Author: openjargon

It may be time to sell JB Hi Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares.

That’s according to Fairmont Equities’ Michael Gable, who this week issued a sell recommendation for both the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock and the ASX 200 electronics retailer (courtesy of The Bull).

In early afternoon trade today, JB Hi-Fi shares are down 1.4%, changing hands for $77.47 apiece.

Westpac shares are sliding as well, down 1.1% at $38.06 each.

This sees both stocks trailing the 0.6% losses posted by the benchmark index at this same time.

Longer-term, Westpac shares remain up 17.4% over 12 months, excluding dividends.

JB Hi-Fi shares have had a more difficult year, down 25.2% in 12 months, also not including dividends.

Looking ahead, with an eye on rising inflation and the resulting higher interest rates, Fairmont Equities’ Gable believes both ASX 200 stocks could be in for a rough patch.

Time to sell Westpac shares?

“We had previously been bullish on the banks when they were trending higher from high levels of momentum,” said Gable. “However, they are stalling at current levels.”

Commenting prior to today’s half year results release, which look to be pressuring Westpac shares, Gable noted, “A recent trading update by WBC indicated economic conditions could be getting tougher in response to rising interest rates, inflation and potential fuel shocks.”

Indeed, at today’s results release – which saw Westpac report a 3% year-on-year increase in statutory net profit to $3.4 billion – Westpac CEO Anthony Miller cautioned:

The war in the Middle East is presenting challenges for some customers and the economic impact of the conflict will continue through the year. The disruption to energy supply chains has driven a rise in prices and we’re seeing this flow through to businesses and households…

Summarising his sell recommendation on Westpac shares, Gable concluded:

In our view, challenging economic conditions are likely to impact lending activity and credit quality. Even a robust dividend yield may not be enough to prevent a further slide in WBC’s share price.

Should you sell JB Hi-Fi shares?

Atop Westpac shares, Gable also foresees economic headwinds building for JB Hi-Fi shares.

“With interest rates possibly rising again on top of higher fuel prices, we would be cautious about discretionary retail stocks,” he said.

According to Gable:

Households are under increasing pressure from higher cost of living expenses, which could result in consumers cutting discretionary spending. This consumer electronics giant faces the challenge of sustaining revenue and earnings in a potentially softer economy.

From a charting perspective, the share price remains in a downtrend. The shares have fallen from $121 on August 20, 2025 to trade at $78.10 on April 30, 2026. We would be inclined to cash in some gains at this stage of the cycle.

The post Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on JB Hi-Fi and Westpac shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Everything you need to know about the latest Westpac dividend
• Why is everyone talking about Westpac, Ampol and NextDC shares on Tuesday?
• NextDC shares pull back after a funding update. Here’s what you need to know
• Westpac share price rises on $3.5bn first-half profit
• Westpac posts higher profit in 1H26 results

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

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are soaring higher in lunchtime trade on Tuesday.

At the time of writing the shares are up 6.5% to $46.30 a piece. At one point this morning the tech company’s shares climbed as high as $46.80 each.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.6% for the day at the time of writing and the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) is up 1.1% and trading at a two-month high.

The latest uptick means the tech shares have climbed over 12% in the past five days alone. The jump also means that WiseTech shares have now rebounded 27% from a multi-year low of $36.53 recorded on Monday last week.

There is still a low way to go for WiseTech shares, though. Even after the rebound, the shares are still down 32% for the year-to-date and a huge 51% lower than this time last year.

What is happening to WiseTech shares?

It’s been a bloodbath for WiseTech shares over the past 10-months, with the tech company hit by multiple and consecutive headwinds which sent its share price tumbling. The downturn accelerated in 2026.

WiseTech was caught up in a tech-sector wide sell-off earlier this year after investors became concerned about the implications of AI on traditional software models. Many were worried that AI tools might replace or reduce demand for subscription-based software. 

Shortly later, concerns about escalating conflict in the Middle East spooked investors further. Global sharemarket uncertainty saw investors turn their back on high-growth technology stocks like WiseTech and rotate towards more stable assets instead.

There hasn’t been any price-sensitive news out of WiseTech to explain today’s price hike, but the company did confirm it will participate in the 2026 Macquarie Australia Conference in Sydney on 5-6 May 2026. 

WiseTech said it will outline its strategy for the next phase of long-term growth at the conference.

In the materials, WiseTech confirms an FY26 underlying EBITDA guidance range of US$598.5 million to $637.5 million.

The company expects margins expected to be lower short term (around 40-46%) due to integration impacts, most notably from its e2open acquisition.

It’s likely that a rebound of investor confidence in WiseTech and also ASX tech shares overall, is also helping today’s share price climb.

Can the shares keep climbing?

It’s possible that could be the beginning of a good rally for WiseTech shares.

According to TradingView data, analysts are very bullish about the outlook for the tech over the next 12 months.

The majority (16 out of 17) have a buy or strong buy rating on the stock. That’s an upgrade from 14 out of 16 analysts with a buy or strong buy rating in mid-April. 

The average target price is $76.55, which implies a potential upside of 67% over the next 12 months. Although others think that the tech shares could climb up to 152% to $115.78.

The post WiseTech shares are flying 6.5% higher today. Can they keep going? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Flight Centre, Sigma Healthcare, Vault Minerals, and WiseTech shares are storming higher today
• Got $10,000 to invest in May? Here are 2 ASX tech shares to buy
• 3 reasons to buy WiseTech shares in May
• 10 excellent ASX shares to buy in May
• Up 14% in April, is it too late to buy WiseTech shares?

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 WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. 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 record a decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.6% to 8,646.5 points.

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

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

The Flight Centre share price is up 3.5% to $10.53. This morning, the travel agent giant released a trading update and revealed solid growth financial year to date. Flight Centre achieved underlying profit before tax (UPBT) growth of 9.7% to $226.4 million and total transaction value (TTV) growth of 7.6% to $19.5 billion for the nine months to 31 March. The company’s CFO, Adam Campbell, said: “We’ve seen strong momentum in both our corporate and leisure businesses, despite a challenging travel environment. Our people have gone above and beyond for customers, and our focus on technology and efficiency continues to deliver returns.”

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

The Sigma Healthcare share price is up 4% to $2.94. Investors have been buying the Chemist Warehouse owner’s shares after it released a strong update and revealed plans to enter the UK market. It revealed that Australian Chemist Warehouse branded store network sales increased 16.7% for the financial year to date through to 30 April 2026. Chemist Warehouse international store sales increased 24.7%. Sigma’s CEO, Vikesh Ramsunder, said: “Our operational performance is pleasing with momentum sustained throughout the year reinforcing the defensive nature of our business model and continued execution of our growth strategy. International expansion is one of our four key strategic growth pillars. Having proven that the Chemist Warehouse model resonates with customers in other markets, including New Zealand and Ireland, the JV with GreenLight now provides a measured market access into the UK.”

Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU)

The Vault Minerals share price is up 5% to $4.72. This morning, the gold miner announced an agreement to merge with Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL). The agreement will see Regis Resources acquire 100% of Vault Minerals via a scheme of arrangement. Vault Minerals shareholders will receive 0.6947 Regis shares for each share held. The Vault Minerals board has unanimously recommended the scheme. This is in the absence of a superior proposal and subject to an independent expert’s endorsement.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The WiseTech Global share price is up 5% to $46.03. This appears to have been driven by the release of a presentation from the logistics solutions technology company today. In the presentation, WiseTech reaffirms its guidance for underlying EBITDA of $550 million to $585 million in FY 2026.

The post Why Flight Centre, Sigma Healthcare, Vault Minerals, and WiseTech shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are Flight Centre shares jumping higher in Tuesday’s sinking market?
• Big ASX 200 gold stock news! Regis Resources and Vault Minerals announce $11 billion merger
• Sigma shares race higher on update and Chemist Warehouse UK expansion
• Got $10,000 to invest in May? Here are 2 ASX tech shares to buy
• Regis and Vault to combine, creating new ASX gold powerhouse

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

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) released its eagerly anticipated half-year results this morning and has declared its latest interim dividend.

Here is what investors need to know.

Westpac’s half-year results

As a reminder, Westpac released a solid half-year result that showed earnings growth and a strong capital position.

The bank reported statutory net profit of $3.4 billion, up 3% on the first half of FY 2025 but down 5% on the second half. Net profit excluding notable items came in at $3.5 billion, up 1% on the prior corresponding period and down 1% on the previous half.

Westpac also ended the half with a CET1 capital ratio of 12.4%, which is above its target ratio of 11.25% in normal operating conditions.

Commenting on the half, Westpac CEO Anthony Miller said:

This half, we’ve delivered solid operating momentum while investing for the future. Our strong balance sheet and disciplined focus will allow us to support customers through global uncertainty.

He also noted that growth was solid across lending and deposits, saying:

Growth is solid across lending and deposits, with several highlights. We grew Australian mortgages, excluding RAMS, in the half at 1.2x system, with the proportion of new first party lending increasing. We are supporting Australian businesses with lending up across both business and institutional over the past year. At the same time we are managing costs, which are down from the prior half.

The Westpac dividend

In light of this performance, the Westpac board declared a fully franked interim ordinary dividend of 77 cents per share.

This was flat on the previous half but an increase of 1.3% on last year’s interim dividend, and represents a payout ratio of 77.1%.

Westpac shares are scheduled to trade ex-dividend for this payout on 8 May 2026.

The ex-dividend date is when investors need to own the shares before to qualify for the dividend.

If an investor buys Westpac shares on or after the ex-dividend date, they will not receive this interim dividend. Instead, the seller keeps the entitlement.

When will the dividend be paid?

The good news is that investors won’t have to wait too long for payment.

Westpac advised that the interim dividend is scheduled to be paid next month on 26 June 2026.

The bank’s dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) will apply to this dividend. However, unlike the National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) DRP, Westpac’s will not include a discount.

The post Everything you need to know about the latest Westpac dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is everyone talking about Westpac, Ampol and NextDC shares on Tuesday?
• NextDC shares pull back after a funding update. Here’s what you need to know
• Westpac share price rises on $3.5bn first-half profit
• Westpac posts higher profit in 1H26 results
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

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.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) and NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares are stirring up investor interest on Tuesday.

As we head into the Tuesday lunch hour, two of the ASX heavyweights are outpacing the 0.8% losses posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) at time of writing, while one is trailing that performance.

Here’s what’s happening.

NextDC shares gain on $1.8 billion funding news

NextDC shares are up a 0.1%, trading for $14.09 each.

This comes after the ASX 200 data centre operator and developer announced that it has secured $1.8 billion in new senior debt facilities from a syndicate of domestic and international banks.

With the new funding in place, NextDC now has $8.2 billion of senior debt available.

The company said it intends to use the new funds for ongoing data centre developments amid strong demand growth, as well as general corporate purposes.

On 20 April, the company reported a record increase in contracted utilisation.

NextDC shares are up 15% in 2026.

Which brings us to…

Ampol shares lift on Macquarie presentation

Ampol shares are also making headlines and outperforming today.

Shares in the Aussie fuel supplier are up 0.5% at time of writing, trading for $35.44 each.

This comes following Ampol’s company presentation at the annual Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) Conference.

As you may be aware, Ampol operates the Lytton refinery, located in Brisbane, one of only two domestic refineries remaining in Australia.

Management focused on the impacts of the Middles East conflict, noting that the world is losing around 10 million barrels of oil per day due to the ongoing hostilities.

Ampol said it was well placed at the start of the Iran war at the end of February, with its crude and product secured through Q2 2026. The ASX 200 energy stock expects tightness during Q3.

The company added that domestic refining plays a critical role when global supply is disrupted.

Management noted, “Ampol is uniquely positioned through its integrated supply chain, with domestic refining, independent trading and shipping capabilities and a national terminal and distribution network.”

In the first quarter of 2026, Ampol reported a Lytton Refiner Margin (LRM) of US$25.45 per barrel.

Ampol shares are up 10% in 2026.

And finally…

Westpac shares sink amid economic outlook concerns

Joining Ampol and NextDC shares in turning heads today, Westpac released its first half results this morning.

Shares in the ASX 200 bank stock are down 1.8%, changing hands for $37.80 each, despite Westpac reporting a 3% year on year increase in statutory net profit to $3.4 billion. However, statutory net profits were down 5% from the prior half.

On the passive income front, management declared a fully franked interim dividend of 77 cents per share. That’s up from last year’s interim dividend of 76 cents per share.

Investor may also be favouring their sell buttons amid concerns over the Iran war’s looming impact on the Aussie economy and the bank’s second half performance.

“The war in the Middle East is presenting challenges for some customers, and the economic impact of the conflict will continue through the year,” Westpac’s CEO Anthony Miller said.

Westpac shares are down 3% in 2026.

The post Why is everyone talking about Westpac, Ampol and NextDC shares on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Everything you need to know about the latest Westpac dividend
• NextDC shares pull back after a funding update. Here’s what you need to know
• Brent crude oil price rips to 4-year high amid missile strikes in Strait of Hormuz
• Westpac share price rises on $3.5bn first-half profit
• NEXTDC secures $1.8bn in new senior debt to boost liquidity

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 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.

Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) shares are having a rough session on Tuesday after the fund manager released a fresh update.

At the time of writing, the Magellan share price is down a sizeable 7.54% to $9.56.

That leaves the stock down around 4% in 2026, though it remains up about 24% over the past year.

Here’s what landed this morning.

Magellan reshuffles global equities funds

According to the release, Magellan announced changes to the investment management arrangements for its Global Equities strategy.

The Magellan Global Fund Open Class Units and Magellan Global Fund Hedged will move to the Vinva Global Alpha Strategy.

Vinva Investment Management will become the investment manager of the funds.

In total, those funds had about $5.3 billion in assets under management at 30 April 2026.

Magellan Asset Management will remain the responsible entity and will keep responsibility for distribution.

The company also intends to close the Magellan Global Equities Fund (currency hedged), which had about $94 million in assets.

Magellan said the investment strategy and philosophy for its Global Opportunities strategy will remain unchanged.

Alan Pullen will continue as portfolio manager, with Ryan Joyce staying on as deputy portfolio manager.

Fees cut as part of the change

The other big part of today’s update is the fee cut.

Magellan will reduce management fees across the affected funds from 1.35% per year to 0.89% per year.

In addition, performance fees will also be removed.

On paper, that should make the funds more competitive for clients.

The issue for shareholders is that lower fees also mean less revenue from a sizeable pool of funds.

Magellan said the funds are expected to see an average fee reduction of about 55 basis points, including sub-advisory fees.

The company expects the changes to be implemented in early June, subject to ASX approvals.

Why investors are selling

Magellan expects to realise direct cost savings of about $7 million a year from the changes.

That includes a smaller global equities team and lower fund administration costs.

At 30 April, it also managed about $3.7 billion in similar mandates.

The company said it is still working through how these changes will affect those clients.

That may explain some of the pressure on the share price today.

The cost savings are useful, but they do not fully offset the bigger concern here. Magellan is cutting fees and making more changes while the business is still trying to rebuild confidence.

What did management say

CEO and Managing Director Sophia Rahmani said the move was about improving outcomes and positioning the business better.

She said:

Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to putting clients first and our insight into client needs today and in the future.

Rahmani also said Vinva has a strong long-term track record.

She added that the lower fees strengthen the competitiveness of Magellan’s global equities offering.

Foolish Takeaway

I am not in a rush to step in here.

The fee cuts may make the funds easier to sell, but I still want to see evidence that this actually improves flows.

Magellan has already been through a long reset, and today’s update adds another moving piece.

Until fund flows start moving in the right direction, I’ll be holding off on any investment in the stock.

The post Why Magellan shares are getting smashed today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Magellan Financial Group slashes global fund fees, appoints new manager
• Morgans names 3 ASX 200 shares to buy now
• ASX 200 shares rip with financials leading a remarkable recovery last week
• Why is the Magellan share price rising today?
• Why Magellan, Telix and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) healthcare shares are down 0.3% on Tuesday.

Healthcare has been the worst performer of the 11 ASX 200 market sectors over the past year, falling 40%.

The healthcare sector faces many challenges, including currency headwinds, US tariffs for larger companies, and higher labour costs.

Crumbling consumer confidence is leading to delayed medical decisions, and we are likely to see further interest rate rises in Australia.

Investors are also wary of the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI), especially for software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers.

ASX 200 biotechs are also grappling with uncertainty with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Trump administration.

Recently, the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) hit a six-year low, and many sector giants are trading around 52-week lows.

Some brokers say this downward sector spiral is an opportunity.

Here are four ASX healthcare shares that have attracted new buy ratings this week.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The Pro Medicus share price is $137.58, down 0.8% today and down 46% over six months.

Pro Medicus designs medical imaging software and services for healthcare providers around the world.

This ASX 200 healthcare share hit a record $336 per share last July following an amazing two-year run.

The Pro Medicus share price has since deteriorated significantly.

Morgan Stanley maintains a buy rating with a 12-month target of $200, implying 45% upside ahead.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price is $2.22, up 0.7% today and down 20% in the year to date (YTD).

Mesoblast specialises in allogeneic cellular medicines for severe inflammatory diseases.

Bell Potter has reaffirmed its speculative buy rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share.

The broker has a $4.45 price target on Mesoblast shares, suggesting a doubling in value over the next year.

Bell Potter said:

At the very least, today’s cash flow result should provide shareholders with confidence that MSB can generate earnings and cash flow positive operations from sales of Ryoncil alone.

The company’s future is looking brighter than ever with revenues expanding and new product approvals now well advanced for heart failure and chronic lower back pain. 

Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD)

This ASX 200 healthcare share is trading 1.8% higher at $29.49 on Tuesday.

The Resmed share price has fallen 18.5% YTD.

Morgans reiterated its buy rating on Resmed shares after the sleep device developer released its 3Q FY26 report.

The broker said Resmed delivered double-digit revenue and earnings growth, further margin expansion, and strong cash flow generation.

Morgans commented:

Sleep and respiratory demand remains robust, with continued mask strength and ROW re-acceleration, while SaaS remains stable but subdued.

Notably, GM expansion continues, underpinned via manufacturing, procurement and logistics efficiencies.

And while macro uncertainties remain and investors seemingly focus on variability in US device growth while pondering if the Noctrix acquisition is merely a ‘plug’ to a slowing core, we view these concerns as myopic and manageable.

Morgans has a $41.72 price target on Resmed shares, implying 42% growth ahead.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear shares are $100.50, up 0.2% today and down 62% YTD.

The Cochlear share price hit an 11-year low of $88.74 after the hearing implant maker downgraded its earnings guidance last month.

Cochlear cited many challenges, including capacity constraints at hospitals, falling consumer confidence, cancellations in the Middle East, industrial action by healthcare professionals in Italy and Spain, and China lowering its reimbursements to patients.

However, Canaccord Genuity sees an opportunity, and reiterated its buy rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share last week.

But the broker more than halved its 12-month price target from $295 to $120.

The post 4 ASX healthcare shares to buy as sector struggles: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• How I would invest $10,000 across ASX growth shares in May
• Buy, hold, sell: Mesoblast, Mineral Resources, and Woolworths 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 Cochlear and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear and Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) share price is in focus today after the specialist business lender reported strong Q3 lending growth and robust deposit franchise performance at the Macquarie Australia Conference.

What did Judo Capital report?

• Gross loans and advances (GLA) reached $13.8 billion as at March 2026, up from $12.9 billion at December 2025
• Quarterly lending margin (NIM) improved to ~3.15%, up from 3.03% in 1H26
• Attrition decreased to 15% annualised in Q3, indicating higher customer retention
• Deposit balances grew to a record $11.5 billion
• Common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio held firm at 12.6%
• Collective provisioning increased to 94bps of GLA, reflecting prudent credit management

What else do investors need to know?

The launch of Judo’s Direct Online Savings Account in February 2026 has seen at-call savings balances top $1.1 billion, strengthening its deposit base. The bank’s AAA pipeline sits at $2.2 billion, with an average margin of 4.3%, pointing to continued lending momentum.

Judo has reviewed its lending portfolio on a client-by-client basis, as a response to ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, ensuring most customers remain in strong financial health. Increased expected credit loss (ECL) provisioning, particularly in sectors affected by fuel prices and economic trends, demonstrates a cautious approach to risk.

What’s next for Judo Capital?

Judo reaffirmed its FY26 guidance, targeting GLA of $14.4–$14.7 billion and a NIM at the upper end of 3.00%–3.10%. The bank expects its cost-to-income ratio to further improve in the second half of FY26, and its cost of risk to remain within 70–75bps of average loans.

Management remains confident Judo can support ongoing lending growth and become capital self-sustaining, supported by a strong CET1 ratio and other capital management levers like securitisation.

Judo Capital share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Judo Capital shares have declined 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Judo Capital Q3 2026: Lending and deposit growth shine 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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is hovering around 8,700 points, which is not far below its record high of approximately 9,200 points.

That can make buying feel a little harder. When the market is already trading at elevated levels, I think investors need to be more selective. I would rather focus on high-quality businesses with long-term growth runways than chase whatever has already been running hot.

One ASX blue chip stock I would still consider buying in this environment is ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD).

A global healthcare leader

I think ResMed is one of the strongest healthcare businesses on the ASX.

The company develops products to treat sleep apnoea and breathing disorders, as well as software solutions for home healthcare. This gives it exposure to several powerful long-term trends, including ageing populations, rising awareness of sleep health, and the shift toward care being delivered outside hospitals.

What I like most is that ResMed is not relying on one narrow product line.

It has devices, masks and accessories, software, data, and connected health platforms. That creates a broader ecosystem around patients, clinicians, and healthcare providers.

Its latest third-quarter update showed the business still has momentum. Revenue increased 11% to US$1.4 billion, while earnings per share rose 21% to US$2.86. ResMed also reported a 290-basis-point lift in its gross margin.

I would not buy the stock purely because of one quarterly result, but I think that update supports the view that the business remains in good shape.

A huge addressable market

For me, the bigger reason to like ResMed is the size of the opportunity.

Sleep apnoea remains massively underdiagnosed and undertreated globally. ResMed’s presentation points to more than 1 billion people with sleep apnoea, with fewer than 20% of patients diagnosed or treated in the US and fewer than 10% in the rest of the world.

That is the kind of runway I like in a blue chip.

ResMed does not need to invent a completely new market to keep growing. It can continue expanding access, improving diagnosis, and helping more patients move onto treatment.

The company also has a growing digital advantage. Its ecosystem includes more than 26 billion nights of respiratory medical data, more than 36 million patients in AirView, and more than 34 million cloud-connectable devices worldwide.

I think that data and connectivity could become increasingly valuable as healthcare becomes more digital, personalised, and outcome-focused.

Innovation remains important

Another reason I would consider this ASX blue chip stock is that it continues to invest in new products.

The company highlighted its AirSense 11 rollout into more global markets and newer mask launches such as AirTouch N30i and AirTouch F30i. It is also expanding into adjacent sleep health areas, including its planned acquisition of Noctrix, which has a device for refractory moderate-to-severe restless leg syndrome.

That tells me ResMed is still thinking about the broader sleep health market, rather than standing still with its existing portfolio.

Foolish takeaway

With the ASX 200 around 8,700 points, I would be careful about what I buy.

But ResMed is one ASX blue chip stock I think still deserves attention.

It has a global market position, a large underpenetrated opportunity, strong recent earnings momentum, and a growing digital health ecosystem.

For investors looking beyond short-term market levels, I think those qualities make it a blue chip worth considering.

The post 1 ASX blue chip stock I’d consider buying with the ASX 200 around 8,700 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) shares are lifting off today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) travel stock closed yesterday trading for $10.16. In morning trade on Tuesday, shares are changing hands for $10.42 apiece, up 2.6%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.6% at this same time.

This outperformance follows the company’s presentation and trading update at the annual Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) Conference.

Here’s what we know.

Flight Centre shares lift on profit growth

In a trading update cover the nine months to 31 March, the ASX 200 travel stock reported a 7.6% year on year increase in total transaction value (TTV) to $19.5 billion.

Management noted that the third quarter showed strong momentum, with Q3 TTV up 6.8% to $7 billion, representing 9.4% growth in constant currency.

Flight Centre shares also look to be getting a lift from the 9.7% year-on-year increase in underlying profit before tax (UPBT), which reached $226.4 million over the nine months.

The company’s corporate segment enjoyed a 23% increase in UPBT, while profits in its leisure segment were up 2% from the same nine-month period last year.

And if you held Flight Centre stock at market close on 24 April, you’ll have received the fully franked interim dividend of 12 cents per share on 16 April.

The first nine months of FY 2026 also saw the company complete its $200 million share buyback program.

“We’ve seen strong momentum in both our corporate and leisure businesses, despite a challenging travel environment,” Flight Centre chief financial officer Adam Campbell said.

“Our people have gone above and beyond for customers, and our focus on technology and efficiency continues to deliver returns,” he added.

What’s next for the ASX 200 travel stock?

Looking to what could impact the Flight Centre share price in the months ahead, investors would do well to keep an eye on potential disruption from the Middle East conflict.

Today, management reaffirmed the company’s full year FY 2026 UPBT guidance of $315 million to $350 million.

But Flight Centre said that it is continuing to closely monitor the impact of world events on its short-term results, with hostilities in the Middle East “creating near-term uncertainty and temporarily disrupting international travel patterns”.

For now, investors will have to settle for some ongoing uncertainty, with Flight Centre noting that the impact of ongoing unrest and potential future fuel supply disruptions are “not currently clear heading into the key May-June trading period”.

While the company said its global corporate business has not yet been significantly impacted, its leisure business took an estimated $10 million profit hit in April amid the ongoing hostilities.

With today’s intraday gains factored in, Flight Centre shares remain down 19% since this time last year, not including dividends.

The post Why are Flight Centre shares jumping higher in Tuesday’s sinking market? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Down 30%! 3 ASX shares I’d buy now

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