Research notes

Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is an American multinational integrated energy company headquartered in Spring, Texas. ExxonMobil operates across four business segments, Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products and Specialty Products, supported by a Low Carbon Solutions business spanning carbon capture, hydrogen and lithium.

KPG delivered 18.9% underlying NPATA growth to A$10.8m for FY26, on revenue up 18.2% to A$159.2m. The group now operates 43 businesses across six countries (Australia, US, Ireland, Hong Kong, India and, new in FY26, a Philippines BPO), with the US contributing ~A$25m or ~15% of revenue. KPG's programmatic acquisition strategy continued, with six acquisitions completed in FY26 adding ~A$18.7m-22.2m of annualised revenue (13.9%-16.5% of FY25 revenue). Group run-rate revenue is now ~A$164.2m. Organic revenue growth was 2.9% (4.5% excluding office consolidations and exiting non-profitable clients). Operating-business underlying EBITDA margin held at 28.4% (FY25: 28.3%), with KPG continuing to target 35%.

SharkNinja (SN.NYS) is a US based, global consumer appliance company. The company operates two core and high-quality brands: 1) Shark – home care and cleaning products (vacuums/steam mops); and 2) Ninja – kitchen appliances (blenders/air fryers/food processors).

Rheinmetall AG is a leading German defence contractor best known for designing and manufacturing tanks, cannons, and advanced combat systems. Its crown jewel is the 120mm smoothbore cannon used on the Leopard 2 main battle tank, widely regarded as one of the most precise and powerful tank guns in service. Rheinmetall is also a core industrial partner in the Franco-German MGCS (Main Ground Combat System) programme, aimed at developing Europe’s next-generation main battle tank.

McDonald’s Corporation (MCD.NYS) is a global QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) business known for signature menu items such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, and Fries. The Golden Arches logo is one of the most instantly recognisable symbols of American consumer culture in the world.

We recently attended a site visit to MEK’s Murchison Gold Project (MGP) following the release of its 4Q26 result. Whilst the Q4 result rounded out a tougher 2H26, we think MEK is well positioned to rebound in FY27 as Andy Well continues to ramp up in H1, followed by first ore out of Turnberry in Q3. The site visit took us underground at Andy Well, through the adjacent processing plant, and to the concluding open pit operations at Turnberry. We view the transition to a pure owner-operator underground model as a clear point of differentiation for MEK as it enters FY27. Following an analyst change, we retain a BUY rating with a TP of A$0.31 per share.

SGH’s share price closed down 10% following the release of forward guidance, which sees EBIT forecast to be flat or increase low single-digits through FY27. While management is firm in their aspiration to compound EBIT/EPS 10% (pa) through the cycle, this is unlikely in FY27 as growth in the 12-months ahead remains more incremental, than transformational, and M&A (c.50% of their growth target) is elusive. Given we suspected FY27 would be a year of consolidation, we are prepared to look through to the growth in FY28 (FY28 EBITg: 14%) coming from Crux, potential property realisations, and M&A. Buy retained, with a $50/sh price target.

AOV reported in line with guidance, delivering FY26 sales growth of +3%; EBITA +2%; and NPATA +1%. FY27 guidance for modest growth (MorgansF EBITA +1%). The result was in line, but the FY27 outlook underwhelms, implying another year of meagre revenue and EBITA growth. While valuation support is evident (~7x PE), we see limited scope to re-rate given the cyclical backdrop and ongoing investment required to drive growth. We move to HOLD (from ACCUMULATE).

BOQ announced finalisation of its capital return related to the equipment finance whole-loan sale, alongside completion of ME customer migration to its digital bank platform. We make material forecast downgrades. Target price reduced to $6.94/sh. ACCUMULATE retained at current prices, but noting only a c.13% potential TSR including the special dividend. BOQ is trading on c.0.9x P:TBV and c.11x PER.