S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 1% to 8,757 points on Tuesday.

Let’s take a look at some new ratings from the experts this week (courtesy The Bull).

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

The Ramelius Resources share price is $3.54, down 2.4% today and down 9% over 12 months. 

Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities has a buy rating on this ASX 200 gold mining share. 

Gable said: 

Gold prices appear to have bottomed after trading much higher in early 2026.

The share prices of various gold mining stocks have held up well, and this sign of strength is bullish.

I’m expecting gold mining stock prices to rally higher from here as they follow potentially higher gold prices.

RMS is an Australian gold producer with no debt and strong free cash flow.

It pays a fully franked dividend and has been buying back shares.

RMS is highly leveraged to an increasing gold price and the company’s outlook is bright.

Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)

The Medibank Private share price is $4.73, down 0.4% today and up 1% over 12 months. 

Andrew Wielandt from DP Wealth Advisory has a hold rating on this ASX 200 financial share. 

Wielandt said: 

Medibank remains one of Australia’s highest quality defensive businesses. The company benefits from a dominant position in private health insurance, recurring premium income and a strong balance sheet.

Population growth and an ageing demographic continue to provide long term support for the sector.

However, MPL now trades on a premium valuation relative to many other defensive businesses.

While the company remains well positioned, much of the good news is factored into the share price, leaving MPL a hold.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co shares are $45.93, down 0.7% today and up 22% over 12 months. 

Toby Grimm from Baker Young has a sell rating on Soul Patts shares.

Grimm said: 

SOL merged with Brickworks in September 2025, a move that was strategically and financially beneficial, as shown by its strong net asset value and earnings and dividend growth in full year 2026.

SOL has a historic track record of solid returns, but we struggle to justify a recent premium without ascribing strong upside expectations for SOL’s unlisted investments.

SOL has significant exposure to private credit and data centre development, which has experienced diminishing market sentiment in recent months.

Following merger benefits and a stock trading above our $38.50 valuation, investors can consider taking profits at current levels.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Ramelius Resources, Medibank, Soul Patts shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Fetching Disclosure…

S&P/ASX 300 Metal & Mining Index (ASX: XMM) shares are up 7% in 2026 amid resilient commodity prices this year.

ASX mining shares are benefiting from greater demand for the metals and minerals essential to the green energy transition.

The energy transition will likely be a multi-decade driver for Australian mining.

Here are 3 mining shares with buy recommendations from Bell Potter.

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

The Liontown share price is 70 cents, up 1.8% today and down 57% in 2026.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX lithium mining share with a 12-month price target of $1.60.

That implies a 129% potential upside ahead.

Analyst Stuart Howe said: 

LTR is our preferred lithium exposure. We expect a value re-rate as the Kathleen Valley ramp-up and expansion are progressively derisked over the forecast period.

On recent share price weakness, LTR is trading on an EV last seen in mid-2025 when SC6 prices were around US$650/t and the company’s balance sheet was materially weaker.

Spot prices are now over 2.5x this level and LTR is in a net cash position.

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

The Evolution Mining share price is $12.15, down 2.9% today and down 4% in 2026.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX gold share with a $15.85 target.

That suggests a 30% potential upside ahead.

Analyst David Coates said: 

EVN has reported a softer September quarter 2026 result. Group production was 153.6koz gold and 17.9kt copper (vs BPe 165.1koz gold and 16.9kt copper). All-In-Sustaining-Costs (AISC) for continuing operations were A$1,653/oz (vs BPe A$1,687/oz).

Production was below our forecasts, while costs were lower than our forecasts and below the low end of FY27 guidance

EVN offers fully unhedged gold and copper exposure via a portfolio of high quality, long-life assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions, overseen
by a high-quality management team.

EVN has delivered on its promise to increase shareholder returns and gold price exposure.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS share price is $2.91, up 0.2% today and down 33% in 2026.

Bell Potter has a buy call on the ASX’s largest lithium mining company with a target of $4.10 per share.

That implies a 41% potential upside ahead.

He said: 

PLS has approved a Final Investment Decision to double Pilgangoora nameplate Spodumene Concentrate capacity to 2Mtpa.

Separately, PLS will spend $600-650m to upgrade infrastructure including: Sealing the Wodgina Road East; a new 1,200 bed accommodation village; and construction of services facilities.

The P2000 and site enhancement capex of ~$2.5b will be spent across FY27-29 and excludes annual sustaining and mine development capital of ~$350m.

While P2000 introduces medium-term execution risk, completion will meaningfully strengthen PLS’ long-term position as a large, low-cost hard-rock lithium producer.

The post 3 ASX mining shares to buy with 30% to 129% upside ahead: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Owning Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares could be a smart choice for investors who want to earn $2,000 (or more) of passive income.

In a rapidly changing world, I think there are a few things that customers will always want – good products at great prices. Wesfarmers can provide that through its two leading businesses, hardware store Bunnings and general retailer Kmart.

Both of those businesses are excellent performers for Wesfarmers with how both of them generate returns on capital (ROC) of around 70%. The parent business Wesfarmers earns a return on equity (ROE) of more than 30%, which is pleasingly high for a retailer.

Bunnings and Kmart continue to invest in themselves and unlock more growth. For example, there are now Anko stores in the Philippines, while in recent-ish times Bunnings acquired Beaumont Tiles and expanded its pet and auto care ranges.

Another significant advantage to Wesfarmers’ operating model is how it’s willing to buy some businesses and sell others. Recent investments include lithium mining and healthcare businesses. In five years, there could be additional names within the Wesfarmers portfolio.

With how the business aims to grow its dividend over time in line with profit and cash flow, the future looks bright for owners of Wesfarmers shares. Let’s see what analysts expect of the company’s dividend for FY27 because that’s the next dividend investors will receive.

FY27 passive income projection

In the 2026 financial year, Wesfarmers grew its annual dividend per share by 7.8% to $2.22.

Analysts expect the company’s dividend could increase again in FY27 after a number of years of consistent growth.

Wesfarmers says that it has a focus on providing shareholders with a satisfactory return to shareholders and a commitment to efficient capital management.

According to the projection on CMC Invest, Wesfarmers is forecast to hike its annual dividend per share by 7.9% to $2.395.

That projection translates into a potential dividend yield of 3% excluding franking credits and 4.3% including franking credits for FY27.

To unlock $2,000 of passive income, an investor would need 836 Wesfarmers shares if we’re just thinking about the dividend cash. Including franking credits as part of the income would mean needing 585 Wesfarmers shares.  

Is this a good time to invest in Wesfarmers shares?

I’m not sure that Wesfarmers would ever trade at a truly low price. It’s a high-quality company, with leading retail businesses that are primed to deliver low-cost products, which could be very appealing during economically uncertain times.

According to CMC Invest, there have been 10 broker ratings on the business within the last three months, with four of those ratings being a buy, two being a hold and four being a sell.

If I had to hold one major ASX blue-chip share over the long-term, Wesfarmers would be the one I’d choose because of its ability to adjust its portfolio.

But, other, smaller ASX shares could be even more appealing opportunities.

The post How much must I invest in Wesfarmers shares to earn $2,000 of passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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