Are you looking for some new additions to your portfolio? If you are, then it could pay to listen to what Morgans is saying about the ASX shares named below.

Here’s what you need to know about them:

Amcor PLC (ASX: AMC)

Morgans has been looking deeper at this packaging giant. While it is positive on the company, it does have concerns over its stretched balance sheet.

Nevertheless, it remains positive enough to put an accumulate rating and $65.40 price target on Amcor’s shares. This implies potential upside of 13% for investors. It commented:

Following its merger with Berry Global in April 2025, AMC identified a non-core portfolio of ~US$2.5bn in revenue. These lower-growth or lower-margin businesses where AMC lacks scale or leadership positions are expected to be divested over time via cash sales or joint ventures/partnerships. While there is a range of scenarios that can play out, using conservative assumptions, we estimate the combined non-core portfolio could be worth ~US$1.8bn. To date, AMC has reached agreements to sell six businesses for a combined value of ~US$500m. AMC plans to use proceeds from non-core asset sales to reduce leverage, which stood at 3.8x at the end of 3Q26.

While management expects leverage to end FY26 at 3.4-3.5x, the stretched balance sheet remains a key investor concern. Our analysis indicates a strong negative relationship (correlation coefficient -0.76) between AMC’s leverage and its 1-year forward PE multiple. We therefore expect a reduction in leverage to support an improvement in AMC’s PE multiple over time. We make no changes to our earnings forecasts and maintain our A$65.40 target price. However, with a 12-month forecast TSR of 18%, we move our rating to ACCUMULATE (from BUY).

Credit Clear Ltd (ASX: CCR)

Another ASX share that Morgans has been running the rule over is debt collection company Credit Clear.

In response to its move into the UK market, the broker has initiated coverage on Credit Clear with a speculative buy rating and 30 cents price target. This suggests that upside of 36% is possible from current levels. It said:

Credit Clear (CCR) is a leading Australian debt collections business, which focuses on contingent collections. CCR has to date made solid progress in establishing a commanding foothold within ANZ. We see the group’s recently formed beachhead in the larger UK market as a material consolidation prospect to drive further scale. We initiate coverage on CCR with a Speculative Buy rating and $0.30 price target.

IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL)

Finally, Morgans was pleased with this language testing and student placement company’s better-than-expected trading update. It highlights that cost reductions are better than it was forecasting and management’s decision to undertake a share buyback signals confidence in its outlook.

As a result, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $3.45. This implies potential upside of 50% for investors over the next 12 months. It commented:

IDP delivered a positive update, including better-than-expected net cost out in FY26 (A$30m vs A$25m), potential further cost reductions in FY27 and strong capital management discipline (deleverage to ~1x in FY26-27; ~A$50m buy-back). We are encouraged by management’s confidence in the progress of the multi-year business transformation, highlighted by the stated ~A$50m buy-back and ongoing operational performance (yield strength; working capital discipline) in a subdued volume backdrop. The update incrementally reinforces our recent upgrade.

Our volume expectations remain conservative, with no meaningful SP recovery assumed until FY29 (-10% FY27; -3% FY28; +3% FY29). We remain willing to look through a cyclically depressed valuation for a leaner market leader, underpinned by structural demand, ongoing tech/product development and China testing optionality. BUY rec.

The post Buy, hold, sell: How does Morgans rate these ASX shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX shares with 39% to 141% growth ahead of them: Experts
• 3 companies to own for a dividend yield above 5%
• 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 50% or more in the next 12 months
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• 8 ASX shares with 30% to 220% upside ahead: Experts

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are slipping again on Tuesday as weaker oil prices weigh on the energy sector.

At the time of writing, the Woodside share price is down 1.01% to $28.48.

That adds to a softer recent run for the ASX energy stock. Woodside shares are now down around 11% over the past month, although they remain about 20% higher since the start of 2026.

That strong start to the year came on the back of higher oil prices, which lifted sentiment across parts of the energy sector.

However, oil prices have pulled back today, and that appears to be weighing more heavily on Woodside shares than the company’s latest announcement.

Here’s what the company told investors.

Woodside signs a new gas deal

According to the release, Woodside said it has signed a sale and purchase agreement with Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI).

Under the agreement, Woodside will supply 31.1 petajoules of domestic gas from its Western Australian operations to Alcoa’s alumina refineries in the state.

The gas will be supplied between 2027 and 2030.

Woodside said the agreement continues a longstanding supply relationship with Alcoa and supports local industries in Western Australia.

Alcoa’s refineries produce alumina, which is the feedstock used to make aluminium. Aluminium is used across the construction, manufacturing, and energy sectors.

Woodside Executive Vice President, Marketing & Chief Commercial Officer, Mark Abbotsford, welcomed the agreement and said the company is continuing to bring gas to the Western Australian market.

The company also said the agreement supports local jobs and contributes to the state’s energy security later this decade.

Why the deal is worth watching

While this isn’t the kind of announcement that is likely to rapture investors into a cheer, it still gives the market something to note.

The agreement adds to Woodside’s domestic gas position in Western Australia and locks in another customer for supply later this decade.

It also follows the Western Australian government’s approval in December 2025 to extend the operation of the Pluto-Karratha Gas Plant Interconnector.

Woodside has been supplying domestic gas to Western Australia for more than 40 years.

In 2025, its share of Western Australian natural gas production was 90.3 petajoules. That represented about 21% of the state’s domestic gas supply.

Oil prices remain the bigger driver

The gas deal is a positive update, but it isn’t the main driver of Woodside’s shares today.

Brent crude is trading below US$78 a barrel after easing again on Tuesday, while crude oil is sitting near US$74 a barrel.

According to Trading Economics, oil steadied as traders weighed signs of progress in US-Iran talks following pressure yesterday.

Washington also granted Iran a 60-day licence to sell oil, raising hopes of a faster recovery in global supply.

Furthermore, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has picked up, with producers including Kuwait and the UAE finding alternative routes to export energy.

That has taken some heat out of oil prices after they helped support Woodside shares earlier in the year.

The post Woodside shares sink again as oil price pressure outweighs new gas deal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the ASX 200 stuck in the red today?
• The US-Iran peace deal just wavered. Here is what this means for these ASX shares
• Up 23% this year, should I buy Woodside shares today?
• Buy, hold, sell: Life360, Woodside, CSL shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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 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.

The Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG) could be one of the simplest long-term investing options on the ASX.

It is designed for investors who want a diversified portfolio in a single trade, with exposure to growth assets across Australia and overseas markets.

For those with a long time horizon, this fund could be a strong buy and hold investment.

Here are three reasons why.

Built-in diversification

The first reason to like the VDHG ETF is diversification.

Many investors start by trying to choose individual shares, sectors, or countries. That can work well, but it also requires time, research, and confidence.

The VDHG ETF takes a different approach.

It gives investors exposure to a broad mix of assets through one ASX-listed fund. This includes Australian shares, international shares, and defensive assets such as fixed interest.

That means investors are not relying on one company, one sector, or one market to drive returns.

This can be especially useful for people who want to build wealth steadily without constantly reshaping their portfolio.

The fund can still fall when markets are weak, because it has a strong growth focus. However, its broad spread of investments can help reduce the risk of being too exposed to a single part of the market.

A growth focus for long-term investors

The second reason is its high-growth profile.

The Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF is built for investors with a long investment horizon. Its portfolio is heavily tilted toward growth assets, particularly shares.

That is important because shares have historically been one of the best ways to build wealth over long periods.

Australian shares can provide exposure to banks, miners, healthcare companies, retailers, infrastructure businesses, and industrial groups. International shares add access to global technology leaders, consumer brands, healthcare giants, and other major companies listed overseas.

This gives the VDHG ETF a strong mix of local and global growth potential.

The defensive assets in the portfolio can also play a useful role. They may help smooth returns during difficult periods and provide some balance when share markets are volatile.

This blend makes the fund suitable for investors who want long-term growth but still value a level of diversification across asset classes.

It keeps investing simple

The third reason is simplicity.

One of the biggest challenges that investors face is overcomplication. It is easy to own too many funds, chase too many themes, or constantly adjust a portfolio based on the latest market headlines.

This ASX ETF helps remove some of that noise. The fund gives investors a ready-made diversified portfolio, managed by Vanguard, with asset allocation and rebalancing handled inside the ETF.

This can make it easier to stay invested and add to existing positions.

Overall, for investors who want an easy way to build wealth over many years, the VDHG ETF could be one of the most useful buy and hold investment options on the ASX.

The post 3 reasons why the VDHG ETF could be a top buy and hold investment appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where to invest $5,000 in Vanguard ETFs in June

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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.