When it comes to investing in the energy sector, Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are often front of mind.

But there is another ASX energy stock that Bell Potter is recommending to shareholders.

Which ASX energy stock?

The stock Bell Potter is bullish on is Comet Ridge Ltd (ASX: COI).

It is an energy exploration and development company focused on the Mahalo Gas Hub in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

Bell Potter notes that the company is raising up to $45 million. These funds will be used partly to settle its acquisition of Santos’ 42.86% interest in the Mahalo joint venture.

The broker highlights that this leaves it well-placed now to focus on its final investment decision (FID), which is due in FY 2027. It said:

COI is now targeting Gas Sales Agreements and releasing Mahalo Gas Project economics by the end of 2026 to support funding approvals and a Final Investment Decision by the end of the March 2027 quarter. On this timeline, COI see first gas production in late 2028.

The Mahalo development will leverage 676PJ of 2P Reserves plus 2C Contingent Resources, successful pilot wells and the permitting already received over some acreage. With the STO transaction now funded, COI must now turn its efforts to funding Mahalo’s development capital costs, the quantum of which will be highly dependent on the development scenarios and project economics now being considered.

Should you invest?

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its speculative buy rating on the ASX energy stock with a reduced price target of 14 cents.

Based on its current share price of 9.9 cents, this implies potential upside of 41% for investors over the next 12 months.

To put that into context, a $2,000 investment would turn into approximately $2,800 by this time next year if the broker is on the money with its recommendation.

Commenting on its investment thesis, Bell Potter said:

Our COI valuation is based on COI’s Mahalo project which is one of the few development-ready gas projects capable of delivering near-term supply. We are positive on Australian east coast gas markets, with supply shortfalls likely to support higher prices. Funding the Mahalo development remains a risk. COI is a gas development company with prospective operations and cash flows only; our Speculative risk rating recognises this higher level of risk.

The post Bell Potter is tipping this ASX energy stock to rise 40% (It isn’t Woodside) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Crude oil falls below US$70 as ASX energy shares sell-off
• Why Judo Capital, Minerals 260, Santos, and Worley shares are dropping today
• Is the Woodside share price a buy in July?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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.

The team at Bell Potter has identified an ASX 200 share that they believe could generate big returns for investors.

And while no dividend is expected in 2026, it could pay to be patient, with the broker expecting a big dividend yield next year.

Which ASX 200 share?

The share that has caught the eye of Bell Potter is Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC).

It notes that the nickel producer has announced deals to acquire more production capacity. It said:

NIC has announced it will acquire interests in expansions to the existing ENC HPAL facility (46% NIC) which will lift its attributable nickel in HPAL capacity by ~17ktpa (41%) to 58.6ktpa. NIC will acquire a 17.5% interest in the 36ktpa PT Teluk Metal Industry (TMI) expansion for US$169m cash consideration. Separately, NIC will acquire a 36% interest in the 28ktpa PT Chengsheng New Energy (CNE) expansion via an equity swap with consideration being an 18% interest in the Sampala Project (reducing NIC from 60% to 42%). TMI and CNE are both expected to come online in mid-2027 with ore supply from Sampala.

The TMI acquisition is subject to a Construction Guarantee capping the acquisition cost at US$169m and delivery of nameplate production by September 2027. NIC expects to fund the cash payment, due 26 November 2026, from existing cash and operating cash flow. If needed, NIC’s major shareholder (Shanghai Decent) will provide debt funding on commercial terms. NIC held cash and equivalents of US$212m at end March 2026.

Big potential returns

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on the ASX 200 share with an improved price target of $1.55 (from $1.45).

Based on its current share price of 89 cents, this implies potential upside of almost 75% for investors over the next 12 months.

And as mentioned at the top, no dividend is expected in FY 2026. However, in FY 2027 an unfranked 6 cents per share dividend is forecast, followed by a 14 cents per share dividend in FY 2028.

This implies potential dividend yields of 6.75% and 15.7%, respectively.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

EPS changes in this report are: CY26: +1%, CY27 +5%, CY28 +16%. NIC offers nickel price leverage and diversified margin exposure across an integrated value chain. The HPAL expansion transactions will further balance NIC’s earnings into downstream higher-margin operations and preserve earnings through the nickel price cycle. We lift our Target Price 7% to $1.55/sh and retain our Buy rating.

The post Should you buy this ASX 200 share for its 15% forecast dividend yield? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• This ASX 200 stock is up almost 30% in a year. Now it is making another big move
• Nickel Industries shares: US$169m TMI HPAL investment boost
• This ASX 200 mining stock is up 44% in a year. Why is it climbing again?
• Why AIC Mines, EOS, Flight Centre, and Nickel Industries shares are racing higher today

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.

EchoIQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ) shares were on fire on Friday.

The ASX tech stock rocketed 30% to $1.62 after Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) announced a major investment in the company and a marketing agreement.

The market appears to see this investment as a stamp of approval from the medical imaging technology provider.

Pro Medicus’ CEO, Dr Sam Hupert, commented:

In addition to providing financial backing, we are looking to offer our Visage 7 Cardiology customers the option of Echo IQ’s technology. This is in line with our AI strategy of offering a curated suite of algorithms that will be a mixture of algorithms created by us, those created in conjunction with our clinical partners and 3rd party algorithms such as Echo-IQ.

Is it too late to buy this ASX tech stock?

The good news is that Bell Potter doesn’t believe it is too late to buy this high-flying share. However, the near-term upside from here could be limited.

According to a note, the broker has initiated coverage on the cardiology-focused medical technology company’s shares with a speculative buy rating and $1.65 price target. This is just a fraction higher than where its shares currently trade.

Bell Potter believes there is a major unmet need that the ASX tech stock could help with. It explains:

The major unmet need in this patient population are those currently asymptomatic (i.e. without obvious symptoms) with severe disease. The vast majority proceed to symptomatic disease within two years and become candidates for aortic value replacement. Recent clinical data has proven that early intervention drives a significant survival benefit.

The data suggest that the majority of these patients are not identified using current screening methods and fewer still receive treatment. Finally, this recent clinical data has been recognised by CMS which recently proposed an update to its National Coverage Determination to extend reimbursement for AS patients with asymptomatic disease.

Commenting on its speculative buy rating, Bell Potter adds:

We commence coverage with a Buy (Speculative) recommendation and valuation of $1.65. We expect EIQ expand rapidly over the short to medium term as healthcare operators and payers recognise the benefit of these diagnostic aides in helping to minimise the long term cost of heart failure to US healthcare.

Overall, this could make it one to watch in the near term.

The post Is this exciting ASX tech stock a buy after its massive news? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Pro Medicus just struck a revolutionary AI cardiology deal. Here’s why that matters
• Why is everyone talking about Mineral Resources, A2 Milk and Pro Medicus shares on Thursday?
• Why A2 Milk, EchoIQ, Lendlease, and Qantas shares are racing higher today
• A deal with Pro Medicus has turned this ASX biotech into a 10-bagger, up more than 30% today
• Pro Medicus shares jump again as AI deal adds fuel to 40% rally

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