Azzet reports on three stocks with price moving updates today.
NRW lifts following another FY26 guidance upgrade ~
The market appeared to have yawned its way through the first half of trading today, with NRW Holdings’ (ASX: NWH) FY26 guidance upgrade struggling to hold a 2.2% by 2 pm AEDT (3 am GMT).
Following a strong start to FY26 and the $200 million acquisition of electrical, mechanical infrastructure, technology and maintenance services provider, Fredon, NRW Holdings has upgraded its FY26 guidance, forecasting revenue of around $4.1 billion and underlying earnings of $260 to 265 million.
At today’s AGM, the diversified contract service group’s CEO, Julian Pemberton, told shareholders that mining operations in Queensland (QLD) have exceeded internal projections, due largely to beneficial weather conditions, while Fredon is currently meeting its targets for the first half earn-out period.
“I can say with confidence that the strong start to the financial year for the group will see our half year result trending to the top end of the range required to position us well for the balance of the year,” said Pemberton.
The group’s secured work in hand stands at $7.1 billion, complemented by $7 billion in active tenders and a substantial $20.9 billion pipeline of prospective projects.
Pemberton also told the market today to expect 2H FY26 benefits from a full six months of Fredon’s operational contribution, an expanded scope of work at the South Walker Creek project and continued strong performance across its nine business units.
Despite the somewhat muted response to today’s update, and the lingering threat of an eighth consecutive pay strike, the stock still managed to hit a record high of $5.18 at noon.
While the share price has been in a progressive ascent since mid-April, it jumped 6% early October after boosting FY26 revenue outlook to over $4 billion, up from a previous estimate of more than $3.4 billion, citing strength in its diversified contract services business.
The stock’s 10-year annualised total shareholder return – calculated by combining dividends and share price growth – is more than 52%.
Recapping on its previous results, Pemberton highlighted:
- Civil: Had an excellent year, with revenue up almost 26 per cent to $824 million on the back of higher activity in the key Pilbara region and in our urban business in Queensland.
- Mining: Revenue increased slightly to $1.54 billion; however, underlying earnings fell 15.7% to $121 million, and profit margins eased from 9.4% to 7.9% due largely to disruptions and loss of productivity caused by the significantly higher-than-average rainfall in QLD.
- Minerals, Energy & Technologies: Revenue up substantially to $932 million to deliver underlying EBITA of $68.3 million, profit margins improved from 5.8% to 7.3%.
NRW Holdings has a market cap of $2.3 billion; the share price is up 33% in the last year and up 8% in the last month.
The stock is in a long-term bullish pattern confirmed by multiple indicators.
Consensus is Strong Buy.
Suncorp slumps on $350 million in storm-related claims
Shares in Suncorp (ASX: SUN) were trading 1.7% lower following the insurance group's estimated net cost of $350 million due to 10,000 claims – 5,000 in home and 5,000 in motor - following storms across south-east Queensland and northern NSW.
Lodgements were heaviest in Beenleigh, Shailer Park, Manly West, Cornubia, Capalaba, Loganholme, Keperra, Wynnum, Birkdale and Alexandra Hills, pointing to a concentrated damage belt across Brisbane’s southern and bayside suburbs.
While this is an early assessment, the insurer is understood to have reached its reinsurance maximum retention.
Over the course of FY26, Suncorp has allowed for $1.77 billion for natural hazards, with total natural hazard costs year-to-date now estimated at $1.15 to $1.28 billion.
The insurer retains Cat cover for up to two further large events, with maximum event retention now reduced to $240 to 280 million for the next major Australian storm.
Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston said the company’s disaster management centre and mobile disaster response hubs are assisting customers, with emergency repairs underway.
Meanwhile, in early November, Suncorp told the market it aims to work to extend the coverage of insurance closer to 100% of the population.
Within a strategy presentation, Johnston said his management team had outlined plans to profit from an insurance industry that “in the future will be hyper-personalised.
“Digital and AI will transform underwriting, ensuring significantly more precision in pricing and risk selection,” Johnston said.
“The flip side is that customers will increasingly seek to monetise that precision in the form of new products and personalised premium, which together will better reflect their particular risk profile.”
Mid-August saw Suncorp report a bumper FY25 profit, boost dividends, and unveil a $400 million share buy-back for FY26.
Net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1,823 million (up from $1,197 million in FY24), included gains from selling Suncorp Bank and New Zealand Life.
During FY26, Suncorp expects gross written premium growth in the mid-single digits as pricing moderates with easing inflation.
The underlying insurance trading ratio is expected to sit in the top half of its 10–12% target range, supported by the continued effect of higher premium rates and improved reinsurance conditions.
Management told the market that the business in FY26 will focus on digital transformation, customer outcomes, and disciplined capital management, including completing the $400 million share buy-back and sustaining a competitive dividend payout ratio.
Suncorp has a market cap of $19.7 billion; the share price is down 6% over one year and 7% in the last month.
The stock’s shares appear to be in a long-term bearish trend, confirmed by multiple indicators.
Consensus is Moderate Buy.
Audeara rallies after China greenlights full commercial rollout
Shares in Audeara (ASX: AUA) were up 13.3% after the listening solutions provider received full National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) regulatory approval in China for the hearing-aid technology it licenses to manufacturing partner, Taiwan Stock Exchange-listed Eastech (5225.TW).
The thumbs up by China’s NMPA allows the product, embedded with Audeara’s personalised hearing technology, to launch under a market-leading hearing-aid brand sold through major Chinese e-commerce and healthcare platforms.
The milestone triggers production planning and positions the Brisbane-based company to earn high-margin licensing revenue per unit as sales commence, while also strengthening the company’s expansion strategy and validates the scalability of its technology.
The certification means Eastech can commence production and activation planning ahead of launch.
Commenting on today’s update, Audeara CEO, Dr James Fielding, told the market that securing NMPA certification is an important achievement for its partnership with Eastech and a strong validation of its proprietary hearing personalisation technology.
“It reinforces the commercial potential of this product in a high-growth hearing aid market, strengthens our strategic collaboration with Eastech, and enhances Audeara’s pathway to delivering repeatable, high margin licensing revenue,” said Fielding.
As a global hearing health leader specialised in innovative listening solutions for people with hearing challenges, Audeara sells its products through distributors and resellers in Australia, Europe, Asia and North America, and through e-commerce channels.
After slumping to a low of $0.919 in early August, the stock has bounced progressively higher after entering a project agreement with Ear Science Institute Australia (ESIA) to develop bone-conduction hearing tools for Australian high-need communities.
Bone conduction involves transmitting vibrations through the skull. This bypasses the eardrum and allows users to hear ambient sounds alongside audio.
One target market is children who need help to hear in class, especially in regional areas.
Meanwhile, yesterday Audeara received $1.22 million from the Australian Government’s R&D Tax Incentive for the 2025 financial year, which has significantly benefited the company’s development of state-of-the-art headphones and personal sound amplification solutions.
This funding has also allowed Audeara to repay its R&D loan facility, extend its cash runway, and accelerate progress with international partners, ultimately supporting its technology roadmap and preserving shareholder value.
The company posted 1Q FY26 revenue of $1.05 million, marking a 46% increase on the prior quarter.
Audeara has a market cap of $6 million; the share price is down 19% in one year and up 25% in the last week.
The stock appears to have completed a medium-term rally that pulled the 5-day moving average above the 50-day moving average.
Consensus does not cover this stock.
This article does not constitute financial or product advice. You should consider independent advice before making financial decisions.
