• Why this ASX 200 stock is a compelling buy with 30% upside

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    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has endured a flat year in 2026, and has been outpaced by many international markets. 

    Australia’s benchmark index has been weighed down by high interest rates, inflation and fears around global conflict. 

    These have hit sectors like finance/banking, which represent a strong portion of the ASX 200. 

    Despite the disappointing performance, this has created value opportunities for quality companies. 

    One such ASX 200 stock firmly in my sights is SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH). 

    Company overview 

    SGH is a diversified industrial and investment group, with interests in heavy-equipment sales, service and equipment hire, media and broadcasting, oil and gas, and developable property. 

    The ASX 200 company has seen its share price fall more than 20% year to date. 

    Despite this, the underlying fundamentals look relatively strong. 

    In its full-year results released in August, the company reported a net profit of $689.2 million, up 31.8%, even as revenue slipped 1.4% to $10.59 billion.

    Revenue was broadly in line with the prior year. Underlying NPAT of $920 million and underlying EPS of $2.26 were broadly flat. Statutory NPAT of $655 million was up 35%.

    SGH MD & CEO Ryan Stokes, said: 

    FY26 was a year of disciplined delivery in variable market conditions. We grew earnings in line with guidance, expanded margin again, and converted 99% of EBITDA to cash. That result is a credit to our people across every business, and their commitment to serving our customers and running our operations well every day.

    Morgans sees upside for this ASX 200 stock

    Recent share price weakness has now pushed this ASX 200 stock firmly into value territory. 

    In a recent note from Morgan’s, the broker slightly lowered its price target but maintained a positive long-term view on the company. 

    Following the FY26 results season we have reviewed our forecast assumptions for SGH’s 30% share in BPT, flowing through the lower earnings detailed in our FY26 BPT results note (Link). With our sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) valuation tied to our BPT price target and the Crux valuation, an NPV of future cashflows, our SGH valuation declines modestly to $48/sh (previously $50/sh), whilst retaining our BUY recommendation.

    Based on this target, Morgans anticipates up to 30% growth for this ASX 200 stock. 

    This expectation is consistent with other brokers. 

    Based on 12 analyst targets via TradingView, the average 12 month target is $48.71. 

    The post Why this ASX 200 stock is a compelling buy with 30% upside appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in SGH Ltd right now?

    Before you buy SGH Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and SGH Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    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.

  • Codan vs Pro Medicus: Which ASX growth stock is better value?

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    Codan vs Pro Medicus shares: which growth stock offers better value?

    Keen on growth shares but not sure whether Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) or Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) is the smarter buy? Both names have built reputations as high-performing Aussie tech businesses, but dig deeper and you’ll quickly notice some big contrasts. Let’s break down what sets Codan and Pro Medicus apart when it comes to value, growth, and recent momentum.

    The case for Codan

    Codan is a global technology player, best known for high-tech communications, metal detection, and mining solutions. Through segments like Codan Communications, Minelab, Minetec, and Defence Electronics, the company serves government, military, and commercial customers in dozens of countries. According to its company profile, Codan controls its own products end-to-end, with manufacturing plants in Australia and Malaysia, and a sales footprint concentrated in North America.

    What stands out for Codan right now is just how quickly it’s compounded shareholder value. Its year-to-date return sits at a jaw-dropping 73.85%, which is rare in any market. The company’s P/E ratio is on the higher side at 51.03, suggesting it’s priced as a growth stock with high expectations. A dividend yield of 0.99% (fully franked, no less) won’t turn heads for income buffs, but it’s at least ahead of most tech or high-growth names. And with a market cap of $8.86 billion, Codan is a sizeable mid-cap player with room to grow.

    The case for Pro Medicus

    Pro Medicus sits at the cutting edge of digital healthcare, supplying advanced radiology and medical imaging systems across the globe. Hospitals and specialists use its solutions for everything from clinic scheduling to storing and analysing gigantic medical images. As per its most recent public description, the majority of Pro Medicus’s success story has played out in the US, where many prestigious hospitals have adopted its technology.

    This is a genuine tech darling with a reputation for growth. But currently, it’s sporting an even loftier P/E ratio of 65.19 — a premium reserved for companies where investors expect mammoth expansion. The market cap, at $17.68 billion, puts Pro Medicus in a different league to Codan. It does pay a dividend (0.42% yield, fully franked), so there’s at least a nod to returning cash, but it’s definitely a token amount. What’s more, the company’s shares are actually down year to date by 24.84%, a reminder that even the best growth stories can be hit by buyer fatigue or lofty expectations.

    Valuation comparison

    There are clear valuation and size gaps between the two. Here’s a quick look at the most relevant numbers:

    Metric Codan Pro Medicus
    Market Cap $8.86 billion $17.68 billion
    P/E Ratio 51.03 65.19
    Dividend Yield 0.99% (100% franked) 0.42% (100% franked)
    Year To Date Return +73.85% -24.84%
    Earnings per Share 0.705 2.536

    Codan looks much cheaper on P/E, yields more, and has sharply outperformed on share price this year. Pro Medicus, meanwhile, is the market’s clear growth favourite over the long haul, but carries a heavier price tag and steeper expectations.

    Recent share price performance

    Let’s take a look at how these stocks have fared in recent weeks.

    Codan’s share price moved from $43.48 on 19 August 2026 up to $48.59 on 17 September 2026, a gain of around 12%. There were a few volatile days — most notably, a 12.42% jump on 20 August — but the overall momentum stayed very strong.

    Pro Medicus tells a very different story. Its shares fell from $198.85 on 19 August 2026 to $169.22 on 17 September 2026 — a drop of about 15%. The ride included a few sharp single-day rallies, including a massive 11.88% spike on 18 August. But the prevailing trend these past weeks has been downward.

    Which is the better buy?

    If I have to call it between Codan and Pro Medicus right now, I’d lean toward Codan as the better value growth pick. Codan’s recent outperformance has been eye-catching, especially when set against Pro Medicus’s pullback this year. The valuation gap is clear, with Codan’s P/E notably lower and its dividend yield higher (while still fully franked).

    Pro Medicus has enormous long-term potential and should remain high on the watchlist, but at a P/E over 65 and negative returns year to date, I think it’s priced too rich for my liking just now — especially when Codan is delivering growth and market-beating returns today. For me, Codan ticks more of the right boxes for Aussie investors after a rare combination of momentum and value in the growth space.

    The post Codan vs Pro Medicus: Which ASX growth stock is better value? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus right now?

    Before you buy Pro Medicus shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Pro Medicus wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. 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.

  • 3 ASX income shares I’d buy outside Westpac and the major banks

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    Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and the other major banks are popular choices with Australian income investors.

    But there are plenty of other ASX shares that can provide attractive income.

    These three would be on my shortlist.

    APA Group (ASX: APA)

    APA would be one of my first choices outside the banking sector.

    The company owns and operates energy infrastructure across Australia, including gas pipelines, electricity transmission assets, and other infrastructure.

    I like the type of cash flow these assets can produce.

    Much of APA’s revenue is supported by long-term contracts, which can give the company reasonable visibility over future earnings and distributions.

    APA is also continuing to invest in new infrastructure as Australia’s energy system develops. If those projects earn attractive returns, they could help the business grow while its existing assets continue generating cash.

    Debt and funding costs are important risks to watch with an infrastructure company like APA. Even so, I think its essential assets and regular distributions make it a strong long-term income option.

    BWP Trust (ASX: BWP)

    BWP Trust gives investors a different source of income through commercial property.

    The real estate investment trust (REIT) owns a portfolio of large-format retail properties, with Bunnings a major tenant.

    I like that because the quality of the tenant can be just as important as the property itself.

    Bunnings has a strong position in Australian home improvement, and long leases can provide BWP with relatively predictable rental income.

    Over time, rent reviews and changes across the property portfolio can also help increase income.

    Like most property investments, BWP can be sensitive to interest rates and changes in property valuations. I would also keep an eye on its tenant concentration.

    But for an income investor, I think the combination of established properties, a strong major tenant, and regular distributions is worth considering.

    Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR)

    Deterra Royalties would be my third income pick. The company earns royalties from mining operations rather than operating the mines itself.

    Its most important asset is the royalty over the Mining Area C iron ore operations in Western Australia, which are operated by BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

    I like that model for income because Deterra receives a share of revenue linked to production without having to fund the enormous operating and development costs that come with running a mine.

    That can allow a large proportion of cash generated by the business to flow through to shareholders.

    The trade-off is that Deterra’s income can still move with commodity prices and production volumes, while the business has historically been heavily dependent on one major royalty asset.

    Even with those risks, I think the royalty model gives income investors an interesting way to gain exposure to resources.

    Foolish takeaway

    I would not feel the need to rely on bank dividends alone for ASX income.

    APA, BWP Trust, and Deterra Royalties generate cash in very different ways, through energy infrastructure, property rents, and mining royalties.

    For me, that makes all three worth considering when looking beyond the major banks for long-term income.

    The post 3 ASX income shares I’d buy outside Westpac and the major banks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Apa Group right now?

    Before you buy Apa Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Apa Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 positions in and has recommended Apa Group. 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.

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