Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares are storming higher in Monday lunchtime trade.

At the time of writing, the petroleum company’s shares are up around 4% and trading at an all-time high of $41.42 a piece.

Today’s hike means the shares are now up 29% for the year to date, and have rallied 40% higher over the past 12 months.

The latest increase comes off the back of Ampol’s first-half FY26 results, which it posted to the ASX ahead of the market open this morning.

Investors are clearly thrilled with the update, and many are rushing to snap up its shares while they’re still trading for cheap. 

Ampol announced that its Group replacement cost operating profit (RCOP) came in 152% higher versus the first half of FY25, RCOP NPAT surged a huge 376% compared to the prior corresponding period, and statutory NPAT came to $1,363 million, compared to a loss of $25 million last year.

The strong result also meant Ampol was able to raise its fully-franked interim dividend to 185 cents per share, more than four times the prior year.

Ongoing concerns around global oil supply have also helped drive the shares higher over the past 12 months. 

Ampol is Australia’s largest transport energy distributor and retailer, with more than 1,800 Ampol-branded service stations across the country. 

The company has also posted a few updates that have gathered investor attention. In June, Ampol received the green light, with conditions, from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a proposed acquisition of fuel and convenience store operator, EG Australia. 

It also previously confirmed a 10% increase in refinery production, higher refiner margins, and increased production in its Q1 FY26 trading update.

What do brokers tip next for Ampol shares?

Brokers have a very positive stance on Ampol shares, but after today’s price increase, the average target price now implies a downside ahead.

I expect to see the experts revise their forecast for Ampol shares in the coming days, but at the time of writing, Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the shares, and the $41.25 average target price implies a potential 0.5% downside.

TradingView data shows something similar. Out of 10 analysts, five have a buy/strong buy rating on the stock. Four more rate Ampol shares as a hold and one as a sell.

The average $41.78 target price implies a potential 1% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. But the more bullish of the bunch think there is potential for the shares to climb another 19% to $49.25.

So, if I invest $5,000 into Ampol shares today, what could they be worth in 12 months?

These forecasts suggest that a $5,000 investment in Ampol shares today could rise slightly to somewhere around $5,050 within the next 12 months. 

Or if the more bearish broker forecasts are correct, we could see the same investment climb as high as $5,950 by this time next year.

The post By August 2027, $5,000 invested in Ampol shares could turn into… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Everything you need to know about the monster Ampol dividend
• Why PLS, Bendigo Bank and Ampol shares are turning heads on Monday
• Ampol profit and dividend surge in first-half 2026 results
• 2 ASX blue-chip shares experts rate as compelling
• Ampol Ltd delivers huge earnings jump as supply chain supports profit growth

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are pushing higher again on Monday.

At the time of writing, the WiseTech share price is up 3.12% to $43.65.

The rally has gathered plenty of pace over the past month, with the logistics software stock now up almost 40% during that period.

It is also around 52% above its 23 June low of $28.76. That’s a very different picture from late June, when the shares were trading at their lowest level in 5 years.

However, shareholders are still sitting on a sizeable loss in 2026, with WiseTech shares down 36% since the beginning of the year.

So, has the share price finally left its lows behind?

A big rebound from June

WiseTech shares have spent much of the past year heading in the wrong direction.

The stock has fallen from a 52-week high of $115.75 and remains more than 60% below where it was this time last year.

A mix of governance concerns, regulatory issues, and weaker investor sentiment towards tech stocks has weighed heavily on the shares.

But the mood has changed since late June.

There have been some positive developments as well. Major customer DSV remains committed under its existing contract until September 2028. Bell Potter has also pointed to the appointment of an independent chair as a positive step towards addressing governance concerns.

WiseTech has continued to invest in its business as well, including the acquisition of US-based FRDM.ai in July.

All eyes on Wednesday’s result

The next major test comes on 26 August, when WiseTech is due to release its FY26 results.

Management has reaffirmed revenue guidance of US$1.39 billion to US$1.44 billion, representing growth of 79% to 85%.

EBITDA is expected to come in between US$550 million and US$585 million, up 44% to 53% from FY25.

The company has also reached its US$50 million annualised cost synergy target from the e2open acquisition ahead of schedule.

With the share price already rebounding strongly, investors will likely want to see WiseTech deliver within those ranges and provide a solid outlook for FY27.

Is the bottom behind WiseTech shares?

The recovery from $28.76 is definitely encouraging, but one month of strong gains doesn’t erase the risks that pushed the stock lower.

WiseTech still faces regulatory and governance questions, while the shares remain well below their previous highs.

At the same time, the underlying business continues to grow quickly.

Wednesday’s result could give investors a better idea of whether this rebound can keep going.

The post Up 52% from its low! Has the WiseTech share price finally bottomed out? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX growth shares brokers say could beat the market
• Why did WiseTech shares just crash 10%?
• By August 2027, $8,000 invested in WiseTech shares could turn into…
• WiseTech shares are up 25%. Could this be the start of a huge comeback?
• Down 50% – Are these the best value ASX 200 shares right now?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in Playside Studios Ltd (ASX: PLY) are down more than 40% over the past year, but if the team at Shaw and Partners are to be believed, they could more than double in the coming 12 months.

Strong results posted on the back of new game

Playside last week released its FY26 results, with revenue of $54.9 million coming in higher than guidance of $50-$53 million and 13% up on the previous year.

The company’s EBITDA came in at $15.5 million and net profit was $5.4 million.

A major development for the company during FY26 was the release of its game, Mouse: P.I. For Hire.

Playside Chief Executive Officer Benn Skender said:

There was clear demand for the title well before launch, and the team converted it with a polished, exceptionally well-reviewed game that has translated directly into strong sales and a franchise we can build on. That is a hard thing to get right in this industry, and it validates both the publishing model we have been building and the studios we choose to back. External Projects has been tougher this year and we have aligned our cost base accordingly. At the same time we have expanded our Business Development team and global presence because we view current conditions as cyclical rather than structural, and we intend to be well positioned as demand recovers. The award of several small projects in recent weeks has been a positive in this regard.

In the current year the company will be releasing Games of Thrones: War for Westeros, and Dumb Ways to Build, the latter of which will be released in coming weeks.

Playside said Mouse: P.I. For Hire was the most successful game launch in the company’s history and generated US$28 million in gross sales.

The company also said it had carried out a restructure which had led to $12 million in annualised savings.

Shares looking cheap, broker says

Shaw and Partners said there was not much clarity on the outlook from the company, but with two new games in the pipeline there was the possibility of an earnings boost.

That said they were predicting a fall in earnings.

They said:

FY27 financial guidance is limited, with management highlighting continued MOUSE monetisation, Dumb Ways to Build launching in September, Game of Thrones: War for Westeros in 2H27 and ~$5m of incremental annualised cost savings. We forecast FY27 revenue of $45m (-19% YoY), EBITDA of $11m and cash burn of ~$11m, leaving ~$6m cash at year-end. Our forecasts assume relatively modest contributions from new game launches and External Projects, providing upside should either outperform.

Shaw and Partners has reduced their price target on Playside from 28 cents to 23 cents, still well above the current level of 11.5 cents.

Playside is valued at $56.6 million.

The post This ASX game developer could double in value: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Everything you need to know about the PLS Group dividend
• Everything you need to know about the monster Ampol dividend
• Why PLS, Bendigo Bank and Ampol shares are turning heads on Monday
• Buy, hold, sell: Pro Medicus, Fortescue, CBA shares
• Are Westpac shares a buy at their new 52-week low?

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.