AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) shares jumped almost 10% higher on Thursday, closing the day at $1.90 a piece.

The impressive daily increase came off the back of a positive first-half earnings update out of the company on Thursday morning.

The financial services company said in a statement to the ASX that it expects underlying net profit to come in at $170 to $180 million. This is significantly higher than the $131 million reported for the same period last year. Investors rushed to snap up the stock, sending the share price flying.

The news isn’t the only tailwind AMP shares have enjoyed over the past couple of months. 

After crashing to an annual low in mid-March, the stock has slowly but steadily recovered the losses shed. At the time of writing, the shares have now rebounded 64% from their low, and are now up around 4% for the year-to-date.

Why have AMP shares rebounded from their low?

AMP shares crashed around 26% in February after it posted a disappointing FY25 result. It came in far below expectations, and investors were disgruntled.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns about Australia’s inflation data rate also weighed heavily on financial shares throughout the first half of the year.

Later in April, AMP’s first-quarter update was a little more positive. The company reported 45% growth in Platforms’ net cash flows and improved Superannuation & Investments (S&I) net cash outflows in April. The result proved that business growth is underway and revealed momentum across several key divisions. 

Investors were happy with the results and some confidence was restored. Now it looks like investors have become increasingly confident that the company’s turnaround can translate into a better financial performance and improved shareholder returns.

AMP has also benefited from renewed expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia will start to ease interest rates. Lower interest rate expectations generally boost sentiment for financial stocks like AMP. 

Are they a buy, sell or hold now?

The experts are mostly bullish on the outlook for AMP shares over the next 12 months. But after Thursday’s huge share price spike, it’s unclear exactly what upside we can expect next.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a buy rating on AMP shares. The $1.79 average target price, however, now implies a potential 2% downside ahead.

TradingView data shows something very similar. The majority (six out of 10) have a buy or strong buy rating on AMP shares. Another three rate the stock as a hold.

The average $1.82 target price now implies a potential 4% downside ahead. Although some think that the shares have the potential to climb another 3% higher to $1.95 a piece.

I expect that after yesterday’s news, and share price surge, we may see a flurry of brokers and analysts revise their expectations for AMP shares in coming days.

The post AMP shares rebound 64%: Buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need in my superannuation to earn an annual $60,000 passive income?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• AMP expects higher 1H26 earnings on China growth
• Why are AMP shares trading higher today?
• Buying AMP shares? Here’s the dividend yield you’ll get today

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.

A self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) gives investors the freedom to shape their retirement portfolio around their own goals.

For money that may stay invested for decades, I would want a combination of dependable earnings, growing dividends, and exposure to businesses that could look much larger in the future.

These are three ASX 200 shares I would consider.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA is rarely the cheapest major bank, yet it remains the one I would feel most comfortable owning for the long term.

The bank is woven into the financial lives of millions of Australians. Customers use it to receive wages, pay bills, save money, buy homes, operate businesses, and invest. Those relationships create a strong franchise.

CBA also keeps investing in its digital platform, payments, fraud prevention, and customer experience. I think that spending can help the bank protect its market position as financial services become increasingly digital.

Its fully franked dividends could provide income inside an SMSF, while its exposure to lending, deposits, and household finances gives shareholders a direct connection to the Australian economy.

The premium valuation deserves attention, and banking conditions will shift over time. Even so, I think CBA has the financial strength and customer loyalty to remain a leading ASX business for many years.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

Coles would bring a more defensive source of earnings to the SMSF.

Households can delay buying furniture, electronics, or a new car when money becomes tight. Grocery spending is much harder to avoid.

That regular demand gives Coles a strong starting point, although the company still needs to compete hard on price, availability, convenience, and customer trust.

I like the work Coles has been doing across online shopping, loyalty, distribution, and automated fulfilment. These investments can help the supermarket serve customers more efficiently while supporting growth beyond simply opening more stores.

The Flybuys ecosystem also gives Coles greater insight into shopping habits and another way to strengthen customer relationships.

Margins in supermarkets are relatively thin, and competition from Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), Aldi, and other retailers will remain intense. Cost inflation and political scrutiny can also create pressure.

Nevertheless, for an SMSF, I think Coles offers a compelling blend of defensive demand, dividends, and measured long-term growth.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

The final ASX 200 share would give the portfolio a stronger growth engine.

NextDC develops and operates data centres, which provide the physical infrastructure behind cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, streaming, and digital payments.

The digital economy may feel invisible, but it still needs buildings, electricity, cooling systems, secure connections, and enormous computing capacity.

NextDC is investing heavily to meet that demand across Australia and overseas. Its expansion requires substantial capital, and returns can take time to appear as new capacity is developed and contracted.

That creates risks around funding, project execution, customer concentration, and the timing of revenue. It also means the shares may be much more volatile than CBA or Coles.

I would keep the position measured, but I think an SMSF with a long horizon can afford to own some businesses whose strongest earnings may still lie well ahead.

Foolish takeaway

I would want an SMSF portfolio to keep working through several stages of retirement planning.

Income becomes increasingly attractive as retirement approaches, while growth can help the portfolio keep pace with rising living costs and support larger dividends later.

CBA and Coles could provide a steadier earnings base, while NextDC offers exposure to infrastructure supporting a rapidly expanding digital economy.

I think that combination could give an SMSF enough resilience for uncertain periods and enough ambition to keep growing over the long term.

The post 3 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy for a self-managed superannuation fund appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need in my superannuation to earn an annual $60,000 passive income?
• Buy, hold, sell: Coles, Woolworths, Wesfarmers shares
• 3 amazing ASX ETFs I’d buy this month
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• How many CBA shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. 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.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN), and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) have all given investors plenty to think about recently.

But are they buys at current prices? Here’s what I think of all three blue-chips.

Macquarie shares

Macquarie tends to be at its best when the world is changing and large amounts of capital need to find a home.

Governments and businesses need funding for infrastructure, energy systems, technology, transport, and other major projects.
Investors also want access to private markets and real assets that can provide returns beyond traditional shares and bonds.

I like that Macquarie can participate from several directions. It can manage assets, advise on transactions, arrange financing, trade commodities, and invest alongside clients.

That range has allowed the company to keep evolving as opportunities move between markets.

Its earnings can be uneven because activity in commodities, asset sales, and corporate transactions changes from year to year. Even so, I think its global expertise, relationships, and ability to deploy capital across changing conditions make it a strong long-term buy.

Qantas shares

I have no interest in pretending airlines are easy investments.

Fuel prices, competition, industrial action, weather, economic conditions, and operational problems can all disrupt a carefully prepared forecast.

Qantas still attracts me because it has several advantages that would be extremely difficult for a new competitor to reproduce.

Its domestic network, airport slots, brand, Jetstar operations, and frequent flyer ecosystem have been built over decades. The loyalty business is especially appealing because it earns money through credit cards, retail partnerships, points, and travel rewards without relying entirely on aircraft flying at full capacity.

Fleet renewal could shape the next stage of the story. New aircraft should support better fuel efficiency, improved reliability, new routes, and a stronger passenger experience, although the investment required will be substantial.

I would approach Qantas with realistic expectations and accept that sentiment can turn quickly. At the right position size, I think the company’s competitive strengths and multiple earnings streams make the shares a buy.

WiseTech shares

WiseTech is the share I would handle most carefully, although it may also have the greatest upside if execution improves.

Global trade still runs through a maze of customs rules, freight companies, warehouses, ports, documents, and regulatory systems. CargoWise helps logistics businesses bring much of that complexity into one platform.

Once software becomes embedded across daily operations, replacing it can be expensive and disruptive. That gives WiseTech the chance to deepen customer relationships and keep expanding recurring revenue.

The e2open acquisition and greater use of artificial intelligence could widen the opportunity significantly. WiseTech wants to connect more participants across global trade while automating labour-intensive logistics workflows.

It is important to remember that investor confidence has been damaged by governance concerns, leadership questions, and uncertainty around integration. Those issues probably justify a measured position.

After the heavy share price decline, I think the balance between risk and reward has become far more attractive. WiseTech shares are a buy for me, although I would expect plenty of volatility.

Foolish takeaway

I would buy all three shares, although I think the strongest case appears when looking several years ahead rather than focusing on the next result.

Macquarie, Qantas, and WiseTech have all spent years building capabilities that would be difficult for a rival to reproduce quickly. That gives them room to keep adapting, even when earnings, sentiment, or execution become less predictable.

There will be periods when confidence weakens and the share prices test investors’ patience. At sensible position sizes, I think the long-term opportunity is attractive enough to justify buying all three today.

The post Are Macquarie, Qantas, and WiseTech shares buys? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Project Sunrise incoming: Are Qantas shares a buy?
• 3 ASX dividend shares that look better after CGT reforms
• The Macquarie share price just hit a new record high
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 4 ASX shares rated a strong buy and with upsides of up to 109%

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