The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is $61.01, up 1.4%, at the time of writing on Thursday.

BHP shares were in the red in early trading, falling 1.9% to an intraday low of $59.06.

The market’s largest company is faring much better this afternoon; however, this volatility is emblematic of a big week.

BHP and other S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) iron ore shares have had a tumultuous time of late.

Last Wednesday, BHP shares rose to a record high of $65.04. Since then, they have tumbled 9% to today’s intraday low.

Australia’s largest listed miner has not announced any news during this time.

So, what’s going on?

Why are BHP shares so volatile?

Some big news that broke last Thursday was the trigger for the 9% fall in BHP shares over the past week.

Last week, we learned of a major production lift at the giant Simandou iron ore mine in Africa.

Simandou, located in the Republic of Guinea, is the world’s largest undeveloped high-grade iron ore deposit.

It is majority-owned by Chinese investors, but Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) also owns a big piece of the pie.

Operations at Simandou began in November.

In the first three months of 2026, the mine shipped 0.6 million tonnes of iron ore.

Then came a big jump to 1.3 million tonnes in April, then 2.2 million tonnes in May, according to Bloomberg.

This has raised concerns about oversupply at a time when demand from China is weakening.

And that spells trouble for the iron ore price.

What is the iron ore price?

The iron ore price has tumbled 9% over the past month to a near 2-month low of US$101.70 per tonne today.

China’s faltering property market has led to softer demand for iron ore over time.

However, China is still a major steel producer and is increasingly exporting steel to other countries.

Trading Economics analysts said new data showed China’s iron ore imports dropped nearly 6% from April to May.

This defied the market’s expectations of an increase amid improved steel margins and higher shipments from major producers.

The analysts said:

China imported 97.71 million tons of the key steelmaking ingredient last month, down from 103.9 million tons in April and below analysts’ forecasts of 104 million to 110 million tons.

Analysts attributed the decline to cautious purchasing by steelmakers, who have limited buying to immediate needs ahead of a seasonally weaker demand period.

Demand from China’s steel sector has also softened earlier than usual this year, as persistent rainfall and the early arrival of summer heat have slowed construction activity.

What’s going on with Chinese demand?

While Chinese demand for iron ore is modifying right now, Todd Warren, a resources specialist and portfolio manager at Tribeca Investment Partners, said China remains the biggest buyer of seaborne iron ore in the world.

In an interview with CommSec, Warren said China still wants iron ore, not for its property market, but to create export earnings.

Warren said:

What’s become more and more clear is that the Chinese are now exporting a lot of their steel… about 15% of the steel they produce is now exported to the world, particularly Asia.

The only reason they can export it is because there’s demand for it. So there’s a buyer for that product.

India is obviously the next big population base that could see a rise in demand for steel. And they’ve been historically self-reliant, so, domestically reliant on iron ore.

But once they grow, as did China, once upon a time, they grow beyond their ability to domestically supply.

They’ll be reliant on the seaborne market.

An additional drag on the BHP share price has been a 6.5% fall in the copper price to US$6.20 per pound today.

That’s still high by historical standards, but a fair way off the record of US$6.63 per pound set last Tuesday.

Copper now forms a greater component of BHP’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) than iron ore.

Should you buy BHP shares?

Since last Wednesday, when the BHP share price set that new record at $65.04, four brokers have reiterated their hold ratings.

Three of them raised their share price targets.

Jefferies increased its target from $57 to $68. Citi went from $55.21 to $66.64, and RBC Capital moved from $56 to $57.

UBS has a target of $60 on BHP shares.

On The Bull this week, Tony Locantro from Alto Capital put a sell rating on BHP shares.

He thinks it may be time to take profits, commenting:

While the long term outlook for copper remains attractive, investor enthusiasm surrounding electrification and AI-related demand has contributed to a strong share price performance.

In our view, the strong operational result, elevated expectations and risk-reward balance support taking some profits.

BHP share price snapshot

The BHP share price has increased 56% over the past 12 months.

This compares to just a 0.8% bump for the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

The post Why is the BHP share price so volatile this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Jefferies Financial Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

A new financial year is on the horizon, so what better time to look at making some new investments.

But which ASX 200 shares could be top picks for FY 2027 and beyond? Let’s take a close look at two that I think could be worth considering:

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The first ASX 200 share to look at is CSL.

There is no point pretending the past couple of years have been easy. CSL has disappointed investors, downgraded expectations, faced pressure in parts of its portfolio, and seen confidence in the stock fall sharply.

This means that CSL shares are no longer priced like an untouchable market darling. The biotech company is being valued like one with problems to solve. Some of that caution is fair, but the share price may now be offering a more compelling risk/reward balance than it has for some time.

The core business still has major strengths. CSL remains a global leader in plasma therapies, vaccines, and specialty medicines. Demand for many of its products is tied to healthcare needs rather than short-term consumer spending.

If management can stabilise expectations, rebuild margins, and show that earnings growth is returning, the recovery potential could be significant.

This is not the low-risk blue chip it once appeared to be. But for investors willing to look through the bad news, CSL could be one of the more interesting turnaround opportunities on the ASX 200.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Another ASX 200 share that could be worth buying in FY 2027 is Xero.

Xero has already become an important platform for small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers. But the bigger opportunity is not just accounting software.

The company is building deeper connections into the financial lives of small businesses. Invoicing, payroll, payments, bank feeds, reporting, compliance, and adviser tools all sit inside the same ecosystem.

That can make Xero increasingly difficult to replace once a business is fully embedded on the platform.

The next stage of growth may come from expanding the value of each customer relationship. Automation, artificial intelligence, payments, lending connections, and workflow tools could all help Xero become more useful over time.

The stock will not be cheap if judged only by near-term earnings multiples. But high-quality software companies rarely look cheap when they are executing well.

For investors with a long-term view, Xero remains one of the ASX 200’s strongest technology growth stories.

The post Where to invest $50,000 in ASX 200 shares in FY27 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It was a bumpy, yet ultimately negative session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday.

After starting sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the day recovering and broke into positive territory for a brief moment this afternoon. But it was not to last, and the index ended up closing 0.23% lower at 8,633.2 points.

This tantalising day for ASX investors followed a much rougher night up on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was smashed, dropping a nasty 1.87%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was hit even harder, falling 1.98%.

But let’s get back to ASX shares now and take a look at what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX defence shares have ripped since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

That event kicked off the global defence spending megatheme.

More countries, including Australia, are now committing more funding to defence as world order splinters further.

Last year, the 32 NATO nations agreed to more than double defence spending from 2% to 5% of GDP over 10 years.

In April, Australia said it would increase defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2033 by adopting NATO’s definitions of spending.

The Federal Government will spend an additional $14 billion over the next four years, and an additional $53 billion over the decade.

Since 2022, several ASX shares within the defence segment have recorded incredible share price growth.

Can they remain on the same trajectory?

In a recent article, CommSec equity strategist James Gruber said global defence spending “looks set to soar over the next decade”. 

But he also poses a key question for investors: how much of that is already factored into ASX share prices?

Gruber says:

That depends a lot on how much the ASX-listed businesses can continue to take market share and grow their order books in coming years, and that will depend on creating and maintaining superior technological products versus their peers.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at the ratings and 12-month price target ranges from the experts.

Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)

The Austal share price has ascended 97% since June 2022, and hit an all-time high of $8.82 in January.

On Thursday, Austal shares are $3.83, down 2.7%.

Austal is an Australian defence shipbuilder that builds ships for the Australian Navy, US Navy, and others.

Gruber said:

Austal has a track record as a shipbuilder for defence forces, and it could benefit from the expected ramp up in global defence spending.

One risk is that it is the only foreign-owned contractor that builds and maintains warships for the US.

If America decides that outsourcing this function to foreigners does not make sense, then Austal may be impacted.

On the CommSec platform, the consensus rating among nine analysts rating Austal shares is a moderate buy.

On the TradingView website, three analysts have a 12-month target price range of $6.60 to $7.71.

That indicates 70% to 100% upside ahead.

Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

The Droneshield share price has soared 1,288% since 2022, and hit a record $6.71 in October.

Today, the Droneshield share price is $2.78, up 0.4%.

Droneshield is a counter-drone technology systems company.

Gruber said:

It was one of the earliest companies in counter-drone technology and that first-mover advantage has helped it grow revenue from $5m in 2020 to $227m in 2025. Most of the revenue comes from military forces in the US.

It predominantly sells hardware, but a growing number is from software as a service as the company’s AI software requires continuous updates.

The company has spent up to 20% of revenue on research and that has depressed profits. What net margins it may achieve in future is a key question.

Risks primarily revolve around competition, with big players in the market, including Leonardo from the UK. Besides competition, the other main risk is obsolescence, with the possibility of superior technology emerging.

Recently, the Chairman and CEO decided to step down from their leadership positions, resulting in a sharp, one-day drop in the share price.

Three analysts on CommSec give a consensus hold rating for Droneshield shares.

On TradingView, three analysts have a 12-month target price range of $2.28 to $4.80.

That suggests Droneshield shares could fall by nearly 20%, or may rise by up to 70%, over the next year.

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

Electro Optic Systems shares are 410% higher since June 2022, and hit a peak of $12.58 in March.

On Thursday, the Electro Optic Systems share price is $9.39, down 4.2%.

The company specialises in defence technology, developing advanced weapon systems and counter-drone solutions.

Gruber said:

The company has a strong order book of $459m, up from $136m at the end of 2024. It aims to realise 40-50% of this order book in 2026.

The company is a small defence contractor on the global stage and that may be why it has continued to struggle to post underlying profits in recent years (FY25 underlying earnings were -$24m).

Nonetheless, it could benefit from the increased global spending on defence going forward.

In March, its the shares had a big drop after it was revealed that the CEO and CFO intended to sell a large portion of their stakes in the company.

Four traders on CommSec have a consensus strong buy rating on Electro Optic Systems shares.

On TradingView, four analysts have a 12-month target price range of $10.60 to $16.

That indicates about 10% to 70% upside ahead.

The post ASX defence shares like Droneshield have soared since 2022. Is there any growth left? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 DroneShield and Electro Optic Systems. 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.

There are many Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs) available on the ASX.

Some are designed for broad global exposure. Others focus on Australia, bonds, high growth portfolios, or diversified all-in-one investing.

But if I had to choose one Vanguard ETF for long-term growth, I think there is a very strong candidate.

The Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index ETF (ASX: V500) could be the best Vanguard ETF money can buy.

Why this Vanguard ETF stands out

The appeal of the V500 ETF is its simplicity.

It gives investors exposure to the S&P 500 index, which is made up of 500 of the largest listed companies in the United States. That means investors can buy one ASX ETF and gain access to a large group of businesses across different industries.

I think that is a powerful starting point.

The S&P 500 has delivered an average annual return of around 10% over the very long term. There is no guarantee that future returns will match the past, and there will always be difficult periods along the way.

But I believe the index can continue to perform well over the long term because of the quality of the companies inside it.

The US market has an unusually deep collection of global leaders. Many of these businesses do not only serve American customers. They sell products, software, services, medicines, food, payments, entertainment, and infrastructure across the world.

That gives the V500 ETF a much broader feel than a simple US-only investment.

A collection of world-class companies

The technology exposure is the part many investors think about first.

Through V500, investors gain exposure to companies such as Microsoft, Apple, NVIDIA, and Alphabet. These businesses are central to cloud computing, artificial intelligence, smartphones, software, digital advertising, and data infrastructure.

But the ETF is not only a technology fund.

It also owns major banks such as JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America, which gives investors exposure to the US financial system. These are large institutions tied to lending, deposits, payments, markets, and corporate activity.

There is also exposure to resources and materials businesses, including Freeport-McMoRan and Newmont Corp. These companies connect the index to copper, gold, and the raw materials needed across parts of the global economy.

On the consumer side, this Vanguard ETF owns businesses such as Amazon.com, Walmart, and Costco. These are very different retailers, but each has built scale, customer loyalty, and deep logistics capability.

The food and beverage exposure is also useful. Companies such as Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and McDonald’s show how the index includes businesses with global brands and repeat customer demand.

Healthcare adds another layer. Eli Lilly and Co, Johnson & Johnson, and UnitedHealth give the V500 ETF exposure to medicines, medical products, healthcare services, and long-term demand from ageing populations.

That mix is why I rate the ETF highly.

Low cost and easy to own

Another reason I like V500 is the cost. The ETF has a very low management fee of 0.07% per annum. Over long periods, low fees can make a meaningful difference because more of the return stays with investors.

I also like that it is easy to understand. Investors are not relying on one fund manager picking stocks. They are buying broad exposure to many of the largest companies in the US market.

There are risks. The US market can become expensive, the index is heavily influenced by large technology companies, and currency movements can affect returns for Australian investors.

But I think those risks are worth accepting for investors who want long-term exposure to global corporate leaders.

Foolish takeaway

I would not say V500 is the perfect ETF for every investor.

Some people may prefer an all-in-one fund. Others may want more Australian exposure, more defensive assets, or a wider global spread.

But for investors seeking simple, low-cost exposure to many of the world’s most important businesses, I think this Vanguard ETF has a very strong claim.

The post Is this the best Vanguard ETF money can buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Costco Wholesale, Eli Lilly, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Nvidia, Starbucks, and Walmart. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson and UnitedHealth Group and has recommended the following options: long January 2028 $320 calls on McDonald’s and short January 2028 $340 calls on McDonald’s. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Starbucks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is trading lower again on Thursday as investors weigh another difficult session from Wall Street.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is down 0.15% to 8,640 points.

Keep in mind, the index recovered from a much steeper fall earlier in the day. It dropped as low as 8,555.3 points before clawing back ground in afternoon trade.

Still, the benchmark remains under pressure. It is now down 1.65% over the past week, 1.19% over the past month, and 0.85% since the start of 2026.

So, what’s weighing on the market today?

Why the ASX 200 is falling

The weakness followed a rough night on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fell 953 points, or 1.9%. The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) dropped 2%, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) lost 1.6%.

The selloff came as investors reacted to renewed Middle East tensions, higher oil prices, and stronger inflation data.

According to Reuters, oil prices rose again as skirmishes between the United States and Iran put more attention on the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude is trading near US$94.58 a barrel, while WTI crude is fetching US$91.57.

US inflation is also back in focus after May CPI rose 4.25% over the year, according to reports. This has added to concerns that interest rates may need to stay higher for a bit longer.

Big stocks are holding the market back

A few major ASX 200 shares are weighing on the index today.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are down 1.7% to $19.33, while Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are 1.6% lower at $157.75.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) is also under pressure, with its shares down 1.5% to $18.26 after another update from activist investor Elliott.

The technology sector is also under pressure. WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are down 2.7% to $37.02, following overnight weakness in US tech stocks.

Nonetheless, there are still some pockets of strength.

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) shares are also up 2.3% to $2.68, while Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are 1.6% higher at $31.52.

What happens next?

The ASX 200 has managed to recover from its lows today, but the market is still being pulled in different directions.

Oil is helping one corner of the market, while creating problems for others. If crude prices keep pushing higher, investors are going to keep worrying about what it means for inflation and interest rates.

Clearly there are still buyers around, but after last night’s Wall Street selloff, it may take some time for nerves to settle.

The post ASX 200 slips as oil shock puts investors on edge appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Like a dormant volcano, the war in the Middle East between the United States, Israel and Iran has erupted with tragic vengeance this week. And the ASX stock market has certainly taken notice.

As it currently stands, the US and Iran have been trading strikes, and the Strait of Hormuz is once again completely closed, if it wasn’t already for all intents and purposes. Oil hasn’t been flowing through the Strait for months now, at least at anywhere near the volumes that it was in February. But now that this vital spigot of the world’s economy looks less likely than ever to stage its grand reopening, it seems prudent to discuss the implications for the ASX stock market and Australian investors.

So, could another oil stock tank the ASX stock market?

Oil and the ASX stock market

Well, that’s the $64 trillion question. The short answer is yes. As you can imagine, there is arguably no economic input more important to any economy than oil. It is what enables the arteries of commerce to flow, powering everything from logistics to manufacturing.

If oil rises in price, it becomes more expensive for Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) to ship food and household essentials from supplier to warehouse to store, for Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) to dispatch installation and repair teams to internet connections, and for BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) to drive its mining trucks and equipment. And that’s just a few of millions of examples.

There’s also the inflationary impacts to consider, which probably don’t need much elaboration.

There would be few winners and many losers if a severe oil shock hits the global economy. We got a taste of it a few months ago, and if the Strait does not reopen, things could get even more severe.

That all sounds rather bleak, and I apologise for it. However, I always try and let the maxim of ‘hope for the best, prepare for the worst’ guide my investing decisions.

So what should investors do? Well, I think that nothing is the safest path. Hear me out.

This too shall pass

We invest in the ASX stock market and buy shares and index funds to build long-term wealth. Hopefully, we only buy shares of the best companies Australia can offer, companies that sell goods and services that we either need, or desire so passionately that we feel we need.

If that is the case, then these companies will adapt to adverse conditions, survive, and then eventually thrive once more. That’s what happened in the global financial crisis, and the COVID pandemic, and what will happen again if there is indeed another oil shock.

Selling these shares on the chance of what will be a painful, but ultimately temporary, oil shock, is folly, and likely to backfire.

If an investor just sticks to buying index funds, they should arguably hold the fort too. As our Chief Investment Officer, Scott Phillips, points out every year, the Australian share market has historically endured everything that the world has thrown at it, including the catastrophic events above, and come out the other side to hit new record highs. I think there’s no reason to believe that won’t happen again in the event of another oil shock.

Whenever a frightening event like an oil shock hits the economy, it can be difficult to remain clear-eyed and level-headed. However, I think that if investors keep in mind that the markets have always historically recovered from everything the world has put on their path, they can get through whatever happens in the Strait of Hormuz in the coming weeks and months.

The post Could another oil shock tank the ASX stock market? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fought back from a poor start and is in positive territory. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.2% to 8,668.6 points.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are falling:

Larvotto Resources Ltd (ASX: LRV)

The Larvotto Resources share price is down 16% to $1.12. Investors have been selling the company’s shares after it announced a binding agreement to acquire 100% of Hammer Metals by way of a Board recommended scheme of arrangement. Hammer shareholders will receive 1 Larvotto share for every 22 Hammer shares held. This implies an equity value of approximately $54 million. Management believes the acquisition advances Larvotto’s strategy to build a leading, Australian critical minerals and precious metals company with a focus on antimony, gold, and copper production. Based on the share price reaction, it seems that some investors are not keen on the deal.

Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM)

The Newmont share price is down almost 4% to $132.11. Investors have been selling the gold miner’s shares today after the price of the precious metal tumbled in response to surging oil prices. There are concerns that high fuel prices could push inflation higher and lead to rate hikes from central banks. The S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold index is down 1% at the time of writing.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas share price is down 3% to $9.02. This may have also been driven by a jump in oil prices overnight. As fuel is usually an airline’s biggest expense, higher oil prices are bad news for them. And given how tensions are escalating in the Middle East again this week, it seems that some investors believe that oil prices could remain higher for longer.

Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF)

The Steadfast share price is down 2% to $5.28. It is possible that some investors are taking profit today after the insurance brokerage company’s shares rocketed on Wednesday following the receipt of a takeover proposal. Steadfast received a conditional, non-binding and indicative offer from Amwins Group and Dragoneer Investment Group to acquire it at a price of $6.00 cash per share (less any dividends declared or paid). The company responded, stating: “The Steadfast Board confirms that, subject to reaching agreement on acceptable terms of a binding scheme implementation deed, it intends to unanimously recommend that Steadfast shareholders vote in favour of the Potential Transaction, in the absence of a superior proposal and subject to an independent expert concluding, and continuing to conclude, that the Potential Transaction is in the best interests of Steadfast shareholders.”

The post Why Larvotto, Newmont, Qantas, and Steadfast shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Steadfast Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Steadfast Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a subdued session on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down slightly to 8,651.9 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are named below. Here’s why they are rising:

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC)

The Lendlease share price is up over 2% to $2.68. This follows the announcement of its new CEO and the release of a trading update. With respect to the latter, Lendlease reaffirmed its Investments, Development and Construction segment FY 2026 earnings per share guidance of 28 cents to 34 cents. This is subject to targeted completions. In addition, it revealed that underlying group gearing is expected in the mid-30% range. Earlier in the day, the company revealed that Nick O’Neil will become its new CEO from 10 September. Lendlease chair, John Gillam, said: “With our strategy reset, portfolio simplification and foundations firmly in place, Nick is ideally positioned to lead the next phase of revitalising and strengthening Lendlease. He brings deep real asset management experience, a strong track record in global investment and innovation in aligning capital to market opportunities, as well as the leadership experience needed to drive execution and growth.”

Meteoric Resources NL (ASX: MEI)

The Meteoric Resources share price is up 7% to 15.5 cents. This morning, the rare earths developer released an update on its Caldeira Rare Earth Project in Brazil. It revealed that its pilot plant achieved outstanding MREO recoveries of 80% during May. Meteoric’s managing director and CEO, Stuart Gale, said: “Results from our first five months of Pilot Plant operation have been excellent and exceed our expectations. It has validated the investment Meteoric has made in metallurgical and process testwork, along with the assumptions made in our studies to date.”

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

The Super Retail share price is up 1.5% to $12.44. This follows the unveiling of a new strategy from the retail conglomerate this morning. Super Retail’s new strategy outlines how it intends to capture a greater share of its $65 billion addressable market opportunity across automotive, sport, and outdoor. This will be through growth in its core categories and expansion into adjacent categories within those markets. The company’s CEO, Paul Bradshaw, said: “Our new Group Strategy puts the customer at the centre of everything we do as we build our business for its next phase of growth. We are determined to be closer to our customers than ever before – understanding and meeting their needs as they continue to evolve. Together, our four brands capture $4 billion of a $65 billion market opportunity in Australia and New Zealand. We have an incredible opportunity to pursue growth across our core auto, sport and outdoor markets, both in traditional and adjacent categories.”

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside Energy share price is up 1.5% to $31.53. Investors have been buying the energy giant’s shares after oil prices jumped in response to an escalation in tensions in the Middle East. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy index is up 1.5% at the time of writing.

The post Why Lendlease, Meteoric Resources, Super Retail, and Woodside shares are rising today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Guess which ASX 200 stock is avoiding the selloff and charging higher on big news
• Down 53% in a year, guess which $1.8 billion ASX 200 stock is jumping today on big leadership news
• Lendlease reaffirms FY26 earnings guidance
• Lendlease Group appoints Nick O’Neil as next CEO and MD
• Super Retail Group outlines 5-year growth strategy and transformation plans

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.4% to 8,614.8 points on Thursday.

Meanwhile, brokers have indicated continuing confidence in several ASX 200 shares with refreshed buy calls this week.

Here are some examples.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price is $107.34, up 4.3% today.

The ASX 200’s largest healthcare share is having a strong week despite no price-sensitive announcements.

Since last Friday’s close, CSL shares have spiked 9.6% while the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) has lifted just 3.6%.

CSL shares have fallen 63% over two years, but perhaps a turnaround is afoot?

UBS reiterated its buy rating on CSL shares on Tuesday.

However, the broker lowered its target price from $175 to $158.

This still implies potential capital gains of 47% ahead.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

The South32 share price is $4.35, down 2.9% today.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 mining share has risen 27%.

Citi reaffirmed its buy rating on South32 shares on Tuesday.

The broker increased its 12-month price target from $5.40 to $6.10.

This suggests a potential 40% upside ahead.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

The Flight Centre share price is $10.97, down 3.1%.

This ASX 200 travel share has fallen 26% over six months.

But UBS is confident of a turnaround, reiterating its buy rating this week.

The broker has a $14.50 target on the ASX 200 consumer discretionary share.

This suggests a 32% upside from here.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

The ANZ share price is $34.02, down 1.6% today.

This ASX 200 bank share has fallen 5.3% over the past month.

Citi reiterated its buy rating on ANZ shares with a price target of $39.25 on Tuesday.

This implies potential capital gains of 15% ahead.

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

The GQG Partners share price is $1.46, up 0.3% today.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 financial share has fallen 17%.

Morgans renewed its accumulate rating on GQG Partners shares yesterday.

The broker lowered its 12-month price target from $2.03 to $1.64.

This suggests a potential 12% upside ahead.

Morgans commented:

While the near-term operating environment remains difficult, we continue to see long-term value in the GQG franchise, trading at ~9x FY1 PE with a ~10% dividend yield.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The Life360 share price is $21.21, down 1.6% today.

Over the past month, this ASX tech share has recovered 5.6%.

Life360 has lost 33% of its valuation over the past 12 months.

Citi reaffirmed its buy rating on Life360 shares on Tuesday.

The broker modified its target from $32.10 to $28.25, suggesting a potential 33% increase from here.

SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG)

The SRG Global share price is $3.69, down 3.5% today.

This ASX 200 industrials share has ascended 32% over six months.

Morgans renewed its buy call on SRG Global shares this week.

The broker also lifted its target price from $3.20 to $4.20.

This implies potential capital growth of 13% over the next year.

Morgans said:

SRG has upgraded FY26 EBITDA guidance to the upper end of its $164-168m range (~$168m) and, unusually early, provided FY27 EBITDA guidance of $190-200m. This underlines the group’s strong earnings visibility, which is arguably unparalleled in the services sector.

We forecast SRG reaches net cash in FY26 and, on that basis, expect it to resume acquisitions. We believe SRG may be able to continue to compound +20-30% EPS growth over the next few years as robust organic growth is supplemented by strategic acquisitive growth. 

Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI)

The Centuria Capital share price is $2.02, up 2.5% today and down 4.3% over six months.

Centuria Capital Group is a funds manager specialising in property investment and investment bonds.

Morgan Stanley renewed its buy rating on this ASX 200 real estate share on Tuesday.

The broker lifted its 12-month price target from $2.05 to $2.35.

This suggests a potential 16% upside ahead.

The post 8 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• NAB and ANZ shares: One I’d hold and one I’d sell
• Morgans says these ASX shares could deliver 23% to 60% returns
• How much does UBS think CSL will bounce back?
• Hedge funds are shorting the big four bank shares. Should investors be worried?
• 3 ASX growth shares I’d buy to build long-term wealth

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 CSL and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL, Flight Centre Travel Group, Gqg Partners, and Srg Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.