• This ASX small cap healthcare stock is tipped to double in value

    A scientist in a white coat and glasses puts her arms in the air in a sign of strength and success.

    Shares in Medical Developments International Ltd (ASX: MVP) are down slightly more than 20% over the past 12 months, but according to the analysts at Bell Potter there could be some serious upside from here.

    Bell Potter has a buy recommendation on the shares and a bullish share price target which I’ll get to shortly. First let’s look at the company’s recently-released full year results.

    Modest uplift in earnings

    MVP last week announced a net profit of $600,000 for FY26, up from $100,000 for the previous year.

    The company’s revenue was up 9% to $42.6 million.

    The company’s main business involves the manufacture and sale of Penthrox, better know as the “green whistle” pain relief device.

    MVP said in FY26 there was 28% volume growth of Penthrox in the Australian hospital segment and 18% growth in the European market.

    Chief Executive Officer Brent McGregor said of the results:

    We have delivered a solid financial performance in FY26 with strong cashflow generation. In our Pain Management segment we saw pleasing underlying growth, with stronger volumes in all regions. While demand in our Respiratory business was soft, pricing initiatives and lower costs helped deliver a modest improvement in segment earnings. Accelerating Penthrox volume growth was our priority in FY26. We are delighted by the progress we have made in the period on several important initiatives. This included obtaining regulatory approval for the paediatric indication of Penthrox in the UK and Europe. Penthrox can now be used by children 6 years of age and older in these markets – an important milestone for the Company. We expect to see benefits from access to the broader addressable market in future periods.

    For FY27 MVP said it expected higher demand for Penthrox in Europe, “supported by the paediatric indication in Europe and the recently published health economic data”.

    The company said the impact to earnings of Middle East supply chain disruptions and US tariffs remained uncertain and continued to be monitored.

    Shares looking cheap broker says

    Bell Potter said in a note to its clients that the result was broadly in line with their expectations, but they added that the company was poised for growth.

    They said:

    The completion of the transition in the European distribution arrangements for Penthrox lays a foundation for MVP to focus on improving demand and utilising the recent health economic analysis, published in “Emergency Medicine Australasia” to accelerate hospital adoption across geographical markets. MVP will be seeking to selectively open new markets, leveraging existing approvals and work towards improving the economic value of Penthrox.

    Bell Potter has a price target of $1 on MVP shares compared to 50 cents currenty.

    MVP is valued at $56.3 million.

    The post This ASX small cap healthcare stock is tipped to double in value appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Medical Developments International right now?

    Before you buy Medical Developments International shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Medical Developments International wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 positions in and has recommended Medical Developments International. 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.

  • VGS vs VHY: Which Vanguard ETF comes out on top?

    Person working on a computer with a hologram of the word ETF along with finance-related images.

    Investors looking for a simple way to diversify their portfolios have plenty of Vanguard ETFs to choose from. But the popular Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) take very different approaches.

    VGS offers global exposure and a tilt towards growth, while VHY focuses on high-yielding Australian shares.

    So, which Vanguard ETF comes out on top?

    VGS: Global growth in one ETF

    This popular Vanguard ETF invests in around 1,300 companies across developed markets worldwide.

    The US accounts for the bulk of the portfolio, with exposure to countries including Japan, the UK, Canada, France, Switzerland and Germany.

    Its largest holdings include NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft. That gives investors exposure to some of the world’s biggest technology companies, alongside businesses across healthcare, consumer and industrial sectors. 

    VGS charges a management fee of 0.18% per year. Over the past 12 months, it has delivered a return of around 7.4%. Over the past 10 years, the Vanguard ETF has returned approximately 184%.

    VGS also recently paid a distribution of around 80 cents per unit.

    VHY: The dividend-focused alternative

    This popular Vanguard ETF takes a completely different approach.

    Rather than looking overseas, VHY targets Australian companies with higher forecast dividend yields. Its major holdings include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), alongside other major Australian companies. 

    For income-focused investors, that’s the major attraction. The fund carries a forecast yield of around 4.2%, rising to approximately 5.5% once franking credits are included.

    And VHY hasn’t exactly been left behind on performance. It delivered a 7.4% return over the past year and a return of 46% over the past decade. 

    VHY charges a 0.25% management fee, slightly more than VGS. Its portfolio also has significant exposure to the Australian banking and resources sectors, meaning investors aren’t getting the same geographic or sector diversification offered by VGS.

    Which Vanguard ETF wins?

    There isn’t an obvious winner for every investor. VHY could be the better fit for investors who prioritise regular dividend income and want exposure to established Australian businesses. The potential benefit of franking credits is another attraction for eligible Australian investors.

    VGS, meanwhile, offers something VHY simply can’t: global diversification and access to sectors such as technology that have a much smaller presence on the Australian share market. 

    For an investor focused primarily on long-term capital growth and diversification, I’d give VGS the edge.

    But for investors seeking income today, VHY has a compelling proposition.

    Ultimately, the better Vanguard ETF depends on whether your priority is global growth or Australian dividend income.

    The post VGS vs VHY: Which Vanguard ETF comes out on top? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF right now?

    Before you buy Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Westgold Resources launches $100m Meekatharra expansion plan to boost output

    Calculator and gold bars on Australian dollars, symbolising dividends.

    The Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) share price is in focus today after the company unveiled a major expansion plan for its Meekatharra processing hub, aiming to significantly boost gold production and improve future cashflow.

    What did Westgold Resources report?

    • Scoping Study for Meekatharra Expansion Plan (MXP) to lift processing capacity from 1.8Mtpa to 2.9Mtpa in FY28
    • Expected to add approximately 47,000 ounces per year to gold production, increasing total gold output to 1.6 million ounces over 10 years (up 424,000 ounces)
    • Indicative capital cost of $100 million with a targeted payback period of 9 months
    • All-in Sustaining Cost (AISC) range forecast between $1,968 – $2,406 per ounce for life-of-mine
    • Group NPV uplift of about $1.1 billion at $5,500/oz gold price, up to $1.6 billion at spot ($6,000/oz)
    • Westgold holds $939 million in cash, bullion and liquid investments as at 30 June 2026

    What else do investors need to know?

    The Meekatharra Expansion Plan is designed as a low-capital, brownfields upgrade, leveraging existing infrastructure and equipment that’s already on hand. By installing a parallel crushing and single-stage SAG milling circuit, Westgold aims to process more ore and unlock additional emerging supply, including increased outputs from the Bluebird–South Junction mine and several open pits in its Murchison Open Pit program.

    Resource definition drilling and open pit optimisation work has already commenced to further support and de-risk the expansion. Third-party ore purchase agreements are also in place, providing additional flexibility, although these are not critical to the project’s economics.

    What did Westgold Resources management say?

    Westgold Managing Director and CEO Wayne Bramwell said:

    The MXP is a capital-efficient brownfields expansion option to address this emerging constraint. It utilises existing infrastructure and long-lead equipment already procured to increase processing capacity from 1.8Mtpa to 2.9Mtpa, without the capital intensity, execution risk or timeframe of building a new plant.

    What’s next for Westgold Resources?

    Westgold will now move forward with feasibility-level studies, detailed engineering and execution planning for the Meekatharra expansion, aiming for a final investment decision in late FY27. Brownfields resource definition work will continue in parallel to secure additional future ore sources.

    If delivered as planned, the MXP is expected to lift installed capacity in FY28, setting up improved production, lower processing costs and enhanced free cash generation for the group. Production timing and costs remain subject to feasibility outcomes and final approvals.

    Westgold Resources share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Westgold Resources shares have risen 97%, significantly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    View Original Announcement

    The post Westgold Resources launches $100m Meekatharra expansion plan to boost output appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Westgold Resources right now?

    Before you buy Westgold Resources shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Westgold Resources wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.