WAM Leaders is a listed investment company (LIC) that targets large, quality businesses for its portfolio.

While BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) may be two of the biggest companies on the ASX, they're not necessarily the two that WAM is optimistic about. Let's look at two that WAM holds.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)

WAM described Ampol as an integrated fuel and energy company with refining, distribution and retail operations across Australia and international markets.

The fund manager said that renewed tensions between the US and Iran during the month disrupted crude and refined oil supply, keeping the ASX blue-chip share's refining margins elevated.

WAM noted that Ampol recently gave the market a trading update which highlighted stronger earnings, supported by the heightened volatility over the period.

It was suggested by the investment team that the improved earnings outlook should support further debt reduction and a gradual strengthening of the balance sheet.

WAM said:

We remain constructive on the company's outlook given favourable trading conditions and following the recent acquisition of EG Group's Australian service station network (EG Australia), which significantly expands Ampol's convenience retail footprint?

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

Another ASX blue-chip share that WAM likes is Mirvac, a diversified Australian property group with exposure to residential development, office and retail assets.

WAM noted that the Mirvac share price was supported in July following the inflation number for the three months to June 2026 being lower than expected. This reinforced the fund manager's view that Australian interest rates are likely near their peak.

This dynamic has lifted sentiment towards real estate investment trusts (REITs), given their high sensitivity to interest rate expectations.

The WAM Leaders team believe the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will soon enter a rate-cutting cycle.

The fund manager notes that companies with residential exposure, including ASX blue-chip shares Mirvac and Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP), continue to trade at discounts to their net tangible assets (NTA). This valuation gap is "expected to gradually close as sentiment toward the real estate sector recovers and underlying conditions in the housing market continue to improve".

The post 2 ASX blue-chip shares experts rate as compelling appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This tough hump day for ASX investors followed a similarly bearish session on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) did start well, but quickly lost all momentum to finish down 0.25%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, dropping 1.16%.

But let's get back to the Australian bourse now and dive a little deeper into what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's loss, we still had a few corners of the market that managed to prosper today.

But first, it was again gold shares that copped it hardest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had another bruising session, cratering by 2.36%.

Communications stocks were hit hard as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) plunging 2.1%.

Mining shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) took a 2% dive this Wednesday.

Tech stocks were in the firing line too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 1.87% tumble.

Industrial shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its value cut by 0.52%.

Healthcare stocks were our last losers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sliding down 0.32%.

Turning to the green sectors, it was energy shares that topped the tables. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) vaulted 3.25% higher this hump day.

Utilities stocks also had a day to remember, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.22% spike.

Consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) surged up 1.04% this session.

Financial stocks attracted attention as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) leaping up 0.65%.

Next came real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) advanced 0.52% today.

Finally, consumer discretionary shares stayed out of trouble, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.4% jump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

This Wednesday's winning stock was energy share Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR). Karoon shares roared 6.64% higher this session to finish at $1.45 each. There wasn't any news out from the company today, but most energy shares did very well.

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

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

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

But shares deserve just as much attention.

While property can deliver impressive long-term returns, investing in quality ASX shares offers several advantages that many investors overlook. Here are three reasons why shares may be the smarter choice for growing wealth.

You can start investing with far less money

One of the biggest barriers to property investing is the upfront cost. Buying an investment property often requires a substantial deposit, stamp duty, legal fees, inspections, insurance and ongoing maintenance. For many Australians, saving enough to get started can take years.

ASX shares are different. You can begin building a diversified portfolio with a few hundred dollars and add to your investments whenever you have spare cash. Instead of waiting until you've saved tens of thousands of dollars, you can put your money to work immediately.

That flexibility also makes dollar-cost averaging much easier. By investing regularly, regardless of market conditions, investors can smooth out the impact of market volatility over time.

Shares give you instant diversification

Buying one investment property usually means putting a large amount of money into a single asset in a single location. If that suburb underperforms or the local economy weakens, your investment can suffer.

With ASX shares, diversification is much easier. An investor can spread their money across banks, miners, healthcare companies, retailers and technology businesses. They can also gain international exposure through exchange-traded funds (ETFs), reducing reliance on any one company, industry or economy.

Diversification won't eliminate risk, but it can significantly reduce the impact of any single investment disappointing.

More flexibility and liquidity 

Liquidity is one of the share market's biggest advantages. If you need access to your money, you can generally sell ASX shares within minutes during market hours, with the proceeds typically settling within a couple of business days.

Selling property is a completely different experience. The process can take weeks or months, involves agent commissions and legal costs, and there's no guarantee you'll achieve your desired sale price.

Shares also require far less ongoing management. There are no tenants to find, no repairs to organise, no leaking roofs to fix and no unexpected maintenance bills arriving in the mail.

Many companies even reward shareholders with regular dividends, providing an income stream without the day-to-day responsibilities that come with owning an investment property.

Why not combine the best of both worlds

Investors don't necessarily have to choose between ASX shares and property. A balanced approach can offer the best of both worlds.

For example, buying shares in REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) provides exposure to Australia's property market through the country's leading real estate listings platform, while Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) and Stockland Corp Ltd (ASX: SGP) give investors access to major residential and commercial property developments.

These ASX shares allow investors to benefit from housing market activity, rental demand, and new developments without the high upfront costs or ongoing responsibilities of owning an investment property. At the same time, they retain the flexibility and liquidity that come with investing on the share market.

The post Property or ASX shares? Here's why I'd choose the share market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Three RBA rate hikes since January have pushed the official cash rate to 4.35%, the highest level since 2011.

The impact on house prices is now showing up in the data. 

CBA's own economists forecast that dwelling price growth will slow to just 3% by December 2026, down from a prior forecast of 5%. 

What's more, the Federal Budget's negative gearing changes add a further headwind for established property prices.

For three of the most widely held ASX shares with direct property exposure, the implications are significant.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA): The listing volume threat

Rea Group is the most directly exposed of the three to the property price cycle. This is because its revenue depends on the volume and value of properties listed for sale rather than on owning property itself. 

REA Group shares have fallen 25% so far in 2026, as a combination of a softening property market and a Bell Potter downgrade to sell, with a $137 target, dented the stock's long-held premium.

The concern is straightforward: if falling prices reduce vendor confidence, fewer Australians choose to list their properties for sale, and REA's listing volume and yield per listing both come under pressure simultaneously.

That double headwind is precisely what Bell Potter flagged, noting that REA "currently trades around 28x FY27 P/E, which is a level it has historically only traded at during EPS declines."

The counterargument is equally straightforward: falling prices can extend the time a property sits on the market before selling, which actually increases the total listing revenue REA generates per transaction.

Whether that offset is enough to compensate for lower volumes is the core debate about REA's FY27 earnings.

Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP): New builds vs established markets

Stockland Corporation is one of Australia's largest residential developers.

The company develops new residential communities rather than selling existing ones. This has meant that the Federal Budget's negative gearing exemption for new builds directly benefits the company by channelling investor demand away from established properties and toward the new homes Stockland sells. 

Stockland shares have fallen 31% in 2026, dragged lower by interest rate fears alongside the broader real estate sector rather than by any deterioration in the company's operational performance.

The operational picture actually tells a different story.

In Q3 FY26, Stockland reported a 43% year-on-year lift in Masterplanned Communities sales and a 162% surge in Land Lease Community sales. These results were driven by the same housing shortage that policy changes are trying to address.  

Seven of 10 analysts covering Stockland have a buy or strong buy rating, reflecting confidence in the stock's future prospects.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR): A new-build tailwind hiding inside a falling market

Mirvac Group shares the same structural advantage as Stockland, developing new residential properties rather than trading established ones. 

The Federal Budget's decision to preserve the negative gearing concession for new builds while restricting it for established properties creates a direct demand incentive for investors to buy new Mirvac apartments and townhouses rather than established properties.

In Q3 FY26, Mirvac delivered a 28% year-on-year lift in residential sales, with management reaffirming full-year guidance. Furthermore, management confirmed the new-build demand tailwind is translating into real sales momentum. 

Mirvac shares have fallen approximately 25% over the past twelve months as the rate-hiking cycle weighed on REIT valuations across the sector. 

Despite this, Macquarie carries an outperform rating on Mirvac with a price target of $2.70. The broker has argued that the residential recovery and build-to-rent growth story can drive earnings higher even in a higher-for-longer rate environment. 

The common thread for ASX property stocks

Falling house prices are not uniformly bad news for every ASX company with property exposure.

REA Group faces the most direct headwind, with its listing revenue model exposed to both lower volumes and reduced vendor confidence. 

Stockland and Mirvac, as new residential developers, are paradoxically better positioned than their share price declines suggest. These companies benefit from the very policy changes driving established property prices lower.

For investors, understanding which side of that distinction each company sits on is the most important question heading into FY27. 

Foolish Takeaway

Property prices are falling in Australia's two largest cities, and the impact on ASX property shares is material.

REA Group faces the clearest earnings headwind as listing volumes soften.

Stockland and Mirvac, counterintuitively, may be among the few property-exposed ASX shares that benefit from today's policy environment. 

The post Property prices are falling. Here are the ASX shares most affected appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

When this happens, it means the rights to the dividend are locked in and new buyers won't be eligible to receive this payout when it is made.

This means that even if you bought shares today, the rights would stay with the seller and they would receive the dividend on pay day.

So, if you are a shareholder of any of the seven ASX 200 shares named below, you can look forward to a pay check coming your way in the not-so-distant future.

Here's what you need to know:

APA Group (ASX: APA)

This energy infrastructure company's shares are going ex-dividend this morning for its 30.5 cents per share final dividend. Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving this dividend on 16 September. Based on its last close price, this single payout equates to a 2.8% dividend yield.

Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

Industrial property company Centuria Industrial REIT recently declared a 4.2 cents per share quarterly dividend. It will be paying this to its shareholders on 14 August.

Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC)

Property giant Charter Hall's shares will be going ex-dividend today for its partially franked 25.8 cents per share dividend. Shareholders can expect to receive this payout at the very end of August.

Dexus (ASX: DXS)

Property developer Dexus recently declared a 17.7 cents per share dividend. This will be paid to eligible shareholders in around two months on 28 August.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Another ASX 200 share going ex-dividend today is industrial property giant Goodman. It recently declared a 15 cents per share final dividend. This will be paid to eligible shareholders on 26 August. Goodman has now paid out 15 cents per share in dividends every half since 2019.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

Another property developer that is going ex-dividend this morning is Mirvac. It recently declared a 4.8 cents per share quarterly dividend. Shareholders can look forward to receiving this on 31 August.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Finally, this toll road giant will be rewarding its shareholders with a 35 cents per share final dividend. They can expect to receive their pay check on 18 August. Based on where this ASX 200 share ended last week, this dividend represents a 2.3% dividend yield.

The post 7 ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 expected to rise again

The Australian share market looks set for a positive start to the week despite weakness on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 16 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.1%, the S&P 500 edged lower, and the Nasdaq fell 0.25%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a poor start to the week after oil prices tumbled on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 3.75% to US$69.23 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 4.3% to US$71.99 a barrel. However, reports of an escalation in US-Iran tensions could give oil a boost on Monday.

Buy Neuren shares

The team at Bell Potter thinks investors should be buying Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) shares. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the pharmaceuticals company's shares with an improved price target of $23.50. The broker said: "At the latest closing price, we therefore see effectively zero implied value for NEU's second asset, which in itself would be a multi-billion-dollar value asset should it succeed in the Phase 3 trial. The Phase 3 remains in the early stages of recruitment, with results not expected until the end of CY27 at the very earliest (pending recruitment pace). We maintain our BUY recommendation and increase PT to $23.50."

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares including Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good start to the week after the gold price rose on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 1.2% to US$4,096.3 an ounce. This gain was driven by a weaker US dollar but couldn't stop gold from recording its fourth weekly loss in a row.

Shares going ex-dividend

A large group of shares are due to go ex-dividend on Monday and could trade lower. This includes APA Group (ASX: APA), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC), Dexus (ASX: DXS), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL). The latter will be rewarding its shareholders with a 35 cents per share final dividend on 18 August.

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

What did Mirvac Group report?

• Distribution of 4.8 cents per stapled security
• Distribution relates solely to Mirvac Property Trust; no dividend from Mirvac Limited
• Distribution is fully unfranked
• Record date: 30 June 2026; ex-date: 29 June 2026
• Payment date: 31 August 2026
• Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP) is available

What else do investors need to know?

The distribution for this period applies only to Mirvac Property Trust, and not to Mirvac Limited. Securityholders can choose to receive their payments in either Australian or New Zealand dollars, depending on their nominated bank account and registered address.

Detailed tax component information for the distribution will be made available on the Mirvac website around the payment date. Investors may contact the share registry for further assistance regarding payment options or to update their details.

What's next for Mirvac Group?

Mirvac is set to pay the announced distribution by the end of August, with the final amount and currency exchange rates for New Zealand holders to be confirmed closer to the payment date. The company will release full tax component details online, helping investors manage tax requirements.

Looking ahead, eligible securityholders can reinvest their distribution through the DRP, which may appeal to those seeking to grow their investment in Mirvac over time.

Mirvac Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Mirvac Group shares have declined 22%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Mirvac Group announces June 2026 distribution appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The decision was widely expected, with markets pricing a hold at near-certainty heading into the meeting.

What matters more for ASX bank shares is what Governor Michele Bullock said after the decision.

What the RBA actually said

The board's decision was unanimous.

At the press conference, Bullock revealed that no one on the board even considered raising rates this month, but she refused to rule out further hikes.

She said:

I'd say the board is still concerned. And if we need to increase rates again, we will. I think the board feels now that we're in a better position than we were in at the beginning of the year, when interest rates were three quarters of a percentage point lower.

That is a hawkish hold.

The RBA statement noted that while oil prices had eased in recent weeks, related commodity prices remained higher than before the Middle East conflict began, and both headline and underlying inflation were still too high.

What it means for Commonwealth Bank shares

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) has forecast two rate cuts in May and August 2027. Alongside ANZ and NAB, all three banks now believing rates have peaked.

Westpac, notably, is the outlier, predicting another hike later in 2026 and again in September.

For CBA shareholders, a hold without a clear hiking signal removes near-term mortgage stress risk. But it also means the net interest margin tailwind from rising rates has likely ended.

In the first half of FY2026, CBA posted statutory net profit of $5.41 billion, up 5% year on year. This confirmed that the underlying business remains strong regardless of the rate outlook.

At approximately 26 times forward earnings, the stock still prices in little margin for error.

What it means for Westpac shares

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is the most mortgage-exposed of the big four bank shares, with approximately 69% of its loan book in residential mortgages.

Westpac's own economists are forecasting a different path to their domestic rivals, expecting the RBA to hike again later in 2026 and in September.

If that forecast proves correct, Westpac shareholders face a longer period of NIM support but also extended mortgage stress risk across the loan book.

Westpac declared a fully franked interim dividend of 77 cents per share, payable on 26 June, a payment that proceeds regardless of the RBA's rate path.

What it means for Mirvac shares

Although not technically a bank share, for Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), the RBA's hold is a positive signal, even with Bullock's hawkish caveats.

Property trusts are acutely sensitive to interest rates, and Tuesday's hold without an accompanying hike removes the most immediate valuation risk facing the sector.

The RBA noting that "the next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain" supports a better medium-term outlook for Mirvac shares.

Mirvac shares have fallen approximately 20% over the past twelve months as the hiking cycle weighed on REIT valuations.

Macquarie carries an outperform rating on Mirvac with a price target of $2.70, arguing the residential recovery story can drive earnings higher as the rate cycle turns.

Foolish takeaway for ASX bank shares

The RBA held rates at 4.35%, exactly as expected.

But Bullock's refusal to rule out further hikes, combined with Westpac's contrarian forecast of another increase later in 2026, means the uncertainty for CBA, Westpac, and Mirvac shareholders is far from resolved.

The next move me be down. The timing remains the biggest open question for ASX bank shares right now.

The post The RBA just held rates at 4.35%. Here's what it means for these ASX bank shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After years of relentless price growth, the combination of three RBA rate hikes, the federal budget's negative gearing changes, and stretched affordability is doing what many thought impossible: pushing house prices lower in Australia's two largest cities.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia's (ASX: CBA) own economists estimate the budget changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax will make established investment properties less attractive. As a result, house prices are expected to be about 3% lower than they otherwise would have been.

Dwelling price growth is now expected to be just 3% to December 2026, down from an earlier forecast of 5%.

Investors are naturally asking themselves what this means for these three widely held ASX shares.

What falling house prices mean for CBA shares

CBA sits at the centre of the Australian housing market.

It is Australia's largest mortgage lender, and falling house prices create two distinct risks for shareholders.

First, lower property values reduce the collateral backing existing mortgages, increasing loan-to-value ratios.

Second, three cash rate hikes have subtracted 1.5 percentage points from the banks' 2026 price growth forecasts. The restriction of negative gearing will also weigh on prices, with CBA estimating this policy change will subtract 0.6 percentage points from annual price growth by the end of this year.

That slowdown will reduce the appetite for new borrowing, which directly impacts CBA's mortgage volume growth.

In the first half of FY2026, CBA posted statutory net profit of $5.41 billion, confirming the underlying business remains strong.

But at a premium valuation, there is little room for a meaningful deterioration in credit quality.

What falling house prices mean for REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group is Australia's dominant online property platform, operating realestate.com.au.

Its revenue model depends on property listing volumes and the fees charged to agents and developers.

Falling house prices create a complex picture for REA. A slowing market with more days on market can actually increase listing volumes as vendors spend longer trying to sell.

However, a sustained price decline can dampen vendor confidence, reducing the number of people willing to list at all.

REA Group's first-half FY2026 result delivered revenue growth of 21% to $912 million, driven by strong listings and yield improvements. That momentum reflects a market that was still functioning actively in the first half.

The second half will test whether REA's yield-per-listing growth can compensate if vendor confidence softens.

Bell Potter recently downgraded REA Group to sell with a $137 price target, noting the valuation looks stretched relative to a property market losing momentum.

What falling house prices mean for Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

For Mirvac, falling house prices present a more nuanced picture.

Mirvac develops new residential properties, not existing ones.

The federal budget's negative gearing changes actually benefit Mirvac by exempting new builds from restrictions applying to established properties. This has created a direct policy incentive for investors to buy new rather than existing properties.

In Q3 FY2026, Mirvac delivered a 28% year-on-year lift in residential sales, reaffirming its full-year guidance and confirming the new-build demand tailwind is real.

Mirvac shares have still fallen approximately 26% over the past twelve months as the rate hiking cycle weighed on REIT valuations.

Macquarie carries an outperform rating on Mirvac with a price target of $2.70, arguing the residential recovery and build-to-rent growth story may drive earnings higher even in a higher-for-longer rate environment.

Foolish takeaway

Falling house prices are not a disaster for all ASX shares with property exposure.

CBA faces credit quality headwinds if the slowdown deepens.

REA Group must navigate lower vendor confidence against strong yield-per-listing growth.

Mirvac, counterintuitively, may be one of the few property-exposed ASX shares that actually benefits from the policy environment driving the slowdown.

Understanding which side of the falling house prices story each company sits on is the most important question for investors right now.

The post What falling house prices could mean for these widely held ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

On Tuesday 17 June 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia board will meet to decide on the official cash rate.

The RBA has already raised the cash rate three times in 2026, taking it to 4.35%, the highest level since late 2011.

Markets are currently pricing a hold at near-certainty.

But the language that accompanies that hold could move ASX shares as much as the decision itself.

Why this meeting is important for ASX shares

The three prior hikes each blindsided markets. This one is different.

The April CPI data showed headline inflation at 4.2%, below the 4.4% forecast, immediately pushing the probability of a June hike to near zero.

But the underlying story is more complex. Trimmed mean inflation rose to 3.4% in April, its highest reading since late 2024. This indicator is still well above the RBA's 2% to 3% target band.

The Middle East conflict has also pushed oil prices back toward $92 per barrel this week, complicating the inflation picture further.

What the RBA says about the path ahead will determine how these ASX shares trade for the rest of the month.

What it means for Commonwealth Bank shares

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) finds itself in a bind heading into the meeting.

Higher rates support net interest margins, which is good for earnings.

But elevated rates also increase mortgage stress and weaken credit demand, both of which eventually weigh on earnings.

A hold removes the near-term risk of further stress.

However, as Morgan Stanley noted, a pause also removes the NIM expansion tailwind that has been partially offsetting deposit competition pressure.

In the first half of FY2026, CBA posted statutory net profit of $5.41 billion, up 5% year-on-year, confirming the underlying business is strong.

At approximately 26 times forward earnings, however, the stock prices in little margin for error.

What it means for Westpac shares

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is the most mortgage-exposed of the big four banks, with approximately 69% of its loan book in residential mortgages.

Each additional rate hike puts further pressure on those borrowers. A clean hold on Tuesday, combined with dovish language, is the outcome Westpac shareholders most need.

Westpac declared a fully franked interim dividend of 77 cents per share, payable on 26 June. That payment will proceed regardless of what the RBA does on Tuesday.

But the outlook for Westpac shares next week depends heavily on how the RBA frames the path ahead.

What it means for Mirvac shares

For Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), Tuesday's decision could be the single most important catalyst the stock faces in the second half of 2026.

Property trusts are acutely sensitive to interest rates because higher rates simultaneously increase borrowing costs and compress asset valuations.

Mirvac shares have fallen approximately 27% over the past twelve months as the rate hiking cycle weighed on REIT valuations.

A definitive signal that the hiking cycle is over would remove the single biggest valuation headwind the stock faces.

In the first half of FY2026, Mirvac posted a 38% year-on-year lift in residential sales, confirming the underlying business is growing strongly.

Macquarie carries an outperform rating on Mirvac with a price target of $2.70.

A dovish RBA signal next Tuesday could accelerate that re-rating significantly.

Foolish takeaway

Three rate hikes in 2026 have already done significant damage to rate-sensitive ASX shares.

Next week's decision may not necessarily resolve the uncertainty.

But the language accompanying it will tell investors a great deal about whether the worst is behind them.

For CBA, Westpac, and Mirvac shareholders, it is the most important date in the calendar right now.

The post Why the RBA's decision next week could be the most important event for ASX shares in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The official cash rate now sits at 4.35%, matching the highest level since December 2011.

On 16 June, the RBA board will meet again. And while markets are currently pricing in a hold at near-certainty, the language that accompanies that decision could move ASX shares as much as the decision itself.

Here is why this meeting matters so much, and what it means for three of the most widely held stocks on the ASX.

Why the June meeting is so consequential

The RBA will announce its next interest rate decision on 16 June.

Futures markets moved decisively after the April CPI release. Swap pricing is now assigning a probability exceeding 95% to the RBA holding the official cash rate at 4.35% when the board convenes in mid-June.

That represents a sharp reversal from earlier in May, when markets had assigned meaningful odds to a fourth consecutive hike following the surprising jump in March CPI to 4.6%.

However, the pause may be fragile. The focal point for the RBA will be the trimmed mean inflation print. This indicator would need to break decisively below the top of the 2% to 3% target band.

Unfortunately for investors, this has not yet happened. Trimmed mean inflation rose to 3.4% in April, its highest reading since late 2024.

Markets are pricing in at least one further 25 basis point increase later in the year, likely during the September or October meeting. This would take the cash rate to 4.60%.

What the RBA says on 16 June about the outlook for further hikes will therefore be just as important as the decision itself.

What it means for CBA shares

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) sits in an unusual position relative to the RBA's hiking cycle.

Higher rates support net interest margins, which is good for earnings.

But elevated rates also increase mortgage stress across CBA's enormous home loan book, which is the most important credit risk variable the bank manages.

CBA has in recent times traded at a very significant premium to its historical valuation.

A RBA hold on 16 June, accompanied by dovish language suggesting the hiking cycle is complete, would likely sustain CBA's momentum.

A hold with hawkish language, or worse a surprise hike, could trigger a sharp reversal.

What it means for Westpac shares

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is a simpler story than CBA on rates.

Westpac has approximately 69% of its loan book in residential mortgages, making it the most mortgage-exposed of the big four banks.

That means Westpac shareholders want the RBA to stop hiking more urgently than almost any other group of investors in Australia.

Each additional rate rise puts further pressure on the households servicing the $500-odd billion in mortgages on Westpac's books, raising the risk of arrears and credit losses.

A clean hold on 16 June, with language signalling the RBA is comfortable waiting for inflation data to improve, would be the best possible outcome for Westpac shares.

Westpac declared a fully-franked interim dividend of 77 cents per share, payable 26 June.

This implies a forward grossed-up yield of approximately 6.2% at the current share price of $35.59.

That income floor remains attractive regardless of what the RBA does, but the capital outlook depends heavily on credit quality holding up.

What it means for Mirvac shares

For Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), the RBA's 16 June decision could be the single most important short-term catalyst the stock has faced all year.

Property trusts are acutely sensitive to interest rates because higher rates simultaneously increase borrowing costs and compress asset valuations through the discount rate applied to future cash flows.

Mirvac shares have fallen 30% over the past twelve months as the RBA's hiking cycle has weighed on REIT valuations across the sector.

A definitive signal on 16 June that the RBA is done hiking would remove the single biggest overhang on the stock.

In the first half of FY 2026, Mirvac posted a 38% year-on-year lift in residential sales, confirming the underlying residential business is growing strongly regardless of the rate backdrop.

The federal budget's new-build negative gearing exemption adds a further demand tailwind.

A dovish RBA signal on 16 June could significantly accelerate a re-rating for Mirvac shares.

Foolish Takeaway

Three rate hikes have already done significant damage to rate-sensitive ASX shares in 2026.

The 16 June meeting will not necessarily resolve the uncertainty, but the language accompanying the decision will tell investors a great deal about whether the worst is behind them.

For CBA, Westpac, and Mirvac shareholders, it is the most important date in the calendar right now.

The post Why the RBA's next move could be the most important event for ASX shares in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The April CPI print showed headline inflation slowing to 4.2% annually, below the 4.4% consensus forecast.

The ASX 200 rose 0.69%, helped by rate-sensitive ASX financial stocks.

But before investors get too comfortable, there is a more complicated story buried in the data.

The number that actually matters moved the wrong way

The RBA does not set monetary policy based purely on headline CPI.

It focuses on trimmed mean inflation, which strips out the most volatile price movements to reveal underlying price momentum.

Yesterday's data showed trimmed mean inflation rising to 3.4% annually, its highest reading since late 2024.

The RBA's target band is 2% to 3%.

Trimmed mean inflation is not just above that band, but actually rising.

The headline undershoot was driven almost entirely by the government's temporary fuel excise reduction, which pushed automotive fuel prices lower.

That relief unwinds in July, at which point headline CPI will face direct upward pressure.

According to Westpac's economics team, trimmed mean inflation is forecast to remain above 3% until end-2027, with the cash rate on hold until 2028 when the RBA is expected to begin cutting.

So why did the market rally?

Markets were bracing for something worse.

March CPI came in at 4.6%, and with oil prices having surged above US$105 per barrel in April, many economists feared a worse outcome.

The April print was a relief relative to those fears, even if it was not good news in absolute terms.

The probability of a June rate hike has now receded to near zero, and that removal of near-term tightening risk was enough to send rate-sensitive stocks sharply higher.

What it means for Commonwealth Bank

For Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), the inflation picture cuts both ways.

Higher rates for longer support net interest margins, which is good for earnings.

But elevated rates also increase the risk of mortgage stress across CBA's enormous home loan book.

CBA declared a fully franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share for the first half of FY2026, up 4.4% year-on-year, backed by a 5% lift in statutory net profit to $5.41 billion.

That result was delivered in a high-rate environment, underscoring CBA's ability to generate strong earnings even when conditions are tight.

The stock trades at approximately 27 times forward earnings, a premium that reflects its quality but leaves little room for disappointment if credit conditions deteriorate.

What it means for Mirvac

For Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), the implications are more direct.

Property trusts are acutely sensitive to interest rates because higher rates increase borrowing costs and compress asset valuations simultaneously.

The removal of a June hike from market pricing was the primary driver of yesterday's rally in rate-sensitive ASX financial stocks, and Mirvac was a clear beneficiary.

However, with trimmed mean inflation moving higher and the fuel excise unwind arriving in July, the path to rate cuts remains distant.

If Westpac's forecast of a late 2027 return to target proves correct, Mirvac and its REIT peers face another eighteen months of elevated rates before meaningful relief arrives.

The good news is that Mirvac is not simply waiting for rates to fall.

Residential sales lifted 38% year on year in the first half of FY2026, and the federal budget's new-build negative gearing exemption adds a further demand tailwind for its development pipeline.

Foolish takeaway

Yesterday's inflation news was better than feared, without being great.

The headline number was flattered by a temporary fuel excise cut that disappears in July, and the trimmed mean measure the RBA actually watches moved higher.

For investors in ASX financial stocks like CBA and Mirvac, the removal of a near-term rate hike is welcome news.

But the path to rate cuts remains long, and the inflation fight is far from won.

The post Investors are celebrating yesterday's inflation news. Here's how it might impact ASX financial stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But the latest forecasts from Master Builders Australia reveal the country is drifting further from that goal, not closer.

The most recent industry forecasts show the expected shortfall has now grown to 180,200 homes, up from a 160,000 gap projected just months earlier.

In 2024-25 alone, 180,500 homes were started, almost 60,000 short of the Accord's annual target of 240,000.

Chief Economist Shane Garrett put it plainly:

Australians are crying out for more housing, but demand is being left unrealised. Projects are stalled by rising costs, low productivity and long build times. Without rapid reform, the activity needed to deliver 1.2 million homes will not materialise.

For investors, that shortfall may be a tailwind for ASX-listed companies that develop, build, and supply the Australian housing market.

Here's 3 ASX shares that could benefit.

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

James Hardie Industries is the world's leading producer of fibre cement building products and supplies a significant portion of the cladding, siding, and external building materials used in Australian residential construction.

The company has had a difficult year, with shares down sharply after organic net sales declined 2% for FY2026 as North American housing demand remained subdued and channel inventory normalisation weighed on volumes.

However, the FY2026 full-year result also contained reasons for optimism.

James Hardie reported net sales of US$4.84 billion for FY2026, up 25% year-on-year, supported by the contribution from the transformative AZEK acquisition, which added a Deck, Rail and Accessories division generating US$795.2 million in revenue and US$224.8 million in EBITDA.

Adjusted EBITDA for the full year reached US$1.27 billion, exceeding internal guidance, and management is targeting 4% to 8% pro forma adjusted EBITDA growth in FY2027.

As Australia's housing construction target creates years of sustained demand for new building materials, James Hardie's fibre cement products and its growing Deck, Rail and Accessories portfolio position it well to benefit from any recovery in residential construction volumes.

Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP)

Stockland is one of Australia's largest residential land and housing developers.

The stock is arguably the most direct ASX play on the government's housing construction agenda.

The company operates one of the largest masterplanned community portfolios in the country, with developments in growth corridors across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth that are specifically designed to deliver the affordable, family-oriented housing that the government's 1.2 million home target prioritises.

In Q3 FY2026, Stockland reported a 43% year-on-year lift in Masterplanned Communities sales and a 162% surge in Land Lease Community sales, underscoring the extraordinary demand the business is currently capturing.

The company is targeting 7,500 to 8,500 lot settlements in Masterplanned Communities and 700 to 800 homes in Land Lease Communities in FY2026, each with operating margins in the low 20% range.

Stockland is maintaining FY2026 guidance of 36.0 to 37.0 cents funds from operations per security and a distribution of 25.2 cents.

Furthermore, the company has partnered with EdgeConneX to develop data centres on its industrial land, adding a high-value new use case for its extensive land bank that complements its residential development pipeline.

In addition, the federal budget's negative gearing exemption for new builds creates a direct demand catalyst for Stockland's masterplanned community product.

This is because investors seeking tax-effective property exposure will increasingly favour newly built homes over established properties.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

Mirvac rounds out the trio as a diversified property developer with a growing residential pipeline and Australia's most advanced build-to-rent platform.

The company stands to benefit from both the structural housing shortage and the federal budget's new-build exemption to negative gearing changes.

These two together create a powerful demand tailwind for developers of new residential product.

In the first half of FY2026, Mirvac posted a 38% year-on-year lift in residential sales, with settlements up 22% and gross margins recovering from recent lows.

The company restocked its development pipeline with approximately 2,300 new lots during the half, ensuring it has the land supply to meet expected demand growth over the next three to five years.

Foolish takeaway

Australia's housing shortfall is not a short-term problem.

The combination of population growth, a structural undersupply of new dwellings, and a government policy environment that now actively incentivises new construction creates a multi-year tailwind for ASX-listed housing developers and building materials companies.

James Hardie, Stockland, and Mirvac each offer different risk and return profiles within the same theme.

Together they represent three ways to position a portfolio for what could be one of the most enduring investment tailwinds on the ASX over the rest of this decade.

The post Australia is 180,000 homes short of its 2029 target. Here's 3 ASX shares that could benefit appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

From 1 July 2027, negative gearing will be abolished for established residential properties purchased after 7:30pm on 12 May 2026, with the only exception being newly built homes.

For most property investors, that is bad news.

For Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), it could be one of the most important tailwinds the company has received in years.

What the budget actually changes

Negative gearing on investment properties purchased after 12 May 2026 will no longer be available from July 2027 onwards.

This means that investors buying existing homes can no longer offset rental losses against their other income.

New builds, however, remain fully exempt from this change.

Investors who buy a newly constructed property will still access both negative gearing and the existing 50% capital gains tax discount, giving them a clear and meaningful tax advantage over buyers of established properties.

Furthermore, build-to-rent developments and properties held in widely held trusts and superannuation funds also receive exemptions, a provision that directly benefits Mirvac's LIV Mirvac build-to-rent platform.

In short, the government has tilted the tax playing field toward new construction and away from established property.

Mirvac is one of the clearest beneficiaries on the ASX.

Why Mirvac is uniquely positioned

Mirvac is an integrated developer, investor, and fund manager with operations spanning residential masterplanned communities, premium office, industrial logistics, retail town centres, and Australia's largest build-to-rent platform.

The residential development business, which delivers new homes and apartments in high-demand urban corridors across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, stands to benefit directly from the structural shift in investor demand toward new builds.

In Q3 FY2026, Mirvac reported a 28% year-on-year lift in residential sales, well before the budget announcement landed.

That momentum should accelerate as investors increasingly seek the tax advantages that only new construction can deliver.

Mirvac's build-to-rent platform provides an additional and increasingly powerful angle.

The $1.7 billion LIV Mirvac Build-to-Rent Fund, recently recapitalised with Australian Retirement Trust acquiring a significant stake, owns operational assets in Brisbane and Melbourne and is actively developing new sites in growth corridors.

As existing landlords sell established properties to exit the less tax-advantaged environment, rental supply from the private investor market may tighten.

This may push renters toward institutional build-to-rent operators like LIV Mirvac and supporting rental income growth across the portfolio.

The numbers behind the business

In the first half of FY2026, Mirvac posted a 5% lift in operating profit to $248 million, with operating earnings per security of 6.3 cents, up 5% on the prior half.

CEO Campbell Hanan described the result as a strong half-year performance, noting:

Positive momentum saw residential sales increase 38 per cent year-on-year, with settlements up 22 per cent and a recovery in gross margins. The significant restocking of our development pipeline is also in line with our focus on Living and Premium-grade Office, and, coupled with a number of key launches and completions in the coming 18 months, provides excellent future earnings visibility.

Management reaffirmed full-year FY2026 guidance of 12.8 to 13.0 cents operating earnings per security and a distribution of 9.5 cents per security, up 5.6% on the prior year.

The valuation case

Mirvac shares have declined approximately 25% over the past twelve months, trailing the ASX 200's significantly, as higher interest rates weighed on REIT valuations across the sector.

That underperformance has created an interesting entry point.

Macquarie has named Mirvac as one of four ASX REITs it expects to surge higher in 2026, pointing to improving residential margins, the growing build-to-rent franchise, and the budget tailwinds as key catalysts for a re-rating.

Foolish takeaway

Mirvac shares may not double overnight.

The interest rate environment, while improving, remains a headwind for REIT valuations, and the translation of budget policy into on-the-ground sales momentum will take time.

However, for investors with a multi-year time horizon, the combination of a recovering residential business, Australia's largest build-to-rent platform, and a policy shift toward new construction makes Mirvac one of the most interesting property stocks on the ASX today.

The post Why this ASX property stock could be a surprise winner from Australia's negative gearing changes appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Black Cat Syndicate Ltd (ASX: BC8)

The Black Cat Syndicate share price is down 10% to $1.18. Investors have been selling this gold miner's shares following the release of its quarterly update. It reported group gold production of 23,952 ounces (including third-party production of 11,553 ounces). This was below its guidance for 25,000 to 28,000 ounces. Nevertheless, Black Cat Syndicate posted operating cash flow of $61 million from 10,374 ounces of gold sold at an average realised price of $6,817 per ounce.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

The Mirvac share price is down over 2% to $1.74. This follows the release of the property company's third-quarter update. While Mirvac delivered a solid update, some of its commentary may have spooked investors. Mirvac's CEO, Campbell Hanan, said: "We are monitoring the potential impacts of the conflict in the Middle East, and are proactively managing the risks, with a sharpened focus on protecting liquidity, active supply chain management, and selective capital deployment. [..] Selected projects have seen a moderation in sales in recent weeks, but overall market fundamentals are solid, and enquiries remain strong."

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas Airways share price is down over 3% to $8.58. Investors may have been selling Qantas shares today after oil prices charged higher overnight. Traders were bidding oil prices higher after Iran prevented ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The shares of fellow airline Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VGN) are also tumbling on Thursday.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

The Temple & Webster share price is down almost 6% to $6.22. This has been driven by news that the online furniture retailer's founder and CEO, Mark Coulter, is transitioning to an executive chair role from July. Temple & Webster advised that Coulter will be replaced by Susie Sugden, who previously held the roles of chief commercial officer and chief marketing officer at the company between 2016 and 2020. Commenting on the news, Mark Coulter said: "Bringing back Susie – a proven former executive at Temple & Webster, will provide me with more capacity to focus on strategy and longer-term growth opportunities, which will only become more important as we scale. I look forward to working closely with Susie as we continue our journey to become the largest retailer of furniture and homewares in Australia."

The post Why Black Cat, Mirvac, Qantas, and Temple & Webster shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Mirvac report?

• 1,896 residential sales recorded year to date (YTD), up 28% on the same period last year
• Residential pre-sales grew 13% since 1H26, reaching around $1.8 billion
• Strong portfolio occupancy maintained at approximately 97%, with over 90,000 sqm of leasing achieved
• Operating earnings per security (EPS) guidance reiterated at 12.8–13.0 cents (6.7% to 8.3% growth)
• Distribution guidance reaffirmed at 9.5 cents (up 5.6%)
• Mirvac Wholesale Office Fund raised a further ~$200 million, totalling ~$630 million in 12 months

What else do investors need to know?

Mirvac's Living business saw continuing momentum, including 592 sales in the latest quarter and strong performance at new projects in Queensland and Western Australia. Land lease communities achieved 428 sales YTD, up 42% year-on-year, reflecting ongoing demand across key regions.

In the investment portfolio, leasing spreads improved to +6.8%, while the company welcomed new income from completed developments like Aspect North & South in Sydney, now about 98% leased. Mirvac also progressed a number of major development milestones, including approvals for a 1,750-home project at Wantirna South, Victoria, and secured contracts for Sydney's Blackwattle Bay precinct.

What's next for Mirvac?

Mirvac has reiterated its full-year FY26 guidance, with expectations for continued growth in operating EPS and distributions, subject to market conditions. The group highlights secured pipeline opportunities and ongoing progress in major projects, underpinning its outlook.

Management flagged a proactive approach to managing macroeconomic and supply chain risks, noting construction timelines remain on track and sales fundamentals are broadly solid, especially in the key NSW, Queensland, and WA markets. Focus remains on delivering on targets, unlocking new opportunities, and ensuring balance sheet strength.

Mirvac share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Mirvac Group shares have declined 20%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Mirvac provides Q3 FY26 operational update; reaffirms upbeat guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This comes as weakness across the real estate sector continues following a global sell-off caused by the Middle East crisis.

In early afternoon trade, the Mirvac share price is down 0.29% to $1.71. Earlier in the session, the stock fell as low as $1.685, marking its weakest intraday level since September 2015.

That leaves Mirvac shares down 20% in 2026, extending what has become a persistent de-rating for the ASX property stock.

Let's take a closer look at what may be keeping pressure.

The rate backdrop is still working against property stocks

Mirvac's latest weakness still appears to be driven more by broader sector conditions.

Listed property stocks remain highly sensitive to interest rate expectations. That pressure has stayed elevated as bond yields remain high and inflation risks continue to cloud the rate outlook.

Mirvac is especially exposed because it spans both residential development and commercial property, with earnings linked to apartment settlements as well as office and retail asset values.

This leaves the stock vulnerable whenever markets push rate cuts further out, or long-term yields move higher.

Its February half-year result was still solid, with operating profit after tax up 5% to $248 million, residential sales rising 38%, and net tangible assets increasing to $2.26 per stapled security. The interim distribution also lifted to 4.7 cents.

Management also reaffirmed FY26 guidance for operating earnings of 12.8 cents to 13 cents per security and distributions of 9.5 cents, supported by expected residential settlements of 2,000 to 2,300 lots.

That suggests the share price weakness is still more about valuation pressure across the REIT sector.

The valuation backdrop is starting to look more interesting

At $1.71, Mirvac is now trading at a notable discount to its latest book value per share of $2.329.

The stock is also offering a trailing yield above 5%, based on annual distributions of 9.2 cents.

That mix of discounted asset backing and income appeal is likely keeping value-focused investors interested, even while price momentum remains weak.

For now, the chart still suggests the market is applying a larger risk premium to office exposure, residential settlements, and businesses closely tied to the path of interest rates.

With the shares now back at levels last seen more than a decade ago, Mirvac is moving back onto the radar for ASX property investors.

The post Mirvac shares sink to their lowest level since 2015. Is this ASX property giant back on the radar? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Three ASX dividend shares stand out for their mix of appealing income, asset backing, and recovery potential: Dexus (ASX:DXS), Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), and Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC). 

Dexus: premium assets, premium yield

Dexus remains one of the clearest contrarian income plays on the ASX after appearing on one of the latest fresh 52-week lows scan. Its biggest strength is institutional-grade office, industrial, healthcare, and infrastructure exposure, backed by a vast $51.5 billion real assets platform. 

The market's main concern is obvious: CBD office valuations and leasing demand. Higher bond yields and softer white-collar occupancy trends continue to weigh on sentiment, which explains why the ASX dividend share remains under pressure.

Still, the distribution story remains attractive. Dexus recently confirmed its February 2026 distribution payment, continuing its typical half-year payout structure, and the forward yield sits around 6.3% to 6.6% at current prices. 

For patient investors, this is the classic "buy when office fear peaks" setup.

Mirvac Group: diversified and less office-dependent

Mirvac offers a slightly different flavour of income. This ASX dividend share has also been dragged toward yearly lows with the broader REIT sector. Its strength lies in diversification across residential development, retail, industrial, and premium office assets. That broader earnings mix can make it less vulnerable than pure office landlords.

The risk, however, is that apartment settlements and commercial valuations are both highly rate-sensitive. If inflation remains sticky, the recovery could take longer than bulls hope.

On income, Mirvac's payout policy has historically been based on operating earnings and cash generation from both rent and development profits, usually paid in two instalments annually.

The yield around these levels is generally 5.5% to 6%, which becomes especially attractive when the stock is trading near 12-month lows. 

Charter Hall Group: the defensive income specialist

For pure passive income, Charter Hall may be the standout of the trio.  

The biggest strength of this ASX dividend share is right in the name: long weighted average lease expiry (WALE). This means rental income is typically locked in for years with blue-chip tenants. That makes distributions more predictable than most office-heavy REITs.

The key risk is that higher interest costs compress property values and slow external growth, even when rent collections remain stable.

The payout policy of this ASX dividend share is built around steady quarterly or semi-annual rental-backed distributions. Dividend yields can push north of 7% near cyclical lows, making it the most compelling pure-income pick of the three.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares near 52-week lows with very tempting yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Mirvac Group report?

• EBIT of $398 million, up 10% from 1H25
• Operating profit after tax of $248 million, up 5% on the prior year
• Statutory profit of $319 million, a significant increase from $1 million in 1H25
• Half-year distribution of 4.7 cents per security, up from 4.5cpss
• Net tangible assets rose to $2.30 per security (from $2.26 at FY25)
• Residential sales surged 38%, with 1,304 lots exchanged and settlements up 22%

What else do investors need to know?

Mirvac continued its momentum in the Living segment, restocking its residential pipeline with around 2,300 new lots and settling 835 lots for the half. The business also secured two new land lease sites and completed strong volumes in both settlements and sales, signalling ongoing demand for quality housing.

On the capital front, Mirvac entered a notable joint venture with Mitsubishi Estate to deliver the Harbourside project in Sydney, raising approximately $1 billion. The company's $1.7 billion LIV Mirvac Build to Rent Fund also saw recapitalisation, with major investor Australian Retirement Trust acquiring a significant stake.

Mirvac's commercial portfolio remained resilient, reporting high occupancy (98%) and 4.4% like-for-like net operating income growth. The group's strong balance sheet featured headline gearing of 25.8% and available liquidity of about $1.1 billion.

What did Mirvac Group management say?

Mirvac's CEO & Managing Director, Campbell Hanan, said:

We delivered a strong performance across all parts of the business in the first half of FY26, underpinned by the continued execution of our strategy. Positive momentum saw residential sales increase 38 per cent year-on-year, with settlements up 22 per cent and a recovery in gross margins. The significant restocking of our development pipeline is also in line with our focus on Living and Premium-grade Office, and, coupled with a number of key launches and completions in the coming 18 months, provides excellent future earnings visibility.

What's next for Mirvac Group?

Mirvac has reaffirmed its FY26 guidance, targeting operating earnings of 12.8 to 13.0 cents per security and distributions of 9.5 cents, subject to key assumptions. The business expects continued residential momentum, with targets for 2,000 to 2,300 lot settlements in FY26 and a focus on growing future pipeline projects.

Ongoing investment in high-quality, well-located commercial assets and strategic capital partnerships are anticipated to strengthen the group's income streams and support earnings growth. Management sees recent margin restoration and robust sales as providing good visibility and near-term confidence.

Mirvac Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Mirvac Group shares have declined 11%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Mirvac Group posts 5% profit growth, expands pipeline in 1H26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The market is taking a breather after a strong week that saw the ASX 200 lift to a 14-week high of 9,105 points.

Earnings season is well underway, with strong results from several majors pushing the ASX 200 3.84% higher by Thursday's close.

On Wednesday, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) surprised the market with a 6% cash profit lift for 1H FY26.

That saw CBA shares snatch the crown as the largest ASX 200 stock by market cap back from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) on Thursday.

CBA declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share, up 4% from 1H FY25, with the ex-dividend date next Wednesday.

Check out other ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend next week here.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) also surprised with a $1.94 billion cash profit in 1Q FY26, up 75% on the 2H FY25 quarterly average.

That news sent ANZ shares to a record high of $40.95 today.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) also impressed with a 41% lift in statutory profit to $714.4 million for 1H FY26.

Northern Star will pay a fully-franked interim dividend of 25 cents per share.

The positive result sent the largest gold miner on the ASX 200 to a record high of $30.21 per share yesterday.

While some ASX 200 shares are hitting record highs, many are skirting new lows this week.

ASX 200 shares at 52-week lows on Friday

Scores of ASX 200 shares are hitting multi-year lows today.

Here is a sample of them.

JB Hi‑Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

The JB Hi‑Fi Ltd share price fell 3.9% to an 18-month low of $76.34 on Friday.

The popular retailer is due to release its earnings report on Monday, according to our calendar.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple & Webster shares dipped 5.2% to a two-year low of $7.24.

This ASX 200 retail share got smashed this week after dropping its 1H FY26 report.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price has disintegrated on Friday after the release of the company's 1H FY26 results.

The ASX 200 healthcare share nosedived 17.8% to a two-and-a-half-year low of $202.21.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price tumbled 5.4% to a three-year low of $72.26 on Friday.

Tech shares are having a rough trot, particularly those in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) space, due to fears that AI will replace them.

The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) is down 24% in the year to date.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus shares dived 8.3% to a two-and-a-half-year low of $118.23 on Friday.

Investors thrashed this ASX 200 healthcare share despite the company reporting record results this week.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Aristocrat Leisure shares dipped 4.9% to an 18-month low of $48.48 on Friday.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Today, the WiseTech share price tanked 14.7% to a three-and-a-half-year low of $40.59.

Wisetech will release its earnings report on Wednesday.

Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne shares dropped 7.1% to an 18-month low of $20.17 today.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price fell 2.8% to a two-year low of $8.83.

Guzman y Gomez (ASX: GYG)

Guzman y Gomez shares dropped 8.7% to a record low of $18.58 on Friday.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

The Mirvac Group share price fell 1.6% to a 52-week low of $1.90.

The ASX 200 property share will be on watch next Wednesday when the company releases its earnings report.

Dexus (ASX: DXS)

This ASX 200 REIT share fell 2.5% to a 52-week low of $6.16 on Friday.

Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)

The Objective Corporation share price fell 4% to a two-year low of $12.88 today.

The post 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.