Healthcare is one part of the ASX where I am happy to think several years ahead.

I like businesses with established positions in important areas of medicine and clear opportunities to reach more patients or healthcare providers over time.

Here are three shares I would be happy to buy.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL is going through a major reset, but following the release of its results this week, I still believe the foundations of the business are strong.

The most important part of the long-term story remains CSL Behring. Demand for immunoglobulin (Ig) continues to grow, and management expects Ig sales to increase at a mid-to-high-single-digit rate in FY27. CSL is also investing around US$1.5 billion to expand its US plasma manufacturing presence and improve yields.

I think that investment makes sense because plasma products remain difficult to manufacture at scale. CSL has spent decades building its collection network, manufacturing expertise, and relationships with healthcare providers.

There are newer products to watch as well. Andembry generated US$240 million of sales in its first full year on the market, while Hemgenix continued to grow.

FY26 was messy, with large impairments and weaker performance in parts of the group. But management is simplifying CSL and expects underlying profit to return to growth in FY27.

I think a successful recovery could remind investors why CSL became one of Australia’s great healthcare businesses in the first place.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is another company where the long-term opportunity interests me more than any one year of earnings.

A huge number of people with severe hearing loss could benefit from an implant but never receive one. Cochlear is trying to change that by making diagnosis, referral, and treatment more systematic, particularly for adults. I think that could be a powerful growth driver.

In the US, medical and professional channels currently account for only around 40% of adult cochlear implant referrals. Cochlear is working with clinicians to improve those pathways and make it easier for suitable patients to progress from diagnosis to treatment.

Product development gives me another reason to be positive. The Nucleus Nexa System became more than 95% of implant sales across developed markets by June. More importantly, the platform has been designed to support future developments including more personalised stimulation, a drug-eluting electrode, and eventually a totally implantable cochlear implant.

If Cochlear can make implants accessible to more people while continuing to improve the technology, I think the business has plenty of growth ahead.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus may have the clearest growth runway of the three.

Its Visage imaging software has become trusted by some of the largest healthcare systems in North America, yet management estimates it still has only around 11% of the US market. That leaves considerable room to keep winning customers.

What I like is how the opportunity is expanding once Pro Medicus gets through the door. Most of its new FY26 contracts included the full Visage stack, while customers are also beginning to add its cardiology offering.

The company signed $407 million of new contracts during FY26 and renewed every contract that came up for renewal, generally with higher minimums and transaction fees.

For me, that says a lot about how valuable the software has become to customers.

Foolish takeaway

I think healthcare can be a great place to look for businesses capable of compounding for many years because better treatments and technology can create value well beyond the next economic cycle.

That is what attracts me to these three shares. I would be comfortable buying them with the intention of giving their long-term opportunities plenty of time to develop.

The post Why I’d buy CSL, Cochlear, and Pro Medicus shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Shares of Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) are creating a buzz today.

In late morning trade on Thursday, two of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) heavyweights are racing ahead of the 0.4% gains posted by the benchmark index, while one has just tumbled deep into the red.

Here’s what’s piquing investor interest.

Zip shares rocket on record earnings

Zip shares are off to the races today, up 14% at $2.94 apiece.

This strong performance follows the release of the ASX 200 buy now, pay later (BNPL) stock’s full-year FY 2026 results.

Among the highlights, Zip grew its active customers by 3.7% year-on-year to 6.5 million. And the company’s total transaction volume (TTV) of $16.7 billion was up 27.2%.

This helped drive a 24.7% increase in revenue to $1.34 billion, with Zip’s operating margin improving by 4.2% from FY 2025 to 20%.

Also helping lift Zip shares today, the company achieved record cash earnings before taxes depreciation and amortisation (EBTDA) of $268.9 million, up 57.9% from last year.

And on the bottom line, Zip’s net profit after tax (NPAT) surged 45.7% to $116.4 million.

Looking ahead, the ASX 200 BNPL stock is targeting cash EBTDA growth of 26% to $340 million in FY 2027. Zip is aiming for an operating margin in the range of 20% to 22%.

Northern Star shares leap on record profits

Like Zip shares, Northern Star shares are charging higher today.

At the time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 gold stock are changing hands for $24.15 each, up 7.1%.

Northern Star also reported its FY 2026 results today. And investors are clearly impressed.

Highlights from the financial year just past included a 19% year-on-year increase in revenue to $7.6 billion. The revenue boost was supported by a 26% higher average realised gold price.

On the earnings front, Northern Star reported underlying EBITDA of $4.27 billion, up 22% from FY 2025.

And on the bottom line, the ASX 200 gold miner achieved a record NPAT of $1.7 billion, up 24% year on year.

For passive income investors, management declared a fully-franked final dividend of 30 cents per share, in line with last year’s final payout.

Which brings us to…

Megaport shares fall on $39 million net loss

Joining Northern Star and Zip shares in turning heads today, and releasing its FY 2026 results, we find Megaport.

Shares in the ASX 200 network services company kicked off the day in positive territory but have since tumbled into the red, down 4% at $19.52 apiece.

With Megaport shares having closed yesterday up some 79% in 2026, investor expectations are clearly high.

On the positive side of the ledger, Megaport achieved a 37% year-on-year increase in revenue to $312 million. And EBITDA increased by 24% from FY 2025 to $77 million.

But Megaport shares look to have come under pressure, with the ASX 200 tech stock reporting a statutory net loss of $39 million, which compares unfavourably to the net loss of $300,000 reported last year.

The post Why Megaport, Northern Star and Zip shares are turning heads on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Northern Star Resources posts record profit and steady dividend for FY26

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 Megaport. 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.

Hansen Technologies Ltd (ASX: HSN) shares are slightly more than 40% down over the past 12 months, but following their full year results broker Shaw and Partners is predicting some serious upside for the ASX 300 stock.

Shaw and Partners has a buy recommendation on the shares and a very bullish share price target which I’ll get to shortly.

First, let’s look at what the company reported recently.

Strong profit result from steady revenue

Hansen earlier this week reported operating revenue of $386.5 million, down 1.5%, with the company saying the result was impacted by lower licence fees and foreign exchange headwinds.

Underlying net profit was strong however, coming in 22.5% higher than the previous corresponding period at $48.5 million.

Hansen Chief Executive Officer Andrew Hansen said regarding the result:

FY26 demonstrated the resilience of Hansen’s business model. In a more cautious environment, we have remained focused on disciplined execution, protecting earnings quality while continuing to invest for long-term growth. What we have seen during the year, with regards to revenue, is primarily caused by mix and foreign exchange. We continue to have a solid pipeline of demand for our products and services. Our recurring revenue base continues to improve, providing stability and visibility through the cycle. AI is increasingly driving productivity, operating leverage and long-term margin expansion.

The company said AI had been a large focus, and an AI enablement team had been set up to drive capability across the workforce.

Hansen said it was now, “shifting from capability building to the deployment and commercialisation of AI solutions that deliver measurable value for customers and shareholders”.

On the corporate front, the company said its strong cash generation and conservative balance sheet provided flexibility to pursue accretive opportunities.

Hansen Technologies shares looking cheap

Shaw and Partners said in a note to clients following the result, that it was a better result than the headline numbers indicated.

They said:

Key takes: 1) FY26 was stronger underneath the headline, with improving recurring revenue mix, disciplined costs and record cash generation; 2) FY27 is now a transition/investment year as licence revenue shifts to recurring streams and HSN reinvests in AI and sales, with growth and 30%+ margins expected to return in FY28; and 3) Stuart MacDonald’s appointment as CEO adds a credible new growth lens.

Shaw and Partners reiterated their buy rating but reduced their 12-month price target on Hansen shares from $7.60 to $6.80.

This compares to $3.26 currently. Hansen Technologies is valued at $869.2 million.

The post This ASX 300 technology stock is tipped to double in the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Hansen Technologies appoints new CEO as Andrew Hansen becomes Executive Chair

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.