The company is a global packaging and distribution business.

Investors were heavily exiting their positions in Orora shares following the release of a trading update. 

Most notably, the update included a downgrade to earnings expectations for its Saverglass business.

According to the release, Orora now expects FY 2026 underlying EBIT for Saverglass to be in the range of 63 million euros to 68 million euros. This is down from previous guidance of broadly in line with FY 2025 EBIT of 79.2 million euros.

On a reported basis, EBIT is expected to fall further to between 52 million euros and 59 million euros.

Orora shares fell 25% across Thursday and Friday last week following the announcement. 

Its share price is now down approximately 33% in 2026. 

Middle East conflict weighing heavily on sentiment 

According to new guidance out of Morgans, the Middle East conflict has affected operations both directly and indirectly: directly through the effective closure of ORA's Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) facility in the UAE, and indirectly through lower spirits volumes and an adverse product-mix shift, which have weighed on earnings. 

As a result, the broker has adjusted FY26/27/28F underlying EBIT by -8%/-11%/-10% for this ASX materials stock.

Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East, visibility on the timing of a potential restart at the RAK facility remains limited. In addition, global consumer confidence and spirits demand have already been negatively affected by the conflict and may remain subdued for some time, even in the event of a near-term resolution.

Target price decreases – opportunity elsewhere says Morgans

Based on this guidance, Morgans reduced its price target to $1.55 (previously $2.30) for this ASX materials stock.

It maintained its hold rating. 

From last week's closing price of $1.48, this price target indicates an upside of roughly 5%. 

The broker also noted that there is better opportunity elsewhere within the sector. 

Given this uncertainty, we believe it is prudent to await further updates before reassessing our view. Within the Packaging sector, our preference remains Amcor PLC (ASX: AMC).

The broker has a buy recommendation and $76.00 price target on Amcor shares. 

This indicates approximately 30% upside from its current stock price of $58.28. 

The post What's this broker's updated view on this ASX materials stock following a 25% fall? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 expected to jump

The Australian share market looks set for a strong start to the week despite a mixed finish on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 70 points or 0.75% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.55%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.1%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.35%.

Oil prices ease

It could be a subdued start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices eased on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 1.23% to US$96.57 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 0.75% to US$112.57 a barrel. This may have been driven by optimism over peace talks between the US and Iran.

Dividends being paid

A couple more ASX 200 shares will be rewarding their shareholders with dividend payments on Monday. This includes hearing solutions company Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) and auto listings giant CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR). They will be paying partially franked dividends of $2.15 per share and 42.5 cents per share, respectively, later today.

Gold price slides

ASX 200 gold shares including Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a soft start to the week after the gold price fell on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was down 0.65% to US$4,787.4 an ounce. This may also have been driven by news of peace talks between the US and Iran.

Hold Orora shares

Morgans isn't a buyer of Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) shares despite their heavy decline last week. The broker has retained its hold rating with a heavily reduced price target of $1.55 (from $2.30). It prefers fellow packaging company Amcor (ASX: AMC) and has a buy rating and $76.00 price target on its shares. It said: "Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East, visibility on the timing of a potential restart at the RAK facility remains limited. In addition, global consumer confidence and spirits demand have already been negatively affected by the conflict and may remain subdued for some time, even in the event of a near-term resolution. Given this uncertainty, we believe it is prudent to await further updates before reassessing our view. Within the Packaging sector, our preference remains Amcor (AMC, BUY, $76.00 TP)."

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

While that is disappointing for our portfolios, the short term pain could have created some compelling buying opportunities.

But which ASX 200 shares are buys? Let's take a look at five that Wilsons thinks have been oversold.

Wilsons says these ASX 200 shares have been oversold

Wilsons highlights that ASX growth shares and those linked to financial markets have undertaken a major de-rating.

This includes hearing solutions company Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH), investment platform provider Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB), and investment management company Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI).

Wilsons points out that these ASX 200 shares are now trading on lower than average PE ratios despite having positive outlooks. It explains:

Growth stocks and companies with earnings leverage to financial markets have de-rated as bond yields have risen and risk assets weakened, creating selective opportunities on a medium-term view. Pinnacle (PNI) and HUB24 (HUB) trade below five-year average P/E multiples while retaining strong structural growth and offering meaningful leverage to an eventual equity market recovery. Cochlear (COH) trades at a decade-low P/E, with its Nexa product cycle supporting medium-term earnings acceleration.

What else?

Also catching the eye of Wilsons is Amcor (ASX: AMC). Its shares are trading close to 52-week lows despite having defensive qualities and being well-placed for growth from just the synergies of the Berry acquisition. It adds:

Cyclicals outside mining have also weakened on global and domestic growth concerns. We remain cautious on domestic cyclicals given a soft backdrop and RBA tightening but see more compelling opportunities offshore. Amcor (AMC), while arguably a defensive given its consumer staples end-market exposure, has been impacted by cyclical packaging demand concerns. However, it remains well positioned to deliver double-digit EPS growth from Berry synergies alone. On this basis, its single-digit P/E appears attractive.

Finally, Wilsons thinks copper miner Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) is an ASX 200 share that offers an attractive risk/reward following recent weakness in the mining sector. It commented:

The broader mining sector has sold off on cyclical growth concerns. While uncertainty remains elevated, miners appear well placed to rebound if the conflict de-escalates over the next few weeks. Within the sector, Sandfire Resources (SFR) offers an attractive risk/reward, supported by tight copper fundamentals, structural demand tailwinds, and valuation upside.

The post 5 oversold ASX 200 shares to buy according to Wilsons appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Whenever markets fall like this, quality stocks tend to get dragged down with everything else.

That's exactly what we're seeing right now, with several well-known ASX 200 stocks hitting 52-week lows. The key question is: is this an opportunity for investors?

Here's how I'm thinking about it.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL has been under pressure for a while now, and this latest selloff has pushed it to fresh lows.

Sentiment has clearly turned cautious, but I don't think the long-term story has changed in any meaningful way.

This is still one of Australia's highest-quality healthcare companies, with global scale, strong margins, and a long track record of innovation.

Short-term earnings noise and investor concerns can move the share price around, but over time, businesses like CSL tend to reflect their underlying quality.

For me, this looks more like a temporary valuation reset than a structural problem.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Aristocrat has also been caught up in the broader tech sell-off, with concerns around artificial intelligence (AI) disruption weighing on sentiment.

That's understandable, but I think it may be overstated.

The company has a strong position in gaming content, world-class IP, and a growing digital segment, which gives it multiple avenues for growth.

It has also shown an ability to adapt over time, whether that's through new game development or expanding into adjacent markets.

With the share price now significantly below its highs, I think the risk-reward is starting to look more attractive.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear isn't the kind of company that usually trades at 52-week lows.

It's a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, with a strong brand and significant pricing power.

Like CSL, it has been dragged lower by broader market weakness rather than a clear deterioration in its long-term outlook.

Demand for its products is supported by ageing populations and increasing awareness of hearing health, which gives it a structural growth tailwind.

When high-quality healthcare names like this fall sharply, I tend to take notice.

Amcor plc (ASX: AMC)

Amcor is a very different type of business to the others, but it's also worth a look at these levels.

Packaging may not be exciting, but it is essential.

Amcor operates globally, generates steady cash flow, and pays attractive dividends. That combination can be valuable during periods of market uncertainty.

Its shares have come under pressure alongside the broader market, but the underlying business remains resilient.

For income-focused investors, this kind of pullback can create an opportunity to lock in a higher yield.

Should you buy the dip?

Market selloffs can feel uncomfortable in the moment. But they're also when some of the best long-term opportunities are created.

CSL, Aristocrat, Cochlear, and Amcor are established, high-quality ASX 200 stocks that are now trading at much lower prices than they were not long ago.

That doesn't guarantee they'll rebound immediately. Volatility could continue, especially if global markets remain under pressure.

But for long-term investors, I think this kind of weakness is worth leaning into rather than fearing.

Foolish takeaway

Sharp market declines often pull down both weak and strong companies at the same time.

Right now, I think that is creating opportunities in several ASX 200 stocks that don't often trade at these kinds of levels.

CSL, Aristocrat, Cochlear, and Amcor all have challenges, but they also have strong long-term fundamentals.

For me, this looks less like a reason to panic and more like a chance to start building or adding to positions in quality businesses.

The post CSL and these ASX 200 stocks just hit 52-week lows: Should you buy the dip? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The highest-quality income shares on the ASX frequently trade at premium valuations, which means the dividend yield can look relatively modest. On the other hand, the Australian stocks offering the biggest yields sometimes come with elevated risk.

Every so often, though, a well-established business falls out of favour and the share price drops to a level where both valuation and income start to look compelling.

Right now, I think Amcor Plc (ASX: AMC) fits that description.

A global packaging giant

Amcor is one of the world's largest packaging companies, supplying flexible and rigid packaging solutions to major consumer brands across food, beverages, healthcare, and household products.

What I like about this business is the resilience of its end markets. Demand for packaging tends to remain relatively stable even when economic conditions weaken, because consumers continue to buy everyday essentials.

That kind of stability can be valuable for income investors. Companies operating in defensive industries often have greater visibility over future cash flows, which supports their ability to maintain and grow dividends over time.

Amcor's global footprint also provides diversification across markets and customers, reducing reliance on any single economy or industry.

A share price pullback

Despite these strengths, the Australian dividend stock has been under pressure and is down roughly 25% from its recent highs.

When I see a well-established business fall that far, I tend to take a closer look. Sometimes the market is signalling deeper problems, but other times the decline creates an opportunity for long-term investors.

In Amcor's case, the current valuation looks relatively modest for a company with stable earnings and strong cash flow.

Attractive income potential

Based on consensus estimates compiled by CommSec, Amcor is expected to generate earnings per share of $5.39 in FY26, rising to $5.77 in FY27 and $6.50 in FY28.

With the shares currently trading at $59.58, that places the stock on roughly 11 times forecast FY26 earnings.

At the same time, the dividend outlook looks very appealing to me.

Consensus forecasts point to dividends per share of $3.68 in FY26, increasing slightly to $3.75 in FY27 and $3.82 in FY28. At the current share price, that equates to a forward dividend yield of about 6.2%.

For investors seeking income, that is a meaningful yield from a business with global scale and relatively defensive demand.

A long-term income opportunity

Amcor is unlikely to be the fastest-growing company on the ASX, but that may not matter for income investors.

The appeal here lies in reliable earnings, strong cash generation, and the ability to distribute a large portion of profits back to shareholders.

With the shares trading at a relatively modest earnings multiple and offering a yield above 6%, I think this Australian dividend stock could be worth considering as a long-term income holding.

The post 1 cheap Australian dividend stock down 25% to buy and hold appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here's why earnings diversity is critical – and how you can achieve it without leaving the ASX.

It's likely your risks are already concentrated in Australia

Most Australian investors instinctively look to the ASX for their first and often biggest investments. It feels familiar, you're dealing in Australian dollars, you may avoid some additional tax filing requirements, and your money stays in Australia's highly regulated environment. And that's before we even get into the benefits of Australia's franking credits system. 

But Australia is a small pond. It makes up less than 2% of the global equity market and only 0.33% of the world's population, so you risk putting all your eggs in one very small basket. 

Additionally, it's likely that you're heavily exposed to the Australian economy before you start your portfolio. Your job, your salary, your house and most of your large assets probably sit here. And for most Australians, superannuation is tilted toward domestic shares. It means you're already flying in one weather system, and if a storm hits the Australian economy, you're exposed to it on many fronts.

The good news is that you can achieve global exposure without leaving the ASX.

Follow the money on the ASX

Where a company is located is largely irrelevant today. In fact, you could build a portfolio across the ASX, NASDAQ, Nikkei and FTSE, assuming you have achieved diversification, and still be disproportionately invested in one region because that's where your investments make most of their revenue.

Instead of looking for overseas-based companies to achieve this, you can follow the money and stay on the ASX, by considering:

• Where does the company earn most of its income?
• Where are the majority of its customers based?
• What currency does it transact in?

It's these factors that determine its exposure to economic, social, regulatory and geopolitical – and, therefore, your geographic diversification.

What ASX shares can I invest in to gain global exposure?

You can build geographic diversity on the ASX with some solid performers. Here are three that are worth a look to get you started:

• Amcor PLC (ASX: AMC) The packaging giant makes most of its money in the US (50%), followed by Western Europe (28%). In fact, Australia and New Zealand combined account for only 1% of its revenue.
• Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA):  Codan makes most of its communications technology and metal detecting equipment sales across North America (40%), Europe and the Middle East (29%) and Africa (18%).
• Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB):  This large supply chain logistics player brings most of its sales revenue from the Americas (55%) and Europe and the Middle East (37%).

Foolish bottom line

When your income, assets and super are already tied to Australia, doubling down by investing purely in Australian‑centric companies can leave you over-exposed to one economic climate. By focusing on earnings geography rather than company location, you open your portfolio to the other 98% of global market opportunity, all without leaving the relative comfort of the ASX.

The post Diversification: Why earnings geography matters more than company location appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

And while I can understand why investors are drawn to banks, especially when they are performing well, I personally think NAB shares are now fully valued at these levels. Expectations are high, the sector is competitive, and after a strong run, I suspect a fair amount of good news is already reflected in the share price.

If I were putting fresh money to work today, I would be looking elsewhere. In particular, I would focus on a handful of high-quality Aussie blue chips that, in my view, offer stronger long-term upside from here.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

If I want exposure to financial services, I would look at Macquarie.

Macquarie is not just a lender. It is a global asset manager, infrastructure investor, and advisory powerhouse with diversified earnings streams. I think that flexibility matters. It allows the group to benefit from market volatility, capital markets activity, and structural trends like the energy transition.

Unlike NAB, Macquarie is less tied to the Australian housing market. That gives it a different risk profile and, in my view, a more attractive growth runway over time. When I think about long-term compounding, Macquarie stands out as a business with genuine global scale and ambition.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma is no longer just a pharmaceutical wholesaler. With its merger with Chemist Warehouse, the investment case has fundamentally changed.

Instead of relying purely on wholesale margins, Sigma now has exposure to one of Australia's most dominant pharmacy retail brands. Chemist Warehouse brings scale, brand power, and strong customer traffic, giving Sigma a much broader earnings base across both wholesale and retail.

I think that vertical integration is important. It strengthens bargaining power, improves supply chain efficiency, and gives the combined group greater influence across the pharmacy ecosystem. It also adds a growth layer that the old Sigma simply did not have.

For me, this makes Sigma a far more compelling long-term holding than it once was. It blends defensive healthcare demand with retail scale, which I believe gives it stronger earnings resilience and expansion potential than many investors may still appreciate.

Amcor plc (ASX: AMC)

Amcor has also reshaped its growth profile through its acquisition of Berry Global.

Packaging is already a defensive industry, but the addition of Berry Global expands Amcor's global footprint, product range, and scale advantages. Greater scale in this sector matters. It can enhance pricing power, drive cost efficiencies, and deepen relationships with multinational customers.

To me, the enlarged Amcor looks even more like a global packaging heavyweight. It combines steady demand from food, beverage, healthcare, and consumer goods markets with increased operational leverage from integration benefits.

While NAB is trading at a record high and looks fully valued in my view, Amcor is well off its highs and offers global diversification, defensive revenue streams, and now even greater scale following the Berry deal. That balance appeals to me as a long-term compounding story.

Foolish Takeaway

NAB is a high-quality bank. I am not arguing otherwise. But at a record high, I think it now looks fully valued.

Rather than chase momentum, I would prefer to spread my capital across diversified leaders like Macquarie, Sigma Healthcare, and Amcor. In my view, they offer a better balance of growth, resilience, and long-term compounding potential from here.

The post Why I'd forget NAB shares and buy these top Aussie stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

ASX All Ords shares have risen 1.7% over the week as more companies revealed strong earnings results and dividends.

Next week, a large group of ASX shares go ex-dividend. We provide a sample of these stocks below.

To pick up a dividend payment, you must own the share before the ex-dividend date.

ASX shares about to go ex-dividend

Here are 16 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week.

Which companies are reporting next week?

According to the calendar, we will hear from Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH), Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), and Nib Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF) on Monday.

On Tuesday, ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) are up.

On Wednesday, we'll get reports from Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP), Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP), and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG).

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW), Wisetech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) will also report on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR), Monash IVF Group Ltd (ASX: MVF), and Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) will release their earnings.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC), Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL), and Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) will also be in the spotlight.

On Friday, we'll see reports from Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR), and TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG).

The post 16 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

When one analyst thinks a business is a buy, that's interesting. When there are numerous experts rating an ASX share as a buy, that could signal there's a clear, compelling opportunity. Time will tell if they're right.

Let's look at two, non-tech companies.

Amcor (ASX: AMC)

According to the Commsec's collation of analyst views on the flexible and rigid packaging ASX share, there are currently 18 buy ratings.

UBS is one of the brokers that rate the business as a buy, with a price target of $91.25, suggesting a pleasing double-digit rise over the next year from where it is today.

The broker said that the earnings per share (EPS) generated in its FY26 second quarter was "reasonable" and at the midpoint of its guidance, while being 3% ahead of market expectations.

UBS noted that company is still expecting FY26 EPS to growth of between 12% to 17%, with the market assuming the company will hit the low end of this guidance.

The broker also highlighted that the business provided third-quarter EPS guidance of between 90 cents to $1, with confidence of delivering synergies of at least $260 million in FY26 and $650 million over three years. Growth synergies also appear to be "gaining momentum" as well, with a run-rate $100 million of annualised sales secured so far.

UBS then explained why it rates the business as an appealing buy:

We maintain our Buy rating, with Amcor offering a 12% 3yr EPS CAGR, underpinned by the potential delivery of $650mn in synergies and accretion on the all-stock merger with Berry.

We think potential EPS upgrade momentum could be supported by accelerated synergy realisation over the next 24 months. We believe Amcor's revised capital allocation framework also positions the company to allocate increased FCF [free cash flow] to support deleveraging, investment in higher growth categories and potential capital returns (ie, share buy backs).

Delivery on these should support a P/E re-rate from 11x to 15x, which is where the stock has typically traded when offering double-digit EPS growth.

AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL)

According to the Commsec collation of analyst views on the ASX share, there are currently nine buy ratings on the ASX share.

UBS is one of those brokers that rates this energy retailer and generator as a buy, with a price target of $11.00.

The broker noted that AGL's underlying operating profit (EBITDA) and net profit were 7% and 21% ahead of market expectations, respectively, supported by strong realised gas retail pricing and generation available.

UBS noted that AGL expects volatility to prevail in the long-term and owning low-cost capacity assets with some operating flexibility to capture a greater share of higher price periods (such as AGL's Loy Yang A and Bayswater power stations) place AGL "in a strong position to grow underlying EBITDA" year-over-year to 2030, as long as generation availability is maintained.

The broker forecasts UBS will grow EBITDA at a CAGR of 10% and net profit at a CAGR of 15% between FY26 to FY30, which is more than other market analysts are suggesting.

UBS also said that the recent result confirmed that AGL's battery portfolio is "performing well ahead of its own expectations & reiterated that batteries can sustain post tax unlevered asset returns at the upper end of its 7-11% target range—despite accelerating growth in both utility scale & residential battery installs."

Then UBS added to its explanation why it thinks the ASX share is attractive:

Over time as the market builds confidence that low cost capacity assets will become increasingly valuable, we believe market estimates should reflect multi-yr EPS upgrades supporting a growing div profile with upside pending the Board's willingness to reward shareholders with stronger payouts.

The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The uptick means the shares are now up 10.27% for the month of February alone, although they're 11.89% below the trading price reported this time last year.

What has driven Amcor shares higher this month?

The packaging giant posted its results for the December quarter last week, which boosted the share price higher. The company announced a huge 68% increase in its quarterly net sales, and its adjusted EBITDA soared 83% higher.

The bumper results have come straight off the back of its recent acquisition of Berry Global. The US$6.4 billion deal added around US$2.2 billion in quarterly sales and also gave US$55 million in synergy benefits.

Management also confirmed full-year guidance, expecting adjusted EPS between US$4 to US$4.15. This translates to 12% to 17% growth on a constant currency basis.

The company also declared an unfranked interim dividend of 93 Aussie cents per share. Amcor pays quarterly dividends, with this latest declared payout up 356% from the prior corresponding quarter.

At the time, Amcor CEO Peter Konieczny said, "Our Q2 financial performance was in line with expectations in a challenging volume environment. Strong Adjusted EPS growth was driven by disciplined execution and synergy benefits from the Berry acquisition at the upper end of expectations."

Investors were clearly thrilled with the result, with many rushing to snap up shares in the packing business while prices were still cheap.

What do the analysts think of the stock?

Brokers confirmed their buy recommendations for Amcor shares after the company delivered its solid quarterly results. 

Analysts at Goldman Sachs and Jeffries said the results were broadly in line with expectations.

The team at Morgans, however, said that the results were softer than they expected. The broker was pleased that synergy benefits were at the high end of guidance, but it expected more from operating performance. But Morgans thinks the company could improve performance in the second half of FY26. 

Is there any more upside left?

Data shows that most analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Amcor shares (18 out of 22 analysts). The maximum target price is $86.50 a piece, which implies a 23.62% upside ahead at the time of writing.

Even the average target price of $76.48 implies a 9.32% upside over the next 12 months.

It's fair to say that it looks like we could see more gains from the packaging business this year.

The post Amcor shares jump 10% higher in February. Is there more upside ahead? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

What did Argo Investments Limited report?

• Half-year profit: $130.8 million, up from $121.2 million last year
• Earnings per share: 17.2 cents, up from 15.9 cents
• Interim dividend: 18.5 cents per share (fully franked), up 8.8%
• Management expense ratio: 0.14%, improved from 0.15%
• Grossed-up annual yield: 6.1% based on the last closing share price

What else do investors need to know?

Argo's investment revenue from its portfolio was flat over the half, but profit was lifted by trading and options income. The company has boosted its fully franked dividend by 37.5% over the past five years, maintaining 100% franking even throughout volatile market conditions.

During the period, Argo made some notable investment changes, adding CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Amcor (ASX: AMC), Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) , Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG), and Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6), while selling all shares in Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS) and GPT Group (ASX: GPT). The total number of portfolio stocks decreased slightly from 85 to 83.

What did Argo Investments management say?

Managing Director Jason Beddow said:

We considered it appropriate to meaningfully increase the interim dividend. The Board is committed to sustainably growing Argo's fully franked dividends.

What's next for Argo Investments?

Looking ahead, Argo noted the outlook remains highly uncertain given ongoing geopolitical risks and shifting monetary policy, including higher Australian interest rates. The team highlighted Australia's structural advantages, particularly in resources and critical minerals.

Argo plans to keep its diversified approach, spanning more than 80 ASX-listed companies. The company says it aims to provide shareholders with reliable income and long-term capital growth, even through volatile markets.

Argo Investments share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Argo Investments shares have risen 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Argo Investments reports record profit and dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Below, we look at three companies that have managed to shrug off this week's tech-driven market retrace to jump higher. As you might expect, there are no tech stocks among them.

So, without further ado…

ASX 200 stocks rising in this week's sinking market

The first stock that's managed to post gains this week is Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB).

Shares in the supply chain logistics company – which counts as the world's largest supplier of reusable wooden pallets and crates – closed last Friday trading for $22.40. With just a few hours left before this Friday's closing bell, shares are changing hands for $23.19.

That sees this ASX 200 stock up 3.5% for the week.

There's no fresh price-sensitive news out from Brambles this week. But with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) down 13.1% over the week, investors may see the logistics company as a defensive alternative to growth stocks.

Moving on to the second ASX share lifting off despite the broader market retrace, we have GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG).

Shares in the ASX 200 financial services stock closed last week trading for $1.57 and are currently trading for $1.70.

This sees the GQG Partners share price up a solid 8.1% over the week, also with no recent price-sensitive news out from the company.

Which brings us to…

Leading the pack

The top performing share on my list for the week is Amcor PLC (ASX: AMC).

Shares in the global packaging giant closed last Friday at $62.49. Shares are currently trading for $68.93 each. This sees the Amcor share price up 10.3% for the week.

The ASX 200 stock closed up 3.5% on Wednesday following the release of its December quarter results. Shares closed up another 6.7% on Thursday.

Highlights from the quarter included a 68% boost in net sales to US$5.45 billion. That strong growth was largely driven by the company's acquisition of United States-based packaging company, Berry Global. Amcor first announced the deal to acquire Berry on 20 November 2024, and completed its all-stock acquisition on 30 April 2025.

In other core financial metrics, Amcor reported an 83% year-on-year increase in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to US$826 million.

In light of this performance, and catching the interest of passive income investors, management declared an unfranked interim dividend of 93 Aussie cents per share.

Unlike most ASX 200 dividend stocks, Amcor pays quarterly dividends, with the latest declared payout up 356% from the prior corresponding quarter.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks jumping higher in this week's falling market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Two that have fared well and been given buy ratings are named below. Here's why the broker is bullish on them:

Amcor (ASX: AMC)

Morgans notes that this packaging giant delivered a softer than expected half-year update this week with positives and negatives.

One positive was that Amcor delivered synergy benefits at the high-end of its guidance range during the second quarter. Offsetting this somewhat was the performance of the ASX share's non-core businesses. It explains:

AMC's 1H26 operating performance was slightly softer than expected. However, underlying EPS was largely in line with forecasts and fell within management's guidance range. EPS benefited from a more favourable tax rate, which offset weaker results from the non-core portfolio. A key positive was the delivery of Berry synergy benefits of US$55m in 2Q26, which was at the top end of management's guidance range of US$50-55m. Synergy targets for FY26-28 were reiterated.

A key negative was the performance of the non-core businesses, with volumes down high-single digit percentages during 2Q26. However, following the renegotiation of several customer contracts on better terms, segment performance should improve in 2H26. AMC also noted that discussions around portfolio optimisation are progressing well, and we view any future announcement in this area as a potential positive catalyst for the stock.

In response to the update, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $75.80.

Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN)

Another ASX share that Morgans rates as a buy is online lottery ticket seller Jumbo Interactive.

The broker notes that the Oz Lotteries owner delivered slightly softer than expected revenue in the first half but operating earnings largely in line with its estimates. It said:

We have updated our estimates following JIN's preliminary release of headline numbers ahead of the 1H26 result. Group revenue increased 29% yoy to $85.3m, modestly below our expectations due to weaker Lottery Retailing TTV. Underlying group EBITDA of $37.5m rose 22% on the pcp and was in line with our forecasts. Overall, our topline and earnings assumptions remain broadly unchanged. Our FY26-27F NPAT and EPS forecasts increase by 4% and 2% respectively, driven primarily by lower amortisation of acquired intangibles.

Morgans thinks that recent share price weakness has created a buying opportunity. Especially given its positive earnings growth outlook. It adds:

We view the 5% share price decline today as an opportunity to build a position in a company capable of delivering >15% EPS CAGR over the next three years. JIN is trading on an undemanding forward EV/EBITDA multiple of ~6x.

Morgans has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $14.90.

The post Morgans names 2 ASX shares to buy now 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:

Amcor (ASX: AMC)

The Amcor share price is up 6% to $69.30. This morning, analysts at Morgans responded positively to the packaging giant's quarterly update. It has retained its buy rating with a slightly trimmed price target of $75.80. It said: "Following the renegotiation of several customer contracts on better terms, segment performance should improve in 2H26. AMC also noted that discussions around portfolio optimisation are progressing well, and we view any future announcement in this area as a potential positive catalyst for the stock."

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

The Lovisa share price is up 4.5% to $32.19. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Citi. According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $38.45 price target on this fashion jewellery retailer's shares. Citi expects Lovisa to deliver sales growth ahead of consensus estimates during the first half of FY 2026.

Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL)

The Regal Partners share price is up 5% to $3.06. Investors have been buying the fund manager's shares after it announced an on-market buyback program of up to $75 million. It stated: "The decision to implement a buy-back program reflects the strength of the RPL balance sheet and the continued delivery of operating cash flows and demonstrates the Board's and management's confidence in RPL's outlook for continued profitable growth. The Board believes that a buy-back program is appropriate as part of its overall capital management strategy and remains focused on maximising shareholder returns, whilst preserving balance sheet strength and ensuring that RPL maintains the ability to pursue strategic growth opportunities."

SKS Technologies Group Ltd (ASX: SKS)

The SKS Technologies share price is up over 10% to $3.90. This morning, this electrical technologies and digital infrastructure specialist announced two big contract wins. This has led to SKS upgrading its revenue guidance to $340 million (from $320 million) and net profit before tax guidance to $34 million (from $28.8 million). The company's CEO, Matthew Jinks, commented: "The revised outlook is based on a combination of new contract awards, a further record level of $325 million of work on hand, and a realistic confidence in future conversions from pipeline to contract award."

The post Why Amcor, Lovisa, Regal Partners, and SKS shares are pushing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The company said net sales were up 68% to $US5.45 billion, driven by its acquisition of Berry on April 30, 2025, while adjusted EBITDA rose 83% to $US826 million.

The company also reaffirmed its FY26 earnings per share guidance of $US4 to $US4.15.

The company added

Amcor's guidance for fiscal 2026 reflects a full 12 months ownership of the Berry business and does not take into account the impact of potential portfolio optimization actions that may be completed through the year.

Performing well

Amcor Chief Executive Officer Peter Konieczny said it was a solid result.

Our Q2 financial performance was in line with expectations in a challenging volume environment. Strong Adjusted EPS growth was driven by disciplined execution and synergy benefits from the Berry acquisition at the upper end of expectations. Performance through the first half of the year supports our confidence in reaffirming fiscal 2026 earnings and free cash flow guidance. Portfolio optimization actions are progressing well, positioning us to be the global leader in consumer packaging and dispensing solutions for nutrition, health, beauty and wellness.

Amcor said about $US2.2 billion in new sales were down to the Berry acquisition. It also said volumes were about 1.5% lower than in the same quarter of 2024.

The company declared a dividend of US65 cents per share, up from US63.75 cents per share for the same period the previous year.

Australian shareholders will receive an unfranked dividend of 93 cents per share.

Brokers like what they see

The analysts at Goldman Sachs and Jeffries ran the ruler over the results on Wednesday and said they were broadly in line with consensus expectations.

In a note to clients sent out on Wednesday, the Jefferies team said earnings per share was 3% higher than consensus while EBITDA was 2% lower "due to ongoing weakness in 'Non-Core Beverages' segment''.

Jefferies has a buy recommendation on the shares and a price target of $85.91.

Goldman Sachs said EBIT was weaker than expected, "albeit with net profit after tax/earnings per share more in line with market expectations''.

Goldman Sachs has a price target of $86.55 on Amcor shares.

Amcor shares were 5.4% higher on Wednesday at $66.51.

The company's Australian-traded shares were valued at $29.1 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post Brokers reiterate their buy recommendations following Amcor's result 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 racing higher:

Amcor PLC (ASX: AMC)

The Amcor share price is up 5% to $66.19. Investors have been buying the packaging giant's shares following the release of its quarterly update. Amcor reported second quarter net sales of US$5,449 million and adjusted EBITDA of US$826 million. This was an increase of 68% and 83%, respectively, over the prior corresponding period. Amcor's CEO, Peter Konieczny, said: "Our Q2 financial performance was in line with expectations in a challenging volume environment. Strong Adjusted EPS growth was driven by disciplined execution and synergy benefits from the Berry acquisition at the upper end of expectations."

Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: BRE)

The Brazilian Rare Earths share price is up 3% to $4.04. This has been driven by the release of exceptional results from a sensor-based ore sorting test work program. The company's managing director and CEO, Bernardo da Veiga, said: "These exceptional ore sorting results from run-of-mine Monte Alto feedstock have exceeded all our expectations. They demonstrate that sensor-based concentration can significantly enhance project economics with +95% yields at lower capital and operating costs, whilst simultaneously reducing environmental footprint through lower energy, minimal water and no reagents."

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

The Northern Star share price is up 6% to $28.54. Investors have been buying this gold miner's shares following a strong rebound in the gold price overnight. The precious metal recovered above the symbolic US$5,000 an ounce level. Northern Star isn't the only gold miner rising on the news. The S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold index is up 3.5% at the time of writing.

Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)

The Pinnacle share price is up 3% to $17.75. Although the investment company reported an 11% decline in net profit after tax to $67.3 million during the first half, this was due to weaker performance fees. Excluding them, net profit after tax would have been 37% higher than the prior corresponding period. Pinnacle's managing director, Ian Macoun, said: "We have made deliberate efforts over several years to diversify and expand our platform, both organically and through careful inorganic growth, believing that doing so provides us with greater robustness, wider relevance to our clients and more avenues to continue growing our earnings. We recall the very large performance fee contribution from Hyperion in the first half of FY25, which was an exceptional outcome."

The post Why Amcor, Brazilian Rare Earths, Northern Star, and Pinnacle shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Amcor report?

• Second quarter net sales of US$5,449 million, up 68% year-on-year
• Adjusted EBITDA of US$826 million, up 83% from a year ago
• Adjusted EBIT at US$603 million, a 66% increase
• Adjusted EPS of US$0.86, up 7%
• Free cash flow of US$289 million, after acquisition and restructuring costs of US$69 million
• Quarterly dividend declared at US$0.65 per share or 93.0 Australian cents unfranked for ASX investors

What else do investors need to know?

Amcor's huge jump in sales and earnings comes off the back of its recent US$6.4 billion Berry Global acquisition, which added around US$2.2 billion in quarterly sales and delivered US$55 million in synergy benefits. Despite the integration costs, management reaffirmed full-year guidance, expecting adjusted EPS between US$4.00–$4.15, which would be 12%–17% growth on a constant currency basis.

The flexible and rigid packaging segments both saw significant improvement in margins and profit, even as underlying volumes were a touch softer. The board's confidence is underlined by an increase in the quarterly dividend. Net debt rose to US$14.1 billion, reflecting acquisition funding, but cash flow is positive after accounting for integration costs.

What did Amcor management say?

Amcor CEO Peter Konieczny said:

Our Q2 financial performance was in line with expectations in a challenging volume environment. Strong Adjusted EPS growth was driven by disciplined execution and synergy benefits from the Berry acquisition at the upper end of expectations. Performance through the first half of the year supports our confidence in reaffirming fiscal 2026 earnings and free cash flow guidance. Portfolio optimization actions are progressing well, positioning us to be the global leader in consumer packaging and dispensing solutions for nutrition, health, beauty and wellness.

What's next for Amcor?

Looking ahead, Amcor expects a full year of Berry Global contributions to support double-digit EPS growth and strong cash flow. The company is continuing with portfolio optimisation, targeting non-core divestments and efficiency gains from its expanded footprint.

Investors can expect management to focus on delivering US$260 million or more in annual synergies from the Berry deal. The team is also eyeing further initiatives to strengthen Amcor's position as a global packaging leader.

Amcor share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Amcor shares have declined 20%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Amcor earnings: Net sales rocket 68% on Berry deal; guidance reaffirmed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

To help narrow things down, I have picked out two shares that brokers are tipping as buys this month.

Here's what they are recommending to clients:

Amcor (ASX: AMC)

The team at Morgans thinks that packaging giant Amcor could be an ASX dividend share to buy.

It was pleased to see management reaffirm its synergy targets and FY 2026 guidance. So, with its shares trading on low earnings multiples, it feels that now is the time to snap them up. It said:

Following AMC's recent 5:1 share consolidation, we update our per share estimates (EPS and DPS) to reflect the new share count. Our underlying earnings forecasts change marginally (between 0-1%), largely reflecting updates to FX assumptions. Our target price increases to $76.00 (from $15.20 previously) following the share consolidation. With a 12-month forecast TSR of 21%, we maintain our BUY rating. Following AMC's solid 1Q26 result, management's increased confidence in delivering FY26 synergy targets, and the reaffirmation of FY26 guidance, we believe the outlook remains positive. Trading on 10x FY27F PE with a 5.8% yield, we continue to view the valuation as attractive. AMC is due to report its 1H26 result in early February.

Morgans is expecting dividends per share of $4.01 in FY 2026 and then $4.09 in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $63.86, this would mean dividend yields of 6.3% and 6.4%, respectively.

The broker has a buy rating and $76.00 price target on Amcor's shares.

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

Bell Potter thinks that this struggling drinks giant could be an ASX dividend share to buy now.

The broker believes that the BWS and Dan Murphy's owner's strategy reset could be the key to driving growth again. It said:

We retain our Buy rating and lower our TP to $4.00. With a key negative catalyst now digested by the market (Retail gross margin reset), we can now look ahead to the strategy refresh where we believe expectations remain low (however, have improved given today's muted market reaction) and therefore presents upside surprise potential. The key risk to our thesis is a further reset in earnings following the strategy refresh.

As for income, Bell Potter is forecasting fully franked dividends of 15 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 19 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.77, this would mean dividend yields of 4% and 5%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $4.00 price target on its shares.

The post Brokers say these ASX dividend shares are buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.