If you had a spare US$10,000 at the end of 2025, you might have decided to invest that in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC).

On 31 December, the world’s first and biggest crypto was trading for US$88,430, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Indeed, with the price then down some 30% from the all-time high of US$126,198, notched on 7 October, a lot of crypto investors were eyeing what looked like a potentially opportune dip at the start of this year.

So, how did they fare?

What would your $10,000 Bitcoin investment be worth now?

At the start of 2026, you could have bought 0.113 Bitcoin, excluding any potential brokerage or exchange fees, with your US$10,000 investment.

You could also denote that in satoshis. Named after Satoshi Nakamoto – the still unknown creator, or creators, of BTC – one BTC is equivalent to 100 million satoshis. So your US$10,000 would have netted you 11.31 million satoshis.

Now on Tuesday, 7 April, the BTC price edged lower, changing virtual hands for US$68,755 in late afternoon trade Aussie time. That saw the token commanding a market cap of US$1.37 trillion.

Unfortunately, it also means that the US$10,000 you invested in the world’s top crypto at the start of the year is now worth $7,775, or a loss of 22.2%.

How about Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)?

If Bitcoin investors are out more than 22% year to date, how about Ethereum?

Well, on 31 December, the world’s number two crypto by market cap was trading for US$2,971. Meaning you could have bought 3.37 Ethereum (again excluding any potential exchange or brokerage fees).

So, how did that crypto investment work out to date?

Well, on Tuesday afternoon, Ethereum was trading for US$2,108. That means your US$10,000 investment at the start of 2026 would now be worth US$7,095. Or a loss of 29.0%.

How does the Bitcoin performance compare to buying ASX shares or gold?

If, instead of buying Bitcoin or Ethereum, you decided to invest US$10,000 in an S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) tracking exchange-traded fund (ETF), you’d still have lost money.

But a lot less.

As of late afternoon on Tuesday, the ASX 200 had slipped 0.24% since market close on 31 December. So your US$10,000 investment would be worth a slightly diminished US$9,976 today.

As for gold, the yellow metal kicked off 2026 trading for US$4,319 an ounce. Despite the sharp decline in March, gold was still commanding US$4,649 in Tuesday afternoon trade.

That sees the gold price up just under 7.9% year to date.

And it means a US$10,000 investment in bullion at the start of the year would be worth US$10,789 today.

The post US$10,000 invested in Bitcoin at the start of the year is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the Bitcoin price outperforming amid the Middle East conflict?

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

It’s important to keep on top of how much superannuation you have (and should have) at any age. 

How else would you know if you’re on track for the ultimate goal of a comfortable retirement?

That’s one where retirees are able to maintain a good standard of living. It includes top level private health insurance, ownership of a reasonable car brand and regular leisure activities. It also includes funds for home repairs and renovations, occasional meals out, and an annual domestic trip.

The thing is, Australians at age 45 and age 60 are at a very different stage of their life. That means there is usually a significant gap between balances at each age.

At age 45, many Australians feel like they’re at a financial crossroads. It’s the point that bridges what they’ve accumulated in their early careers and the stage when their superannuation begins to grow more rapidly. 

This acceleration is usually driven by higher incomes and long-term exposure to growth assets like shares on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

Age 45 is also a significant time when many women return to the workforce, or increase their hours, after raising children.

By age 60, Australians are largely moving to the next stage. Superannuation balances have grown significantly, and retirement is just around the corner. 

At this point, Australians should be focusing on whether there is enough in their superannuation to make retirement an immediate reality and, if not, have a short-term plan to get there.

Here’s a rundown of the average superannuation balance for 45-year-olds versus 60-year-olds in 2026.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 45?

There isn’t an exact figure for Australians aged 45. But it’s straightforward to estimate using some of the data from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA). According to ASFA, at age 40-44, the average man has $140,680, and the average female has $109,209. 

Then, at age 45 to 49, the average male has $193,501 in their superannuation, and the average female has $147,146.

At age 45 (which sits between the two brackets), it would be safe to assume that the average superannuation balances would be somewhere between the two.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 60?

It’s the same case for age 60. The average 55-59-year-old man has an average of $319,743, and women have $242,945. While the average balance for men aged 60-64 is $395,852, and for women it’s $313,360.

As age 60 sits between the two brackets, it would be safe to assume the average superannuation balance is between the two amounts.

How do these balances compare to how much I need?

According to ASFA, a comfortable retirement is expected to cost approximately $54,840 per year for individuals and $77,375 per year for couples.

That equates to a superannuation balance of approximately $730,000, and for a single person, this is approximately $630,000.

ASFA has crunched the numbers, and it turns out that in order to reach that figure, you’d need a superannuation balance of around 239,000 at age 45, and this would need to increase to around $496,500 by age 60.

The post Average superannuation balance in Australia in 2026: 45 versus 60 year olds appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 cheap ASX ETFs to buy before it’s too late
• Why Bell Potter just downgraded its valuation of this popular ASX 200 share
• Why Challenger, Lotus Resources, Mesoblast, and Wildcat shares are falling today
• 6 ASX shares hitting 52-week lows amid today’s market rally
• Up 1,800% in a year, this ASX stock just hit another record high

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.

Recent market volatility has hit growth-focused investments particularly hard.

Concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) could disrupt existing business models have weighed heavily on a number of sectors, especially technology.

But for long-term investors, this pullback could be creating opportunities to buy into powerful themes at more attractive prices.

Here are three ASX ETFs that have fallen sharply and could be worth considering.

BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

The first ASX ETF that could be a buy is the BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF.

This fund has fallen around 40% from its highs as investors reassess the outlook for software and technology companies in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

Its holdings include Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE).

While some fear AI could lower barriers to entry, these companies already have large customer bases, deep integrations, and strong recurring revenue models.

If anything, AI could enhance their offerings and strengthen their competitive positions over time. Betashares recently recommended this fund.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

Another ASX ETF that could be worth considering is the VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF.

This fund is down approximately 30% from its highs, reflecting concerns about both consumer spending and the impact of AI on gaming and digital content.

It provides exposure to companies such as NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Tencent (SEHK: 700), and Nintendo.

NVIDIA stands out as a key holding in this fund. While it is well known for gaming, its chips are also central to AI infrastructure, giving it exposure to multiple growth drivers.

The broader gaming industry continues to expand globally, supported by mobile adoption, esports, and digital distribution. This fund was recently recommended to investors by the team at VanEck.

BetaShares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

A third ASX ETF that could be a compelling option is the BetaShares India Quality ETF.

This fund has dropped around 22% amid concerns that AI could disrupt outsourcing and IT services, which are important parts of India’s economy.

Its holdings include companies such as Infosys (NYSE: INFY), Tata Consultancy Services (NSEI: TCS), and HDFC Bank.

Infosys is a good example. It provides IT consulting and outsourcing services to global businesses, helping them manage and modernise their technology systems.

While AI may change how services are delivered, it is also likely to increase demand for digital transformation, which could benefit companies in this space.

With India’s economy continuing to grow and modernise, this ETF offers exposure to a large and expanding market. This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post 3 cheap ASX ETFs to buy before it’s too late appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs to buy amid share market rally today: Experts
• 3 exciting ASX ETFs for growth investors
• 5 ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• 3 of the best ASX ETFs for beginner investors in 2026
• 3 cheap ASX ETFs to buy for the tech rebound

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

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) shares started the week on a positive note.

The ASX 200 share ended the session 2% higher at $21.42.

This was despite Bell Potter making a major downgrade to its valuation.

What did the broker say about this ASX 200 share?

Bell Potter has been reviewing Lovisa’s performance in FY 2026 and has made downward revisions to its estimates. It said:

Lovisa Holdings (LOV)’s 1H26 result back in February saw revenue beats to BPe, however misses in both EBIT and NPAT on a group basis (core Lovisa brand + new global brand, Jewells) vs BPe. The trading update for the first 7 weeks of 2H26 saw total sales +21.5% on pcp and global comparable sales +1.6% on pcp (vs +2.2% in 1H26) tracking softer than BPe.

The strong performance in the US/UK markets of 30- 40% revenue growth on pcp has been offset by a weaker than expected performance (vs BPe) in the core ANZ market with a ~5% decline on pcp during 1H26. Net new stores of 64 driven by 85 openings & 21 closures and total stores at 1,095 was a miss to BPe (however in line with Consensus), however with UK the standout region adding 14 new stores.

In response, Bell Potter has downgraded its net profit estimates by double-digit percentages through to FY 2028. It adds:

We factor in the misses to our comparable sales growth (2H to-date), EBIT and operating cost base (in 1H26) and we continue to include the Jewells brand within our underlying forecasts ($2.5m in revenue and $10.8m in losses in 1H26). Our revised forecasts see global total sales growth of ~19% in 2H26 and ~21% in FY26e (on pcp). The net result sees our NPAT forecasts -11%/-11%/-10% for FY26/27/28e.

New price target

According to the note, the broker has retained its hold rating on the ASX 200 share with a price target of $24.00 (from $33.50).

This implies potential upside of 12% for investors over the next 12 months. In addition, a dividend yield of 3.6% is expected over the period, stretching the total potential return beyond 15%.

Commenting on its hold recommendation and sizeable valuation downgrade, Bell Potter said:

Our Target Price decreases by 28% to $24.00 (prev $33.50). Along with our earnings downgrades, we reduce our target P/E multiple to ~29x (prev. 32x) on a blended FY26/27e basis to reflect the de-rating in the sector. We highly rate LOV’s strong gross margin outlook, long term store opportunity upside, further prospects arising from changes in the competitive dynamics in US/UK/South Africa, together with strong execution and leadership.

On the flipside, we see elevated risks within the core Australian market with a fast-growing competitor and factor in further declines in comparable store sales for the region. However, we see some of these risks offset by the strong performance in the US/UK with better efficiencies within the North American store network and continuing growth in new stores within UK supported by the exit of key competitor as somewhat evident in the 1H26 result. Overall, we remain cautious considering the current weak consumer environment, potential costs related to the broader group’s new brand growth initiatives and also investments into market share & store refits to mitigate competitive pressures in key markets.

The post Why Bell Potter just downgraded its valuation of this popular ASX 200 share appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Here’s what I consider to be the very best ASX 200 share to buy in April
• Why I’d buy DroneShield and these ASX 200 shares next month
• 2 strong Australian stocks to buy now with $8,000
• 2 ASX 200 shares that now have 60% upside: Analysts

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

In late trade on Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on track to end the session with a strong gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 1.6% to 8,715.9 points.

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

Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)

The Challenger share price is down 3.5% to $8.05. This is despite news that the company has signed a strategic capital partnership with Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ). The Challenger partnership includes a whole-of-loan sale and a forward flow arrangement for equipment finance assets. Challenger’s chief investment officer, Damian Graham, said: “We’re pleased to have partnered with BOQ on this whole-of-loan sale and forward flow arrangement for equipment finance assets. The transaction establishes a strategic partnership with BOQ and provides Challenger with access to a high-quality, seasoned and highly diversified loan portfolio that will deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns for Challenger and institutional investors.”

Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT)

The Lotus Resources share price is down 3.5% to $1.31. This has been driven by the release of a uranium production update this morning. The company revealed that it will replace two newly installed electrical control panels in the drying and packaging area of its Kayelekera uranium mine due to fire damage sustained on Saturday. The incident is expected to result in production downtime of approximately three weeks for repairs, testing, and recommissioning. Lotus’ managing director, Greg Bittar, commented: “Despite this delay, the progress in positioning Kayelekera for steady-state production this quarter has been encouraging, and we still expect to achieve this in Q2 CY2026. Reagent planning and inventories, mill performance and other key processing parameters all provide visibility on this.”

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price is down 6.5% to $1.99. This follows the release of a sales update from the biotech company today. Mesoblast revealed that net sales for Ryoncil reached US$30.3 million in the third quarter. This means that revenue since the Ryoncil launch is now approaching US$100 million. This may be softer than some investors were expecting. Ryoncil is the only FDA-approved cell therapy for children under 12 with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease.

Wildcat Resources Ltd (ASX: WC8)

The Wildcat Resources share price is down almost 4% to 37.5 cents. This morning, the lithium explorer and developer released a drilling update. It revealed a ~300 metres northerly extension of interpreted spodumene mineralisation at Bolt Cutter Central. It is located ~10km west of Wildcat’s Tabba Tabba Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The post Why Challenger, Lotus Resources, Mesoblast, and Wildcat shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Mesoblast shares are back in the red on Tuesday. Here’s why
• Mesoblast shares: Ryoncil® underpins strong earnings growth
• Bank of Queensland announces $3.7bn loan sale and capital partnership with Challenger
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Guess which ASX 300 uranium stock is rocketing today on a ‘fantastic milestone’

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 recommended Challenger. 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 rallied strongly today as investors looked beyond the Iran war and oil price shock.

ASX 200 shares soared 2.6% to an intraday peak of 8,804 points in morning trading on Tuesday.

Leading the market today are Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) shares, up 18%, and Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT), up 12%.

However, some ASX shares are bucking the trend.

Here are six stocks that hit 52-week lows today.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

Sonic Healthcare is one of several ASX healthcare shares trading at multi-year lows these days.

The sector faces multiple headwinds, including currency changes, US tariffs, and higher labour costs and other expenses.

The Sonic Healthcare share price fell to a decade-low of $18.88 today.

This ASX healthcare share has fallen 13% in the year to date (YTD) and 21% over the past year.

Ord Minnett has a hold rating on Sonic Healthcare with a 12-month share price target of $24.

Stockland Corp Ltd (ASX: SGP)

The Stockland share price fell to a 52-week low of $4.01 today.

Stockland shares are down 30% YTD.

In a separate article, my colleague Aaron has delved into the reasons this ASX property share has tanked in 2026.

Macquarie has just reiterated its buy rating on Stockland shares with a target price of $4.42.

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

The Endeavour share price fell to a record low of $3.13 on Tuesday.

Endeavour shares have tumbled 14% YTD.

Citi recently downgraded this ASX consumer staples share to a hold rating.

The broker reduced its 12-month target from $4.30 to $3.70.

Atlas Arteria Group Ltd (ASX: ALX)

The Atlas Arteria share price fell to a nine-year low of $4.21 today.

Shares in the toll roads operator have fallen 13% YTD.

Last week, Morgan Stanley maintained its hold rating on Atlas Arteria shares.

The broker reduced its share price target from $5.06 to $4.96.

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC)

The Lendlease share price dropped to an all-time low of $3.10 on Tuesday.

The ASX real estate share has fallen 39% in 2026.

Today, Macquarie reiterated its buy rating with a 12-month price target of $4.99.

Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS)

The Healius share price dropped to a record low of 51 cents today.

The ASX healthcare share has declined 43% YTD.

Goldman Sachs reiterated its sell rating on Healius shares last month.

The broker lowered its price target from 66 cents to 57 cents.

The post 6 ASX shares hitting 52-week lows amid today’s market rally appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Experts name 3 ASX shares to sell
• Why Stockland shares just crashed to a multi-year low
• Is it time to load up on these high-yielding ASX dividend shares?
• 3 ASX income stocks trading at attractive prices
• 4 ASX shares at 52-week lows: Buy, hold, or sell?

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie 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.

Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) shares are on fire again today, pushing to a fresh all-time high as investors continue to pile into this momentum stock.

In afternoon trade, the Elsight share price is up 8% to $6.75, after touching an intraday peak of $6.76. That move marks a new record high and leaves the stock up roughly 1,800% over the past 12 months.

The latest gain extends one of the ASX’s strongest defence tech moves. Investors continue to reward the company’s expanding role in global unmanned systems connectivity.

Here’s what is driving the momentum.

Drone contract wins keep the momentum building

One of the key drivers behind Elsight’s strong run this year has been contract momentum across its defence-linked drone programs.

Its Halo connectivity platform is being adopted more broadly for beyond visual line of sight drone missions. Reliable multi-link communication remains critical across military, public safety, and commercial use cases.

Recent updates have pointed to new orders from the US, while Bell Potter previously described 2026 as potentially a “year of the drone” for Elsight as defence departments increase investment in autonomous systems.

The market also seems to be recognising the company’s stronger financial performance.

Elsight’s recent results showed record revenue, a growing installed base, and a larger pool of recurring software-style revenue, which is giving investors more confidence in future growth.

What the chart is saying now

The chart setup remains very positive.

The stock is trading well above both its short and long-term moving averages, which points to strong bullish momentum.

In addition, the relative strength index (RSI) is sitting near 70, placing the stock close to overbought territory but not yet at an extreme level.

Momentum indicators such as MACD remain supportive after the move to fresh highs.

The previous resistance zone around $6.25 now looks like the first key support level after today’s breakout.

Below that, the $5.80 to $6.00 region may act as a secondary support band, which aligns with recent consolidation levels.

With the stock at new highs and no historical resistance above, momentum buyers may remain interested in the current market environment.

Foolish takeaway

Elsight is now one of the ASX’s standout defence tech stocks, with its market capitalisation pushing to around $1.25 billion.

The combination of strong contract wins, growing defence exposure, and a technically strong breakout is keeping the stock in focus.

After a 1,800% run in a year, the pace of gains is clearly extraordinary. But for now, the upward trend looks well supported.

The post Up 1,800% in a year, this ASX stock just hit another record high appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 lesser-known ASX shares making investors an outrageous amount of money

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 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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares have jumped higher again on Tuesday. At the time of writing, the shares are up another 1.4% to $35.42.

Today’s increase follows a steep share price rally during the first three months of 2026, which accelerated significantly since conflict between the US and Iran ramped up in late February. 

Rising oil prices have acted as a strong tailwind for Woodside shares over the past month. Conflict in the Middle East has threatened the movement of oil in the region while shipping disruptions and production cuts caused prices to skyrocket to a multi-year high. 

Trading Economics data shows that the price of WTI crude oil has nearly doubled since late February. At the time of writing, the price of oil has surged to US$115 per barrel, which is the highest price since June 2022. 

Woodside shares are now up 49.6% for the year to date and 84% higher than just 12 months ago.

Here are four reasons why I think the ASX energy shares are still a screaming buy.

1. Surging oil prices show no sign of slowing down

As Australia’s largest oil operator and producer, global oil supply concerns arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are acting as a significant tailwind for Woodside shares. 

US President Donald Trump has warned that he will target Iranian power plants and bridges if his deal conditions are not met by Tuesday 8pm Eastern Time. Tehran has warned it will retaliate. The latest update has overshadowed any signs that the two nations may be moving toward a ceasefire agreement.

2. Woodside has strong financials

The oil and gas giant reported a strong 2025 result in late February, which confirmed an all-time high full-year production of 198.8 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe), topping guidance. Its costs fell 4% for the calendar year, and while revenue dropped 1%, its EBITDA was in line with 2024. 

3. It pays good dividends to shareholders

Its strong financial position means it has been able to pay a consistent dividend payment to its shareholders, and at a good yield. Woodside traditionally makes two fully-franked dividend payments to shareholders every year, payable in March/April and September/October. 

It most recently paid a final dividend of 59 cents per share late last month, fully franked. That brings the total annual dividend to $1.12 per share, which implies a yield of 3.156% at the time of writing.

4. Upside potential ahead

Even after the latest share price rally, some analysts think there is potential for more upside ahead over the next 12 months.

TradingView data shows that, of 15 analysts, eight have a hold rating and another five have a buy or strong buy rating on Woodside shares. 

The maximum target price is $44.03, which implies a potential 24.3% upside over the next 12 months. 

The post 4 reasons why Woodside shares are a screaming buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Up 54% in 2026, are Woodside shares still a good buy today?
• Buy, hold, sell: Aristocrat, BHP, and Woodside shares 
• How ASX 200 energy shares like Santos, Beach and Woodside surged in March’s sinking market
• These were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in March
• How are these 5 ASX share giants really tracking in 2026?

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.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a strong gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 1.55% to 8,712.8 points.

Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are storming higher:

Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ)

The Bank of Queensland share price is up 6% to $7.23. This follows news that the regional bank has signed a strategic capital partnership with Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF). It notes that this marks a further step in its transformation to a simpler, specialist bank. The Challenger partnership includes a whole-of-loan sale and a forward flow arrangement for equipment finance assets that will further optimise its funding base and support the acceleration of its ambition to service more equipment finance customers, particularly in the small to medium business sector.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

The Guzman Y Gomez share price is up 19% to $18.06. Investors have been buying the burrito seller’s shares following the release of a trading update. Guzman Y Gomez reported a 19.5% increase in network sales to $345.9 million. Comparable sales grew 6.6% in Australia and 2.2% in the United States. Looking ahead, the company has reaffirmed its full-year guidance. It is expecting Australia segment underlying EBITDA as a percentage of network sales to climb to 6% to 6.2% in FY2026, compared with 5.7% the prior year. It also remains on track to open 32 new Australian restaurants.

Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

The NextDC share price is up 12% to $12.65. The catalyst for this has been news that the data centre operator has launched a $1 billion wholesale offer of subordinated hybrid securities to fund growth initiatives. NextDC’s CEO and managing director, Craig Scroggie, said: “The announcement of the Hybrid Securities Offer and the La Caisse commitment represent another step toward NEXTDC delivering on a material step-change in the scale of our business as we deliver on the Company’s contracted forward order book across the period to FY29 and make further investments across the portfolio of new projects. We are delighted with this binding commitment from La Caisse, a long‑term investor with deep experience in infrastructure, as further validation of our growth strategy.”

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price is up 5% to $13.61. This morning, this radiopharmaceuticals company released a first-quarter sales update and revealed a 24% increase in group revenue to US$230 million. A key driver was its Precision Medicine division, which delivered a 23% increase in revenue to US$186 million. Telix’s managing director and CEO, Dr Christian Behrenbruch, said: “This performance reflects the growing uptake of Gozellix alongside Illuccix, contributing to market share gains underpinned by disciplined sales execution and pricing, and high-quality service delivery despite extreme North American weather conditions, an advantage of the pharmacy distribution model.”

The post Why Bank of Queensland, Guzman Y Gomez, NextDC, and Telix shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are Telix shares a buy after flying 40% higher in March?
• Why is everyone talking about Telix, Bank of Queensland and NextDC shares today?
• Why are Telix shares jumping 8% today?
• Why are NextDC shares surging higher?
• Down 52%, is this ASX fast food stock a screaming buy?

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

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares have jumped 5.3% higher today to $13.64 a piece. The increase comes off the back of the biopharmaceutical’s announcement today confirming revenue growth for the first quarter of FY26.

The company reported that its unaudited group revenue has climbed 11% from the previous quarter, and Precision Medicine revenue has climbed 16%.

Telix also reaffirmed its FY26 revenue guidance of US$950 million to US$970 million. It added that it expects further revenue growth driven by global uptake of its products and a full-year contribution from RLS Radiopharmacies.

Today’s hike means the shares have now recovered 58% since hitting a mutli-year low of $8.63 in mid-February. The share price is now up 20% for the year-to-date. A lot of the share price recovery was made through March alone, where Telix’s value climbed 40%. 

What drove Telix shares higher in March?

After bottoming out in mid-February, Telix shares rebounded after the company announced that it had filed a key regulatory approval in Europe.

The good news has continued through March when the company posted several announcements about its growth and development plans. 

The company released its Part 1 results from its global Phase 3 ProstACT study of TLX591-Tx, its novel prostate cancer therapy in early-March. The results were encouraging, and showed that the therapy demonstrates an acceptable and manageable safety profile, with no new safety signals and sustained tumour uptake across patients.

The following week, Telix announced it had resubmitted its New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. FDA for TLX101-Px (Pixclara®), a brain cancer imaging candidate. Telix’s resubmission includes new data addressing the FDA’s previous requests. The new submission is expected to be enough to gain US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

Telix is widely considered oversold and undervalued and investors have finally caught on. The flurry of good news has caused a positive swing of sentiment and it looks like many are now buying back into the biopharmaceutical’s shares while they are trading for cheap.

Are the shares still a buy, or have we hit the peak?

It looks like the Telix share price peak is a very long way off yet. Analysts are very bullish about the company and expect a significant upside out of the stock over the next 12 months. 

TradingView data shows a consensus buy rating across 16 analysts, with a maximum target price of 32.25. That implies a potential 136% upside at the time of writing. Even the minimum $17.38 target price implies the shares could jump 27% higher.

The post Are Telix shares a buy after flying 40% higher in March? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Bank of Queensland, Guzman Y Gomez, NextDC, and Telix shares are racing higher today
• Why is everyone talking about Telix, Bank of Queensland and NextDC shares today?
• Why are Telix shares jumping 8% today?
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Q1 2026: Revenue growth, guidance reaffirmed
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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