• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts

    Buy and sell keys on an Apple keyboard.

    Share prices are always changing, so investors have an opportunity to find undervalued ASX shares. Expert analysts spend all day trying to find the best stock ideas.

    When one analyst thinks a business is a buy, that’s interesting. When multiple experts think a stock is a buy, that could be a sign of a clear opportunity.

    Of course, buy ratings don’t guarantee returns, but I think it’s very interesting to consider the ideas. Let’s look at two highly rated businesses.

    Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

    Collins Foods is a large KFC franchisee business with operations across both Australia and Europe.

    According to Commsec, there are currently seven analysts that rate the business as a buy.

    FY26 was a solid performance by the company, with revenue growth of 8.6% to $1.6 billion and underlying net profit growth of 13% to $61.4 million.

    The most recent update from the company was very promising and was revealed at the annual general meeting (AGM) at the start of September 2026.

    In Australia, for the last four weeks (at the time of the AGM), total sales were up 5% with same-store sales (SSS) growth of 3.1%. The company said it has initiatives to further strengthen its core further, the Kwench (a drink) national rollout was happening for its launch before summer, the late-night trading rollout was close to completion and the breakfast trial started in September.

    In Germany, the last four weeks saw total sales growth of 58.8%, amid a 0.1% SSS decline (compared to a 7.2% SSS decline for the first eight weeks of FY27). It benefited from the JJ acquisition from week five. The Bavarian acquisition is delivering higher average store sales than the existing portfolio. The ASX share said it’s working to lift performance now and in the longer term. It’ll remain disciplined with investments in new restaurants, and a return to SSS growth will help accelerate new-store growth.

    In the Netherlands, total sales were up 4.9% over the last four weeks, with SSS up 3.1%, compared to a 7.8% SSS decline in the first eight weeks of FY27.

    Overall, the company has clearly driven an improvement in performance, and the fact that it’s growing in both Australia and Europe is exciting for its growth runway to deliver returns. I think its global KFC outlet network can keep growing.

    Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

    The other ASX share I’ll mention is Netwealth, a financial technology services company that provides superannuation (including accumulation and retirement income products), investor-directed portfolio services, managed accounts, managed funds, SMSF administration and non-custodial administration and reporting services.

    According to Commsec, there are currently 13 buy ratings on the business.

    The Netwealth share price has fallen more than 35% in the past six months, so it’s significantly cheaper.

    It recently reported its FY27 first-quarter update, which showed ongoing growth, though perhaps not as much as the market hoped.

    Total funds under administration (FUA) increased by $3.4 billion to $139.2 billion, up 2.5% for the quarter and up 15.2% year-over-year.

    It revealed that custodial inflows were $7.8 billion, while FUA net flows were $3.6 billion (excluding pension payments of $0.4 billion and two institutional client outflows totalling $0.6 billion) – broadly consistent with the prior quarter.

    The ASX share said that funds under management (FUM) net inflows reached $2.4 billion, including managed account net flows of $2.2 billion. Total FUM rose 24% year-over-year to $36.6 billion.

    Netwealth said there were 3,822 net new accounts and 21 financial intermediary relationships were added during the quarter.

    Finally, the company noted the launch of individual HINs, Netwealth Private and the acquisition of Paradino.

    The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where to invest $1,000 right now?

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    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Collins Foods. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Which ASX retailer is a better buy, Coles or Woolworths?

    Man looking at the side of an aisle at items in a grocery store.

    Shares in Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) are both trading near their 12-month highs, but one is a clear standout for shareholder return performance over the past year.

    Woolworths shares are up 55.8% on a 12-month basis, while Coles shares have risen just 4.5%.

    So, is Coles poised to catch up over the next 12 months?

    Broker has run the numbers on the ASX retailers

    The Jarden analyst team examined the retailers and came to a conclusion as to which one of the major supermarket operators represents the best value from a shareholder perspective.

    The broker has just finalised its 15th fast-moving consumer goods survey, which points to 2% sector growth over the next six months, with Woolworths tipped to be the top performer again.

    Jarden said themes over the past 12 months have remained consistent, with suppliers ceding terms to retailers, and shoppers increasingly seeking out promotions.

    The broker said:

    The results support stronger margins for COL and WOW, which could suggest some upside to FY27/28 forecasts for 10 basis points of expansion. We leave forecasts unchanged, with the view that WOW’s investment in below the line, momentum from Ooshies and customer offer reset opportunity leave it well placed to maintain momentum. Overall we believe retailers are extracting better terms and looking to put this into price. The question is whether this will flow through into margins? We would argue consensus assumes WOW can maintain stronger top-line, with neither COL or WOW banking margin.

    Woolworths Chief Executive Officer Amanda Barwell said recently while announcing the company’s full year results that they had had a “pleasing” start to the year supported by the strong performance of the Disney Ooshies collectibles program.

    She added:

    Customers are expected to remain value-focused in the year ahead and we are committed to limiting the impact of rising costs through low and dependable prices. Wage growth is also expected to remain elevated by historical standards reflecting the current year’s annual wage increase of 4.75% in Australia and progressive changes to pay for our 18 and 19-year-old retail team members. These cost pressures challenge us to be even more efficient, leveraging technology to be more productive in order to reinvest back into the business for our customers.

    Woolworths edges out its rival

    Jarden has an overweight rating on Woolworths shares. Its price target is $42, which sits slightly above the current price of $41.74.

    It has a neutral rating Coles shares. Its price target is $22.80, which sits below the current share price of $24.22.

    Among other retailers, Jarden has overweight ratings on Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS), and a buy rating on Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG).

    The post Which ASX retailer is a better buy, Coles or Woolworths? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where to invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

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    Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Buy, hold, sell: Sigma Healthcare, Collins Foods, IKO ETF shares

    A man and a woman sit in front of a laptop looking fascinated and captivated.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 2.4% over 12 months.

    The US-Iran conflict, high oil prices, rising inflation and interest rates, and multi-decade high bond yields are all weighing on the market.

    Amid the current weakness, experts provide their insights on three ASX stocks (courtesy The Bull). 

    Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

    The Sigma Healthcare share price is down 5% over 12 months.

    Toby Grimm from Baker Young has a buy rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share.

    Grimm explained:

    Sigma Healthcare is a wholesale distributer of pharmaceutical goods and medicines.

    Sigma merged with pharmaceutical retail giant Chemist Warehouse in 2025.

    The company’s share price has retreated to appealing entry levels at October 15.

    Its competitive position remains unrivalled, in our view. Structural health trends should continue to support organic growth.

    Although some competition is likely, the GLP-1 weight loss drug rollout should boost treatment sales.

    The Chemist Warehouse branded store network is forecast to generate double digit, like-for-like sales growth in full year 2027.

    Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

    The Collins Food share price is down 17% over 12 months.

    Grimm has a hold rating on this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share. 

    He said: 

    The company operates KFC restaurants in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.

    The shares have fallen from $11.68 on November 28, 2025 to trade at $8.64 on October 15, 2026.

    Consumer sentiment is weakening due to cost-of-living pressures, higher interest rates and housing market weakness.

    However, underlying spending patterns are far more resilient than sentiment indicators suggest.

    Australian sales continue to grow in the high single digits.

    CKF offers a solid dividend yield and is a reasonably priced defensive exposure that we’re happy to hold.

    iShares MSCI South Korea AUD ETF (ASX: IKO)

    The IKO share price is up 55% over 12 months. 

    IKO ETF was the best performer out of the more than 400 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the market in FY26.

    The IKO ETF delivered a stunning one-year total return of 171%, including a dividend yield of 4.6%.

    That was the result of South Korea’s stock market near-tripling in value over the 12 months.

    Andrew Wielandt from DP Wealth Advisory has a sell recommendation on IKO ETF shares.

    Wielandt said: 

    This exchange traded fund provides exposure to major South Korean companies, including technology and industrial businesses.

    IKO is exposed to cyclical global demand, particularly in semiconductors and memory chips.

    Given IKO’s concentrated and heavy exposure to technology, we would be inclined to cash in some gains in this volatile environment.

    The shares have risen from $137.65 on October 16, 2025 to trade at $220.55 on October 15, 2026.

    The post Buy, hold, sell: Sigma Healthcare, Collins Foods, IKO ETF shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where to invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 6 March 2025

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 recommended Collins Foods. 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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