After a fairly steady first two months of the calendar year, ASX 200 stocks have already faced volatility in March.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fell almost 2% yesterday.

Markets have been all over the place as the conflict in Iran has escalated quickly. 

It has already had a big impact on energy, materials and commodities markets.

Trusting the long game

As much as we can preach the long game, there’s no doubt that watching your portfolio swing significantly in just two days can induce panic. 

Much of the momentum my own portfolio had gained across 2026 was wiped out in just a couple of days. 

But it’s times like these we need to zoom out a little and focus on the fundamentals.

Here at The Motley Fool, we’re long term focussed. 

As Warren Buffett once said, “we continue to make more money when snoring than when active.”

That means trusting the reason we invested in certain stocks in the first place, and not try to beat the market by buying and selling as stocks crash and soar on a daily basis.

Unless something in the company has fundamentally changed, you’ll probably be happy you held it in a year, five years or even twenty. 

ASX 200 stocks to hold 

With that long term focus in mind, there are some ASX 200 stocks that might have dropped over the last couple days, that investors should hold for the long term. 

The first is Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT). 

Yesterday it fell 3.7%, and is down almost 10% over the last week. 

The company operates data centres in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. It focuses on co-location services to local and international organisations as well as interconnectivity between enterprises, global cloud, ICT providers, and telecommunication networks.

In the long-term, this ASX 200 company is likely going to play an important role in Australia’s growing data centre and cloud infrastructure market as the rise of AI requires more and more storage and processing.

This positions it to benefit from accelerating demand driven by AI, cloud adoption and digital transformation, with strong contracted revenue visibility and expansion potential.

Right now, Macquarie has a price target of $22.30 on this ASX 200 stock, which is an upside of 71% from yesterday’s close. 

Stick with the flying kangaroo

Another ASX 200 stock worth holding for the long run is Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN). 

The airline has seen its share price tumble more than 15% over the past couple of weeks. 

That includes 4.46% this week. 

UBS recently said the negativity surrounding the company has been overblown, and I tend to agree. 

The next months could be bumpy due to headwinds from a higher oil/fuel price amid the events happening in the Middle East.

But the fundamentals are still strong, as is its market position in Australia. 

The current share price target from UBS of $11.60 is 29% higher than yesterday’s closing price. 

The post 2 ASX 200 shares you’ll be glad you held for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The Qantas share price is down 24% since its peak, is it a buy?
• Qantas shares sink 13% in a week: What happened, and how long will it last?
• 3 ASX shares down 25% or more that could roar back
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why Brainchip, Fortescue, Qantas, and Westpac shares are dropping today

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

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most powerful investment themes of this decade.

Most investors immediately think of technology companies such as chipmakers, cloud providers, or software developers as ways to gain exposure to the theme.

But the AI boom is much bigger than just tech stocks.

Behind the scenes, artificial intelligence requires enormous physical infrastructure. Data centres, logistics hubs, power connections, and specialised electrical systems all play a critical role in enabling AI computing.

That means some ASX shares benefiting from the AI revolution are not traditional technology stocks at all.

Here are two examples.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

One of the most important pieces of infrastructure for the AI economy is the data centre.

These facilities house the servers and computing power required to run artificial intelligence models, cloud platforms, and digital services. As AI adoption accelerates, demand for data centre capacity is expected to surge globally.

This is where Goodman Group comes in. The industrial property giant has increasingly positioned itself as a developer and owner of infrastructure that supports the digital economy. Its global portfolio now includes logistics facilities and rapidly expanding data centre projects.

The company’s latest results highlight just how significant this opportunity is becoming. Data centres now represent 73% of Goodman’s development work in progress, reflecting the scale of investment being directed into digital infrastructure.

Demand for this infrastructure appears extremely strong. Goodman has been expanding its pipeline of powered development sites and currently has a global “power bank” of 6.0 gigawatts across major cities, which is critical for supporting future hyperscale data centres.

In other words, while Goodman is technically a property company, it is increasingly acting as a landlord and developer for the AI economy.

SKS Technologies Group Ltd (ASX: SKS)

Another ASX share benefiting from the rise of AI infrastructure is SKS Technologies.

SKS specialises in the design and installation of electrical systems and digital infrastructure used in large-scale projects such as data centres, communications networks, and specialised facilities.

The company has quickly established itself in Australia’s fast-growing data centre construction market. In fact, it recently secured its largest contract ever, a $130 million project to design and construct electrical infrastructure for a hyperscale data centre in Melbourne.

Demand in this sector appears extremely strong. According to management, the data centre market is “growing exponentially and poised to remain in such a state for many years.”

This demand has helped drive strong financial momentum for SKS. In its latest half-year results, the company reported a 52.5% increase in net profit and a record $325 million order book, reflecting the pipeline of infrastructure projects underway.

Rather than building AI software, SKS is helping build the physical backbone that allows those systems to operate.

The post How to invest in AI without buying tech stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio from scratch today
• In Wilsons Advisory’s ideal portfolio, what are the 10 top stock picks?
• 3 ASX shares riding the AI infrastructure buildout
• 5 ASX 200 blue chip stocks I would buy with $50,000
• How does Morgans view these soaring ASX industrials stocks following earnings results

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

Yesterday, Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC) announced it has surpassed 250,000 Origin broadband subscribers on its network, reaching Milestone 4 of its long-term agreement with Origin Energy Ltd (ASX ORG).

What did Superloop report?

• Over 250,000 Origin broadband subscribers now on the Superloop network (Milestone 4 achieved)
• Triggers share issue obligation based on customer milestones
• Milestone shares priced at the 30-day VWAP at milestone date
• Shares subject to 12-month voluntary lock-up

What else do investors need to know?

Superloop’s Origin contract is an exclusive six-year deal to provide wholesale internet services to Origin Energy Retail and its subsidiaries. The deal, secured in March 2024, has enabled Superloop to substantially grow its retail broadband subscriber base.

Each milestone achieved under the Origin contract triggers the issue of Superloop shares, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. The shares issued for Milestone 4 are locked up for one year, aligning management’s interests with long-term performance.

What’s next for Superloop?

Looking ahead, Superloop will continue executing on its Origin partnership and remains focused on growing its position as a leading challenger in the Australian broadband market. Reaching Milestone 4 demonstrates progress in scaling its wholesale and retail internet offerings.

The company will seek required approvals to issue the new milestone shares and uphold its obligations under the Origin agreement. Superloop’s strategy centres on innovation and customer growth as it leverages its infrastructure and software platforms.

Superloop share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Superloop shares have risen 34%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Superloop surges past 250,000 Origin connections, triggers next milestone appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
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• Experts rate these 2 ASX growth shares as buys this month!
• $10,000 invested in DroneShield shares 12 months ago is now worth…

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Investing for the next five years doesn’t require predicting every twist in the market.

What matters more, in my view, is owning businesses with durable advantages, solid growth prospects, and management teams that know how to allocate capital well. If those ingredients are in place, time tends to do the rest.

Here are five Australian stocks I’d feel comfortable buying and holding for the next five years.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed remains one of the highest-quality healthcare stocks listed on the ASX, in my opinion.

The company develops devices and digital health platforms for sleep apnoea and respiratory conditions. Demand is supported by powerful long-term trends such as rising obesity rates and the growing awareness of sleep disorders.

What I particularly like is that ResMed combines hardware, software, and data into a single ecosystem. That creates switching costs and recurring revenue opportunities.

Over the next five years, I believe expanding device adoption and digital health services could continue to drive consistent earnings growth.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Hub24 has quietly become one of the standout Australian stocks in financial services.

Its platform allows financial advisers to manage client portfolios efficiently, and it continues to attract strong inflows as advisers migrate away from legacy systems.

The broader trend towards professional financial advice and sophisticated wealth platforms is still playing out, and Hub24 has been consistently gaining market share.

If that momentum continues, I think the business could be materially larger in five years’ time.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma Healthcare is now in a very different position than it was a few years ago.

The Australian stock’s merger with Chemist Warehouse has transformed it into a major force in Australian pharmacy retail and distribution. Chemist Warehouse is one of the country’s strongest healthcare brands, with significant scale and customer loyalty.

That combination of retail presence, pharmaceutical distribution, and network expansion creates a powerful platform for long-term growth.

For me, this makes Sigma one of the more interesting healthcare plays on the ASX over the next several years.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Breville is a great example of an Australian stock building a global brand.

Its premium kitchen appliances, particularly espresso machines, have developed strong reputations in key markets such as the United States, Europe, and Asia.

The company continues to expand geographically while also launching new product categories. I believe that combination of innovation and international expansion gives it a long runway for growth.

If management continues executing well, I think Breville could keep compounding earnings over the medium term.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

No long-term Australian portfolio feels complete to me without exposure to resources.

BHP remains the country’s mining heavyweight and offers diversified exposure to commodities such as iron ore and copper. In particular, copper demand is expected to grow as electrification, renewable energy, and data infrastructure expand globally.

The company also generates strong free cash flow during favourable commodity cycles, which supports attractive dividends.

While mining earnings can be cyclical, I think BHP’s scale and asset quality make it a compelling long-term holding.

Foolish takeaway

Five-year investing isn’t about finding the perfect entry point. It’s about owning businesses that can grow, adapt, and compound value over time.

For me, ResMed, Hub24, Sigma Healthcare, Breville Group, and BHP each bring something different to the table. Together they offer exposure to healthcare, financial technology, consumer brands, and global resources, which is a mix I’d feel comfortable holding for years.

The post 5 Australian stocks to buy and hold for the next 5 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 2 ASX 200 shares I rate as top buys for growth
• What’s next for the BHP share price?
• Experts rate these 2 ASX growth shares as buys this month!
• Want to receive the BHP, Rio Tinto, and Woodside dividends? Here’s what you need to do

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

Income investors have plenty of options on the ASX.

From infrastructure and banks to retailers and asset managers, there are many companies that return a meaningful portion of their profits to shareholders through dividends. For investors building a portfolio designed to generate reliable income, that creates plenty of choice.

Here are five ASX dividend shares that I think are worth considering.

Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)

Dicker Data is one of Australia’s leading technology distributors, supplying hardware, software, and cloud services to resellers across Australia and New Zealand.

The business has built a strong reputation with vendors and partners, which has allowed it to grow consistently over many years. What I like about Dicker Data from an income perspective is its approach to shareholder returns.

The company has a long track record of paying regular dividends and typically distributes a large portion of its profits. While earnings can fluctuate with technology spending cycles, the underlying business model has proven resilient.

For investors seeking income exposure to the technology sector, Dicker Data is an interesting option.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre’s shares have been under pressure over the past year, but the company remains confident in its long-term outlook.

The company has rebuilt its earnings following the pandemic and remains one of the world’s largest travel retailers. Its global footprint across leisure and corporate travel gives it scale and diversification that can support profits over time.

As I wrote here this week, consensus forecasts suggest Flight Centre’s dividend could continue growing in the years ahead.

And if travel demand remains healthy and recent acquisitions deliver on their promise, Flight Centre’s dividend potential could improve meaningfully over time.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie Group is widely regarded as one of Australia’s highest-quality financial institutions.

Its diversified business spans asset management, infrastructure investing, commodities trading, and banking services. That diversification helps smooth earnings across different market cycles.

Macquarie also has a solid record of returning capital to shareholders through dividends. While payouts can vary depending on profitability, the bank’s global platform and strong capital position give it flexibility to keep rewarding investors over the long term.

For income investors looking for exposure beyond the traditional big four banks, Macquarie stands out as a compelling alternative.

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

Lottery Corporation operates some of Australia’s best-known lottery brands, including Powerball and Oz Lotto.

Lottery businesses tend to be highly cash generative and relatively defensive. Ticket sales can hold up well even during softer economic conditions, and operating costs are relatively predictable.

That combination allows Lottery Corporation to pay attractive dividends to shareholders. The company has positioned itself as a reliable income play since its demerger, supported by steady cash flow from lottery products.

For investors seeking income with a defensive tilt, it is an ASX dividend share worth keeping on the radar.

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

GQG Partners is a global asset manager that has grown quickly in recent years thanks to strong investment performance and significant inflows.

Asset management businesses can be highly profitable when funds under management are expanding, and GQG has been returning a substantial portion of its earnings to shareholders.

Because its dividends are linked to profitability, payouts can fluctuate with markets and flows. However, when conditions are favourable, the income generated for shareholders can be very attractive.

For investors comfortable with some variability in dividends, GQG Partners offers exposure to the growth of global funds management alongside appealing income potential.

Foolish takeaway

Building an income portfolio on the ASX doesn’t have to mean sticking to the same handful of companies.

Dicker Data, Flight Centre, Macquarie Group, Lottery Corporation, and GQG Partners all offer different sources of dividend income across technology distribution, travel, financial services, gaming, and asset management.

For investors focused on generating income from shares, I think these five ASX dividend shares are worth considering.

The post 5 ASX dividend shares to buy for income in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Dicker Data shares fall to a 7-month low. Is this a bargain buy?
• How to build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio from scratch today
• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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 Macquarie Group and The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group, Gqg Partners, and The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Markets have swung sharply over the last two days as military conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has intensified. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen 3.2% so far this week while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) has fallen 1%. 

Yesterday was somewhat of a bloodbath for the ASX 200 which dropped 1.94%, marking for one of the worst single day drops in months. 

A new report from Global X has shed light on the sectors and subsequent ASX ETFs that investors have been flocking to amidst this heavy volatility.

Investors push further into safe-haven assets 

Gold shares have continued to be a top pick for investors, following on from last year’s momentum.

Gold climbed 2% higher on Wednesday and now sits almost 78% higher than 12 months ago. 

Safe-haven assets typically maintain value even during economic uncertainty, so investors often flock to them when financial markets become volatile.

According to Global X, despite a two year rally for gold, the pace is not unprecedented. 

In 2024-26, we have observed a very constructive environment for gold, with significant geopolitical volatility, falling interest rates, a poorer economic outlook and an increasing narrative around de-dollarisation. 

The recent market volatility triggered by AI disruption in software, combined with the fresh risk of an energy shock and inflationary pressures stemming from US and Israel’s attack on Iran, have added on top of that bullish environment new developments which look strikingly similar to the late 70s rally and may be the final tipping point that potentially triggers a gold supercycle in which there is sustained, strong outperformance.

Global X said in the short term, it believes markets are underpricing the risk of a dragged-out, sustained conflict in Iran, which could translate to persistently high energy prices that lead to stickier and hotter inflation and, in turn, complicate the rate path for the Federal Reserve and risk an economic downturn.

Defence and Energy also worth monitoring

Global X also reinforced that the world is increasingly operating in a Cold War framework, with sustained military modernisation across the US, Europe and parts of Asia. 

Spending is also shifting toward defence technology, including missile systems, drones, cyber and AI-enabled capability. That creates a multi-year tailwind that is less cyclical and more policy-driven than traditional industrial demand.

Additionally, energy sits at the centre of this escalation because the Middle East remains critical to global supply and Asia remains structurally dependent on Gulf flows.

It said structurally this reinforces the case for energy security, LNG infrastructure and diversified supply.

How do investors access these themes?

For investors looking for exposure to gold, some ASX ETFs to consider include: 

• Global X Physical Gold Structured (ASX:GOLD) – Mirrors the growth in the Australian dollar gold price. 
• BetaShares Global Gold Miners ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: MNRS) – Targets largest global gold mining companies (ex-Australia).

Energy focussed ASX ETFs to consider include: 

• The Global X Bloomberg Commodity Complex ETF (ASX: BCOM)
• BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: FUEL)

For defence focussed ASX ETFs: 

• The Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC)
• Betashares Global Defence ETF – Beta Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)
• Vaneck Global Defence Etf (ASX: DFND). 

Foolish takeaway 

It’s important to point out that despite investors pushing into these themes, there is no guarantee these sectors will rise as a direct result of current conflicts. 

Predicting how markets respond to global conflict is inherently uncertain, and short-term sector moves are often driven by sentiment as much as fundamentals. 

While capital may rotate into perceived “beneficiaries,” there is no guarantee those trends will persist once conditions stabilise or new information emerges.

The post Which ASX ETFs are investors flocking to amidst volatility? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 of the best ASX ETFs to buy in March
• What is the best global defence ASX ETF?
• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• 3 top ASX ETFs that avoid the tech wreck
• I think these 2 exotic ASX ETFs are a buy in 2026

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

Commodity markets can turn quickly.

Twelve months ago, lithium was firmly out of favour. Prices had been falling, sentiment toward lithium miners was weak, and many analysts were warning that supply could outpace demand in the medium term.

That backdrop weighed heavily on shares of PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS). Around this time last year, investors could buy the lithium miner’s shares for about $1.89 each.

But the story didn’t end there.

Lithium sentiment turned around

Over the past year, lithium prices have rebounded strongly as expectations around electric vehicle demand, battery storage, and energy transition projects improved.

That shift in commodity prices has had a major impact on lithium producers.

Higher realised lithium prices flow directly into revenue and margins for producers such as PLS. In its latest results, the company reported an average realised price of US$965 per tonne, which was 40% higher than the prior corresponding period.

The improvement in pricing, combined with solid production and operational discipline, helped drive a sharp turnaround in earnings.

Revenue for the half rose 47% to $624 million, while underlying EBITDA jumped 241% to $253 million, with margins expanding significantly.

Those kinds of improvements tend to get the market’s attention.

Scale and low costs matter

Other reasons the market has warmed to PLS shares again are its scale, asset quality, and low costs.

The company owns the Pilgangoora operation in Western Australia, which is the world’s largest independent hard-rock lithium project. Large, low-cost assets like this can remain profitable even during weaker commodity cycles.

Operationally, PLS also lifted production during the period. The company produced 432.8 thousand tonnes of spodumene concentrate in the first half, up about 6% on the prior period.

At the same time, unit operating costs declined thanks to improved efficiencies and higher sales volumes.

In other words, the business was performing better just as lithium prices were recovering. That combination helped drive renewed confidence among investors.

So, would 1,000 PLS shares have made money?

Now for the answer.

If I had bought 1,000 PLS shares at $1.89 a year ago, the initial investment would have been $1,890.

Today, with PLS shares trading at $4.74, those same 1,000 shares would be worth $4,740.

That’s a gain of $2,850, or roughly 151% over the past year.

Foolish takeaway

Lithium shares can be incredibly volatile. When sentiment turns negative, prices can fall sharply. But the reverse is also true.

Over the past year, improving lithium prices, strong operational execution, and renewed optimism around battery demand have helped PLS shares rebound strongly.

For investors who bought when lithium was deeply out of favour, the rewards have been significant.

The post If I’d bought 1,000 PLS shares a year ago, would I have made money? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $5,000 to invest? Here’s how I’d split it across the ASX
• 5 of the best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in February revealed
• The PLS Group share price has soared 150% in a year. Is it still a buy in March?
• ASX 200 materials sector leads as earnings season ends with a record high
• These ASX 200 shares jumped 15% or more in February

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 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.

On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a day to forget and sank deep into the red. The benchmark index fell 1.95% to 8,901.2 points.

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

ASX 200 set to rebound

The Australian share market looks set for a much better session on Thursday following a strong night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 88 points or 1% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.65%, the S&P 500 is up 1% and the Nasdaq is up 1.55%.

BHP shares go ex-dividend

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are going ex-dividend on Thursday and are likely to trade lower. Last month, the mining giant released its half-year results and revealed an interim dividend of US$3.7 billion or 73 US cents per share. Eligible shareholders can now look forward to pay day later this month on 26 March. Also going ex-dividend are Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares for their latest payouts.

Oil prices mixed

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) will be on watch on Thursday after oil prices traded mixed overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up slightly to US$74.56 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.1% to US$81.30 a barrel. Traders may have been taking profit after some strong gains this month.

Buy Endeavour shares

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) shares are a buy according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the drinks giant’s shares with an improved price target of $4.15. It commented: “Although the outlook for consumer spending has weakened, we believe market expectations are low for the company’s strategic refresh, leaving greater room for upside potential.”

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good session on Thursday after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.4% to US$5,145.3 an ounce. This was driven by the war in the Middle East and increased demand for safe haven assets.

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

More reading

• Superloop surges past 250,000 Origin connections, triggers next milestone
• 5 Australian stocks to buy and hold for the next 5 years
• Are Endeavour Group shares a buy after its earnings results crash?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Endeavour Group and 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.

ASX industrials stock GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP) has been among the best shares to own over the past year.

The company is a service provider to mining, utilities and other private customers who have needs across electrical plant and equipment, power, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Its share price has almost risen 200% in the last year. 

This includes a 32.26% increase for the year to date. 

Key acquisition 

This ASX industrials stock was making headlines yesterday after it announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of Railtrain Holdings Pty Ltd (Railtrain).

The deal is for a total consideration of up to $55.0m. 

According to the release from GenusPlus Group, it was a highly logical acquisition that bolsters Genus’ existing MGC rail business. It will add critical scale, diversification and national presence, as well as expanding service capabilities in the rail sector. 

Speaking on the acquisition, Genus Managing Director, David Riches, said: 

I am pleased to announce the signing of binding documentation for our acquisition of Railtrain which is another step forward in our strategy to expand into the rail infrastructure sector. Railtrain is a highly logical acquisition which will add critical scale, and expands the geographical and service capability of our existing MGC rail business.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of March 2026.

Bell Potter weighs in

Following the announcement, Bell Potter released a new report with updated guidance on the ASX industrials stock. 

It said Railtrain is a diversified rail service provider, with capabilities including overhead wiring solutions, rail maintenance and construction, track protection services, rail signalling and electrical and rail surveying. 

Railtrain has a national footprint with approximately 300 staff across offices and depots in three states.

EPS changes reflect Railtrain acquisition accretion over FY26-28: +1%/+7%/+6%.

The broker said it is particularly pleased to see an attractive acquisition multiple of 2.75x EBITDA (assuming all earn-out hurdles are satisfied), which implyies significant valuation arbitrage against the company’s pre-acquisition FY26 multiple of 14.3x). Bell Potter also drew attention to an enhanced EBITDA margin outlook as well as immediate earnings accretion.

Price target upgrade

In yesterday’s report, Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation on this ASX industrials stock. 

The broker also increased its price target to $9.50 (previously $9.00). 

From yesterday’s closing price of $8.20, this indicates an upside of almost 16%. 

GNP is making another great acquisition, solidifying its track record for delivering a highly accretive M&A strategy, and complementing its strong organic growth.

The post Bell Potter lists this ASX industrials stock as a buy after key acquisition appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) shares crashed 18% on Tuesday and remained relatively flat, rising just 0.1% over the course of the day on Wednesday. 

On Wednesday, the stock closed at $20.38 a piece. This means Life360 shares are now down 24.35% over the past month, have dived 37.22% for the year-to-date, and have shed 63.24% since soaring to an all-time high of $55.87 in October last year.

Life360 shares are currently sitting 9.1% below where they were last year.

The latest price crash is significant and some investors are shaken.

The question is, is there more to come? Or has this week’s nosedive created a once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunity to get the stock at an incredibly cheap price.

What happened to Life360 shares?

The US-based software development company posted its FY25 financial results on Tuesday morning, ahead of the market open. Life360 delivered record growth in both its subscription and international segments, by 33% and 26% year-on-year respectively. 

Operating expenses increased by 26%, but fell as a percentage of revenue, highlighting management’s focus on efficiency as the business grows. 

Life360 also said that it expects strong growth to continue in FY26, guiding for global MAU growth of 20%, revenue between US$640 million and US$680 million (up 31–39%) and a 25% increase in subscription revenue.

Management also flagged that earnings will be weighted more heavily to the second half of the year due to investment and seasonality. 

The news saw investors flock to the stock, with the share price spiking 15% in early morning trade. But then the share price took a significant u-turn. 

The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) has also been in a sea of red this week after conflict in the Middle East smashed Australian shares across multiple sectors. 

Is this a once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunity for investors?

Analysts seem to think so.

TradingView data shows that most analysts are incredibly bullish on the outlook for Life360 shares over the next 12 months. 

Out of 15 analysts, 12 have a buy or strong buy rating and two have a hold rating on the stock. But they are unanimous in that all of them expect attractive upside ahead.

The average target price for Life360 shares is $39.79, which implies a huge potential 95.24% upside at the time of writing.

But some are even more bullish, expecting the stock to rocket nearly 150% to $50.73 apiece over the next 12 months.

The team at Bell Potter recently confirmed its buy rating on Life360’s shares with a slightly trimmed price target of $40.00 (from $41.50). The broker said it couldn’t explain this week’s share price weakness but added that it appears to be an opportunity for investors to load up on the company’s shares.

If these potential upsides are anything to go by, at their current share price, Life360 shares are a one-of-a-kind opportunity for investors who want to strap into the growth stock for cheap, ahead of the next rocket launch. 

The post Life360 shares crashed 18% this week: Is this a once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunity? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.