Fund managers are bullish on ASX 200 constituent James Hardie Industries. The company plans to sell its European Fermacell business to Holcim for €840 million, and lifted its full-year outlook on that basis. James Hardie forecasts FY27 total net sales of $5.564 billion to $5.723 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $1.536 billion to $1.625 billion, and free cash flow of at least $500 million.

Nine ASX mining shares are due to go ex-dividend this week. BHP declared a FY26 final dividend of 99 US cents a share, implying a 72% payout ratio and marking a 65% increase from its FY25 final dividend—the largest final dividend in four years. Sandfire Resources was supported by an 18% rise in the copper price in FY26, while Mineral Resources benefited from a 278% jump in lithium spodumene prices and a 7% lift in iron ore prices. Genesis Minerals and other gold miners were helped by an 18% increase in the gold price, and Genesis is paying its first dividend this season.

APA Group reported FY26 results with underlying EBITDA up 8.3% year on year, free cash flow up 3.2% and statutory net profit surging 81.4%. The company also guided FY27 underlying EBITDA of A$2,260 million to A$2,340 million, above FY26. However, the average broker target price is A$9.65 versus the current A$10.94 share price, implying about 12% downside.

James Hardie Industries reported a 64% year-on-year increase in first-quarter FY27 sales to US$1.47 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 79% to US$422 million. Management also upgraded its full-year guidance, forecasting proforma adjusted EBITDA growth of 7.4% to 13.7%. Morgan Stanley expects the company’s earnings in 2029 could be about 19% above current market expectations.

BHP, Woolworths and Coles, all members of the ASX 200, raised dividends during this reporting season. BHP’s final dividend increased by about 51.5% year on year to US$0.99 per share, taking its full-year payout to a four-year high. The company said FY26 revenue rose 15% to US$58.8 billion and underlying profit jumped 30% to US$13.2 billion, supported by higher prices for copper, iron ore and metallurgical coal.

Web Travel Group raised its 1H FY27 outlook, guiding for revenue growth of 14% to 16% versus a prior 11% to 15% range. It also said margins are expected to be at least 6.7%, up from 6.5%. The company lifted its underlying EBITDA forecast to $85 to $89 million from $80 to $86 million. UBS analysts remain bullish on the stock and set an upbeat price target.

BHP Group has declared an FY26 final dividend of 99 US cents per share (equivalent to A$1.38), up 65% from a year earlier and its highest in four years. The FY26 full-year dividend totals US$1.72 per share, up 56% and also the largest in four years. The final dividend implies a 72% payout ratio, while total cash returns announced for the year were US$8.7 bn, the highest since the capital allocation framework was introduced in 2016.

BHP reported FY27 revenue up 15% to US$58.8 billion, with underlying EBITDA rising 27% to US$32.9 billion and underlying attributable net profit gaining 30% to US$13.2 billion. Copper led the growth as the average realised price climbed to US$5.74 per pound, pushing copper EBITDA up 48%. The company raised its full-year dividend per share to US$1.72.

Northern Star shares have extended their recent gains, rising about 21% since the end of July to $24.61. Over the same period, gold has climbed nearly 13% to US$4,583 an ounce, providing support for gold miners. In its latest results, the company posted a 19% rise in revenue to $7.62 billion even as gold sold fell 6%, helped by a 26% jump in the average realised gold price to $4,925 an ounce. Underlying EBITDA rose 22% and statutory net profit increased 24%.