Energy stocks have been in focus over the past few months, with the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine sending oil prices higher and raising broader concerns about energy supplies.

Today I’m looking at two very different energy stocks – a refiner and a uranium company – which brokers have tipped for solid share price gains over the next 12 months.

Let’s have a look at who they like.

NexGen Energy Ltd (ASX: NXG)

NexGen is a Canada-focused uranium project developer that is focused on developing the Rook 1 Project in the southwestern Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan.

The project’s Arrow deposit has a mineral resource of 257 million pounds of uranium, and the company recently said it had intersected numerous other mineralised zones adjacent to Arrow, which will be subject to further exploration to assess their economic potential.

NexGen has recently won a number of key approvals for the project, including to establish a temporary airstrip and to expand the exploration camp.

Broker Barrenjoey has just started covering NexGen shares and has an overweight rating on the stock with a price target of $14.80, compared to the current price of $12.24.

The broker said Rook was a “very high-grade deposit”, with first production expected in 2029-30.

They said the company could have the option to expand total production from 234 million pounds of uranium to 333 million pounds through the development of nearby resources.

Barrenjoey said the long-term outlook for the uranium price was strong, with their forecast of US$100 per pound higher than consensus estimates of US$87 per pound.

Viva Energy Ltd (ASX: VEA)

Viva Energy shares are up more than 80% over the past 12 months, but Macquarie’s analyst team believes they still have a way to go.

Macquarie has just released a new research note on Viva with an overweight recommendation and a price target of $4 compared to the current price of $3.16.

They are also forecasting a strong dividend yield of 8.1% this year, falling to 4.7% next year.

Macquarie has increased its forecast for Viva’s refining margins, saying the market remains tight despite a gradual recovery in trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

They said refining tailwinds were likely to persist through CY27, although soft retail fuel margins appear to be a larger drag in the second half of 2026.

Macquarie said tobacco sales were improving and new management strategies around product range and rotation were likely having some early effect.

Viva Energy is valued at $5.26 billion.

The post 2 ASX energy players that could return 20% to 30% over the next year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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 recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Evolution Mining vs Northern Star Resources shares

Australia boasts some world-class gold stocks, but if you’re mulling a $1,000 investment, should you go for Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) or Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)? Both are ASX giants in the gold space, each with their own strengths and quirks. Here’s my take on how Evolution Mining vs Northern Star Resources shares stack up for an investor today.

The case for Evolution Mining

Evolution Mining is one of Australia’s biggest listed gold miners, with a portfolio spanning both domestic and Canadian operations. Its key projects include the Cowal mine in New South Wales—often flagged as Evolution’s main earnings engine—alongside assets in Queensland, Western Australia, and Canada.

In terms of the numbers, a few points stand out. First, Evolution Mining trades on a P/E ratio of 18.07, which is noticeably lower than Northern Star’s, making it appear more attractively valued relative to earnings. Its dividend yield sits at 3.12%, also above its peer—a sign of a shareholder-friendly payout policy. Every dividend in recent years (and those forecast) is fully franked, which can be a draw for Aussie investors looking to maximise after-tax returns. The company’s year to date (YTD) share price return is a positive 6.94%. That positive momentum, combined with a market cap of $26.89 billion, underlines Evolution’s strong standing in the local resources scene.

Evolution’s consistent 100% franking on dividends and a steady payout track over the past decade make it a solid choice for those seeking reliable income streams.

The case for Northern Star Resources

Northern Star Resources is another major Australian gold producer with a global reach, owning mines across Western Australia and North America. The company’s flagship production centres are at Kalgoorlie and Yandal (WA), and Alaska’s Pogo goldfields. Northern Star has grown rapidly through clever acquisitions and puts plenty of focus on ongoing exploration to keep its pipeline healthy.

Looking at the data, Northern Star boasts a market cap of $34.75 billion—making it the larger player in this comparison. Its stated earnings per share (EPS) of 1.157 is quite a bit ahead of Evolution’s (though see the note below about EPS/P/E calculation consistency). However, the P/E ratio is 21.08, higher than Evolution’s, so the market is effectively paying more for each dollar of Northern Star’s earnings.

On the dividend front, the current yield is 2.26%, with a mixed history for franking—recent dividends have shifted between 0% and 100% franking, whereas Evolution’s are uniformly fully franked. Notably, despite higher total dividends per share in the most recent period, the actual yield trails Evolution due to the higher share price. The company’s share price is down 6.7% YTD, indicating some recent underperformance versus Evolution.

Valuation comparison

Here are the key valuation and yield metrics side-by-side:

	Evolution Mining	Northern Star Resources
Market Cap	$26.89 billion	$34.75 billion
P/E Ratio	18.07	21.08
Dividend Yield	3.12%	2.26%
Dividend per Share	0.42	0.55
Franking	100%	Varies (recently mixed 0%/100%)
Earnings per Share (EPS)	0.660	1.157
YTD Return	6.94%	-6.70%

Note: Northern Star Resources’ reported P/E ratio may be based on a different earnings measure (e.g. underlying or forward earnings) than the EPS figure shown, which is why they may appear inconsistent.

Which is the better buy?

Both Evolution Mining and Northern Star Resources are established, profitable, and highly regarded gold stocks on the ASX. For my $1000 today, though, I’d lean toward Evolution Mining. Here’s why: Evolution offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.12% vs 2.26%), with fully franked payments—maximising take-home value for local investors. Its current P/E ratio is lower, which might indicate better value compared to Northern Star at current prices. Evolution has also delivered positive share price momentum this year, while Northern Star has gone backwards. While Northern Star is the larger of the two and boasts higher stated EPS, the mixed franking and higher P/E make it less appealing at the moment, especially with its 2026 share price still lagging. For ASX investors chasing strong potential returns and fully franked income in gold, my pick would be Evolution Mining on today’s numbers.

The post Evolution Mining vs Northern Star Resources: Which gold stock is better for a $1,000 investment? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 draft. 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.

The S&P/ASX Small Ords Index (ASX: XSO) is down 14% in the calendar year to date (YTD).

Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) has edged 1% lower in 2026 so far.

Let’s check out some new buy recommendations from three experts on three ASX small-cap shares.

Challenger Gold Ltd (ASX: CEL)

The Challenger Gold share price is $1.46, down 1.9% today and down 51% over 12 months. 

Challenger is developing the Hualilan gold project in Argentina.

Philippe Bui from Medallion Financial Group has a buy rating on this ASX small-cap mining share. 

On The Bull this week, Bui said: 

A 35,000 metre drilling program provides near term catalysts through resource growth and mine-plan optimisation. Management is targeting commercial production from this operation by early 2029.

We see potential for a re-rating as engineering, approvals and financing progresses. CEL is suitable for investors who are comfortable with higher risk.

Janus Electric Holdings Ltd (ASX: JNS)

The Janus Electric share price is 52 cents, down 2.8% today and up a staggering 420% over 12 months. 

Janus is a heavy transport electrification company.

It converts diesel prime movers into electric vehicles using a patented zero-carbon battery-swap system in Australia and the US.

Tom Fairchild from Lazarus Capital Partners has a speculative buy call on this ASX small-cap utilities share. 

He explained: 

The macro case is compelling as Australia imports about 87 per cent of its diesel. Freight transportation uses almost half of the imported diesel. Electrifying trucks means owners don’t have to rely on imported diesel.

Conversions appeal in terms of fuel savings over the longer term and reduced emissions.

Revenue is growing, but the company reported a $9.1 million statutory loss after tax in full year 2026. However, the share price has risen from 14 cents on July 1 to trade at 69 cents on October 8.

The outlook appears prosperous, but a speculative buy at these levels.

Artrya Limited (ASX: AYA)

The Artrya share price is $3.10, up 1.6% today and up 9% over 12 months. 

Artrya is a commercial-stage medical technology company.

Mark Gardner of MPC Markets has a buy rating on this ASX small-cap healthcare share. 

Recently on The Bull, Gardner said: 

Artrya is a commercial stage medical technology company, providing exposure to AI-led coronary imaging as the US commercial roll-out begins. The company’s Salix platform reads coronary CT scans and flags patients at risk of a heart attack.

The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared the Salix coronary plaque module.

The company is establishing a platform for recurring revenue growth, although revenue is relatively small at this stage. US foundation partners have converted to paying contracts.

The recent share price sell-off has created an appealing entry level prior to the next US hospital announcement.

The post 3 ASX small-cap shares to buy amid sector weakness: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.