It's another solid move for a share that's already been on a tear. Over the past 12 months, the ASX coal stock is up 54%, comfortably beating the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has gained around 16%.

So what's driving today's bump?

Replacing old debt with new funding

It all comes down to smart balance sheet management.

On Thursday morning, the ASX coal stock announced it is refinancing $300 million of convertible notes, launching a new senior unsecured convertible note offering due 2032. At the same time, it plans to repurchase up to 100% of its existing 2029 notes.

In simple terms, New Hope is replacing older debt with newer, more attractive funding. The new notes come with a lower coupon of 2.375% to 2.875% and include a 2030 put option for investors. That gives the ASX coal stock more flexibility while reducing financing costs and pushing out its debt maturity profile.

Investors like that. If more than 85% of the 2029 notes are repurchased, New Hope may even redeem the remaining balance at face value, effectively cleaning up its debt structure in one move.

Management's message

The implication is clear: management of the ASX coal stock is getting ahead of the curve.

Chief Financial Officer Rebecca Rinaldi said:

We are pleased to return to the convertible bond market for the third time. The convertible bond market continues to be an important and cost-effective component of our capital structure. Through this transaction, we are proactively refinancing our 2029 notes at improved terms, extending our debt maturity profile and reducing our financing costs. Consistent with our prior issuance, New Hope may cash settle any conversions, providing us with flexibility to manage any future dilution that may arise.

And timing matters. This refinancing comes as global energy markets remain volatile, with tensions in the Middle East keeping thermal coal prices elevated. That backdrop continues to support strong cash generation across the sector.

Operational stability

Importantly, New Hope also confirmed that production and costs are tracking within FY26 guidance. That's another tick for operational stability.

Put it all together, and you get a company that's not just benefiting from favourable commodity prices, but also actively improving its financial position.

Looking ahead, the strategy is straightforward. By extending debt maturities and lowering financing costs, New Hope is building flexibility. That gives it more room to invest in growth, manage market swings, and continue delivering returns to shareholders.

Foolish bottom line

Today's price jump of the ASX coal stock isn't about hype. It's about discipline.

New Hope is strengthening its balance sheet at a time when conditions are favourable. And in a cyclical industry like mining, that kind of forward planning can make all the difference.

It's a reminder that sometimes, the smartest moves happen behind the scenes, and the market is starting to take notice.

The post Why this ASX coal stock just jumped and keeps on surging appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Two of the large-cap S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stocks are outpacing the 0.2% losses posted by the benchmark index in late morning trade on Thursday, while one of the ASX 200 stocks shares have been temporarily frozen.

Here's what's happening.

Viva Energy shares halted following refinery fire

Viva Energy shares are making headlines today following the outbreak of a fire last night at its Geelong refinery in Victoria. The refinery is one of two remaining operational refineries in Australia, and officials expect the incident could push fuel prices even higher across the nation.

Viva Energy shares entered a trading halt before market open today.

The ASX 200 energy stock requested the trading pause pending an announcement regarding the impact of the "significant" fire at its refinery.

CEO Scott Wyatt said that while fuel refining at Geelong would continue, it will initially be "very low relative to what we were doing before".

According to Wyatt (quoted by The Australian Financial Review):

In the days ahead, we will look at how we can continue to operate the refinery without the need to use these two units that have been affected. We have operated in this way before, so we have a high degree of confidence that we can do that.

Paused at Wednesday's closing price of $2.53, Viva Energy shares are up 65% over 12 months, not including dividends.

Which brings us to…

PLS shares eyeing $847 in new funding

PLS – formerly known as Pilbara Minerals – is catching investor interest after announcing a new US$600 million (AU$847 million) debt funding issuance.

Shares in the ASX 200 lithium stock are up 3.7% at time of writing, trading for $5.59 each.

Management said that the initial offer size of the senior unsecured notes was increased by US$100 million from US$500 million. They come due in 2031 at an annual interest rate of 6.88%. PLS expects settlement next week, on 22 April.

The lithium miner intends to use to proceeds to refinance its AU$375 million drawn on revolving credit facility and for general purposes.

The PLS share price is up a blistering 308% in 12 months.

New Hope shares lift on refinancing deal

Atop PLS and Viva Energy shares, New Hope is also making financial headlines today.

Shares in the ASX 200 coal stock ae up 1.9% at $5.49 each after the company announced its own new funding arrangement.

The coal miner reported the launch of $300 million in senior unsecured convertible notes due 2032. New Hope said it will also repurchase of up to 100% of the existing $300 million convertible notes, which are due 2029.

The coupon rate for the new notes is set in the range of 2.38% to 2.88% per year.

"Through this transaction, we are proactively refinancing our 2029 notes at improved terms, extending our debt maturity profile and reducing our financing costs," New Hope chief financial officer Rebecca Rinaldi said.

New Hope shares are up 54% in a year.

The post Why is everyone talking about New Hope, PLS and Viva Energy shares on Thursday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did New Hope report?

• Launch of $300 million senior unsecured convertible notes due 2032 ("New Notes")
• Concurrent repurchase of up to 100% of existing $300 million convertible notes due 2029
• Coupon rate for New Notes set at 2.375%–2.875% per annum, payable semi-annually
• Notes may be converted into ordinary shares or settled in cash at New Hope's election
• New Notes to be listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST)
• Use of proceeds: refinancing, capital management, and general corporate purposes

What else do investors need to know?

The Offering will fund the repurchase of all or part of the 2029 notes, allowing New Hope to refinance at more attractive terms and extend its debt maturity profile. Any balance not used for the repurchase will go towards general corporate purposes, supporting the company's ongoing strategy.

A book-build for the new issue will finalise terms before market open. Jefferies (Australia) is acting as sole global coordinator, with Jefferies and Jarden Australia as joint lead managers. If more than 85% of the 2029 notes are repurchased and cancelled, New Hope may redeem the remainder at face value plus accrued interest.

Recent volatility in global energy markets, driven by tensions in the Middle East, has kept thermal coal prices elevated. New Hope reports production and costs are tracking within its FY26 guidance range.

What did New Hope management say?

Chief Financial Officer Rebecca Rinaldi said:

We are pleased to return to the convertible bond market for the third time. The convertible bond market continues to be an important and cost-effective component of our capital structure. Through this transaction, we are proactively refinancing our 2029 notes at improved terms, extending our debt maturity profile and reducing our financing costs. Consistent with our prior issuance, New Hope may cash settle any conversions, providing us with flexibility to manage any future dilution that may arise.

What's next for New Hope?

Looking ahead, New Hope aims to strengthen its balance sheet and maintain financial flexibility through this refinancing. By extending its debt maturity and reducing financing costs, the company positions itself to support growth initiatives and deliver value for shareholders in a volatile energy market.

Management will keep investors updated as final pricing and allocations for the New Notes are confirmed and the repurchase process unfolds. The company remains focused on disciplined capital management in alignment with its established strategy.

New Hope share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, New Hope shares have risen 51%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 16% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post New Hope launches $300m convertible notes offer and buyback appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Due to the rise of more than 10% of the Soul Patts share price over the past month, it's the biggest position in my portfolio, with some distance to the second-largest position in my portfolio.

There's a lot to like about the business and there has been a recent change with the Soul Patts portfolio that makes me more bullish on the business.

Asset selldown

The investment house gives investors exposure to a wide variety of industries such as resources, telecommunications, swimming pools, agriculture, water entitlements, electrification and plenty more.

For most of the last few decades, its three largest holdings were New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC), Brickworks and TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG).

Soul Patts recently acquired the entire Brickworks business and continues to hold a substantial stake of New Hope. But, it has made a big investment decision with its TPG holding.

Over the last several weeks it has made multiple sales of TPG shares, raising hundreds of millions of dollars. In fact, Soul Patts has sold so many shares that it has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in TPG.

Why I think this was a great move for Soul Patts shares

TPG has been a great long-term investment for Soul Patts that it has held for decades.

However, I think it is a good time to move on. TPG has not been delivering sufficient growth, in my view, to justify being a long-term holding. Its margins and market share have not been growing in the way I was hoping for.

The TPG share price has dropped close to 40% since October 2021 – it has been going in the wrong direction for a while, though part of that was because of the capital return to shareholders after the sale of some of its telecommunication assets.

Ideally, as an owner of Soul Patts shares, I want to see its investments deliver long-term capital growth and dividend growth for the investment house's portfolio.

Soul Patts can reallocate the TPG money into other opportunities.

I think new, non-TPG investments will deliver stronger growth for Soul Patts over time compared to sticking with the telco, even if that means paying some tax on the gains (which turn into franking credits).

As a result of this change, I think Soul Patts can deliver stronger long-term portfolio growth, which makes it more appealing to own, in my view.

The post Why I'm even more bullish about Soul Patts shares from now on! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This follows a substantial sell-off for ASX 200 energy shares yesterday.

On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) dropped 7.3% after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

The rest of the market celebrated the news, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finishing the session 2.8% higher.

Today, we've seen a reversal of trends.

ASX 200 energy shares are up 2.4% while the ASX 200 is down 0.05%.

Oil prices have also rebounded today after a sharp fall yesterday.

Brent Crude is currently up 2.7% to US$97.35 per barrel.

Why are ASX 200 energy shares leading the market today?

There is uncertainty in the market as investors wonder how fresh Israeli strikes on Lebanon will impact the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely obstructed.

As part of the ceasefire deal, Iran agreed to allow safe passage of shipping through the Strait, coordinated by its armed forces.

On Thursday, Trading Economics analysts said:

Iranian media reported that oil tanker traffic through the strait had been suspended following the attacks, amid disputes between Tehran and the American-Israeli side over whether the truce extends to Lebanon.

A senior Iranian official also stated that three provisions of the ceasefire agreement have already been breached.

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said there are indications the strait may begin reopening as he leads a US delegation to Islamabad for direct talks with Iran this weekend.

The Strait of Hormuz is not technically closed.

However, shipping companies have chosen not to sail through it for fear of Iranian attacks and a lack of insurance coverage.

About 20% of global crude oil and gas is shipped via the Strait.

The war has triggered the worst oil shock since the 1970s.

ASX 200 energy shares whipsaw on ceasefire tensions

Let's take a look at what's happened with the market's largest ASX 200 energy shares over the past two days.

On Wednesday, the Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price plummeted 10.4% to close at $32.06.

Today, Woodside shares have regained 3.8% to $33.29, at the time of writing.

Yesterday, the Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price fell 4.6% to $7.76. Today, Santos shares are 2.5% higher at $7.95.

The Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) share price dropped 13.4% to $1.90 on Wednesday.

Today, Karoon Energy shares are $1.98, up 4.3%.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares fell 4.2% yesterday to $32.12, but today they're up 3.6% to $33.26.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price tanked 9.1% to $2.42 yesterday.

Today, Viva Energy shares are $2.49 apiece, up 2.7%.

ASX 200 coal share Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) fell 9.8% to $7.49 on Wednesday.

Today, Yancoal shares are in the red again, down 0.1% to $7.48.

The New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price dropped 9.6% to $5.30 yesterday.

On Thursday, New Hope shares are slightly higher, up 0.2% to $5.31.

The post ASX 200 energy shares whipsaw amid fragile ceasefire appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) coal stock closed on Thursday trading for $5.84. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $5.83 each, down a fraction of a percent.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 1.4% at this same time.

Taking a step back, New Hope shares have surged 71% over the past 12 months, racing ahead of the 18.5% one-year gains delivered by the benchmark index.

And that doesn't include the 25 cents a share in fully-franked dividends New Hope has paid (or shortly will pay) eligible stockholders over the year.

If we add those back in, then the accumulated value of New Hope shares has surged 78.3% over 12 months.

And according to Fairmont Equities' Michael Gable, there's still plenty of potential "significant upside" ahead for the ASX 200 coal stock (courtesy of The Bull).

Here's why.

Should you buy New Hope shares today?

"I have been bullish on this thermal coal producer for several months," said Gable, who has a buy recommendation on New Hope shares.

"I believe global demand for coal will remain elevated," he said, citing the first reason you might want to buy the Aussie coal miner.

Thermal coal was recently trading for US$139 per tonne, up 17% since 1 March.

"The conflict in the Middle East is lifting demand for thermal coal, with countries, such as Japan, increasing coal-fired power generation to offset instability in gas markets," he noted.

Indeed, Iranian attacks on LNG cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and a separate attack on a major gas facility in Qatar are causing supply disruptions for numerous nations' energy providers.

As Trading Economics noted:

The developments removed a large portion of feedstock for gas-powered plants in Asia, including Japan and Korea, which are the main consumers of higher grades of Australian thermal coal out of the Newcastle port. Ample appropriate facilities from the two large economies propel gas-to-coal switching for power generation.

Moving on to the second reason that now could be an opportune time to buy New Hope shares, Fairmont Equities' Gable said, "During the past few weeks, NHC shares broke out of a bullish technical pattern on strong volume, which implies significant upside from here."

And the third reason you may wish to buy shares today is the coal miner's strong passive income history and outlook.

While New Hope's latest 10-cent interim dividend was down 47.4% from the prior interim dividend payout amid a big half-year profit decline, that profit slide came amid a significantly lower coal price environment than the miner is facing today.

New Hope shares currently trade on a fully-franked trailing dividend yield of 4.3%.

The post 3 reasons to buy New Hope shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Let's see what the equities firm is recommending to Aussie investors:

Betashares Global Uranium ETF (ASX: URNM)

The first ASX mining share that Fairmont Equities is tipping as a buy this week is actually an exchange traded fund (ETF).

The Betashares Global Uranium ETF provides investors with exposure to leading global stocks that are involved in the mining, exploration, development, and production of uranium, modern nuclear energy, or that hold physical uranium or uranium royalties.

Fairmont Equities thinks it would be a good option for investors given its positive view on the outlook for uranium. This is especially the case given a recent pullback in the ETF's unit price.

Commenting on the ETF, the equities firm said:

I remain positive about the outlook for the uranium sector. URNM provides exposure to a portfolio of mining, exploration and development companies in the global uranium industry. URNM stock rose from $6.34 on April 3, 2025 to $15.24 on January 29, 2026.

The stock was trading at $12.31 on April 2, 2026. The recent dip provides investors with another buying opportunity. We expect demand for uranium to exceed supply in the years ahead, particularly as countries diversify their energy sources away from fossil fuels.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)

Another ASX mining share that could be a buy according to Fairmont Equities is coal miner New Hope.

The equities firm believes that demand for coal will remain strong, especially given the war in the Middle East. As a result, it thinks that New Hope is well-positioned to profit from this strong demand.

It also highlights that recent trading patterns are favourable, which it thinks points to significant upside potential.

Commenting on the mining share, Fairmont Equities said:

I have been bullish on this thermal coal producer for several months. I believe global demand for coal will remain elevated. The conflict in the Middle East is lifting demand for thermal coal, with countries, such as Japan, increasing coal-fired power generation to offset instability in gas markets. During the past few weeks, NHC shares broke out of a bullish technical pattern on strong volume, which implies significant upside from here.

The post 2 ASX mining shares to buy: Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Not all shares fell with the market. Here are four ASX 200 shares that delivered big returns for investors during March:

Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA)

The Viva Energy share price was the best performer on the ASX 200 in March with a 40.4% gain. Investors appear to believe that this fuel retailer will be benefitting from surging fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East. In addition, last month the Federal Government increased the Geelong Refinery FSSP Margin Marker cap and collar by 3.6 Australian cents per litre (Acpl), which is the equivalent to A$5.70 per barrel. Viva Energy's CEO and managing director, Scott Wyatt, said: "Today's announcement underscores the important role that domestic refining plays in strengthening Australian energy security. Viva Energy is proud to own and operate one of the two refineries that together produce approximately 20% of the country's fuel requirements."

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price wasn't far behind with a 40% gain last month. The radiopharmaceuticals company's shares rebounded strongly after the release of a couple of promising announcements. One was that its ProstACT Global Phase 3 study achieved its primary objectives, demonstrating an acceptable safety and tolerability profile with no new safety signals observed. The other revealed that Telix has resubmitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the United States Food and Drug Administration for its Pixclara product. It is an investigational PET imaging agent for the characterization of recurrent or progressive glioma (brain cancer) from treatment related changes in both adult and paediatric patients.

Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)

The Yancoal Australia share price was on form and raced 33.9% higher in March. This follows a strong month for coal prices driven by strong demand to counter surging LNG prices and supply uncertainty. For the same reason, the New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price was up 23.6% in March and the Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price was up 16.5% during the period.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside Energy share price had a strong month and rose 16%. This was driven by the war in the Middle East, which has driven LNG and oil prices materially higher. In fact, both WTI and Brent crude oil prices ended the month above US$100 a barrel, representing a gain of 50% for the month. Investors appear optimistic that Woodside will be generating significant cash flow, which could support capital returns.

The post These were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in March appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX)

The 4DMedical share price is down 2.5% to $5.50. Once again, this appears to have been driven by profit-taking from some investors. Investors have been bidding this respiratory imaging technology company's shares higher this month after it made a big announcement. 4DMedical advised that its CT:VQ technology has been deployed at the Mayo Clinic in the United States. The company's managing director and CEO, Andreas Fouras, was very pleased with the news. He said: "Mayo's deployment is uniquely significant. When the world's number one hospital chooses to use your technology, it sends the strongest possible signal to the entire U.S. healthcare market about the clinical value and readiness of CT:VQ." 4DMedical shares remain up approximately 30% since this time last month.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)

The New Hope share price is down 5% to $5.81. This has been driven by the coal miner's shares going ex-dividend on Tuesday. New Hope recently released its half-year results and declared a fully franked interim dividend of 10 cents per share. Eligible shareholders can now look forward to receiving this next month on 20 April.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

The Santos share price is down 1.5% to $7.94. This may be due to reports that Donald Trump is intent on ending the US-Iran war sooner rather than later. Traders may believe that this could mean oil prices will pull back from recent highs.

St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ)

The St George Mining share price is down over 4% to 11 cents. This is despite the rare earths company announcing a memorandum of understanding with Tecnicas Reunidas. The two parties will work to complete processing test work on samples of the rare earths resource at the Araxa niobium-REE Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. St George Mining's executive chairman, John Prineas, commented: "We are very excited to be working with Tecnicas Reunidas to further assess the optimal processing route for the Araxa rare earths and to potentially access the vast European market for rare earths."

The post Why 4DMedical, New Hope, Santos, and St George Mining shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 set to edge higher

The Australian share market looks set for a subdued session on Tuesday following a poor start to the week in the US. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 1 point higher. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up a fraction, but the S&P 500 is down 0.5% and the Nasdaq is 0.9% lower.

Oil prices jump

It could be a good session for ASX 200 energy shares such as Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 4.35% to US$103.96 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.25% to US$113.98 a barrel. This leaves oil prices on track to post a record monthly surge.

Shares going ex-dividend

A number of ASX shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes Cromwell Property Group (ASX: CMW), GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP), Maas Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MGH), and New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC). The latter will be paying its shareholders a 10 cents per share fully franked dividend next month on 20 April.

Gold price edges higher

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) could have a relatively positive session on Tuesday after the gold price edged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.1% to US$4,494.7 an ounce. This was driven by increased demand for safe haven assets.

Strike Energy named as a buy

The team at Bell Potter has named Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX) shares as a speculative buy with a 15 cents price target. This implies potential upside of over 40% for investors from current levels. It said: "STX announced that the Western Australian Economic Regulation Authority had finalised its determination for the Benchmark Reserve Capacity Price for the 2028/29 capacity year at $488,500/MW per year which could support revenues of around $42m from the South Erregulla project, before electricity sales."

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

After starting deep in red territory this morning, the ASX 200 dropped as low as 8,379 points during intra-day trading before wrapping up at a flat 8,461 points. That puts the index down 0.65% for the session today.

This rather bleak Monday for ASX investors came after an even more turbulent end to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was hit hard, dropping by a nasty 1.73%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, falling by a horrid 2.15%.

But let's get back to this week and our local markets, and check out the damage to the different ASX sectors inflicted by today's market drop.

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

As such, we head into the weekend with the ASX 200 at 8,516.3 points.

This disappointing conclusion to the week's trading for Australian investors was preceded by an even more downbeat morning on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up an early lead to finish at a significant 1.01% loss.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was hit even harder, falling by 2.38%.

But let's return to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into how the various ASX sectors fared amid today's tough trading conditions.

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

In afternoon trade today, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.3%.

Here's how these three ASX 200 coal stocks are tracking at this same time:

• Whitehaven shares are up 4.8% at $9.23 each
• New Hope shares are up 4.2% at $5.67 apiece
• Yancoal shares are up 3.5% at $8.35 each

So, what's going on?

ASX 200 coal stocks lift on rising energy concerns

With no fresh price-sensitive news out from any of the three ASX 200 coal stocks, it looks like they are all enjoying renewed investor interest amid a rising coal price.

Thermal coal is trading for US$142 per tonne, up 3.2% overnight, according to data from Trading Economics. This sees the coal price up more than 21% in March.

Like oil and gas, the coal price – and the shares of New Hope, Yancoal, and Whitehaven – have risen sharply since the onset of the Iran war on 28 February.

Today's increase comes after the thermal coal price dipped to US$138 per tonne earlier this week. That drop was driven by hopes that the war could be nearing an end after United States President Donald Trump extended his deadline to commence bombing Iran's power stations, saying the nations are involved in negotiations.

But with the US moving significant new forces into the conflict zone, and Iran denying it is seeking a deal, hopes of a near-term ceasefire have faded.

And as we hope for cooler heads to prevail, energy prices and energy stocks are moving higher.

How have New Hope, Yancoal, and Whitehaven shares performed in March?

Since the onset of the Middle East conflict on 28 February, the ASX 200 has slumped 7.8%.

As for the ASX 200 coal stocks, Yancoal shares are up 42.4% over this time; New Hope shares have gained 20.9%; and Whitehaven shares are up 18.0% in March.

Looking ahead, while it's impossible to predict how coal prices will move longer term, I think it's likely they will remain elevated over the coming months. That's because even the rapid end to the conflict that we're hoping for will leave nations around the world scrambling to secure their depleted energy needs.

That should help support the recent outsized gains posted by New Hope, Yancoal, and Whitehaven shares.

We could also see significant increases in the next round of dividends from the ASX 200 coal stocks as they share their growing profits with stockholders.

The post Why New Hope, Yancoal and Whitehaven shares are storming higher on Friday 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 at The Fool, our analysts do not recommend buying ASX shares simply just to get the next dividend payment.

Our market experts say the decision to buy should be more thoughtful than that, and based on fundamental analysis.

But if you already intend to buy any of these ASX shares, you might like to consider the best timing for you.

For example, you could buy before the ex-dividend date and receive entitlement to the next dividend payment.

Or you might prefer to wait until the ex-dividend date itself, when the share price usually falls, to snap up your stock.

Here are some ex-dividend dates next week

The post 20 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

ASX 200 energy shares have soared 16% since Israel and the United States attacked Iran on 28 February (US time).

The ensuing oil supply shock has sent the Brent Crude oil price 42% higher over 30 days to US$103.14 at the time of writing.

Gas prices are also substantially higher, with European gas up 64%, UK gas up 69%, and German gas up 60% over 30 days.

The thermal coal price is also 15% higher over 30 days as disrupted gas supplies force power plants to switch to coal.

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut, choking off 20% of global oil and gas supplies, as Middle East producers curtail production.

The US and Iran are in discussions to end the war, but how long this will take is anyone's guess.

While we watch and wait, here are some recent recommendations from the experts on four ASX 200 energy shares.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)

Ampol shares are up 0.3% to $33.30 on Thursday.

Stock in the national service station network owner has rocketed 18% since the conflict in Iran began.

This week, Jefferies reiterated its buy rating on this ASX 200 energy share.

The broker also lifted its 12-month share price target on Ampol from $35 to $36.50.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price is 1.4% higher at $34.09 on Thursday.

The market's biggest ASX 200 oil share has risen 20% since the war began.

This week, UBS put a hold rating on Woodside shares with a price target of $30.20.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)

The New Hope Corporation share price is $5.49, down 1.1% on Thursday and up 17% since the war began.

Last week, Morgans maintained its hold rating on this ASX 200 coal share with a $5 target.

The broker said:

With an increasing production profile and material upside potential in coal prices, NHCs outlook remains positive.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

The Whitehaven share price is $8.74, down 1.5% on Thursday and up 12% since the war began.

UBS maintains a sell rating on this ASX 200 energy share.

However, the broker lifted its 12-month price target from $7.70 to $7.90 this month.

The post New ratings on 4 ASX 200 energy shares: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) is down 2.5% while the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 1.75%.

Oil and gas prices are easing across the board today after the United States said it was continuing discussions with Iran to end the war.

Israeli media indicated that the US had proposed a one-month ceasefire to facilitate ongoing discussions for a diplomatic resolution.

The New York Times reported that the US had sent Iran a 15-point proposal via Pakistan, which had offered to act as an intermediary.

Trading Economics analysts commented:

These developments outweighed concerns over further Middle East escalation after President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of roughly 2,000 troops to the region, as the administration considered options to loosen Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The 2,000 troops are from the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division.

Iran continues to deny it has even engaged in negotiations with the US, and the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut.

This is disrupting 20% of the world's oil and gas supplies, which has led to rising fuel prices and some shortages.

In Australia, petrol prices are as high as 247.9 cents per litre in Sydney.

Scores of service stations across the nation have run out of either petrol or diesel, or both.

Nine of the top 10 fastest fallers on the ASX 200 today are energy shares.

Let's take a look.

ASX 200 energy shares slip on Wednesday

The worst-hit ASX 200 energy share today is Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR), down 6.7% to $1.92.

The market's biggest ASX 200 oil share, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), is down 3.5% to $33.50 per share.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price is down 2.4% to $7.66.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares are down 2.8% to $32.88.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price is down 2.5% to $2.39.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares are 5.1% lower at $1.25.

ASX 200 coal shares are also lower today.

The Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) share price is 5.3% lower at $7.86.

The Whitehaven Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price is down 4.6% to $8.89.

The New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price is $5.59, down 4.3%.

Why is the rest of the market rising?

The ASX 200 is rising strongly on hopes that the war in Iran will end soon, as well as new inflation data that surprised on the downside.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) lifted 3.7% in the 12 months to February.

That's down 0.1% from the 12 months to January.

Markets were expecting 3.8% for February, so the data was a pleasant surprise for investors.

However, inflation remains well outside the Reserve Bank's target range of 2% to 3%, with its ultimate goal being to reach the mid-point.

Housing costs, which incorporate electricity prices, new homes, and rents, rose the most at 7.2% over the 12 months.

Electricity prices alone rose 37% over the period.

The post Why are ASX 200 energy shares tumbling today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Three such shares that hit new yearly highs yesterday were: 

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

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

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

Telstra Group

Telstra shares closed yesterday after a 0.75% gain. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Duratec

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

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

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

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

New Hope

New Hope is an Australian thermal coal miner.

Its share price has lifted 44% year to date. 

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

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

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

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

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

At the time of writing, New Hope shares are trading at $5.79, up 1.94% for the day.

The stock has gained around 9.25% over the past week and approximately 22.67% over the past month. This makes New Hope shares among the top-performing ASX 200 stocks across the energy sector.

What a $7,500 investment looks like today

Around five weeks ago, New Hope shares were trading at $4.69.

A $7,500 investment at that price would have bought approximately 1,599 shares.

At today's price of $5.79, those shares would now be worth roughly $9,250.

That represents a gain of about $1,750, or approximately 23% over the five-week period.

The move highlights how quickly returns can build when commodity prices shift in favour of producers.

Coal prices driving the move

The key driver behind the rally has been the strength in thermal coal prices.

According to recent data, coal is now trading around US$140 per tonne, marking a 16-month high. This follows a steady rise in recent months, supported by tighter supply conditions and strong demand from power generation markets.

This has lifted sentiment across the sector and contributed to the recent re-rating in coal-exposed stocks.

Operational snapshot

New Hope is a diversified coal producer with operations across New South Wales and Queensland, including the Bengalla and New Acland mines.

The company's latest guidance shows:

• ROM coal production of 15.7 to 17.7 million tonnes
• Saleable coal production of 10.2 to 11.5 million tonnes
• Coal sales also in the range of 10.2 to 11.5 million tonnes

These figures remain unchanged from prior guidance, suggesting stable operating conditions despite volatility in commodity markets.

Momentum and technical picture

Looking at the chart, New Hope shares have been trending higher since late January, moving from around $4 to current levels near $5.80.

The stock is now trading near the upper bollinger band, which typically reflects strong upward momentum. The relative strength index (RSI) is also sitting around 70, indicating the stock is approaching overbought territory.

Foolish Takeaway

New Hope's recent gains reflect higher coal prices, rather than any new updates from the company.

In just five weeks, a $7,500 investment has risen to around $9,250, driven by coal hitting multi-month highs.

These gains highlight how quickly returns can build when pricing conditions improve, with recent strength in coal prices driving the share price higher.

The post $7,500 invested in New Hope shares 5 weeks ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

According to Trading Economics, WTI crude is trading around US$89.70 per barrel, down about 8.7% on the session. Brent crude is near US$100.60 per barrel, after falling roughly 10.3%.

This follows a pullback in prices after recent gains linked to supply disruptions across the Middle East.

Shift in expectations weighs on prices

Recent reports indicate that the United States has paused planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days following high-level discussions.

Markets seem to have interpreted this as a possible step toward easing tensions.

Earlier, oil prices surged as tensions between the US and Iran raised fears about supply routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. This chokepoint handles roughly 20% of global oil flows.

With the immediate risk of disruption appearing lower, traders appear to have adjusted their expectations, leading to a decline in prices.

Volatility remains elevated

Despite the recent pullback, oil remains higher on a longer-term basis.

Brent crude is up around 38% since the start of the US-Israel conflict involving Iran. Prices briefly moved above US$110 per barrel, up from around US$70 before the conflict.

Recent trading also highlights how quickly prices are moving. Brent has recorded large swings within a single session as markets reacted to escalating updates.

These moves have been driven by changing expectations around supply risk.

ASX energy stocks move lower

The drop in oil prices weighed on local energy stocks in early trading today.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares were down about 3.5% in early trading to $33.56. The stock remains roughly 20% higher over the past month.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares also declined, falling around 3% to $7.82. The company's shares are still up about 14% over the same period.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares were down about 0.8% to $33.19. In contrast, Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) shares rose approximately 2.3% to $2.43.

Coal stocks also moved lower, with Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) down about 2% and New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) slipping around 1%.

Foolish takeaway

Oil prices have fallen as immediate supply concerns have eased, though they remain above pre-conflict levels.

While there have been no confirmed disruptions to production or shipping, recent price movements have been driven by changes in expectations.

Moves across ASX energy stocks seem to have followed these changes in oil prices, rather than any new specific updates from the companies themselves.

The post Oil slides below US$100 as tensions shift, ASX energy stocks pull back appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Fear and uncertainty weighed on the broader market, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) falling 2.19% to 8,428.4 points.

Energy shares have gained 16.21% while the ASX 200 has fallen 8.37% since Israel and the US attacked Iran on 28 February (US time).

Last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted interest rates for a second time this year, mainly due to inflation trending higher.

However, the war and rising petrol prices were clearly a concern for the RBA board, which said:

… the conflict in the Middle East has resulted in sharply higher fuel prices, which, if sustained, will add to inflation.

Short-term measures of inflation expectations have already risen.

As a result, the Board judged that there is a material risk that inflation will remain above target for longer than previously anticipated.

The ASX 200 was volatile all week, while Brent crude ripped to almost US$120 per barrel after Israel and Iran bombed energy assets.

Over the past 30 days, the Brent crude oil price has skyrocketed 50% while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) has risen 42%.

On Friday, Trading Economics analysts said:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would refrain from additional attacks on Iranian energy facilities and that the war could end sooner than expected, noting Iran's reduced capacity to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles.

Despite the pullback, Brent futures remain up almost 50% since the start of the conflict, as the disruption has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz and forced major regional producers to sharply curb output.

Seven of the 11 market sectors finished the week in the red.

Let's review.

Energy shares rip 6% as war drags on

Several of the largest ASX 200 energy shares hit new multi-year highs last week.

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price reached a two-and-a-half-year high of $34.31 on Friday.

Woodside shares rose 9.66% over the week to finish at $34.04.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price hit a 52-week high of $8.19 on Friday.

Over the week, Santos shares lifted 5.98% to close at $7.98 apiece.

The Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price ascended to an 18-month high of $34.29 on Friday.

Ampol shares increased 7.33% over the week to close at $33.11.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price rose to a 52-week high of $2.64 on Friday.

Viva Energy shares ripped 10.28% over the week to close at $2.36 apiece.

ASX 200 coal shares also rose again last week, as disrupted gas supplies forced power plants to start using coal.

The thermal coal price has risen 25% over 30 days.

The thermal coal price was US$145.20 per tonne on Friday, its highest level since November 2024.

The Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) share price rose 3% to end the week at $8.31, a new 52-week high.

The New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price lifted 6.73% to $5.71, after reaching a 52-week peak of $5.79 on Friday.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

The post ASX 200 energy shares lead the market for a third week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.