WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are enjoying a welcome lift on Thursday.

The logistics software company’s shares are up around 4% to $34.83 at the time of writing following a significant announcement.

Given everything that has happened at WiseTech over the past year, I think this latest development comes at an important time.

But is it enough to make the tech stock a buy?

A major uncertainty has been resolved

WiseTech announced this morning that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has concluded two investigations involving the company and its personnel.

The first concerned alleged trading in WiseTech shares involving founder Richard White and two current employees.

ASIC has issued no-action letters confirming it will not pursue enforcement action against those individuals.

It has also concluded a separate governance investigation that began in late 2024, confirming that no enforcement action will be taken against WiseTech.

An investigation involving another individual who is not a company employee remains ongoing.

I think this is a significant development for WiseTech.

Governance concerns have weighed heavily on investor confidence, and the uncertainty surrounding these investigations has made it harder for the market to focus on the company’s underlying business.

Having these matters resolved removes an important source of concern. But I certainly wouldn’t suggest WiseTech’s problems are now behind it.

There is still plenty to prove

WiseTech has undergone substantial changes, and management has some important challenges to navigate.

The acquisition of e2open has expanded its presence across global supply chains, but integrating such a large business brings execution risks.

The company is also changing how it charges customers for CargoWise, moving towards a transaction-based commercial model.

I think this could become a valuable source of growth as customers make greater use of the platform, although investors will want evidence that the transition is delivering the expected benefits.

Artificial intelligence (AI) presents another uncertainty.

WiseTech is investing in AI capabilities to improve productivity and automate logistics processes, but the technology could also change the competitive landscape.

For me, the company’s established customer relationships and the complexity of global logistics provide some reassurance.

CargoWise is deeply embedded in customers’ operations, and replacing it would be a substantial undertaking.

That gives WiseTech a strong foundation as it works through these changes.

Why I would buy WiseTech shares

Despite the remaining uncertainties, I think the risk-reward proposition looks increasingly favourable.

Consensus forecasts point to earnings per share (EPS) increasing from $1.45 in FY27 to $1.92 in FY28 and $2.32 in FY29.

That would represent growth of approximately 60% over two years.

At $34.83, WiseTech is trading on a PE ratio of around 24 times FY27 earnings, falling to approximately 15 times FY29 earnings.

I think those valuations could prove inexpensive if management delivers on expectations.

Of course, the forecasts are not guaranteed, and investors may remain cautious until WiseTech demonstrates consistent progress. But I see considerable potential for the shares to recover as earnings grow and confidence improves.

Foolish takeaway

I would buy WiseTech shares following today’s announcement.

There is still plenty of work ahead, particularly around integration, AI, and the company’s changing commercial model.

But with one major source of uncertainty now resolved, I think the outlook is becoming more encouraging.

At around $35, I would be happy to invest and give WiseTech time to rebuild investor confidence.

The post Should I buy WiseTech shares after today's big news? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Zip vs WiseTech: Which is the superior ASX growth stock today?
• Nextdc vs WiseTech: Which ASX tech stock is better for a 25 year old investor?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Could WiseTech shares be worth $50 again?
• These 3 ASX shares have the ingredients of long-term compounders

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

There are plenty of good shares on the ASX. But being a good share and being a good investment at today’s price aren’t necessarily the same thing.

That is something I think investors should keep in mind, particularly when looking at some of the market’s biggest and most popular names.

I’ve compared five ASX shares that have earned strong reputations over many years and each has qualities that could justify a place in a long-term portfolio.

The question is whether those qualities are already reflected in their share prices.

I’ve looked at their competitive positions, earnings outlooks, financial strength, and valuations before deciding which I would buy today and which I would rather leave on my watchlist.

Here’s what I found.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

I have no trouble seeing why BHP deserves its reputation as one of the best ASX mining shares.

Its copper operations are becoming increasingly important, and I think this is an excellent place to be positioned for the long term.

Copper is needed for everything from electricity networks and renewable energy to data centres and industrial equipment. Increasing demand, combined with the difficulty of developing major new mines, could support attractive prices over time.

BHP also has the assets, experience, and financial resources to invest in additional production without relying entirely on the success of a single project.

In FY 2026, copper overtook iron ore as its biggest earnings contributor, demonstrating how the business is changing.

My hesitation is the share price. After a rise of around 40% over the past 12 months, I think a lot of the good news is already reflected in BHP’s valuation. That leaves me seeing BHP shares as roughly fair value rather than an obvious bargain.

In light of this, I would prefer to wait for a pullback before considering a purchase.

And as I worked through the other four companies, I found myself reaching a similar conclusion with several of them. They are excellent businesses, but their share prices don’t necessarily offer enough value to make me want to buy today.

However, there was one exception. It is a company that I believe has a significant growth opportunity ahead of it, and unlike the others, its valuation still looks reasonable.

Of the five ASX shares I compared, it is the one I would be buying today.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA is an outstanding bank. I don’t think many investors would seriously dispute that.

It has a strong market position, a huge deposit base, and a history of generating impressive returns for shareholders.

It also enjoys considerable support from retail investors, institutions, and superannuation funds, which helps explain why its shares have continued to command a premium to the other major banks.

For example, based on consensus estimates, CBA shares are trading at around 22 times FY 2027 earnings.

That is a demanding multiple for a mature bank, particularly with interest rates rising again. Higher rates could put pressure on borrowers, while competition for deposits and lending could weigh on margins.

I expect CBA to remain a great business. I just don’t see enough potential return to justify buying its shares today.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL is a company I have enormous respect for and would happily own in a long-term portfolio.

It has built an outstanding global healthcare business, particularly in plasma therapies, where its scale and expertise give it a strong competitive position.

And despite its recent difficulties, I still believe CSL has a bright future ahead of it.

However, I think the best opportunity to buy this ASX share was when it was trading around $90 earlier this year.

At that price, investors were getting a high-quality business at a bargain valuation. Since then, CSL shares have more than doubled, and I think they now look fairly valued.

There is also still some uncertainty surrounding the company, particularly with its leadership and efforts to improve operational performance.

I remain positive on CSL’s long-term prospects, but after such a strong recovery in its share price, I don’t see enough value to justify buying today. For me, CSL is a hold rather than a buy.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

If I were ranking these companies purely on management quality and capital allocation, Wesfarmers would be near the top.

The company has built an excellent collection of businesses, with Bunnings and Kmart particularly good examples of brands that Australians keep returning to.

I’ve also been impressed by management’s willingness to invest in new opportunities, change direction, and exit businesses when the economics don’t stack up.

That discipline has helped Wesfarmers create substantial shareholder wealth over time.

And it is still delivering. Underlying net profit increased 8.3% in FY 2026, demonstrating that its businesses can continue making progress even when households are watching their spending.

However, investors have generally been willing to pay a premium for this consistency. Even after pulling back from its highs, Wesfarmers trades at around 30 times earnings.

I think the company will continue performing well, but at that valuation, much of its future growth could already be reflected in the share price.

For that reason, I would prefer to wait for a more appealing entry point.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

That leaves ResMed, which I think is one of the best ASX shares to buy today.

ResMed makes devices and masks used to treat sleep apnoea, a condition affecting millions of people around the world.

What I like is that its growth doesn’t depend on creating demand for something people don’t need.

A huge number of sleep apnoea sufferers remain undiagnosed or untreated. As awareness and diagnosis improve, more people could start using ResMed’s products.

And patients don’t just buy a machine and disappear. Masks and related supplies need replacing, providing an ongoing source of revenue alongside sales to new patients.

The company’s latest results show how well the business is performing. FY 2026 revenue increased 10% to US$5.7 billion, while free cash flow reached US$1.6 billion. That gives ResMed the financial capacity to develop new products, expand internationally, and reward shareholders.

Yet despite these qualities, its valuation looks reasonable to me, with ResMed shares trading at around 19 times forward earnings.

I think this makes it a great example of quality at a reasonable price, or QARP.

ResMed isn’t without competition or regulatory risks, and its growth won’t be perfectly smooth. But of these five ASX shares, I think it offers the best combination of business quality, long-term earnings potential, and a valuation that leaves room for attractive shareholder returns.

That makes it my top pick today.

The post I compared 5 of the ASX's best shares. Here's which one I'd buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Own ASX mining shares? Official forecasts show commodity prices peaking in FY27
• Up 42% in a year. How much higher can BHP shares go?
• How much passive income can I earn off a $700,000 superannuation balance?
• Westpac vs BHP: Which ASX giant is the better buy right now?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) shares closed the day around 1% lower on Wednesday, at $10.12 a piece.

The shares have now fallen around 33% so far in 2026 and they’re roughly 15% lower than 12 months ago.

The company has faced several headwinds as conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global travel plans. Its latest FY26 result was also weaker than expected, including a decline in underlying profit before tax which came in around 2% below market expectations. Its leisure division missed consensus by about 8%.

The company also expects travel to be subdued through the first half of FY27 while the conflict still goes unresolved. Flight Centre expects corporate earnings to be more heavily weighted toward the second half, with first-half profit likely to come in below last year.

But the good news about the ASX travel stock is it offers investors more than just capital gains. It also dishes out a steady passive income stream by way of divided payments.

What makes Flight Centre shares an attractive passive income option?

The business is large in scale, with a huge global reach across both corporate and leisure travel segments. 

The company’s strong position in the global corporate travel market means it is able to earn a diverse but consistent earnings stream which it can then pass on to shareholders.

How many Flight Centre shares can I buy with $5,000?

Using the $10.12 share price at the time of writing, a $5,000 investment will buy approximately 494 shares.

What dividend does the travel company pay its shareholders?

Flight Centre has a history of paying fully franked dividends twice per year, dating back to 2004.

But there was an exception during the Covid-19 pandemic years. Flight Centre did not pay dividends in 2020, 2021, or 2022 due to widespread lockdowns, closed international and domestic borders, and limited travel. 

The company resumed its dividend payments in 2023.

Flight Centre is expected to pay its shareholders a final FY26 fully-franked 30-cent dividend on Friday. This brings the FY26 total dividend to 42 cents per share.

At the time of writing, that translates to a dividend yield of around 4.1% for the year.

According to Commsec data, the travel company is expected to pay 48 cents per share in FY27. It is then forecasted to pay 52.3 cents per share in FY28, and 56.5 cents per share in FY29.

Using the share price at the time of writing, that translates to forward dividend yields of around 4.7%, 5.2%, and 5.6% respectively.

Ok, so what could I earn off a $5,000 investment in FY27?

If Flight Centre pays shareholders the expected 48-cent fully-franked dividend in FY27, then a $5,000 investment (or 494 shares) would generate around $237.12 in FY27.

Assuming the company then pays the 52.3 cent and 56.5 cent dividend forecasted for FY28 and FY29, investors could earn a passive income of around $258.36 and $279.11 off the same $5,000 investment.

The post If I invest $5,000 in Flight Centre shares, what passive income could I earn in FY27? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Woodside, New Hope, Flight Centre shares: Buy, hold, or sell?
• Qantas Airways vs Flight Centre: Which ASX travel stock is the better buy today?
• Why I’d buy and hold these ASX passive income shares
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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 Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.