This middling end to the Australian trading week followed a far more optimistic night up on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) staged a decisive bounce-back, rising 0.61%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, gaining a healthy 1.69%.

But let's get back to the local markets now and examine how the different ASX sectors fared amid today's indecisive trading conditions.

Winners and losers

There were a few winners to balance out the red sectors this Friday.

But first, to the losers.

Leading the pessimistic sectors this session were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) copped some displeasure, tanking 1.31%.

Energy shares were also on the nose, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) plunging 1.1%.

Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) cratered by 1.04% this session.

We could say the same for communications shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.77% retreat.

Financial stocks weren't finding many buyers. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) gave back 0.59%.

Consumer discretionary shares were just ahead of that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) diving 0.54%.

Healthcare stocks weren't feeling the love. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) ended up sliding 0.36% lower.

Our last losers this Friday were industrial shares, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.16% slip.

Turning to the winners now, it was gold stocks that shone the brightest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soared 3.9% higher this session.

Broader mining shares ran hot too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) roaring 1.6% higher.

Tech stocks got some love as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) added 0.73% to its total today.

Finally, utilities shares got over the line, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.14% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Healthcare stock 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) was our best performer this Friday. 4DMedical shares rocketed 13.42% this session to close the week at $4.31 each.

We dove into what might have caused this rally this afternoon.

Here's the rest of today's best:

Enjoy the weekend!

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.

That's because they have been named as buys and tipped to rise up to 45%. Here's what is being recommended:

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

This network services company could be an ASX 200 share with significant upside potential according to Morgans.

It was impressed with its performance in FY 2026 and its guidance for the year ahead. As a result, it recently put a buy rating and $25.00 price target on Megaport's shares. This implies potential upside of approximately 45% from current levels.

Commenting on its recommendation, the broker said:

MP1's FY26 underlying EBITDA and FY27 EBITDA guidance were above market expectations. Both Network and Compute delivered record growth. At first glance, simple maths suggests MP1's funding position looks tight. However, there is nearly $500m of additional funding that got lost in translation. We think MP1 ends FY27 with nearly $600m of surplus liquidity (assuming no new deals get signed).

Deals already contracted deliver $620m of annualised contracted EBITDA which means after EBITDA lifts 3x YoY in FY27, it will more than double into FY28, based on deals already signed. We upgrade to a Buy recommendation and $25 target price.

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)

Morgans also sees potential for this ASX 200 share to deliver market-beating returns over the next 12 months.

In response to its results last month, the broker retained its buy rating and $35.80 price target on Monadelphous shares. Based on its current share price of $29.01, this implies potential upside of 23% for investors. It commented:

FY26 was strong with EBITDA +49% YoY and NPAT +60%. Management seemed comfortable talking up the outlook more generally – across iron ore, energy, gold, rare earths and lithium – however expectations for FY27 were tempered by framing it as a consolidation year. While we acknowledge that the 1H27 comp will be difficult (1H26 revenue +45% YoY), the key lead indicators suggest that strong growth will continue into FY27 and beyond, as the E&C order book has more than doubled YoY to nearly $1.2bn (from $570m at FY25). 

MND's E&C business has never been better positioned to start the year and can capture more of the value chain during this development cycle (civils, NPI, fabrication), with the mega-projects still to be awarded (Nolans, P2000, Hemi and Mt Holland). We maintain our BUY recommendation. Target price unchanged at $35.80.

The post 2 top ASX 200 shares tipped to return 23% to 45% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

A group of 12 ASX-listed companies are trading ex-dividend today, which means their share prices will no longer include the value of their latest payout.

That alone is expected to have a decent impact on the broader market.

According to The Australian, the combined ex-dividend moves could shave around 31 points from the ASX 200.

With futures already pointing lower, that could make market open look a little heavier than usual.

Here's the shares investors will want to keep an eye on.

The ex-dividend moves to watch today

There are a few larger payouts sitting near the top of today's list.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) closed Tuesday at $19.64 and is trading ex-dividend for 63 cents per share. The payment is 60% franked and is due on 17 September.

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) is not far behind. Its shares closed at $28.78 before going ex-dividend for a 59-cent fully-franked payout.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) and Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) also have decent-sized dividends dropping off today.

Origin's 30-cent fully-franked dividend comes off an $11.70 closing share price, while Seek's 25-cent fully-franked payment comes off a $14.32 close.

Furthermore, Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) closed at $176.04 and is trading without its 25.95-cent unfranked dividend.

More ASX shares joining the list

There are also several smaller payouts coming off the board as well.

Downer EDI Ltd (ASX: DOW) closed Tuesday at $6.55 and is trading ex-dividend for 16.3 cents per share. Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) closed at $5.84 and is going ex-dividend for 12.75 cents.

Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) is also on the list. The shares closed at $4.81 on Tuesday, with a 10.9-cent dividend going ex today.

Among the miners, Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) is trading ex-dividend for 7 cents per share, and Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) is doing the same for 6 cents.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) is trading ex-dividend for 5 cents, with Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) rounding out the group with a 1.2-cent payout.

All of the 7 dividends are fully franked.

Why today's moves could be misleading

Keep in mind, trading ex-dividend does not automatically mean a stock will fall on the day. There's still plenty happening in the broader market that can push shares either way.

Nonetheless, the ASX 200 futures are expected to open at a fall of around 0.9%.

The post Why these ASX shares are worth watching closely today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Hundreds of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) companies have announced their next dividends this month.

We're helping you keep track of ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday.

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

We've listed the dividend amounts investors will receive and when they'll receive them.

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

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

The post 37 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Monadelphous report?

• Revenue rose 31.5% to a record $2.98 billion (including joint ventures)
• Net profit after tax surged 52.1% to $127.3 million
• EBITDA increased 42.9% to $226.0 million, with a margin of 7.6%
• Earnings per share grew 50.1% to 127.6 cents
• Full year fully franked dividend of 108 cents, up 50%
• Secured over $2.7 billion in new contracts and extensions since July 2025

What else do investors need to know?

Monadelphous' Engineering Construction division delivered revenue of $1.37 billion, a 48.5% increase, spurred by strong iron ore sector activity and integrated services projects. Its Maintenance and Industrial Services arm also hit a record $1.61 billion, up 20%, benefiting from ongoing energy sector work and robust maintenance demand with iron ore customers.

The company made several strategic acquisitions, including Kerman Contracting, Australian Power Industry Partners, and High Energy Service, broadening its service capability across non-process infrastructure and high-voltage electrical services. With more than $680 million in new contracts secured since July 2026, Monadelphous enters the new financial year with a strong committed work pipeline.

What did Monadelphous management say?

Managing Director Zoran Bebic commented:

The long-term outlook for the resources and energy sector remains strong. Investment is expected in both new resource projects and existing operations, with multiple gas construction projects and sustained demand for maintenance services presenting opportunities in the energy sector.

Increasing demand, coupled with Australia's energy transition, is driving long-term investment in energy generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure, with Monadelphous well positioned to capitalise on these opportunities by leveraging its broadening services capability.

What's next for Monadelphous?

Looking forward, Monadelphous expects continued strong activity in the resources and energy sectors, underpinned by a robust project pipeline and significant investment in energy transition opportunities. The company plans to focus on consolidating its expanded business in FY27, following a period of substantial growth, while maintaining flexibility for further strategic growth moves.

Management says its strengthened balance sheet and enhanced delivery capability, including recent acquisitions, position Monadelphous well for long-term sustainable growth and value delivery for shareholders.

Monadelphous share price snapshot

The Monadelphous share price has smashed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of over 50%.

View Original Announcement

The post Monadelphous posts record FY26 profit and dividend, buoyed by growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a decent session on Tuesday despite a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 13 points or 0.15% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.25%, but the S&P 500 dropped 0.3% and the Nasdaq fell 0.75%.

ASX 200 results

A number of popular ASX 200 shares will be releasing their respective results. Among the big names releasing results are supermarket giant Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), engineering company Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND), and energy giant Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS). 

Oil prices decline

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a poor session on Tuesday after oil prices tumbled overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 2.4% to US$84.95 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 2.55% to US$91.98 a barrel. Oil prices declined even after the U.S. rolled out its toughest-ever sanctions campaign against Iran.

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares including Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) and Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) could have a good session after the gold price rose overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.6% to US$4,709.2 an ounce. The precious metal's rally continues ahead of the release of US inflation data.

Hold PLS shares

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares jumped on Monday following the release of the lithium miner's FY 2026 results. The team at Bell Potter thinks that its shares may have now peaked. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating with an improved price target of $5.20 (from $4.70). It said: "We maintain our Hold recommendation. At current lithium market prices, PLS will generate substantial earnings and cash flow with the restart of the 200ktpa Ngungaju processing plant. P2000 and Colina development studies are being progressed, providing substantial organic growth optionality in markets with strong underlying EV and BESS-led long term demand fundamentals."

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

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) climbed over 4%, while Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) rose just over 2%. 

Coinciding with their strong performance, the team at Morgans placed fresh buy recommendations on both ASX 200 companies. 

Here's what the broker had to say. 

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed shares have fallen 30% over the last year; however, Morgans is confident the ASX 200 healthcare stock can recover. 

The company released Q4 results last week, which prompted fresh guidance from the broker. 

4Q26 was broadly in line, with another quarter of double-digit EPS growth, gross margin expansion and strong cash generation. FY27 guidance was introduced for the first time and, while appearing soft at the headline level, incorporates several portfolio changes and one-offs, with the underlying business driving c5-7% revenue and c12-14% EPS growth. 

Management reiterated confidence in the underlying sleep market, ongoing margin expansion and capital returns, while continuing to see no evidence that GLP-1 therapies are impacting patient demand. We make modest adjustments to FY27-28 forecasts to reflect updated guidance and portfolio changes, with our target moving to A$39.50. BUY.

From current levels, this updated target indicates 31% upside. 

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)

Monadelphous Group shares have jumped over the last week after securing big contract wins.

It is an engineering company providing construction, maintenance, and industrial services to the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

Recently, the company won a construction contract for BHP's Port Debottlenecking Project 2.

It also secured a $165m contract with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO).

The team at Morgans have subsequently increased their price target on the ASX 200 stock. 

We downgraded MND to Hold at 1H26 in February on fears it was reaching for growth in FY27 and that the November 1H27 revenue guide could underwhelm. That is now reflected in consensus and, with order book support in E&C and possibly heavy turnaround activity in Maintenance, risk is skewed to the upside. 

Nevertheless, a subdued 1H27 guide should be looked through given conservative full-year expectations (VA FY27 EBITDA +3% YoY), recent contract wins and the strength of the capex cycle. We leave FY26 unchanged, lift FY27 EBITDA +7%, and upgrade to BUY with a target price of $35.80 (from $33.85). This represents 25x FY27 PE, justified in our view given FY27 will not be the peak earnings year.

From yesterday's closing price, this updated target indicates upside of almost 17%. 

The post 2 ASX 200 stocks Morgans rates as a buy right now  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Monadelphous report?

• Awarded a $200 million construction contract with BHP at Nelson Point Port Facility in Port Hedland
• Scope includes installation and commissioning of structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation works
• Project covers the construction of the new Car Dumper 6 and supporting materials handling facilities
• Work to commence immediately and continue through to 2028
• No direct earnings or dividend update included in this announcement

What else do investors need to know?

The contract win further cements Monadelphous' long-standing relationship with mining giant BHP, highlighting its capability in large-scale engineering and construction. The project will see Monadelphous deliver multidisciplinary services, a core strength for the company.

Monadelphous continues to operate across resources, energy, and infrastructure sectors, supporting its reputation for reliable project delivery and industrial service expertise. A strong portfolio and ongoing partnerships are key to the company's long-term growth.

What's next for Monadelphous?

The successful delivery of the Port Debottlenecking Project 2 is expected to complement Monadelphous' project pipeline over the next two years. Investors may be watching for future contract awards, given the company's stated focus on expanding service offerings and industry partnerships.

Monadelphous remains committed to growth across resources and infrastructure, with potential opportunities both in Australia and in established overseas markets.

Monadelphous share price snapshot

The Monadelphous Group share price has been a strong performer over the past 12 months with a gain of over 50%. This compares favourably to a 4.3% gain from the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Monadelphous wins $200m BHP contract: What it means for investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Monadelphous report?

• Kerman Contracting awarded a $165 million design and construction contract by Rio Tinto at Brockman Syncline 1 (BS1) in the Pilbara
• Scope covers heavy mine equipment workshop, washdown facilities, tyre change, fuel storage and refuelling infrastructure
• Project commencement set for 2026, with expected completion in 2028
• Contract further strengthens Kerman's and Monadelphous' forward order book
• Builds on Monadelphous' previously secured multidisciplinary construction work at BS1

What else do investors need to know?

Monadelphous continues to deepen its partnership with Rio Tinto, a key client for the company. The new contract broadens both Kerman's and Monadelphous' track record in non-process infrastructure within the Pilbara mining region.

Kerman Contracting is already actively involved in Rio Tinto's Hope Downs 2 site, underscoring the group's trusted relationship and reputation for reliable delivery. This latest win supports the company's strategy to target large-scale, long-term contracts in the resources sector.

What did Monadelphous management say?

Monadelphous Managing Director Zoran Bebic commented:

Kerman's award of this work builds on the multidisciplinary construction contract that Monadelphous secured at BS1 late last year. It is also very pleasing to see Kerman secure another contract with Rio Tinto, in addition to the work currently being performed at Hope Downs 2.

What's next for Monadelphous?

With this significant new contract on the books, Monadelphous expects to further strengthen its forward earnings visibility and cement its position as a major contractor in the resources industry. The company is likely to leverage this success in future tenders and continue focusing on growing its non-process infrastructure capability.

Investors can look forward to updates as the project moves through design and construction over the next few years, starting 2026.

Monadelphous share price snapshot

The Monadelphous share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months. During this time, the company's shares have risen a sizeable 46%.

View Original Announcement

The post Monadelphous lands $165m Rio Tinto contract appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 expected to fall

It looks set to be a subdued session for Australian investors on Thursday after a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 23 points or 0.25% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down slightly, the S&P 500 fell 0.2% and the Nasdaq tumbled 0.65%.

Buy Catapult shares

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) shares are in the buy zone according to analysts at Bell Potter. It has retained its buy rating and $4.65 price target on the sports technology company's shares. The broker believes recent weakness is unjustified. It said: "The Catapult share price fell by c.5% in the June quarter despite a good FY26 result in May and a reasonable rally in the share prices of other good quality tech stocks such as Life360, Pro Medicus and Technology One (up 42%, 74% and 10% respectively). The reason for the relative underperformance is unclear as Catapult has similar qualities to these other names including being global, a market leader, a high level of recurring revenue, positive free cash flow, proprietary data, low churn and a strong Balance Sheet."

Oil prices tumble

It could be a difficult session for ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices tumbled overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 2% to US$68.10 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 2.4% to US$71.17 a barrel. This was driven by comments from Donald Trump indicating that US-Iran peace talks are going well.

Monadelphous shares downgraded

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) shares are fully valued now according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has downgraded the contractor's shares to a hold rating (from buy) with a trimmed price target of $32.00 (from $37.00). It said: "We also downgrade our recommendation to Hold. While contract award momentum has been strong in mid CY26, FY26 contract wins and extensions were broadly consistent with FY25. This outcome suggests sales growth to moderate in FY27, which follows three years of robust revenue compounding growth (BPe 17.3% p.a. over FY23-26)."

Gold price rises

It could be a decent session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price rose overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.15% to US$4,044.5 an ounce. Soft US jobs data gave the precious metal a boost.

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

At the time of writing, the Monadelphous share price is up 3.32% to $32.02.

That continues a strong run for the ASX 200 industrial stock. Monadelphous shares are now up almost 20% in 2026 and more than 80% over the past year. 

Here's what was announced.

Monadelphous lands $200 million in new work

According to the release, Monadelphous has been awarded new construction and maintenance contracts worth more than $200 million. 

The company said the new work includes two contracts with iron ore giant Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG).

The first is for the installation of wind turbine generators at the Nullagine Wind Project in Western Australia.

This comes as Fortescue looks to use more renewable power across its mining operations to bring emissions down.

The second is a 3-year contract to continue providing maintenance services across Fortescue's Pilbara operations in Western Australia. 

More contracts across gas and power

There was more good news beyond Fortescue, too.

In Queensland, Monadelphous has secured a 3-year contract with Santos, with two 1-year extension options. Under the agreement, it will provide multidisciplinary services at Santos' upstream field development and production operations. 

The company has also been awarded a contract with Santos for the construction of temporary camp facilities tied to the APF Tie-In Project in the Southern Highlands region of Papua New Guinea.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. 

Finally, Monadelphous has secured a 3-year contract to continue providing operation and maintenance services at Synergy's Muja Power Station in Collie, Western Australia. 

Why investors are buying

The latest batch of contract wins also comes after a strong first-half result earlier this year.

Monadelphous reported record half-year revenue of $1.53 billion, up 45.6% on the prior corresponding period.

Net profit after tax (NPAT) also rose 52.6% to $64.9 million, while shareholders received a fully-franked interim dividend of 49 cents per share. 

The balance sheet was in good shape too, with Monadelphous ending the half with $322 million in cash.

Management has already guided to full-year revenue being around 30% higher than the prior period.

But that depends on first-half operating margins carrying through into the second-half.

Can the rally continue?

Today's update gives Monadelphous more work to chase through the rest of FY26.

August's full-year result should show whether margins, cash flow, and execution can keep pace with Monadelphous' larger workload in FY26. 

If those numbers stack up, the recent rally may have more to run.

The post Why this ASX 200 winner is back in the green on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

What did Monadelphous report?

• Secured a $380 million construction contract with CS Energy
• Project involves installing 12 gas turbine generator units, totalling 400 MW capacity
• Contract expected to be completed by early 2029
• Workforce to peak at around 300 people during construction
• Focus on local employment and supplier opportunities

What else do investors need to know?

The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant, near Chinchilla in Queensland, is designed to deliver power to more than 150,000 homes during periods of peak electricity demand. Monadelphous' contract covers both construction and minor engineering packages, with operations set to start in the second half of this year.

The company has highlighted its commitment to supporting local communities by forecasting significant workforce participation and supply engagement from the region. This contract further diversifies Monadelphous' energy sector exposure, complementing its strong track record in large-scale infrastructure.

What's next for Monadelphous?

Work on the Brigalow plant will commence later this year and is expected to continue through early 2029. As Monadelphous delivers this significant project, the company is positioned to benefit from ongoing demand for new energy infrastructure, especially as Australia transitions towards a more flexible and renewable-powered grid.

The company's strategic focus on supporting key sectors like energy and infrastructure could see further contract awards. Ongoing execution and community engagement will be crucial for future growth and shareholder returns.

Monadelphous share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Monadelphous shares have risen 76%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 2% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Monadelphous Group wins $380m energy contract 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 pushing higher:

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

The Appen share price is up 11% to $1.25. Investors have been buying the artificial intelligence data services company's shares following the release of an update at its annual general meeting. Appen has reaffirmed its FY 2026 guidance and continues to expect revenue of $270 million to $300 million. Management is also targeting an underlying EBITDA margin before FX of around 5% to 10%. Appen's CEO, Ryan Kolln, said: "We continue to see positive signals on LLM-related growth from both Appen Global and Appen China customers. Tight cost controls remain in place, in keeping with our focus on managing costs in line with the revenue opportunity."

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

The Guzman Y Gomez share price is up 13% to $20.49. This follows news that the quick service restaurant operator has decided to close its struggling US stores. Guzman Y Gomez's founder and co-CEO, Steven Marks, said: "I have always been confident in the differentiation of our food and guest experience, however this was not translating to an improvement in sales momentum. Having spent the last 3 months in the US, I realised this was going to take significantly more time and capital than we had expected. In assessing the trajectory of the current network, the Board and I have concluded that the business is unlikely to deliver the performance that would justify continued investment of shareholder capital."

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)

The Monadelphous share price is up 2% to $29.97. This morning, this diversified services company announced that it has secured $120 million in new construction and maintenance contracts across the resources and renewable energy sectors. One is from Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) for the battery energy storage system (BESS) construction contract at the Cloudbreak mine.

PMET Resources (ASX: PMT)

The PMET Resources share price is up 5.5% to 69.7 cents. Investors have been buying this critical minerals exploration company's shares after it announced the start of its major 2026 summer-fall exploration campaign at the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property in Canada. It notes that this campaign comprises approximately 45,000 metres of drilling. The Shaakichiuwaanaan Property is the company's flagship asset and hosts one of the largest pegmatite mineral resources and mineral reserves in the world.

The post Why Appen, Guzman Y Gomez, Monadelphous, and PMET shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It's another win for the ASX 200 company that continues to consistently outperform expectations.

Over the last 12 months, Monadelphous shares have surged roughly 72%, making it one of the standout performers among the ASX's industrial companies.

What did the company announce?

Monadelphous revealed it had secured approximately $120 million worth of new construction and maintenance contracts across the resources and renewable energy sectors.

The contracts include a new five-year panel agreement to provide mobile crane and lifting services across Rio Tinto Ltd's (ASX: RIO) Pilbara operations, as well as a three-year contract extension for sustaining capital services with the mining giant. The company also secured a battery energy storage system construction project at Fortescue Ltd's (ASX: FMG) Cloudbreak mine site and a new maintenance panel appointment with Port Waratah Coal Services in Newcastle.

The announcement reinforces something investors appear to increasingly appreciate about Monadelphous, that the company keeps winning repeat work from major customers.

Why repeat business matters

In engineering and maintenance contracting, relationships, safety performance, and execution track records are critical.

Mining companies typically prefer working with contractors that already understand their sites, systems, and operating procedures. Once those relationships are established, incumbents often have a meaningful advantage when new work becomes available.

Monadelphous has spent decades building those relationships across Australia's resources sector, and today's update suggests the company remains deeply embedded with Tier 1 operators like Rio Tinto and Fortescue.

That kind of positioning can be a powerful competitive advantage over time.

Exposure to the energy transition

The Fortescue battery energy storage system project marks Monadelphous' third battery energy storage system project supporting the miner's decarbonisation initiatives.

That suggests the company is not only benefiting from traditional mining investment, but may also be positioning itself to capture more work tied to electrification, renewable energy integration, and lower-emissions infrastructure.

As major resource companies spend money on modernising operations, contractors with proven capabilities could continue seeing strong demand.

Foolish bottomline

Engineering contractors can often be volatile businesses, particularly when projects are poorly priced or execution slips.

But Monadelphous has historically maintained a relatively disciplined reputation, focusing on operational delivery and long-term customer relationships rather than chasing growth at any cost.

After a 72% rally over the last year, the market clearly believes the strategy is working.

And today's announcement was another reminder of why Monadelphous continues to stand out.

The post Up 72% in a year, Monadelphous just scored another win appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Monadelphous Group report?

• New contracts valued at around $120 million in total
• Five-year panel contract for crane and lifting services with Rio Tinto in the Pilbara
• Three-year contract extension for multidisciplinary sustaining capital services for Rio Tinto
• Battery energy storage system (BESS) construction contract at Fortescue's Cloudbreak mine
• Three-year structural and mechanical maintenance panel appointment with Port Waratah Coal Services in Newcastle

What else do investors need to know?

Monadelphous continues to expand its presence in both resources and renewables, picking up its third BESS project for Fortescue. This positions the company to benefit from the growing demand for decarbonisation solutions across mining operations.

The latest round of contract wins includes both new work and extensions to existing relationships, particularly with major clients Rio Tinto and Fortescue. These partnerships highlight Monadelphous' standing as a trusted services provider in critical Australian sectors.

What's next for Monadelphous Group?

Works under the new contracts are expected to be completed progressively, with the Cloudbreak BESS project scheduled for completion in the second half of FY26. Monadelphous will likely continue focussing on securing sustainable project work in renewables and resources to drive long-term growth.

The company's strategy emphasises building strong relationships with key clients while targeting opportunities in infrastructure and decarbonisation, both in Australia and overseas.

Monadelphous Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Monadelphous Group shares have risen 69%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

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The post Monadelphous wins $120m in new contracts across mining and renewables appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Monadelphous report?

• New contracts and extensions valued at around $145 million in total
• Secured a Rio Tinto construction project at Paraburdoo iron ore mine in WA
• Two-year extension to Olympic Dam maintenance contract with BHP in SA
• Two-year extension and expanded scope at Queensland Alumina Limited in QLD
• New construction contract with Harmony Gold at Hidden Valley Gold Mine, PNG

What else do investors need to know?

Monadelphous' work for Rio Tinto at Paraburdoo involves installing a new dust collector and ventilation system for coarse ore stockpile tunnels, with completion expected in early 2027. The company's relationship with BHP has also been extended, covering mechanical and electrical maintenance, planned shutdowns, and project services at Olympic Dam.

At Queensland Alumina in Gladstone, Monadelphous has secured both a contract extension and expanded responsibilities, now including demolition and power generation activities. The company's expertise in the sector is reinforced by more than 30 years of service at this site.

What's next for Monadelphous?

Looking ahead, Monadelphous plans to deliver on these newly awarded and extended contracts while continuing to grow its presence in resources, energy, and infrastructure markets. The company remains focused on leveraging its long-standing client relationships and diversified capabilities to pursue further opportunities, both domestically and internationally.

Monadelphous share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Monadelphous shares have risen 100%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 16% over the same period.

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The post Monadelphous wins $145m of new and renewed resources sector contracts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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

ASX All Ords shares about to go ex-dividend

Which companies will we hear from today?

The big one today is the half-yearly report from supermarket network Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL).

Woolworths shares ripped this week after the ASX All Ords consumer staples giant reported a 16% profit lift to $859 million for 1H FY26.

We'll also hear from TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG), Michael Hill International Ltd (ASX: MHJ), and Pexa Group Ltd (ASX: PXA).

The latest report from The Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) will also be interesting, as investors seek further news on the turnaround plan for the beleaguered casino operator.

Yesterday, Star Entertainment shares bounced on news of a debt refinancing deal, including extra liquidity to fund the turnaround plan.

The post 35 ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Three ASX shares that brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here's why their analysts are feeling bullish on them right now:

Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)

According to a note out of Ord Minnett, its analysts have upgraded this metal detector company's shares to a buy rating with a $40.00 price target. The broker was pleased with Codan's half-year results, noting that it delivered a strong performance. And while the Minelab business was the star of the show, it was pleased with the communications business and highlights its unmanned drone systems as a potential growth driver in the coming years. This is especially the case given how much EU countries are investing in drone warfare. The Codan share price is trading at $34.50 on Wednesday afternoon.

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)

A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this diversified services company's shares with an improved price target of $37.00. The broker was impressed with Monadelphous' performance during the first half of FY 2026. It highlights that the company delivered a half-year profit ahead of expectations thanks to a stronger than forecast EBITDA margin. The good news is that Bell Potter believes that Monadelphous can sustain its current strong operating momentum in the short-term given its contracted position and further work package awards that are likely to land in the second half. In addition, it points out that the company's increasing liquidity gives it optionality to lean aggressively on M&A or return excess capital to shareholders. The Monadelphous share price is fetching $30.72 at the time of writing.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Analysts at Morgans have retained their buy rating on this energy giant's shares with an improved price target of $30.50. According to the note, the broker felt that Woodside's FY 2025 result was strong, with profit and dividends ahead of expectations. Morgans sees further upside potential ahead from a recovering oil price and the successful execution of new projects. The broker also believes there's potential for a production guidance upgrade in FY 2026 if everything runs smoothly. The Woodside share price is trading at $28.14 on Wednesday.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Investors have been bidding the diversified services company's shares higher after it released a strong half-year result.

For the six months ended 31 December, the ASX 200 stock reported a 52.6% increase in net profit after tax to $64.9 million.

The good news is that the company's managing director, Zoran Bebic, believes this positive form can continue. He said:

Long-term demand in the resources and energy sectors is expected to continue, supported by an improved global economic growth outlook. Continued investment in new and existing operations in Western Australia's iron ore sector is driving demand for both maintenance and construction services, with the energy sector to offer substantial prospects.

The even better news is that Bell Potter doesn't believe it is too late to invest in this ASX 200 stock.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter has been impressed with Monadelphous' performance in FY 2026 and notes that it is going "from good to great." It highlights that the ASX 200 stock delivered a first-half result ahead of expectations. It said:

Group revenue (including JV sales) was $1,530m (BPe $1,502m), up 46% YoY, and in line with guidance. Engineering Construction division revenue was $678m (BPe $671m), up 67% YoY, reflecting significant growth in work delivered from contracts awarded over the past 18 months, greater activity at Zenviron and an expansion of end-to-end capabilities. Maintenance and Industrial Services revenue of $852m (BPe $835m) was a record and up 32% YoY, with growth driven by increased turnaround activity and brownfield energy work delivery, and sustained elevated demand from iron ore clients.

EBITDA margin of 7.6% was ahead of our 7.3% and consistent with the PcP. The stronger than expected EBITDA margin drove a 5% beat to our EBITDA forecast. NPAT of $64.9m (BPe $60.8m), was up 53% YoY. An interim fully franked dividend of 49cps was declared (BPe 46cps).

Should you invest?

In response to the results, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on its shares with an improved price target of $37.00 (from $33.00).

Based on its current share price of $30.55, this implies potential upside of 21% for investors over the next 12 months. In addition, the broker is forecasting a 3.2% dividend yield over the period.

Bell Potter believes that the ASX 200 stock is positioned to sustain its strong operating momentum. It said:

Our Target Price lifts to $37.00/sh (previously $33.00/sh) given the more optimistic earnings growth outlook. We retain the Buy recommendation. We expect MND can sustain current strong operating momentum across the Group in the short-term given its contracted position and further work package awards likely to land in 2H FY26. MND's increasing liquidity gives the company optionality to lean aggressively on M&A or return excess capital to shareholders.

The post Buy recommendation: Broker says this ASX 200 stock goes from 'good to great' appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.