Author: openjargon

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week in the red. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.3% to 8,947.4 points.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

Beetaloo Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: BTL)

The Beetaloo Energy share price is down 13% to 30 cents. This has been driven by the energy company completing a $66.3 million placement this morning. These funds were raised at 28 cents per new share, which represents an 18.8% discount to its last close price. The company’s managing director, Alex Underwood, commented: “This Placement marks a pivotal moment for Beetaloo Energy. The participation by existing and new investors reflects genuine conviction in the potential scale of our Beetaloo Basin acreage and projects in the Northern Territory. […] we are now fully funded through to first pilot gas sales expected in Q4 2026, a milestone that we believe will be transformational for Beetaloo Energy and for Australia’s domestic gas supply.”

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The Fortescue share price is down 2% to $20.09. This is despite the mining giant announcing that it is accelerating the delivery of the world’s first industrial and fully integrated green energy grid. This grid is dedicated to eliminating fossil fuels from large-scale industry, at a scale comparable to a city. It expects implementation to ramp up within two years. It also confirmed that it expects to save US$100 million in fossil fuel costs by next year, and at the completion of its decarbonisation program, expects to see a further reduction in C1 unit costs of at least US$2 to US$4 per wet metric tonne. It believes this demonstrates that eliminating fossil fuels is not only achievable, but economically superior.

Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA)

The Orora share price is down a further 7% to $1.50. This packaging company’s shares have been sold off this week following the release of a trading update. Partly due to the war in the Middle East, Orora’s Saverglass has been underperforming expectations. Management now expects FY 2026 underlying EBIT for Saverglass to be in the range of 63 million euros to 68 million euros. This is down from its previous guidance of broadly in line with FY 2025 EBIT of 79.2 million euros. The company notes that shipping routes and overland access have been disrupted in the Middle East, forcing Orora to transition its facility into a closed-loop hot operation.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

The Whitehaven Coal share price is down 5.5% to $7.93. This morning, this coal miner announced a new US$600 million senior secured syndicated facility. It comes with a tenor of 4.5 years consisting of a US$475 million term loan and a US$125 million revolving credit facility. Whitehaven’s CEO, Paul Flynn, said: “With Whitehaven’s strengthened credit profile and successful integration – and initial improvements – of the Daunia and Blackwater metallurgical coal operations, we are focused on refinancing our acquisition credit facility and establishing a capital structure with more diverse, longer tenor and lower cost debt facilities.”

The post Why Beetaloo, Fortescue, Orora, and Whitehaven Coal shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buying Whitehaven Coal shares? Here’s how the miner just locked in $853 million in funding
• Why Magellan, Telix and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday
• Fortescue shares ease, but this major update could keep momentum building
• Fortescue accelerates world’s first large-scale industrial green energy grid
• Why Orora, Select Harvests, Tamboran, and WiseTech shares are sinking today

Metallium Ltd (ASX: MTM) this week hit a major milestone, fulfilling a US government contract that shows its technology can recover gallium from waste streams, including semiconductor scrap and electronic waste.

The company has ticked off its to-do list under its Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with the US Department of War, it said this week, and delivered the program in six months – about half the time for a usual SBIR contract.

The analyst team at Canaccord Genuity has had a look at the company’s progress and has a speculative buy recommendation on the shares, along with a bullish share price target, which we’ll get to shortly.

Firstly, let’s have a closer look at what was announced this week.

Gallium in short supply

The company said regarding its progress:

The program, titled ‘Domestic Recovery of Gallium from Waste through Flash Electrothermal Chlorination’, applied Metallium’s proprietary FJH metal recovery technology to recover gallium from gallium-rich waste streams including semiconductor scrap and electronic waste materials. These feedstocks commonly contain germanium and other valuable strategic metals, expanding the potential impact of the technology across multiple critical material supply chains.

Metallium said the successful completion of the contract also set it up for further engagement with the Department of War, and noted that the US is 100% reliant on imports for its supplies of gallium, which is used in the manufacture of radar systems, semiconductors, and advanced communications systems.

The company noted that currently, China accounts for almost all primary gallium production globally.

Metallium’s president of US operations, Steve Ragiel, said regarding the contract:

More than the contract value itself, the program validates the capability of our Flash Joule Heating technology to address a key national security challenge for the United States. “Gallium is a critical material used in advanced semiconductors, radar systems, satellite electronics and next-generation defence technologies. Demonstrating a pathway to recover gallium domestically from waste streams aligns directly with U.S. strategic objectives to build resilient supply chains for defence-critical minerals. Completing the program in half the typical timeframe also highlights the maturity of our technology platform and the strength of our team. We look forward to pursuing further opportunities with the DoW and other U.S. federal agencies as we move toward commercial deployment.

Shares looking cheap

The Canaccord team said while the funding associated with the contract was not overly material, they believed it derisked a pathway to further Department of War contracts, and integration of Metallium’s technology into the US supply chain.

They added:

While waste volume data is limited, de-risking of Gallium/Germanium waste at scale could present a material revenue opportunity given the high in-situ value of Gallium/Germainum waste (up to US$600k/t) and MTM’s reported recoveries of over 90%.

Canaccord has a price target of $1.60 on Metallium shares compared with the current price of 65 cents. The company is valued at $482.6 million.

The post This ASX critical minerals company could more than double in value: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Another US milestone, another share price drop: What’s going on with this ASX stock?
• This ASX stock just landed a 10-year US deal and investors are buying in
• Why this ASX stock just dropped 7% after today’s announcement
• This innovative ASX metals company could deliver more than 100% upside: broker

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Canaccord Genuity has recently run the ruler over Brightstar Resources Ltd (ASX: BTR).The analyst team thinks this company is extremely undervalued at the current share price.

We’ll get to their exact share price target shortly, but firstly let’s look at the company’s recent announcements.

Funds locked in

Brightstar is working on bringing its Sandstone and Goldfields projects in Western Australia into production, and to that end, recently locked in $193 million in new capital from an equity raise and another US$120 million from a new debt facility.

The good news for the company is that this means they will be fully-funded right through to production at Goldfields and up to a final investment decision for Sandstone.

At the Goldfields project the company is expecting to pour its first gold in the June quarter of 2027.

The company said it expected that project to deliver 75,000 ounces of gold per year and generate $1 billion in free cash flow over six years.

At the Sandstone project the company is expecting make a final investment decision in late calendar 2027 or early 2028.

Regarding the capital raise, Brightstar Managing Director Alex Rovira said:

We are delighted to have successfully executed on this funding package, particularly in the context of the challenging market conditions over the past weeks. With both the equity and debt components now settled, Brightstar is in an exceptionally strong position to deliver major gold production growth from the Goldfields Project while in parallel unlocking the value of our Sandstone Gold Project through drilling and feasibility work streams. A strong balance sheet positions Brightstar favourably against the backdrop of difficult capital markets and ensures a material capital buffer and contingency for our development requirements and funding for Sandstone.

Shares looking cheap

The Canaccord analysts said the capital raise meant the company should be “comfortably funded” through to first gold production.

They have modelled the Sandstone project to generate an average 150,000 ounces per year at an all in sustaining cost of $3013 per ounce, over a 10 year mine life.

They added:

We model pre-production capex of $400m (prev. $250m) with spend commencing in JunQ’28. Brightsar has flagged it plans to utilise free cash flow generated from the Goldfields Hub, as well as refinanced debt, to fund development of Sandstone. We forecast Brightstar to have cash of about $258m at end MarQ’28 and forecast the Goldfields Hub to generate about $200m in pre-tax free cash flow from JunQ’28-JunQ’29.

Canaccord reduced their price target on Brightstar from $2.80 to $2.40, still multiples of the current share price of 40.5 cents. The company is valued at $444.6 million.

The post Could this ASX-listed gold mine developer really increase six-fold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Ampol, Atlantic Lithium, Brightstar, and Premier Investments shares are rising today
• After a major capital raise this ASX gold company is fully-funded through to production
• Why Brightstar, EQ Resources, Novonix, and Pro Medicus shares are falling today
• ASX All Ords gold stock lifts off on exploration success

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Avita Medical Inc (ASX: AVH) share price is pushing higher again on Friday, extending its strong short-term rebound.

In afternoon trade, the Avita share price has shot up 8.33% to $1.30, taking its 1 week gain to almost 20%.

That surge is standing out against a weaker backdrop, with the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) down 0.3% to 9,138 points. This comes as investors react to the latest developments in the Middle East between the US, Israel and Iran.

Fortunately for Avita, the rebound has been building for several sessions this week. The stock rose 6.31% on Wednesday and added another 1.69% on Thursday, despite widespread selling across the ASX.

Let’s take a look at what’s driving the shares higher.

Major US government deal supports sentiment

Avita’s update this week appears to be the key catalyst, centred on a 10-year agreement with the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

Worth up to US$25.5 million, the deal is aimed at strengthening US emergency preparedness for large-scale burn casualty events.

BARDA will have access to 3,000 units of Avita’s RECELL treatment platform at any point during the contract period. Avita will also manage inventory, logistics support, and deployment readiness.

The full contract value includes procurement options that may not all be exercised. Avita said about US$3.97 million is expected to flow through as revenue over the 10-year term via annual access and readiness support fees.

The market is repricing execution risk

Friday’s rally is also notable because it comes after a prolonged period of heavy selling in the stock.

Even with this week’s rebound, Avita shares remain down more than 50% over the past 12 months. This shows how aggressively the market had already marked down execution risk and earnings uncertainty.

Foolish takeaway

Avita’s sharp rebound this week shows how quickly sentiment can turn when a beaten-down small-cap healthcare stock lands a credible long-term government contract.

The BARDA update clearly improves revenue visibility and gives the market a stronger reason to revisit the recovery outlook.

That said, it is still a small-cap healthcare stock with elevated execution risk, and this week’s rally does not change the fact that the shares remain down over the past year.

Personally, this is not the type of stock I would be chasing after a sharp short-term move. I would rather put my money into larger, more established businesses with steadier earnings and less share price volatility.

The post Why this ASX healthcare stock is surging while the market sinks on Middle East fears appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Broker sees 26% upside in ASX healthcare share behind Chemist Warehouse
• Why Beetaloo, Fortescue, Orora, and Whitehaven Coal shares are dropping today
• This ASX critical minerals company could more than double in value: Broker
• Could this ASX-listed gold mine developer really increase six-fold?
• 3 BetaShares ETFs I think can beat the market over 5 years

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

Beating the market is not easy. The S&P/ASX 200 Index has delivered solid long-term returns, and for many investors, simply matching it is a strong outcome.

But I do think there are ways to tilt a portfolio toward areas that have the potential to outperform over time.

For me, that often means looking beyond the local market and focusing on structural growth trends.

Here are three BetaShares exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that I think have a reasonable chance of outperforming the ASX 200 over the next five years.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The NDQ ETF is one of the most direct ways to gain exposure to global innovation.

It tracks the Nasdaq 100 index, which is heavily weighted toward companies leading in areas like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital platforms.

What stands out to me is the concentration of high-quality, high-growth businesses within this index.

Many of these companies have strong margins, global reach, and the ability to reinvest in their own growth.

Compared to the ASX 200, which is more heavily weighted toward banks and resources, the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF provides exposure to sectors that are driving much of the global economy forward.

Over a five-year period, I think that difference could matter.

BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

Cybersecurity is one of those areas that I think will only become more important in the future.

As more of the world moves online, the need to protect data, systems, and infrastructure continues to grow.

The HACK ETF provides exposure to a portfolio of global companies focused on cybersecurity solutions.

What I like here is the underlying demand. This is not a discretionary spend in the same way as some other areas of technology. It is becoming a necessary investment for businesses and governments.

That creates a long-term growth runway.

If that demand continues to expand, I think companies in this space could deliver strong earnings growth over time.

BetaShares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

The RBTZ ETF is another BetaShares ETF I think that could outperform. It focuses on companies involved in robotics and AI

This is a theme that I think is still in its early stages. Automation, machine learning, and AI-driven systems are being adopted across a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to healthcare to logistics.

The companies in this ETF are exposed to those trends.

What stands out to me is the breadth of applications. This is not a single industry story. It is a transformation happening across multiple sectors.

That creates a wide opportunity set, which could support growth over the coming years.

Foolish takeaway

Outperforming the ASX 200 is never guaranteed. But I think ETFs like these offer exposure to areas that are less represented in the local market and more aligned with global growth trends.

The NDQ ETF provides access to leading technology companies, the HACK ETF taps into the growing importance of cybersecurity, and the RBTZ ETF focuses on the rise of automation and AI.

For me, these are the kinds of themes that could drive returns over the next five years and potentially outperform the broader Australian market.

The post 3 BetaShares ETFs I think can beat the market over 5 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 top ASX ETFs to buy with $30,000 this month
• How to invest $1,000 per month in ASX shares and build long-term wealth
• Where to invest $1,000 in ASX ETFs for beginners in April
• 3 simple ASX ETFs to start investing with $5,000
• 3 exciting ASX ETFs for growth investors

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and is short shares of BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

As we approach the end of the Easter holiday shortened trading week, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 4.3% since last Thursday’s closing bell, with these three ASX 200 stocks racing ahead of those gains.

One of the top-performing stocks on our list for this week is a major Aussie bank, the second provides buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, and the third earns its keep in the fast food sector.

So, which ASX 200 stocks are leading the charge higher this week?

Read on!

ASX 200 stocks storming higher

First up, we have Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN).

Bendigo Bank shares closed last Thursday (ahead of the Good Friday holiday) trading for $10.12. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $11.51 each.

That sees this ASX 200 stock up 13.4% over the four-day trading week. A lot of those gains were delivered on Thursday.

Bendigo Bank shares closed up 8.4% yesterday after the company released its March-quarter trading update (Q3 FY 2026).

Highlights for the three months included unaudited cash earnings of $137.9 million. That represents an increase of 7.6% from the quarterly average the bank reported in the first half of FY 2026.

Bendigo Bank reported a quarterly statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $109.4 million.

Which brings us to the second ASX 200 stock shooting the lights out this week, Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP).

Zip shares closed last Thursday trading for $1.58, and are currently trading for $1.84. This sees the Zip share price up an impressive 16.5% for the week.

There was no fresh news out from the company this week. But BNPL stocks like Zip have proven to be highly sensitive to interest rate moves and expectations.

With negotiations underway to end the Iran war this week, energy prices came down, which lowered the outlook for inflation. This, in turn, has lowered expectations for future interest rate hikes from central banks like the RBA and the US Federal Reserve.

Leading the charge

The top performing ASX 200 stock on our list for this four-day trading week is Guzman Y Gomez (ASX: GYG).

Shares in the Mexican fast food restaurant chain closed last Thursday trading for $15.20. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $20.67 apiece. This sees the embattled Guzman Y Gomez share price up a sizzling 36% for the week.

The ASX 200 stock closed up 18.6% on Tuesday following the release of its third-quarter trading update.

Investors responded favourably to the company’s 19.5% year-on-year increase in sales to $345.9 million.

The quarter also saw Guzman Y Gomez open five new restaurants in Australia, bringing its global network to 278 outlets.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks surging 13% to 36% in this shortened trading week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are Bendigo Bank shares a buy after jumping 13% this week?
• Why Bendigo Bank, EBR Systems, Strickland, and Woodside shares are rising today
• Up 32% this week, are Guzman Y Gomez shares a good buy today?
• Zip shares plunge again after yesterday’s 19% surge. Here’s what changed
• Why is everyone talking about Sandfire, Bendigo Bank, and DroneShield shares on Thursday?

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

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week with a decline. The benchmark index is currently down 0.4% to 8,938 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

Amaero Ltd (ASX: 3DA)

The Amaero share price is up 5% to 32 cents. This has been driven by news that the high-value refractory and titanium alloy powders provider has entered a master purchasing agreement that includes a purchase order for titanium alloy powders with a value of $7.8 million. Amaero’s chair and CEO, Hank J. Holland, commented: “Commercial activity across both segments of Amaero’s business is strong. We are excited to secure a contract for titanium powder shipments in FY2027 that approximates total titanium powder sales in FY2026. We have been advancing numerous titanium powder opportunities over the past 6-12 months with several opportunities potentially exceeding 100 tonnes of annual demand.”

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price is up 4.5% to $2.12. This appears to have been driven by bargain hunters swooping in following a pullback in the biotechnology company’s shares this week. One broker that is likely to approve of this buying is Bell Potter. It currently has a speculative buy rating and $4.45 price target on its shares. This is more than double its current share price.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price is up 5.5% to $14.39. Investors have been buying the radiopharmaceuticals company’s shares following the release of a major update this morning. Telix revealed that the US FDA has accepted its New Drug Application for TLX101-Px (Pixclara). It is a PET agent for imaging brain cancer (glioma). The US FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of 11 September 2026. This essentially means that Telix will find out if it will be approved within the next five months.

Tivan Ltd (ASX: TVN)

The Tivan share price is up 6% to 34.2 cents. This morning, this mineral exploration company announced that it has located high-grade copper-gold mineralisation across multiple sites at the Baucau and Ossu Projects in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Tivan’s executive chair, Grant Wilson, commented: “We are very pleased to share these results today, that will resonate deeply in Timor-Leste, particularly the discovery of high-grade gold. Tivan will be working closely with community and stakeholders in the Ossu and Baucau regions in the months ahead to consolidate our social license to operate and to plan forward works.”

The post Why Amaero, Mesoblast, Telix, and Tivan shares are charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Magellan, Telix and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday
• Should you buy Telix shares after its big US news?
• This ASX gold company is up more than 4% on promising early exploration results
• Up 31% in a month, why are Telix shares lifting off again on Friday?
• Where is the value amongst ASX healthcare shares?

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

Generating a steady income from shares is a goal many Australian investors work toward over time.

The idea is simple. Build a portfolio of businesses that pay reliable dividends, reinvest those payments along the way, and allow the income stream to grow over time.

Reaching $10,000 in annual income does not happen overnight. But with the right approach and a focus on quality, I think it is an achievable long-term target for investors.

Start with the income goal

The first step is understanding what it takes to generate that level of income.

If we assume an average dividend yield of around 4%, a portfolio of roughly $250,000 would be needed to produce $10,000 per year.

That is a meaningful amount, but it highlights something important.

This is a long-term process built through consistent investing, not a one-off decision.

Focus on reliable ASX income shares

When building an income portfolio, I would prioritise businesses that can generate steady cash flow and support their dividends over time.

Three ASX shares that I think fit that profile are Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

Each operates in a different sector, which helps with diversification, but they share a common trait. They provide essential services.

Telstra: Income from essential connectivity

Telstra generates earnings from telecommunications infrastructure that people and businesses rely on every day.

That creates a relatively stable revenue base, which supports consistent dividends.

For income investors, I think that reliability is key. It may not deliver rapid growth, but it can provide a dependable stream of income.

Transurban: Infrastructure-backed cash flow

Transurban offers exposure to toll roads, which are long-life assets with recurring revenue.

Traffic volumes can fluctuate, but the overall demand for transport infrastructure tends to remain steady over time.

Toll increases are often linked to inflation, which can help support gradual growth in distributions.

That combination of predictability and growth makes it appealing for income-focused portfolios.

Woolworths: Defensive earnings and dividends

Woolworths adds a defensive retail component. Supermarket spending is less sensitive to economic cycles than many other areas, which helps underpin consistent earnings.

That stability flows through to dividends, making Woolworths a reliable income payer over time.

It also offers modest growth potential through operational improvements and continued investment in its business.

Building toward the goal

Reaching $10,000 in annual income is about more than just picking the right shares.

It requires consistency.

Regularly adding to your portfolio, reinvesting dividends, and staying invested through market cycles can make a significant difference over time.

For example, investing $1,000 a month into ASX income shares and generating a return of 9% per annum would turn into $250,000 after 12 years. However, that is not a guaranteed return, of course.

The income may start small, but it can grow as the portfolio expands and companies increase their payouts.

Foolish takeaway

Building a $10,000 annual income from ASX shares is a long-term goal, but one that I think is achievable with the right approach.

Telstra offers stable income from essential services, Transurban provides infrastructure-backed distributions with long-term visibility, and Woolworths delivers defensive earnings and consistent dividends.

For me, combining businesses like these and staying consistent over time is the key to building a reliable income stream.

The post How to build a $10,000 annual income with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• My top ASX passive income picks for April
• This ASX 200 giant is rising while the market sells off. Here’s why
• Transurban Group March quarter 2026: Traffic rises across key toll roads
• 3 of the best ASX retirement shares to buy now
• 3 top ASX dividend shares for income investors to buy

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

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are edging lower today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed yesterday trading for $54.56. In late morning trade on Friday, shares are swapping hands for $54.11 each, down 0.8%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.5% at this same time.

That’s today’s price action for you.

Now, here’s how the Aussie mining giant is tapping into the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution to help streamline its operations and boost annual revenue.

How AI is helping support BHP shares

The rapid advancement of AI is transforming businesses around the world.

And BHP is no exception.

Among the unique ways that the technology is helping to support BHP shares is by keeping a virtual eye on the feedstock zooming along BHP’s conveyor belts and into the miner’s crushers.

While cameras have long been employed to try to spot oversized or otherwise unsuitable rocks from breaking a conveyor belt of jamming a crusher, AI is taking things to the next level.

As The Australian Financial Review reports, BHP has already installed dozens of cameras to watch over its iron ore carrying conveyor belts and crushers, with around 50 intended to be in place by July.

“Tearing a conveyor or blocking a crusher, that is two of our highest consequence, highest risk things from a safety perspective,” BHP chief technical officer Johan van Jaarsveld said.

According to van Jaarsveld (quoted by the AFR):

We try to run WA iron ore as close to 100% capacity as possible, so every time you break down, you are losing tonnes that could have been on a ship.

It is watching a video feed, and it can, in a split second, recognise when something is off. It takes about 40 metres or 50 metres to stop the conveyor belt, so the quicker you can make that decision to get the object off, or to intervene, [the better].

As for the impact on BHP shares, van Jaarsveld estimated that the improved early detection of unsuitable ore has already increased the miner’s iron ore revenue by some $50 million over the past year.

And those saving are likely to increase over time.

He noted:

Over time, it can obviously get smarter as things get detected, and it learns what is working and what is not working. That recognition and decision time has been brought down significantly from what it was 10 or 15 years ago.

Van Jaarsveld added that this deployment of AI technology hasn’t seen BHP reduce its workforce.

“We haven’t seen this really reduce the number of people … and generally on the technology side, it tends to add some roles.,” he said.

With today’s intraday dip factored in, BHP shares remain up 50.5% since this time last year, not including dividends.

The post Buying BHP shares? Here’s how AI is boosting the mining giant’s revenue appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Monadelphous wins $145m of new and renewed resources sector contracts
• Buy, hold, or sell? South32, Capstone Copper, and BHP shares
• Why surging ASX 200 copper stocks like Sandfire and BHP shares are ‘vulnerable’
• 3 analysts give their verdict on BHP shares
• ASX 200 sector leaders to buy amid today’s market rally

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

Putting $15,000 to work in the market is an opportunity to build a solid foundation.

For me, the focus would be on balance. I would want a mix of quality, growth, and resilience rather than relying on a single idea.

That way, my portfolio has the potential to perform across different market conditions while still benefiting from long-term compounding.

Here is how I would think about allocating it today.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers would be my starting point. It is one of those businesses that I think can quietly deliver over long periods of time. Its core divisions, particularly Bunnings and Kmart, continue to generate strong earnings supported by well-established market positions.

What I like is the consistency. Even in a mixed economic environment, Wesfarmers has shown it can grow profits and manage costs effectively. That kind of reliability is valuable when building a portfolio.

For me, this would form the defensive core of the investment.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus adds a different dimension. This is a high-quality growth company operating in medical imaging software, with a strong global footprint and a history of winning large contracts.

What stands out is the scalability of the business. It generates high margins and strong cash flow, which allows it to grow without the same level of capital intensity as many other healthcare companies.

Its valuation can look elevated at times, but I think that reflects the business’ quality and growth potential. And with its shares down heavily over the past 12 months, I believe its valuation is the most attractive it has been in years.

For me, this is the type of ASX share that can drive long-term capital growth.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Aristocrat brings a combination of cash flow and growth. Its gaming business remains highly profitable, while its digital division continues to expand, providing exposure to a growing segment of the market.

What I find appealing is how the company has evolved. It is no longer just a traditional gaming manufacturer. It has built a broader platform that includes digital content and recurring revenue streams.

That diversification can support earnings growth over time.

Foolish Takeaway

If I were investing $15,000 in ASX shares today, I would be aiming for a mix of stability and growth.

I think Wesfarmers provides a reliable, high-quality foundation, Pro Medicus offers exposure to a scalable global healthcare business, and Aristocrat adds strong cash flow with an expanding digital growth engine.

Together, I think they could support a balanced portfolio that can perform over the long term.

The post How I’d invest $15,000 in ASX shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $2,000 to invest? 3 ASX shares to consider today
• 2 high-quality ASX stocks to buy and hold long term
• 3 fantastic ASX shares that could help build long-term wealth
• How to invest $300 a month in Australian shares to target a $50,000 annual second income
• Why is everyone selling Wesfarmers shares?

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