Author: openjargon

It was a rather depressing end to the trading week for the Australian share market this Friday. After opening sharply lower this morning, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stayed in red territory all day, closing with a 0.43% loss. That leaves the index at a flat 8,665 points as we head into the weekend.

This sad end to the local trading week for ASX investors comes after a more nuanced night of trading over on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a bad mood, losing 0.31% of its value.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to hold its own, rising a slight 0.012%.

Let’s get back to ASX shares now though and take a closer look at how the various ASX sectors traversed today’s tough trading conditions.

Winners and losers

There were only a couple of sectors that held their value this Friday. But first, let’s get to the far more numerous red sectors.

Leading said losers this session were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a rough one, tanking by 1.66%.

Consumer discretionary stocks were in the firing line today too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) plunging 1.36%.

Joining them were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) cratered 1.25% today.

Industrial stocks were also on the nose, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.87% dive.

Mining shares had a day to forget as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) suffered a 0.84% swing against it this Friday.

Healthcare stocks didn’t live up to their name this session, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) shedding 0.79% of its total.

Communications shares matched that result. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) gave up 0.79% as well.

Gold stocks were no safe haven, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)’s 0.48% tumble.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren’t much better. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended the day down 0.33%.

Even energy shares weren’t spared, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) dipping 0.3%.

That’s it for the red sectors though, so let’s get to the good stuff.

Leading the winners this Friday were consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was a harbour in the storm, shooting 0.73% higher.

Finally, the other sheltered corner of the market was financial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 0.27% jump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Defence stock Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) took out this Friday’s top index spot. Electro Optic Systems shares surged 5.995 hgiher today to finish the week at $11.32 each.

This big leap came after the company announced a new procurement for one of its weapons systems.

Here’s the rest of today’s best:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)	$11.32	5.99%
Block Inc (ASX: XYZ)	$108.33	2.08%
Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP)	$5.32	2.11%
Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA)	$6.87	1.93%
Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD)	$7.65	1.19%
A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)	$6.65	1.22%
Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)	$23.19	1.27%
Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR)	$1.79	1.13%
Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG)	$1.22	1.67%
Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)	$44.21	1.14%

Enjoy the weekend!

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 sinks to June lows as investors brace for another RBA rate hike
• EOS shares jump 7% as ASX 200 falls. Could $15 be next?
• Is the Coles share price a buy for its 5% dividend yield?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• How to top up your superannuation if you’re 40 and falling behind

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Block and Electro Optic Systems. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I won’t pretend to be an impartial observer tonight.

My Roosters are playing the Dolphins in the NRL preliminary final, with a place in next weekend’s Grand Final on the line.

I want them to win. Preferably by enough that I can enjoy the last ten minutes.

And should the unthinkable happen, I’ll still be a Roosters supporter tomorrow. I’m not about to change teams because somebody else had a better night.

With the AFL Grand Final tomorrow, I’m hardly alone in getting a little bit carried away this weekend.

That’s part of being a footy fan.

But it can be a pretty ordinary way to be an investor. (It infects our policy conversations, too, but that’s a whole other rant!)

Now, before you think I’ve suddenly abandoned long-term investing, let me explain.

I remain devoted to buying good businesses, at sensible prices, and giving them time to deliver.

But there’s a difference between giving a business time and giving it an unlimited supply of excuses.

Between patience and denial.

Between owning shares and wearing the jersey (or guernsey, if you’re in our nation’s south or west).

Imagine two football clubs having disappointing seasons.

One has a young squad, a sensible development plan and players who are getting better. The results aren’t there yet, but you can see what the club is building.

The other keeps promising that next year will be different, while making the same mistakes.

Both might call it a rebuilding year.

Only one has given you a reason to believe it.

And that’s where our footy analogy helps. I bet if you’re a football fan, you’re already thinking of clubs that fit into each category.

That’s also the distinction we need to make with our investments. And, unfortunately, it requires more work than checking the share price.

A falling price doesn’t, by itself, tell you that the business is broken.

Nor does a rising price prove that everything is going wonderfully.

The price is what other investors are prepared to pay, right now. It isn’t a complete assessment of the company’s future.

It might be right. Or wrong. It might change tomorrow. Or not.

So, what should we look at?

You’re already ahead of me, right?

You need to look at the business. Not the three-letter code on your screen.

Are customers still buying what it sells? Is it maintaining its competitive position? Is cash coming through the door? Can it comfortably handle its debts?

And, where something has gone wrong, is there credible evidence – or at the very least, a high likelihood – that the problem can be fixed?

Consider a hypothetical retailer spending money on a new distribution centre. Profits might suffer while it gets the facility running. If customers remain loyal and the investment does what management promised, patience might be entirely sensible.

Now imagine another retailer losing customers because a competitor offers something better. Management keeps talking about “challenging conditions”, but the competitor seems to be doing just fine. Yes, I’m looking at you, Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) and DJs.

Those are very different scenarios… and neither can be diagnosed from a red number on a screen.

The danger is that, once we own something, we can start looking for reasons to defend it.

We liked the company enough to buy it. Perhaps we told a mate about it. Selling would mean admitting we got something wrong.

Thing is… sometimes we do. I’d rather acknowledge a mistake than keep losing money because of it.

It’s also possible that we didn’t make a mistake at the time, but that circumstances have changed. We need to recognise that.

On the other hand, I’d also rather endure an uncomfortable period than abandon a good business just because the market has lost patience.

Holding on, out of stubbornness? Selling to cauterise the wound and stop the pain?

They’re both bad ideas.

The right approach? Become more honest about why you still own what you own.

Here’s the question to ask, even before share prices start moving:

“What would have to happen for me to change my mind about this business?”

Not how much the share price might move – but what would need to change about the company itself.

Losing a competitive advantage, perhaps. Taking on more debt than it can sensibly manage. Discovering that the opportunity you thought existed was smaller than you’d assumed – either because you sized it wrong, or because the company just didn’t execute (Remember Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)’s short foray into hardware? Yeah, that.)

Write that down before you need it. Then revisit it when meaningful new information arrives, rather than rewriting the test to excuse every disappointment.

Long-term investing should mean giving a sound investment case time to play out. It shouldn’t mean refusing to notice when that case has changed.

Your job isn’t to prove that every decision you’ve ever made was right.

It’s to make good decisions with the information you have now.

So, enjoy the footy. Be hopelessly biased. Leave one eye closed, at least until the final hooter/whistle/siren.

(But also, lay off the umpires and referees, and congratulate the other team if they win.)

And yes, be loyal to your portfolio… but its long term potential, not the ‘players’ inside it.

Tomorrow’s Grand Final? I’m a New South Welshman, talking about a game in Victoria, played between a team from Queensland and one from Western Australia. Fair to say, I have no dog in that fight.

But tonight?

Go the mighty Chooks! #EastsToWin

Fool on!

The post Don’t treat your companies like your footy team appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Xero shares have crashed 64%. Here’s why I’m buying
• Woolworths shares jump 31% in 2026. Is there any upside left?
• Why I’d buy the dip in top ASX 200 gold stocks like Newmont, Northern Star and Evolution Mining shares today
• Could two more RBA rate hikes push Australia into recession?

Motley Fool contributor Scott Phillips 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 Myer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Just when it looked like Xero shares might finally find some support, the selling has continued on Friday.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares are currently down 3.21% to $57.125, having fallen as low as $56.22 earlier in the session.

That leaves the stock trading around 64% below its value 12 months ago and almost 50% lower in 2026.

And yet, I’m becoming increasingly bullish.

While the share price suggests something has gone terribly wrong, Xero’s underlying business continues to deliver impressive growth.

At these levels, I think investors could be looking at an excellent long-term buying opportunity.

Here’s why.

Xero’s business is still growing

Looking at Xero’s latest financial results, you’d be forgiven for wondering why its shares have fallen so far.

According to its FY26 results, operating revenue increased 31% to NZ$2.75 billion, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 18% to NZ$757.4 million.

The company also added 506,000 customers, taking its global customer base to 4.92 million.

Annualised monthly recurring revenue jumped 37% to NZ$3.27 billion, while free cash flow reached NZ$554 million.

Those are impressive numbers, particularly when you consider what’s happened to the share price.

Admittedly, net profit declined 27% to NZ$167.4 million, with acquisition-related costs weighing on earnings.

But I’m far more interested in where the business is heading over the next few years.

Management expects FY27 revenue of NZ$3.62 billion to NZ$3.73 billion, alongside adjusted EBITDA of NZ$860 million to NZ$920 million.

That’s another substantial increase in revenue, and a good indication that Xero’s growth story is far from over.

Why I’m bullish on Xero shares

I think investors are overlooking just how much growth Xero still has ahead of it.

The company has previously estimated its addressable market at approximately 100 million small and medium-sized businesses worldwide.

With fewer than 5 million customers today, there’s still an enormous opportunity to expand.

And it’s not just about attracting more subscribers.

Its acquisition of Melio gives Xero a stronger position in the US payments market, opening up another opportunity to grow revenue beyond accounting subscriptions.

I also think AI could make Xero’s platform more valuable over time by automating more of the financial tasks involved in running a small business.

The company already has an established platform, millions of customers, and access to valuable financial data.

With revenue expected to grow by around 30% in FY27, I think the market is seriously underestimating Xero’s long-term potential.

All in all, I see an excellent opportunity to buy a high-quality growth business at attractive levels.

The post Xero shares have crashed 64%. Here’s why I’m buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares have stormed higher through the first nine months of 2026.

At the time of writing on Friday afternoon, the shares are trading in the green, up around 1% to $38.51. 

The latest increase means the shares are now up an impressive 31% for the year to date, and they’re 44% higher than 12 months ago.

The increase has been pretty stable and consistent, too.

The supermarket giant’s stock has mostly trended upwards (with the exception of a dip in late April and a recovery a month later).

It looks like the growing share price is mostly driven by investor confidence that the company’s turnaround story is coming to fruition, after a difficult period in 2025.

The supermarket’s most recent price-sensitive news was the announcement of its impressive FY26 results in late August. It posted a 3.6% year-on-year increase in sales and a 6.7% increase in EBITDA (before significant items). On the bottom line, Woolworths achieved a 15.4% increase in its NPAT (before significant items) for the year.

As part of its FY26 results announcement, management declared a 52-cent per share dividend, up 15.6% from FY25.

It’s been tailwind after tailwind for Woolworths shares this year. Now the question is, is there any more upside left? Or has the ASX consumer staples stock finally reached a ceiling?

Buy, hold, or sell? Here’s what brokers forecast for Woolworths shares

The experts are divided.

Market Index data shows that brokers are split equally between a hold and a sell rating. The $37.57 average target price implies a potential 2% downside ahead.

On TradingView, the majority of analysts (nine out of 17) have a hold rating on the shares. Another six rate Woolworths shares are a sell/strong sell and two rate them as a buy.

The $39.67 average target price implies a potential 3% upside ahead. Although the range between the maximum and minimum is quite wide. Some tip the shares to fall 8% to $35.40, and others think they would increase 13% to $43.50, at the time of writing.

Shaw and Partners has a sell rating on Woolworths shares. The broker warns that the shares could struggle to outperform over coming months. It adds that the supermarket has experienced a strong recovery in the past year, and now much of the recent improvement is reflected in the share price.

Elsewhere, Bell Potter is more positive. The broker has a hold rating on Woolworths shares and a $42.35 target price. It was impressed with the company’s latest FY26 results but doesn’t think potential growth is high enough to warrant a buy rating.

Morgans has an accumulate rating and $43.50 target price. Following the supermarket’s results, the broker is more confident that its sales growth can be sustained.

The post Woolworths shares jump 31% in 2026. Is there any upside left? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the most popular ASX share superannuation investments in SMSFs
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• How to build a $50,000 passive income from ASX shares
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• 5 ASX shares I’d recommend to beginners

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 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stocks are getting ready to turn the calendar page on a tough month.

Indeed, while the ASX 200 has slumped 5.6% since market close on 25 August, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) – which also contains some smaller miners outside of ASX 200 gold stocks – is down as steeper 8.3%.

Although most gold stocks have still strongly outperformed over the past full year, with the All Ords Gold Index still up 22.1% in 12 months, compared to the 1.4% one-year losses posted by the ASX 200.

As for the three big Aussie gold miners I’d buy today, Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM) shares are down 8% in a month and up 45.3% in a year, while Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares are down 13.9% in a month and up 33.2% in a year.

It’s a bit of a different picture for Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares, which are down 9.5% in a month and also down 2% in a year.

As you may know, Northern Star has faced some difficulties on and below the ground this year. Those include lower grades at some of its mines as well as lower overall gold production for FY 2026.

But I believe the miner’s recent capex spend is set to pay off in FY 2027 and 2028, which should see a notable improvement in the share price performance.

What’s been pressuring the ASX 200 gold stocks?

The common headwind pressuring Northern Star, Newmont, and Evolution Mining shares over the past month has been a sharp retrace in the gold price.

Trading for US$4,294 per ounce today, the gold price is down 7.7% since 25 August.

The gold price is now also down around 21% from its record highs, posted on 28 January.

A lot of that fall can be pinned on the outbreak of the Iran war. The conflict has sent global energy prices surging, stoking inflation and pushing central banks, including the US Federal Reserve and the RBA, to increase interest rates. And gold, which pays no yield itself, tends to perform better in low or falling rate environments.

But the case for higher gold prices remains very much in play, which could usher in a big rebound for the recently beaten-down ASX 200 gold stocks.

What are the experts saying?

Hedge fund manager Raphael Lamm, who manages a long-short gold fund, expects that the falling gold price is likely to be short-lived.

Among the reasons Lamm expects a rebound in the price of bullion, which would also support ASX 200 gold stocks, is the “unsustainability of fiscal situations in key markets,” with the United States government debt recently topping US$40 trillion.

According to Lamm (quoted by Bloomberg):

While there’s been some headwinds to gold markets and the gold price since the Iran war, we think they’re very temporary in nature. Most of the key drivers of demand for gold are going to remain intact or even strengthen over the medium term…

We started to increase our long positions relatively aggressively when the gold price got below $4,000, and now we’re keeping it where it is, which is in the low- to mid-60% net long.

The post Why I’d buy the dip in top ASX 200 gold stocks like Newmont, Northern Star and Evolution Mining shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares upgraded by experts this week
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• $10,000 invested in Evolution Mining and Northern Star shares 3 years ago is now worth…

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 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.

Australia could be facing another two interest rate hikes before Christmas, and that has one economist worried.

According to The Australian, HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham has warned that the Australian economy could be heading for a difficult few months.

He believes the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may need to lift rates again, despite signs of slowing growth.

And if he’s right, Aussies could be facing more than just higher mortgage repayments.

With the RBA meeting next Tuesday, his latest outlook gives borrowers and investors plenty to think about.

So, just how worried should Australians be?

HSBC sees recession risk climbing

Bloxham believes the RBA has a strong case to lift interest rates next week, followed by another increase in November.

But he warns that two more hikes could leave the Australian economy struggling to grow around the turn of the year.

He expects economic growth to come close to stalling in the December and March quarters.

That has him putting the risk of a technical recession at close to 50%.

A technical recession occurs when the economy contracts for two consecutive quarters.

For comparison, Bloomberg’s surveyed recession probability over the next 12 months is currently just 20%.

So, why is Bloxham particularly concerned?

He points to Australia’s weak productivity growth, which has left the economy with very little room to expand without pushing inflation higher.

Bloxham believes growth may need to slow considerably, or the economy may need to contract.

He says this could be necessary to bring underlying inflation back to target by late 2027.

Why are more rate hikes expected?

The RBA has already increased interest rates 3 times this year, taking the cash rate to 4.35%.

However, inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% to 3% target.

The latest ABS inflation figures showed annual headline inflation at 3.5% in July, while trimmed mean inflation remained at 3.6%. 

Higher oil prices and global inflation pressures are adding to the RBA’s concerns.

Earlier this week, RBA governor Michele Bullock warned that inflation risks were materialising, although she stopped short of committing to another rate increase. 

Meanwhile, yesterday’s employment report showed Australia’s unemployment rate increasing to 4.6% in August.

Employment rose by 39,500 people, but full-time employment declined by approximately 6,000. 

Those figures suggest the labour market is cooling, but inflation remains a concern.

What happens next?

The RBA will announce its next interest rate decision on Tuesday, 29 September.

But there’s another complication.

August’s inflation figures aren’t due until Wednesday, one day after the board meets.

That means policymakers will have to make their decision without another inflation reading.

The post Could two more RBA rate hikes push Australia into recession? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• EOS shares jump 7% as ASX 200 falls. Could $15 be next?

HSBC Holdings is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 recommended HSBC Holdings. 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’s another rough Friday on the ASX, and things aren’t looking much better as we head towards the weekend.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is currently down 0.48% to around 8,659 points, after dropping as low as 8,639.9 earlier in the session.

That’s the lowest we’ve seen the benchmark since 11 June, with the index now down almost 5% over the past month.

And it’s not just a few of the big names dragging the market lower.

At the latest check, 155 stocks in the ASX 200 are falling, while just 39 are moving higher and 6 remain unchanged.

With another RBA interest rate decision coming up on Tuesday, investors have plenty to think about.

So, could things get worse next week?

Oil jumps as bond yields hit 19-year high

Wall Street was fairly quiet overnight, but there was lots happening in oil and bond markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fell 0.31%, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) slipped 0.02%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to finish 0.01% higher.

In addition, the US 10-year Treasury yield climbed to approximately 5.12%, its highest level in 19 years.

Oil prices were also on the move, with Brent crude jumping more than 4% overnight to around US$107.53 a barrel.

Selling spreads across the ASX 200

The selling is pretty widespread today, with 10 of the 11 ASX sectors trading lower.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 0.66% to $60.62, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) has slipped 0.88% to $164.99.

Property-related stocks aren’t having a great day either, with REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) falling 2.51% to $148.27.

However, the big banks are managing to buck the trend and provide some support for the benchmark.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are up 0.28% to $150.405, and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) has gained 0.56% to $34.32.

Will the RBA make things worse next week?

All eyes now turn to Tuesday, when the RBA announces its next interest rate decision.

According to The Australian, money markets are pricing a 90% chance of another 25-basis point increase.

This would take the cash rate to 4.60%.

Traders are also pricing approximately 40 basis points of additional tightening by the end of the year.

The RBA has already lifted rates 3 times in 2026, and another increase would add to borrowing costs for households and businesses.

And with the ASX 200 at its lowest level since June, I’ll be watching whether it can hold above 8,600 points.

The post ASX 200 sinks to June lows as investors brace for another RBA rate hike appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 6 ASX 200 shares scoring renewed buy calls this week
• ASX 200 slides as investors head for the exits. Is there more pain to come?

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Just when Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) shareholders thought things couldn’t get much worse, another problem has come their way.

Netwealth shares have plunged 5.72% to $17.47 in midday trade, after falling as low as $17.22 earlier in the session.

The wealth management stock has now lost more than 20% over the past month and is trading almost 50% below its 52-week high of $33.62.

And today’s announcement has given investors another reason to be concerned.

So, what has happened this time?

Netwealth faces class action

The selling follows an ASX announcement confirming that Netwealth is facing a class action over the failed First Guardian Master Fund.

The company revealed that two of its subsidiaries have now been served with a Statement of Claim.

At the centre of the case are First Guardian investment options offered through the Netwealth Superannuation Master Fund.

These were available to adviser-led members from March 2021, before Netwealth stopped accepting new investments in December 2022.

The company says it intends to defend the claim.

According to the release, the allegations cover matters previously addressed through a court-enforceable undertaking with ASIC.

The regulator accepted that undertaking in December 2025 and began Federal Court proceedings over the same issues.

Netwealth also reminded investors that it completed a compensation program in January 2026.

That saw around $101 million paid to affected members, covering the net capital each had invested in First Guardian.

What happened to investors’ money?

There was a lot of money tied up in First Guardian before things went wrong.

Between March 2021 and December 2022, 1,303 Netwealth members invested approximately $128.5 million in the fund.

Then, in May 2024, fund operator Falcon Capital froze withdrawals.

By that stage, around 1,080 members still had approximately $100.7 million invested.

The matter eventually ended up in the Federal Court.

In August, the court found that Netwealth’s subsidiaries had breached the Corporations Act in how they handled the investments.

They hadn’t gathered enough information about First Guardian or made adequate independent checks into the risks involved.

Members also weren’t warned that they might struggle to access their money if the fund became illiquid.

ASIC didn’t seek a financial penalty, pointing to Netwealth’s timely compensation of affected investors.

What’s next for Netwealth shares?

Netwealth has already paid around $101 million in compensation, but it still has another legal battle on its hands.

And there’s still the question of what this latest case could mean financially.

With shares continuing to fall, investors clearly aren’t thrilled about another round of legal proceedings.

Personally, I wouldn’t rush in just because the stock has fallen so far.

The post Why are Netwealth shares crashing 6% on Friday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Premier Investments vs Myer Holdings shares: which ASX retailer stacks up best?

When everyday investors look for steady returns and income from retail stocks, Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) and Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) are frequent contenders. Both are household names on the ASX with passionate customer followings and large store footprints, but their investment cases have diverged after a major restructuring. If you’re deciding between Premier Investments and Myer shares, here’s how the fundamentals compare right now.

The case for Premier Investments

Premier Investments is a specialist retail group now focused on two leading brands: Peter Alexander, a premium sleepwear and home lifestyle name, and Smiggle, a much-loved children’s stationery retailer famous for its colourful products. After spinning off its apparel chains (like Just Jeans and Jay Jays) to Myer in 2025, Premier now embraces a simpler model that’s less exposed to discount apparel cycles and more to lifestyle and gift-buying. It still retains a large shareholding in Myer.

Highlights of Premier Investments right now:

• Strong dividend yield: Premier is offering an attractive 8.51% dividend yield, all fully franked. Its dividend per share sits at $0.95, a show of confidence in returning capital.
• Solid profitability: With earnings per share of $0.902 and a P/E ratio of 12.38, Premier trades on markedly lower earnings multiples than Myer at present.
• Resilience through refocus: The company has pivoted to two brands with defensible niches (sleepwear and kids’ stationery), and international growth potential continues with Smiggle and Peter Alexander’s expansion into the UK and Asia, according to its company profile.

The case for Myer Holdings

Myer is one of Australia’s largest department store operators, now even bigger following its acquisition of Premier’s former apparel brands (Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans, Dotti, and Jacqui E) in 2025. Alongside its network of around 60 MYER-branded department stores (as of its public company description), Myer now controls a vast stable of retail brands with national reach, targeting value-conscious fashion and home shoppers across the country.

Key considerations for Myer Holdings today:

• High yield for income seekers: Myer’s dividend yield edges out Premier’s at 8.57%, fully franked, with a current dividend per share of $0.02 as per the latest data.
• Wider retail footprint: Myer now operates both large format department stores and hundreds of specialty apparel outlets. This broad network potentially diversifies sales streams and brand risks.
• Turnaround challenge: Myer’s recent financials show strain after integration: it records a negative earnings per share of -$0.178 and carries a higher P/E ratio of 23.70. Note: Myer’s reported P/E ratio may be based on a different earnings measure (e.g. underlying or forward earnings) than the EPS figure shown, which is why they may appear inconsistent.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how key metrics stack up side by side for income, value, and risk:

	Premier Investments	Myer Holdings
Market Cap	$1.91 billion	$337.50 million
P/E Ratio	12.38	23.70
Earnings per Share	$0.902	-$0.178
Dividend Yield	8.51% (100% franked)	8.57% (100% franked)

Premier is the much larger business by market cap and currently trades at a far lower P/E ratio, supported by positive earnings. Myer, despite a slightly higher yield, has negative EPS at the latest read and a notably higher multiple—usually a signal investors expect future profit recovery, but with added risk.

Recent share price performance

Comparing recent momentum using both companies’ closing prices as of 23 September 2026:

• Premier Investments closed at $11.95, up 7.08% on the day, but its year-to-date return sits at -15.8%.
• Myer Holdings closed at $0.18, unchanged for the day, but its year-to-date return is -60.0%.

So while both shares are down for 2026, Myer has dramatically underperformed Premier over the year, with its stock falling much further.

Which is the better buy?

Looking at both the numbers and the business setup, I think Premier Investments makes the stronger case at present. It’s profitable, sports a healthy fully franked yield, and is trading on a much lower P/E ratio than Myer. Its focus on brands with pricing power and some international growth runway adds conviction. By contrast, Myer faces a tough turnaround task post-demerger, with negative earnings and a much weaker share price, despite its large footprint and similar headline yield. If I had to pick a retail stock between these two today, my choice would be Premier Investments.

The post Premier Investments vs Myer: Which ASX Retail Stock is Best? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX 200 share offers 30% upside and a 7% yield
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• Down 64%: Has the market lost interest in Myer shares?
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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 Myer and Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

It’s been a difficult Friday for Australian investors, but Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) shareholders have plenty to smile about.

While the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.54% to 8,655 points, EOS shares are heading in the opposite direction.

The defence tech company’s shares have jumped 7.21% to $11.45, putting it within striking distance of its 52-week high of $12.58.

And with another opportunity opening up in the US defence market, there’s plenty for investors to get excited about.

So, could $15 be the next stop?

EOS unlocks a new US defence opportunity

According to the latest company update, EOS has secured a new procurement pathway for its R400 remote weapon system (RWS).

The system is now listed on the US Joint Interagency Task Force 401 Counter-UAS marketplace.

It allows eligible US government customers to compare counter-drone tech and purchase it through an established US Army contracting arrangement.

Access is also expanding to other allied nations, with 23 countries currently cleared to participate.

The R400 is designed to track and engage ground threats, along with small and medium-sized drones.

While the listing doesn’t represent a new contract, it puts EOS in front of more potential customers and makes the buying process easier.

That’s a pretty good position to be in, particularly as demand for counter-drone tech continues to grow.

I think this could become a valuable sales channel, especially if EOS can turn that additional exposure into more signed contracts.

The numbers are backing it up

It’s not just the growing sales opportunities that have me feeling bullish about EOS.

The company’s latest half-year results showed revenue surged 283% to $168.8 million, compared with $44.1 million a year earlier.

Underlying EBITDA also swung from a $14.9 million loss to a $21.6 million profit.

But what really catches my attention is the company’s order book, which reached a record $846 million at the end of June.

That’s a substantial amount of business already secured, giving EOS plenty of work to deliver over the coming years.

Management is now forecasting full-year revenue of between $360 million and $400 million, including its recently acquired MARSS business.

If achieved, that would represent record annual revenue for the company.

Could EOS shares reach $15?

I think there’s a strong case for further upside, particularly if EOS can turn its growing pipeline into more signed contracts.

And I’m not the only one looking at $15.

According to TipRanks, Canaccord Genuity has a buy rating and $15 price target, while Bell Potter and Ord Minnett have targets of $12.60 and $12.50, respectively.

From $11.45, Canaccord’s $15 target points to potential upside of more than 30%.

Personally, I’d still be comfortable buying EOS shares at these levels with a long-term investment horizon.

The post EOS shares jump 7% as ASX 200 falls. Could $15 be next? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Electro Optic Systems. 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.