Azzet reports on three ASX stocks with notable trading updates today.
Superloop rises after guiding to higher earnings
Shares in Superloop (ASX: SLC) were up around 5% at the open after the large-cap telco provided a guidance upgrade without any supporting commentary.
Due to ongoing strong trading performance across the business, management told the market today to expect underlying earnings for FY25 to be at or above $91 million, above Superloop’s existing guidance range of $83-$88 million and an increase of over 67% from FY24 underlying earnings.
Management also told the market that FY25 cash capex is on track for the $28-$30 million range.
Back in May the company disclosed that it had executed an exclusive six-year contract to provide wholesale internet services to Origin Energy Retail Ltd (ASX: ORG) and its subsidiaries.
As of 13 May 2025, there were over 200,000 Origin broadband subscribers on Superloop’s network.
A month later the cashed-up fibre infrastructure provider’s CEO Paul Taylor is understood to have been putting the feelers out for several acquisitions.
With a market cap exceeding $1.5 billion, there has been speculation that Superloop could go after its rival and former suitor Aussie Broadband (ASX: ABB) which has a market cap of around $1.2 billion.
However, given that Superloop is performing so strongly, management may not see sufficient upside in a merger with Aussie Broadband to make it worthwhile.
While the latter previously made a $466 million offer for Superloop last year, the offer was rejected after Origin Energy bought a blocking 14% stake which saw the acquirer offload its 191.9% stake.
Despite making a loss in the six months to December of $7.8 million, Superloop had $10.9 million of net cash and after capital spending was generating strong cash flows.
Superloop now services more than 664,000 customers, with more than 209,000 net new customers added during the first half of FY25.
In addition to its contract to provide internet services for Origin Energy, Superloop has a five-year contract with AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL).
The company also increased its NBN market share from 2.3% to 6.3%.
Hopefully, there will be sufficient supporting commentary on the FY25 result 20 August 2025 for investors to get a better idea of what’s driving future growth.
Look for hints from management that the company is well on its way to achieving profitability in FY26.
Superloop’s shares are up 89% in one year and up 39% year-to-date.
The stock is in a strong bullish trend confirmed by multiple indicators.
Consensus is Strong Buy.
James Hardie rises on buyout confirmation
Shares in James Hardie (ASX: JHX) were up around 8% at the open after the fibre cement manufacturer confirmed to that market that shareholders in U.S. outdoor decking company Azek on Friday have now approved a $14 billion buyout.
As a result, James Hardie will shift its primary listing to the New York Stock Exchange.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, and subject to the completion of the transaction, AZEK stockholders will receive US$26.45 in cash and 1.0340 ordinary shares of James Hardie.
The transaction is expected to close on or about July 1, 2025, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement.
Meanwhile, Bell Potter believes James Hardie’s shares have been oversold after dropping from a 52-week high of $56.78 to $41.87 today.
The broker attributes the share price fall to market concerns over the merits of the deal, which following its announcement, saw the AZEK share price fall by around 25%.
However, with the company poised for continued earnings expansion - driven by the structural shift towards fibre cement in the U.S. – the broker thinks it's time to buy James Hardie on the dip.
“Households in the US continue to shift to fibre cement cladding from vinyl/timber, providing a multi-year runway for JHX's revenue and profit growth,” the broker notes.
“While debate still wages around the merits of the deal, we retain JHX in our focus list as we see upside from these levels.”
James Hardie has a market cap of around $18 billion; the share price is down 11% in one year and up 20% in one month.
The stock’s shares appear to be in a near-term rally within a longer-term bearish trend.
Consensus is Moderate Buy.
Green Critical Minerals falls on PFS update
Shares in Green Critical Minerals (ASX: GCM) were down around 9% at the open after the minerals explorer announce the positive outcomes of its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
At face value, it’s unclear why the stock fell after what was a positive update and may only denote some profit-taking with the stock opening at $0.23 before being sold off six minutes later.
However, by mid-morning buyers were again outnumbering sellers.
Green Critical Minerals, which holds an 80% interest in the McIntosh Graphite Project in WA, told the market today its PFS has exceeded expectations, demonstrating that the project is economically attractive and viable.
Graphite is recognised globally as a critical mineral, and recent U.S. policy announcements — particularly actions to reduce dependence on Chinese graphite imports — have sharpened the focus on secure, transparent supply chains.
Highlights of the PFS include:
- A pre-tax NPV (net present value) of 8% of $340 million and a post-tax NPV of 8% of $235 million.
- Internal rate of return (IRR) pre-tax of 29.6% and post-tax of 25.3%.
- 32.5-year mine life with the potential for substantial increases with further metallurgical test work and exploration.
Commenting on today’s update Green Critical Minerals’ managing director, Clinton Booth, told the market that today’s FPS demonstrated excellent economic and technical results.
“This represents a significant milestone in advancing McIntosh, with identified markets for its upstream product and the potential for integration into downstream opportunities, including our VHD Technology,” he said.
“This work supports GCM’s dual strategy: to become a vertically integrated supplier of traditional and advanced graphite products, and to deliver into global supply chains seeking ESG-compliant and geopolitically reliable sources of graphite.”
The company plans to build a commercial demonstration facility producing approximately 13,500tpa of graphite concentrate comprising 6,075tpa of graphite concentrate and 7,425tpa of micronised graphite concentrate at a grade of 95% w/w Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC).
There also exists significant potential to increase concentrate production in future years with little or no change to the current mining schedule.
Initial capital cost for the project is $55.2 million inclusive of pre-production costs.
The project anticipates generating significant cash flows, with a total revenue forecast of $ 3.20 billion over the length of mine - LOM (net of Government Royalties).
After LOM Opex of $ 1.06 billion and tax payments of $ 0.56 billion, the remaining operating cash flow is projected to be $1.42 billion.
Project construction capital expenditures amounting to $ 55.2 million and sustaining capital expenditure is expected to be $52.0 million.
Net free cash flow is projected to be $1.31 billion.
Earlier this month Green Critical Minerals completed an Institutional Placement of $7.0 million through the issue of approximately 583.3 million new fully paid ordinary shares of the Company (“New Shares”) at $0.012 per new share.
Given that further capital raises are likely, the company may choose to issue more shares which may have met with some disapproval today.
Green Critical Minerals has a market cap of $59 million; the share price is up 320% in one year and up 50% year to date.
The stock appears to be in a strong bullish trend as confirmed by multiple indicators.
Consensus is Moderate Buy.
This article does not constitute financial or product advice. You should consider independent advice before making financial decisions.
