Tag: Stock pick

  • How much superannuation do I need to earn $100 a day in passive income?

    Numerous Australian dollar notes laid out.

    We’ve been writing a fair bit lately on how you might want to invest some of your superannuation into ASX dividend shares to secure a long-term passive income stream in your retirement years.

    To be clear, it’s likely not in your best interests to invest all of your super balance into the stock market.

    If you are going to invest a reasonably large portion, you may want to consider investing some of that in international stocks. This way your superannuation savings aren’t overly exposed to just the Aussie market.

    You’ll also want to keep some liquid funds handy for any unexpected costly events, so you won’t need to sell any of your ASX shares during future market downturns.

    With this in mind, how much you need to invest in ASX dividend shares to earn $100 a day – or $36,500 a year – will obviously depend on the yield you’re earning.

    While chasing a few high-yield stocks may be tempting, you’ll often find that the yields look appealing because the company’s share prices have fallen sharply since their last dividend declarations. That could signal lower dividend payments ahead.

    You also need to be careful if you’re considering buying just a few quality ASX dividend shares.

    A properly diversified passive income portfolio will contain a lot more than just a few stocks. There’s no magic number. But 15 is a reasonable ball park figure. Ideally, you’ll own companies operating in various sectors and locations. This will reduce the risk of your passive income stream taking a big hit if any one company or sector hits a rough patch.

    Which brings us back to…

    Tapping into superannuation for $100 a day in passive income

    Rather than trying to build a new passive income portfolio from scratch, and researching dozens of ASX dividend shares, you might want to consider a dividend paying exchange traded fund (ETF).

    Take State Street SPDR MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield ETF (ASX: SYI), for example.

    This ASX ETF pays quarterly dividends, which can be handy during retirement if you’re waiting on that next passive income payout. And management costs are just 0.20% per year.

    Pleasingly, the share price has gained 7.0% in 2026. You don’t want to invest your superannuation in stocks going backwards. Ideally, you want annual share price gains to at least match the inflation rate. This way inflation won’t erode the real value of your superannuation investment.

    The top five holdings of the State Street SPDR MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield ETF are:

    And the ETF trades on a trailing dividend yield of 4.0%.

    So, for $100 a day, or $36,500 a year, in passive income, you’d need to invest $912,500 today.

    The post How much superannuation do I need to earn $100 a day in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Anz Group 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 Anz Group 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 August 2026

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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 positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. 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.

  • GrainCorp keeps guidance steady as transformation delivers gains

    Farmer holding grains in his hands.

    The GrainCorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) share price is in focus today as the company reaffirmed its FY26 guidance, forecasting underlying EBITDA mid-range at $200–240 million and underlying NPAT between $20–50 million, including $5 million in restructuring costs.

    What did GrainCorp report?

    • Reconfirmed FY26 underlying EBITDA guidance at around $200–240 million
    • FY26 underlying NPAT expected within $20–50 million range
    • Business Transformation Program to deliver $12 million run-rate benefits by end FY26
    • One-off restructuring costs of $5 million incurred in FY26
    • System transformation spend unchanged for 2H26 at $25 million; FY27 updated to $30–35 million

    What else do investors need to know?

    GrainCorp’s Business Transformation Program is on track, targeting a $20–30 million uplift in through-the-cycle EBITDA by FY28. Operating model changes across Agribusiness, affecting around 80 roles, are aimed at improving decision-making and execution across its east coast network.

    Investment continues in GrainCorp’s systems transformation, particularly in the Nutrition and Energy segment, with deployment for Release 1 extended to post-harvest in 2Q CY27. The company maintains a disciplined balance sheet and has deferred further systems upgrades in Agribusiness to focus on operating improvements.

    What did GrainCorp management say?

    Managing Director and CEO Robert Spurway said:

    We have completed major changes to our operating model and remain focused on driving efficiency and best-in-class financial outcomes.

    What’s next for GrainCorp?

    GrainCorp will continue to monitor conditions in the 2026–27 winter crop, especially as New South Wales and Victoria see favourable growing weather, and Queensland faces drier conditions. The latest ABARES report forecasts a 12% lift in east coast winter crop production from June, providing potential upside.

    Management will also keep an eye on new export opportunities, thanks to recent increases in global commodity prices. GrainCorp’s refreshed structure and strong balance sheet are intended to position the company to make the most of market opportunities as they arise.

    GrainCorp share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, GrainCorp shares have declined 19%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post GrainCorp keeps guidance steady as transformation delivers gains appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy GrainCorp 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 GrainCorp 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 August 2026

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

  • St Barbara share price on watch after a huge announcement

    Two miners laughing and having fun while using smart phone during their coffee break.

    The St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) share price could be one to watch on Thursday after the gold miner released a big update before market open.

    St Barbara shares finished flat at 73 cents apiece yesterday, but investors could have plenty to think about when trading gets underway this morning.

    So, what has St Barbara announced?

    St Barbara cashes in

    According to the release, St Barbara has agreed to sell its remaining interest in the New Simberi Gold Project in Papua New Guinea to China’s Lingbao Gold Group.

    Under the deal, the company will receive $410 million in cash when the transaction completes.

    It will also receive another $43 million to repay its share of construction spending on New Simberi between April and signing.

    However, St Barbara will still retain some exposure to the project.

    The company will keep a 2.75% net smelter return royalty on future gold and silver production from New Simberi, along with a 1.5% royalty over minerals produced from the Tabar Islands exploration licences.

    The transaction is expected to complete in the March quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.

    Could shareholders get another big dividend?

    There could be a pretty big payday coming for shareholders.

    St Barbara had $427 million in cash at the end of August. After the sale completes, it expects to have around $880 million in cash and no debt.

    The board is considering paying shareholders another fully franked special dividend of around 13 cents per share after completion.

    That would come on top of the fully franked 5-cent dividend already declared in August, taking potential dividend returns to 18 cents per share.

    Based on Wednesday’s 73-cent closing price, that is equal to almost 25% of the current share price.

    The company is also considering an on-market share buyback of up to 100 million shares. A decision is expected after the 15-Mile Processing Hub pre-feasibility study update due around the end of September.

    What does St Barbara look like after the sale?

    Once Simberi is sold, St Barbara will be left with its Nova Scotia gold projects and the royalties from Simberi.

    From there, the focus will be on restarting production at Touquoy by the end of 2026 and moving the 15-Mile Processing Hub towards a final investment decision (FID) by the end of FY27.

    The Simberi royalty could still bring in plenty of cash too, with St Barbara estimating around $286 million over the current mine plan.

    I think St Barbara is one to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks.

    The post St Barbara share price on watch after a huge announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in St Barbara right now?

    Before you buy St Barbara 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 St Barbara 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 August 2026

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    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.

  • How many Fortescue shares do I need to buy to earn $1,000 per month in passive income?

    Female miner standing next to a haul truck in a large mining operation.

    Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are an attractive option for passive-income hunting investors.

    The company generates a substantial cash flow from its large iron ore operations which means that when iron ore prices and production is strong, it can return a significant portion of its profits to shareholders through dividends.

    Fortescue is also actively diversifying its business beyond iron ore and into other markets, such as copper and renewable energy, which could reduce its reliance on iron ore over the long term and strengthen its bottom line.

    But what if you wanted to generate $1,000 of passive income from Fortescue shares every single month? Is it even possible? And if so, what would it entail?

    Let’s investigate.

    What’s the latest out of Fortescue shares?

    At the time of writing, ASX mining shares are trading for $17.61 a piece. That’s about 21% lower year-to-date and a 6% decline from this time last year.

    What dividend does Fortescue pay its shareholders?

    Fortescue has a strong dividend history dating back to 2011.

    The miner traditionally pays its shareholders two full-franked dividends every year, in March and September. The miner has a policy of returning 50%-80% of its net profit after tax to shareholders as dividends.

    Fortescue is due to pay its shareholders a final 46 cent per share dividend, fully franked, later this month. Combined with the 62 cent dividend paid out in March, that brings the miner’s total FY26 dividend to $1.08 per share.

    Current forecasts suggest that the company’s FY27 total dividend per share could decline to 86.4 cents per share, off the back of falling iron ore prices. 

    Based on the current share price, that translates to a dividend yield of around 6.1% for FY26, and around 5% for FY27.

    How many Fortescue shares do I need to generate $1,000 per month in passive income?

    At the time of writing, Fortescue shares are $17.61 each.

    That means, for the $1.08 per share dividend in FY26, investors would need to buy roughly 11,111 shares to generate around $1,000 per month (or $12,000 per year) in passive income.

    To earn the same amount in FY27, assuming the miner pays the forecasted 86.4 cents per share dividend, investors would need to buy around 13,888 shares.

    What would that cost me?

    In order to buy the 11,111 Fortesce shares needed to generate the equivalent of a $1,000 per month passive income in FY26, you would need to invest around $196,000.

    For the same level of passive income in FY27, investors would need to spend around $245,000 on the mining shares.

    It’s not a small investment, but it’s one that could pay off over the long term.

    And remember, you don’t have to invest the full amount at once. You can slowly build your investment over time and let compound growth do the rest.

    The post How many Fortescue shares do I need to buy to earn $1,000 per month in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Fortescue 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 Fortescue 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 August 2026

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

  • You don’t need to own Nvidia to invest in AI – Here are the best Aussie artificial intelligence shares

    Two smiling colleagues looking at a tablet in a data centre.

    There is plenty of discourse around artificial intelligence and the lack of exposure available through Australian stocks. 

    While it’s true that Australia doesn’t have a direct equivalent to Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) or the major US technology giants driving the AI revolution, that doesn’t mean Australian investors are shut out of the opportunity. 

    The AI buildout requires far more than chips and software. It also requires vast amounts of data-centre capacity, electricity, land and connectivity.

    For investors looking to gain exposure to the artificial intelligence boom through Australian equities, these companies offer three different ways of owning the physical infrastructure behind AI. 

    Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

    NEXTDC offers perhaps the most direct Australian exposure to the physical infrastructure required to power the AI boom. 

    The company operates high-performance data centres that house the servers, GPUs and networking equipment. This is used by cloud providers, enterprises and AI companies. 

    As AI models become more computationally intensive, demand is shifting towards high-density data centres with significantly greater power and advanced liquid-cooling capabilities. 

    These are areas in which NEXTDC is investing heavily. 

    The argument for NextDC is quite straight forward. 

    If the world needs dramatically more computing power to develop and run AI, it needs dramatically more data-centre capacity to house that computing power.

    Experts seem to agree. UBS recently placing a buy rating with a $23.45 target, implying more than an 80% upside.

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

    Goodman Group provides a less obvious, but potentially powerful, way to gain exposure to the AI buildout. 

    While traditionally known as a global logistics property group, Goodman has been rapidly expanding into data-centre infrastructure.

    Its competitive advantage lies in controlling the land, power and development capability needed to build large-scale facilities. 

    This is increasingly important because AI data centres are constrained by demand. They are also constrained by access to suitable sites, electricity and network connectivity. 

    In other words, Goodman is a way to invest in the scarce physical resources that AI infrastructure needs.

    It has also drawn positive attention from experts this month. 

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

    Megaport sits further up the AI infrastructure stack, providing the connectivity that allows data, cloud platforms and computing resources to communicate with one another. 

    AI workloads are extraordinarily data-intensive, requiring fast, reliable connections between data centres, cloud providers, GPUs and end users. 

    Megaport operates a software-defined networking platform spanning more than 1,200 enabled data centres and 30 countries, making it a potential beneficiary as AI drives greater volumes of data across networks.

    Brokers are expecting almost 40% share price growth in the next 12 months on the back of its recent earnings results. 

    The post You don’t need to own Nvidia to invest in AI – Here are the best Aussie artificial intelligence shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Nextdc 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 Nextdc 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 August 2026

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

  • This ASX 300 stock has rebounded 30% from yearly lows – can it keep rallying?

    Woman standing in a wheat farm with a tractor.

    It has been a volatile year for S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) stock Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD). 

    The company is an agribusiness that provides goods and services to Australian primary producers. 

    It sells seed, fertiliser, agricultural chemicals, animal health products, and general rural merchandise. It also supplies professional and technical services to farmers via its network of agronomists.

    Rollercoaster 12 months 

    In the past 12 months, the ASX 300 stock has hit highs of nearly $8 per share, and lows of less than $5 per share. 

    Back in June, it was hovering around the $5 mark, but has since rallied significantly. 

    Since then, it has risen an impressive 30%. 

    When ASX 300 stocks bounce around this significantly, it can be difficult for investors to identify fair value.

    However, a new report from Bell Potter has provided a fresh outlook for the next 12 months. 

    Slight downgrade

    Overall, Bell Potter has downgraded Elders from buy to hold. The broker also slightly increased its target price from $6.45 to $6.70 per share.

    The main reason for the downgrade is that Elders’ underlying earnings drivers remain positive. However, growth is starting to moderate as the company faces tougher year-on-year comparisons.

    Agency markets remain supportive. Cattle slaughter and yardings are both up 2% year on year, while cattle prices are up 23%. 

    Sheep volumes have fallen significantly, but this has been offset by stronger pricing, with lamb prices up 21% and mutton prices up 40%. Wool volumes are expected to be broadly flat to slightly higher, while the EMI is up 43%.

    The broker also identified that crop conditions are favourable.

    Recent upgrades to Australian crop forecasts, supported by rainfall, should help demand for Elders’ agricultural services, particularly in Western Australia and southeastern Australia. 

    However, the forecast for summer crop acreage was weaker than expected, at 1.121 million hectares, down 17% year-on-year.

    Minimal upside for ASX 300 stock

    Overall, Bell Potter expects FY26 earnings to be broadly unchanged, with NPAT estimates revised by +1% for FY26, -2% for FY27 and -4% for FY28. 

    The broker believes the business remains fundamentally sound, but the earnings tailwinds are easing, which supports a Hold rather than Buy rating.

    From yesterday’s closing price, the updated target from Bell Potter indicates roughly 3% upside over the next 12 months. 

    Following the recent recovery in the share price we are moving our rating from Buy to Hold. 

    Investments in Delta and Systems Modernisation programs are the largest drivers of near term growth, however, we see the large livestock tailwinds the agency business has benefited from the past two years facing more difficult comparisons moving forward.

    The post This ASX 300 stock has rebounded 30% from yearly lows – can it keep rallying? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Elders 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 Elders 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 August 2026

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

  • Where will the best returns in the ASX 200 be in the next year?

    A woman in a red dress holding up a red graph.

    Australia’s corporate sector is cautious heading into the current financial year, according to the analysts at Canaccord Genuity, however, there are some standouts in terms of likely profit growth going forward.

    The broking house said in the recent reporting season, there was “healthy” headline earnings per share growth of 12%, however, this was driven largely by the mining sector.

    Uncertainties have big business on the back foot

    Looking ahead, CG said company guidance on the outlook was “broadly cautious across the board”.

    They added:

    High interest rates, tax policy changes, the weaker housing market, cost-of-living pressures and geopolitical uncertainty together constrained management confidence and limited visibility into the near-term outlook for operating conditions. Retail trading updates provided the clearest evidence of a softening consumer, with top-line growth slowing through 2H26 and into early FY27. The major Banks similarly pointed to tougher macro conditions and slower housing credit growth over the year ahead.

    CG said the market was in a clear downgrade cycle outside of the resources sector.

    They added:

    Accordingly, we remain cautious on ASX 200 returns over the next twelve months. However, active investors willing to look beyond the index can still find high-quality companies offering resilient earnings despite the soft macro, credible growth prospects, and reasonable valuations.

    But there are some sectors which are likely to perform well, the broking house said.

    The energy sector is expected to grow earnings by 38%, driven by high oil prices, while the IT sector is expected to grow earnings by 22%, with strength from the major software as a service companies.

    Consumer services are expected to grow earnings 13%, materials are expected to be up 11%, and retail staples also 11%.

    Financial services facing challenges

    CG is expecting the weakest growth to come from the financial services sector, with banks growing earnings just 3%.

    Discretionary retail is also expected to be weak with 6% growth.

    CG said:

    Prior to reporting season, we flagged our caution towards both Banks and Retail. As expected, reporting season showed that both sectors face mounting macro headwinds from a weaker housing market, fragile consumer sentiment, high interest rates and persistent cost-of-living pressures (exacerbated by petrol price volatility). For Banks, this was reflected in cautious outlooks pointing to softer credit growth. For Retail, early-FY27 trading updates generally pointed to weakening top-line growth, particularly among retailers with greater exposure to housing activity.

    CG said elevated bank valuations remain hard to reconcile with a weakening macro outlook and subdued earnings prospects.

    They added:

    Despite the soft sector outlook, the Big 4 trade at an average P/E ~20% above their ten-year average, supporting our continued sector underweight.

    The post Where will the best returns in the ASX 200 be in the next year? 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 August 2026

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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.

  • Nine Entertainment secures Premier League rights through 2034

    two men raise their fists and shout with their mouths wide open on a sofa as though they are watching sport or something stirring on a television that is out of picture.

    The Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) share price is in focus after the company announced a six-year extension of its Premier League streaming and broadcast rights, securing access to all matches in Australia through 2034.

    What did Nine Entertainment report?

    • Secured exclusive Australian streaming and broadcast rights for the Premier League from 2028–29 to 2033–34
    • FY29 rights fee to remain broadly in line with FY28, before increasing at a ~3% CAGR over six years
    • Stan EBITDA more than doubled from $40 million in FY21 to $81 million in FY26
    • Premier League key to 50% growth in average Stan Sport subscribers over past year

    What else do investors need to know?

    Nine’s new deal includes all Premier League matches each season, spanning 38 match weeks annually. The company will use both Stan and its broader media platforms to maximise audience reach and awareness for the sport.

    The cost structure will shift, as legacy Optus contributions will end, but this will be offset by removing discounts for Optus subscribers and rolling out new cost-saving and revenue initiatives. The Premier League has been instrumental to the growth of Stan Sport, which itself has supported increases in subscription pricing.

    What did Nine Entertainment management say?

    Nine CEO Matt Stanton said:

    Football is the ultimate global game, followed with remarkable intensity by millions of fans across Australia. Bringing the Premier League to Stan has been a genuine game-changer for our business, and we are very pleased to be extending the partnership for another 8 years. It sits at the heart of our strategy of premium content, particularly Sport that Unites.

    This agreement further strengthens Nine’s premium sport offering alongside the NRL and NRLW, all four Tennis Grand Slams, the Olympic Games, Rugby Union, the NBL and WNBL, Netball and more. Together, these partnerships reflect Nine’s long-term strategy of investing in premium live sport and delivering the sporting moments that matter most to Australians.

    What’s next for Nine Entertainment?

    Nine’s focus remains on delivering premium sports content to build engagement on Stan Sport and across its platforms. The Premier League partnership is expected to underpin further subscriber growth and support pricing strategies for Stan Sport.

    As costs rise gradually over the new rights term, Nine plans to balance this through new revenue initiatives and efficiencies while leveraging its wider broadcast assets.

    Nine Entertainment share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Nine Entertainment shares have declined 51%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the sam period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Nine Entertainment secures Premier League rights through 2034 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Nine Entertainment right now?

    Before you buy Nine Entertainment 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 Nine Entertainment 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 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nine Entertainment. 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.

  • NEXTDC secures $1.1bn in convertible notes for data centre growth

    Two IT professionals walk along a wall of mainframes in a data centre discussing various things

    The NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) share price is in focus after the company announced the successful pricing of a $1.1 billion convertible notes offering, aiming to strengthen liquidity and support growth plans.

    What did NEXTDC report?

    • Issued $1.1 billion of 1.75% subordinated convertible notes due 2031
    • Net proceeds expected to be approximately $1.006 billion after Capped Call Transactions and before other costs
    • Initial conversion price set at $16.695 per ordinary share, a 32.5% premium to the $12.60 reference price
    • Pro forma available liquidity at 30 June 2026 would have been about $9.8 billion, before costs
    • Convertible notes to mature in September 2031 and are listed on the Vienna Multilateral Trading Facility

    What else do investors need to know?

    The notes issue broadens NEXTDC’s funding base and supports its ongoing data centre development pipeline. The offering is seen as a way to maintain balance sheet flexibility, with the notes ranking junior to existing senior debt but above ordinary shares.

    A Delta Placement of around 18.6 million existing ordinary shares was completed at $12.60 per share to facilitate hedging for investors. This does not result in new shares being issued or direct proceeds to NEXTDC.

    The company also entered into capped call transactions, providing an economic hedge for share price increases up to a cap price of $21.42 per share, a 70% premium to the reference price.

    What did NEXTDC management say?

    Craig Scroggie, NEXTDC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said:

    I am pleased to see such strong support for the Offering. The transaction provides NEXTDC with efficient, committed funding for our development pipeline and diversifies NEXTDC’s sources of capital with a new deep global investor base whilst preserving our senior debt capacity and balance sheet flexibility.

    What’s next for NEXTDC?

    With this convertible notes offering, NEXTDC has secured significant resources to fund its planned development and expansion across Australia. The company continues to prioritise a strong balance sheet and funding flexibility as it invests in its data centre infrastructure.

    NEXTDC plans to continue delivering on its development pipeline for data centre projects, supporting customer-driven growth and scaling up its technology platform for the digital economy.

    NEXTDC share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, NEXTDC shares have declined 24%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post NEXTDC secures $1.1bn in convertible notes for data centre growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Nextdc 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 Nextdc 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 August 2026

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

  • West African Resources delivers profit surge and special dividend in H1 2026

    Calculator and gold bars on Australian dollars, symbolising dividends.

    The West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) share price is on investors’ radar today after the gold miner reported a first-half net profit after tax (NPAT) of $437 million and declared a special dividend of 20 cents per share.

    What did West African Resources report?

    • Revenue: $1.46 billion for the half year ended June 2026
    • NPAT: $437 million
    • Operating cash flow: $690 million
    • Gold production: 232,905 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of US$1,823/oz
    • Gold sales: 214,883 ounces at US$4,744/oz realised price
    • Special dividend: 20 cents per share (unfranked), totalling $228.8 million
    • Cash and bullion balance: $876 million cash plus 42,453 ounces of unsold gold bullion

    What else do investors need to know?

    West African Resources achieved record revenue and profit off the back of its first full six months of combined production from the Sanbrado and Kiaka operations. The company noted no significant health or safety incidents during the half, reflecting positively on operational standards.

    Shareholders can expect a 20 cents per share special dividend—unfranked, with a record date of 18 September and a payment date of 7 October 2026. West African Resources will also accelerate repayments on its secured debt facilities in the coming 12 months, helping to strengthen its balance sheet even further.

    What did West African Resources management say?

    Executive Chairman and CEO Richard Hyde said:

    WAF delivered an outstanding result for the first half of 2026, with the Group’s first full six months of combined production from Sanbrado and Kiaka. We are pleased to reward shareholders with a 20 cents per share special dividend and intend to accelerate debt repayments with our secured lenders over the next 12 months.

    What’s next for West African Resources?

    West African Resources is looking to build on its strong start to the year, supported by its updated 10-year production outlook and ongoing investment in growth. Pre-production mining at Toega is making good progress, and more than 100,000 metres of exploration drilling is planned for 2026.

    With two large, low-cost, and long-life gold production centres, the company is positioning itself for long-term success. Management’s focus remains on operational excellence, healthy cash flow generation, and ongoing shareholder returns.

    West African Resources share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, West African Resources shares have risen 37%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post West African Resources delivers profit surge and special dividend in H1 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in West African Resources right now?

    Before you buy West African Resources 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 West African Resources 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 August 2026

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