The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a happy end to the trading week this Friday, recording a solid rise that erased some of the nasty falls that we saw yesterday.

It was clear from market open that investors were feeling a renewed sense of optimism, with the ASX 200 opening in green territory and staying there all day. By the time the markets closed, the index had lifted 0.79% to 8,682.1 points as we head into the weekend.

This pleasant end to the Australian trading week followed a tentatively positive night over on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to record a slight rise of 0.04%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared almost identically, gaining 0.039%.

Let’s return to the local markets now though, and take a closer look at how the different ASX sectors fared amid today’s trading.

Winners and losers

There were only a couple of sectors that weren’t lifted by the tide of optimism that we saw today.

The first, and worst, of those sectors were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was hit hard, slumping 1.63%.

Healthcare stocks were the other unlucky corner of the markets, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sliding 1.1%.

It was all smiles everywhere else, though.

Leading the charge higher this Friday were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) certainly had a day to remember, rocketing by 4.45%.

Energy stocks also ran hot, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)’s 1.48% surge.

Mining shares were in demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 1.14% today.

Next came consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) shooting up 1.05%.

Financial shares were in that ballpark as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) galloped 1.03% higher.

Consumer discretionary stocks weren’t left out, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.85% jump.

Nor were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 0.73% this session.

Communications stocks proved popular, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) adding 0.54% to its ledger.

Industrial shares put on a decent show. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) advanced 0.45% today.

Finally, gold stocks held their value, as you can see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)’s 0.45% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

High-flying tech Stock Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) took out today’s top spot on the index charts. Elsight shares exploded 12.95% higher this session to finish the week at $5.32 each. That was despite no fresh news or announcements out from the company recently.

Here’s the rest of today’s best:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS)	$5.32	12.95%
Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)	$22.34	10.32%
Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL)	$13.61	7.76%
Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)	$20.40	7.03%
WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)	$33.43	6.67%
DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)	$1.83	6.41%
Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)	$57.85	4.59%
Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE)	$30.52	4.45%
QBE Insurance Ltd (ASX: QBE)	$23.81	4.20%
IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)	$2.40	3.90%

Enjoy the weekend!

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 DroneShield, Life360, Megaport, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Data#3. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Several ASX real estate investment trusts (REITs) have hit 52-week lows as the property sector underperforms the market on Friday.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is rallying 0.5% after experiencing its worst one-day fall in six months yesterday.

However, the real estate sector is in the red and the worst performer of the bourse today, down 1.6%.

ASX REIT share prices are being weighed down by expectations of further interest rate rises in Australia, the US, and elsewhere.

Higher rates can affect REITs’ financing, drag property values down, and make cash and fixed income investments more appealing.

Strong bond yields are also a headwind because they can raise financing costs and attract investment away from REITs.

With all that said, some brokers maintain buy recommendations on ASX REITs, while others recommend caution.

Let’s investigate.

1. Arena REIT No 1 (ASX: ARF)

The Arena REIT No 1 share price is $2.02, down 0.5% today and down 43% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this REIT has fallen 10%.

Ord Minnett upgraded Arena REIT No 1 shares to a buy rating on 9 September.

The broker trimmed its 12-month price target from $2.85 to $2.75.

This implies 36% potential growth ahead.

2. Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

The Charter Hall Long WALE REIT share price is $3.20, down 1.1% today and down 22% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this ASX REIT has declined 9%.

Morgan Stanley reiterated its hold call with a price target of $4.06 on 22 September.

This implies 27% potential upside ahead.

3. BWP Group (ASX: BWP)

The BWP Trust share price is $3.51, down 0.7% today and down 11% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this ASX REIT has dipped 5%.

UBS reaffirmed its hold rating with a 12-month price target of $3.80 on 9 September.

This implies an 8% potential upside ahead.

4. Charter Hall Retail REIT (ASX: CQR)

The Charter Hall Retail REIT share price is $3.44, down 1.3% today and down 16% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this REIT has fallen 13%.

Macquarie upgraded Charter Hall Retail REIT shares to a buy call on 30 September.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $4.18.

This implies 22% potential upside ahead.

5. Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

The Centuria Industrial REIT share price is $2.74, down 1.3% today and down 17% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this ASX REIT has fallen 8%.

Macquarie upgraded Centuria Industrial REIT shares to a buy rating on 30 September.

The broker’s target is $3.02, implying a potential 10% upside ahead.

6. Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE)

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT shares are $2.20, down 0.5% today and down 28% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this ASX REIT has lost 7%.

Ord Minnett reiterated its buy call on Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT shares on 9 September.

The broker lowered its 12-month price target slightly from $3.05 to $3.

This implies 36% potential upside ahead.

The post 6 ASX REITs just hit 52-week lows. Do any brokers say buy? 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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Charter Hall Retail REIT. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

PLS Group Ltd vs Mineral Resources shares

Looking to invest in a major ASX miner, but torn between PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) and Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)? It’s a fair dilemma. Both companies sit at the heart of Australia’s mining boom and have big ambitions in lithium—a commodity crucial to clean energy and electrification. Yet, when it comes down to fundamentals, recent performance, and dividends, these two miners take noticeably different routes to delivering shareholder returns. Here’s how I see the strengths and weaknesses stack up between PLS Group and Mineral Resources shares.

The case for PLS Group

PLS (formerly Pilbara Minerals) has carved out a position as one of Australia’s most prominent pure-play lithium producers. Its flagship Pilgangoora mine in Western Australia is among the world’s largest hard-rock lithium-tantalum projects, while a 2025 move into Brazil’s Colina lithium reserve highlights its appetite for global expansion. The company’s laser-focus on lithium could appeal to investors banking on strong long-term demand for battery metals.

Looking at the fundamentals, PLS Group currently trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 23.98 and sports a fully franked dividend yield of 1.29%. Earnings per share stand at $0.161, with a market cap of $12.45 billion. The company has paid out fully franked dividends, with the most recent being $0.14 and $0.11 per share in 2023, according to its published dividend history. The shares have struggled so far this year, with a year-to-date (YTD) return of -7.1%. For those with conviction in a lithium-led recovery, PLS stands out as a focused, growth-oriented operator.

The case for Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources offers a different proposition. It’s not just a miner—it’s a mining services provider and a significant player in both lithium and iron ore. Its operations range from mining its own resources in the Pilbara and Goldfields to offering pit-to-port logistics and infrastructure services to third parties. This business model gives it more earnings diversity than a pure-play lithium miner like PLS. Mineral Resources has also laid out bold plans to become a leading lithium hydroxide and battery producer, leveraging vertical integration for cost advantage.

On the numbers, Mineral Resources currently trades on a significantly lower P/E ratio of 9.81, which reflects a much higher earnings per share figure at $5.338. Its dividend yield is 1.58% (fully franked), and its market cap comes in at $10.38 billion. The company has a lengthy track record of paying fully franked dividends, with the most recent totalling $0.90 per share across two payments in 2024. Despite a negative YTD return of -2.1%, this is a much gentler slide than PLS Group over the same period.

Valuation comparison

There are some clear contrasts in the key figures:

Metric	PLS Group	Mineral Resources
Market Cap	$12.45 billion	$10.38 billion
P/E Ratio	23.98	9.81
Earnings per Share (EPS)	$0.161	$5.338
Dividend Yield	1.29%	1.58%
Year to Date Return	-7.1%	-2.1%
Franking	100%	100%

Recent share price performance

Comparing recent share price action up to 30 September:

• PLS Group Ltd closed at $3.86, down 0.26% on the day, and has lost 7.1% year-to-date.
• Mineral Resources Ltd closed at $52.29, down 0.19% on the day, and is down 2.1% for the year to date.

So far in 2026, both have underperformed, but Mineral Resources shares have held up better than PLS Group on a year-to-date basis.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick between the two today, I’d lean toward Mineral Resources. Here’s why: Its P/E ratio is much lower than PLS Group’s, suggesting the market is either underpricing its earnings or sees more stability and less risk in its diversified business. Mineral Resources also offers a slightly higher, fully franked dividend yield and a proven record of returning cash to shareholders. The earnings per share difference is striking, and its year-to-date performance has held up better in a tough environment. While PLS Group has explosive potential if lithium prices soar (and a strong focus for those after pure lithium exposure), I think Mineral Resources’ mix of mining and services gives it the resilience and income I personally prefer in volatile cycles.

The post PLS Group vs Mineral Resources: ASX mining shares compared appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 draft. 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.