Business 25 April 2026 - 26 April 2026

Lynas Rare Earths Becomes the Pentagon’s China Hedge as Malaysia Plant Takes Center Stage
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Lynas Rare Earths Becomes the Pentagon’s China Hedge as Malaysia Plant Takes Center Stage

Lynas Rare Earths has begun processing heavy rare earths like samarium, terbium, and dysprosium at its Malaysian plant, breaking China’s near-monopoly on these materials, The Wall Street Journal reported. The company started samarium oxide production in March, aiming for 400 tonnes annual output. Lynas signed a four-year U.S. supply deal and reported quarterly sales revenue more than doubling to A$265 million.
April 26, 2026
Xero Shares Hold A$80 Before Results as Melio and AI Bets Face Their Test
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Xero Shares Hold A$80 Before Results as Melio and AI Bets Face Their Test

Xero shares closed at A$81.51 on Friday, up 0.3%, valuing the company at about A$13.9 billion. The stock remains down 28.65% in 2026 ahead of its May 14 full-year results, which will detail progress on its $2.5 billion Melio acquisition and U.S. payments push. Xero last updated the market on April 16. Over two million subscribers use its AI features, according to the company.
April 26, 2026
Warner-Paramount Merger Clears $111 Billion Hurdle as Zaslav’s $887 Million Payday Gets Rejected
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Warner-Paramount Merger Clears $111 Billion Hurdle as Zaslav’s $887 Million Payday Gets Rejected

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion takeover, sending the deal to regulators. Investors rejected a merger-related executive pay plan that could give CEO David Zaslav up to $887 million. The deal would unite Warner Bros., HBO Max, CNN, CBS, and Paramount Pictures under one company. U.S. and European authorities are expected to scrutinize the merger.
April 26, 2026
Coles Group Price-Test Week: Fuel Costs, Supplier Demands Put Q3 Sales in Focus
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Coles Group Price-Test Week: Fuel Costs, Supplier Demands Put Q3 Sales in Focus

Coles raised home-brand milk prices last week, citing higher transport, logistics, and packaging costs, and increased payments to dairy farmers by about 5 cents a litre. The supermarket’s Q3 sales update is due May 1, as investors watch how Coles and rival Woolworths handle supplier price requests amid rising fuel and farm costs. Coles shares closed at A$23.06 on April 24, up 1%.
April 26, 2026
ANZ’s First AI Chief Hire Puts Its Turnaround on a Bigger Clock
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ANZ’s First AI Chief Hire Puts Its Turnaround on a Bigger Clock

ANZ has appointed Kai Yang from HSBC as its first chief data and artificial intelligence officer, with Yang set to start in Sydney in July. The hire comes days before ANZ’s May 1 half-year results, a key moment for CEO Nuno Matos’ restructuring efforts. Yang will report to Chief Information Officer Donald Patra. ANZ is the last of Australia’s big four banks to create a senior AI oversight role.
April 26, 2026
Fortescue Ltd’s $680 Million Pilbara Power Bet Draws an Early Test From Miners and Data Centres
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Fortescue Ltd’s $680 Million Pilbara Power Bet Draws an Early Test From Miners and Data Centres

Fortescue shares fell 5.67% to A$19.78 on Friday after the company approved a US$680 million expansion of its Pilbara renewable energy project. Pilbara Minerals indicated willingness to collaborate on green power, as Fortescue targets industrial users including data centres. Fortescue shipped 48.4 million tonnes of iron ore in the March quarter, up 5% year-on-year. Full-year shipment guidance was maintained.
April 26, 2026
Woodside Energy CEO Pay Revolt Puts $14.8 Million Package And LNG Growth Plan In Spotlight
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Woodside Energy CEO Pay Revolt Puts $14.8 Million Package And LNG Growth Plan In Spotlight

Woodside CEO Liz Westcott faces scrutiny after 34.52% of shareholders voted against her FY26 long-term incentive award at the annual meeting, despite the resolution passing. The company is set to report first-quarter results April 29, as investors question executive pay, project delivery, and climate risk. Major pension funds HESTA and CalPERS opposed the pay package, which could reach A$14.8 million.
April 26, 2026
BHP’s China Deal Could Reset Iron Ore Pricing — Rio and Fortescue Are Watching
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BHP’s China Deal Could Reset Iron Ore Pricing — Rio and Fortescue Are Watching

BHP’s new iron ore contract with China’s state buyer now uses a Chinese portside price index for Jimblebar fines and includes a 1.8% vessel rebate on term deals. The agreement ends a months-long dispute and shifts iron ore futures, with traders weighing increased BHP shipments against Chinese steel demand. Analysts say the deal raises pressure on Rio Tinto, Vale, and Fortescue. The Dalian September iron ore contract rose 0.32% to 787.5 yuan.
April 26, 2026
IAG Fares Are Set To Rise As British Airways Owner Faces A Fuel Shock
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IAG Fares Are Set To Rise As British Airways Owner Faces A Fuel Shock

International Consolidated Airlines Group will raise ticket prices due to higher jet fuel costs following the Iran-war fuel shock, though it reports no supply interruptions. Shares fell 1.62% to 377.10p in London on Friday as Brent crude closed at $105.33 a barrel. IAG is seeking government flexibility on airport slots to offset rising costs. The group is set to report first-quarter results on May 8.
April 25, 2026
Rio Tinto’s A$1.5 Million Cyclone Pledge Puts Pilbara Risk Back in View
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Rio Tinto’s A$1.5 Million Cyclone Pledge Puts Pilbara Risk Back in View

Party City products will return to over 700 Staples stores and Staples.com under a new shop-in-shop deal, following Party City’s bankruptcy and closure of nearly 700 stores. The rollout, timed for graduation season, will expand through 2026 and features balloons, décor, and party goods. Staples is offering launch promotions, including discounts on balloons and custom print products. Party City’s brand now operates without its own retail chain.
April 25, 2026
GSK’s Jemperli Court Fight Just Got Tougher Before Q1 Earnings
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GSK’s Jemperli Court Fight Just Got Tougher Before Q1 Earnings

A Delaware court dismissed Tesaro’s claim that AnaptysBio anticipatorily breached their Jemperli cancer-drug agreement, preserving Anaptys’ royalty rates. The ruling comes days before GSK’s first-quarter results, with Jemperli sales under scrutiny. Jemperli generated $1.128 billion in 2025 sales, according to Anaptys. The FDA expanded Jemperli’s use in endometrial cancer in 2024.
April 25, 2026
BP PLC Faces Investor Revolt Before Meg O’Neill’s First Big Results Test
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BP PLC Faces Investor Revolt Before Meg O’Neill’s First Big Results Test

BP shareholders rejected two board-backed proposals at the annual meeting, with 52.88% voting against new articles of association and 52.53% against revoking earlier climate-related votes. Chair Albert Manifold was elected with 81.77% support, while CEO Meg O’Neill received 96.76%. The votes come as BP seeks to reset strategy and faces pressure over climate risk and governance.
April 25, 2026
Glencore’s South Africa smelter rescue now hinges on a fast Nersa ruling
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Glencore’s South Africa smelter rescue now hinges on a fast Nersa ruling

Glencore-Merafe is urging fast approval of Eskom’s proposed 62c/kWh tariff relief for South African ferrochrome smelters, citing a May 11 labour deadline. Nersa has opened public consultations on changes to Eskom’s pricing agreements with Glencore-Merafe and Samancor. Several smelters remain idle after high power costs. The venture warns further delays could trigger job losses.
April 25, 2026
Reckitt Benckiser Durex Headache Deepens as China Price Scare Follows Weak Quarter
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Reckitt Benckiser Durex Headache Deepens as China Price Scare Follows Weak Quarter

Reckitt warned of lower first-half margins after missing first-quarter sales growth forecasts, citing high oil prices, Russia sanctions, and weak cold-and-flu demand. A viral scare over condom price hikes in China, a key growth market, followed news that supplier Karex may raise prices up to 30% if Iran-war disruptions persist. Reckitt’s shares fell as much as 7% after Wednesday’s update.
April 25, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • Manual Car Licences Decline as New Drivers Prefer Automatics but Some Prioritize Manuals
    May 24, 2026, 5:57 PM EDT. Manual car licences are declining in Queensland, with automatic licences rising from 7% to 21% over 23 years. Despite this, young drivers like Roxsy Francis opt for manual licences for greater control and trade opportunities. Instructor Kerry Turner notes increasing female interest in manuals for apprenticeships in trades. Retired instructor Greg Williams says manual driving is a "dying race" in Brisbane, with 90% opting for automatics. Regional areas maintain higher manual licence rates, over 80%. The shift reflects urban drivers' preference for automatic cars, while some pursue manuals for skill advantages.