iron ore production to 10Mtpa at significantly lower unit costs, leveraging its integrated logistics network to underpin cash flows and fund its substantial organic growth outlook. FEX holds the largest storage position at the strategic and fast-growing Geraldton Port.

Bell Potter has a price target of 54 cents on Fenix compared to 29.25 cents currently.

Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC)

Bell Potter said Nickel Industries’ full-year result was mixed, with revenue higher than their forecast but earnings lower due to higher finance and depreciation charges.

On the positive side, Bell Potter said the company was well leveraged to changes in the nickel price.

They said:

Overall, this leverage was reflected in revenue rising 13%, EBITDA rising 54% and NPAT rising 366% vs the previous corresponding period. Looking ahead, we expect volume growth and increased margins to drive aggressive EBITDA and earnings growth in 2HCY26 and CY27 as mining ramps up.

Bell Potter has a price target of $1.45 on Nickel Industries shares compared to 86.75 cents currently.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

The uranium miner recently reported revenue of US$304 million and EBITDA of US$63 million, which was below Bell Potter’s estimate of US$71 million.

The broker said this was “due to higher corporate and marketing costs which reflect the larger, multi-jurisdictional business following the completion of the Fission acquisition in FY25”.

Bell Potter said FY26 was a “transitional year” at Paladin’s Langer Heinrich mine, and they expected a lift in operating performance “with fresh ore now the sole feed to the processing plant and rising uranium prices to further support earnings”.

The broker added:

We retain our Buy recommendation. We have a positive medium- to long-term outlook for the uranium market, supported by barriers to new supply and demand growth linked to electrification, energy security and AI-related power requirements.

Bell Potter has a price target of $14.50 on Paladin compared to $12.07 currently.  

The post 3 ASX mining shares Bell Potter rates a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Strong profit growth shines in Nickel Industries half-year 2026 earnings
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• 3 oversold ASX 200 shares trading for cheap right now

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.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are moving higher on Thursday after the mining company released its FY26 results.

At the time of writing, the Mineral Resources share price is up 2.62% to $68.64.

There was plenty for investors to unpack, with revenue, earnings and free cash flow all moving higher during the year.

But one part of the result seems to have caught investors by surprise.

After going without a dividend in FY25, Mineral Resources is bringing it back, and the payment is much bigger than the market had expected.

So, how much will shareholders receive?

Mineral Resources brings back its dividend

Mineral Resources has declared a fully-franked final dividend of 83 cents per share.

This represents a 20% payout of underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) and marks the company’s first dividend since FY24.

The payment itself was also a lot bigger than the market had expected.

According to RBC Capital Markets, consensus estimates were sitting at just 7 cents per share heading into the result. Analyst James Redfern described the 83-cent payment as a “very positive surprise”.

At the current Mineral Resources share price of $68.64, the dividend represents a yield of around 1.2% before franking credits.

When will shareholders get paid?

Mineral Resources shares are scheduled to trade ex-dividend on 8 September, with the record date falling on 9 September.

The company will then pay the dividend on 30 September.

The payment is fully franked, giving eligible shareholders the added benefit of attached franking credits.

Mineral Resources is also operating its dividend reinvestment plan (DRP), with eligible shareholders able to receive new shares instead of taking the payment in cash.

Why is the dividend back?

The return of the dividend follows a pretty big improvement in the company’s finances during FY26.

Revenue jumped 44% to a record $6.5 billion, while underlying EBITDA surged 183% to $2.6 billion.

Underlying NPAT came in at $822 million, compared with a $112 million loss a year earlier.

The company also returned to profit after a difficult FY25, helped by stronger operating performance across the business.

Cash flow was another positive from the result. Mineral Resources generated $849 million in free cash flow, while liquidity more than doubled to $2.4 billion.

Net debt also fell by around $1.1 billion to $4.3 billion, bringing its net debt to underlying EBITDA ratio down from 5.9 times to 1.7 times.

What’s next?

While there were some big numbers in the FY26 result, the return of the dividend is likely to stand out for shareholders who went without one last year.

Management is also expecting volumes to grow across its mining services business, as well as iron ore and lithium commodities in FY27.

If that growth comes through and debt keeps falling, the company could be in a stronger position to keep rewarding shareholders with dividends.

The post Mineral Resources just delivered a surprise dividend. Here’s how much appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Mineral Resources shares jump 5% today: Buy, sell or hold?
• Why Wesfarmers, Mineral Resources and Qantas shares are turning heads on Thursday
• Mineral Resources share price on watch as record earnings, dividend highlight FY26
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Up 73%! 3 reasons I’d still buy Mineral Resources shares today

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

The Mayfield Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYG) share price is up 18% to $2.47 on Thursday after the company reported a 43% lift in revenue to $169.0 million and an 18.9% rise in full-year statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) to $8.0 million.

What did Mayfield Group Holdings report?

• Revenue: up 43% to $169.0 million
• Statutory NPAT: up 18.9% to $8.0 million
• Underlying NPAT: up 50% to $10.9 million
• Underlying EBITDA: up 54% to $18.5 million (margin: 10.9%)
• Final fully franked dividend: 2.4 cents per share declared (total FY26 dividends: 4.4 cents)
• Operating cash flow: $5.0 million, with year-end cash at $21.8 million

What else do investors need to know?

Mayfield delivered record financial results, driven by ongoing demand across data centre, mining and utilities sectors, as well as the acquisitions of BE Switchcraft and SMEC Power & Technology. These deals broadened Mayfield’s manufacturing capabilities and market reach, with the new businesses contributing to group revenue and profit since completion.

The company completed a $33.5 million capital raising to help fund acquisitions and support future growth. Net tangible assets increased to 48.84 cents per share, and management says the group remains well placed for further investment or bolt-on opportunities.

What’s next for Mayfield Group Holdings?

Mayfield has declared a fully franked final dividend of 2.4 cents per share, payable in September. Looking ahead, the group expects continued growth, supported by recent acquisitions, an expanded manufacturing footprint, and ongoing investment in people and systems. Mayfield is targeting further expansion opportunities, including the recently acquired Nilsen Switchboards division (to be recognised in FY27).

Management says its balance sheet strength gives it flexibility to pursue value-adding strategic growth in key sectors.

Mayfield Group Holdings share price snapshot

The Mayfield Group Holdings share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months, surging around 70% over the period.

View Original Announcement

The post Mayfield Group share price jumps 18% after delivering record profit and higher dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Mayfield Group declares higher FY2026 final dividend

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 recommended Mayfield 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.

Buying into a gold mining stock as it ramps up production is potentially a good way to tap into some significant share price gains.

Broker Morgans believes this story is playing out with Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL), on which it recently released a research report, including a bullish share price target, which I’ll get to shortly.

First, let’s have a look at what the company has been up to.

Record production underpins growth story

In its recent quarterly report, Catalyst said it had produced a record 31,886 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost of $2,666.

The company was sourcing ore from four mines across the Plutonic belt of deposits, and developing one of those, Trident, into an underground mine from an open-pit operation.

The company said it would provide FY27 production guidance in late September, including an update to its 10-year production guidance, which was released in September 2025.

The company said:

Over the last three years since Catalyst ownership, the Company’s strategy at the Plutonic Gold Belt has been to define 2Moz of Reserves to underwrite an increased production rate from 100koz to 200koz for ten years. Production will be sourced from multiple mines across the Belt.

The company said it had been building its gold inventory in a bid to meet these goals and upgrading infrastructure to be ready for the necessary expansions.

The company’s management said in a statement:

New discoveries such as those at Cinnamon and Trident have re-enforced our view of the geological potential of this belt. The value of the existing infrastructure and sunk capital, while somewhat tired and suffering from underinvestment, has allowed Catalyst to develop mines faster and at far lower cost. The pathway to a 200koz production rate is set. The mines from which this ore will come are in production or under development and the infrastructure required to process it is in place. Our investment focus during this quarter and much of FY26 has been towards activities to reliably deliver ±200koz over the longer term. This has included ongoing Resource development drilling to grow gold Reserves to 2Moz and ensuring the supporting infrastructure is right-sized and reliable.  

ASX gold miner’s shares looking cheap

Morgans slightly downgraded their price target on the company, but it is still well above the current level of $6.64.

They said:

We retain our BUY rating on CYL with a price target of $11.33 per share. While we have moderated near-term production assumptions to reflect a slower ramp-up, we continue to view CYL as an attractive mid-cap gold growth story. The pathway to ~200kozpa production, continued Reserve growth toward 2Moz and a debt-free balance sheet provide a strong foundation for long-term value creation. At current levels, we believe the market continues to price in substantial execution risk, providing attractive upside as growth projects advance and operational performance improves.

The post This ASX gold miner could deliver 70% gains, according to Morgans appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are jumping higher in morning trade on Thursday.

At the time of writing, the shares are up around 5% for the day and are changing hands for $69.94 a piece.

At one point earlier this morning the shares were trading as high as $70.48 each.

Today’s increase follows an incredible rally over the past month, where Mineral Resources shares have climbed 28%.

It’s great news for investors after a volatile run for the ASX miner so far this year. The shares have swung wildly, ranging from $23.12 to $74.94 over the past 12 months.

For the year-to-date, the shares are now up 26%, and they’re a huge 87% higher than 12 months ago.

Why are investors snapping up the shares today?

Mineral Resources’ posted its FY26 earnings results to the ASX this morning.

The lithium miner reported a 44% increase in revenue year-on-year, a 183% increase in underlying EBITDA, a huge 831% hike in underlying NPAT, and a 236% increase in reported NPAT.

Management also announced it would bring back shareholder dividends. For FY26, the miner will pay out a full-franked dividend of 83 cents per share.

The announcement makes history as the company’s strongest-ever annual results.

Mineral Resources said its record performance was driven by growth in the company’s Mining Services division, the ramp-up of Onslow Iron to nameplate capacity, and improved results in its lithium operations. 

The company’s net debt fell by $1.1 billion to $4.3 billion, with liquidity doubling to $2.4 billion.

The miner plans to continue growth across every operating division in FY27.

It looks like investors are impressed with the update, and many are loading up on shares this morning.

Are Mineral Resources shares a buy, sell or hold following its FY26 results announcement?

I expect that market expects may revise their forecasts on the Mineral Resources share price in coming days, following the results announcement.

At the time of writing it looks like the majority are very bullish on where the shares can go over the next 12 months, but after the latest rally, average target prices mostly imply some element of downside ahead.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a buy rating, but the $65.71 target price now implies around a 6% downside, at the time of writing.

Similarly, on TradingView, the majority (nine out of 16) have a buy/strong buy rating on the lithium miner’s shares. The average $68.40 implies a downside of around 2%, at the time of writing.

The post Mineral Resources shares jump 5% today: Buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Mineral Resources just delivered a surprise dividend. Here’s how much
• Why Wesfarmers, Mineral Resources and Qantas shares are turning heads on Thursday
• Mineral Resources share price on watch as record earnings, dividend highlight FY26
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Up 73%! 3 reasons I’d still buy Mineral Resources shares today

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

The St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ) share price is rising on Thursday after announcing a major step toward establishing a rare earths processing centre in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with local partner Lima & Pergher and strong State government support.

What did St George Mining report?

• Signed a collaboration agreement with Lima & Pergher and the State of Minas Gerais to create a rare earths processing centre
• The centre will offer processing services to rare earths projects, including St George’s Araxá Project
• St George’s Araxá Mineral Resource now stands at 111.2Mt @ 3.57% TREO and 0.57% Nb₂O₅
• The agreement supports a fully domestic Brazilian mine-to-magnet supply chain
• St George may supply feedstock and technical expertise for the centre’s development

What else do investors need to know?

St George’s Araxá Project is the largest high-grade carbonatite-hosted rare earths resource in South America, bolstering the company’s position in the critical minerals sector. The proposed processing facility in Uberlândia benefits from being located within a major industrial complex, offering established infrastructure and access to a skilled workforce.

The State of Minas Gerais will support licensing, promote connections with suppliers, and help with tax incentives. St George is also advancing discussions with potential offtake and downstream processing partners from the US, Asia, and Europe.

What did St George Mining management say?

John Prineas, Executive Chairman of St George Mining, said:

We are honoured to have been selected by the State to partner on the potential establishment of a rare earths processing centre which could have the capability to separate rare earths, refine rare earths and produce materials for rare earths magnet making. This is an opportunity to establish midstream rare earths processing in Minas Gerais that will build out Brazil’s mine-to-magnet supply chain.

What’s next for St George Mining?

St George and its partners will assess the feasibility of the new processing centre, aiming for operations to commence by 2030, subject to investment decision and approvals. In parallel, St George is conducting a feasibility study for the Araxá Project, de-risked by its upgraded mineral resource.

These initiatives support St George’s growth as a significant player in the critical minerals and rare earths supply chain in Brazil and globally.

St George Mining share price snapshot

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The post St George Mining announces rare earths processing centre in Brazil appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Macquarie says this Gina Rinehart-backed miner could pile on more than 150% in value
• St George Mining reports major Araxá resource upgrade
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. 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 Beacon Lighting Group Ltd (ASX: BLX) share price is up 14% to $1.98 on Thursday after the company posted 3.4% higher revenue of $340 million, but an 8.1% dip in net profit after tax to $27 million for FY26.

What did Beacon Lighting Group report?

• Revenue rose 3.4% to $340 million
• Net profit after tax decreased 8.1% to $26.99 million
• Final dividend declared at 3.4 cents per share, fully franked
• Net tangible assets per share increased to 77.5 cents (up from 73.8 cents last year)
• Dividend reinvestment plan was suspended during the year

What else do investors need to know?

Beacon Lighting maintained revenue growth despite the tougher retail environment, although profit was softer compared to last year. The final fully franked dividend adds to earlier payments, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to shareholder returns.

The company’s dividend reinvestment plan was suspended in FY26. There were no new entities acquired and no changes to joint ventures or associates during the year.

What’s next for Beacon Lighting Group?

Beacon Lighting is likely to remain focused on growing revenue and improving profitability, while adapting to any shifts in the retail sector. Investors will be watching closely to see how management navigates changes in consumer demand and whether the company resumes its dividend reinvestment plan in future.

Management’s continued focus on balanced growth and capital management can play a key role in supporting long-term shareholder value.

Beacon Lighting Group share price snapshot

The Beacon Lighting share price is still down around 45% despite today’s impressive gain. This compares unfavourably to a 1.2% gain from the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO).

View Original Announcement

The post Beacon Lighting Group share price jumps 14%: FY26 profit drops despite higher sales appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Qantas shares jump 4% today: Is this the start of a rebound?
• 3 ASX mining shares Bell Potter rates a buy
• Mineral Resources just delivered a surprise dividend. Here’s how much
• Mayfield Group share price jumps 18% after delivering record profit and higher dividend
• This ASX gold miner could deliver 70% gains, according to Morgans

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. 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.

As you’re likely aware, on Wednesday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest Australian inflation data for the year to July at 11:30am AEST.

And many investors buying ASX shares chose that moment to reach for their sell buttons.

Indeed, at 11:30am, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was up a healthy 0.8%. By the time the closing bell rang, the ASX 200 was down 0.4%.

Much of that selling pressure came as investors fear that stubborn inflation levels will lead to yet another interest rate hike from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in 2026.

That’s because headline inflation of 3.5% for the year to July came in materially higher than consensus expectations of 3.3%.

And trimmed mean inflation – which takes out certain volatile items, like automotive fuel and is the RBA’s preferred gauge – remained stuck at 3.6%, and was up 0.5% for the month of July. The trimmed mean figure also exceeded consensus expectations. And it remains well above the RBA’s target inflation range of 2% to 3%.

Now ASX share investors have already had to endure three RBA interest rate increases in 2026. Although the central bank kept rates on hold at 4.35% at its last two meetings, this still sees the cash rate back at its 2024 peak, and matching the highest levels seen since 2011.

So, what can ASX investors expect from interest rates now?

What the experts are saying on Aussie inflation and the RBA’s interest rate path

Josh Gilbert, lead analyst for APAC at eToro, said that the trimmed mean inflation figure is what’s likely to worry RBA governor Michele Bullock.

Gilbert noted:

It suggests underlying price pressures are not easing quickly enough, despite three rate hikes this year and a labour market that is beginning to soften. The board paused in August because it wanted more evidence, and this is not the evidence it was hoping for.

The trimmed mean has now sat at 3.5% or above for three months running, after holding at 3.3% in February and March. That number isn’t drifting back towards the 2-3% target band, it’s moving away from it.

He added that another interest rate hike isn’t locked in for ASX share investors yet.

“One hotter print does not make another hike inevitable, particularly with unemployment rising to 4.5%,” he said.

However, Gilbert added, “The RBA has repeatedly warned it will act if inflation looks like becoming embedded, and this read today will have the board feeling a little nervous.”

CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun sounded a more bearish note on the RBA’s next interest rate move following the latest ABS data.

According to Colhoun:

It really leaves the RBA board no option but to raise Australian interest rates further at the upcoming September board meeting. The board is dealing not with upside inflation risks and cost pressures, but with upside inflation reality.

And we’ll leave off with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) economist Belinda Allen (quoted by The Australian Financial Review).

“We judge the broad-based upside surprise in the July CPI as having crossed that threshold and materially increased the likelihood of another RBA hike,” she said.

Stay tuned!

The post Buying ASX shares? Here’s what the latest inflation data means for interest rates appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

The Waypoint REIT Ltd (ASX: WPR) share price is on the move today after posting distributable EPS of 8.59 cents, up 3.4% on the prior period, and announcing a quarterly distribution per security of 8.50 cents, a 3.2% increase.

What did Waypoint REIT report?

• Distributable earnings per security (DEPS): 8.59 cents, up 3.4% vs 1H25
• Distribution per security: 8.50 cents, up 3.2% vs 1H25
• Statutory net profit: $65.8 million ($71.3 million lower than 1H25, due to lower property revaluations)
• Portfolio valuation uplift: $10.7 million, with book value at $2.86 billion
• NTA per security: $2.92, up 0.7% since December 2025
• Gearing: 32.4%, at the lower end of target range

What else do investors need to know?

Waypoint REIT reported that all FY26 lease expiries have now been resolved, with 26 of 28 leases renewed or extended, achieving a strong 97% retention rate and an average rental reversion of 10.3%. The business completed a major refinancing during the half, issuing a new $250 million, 6-year medium term note and repaying the same amount of bank debt, further strengthening its debt profile.

The company also highlighted asset sales, including the settlement of the Nowra property for $6.1 million, and continued progress on its OTR conversion program, with 19 conversions completed—all funded by Viva Energy Australia, their major tenant. Management reaffirmed prioritisation of prudent capital management, strong hedging, and maintaining high occupancy (currently 99.9%).

What’s next for Waypoint REIT?

Looking ahead, Waypoint REIT has reaffirmed full-year guidance for distributable earnings per security at 17.14 cents, a 3% increase over FY25. The company expects quarterly distributions to increase to 4.32 cents per security in the second half of FY26, reflecting a 100% payout ratio.

Management will continue to focus on optimising debt facilities, progressing non-core asset sales (targeting $10–20 million in 2H26), and engaging on upcoming lease expiries in 2027. The outlook remains cautious on transaction activity, with interest rates still the key driver of market sentiment.

Waypoint REIT share price snapshot

Waypoint REIT shares have underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a decline of 5.5%.

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The post Waypoint REIT posts distributable earnings growth and confirms FY26 outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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