2318 GMT [Dow Jones]--Fortescue's higher-than-expected interim dividend more than offsets a softer-than-anticipated 1H profit, RBC Capital Markets says in a note. The profit miss is due to higher depreciation, as well as interest and tax, says the broker. But "the dividend outcome is the message," says RBC, adding that "balance sheet strength and cash flow resilience allows FMG to sustain attractive distribution even amid higher capital intensity." RBC has a sector perform rating and A$23.00 target on the stock. Fortescue is up 3.2% at A$20.85. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

2329 GMT - While Fortescue's Alta Copper acquisition helps to diversify its commodity mix in the long term, iron-ore demand remains the key near-term catalyst for its stock, Jefferies analyst Mitch Ryan says in a note. In Fortescue's 1H results, the miner says it expects to finalize the takeover of Alta shortly. "Alta constitutes a porphyry Peruvian Cu-Au [copper-gold] project which we believe could enter production in the early-mid 2030s at attractive capital intensity," says Jefferies' Ryan. The miner provides no material operational updates and reaffirms guidance in its 1H result, Ryan notes. Jefferies has an underperform rating and A$17.20 target on Fortescue. Shares are up 3.0% at A$20.80. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 24, 2026 18:30 ET (23:30 GMT)

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