• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Girl with painted hands.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a volatile, yet negative, session this Tuesday. After initially spiking in early trading this morning, the ASX 200 spent the rest of the day in negative territory. Saying that, it could have been a lot worse, with the index eventually closing down just 0.044%, leaving it at 8,949.4 points.

    This miserly trading day for Australian investors comes after a similarly lacklustre start to the American trading week last night.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn’t quite clinch a rise either, dropping by a tiny 0.0099%

    The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was a little more decisive, though, falling 0.26%.

    But let’s get back to the ASX now for a look at how the different ASX sectors handled today’s interesting trading conditions.

    Winners and losers

    Despite the market’s fall, there were plenty of sectors that came out ahead this Tuesday.

    But first, let’s go through the losers.

    Leading said red sectors were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had a rough one, tanking by 0.89%.

    Gold shares were also shunned, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) cratering 0.52%.

    Healthcare stocks had a day to forget, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) suffered a 0.42% swing against it today.

    Mining shares were on the red list as well, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)’s 0.15% dip.

    Financial stocks weren’t popular either. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) took a 0.12% hit this session.

    Our last losers were communications shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slipping 0.06% lower.

    Turning to the green sectors now, it was consumer staples stocks that ran hottest. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) enjoyed a 0.69% surge this Tuesday.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were popular too, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 0.49% jump.

    Industrial shares were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) bounced 0.48% higher today.

    Tech stocks were in that ballpark as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lifting 0.42%.

    Utilities shares didn’t miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) added 0.28% to its value.

    Finally, consumer discretionary shares made the cut, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.12% bump.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Today’s top stock was lithium company Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL). Vulcan shares soared another 6.52% this Tuesday to close at $3.76 a share.

    This seems to be a continuation of the positive momentum we saw yesterday, thanks to an exciting announcement that the company made.

    Here’s how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) $3.76 6.52%
    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) $3.81 5.54%
    Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) $36.47 4.56%
    Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX) $6.26 3.99%
    Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) $6.85 3.79%
    Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) $7.94 3.79%
    Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) $102.41 3.59%
    Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) $1.10 3.29%
    Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) $2.30 3.14%
    Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) $24.63 2.80%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vulcan Energy Resources Limited right now?

    Before you buy Vulcan Energy Resources Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Vulcan Energy Resources Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 positions in and has recommended Block and DroneShield and is short shares of DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Eagers Automotive Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • New strategy sparks rebound in this $5bn ASX stock – what’s next?

    A truck driver leans out the window of his truck giving the thumbs up.

    ASX stock Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY) is starting to catch investors’ attention again.

    Shares in the waste management giant rose 3% to $2.385 during Tuesday afternoon trade, extending a recent recovery that has pulled the stock further away from its five-year lows.

    While Cleanaway is still down around 8% year to date, lagging the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which is up roughly 2.5%, sentiment appears to be shifting.

    So, what’s driving the interest in this ASX stock today?

    Tighten cost, drive efficiency

    The key catalyst is Cleanaway’s refreshed strategy, which is giving investors a clearer path to improved profitability. On Tuesday, the ASX stock unveiled its “Blueprint 2030 2.0” plan, focused on margin expansion, stronger cash flow, and more disciplined execution.

    Management highlighted that underlying EBIT has already lifted 60% since FY22, suggesting the business has momentum heading into its next phase.

    The updated strategy rests on three pillars: lifting customer value, optimising the branch network, and using data and digital tools to boost performance. In practice, that means targeting higher-value revenue, tightening costs, and investing in automation and analytics to drive efficiency.

    Sales overhaul

    One of the standout initiatives of the ASX stock is a major overhaul of its sales approach. Cleanaway is rolling out a centralised “One Sales Engine” model aimed at improving customer retention and increasing cross-selling opportunities.

    At the same time, its ongoing digitisation program is targeting better fleet utilisation, real-time tracking, and enhanced safety outcomes.

    There’s also a significant push in its hazardous waste division. Cleanaway is streamlining its site network while expanding into higher-margin technical services and decommissioning work. These areas are expected to see strong demand growth in the years ahead.

    What next for the ASX stock?

    Looking forward, management has set some ambitious targets. The company is targeting at least 260 basis points of margin expansion and 10% to 15% EPS growth in FY27 as cost cuts take hold. It’s also pushing to deliver steadier free cash flow through tighter capital allocation and better asset use.

    Cleanaway is backing its integrated network and growing use of technology to strengthen its lead in sustainable waste. Especially in higher-value areas like hazardous waste.

    Fluctuating fuel cost

    Of course, challenges remain. The ASX stock is still navigating a volatile operating environment, including fluctuating fuel costs and broader economic uncertainty. Management is focused on tightening operational efficiency, optimising its fleet, and using procurement strategies to better manage costs.

    For investors, the story is shifting from turnaround to execution. Cleanaway’s strategy has laid out a clearer roadmap for growth. And if it can deliver, the recent price recovery of the ASX stock may have further to run.

    The post New strategy sparks rebound in this $5bn ASX stock – what’s next? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Cleanaway Waste Management Limited right now?

    Before you buy Cleanaway Waste Management Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Cleanaway Waste Management Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 ASX biotech stock could more than double Canaccord Genuity says

    Female scientist working in a laboratory.

    PYC Therapeutics Ltd (ASX: PYC) recently had some good news from one of its drug trials, which has boosted its share price.

    But there’s plenty more upside to be had, according to the analyst team at Canaccord Genuity, which has a buy rating on the stock and a bullish price target, which we’ll get to shortly.

    Encouraging progress

    Firstly, let’s have a look at what was announced recently.

    PYC said it is progressing an investigational drug candidate known as PYC-001, which “addresses the underlying cause of a blinding eye disease called Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA)”.

    The company announced on April 15 that the Safety Review Committee overseeing the Phase 1 Single Ascending Dose (SAD) study of PYC-001 had reviewed the data from the first four weeks of the trial and approved progression to a multiple dose study.

    The company added:

    PYC is now evaluating the safety and efficacy profile of repeat doses of PYC-001 in a global Multiple Ascending Dose (MAD) study of PYC-001 in patients with ADOA. The objective of this study is to establish clinical proof-of-concept prior to progression of the drug candidate into a global registrational trial directed towards supporting a New Drug Application for PYC-001 in ADOA. Safety and efficacy outcomes from this study will be presented throughout 2026 and 2027.

    The company said ADOA affects one in every 35,000 people and there are currently no approved treatment options available.

    Broad portfolio attractive

    The Canaccord team said there was a lot to like about PYC; however, they were more focused on its potential kidney treatment.

    They said in a research note to clients:

    Following a large raise (A$600.5m, +400m shares), PYC is now sufficiently cashed up to progress its pipeline of RNA assets across its retinal, kidney and neuro indications. Like many, we are most intrigued by PYC’s kidney asset, due to: a) its elegant mechanism of action, b) orphan indication with a large population (~95k US eligible patients), and c) well-defined, potential accelerated approval pathway.

    PYC in February announced that its polycystic kidney disease candidate had approval to escalate dosing in a third cohort of patients following approval from the safety review committee.

    Canaccord said, “We are excited to see PYC’s program move into multiple ascending doses”.

    We expect an update from the third cohort in the single ascending dose (SAD) portion in May, following which timelines related to the MAD will become clearer, and where the market should be focused.

    Canaccord has a price target on PYC shares of $2.84 compared with the current price of $1.33.

    PYC Therapeutics is currently valued at $1.28 billion.

    The post This ASX biotech stock could more than double Canaccord Genuity says appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in PYC Therapeutics Ltd right now?

    Before you buy PYC Therapeutics Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and PYC Therapeutics Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

  • What is Morgan’s view on Navigator Global Investments shares after update

    A smiling florist gets some good news on his laptop and tablet.

    Navigator Global Investments Ltd (ASX: NGI) shares are in focus after the release of a quarterly assets under management (AUM) update.

    This led to a 6% share price rise on opening.

    At the time of writing, Navigator Global Investments shares are up 2% during today’s session. 

    The company remains down more than 17% year to date. 

    What did the company report?

    Today, the company reported: 

    • Navigator’s ownership-adjusted AUM increased by 9% to USD31.6 billion in Q3, up 16% over the last 12 months
    • Total NGI Firm Level AUM2 increased by 17% to USD98 billion in Q3, up 20% over the last 12 months
    • The Lighthouse Partners business remains the largest contributor, with AUM rising 8% during the quarter to a record US$18.7 billion. Over the past 12 months, that figure is up 17%

    The company advised that growth was driven by a mix of inflows and investment performance across its platform.

    The company expects strong asset growth (AUM) in Q3 FY26, putting NGI in a good position for FY27.

    The company continues to expect FY26 adjusted EBITDA to be lower than FY25, driven by: 

    • The timing of AUM growth recognised this quarter
    • A higher proportion of inflows into lower fee-generating AUM
    • The concentration of NGI’s performance fee revenues, with the majority expected to crystallise in December

    This announcement pleased investors, who were gobbling up shares in the company this morning.

    What did Morgans have to say?

    Following the release, the team at Morgans released updated guidance on Navigator Global Investments shares.

    The broker said it was a broadly solid quarter, punctuated by a +9% increase in group Ownership adjusted AUM in a volatile market, and robust quarterly net flows into Lighthouse (+US$1.2bn). 

    We update our NGI numbers for the quarterly and also following a broad review of our earnings assumptions. Our FY26F EPS estimate is revised down -3%, reflecting more conservative performance fee assumptions for the current year, while FY27F EPS moves up +2% on higher FUM estimates following today’s update.

    Upside and buy rating intact

    It appears the company is quickly recovering from an early-year lull. 

    Since late March, Navigator Global Investments shares have risen more than 23%. 

    It seems that, based on Morgans’ guidance, this recovery can continue. 

    Morgans has retained its buy recommendation, along with a largely unchanged price target of $2.97. 

    From today’s current price target of $2.46, this indicates an upside potential of approximately 20%. 

    The post What is Morgan’s view on Navigator Global Investments shares after update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Navigator Global Investments right now?

    Before you buy Navigator Global Investments shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Navigator Global Investments wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    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.

  • Why Artrya, Cleanaway, DroneShield, and Nuix shares are pushing higher today

    Two happy and excited friends in euphoria holding a smartphone, after winning in a bet.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a subdued session on Tuesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.25% to 8,932.9 points.

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

    Artrya Ltd (ASX: AYA)

    The Artrya share price is up over 11% to $4.65. This appears to have been driven by a bullish broker note out of Bell Potter this morning. According to the note, the broker has initiated coverage on the medical technology company’s shares with a buy rating and $6.10 price target. It said: “AYA’s unique offering creates an opportunity to achieve rapid growth and a material share of c.4.4m annual CCTA scans in the US market, growing at a CAGR of c.6.2%. AYA has three foundation customers in the US that should deliver c.15k scans annually by FY27. Through the SAPPHIRE study group, AYA has created a warm pipeline of six potential customers and c.400k annual scans that could generate c.10% market share and c.A$450m in annual revenue over the next decade. We expect AYA to reach EBITDA breakeven in FY28.”

    Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)

    The Cleanaway share price is up 3% to $2.39. This follows the release of the waste management company’s investor day update. Cleanaway unveiled its new Blueprint 2030 2.0 strategy, which is built around three pillars. These are delivering customer value, optimising its branch network, and leveraging advanced ways of working through digital and data capabilities. This includes a major upgrade to sales processes, with a centralised One Sales Engine model that is designed to lift customer retention and cross-sell rates.

    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

    The DroneShield share price is up almost 8% to $3.89. Investors may have been buying the counter-drone technology company’s shares due to concerns that the US and Iran could fail to sign a peace deal before the ceasefire agreement ends. If tensions flare up again in the Middle East, it could lead to increased demand for DroneShield’s suite of products.

    Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL)

    The Nuix share price is up 4.5% to $1.32. This follows news that the investigative analytics and intelligence software provider has completed the $27 million acquisition of Linkurious SAS following Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approval in France. Linkurious provides technology that allows customers to visually explore and investigate graph data, to detect patterns of interest and investigate alerts. Incorporating Annualised Contract Value (ACV) associated with Linkurious, Nuix advises that it now expects full year ACV to be in the range $252 million to $272 million.

    The post Why Artrya, Cleanaway, DroneShield, and Nuix shares are pushing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Artrya Limited right now?

    Before you buy Artrya Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Artrya Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 DroneShield and is short shares of DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nuix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • BetaShares is about to launch a new ASX space ETF. Here’s what we know

    Space rocket in front of moon

    The ASX is no stranger to new exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In fact, our share market regularly welcomes new ASX ETFs seemingly every other month.

    These new ETFs range from index funds to thematic ETFs that aim to capitalise on the latest hot trend of the markets.

    The new offering from ETF provider BetaShares arguably falls into the latter camp.

    Betashares has recently announced that ASX investors should expect a new fund to debut on the ASX in the near future. This fund will be known as the Betashares Space Industry ETF and will trade under the ticker code ‘RCKT’. No prizes for guessing what this fund might allow ASX investors to out their money into.

    Getting ahead of a SpaceX IPO?

    There are also no prizes for guessing what may have prompted BetaShares, a company that offers thematic ETFs ranging from cybersecurity and cryptocurrency to uranium and esports, to till this ground.

    The investing world has this year been gripped by substantiated rumours that Elon Musk is finally about to float his monstrous space exploration and utilisation company, SpaceX, on the public markets. Musk has previously been famous for his stewardship of electric battery and vehicle manufacturer Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA), which has been listed on the American stock markets for more than a decade.

    But in addition to Tesla (and a few other companies for good measure), Musk also heads up SpaceX, also known as Space Exploration Technologies Corporation. This company was previously well-known for its dramatic and cutting-edge rocket apparatus. Not to mention its Starlink satellite internet service. But in recent years, Musk has integrated it into his other business ventures. Earlier this year, he finalised a merger of SpaceX with xAI, the company that now owns X (formerly Twitter).

    If, or maybe when, SpaceX IPOs, some investors are anticipating that it could have a valuation north of US$1 trillion, perhaps even US$2 trillion. That would make this company the biggest IPO in history. It’s probably fair to say that Betashares was anticipating this event when it pressed the launch button on RCKT.

    What will this new ASX space ETF look like?

    We don’t yet know what kind of holdings this new ASX ETF from BetaShares my hold, aside from a potential stake in SpaceX upon its debut. However, we can look at some other ETFs for guidance here.

    Over int he US, the ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF (NYSE: ARKK) has been around since 2021. It currently holds names like RocketLab and Teradyne. VanEck also offers the VanEck Space Innovators ETF (SWX: JEDI) on European markets. this aptly-named fund holds Planet Labs and Firefly Aerospace amongst it shop holdings. RCKT may hold some of these names when it eventually launches.

    Space can be a tricky terrain to navigate for investors though. Long-time readers might remember the explosive growth of Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc (NYSE: SPCE) back in 2021. Perhaps fuelled by COVID dollars, this space stock rocketed almost 300% in a month back in mid02021. Today though, at US$2.92 a share, it is down 99.7% from its 2021 peak of over US$1,100. SpaceX hopefuls will no doubt be hoping for a better experience than that. After all, in space, no one can hear you scream, even if you’re a shareholder.

    Let’s see how the Betashares Space Industry ETF fares when it eventually launches on the ASX.

    The post BetaShares is about to launch a new ASX space ETF. Here’s what we know appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. right now?

    Before you buy Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 positions in and has recommended Planet Labs PBC, Rocket Lab, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Teradyne. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • After a brutal 2026, this $1.5 billion ASX financial stock is pushing higher again

    Financial advisor on phone and looking at computer whilst eating and holding coffee

    MA Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MAF) shares are pushing higher on Tuesday after a new release to the market.

    The stock is up 3.58% to $7.52 in afternoon trade, while the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) is down 0.3% to 8,859 points.

    That gain comes against a weaker backdrop, with the shares still down around 31% this year.

    The bounce follows an extended period of selling pressure.

    Here’s what was released.

    A mixed quarter, but momentum in key areas

    MA Financial’s first-quarter update points to a business still growing, but not without some offsets.

    Assets under management (AUM) rose 44% year-on-year to $14.8 billion, driven by inflows and recent acquisitions.

    However, total AUM slipped 3% over the quarter. That was largely tied to the removal of the Marion Shopping Centre mandate, which reduced fee revenue.

    That aside, AUM held relatively steady.

    The company also flagged strong transactional activity within its asset management division, supporting performance fees during the period.

    Flows into unlisted funds remained steady, coming from both high-net-worth and retail investors.

    Lending and platform growth continues

    The lending and technology side of the business is still expanding quickly.

    MA Money’s loan book increased 138% year-on-year to $6.2 billion, including a $1 billion increase over the quarter.

    Finsure, its mortgage aggregation platform, continues to scale. Managed loans reached $179 billion, up 27% over the year.

    Broker numbers also climbed, with more than 4,200 now on the platform.

    That growth is translating into higher loan volumes. March alone delivered $11 billion in gross applications.

    The group’s Middle platform is also processing more than $1 billion in home loan applications each week, pointing to rising usage across the network.

    Transaction activity adds another layer

    Corporate advisory and capital markets activity remained active through the quarter.

    The business worked across a number of deals, including advisory roles and capital raisings tied to resource and financial assets.

    Within asset management, several transactions stood out.

    The MA Redcape Hotel Fund is progressing acquisitions, while the Marina Fund added the Gold Coast City Marina, expanding its portfolio.

    There was also progress within the aged care strategy, with a sale agreement expected to deliver a pre-tax gain and return capital to investors.

    What I think about the share price

    This looks more like selling easing than a clear turnaround.

    There is still a gap between how the business is performing and how the market is pricing it.

    Growth across lending and platform assets is clear, and AUM has stepped up over the year. But the quarter also shows how earnings can shift when mandates change or deal activity slows.

    That likely helped drive the sell-off earlier this year.

    At current levels, the stock is trading well below where it sat only a few months ago.

    If the company can keep scaling its lending book and maintain consistent inflows, earnings should continue to build.

    The next step is seeing that come through in a more consistent run of results.

    The post After a brutal 2026, this $1.5 billion ASX financial stock is pushing higher again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ma Financial Group right now?

    Before you buy Ma Financial Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Ma Financial Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ma Financial Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • James Hardie shares jump 17%: Is this the beginning of a recovery we’ve been waiting for?

    Two men laughing while bouncing on bouncy balls

    James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX) shares are climbing higher again this week. At the time of writing, the shares are trading at $30.50 a piece, which represents a rebound of around 17% since a four-month low of $26.10 in late-March.

    The latest uptick is great news for investors. James Hardie shares have suffered an incredibly volatile run over the past 12 months. 

    The fibre cement producer and marketer’s shares crashed over 31% in March last year following the company’s acquisition of The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE: AZEK) and its net debt. Investors did not take the news well.

    The fibre cement building product producer suffered another catastrophic 36.5% share price plunge following a disappointing Q1 FY26 results announcement in August.

    They crashed for a third time, this time by 23.9% in late-October, but the company told the ASX there was no known reason for the trading activity.

    The volatility has continued through to 2026, with some peaks and troughs. 

    Why are James Hardie shares climbing higher now?

    There is no price sensitive news out of James Hardie to explain the latest turnaround. Given the shares are widely considered oversold and undervalued, it’s possible that investors have flipped their stance from pessimistic to cautiously optimistic and are buying back into the shares while they are cheap.

    The company is a global leader in fibre cement siding and trim and it has a dominant presence in the US. Its scale gives it pricing power and a strong competitive advantage that its peers are unable to match. 

    Its business continues to improve too, with some solid growth expected ahead.

    In February, the company posted a 30% increase in third-quarter net sales and a 26% hike in EBITDA. James Hardie said its balance sheet was reshaped by the AZEK acquisition. It said the move resulted in increased debt and goodwill, but the business generated solid cash and maintained strong profitability across geographies.

    It also raised its FY26 guidance to Siding & Trim net sales of US$2.95–3.0 billion and Adjusted EBITDA of US$939–962 million. Guidance for Deck, Rail & Accessories was also nudged higher, with net sales of US$787–800 million and EBITDA of US$219–224 million.

    Finally, the good news seems to be translating into renewed investor sentiment.

    Is this the recovery we’ve all been waiting for?

    It looks like it could be. 

    Analysts have been bullish about James Hardie shares for some time now. I’m hopeful that the latest share price uptick represents the beginning of the next rally.

    TradingView data shows that 15 out of 22 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. Another seven have a hold rating.

    The average target price is $39.32 a piece, which implies a 29% upside at the time of writing. Others are even more bullish and expect the shares to climb another 48% to $45.10 in the next 12 months.

    The post James Hardie shares jump 17%: Is this the beginning of a recovery we’ve been waiting for? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in James Hardie Industries plc right now?

    Before you buy James Hardie Industries plc shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and James Hardie Industries plc wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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.

  • What are brokers predicting for BHP shares over the next 12 months?

    Cheerful businessman with a mining hat on the table sitting back with his arms behind his head while looking at his laptop's screen.

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are a popular option for investors.

    But with the mining giant’s shares rising strongly over the past 12 months, is it too late to invest?

    Let’s see what brokers are predicting for the Big Australian’s shares between now and this time next year.

    The last 12 months

    Firstly, as mentioned above, BHP shares have been strong performers over the past 12 months.

    Thanks to strong copper prices and robust iron ore prices, investors have bid the mining giant’s shares over 50% higher since this time last year.

    As a comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has delivered a return of approximately 14% over the same period.

    This means that $10,000 invested in BHP would have turned into over $15,000. And that doesn’t include the dividends that the miner has paid over the period.

    Clearly, BHP shares have been a very good investment for investors. But what about the next 12 months?

    Broker predictions for BHP shares

    Firstly, it is worth highlighting that BHP is scheduled to release its third quarter update on Wednesday before the market open.

    As a result, there is a high chance that many brokers will be re-evaluating their recommendations and price targets should BHP fall short of expectations or outperform them.

    For now, here is a quick summary of what brokers are predicting for the miner’s share price.

    The team at Citi currently has a neutral rating and $54.00 price target on the miner’s shares. This is a touch below where they currently trade.

    Macquarie and UBS also have neutral ratings on BHP’s shares but with $53.00 and $52.00 price targets, respectively.

    Bernstein has a market perform rating and $48.00 price target on its shares.

    Morgans is a fan of the miner but doesn’t see enough value on the table for a buy rating. It currently has a hold rating and $53.80 price target on its shares.

    Over at Ord Minnett, its analysts have an accumulate rating and $54.00 price target on them.

    Lastly, Morgan Stanley is the only major broker with the equivalent of a buy rating. Its overweight rating and price target of $57.50 implies modest upside over the next 12 months.

    Overall, at present, it seems that the broker community largely sees BHP shares as reasonably fully valued at current levels after its strong run since this time in 2025.

    The post What are brokers predicting for BHP shares over the next 12 months? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BHP Group right now?

    Before you buy BHP Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BHP Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie 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.

  • Why ANZ, Challenger, Hub24, and Lynas shares are dropping today

    An older man wearing glasses and a pink shirt sits back on his lounge with his hands behind his head and blowing air out of his cheeks.

    In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has given back its early gains and is on course to record a decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.25% to 8,930.4 points.

    Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

    ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

    The ANZ share price is down 2% to $37.21. This morning, analysts at Morgans reaffirmed their sell rating on the banking giant’s shares with a reduced price target of $30.72. Commenting on its recommendation, the broker said: “We revise our forecasts ahead of ANZ’s 1H26 result in May and reflecting on the recent updates provided by NAB and WBC. FY26-28F EPS downgraded by 6-7%. Target price reduced 6% to $30.72/sh. SELL retained given c.-15% downside at current prices, including 4.4% cash yield.”

    Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)

    The Challenger share price is down 1.5% to $8.27. This follows the release of the annuities company’s third-quarter update. Challenger revealed that funds under management fell 10% over the quarter to $104.5 billion. This was driven largely by net outflows of about $8 billion. Challenger’s managing director and CEO, Nick Hamilton said: “In a period of global volatility and where institutional allocators have continued to reduce exposure to active equity management, we saw funds under management reduce.”

    Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

    The Hub24 share price is down 8% to $87.96. Investors have been selling the investment platform provider’s shares following the release of its third-quarter update. Hub24 reported platform net inflows of $4 billion for the third quarter of FY 2026. This represents a 9% increase on the prior corresponding period when excluding large migrations. However, this was around 8% short of analyst expectations. Total funds under administration (FUA) reached $151.7 billion at the end of March. This represents a 22% increase on the prior corresponding period. Once again, this was a touch short of the market’s expectations.

    Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)

    The Lynas Rare Earths share price is down over 2.5% to $19.84. This is despite the rare earths producer reporting third-quarter sales revenue growth of 115% to $265 million. Lynas’ managing director and CEO, Amanda Lacaze, said: “Our ramp up has delivered strong production and sales outcomes, with key initiatives positioning Lynas for the future and strengthening business resilience.”

    The post Why ANZ, Challenger, Hub24, and Lynas shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australia And New Zealand Banking Group right now?

    Before you buy Australia And New Zealand Banking Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Australia And New Zealand Banking Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Challenger and Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.