There are plenty of ASX blue-chip shares I would be comfortable owning for the medium to long term.

For me, the best opportunities are businesses that can keep growing over time while giving shareholders something along the way.

Here are three I would be happy to buy today.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra has become a business I am increasingly comfortable owning for the long term.

Connectivity is now essential for households and businesses, and Telstra remains focused on strengthening its position in mobile and other core services.

Its Connected Future 30 strategy is targeting mid-single-digit compound annual growth in cash earnings through to FY30. I like that ambition because Telstra does not need spectacular growth to produce a good outcome for shareholders. Steady earnings growth can support higher dividends and give the share price room to rise over time.

There are also opportunities beyond simply adding more mobile customers. Telstra is investing in areas such as its intercity fibre network, satellite connectivity, and technology that can improve how customers use its services.

Management has also made a sustainable and growing dividend an important part of its plans.

For me, Telstra offers a nice combination of recurring demand, income, and steady long-term growth.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths is another business I would be happy to own for years.

Groceries account for a meaningful part of household spending, giving the company a large base of customers who return regularly.

What interests me is how Woolworths can make that enormous existing business better. The company has invested heavily in its supply chain, including automated distribution centres designed to move products into stores faster and make replenishment more efficient. Its Moorebank precinct in Sydney is a major investment that gives the business modern infrastructure to support its operations for many years.

I think those investments can help Woolworths improve convenience, build stronger customer relationships, and gradually grow earnings over time.

The supermarket giant also has a long history of paying dividends, adding an income component to the investment case.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie has a wide range of opportunities ahead.

This ASX share operates across asset management, commodities and financial markets, banking, advisory, and investing. Its global reach also means its fortunes are not tied solely to the Australian economy.

I particularly like Macquarie’s exposure to long-term investment themes through its asset management and infrastructure activities.

The world needs enormous amounts of capital for areas such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure, transport, and other essential assets. Macquarie has spent decades building expertise in finding, financing, and managing these types of investments.

Its Commodities and Global Markets business provides another earnings engine by helping clients manage risks and access markets around the world.

Macquarie’s earnings can move around with market conditions and investment activity, but I think its ability to find opportunities across countries and asset classes gives it plenty of room to keep creating value over the long term.

Foolish takeaway

I think the best blue-chip shares are those that can keep finding ways to become better businesses over time.

Telstra, Woolworths and Macquarie already have strong positions in their respective markets, but I can still see opportunities for each to grow from here.

That is why I would be happy to buy them today and hold on for the years ahead.

The post Why I’d buy Telstra, Woolworths, and Macquarie shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. 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.

Yesterday, Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASX: ASM) announced that the Federal Court had approved Energy Fuels’ takeover, with ASM shareholders set to receive 0.053 New Energy Fuels CDIs and 13 cents in cash per share. ASM options holders will receive 50 cents per option in cash if the schemes proceed as planned.

What did Australian Strategic Materials report?

• Federal Court of Australia has approved the acquisition by Energy Fuels Inc. subsidiary.
• ASM shareholders entitled to 0.053 New Energy Fuels CDIs (or shares) plus A$0.13 cash per ASM share.
• ASM optionholders to receive A$0.50 cash per ASM option.
• Trading in ASM securities to be suspended from close of 19 August 2026.
• Final implementation date set for 28 August 2026.

What else do investors need to know?

ASM will lodge court orders with ASIC on 19 August 2026, at which point the schemes will become effective. Eligible ASM shareholders will default to receiving New Energy Fuels CDIs, unless they elect to receive shares, and must submit election forms by 5.00pm AWST, 19 August 2026.

Ineligible foreign shareholders will not receive New Energy Fuels CDIs or shares directly; instead, they will get a proportionate cash payment after their entitlement is sold by a sale agent. ASM securities will be removed from the ASX following completion, with trading of new securities commencing on ASX, NYSE American, and TSX in late August.

What’s next for Australian Strategic Materials?

The schemes are expected to be implemented on 28 August 2026, with shareholders receiving their consideration soon after. This marks the end of ASM’s journey as an independent ASX-listed company, and investors will transition to holding securities in Energy Fuels.

Normal trading of New Energy Fuels CDIs is set to begin on 31 August 2026, while holding statements will be dispatched from 1 September. The company will announce any further timetable changes as they arise.

Australian Strategic Materials share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Australian Strategic Materials shares have risen 113%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Australian Strategic Materials: Federal Court approves Energy Fuels takeover appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Yesterday, both Cogstate Ltd (ASX: CGS) and Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) released FY26 results. 

Investors reacted very differently to these results, with Cogstate shares falling 2% and Pro Medicus shares rocketing over 11%. 

Following these results, the team at Bell Potter provided updated guidance on these healthcare companies. 

What did they report?

Cogstate posted record FY26 revenue of US$60.9 million, up 15%, and a net profit after tax of US$11.9 million, up 17%.

Meanwhile, Pro Medicus announced full-year revenue of $261.7 million, up 22.9%, with underlying NPAT rising 24.1% to $144.7 million. The company remains debt-free and has lifted its fully franked total dividend by 25.5% to 69 cents per share.

Cogstate and Pro Medicus’ full results can be found here: 

• Cogstate results 
• Pro Medicus results. 

Both healthcare companies have had a very different 12 months. 

Cogstate shares are up 62% in the last year, while Pro Medicus are down 38% in the same span. 

Following yesterday’s results, here is the latest guidance out of the team at Bell potter. 

Bell Potter’s outlook for Cogstate

The broker Bell Potter viewed Cogstate’s FY26 result positively, with revenue up 15% to $60.9m, ahead of expectations, while a strong 2H gross margin of 62% drove full-year EBITDA of $18.3m and NPAT of $11.9m, both above forecast. 

The company doubled its dividend to 4 cents per share and remained debt-free with $34.8m of cash. Cogstate now enters FY27 from a record base, supported by very positive sales prospects, expected revenue growth, and an intention to maintain FY26’s EBITDA margins. 

Bell Potter has increased FY27-29 revenue forecasts by around $1m annually, reflecting stronger Clinical Trials activity and improved visibility, but higher operating costs more than offset this, resulting in around $1m lower NPAT forecasts in each year.

Based on this guidance, the broker retained its $3.70 price target and buy recommendation. 

This indicates an upside potential of more than 35%. 

Bell Potter’s outlook for Pro Medicus 

Pro Medicus reported FY26 revenue and EBIT growth of 23% and 26%, respectively, with EBIT results modestly (1.5%) ahead of consensus earnings. 

Bell Potter said that as the group’s revenue base expands, top-line growth is decelerating. However, margin expansion continues, driving the small earnings beat. 

The broker also highlighted that the company retained all six of its expiring contracts during FY26, which it believes were not subject to a competitive bidding process, based on factors such as client satisfaction with service levels and value.

The team at Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation and $226 price target for Pro Medicus shares after the company’s results. 

From yesterday’s closing price, the price target indicates 15% upside.

The post Healthcare results wrap: Are Cogstate and Pro Medicus shares a buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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 Cogstate. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Cogstate. 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.