Author: openjargon

The REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) share price is in focus after the company reported third-quarter revenue of $398 million, up 11% excluding acquisitions, and delivered a 16% lift in EBITDA to $220 million from its core operations.

What did REA Group report?

• Q3 FY26 revenue of $398 million, up 11% excluding M&A (6% unadjusted)
• Operating EBITDA (excluding associates) of $220 million, up 16% excluding M&A (11% unadjusted)
• Operating expenses of $178 million, up 5% excluding M&A (1% unadjusted)
• Record 12.9 million monthly average Australian users and 150 million average monthly visits
• Residential revenue up 12% driven by 14% buy yield growth and higher listing volumes
• Q3 free cash flow of $135 million, up 2%

What else do investors need to know?

REA Group achieved double-digit revenue growth in Commercial, New Homes, and Financial Services during the quarter. Its core residential business saw strong yield growth and a return to growth in listing volumes, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.

Product innovation remains a focus, with artificial intelligence powering new consumer and broker tools and the launch of iGUIDE’s operations in Australia. Record user engagement was highlighted by more properties being tracked, an increase in seller leads, and more active members on realestate.com.au.

REA Group updated its full-year guidance, now expecting group operating costs to rise by low to mid single-digits—an improvement on prior forecasts. The company also continued its share buy-back, reflecting confidence in its long-term outlook.

What did REA Group management say?

REA Group CEO Cameron McIntyre said:

REA Group’s third quarter performance reflects our focus on enhancing our immersive consumer experiences, and increasing the value delivered to customers. The result was underpinned by double digit revenue growth across our Australian businesses and strong double-digit yield growth in our core residential business.

What’s next for REA Group?

REA Group maintains its guidance for a 1–3% decline in national residential Buy listing volumes for FY26, while expecting around 13% buy yield growth to continue driving results. The company anticipates “positive operating jaws” with revenue growth outpacing costs in both Australia and the broader group.

Innovation remains central, with further rollouts of AI-driven features and a focus on differentiated listing products to meet more normalised buyer demand. The group continues to invest in digital solutions for property and financial services across its Australian and international businesses.

REA Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, REA Group shares have declined 30%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post REA Group shares: Q3 revenue climbs and user engagement breaks records appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. 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 Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) share price is in focus after the company reported a 30% lift in full-year net profit to $A4,847 million and set a record half-year result.

What did Macquarie Group report?

• Net profit after tax: $A4,847 million, up 30% on FY25
• 2H26 net profit: $A3,192 million, up 93% on 1H26
• Earnings per share: $A12.77, up 30%
• Final dividend: $A4.20 per share (35% franked), total FY26 dividend $A7.00 per share (35% franked)
• Return on equity: 14.0% (FY25: 11.2%)
• International income: 68% of total income

What else do investors need to know?

Macquarie’s operating groups all posted growth, with notable strength from Commodities and Global Markets, where profits grew 49% due to gains from asset sales and higher hedging activity. The Asset Management division benefitted from higher performance fees and completed the sale of its public investments business overseas.

Banking and Financial Services’ performance was driven by growth in loan and deposit balances, despite some margin pressure and rising technology costs.

The group’s capital position remains sound, with the APRA Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio holding steady at 12.8%. Term funding of $A29.9 billion was raised in FY26, and total deposits rose 25% to $A221.5 billion.

What did Macquarie Group management say?

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shemara Wikramanayake said:

Each of our businesses used its specialist expertise in navigating the current environment, identifying opportunities that support long-term growth and delivering positive outcomes for our clients and communities.

What’s next for Macquarie Group?

Looking ahead, Macquarie signalled a cautious approach, maintaining a strong balance sheet that positions the business to weather changing conditions. The dividend payout ratio remains at 50% to 70%, and the on-market share buyback has now concluded.

Management flagged that factors like global economic conditions, interest rate moves, regulatory shifts and foreign exchange impacts could influence near-term performance. Still, Macquarie sees itself well-placed for medium-term growth, backed by diverse income streams and ongoing investment.

Macquarie Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Macquarie Group shares have risen 25%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Macquarie Group posts strong FY26 earnings growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Alcoa announces June 2026 dividend
• News Corporation reports Q3 FY26 profit jump as digital arms shine
• Block shares: Profit jumps 27% as outlook upgraded
• QBE Insurance Group reports Q1 2026 earnings
• REA Group shares: Q3 revenue climbs and user engagement breaks records

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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. 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 summary of the company announcement. 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.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) shares are having a strong week.

This has been driven by a positive reaction to the release of a quarterly sales update.

The good news is that Bell Potter believes this ASX healthcare stock could still have significant upside potential over the next 12 months.

Let’s see what the broker is saying about the pharmaceuticals company.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with Neuren’s update, highlighting that Daybue sales were higher than it was forecasting during the first quarter. It said:

NEU’s commercial partner, Acadia Pharmaceuticals, provided a 1Q26 Daybue sales update, from which NEU receives royalties and milestones. Daybue sales were US$101.2m (+20% on pcp and -8% qoq), a beat to BPe US$96m albeit modestly below Acadia’s US analyst VA cons of US$104m. The 20% growth rate is a welcome uplift from the 11-14% growth in each of the last 5 quarters.

The broker points out that the new Daybue STIX offering is proving to be a strong addition to the portfolio. It adds:

A key driver of the step-up has been the launch of the new powder formulation, called Daybue STIX. Importantly, the improved convenience and flexibility of STIX is helping bring treatment-naïve and previously discontinued patients onto treatment rather than just converting existing patients. Roughly 30% of the 250 STIX patient prescriptions during 1Q were treatment-naïve or previously discontinued patients (split 1:1).

Another positive according to Bell Potter is that Daybue guidance for 2026 is looking achievable following this strong start to the year. The broker explains:

Acadia reaffirmed bullish CY26 Daybue guidance of US$460-490m sales, implying 18-25% growth. The +20% growth in Q1 falls within this ambitious range, thus confidence in meeting guidance is increased. At the end of the day, NEU receive a 10-12% royalty on sales, thus a few million +/- at the sales line makes relatively negligible impact to NEU; importantly, royalties show no sign of easing any time soon.

Following the result, we increase Daybue Nth American sales forecasts, however this is offset by removing previously heavily risk-adjusted EU sales. A reversal of the EMA’s original decision in June is not expected but would be a welcome surprise.

ASX healthcare stock tipped to rocket

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $22.00 price target on Neuren’s shares.

Based on its current share price of $13.05, this implies potential upside of almost 70% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter said:

No changes to our $22.00 PT or BUY recommendation. NEU’s biggest priority is quickly activating the 20+ US clinical sites and enrolling the 160 patients for its Phase 3 trial of NNZ-2591 in Phelan McDermid syndrome. The readout from this Phase 3 trial is the next company-defining catalyst event for NEU albeit remains some time away (end-CY27 pending recruitment). Before then, we will be looking out for updates in NNZ-2591’s other indications throughout 2H CY26, such as Pitt Hopkins and HIE.

The post Guess which ASX healthcare stock could rocket 70% 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.

Now could be the time to buy TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) shares.

That’s the view of analysts at Bell Potter, who believe a recent contract win by the ASX 200 tech stock is a sign to buy.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter points out that TechnologyOne announced a new contract with James Cook University last month.

Although the contract was not announced to the market, the broker believes it is a bigger deal than you might initially think.

That’s because it includes the ASX 200 tech stock’s Plus agentic AI offering. It explains:

Technology One announced a new contract with James Cook University (JCU) last month which in our view is significant from a product perspective but perhaps less so from a financial perspective given the announcement was only released on the company’s website. The contract is for JCU to consolidate its core systems onto TechnologyOne’s OneEducation platform and for Plus – Technology One’s Agentic AI product – to help automate workflows, provide deeper insights and improve decision making.

The contract is, therefore, an example of how Plus can drive greater adoption of Technology One’s products with a customer as the full value of an AI agent can only be effectively realised when there is a single, integrated platform. Plus looks likely, therefore, to be an effective marketing tool for Technology One that will provide a boost to NRR over the short to medium term. It will also then provide a boost to ARR [annual recurring revenue] and help the company achieve its goal of $1bn+ by FY30.

In light of this, the broker has boosted its estimates for ARR for the medium term.

ASX 200 tech stock upgraded

According to the note, the broker has upgraded TechnologyOne’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $31.75 (from $31.00).

Based on its current share price of $27.44, this implies potential upside of 16% for investors over the next 12 months.

In addition, a modest 1.2% dividend yield is expected over the period, lifting the total potential return to approximately 17%.

Commenting on the upgrade, Bell Potter said:

We have rolled forward our PE ratio and EV/EBITDA valuations by a year – so that FY27 is now the base – given we are now in H2. We apply multiples of 50x and 30x compared to 60x and 32.5x previously. There is no change in the 8.3% WACC we apply in the DCF. The net result is a 2% increase in our target price to $31.75 which is >15% premium to the share price so we upgrade our recommendation to BUY.

While the H1 result has already been flagged and is only expected to show high single digit earnings growth, a potential catalyst is strong ARR growth driven by, for example, contracts such as that highlighted above and “the power of Plus”.

The post ASX 200 tech stock upgraded by Bell Potter after AI contract win appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are looking for ASX dividend shares to buy, then read on.

That’s because listed below are three top shares that Bell Potter thinks could be buys for income investors.

Here’s what the broker is recommending to clients:

Cedar Woods Properties Limited (ASX: CWP)

Bell Potter continues to rate Cedar Woods as an ASX dividend share to buy.

It is one of Australia’s leading property developers with a diverse portfolio. This includes subdivisions in emerging residential communities, high-density apartments, and townhouses in inner-city neighbourhoods.

The broker believes the company is well-positioned to benefit from Australia’s chronic housing shortage. It expects this to underpin dividends per share of 38 cents in FY 2026 and then 41 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.36, this equates to 5.15% and 5.6% dividend yields, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $9.65 price target on its shares.

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Another ASX dividend share that Bell Potter is bullish on is Elders.

It is an agribusiness company that provides rural and livestock services, agricultural inputs, and real estate services to Australia’s farming sector.

Bell Potter believes the delivery on its system modernisation plan and backward integration initiatives, as well as the consolidation of Delta Agribusiness, will drive high double-digit earnings per share growth in FY 2026 and FY 2027.

With respect to income, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of 39 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 45 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.03, this would mean dividend yields of 5.5% and 6.4%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $9.00 price target on its shares.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

A final ASX dividend share to consider according to Bell Potter is Rural Funds.

It is a property company that owns agricultural assets such as cattle properties, vineyards, and cropping land. Rural Funds leases these properties to high-quality tenants on long-term agreements with periodic rental increases built in.

Bell Potter is expecting the company to reward its shareholders with 11.7 cents per share dividends in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $2.01, this would mean attractive 5.8% dividend yields.

The broker currently has a buy rating and $2.50 price target on its shares.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares to buy with 5% to 6% yields 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 positions in and has recommended Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders. 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) shares rose 1% to 8,878.1 points yesterday on hopes of an imminent US-Iran peace deal.

Meanwhile, brokers have lowered their ratings on five ASX 200 shares this week.

Let’s take a look.

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

The Lottery Corporation share price finished yesterday’s session at $5.35, up 1.1%.

This ASX 200 consumer discretionary share has risen 2.9% in the year to date (YTD).

Morgan Stanley downgraded Lottery Corporation shares to a hold rating this week.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $5.70, implying a 7% upside from here.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) 

The Sigma Healthcare share price finished Thursday’s session at $2.89, down 1%.

Sigma Healthcare shares have risen 8.2% over the past month.

Morgans downgraded the ASX 200 healthcare share from buy to accumulate this week.

This means Morgans is still positive on the stock, but it says recent share price strength has necessitated a moderated rating.

SIG has provided a solid trading update to 30 April (domestic) and to 31 March (international), noting continuing GLP-1s tailwinds.

SIG continues its international expansion with entry into the UK market and expanding distribution capacity in New Zealand.

We have made minor upgrades to forecasts however a higher risk-free rate sees our valuation reduce modestly to A$3.30 (was $3.36).

The broker’s target price implies a potential 14% capital gain over the next year.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

The Coles share price closed at $21.81, up 0.4%, on Thursday.

This ASX 200 consumer staples share has fallen 2.5% over six months.

Bell Potter downgraded Coles shares from buy to hold this week.

The broker raised its price target from $22.35 to $22.80, suggesting a 4.5% upside from here.

Bell Potter said:

The shortfall between retail shelf price inflation and underlying food inflation in both Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and COL has widened in the recent quarter.

The competitive backdrop appears to be lifting and liquor remains challenged in a rising cost environment.

Trading a discount to WOW, there is a relative value argument to be made, particularly given the more limited exposure to discretionary channels in the near term, however we see more compelling GARP opportunities elsewhere in the consumer staples space at this juncture.

Imdex Ltd (ASX: IMD)

The Imdex share price closed at $3.94 yesterday, down 11.1%.

Over the past year, this ASX 200 materials share has lifted 45%.

Imdex develops cloud-connected devices and drilling optimisation products for the mining sector.

Jefferies downgraded Imdex shares to a hold rating on Wednesday.

The broker lifted its price target from $4.25 to $4.80, implying a 22% upside from here.

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI)

The Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure share price closed at $5.27 on Thursday, down 3%.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 industrials share has leapt 22%.

Morgans downgraded Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure shares to a hold rating this week.

The change was largely due to a 17% share price surge since March.

The broker explained:

DBI’s share price has increased c.17% since our high conviction upgrade of the stock’s rating in March. We moderate from BUY to HOLD, given 12 month potential total return has compressed to c.3%.

Next key event is this month’s AGM. We expect DBI to provide new DPS guidance for the next 12 months at or around that time and target 29.5cps.

The broker shaved its price target to $5.31, implying virtually no upside ahead.

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure will host its AGM on Wednesday 20 May in Brisbane.

The post 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• After a 40% rally, what’s next for this ASX steel stock?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Neuren Pharmaceuticals Q1 2026: DAYBUE sales soar
• What is Morgans saying about Imdex, JB Hi-Fi, and Lottery Corp shares?

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

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was in fine form and raced higher.  The benchmark index rose 0.95% to 8,878.1 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to sink

The Australian share market looks set to sink on Friday following a poor night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 136 points or 1.5% lower this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was down 0.65%, the S&P 500 fell 0.4%, and the Nasdaq edged 0.1% lower.

Oil prices mixed

ASX 200 energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) will be on watch on Friday after a mixed night for oil prices. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.9% to US$95.91 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.1% to US$101.11 a barrel. Traders appear to be waiting to hear if the US and Iran sign a peace deal.

Major ASX 200 share updates

A number of ASX 200 shares will be on watch when they release their latest updates on Friday. Among the companies that are due to release updates are investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), property listings company REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA), insurer QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE), and payments leader Block Inc. (ASX: XYZ).

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a good finish to the week after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.65% to US$4,724.1 an ounce. This has been driven by optimism that interest rate hikes will be avoided if a US-Iran peace deal is signed.

TechnologyOne shares upgraded

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) shares are undervalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has upgraded the enterprise software provider’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $31.75. It said: “Technology One announced a new contract with James Cook University (JCU) last month which in our view is significant from a product perspective. […] On the back of this contract win and clear demonstration of “the power of Plus” we have modestly increased our ARR forecasts in each period.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week
• After a 40% rally, what’s next for this ASX steel stock?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Neuren Pharmaceuticals Q1 2026: DAYBUE sales soar
• Cleanaway Waste Management hit with landfill levy ruling

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in REA Group, Technology One, and Woodside Energy Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Block, Macquarie Group, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) slid another 2.6% on Thursday to $122.00, marking a fresh nine-year low for the ASX healthcare giant.

The numbers paint a brutal picture. CSL shares are down around 14% over the past month and have lost roughly half their value over the past year.

For a company once viewed as one of the ASX’s most dependable long-term growth stories, the fall has been dramatic.

So, what’s gone wrong? And more importantly, is there a path back?

Troubles beyond sector weakness

Healthcare stocks broadly have struggled in 2026. Investor money has rotated heavily into energy producers, miners, and more defensive sectors, leaving healthcare names under pressure.

But CSL’s problems have gone beyond sector weakness.

The company has faced softer vaccine demand, operational restructuring, and the abrupt departure of its CEO. Those issues have weighed heavily on investor confidence.

Recent developments in the US have added another challenge. The removal of the US military’s annual flu vaccination requirement has raised concerns around future influenza vaccine demand. That matters because CSL has significant exposure to the US vaccine market through its Seqirus business.

Investors now worry vaccine revenue growth could weaken further, especially in areas where demand had previously benefited from mandates.

Classic value trap?

All of that has helped fuel the sell-off.

And after such a sharp decline, some investors are beginning to ask whether CSL shares are turning into a classic value trap. A stock that looks cheap but keeps disappointing.

Still, writing the company off entirely may be premature.

Importantly, vaccines are not CSL’s core earnings engine. The bulk of the company’s profits come from CSL Behring, its plasma therapies division. This business develops treatments used for rare diseases, immune deficiencies, and bleeding disorders.

Demand in these areas continues to grow steadily, supported by ageing populations, better diagnosis rates, and rising healthcare spending globally.

CSL also holds a leading global position in plasma-derived therapies, giving it significant scale advantages and high barriers to entry. In other words, while one division is facing pressure, the company’s core business remains structurally strong.

What do the experts think?

Many analysts still see upside. According to data from TradingView, 12 out of 18 analysts currently rate CSL shares as a buy or strong buy.

The most bullish price target sits at $267.53, implying potential upside of nearly 120% from current levels. Even the lowest target of $152.31 suggests gains of roughly 25%.

Not everyone is convinced, however. Earlier this month, Bell Potter Securities warned CSL was “not out of the woods just yet.” The broker maintained a hold rating and cut its 12-month price target from $175 to $155.

That cautious stance reflects the uncertainty still hanging over earnings momentum and vaccine demand.

The bottom line is that CSL shares are no longer priced like a market darling. Investors are now weighing whether the recent collapse has created a rare long-term opportunity or whether more disappointment still lies ahead.

The post CSL shares hit a 9-year low, time to buy or stay away? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

This $13 billion ASX steel stock is pushing higher again.

Shares in BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) climbed 2% to $30.96 on Thursday, hovering near 52-week highs. The ASX steel stock has now surged an impressive 40% over the past six months.

By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has been pretty much flat during that time, with a gain of 0.6%.

So, what’s the ASX steel stock getting right?

Takeover chatter lingers

Back in February, BlueScope received what was described as a “best and final” takeover proposal from SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) and US-based Steel Dynamics Inc (NASDAQ: STLD) worth roughly $32.35 per share.

That followed an earlier approach in January. The board of the ASX steel stock rejected both offers, arguing they undervalued the business and its long-term prospects. But even without a deal progressing, investor interest hasn’t faded.

Takeover chatter around BlueScope hasn’t disappeared either. While no fresh formal bid has emerged in recent weeks, speculation continues to swirl following the rejected February proposal from SGH and Steel Dynamics. Both companies have publicly voiced frustration over the lack of engagement from BlueScope’s board.

Add in BlueScope management’s recent comments about remaining open to the “right” valuation, and the takeover narrative continues to linger in the background. That alone can help support a higher share price.

Unlocking hidden value

But takeover tension is only part of the story. BlueScope is also trying to unlock additional value internally. The ASX steel stock has been selling surplus land across New South Wales and Victoria while developing a broader pipeline of property projects.

That matters because these assets could generate meaningful earnings outside the core steel business. In other words, investors may be starting to recognise value that previously sat under the radar.

Some sceptics may also view this as part of a broader strategy to show the company is worth far more than recent takeover offers suggested.

Sharp turnaround, risks remain

Operationally, the business also appears stronger than in previous steel cycles.

Management has focused heavily on cost discipline, product mix improvements, and expanding higher-margin steel products. That has helped reduce some of the earnings volatility traditionally associated with the steel sector.

And recent financial results have been strong. In its latest half-year result, the ASX steel stock reported a 4% increase in revenue to $8.22 billion. Net profit after tax jumped 118% to $390.8 million for the six months to 31 December 2025.

That’s a sharp turnaround and a major reason investor confidence has improved.

Still, risks remain. Steel remains a highly cyclical industry. If global construction activity or manufacturing slows, steel demand and pricing can weaken quickly.

BlueScope also faces exposure to international markets, particularly North America and Asia. That creates additional risks around currency movements, tariffs, and broader trade uncertainty.

What next for the ASX steel stock?

Analyst sentiment remains reasonably positive, although expectations appear more measured from here. According to data from TradingView, seven out of 10 analysts rate the ASX steel stock a buy or strong buy.

However, the average price target sits only slightly above current trading levels. The most bullish forecast points to $35.00 per share, implying potential upside of around 13%. That suggests much of the easy optimism may already be reflected in the share price.

The post After a 40% rally, what’s next for this ASX steel stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.

A long holding period can make exchange-traded fund (ETF) investing much simpler.

Rather than trying to guess which market will perform best over the next few months, investors can focus on funds with broad exposure, durable themes, and the ability to compound over many years.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth buying and holding for a decade or more.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to 500 of the largest listed companies in the United States. That makes it a simple way to access many of the world’s most influential businesses through a single ASX trade.

The appeal is not just the size of the market. The S&P 500 includes companies across technology, healthcare, financials, consumer goods, and industrials. This gives the fund exposure to a wide range of earnings drivers.

Its holdings include names such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B).

For long-term investors, this fund offers a straightforward way to participate in the growth of corporate America without needing to pick individual winners.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

Another ASX ETF that could suit a long holding period is the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF.

Consumer staples companies sell products that people tend to buy regardless of economic conditions. This includes food, beverages, household goods, personal care products, and other everyday essentials.

That gives this fund a more defensive profile than many growth-focused ETFs.

Its underlying companies may not always be the fastest growers, but they can offer steady earnings and pricing power through different market environments.

Its holdings include companies such as Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST), Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT), and Nestle (SWX: NESN).

This type of exposure can be useful over a decade or more because it is tied to recurring consumer demand. People continue to buy groceries, cleaning products, and household essentials in strong and weak economies alike.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

A third ASX ETF worth considering is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF.

This fund provides broad exposure to developed share markets outside Australia. This includes companies listed in the United States, Europe, Japan, and other major economies.

The fund is designed to give investors access to global growth in a simple way. Rather than relying heavily on the Australian market, it spreads exposure across thousands of international companies.

Its holdings include Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM).

This breadth is the main attraction. The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF gives investors exposure to different industries, currencies, and economic regions, helping reduce reliance on any single market.

For those looking to build global exposure through the ASX, it arguably remains one of the most straightforward options to hold for the long term.

The post 3 strong ASX ETFs to buy and hold for a decade or more appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Costco Wholesale, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Nvidia, Walmart, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Nestlé. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.