The Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) share price is in focus as the company reports strong Chemist Warehouse sales growth, with Australian stores up 16.7% and international stores up 24.7% to date this financial year.

What did Sigma Healthcare report?

• Australian Chemist Warehouse sales grew 16.7% year-to-date, with like-for-like growth of 14.4%
• International Chemist Warehouse sales rose 24.7%, like-for-like growth of 11.8%
• Ongoing uplift from GLP1 sales continues in Australia
• Entered a joint venture to launch Chemist Warehouse in the UK
• Committed to a new 23,000 square metre distribution centre in New Zealand

What else do investors need to know?

Sigma has signed a memorandum of understanding with GreenLight Healthcare to bring the Chemist Warehouse brand to the United Kingdom. The initial focus will be on rebranding up to five London area stores, with plans for more if successful.

The company is also investing approximately A$40 million in its New Zealand supply chain. A new distribution centre will support a growing NZ store network, aiming for more than 100 Chemist Warehouse locations long term.

What’s next for Sigma Healthcare?

Sigma expects to launch its first Chemist Warehouse store in the UK by rebranding one of GreenLight’s existing locations in London. Phase one will focus on up to five sites, with potential to expand further if these pilot stores perform well.

The new distribution centre in New Zealand is scheduled to begin operations in September 2026, with warehouse automation rolling out in the second half of 2027. This investment is designed to future-proof Sigma’s supply chain as the New Zealand store network grows.

Sigma Healthcare share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Sigma Healthcare shares have declined 10%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Sigma Healthcare delivers double digit Chemist Warehouse sales growth in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Pinnacle Investment Management increases Metrics Credit stake in $100.5 million deal
• PEXA shares: Strong 3Q26 results and FY26 guidance reaffirmed
• Austal wins extra $136m patrol boat contract, lifts order book above $17.7bn
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Viva Energy updates investors on Geelong Refinery operations

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

This afternoon, Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) announced it will acquire an additional 6.80% stake in Metrics Credit Holdings, restoring its equity interest to around 35%. The $100.5 million deal is set to be funded from Pinnacle’s existing balance sheet capacity.

What did Pinnacle Investment Management report?

• Pinnacle has agreed to acquire a further 6.80% of Metrics Credit Holdings for approximately $100.5 million.
• This increases Pinnacle’s stake in Metrics back to around 35% ownership, matching its initial 2018 level.
• The deal will be paid 75% on completion, with the remaining 25% due twelve months later.
• The National Pension Service of Korea, via Townsend Holdings, will concurrently acquire a 6.37% stake in Metrics, bringing its total to 9.9%.
• Transactions are expected to complete between Q2 and Q3 of calendar 2026, subject to approvals.

What else do investors need to know?

The seller of the Metrics shares is the McNamara Family Trust, an entity associated with departing Metrics executive Graham McNamara. While McNamara will step back from his executive role in the first half of 2026, he will remain on as an ongoing adviser.

All other Metrics executives are maintaining their current equity positions. Pinnacle is funding the purchase entirely from its existing financial resources, highlighting the strength of its balance sheet and continued focus on strategic partnerships.

What did Pinnacle Investment Management management say?

Pinnacle Managing Director, Ian Macoun, said:

Pinnacle is proud to have worked alongside the Metrics team over the past decade as the Group has grown to become one of the Asia Pacific region’s largest alternative investment managers. We continue to have enormous confidence in the ongoing domestic and international growth of Metrics, particularly as more investors recognise the benefits that can be delivered by experienced, highly diversified and large-scale private markets managers.

What’s next for Pinnacle Investment Management?

Once completed, the transaction will restore Pinnacle’s strategic influence in Metrics and support its growth ambitions. The partnership with the National Pension Service of Korea is expected to provide additional momentum, with both investors backing Metrics’ expanding presence in private markets.

Management has reiterated its commitment to supporting Metrics’ growth domestically and abroad, flagging ongoing opportunities for scale and diversification in alternative asset management.

Pinnacle Investment Management share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Pinnacle Investment Management shares have declined 15%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Pinnacle Investment Management increases Metrics Credit stake in $100.5 million deal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Sigma Healthcare delivers double digit Chemist Warehouse sales growth in 2026
• PEXA shares: Strong 3Q26 results and FY26 guidance reaffirmed
• Austal wins extra $136m patrol boat contract, lifts order book above $17.7bn
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Viva Energy updates investors on Geelong Refinery operations

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Aftermarket, PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) announced its third quarter result. The ASX-listed property exchange business increased total exchange transaction volumes by 7.3%, while holding Australian property transactions steady despite market uncertainty.

What did PEXA report?

• Total exchange transaction volumes rose to 935,000 in 3Q26, up 7.3% year-on-year.
• Australian transfer volumes reached 588,000 (+7.1%), while refinance volumes grew 7.9% to 218,000, accounting for 23% of activity.
• PEXA maintained 90% national market penetration in Australia.
• UK remortgage completion volumes grew: Optima Legal up 10% and Smoove up 13% on the prior comparable period.
• Group core NPAT guidance for FY26 reaffirmed at the top end of the $15m–$25m range.
• Exchange customer satisfaction improved to 89.7% (from 87.9% in 2Q26).

What else do investors need to know?

PEXA launched its new anti-money laundering solution, PEXA Clear, in Australia ahead of regulatory changes coming in July 2026. The group also reported greater refinance activity in the Northern Territory following its recent expansion there.

In the UK, NatWest successfully completed its first remortgage on the PEXA platform in March, and PEXA was chosen to participate in the Bank of England Synchronisation Lab to develop efficient end-to-end property transaction solutions.

Guidance for FY26 has been reaffirmed, with revenue expected between $395 million and $415 million, and a group EBITDA margin of 34%–37%. International operations remain a focus, with operating cash outflow guidance of $59 million to $63 million.

What did PEXA management say?

CEO & Group Managing Director Russell Cohen said:

We delivered strong performance in the third quarter of FY26 across both Australia and the UK. In Australia, property transaction volumes remained resilient, growing 7% versus the prior year despite market uncertainty and rising interest rates. UK market growth moderated from the first half, with macroeconomic uncertainty impacting volumes in the quarter. Another quarter of robust operational performance and disciplined cost management has positioned us to deliver performance towards the top end of our FY26 NPAT guidance range.

What’s next for PEXA?

PEXA is preparing for the upcoming anti-money laundering legislation in Australia and continues to work with regulators on industry pricing. Internationally, the company is pursuing further adoption among UK lenders and conveyancers and is participating in innovation initiatives such as the Bank of England Synchronisation Lab.

Looking ahead, PEXA expects continued recovery in property transaction volumes, with targeted growth opportunities in both Australia and the UK underpinned by its digital solutions.

PEXA share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Pexa shares have risen 6%, slightly trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post PEXA shares: Strong 3Q26 results and FY26 guidance reaffirmed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Sigma Healthcare delivers double digit Chemist Warehouse sales growth in 2026
• Pinnacle Investment Management increases Metrics Credit stake in $100.5 million deal
• Austal wins extra $136m patrol boat contract, lifts order book above $17.7bn
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Viva Energy updates investors on Geelong Refinery operations

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 PEXA Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended PEXA Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) share price is in focus today after announcing a fresh A$136 million contract for two extra Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats to be delivered to the Australian Border Force.

What did Austal report?

• Secured a contract extension to build two more Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats, worth approximately A$136 million
• This raises the total number of ECCPBs for the Australian Border Force to six vessels
• Record order book now exceeds A$17.7 billion, including other major defence projects
• Ongoing delivery of Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats to the Royal Australian Navy, with ten already handed over
• Annual contribution of A$500–700 million to the order book from local and international defence programs

What else do investors need to know?

Austal has a strong track record, having delivered eight original Cape-class patrol boats to the Australian Border Force from 2012 to 2015, plus further deliveries to other customers including the Royal Australian Navy and Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.

The company continues to benefit from Australia’s focus on sovereign shipbuilding, with support from federal programs and Defence partnerships. The new award signals ongoing faith in Austal’s ship design and delivery capability.

The company provides in-service support from multiple sites around Australia and remains a key supplier in the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1), approaching completion of 24 vessels.

What did Austal management say?

Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said:

Austal has delivered ten Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats to the Royal Australian Navy in just over five years, and construction is well advanced on the first four vessels for the Australian Border Force. These additional two vessels further strengthen our record order-book of more than A$17.7 billion, which includes eighteen Landing Craft Medium and eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels to be delivered to the Australian Army, under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia.

What’s next for Austal?

Looking ahead, construction of the two new patrol boats will take place at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia, supported by a national supply chain and close collaboration with Defence.

Austal’s record order book gives strong long-term revenue visibility, with projects spanning both military and government customers at home and overseas. Management’s focus remains on on-time delivery and growing its sustainment and export businesses.

Austal share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Austal shares have declined 18%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Austal wins extra $136m patrol boat contract, lifts order book above $17.7bn appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Viva Energy updates investors on Geelong Refinery operations
• Transurban Group posts April traffic gains as West Gate Tunnel ramps up
• Endeavour Group Q3 sales rise as retail and hotels gain ground
• NAB posts higher cash earnings, keeps dividend firm

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

It was a bumpy and ultimately disappointing start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Monday. After breaking a depressing losing streak on Friday with an optimistic rise, it seems investors came back from the weekend with colder feet.

Despite a brief foray into positive territory this morning, the ASX 200 couldn’t quite hold it together and closed with a 0.37% loss. That leaves the index at 8,697.1 points.

This Garfield-esque start to the Australian trading week follows a mixed end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up an early lead to close 0.31% lower.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more upbeat, though, rising a confident 0.89%.

But let’s get back to this week and our local markets now by taking a deeper dive into how today’s trading affected the various ASX sectors this session.

Winners and losers

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

More reading

• Austal wins extra $136m patrol boat contract, lifts order book above $17.7bn
• Why this struggling ASX tech giant is finding buyers again
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why did DroneShield shares tumble more than 7% in April?
• Viva Energy updates investors on Geelong Refinery operations

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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield, Life360, Pinnacle Investment Management Group, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360, Pinnacle Investment Management Group, and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

As we enter May of 2026, it’s pretty clear that we are in one of the most uncertain investing periods investors have seen in a long time, arguably since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. We have wars raging around the world, one of the worst oil supply shocks in history still unfolding, and uncomfortably high inflation, here in Australia and internationally.

Despite all of this, markets remain relatively excited.

Over in the United States, the flagship S&P 500 Index is pretty much at its record high, after resetting this record several times in recent weeks.

Things aren’t quite so jubilant on the ASX boards. Even so, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and the ASX ETFs that track it, remain elevated, and 5.5% below its own record high that we saw earlier in the year.

Investors might find these facts comforting. However, they make me wary. Broadly speaking, I think we can assume the markets are baking in a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude to the current state of the world. If things are indeed as rosy as the market seems to be assuming, we might have a little bit more upside to look forward to. If things aren’t so peachy, there’s a lot of downside to fear.

Of course, I am no Nostrodamus, and I hope that the market has the correct read of these situations. But I am a ‘hope for the best, prepare for the worst’ kind of investor.

That’s why an investment I’m eyeing off for a 2026 buy is the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT).

Why moats matter for this ASX ETF

Why this ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF)? Well, it follows a very specific investing methodology, inspired by the legendary Warren Buffett, that aims to only invest in the most resilient US stocks. This methodology revolves around identifying companies that possess a wide economic ‘moat‘. This moat, a term first coined by Buffett himself, refers to an inbuilt and durable advantage a company can possess that helps it maintain sales and dominance against threats such as competitors or economic adversity.

This moat can come in several forms. It could be a strong and powerful brand that commands loyalty from consumers. It could be a product or service that customers find difficult to avoid using. Or it could be a cost advantage that enables it to sell products at consistently low prices.

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF only holds stocks that display some indications that they possess at least one of these moats. This means, at least in theory, that the companies found in MOAT will be able to weather whatever 2026 throws at the global economy, whether that be high inflation, an oil shock, or other obstacles, better than most. This makes this ASX ETF, in my view at least, the perfect investment for the uncertain world we find ourselves in.

Some examples of the companies that MOAT currently holds include Airbnb, Cadbury-owner Mondelez International, NVIDIA, Nike, Clorox, Walt Disney Co and PepsiCo.

No ASX share, or share-based ETF, can provide absolute protection from volatility or adverse economic events. But I think this ASX ETF has proven itself to be an effective all-weather investment in the past, and will do so again.

The post Here’s why I’d buy this Buffett-inspired ASX ETF today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Are these the best ASX ETFs to buy with $1,000 in May?
• Stagflation: How to position an ASX stock portfolio
• This ASX ETF has generated returns of almost 15% per year!

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Berkshire Hathaway, Mondelez International, PepsiCo, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Airbnb, Berkshire Hathaway, Nike, Nvidia, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Airbnb, Berkshire Hathaway, Nike, Nvidia, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) are moving higher on Monday, with investors reacting to the latest change out of the business.

At the time of writing, the Xero share price is up 3.50% to $83.39.

That builds on a decent run over the past few weeks, with the stock up around 12% in the past month.

Nonetheless, the longer-term trend still looks very different. Xero shares are down more than 50% over the past year and remain well below their June 2025 high of $196.52.

So, what is behind today’s move?

Price increases give investors something to work with

According to a report from The Australian, Xero is lifting prices across its Australian business and partner plans.

The increases are set to take effect from July 1, with pricing rising between 4% and 13% depending on the plan.

In dollar terms, most customers are expected to pay around $3 to $7 more per month.

It may not seem like much on its own, but across the entire customer base it starts to add up and feed into revenue.

Citi estimates the move could lift Australian revenue per user by roughly 4%, which helps explain the positive reaction in the share price.

A sign of confidence despite competition

There is another part to this that investors are likely picking up on.

Xero is not just lifting prices on higher-tier plans. It is also increasing pricing on its entry-level Ignite plan.

That is notable because entry-level products are usually where competition is most intense.

Pushing through increases in that segment suggests management is comfortable with its positioning, even as rivals continue to compete on price and features.

It also tells us that Xero is focused on protecting margins at a time when costs across the sector remain elevated.

There is still more to watch here

While the market has welcomed the update, it does not change the broader context around the stock.

Xero has been under pressure for much of the past year, with valuation, growth expectations, and global tech sentiment all weighing on the share price.

Even after the recent bounce, the stock is still a long way from its previous highs.

All eyes will be on whether pricing gains translate into sustained revenue growth without affecting customer retention.

The upcoming full-year result on 14 May could give a clearer read on how these changes are flowing through the business.

Until then, I’ll be keeping my powder dry.

The post Why this struggling ASX tech giant is finding buyers again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
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• How to build a $500,000 ASX share portfolio in 25 years
• These beaten down ASX 200 tech stocks could rise 55% to 60%
• 3 super cheap ASX 200 shares I’d buy right now

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

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) released its half-year results on Monday, and I think there was a lot for investors to work through.

At face value, the numbers looked messy because of a large software-related accounting charge. But once that is stripped out, I think the result showed a bank that is still performing reasonably well, while also preparing for a tougher and more uncertain environment.

Here are my three key takeaways.

The underlying business is still moving forward

The first thing that stood out to me was that NAB’s underlying performance was better than the headline profit number suggested.

Cash earnings came in at $2.64 billion, but excluding large notable items, cash earnings were $3.59 billion. That was up 2.3% on the second half of FY25 and broadly flat compared with the prior corresponding period. Underlying profit, excluding large notable items, increased 6.4%.

I think that is a decent outcome in the current environment.

The large notable item related to changes in NAB’s software capitalisation policy, which lowered cash earnings by $949 million after tax.

That is important context. It makes the statutory result look weaker, but I do not think it changes the basic story of the bank’s operating momentum.

NAB continues to lean into the areas where it wants to win: business banking, deposits, and proprietary home lending. The update showed growth in Australian business lending, stronger transaction account balances, and a lift in proprietary home loan drawdowns.

For me, that suggests management is executing on the right parts of the business.

Business banking remains the main strength

The second takeaway is that NAB’s business banking franchise still looks like the standout part of the group.

Business & Private Banking cash earnings rose 9.9% compared with the second half of FY25, helped by higher underlying profit and lower credit impairment charges.

I think this division is where NAB has its clearest edge.

The bank has long had a strong position with business customers, particularly small and medium enterprises. In the latest half, it continued to grow business lending balances and gain market share in SME and total business lending.

That gives NAB a slightly different profile from some of the other major banks, which can be more heavily judged on mortgage competition.

I also like that NAB is investing in making business banking simpler and faster. More than 80% of first-half lending applications were submitted digitally, according to the summary, which should help improve efficiency and customer experience over time.

The bank is preparing for more uncertainty

The third takeaway is that NAB is clearly becoming more cautious about the outlook.

Credit impairment charges rose to $706 million from $485 million in the previous half. The bank also increased forward-looking provisions by $300 million, partly due to potential stress linked to the Middle East conflict and the risk of fuel supply and cost pressures across certain sectors.

I do not see that as a reason to panic.

In fact, I would rather see a bank build resilience early than wait until problems show up more clearly.

NAB’s capital position also looks solid. Its CET1 ratio was 11.65% at the end of March, with a pro forma ratio of 12.05% after the expected impact of the discounted and partially underwritten dividend reinvestment plan.

The interim dividend was held at 85 cents per share, fully franked.

Are NAB shares a buy?

I think NAB is a quality bank with a strong business banking franchise, a sound dividend, and a clear strategy.

But after a strong period for bank shares, I would class NAB as a hold rather than a buy today.

The result was solid enough, but the outlook is less certain, credit costs are rising, and I do not think the stock looks obviously cheap.

Foolish takeaway

Overall, I think NAB’s half-year result was respectable once the software charge is put in context.

The underlying bank is still moving forward, business banking remains a real strength, and the balance sheet looks prepared for a more volatile period.

For existing shareholders, I think there is enough here to stay patient. For new investors, I would be more selective at current prices.

The post 3 key takeaways from NAB’s half-year results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Viva Energy, Transurban and NAB shares are turning heads on Monday
• Everything you need to know about the latest NAB dividend
• NAB shares fall despite $3.59 billion cash profit
• NAB posts higher cash earnings, keeps dividend firm
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

With so many shares to choose from on the Australian share market, it can be difficult to decide which ones to buy. The good news is that brokers across the country are doing a lot of the hard work for you.

Three top ASX shares that leading brokers have named as buys this week are outlined below. Here’s why they are bullish on them:

Gentrack Group Ltd (ASX: GTK)

According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this utilities software company’s shares with a reduced price target of $8.80. This follows the announcement of the bolt-on acquisition of Middle East airport technology and services provider, Dubai Technology Partners (DTP), for US$10 million. Bell Potter is positive on the news and believes that broader trends are supportive of the acquisition. Outside this, it remains upbeat on Gentrack due to the large secular tailwinds in rapidly shifting energy production and consumption trends. It expects these to drive increased complexity within grids, billing platform requirements, and broader digital transformations. The Gentrack share price is trading at $4.85 on Monday.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

A note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this sleep disorder treatment company’s shares with a trimmed price target of $41.72. This follows the release of a third-quarter update which Morgans described as solid. It highlights that the company delivered double-digit revenue and earnings growth, further margin expansion, and strong cash flow generation. The broker also points out investors are seemingly focusing on variability in US device growth while pondering if the Noctrix acquisition is merely a plug to a slowing core. However, it views these concerns as myopic and manageable. As a result, Morgans thinks now could be an opportune time to invest. The ResMed share price is fetching $28.89 at the time of writing.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Analysts at Citi have retained their buy rating and $112.65 price target on this cloud accounting platform provider’s shares. According to the note, the broker was pleased to see news that Xero has lifted its prices in Australia. Citi expects this to boost its revenue per user metric in the market. And while it suspects the increase could cause some level of churn, it is supportive of the move and remains bullish on the investment opportunity here. The Xero share price is trading at $82.86 on Monday afternoon.

The post Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why this struggling ASX tech giant is finding buyers again
• Why this ASX tech stock could rocket 80% according to a top broker
• 3 ASX blue chip shares to buy with $10,000
• Why I’d buy and hold these ASX 200 blue-chip shares for at least 5 years
• 10 excellent ASX shares to buy in May

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

May is now underway, and I think it is a good time to look at a couple of ASX 200 shares that could be worth buying for the long term.

The market has been shifting around quickly, with some sectors under pressure and others still trading strongly. In that kind of environment, I like looking for businesses with clear strengths and enough quality to hold through different conditions.

Two ASX shares I would be happy to buy this month are Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN).

CBA shares

Commonwealth Bank is one of the highest-quality businesses on the ASX, in my view.

It is the largest bank in Australia and has a powerful position across mortgages, deposits, business banking, and digital banking. That scale gives it advantages that smaller competitors can struggle to match.

One thing I like about CBA is the consistency of its customer franchise. The bank has spent years investing in its technology and app experience, and I think that has helped it maintain a strong connection with customers.

This is important because banking can be a fairly competitive industry. Customers can move, pricing can be tight, and margins can shift. But CBA’s brand, distribution, and digital strength give it a good platform to defend its position.

Another reason I would consider buying CBA shares is income.

The bank has long been popular with dividend investors, and I think it remains one of the more reliable dividend payers on the ASX. The dividend yield may not always be the highest among the major banks, especially when the share price is strong, but I believe the quality of the business helps justify that.

I also think CBA can benefit from a resilient Australian economy. If employment remains solid and credit quality holds up reasonably well, the bank should remain in a strong position to generate profits and return capital to shareholders over time.

Qantas shares

Qantas is another ASX share I would consider in May.

It certainly isn’t risk-free. The airline industry can be affected by fuel costs, competition, regulation, and economic cycles. Even so, I think Qantas has a few things working in its favour.

The domestic market remains highly valuable, and Qantas has a strong position across both leisure and corporate travel. Its loyalty program also adds something different to the investment case. It gives the company a recurring, data-rich earnings stream that is not tied purely to seat sales.

I also think the fleet renewal story is important. Newer aircraft can improve efficiency, customer experience, and route flexibility. That can help Qantas strengthen its network over time and support better returns if management executes well.

There is also the broader travel backdrop to consider. Australians continue to value travel highly, and Qantas remains one of the country’s most recognised brands. If demand holds up, I think the business can keep generating solid cash flow.

The share price can be sensitive to oil prices and travel sentiment, so I would expect some volatility along the way. However, I believe the business has more going for it than many investors give it credit for.

Foolish Takeaway

So, should I buy CBA and Qantas shares this month?

For me, the answer is yes.

CBA offers quality, scale, dividends, and one of the strongest banking franchises in the country. Qantas offers exposure to travel demand, a valuable loyalty business, and potential benefits from fleet renewal.

They are very different, but I think both have enough long-term appeal to be worth considering in May.

The post Should I buy CBA and Qantas shares this month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. 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 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.