Shares in Sinclair Gold Ltd (ASX: SGC) are up more than 100% over a 12-month period, but the analyst team at Barrenjoey believes they could go much higher.

Barrenjoey has just initiated coverage on Sinclair and has an overweight recommendation and a very bullish share price target, which I’ll get to shortly.

First, let’s look at some news from the company.

More solid gold exploration results

Sinclair has today reported new drilling results from its Mt Henry deposit in Western Australia, including an intersection of 0.4m at a grade of 122.7 grams per tonne.

Sinclair Gold Chief Executive Jeff Sansom said regarding the results:

The latest drilling continues to deliver exceptional grades and broad intersections well beyond the ~0.9 million ounce Mt Henry Resource footprint, highlighting significant growth potential. Results across northern, central and southern Mt Henry continue to expand the footprint of gold mineralisation. High-grade gold intersected 250m south of the current Mt Henry Resource boundary, beneath previous Birthday Gift drilling, has also identified an exciting target for follow-up drilling.

Mr Sansom said the company had doubled the gold resource to 1.8 million ounces since February, “and these latest results demonstrate there is plenty more to come”.

He added:

With five rigs drilling, assays pending from 30 holes and much of the 16km mineralised corridor still untested, we are well positioned to deliver further Resource growth and new discoveries.

Shares looking cheap, broker says

Barrenjoey said in its research note that continued exploration success “could enable development of a relatively large (5 million tonne per annum), purpose-built processing plant capable of producing more than 150koz of gold per year”.

Barrenjoey’s price target assumes first production from a mine at Mt Henry in FY32.

They said:

Our development scenario includes an open pit mining operation, feeding a 5Mtpa carbon-in leach process plant sourcing ore from the Selene, Mt Henry and other minor deposits. Our mining inventory is based on projected resource growth at the Selene and Mt Henry deposits and assumes exploration success within other parts of the project area. Utilising a 12% weighted average cost of capital and a US$4,000/oz gold price, our development scenario generates a build date net present value of $1,729m with life-of-mine average annual gold production of about 153koz.

Barrenjoey has a price target of $3.05 on Sinclair shares compared to $1.07 currently.

If achieved, this would constitute a 185% return. Sinclair Gold is valued at $200.5 million.

The post This ASX gold explorer could rise 180%: Broker 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 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.

With 2027 approaching, I’ve been looking at ASX shares that could have a particularly good year ahead.

There are a few companies where I think business developments over the next 12 months could make a meaningful difference to their prospects.

Here are three that stand out to me.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is my first pick because I think 2027 could be an important year in its recovery.

The hearing implant company has had a challenging period, with weaker profitability and a slower-than-expected rollout of its latest technology affecting results.

But I still like its position in the global hearing implant market. Its Nucleus Nexa system represents an important step forward, offering new capabilities that can be updated as technology improves.

Adoption has been encouraging, with the system accounting for more than 95% of implant sales across developed markets by June.

I think the next opportunity comes from building on that product launch while improving the company’s operations. Cochlear has been reducing fixed costs and investing in programmes to help more adults with severe hearing loss access treatment. That could help expand the market over time, particularly given how many potential patients remain untreated.

Management expects underlying profit to improve modestly in FY27, so I wouldn’t expect an immediate return to the growth rates investors once enjoyed.

But if Cochlear can demonstrate stronger demand and improving margins, I think sentiment towards the shares could recover considerably.

HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

HUB24 is another ASX share I would be watching closely.

Its investment platform helps financial advisers manage client portfolios, including investments held through superannuation and other structures.

What I like is how HUB24 has been gaining market share. In FY26, its platform attracted $18.9 billion in net inflows, while total funds under administration reached $164.3 billion.

That is a substantial amount of money flowing into a business that can benefit from having more assets on its platform.

There is also an opportunity to improve profitability as it grows. HUB24 has already developed much of the technology and infrastructure required to service advisers and their clients. As more money flows onto the platform, I think earnings could grow faster than the underlying cost base.

Competition remains strong, and financial market weakness can affect funds under administration. Nevertheless, I think HUB24 has the momentum to deliver another strong year in 2027.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

My final pick is Lovisa, which I think still has considerable international growth potential.

The fashion jewellery retailer has been expanding rapidly, taking its relatively affordable products into more markets around the world.

I like the flexibility of its store model. Lovisa can open relatively small stores in shopping centres, giving it opportunities to expand without requiring the same investment as larger-format retailers.

In FY26, the company opened 160 new stores, taking its global network to 1,136 locations. That growth is already contributing to earnings, and I think there are plenty of markets where Lovisa could become more established.

Early FY27 trading has also been encouraging, with sales growth supported by continued store expansion and improving comparable sales.

Of course, fashion preferences can change, and rapid international expansion requires careful execution. But if this ASX share continues opening profitable stores while maintaining customer demand, I think 2027 could be another rewarding year.

Foolish takeaway

I think all three ASX shares have reasons to be optimistic about 2027.

There is still work to do, particularly at Cochlear, but I like the longer-term opportunities across these businesses.

I’d be happy buying them today with the expectation that the next year could bring some encouraging progress.

The post 3 ASX shares I think could have a brilliant 2027 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24 and Lovisa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear and Lovisa. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear, Hub24, and Lovisa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares have had a difficult few months.

The airline has been navigating a challenging environment, with higher operating costs and uncertainty surrounding international travel.

But with the share price coming under pressure, could October be a good time to invest?

Here’s what I think.

Why have Qantas shares fallen?

Qantas shares are trading around $8.32 on Monday, having fallen more than 20% since late June.

I think one of the biggest reasons for the weakness is the sharp increase in aviation fuel costs.

The conflict in the Middle East has pushed energy prices higher, leaving airlines facing a substantial increase in one of their largest operating expenses.

Qantas has already felt the impact. In FY26, underlying profit before tax declined to approximately $2.06 billion, with management reporting that the Middle East conflict had an estimated $420 million impact on operating earnings during the second half.

That is a significant amount of money, and it helps explain why investors have become more cautious.

Qantas has responded by increasing fares, adjusting capacity, and making changes to its international operations.

But there is a limit to how much additional cost airlines can pass on to passengers before demand starts to weaken.

With Australian households also facing higher living costs and interest rates, I think the next few months could remain challenging.

Why I still like the business

Despite these pressures, I think Qantas has some important strengths.

Its position in the Australian aviation market is particularly valuable. Through Qantas and Jetstar, the company serves different parts of the market, allowing it to cater to business travellers, holidaymakers, and more price-conscious customers.

I also like the contribution from its loyalty division. Qantas Loyalty generated underlying earnings of $625 million in FY26, demonstrating that the group’s profitability extends beyond selling airline tickets.

There is also the airline’s fleet renewal programme to consider.

Newer aircraft should gradually improve fuel efficiency and the customer experience, potentially helping Qantas become more competitive over time.

Of course, replacing aircraft requires substantial investment, so those benefits will take time to emerge.

Would I buy today?

I think Qantas shares are becoming increasingly interesting after their recent decline.

The business remains profitable, has strong positions in the Australian travel market, and is investing in its long-term future.

My main concern is how long elevated fuel prices could persist. If costs remain high and travellers become more cautious, the earnings recovery could take longer than investors expect.

But if fuel prices eventually moderate and travel demand remains reasonably resilient, I think Qantas could be earning considerably more in a few years.

Foolish takeaway

I would be prepared to buy Qantas shares around $8.32 with a long-term view.

I don’t expect an immediate recovery, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding fuel prices.

But I think the company’s market position and longer-term growth opportunities make the recent weakness worth considering.

The post Are Qantas shares worth buying in October? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.