Research notes
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Research Notes
Opex step-up overshadows 2nd largest half of flows
Netwealth Group
January 23, 2026
NWL delivered 2Q26 net flows of $4.16bn, and total FUA of $125.6bn, which was broadly in-line with consensus expectations and sees the group on track to deliver NWL’s FY26 net-flow targets. Revised FY26 EBITDA margin guidance will however see a larger step-up in opex than previously flagged as NWL looks to further accelerate investment in capabilities to support the broader push into the Broker and UHNW markets, with the view to accelerating revenue growth. We decrease our NPAT forecasts by -2/-8%/-6%, reflecting NWL’s FY26 EBITDA margin guidance and the inclusion of debt to fund NWL’s First Guardian client remediation. Following a ~52% decline in share price over the last 6 months, we now see NWL trading on an FY27F P/E of ~40x (vs. HUB on 57x), with TSR of +18% based on our revised price target of $28.90/sh. This sees us move to an ACCUMULATE rating (previously HOLD).
2Q26 result: FY26 guidance in jeopardy
Pantoro Gold
January 22, 2026
PNR delivered a soft operating quarter for 2Q, producing 22koz Au and AISC of A$2,571/oz. Ounce production was up 12% qoq but still lags the output required to meet guidance. On a half yearly basis, PNR have only delivered 39.6% of ounces using the guidance midpoint of 105koz, despite this guidance being reiterated, although is expected to be at the lower end. We update our model for the result and reiterate our TRIM rating, price target A$5.00ps (previously A$5.02ps).
Projects on track, but some hiccups
Santos
January 22, 2026
STO posted a largely in line 4Q25 production and revenue result, although updates on its two key growth projects did flag some incremental negatives. Barossa ramp-up is dealing with an expected ~2-month delay vs planned. Pikka Phase 1 saw a ~US$200m upgrade in capex budget on a combination of cost pressures. Hiccups aside STO has done a good job executing, with Barossa and Pikka startups set to help the cash flow equation. Trading closed at a modest discount to our A$6.60 Target Price and we maintain our Hold rating.
2Q26 update
Generation Development Group
January 22, 2026
GDG’s 2Q26 quarterly update saw a record Investment Bond (IB) sales performance, which appeared much better than market expectations, although Evidentia FUM came in 2% below Visible Alpha consensus. In our view, the IB performance made this a positive quarterly result overall, albeit the market clearly wants to see Evidentia FUM growth gain traction. We lift our GDG FY26F/FY27F EPS by 1%-2% with increases in our IB sales and FUM growth targets offsetting slight downgrades to our Evidentia FUM growth levels. Our GDG valuation is largely unchanged at A$7.97 (from A$7.95). We think GDG has a great story, and management has executed well over time. With the stock trading at a >20% discount to our target price, we maintain our Buy recommendation.
2Q26 result: Modest beat, riding metals higher
South32
January 22, 2026
2Q26 was a modest beat at a group level operationally. Supported by strong alumina and silver output. FY26 guidance on operated assets unchanged, Brazil Aluminium under review. We have applied updated house precious metal forecasts to our estimates. Post-Illawarra divestment, S32 is ~90% base metal producer with limited execution risk (ex-Hermosa) and enjoying a healthy (and material) upgrade cycle from copper, aluminium and silver prices. Positioned to benefit from the upcycle, we maintain our BUY rating with a A$5.00 Target Price (was A$4.30).
2Q26 result: Temporary hiccup, guidance intact
Sandfire Resources
January 22, 2026
2Q26 reflected temporary disruptions at Motheo, with production now clearly 2H weighted (46:54) supporting a stronger 2H26 outlook. 1H26 underlying EBITDA to be US$304m (+11% qoq) and SFR finished 1H26 in a net cash position of US$13m. Maintain HOLD with a A$18.90ps target price (previously A$17.50ps).
Firing on all fronts
Evolution Mining
January 22, 2026
Strong 2Q26 with gold production and costs beating expectations. EVN generated record cash flow again. We expect EVN to reach net cash by the end of FY26. We maintain our TRIM rating as we view the stock as fully valued. However, we see merit in retaining some exposure given EVN’s significant leverage to gold and copper prices, which are currently at record levels.
Making hay while the sun shines
Rio Tinto
January 21, 2026
Record 4Q Pilbara production and shipments enabled RIO to land at the lower end of CY25 guidance, recovering from cyclone disruptions back in 1Q. Copper beat estimates by 14% on Escondida and Oyu Tolgoi strength. Simandou achieved first shipment in December as guided. Making hay while the sun shines, with copper and iron ore beats, but a quarter that will be hard to repeat with Pilbara shipments to normalise and Escondida grades set to moderate in CY26. Valuation remains stretched at current levels. We maintain our TRIM rating with target price unchanged at A$140.
Record quarterly
HUB24
January 21, 2026
HUB’s 2Q26 Platform net-flows of $5.6bn were the group’s largest on record, coming in ahead of consensus expectations of $4.6bn. On an underlying basis (excluding $1.5bn of flows from the EQT migration in 2Q25), core net inflows were up +42% yoy. This strong organic momentum was also supported by positive mark-to-markets during the quarter which saw HUB report Total FUA of $152.3bn, +26% yoy, and Platform FUA of ~A$127.9bn, +29% yoy. We see the company as well positioned to deliver strong growth at its upcoming 1H26 result and on track to reach its FY27 Platform FUA targets. We upgrade our underlying NPAT forecasts by 1-2% and retain our Hold rating with an unchanged $110.60 price target.
2Q26 Result: Record Quarter
Catalyst Metals
January 21, 2026
CYL delivered a solid operating result for 1Q driven by record production of 28.2koz Au and 24.8koz Au in sales from the Plutonic Gold Belt. FY26 guidance of 100-110koz Au at an AISC of A$2,200/oz - A$2,650/oz was reiterated. We now forecast FY26 sales of 109koz at an AISC of A$2,539/oz and update our price deck to align with recent spot gold movements. We update our model for the result, reiterate our BUY rating and increase our price target to A$12.51ps (previously A$10.58ps).
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