Warren Buffett has never claimed to be a trader or a market timer. Instead, the Oracle of Omaha has built his fortune by doing a few simple things exceptionally well. These are buying high-quality businesses, making sure they have durable competitive advantages, and paying a reasonable price for them. He then holds those businesses for a very long time.

The good news is that there is a simple way to replicate the philosophy behind his approach with ASX shares.

That’s where the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat AUD ETF (ASX: MOAT) comes in.

Warren Buffett-style investing, systemised

This ASX ETF is built around a concept Buffett often talks about: economic moats.

These are competitive advantages that allow a company to defend profits against competitors over long periods of time. They can come from brand strength, switching costs, scale, regulation, or intellectual property.

The fund tracks an index that identifies companies believed to have sustainable competitive advantages and then applies a valuation filter. Importantly, this mirrors Buffett’s preference for quality at a fair price, not simply buying the cheapest stocks available.

In other words, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat AUD ETF isn’t about bargain hunting. It is about owning great businesses without overpaying.

The kind of businesses Buffett likes

Holdings change over time, but the fund consistently owns businesses that feel very Buffett-like.

Examples from the current portfolio include United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS), a logistics giant with global scale that would be almost impossible to replicate today, Danaher (NYSE: DHR), a diversified life sciences and diagnostics company built around recurring demand and disciplined capital allocation, and Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), which owns premium beverage brands with strong pricing power.

There are also defensive consumer names such as Clorox (NYSE: CLX) and Mondelez International (NASDAQ: MDLZ), as well as high-quality industrial and technology companies that benefit from long-term structural demand rather than short-term hype.

These are not speculative businesses. They are companies designed to keep compounding.

The long-term results speak for themselves

Over the past 10 years, the index tracked by the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat AUD ETF has delivered an average total return of 16.06% per annum.

To put that into perspective, a $20,000 investment made 10 years ago would now be worth roughly $90,000, assuming returns were reinvested. That is the power of compounding applied to quality businesses.

What’s even more notable is that this outperformed the S&P 500 index, which returned around 15.09% per annum over the same period. That gap may not sound large in a single year, but over a decade it becomes meaningful.

It is a strong reminder that Buffett’s core philosophy still works, even in a market dominated by technology and rapid change.

Foolish takeaway

Investing like Warren Buffett with ASX shares doesn’t require picking individual stocks or waiting for market crashes.

By focusing on businesses with durable advantages and sensible valuations, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat AUD ETF offers ASX investors a straightforward way to apply Buffett’s principles in a diversified, rules-based way.

As Buffett himself has shown for decades, that is often exactly the point.

The post This is the easy way to invest like Warren Buffett with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 excellent ASX ETFs for Aussie investors to buy in February and beyond
• Where to invest $5,000 in ASX ETFs this month
• Why I would buy and hold these VanEck ETFs for a decade or more
• 3 ASX growth shares to buy now while they’re on sale
• 3 VanEck ETFs on the ASX I rate as buys

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Danaher and United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Constellation Brands. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are looking for an ASX 200 stock with income appeal and potential upside, Bell Potter believes it has found one.

In a note released this morning, the broker has picked out a stock it believes can offer 11% upside and a 5% dividend yield.

Which ASX 200 stock?

The stock that is being recommended to clients by Bell Potter is Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP).

Bell Potter notes that the ASX 200 stock delivered a steady first-half result, with funds from operations slightly ahead of expectations. It said:

CIP announced its 1H26 result with FFO / share of 9.1c slightly above BPe and Visible Alpha consensus (+1%). FY26 guidance was reiterated (previously increased bottom end of range) for FFO / share range of 18.2c – 18.5c (BPe 18.4c; VA consensus 18.4c) and DPS of 16.8c (in line with BPe and VA consensus).

Importantly, the broker sees further upside from leasing activity across the portfolio. It explains:

With 4.3% vacancy on foot (improved vs. FY25), we still see scope for earnings upside solving for several single larger vacancies as well as near-term expiries (7.1% of portfolio in FY27) particularly in NSW where the $ rents / sqm have increased earnings impact.

Data centre exposure

Bell Potter also highlights the REIT’s growing exposure to data centre opportunities as a positive. The broker notes:

CIP has acquired two new assets post bal date for $60.2m combined with scope for additional power capacity or pathway to near-term power, as well as having submitted a DA to develop up to a 40MW centre adjacent to its existing Clayton DC, VIC where Telstra lease surrender is expected to be net neutral to earnings but accretive to NTA post DA and power allocation.

Attractive valuation

According to the note, in response to the ASX 200 stock’s half-year results, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $3.60 (from $3.75). Based on its current share price of $3.24, this implies potential upside of 11% for investors.

In addition, it is forecasting a 5.2% dividend yield in FY 2026 and a 5.3% dividend yield in FY 2027.

Bell Potter believes the stock is trading at an attractive discount compared to its net tangible assets. The broker said:

CIP currently trades at a -18% discount to NTA vs. +8% average premium to book achieved on all non-core asset sales (c.$270m worth) since FY23 with elevated levels of industrial cap trans across the market, and the ability to unlock earnings upside via a small number of leasing deals.

The post Guess which ASX 200 stock Bell Potter rates as a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Centuria Industrial REIT grows earnings and holds guidance for HY26
• 2 ASX REIT stocks I want to buy for a lifetime of passive income!
• Is this the right time to invest in ASX defensive shares?
• These buy-rated ASX dividend stocks offer 4% to 6% yields
• 3 ASX dividend shares that still beat bank interest rates

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 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.

Brokers have been very busy this month recommending which ASX 200 shares to buy, hold, and sell.

Three which analysts have given their verdict on are named below. Here’s what they are saying about them:

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)

This energy producer’s shares are fully valued according to analysts at Morgans. Given its free cash flow outlook and difficult to analyse results, the broker has downgraded Beach Energy shares from a hold rating to a trim rating with a $1.09 price target. This compares to its current share price of $1.13. It said:

A noisy 1H26 result that was hard to analyse, with the treatment of various items not aligning with what we would expect. Pushing its accounting treatments harder than its operations leaves us concerned around BPT’s forward FCF profile. Gradually declining reserves could suppress BPT’s valuation until it makes an acquisition, a difficult position to be in. We downgrade our rating to TRIM (from HOLD), with an updated A$1.09 target price.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The team at Bell Potter hasn’t been overly impressed with recent developments at this biotechnology giant. So, although CSL shares trade at a sizeable discount to historical earnings multiples, it only rates them as a hold with a $175.00 price target. This compares to its current share price of $163.44.

Commenting on the struggling company, the broker said:

CSL now trades on an underlying PE of 16.5x in FY27, well below its historical average but remains above the global biopharma avg of ~15x. It faces the daunting prospect of hiring a new CEO to re-invigorate a lacklustre growth outlook in the face of headwinds on multiple fronts.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Morgans is feeling upbeat about this ASX tech stock ahead of the release of its results. In response to the AI-induced software selloff, the broker has upgraded Pro Medicus shares to a buy rating with a $290.00 price target. This implies more than 70% upside for investors from its current share price of $169.47. It said:

PME has been sold off heavily as investors increasingly worry that AI could structurally erode the economics and commoditise premium imaging SaaS platforms. For PME, that feels misunderstood. Bravery required with volatility high and trend weak, but this has proven to be a good time to pick up PME shares. Upgrade to BUY on weakness. 1H26 results due 12th of February.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Beach Energy, CSL, and Pro Medicus shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• What’s Morgans’ view on these ASX shares following earnings results?
• Why ASX, CSL, GQG, and Meteoric Resources shares are sinking today
• CSL shares crash 12% on half-year results and shock CEO exit
• Here’s everything you need to know about CSL’s upcoming dividend

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

On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a strong session and raced higher. The benchmark index rose 1.65% to 9,014.8 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 set for subdued session

The Australian share market looks set for a subdued session on Thursday following a relatively flat night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 1 point higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 0.1%, the S&P 500 is up 0.1% and the Nasdaq is flat.

Oil prices rise

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session on Thursday after oil prices stormed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.45% to US$64.88 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.25% to US$69.68 a barrel. Improved demand and US-Iran tensions gave oil prices a boost.

Pro Medicus results

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares will be on watch today when the health imaging technology company releases its half-year results. As well as its results, the market may be looking for management to ease concerns over AI disruption. Other ASX 200 shares that are releasing results today include Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) and Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG). The market will no doubt be interested to see how the latter is navigating US trade tariffs.

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares such as Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good session on Thursday after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 1.6% to US$5,110.6 an ounce. Traders were buying the precious metal despite the release of strong US jobs data, which could lessen rate cut hopes.

Hold CSL shares

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares remain fully valued according to analysts at Bell Potter. In response to the biotechnology giant’s half-year results, the broker has retained its hold rating with a reduced price target of $175.00. It said: “CSL now trades on an underlying PE of 16.5x in FY27, well below its historical average but remains above the global biopharma avg of ~15x. It faces the daunting prospect of hiring a new CEO to re-invigorate a lacklustre growth outlook in the face of headwinds on multiple fronts.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Beach Energy, CSL, and Pro Medicus shares
• What’s Morgans’ view on these ASX shares following earnings results?
• Neuren Pharmaceuticals unveils on-market buy-back supported by strong cash flows
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Superloop flags $4 million margin risk from AGL telecom business exit

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

Yesterday was mostly a stellar day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). 

Australia’s benchmark index rose a strong 1.66%.

However two ASX 200 stocks that didn’t share the success yesterday were Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) and ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD). 

These ASX 200 shares fell 3.3% and 4.7% respectively. 

Following this sell-off, it could be an opportunity for investors to enter at a more attractive price. 

Here’s what experts are saying. 

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

Computershare suffered a 3.3% fall yesterday following the company’s 1H FY26 Results.

It is an Australian financial administration company offering global services in corporate trusts, stock transfers, and employee share plans.

The company reported:

• Management revenue up 3.9% compared to 1H FY25
• Management EPS rose 3.9% to 72.2 US cents
• ROIC exceeded 36%
• Margin income of $372.9 million, down 5.4%
• Interim dividend lifted to 55 AU cents per share (30% franked), up 22% on last year

Overall, this appeared to be a strong result. 

Even more positive, is the balance sheet strength and upgraded FY26 guidance from the ASX 200 company. 

However investors were apparently expecting more. 

Following yesterday’s drop, it now sits close to its 52-week low at $31.29 per share. 

It is down roughly 25% from this time last year. 

The ASX 200 stock now appears to be undervalued. 

Analysts at Citi placed a buy rating on this battling industrials stock in January. 

This came with a price target of $39.60. 

From yesterday’s closing price, that indicates an upside of approximately 26.5%. 

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed shares also struggled yesterday, falling 4.7%. 

The company develops, manufactures, and distributes medical devices – such as flow generators, CPAP masks, and accessories – and cloud-based software applications that diagnose, treat, and manage a range of respiratory disorders including sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and neuromuscular disease.

It closed yesterday at $36.79, which is well below recent targets from brokers. 

Ord Minnett currently has a buy rating and $43.70 price target on ResMed shares.

Elsewhere, Morgans has a buy rating and price target of $47.73 thanks to the company’s second-quarter FY2026 results, which beat expectations across the board. 

ResMed delivered double-digit growth in revenue and earnings, expanded its gross margins, and generated strong cash flow.

Due to improved operating leverage, Morgans has slightly increased its earnings forecasts and valuation for the company. 

From yesterday’s closing price, the updated target from Morgans indicates an upside potential of almost 30%. 

The post Bargain buys! – Scoop up these ASX 200 stocks after yesterday’s crash appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• My 10 best ASX shares to buy in February
• Why Computershare shares are wobbling despite a solid half
• How to go from zero to $50,000 with ASX shares
• Computershare lifts outlook and dividend after solid 1H26 earnings
• 5 amazing ASX shares that could build serious wealth for investors

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

The tech sector has been a difficult place to invest in 2026.

Due to concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) disruption, ASX software shares have been sold off.

Bell Potter has been looking at the sector and has given its take on recent selling.

What is the broker saying about AI and ASX tech shares?

Commenting on what has caused the selling, the broker said:

The recent market retreat was partly driven by Anthropic’s release of various specialised plug-ins for its agentic AI platform. By introducing tools for legal, sales, finance, and analytics applications, Anthropic has heightened fears that AI-native models will fundamentally disrupt or replace incumbent software providers.

But don’t worry, because it isn’t the end of ASX tech shares. Far from it, according to Bell Potter. It adds:

The recent software sell off was indiscriminate, but we see this as overblown and do not believe AI will displace every company. Instead, we see an ‘AI-augmented’ future for many software companies. By being selective, investors can now find high-quality companies trading at attractive valuations.

Which shares should you buy?

While the broker’s top pick globally is Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), it has named its preference on the ASX boards. That tech share is WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC).

Rather than replacing the logistics solutions technology company, Bell Potter believes AI could enhance its platform. It said:

On the ASX, WiseTech (WTC.AX) remains our analysts’ top pick. Trading at a 12-month forward P/E of 37x, the stock appears undervalued relative to its 30% earnings growth and 10-year historical average of 75x. While AI disruption remains a risk, WTC possesses many of the defensive attributes identified above; in fact, we believe AI could actually enhance the power of WTC’s software rather than displace it.

Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and $87.50 price target on WiseTech’s shares.

Based on its current share price of $50.94, this implies potential upside of 72% for investors over the next 12 months.

Anything else?

It is also worth noting that in a separate note, the broker has named another ASX tech share as a buy.

This morning, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) shares with a trimmed price target of $5.50. This implies potential upside of 55% for investors from current levels. It said:

Catapult has a March year end so will not report its next result till May and we do not expect much if any news flow between now and then. There is some potential for Catapult to be removed from the S&P/ASX 200 Index at the next rebalance in March – given the recent price fall and despite the equity raising in November – after only being included in September last year.

This potential removal has perhaps also contributed to the fall in the share price. In its favour, however, Catapult is still one of the few good quality tech stocks in the mid cap space – even if it gets removed from the 200 but stays in the 300 – and so any rebound in the sector will likely see Catapult move in tandem.

The post Buy this ASX tech share after the AI software selloff appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• 3 of my high-conviction ASX 200 share picks for February
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Did you know WiseTech shares are trading at their biggest discount in their history?
• How undervalued are Wisetech shares? Two brokers have their say

ASX industrials stock SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) is in focus after the company delivered half-year results yesterday. 

Following earnings results, the company saw its share price climb 3.5% higher. 

For those unfamiliar, SGH is a leading Australian diversified operating and investment group with market leading businesses and investments in industrial services, energy and media sectors.

What did the company report?

In yesterday’s results this ASX industrials stock reported:

• Revenue of $5.4 billion, down 2% from 1HY25
• EBIT of $844 million, flat year-on-year, up 22% on 2H FY25
• NPAT of $518 million, up 2% on the prior corresponding period
• EBITDA of $1.1 billion, up 1%
• Operating cash flow of $1.1 billion, up 32%
• Interim fully franked dividend of 32 cents per share, up 7%

Investors were seemingly pleased with the results, as the stock price climbed more than 3%. 

It is now up an impressive 8.7% already in 2026. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials (ASX: XNJ) index is up just 0.21% since the start of the year. 

What is Bell Potter’s updated outlook?

Following the results, the team at Bell Potter provided updated guidance on this ASX industrials stock. 

Bell Potter said SGH’s first-half FY26 result was slightly better than expected. 

This was mainly due to stronger profits from its investments rather than its core businesses. 

The company reported underlying EBIT (uEBIT) of $820 million, which was broadly in line with expectations. 

The overall 4% “beat” came from higher-than-expected profits from equity-accounted investments, particularly Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Seven West Media Ltd (ASX: SWM)

Together these contributed $24 million more than forecast. Excluding this boost, the core result was largely as expected.

Other individual businesses under the SGH umbrella largely performed in line with expectations. 

The company also declared a fully franked interim dividend of 32 cents per share, which was in line with expectations.

Price target increase

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter increased its price target to $56.00 (previously $51.80). 

The broker also maintained its buy recommendation. 

From yesterday’s closing price of $50.91, this indicates an upside of 10%. 

Our Target Price lifts to $56.00/sh (up from $51.80/sh) due to model roll-forward and a more optimistic medium-term outlook for Boral sales. We believe operating conditions are set to improve for Boral and Coates from cycle-lows in Infrastructure and residential construction markets. 

With net leverage currently at multi-year lows, SGH has even greater financial flexibility to deliver accretive M&A, a major re-rate catalyst.

The post What is Bell Potter’s view on this ASX industrials stock that jumped 3% on earnings results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SGH delivers strong first-half FY26 earnings with higher dividend

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

I’ve been looking at the market this month and have identified a number of ASX shares that I think could be buys. 

These are businesses I understand, believe in, and would be happy to hold through ups and downs. Some are market leaders, some are in recovery mode, and others are still proving their growth stories. 

Together, they give me a mix of quality, growth, income, and optional upside.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA remains the benchmark for Australian banking in my view. Its scale, pricing power, and customer stickiness are incredibly hard to replicate. Yes, it trades at a premium, but I believe that premium reflects reliability and execution rather than excess optimism.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero has been sold off alongside global software peers, but I don’t think the business itself has missed a beat. Subscriber growth is holding up, margins are improving, and its ecosystem advantage remains intact. Long term, I still see this as a business that can quietly compound value.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP offers a combination I really like. That is copper exposure, strong free cash flow, and a balance sheet that’s built to handle cycles. Even with the share price near highs, I’m comfortable owning it for income today and long-term demand driven by electrification.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Hub24 is an ASX share that continues to impress me with its ability to take market share. Adviser trust, product depth, and consistently strong net inflows give me confidence in the growth runway. I still think this investment and superannuation platform is a structural growth story that has a long way to run.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Megaport is definitely the higher-risk name on this list, but I think the upside is material. Demand for its flexible, software-defined networking is growing strongly. If execution continues, I believe sentiment could shift faster than many expect.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne is one of the most consistent software shares on the ASX, in my opinion. Recurring revenue keeps rising, churn remains low, and margins are strong. It’s not flashy, but I really like the way it compounds steadily over time.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers gives me exposure to high-quality retail cash flows backed by disciplined capital allocation. Bunnings alone justifies long-term ownership in my eyes, with additional optional upside from the rest of the portfolio.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

Qantas looks like a very different ASX share to the one we saw a few years ago. Capacity discipline, a newer fleet, and improving dividends make this more than just a cyclical airline play in my view.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Zip has clearly moved past survival mode. With tighter credit settings and a leaner footprint, I don’t think the buy now, pay later company needs explosive growth to deliver decent returns. If it simply keeps executing, I think the upside could surprise.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

ResMed continues to deliver robust revenue and earnings growth, supported by global demand for sleep and respiratory care. For a healthcare leader with genuine global reach, I’m happy to add on weakness and hold long term.

Foolish takeaway

This isn’t about finding the perfect entry point. It’s about owning businesses I genuinely believe can grow, adapt, and return capital over time. For me, these 10 ASX shares fit that bill and are names I’d be comfortable backing from here with a long-term mindset.

The post My 10 best ASX shares to buy in February appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• I would skip Northern Star shares and buy these ASX stocks
• Here’s the outlook for CBA shares in 2026
• CBA share price jumps 8% on strong half-year results
• Why AGL, CBA, Domino’s, and James Hardie shares are jumping today

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, Hub24, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24, Megaport, ResMed, Technology One, Wesfarmers, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Hub24, Technology One, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

With earnings season in full swing, the team at Morgans has provided fresh analysis on ASX shares Dexus Convenience Retail REIT (ASX: DXC) and Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT). 

Both companies released HY26 results over the last week. 

What did the companies report?

Dexus Convenience Retail REIT wholly owns a portfolio of service station and convenience retail assets.

It released its earnings results for the six months to 31 December 2025 this week. 

The company confirmed an interim distribution of 10.45 cents per security and confirmed its previously provided FY26 guidance.

Highlights included a high occupancy of 99.9% maintained, and a portfolio valuation uplift of $19.8 million, supporting a 4.4% increase in Net Tangible Assets (NTA) per security to $3.80. 

Meanwhile, oil and natural gas producer Beach Energy released FY26 half year earnings results last week. 

The company reported 1H FY26 underlying EBITDA of $558m and underlying NPAT of $219m. 

Both of these came in ahead of expectations.

An interim fully franked dividend of 1cps was also declared. 

What is Morgans’ take on these ASX shares?

The team at Morgans said Dexus Convenience REIT delivered a solid 1H26 operating result. 

It noted that the company has agreed to acquire two fund-through developments (~$35m combined), consistent with its ongoing portfolio repositioning toward metro and highway locations. 

Portfolio fundamentals remain sound, supported by long-dated leases, high occupancy and a tenant base weighted toward national operators, while gearing sits at the lower end of the target range, providing balance sheet capacity to fund the development pipeline.

The broker sees this ASX REIT as trading at a 26% discount to NAV.

It has placed an accumulate rating on these ASX shares along with a $2.90 target price.

Dexus Convenience REIT closed trading yesterday at $2.83. 

For Beach Energy shares, Morgans said the noisy 1H26 result was hard to analyse. 

Pushing its accounting treatments harder than its operations leaves us concerned around BPT’s forward FCF profile. Gradually declining reserves could suppress BPT’s valuation until it makes an acquisition, a difficult position to be in.

Based on this guidance, Morgans has downgraded its rating to trim (from hold), with an updated $1.09 target price.

Beach Energy shares closed yesterday at $1.13 each. 

Foolish takeaway 

Based on the guidance out of Morgans yesterday, it seems both of these ASX shares are close to fairly valued. 

However elsewhere, Bell Potter is more optimistic on Dexus Convenience REIT shares. 

The broker has a $3.25 price target along with a buy recommendation.

This indicates an upside of almost 15%. 

The post What’s Morgans’ view on these ASX shares following earnings results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Income investors are watching these 3 ASX REIT results. Here’s the details
• Broker names 3 ASX shares to buy this week
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Guess which ASX energy share is rocketing 14% today on a JV deal with Beach Energy
• Broker tips 16% upside for this ASX REIT

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

There aren’t too many Australian stocks on our market that I would be generous enough to call a ‘forever hold’. After all, the future is usually only obvious in hindsight. And forever is an awfully long time.

For a company to be called a ‘forever hold’, we must have absolute confidence that it produces a good or service that is highly likely to remain in demand in decades’ time, for one. But it must also, arguably, have a strong track record of moving with the times and always keeping its shareholders at the forefront of its priorities.

I believe Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) is one of those rare Australian stocks.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson, or Soul Patts for short, is a diversified investment house that invests in an underlying, diversified portfolio of assets it manages on behalf of its investors. This portfolio is huge in scope and scale, holding assets that range from other blue chip ASX shares to private credit, venture capital and unlisted assets.

Australians are almost certainly going to be looking for a reputable investing manager to look after and build their wealth for time immemorial. So that’s the first box of our ‘forever hold’ criteria ticked.

Why this Australian stock could be a forever hold

But what of our other requirements? Well, I think Soul Patts has these covered, too. And covered well.

This is a company that has been moving with the times for more than a century. Yep, Soul Patts first listed on the ASX way back in 1903, but has actually been around in some form or another for longer than the ASX (or its predecessor, the Sydney Stock Exchange) itself.

The past 25 years have arguably seen more global economic disruption than any other period in Soul Patts’ life, given the rise of the internet and the seismic changes it has unleashed worldwide. Yet, this Australian stock has managed to ride the wave without missing a beat.

In September last year, the company gave the markets an update, noting that Soul Patts investors had enjoyed a total return (share price growth plus dividend returns) of 13.7% per annum over the 25 years to 23 September 2025. That’s a whopping 5.7% per annum more than the broader market. Soul Patts also outperformed over the three-, five-, and ten-year periods to that date.

Past performance is never a guarantee of future success, of course. But it’s certainly worth more than nothing.

Not only that, but Soul Patts also possesses the best dividend track record on the ASX. This Australian stock’s shareholders have enjoyed an annual dividend increase every single year since 1998. That’s quite a feather in this company’s hat.

So I think Soul Patts is an Australian stock that ticks all of the boxes for a ‘forever hold’ investment. And right now, at just over $38 a share, Soul Patts shares are down by more than 15% from the 52-week high of $15.14 that we saw in September last year. Take that how you will.

The post This Australian stock is 15% cheaper today, but it’s a “forever” hold appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX dividend shares raising dividends like clockwork
• Is this the right time to invest in ASX defensive shares?
• ASX 200 financials flew but tech and mining shares faltered last week
• Passive income: How much do you need to invest to make $500 per month?
• 3 of the best ASX dividend shares to buy for income

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