One of the most controversial earnings reports we have seen so far this season has been from ASX 200 healthcare share and former market darling CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL). CSL dropped its latest earnings, covering the six months to 31 December 2025, on Wednesday of this week. And boy, did they disappoint.

It’s not hard to see why. CSL reported revenues of US$8.3 billion, a drop of 4% over the same period last year. Reported net profits after tax (NPAT) tanked by a horrid 81% to US$401 million, while underlying profits fell 7% to US$1.9 billion. The company maintained its interim dividend at US$1.30 per share. Investors were not encouraged by the sudden resignation of now-former CSL CEO Dr Paul McKenzie the night before these results came out.

All in all, it was a disastrous earnings report for CSL. The company’s shares have now crashed 16.7% since Monday’s close. The $150-levels we are now seeing represent more than a 50% dive from CSL’s all-time 2020 highs of over $340 per share, and are the lowest the stock has traded at since early 2018.

CSL shares plunge, but is all hope lost?

I, perhaps unfortunately in hindsight, own CSL shares myself. I am obviously not too impressed with the company’s recent performance. Saying that, I am not selling out of my holdings yet. In fact, I think these earnings were not as disastrous as the market is assuming.

Yes, CSL is certainly in the midst of a rough patch. However, I think the headwinds it is facing are temporary. For example, the company is being hurt by the current US administration’s negative views on vaccines. Yet this may pass after the next American presidential elections in 2028. CSL remains one of the world’s largest and most dominant healthcare companies and possesses a wide economic moat. I don’t see any long-term threats to its blood plasma medicines business.

Additionally, the company’s balance sheet and cash flow remain strong. This is evidenced by its decision this week to extend its share buyback scheme from US$500 million to US$750 million. Given that CSL shares are currently at an eight-year low, this should provide significant value for existing investors going forward.

Foolish takeaway

I am not pleased with CSL’s recent performance, and the tenure of former CEO Paul McKenzie was a disaster. However, I think CSL is not permanently damaged and can work its way back to its former glory. I have still put the company on notice in my own portfolio, and am prepared to sell out if CSL continues to make missteps. But I think its restructing and ongoing share buybacks going forward will prove to be a turning point in hindsight. Let’s see how the rest of 2026 treats this ASX 200 healthcare stock.

The post The earnings were awful, but here’s why I’m still holding my CSL shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, CSL, and CBA shares
• Why CSL shares could be trading at a 94% discount today
• Here’s an ASX 200 share that I think could beat CSL in 2026
• Why AMP, CSL, Pro Medicus, and Temple & Webster shares are crashing today
• Are CSL shares a buy after this week’s brutal selloff?

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

Several top brokers have re-rated Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares after the major banks stunned the market with their earnings reports this week.

On Friday, CBA shares continue to ride the momentum generated by the bank’s 1H FY26 report, released on Wednesday.

The CBA share price lifted 0.29% to an intraday high of $179.27 apiece this morning.

But the stock reversed course this afternoon, with CBA shares currently 1.9% lower for the day at $175.42.

ANZ shares have had a topsy-turvy day, rising 1.5% to a record $40.95 this morning before pulling back to $40.75 currently, up 1%.

Meantime, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 1.4% to 8,914.30 points as the rest of the market takes a breather.

Let’s find out what the brokers thought of these banks‘ reports, and how their ratings and 12-month share price targets have changed.

CBA shares: How are they rated now?

CBA surprised analysts and investors alike with a 6% increase in cash profit to $5.45 billion for 1H FY26.

The bank declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share, up 4% from 1H FY25.

CBA’s net interest margin (NIM) was 2.04%, steady on an underlying basis, and return on equity (ROE) was 13.8%, up 0.1%.

The results led to CBA reclaiming its title as the No. 1 ASX 200 share by market cap from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) on Thursday.

CBA shares took the title from BHP in July 2024, and BHP shares snatched it back last month.

CBA CEO Matt Comyn said:

Our balance sheet settings remain resilient with strong levels of capital, deposit funding and provisioning given the economic backdrop and geopolitical issues.

Our financial position enables us to support lending growth, continue investing to accelerate our technology modernisation agenda and enhance our GenAI capability, and help combat fraud, scams, cyber threats and financial crime.

We continue to watch the competitive intensity and its implications across the financial system.

We are well placed to compete effectively and will continue to adjust our settings as appropriate.

Here at The Fool, we reviewed the ratings of seven analysts tracking CBA shares on Friday.

They have all reiterated their sell ratings on CBA shares.

Some have lifted their 12-month price targets, but those targets are nowhere near where CBA shares are trading today.

Jeffries raised its price target from $139.60 to $143. Citi lifted its target from $137 to $140.

Morgan Stanley raised its price target from $131 to $140. UBS raised its target from $125 to $130.

Ord Minnett has a target of $120, while Macquarie’s is $124.

Morgans raised its CBA share price target from $99.81 to $124.26.

In a note, the broker said:

CBA delivered a meaningful beat of 1H26 earnings expectations.

We have materially upgraded our EPS forecasts after factoring in continuation of higher loan growth and benign credit loss environments.

What about ANZ shares?

ANZ also surprised the market by announcing a $1.94 billion cash profit for 1Q FY26 yesterday.

That was 75% higher than the 2H FY25 quarterly average, indicating that new CEO Nuno Matos is doing something right.

The strong profit was driven by higher revenue and lower expenses.

The operating income was $5.7 billion, up 4% on the 2H FY25 quarterly average, while operating expenses fell 21% to $2.8 billion.

Matos said:

The quarterly result highlights the early progress we are making in executing our ANZ 2030 strategy.

Our productivity program aimed at removing duplication and simplifying the bank is well underway, delivering a significant reduction in expenses while growing revenue.

Looking ahead, we continue to be fully engaged in executing our ANZ 2030 strategy.

This is the beginning of our five-year journey to become the best bank for customers and shareholders in Australia and New Zealand.

We found a mixed bag of ratings from seven analysts covering ANZ shares on Friday.

Morgan Stanley upgraded its rating on ANZ shares to a buy with a 12-month target of $36.30.

Morgans downgraded its rating from trim to sell and increased its target slightly from $32.57 to $32.65.

The broker said:

On face of it, the 1Q26 trading update suggested ANZ was tracking ahead of 1H26 growth expectations.

However, the beat was driven mostly by the speed of cost-out and will unlikely affect consensus expectations as ANZ retained its FY26 cost guidance of c.$11.5bn.

We estimate ANZ is trading on 1.8x P:TBV, 16x PER, and 4.1% cash yield (partly franked), all stretched against historical trading ranges.

The remaining analysts reiterated their previous ratings, with some adjustments to price targets.

Citi maintained a buy rating on ANZ with a share price target of $40.30.

Ord Minnett has a sell rating with a price target of $33.

UBS is also sell-rated but lifted its target from $35 to $36.50.

Jefferies kept its hold rating on ANZ shares with a price target of $34.55.

Macquarie also recommends holding the ASX 200 bank share with a price target of $37.

Despite the increases on some price targets, ANZ shares are trading ahead of even the most optimistic valuations.

The post Brokers re-rate CBA and ANZ shares after banks stun the market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week
• Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, CSL, and CBA shares
• What’s going on with ASX bank stocks this week?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 7 ASX 200 large-cap shares hitting multi-year highs today

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

Shares in PointsBet Holdings Ltd (ASX: PBH) are edging slightly lower today.

At the time of writing, the PointsBet share price is down 1.66% to 89 cents.

The company has a market capitalisation of just over $300 million and operates online sports and racing betting platforms in Australia and Canada. It offers fixed odds betting, in play wagering, and its own PointsBetting product through a digital platform.

Let’s take a closer look at what the market is responding to.

Canadian regulator proposes short suspension

In its ASX announcement, PointsBet advised that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a notice of proposed order to suspend PointsBet Canada’s iGaming registration for 5 days.

The proposed suspension relates to a March 2024 incident. According to the company, it involved the provision of certain transactional information connected to suspicious betting activity.

PointsBet said it has the right to appeal the proposed order within 15 days through the Licence Appeal Tribunal. The company is currently reviewing the notice and considering its options, including requesting a formal hearing.

Management stated that the initial response provided to the regulator in March 2024 was incomplete. Once the issue was identified, the company said it had supplied the full and correct information and had fully cooperated with the regulator since then.

PointsBet confirmed that its Canadian operations will continue during the appeal period and has indicated its intention to challenge the proposed suspension.

There was no mention of a financial penalty in the announcement.

Recent performance and financial position

PointsBet operates in a highly competitive wagering market. The company has grown revenue over recent years, with annual revenue sitting around $260 million in its most recent full-year result.

However, the business is still reporting net losses. While losses have narrowed compared with previous periods, the company has not yet returned to consistent profitability.

PointsBet also does not pay a dividend.

Over the past 12 months, the share price has traded between roughly 79 cents and $1.32. At 89 cents, the stock is sitting toward the lower end of that range.

What investors should watch next

The next key event for shareholders will be the upcoming half-year results, expected in late February. Investors will be looking for updates on revenue growth, operating costs, and progress toward improving earnings.

Regulatory developments will also remain important. Online betting businesses operate under strict rules, particularly in overseas markets such as Canada.

Any further regulatory action could weigh on investor sentiment and put additional pressure on the share price.

The post PointsBet shares dip as investors digest latest news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buyback news has this ASX All Ords gaming stock looking like a sure bet

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 positions in and has recommended PointsBet. 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 has been another busy week for many of Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this appliance manufacturer’s shares with an improved price target of $40.65. This follows the release of a better than feared half-year result from Breville this week. It notes that its double-digit sales growth was largely offset by US tariff pressures, leading to a flat net profit outcome. Nevertheless, Morgans continues to be impressed by Breville’s strong operational execution, green shoots in food preparation, and powerful medium-term tailwinds. The latter includes geographic expansion and at-home coffee tailwinds. The Breville share price is trading at $32.53 on Friday.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

A note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have upgraded this gold miner’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $33.40. The broker made the move in response to the company’s half-year results this week. It was pleased with the results and management’s reiteration of guidance for FY 2026. And while it sees short-term downside risks, the broker feels its valuation is compelling based on the current gold price and its price to net asset value. The Northern Star share price is fetching $28.29 at the time of writing.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Analysts at Bell Potter have retained their buy rating on this health imaging technology company’s shares with a reduced price target of $240.00. This follows the release of Pro Medicus’ half-year results, which were a touch short of expectations. Bell Potter notes that although it delivered a record result with strong revenue and profit growth, its revenue was still a 5% miss. And as it was priced to perfection, it wasn’t surprised to see its shares tumble. Outside this, the broker highlights that management spoke about how it doesn’t believe AI will disrupt its business. The broker agrees with this and believes that it is well-placed to benefit from increasing demand for radiology services. This is especially the case given how its systems remain a driver of efficiency in radiology. Overall, it believes that following this downgrade and the re-rating now applied to software providers, it is an attractive entry point for investors. The Pro Medicus share price is trading at $120.49 today.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather
• Are Northern Star Resources shares a buy following their profit results?
• Why Pro Medicus shares could rebound over 100%
• Broker weighs in on two ASX healthcare shares that crashed yesterday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) this week reported a solid but unremarkable increase in underlying earnings, but the question is, where to from here for IAG shares?

We’ve canvassed the views of two brokers, and it’s fair to say they are broadly positive.

But first, let’s look at the results.

Solid underlying performance

IAG reported an underlying insurance profit of $804 million, up 7.6% on the previous corresponding period, on $8.93 billion in premiums written, up 6%.

The company declared a steady dividend of 12 cents per share and also announced an on-market share buyback worth up to $200 million.

IAG Managing Director Nick Hawkins said the result demonstrated the strength of the business.

He went on to say:

Today’s results show the work we’ve done to deliver a more stable earnings profile, maintain a strong underlying margin, and ensure Australia and New Zealand are well protected through our comprehensive reinsurance program which now includes RACQI. Various major hailstorms and severe weather events in October and November across south-east Queensland and northern NSW resulted in significant claims for insurers , including more than 35,000 for IAG as customers were supported through adversity. The severe weather was an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of IAG’s customer support. Our response was faster and even more targeted as a result of our new, proprietary Situation Awareness Map, powered by AI, data, and satellite technology.

On the outlook, IAG slightly downgraded its forecast for full-year gross written premiums (GWP) to high single digits, down from 10% previously, and maintained its FY26 insurance profit guidance range of $1.55 to $1.75 billion.

Shares looking cheap

The analysts at Morgan Stanley looked at the results and said there could be some upside, with “some potential in the near-term for higher pricing to emerge or investment yields to rise or extra reinsurance deals to unlock capital, though these are not in our base case”.

They also added that insurance companies wouldn’t be immune from fears around artificial intelligence.

As they wrote:

Given recent market debate about increasing competition from AI-powered price discovery in personal lines, we think the lower topline growth will be a point of concern for investors.

Morgan Stanley has a price target of $7.50 on IAG shares against the current price of $6.89.

Macquarie is more bullish on the stock with a price target of $9.

It said:

At current valuations we believe the stock is cheap, with earnings (and dividends) quarantined in 2H26 and reinsurance costs protected for the next three years.  

The post IAG shares could go how high? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• IAG FY26 half-year result: profit down, revenue up, dividend steady
• ASX 200 financials flew but tech and mining shares faltered last week
• Buy, hold, sell: IAG, Mineral Resources, and Westpac shares
• IAG share price drops 13 in a year: Buying opportunity or time to sell up?
• Looking at the IAG share price? Here’s how much this stock pays in dividends

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

The good news for investors looking for an income boost is that the Australian share market has a multitude of options.

To narrow things down, let’s look at three ASX dividend stocks that experts think could be in the buy zone right now. Here’s what they are recommending to clients:

Cedar Woods Properties Limited (ASX: CWP)

The first ASX dividend stock that analysts are tipping as a buy is Cedar Woods. It is one of Australia’s leading property developers with a portfolio that is diversified by geography, price point, and product type.  This includes subdivisions in emerging residential communities, high-density apartments, and townhouses in inner-city neighbourhoods.

Bell Potter believes the company is well-placed to benefit from Australia’s chronic housing shortage. It expects this to underpin fully franked dividends per share of 35 cents in FY 2026 and then 39 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.68, this equates to 4.6% and 5.1% dividend yields, respectively.

The broker has a buy rating and $10.00 price target on its shares.

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

Another ASX dividend stock that analysts rate as a buy is Powerball, Keno, and Tatts Lotto operator Lottery Corporation.

Its earnings are largely insulated from economic cycles. Ticket sales tend to remain steady regardless of whether consumer confidence is high or low, which supports predictable cash flows.

What could make Lottery Corporation attractive for income investors is its capital-light business model. With minimal reinvestment requirements, a large portion of earnings can be returned to shareholders as dividends. This has allowed the company to establish itself as a consistent income payer since its demerger.

UBS expects this trend to continue and is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 17 cents in FY 2026 and then 21 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $5.14, this would mean dividend yields of 3.3% and 4.1%, respectively.

The broker has a buy rating and $6.30 price target on its shares.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

A third ASX dividend stock that is rated as a buy by analysts is Sonic Healthcare.

It is one of the world’s leading healthcare providers with operations spanning laboratory medicine, pathology, radiology, and primary care medical services. After a tough period following the end of COVID testing, analysts at Bell Potter believe the company is positioned for sustainable growth.

This is expected to support partially franked dividends of $1.09 per share in FY 2026 and $1.11 per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $21.62, this equates to dividend yields of 5% and 5.1%.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and a $28.50 price target on its shares.

The post Looking for income? Check out these buy-rated ASX dividend stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 beaten-down ASX dividend shares to buy right now
• Buy this $11 billion ASX share for healthy growth and income
• Broker names 3 ASX shares to buy this week
• This ASX 200 share could rise 30% and pay a 5% dividend yield
• Brokers name 3 ASX dividend shares for income investors to buy

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 The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare 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.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares have taken a heavy hit on Friday.

In mid-afternoon trade, the WiseTech share price is down 11.08% to $42.30. Earlier in the session, the stock fell as low as $40.59 before recovering slightly. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has also weakened during this period.

It has been a brutal period for shareholders. The stock is now almost 40% lower over the past month and down around 16% this week alone.

The sharp decline hasn’t been driven by any new announcements from the company this year. Instead, the weakness appears to be part of a broader pullback across global technology stocks.

No company news, but heavy selling continues

Global markets have seen heavy selling in technology names over the past week. In the US, the Nasdaq Index has dropped sharply amid growing concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) disruption and stretched valuations across the sector.

Software stocks have been among the weaker performers during this period. WiseTech, as one of the ASX’s larger technology companies, has been caught up in that trend.

The size of the sell-off suggests investors are pulling back from technology stocks in general, and not responding to any specific issue at WiseTech.

A look at the business

WiseTech develops logistics and supply chain software used by freight forwarders, customs brokers, and transport providers around the world. Its flagship CargoWise platform is used across more than 190 countries.

The company has built a reputation as one of the ASX’s leading software performers. Since listing in 2016, it has delivered strong revenue growth and expanded through both product development and acquisitions.

WiseTech has a market capitalisation of roughly $14.1 billion and more than 336 million shares on issue.

Despite the recent sell-off, the company’s core business model remains unchanged.

Results just around the corner

WiseTech is scheduled to release its half-year results and interim dividend announcement on 25 February 2026. That update will provide clearer insight into revenue growth, margins, and management commentary on current trading conditions.

With the share price already under pressure, the upcoming result carries added weight. Investors will be looking for evidence that earnings growth remains on track and that the recent sell-off has been overdone.

Foolish bottom line

At $42.30, WiseTech shares are trading well below their levels from just a month ago. The speed of the decline highlights how quickly market sentiment can shift, particularly in the technology sector.

The upcoming results later this month are likely to play a key role in determining the stock’s near-term direction.

The post Why WiseTech shares are plunging 11% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today
• 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather
• A once-in-a-decade chance to buy ASX 200 tech stocks like WiseTech, Megaport and NextDC?
• Buy this ASX tech share after the AI software selloff
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week deep in the red. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 1.35% to 8,923.1 points.

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

Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)

The Austal share price is down 21% to $4.99. This follows the release of a disappointing earnings guidance update from the ship builder on Friday. Austal revealed that it had previously overstated its potential earnings for the year. Its previous guidance included incentives that had already been recognised in Austal USA’s forecast. As a result, there was a US$17.1 million overstatement included in its FY 2026 EBIT guidance. This led to Austal updating its EBIT guidance for FY 2026 to approximately A$110 million from A$135 million previously.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price is down 19% to $199.69. This morning, Cochlear released its half-year results and reported a 1% increase in sales revenue to $1.176 billion and a 9% decline in underlying net profit to $195 million. And while management has reaffirmed its earnings guidance for FY 2026, it expects to be at the lower end of its $435 million to $460 million range. A slower-than-expected rollout of the new Cochlear Nucleus Nexa system was largely to blame for the soft performance.

Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK)

The Nick Scali share price is down 19% to $19.31. This was despite the furniture retailer releasing its half-year results and reporting strong revenue and profit growth. Nick Scali’s revenue was up 7.2% to $269.3 million and its net profit was up 36.4% to $41 million. Though, investors may be disappointed with the performance of its UK operations, which posted a loss of $5.6 million for the half.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The WiseTech Global share price is down a further 10% to $42.61. This is despite there being no news out of the logistics solutions technology company. However, it is worth noting that most ASX tech stocks are falling heavily today. So much so, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index is down by almost 4% this afternoon. WiseTech shares are now down by approximately 38% since just the start of the year. Artificial intelligence disruption concerns have been weighing heavily on software stocks.

The post Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather
• Everything you need to know about the latest Cochlear dividend
• Cochlear shares sink 17% on results day
• Why are Austal shares plunging more than 20% today?
• Nick Scali shares plunging 11% today despite big dividend boost

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Cochlear and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear and Nick Scali. 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 down 1.3% at 8,925.3 points at the time of writing on Friday.

The market is taking a breather after a strong week that saw the ASX 200 lift to a 14-week high of 9,043.5 points.

Earnings season is well underway, with strong results from several majors pushing the ASX 200 3.84% higher by Thursday’s close.

On Wednesday, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) surprised the market with a 6% cash profit lift for 1H FY26.

That saw CBA shares snatch the crown as the largest ASX 200 stock by market cap back from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) on Thursday.

CBA declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share, up 4% from 1H FY25, with the ex-dividend date next Wednesday.

Check out other ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend next week here.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) also surprised with a $1.94 billion cash profit in 1Q FY26, up 75% on the 2H FY25 quarterly average.

That news sent ANZ shares to a record high of $40.95 today.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) also impressed with a 41% lift in statutory profit to $714.4 million for 1H FY26.

Northern Star will pay a fully-franked interim dividend of 25 cents per share.

The positive result sent the largest gold miner on the ASX 200 to a record high of $30.21 per share yesterday.

While some ASX 200 shares are hitting record highs, many are skirting new lows this week.

ASX 200 shares at 52-week lows on Friday

Scores of ASX 200 shares are hitting multi-year lows today.

Here is a sample of them.

JB Hi‑Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

The JB Hi‑Fi Ltd share price fell 3.9% to an 18-month low of $76.34 on Friday.

The popular retailer is due to release its earnings report on Monday, according to our calendar.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple & Webster shares dipped 5.2% to a two-year low of $7.24.

This ASX 200 retail share got smashed this week after dropping its 1H FY26 report.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price has disintegrated on Friday after the release of the company’s 1H FY26 results.

The ASX 200 healthcare share nosedived 17.8% to a two-and-a-half-year low of $202.21.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price tumbled 5.4% to a three-year low of $72.26 on Friday.

Tech shares are having a rough trot, particularly those in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) space, due to fears that AI will replace them.

The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) is down 24% in the year to date.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus shares dived 8.3% to a two-and-a-half-year low of $118.23 on Friday.

Investors thrashed this ASX 200 healthcare share despite the company reporting record results this week.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Aristocrat Leisure shares dipped 4.9% to an 18-month low of $48.48 on Friday.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Today, the WiseTech share price tanked 14.7% to a three-and-a-half-year low of $40.59.

Wisetech will release its earnings report on Wednesday.

Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne shares dropped 7.1% to an 18-month low of $20.17 today.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price fell 2.8% to a two-year low of $8.83.

Guzman y Gomez (ASX: GYG)

Guzman y Gomez shares dropped 8.7% to a record low of $18.58 on Friday.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

The Mirvac Group share price fell 1.6% to a 52-week low of $1.90.

The ASX 200 property share will be on watch next Wednesday when the company releases its earnings report.

Dexus (ASX: DXS)

This ASX 200 REIT share fell 2.5% to a 52-week low of $6.16 on Friday.

Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)

The Objective Corporation share price fell 4% to a two-year low of $12.88 today.

The post 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Everything you need to know about the latest Cochlear dividend
• Cochlear shares sink 17% on results day
• Cochlear posts modest sales growth but lower profit as Nexa launch continues
• Are Temple & Webster shares a buy after falling 32% yesterday following earnings results?

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear, Objective, Technology One, Telix Pharmaceuticals, Temple & Webster Group, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Objective, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Cochlear, Pro Medicus, Technology One, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Starting out in the share market can feel scary. There are hundreds of ASX shares, sharp daily price movements, and no shortage of opinions about what to buy.

If I were beginning with just $500 today, I would keep things simple. The goal at that stage would not be to maximise returns. It would be to build confidence, good habits, and a foundation I could build on over time.

Here is how I would approach it.

Step 1: Focus on learning

With $500, I think the most valuable return is experience.

I would avoid trying to pick a speculative ASX stock or time the market. Instead, I would treat that first investment as a long-term position and a learning opportunity. Watching how a share moves, how dividends are paid, and how company announcements affect a share price helps build familiarity.

The aim would be to get comfortable with the process rather than chasing quick gains.

Step 2: Look for broad exposure

If I were not comfortable stock-picking from the off, I wouldn’t worry. A good alternative would be to choose a low-cost exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks a broad index.

For example, something like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) provides exposure to 300 of the largest shares on the ASX in a single trade. That reduces the risk of picking the wrong individual stock early on.

With one purchase, I would gain exposure to banks, resources, healthcare, infrastructure, and more. It is a simple way to participate in the overall market while I continue learning.

Step 3: Commit to regular investing

That $500 would not be a one-off decision. I would make a plan to add to the portfolio regularly, even if the amounts were small.

As my confidence grew, I might begin adding individual ASX shares to my portfolio.

High-quality, established companies with robust business models are often better starting points than small speculative names. The focus would remain on businesses, I understand, and would be comfortable holding through market ups and downs.

Consistency matters more than starting size. Investing $200 or $500 at regular intervals builds discipline and allows compounding to begin working early.

Over time, those steady contributions can grow into a meaningful portfolio.

Step 4: Avoid overtrading

One of the easiest mistakes beginners make is trading too often.

With $500, brokerage costs can quickly eat into returns if you are constantly buying and selling. I would aim to make one considered purchase and then let it sit while I continue contributing.

Patience is a skill that becomes more valuable the longer you invest.

Foolish Takeaway

If I were starting with $500, I would not try to be clever. I would aim to be consistent.

By starting small and committing to regular investing, I would build the habits that matter most. Over time, those habits can do far more for wealth creation than any single stock tip ever could.

The post ASX beginner? Here’s what I would do if I were starting with $500 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Austal, Cochlear, Nick Scali, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today
• 13 ASX 200 shares hit multi-year lows as the market takes a breather
• This ASX biotech just entered a trading halt. Here’s what we know
• Everything you need to know about the latest Cochlear dividend
• ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index 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.