The team at Bell Potter have provided fresh analysis on ASX healthcare stock Cogstate Ltd (ASX: CGS). 

The company is a healthcare service provider focused on optimising brain health assessments, predominantly for clinical trials of novel medicines. 

It has been a shining light in 2026 amongst a weaker ASX healthcare sector. 

Cogstate shares have risen 17% year to date while the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) has fallen almost 20%. 

Bell Potter appears optimistic the growth can continue in the next 12 months. 

Here is what the broker had to say. 

Strong performance continues

According to the broker, the company had another strong quarter.

The company reported new contract sales of US$21.9 million. 

This is the fourth quarter in a row with more than US$20 million in sales. Total contract sales for the year reached US$89 million, which is a record for its Clinical Trials business.

Additionally, the company’s revenue backlog (work already contracted but not yet recognised as revenue) grew to US$118.5 million, up 32% from a year ago.

This is important because the business now has more future work secured than ever before.

This was a comfortable beat to our prior expectations and is a 54% increase compared to where FY26 contracted revenue started.

Forecasts lifted

The broker also noted the US$21.9 million in new contracts signed in the latest quarter, US$12.7 million will be recognised as revenue in FY27.

This increases the amount of revenue already locked in for FY27 to US$48.3 million, up from US$35.6 million three months earlier.

Bell Potter says this result was better than expected and means FY27 starts with 54% more contracted revenue than FY26 did.

Because of this stronger starting position, Bell Potter has raised its FY27 revenue forecast by 11% and also increased its FY28 forecast.

Bell Potter now expects EBITDA in FY27 and FY28 to be 19-23% higher than previously forecast, with profit margins improving to the mid-30% range.

Increased upside for ASX healthcare stock

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter has increased its price target on Cogstate shares to $3.70 (previously $3.20). 

The broker has retained its buy recommendation. 

Based on yesterday’s closing price, this indicates 37% upside potential for this ASX healthcare stock. 

We were surprised with the soft share price response today following what we considered to be another strong quarterly update with little to scrutinise.

The discount is despite Cogstate’s far higher growth rate than peers, now forecast at ~18% annualised over the next 2 years compared to peers ranging from -1% to 8%, i.e. Cogstate has more than double the growth outlook of the next best CRO peer, not to mention a higher NPAT margin (BPe 24%) and no debt.

The post Top broker tips 37% upside for this exciting ASX healthcare stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was out of form and ended the day in the red. The benchmark index fell 0.2% to 8,785.1 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall again

It looks set to be a difficult session for Australian investors on Thursday after a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 47 points or 0.55% lower this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 1.1%, the S&P 500 is 0.35% lower, and the Nasdaq is down slightly.

Buy Minerals 260 shares

Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) shares could have major upside according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating on the ASX gold stock with an improved price target of $1.40. This implies potential upside of approximately 120%. It said: “MI6 offers gold exposure via the 6.2Moz Bullabulling MRE, valuation uplift through discovery success, project advancement and de-risking as the BGP progresses towards production. MI6 holds ~$250m cash, sufficient to fund to Final Investment Decision (FID) in early CY27, long-lead items and early site works. We lift our valuation to $1.40/sh and retain our Speculative Buy recommendation.”

Oil prices jump

ASX 200 energy shares such as Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a great day after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 4.4% to US$73.57 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 5.2% to US$78.04 a barrel. Traders were bidding oil higher following an escalation in US-Iran tensions.

Uranium miners on watch

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) and other ASX uranium shares will be on watch today. There are reports that the Australian government could sign an agreement with India this week that delivers on a nuclear co-operation plan between the two countries that was signed over a decade ago. Boss Energy shares certainly need a boost. They are down 22% year to date.

Gold price tumbles

It could be a poor session for ASX 200 gold shares including Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price tumbled overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.5% to US$4,096.85 an ounce. Rising oil prices have sparked inflation and rate hike concerns.

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

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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.

July could be a good time to revisit your income portfolio.

But which ASX dividend shares could be worth considering?

Let’s take a look at five top options for this month.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA could be an ASX dividend share to look at in July.

It owns energy infrastructure, including gas pipelines, processing assets, storage, and electricity transmission interests.

These assets play an important role in moving energy around the country. Households, manufacturers, power stations, and major industrial customers all need reliable infrastructure, regardless of whether the economic backdrop is strong or weak.

That gives APA a defensive position in an income portfolio.

The energy transition will continue to change the sector over time, but reliability, storage, firming, and transmission are likely to remain important. This could support the company’s cash flows and distributions over the long term.

Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

Another ASX dividend share to look at is Charter Hall Long WALE REIT.

It offers exposure to property income with long lease structures. The company’s portfolio includes properties leased to government tenants, major corporates, and operators across sectors such as convenience retail, industrial, office, and social infrastructure.

Given that tenants are locked into long-term leases, this can give investors more visibility over future earnings and dividends. That can be valuable when markets are uncertain.

Interest rates and property valuations remain key risks, but a long lease portfolio can be a good option for investors who want income backed by contracted rental streams.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Harvey Norman is more than a retailer selling televisions, couches, computers, and appliances.

It also owns a significant property portfolio, which gives the business a different shape from many other consumer-facing companies.

Retail earnings can move with household spending, housing activity, and consumer confidence. But the property backing gives Harvey Norman an extra layer of asset support and flexibility.

Things may be tough for retailers at the moment, but when the retail cycle improves, the company will be positioned to generate strong cash flow and pay attractive fully franked dividends.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban could be a top ASX dividend share for income investors in July.

The company owns and operates toll roads across major cities in Australia and North America.

Its roads help commuters, freight operators, airport travellers, and businesses move around major cities more efficiently. This ties the company to urban population growth, congestion, and the value people place on saving time.

Traffic volumes can soften during weak periods, but major road networks are hard to replicate. Once built, they can remain important infrastructure for decades.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

Universal Store is a youth-focused fashion retailer. This means it doesn’t have the defensive profile of infrastructure or property. But it does have a clear customer niche, a curated store format, and exposure to brands and trends that resonate with younger shoppers.

When retailers get this right, cash generation can be strong.

Universal Store also has growth options through new stores, online sales, and its owned brands.

Its dividend may not be as predictable as some larger defensive names, but its growth profile could make it an interesting option for investors who want more than a traditional slow-moving ASX dividend share.

The post 5 top ASX dividend shares to buy in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Harvey Norman, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.