Research notes
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Research Notes
International Spotlight
General Motors Company
May 19, 2026
General Motors Company (GM-US), headquartered in Detroit, is a global automotive company known for brands like Chevrolet and Cadillac, offering a diverse portfolio of vehicles. A market leader with considerable scale, GM has global operations and employs over 165,000 staff worldwide.
Materially higher cost base disappoints
Elders
May 18, 2026
While ELD’s 1H26 result was up strongly on the pcp, it missed consensus estimates due to materially higher Corporate Services costs associated with Systems Modernisation. Outlook comments were relatively optimistic despite the BOM’s dry outlook. We have revised our forecasts for higher costs and the divestment of Killara. After material weakness, we maintain a BUY recommendation. A significant rerating requires delivering consensus estimates and deleveraging.
Guidance (A)ssumes too (L)ittle from the (S)treet
ALS Limited
May 18, 2026
ALQ delivered a strong FY26 with EBIT +18% and NPAT +26% YoY. Commodities was the standout, as 2H revenue growth of +23% was accompanied by +170bps of HoH margin expansion. Commodities guidance (FY27 +12-14% revenue growth) is conservative and would require a material deceleration from 2H26 (+23%). Indeed, 1H27 minerals guidance is predicated on flat (absolute) sample volumes vs 2H26, despite seasonal tailwinds (Sept-half > Mar-half) and accelerating junior activity. Our forecast changes are negligible, and we still view risk to our forecasts as skewed firmly to the upside, absent a material supply disruption scenario. We forecast Commodities revenue growth of +25%, while our raisings data points to geochemistry volumes up +35-45% during 1H, corroborated by the sample flows chart which already shows volumes tracking +25-30% in April. The stock is now trading on just 23x FY27 PE as it enters a bullish commodities cycle with a gold-plated balance sheet (leverage 1.5x). Reiterate BUY.
3Q26: Volume delivers the beat. FY26 looks good.
New Hope Group
May 18, 2026
NHC delivered a materially stronger-than-expected 3Q26, with group coal sales of 3.2Mt beating consensus by ~20%. Saleable Production was also strong at 3.01Mt, beating consensus by ~10%. Bengalla achieved a FOB cash cost ($AUD/t) of $74, down from $84.4 in the prior quarter. Underlying EBITDA (unaudited) of ~A$130m came in ~22% ahead of the prior quarter, supported by higher volumes and a meaningful step-down in unit costs. We maintain a HOLD rating with a target price of A$5.25ps.
Comms + Compute = Unique value proposition
Megaport Limited
May 18, 2026
MP1 has announced a series of large contract wins which are financially and strategically significant. MP1 will use its globally unique communications platform to connect servers and GPU clusters in numerous DCs across the US. DC power constraints are a growing issue and MP1 was uniquely able to stitch together multiple sites to provide consolidated inference solutions. We update our forecasts to reflect recent contract wins, lifting our TP to $15.50 per share. We retain a BUY recommendation.
Issues in the US
Brambles
May 18, 2026
BXB’s trading update was disappointing, reflecting short-term pallet repair capacity constraints in parts of the US. These issues were driven by subcontractor turnover at service centres, labour shortages, and elevated supply chain costs, including additional repair, handling, transportation, and storage expenses. BXB has downgraded FY26 (constant FX) revenue growth guidance to 2-3% (vs 3-4% previously) while underlying EBIT growth is now expected to be 3-5% (vs 8-11% previously). We adjust FY26/27/28F underlying EBIT by -4%/-5%/-1%. Our target price declines to $18.70 (from $25.50) and we move to a HOLD rating (from ACCUMULATE). While management expects US pallet repair capacity constraints to be a short-term issue, with resolution targeted by the end of 1H27 and improvement initiatives already underway, risks remain given the challenging operating environment, including potential for further subcontractor turnover. With the volume outlook also uncertain, we prefer to wait for BXB’s FY26 result on 20 August before reassessing our view.
Formative Mt Oxide Field Season
True North Copper
May 18, 2026
TNC continues to advance both the Mt Oxide Copper Project and Cloncurry Hub across multiple fronts, against a backdrop of record copper prices. Exploration momentum continues to build at Mt Oxide, while the broader Cloncurry growth strategy is gaining traction through ongoing exploration success and commercial agreements. Looking ahead, we view the next 12 months as a key formative period for TNC, with continued drilling and development activity expected to further define the scale potential at Mt Oxide. We maintain our SPECULATIVE BUY rating and A$1.30ps price target.
International Spotlight
Alibaba Group
May 18, 2026
Alibaba Group is a Chinese multinational technology company specialising in e-commerce, retail, Internet and technology. The company has 7 main operating segments: China commerce retail, China commerce wholesale, International commerce, Core commerce, Digital Media and Entertainment, Cloud and Other. Across these segments are 32 companies. Alibaba’s primary business is a digital marketplace where consumers and merchants can connect to buy and sell from each other.
International Spotlight
Tencent
May 18, 2026
Tencent Holdings Ltd is a Chinese multinational technology conglomerate and holding company headquartered in Shenzhen. Its services include social network, music, web portals, e-commerce, mobile games, internet services, payment systems, smartphones and multiplayer online games. The company is split into six groups: Corporate Development Group, Cloud & Smart Industries Group, Interactive Entertainment Group, Platform & Content Group, Technology Engineering Group and Weixin Group.
International Spotlight
Cisco Systems, Inc.
May 18, 2026
Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) is a leading multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in San Jose, California. The company has established itself as a dominant force in the digital communications landscape since its founding in 1984.
News & insights
May 13, 2026
May 13, 2026
min read
Wealth Management: Lived up to taxation expectations.
Terri Bradford
Wealth Management Technical Services Adviser


