Author: openjargon

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is a powerful ASX dividend share with an impressive market share and a proud record of paying pleasing passive income to shareholders.

However, CBA is not one of the businesses I’d buy for dividends, as impressive as the ASX bank share has been.

FY26 saw the business hike its annual dividend per share by 4% to $5.05. At the time of writing, that translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.7%, including franking credits.

For me, there are other ASX dividend shares that offer a more compelling dividend yield and/or significantly more dividend growth potential. The following two stocks are much more appealing to me.

L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF)

This business is a listed investment company (LIC), which means it invests in other shares/assets on behalf of shareholders. Having that diversification within a single investment is appealing compared to CBA, which is just one business and has a significant focus on providing home loans in Australia (an area of slow growth at best, right now).

L1 generally likes to look at industries and specific businesses that don’t get as much investor attention and don’t trade on high price/earnings (P/E) ratios. The investment team have delivered significant success in industries like materials, industrials and communication services.

Buying (and selling) materials shares at the right times can be very effective as investments because of how cyclical they can be.

At the end of August 2026, the ASX dividend share’s portfolio registered an average net return of 17.1% per year over the prior five years, which is strong enough to deliver both capital growth and good dividends.

In FY26, the LIC grew its annual payout by 14.5% – a much stronger growth rate than CBA.

I expect the next four quarterly dividends from L1 Long Short Fund will come to at least 16.2 cents per share, which would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.8%, including franking credits.

WCM Quality Global Growth Fund – Active ETF (ASX: WCMQ)

The other ASX dividend share I want to highlight is this exchange-traded fund (ETF) offering from WCM.

WCM is a fund manager based in Laguna Beach, California. That’s a deliberate choice to be so far away from the noise of Wall Street in New York.

There are two key criteria for WCM to consider a company for this portfolio. It must have a growing competitive advantage (expanding economic moat) and a corporate culture that supports the expansion of the economic moat.

The fund manager believes that the direction of the economic moat is more important than the absolute width or size. Therefore, seeing a rising return on invested capital (ROIC) – one of the main ways it measures that improvement – is more important than a large but static or declining economic moat.

Additionally, WCM has team members solely dedicated to analysing the corporate culture of a business.

Since the WCMQ ETF’s inception in August 2018, its portfolio has returned an average of 14.9% (net), compared to a 12.8% return per year for the global share market.

The ASX dividend share aims to provide a minimum annualised cash dividend yield of 5%. That’s a stronger starting yield than CBA shares and I expect the distribution can grow at a faster pace over the long-term by focusing on high-quality shares.

The post Forget CBA shares! Buy these ASX dividend shares instead for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 drops again as selling continues
• Down 12%: Are CBA shares a buy, sell or hold now?
• Westpac, ANZ, NAB or CBA shares? Which ASX bank stock should I buy for $5,000 a year in passive income?
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $6,500 monthly passive income?
• Vanguard ETFs vs. Betashares ETFs: Who’s coming out on top?

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in L1 Long Short Fund and Wcm Quality Global Growth Fund. 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen further this week as investor sentiment continues to deteriorate.

Ongoing conflict between the US and Iran is driving fresh concerns about restricted oil supply and inflation, and the renewed fears about further interest rate hikes are spooking investors.

Let’s find out how the shift in sentiment is affecting major ASX 200 shares like Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP), Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), and what brokers tip next.

Buy Telix Pharmaceuticals shares

Telix shares have rocketed over 10% higher in Tuesday afternoon trade to $17.99 apiece. Today’s increase means the shares are now up 58% year to date.

Today’s increase comes on the back of yesterday’s news that its brain cancer imaging drug, Pixclara, has received approval from the US FDA. This makes it the first FET-PET imaging drug cleared for use in glioma and expands Telix’s precision medicine portfolio.

Telix says Pixclara is already the subject of a Phase 3 trial for diagnosis in additional brain conditions, with potential expansion to brain metastases. 

The company said it plans to target market leadership in both imaging and treatment for several high-need cancers.

Telix’s broader pipeline includes late-stage assets in prostate, kidney, and glioblastoma cancers, with a focus on bringing further precision medicine products to both existing and new markets worldwide.

Investors were clearly thrilled with the news, and many are rushing to snap up the shares.

Analysts are very bullish on the outlook for the stock, too. Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the shares, and even after today’s share price spike, the $24.68 average target price implies there is potential for about 37% upside ahead.

Hold Domino’s Pizza shares

Domino’s Pizza shares have climbed higher on Tuesday afternoon, up around 1% to $19.14 a piece at the time of writing. The shares are still down 12% year to date.

It’s been a volatile month for the pizza operator. Its share price fell around 6% after the food operator announced its FY26 results, including a 11.2% decrease in revenue, and a statutory NPAT loss of $134.2 million. It also announced $255.7 million in non-cash write-downs and impairments.

Domino’s underlying NPAT was up 4% for the 12-month period, and in line with guidance, but EBITDA fell 6.1%. The company also cut its total FY26 dividend by 25.3% to 57.5 cents.

Going forward, Domino’s said it is planning to return to profitable growth in FY27 after a period of resetting its store network and business model. 

But it looks like the experts are on the fence about whether this growth can come to fruition. Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating on the ASX shares. The $20.10 average target price implies an upside of around 5% at the time of writing.

Sell Wesfarmers shares

Wesfarmers shares are in the red at the time of writing, down around 0.5% to $72.42 each. The shares have crashed by around 22% since late July and are now down 11% for the year to date.

The shares were pushed lower in August amid broad pressure on consumer and retail stocks, as well as concerns about inflation and interest rate increases.

The sell-off also picked up pace after the conglomerate posted its FY26 results in late August.

The company reported a 3.4% increase in revenue to $47.3 million and a 7.3% increase in EBIT. But statutory NPAT fell 1.8% to $2.8 million, including significant items, or was up 8.3% excluding them. 

Going forward, Wesfarmers said it expects higher capital expenditure in FY27, of $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion. 

But investors were spooked, potentially because, although the result was robust, it raises questions about how the business can continue to grow in a weakening market.

Brokers are concerned, too. Market Index data shows the majority now have a strong sell rating on Wesfarmers shares. After the latest price crash, the $77 average target price implies around a 6% upside at the time of writing.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Domino’s Pizza, Telix Pharmaceuticals, Westfarmers shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $6,500 monthly passive income?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why are Telix Pharmaceuticals shares charging higher today?
• Telix Pharmaceuticals shares: FDA approves Pixclara brain cancer drug
• By September 2027, Wesfarmers shares could turn $10,000 into…

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 Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

SpaceX has been one of the highest-profile listings of 2026.

But excitement and a good entry price are not always the same thing.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp (NASDAQ: SPCX) shares closed at US$148.15 on Monday.

That’s above the US$135 IPO price, although the stock has already been on a wild ride since listing in June.

It briefly traded as high as US$225.64 just days after its debut.

Investors who chased the early surge are already sitting on a sizeable loss.

And while the 34% pullback makes SpaceX look cheaper, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good value.

Yes, I would love to own SpaceX shares at some point.

I just wouldn’t buy them around current levels.

Why I want to own SpaceX

There is a lot I like about the business.

SpaceX has built a position that would be extremely difficult for another company to copy.

Its launch business is already enormous, and Starlink continues to add customers.

Starship could also dramatically reduce the cost of putting satellites and other payloads into orbit if the program works as planned.

The growth numbers are pretty impressive, too.

Second-quarter revenue jumped 92% to US$7.8 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 191% to US$3.5 billion.

Starlink now has around 12 million subscribers, and SpaceX is also spending heavily on AI infrastructure alongside its space and connectivity businesses.

Evidently, this will give the company several ways to grow over the next decade.

So what’s stopping me?

The price.

At around US$148 per share, SpaceX has a market cap at roughly US$2 trillion.

That’s a huge valuation, especially for a company that still reported a US$541 million net loss in the second quarter.

It’s spending heavily as well.

Capital expenditure reached US$18.4 billion during the quarter, with US$15.8 billion going towards AI infrastructure.

Of course, SpaceX could eventually grow into that valuation.

Interestingly, Wall Street thinks there’s more upside, with the average analyst price target sitting around US$227.

But at the current price, I think investors are already paying for a lot of future growth.

Where would I buy?

For me, things would get much more interesting below US$90.

That would mean a fall of roughly 39% from yesterday’s closing price and put the shares well below their US$135 IPO price.

Would SpaceX suddenly be cheap at US$90? Probably not.

But I’d be much more comfortable starting a position around that level.

At that price, I’d have a lot more room for things to go wrong.

SpaceX is a company I genuinely want in my portfolio.

I’m just happy to miss some upside if the alternative is paying too much.

The post SpaceX shares are flying. Here’s the price I’d wait for appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Forget CBA shares! Buy these ASX dividend shares instead for passive income
• Buy, hold, sell: Domino’s Pizza, Telix Pharmaceuticals, Westfarmers shares
• WiseTech Global vs Xero: Which fallen ASX tech share is the better buy today?
• 2 ASX 200 shares tipped by brokers to return 73% and 83%
• This ASX ETF could help protect your portfolio

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 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.

WiseTech Global vs Xero shares: Which fallen tech giant bounces back first?

If you’re juggling between WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares, you’re not alone. These two tech heavyweights have led Australia and New Zealand’s software scene, but both have seen major declines from recent market highs. Let’s break down their fundamentals and find out which might be the buy after the fall.

The case for WiseTech Global

WiseTech Global builds logistics software that powers the world’s largest freight companies. Its flagship CargoWise One platform is used by top 25 global freight forwarders—think names like DHL and Toll. Founded in 1994 and based in Sydney, WiseTech has expanded its reach worldwide, helping streamline complex supply chains across every continent.

What stands out for WiseTech is its proven global customer base, consistent profitability, and a small—but steadily rising—fully franked dividend. As of the latest data, WiseTech trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 44.37 with a market cap of $10.91 billion. Its dividend yield is just 0.67%, but those payouts have grown impressively over the years and are 100% franked. Year to date, the share price has dropped a hefty 51.93%. That’s a big pullback for any investor.

The case for Xero

New Zealand’s Xero is a cloud-based accounting software business that’s become a leader for small to medium enterprises. Running a classic SaaS (Software as a Service) model, Xero offers monthly subscriptions at varied price points, making life easier for businesses needing streamlined accounts. Founded in 2006, it’s quickly carved a global name in cloud accounting.

Xero is actually the larger company by market capitalisation ($11.54 billion) but lacks WiseTech’s dividend appeal—payouts are currently zero. The latest P/E ratio stands at 49.87, significantly higher than most traditional businesses, and crucially, Xero posted negative earnings per share (-$0.158), meaning it’s not currently profitable. Franking is not applicable. Still, despite the lack of profits or dividends, Xero’s recurring revenue base is sticky, and its growth aspirations are ambitious. Yet the share price is down 41.19% over the year to date, tracking a major fall from its earlier highs.

Valuation comparison

There’s plenty to weigh up between these two. Here’s a head-to-head of the key numbers:

Metric	WiseTech Global	Xero
Market Cap	$10.91 billion	$11.54 billion
P/E Ratio	44.37	49.87
Earnings per Share	$0.485	-$0.158
Dividend Yield	0.67% (100% franked)	0.00%
Year-to-date Return	-51.93%	-41.19%

Xero commands a slight premium on size and valuation, but WiseTech is more profitable and offers a (modest) dividend. Both have seen huge share price declines, with WiseTech falling further in percentage terms.

Recent share price performance

Neither stock has been immune from the market’s tech re-rate. According to closing prices from 14 September 2026, WiseTech Global finished at $32.44—down from recent highs near $46 in late August, with a year-to-date loss of nearly 52%. Xero, meanwhile, closed at $67.63, having traded above $89 as recently as late August and is now down 41% for the year.

The data shows both stocks have tumbled heavily from recent peaks, but WiseTech’s slump is steeper: from $45.47 on 25 August to $32.44 on 14 September, a loss of about 29% in less than three weeks. Xero’s decline in the same window was from $88.95 to $67.63, about 24%. These are not live prices and only reflect the last reported period.

Which is the better buy?

Both WiseTech and Xero have suffered hard falls from grace, and I reckon this creates opportunity—but also real risk. If I had to pick one, my choice would be WiseTech Global. Here’s why: it’s still generating profits, pays a growing (if small) 100% franked dividend, and offers fundamental exposure to trade and global supply chains that should recover with the economic cycle. Xero’s negative earnings, lack of dividends, and a higher valuation ratio tilt the risk/reward less in its favour for now, despite its sticky SaaS model and global ambitions.

That said, both companies remain high-growth, high-multiple tech stocks that have come back to earth hard. I see WiseTech’s collapse as the harsher overreaction, with the safety net of actual profits and cash returns—even if modest—being enough to give it my nod over Xero right now.

The post WiseTech Global vs Xero: Which fallen ASX tech share is the better buy today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• WiseTech shares have been smashed in 2026. Here’s why I wouldn’t bet against them
• WiseTech shares are down 65%. Have brokers finally spotted a bargain?
• 3 ASX 200 shares I’d buy if I couldn’t sell for 10 years
• Down 63%, I think WiseTech shares could be heading for a huge comeback
• Down 13% in a week: Is the Xero share price finally cheap enough to buy?

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 positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen lower in Tuesday afternoon trade off the back of surging oil prices and investor concerns about potential interest rate increases.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is down around 1% for the day, and is now roughly 2% lower than 12 months ago.

But brokers have pinpointed some ASX 200 shares which could drag the index higher over the next year. Here are two of them, and they’re forecast to return up to 83% to investors.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

NextDC operates data centres in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. The company builds and operates secure facilities where businesses can house their servers and IT equipment. 

It has physical centres, cooling, power, and security services and project support. And as data usage explodes, demand for secure, high-quality infrastructure is likely to grow alongside it.

The company is heavily investing in expanding its business too, including plans to accelerate the development of new facilities and expand existing sites, including its Sydney projects. 

Just last week the company confirmed it had secured a $1.1 billion funding boost to support its growth plans.

The company will also be added to the S&P/ASX 50 Index as part of a quarterly rebalance, effective from the 21st of September.

Late last month the company also reported a record FY26 result, including a 16% increase in total revenue, a 16% increase in net revenue, and a 15% increase in underlying EBITDA. Net revenue and underlying EBITDA figures came in above guidance.

For FY27, NextDC has guided for net revenue between $615 million and $640 million and underlying EBITDA of $385 million to $410 million, representing expected growth of over 50%.

Brokers are very bullish about the outlook for the ASX 200 shares over the next 12 months. Market Index data shows all brokers have a strong buy rating on the stock and the $20.79 average target price implies a potential upside of 83% at the time of writing.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

The clinical-stage ASX biotech company has had a slow start to 2026 but leapt higher in mid-July. The shares have slumped again over the past month, seemingly off the back of an increase in investor caution around clinical timelines and profit-taking after the mid-year rally.

Late last month the company reported a sharp increase in revenue to US$120.3 million for FY26 (up from US$17.2 million in FY25) and a 44% reduction in net loss to US$57.5 million.

But there are opportunities for robust growth going forward. Mesoblast develops and commercialises allogeneic cellular medicines to treat complex diseases. Some products are already in use, and other cell therapies are in the late stages of clinical trials. 

Some of its products, particularly Mesoblast’s Ryoncil product, are gaining traction and the business is well-funded. 

Looking ahead, Mesoblast said it plans to expand its Ryoncil label to adults with severe SR-aGvHD and further advance development for chronic low back pain using rexlemestrocel-L. 

The company is also planning to develop next-generation cell therapies through new CAR-MSC and oncolytic virus technologies, broadening its pipeline for inflammatory and immunological diseases.

Brokers are also bullish that business growth and sales can continue growing strongly in FY27. Market Index data shows all brokers agree on a strong buy rating for the ASX 200 shares. The $3.60 target price implies a potential 73% upside, at the time of writing. 

The post 2 ASX 200 shares tipped by brokers to return 73% and 83% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 32%: 3 reasons to buy the BIG dip in NextDC shares today
• Experts name 3 top ASX shares to buy this week
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Buy, hold, sell: NextDC, South32, CBA shares
• 2 ASX shares I’d buy before they return to their 52-week highs

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.

When it comes to investing in ASX shares, I try to be as optimistic as possible. That’s not just blind optimism. Statistically, it makes sense to be optimistic when investing in stocks or ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The markets have historically gone up far more often than they go down. Plus, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has never failed to exceed its previous all-time high, as we’ve seen many times in 2026.

Saying that, there are more than a few reasons to feel less-than-optimistic about the current state of the global economy. Inflation remains uncomfortably high across the world’s advanced economies. Interest rates have been ticking up and look likely to continue to do so. And adding literal fuel to the fire, oil prices have been surging higher over the past week, crossing US$100 a barrel. They could well hit US$110 a barrel if the current trajectory continues.

Now, if these factors result in a recession or stock market crash, my investing strategy won’t be changing. I’ll continue to buy high-quality companies at prices that make sense, and hold for the long term. But many investors don’t have that luxury. Many, particularly retirees and income investors, rely on their ASX shares and ETFs for their retirement income. These investors may struggle to cope, either psychologically or financially, if the markets take a tumble tomorrow.

If that’s you, you may wish to consider investing in what I think is one of the most defensive ETFs on the ASX. This ETF is none other than the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI).

A defensive ASX ETF

This fund does pretty much what it says on the tin. It invests in an underlying portfolio of shares that are all leaders in the global consumer staples sector. Consumer staples are goods we tend to need to buy, rather than ones we purchase when we’re flush with cash or in the mood to splash out. They include food, drinks, and household essentials, as well as tobacco and alcohol products.

The beauty of these products as an investment comes from their very nature as staples. Even if times get tough and we have to collectively tighten our belts, we still need to eat, drink, and stock our households with life’s essentials. That makes the companies that manufacture and sell these goods very stable, predictable investments. Just consider some of the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF’s holdings. They include Coca-Cola, Walmart, PepsiCo, Unilever, Costco Wholesale, Philip Morris International, Nestle, Monster Beverage, Colgate-Palmolive, and Procter & Gamble. Even our own Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) are included.

These companies are some of the world’s most resilient, defensive businesses. They either manufacture goods that people will buy, rain, hail, or shine, or else provide an easy place to buy those goods. That makes them incredibly resistant to both economic slowdowns and inflation.

So if you’re an investor who is looking at the state of the global economy with concern, this might be an appropriate ASX ETF to consider for your portfolio.

The post This ASX ETF could help protect your portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• WiseTech Global vs Xero: Which fallen ASX tech share is the better buy today?
• 2 ASX 200 shares tipped by brokers to return 73% and 83%
• DroneShield shares have crashed 51% in a year. Here’s why I’d buy them today
• Santos shares slide from fresh multi-year high: What’s next for the ASX energy stock?
• Woodside shares up 38% in 2026: Here’s what brokers tip next

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Coca-Cola, Costco Wholesale, PepsiCo, Philip Morris International, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Colgate-Palmolive, Costco Wholesale, Monster Beverage, and Walmart. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Nestlé, Philip Morris International, and Unilever. 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 brutal 12 months for DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares.

The DroneShield share price is down another 1.09% to $1.59 today and is now sitting around its 52-week low.

The stock has fallen more than 50% over the past year and almost 49% in 2026.

But at this price, I think the risk-reward is becoming much more interesting.

I certainly wouldn’t make DroneShield one of my biggest holdings. But as part of a diversified portfolio, I’d be happy to buy some shares around these levels.

Here’s why.

The demand is there

The biggest reason I remain bullish is simple. Drones aren’t going away.

They are playing a bigger role in modern warfare, border security and the protection of critical infrastructure.

That means governments and defence customers need systems that can detect, track and stop them.

DroneShield is already turning that demand into revenue.

Its latest update showed FY26 committed revenue had reached $251 million, while another $46 million was committed for FY27 and beyond.

First-half revenue jumped 74% to $125.8 million, and recurring revenue climbed 229% to $11.5 million.

The company has also received its first order for the new RfRecon product from an existing Western European military customer.

To me, that is exactly what I want to see. If those orders keep building, I think the current share price could end up looking pretty cheap.

Could short sellers send the shares higher?

This is another part of the setup I find very interesting.

The latest short-selling data shows 15.46% of DroneShield shares are currently sold short, making it the second-most shorted stock on the ASX.

That’s a huge number of investors betting against the company.

Of course, short interest is there for a reason. DroneShield is still loss-making, with first-half underlying EBITDA of $12.4 million in the red and a statutory loss of $32.2 million.

But keep in mind, heavy short interest can work both ways.

If DroneShield announces a large new contract, some short sellers may decide they no longer want to stay in the trade.

Buying shares back to close those positions could add extra demand at the same time other investors are buying the news.

And with short interest this high, I think a genuinely good announcement could send the share price higher very quickly.

Would I buy today?

At $1.59, I would.

TipRanks shows 4 ranked analysts covering the stock, with 2 buys and 2 sells. The average 12-month price target is $1.98, about 25% above the current price.

Bell Potter sits at $2.40 and Canaccord Genuity at $2.60.

Yes, there are still plenty of risks, particularly around profitability, margins and execution.

That is why I’d keep the position relatively small.

But I think the potential upside makes the risk worthwhile.

The post DroneShield shares have crashed 51% in a year. Here’s why I’d buy them today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• DroneShield shares are down 75%. Could this huge short bet backfire?
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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 DroneShield. 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.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares closed at a fresh multi-year high of $8.70 on Monday afternoon.

The shares have slid around 1.5% in lunchtime trade today, to $8.60 a piece. But even after today’s decline, they’re still up 40% for the year-to-date and are 12% higher than a year ago.

Why are Santos shares flying higher in 2026?

The ASX energy shares have jumped higher in 2026 off the back of ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. Volatility in the region has fuelled significant concerns about tighter global oil supply and rising prices.

Santos shares spiked in February and March, around the time news first broke that conflict had escalated between the two nations. The shares continued climbing in value as the war heated up.

They cooled again in June off the back of news that the two nations could soon reach a peace agreement, but strikes recently resumed, throwing the market back into chaos and creating a strong tailwind for Santos.

According to the latest update and data from Trading Economics, Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, which provides an alternative oil shipping route to the Strait of Hormuz, continues to remain shut following recent drone attacks. 

Meanwhile, a meeting between Iran and the Gulf Arab states to discuss Hormuz has also been postponed.

The price of crude oil has now jumped to around US$103 per barrel at the time of writing, a 22% increase over the past months alone. 

And it looks like prices could keep climbing higher still. 

Investment bank Goldman Sachs said they think crude oil could rise above US$120 if production stays well below pre-conflict levels. The bank estimates average output next year could still be around 4 million barrels per day below pre-war levels.

If oil stays above US$100 a barrel, oil and gas giants like Santos could benefit from higher realised prices.

Santos’ share price rally has also been supported by its strong half-year FY26 results announcement, which it posted last month.

The company reported a 2% year-on-year increase in sales revenue and a 1.7% increase in production volumes. The company also generated free cash flow from operations, driven by strong base business performance.

Can Santos shares keep climbing higher?

The oil and gas business is well placed to keep increasing its production in the coming reporting periods, which could help boost its earnings for FY27.

The experts are bullish about the outlook for Santos shares over the next 12 months, too.

Market Index data shows that all brokers have a strong buy rating on the stock. But after the latest rally, the $8.57 average target price is practically flat against the $8.60 target price at the time of writing.

Sentiment is also very positive on TradingView. Out of 15 analysts, 13 have a buy/strong buy rating on Santos shares. Meanwhile, one analyst rates it a hold, and one rates the energy share a sell. 

The average $8.95 target price implies a potential 4% upside ahead, at the time of writing. But some expect the shares to jump around 25% to $10.68 within the next 12 months.

The post Santos shares slide from fresh multi-year high: What’s next for the ASX energy stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Santos shares are up 40% in 2026. Here’s why I’d still buy them today
• Goldman Sachs says oil could surge past US$120. Could this be the next big market shock?
• Why I’d buy Santos and Woodside shares today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• $10,000 invested in Santos and Woodside shares 3 years ago is now worth…

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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares have fallen into the red in Tuesday lunchtime trade.

At the time of writing the Australian petrol exploration and production company’s shares are down around 1% and are changing hands for $32.62 each.

But the increase barely dents the gains the shares have made recently. Even after today’s dip, the shares are still 38% higher for the year-to-date and 35% higher than 12 months ago.

Why are Woodside shares flying higher this year?

The oil and gas giant’s shares have enjoyed an incredible rally throughout most of 2026 so far.

Conflict in the Middle East and the consequential major oil supply concerns and ongoing volatility have been a key driver so far this year.

Every time the US and Iran show new signs of reaching a potential agreement, volatility reignites in the region and markets are thrown back into chaos. The situation is highly volatile, and the movement of oil from the area will continue to be uncertain until a final resolution is reached. 

Shipping disruptions and production cuts pushed crude oil prices to a multi-year high of around US$113 per barrel in April, according to Trading Economics data. While the price of oil softened in June and early July, it has now flown higher again, to around US$103 per barrel at the time of writing.

According to Trading Economics: “Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, which provides an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz, remains shut following drone attacks, with no clear indication of when operations will resume. A diplomatic meeting between Iran and the Gulf Arab states to discuss the situation in Hormuz was also abruptly postponed.”

Investment bank Goldman Sachs said they think crude oil could rise above US$120 if production stays well below pre-conflict levels.The bank estimates average output next year could still be around 4 million barrels per day below pre-war levels.

And what is bad news for markets is good news for ASX energy shares like Woodside. If oil stays above US$100 a barrel, Woodside could benefit from higher realised prices.

But it’s not only geopolitical tensions which have driven the company’s share price higher this year. Woodside has also posted strong results recently which has rallied even more investor attention.

What did the company report last month?

Woodside posted its first-half FY26 results in late-August, including a 13% increase in operating revenue, a 27% increase in NPAT, a 7% increase in underlying NPAT, and a huge increase in free cash flow to US$352 million.

The strong result saw management declare a fully-franked interim dividend of 57 US cents per share.

Woodside also reaffirmed its full-year FY26 production and capital expenditure guidance. The company expects to complete key projects, including Scarborough, Trion, and Louisiana LNG, in line with previously announced timelines.

Are Woodside shares a buy, sell or hold?

After the latest rally, it looks like the oil major’s shares are now trading around (or even above) fair value. 

Market Index data shows all brokers have a hold rating on Woodside shares. But the $28.51 average target price now implies a potential 12% downside ahead, at the time of writing.

TradingView data shows something similar. Out of 17 analysts, six have a buy/strong buy rating, eight have a hold rating, and three rate the stock as a sell.

But the average $33.25 target price implies a potential 2% upside, at the time of writing. 

But the difference between the maximum and minimum target price is huge. Some forecast the shares to climb about 36% to $44.28 over the next 12 months. But others think Woodside shares have the potential to fall up to 22% to $25.44, at the time of writing.

The post Woodside shares up 38% in 2026: Here’s what brokers tip next appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Goldman Sachs says oil could surge past US$120. Could this be the next big market shock?
• Why I’d buy Santos and Woodside shares today
• If I buy $4,000 of Woodside shares, how much dividend income will I receive?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Energy shares rose while the ASX 200 slumped last week. Here’s why

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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is heading lower again on Tuesday as the recent sell-off across the market continues.

At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.91% to 8,669 points after touching an intraday low of 8,667 points.

That takes the ASX 200 to its lowest level in around 2 months and leaves it down almost 5% over the past month.

The index is now around 6.7% below its late August record high of 9,296 points, with selling picking up noticeably over the past week.

So, what is weighing on the market today?

A weak lead from Wall Street

Investors have had a negative lead to work with after US shares finished lower overnight.

The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) fell 0.48%, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) dropped 0.56%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) lost 0.29%.

Rising bond yields are another concern for markets.

The US 10-year Treasury yield briefly moved above 5% for the first time since 2023.

Investors are weighing higher inflation and the prospect of another interest rate rise from the US Fed Reserve.

A Reuters poll found 85% of economists expect the Fed to lift rates by 25 basis points this week.

Oil prices keep climbing

Oil is another thing investors are watching closely.

According to Trading Economics, Brent crude is trading around US$106 a barrel today as supply concerns remain in focus.

Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline is offline, while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is still heavily disrupted.

The pipeline can carry around 4 million barrels per day, which is roughly 4% of global oil supply.

Commercial vessel traffic through the strait also fell to single digits over the weekend.

And with oil above US$100 a barrel again, investors will be watching what that could mean for inflation and interest rates.

Miners and banks under pressure

Closer to home, some of the ASX’s biggest companies are weighing on the index.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 2.34% to $59.18, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares have fallen 2.69% to $163.67.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are down 2.96% to $21.96, and PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares have dropped 3.52% to $4.26.

The banks are lower as well, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares down 1.65% to $152.41.

Selling is fairly widespread across the market, with 110 of the top 200 shares lower, 81 higher and 9 unchanged in early afternoon trade.

The post ASX 200 drops again as selling continues appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Down 12%: Are CBA shares a buy, sell or hold now?
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• 3 ASX 200 shares tipped by experts to jump 30% to 62%
• Westpac, ANZ, NAB or CBA shares? Which ASX bank stock should I buy for $5,000 a year in passive income?
• CSL shares have surged over 25%. Do brokers see more upside?

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.