Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) shares are taking a hit on Wednesday after the travel company released its FY26 results.

At the time of writing, the Flight Centre share price is down 6.79% to $12.08.

The reaction is probably not what shareholders were hoping for, especially with a few solid numbers in the result.

But once you dig a little deeper, there are also some weaker spots that help explain why the market has reacted this way.

Let's take a closer look at the numbers.

FY26 results were mixed

Flight Centre reported record total transaction value (TTV) of $25.7 billion, up 4.7% from FY25, while revenue increased 2.5% to $2.9 billion.

Underlying EBITDA also moved higher, rising 3.9% to $466 million. However, underlying profit before tax went the other way, falling 4% to $278 million.

Statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 38% to $149 million, while earnings per share (EPS) jumped 43% to 70.9 cents.

Shareholders also received some good news on the dividend front, with Flight Centre declaring a fully-franked final dividend of 30 cents per share. This takes the full-year payout to 42 cents, up 5% on FY25.

The company said trading was strong through the first 9 months before conflict in the Middle East disrupted travel during the fourth quarter.

Flight Centre estimates the disruption cost its leisure business around $60 million in profit.

Why are Flight Centre shares falling?

The weaker result from Flight Centre's leisure business looks to be one of the biggest reasons investors are selling the shares today.

Barrenjoey analyst Matt Ryan said underlying profit before tax came in around 2% below market expectations, while the leisure division missed consensus by about 8%.

There was still growth in travel volumes, with leisure TTV rising 7.4% to $12.6 billion. But that didn't flow through to earnings, with underlying EBITDA falling 6.7% to $250 million and underlying profit before tax dropping 21.7% to $139 million.

The corporate business had a stronger year, with underlying profit before tax rising 28% to $240 million.

Furthermore, there's also a few reasons for investors to be cautious heading into FY27.

Flight Centre expects corporate earnings to be more heavily weighted toward the second half, with first-half profit likely to come in below last year.

Flight Centre pointed to the Middle East war, upfront investment, currency movements, and contract timing as reasons for the softer start.

What happens next?

Despite the subdued mood, there are still a few positive signs heading into FY27.

Flight Centre said July delivered record TTV and its strongest July leisure profit since 2015.

Long-haul travel from Australia is also starting to improve, which could help the business over the year ahead.

RBC Capital Markets highlighted the strong July performance, although there's still some uncertainty around how quickly earnings can recover.

Investors should get a better idea in November, when Flight Centre plans to provide its FY27 earnings guidance at its AGM.

The post Flight Centre shares are sinking 7% after its FY26 results. Here's why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Australia's inflation rate fell again in July, although the latest figures came in slightly above economists' expectations.

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.5% over the 12 months to July, down from 3.8% in June.

The annual rate is still moving in the right direction, although economists had been expecting inflation to come in at around 3.3%.

Prices also rose 1% during July, above forecasts for a 0.8% increase, while underlying inflation remained elevated.

So, is another interest rate hike back on the table?

What is still pushing prices higher?

Housing remained the biggest contributor to annual inflation, with prices across the group rising 5% over the year.

New dwelling prices increased 5.7%, rents were up 3.6%, and electricity prices rose 6.1%. Food and non-alcoholic beverages were also 3.2% higher, while recreation and culture prices increased 2.6%.

There were also some sizeable price moves during July.

Automotive fuel prices jumped 7.5% for the month after falling for 3 months in a row. The ABS said the increase was driven by higher global oil prices and the partial unwinding of the federal government's fuel excise relief measures.

Domestic holiday travel and accommodation prices also rose 6.2% as demand picked up during the school holiday period.

The RBA will be keeping a close eye on the underlying inflation figures as well.

Services inflation was still running at 3.7% over the year, while non-tradables inflation was sitting at 4.4%.

Could the RBA raise rates again?

The key number for the RBA was trimmed mean inflation, which gives a better idea of what is happening with underlying price pressures.

It rose 0.5% in July and remained at 3.6% over the year, still above the RBA's 2% to 3% target range.

That was also higher than expected, with economists forecasting a monthly increase of around 0.3%.

The RBA left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% earlier this month after raising rates 3 times in 2026.

Minutes from that meeting showed the board considered another rate hike, but decided to keep rates on hold and wait for more data.

There are signs higher rates are already having an effect. Australia's unemployment rate rose to 4.5% in July, while employment unexpectedly fell by 15,800.

This gives the RBA something else to weigh up as it tries to bring inflation down without slowing the economy too much.

Mark your calendar for 29 September, when the RBA will hand down its next interest rate decision.

The post Inflation falls again, but could the RBA still raise interest rates? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Higher for longer? Why the ASX 200 just turned negative
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• Will CBA shares ever get back to the top of the ASX 200?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is pushing higher again on Wednesday, extending the gains seen at the start of the week.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up 0.56% to 9,215 points.

This puts the index at its highest level in 2 weeks and less than 1% below the record high of 9,296 points reached earlier this month.

Wall Street also gave a positive lead overnight, with the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) rising 0.66%, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) and Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) added around 0.3%.

The move is relatively broad as well, with 104 shares trading higher, 86 lower, and 10 unchanged.

So, what's driving the market today?

BHP and Woolworths lead the way

Mining shares are giving the index plenty of support, led by another record high from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

The BHP share price is up 1.18% to $68.47 after touching a new all-time high of $68.77 earlier this morning. Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is also up 1.37% to $181.75, with copper prices remaining close to record levels.

BHP has been on a strong run since releasing its FY26 results last week, when the miner reported record underlying EBITDA of US$32.9 billion and underlying attributable profit of US$13.2 billion.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is another major contributor today, with its shares jumping 5.59% to $41.02 following the release of its FY26 results.

The supermarket giant reported a 3.6% increase in group sales to $71.54 billion, while underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) rose 15.4% to $1.6 billion. Woolworths also lifted its final fully-franked dividend by 15.6% to 52 cents per share.

Energy and tech stocks head lower

Not every part of the market is enjoying today's gains, with lower oil prices weighing on the energy sector.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are down 4.27% to $31.59, while Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) has fallen 2.45% to $7.95.

Oil prices moved lower overnight, with Brent crude falling 3.9% to US$88.58 per barrel as concerns around supply disruptions eased.

Tech shares are also having a tougher session, with the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) down roughly 1.25%.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are sinking 7.8% to $41.92 after releasing its FY26 results this morning, despite reporting a 79% jump in revenue to US$1.40 billion.

According to The Australian, the fall appears to be driven by weaker-than-expected CargoWise growth and a softer outlook for e2open.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares have also dropped 4.99% to $84.51.

The post ASX 200 closes in on record territory as BHP and Woolworths surge appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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 positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. 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.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are back in the green on Wednesday after the banking giant announced a deal to settle a long-running class action.

At the time of writing, the CBA share price is up 0.92% to $158.47.

It has been a much tougher month for shareholders, with the stock down around 8% over that period. CBA shares are also roughly flat since the start of 2026 and remain around 15% below their 52-week high of $185.59.

Still, investors appear comfortable with today's announcement, with shares moving higher in morning trade.

Let's take a closer look at the release.

CBA reaches $249 million settlement

CBA said this morning that it has reached an in-principle agreement to settle a class action involving the bank, Colonial First State Investments, and Avanteos Investments.

The proposed settlement is worth $249 million and still needs to be finalised and approved by the Federal Court of Australia.

The proceedings were launched in 2018 by Slater and Gordon on behalf of class members.

They relate to certain cash and deposit options issued by CBA and offered through Colonial First State superannuation and wrap products between November 2008 and September 2021.

However, CBA, Colonial First State Investments, and Avanteos Investments deny the allegations and have made no admission of liability or wrongdoing.

If the court approves the deal, eligible class members could receive a share of the settlement after legal fees and other costs are deducted.

Why are CBA shares higher?

A $249 million settlement does sound sizeable, but there's a key detail in the above announcement.

CBA said the proposed settlement is already covered by a provision recognised in an earlier period. 

That means investors aren't looking at a new $249 million hit to current earnings, which likely helps explain why the share price has moved higher today.

The announcement also comes shortly after CBA reported another strong full-year result.

Cash net profit after tax rose 7% to $10.98 billion in FY26, while statutory profit increased 8% to $10.91 billion.

The bank also lifted its final dividend to $2.70 per share, taking the fully-franked full-year payout to $5.05 per share.

What next for CBA shares?

Today's rise is welcome for shareholders, but CBA shares still have ground to recover after falling around 8% this month.

The bank is also trading much closer to its 52-week low of $146.98 than the record levels it reached earlier this year.

Even after that pullback, CBA shares are not exactly cheap, trading on a P/E ratio of around 24. That still leaves the bank at a fairly high valuation compared with the other major banks.

The focus now is on whether CBA shares can keep moving higher after a difficult few weeks.

The post CBA shares bounce after settling long-running class action appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are heading north on Tuesday.

At the time of writing, the WiseTech share price is up 3.17% to $44.87.

Today's rise continues what has been a strong turnaround over the past month, with the logistics software stock climbing around 50% over that period.

There is still a long way to go, though. WiseTech shares remain down around 35% since the start of 2026 and are trading more than 60% below their 52-week high of $115.75.

And investors have another development to digest today after the company announced a new appointment to its board.

Let's dive right in!

WiseTech adds another independent director

WiseTech announced this morning that Tim Ebbeck will join the board as an independent non-executive director from 1 September.

He will also become chair of the Audit & Risk Committee and join the People & Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee.

Ebbeck has spent much of his career in senior technology and finance roles. He has previously led Oracle Australia and New Zealand and SAP Australia and New Zealand, while also holding senior positions at NBN Co and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).

WiseTech chair Raelene Murphy said his experience across technology, financial management, and governance would further strengthen the board.

The appointment forms part of an ongoing board renewal program. Once Ebbeck joins, WiseTech will have 5 independent non-executive directors and 2 executive directors.

However, there is another part of today's announcement that caught my attention.

An interesting AustralianSuper connection

As reported in The Australian, Ebbeck currently serves as a nominee non-executive director and senior adviser to AustralianSuper.

That connection stands out because AustralianSuper was previously one of WiseTech's major shareholders before selling its entire $580 million stake in March 2025.

The super fund said at the time that it could not get "sufficient comfort" around WiseTech's governance following several months of board and management upheaval.

AustralianSuper also wanted to see a sensible transition plan around founder Richard White's role and said it could reconsider its position if circumstances changed.

There's nothing in today's announcement to suggest AustralianSuper is looking to buy back into WiseTech. Still, appointing one of its senior advisers to the board is noteworthy given the fund's previous concerns.

WiseTech shares continue to recover

Today's gain continues the recent recovery, although the past week has been far from quiet.

WiseTech shares fell 8.7% to $39.58 last Wednesday after the ACCC executed a search warrant at the company's headquarters.

The warrant forms part of an investigation into alleged breaches of competition law relating to the supply of global logistics services and software. WiseTech said it intends to fully cooperate with the investigation, which remains ongoing.

Despite that setback, the shares have quickly recovered and are now trading above where they were before the announcement.

The rebound has been impressive, but investors still have plenty to weigh up.

Much of the attention now turns to WiseTech's financial results, which are due to be released tomorrow.

The post Why WiseTech shares are pushing higher again on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is enjoying a strong session on Tuesday, with gains spread across most of the market.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up 0.75% to 9,171 points, putting the index at its highest level in 8 trading days.

It also has the market on track for its best session in around 3 weeks, following a fairly mixed run through August.

And there isn't one big piece of news behind the move. Instead, strength across miners, healthcare, energy, and financial stocks is helping push the market higher.

So, what is driving the ASX 200 today?

Most of the market is in the green

The buying is fairly broad, with 120 of the largest 200 companies trading higher, compared with 74 falling and 6 unchanged.

Mining stocks are doing their part, led by another strong session from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), which is up 1.41% to $68.07.

The mining giant has again pushed to a record high, with strong copper prices continuing to support the stock.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is also up 1.55% to $180.18, while Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) has gained 1.15% to $24.67.

Healthcare and energy shares rise

Healthcare is another strong area of the market today.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares are up 1.78% to $172.12, and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) has climbed 0.54% to $37.29.

Energy stocks are also mostly higher after several companies reported results this morning.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are up 0.93% to $33.79 after the company reported its half-year results and outlined plans to cut costs.

The major banks are higher as well. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is up 0.24% to $157.25, while National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) has risen 0.71% to $38.28.

Reporting season keeps things busy

Reporting season is still driving plenty of individual share price moves.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares are up 0.66% to $22.79 after the supermarket giant released its FY26 results earlier today.

The local market is also outperforming, with a mixed lead from Wall Street. The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fell 0.8% overnight as chip stocks weakened, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) slipped 0.3% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) added 0.3%.

Investors are also watching the RBA after the minutes from its August meeting were released just before midday today.

The RBA left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% earlier this month after 3 increases in 2026, while keeping the door open to another rise if inflation remains too high.

The post Why is the ASX 200 having its best day in 3 weeks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) shares are charging higher on Tuesday after the defence tech company released its half-year results.

At the time of writing, the EOS share price is up a sizeable 13.02% to $9.72.

That takes its gain over the past month to more than 40% and continues what has been a very strong run for shareholders.

With the stock pushing higher again today, it appears investors are clearly liking what they see.

So, can EOS shares keep climbing from here?

Revenue jumps 283%

The numbers show just how quickly the business has grown over the past year.

EOS reported revenue from continuing operations of $168.8 million for the six months to 30 June, up 283% from $44.1 million a year earlier.

Defence Systems drove most of the increase, with revenue climbing to $163.7 million from $38.8 million. Space Systems was largely flat at $5.1 million, compared with $5.3 million last year.

The big improvement in revenue also flowed through to earnings. Underlying EBITDA came in at $21.6 million, a big turnaround from the $14.9 million loss recorded in the prior corresponding period.

However, EOS still reported a statutory net loss after tax of $33.7 million. This included a $34 million non-cash accounting adjustment linked to its MARSS acquisition.

Gross margin came in at 58%, down from 76% a year ago. The prior period benefited from a one-off $12 million reversal of late delivery penalties.

Order book keeps growing

There was more good news in the order book.

EOS finished June with an unconditional order book of around $846 million, up 84% from $459 million at the end of December. It is also almost 5 times the $170 million reported a year ago.

The company signed more than $300 million of new orders during the half, with most of its current order book expected to be delivered through the rest of 2026 and during 2027.

The recently acquired MARSS business is also off to a strong start.

MARSS has already secured around $200 million of orders in 2026, while giving EOS greater exposure to AI-enabled command and control systems and counter-drone tech.

EOS ended June with $256 million in unrestricted cash, leaving the company well funded as it works through its growing order book.

Can EOS shares keep climbing?

There's plenty going right at EOS at the moment.

Management expects FY26 revenue of between $360 million and $400 million, which would be a record result for the company.

Strong demand across the defence sector is also supporting the outlook, particularly for counter-drone systems, remote weapon systems, and high-energy laser weapons.

EOS is currently chasing several opportunities across these areas, while its order book provides better visibility for future revenue growth.

Of course, the share price has already run a long way. EOS shares are up more than 40% in just one month, so expectations are now much higher.

Still, with revenue growing very quickly, and the order book standing at $846 million, there could be more room to run.

The post EOS shares rocket 13% today. Can the rally keep going? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems. 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.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are having another big day on Monday.

At the time of writing, the BHP share price is up 3.55% to $67.47 after reaching a new all-time high of $67.72 during midday trade.

The S&P/ASX 200 Resources Index (ASX: XJR) is also having a strong session, up more than 2.2%.

The mining giant has been on a strong run. BHP shares are up almost 10% over the past week, around 48% in 2026, and more than 60% over the past 12 months.

BHP has also comfortably outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over the past year.

So, after hitting another record today, can BHP shares keep climbing?

Copper is doing the heavy lifting

BHP's FY26 result last week gave investors plenty to like.

Revenue rose 15% to US$58.8 billion, while underlying EBITDA increased 27% to US$32.9 billion. Underlying attributable profit was also up 30% to US$13.2 billion, with net operating cash flow climbing 17% to US$21.8 billion.

Copper was a big part of that result.

It accounted for 54% of BHP's underlying EBITDA during the year, surpassing iron ore as the company's largest earnings contributor. Record copper production and higher metal prices helped drive the increase.

BHP also cut unit costs by 6% across its major assets, while net debt ended the year at US$8.7 billion.

Dividend gives shareholders more to celebrate

Shareholders also received a much bigger final dividend.

BHP declared a fully-franked final dividend of US 99 cents per share, up 65% from FY25. That took the full-year dividend to US$1.72 per share, with US$8.7 billion in dividends determined during the year.

At current exchange rates, the final dividend is worth around $1.39 per share. BHP shares are due to trade ex-dividend on 3 September, with the payment following on 23 September.

Looking further ahead, management is targeting annual copper-equivalent production growth of 3% to 4% through FY35.

Can the BHP share price keep rising?

There's a lot working in BHP's favour right now, particularly if copper prices remain strong.

The miner is producing record volumes, generating plenty of cash, and building its exposure to copper. Demand for the metal is expected to grow over the coming years as more copper is needed for power grids, renewable energy, electrification, and data centres.

But after such a strong run, the share price is starting to look expensive to some brokers.

Morgans recently downgraded BHP shares to a trim rating with a $55.30 price target. That sits around 18% below where the shares are trading today.

Red Leaf Securities has also placed a hold rating on BHP shares, suggesting investors looking to buy may be better off waiting for a cheaper entry point.

BHP's earnings are heading in the right direction; however, after rising more than 60% in a year, a lot of good news is already being priced in.

The post BHP shares just hit a record high. Can the run continue? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) shares are heading into one of their biggest weeks of 2026.

The Nvidia share price closed Friday at US$214.72, down 0.98% for the session. Despite the fall, the stock is still up around 15% since the beginning of the year and roughly 23% over the past 12 months.

It is also trading about 9% below its 52-week high of US$236.54.

Attention will now turn to the AI chip giant's second-quarter results, due after the US market closes on Wednesday. This means Australian shareholders will get the numbers early Thursday morning.

So, what should investors be watching?

Wall Street is expecting another huge result

Let's cut to the chase. Expectations are already extremely high.

According to Reuters, analysts are looking for quarterly revenue of around US$92 billion, nearly double what Nvidia reported a year earlier. Wall Street is also expecting adjusted earnings of around US$2.09 per share.

Nvidia itself guided to second-quarter revenue of around US$91 billion when it released its first-quarter numbers in May.

The company is coming off another huge quarter. Revenue jumped 85% year on year to a record US$81.6 billion, while Data Center revenue climbed 92% to US$75.2 billion.

Keep in mind, those numbers leave Nvidia with a very high bar to clear this week. A strong result may not be enough if management's outlook even slightly disappoints the market.

AI server prices are heading higher

There's also something else to watch before the result.

Reuters reported over the weekend that some of Nvidia's largest customers have been told prices for servers containing its AI chips will rise by more than 15%.

The increases are expected to apply to systems shipped early next year, including those using Nvidia's Vera Rubin and Grace Blackwell chips. More expensive memory is behind the move, as key components used in AI servers have become considerably more costly.

Passing some of that added expense on to customers could help Nvidia protect its margins. Thursday's result should also give the market a better idea of whether buyers are starting to push back.

Another big AI bet

Furthermore, Nvidia has been busy away from its chip business.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the company plans to invest US$1 billion in AI startup, Poolside, and pay US$6 billion to license its technology. Nvidia is also expected to bring across most of Poolside's engineers.

The deal would give Nvidia a bigger presence in open-weight AI models and put it more directly up against companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic.

What should investors watch on Thursday?

Revenue and earnings will attract plenty of attention, but the outlook is likely to have the biggest say in how Nvidia shares move.

The market will also be listening for any comments on Blackwell demand, the progress of Vera Rubin, and whether gross margins can remain around the mid-70% range.

With Nvidia already valued at US$5.2 trillion, there isn't much room for disappointment.

The post Up 15% in 2026! Why Nvidia shares could be in for a huge week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are pushing higher again on Monday.

At the time of writing, the WiseTech share price is up 3.12% to $43.65.

The rally has gathered plenty of pace over the past month, with the logistics software stock now up almost 40% during that period.

It is also around 52% above its 23 June low of $28.76. That's a very different picture from late June, when the shares were trading at their lowest level in 5 years.

However, shareholders are still sitting on a sizeable loss in 2026, with WiseTech shares down 36% since the beginning of the year.

So, has the share price finally left its lows behind?

A big rebound from June

WiseTech shares have spent much of the past year heading in the wrong direction.

The stock has fallen from a 52-week high of $115.75 and remains more than 60% below where it was this time last year.

A mix of governance concerns, regulatory issues, and weaker investor sentiment towards tech stocks has weighed heavily on the shares.

But the mood has changed since late June.

There have been some positive developments as well. Major customer DSV remains committed under its existing contract until September 2028. Bell Potter has also pointed to the appointment of an independent chair as a positive step towards addressing governance concerns.

WiseTech has continued to invest in its business as well, including the acquisition of US-based FRDM.ai in July.

All eyes on Wednesday's result

The next major test comes on 26 August, when WiseTech is due to release its FY26 results.

Management has reaffirmed revenue guidance of US$1.39 billion to US$1.44 billion, representing growth of 79% to 85%.

EBITDA is expected to come in between US$550 million and US$585 million, up 44% to 53% from FY25.

The company has also reached its US$50 million annualised cost synergy target from the e2open acquisition ahead of schedule.

With the share price already rebounding strongly, investors will likely want to see WiseTech deliver within those ranges and provide a solid outlook for FY27.

Is the bottom behind WiseTech shares?

The recovery from $28.76 is definitely encouraging, but one month of strong gains doesn't erase the risks that pushed the stock lower.

WiseTech still faces regulatory and governance questions, while the shares remain well below their previous highs.

At the same time, the underlying business continues to grow quickly.

Wednesday's result could give investors a better idea of whether this rebound can keep going.

The post Up 52% from its low! Has the WiseTech share price finally bottomed out? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) shares are heading south on Monday after the plumbing products group released its FY26 results.

At the time of writing, the Reece share price is down 5.62% to $15.61. By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is 0.3% higher to 9,090 points.

The company reported higher revenue for FY26, although profit slipped. Reece also lifted its final dividend, giving shareholders some good news despite the drop in the bottom line.

So, does the result make Reece shares worth buying?

Let's take a closer look.

Reece lifts its final dividend 13%

Reece declared a fully-franked final dividend of 13.40 cents per share.

That is almost 13% higher than the 11.86 cents per share paid a year earlier.

Combined with the 5.44-cent interim dividend, Reece will pay total dividends of 18.84 cents per share for FY26. That's up 2.6% from 18.36 cents in FY25.

At the current share price of $15.61, the full-year payout gives Reece shares a trailing dividend yield of around 1.2% before franking credits.

Reece shares will trade ex-dividend on 6 October, with the record date on 7 October. The final dividend will then be paid on 21 October.

What did Reece report?

For the 12 months ended 30 June 2026, Reece reported sales revenue of $9.38 billion, up 4.5% from the previous year.

EBITDA was flat at $901 million, while EBIT fell 2.6% to $534 million. Net profit after tax (NPAT) declined 2.8% to $308 million.

Earnings per share (EPS) still increased 0.7% to 49.5 cents.

The Australian and New Zealand business was the stronger part of the result. Sales rose 8.3% to $4.2 billion, while EBITDA increased 7.3% to $532 million as volumes recovered.

Nonetheless, conditions were tougher across the US business. Sales increased 6.5% in US dollar terms, but EBITDA fell 4.5% as weak residential construction weighed on demand.

Reece also continued investing in its US network, opening 25 new branches during the year.

Are Reece shares a buy?

There were some positives in the result, particularly the recovery in Australia and New Zealand and the higher final dividend.

Management expects that momentum in ANZ to continue into FY27, helped by a solid pipeline of activity.

However, the US outlook remains less certain. Reece expects only modest growth there while residential new construction remains weak.

Investors also need to consider the price they are paying.

At $15.61, Reece shares are trading at around 32 times FY26 earnings. That's not cheap for a company that reported lower profit for the year and is still dealing with a weak US housing market.

And while the dividend increase is a positive, the 1.2% trailing yield is unlikely to attract investors looking mainly for income.

The post Reece shares sink despite dividend boost. Is it a buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares are pushing higher again on Monday.

At the time of writing, the Wesfarmers share price is up 1.41% to $90.96. Today's gain takes its rise in 2026 to around 12%.

The stock is also trading only about 4% below its 52-week high of $95.18.

There haven't been any new company announcements today. However, Macquarie has lifted its price target by 1.2% to $86.

While the increase is positive, the new target still sits below the current share price.

So, has the market pushed Wesfarmers shares too far?

Why have Wesfarmers shares climbed?

The recent results help explain why the share price has kept climbing.

Wesfarmers reported a 3.1% increase in first-half revenue to $24.21 billion, while net profit rose 9.3% to $1.60 billion. The fully-franked interim dividend also increased 7.4% to $1.02 per share.

Bunnings remained the largest contributor, with earnings rising 5% to $1.39 billion. Kmart Group earnings increased 6.1% to $683 million.

Returns on capital (ROC) were around 70% at both businesses, which remains one of Wesfarmers' biggest strengths.

Nonetheless, Wesfarmers is still looking for more growth. Bunnings has expanded into categories including tools, workwear, rural products, and automotive accessories. Kmart has kept expanding its Anko range and opened more joint venture stores in the Philippines.

Management said in February that its retail businesses had continued trading well through the first 6 weeks of the second half.

Brokers remain cautious

The share price now sits well above most broker forecasts.

Macquarie's new $86 target is one of the higher recent estimates, but it still sits around 5.5% below the current share price.

Goldman Sachs and CLSA both have $78 targets, while Citi is more bearish with a $69 target.

Most analysts remain cautious. Investing.com currently shows an average 12-month price target of $76.36, around 16% below today's price, along with an overall sell consensus.

The valuation is another reason for the caution. Wesfarmers trades on a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 33.7 times and offers a dividend yield of about 2.8%.

What does the chart show?

Momentum remains strong, although the stock is nearing overbought territory.

Wesfarmers has a relative strength index (RSI) reading of 68, just below the level of 70 generally viewed as overbought.

The share price is also above the middle Bollinger Band at around $88.48. The 52-week high near $95.18 is the next resistance level, while the $88 to $90 area is the nearest support zone.

Wesfarmers is still producing solid earnings, but the share price now leaves less room for a weak result.

The full-year result on 27 August will show whether earnings are keeping pace with the share price.

The post Up 12% in 2026! Are Wesfarmers shares now too expensive? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is trading lower on Monday as another jump in oil prices weighs on global markets.

At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.38% to 8,772 points after briefly moving above 8,820 points earlier in the session.

The selling is spread across much of the market, with 118 ASX 200 shares trading lower, compared with 75 in positive territory, and 7 stocks unchanged.

However, gains from the major banks and several energy shares are helping keep the decline from becoming much larger.

Here's what is behind today's fall.

Oil jump rattles global markets

The latest weakness follows another escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran over the weekend.

Brent crude oil futures have climbed around 4% to more than US$79 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is trading above US$74.

Concerns remain centred on the Strait of Hormuz and the potential disruption to energy shipments through the key waterway.

The oil rise is also adding to inflation concerns and has pushed US futures lower ahead of Monday night's session.

S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) futures are down 0.48%, while Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) futures are falling 1.12%.

Asian markets are also mostly lower. South Korea's Kospi has dropped around 5%, while Japan's Nikkei is down more than 1%.

Tech, healthcare, and miners in the red

The weaker global lead is hitting several of the ASX 200's larger growth and resources stocks.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares are down 3.57% to $70.78, while WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) has tumbled 2.32% to $33.21.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) shares have dropped 5.53% to $28.37, and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) is 0.94% lower at $121.73.

The major miners are also weighing on the index. BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 0.70% to $57.87, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) has slipped 0.58% to $163.53.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) is among the heavier fallers, sinking 4.12% to $57.24.

Consumer staples are also lower. Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are down 1.07% to $39.73, while Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) has dipped 1.66% to $23.17.

Banks and energy shares provide support

The ASX 200 would be much lower without support from the major banks.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are up 0.26% to $169.30. Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) has added 0.30% to $36.65, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is 0.43% higher at $39.78, and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) has gained 0.69% to $36.30.

Higher oil prices are also helping some energy stocks. Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are up 0.33% to $29.15.

The post ASX 200 drops as soaring oil prices rattle global markets appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended CSL, ResMed, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

One of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)'s biggest energy stocks is having a rough start to the week.

AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) shares are down 5.10% to $8.01 today after the electricity provider was hit with a broker downgrade.

The decline leaves the AGL share price down almost 14% since the beginning of 2026 and around 16% over the past 12 months.

The selling follows a warning that weak wholesale electricity prices could delay the company's earnings recovery for several years.

Here's more on that detail.

Macquarie cuts its rating

According to The Australian, Macquarie has downgraded AGL shares from neutral to underperform and cut its price target by 12% to $7.75.

The new target sits below Friday's closing price of $8.44 and is also slightly lower than where the stock is trading today.

Macquarie believes the electricity market remains too well supplied, with wholesale power prices sitting near 5-year lows. Mild weather, additional battery storage, and growing output from wind and solar projects have all contributed to the softer pricing environment.

The broker noted that the number of hours with prices above $300 per megawatt-hour across the National Electricity Market fell 70% during the June quarter compared with a year earlier.

AGL's longer-term outlook weakens

Macquarie now expects wholesale power prices to recover in FY31, 2 years later than its previous FY29 forecast.

The broker reportedly cut its FY28 earnings forecast by 25% and lowered its FY29 estimate by 72%. It believes AGL's earnings could fall back to 2021 levels by FY28.

Macquarie's weaker outlook also takes into account the impact of data centres, which are often seen as a major source of future electricity demand. However, the broker believes this extra demand could keep coal-fired power stations operating for longer and attract more renewable generation.

This could leave the electricity market oversupplied for longer and delay a recovery in wholesale prices.

The risk would grow if the planned closures of Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)'s Eraring power station and AGL's Bayswater facility are delayed.

AGL's upcoming results in focus

The downgrade comes even after AGL lifted the lower end of its FY26 guidance in May.

The company now expects underlying EBITDA of between $2.06 billion and $2.18 billion. Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) is forecast to come in between $610 million and $680 million.

AGL said improved plant availability, steadier consumer margins, and disciplined cost management had supported the stronger outlook.

Management also warned that FY27 could include lower wholesale prices in some regions and softer market conditions.

AGL will provide its FY27 guidance when it releases its full-year results on 12 August.

The post Why this ASX 200 energy stock is crashing 5% on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia 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.

The Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) share price is sliding again on Monday following a new announcement from the accounting software company.

At the time of writing, Xero shares are down 4.24% to $70.29. The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) is also lower, although its 1.33% fall is much smaller.

The latest drop adds to a painful year for shareholders. Xero shares have now fallen almost 40% in 2026 and around 60% over the past 12 months.

Here's the latest.

CEO sells remaining ordinary shares

According to the release, Singh Cassidy sold 29,608 Xero shares on market on 7 July at $74 apiece.

The transaction was worth just over $2.19 million, with Xero saying the sale was made to manage personal tax obligations.

Interestingly, the sale means Singh Cassidy no longer holds any ordinary Xero shares directly. However, she still has plenty riding on the company through 171,381 restricted stock units and 1,038,308 unlisted options.

Those holdings leave her with plenty of exposure to how Xero performs from here.

More than $7.5 million sold since May

The latest sale follows another large disposal by Singh Cassidy only a few weeks earlier.

Between 26 May and 2 June, she sold 70,737 Xero shares for around $5.4 million. Xero also said those sales were made to cover tax obligations.

Combined, the two transactions have seen the Chief Executive sell 100,345 shares worth roughly $7.6 million since late May.

Both sales have been linked to tax obligations, but the timing isn't a great look when Xero shares are already trading near their 52-week low of $65.

Strong growth has not stopped the slide

Xero's share price had already been falling despite solid growth in the underlying business.

Its FY26 result showed operating revenue rising 31% to NZ$2.75 billion, while adjusted EBITDA increased 18% to NZ$757.4 million. Net profit fell 27% to NZ$167.4 million as acquisition costs linked to US payments business Melio weighed on the result.

Management expects FY27 operating revenue of between NZ$3.62 billion and NZ$3.73 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is forecast to reach NZ$860 million to NZ$920 million.

Why are Xero shares falling?

Today's CEO sale seems be adding to the selling, while the weaker tech sector is also working against the stock.

However, the 60% decline over the past year points to much bigger concerns.

Investors are weighing the price paid for Melio, higher costs, and the time needed to turn faster US growth into stronger profits.

The business is still growing revenue and customers, but the market wants to see more of that growth flow through to the bottom line.

The post Another CEO share sale has this ASX 100 tech stock sinking today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

FleetPartners Group Ltd (ASX: FPR) shares are starting the week on the front foot.

At the time of writing, the FleetPartners share price is up 3.02% to $3.07.

The latest gain takes the ASX financial stock's rise in 2026 to around 9%.

FleetPartners provides vehicle leasing, fleet management, and salary packaging services across Australia and New Zealand.

Investors are responding to the company's third-quarter business update released this morning.

Here's what FleetPartners reported.

New business growth picks up

FleetPartners said new business written rose 8% during the 9 months to June compared with the same period last year.

Growth accelerated during the third quarter, with new business written up 24% from a year earlier. The company wrote $246 million of new business during the quarter.

FleetPartners also completed $14 million of sale-and-leaseback transactions, while its June pipeline was 27% above the average level recorded during the first half.

The stronger result has prompted management to upgrade its FY26 new business written outlook from marginal growth to high-single-digit growth.

The company said the economic environment remains challenging, but new customer wins, contract renewals, and continued growth from smaller fleet customers are supporting the pipeline.

Core income continues to rise

Assets under management or financed (AUMOF) increased 6% year to date, while core income grew 7%.

FleetPartners had around 67,000 funded vehicles at the end of June, up 2% from March.

The novated leasing business also performed well, with new business written rising 20% from the prior corresponding period.

Management said stronger electric vehicle demand, increased sales activity, and the acquisition of Remunerator supported the growth.

The company still expects AUMOF to grow at a mid-single-digit rate in FY26, while its core margin should remain relatively stable.

Used-car market weighs on lease-end income

FleetPartners sold 1,618 vehicles during the quarter, a 31% reduction from the previous quarter. End-of-lease income came in at $8 million, while profit per unit fell to $4,951.

The company chose to hold back vehicles rather than accept weaker prices in a softer used-car market. Inventory increased by 448 units during the quarter as a result.

FleetPartners expects sales volumes and lease-end income to improve in the fourth quarter as the winter slowdown eases. However, lease-end income is still expected to remain below the levels recorded in the first two quarters.

Why are FleetPartners shares rising?

The upgrade to FY26 new business written is helping drive today's gain.

FleetPartners is also growing its funded asset base and core income, while its pipeline remains well ahead of the first-half average.

The used-car market is still weighing on lease-end income, although management avoided selling more vehicles into weaker pricing.

The final quarter will show whether better disposal volumes can lift lease-end income as management expects.

The post Why this ASX financial stock is moving higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

It has been a rough few months for Dateline Resources Ltd (ASX: DTR) shareholders.

But the ASX mining stock is surging on Monday after receiving some welcome support from the US Government.

At the time of writing, the Dateline Resources share price is up 33.33% to 18 cents.

Despite today's huge gain, the stock remains down around 20% in 2026. However, Dateline shares are now up roughly 98% since this time last year.

Let's take a closer look at the latest announcement.

US Government backs Dateline's position

The support comes from the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which has filed documents opposing a legal challenge surrounding Colosseum.

The Colosseum project is Dateline's 100%-owned gold and rare earths project in California, which includes a historic open-pit mine.

The case was brought by the National Parks Conservation Association, which is challenging an April 2025 letter recognising Dateline's existing rights at the project.

According to Dateline, the DOJ believes the current mine plan remains valid and still allows work to take place at Colosseum.

The DOJ also argues the National Park Service letter didn't grant a new approval. Instead, it says the letter just confirmed the legal position of the existing mine plan.

Dateline said the filing supports the position it has taken throughout the case.

What is the legal dispute about?

The National Parks Conservation Association wants the court to overturn the National Park Service's April 2025 decision without recognising the company's mining rights.

However, the DOJ believes the group is unlikely to succeed because the letter did not amount to a final government decision that could be challenged in court.

The department also says laws introduced in 1994 protected the project's existing rights, including its approved mine plan. A long break in mining doesn't automatically cancel those rights.

The US Government has also pushed back against claims of immediate environmental damage.

It noted the area has already been disturbed by previous mining, while access to the nearby Clark Mountains remains available by another route.

The DOJ also said concerns about future noise, dust, and vegetation removal relate to work that may not even happen.

Foolish Takeaway

The DOJ filing is welcome news for Dateline and gives the company more support in the legal dispute over Colosseum.

It backs Dateline's view that the existing mine plan remains valid and no new Federal approval is required. However, the court still has the final say.

Colosseum is a major part of the company's future. Its bankable feasibility study (BFS) outlined a 10.4-year mine and estimated a pre-tax value of US$785 million.

The study also produced an internal rate of return (IRR) of 49.5%, which is a measure of the project's expected profitability.

Building the mine is expected to cost US$249 million, plus a US$25 million contingency.

The post Why this ASX mining stock is rocketing 33% after a US Government boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Australian borrowers have been given a glimmer of hope that interest rates could begin falling sooner than previously thought.

This follows news that Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) has brought forward its forecast for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)'s first rate cut to August 2027.

However, interest rates could still rise again before any relief arrives next year.

Here's what the bank is expecting.

Why Westpac changed its forecast

According to The Australian, Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis expects inflation to ease more quickly during 2027.

The bank believes inflation could fall enough for the RBA to start cutting rates in August next year, rather than waiting until early 2028.

Westpac sees those cuts coming gradually, at 0.25 percentage points each quarter.

However, the outlook for the next few months remains less positive for borrowers.

Rates could rise before they fall

At its meeting last month, the RBA left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35%.

The RBA's May forecasts showed trimmed mean inflation staying above 3% until the middle of 2027, before easing to 2.5% by early 2028.

Westpac still sees an August rate rise as likely, although what happens after that is less certain.

A second increase in September also remains possible, but Ellis said it could be pushed back or dropped if inflation begins to ease.

The June quarter inflation figures, which are due on 29 July, will be crucial in deciding whether either increase goes ahead.

Any further increase would place more pressure on variable mortgage rates and borrowing costs, especially for those households already dealing with larger repayments.

But keep in mind, higher rates would not affect every borrower straight away.

Households on fixed-rate loans may be protected until their current term ends, while those on variable rates would usually feel the impact almost immediately.

The effect would also depend on whether banks pass on any RBA increase in full.

Why the RBA may take its time

Even if inflation starts to improve next year, Westpac doesn't expect the RBA to rush into cutting rates.

The central bank lowered rates in 2025, only for inflation to pick up again. Because of that, Westpac thinks the RBA will want clearer signs that inflation is under control before lowering rates again.

The bank is still expecting rates to come down slowly, with much lower borrowing costs unlikely to return quickly.

For mortgage holders, the change gives some hope that relief could arrive sooner than previously thought.

However, the next move may still be higher, with Westpac tipping another rate rise in August.

The post Could the RBA start cutting interest rates sooner than expected? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

The Aussie share market is on track to finish the week with a much-needed gain.

At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is 0.64% higher at 8,818 points, after briefly reaching 8,821.6 points earlier in the session.

The ASX 200 is now trying to break a run of 4 straight losses, after falling from 8,844 points last Friday to 8,762 points by Thursday's close.

A stronger night on Wall Street has definitely helped, but the miners and major banks are doing most of the work today.

Here's how the session is shaping up.

Miners lead the recovery

The S&P/ASX 200 Resources Index (ASX: XJR) is leading the market higher, climbing 2.13% as strength returns to copper, gold, and lithium stocks.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are 2.74% higher at $58.43, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) has gained 3.43% to $163.95.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) is one of the stronger performers, rising 5.37% to $4.025.

Gold miners are joining the move, with Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares up 4.31% to $11.735 and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) adding 2.43% to $20.62.

Banks provide more support

The major banks are adding to the gains, with all of them trading higher.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares have gained 0.74% to $169.35, while Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is 1.05% higher at $36.58.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) has added 0.79% to $39.59, and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) is up 1.15% to $36.17.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is also in positive territory, rising 0.78% to $254.16.

The miners and banks are doing most of the work for the index, but the rest of the market is still holding up reasonably well.

Around 109 of the ASX 200 shares are higher, compared with 75 trading lower and 16 unchanged.

Not every sector is joining in

The gains aren't being shared evenly, with consumer discretionary, healthcare, and energy stocks trading lower.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares are down 1.18% to $89.80, while Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) has slipped 0.97% to $61.795.

Healthcare is also weighing on the market. CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) is 1.49% lower at $123.66, while Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) has fallen 3.74% to $202.56.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are down 0.92% to $29.03 as oil prices remain volatile.

Nonetheless, Wall Street's overnight rebound helped sentiment. The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) rose 0.81%, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) gained 1.3%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) added 0.27% as tech shares recovered and oil prices eased from their earlier spike.

After 4 days in the red, the ASX 200 is at least on track to finish the week with a gain.

The post ASX 200 snaps its losing streak as miners and banks rally appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Higher for longer? Why the ASX 200 just turned negative
• Inflation falls again, but could the RBA still raise interest rates?
• ASX 200 closes in on record territory as BHP and Woolworths surge
• Will CBA shares ever get back to the top of the ASX 200?

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 positions in and has recommended CSL, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, Macquarie Group, Pro Medicus, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Few ASX stocks have given investors a more brutal ride than WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) this year.

The WiseTech share price has fallen 50% since the start of 2026 and is now trading a long way below its 52-week high of $121.31.

At the time of writing, the stock is down another 1.21% on Friday to $34.21, taking its monthly decline to around 10%.

However, WiseTech has recovered from its low of $28.76 on 23 June. The stock has posted several large daily gains over the past few weeks, although those rallies have often been followed by more selling.

Investors are now weighing comments from management about one of the company's largest customers, while trying to work out whether the recent low has finally marked the bottom.

Here's the latest.

WiseTech tries to ease customer concerns

According to The Australian, WiseTech Chief Executive Zubin Appoo is trying to settle concerns about Danish logistics group DSV.

DSV completed its 14.3-billion-euro takeover of DB Schenker in April 2025, creating one of the world's largest transport and logistics companies.

The issue that's taking centre stage is that DSV could eventually replace WiseTech's CargoWise software with Tango, the system acquired through DB Schenker.

However, Appoo said DSV remains an active WiseTech customer and continues to increase its use of CargoWise.

He said:

DSV remains an active WiseTech customer. CargoWise transaction volumes with DSV have grown by around 20 per cent in the last six months.

Take note, the number of DSV users on CargoWise has reportedly increased by around 3% over the same period.

Appoo recently met with DSV Chief Executive Jens Lund and said both companies remain committed to their long-term relationship. DSV's current contract runs until September 2028.

WiseTech pointed out that large CargoWise installations can take between 5 and 7 years to complete. And that customer attrition has remained below 1% a year over the past 14 years.

Investors are not convinced yet

Despite the reassurance, analysts at Citi still see the potential DSV migration as a risk.

The broker has warned about the issue since February and again highlighted "DSV migration headwinds" this week.

Citi has reportedly reduced its FY28 CargoWise revenue growth forecast to 7%, removing around $80 million from its previous estimate.

This means that the downgrade shows Citi is allowing for some impact, even though DSV hasn't confirmed it will leave CargoWise.

Has the WiseTech share price bottomed?

There are signs that buyers are stepping in around the low-$30 mark, but the stock is still moving around a lot.

WiseTech shares jumped 14.26% on 24 June, then rose another 7.31% and 5.65% earlier this week. The stock gave back 7.28% on Wednesday.

Keep in mind, the business is still profitable, and CargoWise is widely used across the logistics industry.

And DSV hasn't confirmed any plans to leave the platform either.

The share price could remain under pressure in the short term, but a stronger-than-expected August result could help shift the mood.

The post Has the WiseTech share price finally hit the bottom after crashing 50%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 dividend shares that just hiked their payouts
• Why I'd buy the dip on DroneShield and WiseTech shares
• Why are WiseTech shares crashing 8.5% today?
• WiseTech Global share price: FY26 earnings soar 79% on e2open acquisition
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.