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ASX shares going ex-dividend next week

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After yesterday's rise kicked off the trading week on a positive note, investors built on that momentum today. The ASX 200 opened higher this morning and stayed in green territory all day, closing with a gain of 0.68%. That leaves the index at 9,164.6 points.

This terrific Tuesday for the local markets came after a mixed start to the American trading week on Wall Street overnight.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in an accommodating mood, rising 0.26%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) had a more Garfield-esque Monday, closing 0.76% lower.

Let's get back to the ASX now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared this session.

Winners and losers

Today's market rises were near-universal, with only two sectors missing out.

The first, and worst, of those sectors was energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) gave up an early lead to finish down 0.78% today.

The other red sector was real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sinking 0.16%.

Let's get to the happier sectors now. Leading the charge were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a blowout, rocketing up 2.25%.

Consumer staples stocks ran hot as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 2.11% surge.

Healthcare stocks were also popular. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) soared 1.4% higher this Tuesday.

Financial shares joined the party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) shooting up 0.94%.

Consumer discretionary stocks were also at the festivities. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) galloped up 0.91% today.

Next came utilities shares, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.59% jump.

Industrial stocks were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) added 0.58% to its total this session.

Communications shares had a day to remember as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) advancing 0.4%.

Gold stocks didn't miss out. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) enjoyed a 0.34% lift today.

Finally, mining shares managed to find buyers, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.3% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Defence company Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) was our top performer this Tuesday. Electro Optic shares exploded 23.02% higher today to close at $10.58 each.

This astonishing showing followed the company's latest earnings, which were obviously a delight for the market.

Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As earnings season continues, brokers have declared greater confidence in several ASX 200 shares this week.

Let's review. 

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

The A2 Milk share price is $6.76, up 0.8% today and down 23% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 consumer staples share has fallen 4%.

Citi upgraded A2 Milk shares to a buy rating on Tuesday.

The rating change came after A2 Milk released its FY26 results.

The broker increased its 12-month price target from $7 to $7.40.

This implies a potential 9% upside ahead.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price is $167.94, down 1.9% today and down 26% over 12 months.

This ASX 200 healthcare share has ripped 38% amid a broader sector rebound over the past month.

Jarden upgraded CSL shares to a buy rating following the company's FY26 report.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $207, suggesting 23% upside ahead.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

The IAG share price is $7.88, up 1% today and down 10% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 financial share has fallen 6%.

Citi upgraded IAG shares to a buy call following the insurer's FY26 results.

The broker reduced its 12-month price target from $9 to $8.80.

This implies a potential 11% upside ahead for IAG shares.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The Fortescue share price is $17.88, down 0.4% today and down 9% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 iron ore mining share has fallen 4%.

Jefferies upgraded Fortescue shares to a hold rating yesterday.

This followed Fortescue's FY26 earnings report.

Jefferies has a 12-month price target of $16.

This suggest a potential 10% downside ahead.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

The Megaport share price is $18.50, down 4.2% today and up 34% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 tech share has fallen 2%.

Morgan Stanley upgraded Megaport shares to a buy rating with a $25 target today.

The change followed Megaport's FY26 report this week.

This implies a potential 35% upside ahead.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

The Mirvac share price is $1.90, down 0.2% today and down 21% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 real estate share has risen 10%.

Jefferies upgraded Mirvac shares to a buy call after reviewing the developer's FY26 report.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $1.80 to $2.09.

This indicates potential capital gains of 9% over the next year. 

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

The Treasury Wine Estates share price is $5.64, up 0.9% today and down 31% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 wine share has skyrocketed 22%.

Morgans upgraded Treasury Wine Estates shares after reviewing the company's FY26 earnings.

The broker increased its 12-month target from $5.95 to $7.30.

This suggests a possible 30% upside ahead.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price is $10.33, up 1.1% today and down 21% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 bank share has fallen 3%.

Jarden upgraded Bendigo Bank shares to a buy rating after the bank released its FY26 report.

The broker has an $11 target, which implies about 6% upside ahead.

Further reading

Check out 10 ASX 200 shares downgraded by analysts this week.

Learn of 7 ASX 200 shares that received reaffirmed buy ratings this week.

The post 8 ASX shares just upgraded by the experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This miserly finish for the Australian markets this Tuesday followed a rough start to the American trading week on Wall Street last night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was not feeling Monday-fresh, dropping 0.51%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared slightly better, but still fell 0.32%.

But let's get back to our local markets now and take stock of what the various ASX sectors were up to this session.

Winners and losers

With the market's falls, there were unsurprisingly more red sectors than green ones today.

Leading those red sectors were gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had a rough one, cratering by 1.57%.

Communications shares weren't popular either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) plunging 1.26%.

We could say the same for consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) saw a 1.16% dive this session.

Financial shares weren't much better, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 1.1% wipeout.

Consumer discretionary stocks came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) suffered a 1.03% reduction this Tuesday.

Tech shares were right behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) dipping 1.02%.

Industrial stocks had a day to forget, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) endured a 0.75% dip today.

Let's turn to the winners now. Leading the charge were healthcare shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s whopping 7.81% surge. We can thank CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) for that.

Energy stocks enjoyed some time in the sun too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) jumped up 0.99% today.

Utilities shares also got a reprieve, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) advancing 0.89%.

Mining stocks were another safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) rose 0.15% by the closing bell.

Finally, real estate investment trusts (REITs) got in under the wire, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.05% inch higher.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Our winner this session was manufacturing stock Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC).

Reliance shares exploded 24.65% higher today to close at $4.50 each. This came after the company posted its latest earnings, which included the revelation that it had received a takeover offer.

Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here are three undervalued ASX 200 shares which could be primed to storm higher over the next 12 months.

The A2 Milk Co Ltd (ASX: A2M)

A2 Milk shares are jumping higher in afternoon trade on Tuesday. At the time of writing, the milk company's shares are up around 8% and changing hands at $7.04 a piece. 

Today's share price spike follows the company's FY26 results announcement on Monday morning. It reported a 12.4% increase in revenue but a 2.5% decline in full-year statutory EBITDA and a 5.8% drop in statutory NPAT.

Investors were initially hesitant but then many quickly bought into the shares.

Monday's results announcement comes off the back of a difficult start to the year for A2 Milk. 

The shares crashed around 20% in early April after it lowered its FY26 guidance amid supply chain challenges, and the shares continued tumbling to an 18-month low in early-June.

The ASX 200 shares have recovered around 35% of their value from early-June to the time of writing, but the rebound still hasn't brought the share price back to early-2026 levels. They're still down around 24% for the year-to-date.

It's clear that the company's FY26 results weren't as bad as many were expecting. Even after today's 8% share price increase, it looks like the ASX 200 shares are still trading well below fair value.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the shares. The $8.04 average target price implies a potential 19% upside, at the time of writing.

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC)

Lendlease also posted its FY26 results early yesterday morning. The ASX 200 international property developer reported earnings at the top end of guidance but also posted a statutory loss after tax of $749 million.

Investors were spooked, and the shares crashed 11% by the end of the day. Today, ASX 200 property shares are back in the green, trading 1% higher at $2.90. The shares are also down around 44% year-to-date.

The announcement followed a disappointing first-half update earlier this year. 

The company has undergone a major strategic reset this year, which has seen it simplify its structure, exit international construction, and refocus its efforts on the Australian market. 

Investors aren't sure, but it looks like analysts are more bullish that the company can pull off the new strategy.

Market Index data shows brokers are split between a buy and hold rating. But the $3.49 average target price implies a potential 22% upside, at the time of writing.

Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC)

Nickel Industries shares spiked to a three-year high of $1.10 in early May. But they've now lost around 25% of their value. At the time of writing, the shares are down another 1% and are changing hands for 83 cents each. That's an 8% decrease year-to-date.

The ASX 200 company owns a portfolio of mining and downstream nickel processing assets in Indonesia. It has a controlling interest in the Hengjaya nickel mine and four rotary kiln electric furnace projects. These produce nickel pig iron (NPI) for the stainless-steel industry and materials for EV batteries. 

Its shares enjoyed a very strong start to 2026, including a new acquisition and strong financial results. But a weaker nickel price and higher costs have put pressure on the shares over the past couple of months.

But there is plenty of expansion potential ahead for the ASX 200 nickel shares, and brokers appear bullish that the share price can rally higher this year.

Market Index data shows that the majority have a buy rating on Nickel Industries shares. The $1.29 average target price implies a potential 56% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

The post 3 oversold ASX 200 shares trading for cheap right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The fresh milk and infant formula company saw its share price fall over 3% during Monday's session, as investors exited their positions in the consumer staples stock.

What did A2 Milk report?

As reported by The Motley Fool yesterday, the company reported a 12.4% rise in revenue to NZ$1.97 billion and the declaration of both ordinary and special dividends.

Other results included: 

• EBITDA fell 2.5% to NZ$284.4 million, while underlying EBITDA rose 5.4% to NZ$307.6 million.
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) dropped 5.8% to NZ$207.5 million; underlying NPAT increased 7% to NZ$235.8 million.
• Ordinary dividends totalled 21 NZ cents per share, up 1cps; special dividend of 41.36cps also paid.
• Net cash closed at NZ$784.5 million, down 26.1% year on year.

It seems investors were left wanting more, as its share price fell on the results. 

This takes A2 Milk shares' year-to-date losses to almost 29%. 

Looking ahead

According to the release, A2 Milk's revenue and EBITDA are expected to grow in FY27, supported by increased contribution from product innovation and new markets, continued momentum in Other Nutritionals and Liquid Milk. 

Whilst a range of outcomes is possible depending on the rate of recovery in IMF, the Company currently expects the following in FY27 compared to FY26 (on a continuing operations basis):

• Revenue growth of mid single digit percent, with 1H27 revenue broadly in line with 1H26
• EBITDA margin percent to be approximately 15%, with 1H27 to be materially down on 1H26
• Depreciation and amortisation to be approximately $20 million
• Cash conversion to be approximately 70-80%
• Capital expenditure to be approximately $70 million. 

Bell Potter not convinced

Despite being heavily sold off, the team at Bell Potter are not convinced that A2 Milk shares can bounce back.

The broker released an updated outlook on the company following the results. 

Bell Potter viewed the FY26 result as broadly in line with expectations.

The key disappointment was weaker cash generation, with lease-adjusted operating cash flow falling to NZ$127.5m from NZ$195.7m.

Bell Potter said FY27 guidance is relatively soft, with revenue expected to grow at a mid-single-digit rate, 1H27 revenue broadly flat year-on-year, and EBITDA margins around 15%, below consensus expectations. 

Bell Potter has therefore reduced its FY27 and FY28 NPAT forecasts by 2% and 1%, respectively, mainly due to lower expected EBITDA. 

Limited upside

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation on A2 Milk shares, and slightly increased its price target to $7.00. 

From yesterday's closing price, this indicates an upside potential of 7%. 

FY26 was in line with downwardly revised guidance, and opening FY27e guidance will likely see continued consensus downgrades, which are likely to reach ~18% over the past 3 months.

The post Are A2 Milk shares a buy, hold or sell following results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

During the Monday lunch hour, all three of the big-name ASX shares are deep in the red, trailing the 0.3% losses posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

Here's what's happening.

JB Hi-Fi shares crash on slowing outlook

JB Hi-Fi shares are taking a beating today.

Shares in the ASX 200 electronics retailer are down 11.3% at time of writing, changing hands for $72.48 apiece.

This follows the release of the company's full-year FY 2026 results.

And, despite the sell down today, those results were quite strong.

Highlights included record revenue of $11.06 billion, up 4.8% from FY 2025. And earnings before interest and tax (EBIT0 increased by 5.8% to $734.4 million.

On the bottom line, the company reported a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $489.9 million, up 6% year-on-year. And with profits up, management declared a final fully franked dividend of $1.27 per share.

So why are JB Hi-Fi shares getting pummelled today?

Well, it looks like investors are looking ahead rather than behind.

Among the potential red flags, for the month of July the company reported a 1.4% decline in comparable sales growth for JB Hi-Fi Australia.

JB Hi-Fi CEO Nick Wells noted:

We continue to see variability in trading, with customers increasingly looking for value and migrating spend to key promotional events, along with impacts from supplier price rises and stock availability shortages in the technology categories.

Lendlease shares tumble on $749 million loss

Like JB Hi-Fi shares, Lendlease shares are down a steep 9.6% today, trading for $2.92 each.

The ASX 200 international property developer also released its FY 2026 results this morning.

On the positive side of the ledger, Lendlease's Investments, Development and Construction (IDC) segment achieved earnings at the top end of guidance, reporting earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $542 million.

However, Lendlease shares are under pressure today due to the sizeable one-off impairments in the company's Capital Release Unit (CRU).

On the bottom line, this saw Lendlease reported a statutory loss after tax of $749 million.

While the ASX 200 stock had available liquidity: $4.0 billion at year end, its reported statutory net debt increased to $3.7 billion.

Which brings us to…

A2 Milk shares slide on profit decline

Joining Lendlease and JB Hi-Fi shares in turning heads today we find A2 Milk.

Shares in the ASX 200 infant formula company are down 3.9% at time of writing, swapping hands for $6.49 apiece.

A2 Milk also reported on its FY 2026 results this morning.

Highlights included a 12.4% year on year increase in revenue to NZ$1.98 billion.

But investors may be favouring their sell buttons with full year statutory EBITDA declining 2.5% to NZ$284.4 million. And statutory NPAT was down 5.8% to NZ$207.5 million.

The company also burned through some cash during the year, with net cash at year end of NZ$784.5 million down 26.1% year-on-year.

The post Why Lendlease, A2 Milk and JB Hi Fi shares are turning heads on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did The A2 Milk Company report?

• Revenue grew 12.4% to NZ$1,974.9 million.
• EBITDA fell 2.5% to NZ$284.4 million, while underlying EBITDA rose 5.4% to NZ$307.6 million.
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) dropped 5.8% to NZ$207.5 million; underlying NPAT increased 7% to NZ$235.8 million.
• Ordinary dividends totalled 21 NZ cents per share, up 1cps; special dividend of 41.36cps also paid.
• Net cash closed at NZ$784.5 million, down 26.1% year on year.

What else do investors need to know?

A2 Milk's revenue growth was powered by strong performance in English label Infant Milk Formula and Other Nutritionals, offset by supply chain issues in China label IMF during the fourth quarter. These disruptions have since been resolved, with improved product availability and initiatives underway to regain users and support new customer recruitment.

The company's Australia and New Zealand liquid milk business continued to outperform, capturing additional market share through innovation such as lactose free offerings. In the USA, revenue surged 28.6%, with the business achieving break-even in the second half while brand awareness and household penetration increased.

What's next for The A2 Milk Company?

Looking forward to FY27, A2 Milk expects revenue and EBITDA to increase, supported by new product launches and expanding into new markets. The company anticipates IMF sales will stabilise, with recovery in China label IMF projected over the coming year and further momentum in English label channels during the first half.

Capital expenditure is forecast at around NZ$70 million, with ongoing investment in innovation, sustainability, and supply chain transformation. Management will provide an update on their IMF recovery plan at the Annual Meeting in November.

The A2 Milk Company share price snapshot

The A2 Milk Company share price has been sold off over the past year, with its shares underperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) with a disappointing 18% decline.

View Original Announcement

The post The A2 Milk Company posts higher FY26 revenue and increased dividends appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall again

The Australian share market looks set for a weak start to the week following a poor session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 33 points or 0.35% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.2%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.2%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.3%.

Oil prices rise

It could be a decent start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices rose on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 1.4% to US$82.40 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was up 1.7% to US$88.52 a barrel. This follows reports that the US is threatening Iran with economic isolation.

Buy IPD Group shares

IPD Group Ltd (ASX: IPG) shares could be worth considering according to Bell Potter. In response to the electrical products distributor and services company's FY 2026 results, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $6.50 (from $6.20). Bell Potter said: "IPG is well positioned to continue delivering strong earnings growth from booming investment in the Data Centre construction, complementing robust revenue growth across the CMI and EX Engineering businesses. Conversion of advanced M&A opportunities represents upside to near-term consensus earnings expectations."

Gold price rises

It is likely to be a positive start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares including Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price rose on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 0.4% to US$4,437.3 an ounce. Easing interest rate bets in the United States gave the gold price a big boost last week.

ASX 200 results

A number of ASX 200 shares will be on watch on Monday when they release their results. Among the names to watch are infant formula company A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M), steel manufacturer BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL), fintech company Iress Ltd (ASX: IRE), retail giant JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH), and property developer Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC). 

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As Laura Stewart reported yesterday, the company reported preliminary FY26 results, featuring revenue up more than 12% to about $1.97 billion. 

This was despite China infant milk formula (IMF) sales declining due to supply chain disruptions.

Key results included: 

• FY26 revenue of approximately $1.97 billion, up over 12% year-over-year
• China label IMF sales down around 14% on FY25 after supply chain issues in 4Q26
• EBITDA margin expected at the high end of 14.0% to 14.5% guidance
• NPAT anticipated to be slightly up on FY25, with underlying NPAT also rising

Following the results, A2 Milk shares fell over 4%. 

What is Bell Potter's updated outlook on A2 Milk shares?

Following the results, the team at Bell Potter provided updated guidance on A2 Milk shares. 

Bell Potter views the update as broadly positive, with revenue expected to land within guidance at $1.97 billion and EBITDA margins at the top end of the guided range, resulting in EBITDA of around $285 million, broadly in line with expectations. 

Profit guidance has improved, with NPAT now expected to be slightly higher year-on-year and operating cash conversion upgraded to around 70%, reflecting stronger cash generation than previously guided.

The key disappointment was the weaker-than-expected performance of China label infant formula, with revenue expected to decline 14% year-on-year and second-half sales falling more than 40% after adjusting for foreign exchange, significantly below Bell Potter's forecasts. 

While product supply issues have largely been resolved and management is now focused on marketing initiatives to win back former customers and attract new users, Bell Potter believes the weakness suggests the company may need to rebalance its China sales mix in FY27.

As a result, Bell Potter has modestly increased its FY26 earnings forecast but reduced FY27 and FY28 estimates to reflect higher expected brand investment and a slower recovery in China. 

NPAT forecasts have been revised up 3% for FY26, but down 6% for FY27 and down 5% for FY28.

Hold recommendation maintained 

A2 Milk shares have experienced volatility in 2026, and are currently down nearly 20% year to date. 

Yesterday, A2 Milk shares closed at $7.37 per share. 

Bell Potter has maintained its hold recommendation and share price target of $6.90 on the company. 

This indicates a 6% downside from current levels. 

The post What is Bell Potter saying about A2 Milk shares after its results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to open slightly lower

The Australian share market looks set for subdued session on Wednesday following a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 3 points lower. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 0.25%, the S&P 500 is down 0.3%, and the Nasdaq has dropped 0.75%.

Oil prices race higher

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good day of trade on Wednesday after oil prices charged higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.9% to US$70.53 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 3.1% to US$74.22 a barrel. This followed reports of attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Buy Netwealth shares

The team at Bell Potter continues to see value in Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) shares. This morning, in response to a quarterly update, the broker has retained its buy rating and $30.00 price target on the investment platform provider's shares. It said: "Our Buy rating is unchanged, and we upgrade our net flow estimates +8% FY27-29. Building in margin guidance prompts us to downgrade EPS -7%/-4% and we leave headroom on the FUA target. NWL is looking to replicate EPS growth. The mandate win is the first example of a catalyst, independent of any potential vendor attrition."

Gold price softens

ASX 200 gold shares including Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a soft session on Wednesday after the gold price softened overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.35% to US$4,153 an ounce. Rising oil prices have sparked fears of rising inflation and interest rate hikes.

A2 Milk shares go ex-dividend

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. Last month, the infant formula company declared a fully franked special dividend of 28.8 cents per share. Based on its last close price of $7.37, this represents an attractive 3.9% dividend yield. Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving this dividend later this month on 24 July.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the A2 Milk share price is up 3.63% to $7.99.

That means the ASX infant formula stock is now up 54% over the past month.

The latest move comes after the company provided investors with an update on its China supply issues, along with better-than-expected preliminary FY26 results.

So, what changed today?

China supply issues ease

According to the release, A2 Milk said the supply chain problems that hit its China label infant milk formula business have now been mostly sorted out.

The issue came through in the fourth quarter, when the company struggled to keep enough product available.

A2 Milk said this was caused by a few things, including strong demand in the previous quarter, freight challenges, production backlogs, longer release times, and extra customs clearance requirements.

As a result, some customers moved to other brands. Others switched across to A2 Milk's English label products.

However, things now look to be improving.

The company said product flows to distributors and retailers have materially improved across both its China label and English label products, with stock levels returning to target.

A2 Milk is now trying to win back previous China label users, while also speeding up new customer recruitment with its retail and distribution partners.

Full-year result holds up

The preliminary FY26 result also gave the market something to work with.

A2 Milk expects revenue of approximately NZ$1.97 billion, up more than 12% on FY25. That is slightly ahead of the guidance it gave in April, which was for low to mid-double-digit growth.

The company also expects its EBITDA margin to land at the high end of its 14% to 14.5% guidance range.

Reported net profit after tax (NPAT) is tipped to be slightly higher than FY25, while cash conversion is expected to be around 70%. That's well ahead of the 50% cash conversion guidance given in April.

There was also decent growth outside the China label business. A2 Milk said English label infant formula, Other Nutritionals, and Liquid Milk all performed well and finished significantly higher than FY25.

Can the rally keep going?

A2 Milk has had plenty go its way over the past few weeks.

Last month, it received approval from China's State Administration for Market Regulation to transition its China label infant formula product registrations to a2 branded products.

It also declared a NZ$300 million special dividend, equal to 41.362 cents per share. That dividend is due to trade ex-dividend on 8 July.

After a 54% gain in a month, A2 Milk is no longer flying under the radar.

The next major test will be the company's audited FY26 result and FY27 outlook commentary on 17 August.

The post A2 Milk shares jump again as China worries start to ease appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did The a2 Milk Company report?

• FY26 revenue of approximately $1.97 billion, up over 12% year-over-year
• China label IMF sales down around 14% on FY25 after supply chain issues in 4Q26
• EBITDA margin expected at the high end of 14.0% to 14.5% guidance
• NPAT anticipated to be slightly up on FY25, with underlying NPAT also rising
• Cash conversion of about 70%, well above the previous 50% outlook
• Strong sales across other key categories, including English label IMF and liquid milk

What else do investors need to know?

The a2 Milk Company faced several challenges in the China IMF market during the fourth quarter, such as freight issues, production bottlenecks, and new customs requirements, which led to product shortages. Many customers had to temporarily switch to other brands, impacting in-market sales.

Since then, these supply issues have largely been resolved, with stock levels now back in line and increased product flows across major channels. Management is prioritising marketing and sales efforts to win back previous customers and attract new ones in China.

What's next for The a2 Milk Company?

Investors can expect a further update when the company releases its audited FY26 results and FY27 outlook on 17 August 2026. Management says efforts will continue to recover China label market share while accelerating new user acquisition with retail and distribution partners, supported by stable supply chains.

The business is also focused on maintaining the growth seen in other product categories and driving operational improvements to support ongoing profitability. Investors will be watching for more detail on strategy and guidance next month.

The a2 Milk Company share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, a2 Milk shares have declined 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

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As we head into the Thursday lunch hour, two of the ASX 200 heavyweights are charging ahead of the 0.2% losses posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) at this time, while one is trailing that performance.

Here's what's grabbing ASX investor interest on Thursday.

Pro Medicus shares leap on AI news

Pro Medicus shares are up 2.5% at the time of writing, swapping hands for $183.40 each.

This outperformance follows an announcement from the ASX 200 health imaging company on how it is expanding its AI-driven cardiology solutions.

In the latest move, Pro Medicus has signed binding heads of agreement with AI and medical technology company Echo IQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ).

The deal would see Pro Medicus take an initial $10 million stake in Echo IQ. A further $10 million investment is contingent on Echo securing US FDA approval for its EchoSolv HF product.

Commenting on the deal that's helping boost Pro Medicus shares today, CEO Sam Hupert said:

In addition to providing financial backing, we are looking to offer our Visage 7 Cardiology customers the option of Echo IQ's technology.

This is in line with our AI strategy of offering a curated suite of algorithms that will be a mixture of algorithms created by us, those created in conjunction with our clinical partners and third party algorithms such as Echo-IQ.

A2 Milk shares surge on NZ$300 million special dividend

A2 Milk shares are also catching investor attention today, and outperforming, after the board declared a NZ$300 million fully-franked special dividend.

The welcome passive income boost follows the recent Chinese approval to transition product registrations to A2 Milk-branded infant formula.

And it sees shares in the infant formula company up 4.1% today, trading for $7.13 each.

Breaking that NZ$300 million dividend payout down, it equates to 41.36 New Zealand cents per share (33.90 Aussie cents at current exchange rates).

If you want to bag the special A2 Milk dividend, you'll need to own shares by market close on 7 July. A2 Milk shares trade ex-dividend on 8 July.

Commenting on the special dividend payout boosting A2 Milk shares today, chair Pip Greenwood, said:

With the necessary China regulatory approvals now in place, the board is pleased to declare a $300 million special dividend. This reflects our commitment to delivering shareholder returns while maintaining disciplined capital management.

Which brings us to…

Mineral Resources shares sink on mine closure

Joining A2 Milk and Pro Medicus shares in grabbing headlines today is lithium miner and diversified resources producer Mineral Resources.

However, Mineral Resources shares are underperforming today, down 2.9% at $63.93 apiece.

This comes amid news that the ASX 200 mining stock is placing its Western Australia-based Lucky Bay Garnet Project into care and maintenance at the end of the month.

Mineral Resource noted:

The mine's financial performance has been materially impacted by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a region representing a significant proportion of Lucky Bay's sales.

Combined with materially higher diesel and shipping costs, a strategic review of Lucky Bay has determined it is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders to cease operations and transition the project into care and maintenance, effective 1 July 2026.

The post Why is everyone talking about Mineral Resources, A2 Milk and Pro Medicus shares on Thursday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

The A2 Milk share price is up 4% to $7.12. This follows news that the infant formula company is rewarding shareholders with a NZ$300 million special dividend. The company estimates this will equate to 41.36 New Zealand cents per share (33.9 Australian cents per share). Based on its last close price of $6.85, this represented a dividend yield of just under 5%. A2 Milk's chair, Pip Greenwood, said: "With the necessary China regulatory approvals now in place, the Board is pleased to declare a $300 million special dividend. This reflects our commitment to delivering shareholder returns while maintaining disciplined capital management."

EchoIQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ)

The EchoIQ share price is up 33% to $1.65. Investors have been bidding the medical technology company's shares higher after Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) made an investment. Pro Medicus' CEO, Dr Sam Hupert, said: "In addition to providing financial backing, we are looking to offer our Visage 7 Cardiology customers the option of Echo IQ's technology. This is in line with our AI strategy of offering a curated suite of algorithms that will be a mixture of algorithms created by us, those created in conjunction with our clinical partners and 3rd party algorithms such as Echo-IQ."

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC)

The Lendlease share price is up 5% to $3.06. This has been driven by the announcement of a major divestment. Lendlease will divest its remaining 25.1% interest in the Keyton Retirement Living Trust to existing co-investor, Aware Super, for a consideration of $525 million. It advised that net proceeds will be used to reduce group debt. Management notes that this transaction brings the total of announced and completed capital recycling initiatives from the Capital Release Unit (CRU) to $3.4 billion.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas Airways share price is up 4% to $10.73. This may have been driven by a pullback in oil prices overnight. As fuel is the airline operator's largest cost, any reduction in oil prices is good news for margins. Qantas shares are now up almost 20% over the past two weeks.

The post Why A2 Milk, EchoIQ, Lendlease, and Qantas shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In morning trade, the infant formula company's shares are up 6% to $7.29.

This compares favourably to the performance of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which is down 0.45% at the time of writing.

A2 Milk shares jump on big news

The catalyst for today's gain has been the announcement of a special dividend.

According to the release, following the receipt of approval from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) to transition its two China label infant milk formula product registrations acquired in connection with the a2 Pokeno facility to a2 branded products, the board has decided to return a substantial amount of cash to shareholders.

A2 Milk advised that the board has now declared a NZ$300 million (A$245 million) special dividend that will be both fully franked and unimputed.

The company notes that this will be paid to eligible shareholders on 24 July 2026.

Speaking of eligibility, A2 Milk shares will go ex-dividend for this payout on 8 July. This means that investors need to own the company's shares before the market close the day before to qualify for it.

The company estimates that the dividend has a value of 41.36 New Zealand cents per share (33.9 Australian cents per share). Based on its last close price of $6.85, this represented a dividend yield of just under 5%.

Commenting on the return, A2 Milk's chair, Pip Greenwood, said:

With the necessary China regulatory approvals now in place, the Board is pleased to declare a $300 million special dividend. This reflects our commitment to delivering shareholder returns while maintaining disciplined capital management.

Should you invest?

While Bell Potter has yet to respond to this news, earlier this week it put a hold rating on A2 Milk shares with a price target of $6.90.

The broker commented:

This announcement is a positive development with regard to the internalisation of the CL supply chain and growth levers for FY27-29e. The debate at present is more nuanced around the wide FY27e consensus forecast ranges at EBITDA at NZ$296- 415m and NPAT at NZ$189-285m (both consistent on Bloomberg & VA) which is exceptionally wide for a ASX100 consumer stock.

This likely reflects the issues around 2H26e margin, the recent downgrade saw the top end of revenue consistent with the previous range but margin guidance reduced ~300bp in 2H26e, and expectations of additional marketing support in 1H27e. At current share price levels the stock sits at the more expensive side of the consumer sector (on a FY25-28e PEG ratio) and is likely to be materially more volatile given the polarising views on earnings expectations into the August guidance statement. Our forecasts largely split the divide and for this reason our Hold rating is unchanged.

The post A2 Milk shares jump amid $300 million special dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did The a2 Milk Company report?

• Declared a fully franked special dividend of NZ$300 million (41.36 cents per share)
• Dividend payment set for 24 July 2026
• Ex-dividend date: 8 July 2026; record date: 9 July 2026
• Dividend carries a franking credit of 17.72 cents per share
• Triggered by China regulatory approval for a2 branded infant formula registrations

What else do investors need to know?

The special dividend comes after the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) in China gave the green light to transition two China label infant formula product registrations, linked to the company's Pokeno facility, to the a2 brand. This regulatory milestone appears to strengthen the company's footprint in one of its largest markets.

The Board confirmed that the dividend amount has been rounded to 41.36 cents per share for communication purposes, but the actual payment will be calculated based on a gross distribution of 41.355 cents. The announcement follows a series of regulatory updates in recent months.

What did The a2 Milk Company management say?

Chair Pip Greenwood said:

With the necessary China regulatory approvals now in place, the Board is pleased to declare a $300 million special dividend. This reflects our commitment to delivering shareholder returns while maintaining disciplined capital management.

What's next for a2 Milk Company?

Looking ahead, a2 Milk Company is set to benefit from the new regulatory approvals in China, which may underpin further growth in its infant milk formula segment. The special dividend highlights the Board's focus on balancing shareholder returns with ongoing investment needs.

Investors will likely monitor progress in China and any future updates regarding capital management or new product registrations.

A2 Milk Company share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, a2 Milk Company shares have declined 13%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post A2 Milk declares $300 million special dividend after securing China approval appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are climbing:

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

The A2 Milk share price is up 3% to $6.97. Investors have been buying this infant formula company's shares this week after it received approval from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) to transition two China label infant milk formula (IMF) product registrations. A2 Milk's CEO, David Bortolussi, said: "SAMR approval marks a significant milestone in our China growth strategy and Supply Chain transformation. It supports long-term growth in our core IMF business through market access and innovation, accelerates the development of advanced nutritional manufacturing capability, and captures attractive financial returns through incremental brand contribution and vertical margin capture."

Calix Ltd (ASX: CXL)

The Calix share price is up 9.5% to 40 cents. This morning, this industrial technology company announced a joint development agreement (JDA) with Ambuja Cements Limited (Ambuja Cements). It is a subsidiary of the Adani Group. The two parties will work together on a commercial scale project at the Sanghi cement plant in Gujarat, India. Ambuja Cements' director, Karan Adani, said: "The cement industry's transition to a lower-carbon future will require bold thinking, technological innovation and collaboration across the value chain. Our partnership with [Calix subsidiary] Leilac reflects our commitment to evaluating next-generation technologies that can reduce process emissions while improving energy efficiency and supporting long-term sustainable growth. This initiative aligns with our vision of building world-class manufacturing operations for the future."

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price is up 2.5% to $115.66. This is despite there being no news out of the biotechnology giant on Tuesday. However, it is worth noting that CSL's shares have been rebounding from their multi-year low this month. So much so, CSL shares have risen by 22% since the start of the month.

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

The Ioneer share price is up 18% to 16.5 cents. This morning, the lithium developer announced strategic non-binding letters of intent (LOIs) with the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation and Hyundai Engineering Co. These will see the parties work together to advance the development of the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project. Ioneer's managing director, Bernard Rowe, said: "Rhyolite Ridge has been a decade in the making — through ongoing partnerships, permitting, and financing. Working with trusted Korean partners with a track record of on-time and on-budget delivery brings us closer to breaking ground and delivering urgently needed lithium and boron. We're delighted to work with KIND and Hyundai Engineering and look forward to what we'll accomplish together."

The post Why A2 Milk, Calix, CSL, and Ioneer shares are charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to rise

The Australian share market looks set to rise on Tuesday despite a relatively poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 18 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.3%, but the S&P 500 dropped 0.4% and the Nasdaq sank 1.3%.

A2 Milk shares given hold rating

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) shares are fully valued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating with an improved price target of $6.90 (from $6.75). It said: " At current share price levels the stock sits at the more expensive side of the consumer sector (on a FY25-28e PEG ratio) and is likely to be materially more volatile given the polarising views on earnings expectations into the August guidance statement. Our forecasts largely split the divide and for this reason our Hold rating is unchanged."

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares including Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a poor session after oil prices dropped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.8% to US$75.19 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 2.8% to US$78.33 a barrel. This follows reports that US-Iran talks are going well.

Gold price softens

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a soft session after the gold price weakened overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1% to US$4,205.3 an ounce. Inflation and rate hike concerns continue to weigh on the precious metal.

Buy EOS shares

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) shares are good value according to Bell Potter. In response to the announcement of a US$124 million (A$175 million) Slinger counter-drone contract, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $12.50 (from $10.60). It said: " We retain our Buy rating and raise our TP to $12.50/sh. EOS is positioned as a market leader across many C-UAS verticals and is leveraged to increasing defence budget allocations to C-UAS technologies. The conditional JV announcement presents a clear path towards producing HELW systems at scale and is therefore a significant development. We expect further JV's to be signed over the coming years. The agreement suggests there is a strong likelihood of major HELW order intake over the next 12 months from the UAE."

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

The A2 Milk share price is up over 1% to $6.78. Investors have been buying this infant formula company's shares after it received approval from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) to transition the two China label infant milk formula (IMF) product registrations that were acquired in connection with the a2 Pokeno facility to a2 branded products. A2 Milk's CEO, David Bortolussi, said: "SAMR approval marks a significant milestone in our China growth strategy and Supply Chain transformation. It supports long-term growth in our core IMF business through market access and innovation, accelerates the development of advanced nutritional manufacturing capability, and captures attractive financial returns through incremental brand contribution and vertical margin capture."

Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX: LIN)

The Lindian Resources share price is up almost 10% to 90.5 cents. This morning, this rare earths developer provided an update on construction progress at its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi. Lindian Resources' executive director, Zac Komur, commented: "Kangankunde is delivering outstanding progress, with construction, mining readiness, procurement, infrastructure and operational preparation all advancing strongly."

Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN)

The Perenti share price is up 5% to $2.40. This follows news that its Barminco business has been awarded the contract to provide underground mining services at Barrick Mining's Fourmile Project in the United States. Management revealed that the contract has an estimated value of $275 million and a 45-month term. Work is due to commence in July. CEO Vanessa Torres said: "Securing the underground mining contract at Fourmile is an exciting development for our North America team. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Barrick through this project. This supports our strategy to expand operations in tier-one mining jurisdictions and continues our disciplined growth into the North American market with both Barminco and Swick."

SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH)

The SGH share price is up 2.5% to $44.42. This morning, this diversified investment company announced plans to undertake a $500 million on-market share buy-back over the next 12 months. Management advised that it made the decision after a sustained period of strong operating cash flow and de-leveraging. It notes that its leverage has reduced below its through-the-cycle target of 2.0x.

The post Why A2 Milk, Lindian Resources, Perenti, and SGH shares are pushing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.