There are a lot of ASX shares out there for investors to choose from.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at what the team at Morgans is saying about the three popular shares listed below. 

Here’s what it is recommending:

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

This supermarket giant delivered a result that was largely in line with expectations in FY 2026 despite a challenging operating environment. Morgans said:

COL’s FY26 result was broadly in line with expectations, with Supermarkets the key highlight while Liquor remained soft. Despite a challenging operating environment due to ongoing cost-of-living pressures, geopolitical uncertainty and increasing regulatory complexity, COL continued to gain market share in Supermarkets with momentum building across its digital business. COL also outlined several initiatives to support its next phase of growth. 

Alongside the ongoing development of its VIC automated distribution centre, the company plans to accelerate investment in stores, online capacity and technology, while repositioning its liquor offering with a greater focus on supermarket co-locations and a more integrated food and drinks proposition.

In response to the release, Morgans has retained its accumulate rating (between buy and hold) with an improved price target of $25.40. It adds:

We adjust FY27/28/29F underlying EBIT by +1%/+2%/+2%. Our target price increases to $25.40 (from $24.60) and we maintain our ACCUMULATE rating.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

This uranium producer’s FY 2026 results impressed Morgans. It highlights that the Langer Heinrich Mine outperformed guidance for production, sales and costs. The broker said:

Cash is starting to flow – PDN delivered positive operating cash flow for the first full year since the restart, generating US$38m in FY26 and marking the transition from ramp-up story to steady-state and cash-generating producer. Guidance beaten across the board – Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) exceeded FY26 production, sales and cost guidance, providing further evidence that the operation can sustainably deliver and continues to build momentum as it enters more steady state operations. 

However, due to recent share price strength, the broker has downgraded Paladin Energy’s shares to an accumulate rating with an improved price target of $14.10. It adds:

Following recent share price strength, we move to an ACCUMULATE (previously BUY) with an increased price target of A$14.10ps.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Energy giant Woodside outperformed expectations in the first half of FY 2026 according to Morgans. 

It highlights that stronger than expected realised prices underpinned an earnings beat. It said:

WDS delivered a 1H26 EBITDAX beat (+6%) and inline underlying NPAT result (+1%). Underlying NPAT of US$1,334m ~1% ahead of consensus and ~3% ahead of MorgansF, was driven by stronger realised pricing (+20% yoy) and trading activity. Costs were inside the ranges pre-announced with the Q2 report. The interim dividend of US57cps (+8% YoY) was held at an 80% payout of underlying NPAT despite gearing (20.6%) sitting marginally above the 10-20% target range. A H2 skew in production and realised prices will help, while management also announced a US$350m pa cost savings target from 2028. 

However, due to its current valuation, the broker has held firm with its hold rating and $32.20 price target. It concludes:

We maintain our HOLD rating and A$32.20 target price.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Coles, Paladin Energy, and Woodside shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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.

The Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CUV) share price is in focus after the company posted its tenth straight annual profit and announced a stable, fully franked dividend of $0.05 per share for FY2026.

What did Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals report?

• Revenue declined slightly to $94.0 million, down 1% from FY2025.
• Net profit after tax was $33.9 million, a 6% decrease year on year.
• Cash reserves rose 12% to $252.1 million.
• Expenses held steady, dropping 0.5% to $53.5 million.
• Basic earnings per share slipped 6% to $0.68.
• A franked final dividend of $0.05 per share was declared, matching last year.

What else do investors need to know?

Clinuvel’s profit marks a decade of uninterrupted earnings, which the company credits to disciplined cost controls and strong treatment demand for SCENESSE®. While revenue declined marginally as US sales softened – partly due to competitor programs and a shift in US supply practices – European revenue growth offset this impact.

The balance sheet remains robust, with net tangible assets per share climbing 12%. Operating cash inflow was $36.9 million, and after prepaying income tax, cash reserves still finished notably higher. The steady dividend reflects a commitment to reward shareholders, equating to 9% of free cash generated for the period.

What did Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals management say?

Group Chief Financial Officer Mr Peter Vaughan said:

This position provides us with flexibility to pursue an expansion strategy, continue investing through market cycles in key strategic areas, and allocate capital based on opportunity rather than necessity. As CLINUVEL builds its operations and presence in the capital markets in the United States, we can do so from a position of strength.

What’s next for Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals?

Clinuvel aims to use its strong cash and asset base to drive further growth in North America and other markets. Management will continue to invest in core areas like R&D and the Phase III vitiligo program and expects steady business expansion through diversification.

The company remains confident in self-financing its strategy, thanks to disciplined spending and consistent cash flow. Shareholders can also look forward to continued dividends, subject to cash reserves and performance.

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals shares have declined 31%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which is flat over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals posts 10th consecutive profit and maintains dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Building wealth through shares does not need to be difficult.

I think the best approach is to look for strong businesses that can continue to become more valuable over time, and then give them years to do the work.

Here are three ASX shares I would be happy to buy with that approach.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero has become a major accounting platform for small businesses, but I still think the long-term opportunity is much larger than its current customer base.

Its software helps businesses manage accounting, payroll, payments, and other financial tasks that are central to day-to-day operations.

I like that because once a business becomes comfortable using Xero, the platform can become deeply embedded in how it operates.

The company can keep growing by adding more customers, expanding further across major international markets, and increasing the number of services existing customers use.

I think that gives Xero several ways to keep building on its existing business.

Over a long timeframe, small gains in customer numbers and product usage can add up to a much larger business.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

NAB would give this portfolio a more established financial business.

What I like most is its strong position in business banking. Australian companies need funding, transaction accounts, payments, and other banking services as they grow, invest, and manage their day-to-day finances.

That gives NAB the opportunity to build broad relationships with business customers across several products and services.

I also think this part of the market can be attractive over the long term because successful businesses often become more valuable banking customers as they expand.

NAB still has a large personal banking operation, but its business banking strength gives it an area where it can stand out from some of its major rivals.

For me, that makes it a bank stock I would be comfortable holding for many years.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Netwealth provides investment and superannuation technology used by financial advisers and their clients.

I think the long-term opportunity comes from becoming increasingly important to those advisers.

Once client assets and processes are moved onto a platform, changing providers can involve significant work. That gives Netwealth the chance to build long-lasting relationships while continuing to improve the technology advisers use.

Australia’s superannuation system also gives the company a strong backdrop.

Workers keep contributing to retirement savings, while investment returns can increase the amount of money already on platforms.

Netwealth can therefore grow by winning more advisers and clients, while the overall pool of wealth it competes for continues to expand.

I think that combination gives the business plenty of room to become larger over the next decade.

Foolish takeaway

I like these three shares because I can see clear reasons why their businesses could be stronger years from now.

Xero can keep expanding its software platform, NAB can deepen its business banking relationships, and Netwealth can capture more of Australia’s growing investment wealth.

I would be comfortable buying all three and giving those opportunities plenty of time to develop.

The post 3 excellent ASX shares I’d buy for long-term wealth creation appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Netwealth Group FY26 earnings: Record profits, platform and adviser growth
• 2 ASX 200 shares I’d buy and 2 I’d avoid amid a surging Aussie dollar

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