Copper miners led declines on the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday as investors questioned whether the United States will move ahead with tariffs on the metal. Develop Global, Capstone Copper and Sandfire Resources posted the steepest falls, while BHP and Rio Tinto also traded lower. Copper prices have risen about 15% year to date and recently hit record highs, helped in part by strong US import demand ahead of possible tariffs.

Rio Tinto shares have risen 53% over the past 12 months and are up 21% year to date. Copper futures have climbed to around US$6.8 per pound from about US$4.5 roughly 12 months ago, lifting underlying EBITDA in the company’s copper business 84% to US$5.7 billion and taking it to roughly 36% to 39% of group earnings. In the first half of FY26, Rio Tinto reported a 28% increase in underlying EBITDA while the ASX 200 was broadly flat over the same period.

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.