It has been a huge year for Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares, but Monday has brought a bit of selling pressure.

At the time of writing, the Mineral Resources share price is down 2.91% to $67.14.

Even after today’s fall, the ASX 200 mining stock is still up 23% in 2026 and around 220% higher than this time last year.

So, what is the market weighing up today?

Onslow Iron drives the turnaround

The latest attention comes after Mineral Resources posted what has been called the strongest 6-month period in its history.

The company has benefited from its iron ore business, particularly the Onslow Iron project, which has been ramping up after a difficult start.

Onslow Iron is currently running at a 35 million tonne annualised rate, with 40 million tonnes possible within two years.

Evidently, this has helped Mineral Resources return to a much stronger financial position of late.

The company generated a record EBITDA of $1.2 billion for the half, while revenue came in at $3.05 billion. It also posted a net profit of $573 million, compared with a heavy loss a year earlier.

Iron ore delivered $519 million in EBITDA, while lithium has also been helped by the recent recovery in spodumene prices.

Leadership remains in focus

While the numbers have improved, the leadership question is still hanging over the company.

According to The Australian, Mineral Resources has been working through a governance review after issues involving related-party dealings and company resources.

Chair Mal Bundey has indicated the search for a new chief executive is still underway, although the timing remains unclear.

The report suggests Ellison could stay in the top job until the completion of a major project in 2027 and then leave on his own terms.

That leaves investors with two things to weigh up.

On one hand, Mineral Resources is in a much better operating position than it was a year ago. On the other, the leadership issue still needs to be resolved before the company can fully move on from a messy period.

Could dividends return?

Another point getting attention is the possibility of dividends returning.

Mineral Resources stopped paying dividends in 2024 as it focused on reducing debt and protecting its balance sheet.

The company’s net debt has reportedly fallen slightly to $4.9 billion, while free cash flow improved to $292 million for the half.

While no dividend has been declared, the company has flagged that payouts could return if liquidity and leverage targets are met.

That would be a big change after a difficult period for shareholders.

The post Mineral Resources shares slide as CEO uncertainty weighs in appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Up 200%: Can Mineral Resources shares keep rising?
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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

With lots of ASX shares to choose from on the Australian market, it can be difficult to decide which ones to buy. The good news is that brokers across the country are doing a lot of the hard work for you.

Three top ASX shares that leading brokers have named as buys this week are outlined below. Here’s why they are bullish on them:

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $39.25 price target on this banking giant’s shares. Citi believes that the proposed changes to negative gearing could have a big impact on mortgage lending in the near term. In fact, it expects mortgage credit growth to slow to just 3.5% from 7%. The good news is that Citi believes business lending will be robust, especially given AI-related project investments. It thinks this bodes well for ANZ given its extensive business banking division. The ANZ share price is trading at $35.15 on Monday afternoon.

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

A note out of Ord Minnett reveals that its analysts have retained their speculative buy rating on this defence and space company’s shares with an improved price target of $11.45. This follows the announcement of a new US$124 million order for its Slinger counter-drone remote weapon system from UAE-based Generation 5 Holding. The broker estimates that this contract gives its forward order book a big lift and covers all of Ord Minnett’s forecast revenues throughto FY 2028. It was also pleased to see the company sign a conditional joint venture with Generation 5 Holding to develop another next-generation high-energy laser weapon. The EOS share price is fetching $10.35 at the time of writing.

IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL)

Analysts at Morgans have retained their buy rating on this language testing and student placement provider’s shares with an improved price target of $3.45. Morgans was pleased with IDP Education’s trading update, noting that it included a better-than-expected net cost out in FY 2026 ($30 million vs $25 million), potential further cost reductions in FY 2027, and strong capital management discipline. Morgans was also encouraged by management’s confidence in the progress of the multi-year business transformation, highlighted by a ~$50 million share buy-back and ongoing operational performance (yield strength) in a subdued volume backdrop. All in all, the broker feels the update incrementally supports its recent upgrade. As a result, it remains willing to look through a cyclically depressed valuation for a leaner market leader, underpinned by structural demand, ongoing tech/product development, and China testing optionality. The IDP Education share price is trading at $2.45 today.

The post Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How many ANZ shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?
• Invested in ASX 200 bank shares for dividends? This fundie prefers other stocks
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• Why A2 Milk, EOS, IDP Education, and SkyCity shares are charging higher today

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems. 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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are slipping today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stock closed on Friday trading for $29.03. In early afternoon trade on Monday, shares are swapping hands for $28.71 apiece, down 1.1%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time.

Taking a step back, Woodside shares have strongly outperformed the benchmark index in 2026, fuelled by rising global oil and gas prices.

Down 1.4% over the weekend, the Brent crude oil price currently stands at US$79.47.

While that’s down some 33% from the 29 April peak, the oil price remains up more than 30% year to date amid ongoing negotiations to end the Middle East conflict and the resulting shipping restrictions in the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Spurred by higher oil prices and its own operational successes, Woodside stock has leapt 21.3% year to date, compared to the 1.3% gains delivered by the ASX 200 over this same period.

And we haven’t included the 83.5 cents per share fully-franked dividend that Woodside paid to eligible shareholders on 27 March. Adding in the 81.8 cent per share interim dividend the oil and gas giant paid on 24 September, and this ASX 200 energy stock trades on a 5.8% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

Should I buy Woodside shares today?

Peak Asset Management’s Niv Dagan recently analysed the outlook for the ASX oil and gas stock (courtesy of The Bull).

“Operationally, the energy giant continues to execute strongly,” Dagan said.

Explaining his hold recommendation on Woodside shares, Dagan said:

It achieved an 11% increase in the average realised price of a barrel of oil equivalent in the first quarter of 2026 when compared to the fourth quarter of financial year 2025. However, quarterly production fell by 8% due to seasonal weather events.

The Scarborough energy project was 96% complete and remains on track for first LNG cargo in the fourth quarter of 2026. Other major projects remain on budget and on schedule.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 oil and gas stock?

Woodside shares created a buzz last Monday following media speculations that the company could be a takeover target for global energy giant Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE: XOM).

This came after sources, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that Exxon had been holding early-stage internal discussions on the potential to acquire Woodside.

However, Woodside’s management poured cold water on those rumours, stating:

Woodside is not aware of any proposal and confirms it is not in discussions regarding a potential transaction with Exxon Mobil Corporation.

The post Up 23% this year, should I buy Woodside shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Life360, Woodside, CSL shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• How I’d aim for $10,000 a year in superannuation boosting passive income buying ASX shares
• Oil prices slump to pre-war levels as supply-risk premium evaporates
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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 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.