Stock Pick

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Ten happy friends leaping in the air outdoors.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) experienced a bouncy and ultimately lukewarm session this Thursday. After the selling pressure that we saw through much of the week’s earlier trading, investors didn’t seem to know what to make of today. After a dip upon market open this morning, sentiment recovered throughout the session, and the ASX 200 ended up closing just 0.018% higher. That leaves the index at 8,724.5 points. 

    This rather indecisive day for the Australian markets followed a rather gloomy day on the American boards last night (our time).

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was also scattered, but ended up finishing 0.027% lower.

    The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared worse, dropping 0.66%.

    But time now to return to the local markets and take a deeper dive into what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors over today’s trading.

    Winners and losers

    Despite the market’s positive move, there were more red sectors than green ones this Thursday.

    Leading those red sectors were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) crashed a nasty 3.58% lower today. 

    Consumer discretionary shares were hit hard too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) cratering 2.17%.

    Tech stocks were also shunned. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) took a 1.14% plunge this session.

    Industrial shares were unpopular as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.79% dive.

    Energy stocks weren’t finding buyers either. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) sank 0.68% today.

    Communications shares were right behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) tanking 0.63%. 

    Next came real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) dipped 0.42%.

    Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)’s 0.34% decline.

    Our last losers this Thursday were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slipped 0.02% lower by the close of trading.

    Let’s turn to the winners now. It was gold stocks that shone the brightest, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring 3.4% today.

    Financial shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) roared up 1.17% over the session.

    Finally, healthcare stocks came down on the right side of the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)’s 0.28% lift.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Gold miner Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) took out today’s top spot.

    There wasn’t any news out from the company itself, but most gold miners did pretty well today.

    Here’s how the other top stocks tied up at the dock: 

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) $1.11 8.33%
    Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) $0.735 6.52%
    Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) $5.11 6.24%
    Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) $19.83 5.48%
    Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) $1.27 5.42%
    Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) $0.97 4.86%
    Elevra Lithium Ltd (ASX: ELV) $10.07 4.46%
    Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI) $0.73 4.29%
    News Corporation (ASX: NWS) $42.33 4.29%
    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) $38.41 3.84%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

     

     

    The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ora Banda Mining right now?

    Before you buy Ora Banda Mining 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 Ora Banda Mining 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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.

  • What is Bell Potter’s updated view on Telstra shares?

    A girl sits on her bed in her room while using laptop and listening to headphones.

    The team at Bell Potter has provided updated guidance on one of Australia’s most popular defensive shares: Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). 

    Why Telstra shares are in so many portfolios

    Telstra is Australia’s largest and longest-running provider of telecommunications and information products and services. 

    As one of the largest listed companies on the ASX, the telecommunications and information service provider also has a presence in 20 countries around the globe.

    Its market dominance provides a defensive option for many investors, while also having a strong track record of paying healthy dividends.

    These characteristics have helped Telstra shares climb 6% in 2026, while much of the ASX 200 has lagged amid global headwinds and inflation fears.

    So is it a buy, hold or sell according to Bell Potter?

    Here is what the broker is saying. 

    Under the microscope

    Bell Potter has updated its forecasts before the end of the financial year.

    The changes reflect:

    • Higher mobile plan prices introduced in early May.
    • Higher NBN broadband prices for home and small business customers from 1 July.
    • Growing competition from Starlink, especially in regional and remote Australia.
    • More certainty about Telstra’s share buyback, which affects the number of shares on issue.

    Bell Potter slightly increased its revenue forecasts (by less than 1%) to reflect Telstra’s recent price rises, but trimmed its underlying EBITDAaL profit forecasts by around 1% for FY26–FY28, as higher costs and increasing competition are expected to offset much of the additional revenue.

    Overall, Telstra’s recent price increases should modestly boost revenue, but stronger competition (particularly from Starlink) and other factors slightly reduce profit expectations. 

    Bell Potter still expects Telstra to deliver on its guidance and maintain its dividend.

    Hold recommendation maintained

    Based on this guidance, Bell Potter has a hold recommendation on Telstra shares along with a $5.10 price target. 

    This target indicates that Telstra shares are currently trading close to fair value. 

    We expect little if any surprises at the upcoming result so the focus shifts to the FY27 guidance and outlook. We and the market continue to forecast mid to high single digit growth in the key metrics of underlying EBITDAaL, cash EBIT and EPS.

    Bell Potter said the key focus, therefore, is more likely to be on capital management and, in particular, whether any further share buy-back is announced. 

    Telstra has already flagged growing dividends as part of its Capital Management Framework but there is perhaps some question over whether it can continue to fund share buy-backs consistent with the levels of the past two years.

    The post What is Bell Potter’s updated view on Telstra shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Telstra 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 Telstra 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

    Happy woman working on a laptop.

    On Monday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a strong start to the week. The benchmark index rose 0.7% to 8,823.4 points.

    Will the market be able to build on this on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:

    ASX 200 to rise

    The Australian share market looks set to rise again on Tuesday following a good night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 10 points or 0.1% higher. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.6%, the S&P 500 is up 1.15%, and the Nasdaq has stormed 2% higher.

    Telstra shares rated as a hold

    Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares are fully valued according to the team at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating and $5.10 price target on the telco giant’s shares, which is a touch below its current share price. The broker isn’t expecting any surprises in August, saying: “We expect little if any surprises at the upcoming result so the focus shifts to the FY27 guidance and outlook. We and the market continue to forecast mid to high single digit growth in the key metrics of underlying EBITDAaL, cash EBIT and EPS – consistent with the Connected Future 30 strategy – so, again, we see little prospect of surprise in the guidance.”

    Oil prices rise

    ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a decent session after oil prices pushed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.9% to US$70.51 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.2% to US$72.85 a barrel. Traders were bidding oil higher despite easing US-Iran tensions. They may have doubts that peace talks will hold.

    Gold price tumbles

    It could be a tough session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price tumbled overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.7% to US$4,026.1 an ounce. Concerns over rising inflation and potential interest rate hikes weighed on the precious metal.

    Consumer shares to buy

    Bell Potter has named the consumer shares to buy in a difficult operating environment. They are JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH), Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI), and Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK). Commenting on its picks, the broker said: “We continue to favour our key preferences, JBH, UNI and NCK considering their market position, gross margin levers and balance sheet strength vs current valuation.”

    The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Beach Energy right now?

    Before you buy Beach Energy 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 Beach Energy 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. 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 Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nick Scali and Universal Store. 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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