Why Megaport, Northern Star and Zip shares are turning heads on Thursday

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares are creating a buzz today.

In late morning trade on Thursday, two of the ASX 200 heavyweights are racing ahead of the 0.4% gains posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), while one has just tumbled deep into the red.

Here's what's piquing investor interest.

Zip shares rocket on record earnings

Zip shares are off to the races today, up 14.0% at $2.94 apiece.

This strong performance follows the release of the ASX 200 buy now, pay later (BNPL) stock's full year FY 2026 results.

Among the highlights, Zip grew its active customers by 3.7% year on year to 6.5 million. And the company's total transaction volume (TTV) of $16.7 billion was up 27.2%.

This helped drive a 24.7% increase in revenue to $1.34 billion, with the Zip's operating margin improving by 4.2% from FY 2025 to 20.0%.

Also helping lift Zip shares today, the company achieved record cash earnings before taxes depreciation and amortisation (EBTDA) of $268.9 million, up 57.9% from last year.

And on the bottom line, Zip's net profit after tax (NPAT) surged 45.7% to $116.4 million.

Looking ahead, the ASX 200 BNPL stock is targeting cash EBTDA growth of 26% to $340 million in FY 2027. Zip is aiming for an operating margin in the range of 20% to 22%.

Northern Star shares leap on record profits

Like Zip shares, Northern Star shares are charging higher today.

At time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 gold stock are changing hands for $24.15 each, up 7.1%.

Northern Star also reported its FY 2026 results today. And investors are clearly impressed.

Highlights from the financial year just past included a 19% year on year increase in revenue to $7.6 billion. The revenue boost was supported by a 26% higher average realised gold price.

On the earnings front, Northern Star reported underlying EBITDA of $4.27 billion, up 22% from FY 2025.

And on the bottom line, the ASX 200 gold miner achieved a record NPAT of $1.7 billion, up 24% year on year.

For passive income investors, management declared a fully franked final dividend of 30 cents per share, in line with last year's final payout.

Which brings us to…

Megaport shares fall on $39 million net loss

Joining Northern Star and Zip shares in turning heads today, and releasing its FY 2026 results, we find Megaport.

Shares in the ASX 200 network services company kicked off the day in positive territory but have since tumbled into the red, down 4.0% at $19.52 apiece.

With Megaport shares having closed yesterday up some 79% in 2026, investor expectations are clearly high.

On the positive side of the ledger, Megaport achieved a 37% year on year increase in revenue to $312 million. And EBITDA increased by 24% from FY 2025 to $77 million.

But Megaport shares look to have come under pressure with the ASX 200 tech stock reporting a statutory net loss of $39.0 million, which compares unfavourably to the net loss of $300,000 reported last year.

The post Why Megaport, Northern Star and Zip shares are turning heads on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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