Some of the best ASX shares aren’t really about Australia at all anymore. Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) and Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) have both been smashed over the past year, but their real story is playing out overseas. And that global growth engine is exactly what makes these ASX shares worth a second look.

Zip rose 1% on Tuesday to $2.24, but remains down 52% over 12 months. Catapult shares climbed 6% to $3.13, still 56% lower than a year ago. Beaten-up share prices, sure, but the underlying businesses tell a very different story.

Zip: the US is the whole game now

After trading between $1.38 and $4.93 over the past 12 months, this ASX share faces plenty of potential catalysts, chief among them continued growth in its increasingly lucrative US market.

A broader tech sell-off, competition worries, slowing growth fears, geopolitical uncertainty and higher-for-longer interest rates have all hammered sentiment. But look past the noise, and the real story is where Zip’s growth is actually coming from. The company has spent years reshaping itself around product development, profitability and international expansion. And the US now sits at the centre of everything.

The numbers back it up. The US accounted for roughly two-thirds of Zip’s revenue in FY26. Revenue from that market surged 44.3% in US dollar terms, dwarfing the 4.6% growth recorded across ANZ.

Customer trends confirm the shift. Active US customers jumped 9.3% to 4.65 million, while ANZ customers actually shrank 8% to 1.88 million. Zip expects US total transaction value to grow more than 30% in FY27, making American expansion arguably the single biggest driver of this ASX share’s earnings and valuation from here.

A proposed Nasdaq dual listing could add another catalyst, lifting Zip’s profile among US investors and supporting its ambitions in the world’s largest BNPL market.

For anyone eyeing Zip, that’s a genuinely compelling setup: a beaten-down share price, accelerating earnings growth, solid broker support, and a massive US opportunity still unfolding.

Catapult: the sport-tech flying under the radar

Catapult builds athlete performance and analytics technology used across elite sport, with customers spanning the AFL, NRL, Premier League, NFL, NBA, MLB and international rugby.

What makes this ASX share genuinely interesting is how deeply embedded its technology becomes. Clubs use Catapult to measure physical workloads, review video, assess tactical patterns and manage preparation.

Over time, more of those functions get folded into the same ecosystem. Years of performance data build up inside Catapult’s systems, creating serious switching costs and sticky, recurring revenue.

The results reflect that stickiness. Annualised contract value rose 28% to US$133.8 million in FY2026. Revenue climbed 19% to a record US$140.7 million, driven by SaaS revenue of US$118.6 million, up 21%. SaaS and other recurring revenue now makes up 95% of total revenue.

Growth here comes from three angles: signing new organisations, expanding within existing customers, and cross-selling more of its software suite. With major leagues, clubs, universities and sporting programs scattered across the globe, this ASX share still has plenty of room to run.

The post Down over 50%: 2 ASX shares to buy for global growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus after the company secured a significant contract extension in Western Australia, expected to add around $110 million in revenue over the extension period to June 2028.

What did Ventia Services Group report?

• Secured a contract extension for Court Security and Custodial Services with the WA Government
• Extension runs from March 2027 through June 2028
• Expected to generate approximately $110 million in revenue over the term
• Continues a partnership with the WA Department of Justice started in 2017
• Services include court security, custody, transport, medical movements, and support

What else do investors need to know?

This contract extension underlines Ventia’s established position as a key provider of critical justice services in Western Australia. The deal is set to maintain Ventia’s revenue pipeline and offers visibility for stakeholders well into 2028.

Ventia’s ongoing collaboration with the Department of Justice ensures it remains responsive to changing operational needs and increasing demand across the state’s justice system. The contract supports Ventia’s broader strategy to deliver essential infrastructure and community services through innovation and sustainability.

What did Ventia Services Group management say?

Mark Ralston, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, said:

We are pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the Government of Western Australia and support the delivery of these essential services. Since 2017, our team has worked closely with the Department of Justice to respond to evolving operational requirements and increasing demand across the State’s justice system. Our experienced workforce across metropolitan and regional Western Australia is well positioned to continue delivering these critical services, supporting the safe and effective operation of the justice system and the communities it serves.

What’s next for Ventia Services Group?

The extension provides Ventia Services Group with revenue certainty for another 15 months starting from March 2027. The company’s focus now remains on meeting its commitments in Western Australia and seeking further growth opportunities across Australia and New Zealand’s essential service sectors.

Ventia continues to target new contracts and innovative solutions that align with its commitment to sustainable and reliable infrastructure services for its diverse customer base.

Ventia Services Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services shares have risen 20%, running ahead of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has declined 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ventia wins $110 million WA contract extension 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.

Electro Optic Systems vs Droneshield shares: a side-by-side look

If you’re weighing up Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) and Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO), you’re looking at two Australian tech innovators focused on defence and security. Both are riding the growing demand for anti-drone and advanced surveillance solutions. But which is the smarter buy for ASX investors right now? I’ll dig into their fundamentals, price action, and business models to help you decide.

The case for Electro Optic Systems

Electro Optic Systems is a homegrown Australian company developing high-tech defence hardware and systems. Its offerings span from remote weapon stations (where EOS has built a strong reputation globally), to counter-drone measures like the Slinger, advanced laser weaponry, and satellite-based intelligence systems. EOS has matured from a niche technology player into a diversified business, supporting both military and commercial applications.

Key fundamentals that catch my eye:

• Market Cap: $2.29 billion – Not a giant, but very substantial for an Aussie defence tech specialist.
• P/E Ratio: 11.91 – That stands out as undeniably low in the context of growth-focused peers, although I do note that the listed EPS of -0.327 doesn’t square with a positive P/E ratio. (Note: EOS’s reported P/E ratio may be based on a different earnings measure, such as underlying or forward earnings, which explains this inconsistency.)
• Dividend Yield: 0.00% – There’s no income stream here, so this is strictly a growth-focused investment.

Overall, EOS offers scale, technical depth, and exposure to several key segments within global defence and security tech.

The case for Droneshield

Droneshield is laser-focused on anti-drone technologies. According to its most recent company description, it makes and sells both hardware and AI-powered software to detect, counter, and neutralise unauthorised drones—a market that’s only getting hotter as more drones enter commercial and criminal airspace. Its flagship products, like the DroneGun and DroneSentry, are used by governments, airports, prisons, and other major operators in Australia, the US, and the UK.

Notable figures:

• Market Cap: $1.59 billion – Impressive, though smaller than EOS, and highlighting strong investor interest for a relatively focused business.
• P/E Ratio: 433.75 – Exceptionally high, reflecting investor speculation on future profit growth rather than current profits. However, its reported EPS is -0.033, meaning the P/E is once again likely based on a forward or adjusted earnings figure. (Note: Droneshield’s reported P/E ratio may use a different earnings measure than the EPS shown.)
• Dividend Yield: 0.00% – Like EOS, Droneshield is all about growth, not income.

Droneshield’s pure-play approach in a rapidly evolving niche could pay off—if it delivers on its growth ambitions.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how the head-to-head fundamentals shape up:

Metric	Electro Optic Systems	Droneshield
Market Cap	$2.29 billion	$1.59 billion
P/E Ratio	11.91	433.75
Dividend Yield	0.00%	0.00%
Earnings per share (EPS)	-0.327	-0.033
Year To Date Return	9.5%	-44.2%

It’s striking that EOS trades on a far lower P/E than Droneshield, despite negative EPS for both. Again, the P/E figures are likely based on different profit measures, so I wouldn’t take them at face value for apples-to-apples comparisons. Neither pays a dividend, so both are pure growth stories.

Recent share price performance

Comparing the period from 24 August to 18 September 2026:

• Electro Optic Systems climbed from $8.60 to $10.34—a notable upswing, including single-day pops like a 23% jump on 25 August and a recent 3.4% gain to finish the period.
• Droneshield fell from $1.82 to $1.72, with particularly sharp drops such as a 10.8% slip on 26 August and some flat trading days, closing out the period with a small loss.

Looking at year-to-date figures, EOS is up 9.5% while Droneshield is down a pretty chunky 44.2%. That’s a huge divergence in momentum, especially given the “hot” narrative around anti-drone tech lately.

Which is the better buy?

For me, Electro Optic Systems is the standout right now. Here’s why: despite both companies being unprofitable on a trailing basis, EOS trades at a fraction of the P/E multiple and is showing positive share price momentum—up nearly 10% year-to-date, versus Droneshield’s 44% slide. Both are zero-yielders, so you’re really buying the quality of future growth and execution.

Droneshield’s sector is objectively exciting, but its sky-high valuation and recent poor share performance give me pause. EOS, on the other hand, is better diversified across product areas and already enjoys global scale, with a market cap advantage and much stronger recent returns. Unless you strongly favour Droneshield’s focused anti-drone niche (and are unfazed by short-term losses and a massive P/E), my pick would be Electro Optic Systems.

The post Electro Optic Systems vs Droneshield: Which ASX defence share wins? 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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield and Electro Optic Systems. 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.