• Why are Pro Medicus shares surging more than 10%?

    Doctor sees virtual images of the patient's x-rays on a blue background.

    Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares have surged more than 10% on solid profit results, with the company saying its pipeline of inbound work is “very strong” going forward.

    And at least one broker has a bullish share price target on the company, with Barrenjoey expecting the shares to appreciate to $210, up from $197.45 currently, up 12.3% on the day.

    Pro Medicus profit increase in the double digits

    The digital imaging software company reported full-year revenue of $261.7 million, up 22.9%, while underlying net profit was $144.7 million, up 24.1%.

    Pro Medicus remains debt free with cash on hand of $252.3 million, and will pay a fully-franked final dividend of 37 cents per share, up from 30 cents.

    On the operational front, the company said it had signed 10 new contracts worth a minimum of $407 million, and renewed six out of six existing contracts worth $141 million on five-year terms.

    Pro Medicus Chief Executive Officer Dr Sam Hupert said the result was in line with expectations.

    He added:

    We were aiming for 30% increases in EBIT and NPAT, and we exceeded both on a constant currency basis. We continue to be able to address a broad range of market segments, with clients ranging from smaller sub specialised health systems through to some of the largest IDNs and academic medical centres in the US. Importantly, we have proven that with one platform and one business model we can address virtually every opportunity in diagnostic imaging, providing us with the largest total addressable market (TAM). Progress made in the cardiology market represents another important string to our bow. We see this trend continuing.

    Pro Medicus to get an AI tailwind

    Dr Hupert also said the company was becoming more convinced that AI would be a benefit.

    He added:

    I have always maintained that AI and healthcare are a strong match, particularly in diagnostic imaging, and we are starting to see examples of this emerging. We are ideally positioned to benefit from this transition as we are the radiologist’s desktop and therefore the gateway for the output of image-based AI. Our platform is now used by approximately 11% of the US market, including 11 out of the top 20 healthcare institutions in the US and growing. This gives us a very material base upon which we can layer AI, whether it is via our own algorithms, those we co-develop with our research partners or 3rd party algorithms.

    During the year, the company invested $10 million in each of 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) and Echo IQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ), which Dr Hupert said were strategic investments which had also done well from a return on capital perspective.

    Pro Medicus is valued at $18.4 billion.

    The post Why are Pro Medicus shares surging more than 10%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus right now?

    Before you buy Pro Medicus 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 Pro Medicus 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 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.

  • 2 ASX 200 bank stocks making BIG moves today on results

    Arrows with the words up and down.

    It’s a big day for two of the smaller S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stocks today.

    As well as for their shareholders.

    Following the release of their full year FY 2026 earnings results, one of the bank stocks is racing ahead of the 0.3% gains posted by the ASX 200 in late morning trade on Tuesday, while the other is falling hard.

    Here’s what’s grabbing investor attention.

    Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

    Turning to the falling ASX 200 bank stock first, Bendigo Bank shares are down a sharp 8.2% at the time of writing, trading for $10.24 apiece.

    Highlights from the company’s FY 2026 results included a 3% year-on-year increase in after-tax cash earnings to $530.2 million.

    While the bank’s net interest margin (NIM) slipped from the 1.98% reported for the first half of the year to 1.95% for the full year, the company achieved a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $375.1 million.

    But investors look to be pressuring Bendigo Bank shares today amid ongoing regulatory issues.

    As the Motley Fool’s James Mickleboro reported, “Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is facing new APRA-imposed licence conditions following a review of its non-financial risk management.”

    Commenting on risk management issues, Bendigo Bank CEO Richard Fennell said:

    Our current non-financial risk management capabilities are clearly not where they need to be, and our risk rectification plan will be designed to drive a fundamental shift in our management of non-financial risk.

    Which brings us to…

    ASX 200 bank stock Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)

    Judo Bank also reported its FY 2026 results today, with investors responding very positively.

    At the time of writing Judo shares are changing hands for $1.01 apiece, putting the ASX 200 bank stock up 9.9% for the day.

    Highlights for the financial year just past included a 24% increase in deposits to $12.2 billion.

    And Judo managed to increase its NIM by 0.20% from FY 2025 to 3.13%.

    On the bottom line, Judo Bank achieved a 29% year-on-year increase in statutory NPAT to $111.1 million.

    And the ASX 200 bank stock looks to be catching tailwinds after reaffirming its FY 2027 profit before tax guidance in the range of $210 million to $220 million. That represents an increase of 25% to 31% from FY 2026. Judo also forecast stable NIM for the financial year ahead.

    “We have a proven customer value proposition, our balance sheet remains strong, and we remain on course to deliver a return on equity in the low-to-mid teens,” Judo Capital CEO Chris Bayliss said.

    The post 2 ASX 200 bank stocks making BIG moves today on results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Bendigo And Adelaide Bank right now?

    Before you buy Bendigo And Adelaide Bank 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 Bendigo And Adelaide Bank 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 Bernd Struben 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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 ASX shares I’d buy if I could only check my portfolio once a year

    Man and woman sitting at table with the man looking a bit puzzled at his laptop.

    Some businesses make long-term investing feel relatively straightforward.

    They have clear opportunities to keep expanding, established positions in their markets, and reasons to believe they could be considerably larger a decade from now.

    If I could only check my portfolio once a year, these are three ASX shares I would be comfortable owning.

    ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

    ResMed would be my first pick because sleep health is a market I expect to keep growing for many years.

    The company is best known for its devices and masks used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea. Millions of people already use its products, but a huge number of people around the world remain undiagnosed or untreated.

    That gives ResMed plenty of people still to reach.

    I also like what happens after someone begins treatment. Masks and other accessories need replacing regularly, creating an ongoing relationship rather than a one-off equipment sale.

    Its latest results show that demand remains strong. ResMed’s fourth-quarter revenue increased by 9%, supported by its sleep devices, masks and accessories.

    The company is also investing in digital health to help patients remain on therapy. I think combining connected devices, software and replacement products can strengthen those customer relationships over time.

    For me, ResMed is a business that could quietly keep growing as more people receive treatment for sleep-related conditions.

    TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

    TechnologyOne is another share I would happily leave alone for long periods.

    Its software is used by councils, universities, government organisations and other institutions to manage important everyday functions.

    Once one of these organisations has built its operations around TechnologyOne’s software, changing systems can involve considerable time, disruption and retraining. Meanwhile, the company continues improving what existing customers can do through the platform.

    TechnologyOne’s SaaS+ model takes this further by giving the company greater responsibility for implementing and operating its software for customers.

    I think its expansion outside Australia could be particularly important over the next decade. UK annual recurring revenue reached $53 million in the first half of FY26, up 23%. That figure caught my attention because it shows TechnologyOne is gaining traction in another large market rather than relying solely on its established Australian customer base.

    Artificial intelligence could give customers another reason to deepen their use of the platform, with TechnologyOne investing in technology that can automate tasks inside its software.

    There should be plenty more runway if the company can repeat its Australian success overseas.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    Coles may seem like the least exciting company of the three, but I wouldn’t let that put you off.

    Australians need groceries every week, giving Coles an enormous base of recurring customer demand and defensive earnings.

    The business is also changing behind the scenes. Coles has invested heavily in automated distribution centres and customer fulfilment centres, which can make the supply chain more efficient while helping it handle growing online demand.

    Ecommerce sales increased by 27% during the first half of FY26, with volumes through its automated fulfilment centres continuing to grow.

    I think that shows Coles can continue evolving even in a mature industry.

    The company also owns valuable customer relationships through Flybuys and is developing its retail media operations, creating more ways to earn from the enormous amount of shopping activity already passing through its stores and websites.

    For a long-term holding, I like that combination of everyday demand and gradual improvement.

    Foolish takeaway

    I like all three because I can see a reason to stay patient with them through the inevitable market noise.

    If the underlying businesses keep progressing, I think these are the sort of shares that could reward investors for simply giving them time.

    The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy if I could only check my portfolio once a year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Coles Group right now?

    Before you buy Coles Group 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 Coles Group 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 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 ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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