Ampol Dividend Deadline Looms Amid Refining, Regulatory Pressures
Markets Daniel Marsh

Ampol Dividend Deadline Looms Amid Refining, Regulatory Pressures

Ampol shares will trade ex-dividend on March 6 for a fully franked 60-cent final dividend, with payment set for April 2. Investors weigh this income against falling refinery margins and an ongoing competition review of its proposed EG Australia takeover.

EWA
PLS Group's Gender Pay Gap Widens Amid Corporate Restructuring
Regulation James Calloway

PLS Group's Gender Pay Gap Widens Amid Corporate Restructuring

PLS Group's median gender pay gap in Australia increased to 15.2% from 11.1% the previous year, which the company attributes to corporate layoffs and a processing plant being placed into care and maintenance.

EWA
Santos' Beetaloo Fracking Plan Draws Scientific, Indigenous Opposition Over Hot Springs Risk
Regulation James Calloway

Santos' Beetaloo Fracking Plan Draws Scientific, Indigenous Opposition Over Hot Springs Risk

Santos' proposal to drill and frack 12 test wells in the Beetaloo Basin faces opposition from scientists and Indigenous custodians, who warn of threats to the ecologically sensitive Hot Springs Valley. The Northern Territory regulator is reviewing the environmental plan.

NAB Reports Surge in Mortgage Offset Usage Amid Rate Uncertainty
Economy Daniel Marsh

NAB Reports Surge in Mortgage Offset Usage Amid Rate Uncertainty

National Australia Bank reports a significant increase in offset account adoption, with 75% of mortgage customers now utilizing them. The trend intensifies as households brace for potential interest rate hikes.

EWA
Fortescue Directors Increase Holdings Following Strong Earnings, Dividend Boost
Earnings James Calloway

Fortescue Directors Increase Holdings Following Strong Earnings, Dividend Boost

Multiple Fortescue board members acquired shares in late February, following the iron ore miner's announcement of a 23% jump in first-half earnings and an increased interim dividend. The stock gained 2% on Thursday.

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ANZ Revises Key Financial Calendar, Moves Half-Year Results Forward
Earnings James Calloway

ANZ Revises Key Financial Calendar, Moves Half-Year Results Forward

ANZ Group has rescheduled its half-year financial results to May 1, six days earlier than previously planned, and adjusted the timetable for its interim dividend distribution.

ANZBY
Woodside Directors Increase Holdings Amid Leadership Transition
Markets Daniel Marsh

Woodside Directors Increase Holdings Amid Leadership Transition

Woodside Energy's board-linked trustee purchased shares for seven non-executive directors, signaling confidence during a CEO search and major project negotiations. The company's Scarborough project is 94% complete.

IPH Launches Share Buyback, ASX Rises on Tech Gains
Markets Daniel Marsh

IPH Launches Share Buyback, ASX Rises on Tech Gains

IPH Limited initiates a share repurchase program for up to 12.23 million shares, coinciding with a market rebound led by technology and healthcare sectors. Several stocks face valuation reassessments amid shifting investor sentiment.

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Salesforce Debuts AI Fan Assistant with Formula 1 Amid Investor Scrutiny
Technology Sarah Chen

Salesforce Debuts AI Fan Assistant with Formula 1 Amid Investor Scrutiny

Salesforce and Formula 1 have introduced an AI-powered fan agent to explain 2026 technical regulations. The launch comes as Salesforce shares declined, reflecting broader investor caution over AI's role in the software industry.

CRM
UnitedHealth Slashes Subsidiary Disclosure in SEC Filing
Regulation James Calloway

UnitedHealth Slashes Subsidiary Disclosure in SEC Filing

UnitedHealth Group has dramatically reduced the number of subsidiaries disclosed in its annual SEC filing to just 10, down from approximately 3,100 previously, offering investors a narrower view of its corporate structure.

UNH
Exxon Mobil Diverts Fuel to Australia Amid Hormuz Closure, Lifting Oil Prices
Commodities Rebecca Torres

Exxon Mobil Diverts Fuel to Australia Amid Hormuz Closure, Lifting Oil Prices

Exxon Mobil is sending its first fuel cargo from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Australia since December to address Asian supply shortages caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure. Brent crude surged 4.7%.

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JPMorgan CEO Urges Banks to Bolster Cyber Defenses Amid Rising Iran Tensions
Markets Daniel Marsh

JPMorgan CEO Urges Banks to Bolster Cyber Defenses Amid Rising Iran Tensions

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has cautioned financial institutions to prepare for potential cyber retaliation linked to Middle East tensions. U.S. intelligence indicates increased threat activity from groups aligned with Iran.

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