Warren Buffett has long been touted as one of, if not the, greatest investors of all time. Although he has now stepped back from running his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B), Buffett has achieved immortality by securing an average return of 19.9% per annum between 1965 and 2024. That’s almost double what the broader S&P 500 Index has managed over the same span (10.4% per annum). As such, it might surprise readers to learn that there is an ASX index fund on our own market that has topped even Buffett’s average return over the past ten years.

That ASX index fund is none other than the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ). Yep, as of 31 July, NDQ units have delivered an average of 20.87% per annum over the preceding ten years. Since its inception in May of 2015, this index fund has averaged 19.32%.

Does that make NDQ the best index fund on the ASX? Perhaps even its best investment, period?

How has this ASX ETF delivered Buffett-like returns for ten years?

Well, there’s no denying that NDQ has been a phenomenal asset to have held for at least the past 16 years. A return of around 20% per annum is real wealth-building stuff. Just look at Buffett’s net worth. But before declaring it the best investment on the ASX, let’s go deeper into how it has delivered those returns.

At its core, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is a simple index fund that holds the largest 100 non-financial stocks listed on the American NASDAQ exchange. The NASDAQ is one of the USA’s two major stock exchanges. The New York Stock Exchange is the historic, flagship market, holding some of America’s most storied stocks. These include General Motors, Coca-Cola Co, Procter & Gamble, and Ford Motor Company.

The NASDAQ is the NYSE’s hip younger cousin. It is more modern and has attracted many of the companies that first found success in more recent decades. That includes almost every major tech stock listed in the United States.

That’s why NDQ’s top holdings are dominated by tech. To illustrate, NDQ’s current top-ten holdings are as follows:

1. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA)
2. Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL)
3. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT)
4. Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ: MU)
5. Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN)
6. Advanced Micro Devices Inc (NASDAQ: AMD)
7. Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL)
8. Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ: AVGO)
9. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA)
10. Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META)

As almost every investor under the sun knows, tech shares have been the driving force behind much of the US’ incredible returns over the past decade or two. This ASX index fund holds the US’ largest tech stocks at even higher concentrations than the broader market. That’s why NDQ’s returns have been so Buffett-esque of late.

Foolish takeaway

I think the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF will continue to be a solid investment going forward. Depending on how tech and AI continue to unfold, it could well keep up its returns going forward. However, investors need to be cautious. Many of NDQ’s largest holdings are now in the trillion-dollar club. Whilst this highlights their success, it also places a significant handicap on their future growth potential. After all, it’s a lot easier to go from a million-dollar company to a billion than from a billion to a trillion, and so forth.

Additionally, investors need to be aware that if sentiment turns on the tech sector, this ASX index fund could be hit hard, far harder than a fund covering the broader market.

Even so, it’s hard not to conclude that the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF has been one of the best ASX investments to have owned for the past decade. Let’s see if it can keep it up going forward.

The post 20% a year: Is this the ASX’s best index fund? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Berkshire Hathaway, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and Procter & Gamble. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Advanced Micro Devices, Berkshire Hathaway, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended General Motors. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Advanced Micro Devices, Berkshire Hathaway, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL) have fallen more than 40% over the past 12 months, but if the analysts at Macquarie are to be believed, they are in line for a re-rating.

The broker has published a new research note on the gas producer with a bullish share price target which I’ll get to shortly.

First, let’s have a look at Amplitude’s recent full-year results release.

Solid operating results from Amplitude

The Otway Basin-focussed company delivered record full-year production of 27.6 petajoules of gas, up 3% on the previous year.

Revenue meanwhile was up 7% to $285.8 million, and underlying earnings were a record $191.8 million, up 12%.  

Managing Director Jane Norman said the company was delivering on its strategy.

She added:

Amplitude Energy has delivered record financial results for the third consecutive year, underpinned by solid operational performance and continued cash flow improvement through FY26. The business remains resilient in the face of external challenges. With strong base business cash flows providing funding for our growth projects, the Company is well placed to maximise its long-term value. Record production performance was driven by Orbost, where production was increased above the plant’s previous 68 TJ/day nameplate level. Orbost has since demonstrated an ability to operate well above 70 TJ/day, recently setting a series of new production records.

Ms Norman said the company was on track to achieve “transformational growth through the East Coast Supply Project, one of the most significant sources of new domestic gas supply currently being advanced in south-east Australia”.

She added:

Our acquisition of the discovered Artisan gas field, combined with our existing Annie discovery, provides the basis for a very attractive project, with further potential near-term exploration upside from Juliet drilling. The Artisan transaction is a good example of cooperation between Otway Basin participants leading to project synergies, and was made possible in part by our strong relationship with O.G. Energy.

Amplitude is forecasting production of 26.6-28.5 petajoules of gas in FY27.

Amplitude Energy shares looking cheap

Macquarie said in its research note that 80% of Amplitude’s legacy gas was contracted for the current calendar year, along with 80% of Annie and Artisan.

Macquarie added:

Recent contracts with AGL & Energy Australia have been well timed, and reflect the prudent approach of steadily engaging high quality, well capitalised customers over time and de-risking the project. AEL now has an impressive track record of operational delivery (not the case in exploration, however this could change very soon with Juliet), and production guidance was in line with our expectations.

Macquarie has a price target of $2.45 for Amplitude Energy shares, compared with the current price of $1.62.

The post Macquarie tips this ASX gas company to jump more than 50% 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.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares are climbing higher again today.

At the time of writing, the ASX biotech shares are up another 5%, and are changing hands for $165.76 a piece.

Today’s increase follows a huge 17% share price rally on Tuesday after CSL posted its FY26 results. The day goes down in history as the shares best day in 20 years.

CSL reported total revenue of US$15.8 billion and NPAT of US$2.6 billion. It also recorded a net loss after tax of US$2.6 billion for FY26, coming from pre-tax impairments and restructuring costs. 

The result came in way ahead of guidance. In May, the company cut its FY26 revenue guidance to around US$15.2 billion and NPAT to around US$3.1 billion. IT also flagged US$5 billion of impairments.

CSL management describes FY26 as a ‘reset year’, with FY27 marking a return to growth.

Clearly investors are thrilled with the update, and many are rushing to snap up the shares while they’re still trading for cheap.

CSL shares have now rebounded 79% from a multi-year low of $92.24 each in early-June. They’re now just 4% lower for the year-to-date, but still around 27% lower than 12 months ago.

Can they keep climbing higher?

Here’s what the experts think.

What’s the outlook for CSL shares over the next 12 months?

I think there is a lot of potential for the company to grow over the next few years. CSL is operating in a high-growth market, and its blood plasma division dominates the market for rare blood disorders and immunoglobulin products.

The company’s growth initiatives are clearly working, but it’s likely it will take a while longer to see the financial benefits.

I think we’ll see an upside ahead, but I don’t think we’ll see a material increase in the share price from here until we get more visibility into the company’s earnings over the first half of FY27.

It’s possible that some experts could revise their outlook on CSL shares in the coming days, off the back of the company’s results announcement.

But at the moment, forecasts suggest that they’re on the fence.

Market Index data shows that the majority have a hold rating on CSL shares. The $132 average target price now implies a potential 20% downside, after this week’s share price rally.

It’s the same case on TradingView. The majority (10 out of 17) have a hold rating on the stock. However, the other seven rate CSL shares as a buy/strong buy.

The average $160.28 target price is higher, but it still implies a potential downside of around 3%, at the time of writing.

However the range between the maximum and minimum target price is quite large. Some tip the shares to climb another 26% to $206.91 but others think CSL shares could drop 35% to just $106.80 over the next 12 months.

The post CSL shares rebound 79% from multi-year low: Here’s what brokers tip next appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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