ASX healthcare stock EMvision Medical Devices Ltd (ASX: EMV) could be a growth stock about to take off according to a new report from Bell Potter. 

It soared 15% higher yesterday after the company released its quarterly report. 

The company is developing portable brain imaging devices to enable faster stroke diagnosis. 

It is commercialising technology developed from a decade of University of Queensland research. Its flagship emu device is designed for hospital use. Additionally, the First Responder device is a helmet-sized scanner for ambulances, aiming to improve stroke diagnosis before patients reach hospital.

What did the company announce?

Yesterday, EMvision released its quarterly activities report which included: 

• Strong balance sheet position maintained, with cash reserves of $17.1m as at 30 June 2026 and $4.6m in non-dilutive funding remaining under current grant programs.
• Pivotal (Validation) Trial, has surpassed key enrolment milestones, building momentum toward FDA De Novo clearance for EMVision’s emu point-of-care brain scanner. 
• Successful First Responder aeromedical feasibility and usability study with Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) completed, with flight nurses and patients rating the prototype device favourably in real-world operation.

Following the results, the team at Bell Potter provided updated guidance on the ASX healthcare stock. 

Forthcoming engagement with FDA on emu trial

In its market update, EMV advised it is preparing for a pre-submission (Q-Sub) meeting with the FDA. This will cover the proposed claims and performance thresholds required for its De Novo clearance. 

Bell Potter said the outcome of the meeting could be meaningful and set a tone for investor sentiment. 

The primary objective of the pivotal trial is to demonstrate haemorrhage detection sensitivity & specificity at >80%. The inclusion of the ischaemic stroke cohort requires a minor adjustment to the required sample to ensure the sub-cohort meets statistical objectives. Including both types of strokes, is expected to reduce intervention delays and improve patient outcomes, expanding clinical utility from product launch. 

The broker said this inclusion is expected to push out timelines on the result to well into CY27. 

However, the recent publication of the emu study provides independent peer-reviewed validation of the AI foundations underpinning the emu Brain Scanner / First Responder.  Publication should serve to build audience awareness and credibility.

Big upside for ASX healthcare stock 

Following the update, Bell Potter retained its speculative buy recommendation on this ASX healthcare stock. 

It also retained its 12 month price target of $3.15.

From yesterday’s closing price, this indicates a near 80% rise. 

The first of three feasibility studies has concluded successfully, with the aeromedical study with the RFDS showing the First Responder is intuitive, practical and suited to the specific environment.

The Mobile Stroke Unit study is near completion and should be reported on in 1Q27, while the road ambulance study is in the planning stage. These studies are expected to lead to a 510(k) submission over the medium term.

The post This healthcare stock just jumped 15% and experts are tipping a further 80% rise  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Nick Scali shares are set for a 36% rebound: Expert
• Top broker tips 47% upside for this ASX financials stock 
• 2 ASX small-caps with 40% upside
• Is this ASX consumer discretionary stock a buy after jumping 10% yesterday?
• Top broker tips 37% upside for this exciting ASX healthcare stock

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in EMVision Medical Devices. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended EMVision Medical Devices. 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.

Echo IQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ) has been one of the fastest-growing stocks on the ASX this year.

Since January, it has risen over 500%. Fortunately for prospective investors, the team at Morgans believes this growth is set to continue. 

Company overview 

EchoIQ develops artificial intelligence for the cardiac diagnostics sector and supplies software to the health fund and insurance sectors. 

It operates through the Houston WeHave Software and Echo IQ segments. 

The Houston WeHave Software segment offers products and services across defence and other sectors. 

The Echo IQ segment focuses on developing artificial intelligence software that aids in predicting Aortic Stenosis heart condition.

In 2026, it has risen more than 500% as investors responded to a series of major commercial milestones. 

This includes its strategic partnership with Pro Medicus, new US market opportunities, a $110 million capital raising, and expanded access to a large cardiovascular imaging dataset to strengthen its AI-powered diagnostic platform. 

The rally has also been fuelled by optimism that these developments could accelerate US commercialisation and establish Echo IQ as a leading player in AI-driven cardiovascular diagnostics. 

Morgans upgrades its outlook 

Yesterday, the team at Morgans released an updated note on this ASX growth stock. 

It said Echo IQ has de-risked the commercial pathway since Morgan’s initiation via a $110m placement at $1.45 per share and a new distribution partnership with Pro Medicus.

HF FDA clearance remains the single biggest re-rating catalyst from here, and while timing has slipped slightly from our expected 4Q26 window, we remain confident on approval and expect feedback imminently. We lift our discounted target price to $1.85 (from $1.30), driven by a medium-term acceleration of revenues. Speculative Buy rating retained.

From yesterday’s closing price of $1.57, this indicates a further upside of nearly 18%. 

Elsewhere, Bell Potter recently tipped further upside for this ASX growth stock. 

It has a price target of $1.75 on Echo IQ shares. 

The broker said Echo IQ is making good progress by developing new products and securing long-term funding.

The broker warned, however, that the share price could experience volatility in coming months for several reasons:

• Revenue growth is expected to be modest over the next two years.
• The company will continue to spend significant cash.
• The share price will likely move based on announcements of new customer wins.

The post This ASX growth stock is up 500% this year and set to keep rising  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What are experts saying about these red hot ASX shares?
• Up more than 550% in a year, why is this ASX biotech charging even higher?
• Up 230% in 5 years! Is this still a top Australian stock to buy?
• Is this exciting ASX tech stock a buy after its massive news?
• Pro Medicus just struck a revolutionary AI cardiology deal. Here’s why that matters

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.

For plenty of Australians, turning 60 feels like reaching the finish line and starting retirement.

It’s the age when most people can finally access their superannuation. After decades of work, the money is finally yours.

So why not hand in the resignation letter? Because there’s one detail that’s easy to miss: the Age Pension generally doesn’t begin until age 67. That means if you retire at 60, you’re responsible for funding every single day of the next seven years yourself.

That’s where the maths starts getting interesting.

The seven-year gap

Spend enough time on retirement forums and you’ll quickly find plenty of doom and gloom. “Retirement is dead.” “We’ll all work forever.” “Nobody can afford to stop.”

It’s easy to get caught up in that negativity.

According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), a single person needs around $630,000 in super to enjoy a comfortable retirement.

But there’s an important catch. That figure assumes retirement begins at around Age Pension age.

Retiring at 60 changes the equation dramatically.

Your super suddenly changes direction

Here’s what many people overlook.

The day you stop working isn’t just the day your salary disappears. It’s also the day your employer stops making super contributions.

Until then, your super has been doing two jobs at once. Investment returns are compounding, while your employer keeps adding another 12% of your salary into the account.

Once you retire, that conveyor belt switches off. Instead of filling the bucket, you start emptying it.

ASFA estimates a single retiree needs around $51,000 a year for a comfortable lifestyle.

If you begin retirement with $630,000, that’s more than 8% of your balance withdrawn in the very first year. Repeat that for seven years and your nest egg can look very different by age 67.

Those are also some of the most valuable years for compound returns. Once that capital has been spent, you can’t simply replace it.

Waiting until 67 changes everything

Now flip the scenario. Instead of retiring at 60, you keep working until 67. Your super isn’t shrinking. It’s still receiving employer contributions, while investment returns continue compounding.

Using a simple illustration, a $600,000 super balance earning an average annual return of 6% — alongside ongoing employer contributions — could potentially grow to around $950,000 over seven years. Actual outcomes will vary depending on investment returns, contributions, fees, and market conditions.

That’s an enormous difference. One person reaches 67 with a much smaller balance after drawing down their savings. The other arrives at retirement with a significantly larger portfolio.

That’s the real cost of retiring seven years early.

There is a middle ground

Fortunately, retirement doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A Transition to Retirement Pension (TTR) allows eligible Australians to access part of their super while continuing to work.

That could mean dropping back to three days a week instead of walking away altogether. Your employer is still making super contributions, while your investments continue working in the background.

There’s one catch, though. Many people assume a TTR automatically receives tax-free treatment. It doesn’t. Earnings within a TTR pension are generally taxed at up to 15%. The tax-free treatment usually begins only once you’ve fully retired or reached age 65.

The bottom line

Spreadsheets can tell you how much money you might have. They can’t tell you how much seven extra years in a job you dislike will cost your health or happiness.

For some Australians, retiring at 60 will be entirely achievable. For others, working a little longer could dramatically improve their financial security.

Neither choice is automatically right or wrong.

The important part is having a plan. Retirement isn’t something to drift into. The earlier you understand the trade-offs, the more choices you’ll have when the time finally comes to stop working.

The post Retirement at 60 or 67: The hidden cost most Australians never calculate appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX growth stock is up 500% this year and set to keep rising 
• Buy, hold, sell: Pro Medicus, Worley, and ResMed shares
• 3 ASX 300 shares I would buy and hold for 10 years
• Could Evolution Mining shares rise 33%?
• 3 reasons why the ASX share owner of Chemist Warehouse is a buy

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.