Morgans has been running the rule over a number of ASX shares this week.

Listed below are two that it rates as buys and one that it thinks investors should be accumulating.

Let’s see what it is recommending to clients:

Acrow Ltd (ASX: ACF)

This construction services company’s shares have been named as a buy by Morgans with a $1.28 price target.

The broker was encouraged with its recent trading update and highlights its positive growth outlook and generous dividend yield as reasons to buy. It explains:

ACF’s trading update was encouraging. While FY26 revenue and underlying EBITDA guidance was reaffirmed, management commentary pointed to improving activity levels across Australia. This was particularly pleasing in the QLD formwork division, which has experienced softer conditions over the past two years. Momentum in QLD appears to be turning, with improvement evident heading into FY27. Initial FY27 guidance was a positive surprise. While broadly in line with consensus, we view the early guidance as conservative and achievable, reflecting management’s confidence in the outlook.

We maintain our positive view on ACF with a BUY rating and $1.28 target price. With formwork activity – particularly in QLD – now improving, momentum into FY27 continues to build. With Brisbane Olympics-related activity also expected to ramp up over the next 12-18 months, we see ACF’s outlook as strong. Trading on 8.6x FY27F PE with a 6.0% yield, we believe the valuation remains attractive.

Beetaloo Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: BTL)

Another ASX share that Morgans is positive on is energy explorer Beetaloo Energy. The broker has a speculative buy rating and 90 cents price target on its shares.

It highlights the deep discount that the company trades on, which leaves material upside for investors. The broker said:

The INPEX/Formentera Beetaloo JV terms imply US$3,059/acre at base earn-in, escalating to US$3,547-$5,480/acre on option exercise, a 20-37x uplift on the prior Tamboran/DWE benchmark in 2025. BTL trades at an implied ~A$140/acre, a 97% discount to the INPEX base deal. Even heavy discounting for acreage quality differences leaves material upside. INPEX has committed development-scale capital (up to US$619m) to the Beetaloo as an LNG-grade resource. Farm-out leverage for BTL has stepped up materially. We maintain our Spec Buy rating, with an upgraded A$0.90 TP.

PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA)

After a sharp decline this week, Morgans has reaffirmed its accumulate rating on this property settlement company’s shares with a $14.31 price target.

The broker remains positive on PEXA despite concerns on future pricing following the release of a paper from IPART. It explains:

IPART has released a methodology paper outlining its proposed approach to calculating an Initial Asset Base (IAB), which has direct implications for the pricing of Electronic Lodgment Network Operators (ELNOs). While this is just a discussion paper, it certainly points to a likely more rigid structure controlling PXA’s future pricing, while elements such as the potential exclusion of goodwill from IPART’s proposed IAB calculation could present downside risk.

We make nominal changes to our PXA earnings of -1%-2% on some post results earnings tweaks. While it is too early to factor in the full implications of the pricing review, we now apply a 15% discount to our valuation to account for potential regulatory risk, setting our price target at A$14.31. We maintain our ACCUMULATE recommendation with >10% upside to our PT.

The post Morgans names 2 ASX shares to buy and 1 to accumulate appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• After a positive trading update 2 brokers agree this stock is a buy
• After their big fall is it time to buy the dip on Pexa?
• Why Pexa shares are sinking 16% today
• From red to green: Why this under-the-radar ASX stock is ripping higher this afternoon
• Why Dateline, Karoon Energy, Lindian, and PEXA shares are falling today

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

It was a rather disappointing end to the short trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Thursday. After initially starting strong this morning, investors took a major step back when US President Donald Trump addressed the nation at midday (our time).

Trump’s declaration that the war with Iran would go on for another “two to three weeks” was enough to start the selling. By the time the markets closed up for the Easter break, the ASX 200 had slumped by a nasty 1.06%. That fall leaves the index at 8,579.5 points as we head into the long weekend.

This volatile session for Australian investors follows a far more optimistic morning up on the American markets (let’s see what happens tomorrow over there).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a comfortable time of it, rising by 0.48%.

Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more enthusiastic, gaining 1.16%.

But let’s return to the local markets now and check out how the various ASX sectors dealt with today’s whipsawing trading conditions.

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

More reading

• ASX 200 suddenly turns lower as fresh war fears hit before Easter
• Why did the ASX 200 just plunge 1.4% in Thursday afternoon trade?
• 3 ASX defensive shares to buy in uncertain markets
• This monthly income ASX ETF yields 7%, and every ASX investor should take note
• 3 reasons to buy Wesfarmers shares today

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares have come under pressure this year.

While this is disappointing for shareholders, it could be an opportunity for others to snap up the health imaging technology company’s shares.

That’s the view of two analysts, who are urging investors to buy Pro Medicus shares this week, according to The Bull.

What are they saying about Pro Medicus shares?

The team at Catapult Wealth has named Pro Medicus as a buy this week. It highlights that the company has a positive long-term growth outlook thanks partly to its growing market share in the massive United States market.

It also notes that a couple of key contract renewals have demonstrated strengthening pricing power despite artificial intelligence (AI) disruption concerns. It explains:

Pro Medicus develops advanced medical imaging software used by major hospitals and radiology groups globally. The company reported a strong first half result in fiscal year 2026, with revenue up 28.4 per cent to $124.8 million and underlying profit before tax rising 29.7 per cent to $90.7 million. In March, PME secured two important contract renewals worth a minimum of $40 million, both at higher transaction fees, signalling strengthening pricing power.

With an underlying earnings before interest and tax margin at 73 per cent and cash of $222 million, PME remains financially robust. Growing US market share supports a positive long term growth outlook, making PME an attractive portfolio addition.

Who else is bullish?

Also tipping Pro Medicus shares as a buy this week is MPC Markets.

It believes that recent share price weakness has created an attractive entry point for investors, especially given its position as one of the highest quality software companies on the Australian share market. It said:

The company provides medical imaging software and services to hospitals and healthcare groups across the world. Its software has quietly become the dominant choice across some of the largest hospital networks in the United States. The product is faster, more scalable and modern than what its competitors offer. Artificial intelligence is built in, so it complements the business.

The share price plunge has been driven by broad technology sentiment as opposed to issues with the business. Earnings are still growing and the company still wins major new hospital contracts. In our view, the market has handed investors an appealing entry point into one of the best software businesses on the ASX. We retain our buy recommendation.

The post Why two experts are urging investors to buy Pro Medicus shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 healthcare shares to buy amid sector rout
• The best time to buy shares? It might be right now
• 2 ASX stocks that could help turn $10,000 into $1 million
• Why Arafura Rare Earths, Eagers Automotive, Life360, and Pro Medicus shares are racing higher today
• How to invest during an ASX share bear market when you’re worried about prices falling more

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

The market has been incredibly volatile recently. This has left many stocks from across the globe trading at deep discounts to what investors were willing to pay just a matter of months ago.

The team at Bell Potter thinks that this has created a compelling buying opportunity for investors.

What is it saying?

The broker highlights that there are high-quality stocks trading at attractive levels. It notes that this valuation reset comes despite earnings remaining robust and fundamentals not weakening. It said:

A wide range of quality companies are currently trading at valuations that are attractive relative to historical norms and their long-term earnings potential. These companies have strong balance sheets, providing insulation against both the rising cost of capital and geopolitical volatility. Importantly, the structural tailwinds for some of these companies from AI and digital transformation remain largely independent of Middle Eastern tensions or fluctuating oil prices.

This valuation reset is underpinned by robust earnings rather than weakening fundamentals. While not cheap in absolute terms, this shift represents an attractive entry point relative to recent history. Importantly, earnings revisions remain positive despite higher oil prices; the S&P 500 has seen 2.5% upgrades in the past month. The recent sell-off appears indiscriminate, but we expect a rotation towards quality given positive fundamentals and the heightened uncertainty we expect to persist.

But if you’re not a fan of stock picking, don’t worry. That’s because Bell Potter thinks two ASX ETFs could be a way to take advantage of the weakness.

Global X Fang+ ETF (ASX: FANG)

The first ASX ETF it is recommending is the Global X FANG ETF. It gives investors access to 10 of the best stocks from across the globe. It explains:

The Global X FANG ETF (FANG) provides concentrated, high conviction exposure to the leaders of the modern economy. It tracks the NYSE FANG Plus Index, which is composed of 10 highly traded growth stocks across the technology and communication services sectors. This includes the original FANG names alongside other innovative giants such as Nvidia and Microsoft. With a management fee of 0.35% per annum, it offers an efficient way to target the specific mega cap tech names that have seen the most significant sentiment-driven de-rating despite their robust balance sheets and leading roles in the AI revolution.

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

Another ASX ETF that the broker is recommending is the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF.

It gives investors exposure to 300 of the best stocks from across the world. It said:

For those preferring a more diversified approach, the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (QUAL), offers exposure to approximately 300 of the world’s highest quality companies. This fund follows a rules-based methodology that selects stocks based on three key fundamental factors: high return on equity, stable year-on-year earnings growth, and low financial leverage. While still heavily weighted towards US technology giants like Apple and Microsoft, QUAL provides a broader safety net by including high quality names across healthcare, industrials, and consumer staples.

The post Bell Potter names 2 of the best ASX ETFs to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 of the best ASX ETFs to buy in April
• Here are 5 ASX ETFs that I would buy with $50,000
• Why I’m seriously thinking about buying these ASX ETFs in April
• Should investors be targeting growth or value ASX ETFs right now?
• You can aim to beat the Age Pension for the price of a daily coffee!

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

The war in Iran sent S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) dramatically lower in March.

After a steep 9.1% drop between 27 February and 23 March, the ASX 200 recovered a bit to finish the month down 7.8%.

In April so far, ASX 200 shares are 1.05% higher after the US signalled yesterday that it may be out of Iran within two or three weeks.

James Gerrish from Shaw and Partners says the “war fear” in the market is now fading.

While the road out may be volatile, Gerrish and his Market Matters team are bullish on ASX 200 shares for the rest of the year.

In fact, they think the ASX 200 could re-test its all-time high of 9,200.9 points later in the year, if the Iran situation is resolved soon.

In his Market Matters newsletter today, Gerrish has named 3 ETFs to buy before the rally really gets started.

3 ASX ETFs to buy today: expert

Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE)

The WIRE ETF is $122.42 apiece on Thursday, down 1.2% today and down 17.9% over the past month.

The Market Matters team is targeting $30 for this exchange-traded fund over the next year or so.

The experts said:

Copper (Cu) has experienced a volatile few weeks as the Iran conflict brought into question global economic growth, even though it’s underpinned by structural demand from industrial uses, particularly global electrification and the AI buildout.

At MM, we remain firm believers in the Cu story over the coming years and last month increased our exposure to Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) and bought Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) to increase our exposure to the industrial metal in the Active Growth Portfolio after the sector’s 32% correction from its late January high.

A close above $24 would be a bullish technical trigger.

VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ASX: GDX)

This ASX gold ETF is $137.67 per unit, up 0.6% today and down 19% over the past month.

The Market Matters team is targeting the $160 area for the GDX ETF through 2026.

They said:

The GDX ETF gained more than 4% on Wednesday, though the move felt stronger locally with most ASX gold miners rallying 6–8%.

After a ~35% correction, the sector appears to have completed the anticipated washout following its surge to fresh highs in 2026.

We believe the broader uptrend remains intact, although a period of consolidation around ~$150 would not be surprising.

A close above $142 would be a bullish technical trigger.

BetaShares Global Uranium ETF (ASX: URNM)

This ASX uranium ETF is $12.28 per unit, down 0.6% today and down 7.9% over the past month.

The Market Matters team said they like the URNM ETF after a 29% pullback, and remain constructive on the uranium sector.

They commented:

At MM, we believe nuclear power is the obvious clean energy source that works today, with US big tech agreeing, as they pour money into Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Nuclear power accounts for ~10% of global electricity generation today with demand set to rise substantially over the coming years as AI usage ratchets up.

With the uranium market transitioning into a structural tightening phase, and a high probability of deficit emerging later this decade, the URNM ETF should push higher in the coming years.

A close above $12.60 would be a bullish technical trigger.

The post 3 ASX ETFs to buy before the rally really takes off: expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should you buy the dip on gold shares? Expert
• Which ASX gold shares have risen the most in 2026?
• How to position your ASX portfolio in the current environment – Expert
• Australia’s next great ASX mining boom: Are we already in it?
• 3 ASX ETFs set to benefit from the AI revolution

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Global X Copper Miners ETF. 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.

Stockland Corp Ltd (ASX: SGP) shares are falling again on Thursday, with the property giant sliding to a fresh multi-year low.

In afternoon trade, the Stockland share price is down 2.83% to $4.12, leaving the stock down 28% since the start of 2026.

That is a steep fall for one of the ASX’s biggest property names and shows how quickly sentiment has turned against the stock.

The weakness suggests shareholders are becoming more concerned about the outlook, especially with interest rates staying high and the company expanding into data centres.

Here is what seems to be driving the move.

The market is looking past the data centre excitement

One of the biggest reasons Stockland shares moved higher this year was its new 50:50 data centre partnership with EdgeConneX.

The deal gives Stockland exposure to one of the fastest-growing infrastructure themes linked to AI, cloud computing, and enterprise data storage.

The market initially welcomed the move as a smart way to unlock value from its large logistics and industrial land portfolio.

But after the initial excitement, investors now appear to be reassessing what this means for the business.

Building data centres costs a lot of money, takes years to complete, and adds a new layer of uncertainty to a business better known for housing communities, logistics estates, shopping centres, and workplace assets.

There may also be concerns about how much this new venture could affect cash flow in the near-term.

On top of that, property stocks often struggle when interest rates remain high, as borrowing costs remain elevated and asset values can come under pressure.

Technicals show sellers still in control

The technical picture also looks very weak right now.

The relative strength index (RSI) has dropped to around 19, which is well into oversold territory and shows the shares have been heavily offloaded in recent sessions.

The next major support appears to sit around the psychological $4 level, which investors often watch closely as a key round-number price point.

If the shares fall below that level, the next area of support may not appear until the high-$3 range, which was last seen in 2022.

Fundamentally, Stockland still offers a trailing dividend yield above 6% and has a relatively modest beta of around 1.03. The latter means it has generally moved broadly in line with the wider market over time.

Foolish Takeaway

Stockland still has long-term strengths across its residential communities, logistics assets, retail town centres, and now its growing exposure to digital infrastructure.

But for now, the share price weakness suggests investors are more focused on high interest rates, the heavy selling trend, and uncertainty around how quickly the EdgeConneX partnership can start adding to earnings.

Until buyers can defend the $4 level, the sell-off may continue in the short-term.

The post Why Stockland shares just crashed to a multi-year low appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares including WiseTech and Xero plumbing new 52-week-plus lows on Monday
• Downer shares jump today. Here’s what’s driving the move
• Goodman, Scentre Group, Stockland: Why are ASX 200 real estate stocks tumbling in 2026?
• Why are Stockland shares diving to near 52-week lows?
• Stockland shares in focus after unveiling EdgeConneX data centre partnership

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.

It’s hard to find a better example of why long-term investors should stay calm during market crashes than Goodman Group Ltd (ASX: GMG) shares.

At the depths of the COVID, Goodman shares briefly traded at $12.10. Fast forward to today, and the stock is changing hands at roughly $26.00.

Let’s have a look what a $5,000 Goodman investment in March 2020 would be worth now. 

Double the money

Here’s the simple math. If you bought Goodman shares at $12.10 and the current price is $26.00, that’s a gain of 115% per share. A $5,000 investment would have bought around 413 shares, which would now be worth approximately $10,744.

That means a $5,000 investment in Goodman shares made near the bottom would now be worth about $10,744.

In other words, Goodman has turned a scary market moment into a potential $5,744 profit in just six years.

Lockdowns spread, recession fears

The bigger lesson is why this happened. Back in March 2020, investors were selling almost everything as lockdowns spread and recession fears dominated headlines.

But Goodman’s portfolio of premium logistics, industrial, and urban infill assets was built for the long term.

As e-commerce demand exploded, warehouse space became mission-critical. Retailers, transport groups, and major global platforms all needed strategically located logistics hubs closer to customers. Goodman shares were perfectly positioned to benefit.

Riding the AI boom

And then came the next leg of the story: AI and data centres.

Today, Goodman is no longer viewed as just a traditional property group. A huge portion of its development pipeline is now linked to data centres and digital infrastructure, making it a major beneficiary of the AI boom. Recent updates suggest around 73% of its $14.4 billion pipeline is tied to data centres, giving the group a powerful second growth engine. 

The company also benefits from high-quality locations and long-term customer relationships, which have previously supported occupancy and rental growth.

That combination — logistics plus AI infrastructure — helps explain why the Goodman shares have more than doubled from the pandemic lows, even after pulling back from their 2025 highs.

Foolish Takeaway

Of course, the real takeaway for investors is broader than Goodman itself.

The best wealth-building opportunities often appear when fear and volatility are at its highest. In 2020, buying quality ASX stocks – like Goodman shares – felt uncomfortable. Yet for investors willing to focus on long-term business quality instead of short-term panic, the rewards could be enormous.

This $52 billion ASX stock is a textbook case. A $5,000 investment made when the market looked its bleakest would now be worth more than $10,700, and that’s before factoring in any distributions along the way.

It’s a timely reminder that the next market sell-off could once again create the kind of opportunity that turns a modest investment into something far more meaningful.

The post $5,000 in Goodman shares at COVID lows is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Bullish on artificial intelligence? Here are 3 ASX shares I’d buy
• How I’d aim to build a $100,000 ASX share portfolio starting at zero
• 3 ASX 200 shares that could beat the market over the next 10 years
• How to become a millionaire with a $5,000 investment in ASX 200 shares each year
• Are we in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy cheap ASX shares?

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 positions in and has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. 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 are lower today, but James Gerrish from Shaw and Partners says the “war fear” is now fading.

ASX 200 shares rallied 1.76% to close at 8,671.8 points yesterday after US President Donald Trump suggested they could be out of Iran within two or three weeks.

This boosted investors’ confidence in the global economic outlook, with European and US markets also responding positively overnight.

ASX 200 shares were initially higher today, rising to 8,723.3 points before retracing to 8,594.8 points, down 0.9%, at the time of writing.

While the ASX 200 is still volatile, Gerrish said the market is preparing for a rally.

After a steep 9.1% drop between 27 February and 23 March, the ASX 200 reversed its trajectory last Tuesday and has since gained 2.7%.

In this Market Matters newsletter today, Gerrish said:

With hostilities potentially nearing an end, investors rotated aggressively into cyclicals, particularly resources.

While it’s no surprise the market staged an aggressive relief rally with an end to the conflict now in sight, the key question is what comes next, with the ASX200 still ~6% below its March high.

Gerrish cautioned that “we’re not out of the woods yet”.

He said if ASX 200 shares were to fall below 8,550 points again in the coming days and weeks, a re-test of the 8,200 trough was “likely”.

The ASX 200 fell to a 10-month low of 8,262.4 points last Monday.

Gerrish and his team remain bullish on ASX shares for 2026 because of the strong February earnings season and stable credit markets.

He said:

The markets’ performance over the next 24 hours will give us a big clue as to the strength in equities, if they’re strong into Easter, the bulls could be in control.

Gerrish and his Market Matters team are bullish on ASX 200 shares for the rest of 2026.

Today, they named two ASX 200 shares that they expect to “ride the rebound”.

These companies both reported well in February, initially sending their share prices higher, before the Iran war dragged them back down.

Gerrish said this was “potentially affording an opportunity to buy high-performing stocks at a cheaper entry”.

Here are those ASX 200 share picks.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price is $172.33, up 0.25% on Thursday.

The ASX 200 financial share has fallen 0.66% over the past month.

Gerrish and his team like CBA shares at today’s price, and predict a 10% rally ahead to about $190 apiece.

He said:

If we are correct and the ASX is going to test/make new highs in 2026, a call many find it hard to imagine, CBA will likely come along for the ride.

Australia’s largest bank delivered a strong 1H result in February which saw the stock surge ~12% in 2-days, a huge move for such a stock let alone bank of its size.

CBA beat consensus on cash profit and lifted the interim dividend, with volume growth and improving credit quality offsetting margin pressure and higher costs.

The stock’s “drift” lower in March demonstrates that investors are hesitant to reduce their position in the bank, even during a war.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)

The Ramsay Health Care share price is $39.01, down 0.15% today.

This ASX 200 healthcare share has fallen 9.5% over the past month, after reaching an 18-month high of $44.73 in early March.

The Market Matters team is “cautiously bullish” on Ramsay Health Care shares at today’s price.

Gerrish said:

RHC surged ~10% after the private hospital operator delivered a better than expected 1H result in February.

We liked the comments from Chief executive Natalie Davis saying the turnaround strategy for Australia’s largest private hospital operator is gaining traction, pointing to improved admissions, better utilisation of operating theatres, increased market share, and growth in both revenue and margins.

Ramsay’s domestic performance likely marks an inflection point after years of post-pandemic stagnation, with early margin improvement signalling that management’s operational focus is beginning to drive earnings momentum despite ongoing challenges.

The stock has rallied 30% from its 2025 low and we still see reasonable value in this turnaround story, although it’s unlikely to enjoy the same tailwind from a broader “risk-on” rally as some other areas of the market.

The post 2 ASX 200 shares to buy ahead of anticipated rally: expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 healthcare shares to buy amid sector rout
• What happened with ASX 200 bank stocks like CBA and Westpac in March?
• Why sitting out this ASX share market chaos could cost you big
• 3 reasons to buy Ramsay Health Care shares today
• How are these 5 ASX share giants really tracking in 2026?

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

With April now here, I am thinking about how to position a portfolio for what comes next.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a simple way to do that.

They allow you to gain exposure to entire themes or segments of the market without needing to pick individual winners. And right now, there are a few BetaShares ETFs that I think are worth considering.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Nasdaq 100 has been one of the most powerful drivers of returns over the past decade.

But what I find interesting is how it continues to evolve.

This is not just a tech-heavy index anymore. It is a collection of businesses that are shaping how the modern economy functions. Cloud computing, digital advertising, artificial intelligence, and software are all embedded within it.

The recent pullback has taken some heat out of valuations, which I think makes the entry point more reasonable than it was previously.

For me, the NDQ ETF is a way to stay exposed to innovation at scale. You are not betting on one company. You are backing an entire ecosystem of global leaders.

BetaShares Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)

Defence is not always the most talked-about sector, but I think it is becoming increasingly relevant.

Global tensions have shifted how governments think about security and military capability. That is translating into higher defence spending and a greater focus on advanced technologies.

The ARMR ETF provides exposure to companies operating in areas like defence equipment, cybersecurity, and aerospace.

What stands out to me is that this is not just a short-term reaction to current events. Defence budgets tend to be long-term in nature, often spanning many years.

That gives the sector a level of visibility that I think is often overlooked.

BetaShares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)

The CFLO ETF is a bit different. It focuses on companies that generate strong free cash flow, which I think is one of the most important indicators of business quality.

In a market where sentiment can shift quickly, I like the idea of owning businesses that consistently produce cash and have flexibility in how they use it. Whether that is reinvesting, paying dividends, or strengthening their balance sheets.

This ETF does not chase hype. It leans toward companies that are already proving their ability to convert revenue into real earnings.

For me, that adds a layer of resilience to a portfolio.

Foolish takeaway

If I were adding to my portfolio in April, I would probably be looking for a mix of growth, thematic exposure, and underlying business quality.

For me, the NDQ ETF offers exposure to global innovation and leading companies, the ARMR ETF provides access to a sector benefiting from long-term structural shifts in defence spending, and the CFLO ETF brings a focus on cash-generative businesses that can perform across different market conditions.

Together, I think they can help build a portfolio that is both balanced and forward-looking.

The post Why I’d buy these BetaShares ETFs for my portfolio in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 cheap ASX ETFs to buy for the tech rebound
• 3 fantastic ASX ETFs to buy and hold after the selloff
• 3 brilliant ASX ETFs to buy after the market selloff
• 3 of the best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for a decade
• Which ASX ETFs have Aussies traded most since the Iran war began?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and is short shares of BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Our local share market was looking steady earlier today. Then everything changed.

After starting the day higher, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has turned lower and is now down 0.61% to 8,618.1 points.

The index had climbed as high as 8,723 earlier in the session before sellers stepped in.

The sudden drop came after fresh comments from US President Donald Trump about the conflict with Iran, which unsettled global markets.

Instead of giving investors confidence that the fighting may be winding down, his latest remarks suggested the conflict could continue for up to three weeks.

That has made investors nervous again, especially heading into the Easter break.

Oil jumps again as market nerves return

The biggest move following Trump’s comments has been in the oil market.

Brent crude oil jumped back above US$105 a barrel after Trump’s comments raised concerns the conflict could drag on.

Rising oil prices are already pushing up costs right across the economy, which is now feeding into local market sentiment.

Higher fuel, freight, and shipping costs have been squeezing profit margins for retailers, transport businesses, airlines, and many other companies that rely heavily on moving goods and people.

It has also added to inflation worries and reduced hopes for interest rate cuts, putting extra pressure on company valuations.

This has helped push the benchmark index back into the red after its earlier gains.

Selling spreads across the ASX 200

The weakness is showing up across most of the market.

Selling has also become more widespread, with 118 stocks falling compared to 78 rising in the ASX 200.

Large mining stocks have been among the main drags on the index.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) are all in the red as investors weigh what higher oil prices and renewed geopolitical risks could mean for global growth.

Energy shares are offering some support as oil prices rise, but that has not been enough to offset the broader weakness.

Even gold has pulled back after rising earlier, which shows how quickly investors are changing positions as sentiment shifts.

Foolish Takeaway

The ASX 200 had been building on hopes that the Middle East conflict was moving closer to an end.

Instead, the latest headlines have sent oil prices higher and brought uncertainty back into the market.

Investors are still reacting quickly to every development, particularly anything that could affect inflation, interest rates, and the outlook for global growth.

Until there is a clearer direction on how the conflict ends, this kind of volatility looks here to stay.

The post ASX 200 suddenly turns lower as fresh war fears hit before Easter appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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