In late morning trade, the Duratec share price is up 5.99% to $2.83. This comes after the stock opened as high as $2.86, leaving it just shy of the stock's all-time peak of $2.90.

The move adds to what has already been a powerful run in 2026, with the shares now up 47% since the start of the year.

Here's what was announced.

A major defence project moves into its next phase

According to its release, Duratec's 50:50 joint venture with Ertech has been awarded a $281 million contract tied to infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.

The project supports future submarine capability works at Diamantina Wharf on Garden Island.

The site is closely linked to the AUKUS pathway and Australia's long-term naval infrastructure buildout.

This follows an earlier $5.2 million early contractor award in January 2026, which covered initial procurement of long lead items.

With contract design now nearly complete and final approvals close, the latest award moves the joint venture into full delivery. This takes the total contract value of the works to just under $300 million.

The main works contract is expected to run for around 24 months.

Managing Director Chris Oates said the award marked a significant milestone and reflected the successful completion of the early contractor involvement planning phase.

He added that the result reinforced the strength of the joint venture's strategic approach and Duratec's long-standing relationship with the Department of Defence.

What today's contract could mean longer term

This contract says a lot about how Duratec's earnings mix may keep changing.

Winning a contract of this size in a strategically sensitive defence project strengthens its credentials in government and defence infrastructure.

That could help build momentum when bidding for future major works.

It also shifts more revenue toward longer-duration, higher-visibility projects, a mix the market often values more highly than shorter-cycle remediation work.

With the shares already trading close to record highs, investors appear to be watching how that business mix continues evolving.

Foolish Takeaway

Duratec continues to build its position in one of the ASX's more attractive industrial growth stocks.

The shift from planning into delivery on a near-$300 million defence project gives the earnings outlook more weight.

It also strengthens revenue visibility over the next two years.

With the stock now sitting only a few cents below its all-time high, the focus turns to whether this leads to further defence-related contract momentum through FY27.

The post Guess which ASX stock is flying after a huge defence contract win appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The risks are certainly higher, the lower down the market capitalisation list you go. Brand power isn't that strong and balance sheets haven't developed to their full potential.

WAM Microcap Ltd (ASX: WMI) is one of the funds that's focused on finding some of the most exciting opportunities at the small end of the market. The LIC recently highlighted two ASX small-cap shares in the portfolio that are exciting opportunities.

Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR)

WAM described Duratec as a specialist infrastructure services company providing remediation, protection and energy services across civil, marine, mining and defence sectors.

The fund manager noted that Duratec's share price increased in March, supported by continued positive momentum after the release of the FY26 half-year result.

Duratec reported solid earnings in line with expectations, reinforcing investor confidence in its growth outlook and driving upward revisions to earnings forecasts.

Momentum was further supported by the award of a $45 million contract in Papau New Guinea (PNG) which was announced towards the end of March 2026. This highlights the ongoing expansion of the business.

WAM said the rising Duratec share price performance during the month reflected investor confidence in Duratec's earnings trajectory, project pipeline and execution capability, as well as the ASX small-cap share's exposure to resilient customer markets such as the defence sector.

Autosports Group Ltd (ASX: ASG)

WAM described Autosports as a motor vehicle dealership operator and provider of automotive services, focusing on the luxury and prestige segment.

The Autosports share price declined in March, reflecting market weakness across interest rate-sensitive stocks maid ongoing interest rate uncertainty.

On top of that, as part of the free trade agreement between Australia and the EU, which was signed on 24 March 2026, the luxury car tax threshold was increased for electric vehicles only, despite wider expectations that it would be completely abolished for all vehicles.

WAM believes that the March pullback does not reflect a deterioration in the company's strategic position.

The fund manager concluded its commentary on the ASX small-cap share by saying the team still view Autosports Group as well-placed to execute on strategic mergers and acquisitions in a highly fragmented industry.

The post 2 ASX small-cap shares to buy with big potential for returns appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, shares are down 0.83% to $2.39.

The move comes even as the company continues to outperform the broader market, with Duratec shares up 22% in 2026. By comparison, the S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) is down 4% since the start of the year.

Here's what the company announced.

Multi-million PNG contract secured

According to the release, Duratec PNG Limited has been awarded a contract with Lihir Gold Limited. Lihir Gold is a subsidiary of Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM).

The contract relates to operations at the Lihir site in Papua New Guinea.

Part of the scope is linked to Phase 1 of the Lihir Nearshore Soil Barrier project. The initial contract is expected to generate multi-million-dollar revenue over a 12-month period, with a value of around $45 million, subject to scope and performance.

There is also potential for additional scope to be awarded over time, depending on project requirements and approvals.

The work includes integrated services to support well plug and abandonment activities. Mobilisation is expected to begin immediately.

Builds exposure in key growth market

The contract marks another step in Duratec's expansion in the energy and resources services sector.

The company said the award supports its strategy of working more with existing clients while also expanding into new regions.

The Lihir project shows Duratec can deliver complex work using its own teams alongside established subcontractors.

The contract is on standard commercial terms and is not subject to any material conditions precedent, allowing work to begin without delay.

Why the share price is easing

Despite the positive update, the share price reaction has been limited, suggesting some of the contract momentum may already be reflected.

Duratec shares have rallied strongly this year, rising around 22% in 2026 and more than 40% over the past 12 months.

Against that backdrop, smaller contract wins are less likely to move the share price unless they lead to a clear lift in earnings expectations.

Attention may also be on the contract duration, with the initial term set at 12 months and revenue dependent on scope.

Foolish Takeaway

Duratec's latest contract supports its position in the energy and resources services space and adds to its exposure in Papua New Guinea.

The roughly $45 million agreement provides near-term revenue visibility, with potential for further work as the project progresses.

However, after a strong run in 2026, the market response has been limited. This suggests investors are looking for larger or longer-duration contracts to drive further share price gains.

The post This ASX contractor just landed a PNG deal. So why is the share price falling? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Three such shares that hit new yearly highs yesterday were: 

• New Hope Corp Ltd (ASX: NHC) hit fresh highs of $5.84 
• Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR) rose to $2.48 
• Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) has now reached $5.34. 

Investors on the outside looking in may be considering if there is any further upside. 

Here is what experts are saying about these ASX shares hitting fresh 52-week highs. 

Telstra Group

Telstra shares closed yesterday after a 0.75% gain. 

They have now risen almost 30% in the last year, including more than 9% year to date. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 4% year to date. 

There are two key reasons investors may be piling into Telstra shares. 

Firstly, Telstra shares are considered to be a defensive option as Australia's largest and longest-running provider of telecommunications and information products and services.

In simple terms, consumers still need access to its services regardless of global conflict and economic instability. 

Another reason investors may be turning to Telstra shares is for its reliable income through dividends. 

As Tristan Harrison reported earlier this week, Telstra has been steadily increasing its dividend payout in the last few years, including the FY26 half-year result. 

In terms of further upside, these two factors could easily continue to push the share price higher if near-term risk off sentiment continues. 

13 analysts forecasts via TradingView indicate the current price is hovering close to fair value. 

Duratec

Duratec is an investment holding company. The company's operating segment includes Defence; Mining and Industrial; Building and Facades, and Energy. 

This combination has helped it continue to benefit from defence spending, which contributes to most of its revenue. 

Thanks to this, its share price has risen an impressive 34% year to date, hitting fresh 52-week highs yesterday.

After such a strong run, it seems analysts see the All Ords stock as fully valued, with average forecasts hovering around $2.41. 

New Hope

New Hope is an Australian thermal coal miner.

Its share price has lifted 44% year to date. 

It has benefited from a rally in global coal prices, which recently hit a 16 month high.

While the previous two shares listed appear close to fair value, recent broker targets indicate New Hope shares may now be overvalued. 

Morgans has a hold rating on these ASX shares, along with a price target of $5.00. 

That target is 14% higher than yesterday's closing price. 

The post Are these ASX shares hitting 52-week highs still worth buying? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The outperforming company in question is engineering, construction, and remediation contractor Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR).

During the Monday lunch hour, Duratec shares are up 1.3%, changing hands for $2.38 apiece.

That sees the Duratec share price up 29.4% since the opening bell sounded on 2 January.

Taking a step back, shares in the ASX All Ords defence stock are up an impressive 45.1% since this time last year. And that doesn't include the 4.3 cents a share in fully franked dividends the company has paid (or shortly will pay) eligible stockholders over the year.

The stock currently trades on a fully franked dividend yield of 1.8%.

And according to the team at Taylor Collison, the company is well positioned to deliver another year of o strong performance and dividends in the year ahead.

What's the latest from Duratec?

Duratec's main operating segments are defence, mining, and energy.

The ASX All Ords defence stock reported its half year results (H1 FY 2026) on 25 February.

The company earned the most revenue from its defence segment, with half year revenue coming in at $82.2 million. H1 mining revenue was reported to be $57.7 million while the company's energy segment achieved revenue of $27.3 million for the six-month period.

Total revenue of $273.3 million was down 4.9% year-on-year. However, the company posted a 2% lift in normalised earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $27.5 million.

And on the bottom line, Duratec reported a net profit after tax (NPAT) for the half year of $13.4 million, up 3.5% year on year.

Commenting on the results on the day, Duratec managing director Chris Oates said:

It has been encouraging to see an uplift in recent wins, and although revenue remained flat in the first half, we delivered a record EBITDA margin [of 10%]. This performance has positioned the business extremely well for the second half and for the years ahead.

Why Taylor Collison is bullish on the ASX All Ords defence stock

Commenting on its buy recommendation and outperform rating on Duratec shares, Taylor Collison said, "We believe the investment case for DUR is supported by a combination of favourable macro settings and the company's clearly differentiated value proposition."

The broker pointed to Duratec's remediation expertise as one reason its bullish on the stock, noting:

Through its MEnD business, DUR integrates engineering capability with contracting execution, enabling delivery of full-service solutions for asset owners – spanning defect identification, cost estimation and end-to-end project delivery. This vertically integrated model differentiates DUR from most peers and is consistently valued by customers.

Then there's the ASX All Ords defence stock's strong track record in the defence space.

According to Taylor Collison:

DUR's construction exposure is heavily weighted toward defence, underpinned by a long-standing presence at HMAS Stirling and a strong execution track record. This ensures the company is well positioned for the upcoming upgrade cycle, particularly opportunities linked to the planned AUKUS nuclear submarine program.

The broker has a $2.45 price target on Duratec shares.

That represents a potential upside of around 3% from the current price. And it doesn't include those upcoming dividends.

The post Why it's not too late to buy this surging ASX All Ords defence stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In order to receive a dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

As we've reported, some of the biggest dividend increases among ASX mining shares this season came from the gold miners.

Next week, two of them go ex-dividend.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) shares will pay a fully-franked interim dividend of 3 cents per share on 15 April.

This exceeds the company's commitment to pay a minimum annual dividend of 2 cents per share for FY26.

Ramelius Resources reported a 13% increase in EBITDA to $347.7 million but a 6% fall in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $160 million.

The ASX gold share goes ex-dividend on Monday.

Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) shares will pay a maiden fully franked interim dividend of 5 cents per share.

The gold miner reported a 130% jump in underlying NPAT to $144.8 million for 1H FY26.

The ASX gold share also goes ex-dividend on Monday.

Here is a sample of the other ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week.

ASX shares about to go ex-dividend

The post 26 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week 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 storming higher:

Canyon Resources Ltd (ASX: CAY)

The Canyon Resources share price is up 9% to 24 cents. This follows the release of an update on the Minim Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon. According to the release, the surface miner has arrived in Cameroon, with mining operations scheduled to commence in February. Canyon's CEO, Peter Secker, commented: "Following the arrival of the surface miner in Cameroon as well as confirmation of the delivery of the Rolling Stock scheduled in Q1, the key operational milestones continue to be achieved across mining, logistics and infrastructure workstreams. Project readiness continues to be strengthened, with key senior leadership appointments now completed. The Mine Director and Port Manager roles have been filled, with both executives scheduled to be on the ground this month to support the ramp-up to first production."

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO)

The Core Lithium share price is up 22% to 35.5 cents. This is despite there being no news out of the lithium company. The gain was so strong that the Australian stock exchange asked for it to explain the move. Core Lithium responded, stating that it "is not aware of any other explanation that it may have for the recent trading in its securities." Though, with lithium prices rebounding strongly recently, investors may be betting on the company restarting its lithium mining operations in the near future.

Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR)

The Duratec share price is up 9% to $2.03. This morning, the contractor revealed that its Duratec Ertech Joint Venture has been instructed to proceed with early procurement of approximately $5 million of long lead items. This is to assist program and project timing as part of the early contractor involvement head contract for the planning phase of infrastructure upgrades to support future submarine capability at HMAS Stirling. Managing Director, Chris Oates, commented: "Duratec is proud to play a key role in supporting Australia's future submarine capability through these critical infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Stirling."

Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL)

The Unico Silver share price is up 3.5% to 98.5 cents. This silver miner's shares have rallied higher this week following the release of drilling results from its 100%-owned Joaquin Project. Unico Silver revealed that infill and extensional drilling at La Negra SE confirms that there is a broad, shallow zone of oxide silver-gold mineralisation over 850 metres strike and 175 metres vertical extent. Importantly, it remains open to the south-east and at depth. The company's managing director, Todd Williams, commented: "These results confirm the scale and geometry required for conventional open-pit development and support our decision to move directly to a Pre-Feasibility Study Mineral Resource Estimate."

The post Why Canyon Resources, Core Lithium, Duratec, and Unico Silver shares are storming higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in the engineering, construction, and remediation contractor closed yesterday trading for $1.865. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $2.030 apiece, up 8.9%.

This outperformance follows an update on the Duratec Ertech Joint Venture (DEJV), Duratec's 50:50 joint venture with Ertech.

Here's what's piquing ASX investor interest.

ASX All Ords stock lifts off on contract news

Duratec shares are leaping higher after the company reported DEJV has been instructed to proceed with early procurement of some $5 million worth of long lead items.

These items will assist the program and project timing as part of the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) for the planning phase of infrastructure upgrades to support future submarine capability at the HMAS Stirling naval base, located in Western Australia.

The ASX All Ords stock noted that additional early on-site contract works could occur as the contract design nears 100% completion and design approval is granted.

Duratec expects the award and commencement of the project in the third quarter of FY 2026.

The company said that it now expects the second contract award for the delivery of the "fit-for-purpose, nuclear regulatory compliant facilities" in the fourth quarter of FY 2026. This will help support the expansion and enhancement requirements of the Department of Defence's infrastructure upgrade at HMAS Stirling. The ASX All Ords stock added that there is the potential to undertake early works via the current planning phase contract.

The infrastructure upgrades and projects are being carried out ahead of the expected arrival of the rotational force from the United States and the United Kingdom under the AUKUS partnership. Those forces are anticipated to arrive in late calendar year 2027.

What did management say?

Commenting on the early procurement news that's sending the ASX All Ords stock flying higher today, Duratec managing director Chris Oates said, "Duratec is proud to play a key role in supporting Australia's future submarine capability through these critical infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Stirling."

Oates added:

The early procurement of long lead items is strong validation of Duratec's critical involvement at HMAS Stirling and its broader partnership with the Department of Defence. We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with Defence to ensure the timely and compliant delivery of these strategically important facilities.

With today's intraday boost factored in, the Duratec share price is up more than 49% since this time last year.

The post Guess which ASX All Ords stock is rocketing today on AUKUS partnership development news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The analyst team at Bell Potter has said in its end-of-year wrap-up to clients that iron ore and gold production is set to rise over the next three years, "benefiting services companies leveraged to mining volumes".

They went on to say:

In exploration markets, the cycle has clearly demonstrated an inflection, with exploration facing companies reporting increased activity and demand for their services. Junior equity raisings have recently trended above the 2021 and 2011 peaks; as a leading indicator, we expect junior exploration activity to lift meaningfully over CY26.

The analyst team says while East Coast infrastructure looks "patchy" going forward, key sub-sectors such as energy generation, storage, transmission, and water utilities are looking good.

The rapidly expanding data centre sector would also provide tailwinds for companies in the infrastructure game.

So who do they like in the sector?

Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP)

This company is a bit different to a straight mining services company, given it is an underground mining contractor as well as the operator of two mining projects – the Woodlawn Zinc-Copper Mine in New South Wales and the Sulphur Springs Zinc-Copper Project in Western Australia.

The company also just last week announced it had won a $200 million contract at OceanaGold's Waihi North Project in the North Island of New Zealand.

Bell Potter said in its note to clients that the company is expected to ramp up to commercial production at Woodlawn in the March quarter of 2026, "representing a major re-rate catalyst''.

Bell Potter has a $5.20 price target on Develop Global shares, compared with the price of $4.36 currently.

IPD Group Ltd (ASX: IPG)

IPD, the Bell Potter team said, delivered better than expected first-half guidance at its recent annual general meeting, and was well-leveraged to the strong spend around data centres and infrastructure.

They said IPD had a "current strong order book and pipeline opportunities", and strong free cash flow over the next two financial years "should support de-leveraging and balance sheet flexibility to target multiple accretive bolt-on acquisitions''.

Bell Potter has a $5 price target on IPD shares compared with $4.07 currently.

Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR)

This company wins a high level of repeat business in the Western Australian engineering field, due to its reputation and quality of completed projects, Bell Potter said.

Its track record of growth is aided by bringing specialist contractors into the group, adding new customers and markets. The FY25 results saw growth in energy and emerging sectors, with revenue up by 77% to $82.5m and 175.5% to $60.6m respectively, nearly all delivered organically.

The company also has exposure to the defence sector, which should benefit from the AUKUS work to begin soon.

Bell Potter has a $1.90 price target on Duratec shares compared with $1.79 currently.

The post Bell Potter names three engineering companies to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Duratec shares closed up 1.69% on Wednesday, trading for $1.81 apiece. That sees the Duratec share price up 27% in 12 months, smashing the 1.59% gains posted by the benchmark index over this same period.

Atop those outsized share price gains, the ASX All Ords share trades on a fully franked dividend yield of 2.35%.

If you're not familiar with Duratec, the Australian engineering, construction, and remediation contractor's four main operating segments are defence, mining & industrial, building & facades, and energy

And according to the analysts at Taylor Collison, Duratec is well-placed to deliver another year of outperformance and solid dividends.

Here's why.

ASX All Ords share on the growth path

Duratec held its annual general meeting (AGM) on 20 November.

Looking back on FY 2025, the ASX All Ords share highlighted a 3.1% year-on-year increase in revenue to $573 million. Normalised earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 11.3% to $53 million. And on the bottom line, net profit after tax (NPAT) rose to $22.8 million.

"Our portfolio approach, spanning Defence, Energy, Mining & Industrial, Building & Facade, and Emerging sectors, continues to provide resilience and growth opportunities, and remains a key differentiator," Duratec non-executive chair Martin Brydon said on the day.

Commenting on the outlook for Duratec's defence segment following the AGM, Taylor Collison said:

DUR continues to see a strong medium-term outlook in defence. Beyond Garden Island [where the company has been contracted for work on HMAS Stirling], there are potential projects valued at more than $15bn scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2032.

In addition, work at Henderson in WA sits near the top of a large pipeline of prospective opportunities. The scale and longevity of these programs provide meaningful visibility across the decade.

The broker also sounded a positive note on the ASX All Ords share's mining & industrial segment.

According to Taylor Collison:

Management continues to execute on its strategy of expanding Managed Service Agreements with major Australian miners, including Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG).

The addressable opportunity is substantial and supported by favourable commodity prices. However, as DUR continues to grow within the sector, we remain mindful that margins in mining services are typically lower and may trend down as the business scales.

Connecting the dots, the broker concluded:

At 14.6x our FY27 EPS estimates, we view the current valuation as attractive given the breadth of the opportunity set, including HMAS Stirling, iron ore maintenance, and activity across the oil and gas sector (maintenance and decommissioning).

Taylor Collison maintained its outperform recommendation on Duratec shares, with a $2.09 target price.

That's more than 15% above Wednesday's closing price for the ASX All Ords share. And it doesn't include those upcoming dividends.

The post Why this dividend paying ASX All Ords share is tipped to outperform again in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

With the August reporting season in the rearview mirror, dozens of companies have ex-dividend dates next week.

Here's a sample of the ASX shares going ex-dividend soon.

23 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week

How to make ex-div dates work for you

To receive an ASX company's next dividend, you must buy or already own the shares before the ex-dividend date.

If you're interested in buying a stock trading cum dividend, you have two options.

Buy it before the ex-dividend date, and earn a quick return with the upcoming dividend payment.

Alternatively, buy the stock on its ex-dividend date, when it will likely trade lower because the dividend entitlement is no longer attached.

We've seen examples of this recently, with CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares dropping 2.15% on their ex-dividend date.

TV network owner Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) plummeted 36% yesterday after going ex-dividend, too.

Sometimes there are exceptions, like we are seeing with WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares today.

The post 23 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The outperforming company in question is Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR).

The Australian engineering, construction, and remediation contractor's four main operating segments are Defence, Mining and Industrial, Building and Facades, and Energy. Duratec generates the most revenue from its Defence segment.

During the Friday lunch hour today, Duratec shares are up 3.7%, changing hands for $1.84 apiece.

That sees shares in the ASX All Ords defence stock up an impressive 31.1% since this time last year. And that's not including the 4.3 cents a share in fully franked dividends the company has paid out to eligible shareholders over this time.

At the current share price, Duratec trades on a fully franked 2.3% dividend yield (partly trailing, partly pending).

If you wish to bank the final dividend of 2.5 cents per share, there's still time. Duratec stock trades ex-dividend on 16 September. So you'll need to own shares at market close this Monday, 15 September, to score that passive income.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

Broker tips ASX All Ords defence stock to keep outperforming

Duratec reported its full-year FY 2025 results on 27 August.

Highlights included record revenue of $573 million, up 3.1% on FY 2024.

Normalised earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $53 million were up 11.3%.

And on the bottom line, net profit after tax (NPAT) of $22.8 million was up 6.5% year on year.

Following on the FY 2025 earnings release, Taylor Collison retained its outperform rating on the ASX All Ords defence stock.

"We believe the investment case for DUR is underpinned by a combination of favourable macro conditions and its differentiated value proposition," the broker noted.

The first reason Duratec can keep outpacing the benchmark in FY 2026 is its remediation expertise.

According to Taylor Collison:

Through its MEnD business, DUR combines engineering capability with contracting strength, enabling it to deliver full service solutions for asset owners – covering defect identification, cost estimation and project completion. The integrated offering sets DUR apart from most competitors and is highly valued by customers.

The second reason you may want to add Duratec stock to your investment portfolio is its defence sector positioning.

Taylor Collison said:

The bulk of DUR's construction work is in defence, with a strong track record and established presence at HMAS Stirling. This positions the company well for future upgrades particularly the planned AUKUS nuclear submarine program.

And the third reason the broker is bullish on the outlook for the ASX All Ords defence stock is its currently attractive valuation.

The broker concluded:

At 11.7x our FY27 EPS [earnings per share] estimates, we see the current valuation as attractive given the pipeline of opportunities, including HMAS Stirling, iron ore maintenance opportunities and work in the oil and gas sector.

The post 3 reasons to buy this outperforming ASX All Ords defence stock today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For those looking beyond the banks and blue-chip healthcare giants, industrials and infrastructure are emerging as compelling alternatives. These sectors offer exposure to essential services, government-backed projects, and structural tailwinds like population growth, the energy transition, and the digital economy. 

Four industrial stocks showing strong momentum

Duratec (ASX: DUR)
Duratec specialises in asset remediation and protective coatings. Its work helps extend the life of critical infrastructure, from bridges and ports to defence facilities. With governments and corporations alike focusing on maximising the use of existing assets rather than building from scratch, Duratec has seen growing demand. Its recent results highlighted a robust project pipeline and a steady lift in revenue, supporting share price gains in 2025.

Tasmea (ASX: TEA)
Tasmea is an integrated engineering and services group working across mining, utilities, and industrial clients. It generates a large share of revenue from recurring maintenance contracts, which provide visibility and resilience in uncertain times. The company has reported strong order book growth and is building a reputation as a reliable partner for essential industries. Investors have begun to notice, with Tasmea's shares steadily trending higher this year.

GenusPlus (ASX: GNP)
As Australia's energy grid shifts toward renewables, GenusPlus stands to benefit. The company provides design, construction, and maintenance services for electrical infrastructure, including transmission lines and substations. With major investment planned in renewable projects and interconnectors, GenusPlus is positioned squarely in the middle of the energy transition. The company recently posted rising earnings and a solid pipeline of contracted work, helping its shares outperform the broader market.

NRW Holdings (ASX: NWH)
NRW Holdings has become one of the most diversified contractors on the ASX, with exposure to mining, civil, and urban infrastructure projects. The company recently acquired Fredon, a specialist electrical services business, boosting its exposure to energy and resources. Its share price has surged over 75% in the past 6 months, prompting Macquarie to upgrade the stock to outperform with a higher price target. 

Classic ASX infrastructure plays

Vanguard Global Infrastructure ETF (ASX: VBLD)
For those seeking a broad approach, VBLD offers exposure to more than 130 infrastructure companies worldwide. Its largest weighting is to the United States, but it also holds assets across transport, energy, and telecommunications. Infrastructure spending is expected to exceed $80 trillion globally by 2040, and this fund gives investors a simple, diversified way to ride that megatrend.

Transurban (ASX: TCL)
Toll roads may not be glamorous, but they're some of the most dependable infrastructure assets around. Transurban operates major road networks in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and North America. Its revenues are often inflation-linked, while traffic volumes continue to climb with population growth. The company recently reported steady increases in toll revenue, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable income generator.

APA Group (ASX: APA)
APA owns and operates Australia's largest network of gas pipelines. While traditional energy assets face transition risks, APA has been diversifying into renewables and storage. Its regulated asset base provides steady cash flow, supporting dividends that appeal to income-focused investors. Management has flagged new growth opportunities as the energy system evolves, positioning APA as a defensive yet forward-looking infrastructure play.

NextDC (ASX: NXT)
Data centres have become critical infrastructure in the digital age. NextDC provides secure, high-capacity facilities for cloud providers, enterprises, and government clients. The company is expanding across Australia and Asia, with more than 100MW of capacity in development. Demand for cloud and artificial intelligence workloads is surging, and fund managers like WAM Leaders are bullish on its long-term growth prospects. NextDC has delivered solid earnings and guided to further revenue and operating earnings growth in FY26, making it a standout in digital infrastructure.

Foolish Takeaway

With some ASX blue chips stumbling, investors are increasingly searching for fresh growth and reliable income elsewhere. Industrials and infrastructure stocks combine defensive characteristics with exposure to megatrends such as energy transition, transport demand, and the rise of digital connectivity.

The post Where money is moving after ASX stalwarts stumble appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

While some ASX stalwarts like Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) have seen their share prices wobble on results that fell short of lofty expectations, a couple of quieter small and mid-caps are moving in the opposite direction.

At the time of writing, the Mader Group Ltd (ASX: MAD) share price is back near record highs, while Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR) share price has surged more than 11% in the past two sessions. Neither company delivered blockbuster surprises in their FY25 earnings, but by meeting guidance and showing steady progress, both have been rewarded with strong share price gains.

Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR)

Duratec is an engineering services business specialising in asset protection, remediation, and infrastructure maintenance across defence, mining, oil and gas, and industrial sectors.

For FY25, the company delivered revenue of $573 million, up 3.1% compared to the prior year. Operating earnings (EBITDA) rose to $53 million, an increase of 11.3%. Net profit after tax (NPAT) came in at $22.8 million, up 6.5% year-on-year.

Duratec's Managing Director, Chris Oates, commented on the year ahead:

As we move into FY26, Duratec is well positioned to build on this year's momentum. With a robust financial position,  expanding  sector  presence,  and  proven  expertise  in  delivering  technically  complex  projects,  we  are exceptionally  well  placed  to  capitalise on  the  growing  demand  across  all sectors through leveraging  our  cross-subsidiary synergies.

Mader Group Ltd (ASX: MAD)

Mader is a global provider of specialist technical services across mining, energy, and infrastructure.

The company reported record annual revenue of $872.2 million in FY25, up 13% from the prior year. Operating earnings (EBITDA) lifted 10% to $109.5 million, while NPAT rose 13% to $57.1 million. Net debt was cut sharply to $8.3 million, down from $31.2 million (a 73% reduction) a year earlier.

CEO Justin Nuich said:

With record results of in revenue and in  NPAT,  this achievement marks a significant milestone for our business as we enter the final year of our five-year strategic plan with growth momentum and encouraging market conditions.

This year's performance underscores the strength and resilience of our teams and business model as we continue our transformation into a diversified, global technical services leader.  We have expanded our global presence, broadened our customer base, and built deeper capabilities across more industries and geographies than ever before.

Looking ahead, Mader is guiding for FY26 revenue of at least $1 billion and NPAT of at least $65 million, implying further growth of around 14%.

Foolish takeaway

Duratec and Mader's results may not have grabbed headlines, but in a reporting season where several bigger names have disappointed, steady growth has proven to be a winning formula. Investors appear happy to back these industrials as they keep building on solid foundations and set the stage for more expansion in FY26.

The post Why these 2 ASX industrial shares are climbing on 'good, not great' news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

While tech stocks often dominate the headlines, these industrials are proving that smart execution, strong sector tailwinds, and disciplined management can deliver exceptional results. From asset maintenance to infrastructure upgrades and defence tech, here are three industrials shares to watch closely this earnings season.

1. Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR)

At the time of writing, the Duratec share price has rallied more than 22% over the past 12 months — and there's reason for the optimism.

Duratec specialises in the remediation, protection, and life extension of critical infrastructure in sectors such as mining, energy, marine, defence, and transport. The company provides full asset lifecycle solutions, from condition assessments to maintenance and decommissioning.

Last week, Duratec expanded its national footprint with the acquisition of EIG Australia, an electrical infrastructure provider with expertise in fuel and fluid transfer systems. This strategic move strengthens Duratec's position in high-barrier, high-value sectors such as defence and mining.

With a healthy order book and growing capabilities in critical infrastructure, Duratec appears well-positioned heading into FY25 results.

2. Tasmea Ltd (ASX: TEA)

To date, the Tasmea share price has risen more than 150% in a year. The company has delivered outsized returns while quietly executing its industrial services and acquisition strategy.

Tasmea operates a national network of over 20 integrated businesses, offering maintenance, shutdown, and engineering services to sectors such as mining, renewables, defence, and water infrastructure. Many of its blue-chip clients are secured through long-term service agreements, providing a solid base of recurring revenue.

The company reported a 76.6% jump in first-half profit for FY25, reaffirmed full-year guidance of $52 million of NPAT, and rewarded shareholders with a fully franked special dividend. A recently upgraded FY26 forecast — now targeting $70 million in profit — signals management's confidence in ongoing growth.

Much of that momentum has come from smart acquisitions, including Future Engineering Group, which elevated its high-margin electrical division. 

3. GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)

As of today, GenusPlus shares have climbed over 100% over the past 12 months, fuelled by consistent contract wins and strong execution across power and telecom infrastructure.

Founded in 2017, the company operates across three core divisions — infrastructure, communications, and industrial services — offering end-to-end solutions from design and construction to maintenance and decommissioning.

GenusPlus posted a 33% increase in 1H FY25 revenue, with about 90% of its FY25–FY27 revenue already under contract, according to Bell Potter. Analysts see upside potential driven by structural demand in renewables, transmission upgrades, and telecom rollouts, especially as recent acquisitions expand its reach.

A strong balance sheet and upgraded earnings guidance round out what's been a breakout year for this small cap.

Foolish Takeaway

While market attention often shifts toward high-growth tech or dividend-heavy blue chips, these ASX industrial shares have been quietly delivering and may continue to do so this earnings season.

With sector tailwinds, strong order books, and smart strategic execution, Duratec, Tasmea, and GenusPlus are all worth watching as results roll in. Investors looking for exposure to infrastructure, energy, and asset services might find compelling opportunities hiding in plain sight.

The post These 3 industrial shares are quietly outperforming on the ASX appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) is up almost 10% since January. 

Broker Bell Potter has identified two ASX industrials shares that are currently undervalued, placing a buy recommendation on both. 

These companies currently have market caps between $300 to $400 million.

It is essential to remember that with growth shares comes risk, so understanding the basics of growth stock investing is critical before starting a growth investing strategy.

Let's see what the broker had to say about these options. 

Alliance Aviation Services Ltd (ASX: AQZ)

This aviation services provider serves the mining, energy, tourism, and government sectors and is currently the leading provider of FIFO (fly in, fly out) air charters in Australia.

Its share price has fallen 14.24% over the last year. 

However, broker Bell Potter has a buy recommendation and $3.80 price target. 

This indicates a 43.4% upside from its current share price. 

The broker was impressed by the record revenue of $339 million for the half year ending December 31, 2024. 

The broker also noted that the company maintains a focus on expanding its fleet, which is expected to support revenue growth.

Alliance Aviation demonstrated solid financial performance with growth in revenue and operational efficiency. The focus remains on strategic growth despite external challenges in labor costs and operational efficiency. Management is optimistic about future growth opportunities, mainly through fleet expansion and optimisation of services.

Bell Potter isn't the only broker tipping upside; Morgans also has a $3.80 price target on the aviation company's shares. 

An important date to watch will be August 20, when the company will release its full-year financial report for the year ended 30 June 2025.

Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR)

Duratec Ltd is an investment holding company. The company's operating segment includes Defence; Mining and Industrial; Building and Facades, Energy, and Others. It generates maximum revenue from the Defence segment.

Its share price has risen 21.43% in the past year. 

At the time of writing, shares in the investment holding company are trading at $1.53. Bell Potter has a price target of $1.80, indicating 17.65% upside. 

The broker believes the company's exposure to defence has it well positioned to benefit from sector tailwinds. 

Ongoing investments in infrastructure, particularly linked to defence and energy sectors, represent favourable market conditions for Duratec. The focus on sustainable and efficient project solutions aligns well with current industry trends.

The post Two ASX industrials shares with buy recommendations appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here's why they are falling:

Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)

The Catalyst Metals share price is down almost 4% to $6.38. This has been driven by news that the gold miner has completed a $150 million institutional placement. These funds are being raised at an issue price of $6.00 per new share. This represents a 9.6% discount to its last close price. Management advised that the placement was strongly supported by existing institutional shareholders and new high quality Australian and international institutional investors. CEO, James Champion de Crespigny, commented: "Over the past two years, Catalyst has steadily worked toward de-risking and simplifying its business. We felt the timing was right to bring further institutional support to our register. With almost $250m in cash, Catalyst is well funded to grow production at Plutonic, continue to explore the belt and pursue other growth initiatives."

Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR)

The Duratec Ltd share price is down almost 5% to $1.48. This morning, this leading contractor downgraded its guidance for FY 2025. It now expects revenue of $570 million to $585 million and EBITDA of $50 million to $53 million. This compares to its previous guidance ranges of $600 million to $640 million and $52 million to $56 million. Management blamed the downgrade on delays in expected project awards and weather disruptions.

Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF)

The Nufarm share price has continued its slide and is down a further 4.5% to $2.51. This crop protection company's shares have been sold off this week following the release of its half year results. Nufarm reported a 3% lift in revenue to $1,811 million but a 39% decline in statutory net profit after tax to $29.8 million. Its Seed Technologies business was to blame, reporting a 71% decline in underlying EBIT to $15.9 million. This was driven by lower licensing revenues, lower margins in omega-3, and lower canola revenues in Australia.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

The Rio Tinto share price is down over 1% to $117.53. This has been driven by news that the mining giant's CEO, Jakob Stausholm, will be stepping down from the role later this year. He will continue to lead Rio Tinto as chief executive and a member of the board of directors while a successor is appointed. Rio Tinto advised that a "rigorous selection process" is now underway.

The post Why Catalyst Metals, Duratec, Nufarm, and Rio Tinto shares are dropping today 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:

Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR)

The Duratec share price is up 5.5% to $1.32. This Australian contractor's shares are racing higher today after it announced a couple of major contract wins. Duratec and its 49% owned associate business, DDR Australia, have been awarded two new significant contracts across the Energy and Defence sectors. The first is the KBSB Wharf Refurbishment Project on behalf of Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS). The second is a contract with the Department of Defence in the Northern Territory to deliver a critical portfolio of work across the territory as part of the Project Phoenix portfolio of work. Combined, the value of the contracts is approximately $76 million.

Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT)

The Lotus Resources share price is up 9% to 23.5 cents. This has been driven by promising drilling results from the Africa-based uranium developer this morning. Lotus Resources revealed that the latest drilling from the Letlhakane Uranium Project in Botswana has intersected some of the thickest continuous zones of mineralisation to date. Importantly, some of this thicker mineralisation is starting as shallow as 8.2 metres. Management advised that drilling is on track to be completed in September, with an updated mineral resource estimate to be completed during November.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

The Paladin Energy share price is up 4.5% to $8.74. The catalyst for this is news that Fission Uranium Corp. (TSX: FCU) shareholders have narrowly voted in favour of being taken over by Paladin Energy. The company's CEO, Ian Purdy, commented: "We fully expect that the combination of our companies will create significant value for all shareholders. Fission's Patterson Lake South project is a natural fit for Paladin, delivering medium term development potential to augment production from the recently restarted Langer Heinrich Mine."

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

The ResMed share price is up 2% to $37.34. This appears to have been driven by an announcement by tech giant Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) overnight. When announcing its new iPhones, the company also announced a new Apple Watch. Apple revealed that its new Apple Watch Series 10 will be able to alert users to sleep apnoea by using an accelerometer to measure breathing disturbances while users are sleeping. It is estimated that there are over a billion sufferers of this disorder, with only 20% diagnosed. This technology could be a significant boost for awareness and lift demand for ResMed's industry-leading products.

The post Why Duratec, Lotus Resources, Paladin Energy, and ResMed shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In morning trade, the ASX All Ord stock is charging 7% higher to $1.34.

Why is this ASX All Ord stock leaping?

Investors have been buying the leading Australian contractor's shares following the announcement of major contract wins.

According to the release, Duratec and its 49% owned associate business, DDR Australia, have been awarded two new significant contracts across the Energy and Defence sectors.

Duratec has secured the KBSB Wharf Refurbishment Project on behalf of Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), while DDR has been awarded a contract with the Department of Defence in the Northern Territory to deliver a critical portfolio of work across the territory as part of the Project Phoenix portfolio of work.

The KBSB Wharf Refurbishment is located within the Port of Dampier in Western Australia. The KBSB Project is a $21.8 million onshore services contract with Woodside that aims to extend the service life, maintain the operational efficiency, and enhance the safety and resilience of the existing wharf facility.

Pre-work is anticipated to start in November, with commencement on site scheduled for February 2025. It is expected to be complete by the end of 2025.

The DDR Defence contract award has an overall contract value of $54.7 million, which makes it the largest contract awarded to DDR to date.

The ASX All Ord stock advised that the project's key objectives within the portfolio of work includes, refurbishment of existing buildings, upgrade of engineering services at transmit and receive sites, construction of a new receive site, installation of new fibre optic link cables connecting transmit and receive sites, and decommissioning of high-frequency communications infrastructure.

Early civil works are targeted to commence in October. After which, the combined duration of the current works is anticipated to be 30 months.

'Exciting steps forward'

The ASX All Ord stock's managing director, Chris Oates, was very pleased with the news. He said:

We are delighted to be working directly with Woodside as we execute Duratec's wider business strategy to pursue diversification through investment in the Energy sector. The DDR award demonstrates that the Company continues to be a trusted Defence partner, and we look forward to supporting DDR in delivering this significant project. These are exciting steps forward for both Duratec and DDR.

Duratec's shares remain down approximately 18% since the start of the year.

The post Guess which ASX All Ord stock is leaping 7% after landing $76 million of work appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

One is an investment holding company.

Another is a leading miner with a strong focus on copper.

And the third specialises in home fragrance products.

And if these brokers have it right, the ASX shares could post gains of 10%, 25% and more than 53% in the year ahead.

Which stocks are we talking about?

Read on!

(Broker data courtesy of The Australian.)

Three ASX shares upgraded by brokers

The first ASX share tipped for sizeable outperformance in FY 2025 is investment holding company Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR).

Duratec shares are down 1.6% in afternoon trade on Friday, currently at $1.22. That sees the Duratec share price down 2.8% in 12 months.

But Bell Potter believes the next 12 months should be much rosier for the company.

The broker started Duratec at a buy rating with a $1.52 price target. That's almost 25% above current levels.

The second stock receiving a broker upgrade is S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining share Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR).

The Sandfire share price is down 5.3% today at $8.17. But longer-term investors should still be sitting pretty, with shares up 36.4% in a year.

And Jarden Securities sees even more upside ahead. The broker raised Sandfire Resources to an overweight rating with a $9.00 price target. That represents a potential upside of more than 10% from current levels.

Which brings us to the third ASX share tipped for some sizeable outperformance, home fragrance product retailer Dusk Group Ltd (ASX: DSK).

Dusk shares are also joining in the broader market sell-off today, down 2.6% at 75 cents apiece. That sees the Dusk share price down 39.9% since this time last year.

But if Canaccord analyst Allan Franklin has it right, the next year will be a whole different story.

Pointing to second half sales growth improvement, spurred by Dusk's stronger online performance, Franklin sees a big turnaround ahead. He has a buy rating on the stock with a $1.15 price target. That's more than 53% above the current share price.

Foolish takeaway

While each of these ASX shares could return some market beating gains in FY 2025, always be sure to do your own research before investing any of your hard-earned money.

If you don't have the time for that, reach out for some expert advice.

The post 3 ASX shares brokers tip for significant outperformance in FY 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.