• Capstone Copper shares take off on $542 million divestment news

    Two workers working with a large copper coil in a factory.

    Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) shares are marching higher today.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) copper stock closed yesterday trading for $14.55. In morning trade on Tuesday, shares are changing hands for $14.78 apiece, up 1.6%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.4% at this same time.

    Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

    Capstone Copper shares lift on asset sale

    Capstone Copper shares are lifting after the miner announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Cozamin copper-silver zinc-lead mine, located in Mexico.

    Capstone said that Luca Mining Corp will pay up to US$385 million (AU$542.3 million) in total consideration for the mine.

    The ASX 200 copper stock noted that figure is comprised of:

    • US$275 million in upfront cash, subject to customary closing adjustments
    • US$15 million in Luca shares, to be issued to Capstone at closing
    • US$35 million in deferred consideration, to be received on the first anniversary of closing
    • And up to US$60 million in contingent cash consideration tied to annual average copper prices

    Capstone said it will use the fund to strengthen its balance sheet and as well as support its growth pipeline.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the $542 million divestment helping boost Capstone Copper shares today, president and CEO Cashel Meagher said, “Cozamin has been an important part of our portfolio, providing stability and strong cash flows as Capstone has matured into a diversified copper producer.”

    Meagher added:

    The transaction optimises our portfolio and further strengthens our balance sheet, enabling us to redeploy capital into our high-return growth projects and allowing leadership to focus on the opportunities we believe will create the most value for our shareholders. It is an ideal time to streamline our portfolio through this divestiture as we advance towards transformational copper growth in Chile and the United States.

    We are also pleased to retain exposure to the exploration upside at Cozamin, through our shareholding in Luca, following completion of the Transaction. Given the strong operational track record of the Luca team in Mexico, we believe they will be excellent stewards of the mine and are well placed to unlock its full potential.

    What’s happening with the copper price?

    Capstone Copper shares have surged 33.5% since this time last year, supported in part by soaring global copper prices.

    The red metal is back near all-time highs today, trading for US$14,661 per tonne. That sees the copper price up a whopping 47% in 12 months, spurred by spiking demand from data centres, EVs and the ongoing energy transition.

    The post Capstone Copper shares take off on $542 million divestment news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Capstone Copper right now?

    Before you buy Capstone Copper 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 Capstone Copper 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 Bernd Struben 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.

  • Could the WiseTech share price reach $50 in 2027?

    Couple using their digital tablet together.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares have fallen a long way from their previous highs.

    The logistics software company is trading around $31.77 on Tuesday, leaving the WiseTech share price well below where it has traded in recent years.

    Could it recover to $50 in 2027?

    The earnings outlook is interesting

    At first glance, a move from $31.77 to $50 looks ambitious. It would require the WiseTech share price to rise around 57%.

    But I think the earnings outlook could be supportive of a major re-rating that underpins a large rise.

    Consensus forecasts point to earnings per share of $1.42 in FY27, followed by $1.88 in FY28 and $2.28 in FY29.

    At today’s price, WiseTech is trading on a PE ratio of around 22 times forecast FY27 earnings. That falls to roughly 17 times FY28 earnings and only 14 times FY29 earnings.

    For a global technology business expected to grow earnings at that sort of rate, those multiples look quite low to me.

    In fact, I think the current valuation suggests the market is not fully convinced WiseTech will deliver those forecasts.

    That is understandable. Forecasts can change, and investors have good reason to wait for evidence that the expected earnings growth is actually coming through.

    But it also creates an opportunity if WiseTech does deliver.

    What would $50 look like?

    At $50, the WiseTech share price would trade at around 35 times forecast FY27 earnings.

    That would be a much higher valuation than today, but the picture changes as we look further ahead.

    Based on the current forecasts, a $50 share price would represent around 27 times FY28 earnings and 22 times FY29 earnings.

    I do not think those valuations would look unreasonable if WiseTech were clearly on track to produce the expected growth.

    That is why I can see a path to $50.

    There is still plenty of uncertainty

    WiseTech still has to deliver the earnings growth analysts are expecting. If profits fall short, the valuation at $50 would quickly become much harder to justify.

    That is probably one reason the shares are trading where they are today.

    For me, the opportunity comes from the gap between what the market appears willing to pay for WiseTech now and what the business could be worth if earnings grow as expected.

    However, I would not assume that gap closes quickly, and there could be plenty of volatility along the way.

    Foolish takeaway

    I think $50 is within reach for the WiseTech share price in 2027.

    The shares have a long way to go from $31.77, but the earnings forecasts give me a reason to believe a strong recovery is possible.

    There is still uncertainty around whether WiseTech can deliver those numbers. But if the business starts showing that the expected earnings growth is on track, I think today’s share price could end up looking very cheap.

    The post Could the WiseTech share price reach $50 in 2027? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in WiseTech Global right now?

    Before you buy WiseTech Global 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 WiseTech Global 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 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.

  • Woodside vs Ampol: Which ASX energy stock should you buy?

    A service station attendant crosses his arms and smiles towards the camera with a backdrop of petrol bowsers and a drive-through facility.

    Woodside Energy Group vs Ampol shares: Which ASX energy stock looks better?

    With energy prices a big topic for Aussie investors and global themes front of mind, both Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) land in the spotlight. As two of the largest names in oil and gas, yet with different business models, many will be wondering which company’s shares are the better buy today. Here’s how they stack up across their core businesses, fundamentals, value, dividend payouts, and recent momentum.

    The case for Woodside Energy Group

    Woodside Energy Group is Australia’s largest dedicated oil and gas operator. Producing mainly LNG, oil, and gas from a range of large offshore assets, Woodside is seen as a heavyweight in the sector. After merging with BHP’s oil and gas business, Woodside further cemented its status as a truly global energy player. The company, founded in 1954 and listed on the ASX since 1971, holds big production scale and a broad asset base spanning Australia and international waters.

    Looking at key fundamentals:

    • Market Cap: $61.63 billion – one of the top 20 listed companies in Australia
    • P/E Ratio: 14.32 – not far from the broader ASX average for a large energy producer
    • Dividend Yield: 5.03% (fully franked, as per its most recent figures)
    • Year To Date Return: 44.3% – a hefty share price run over the current calendar

    Woodside has a long, consistent track record of large, fully franked dividends for shareholders stretching back decades, with its last payment at $0.57 per share (fully franked). The company’s scale and resources offer stability, even as it faces the long-term headwinds familiar in fossil fuels.

    The case for Ampol

    Ampol is better known to most Aussies as the brand behind roughly 2,000 service stations nation-wide. As Australia’s only listed refiner and one of the largest distributors of petroleum products, Ampol’s business is all about refining (primarily from its Lytton plant in Brisbane) and big-volume fuel retail and distribution. The company trades on history – it’s well over a century old, formerly operated as Caltex, and has more recently focused on retailing and logistics (while also maintaining a presence in New Zealand via Z Energy and a significant stake in Philippine fuel company Seaoil).

    Ampol’s standout numbers:

    • Market Cap: $10.28 billion – much smaller than Woodside, but still substantial
    • P/E Ratio: 7.18 – sitting well below both Woodside and the broader market average for large caps
    • Dividend Yield: 5.68% (fully franked, per latest figures)
    • Year To Date Return: 42.8% – almost matching Woodside’s strong gains

    Consistent, fully franked dividends are a feature here as well, with Ampol’s last interim dividend coming in at $1.85 per share (fully franked). Its lower P/E ratio draws attention for value hunters, though its business is more exposed to the ups and downs of retail volumes and margins.

    Valuation comparison

    Both Woodside and Ampol offer eye-catching yields and have strong profit track records, but a few numbers really stand out when viewed side-by-side:

    Metric Woodside Energy Ampol
    Market Cap $61.63 billion $10.28 billion
    P/E Ratio 14.32 7.18
    Dividend Yield 5.03% (100% franked) 5.68% (100% franked)
    Earnings Per Share 1.605 7.444

    Ampol’s much lower P/E signals a potentially cheaper earnings valuation compared to Woodside, at least based on recent profits. Its higher (and also fully franked) dividend yield adds to the appeal for income seekers. Do note: the reported EPS and P/E for Ampol line up mathematically, but Woodside’s numbers appear less in sync, possibly due to differences in the basis of the earnings measurement shown.

    Recent share price performance

    Both companies have delivered big gains for shareholders recently, but their price histories reveal a bit more detail. Comparing the past month:

    • Woodside Energy: Rose from $33.78 (21 Aug) to $32.42 (18 Sep), actually showing a small drop over this period despite a strong YTD number. Its year to date return is up 44.3%.
    • Ampol: Climbed from $39.85 (21 Aug) to $43.13 (18 Sep), reflecting a net gain for the span, and a 42.8% year to date return.

    The momentum is strong for both, but Ampol’s recent month shows steadier progress.

    Which is the better buy?

    On a pure numbers basis, I’d lean toward Ampol right now. It trades on a much lower P/E than Woodside Energy (7.18 versus 14.32), offers a higher fully franked yield (5.68%), and has kept pace with Woodside’s strong share price run so far this year. While Woodside’s scale gives it stability and huge assets, that’s already reflected in its rich $61 billion market cap. Ampol’s business is more retail-facing, but its valuation and income look appealing for everyday investors. That said, Woodside’s larger projects and global reach do offer defensive qualities if you’re chasing blue chip exposure and long-term oil and gas. For value and income at today’s prices, my pick would be Ampol – but both names deserve a spot on any energy watchlist.

    The post Woodside vs Ampol: Which ASX energy stock should you buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woodside Energy Group Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Woodside Energy Group 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 Woodside Energy Group 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 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.