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Industrials
DroneShield soars as world seeks new tech defenses
There's a scene in every modern war film where the general asks: "What's our air superiority?" The answer used to involve fighter jets and missile systems - now it involves a US$200 drone bought on Alibaba carrying explosives into a fuel depot. Not kidding. Australian defense-tech outfit DroneShield (ASX: DRO) has spent the last decade preparing for this moment, and investors have been paying attention. The firm now has its AI-driven hardware in service across 70 countries, completing a transformation from garage startup to scaled defence contractor in 18 months.Catalysts convergeDroneShield actually topped the ASX 200 in September with a 41% gain. The Sydney-based counter-UAS manufacturer closed at A$5.68 on October 3, marking a 440% gain year-to-date and pushing market capitalisation to ~A$5 billion. H1 revenue hit A$72.3 million, up 210% year-over-year, while second-quarter sales reached A$38.8 million - a whopping 480% jump from Q2 2024. The financial beats were driven by three pivotal factors: First, inclusion in the ASX 200 during quarterly rebalancing brought in index fund money that provided a valuation floor for the stock. Second, the unveiling of expanded U.S. research and development operations show
Industrials
Beleaguered Reece jumps 12% on $250m buy-back offer
In an effort to fix its leaking market value, plumbing giant Reece Limited (ASX: REH) has announced an A$250 million share buyback - potentially expanding to $400 million with an on-market raise. The stock price jumped 12% after the news broke - temporary relief for shareholders nursing a 60% decline from $29 to below $12 over the past year. Eligible shareholders can offer to sell some or all of their shares to Reece at a floor price of $11.00, representing a 6.6% premium to the last close, at a nominated price between $11.00-$13.00 (inclusive), in 20 cent intervals; and/or at the final buy-back price within that range determined by Reece. The Wilson family, which has controlled Reece since 1969, won't participate in the buyback. Their stake will increase from 67.1% to potentially 71.1% however, further concentrating ownership during the company's most challenging period in decades. “We carefully evaluated all available options in accordance with our capital allocation framework and believe the buy-back is an efficient way to return excess capital to shareholders, while maintaining a conservative leverage ratio," Reece chairman Peter Wilson said. “Despite the challenging near-term outlook, we remain optimistic for t
Industrials
FedEx beats estimates amid cost reduction plan
FedEx beat estimates on earnings and revenue last quarter amid its cost reduction plan, sending shares up 5.5% in after-hours trading. Earnings per share were US$3.83, up from $3.60 one year ago and above LSEG estimates of $3.59. Revenue was $22.24 billion, rising from $21.58 billion and beating estimates of $21.66 billion. “Our earnings growth underscores the success of our strategic initiatives, as we are flexing our network and reducing our cost-to-serve, while further enhancing our value proposition and customer experience,” said FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam. “Our strategic initiatives, paired with our unique operational data platform from moving 17 million packages through our network daily, position us well to serve our customers in any environment and to create long-term value for our stockholders.” Operating income was $1.30 billion, compared with $1.21 billion one year ago. Net income increased from $890 million to $910 million. Its Federal Express segment reported $19.12 billion in revenue, up 4% year-over-year. The company credited this to higher United States package yields and cost reductions. Revenue for its FedEx Freight segment dropped by 3% to $2.26 billion. FedEx Freight will be separated into a ne
Industrials
AeroVironment Q1 result sees stock rise in late trade
United States defence contractor, AeroVironment, has raised its earnings outlook in its first quarter report released overnight. The drone maker and defence technology provider on Monday announced another contract for its growing backlog. The Q1 2026 report showed earnings of 32 cents per share, down from 89 cents last year and slightly below market expectations of 33 cents. Revenue broke records for the first quarter for AeroVironment, landing at US$454.7 million, a mark-up of 140% year-over-year. A little over half of that revenue, US$235.2 mil, was attributed to the acquisition BlueHalo, a fellow defence technology provider. First quarter backlog was another record for AeroVironment, coming in at US$1.1 billion, with another contract announced on Monday. The 2026 revenue outlook was maintained, and earnings were lifted to $3.60-$3.70 per share adjusted, up from the previously forecast $2.80 and $3 per share. “As we complete the first quarter of our new fiscal year, we are excited by the continued strength across both our Autonomous Systems and Space, Cyber and Directed Energy segments with record revenue and backlog,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and CEO. "Our continued strong res
Industrials
Will SMR nuclear tech power Rolls-Royce’s next rally?
Based on the quality of its £18.8 billion (A$38.7 billion) order book, up 120% in one year, it’s hardly surprising that Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR) – a brand synonymous with luxury and quality - has become the UK share market's best-performing stock over the past three years. However, with so much upside already factored into the price, there are now mixed broker expectations on the ability of the maker of engines used in large Boeing and Airbus planes to go on climbing from here. While the FTSE 100 stock’s 115% share price growth in the past 12 months is impressive enough, it has rocketed a mouthwatering 1,190% over five years.Half-year resultsThe stock’s share price was given another significant kicker late July on revelations that strong demand for jet engines saw half-year profits rise 50%. Underlying operating profits climbed to £1.7 billion on the back of underlying revenue of £9 billion, up from £8.1 billion in the same period last year. At the half year, the free cash flow jumped to £1.58 billion. While improved profitability was witnessed across all three of Rolls-Royce’s operating divisions, power systems – which produces high-speed engines, propulsion systems, and distributed energy systems - was the strongest

Industrials
Full year results push Brambles shares to record
The Bramble Industries share price surged to its highest ever level after the global supply chain logistics company reported a strong increase in profit for the 2025 financial year (FY25). The shares were trading A$2.05 higher (up 8.82%) at $25.28 at the time of writing, capitalising the company at $34.41 billion, after ranging between $23.65 and $25.46, a record high. The company, best known for its CHEP pallets, earlier announced that underlying profit and operating profit increased 9% to US$1.372 billion (A$2.11 billion) on sales revenue, which grew 2% to $6.669 billion in the 12 months to 30 June 2025. Directors declared a 30% franked final dividend of 20.83 U.S. cents per share to be paid on 8 October 2025 to shareholders registered on 11 September, compared with 19 cents a year earlier, bringing the total payment for 39.83 U.S. cents per share (34 cents). Brambles also forecast revenue growth of 3-5%, underlying profit growth of 8-11% and free cash flow before dividends of between US$850-950 million in FY26. The company plans an on-market share buy-back of up to US$400 million (subject to market conditions) in FY26, following the completion of US$403 million of share buy-backs in FY25. Brambles attributed t
Industrials
Revenue drop, finance costs take a toll on Transurban
Transurban reported a 52.4% plunge in statutory net profit after tax for the 2025 financial year (FY25) as revenue fell and finance costs rose. The toll road operator said profit fell to $178 million in the 12 months ended 30 June 2025 from $376 million in FY24 on revenue, which dropped 8.5% to $3.77 billion. A 44% drop in construction revenue and a 66% fall in other revenue offset a 3% lift in toll revenue as average daily traffic volumes rose 2.2% while net finance expenses soared 45% to $735 million. The company said proportional operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for FY25 rose 7.4% to $2.676 billion, supported by a proportional toll revenue increase of 5.6% to $3.732 billion. Directors declared an unfranked final distribution of 33 cents per security to be paid on 22 August to security holders registered on 30 June 2025, bringing the full year payment to 65 cents, compared with 62 cents. Source: TransurbanTransurban also forecast an increase in distribution to 69 cents in FY26, subject to traffic performance and macroeconomic factors. Chief Executive Officer Michelle Jablko said the FY25 result reflected the hard work undertaken to restructure the business and lay the
Industrials
China's record steel exports devastate BlueScope profit
Australia's largest steelmaker BlueScope Steel (ASX: BSL) has recorded a dramatic collapse in full-year profits, with earnings tumbling 90% as a massive impairment charge and operational failures in North America devastated the bottom line. The company posted net profit after tax of $83.8 million for FY 2025, a catastrophic fall from $805.7 million the previous year. The coated products business in BlueScope's North American division recorded a loss, hit by lower volumes and operational issues alongside an impairment charge of $438.9 million. North America division's underlying earnings declined 45%, weighed down by weak performance at its North Star and Buildings and Coated Products North America operations.Market supply glutBut the pain extends beyond isolated operational missteps. Bloomberg analysis highlighted how a surplus of global steel capacity continued to weigh on prices while higher costs ate into margins. The global steel industry faces mounting pressure from China's record steel exports and economic uncertainty across major markets. BlueScope's underlying profit fell 51% to $420.8 million, while revenue slipped 4.4%. The company maintained its final dividend at 30 Australian cents per share, sugge
Industrials
Rolls-Royce lifts outlook after strong half-year results
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC turned in a solid first half of 2025, with profit growth and strong cash generation prompting an upward revision of its full-year outlook. Underlying operating profit rose 50% from the prior year to £1.7 billion, reflecting a 19.1% margin. Free cash flow came in at £1.6 billion, backed by stronger earnings and an uptick in long-term service agreement balances. The company now expects to deliver between £3.1 billion and £3.2 billion in operating profit and £3.0 billion to £3.1 billion in free cash flow at year-end. Net cash rose to £1.1 billion. To reward investors, Rolls-Royce announced a 4.5p interim dividend and a £1 billion share buyback program, “far exceeding” its 3p forecast, according to analysts.Credit: Rolls-RoyceGroup revenue increased to £9.49 billion, up from £8.86 billion in the same period last year. Statutory operating profit reached £2.07 billion, with pre-tax earnings jumping to £4.84 billion, boosted in part by gains tied to the deconsolidation of its Rolls-Royce SMR unit. Basic earnings per share more than tripled to 52.38p, compared to 13.71p a year earlier. Return on capital improved to 16.9%, while the effective tax rate declined to 8.9%, down from 19.8%. The Civi