News 1 May 2026

Why Woolworths Group Shares Slid After A$18.1 Billion Sales Beat
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Why Woolworths Group Shares Slid After A$18.1 Billion Sales Beat

Woolworths shares dropped as much as 9.8% on Thursday after the company warned its Australian Food EBIT growth would no longer reach the top end of guidance, citing higher fuel costs and price support for shoppers. Group sales for the quarter rose 4.5% to A$18.1 billion, with Australian Food sales up 5.9%. The grocer has frozen prices on 300 own-brand staples for three months starting May 1.
May 1, 2026
PLS Group’s $38.1 Million Lithium Bet Tests Australia’s Battery Ambition
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PLS Group Stock Alert: AustralianSuper Cuts Stake as Lithium Rally Heats Up

AustralianSuper cut its stake in PLS Group Limited to 12.87% from 13.88%, reducing its voting power by about 32.5 million votes, according to a May 1 filing. The changes, made through JPMorgan Nominees Australia, occurred between April 9 and April 29. PLS reported record March-quarter production and a 52% jump in revenue to A$567 million. PLS shares closed at A$6.14 on Friday, up 2%.
May 1, 2026
Woodside’s $17.5 Billion Louisiana LNG Bet Hits a Buyer Snag
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Woodside’s $17.5 Billion Louisiana LNG Bet Hits a Buyer Snag

Woodside Energy is struggling to secure buyers for LNG from its planned Louisiana export plant due to liquefaction fees above U.S. market rates, sources told Reuters. The company has signed only one long-term sales deal so far. Woodside shares closed down 1.28% in Sydney on Friday, despite a first-quarter revenue beat. The Louisiana LNG project was 24% complete at the end of March and targets first cargo in 2029.
May 1, 2026
Westpac Banking Corporation Earnings Preview: $75 Million RAMS Hit, RBA Rate Hike and Bad-Debt Watch
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Westpac Banking Corporation Earnings Preview: $75 Million RAMS Hit, RBA Rate Hike and Bad-Debt Watch

Westpac raised provisions for bad debt to their highest since COVID-19 after Middle East-linked energy shocks hit Treasury and Markets income. The bank reports first-half results Tuesday, as the Reserve Bank of Australia is widely expected to raise rates. Westpac flagged 4% lending growth, 3% deposit growth, and a A$75 million net profit hit from the RAMS mortgage sale. Peers ANZ and NAB also reported higher credit impairment charges.
May 1, 2026
Macquarie’s Mortgage Surge Before Earnings: Why Australia’s Big Banks Are Watching
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Macquarie’s Mortgage Surge Before Earnings: Why Australia’s Big Banks Are Watching

Macquarie’s banking arm posted the fastest March home-loan growth among Australian deposit-taking institutions, adding A$3.6 billion, or 2.1%. Its mortgage book rose 27.1% over 12 months, reaching a 7% market share. The data comes ahead of Macquarie’s full-year results on May 8. Higher interest rates and APRA lending caps continue to restrain overall loan growth.
May 1, 2026
ANZ Group Holdings Profit Beat Gets a Hard Look as Shares Slide on Revenue Worries
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ANZ Group Holdings Profit Beat Gets a Hard Look as Shares Slide on Revenue Worries

ANZ Group Holdings reported a first-half cash profit of A$3.78 billion, beating analyst estimates, but shares dropped 2.8% as investors focused on weak revenue growth and home-lending competition. Statutory profit rose to A$3.65 billion for the six months to March 31. The bank’s cost-to-income ratio improved to 49.4%. ANZ set aside A$126 million for potential loan losses, including A$175 million linked to Middle East risks.
May 1, 2026
CSL Limited Buyback Tops A$1 Billion After Stock Hits 2017 Low
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CSL Limited Buyback Tops A$1 Billion After Stock Hits 2017 Low

CSL Limited repurchased 110,004 shares on April 30, bringing its total buyback to 6.35 million shares for about A$1.06 billion, according to a May 1 ASX filing. The move follows a sharp stock drop after the U.S. military ended its flu vaccine mandate. CSL reported first-half net profit after tax down 81% to US$401 million. The company began a US$1.5 billion plasma plant expansion in Illinois in March.
May 1, 2026
National Australia Bank Limited Faces a 72-Hour Test as NAB Results, Bad-Debt Charges and RBA Rate Risk Converge
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National Australia Bank Limited Faces a 72-Hour Test as NAB Results, Bad-Debt Charges and RBA Rate Risk Converge

National Australia Bank will report first-half earnings May 4, with A$706 million in credit impairment charges and a software amortisation charge of A$1.347 billion before tax. NAB shares closed at A$39.83 Friday. The bank said capital buffers fell by about 20 basis points, and it may raise up to A$1.8 billion through a dividend reinvestment plan and partial underwriting.
May 1, 2026
3i Group plc Directors Buy Shares as Action Growth Concerns Put Stock Back in Focus
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3i Group plc Directors Buy Shares as Action Growth Concerns Put Stock Back in Focus

Five 3i Group directors or senior managers acquired shares via the Share Incentive Plan, disclosed Friday after the stock closed at £25.35, down 2.2% and 43.63% below its October high. Each bought 70 shares at 2,572.33 pence and received 140 matching shares. 3i’s annual results are due May 14. The company remains closely tied to Action, its Dutch discount-retail holding.
May 1, 2026
Fresnillo Stock Rebounds, But Silver Output Drop Leaves a Bigger 2026 Question
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Fresnillo Stock Rebounds, But Silver Output Drop Leaves a Bigger 2026 Question

Fresnillo shares closed at 3,255p on Friday, up 0.62%, following a 3.95% rebound Thursday. First-quarter silver output fell 8.5% from the previous quarter to 11.1 million ounces, but the company maintained its 2026 production guidance. Silver futures rose 3.23% Friday, supporting mining stocks. Work on the Jarillas shaft at Saucito remains on track for completion later this year.
May 1, 2026
Airtel Africa’s $2 Billion Airtel Money IPO Plan Puts London Listing in Focus
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Airtel Africa’s $2 Billion Airtel Money IPO Plan Puts London Listing in Focus

Airtel Africa plans to list its Airtel Money unit in London, aiming to raise $1.5–$2 billion and potentially value the business at up to $10 billion, according to Reuters and Bloomberg. The company will release full-year results on May 8. Airtel Money reported 52 million customers and $210 billion in annualised processed value for the nine months to December 2025. Airtel Africa shares closed down 0.39% in London on Friday.
May 1, 2026
Beazley Plc Deal Watch: SocGen Position Nears 10% as Zurich Takeover Clock Ticks
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Beazley Plc Deal Watch: SocGen Position Nears 10% as Zurich Takeover Clock Ticks

Societe Generale raised its stake in Beazley Plc to 9.43%, crossing the threshold on April 30, according to a regulatory filing. Zurich Insurance also increased its holding to 3.11% after buying 605,476 shares. Beazley shareholders overwhelmingly backed Zurich’s takeover, but the deal still requires court and regulatory approvals. Beazley reported 601.5 million shares in issue.
May 1, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • Aston Martin Shares Forecast: £1,000 Investment Potential in 12 Months
    May 26, 2026, 10:47 AM EDT. Aston Martin shares have risen over 30% from their 52-week low but remain below their 2018 IPO price of £45. As of May 26, the share price stands at 47p, with analysts giving a 12-month average forecast at the same level, indicating limited near-term upside. Broker targets range from 30p to 55p, reflecting uncertainty over the luxury car maker's financial recovery. Recent Q1 results showed a 16% revenue increase to £270.4 million and improved gross margin, yet the company still faces challenges, including workforce reductions and cautious outlooks. CEO Adrian Hallmark projects ongoing improvement supported by model launches and operational discipline, but analysts remain cautious, suggesting investors should weigh risks carefully before buying.