Shares in Aurum Resources Ltd (ASX: AUE) have fallen just shy of 30% over the past 12 months, but according to the analysts at Bell Potter, that could be about to change.

They have released a new research report with a speculative buy recommendation on the company and a very bullish share price target, which I’ll get to shortly.

Firstly, let’s take a look at what’s been making news for the company recently.

Excellent exploration results boosting confidence

Aurum on 1 October announced that it had hit the best gold intercept to date at its Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.

The company received assays back from eight drill holes, with one returning an intercept of 28.8m at 22.9 grams per tonne of gold from a depth of 204m.

Aurum said the drilling also confirmed that the gold mineralisation at the site remained open.

The company is expecting to release a new mineral resource estimate for Boundiali in the fourth quarter of the calendar year, incorporating drilling that was completed in September.

This would be followed by a definitive feasibility study expected in late 2026.

The company currently has a mineral resource estimate of 3.22 million ounces of gold at Boundiali and 1.2 million ounces at its Napié Gold Project.

Aurum has a current cash balance of $95 million.

Aurum Managing Director Dr Caigen Wang said regarding the company’s future plans:

This cash and our own diamond rig fleet places us in a strong position to advance drilling, studies and permitting concurrently at Boundiali. We received environmental approval in May and delivered the Pre-Feasibility Study and Maiden Ore Reserve in June. Our focus now is grant of the Mining Licences and completion of the DFS, with the goal of finalising funding and starting construction in early 2027, targeting first gold from Boundiali in the first half of 2028.

Aurum raised $52.5 million in September at 55 cents per share to progress its exploration program.

ASX gold shares looking cheap

Bell Potter said the company received “high-quality support” for the raise, including from Shandong Gold, which was a top 10 global mining company.

They added that strategic investors now accounted for about 25% of Aurum’s share register.

Bell Potter said further:

AUE is one of the most successful gold exploration companies active in West Africa. Its management team has a demonstrated track record of discovery, resource growth, project construction, development, operation and divestment. AUE is well-funded, has outlined a compelling development project at Boundiali with substantial exploration upside.

Bell Potter has a price target of $1.45 on Aurum shares compared to 51 cents at the time of writing.

If achieved, this would constitute upside of 184.3%. Aurum is valued at $255.6 million.

The post Could this ASX gold developer really rise 180%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Fortunately for income investors, there are lots of ASX dividend shares to choose from on the local bourse.

To narrow things down, let’s take a closer look at one dividend share that analysts at Bell Potter think could be among the best to buy now.

Which ASX dividend share is a buy?

The dividend share that Bell Potter is recommending to clients is Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF).

It is an agricultural property company with a portfolio focused on almond orchards, vineyards, cattle, cotton and macadamias. 

Its assets are some of the most productive in the industry and leased to high quality tenants including Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE), Olam, JBS, and Select Harvests Ltd (ASX: SHV). 

Bell Potter notes that Rural Funds’ shares have pulled back meaningfully since providing disappointing AFFO guidance. 

The broker thinks this has created a buying opportunity given the positive backdrop in agricultural land valuations. It said:

Since providing disappointing FY27e AFFO guidance the share price of RFF has been under pressure, this is despite the favourable backdrop in agricultural land valuations and RFF having executed asset sales to create balance sheet capacity, with further sales planned.

The latest Bendigo bank agricultural land values report (for 1HCY26) looked to confirm resilience in agricultural valuation, with the median transaction value up +8% YoY […]  The report notes that further farmland appreciation is anticipated 2HCY26 amidst supportive commodity markets, however, the re-escalation of input cost pressures, further interest rate rises and the dry weather outlook combine to provide a weaker outlook for growth from CY27.

Big returns and generous dividend yields

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating and $2.55 price target on the ASX dividend share.

Based on its current share price of $1.93, this implies potential upside of 32% for investors over the next 12 months.

In addition, Bell Potter is expecting dividend yields of 6.1% in FY 2027, FY 2028, and FY 2029.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

Our Buy rating is unchanged. During FY26 RFF contracted to dispose of $315m in assets at an 18% premium to BV. While this is a positive, there remains $356m worth of assets under development or operated, where there is limited income being generated. Execution of further asset sales, including mature and operated macadamia orchards and leasing of properties undergoing productivity enhancements would likely be catalysts for improvedAFFO and the share price. The 41% discount to Market-NAV and 34% discount to NAV are both all-time highs and material deviations from historical averages.

The post Is this cheap ASX dividend share one of the best income buys? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended its winning streak with a small decline. The benchmark index edged 0.1% lower to 8,727.7 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall

It looks set to be a poor session for Australian investors following a weak night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 53 points or 0.6% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.65%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.2%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.2%.

ASX 200 shares paying dividends

A number of ASX 200 shares are rewarding their shareholders with dividends on Thursday. This includes Aurelia Metals Ltd (ASX: AMI), Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB), Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY), Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL), and Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX). The latter will be paying a fully franked 10 cents per share dividend to eligible shareholders.

Oil prices mixed

ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) will be on watch after a mixed night for oil prices. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.6% to US$88.91 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.3% to US$100.88 a barrel. Traders appear undecided with where oil prices are going next.

Buy ALS shares

ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) shares are still in the buy zone according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $24.00. It said: “We are becoming increasingly cautious of a deceleration in exploration activity growth from FY28, compounded by weakening Junior equity raisings, a resurgence of cost input inflation observed across the global mining industry, rising bond yields and a weakening gold price environment. That said, indicators point to short-term buoyant conditions in the exploration market, and given the 1Q FY27 Trading Update, we reiterate our position that FY27 Minerals organic revenue growth guidance appears conservative.”

Gold price drops

It could be a tough day for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price dropped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.35% to US$4,131 an ounce. The release of the US Federal Reserve’s minutes revealed expectations for another rate hike.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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.