BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have been one of the stronger blue-chip performers over the past year.

That’s great for shareholders. But after this big move higher, is the mining giant still worth buying?

I think the answer is yes, but the case is very different from a year ago.

The easy bargain has passed

BHP shares are trading around $58.71, up almost 50% over the past 12 months.

That is a huge move for a company of this size. Investors who bought near the lows have already done very well.

So, I would not call BHP a bargain today in the same way it was when the market was more pessimistic. But I still think the shares offer reasonable value.

According to CommSec consensus estimates, BHP is expected to generate earnings per share of $3.56 in FY26 and $3.77 in FY27.

Based on the current share price, that puts the stock on a price-to-earnings ratio of around 16.5 times FY26 earnings and 15.6 times FY27 earnings.

That does not look demanding to me for a world-class resources business with long-life assets and exposure to commodities that could remain important for decades.

The dividend profile is also attractive. CommSec estimates dividends per share of $2.10 in FY26 and $2.06 in FY27, implying forward dividend yields of around 3.6% and 3.5%.

Why I still like BHP shares

The main reason I would still buy BHP is that the company is evolving.

Iron ore remains a major part of the business, and it will likely continue driving a large share of earnings for some time. But I think the long-term investment case is becoming broader.

Copper is the key one for me. The world is likely to need more copper for electricity networks, data centres, renewable energy, electric vehicles, industrial development, and general infrastructure. It is difficult to see how many of those trends grow without significantly more copper supply.

BHP already has strong copper exposure, and I think that part of the business could become increasingly important over the next decade.

The company is also expanding into potash through its Jansen project in Canada. That adds another long-term growth option tied to food production and agricultural productivity.

Mining projects can be expensive, slow, and difficult. Capital discipline still needs watching. But I like that BHP is positioning itself beyond just the next iron ore cycle.

Why resources exposure can help

The past year is a good reminder of why resources exposure can play a role in a diversified ASX portfolio.

Since July 2025, the S&P/ASX 200 Resources index (ASX: XJR) is up 38%, while the broader ASX 200 is up just 2.8%.

That gap is significant.

Resources shares can be volatile, and they often move for reasons outside a company’s control, including commodity prices, China demand, currency moves, and global growth expectations.

But that is also why they can add something different to a portfolio.

When resources are performing well, they can provide a source of returns that may look very different from banks, supermarkets, healthcare shares, or technology companies.

Foolish takeaway

I do not think it is too late to buy BHP shares.

The easy bargain has passed, and investors today are paying a much higher price than they were a year ago.

Even so, the valuation still looks reasonable to me, the forecast dividend yield is solid, and the company has exposure to commodities that could become more valuable over the next decade.

The post Up almost 50%, is it too late to buy BHP shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

While many of the biggest ASX financials stocks have seen slow growth in 2026, Cuscal Ltd (ASX: CCL) has brought strong returns.

The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) is up just over 2% year to date. 

Meanwhile, Cuscal shares have risen over 10% in the same span and over 52% in the last 12 months. 

What does Cuscal do?

Cuscal is a payment and regulated data services provider in Australia. 

The group offers a comprehensive suite of payment infrastructure solutions to a diversified client base. 

It enables a range of payment types, from physical cards to real-time payments, in the payment value chain and constantly evolves its offerings to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy.

In the last 12 months, it has risen significantly on the back of a solid, growing business in a hot sector (digital payments). It has also been spurred on by strategic acquisitions and delivering the profit growth to back it up. 

Why it can continue 

A recent report from Ord Minnett has reinforced that there is still plenty of room for growth remaining. 

Ord Minnett said Cuscal’s share price has been supported by improved earnings momentum. This has been aided by the two strategically important acquisitions of Indue and Paymark. 

In addition, the FY26 price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple that investors have been willing to apply to Cuscal’s earnings has risen 21x from 11x at the time of the IPO to 21x currently. We see a forward P/E multiple of 18–20x as appropriate,given Cuscal’s strong defensive earnings growth outlook and B2B infrastructure positioning in the payments industry.

We expect FY26 results to beat market expectations, with net operating income (NOI) boosted by ongoing solid transaction volume growth and strong client deposit balances driving net interest income. Company guidance is for “mid-teens” underlying net profit growth in FY26, with Ord Minnett estimating growth of 16.8%.

Upside remains for this ASX financials stock 

‍Looking ahead, Ord Minnett believed the FY27 result will be underwritten by the contributions from Indue & Paymark. It projects further growth into FY29–30 as Cuscal banks the cost savings and other synergies from the acquisitions, and the outlook supports expectations for sustainable underlying net profit growth of 15–20% per annum. 

Based on this guidance, Ord Minnett has retained its buy recommendation on this ASX financials stock.

It has also retained its target price of $5.45.

From yesterday’s closing price of $4.89, this indicates a healthy upside of over 11%. 

The post Forget CBA shares, this ASX financials stock has strong momentum heading into FY27 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much passive income can I earn off a $50,000 portfolio?
• Up almost 50%, is it too late to buy BHP shares?
• After soaring 9% yesterday, is this ASX stock a buy, hold or sell?
• Top broker tips 47% upside for this ASX financials stock 
• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $6000 per month in passive income?

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.

Mayfield Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYG) shot ahead of the ASX yesterday when it rose 9% in a single session. 

This brings its 12-month growth spree to over 152%. 

Despite already rising significantly this past year, the team at Bell Potter still believes there is more room for growth. 

Why did Mayfield Group shares rise?

Mayfield Group provides communication network solutions to government agencies, military organisations, and corporate clients

It appears Mayfield Group is enjoying strong investor interest following its announcement on July 13. 

The company  has entered into a binding Asset Sale Agreement to acquire Switchboards Division of Nilsen (SA) Pty Ltd (SDN), including its N-Series product line and associated intellectual property for a $4.0m cash consideration. 

The acquisition consideration will be funded from existing cash reserves. The deal is expected to complete on 31 July 2026, with progressive transfer of employees and assets through to 31 October 2026. SDN supplies products into the Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Defence, Mining, Utilities and Data Centre construction markets.

In simple terms, Mayfield is spending $4 million to buy Nilsen’s switchboard business. 

This includes its products, skilled employees, customer orders, and technology to grow its sales, strengthen its manufacturing business, and increase future earnings.

What did Bell Potter have to say?

Following the announcement, Bell Potter provided updated guidance on this ASX stock. 

The broker said the move broadens Mayfield’s switchboard offering across key growth markets in Australia. 

It also strengthens the company’s ability to grow organically through an expanded workforce, IP and new customer relationships. Additionally, it enables the company to pursue larger and more diverse switchboard opportunities nationally.

The acquisition includes the transfer of $3.9m of WIH and is expected to add $10-15m of revenue in FY27 (effective November 2026; $15-23m annualised). Importantly, improved utilisation at the Royal Park facility should enhance site profitability.

Healthy upside 

Based on this guidance, the team at Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation on this ASX stock. 

However, it slightly lowered its price target to $3.20 (previously $3.40). 

From yesterday’s closing price of $2.41, this still indicates 32% upside. 

The SDN acquisition is strategic, supporting MYG’s expansion into new markets and with new customers. The acquisition consideration is not onerous; MYG maintains financial flexibility to continue pursuing other M&A opportunities.

We believe this valuation rebasing has created a good buying opportunity of a small-cap industrial business which we expect to deliver EPS growth of 36.7% in FY27 and 27.5% in FY28, and has strong upgrade potential.

The post After soaring 9% yesterday, is this ASX stock a buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much passive income can I earn off a $50,000 portfolio?
• Up almost 50%, is it too late to buy BHP shares?
• Forget CBA shares, this ASX financials stock has strong momentum heading into FY27
• Top broker tips 47% upside for this ASX financials stock 
• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $6000 per month in passive income?

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