DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares closed 6.22% lower at $3.62 a piece at the close of the ASX on Tuesday afternoon. For the year-to-date, the drone operator’s shares are 8.71% higher.

DroneShield was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and one of the fastest-growing stocks on the planet in 2025. 

But the stock has been firmly in the spotlight over the past six months after it suffered a brutal sell-off late last year amid concerns about a stretched valuation amid a sector-wide downturn. 

Droneshield faced more headwinds after its late-January fourth-quarter update disappointed investors. The company’s update revealed that Cash receipts remained modest, contract momentum stalled, and revenue growth showed little sign of improvement.

Thankfully, news of six new standalone contracts last week helped the counter-drone operator claw back some losses. The contracts are valued at $21.7 million and are via an in-country reseller to a Western military end customer. 

It’s fair to say it’s been a white-knuckle ride for investors of DroneShield shares over the past 12 months. 

So, if I bought $10,000 worth of DroneShield shares 12 months ago, what are they worth now?

While DroneShield shares have been choppy over the past 6 months, they’re significantly higher than a year ago.

At the time of writing, the stock is still a huge 364% higher than this time last year.

That share price increase means that an investor who bought $10,000 worth of DroneShield shares 12 months ago would now have a whopping $36,410. 

And if an investor bought $10,000 of the stock five years ago, DroneShield’s 2,313.33% five-year increase means that would be worth $231,333 today.

Can we expect the same level of returns going forward?

While analysts are very bullish about the outlook for DroneShield shares, with a strong buy consensus according to TradingView data, it doesn’t look like the annual increase will continue at the same pace.

The maximum target price for DroneShield shares over the next 12 months is $5.00 a piece. At the time of writing, that implies a 38% upside ahead for investors. 

A return as high as 38% is a fantastic upside. And as as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, putting pressure on military spending, we could see demand for DroneShield’s counter-drone detection and mitigation technology pick up pace. But investors looking for the 364% uplift we’ve had over the past 12 months have probably missed the boat.

The post $10,000 invested in DroneShield shares 12 months ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 shares tipped to climb 130% (or more) in the next 12 months
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX 200 shares to buy and hold for a decade or more
• New Hope extends share buy-back program to March 2027

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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

The sentiment around big four bank shares has been interesting to watch over the last 12 months. 

Many price targets indicated these blue-chip stocks were fully valued. 

For example, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) was consistently listed as a sell as it reached record highs in the middle of 2025. 

While it did retreat in the back half of last year, it never reached the lows expected by some analysts. 

Fast forward to February earnings season, and all big four bank shares saw healthy stock price growth on the back of results. 

This stock price spike wasn’t anticipated by many. 

It’s a good lesson to remind investors that broker price targets are not a guarantee. Even blue-chip bank stock markets can shift quickly. 

Another key lesson to remember is these big four bank shares represent a dominant part of the ASX. 

Just as US focussed investors may want exposure to Apple or Tesla, here in Australia, it’s the big banks that sit atop the market cap rankings. 

Let’s see how much investors may have cashed in over the last months investing in these blue-chip bank shares. 

NAB, Westpac and ANZ lead the charge

Over the last 12 months, these three ASX bank shares have brought similar returns. 

Since this time last year:

• National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) has risen 34.88%
• Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) has climbed 31.45%
• ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) has increased 32.39%. 

For context, a $10,000 investment made in one of these companies a year ago would today be worth between $13,100 – $13,500 depending on the stock.

Meanwhile, CBA shares have risen 10.72%, still slightly ahead of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). 

It’s worth noting CBA shares are up 18% since late January. 

How to invest in ASX bank shares

ASX bank shares led the way in February, reminding investors that stock prices can continue to rise even when valuations appear full. 

Those waiting for CBA shares to drop to $100 per share which was tipped by some brokers, may now be regretting a missed opportunity. 

It’s proof once again for long term investors that time in the market can trump timing the market. 

For investors wanting wider exposure to ASX bank shares rather than individual holdings, one option is VanEck Vectors Australian Banks ETF (ASX: MVB). 

80% of the fund is allocated to the big four banks. The rest is made up of 3 other ASX bank shares. 

It can provide a more diversified approach rather than choosing one bank stock. 

The post How much have investors made in big four bank shares over the past year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Bannerman, CBA, and Telstra shares
• 1 miner, 1 bank, and 1 ASX tech share I’d buy this month
• How the CBA share price rocketed 17% in February
• 5 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy in March
• Why Brainchip, Fortescue, Qantas, and Westpac shares are dropping today

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in National Australia Bank. 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.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are popular options for income investors.

It isn’t hard to see why this is the case.

Combined, these ASX 200 shares pay out over $10 billion to their shareholders each year in the form of dividends.

And the good news is that their next payouts are on the horizon. But you will need to act fast if you want to receive this cash.

BHP dividend

Last month, BHP announced an interim dividend of US$3.7 billion or 73 US cents per share.

The Big Australian highlighted that this extended its track record of strong returns while also investing in growth. Including this dividend, BHP will have returned around US$110 billion to shareholders since the introduction of its capital allocation framework in 2016.

This latest BHP dividend will be paid to shareholders later this month on 26 March.

Rio Tinto dividend

Rio Tinto released its full-year results last month and declared a final dividend of US$4.1 billion or 254 US cents per share.

This took its total dividends to US$6.5 billion or 402 US cents per share, which was the tenth year in a row that its dividend was at the top end of its 40% to 60% payout ratio target.

Eligible shareholders will be receiving Rio Tinto’s fully franked final dividend next month on 16 April.

Woodside dividend

Woodside also released its full-year results last month. It declared a final dividend of 59 US cents per share, which brought the full-year fully franked dividend to US$1.12 per share or US$2.1 billion. This maintained Woodside’s payout ratio at the top of its target range at 80%.

Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving this payout later this month on 27 March.

How can you receive these dividends?

If you want to receive the BHP, Rio Tinto, or Woodside dividends, you will have to act fast.

That’s because all three giants will be trading ex-dividend tomorrow on Thursday 5 March.

When this happens, it means the rights to the dividend are now settled and new buyers of their shares will not be entitled to receive it on pay day. Instead, the dividend will be paid to the seller of the shares, even though the shares no longer feature in their portfolio.

So, if you want to receive any of these dividends, you will need to buy shares before the close of play today to qualify. The clock is ticking!

The post Want to receive the BHP, Rio Tinto, and Woodside dividends? Here’s what you need to do appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s why the Woodside share price surged 12% in February
• 3 ASX 200 energy shares just given new 12-month price targets post-results
• 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors
• Why the BHP share price rocketed 16% in February
• What’s next for the Woodside share price?

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

You don’t need to pick the next hot stock to build wealth. These 3 low-cost ASX ETFs will give you instant diversification, exposure to global growth, and even a stream of dividend income.

They will form a simple, low-cost ETF strategy without the need to constantly check the market.

Let’s have a closer look at the ASX ETFs.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

If you want broad global exposure in a single trade, this ASX ETF is hard to beat. VGS gives you access to more than 1,000 companies across major developed markets, including the US, Europe, and Japan.

You’re buying global heavyweights like Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), along with healthcare leaders such as Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ). That means exposure to technology, consumer brands, industrials, and more — all in one fund.

This global ASX ETF is low-cost, highly diversified, and removes the risk of relying too heavily on the Australian market.

BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)

Next is the BetaShares Australia 200 ETF. While global exposure is crucial, Australian shares still deserve a place in a long-term portfolio, especially for dividend income.

This ASX ETF tracks the 200 largest companies on the ASX at a very competitive management fee. Its top holdings include blue-chip stocks such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL).

That gives investors exposure to mining, banking, and healthcare — three pillars of the Australian economy. The income component is also attractive, as Australian blue chips tend to pay reliable, franked dividends.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

Finally, consider adding growth power with this Nasdaq-focused ASX ETF. This Betashares fund focuses on the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange in the US.

It’s more concentrated and more growth-focused than VGS, but that’s part of the appeal. This ASX ETF holds innovative giants such as Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META). These businesses dominate cloud computing, digital advertising, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.

While tech stocks can be volatile, they’ve historically delivered strong long-term returns. Including this ETF alongside broader funds adds extra growth potential to a portfolio built for the next decade.

Foolish Takeaway

For a new investor looking ahead to 2036, this type of ETF trio offers a straightforward strategy: buy quality, stay diversified, keep costs down, and let compounding do the heavy lifting.

The result? Exposure to thousands of companies across industries, including finance, mining, healthcare, consumer goods, and cutting-edge tech. You’re spreading risk across countries and sectors while keeping costs low and management simple.

The post New to investing: 3 ASX ETFs to set and forget until 2036 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio from scratch today
• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• Why these ASX ETFs could be strong buys for investors in their 40s
• New to the share market? Here are 3 ASX ETFs to buy for easy investing
• 3 ASX ETFs for a stress-free start to investing

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, CSL, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia and is short shares of BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, BHP Group, CSL, Meta Platforms, Nvidia, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) tumbled on Tuesday, closing the day 1.39% lower thanks to broad based losses across multiple sectors. While the day’s trading may have disappointed some investors, there are some companies on the index which are expected to shoot higher this year.

Here are three that I have my eye on. And they’re all tipped to rise at least 130% over the next 12 months.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) 

Catapult is a global sports data and analytics company that provides real-time data to optimise athletes’ performance. The tech company reported a 16% revenue uplift in the first half of FY26 and a 19% hike in its annualised contract value (ACV). Catapult expects to maintain strong ACV growth through the second half of FY26, driven by low customer churn and ongoing improvements in margins and cash flow. 

Catapult is quickly gaining traction, and its recurring subscriptions means it benefits from customer retention. That translates to a higher and more stable margin. 

The ASX 200 company’s shares were caught up in broad market sell-off on Tuesday, closing 7% lower for the day at $3.29 a piece. The drop means the shares are now 8% lower for the year. But analysts predict the shares could climb as high as 138% to $7.83 over the next 12 months.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

Mesoblast is an Australian clinical-stage biotech stock that develops and commercialises allogeneic cellular medicines to treat complex diseases. Some products are already in use, and other cell therapies are in the late stages of clinical trials. 

The business has great potential for robust growth this year. Its products are gaining traction and the business is well-funded. The stock has tumbled over the past week but I think this looks like a buying opportunity rather than a reason to panic. If momentum starts to pick up pace the share price can recover its losses quickly. 

At the close of the ASX on Tuesday, the ASX 200 biotech shares were down 3% at $2.01. But analysts are bullish that there is good upside ahead. There is a strong buy consensus and a maximum target price of $4.92. That implies a potential 145% upside at the time of writing. 

Block Inc (ASX: XYZ)

Block, formerly Square, is a global company best known for providing payment-acquiring and related services to businesses. The company posted some strong profit results late last year but has been caught in a perfect storm of headwinds. These include rising interest rates, regulatory scrutiny, and concerns about buy now, pay later models. The combination slashed investor sentiment towards the end of 2025. 

The sell-off has continued into 2026. However, an uptick in investor interest late last week, following the company’s results, resulted in a 26% increase in the share price in the past 5 days alone. Analysts think the share price could jump another 186% to $256 over the next 12 months.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares tipped to climb 130% (or more) in the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $10,000 invested in DroneShield shares 12 months ago is now worth…
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• New Hope extends share buy-back program to March 2027
• Stockland shares in focus after unveiling EdgeConneX data centre partnership

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

If you’re building a $250,000 ASX share portfolio, you might want to focus on quality, diversification, and businesses with positive long-term growth outlook.

Here is how you could structure it if you were doing it today:

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

The first building block could be ResMed. Sleep apnoea and respiratory disorders are long-term health issues that are not going away. As populations age and obesity rates rise, demand for sleep therapy devices continues to grow.

ResMed also has a fast-growing software-as-a-service platform that supports healthcare providers. That recurring revenue stream adds resilience and higher-margin earnings to the core device business.

For a portfolio foundation, you might want exposure to a company that can grow steadily regardless of the economic cycle. ResMed arguably ticks that box.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman is not a traditional property landlord. It specialises in logistics facilities and data centres in prime global locations. As ecommerce expands and cloud computing demand rises, these assets become increasingly valuable.

The company’s development pipeline and partnerships give it flexibility to scale with customer demand. It is exposed to structural shifts in supply chains and digital infrastructure, not just local property cycles.

This combination of real assets and growth exposure could make it a compelling long-term holding for a portfolio.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

To round out Australian blue-chip exposure, you might want to include an ASX share like Macquarie.

Macquarie has built a global asset management and infrastructure franchise. Its earnings are diversified across asset management, commodities, investment banking, and infrastructure operations.

Over decades, it has shown an ability to adapt and find new profit pools. For a long-term portfolio, you might want at least one company with proven capital allocation skills and international reach. Macquarie provides both.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

For global growth exposure, you could allocate a meaningful portion to the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

This ASX exchange trade fund (ETF) gives access to many of the world’s best companies, including major players in technology, consumer platforms, and artificial intelligence.

Rather than trying to pick the single best US tech stock, this fund provides broad exposure to the leaders driving global digital transformation.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

Finally, you could add the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF.

This ASX ETF focuses on US-based stocks with sustainable competitive advantages with fair valuations. It is designed around the idea of owning businesses with economic moats that protect profits over time.

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF adds a disciplined quality overlay to the portfolio and complements the more growth-oriented the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF allocation.

The post How to build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio from scratch today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• New to investing: 3 ASX ETFs to set and forget until 2036
• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• Why these ASX ETFs could be strong buys for investors in their 40s
• 5 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy in March
• New to the share market? Here are 3 ASX ETFs to buy for easy investing

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Goodman Group, ResMed, and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, and ResMed and is short shares of BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Macquarie Group, and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group and 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.

On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was out of form and tumbled lower. The benchmark index fell 1.35% to 9,077.3 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to fall

The Australian share market looks set to fall again on Wednesday after a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 104 points or 1.1% lower. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 0.5%, the S&P 500 is down 0.75% and the Nasdaq is 0.9% lower. The Dow Jones was down 2% at one stage before recovering.

Oil prices jump again

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session on Wednesday after oil prices stormed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 5% to US$74.79 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 5% to US$81.63 a barrel. This was driven by threats by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz.

ASX 200 shares going ex-div

Another group of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend today and could trade lower. This includes Chemist Warehouse owner Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG), healthcare company Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL), and supermarket giant Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW). The latter will be paying a fully franked 45 cents per share dividend next month on 2 April.

Gold price tumbles

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a difficult session on Wednesday after the gold price sank overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 3.6% to US$5,121 an ounce. A strong US dollar and higher rate bets put pressure on the precious metal.

Buy Life360 shares

Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360) shares are undervalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to its FY 2025 results, the broker has retained its buy rating on the family safety technology company’s shares with a trimmed price target of $40.00. It said: “2025 revenue of US$489m was slightly above our forecast of US$488m and VA consensus of US$486m and was top end of the US$486-489m guidance range. Adjusted EBITDA of $93m, however, was a beat versus our forecast of US$90m and VA consensus of US$88m and was also above the US$87-92m guidance range. Cash at year end was US$495m which was ahead of our forecast of US$476m.”

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

More reading

• $10,000 invested in DroneShield shares 12 months ago is now worth…
• 3 ASX 200 shares tipped to climb 130% (or more) in the next 12 months
• 3 ASX 200 shares at 52-week lows: Buy, hold, or sell?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX 200 energy shares just given new 12-month price targets post-results

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360 and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If there’s one lesson worth remembering from Warren Buffett, it’s this: you don’t need to chase fads, you need to own quality.

Buffett didn’t build Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) by jumping in and out of whatever was hot at the time. He focused on businesses with durable competitive advantages, strong returns on capital, capable management, and predictable earnings power. And, crucially, he tried to buy them at fair prices.

Not necessarily bargain-basement prices. Just fair ones.

It’s not about cheap

One of the biggest misconceptions about Warren Buffett is that he only buys stocks when they look dirt cheap on a simple valuation metric.

That might have been closer to the truth early in his career. But over time, he shifted toward buying “a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.”

Quality matters more than a low multiple.

A company that can compound earnings at high rates for a decade doesn’t need to look optically cheap to be a good investment. If its competitive position is strong enough, time does a lot of the work.

That’s the mindset I try to apply when looking at ASX shares today.

What does quality actually mean?

When I think about quality, I’m looking for a few key traits:

Consistent revenue and earnings growth, high or improving returns on capital, strong balance sheets, products or services that are difficult to replicate, and a track record of disciplined capital allocation.

If those boxes are ticked, I’m far more comfortable paying what I consider to be a fair price.

And right now, I think there are several ASX shares that broadly fit that framework.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL hasn’t been a market darling lately. Its shares remain well below their prior highs, and the company has gone through leadership changes and a period of softer earnings momentum.

But I still see a global biotechnology leader with powerful competitive advantages in plasma therapies, vaccines, and specialty medicines.

CSL generates strong cash flow, invests heavily in research and development, and operates in markets with high barriers to entry. While it may not look cheap on traditional metrics, I think it is trading at a far more reasonable price relative to its long-term growth potential than it was a few years ago.

To me, that’s closer to Warren Buffett-style fair value for quality.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne is another ASX share I consider quietly high quality.

It has built a dominant position in enterprise software for government and education clients across Australia and increasingly the UK. Its transition to SaaS has strengthened recurring revenue, lifted margins, and improved visibility.

It rarely looks cheap. But the consistency of its growth, low churn, and expanding customer base make it a strong long-term compounder in my view.

If I’m buying for the next 10 years rather than the next 10 weeks, I’m comfortable paying a fair multiple for that kind of reliability.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Breville is a different type of quality story. It operates in consumer appliances, but it has built premium global brands in categories like coffee and food preparation. It has demonstrated an ability to innovate, expand geographically, and protect margins even in tougher retail environments.

After a period of market volatility and cost pressures, its shares are down heavily from their highs. In light of this, I now see a company with long-term global growth opportunities, especially in North America and Europe, trading at what I would consider a fair entry point.

That combination gets my attention.

James Hardie Industries (ASX: JHX)

James Hardie isn’t immune to housing cycles. But over time, it has shown it can grow through them.

Its fibre cement products have strong brand recognition, particularly in the US, and the business benefits from structural trends such as home renovation and repair activity.

While short-term earnings can fluctuate with housing conditions, I believe the company’s competitive position and pricing power make it a quality operator. At current levels, I think the valuation reflects cyclical uncertainty without fully discounting its longer-term potential.

That feels like the sort of setup Buffett would at least examine.

Foolish takeaway

The ASX share market has pockets that look stretched, and others that have quietly reset.

If I were taking a Warren Buffett-inspired approach today, I wouldn’t be hunting for the cheapest stocks on the board. I’d be looking for high-quality businesses with durable advantages that are trading at fair, not inflated, prices.

For me, shares like CSL, TechnologyOne, Breville, and James Hardie broadly fit that description right now.

The post I’d listen to Warren Buffett and buy quality ASX shares at fair prices today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 shares to buy on the cheap right now
• Buy, hold, sell: CSL, TechnologyOne, and Woodside shares
• Follow Warren Buffett: 3 cheap ASX 200 shares worth a closer look
• These ASX 200 shares sank 20% or more in February
• 3 ASX ETFs for a stress-free start to investing

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway, CSL, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway, CSL, and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares closed 1.34% lower at 9,077.3 points yesterday, after matching Monday’s record high of 9,200.9 points during intraday trading.

The market took a breather yesterday to assess the impact of the US and Israel attack on Iran, with energy the only sector to rise.

Meanwhile, the following three ASX 200 shares hit new 52-week lows yesterday.

Are they a buying opportunity?

Let’s ask the experts.

3 ASX 200 shares at 52-week lows

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

This ASX 200 healthcare share fell to a 52-week low of $2.70 on Tuesday.

The stock has come off by 7.5% after reaching heady levels last year due to the Chemist Warehouse merger.

Morgans thinks Sigma Healthcare shares are still worth buying, but cautiously.

The broker downgraded its rating from buy to accumulate after going through Sigma’s 1H FY26 report.

In a note, Morgans said:

SIG posted a solid 1H26, which was in line with consensus.

The highlights included solid CW LFL sales growth (up 15%), revenue growth higher than cost growth by 4.5%, and synergy targets on track.

We move to an ACCUMULATE (was Buy) due to YTD share price strength.

Morgans reduced its 12-month price target from $3.39 to $3.36.

Reliance Worldwide Corp Ltd (ASX: RWC)

The Reliance Worldwide share price fell to a 52-week low of $3.13 on Tuesday.

The ASX 200 industrial share has pulled back 35% over the past 12 months.

Morgans maintained a hold rating on the stock after reviewing the company’s 1H FY26 report.

The broker commented:

RWC’s 1H26 result was below expectations, impacted by ongoing subdued housing conditions in all regions and higher costs, particularly in relation to US tariffs.

Management anticipates trading conditions in 2H26 to remain broadly consistent with 1H26, albeit US tariff mitigation strategies and the roll-off of some costs should see an uplift in margins.

Longer term, RWC aims to reduce its exposure to copper price volatility by substituting copper with alternative materials such as plastic and stainless steel.

The company’s new operations in Poland and Mexico will also help lower costs and provide manufacturing flexibility.

Morgans said it prefers “to wait for clearer signs of an improvement in housing conditions before reconsidering our view”.

The broker slashed its 12-month price target from $4.50 to $3.65.

Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

This ASX 200 communications share fell to a 52-week low of 99 cents yesterday.

That’s a 40% fall over 12 months.

Following the media giant’s 1H FY26 report, Morgan Stanley reiterated its buy rating on Nine Entertainment shares with a $1.40 target.

UBS kept its hold rating on the stock and lowered its price target from $1.22 to $1.13.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares at 52-week lows: Buy, hold, or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nine Entertainment. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

These two ASX mining stocks have started the year with a bang. Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) both raced higher, 34% and 29% respectively for the year to date.

Over 6 months, the upswings are even more impressive with Evolution Mining gaining 87% and South32 up almost 72% at the time of writing.

On Tuesday, both ASX mining stocks slipped about 4%, raising the obvious question: can the rally continue?

Evolution Mining: Copper and gold exposure

This $36 billion ASX mining stock is one of Australia’s biggest gold producers, with operations in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. It also earns meaningful copper revenue, giving it some exposure to metals beyond gold.

The company focuses on cost control, meeting production targets and turning ore into cash, which has helped it benefit from elevated gold prices.

In its half-year results to 31 December 2025, the ASX mining stock posted a strong profit performance. Statutory net profit jumped substantially compared with the prior corresponding period, backed by higher output and solid realised commodity prices.

Its strengths are hard to ignore. The company’s long-life assets and diversified metal exposure give it durability through cycles. Its project pipeline, including expansions at key underground and open pit operations, offers upside without over-reliance on a single mine.

Management’s focus on disciplined spending and debt reduction also appeals in uncertain times.

But risks remain. Metal prices swing, and gold and copper can retreat sharply, dragging earnings with them. Cost inflation and operational hiccups at any mine can erode margins.

Not many brokers are convinced the current valuation of the ASX mining stock still offers large upside. The average target price is $14.05, which implies a 16.7% downside at the time of writing.

South32: Broad mix helps smooth earnings

South32’s diversified metals base and cost discipline has helped it capture investor interest amid resurgent industrial metal prices. This ASX mining stock operates across alumina, aluminium, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc, lead and silver.

That broad mix helps smooth earnings when one commodity dips and another rallies. In its first-half FY2026 update, South32 reported steady production, solid margins and free cash flow generation. The company maintained its full-year guidance and continued to return capital through dividends and buybacks.

The diversified base remains one of South32’s biggest strengths. No single commodity dominates earnings, and exposure to base metals tied to electrification, infrastructure and energy transition themes gives the ASX mining stock strategic relevance.

Balance sheet discipline and shareholder returns also appeal to long-term investors.

Risks stem from volatility in underlying commodity prices and operating costs. Aluminum and alumina markets can be soft, and production cost inflation can erode margins.

Brokers are a little more positive on this ASX mining stock than Evolution Mining. The latest consensus from analysts pegs an average 12-month price target of $4.83. This points to a 6% upside from current levels.

The post Can these 2 ASX mining stocks keep soaring in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Evolution and Newmont shares tumble despite surging gold price
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Which ASX 200 mining shares raised their dividends this earnings season?

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in South32. 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.