Wanting some exposure to the gold sector after recent weakness? If you are, it could pay to listen to what Bell Potter is saying about the ASX gold stock in this article.

That’s because the broker believes its shares could rise materially from current levels.

Which ASX gold stock?

The gold stock that is rated highly by Bell Potter is Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6).

It is the Western Australia-based exploration and development company behind the Bullabulling Gold Project (BGP). It currently has a mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 4.5Moz. However, Bell Potter believes that recent drilling activities could support an increase in its resource estimate.

Commenting on this, the broker said:

The results are both infill and extension drilling and will be included in the August 2026 MRE update. They continue to confirm and upgrade the confidence within the current MRE and build the case for extensions beyond it. In the August MRE we primarily expect an upgrade from Inferred to Indicated categories, making more of the Resource available for conversion to Reserves, supporting the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) ahead of an FID in early CY27.

The additional opportunity emerging is the continuity and increasing geological understanding of high-grade zones within the footwall zones at the Phoenix and Bacchus deposits. We see potential for an improved development case that brings high grade ounces into the mine plan earlier than expected.

Bell Potter was also pleased to see the commencement of early construction and development activities at the project. It adds:

This shows a strong focus on project development and production readiness. These are key milestones that de-risk the development schedule by kicking them off as early as possible and locking in costs. We note that a key enabler is the strategic funding agreement with Franco Nevada, which sees MI6 with $250m cash (end March 2026).

Big potential returns

In light of this, Bell Potter has retained its speculative buy rating and $1.35 price target on the ASX gold stock.

Based on its current share price of 84 cents, this implies potential upside of 60% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its investment thesis, the broker said:

MI6 offers gold exposure via the 4.5Moz Bullabulling Resource, valuation uplift through discovery success, project advancement and de-risking as the BGP progresses towards production. It holds ~$250m cash, sufficient to fund to Final Investment Decision (FID) in early CY27, long-lead items and early site works. We retain our $1.35/sh Valuation and Speculative Buy recommendation.

The post This ASX gold stock could be a cheap buy with 60% upside appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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.

It has been a positive session for a few of the ASX’s best-known dividend shares on Friday.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Ltd (ASX: SOL) are all pushing higher in afternoon trade.

They are often viewed as defensive or income-focused ASX shares because of their reliable earnings, dividends, and long track records.

At the time of writing, the Woolworths share price is up 0.24% to $40.03 after hitting a 52-week high of $40.10.

Coles shares are up 1.06% to $24.31 after trading as high as $24.35.

Meanwhile, Soul Patts shares are up 0.13% to $45.09 after reaching a yearly high of $45.60.

Here’s what is putting these 3 ASX 200 shares in focus today.

Woolworths shares just keep climbing

Woolworths shares are back near their best levels of the past year.

That’s a strong result for a business that was under pressure not that long ago from weaker margins, cost pressures, and a softer share price.

However, the market now appears more comfortable with the supermarket giant’s reset.

And while Woolworths still faces a competitive grocery market, investors appear to be taking a more positive view of its trading outlook.

Coles reaches fresh highs

Coles is also trading higher today and has pushed to a fresh 52-week high.

That comes after a solid run for the supermarket operator, which continues to appeal to investors looking for steadier earnings.

Coles also offers a 3% dividend yield, compared to Woolworths’ 2.24% yield.

That may help explain why some investors still prefer Coles, especially if they are looking for a more predictable income stream.

Soul Patts offers something different

Soul Patts is also edging higher today after reaching a fresh 52-week high.

Unlike Woolworths and Coles, this is not a supermarket business. It is an investment house with exposure across listed shares, private companies, property, credit, and other assets.

That gives investors a different type of defensive exposure.

The company is closely watched for its dividend record, which has made it a popular name with long-term income investors.

But with the stock now trading near the top of its 52-week range, investors are clearly paying up for that stability.

Are investors getting defensive?

Today’s moves suggest defensive and income-focused shares are still finding support.

Woolworths and Coles both benefit from everyday customer demand, while Soul Patts gives investors a diversified portfolio.

But that doesn’t mean these stocks are cheap.

All 3 are trading at 52-week highs, which means a lot of the good news is already reflected in their share prices.

The post 3 ASX dividend favourites are hitting 52-week highs today. Are investors getting defensive? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Want passive income? These 3 ASX dividend stocks could deliver
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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It has been a busy week for many of Australia’s top brokers. This has led to a number of broker notes hitting the wires.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $40.00 price target on this industrial property company’s shares. The broker highlights that over in the UK, Prologis (NYSE: PLD) has made a takeover offer for industrial property company Segro (LSE: SGRO). Citi believes this offer highlights the strategic value of Goodman’s portfolio of development sites and data centre pipeline. It also shows the scarcity of these types of assets as global data centre demand accelerates. And given its belief that Goodman is better positioned than many of its peers, with a significant development pipeline, the broker sees plenty of value in the company’s shares at current levels. The Goodman share price is trading at $31.98 on Friday afternoon.

Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)

A note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this small business lender’s shares with a heavily reduced price target of $1.47. The broker notes that Judo Capital has downgraded its earnings guidance for FY 2026. However, the biggest disappointment for Morgans was the company’s guidance for FY 2027, which fell well short of consensus estimates. Nevertheless, the broker thinks the vicious selloff has been an overreaction. It highlights that Judo Capital’s shares are trading at under 7x FY 2027 earnings despite its guidance pointing to 30% growth across both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Morgans suspects that the market has now priced in a significant risk premium or probability of failure. The Judo Capital share price is fetching 88 cents at the time of writing.

Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6)

Analysts at Bell Potter have retained their speculative buy rating and $1.35 price target on this gold explorer’s shares. According to the note, the broker was pleased with drilling results from the ongoing resource definition program at its 100% owned, 4.5Moz Bullabulling Gold Project. Bell Potter highlights that they continue to confirm and upgrade the confidence within the current mineral resource estimate and build the case for extensions beyond it. The broker also notes that the company holds ~$250 million in cash, which it believes is sufficient to fund it through to a final investment decision in early 2027. The Minerals 260 share price is trading at 83 cents on Friday.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why 4DMedical, Centuria Capital, Judo Capital, and Worley shares are dropping today
• Why DroneShield, WiseTech and Judo shares are leading the ASX 200 lower this week
• Where to invest your Westpac dividends
• Could Goodman shares rise more than 20%?
• What on earth’s going on with Judo Capital shares?

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group and Prologis. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Segro Plc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.