1 ASX blue-chip share and one small-cap share to buy in 2026: experts

Experts from the fund manager Wilson Asset Management (WAM) have outlined some stocks that could be opportunities. I’m going to highlight one ASX blue-chip share and one ASX small-cap share.

One business is from the WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE) portfolio, which is a listed investment company (LIC) that focuses on the larger companies on the ASX. The other company is from the WAM Microcap Ltd (ASX: WMI) portfolio.

Let’s get into those ideas. While they may not be some of the most well-known businesses on the ASX, they may be just as capable of delivering good returns for investors, if not more because the market isn’t paying them a lot of attention.  

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

WAM described Whitehaven Coal as a leading Australian coal producer with “high-quality assets and a robust balance sheet“.

The investment team in charge of WAM Leaders revealed that the LIC recently increased its holding of Whitehaven Coal shares as coal prices began to “firm” after bottoming earlier in the year.

The ASX blue-chip share continues to deliver sound operational results despite a challenging backdrop and is executing cost-reducing initiatives with increased volumes at Blackwater and Daunia mines expected to “drive unit cost reductions from FY27”.

The fund manager also noted that Whitehaven Coal maintains strong capital management flexibility, supporting shareholder returns through share buybacks and dividends.

Artrya Ltd (ASX: AYA)

WAM said that Artrya is a medical technology company focused on the detection and management of coronary artery disease and utilises artificial intelligence (A) to deliver accurate and non-invasive diagnoses in emergency and primary care settings.

The fund manager noted that the Artrya share price increased in December after Artrya announced it had secured its second US commercial customer, signing a three-year agreement with Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), one of its US foundation partners.

The agreement has a minimum value of US$0.3 million for the Salix Coronary Anatomy platform, with additional upside from per-scan fees for add-on modules.

It also supports Artrya’s US growth strategy by moving a foundation partner into a paying customer and creating a reference site for further hospital contract wins.

Importantly, the Salix platform is expected to be rolled out across NGHS’ five hospitals and broader network, signalling scope for wider adoption beyond an initial implementation.

WAM said Artrya also pointed to its Atlanta-based customer success team as a key enabler of smooth deployment and scalable customer onboarding as it grows in the US. The approval of Artrya’s Heartflow Analysis module and additional customer contract wins are key near-term catalysts.

Both of these ASX shares could be pleasing opportunities at the current share prices.

The post 1 ASX blue-chip share and one small-cap share to buy in 2026: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Wam Microcap. 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.