The team at Morgans has been running the rule over a number of popular ASX shares again this week.

Let’s see if it rates these as buys, holds, or sells. Here’s what you need to know:

Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)

Morgans remains positive on this software provider despite the loss of a major government contract.

It notes that the company’s shares have been hammered and are now at a five-year low. In response, the broker has retained its buy rating on Objective Corp’s shares with a reduced price target of $11.50. It commented:

OCL’s largest and longest standing customer, the Australian Department of Defence, has elected not to renew its Upgrade and Support (USP) agreement for Objective ECM, a relationship that has been in place for over 25 years. Whilst OCL expects no impacts to earnings in FY26, the group has flagged that the impact from the loss in revenue will see FY26 ARR end the period “in line with FY25” on a constant currency basis (i.e. ~A$120m Pre FY26 FX headwinds). Rebasing our forecasts for OCL’s revised FY26 ARR, our NPAT estimates reduce by ~22-23% in FY27-28F. Whilst this is a disappointing and unexpected update, post our revisions OCL is trading on FY27F P/E of 21x, with a share price at 5-years lows. We therefore reiterate our Buy rating with a revised PT of $11.50/sh.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

Morgans also highlights that ResMed shares have de-rated materially this year. This is despite the market continuing to expect strong earnings growth from the sleep disorder treatment company. 

While there are risks, Morgans remains bullish and has put a buy rating and $41.72 price target on its shares. It said:

RMD has de-rated to ~16x forward earnings, its lowest valuation since the post-GFC period, despite consensus continuing to forecast double-digit EPS growth. GLP-1 therapies, positive Phase III data from Apnimed’s oral OSA therapy, the prospect of Philips re-entering the US PAP market from 2027 and broader healthcare sector de-rating, have driven recent share price weakness. While these risks are real, current industry data and RMD’s operating performance provide limited evidence of a material deterioration in underlying demand. We make no changes to FY26-28 forecasts or our A$41.72 target price. BUY.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

Finally, this mining giant has been downgraded by Morgans following news that it is selling its aluminium business for US$5.6 billion. 

The broker has cut its recommendation to hold with a trimmed price target of $4.50. It explains:

S32 has agreed to sell its entire ali business for total consideration of US$5.6bn (US$4.1bn upfront), and transfer of US$1.2bn closure/rehab liabilities. Our view on S32’s aluminium sale is genuinely mixed. It leaves S32 a simpler and, in important respects, a better business, but also a smaller and less valuable one. Total value of up to ~US$6.8bn, which sits at a discount to consensus/Morgans valuations of US$8.8-9.2bn. We reduce our valuation on S32’s ali assets to in line with the agreed Alcoa deal, and shift our valuation methodology to a blended NAV:EBITDA valuation of A$4.50 (from A$5.00). As a result we update our rating to HOLD (from Accumulate).

The post Buy, hold, sell: Objective Corp, ResMed, and South32 shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 9 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings for FY27
• 10 of the best ASX shares to buy in FY 2027
• 7 ASX shares downgraded by brokers this week
• Top 3 ASX healthcare stocks to buy today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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

Your late 50s are a turning point in your life when your priority shifts from building your superannuation to planning what your retirement might look like.

After all, at the age of 59, you’re just one year from preservation age (when you can access your super if you’ve stopped working), six years from the average Australian retirement age of 65, and eight years from potentially receiving the Age Pension payment at age 67.

The question is: do you know how your super balance compares to others your age? Do you know exactly how much money you need to fund your retirement?

Here’s a breakdown of what the average Aussie has at age 59, and what you actually need to retire comfortably in the next few years.

What is the average superannuation balance at age 59?

There isn’t an exact figure for the average superannuation balance at age 59, but the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has a good guideline.

ASFA’s data shows that at age 55-59, the average Australian male has around $319,743 in superannuation. The average female the same age has approximately $242,945.

But given that age 59 is right on the boundary of the 55-59 age bracket, it can be helpful to consider the bracket above as well. 

Ideally you want to be somewhere in between the two. 

ASFA’s data shows that at age 60-64, the average Australian male has around $395,852 in their superannuation. Meanwhile, the average 60-64-year-old female has less, at approximately $313,360.

So, how does your balance compare to the average Aussie the same age?

How much does it cost to retire?

In Australia, retirement is generally split into two broad categories: modest and comfortable. 

A modest retirement is defined as being able to cover expenses slightly above what the full Centrelink Age Pension would provide from age 67. 

ASFA estimates that a modest retirement will cost around $36,434 per year for singles and $52,473 per year for couples. These figures assume you’ll also receive a part Age Pension and that you own your home outright.

A comfortable retirement as one that enables retirees to maintain a good standard of living well beyond the age pension. 

ASFA data shows that a comfortable retirement is estimated to cost around $55,923 per year for singles and $78,566 for couples. Again, it assumes you’ll receive a part Age Pension and that you own your home in full. 

That means ASFA’s data indicates that by age 67, single Australians need a superannuation balance of approximately $630,000. And couples should have closer to $730,000.

At age 59, is the average superannuation balance on track for retirement?

If your superannuation is in line with the rest of the population, then you’ll be able to afford a very basic and modest retirement lifestyle from the age of 67.

It could cover things like basic health insurance and home repairs, but wouldn’t leave much room for leisure activities or meals out, let alone a holiday.

But if you’re expecting to live a retirement lifestyle beyond the basics, you’re already falling behind. 

I’ve crunched the numbers, and at age 59, you should have around $479,500 in your superannuation. 

As you can see, this is significantly higher than the average balances in both age brackets.

Is it too late to catch up?

Thankfully, no.

At age 59, there is still time to boost your superannuation before it’s too late.

The first thing to do is check that your super fund is performing well and your risk profile is appropriate for your age. 

Next, you’ll need to focus your attention on making extra contributions however you can. Individuals can make concessional (before-tax) super contributions, such as salary sacrificing, which are taxed at a reduced rate. You can also make after-tax payments within your annual limits. 

It also makes sense to check in with Government contribution rules. There are several rules and co-contribution rules you might be eligible for, depending on your personal circumstances. Every cent counts when it comes to compound growth!

The post Average superannuation balance for 59 year olds in 2026. How does yours compare? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Property prices are falling. Here are the ASX shares most affected
• Buy, hold, sell: Objective Corp, ResMed, and South32 shares
• This ASX gas company could more than double in value: Broker
• Zip shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell
• The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years

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.

Shares in Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL) have been a bit unloved over the past year, falling more than 40% over the period.

That has prompted the analysts at Morgans to have a look at the energy company, and they believe there is significant upside to be had by investing in this offshore gas producer.

What has been driving the Amplitude share price lower?

In a note to clients recently, Morgans said there had been some sizeable, albeit short-term catalysts recently which had pushed the share price lower, but added that the shares had de-rated, “to a level we view as unsustainable given the company’s forward earnings profile”.

Morgans’ assessment of the value of the company had dropped 17% due to poor exploration results and weaker spot gas prices, but the shares had fallen 57% since a high in February.

In May, Amplitude bought half of the Artisan gas field in the offshore Otway Basin from Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) for $58.3 million, which Morgans said was a deal that made sense for the company.

Amplitude Managing Director Jane Norman said regarding the deal:

Producing Artisan through Amplitude Energy’s existing infrastructure allows faster and lower-cost development of this gas for the east coast domestic market. Artisan development costs will significantly benefit from leveraging the existing East Coast Supply Project (ECSP) program and our readily-available infrastructure. This is a win-win for Amplitude, O.G. Energy and Beach with respect to optimising our respective Otway Basin positions. We expect to rapidly move to FID on the development phase of the ECSP over the next few months while the drilling of the Juliet and Annie wells is conducted, with Juliet now brought forward and drilling expected to commence by late July or early August.

Morgans said the deal de-risked the ECSP for Amplitude.

Amplitude shares looking cheap

Morgans added:

While the year-to-date share price performance has been disappointing, driven by gas reservation policy uncertainty and the ECSP drilling results, but in our view the share price pressure has outpaced the change in value and has increased the size of the long-term value upside on offer. While there remains great uncertainty around Australia’s gas reservation policy, which could bring some downside to long-term domestic gas prices (potentially), it is hard not to believe we are near peak negativity on the topic sentiment wise (an appealing marker for value investors).

Morgans has a buy rating on Amplitude shares with a price target of $3, compared to $1.27 currently.

Amplitude is valued at $385.35 million.

The post This ASX gas company could more than double in value: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why ASX 200 energy stocks like Woodside and Santos shares got smashed in June
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Buy, hold, sell: Beach Energy, Flight Centre, and Judo Capital shares
• Why Beach Energy, Ioneer, Solstice Minerals, and Transurban shares are pushing higher today

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.