Author: openjargon

The mining sector is booming right now and one ASX technology stock stands to benefit greatly.

That stock is Chrysos Corporation Ltd (ASX: C79), which provides novel assay services to the global mining industry through its proprietary PhotonAssay technology.

PhotonAssay can be used to detect a wide range of elements, but the technology has been particularly effective for assaying gold and is currently being rolled‑out across the gold mining industry.

Bell Potter is a big fan of the company and is recommending the stock to clients following its half-year results release this month.

What is the broker saying?

The broker notes that the ASX mining technology stock delivered a half-year result that was ahead of expectations thanks to higher PhotonAssay fleet utilisation. It said:

Total revenue was $43.3m (BPe $41.7m), up 49% YoY, with MMAP of $31.5m (BPe $32.6m), up 22% YoY, and AAC of $11.7m (BPe $9.1m), up 261% YoY. MMAP growth was driven by an expansion in the installed base. The significant uptick in AAC was due to higher PhotonAssay fleet utilisation as rising global exploration activity drove greater samples processed. Four additional units were deployed during the half, taking total units installed and operational to 43. GM was 76.3% (BPe 78.0%), up from 72.9% in the PcP.

EBITDA of $14.4m (BPe $13.2m) was up 152%, with margins improving to 33.1% (BPe 31.6%), up from 19.5% in the PcP, reflecting operating leverage and greater AAC. Underlying NPAT was $0.7m (BPe $1.8m), up from a $2.6m loss in the PcP.

Guidance upgrade

Bell Potter was also pleased to see that management has upgraded its guidance for the full year. It adds:

A soft upgrade was delivered: Revenue is now tracking towards the top-end of the $80-90m range (BPe $90.8m old); and EBITDA is now tracking towards the top-end of the $20-27m range (BPe $29.6m old). We see guidance as conservative due to: 1) an acceleration in deployment cadence in 2H FY26 given the significant expansion in the backlog following the 14 new lease agreements secured in FY26TD; and 2) strong ongoing momentum in exploration activity enhancing the outlook for AAC generation.

Strong potential returns

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $9.40 price target on the ASX mining technology stock.

Based on its current share price of $7.93, this implies potential upside of 19% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker concludes:

We are encouraged by the 14 lease agreements signed in FY26TD, expanding on existing relationships and securing contracts with new prospective clients. Together, with the landmark Newmont MSA, the increased contract award momentum signals an acceleration in PhotonAssay adoption, which is a key tenet to our Buy thesis.

The post Here’s an exciting ASX mining technology stock to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• PLS Group posts H1 FY26 profit and 241% EBITDA surge
• HUB24 delivers 1HFY26 earnings and raises FY27 growth target
• Transurban posts higher 1H26 profit and revenue as key projects open
• Invested in the VanEck MSCI International Value ETF (VLUE)? Here are the stocks you own
• Telstra lifts earnings and dividend, expands buy-back for 1H26

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

The Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price is in focus today after Australia’s largest telecom delivered a strong first-half FY26 performance, with group underlying EBITDA rising across all major business lines and the interim dividend increasing to 10.5 cents per share.

What did Telstra Group report?

• Underlying EBITDA growth across Mobiles, Fixed Consumer & Small Business, InfraCo Fixed, and Amplitel businesses
• Mobile services revenue up 5.6% for the half, supported by higher ARPU and customer growth
• Group cash EBIT grew by 14% compared to the prior corresponding period
• Underlying operating expenses were reduced by $179 million, down 2.4%
• Interim dividend lifted to 10.5 cents per share (90.5% franked, was 9.5 cps fully franked 1H25)
• On-market share buy-back increased from up to $1 billion to up to $1.25 billion

What else do investors need to know?

Telstra says the interim dividend increase aligns with its Capital Management Framework and reflects strong cash earnings. The company also completed $637 million of its buy-back in the half, citing a robust balance sheet as the foundation for raising the buy-back target.

Management reports solid progress on the Connected Future 30 strategy, with positive operating leverage of 3.1 percentage points driven by disciplined cost control and efficiency. The company’s mobile segment remains a key growth engine.

What did Telstra Group management say?

Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said:

We delivered ongoing growth in earnings, reflecting momentum across our business, strong cost control and disciplined capital management.

What’s next for Telstra Group?

Looking ahead, Telstra is tightening its underlying EBITDA after leases (EBITDAaL) guidance for FY26 to between $8.2 billion and $8.4 billion, with guidance for other metrics unchanged. The company says it will continue to prioritise value delivery for shareholders and customers through its Connected Future 30 strategy.

Management is focused on growing core business cash flow, maintaining a disciplined approach to investment, and pursuing sustainable growth in dividends, underpinned by ongoing efficiency.

Telstra Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Telstra shares have risen 27%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Telstra lifts earnings and dividend, expands buy-back for 1H26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• PLS Group posts H1 FY26 profit and 241% EBITDA surge
• HUB24 delivers 1HFY26 earnings and raises FY27 growth target
• Transurban posts higher 1H26 profit and revenue as key projects open
• Medibank Private lifts profit and dividend in first half 2026
• Auckland International Airport reports 1H26 earnings

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 positions in and has recommended Telstra 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.

When you are starting out, simplicity matters. You don’t need 20-30 holdings, complex strategies, or constant trading. A handful of well-chosen exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can provide diversification across countries, sectors, and investment styles, all in a way that is easy to manage.

Here are five ASX ETFs that new investors could consider buying and holding for the long term.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

A natural starting point for investors is the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF.

This ETF tracks the broader Australian share market, giving exposure to major names such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL).

For new investors, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF offers instant diversification across 300 local shares in a single trade. It also provides access to Australia’s traditionally strong dividend profile.

iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV)

To complement domestic exposure, the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF adds the United States to a portfolio.

Tracking the S&P 500, this fund includes global leaders such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN). The US market has historically delivered strong long-term growth thanks to its depth, innovation, and corporate scale.

Overall, the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF provides a simple way to tap into the world’s largest economy.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

The Betashares Australian Quality ETF is another ASX ETF that could be worth considering if you are starting out.

Instead of simply tracking the largest local stocks, it tilts toward Australian businesses with strong profitability and balance sheets. That quality filter can help reduce exposure to weaker or highly cyclical stocks.

For beginners who prefer a more selective version of the Australian market, this ETF offers a rules-based way to focus on fundamentals. The team at Betashares recently recommended the fund to investors.

Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)

The Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF is similar and adds a global quality tilt.

This ASX ETF targets global stocks that are generating strong free cash flow, which is often a sign of financial strength. Cash flow supports dividends, reinvestment, and long-term resilience.

Investors who want exposure to established global businesses without chasing speculative growth, may find that the Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF could offer them a balanced option. It was also recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

Finally, for those willing to add a growth pick, the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF could be worth considering. It provides exposure to leading technology stocks across Asian markets.

Rather than focusing on US tech giants, this fund taps into digital platforms, semiconductor leaders, and ecommerce companies across China, South Korea, and Taiwan. These companies look well-positioned for growth over the next decade thanks to Asia’s growing middle class.

It can be more volatile, but for long-term investors it offers diversification beyond Western markets.

The post 5 ASX ETFs for new investors to buy and hold appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf and CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, CSL, Microsoft, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, BHP Group, CSL, Microsoft, 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.

The Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) share price is in focus today after the health insurer reported a 6.0% rise in group operating profit to $381.7 million for the half year to 31 December 2025, and lifted its fully franked interim dividend by 6.4% to 8.3 cents per share.

What did Medibank report?

• Group revenue from external customers rose 5.5% to $4,503.5 million
• Group operating profit increased 6.0% to $381.7 million
• Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) was largely flat at $297.8 million
• Medibank Health segment profit jumped 28.5% to $48.3 million, now around 13% of group profit
• Interim fully franked dividend up 6.4% to 8.3 cents per share
• Net resident policyholder growth of 1.9% (+38,300 over 12 months)

What else do investors need to know?

Medibank continued to expand its health services, completing the acquisition of Better Medical for $163.5 million and increasing the number of national clinics. More than half of resident policyholders (55%) are now engaged with health and wellbeing services, while digital offerings and Live Better rewards programs gained traction.

Customer retention slightly improved despite heightened competition and industry switching rates. The business also delivered productivity gains and rolled out new AI technology to streamline customer and claims experiences.

What’s next for Medibank?

The company is on track to meet its FY26 outlook with a disciplined approach to growth, targeting further policyholder gains, steady expense management, and investment in new products and digital health offerings. Medibank is also focused on scaling its primary care network and health services, with both organic growth and a healthy pipeline of potential acquisitions.

Looking further ahead, management reaffirmed its goals to increase group earnings, expand in health, and achieve its long-term aspirations to 2030, underpinned by continued customer engagement and innovation.

Medibank share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Medibank shares have risen 21%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Medibank Private lifts profit and dividend in first half 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Telstra lifts earnings and dividend, expands buy-back for 1H26
• Auckland International Airport reports 1H26 earnings

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 Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA) share price is in focus after the company reported a 4% jump in revenue to $519.6 million and a 6% increase in underlying profit to $157.1 million for the half year ended 31 December 2025.

What did Auckland International Airport report?

• Total revenue rose 4% to $519.6 million.
• Operating EBITDAFI increased 6% to $371.3 million.
• Net underlying profit after tax climbed 6% to $157.1 million.
• Reported profit after tax (including revaluations) fell 5% to $177.0 million.
• Passenger numbers were up 2% to 9.64 million.
• An interim dividend of 6.50 cents per share (fully imputed) will be paid on 2 April 2026, totalling $110.2 million.

What else do investors need to know?

Auckland Airport continued its strong investment programme, delivering key aeronautical infrastructure such as a 250,000m² airfield expansion and making steady progress on the new domestic jet terminal, on track for completion in 2029. The company highlighted smoother operations for travellers, with airport processing times noticeably improved thanks to new technology and border agency collaboration.

New international routes and expanded airline services have helped boost connectivity, notably the launch of China Eastern’s Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires service. In the domestic market, seat capacity is up, leading to lower average jet fares and greater competition.

The commercial property business remains resilient, with a 99% occupancy rate and continued demand despite softer conditions for new developments. The company’s retail and parking businesses delivered mixed results, but commercial rent roll and premium outlet sales grew year on year.

What did Auckland International Airport management say?

Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui said:

The service places Auckland Airport at the heart of the world’s longest direct flight, delivering an estimated $110 million in benefits to New Zealand’s economy annually.

What’s next for Auckland International Airport?

Looking ahead, Auckland Airport expects the positive momentum in aeronautical and commercial activity to continue in the second half. The company has narrowed its underlying profit guidance for FY26 to between $295 million and $320 million, reflecting confidence in ongoing passenger recovery and network growth.

Capital investment is expected to range from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion, focused on major longer-term projects including the domestic terminal and commercial developments. Management is also watching for any wider market or regulatory impacts but remains committed to delivering operational improvements and enhanced traveller experiences.

Auckland International Airport share price snapshot

Over the past 12 moths, Auckland International Airport shares have declined 4%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Auckland International Airport reports 1H26 earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• PLS Group posts H1 FY26 profit and 241% EBITDA surge
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• Medibank Private lifts profit and dividend in first half 2026

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.

ASX industrials stock SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG) has boomed over the last 12 months. 

It is an engineering-led specialist construction, maintenance and mining services group operating across the entire asset lifecycle.

Since this time last year, its share price has risen 105.7%. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials (ASX: XNJ) index is up just 5.5% in the same period. 

This ASX industrials stock released H1 FY26 results on Tuesday. 

What did the company report?

On Tuesday, this ASX industrials stock released earnings results which included: 

• Revenue up 20% to $743.9 million
• EBITDA up 20% to $71.0 million
• EDIT(A) up 26% to $53.2 million
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) up 27% to $33.7 million
• EPS up 20% to 5.5 cents 
• Dividends per share up 20% to 3 cents. 

Looking ahead, SRG Global upgraded its FY26 earnings guidance to $164 million to $168 million. It has also upgraded EBITDA guidance to $126 million to $130 million EBIT(A) for FY26.

Despite this, its share price fell more than 4%, before recovering somewhat yesterday. 

What are experts saying?

Following the results, sentiment from brokers has been positive. 

The Motley Fool’s James Mickleboro reported yesterday that Bell Potter retained its buy rating and raised its price target following the result. 

Similarly, the team at Morgans have upgraded the outlook for this ASX industrials stock. 

Morgans said SRG Global reported a strong 1H26 with all key earnings metrics broadly in line with forecasts. 

The broker also noted the core business (ex-TAMS) performed well, with a weaker E&C offset by a stronger maintenance performance, which underlines the company’s diversification.

The balance sheet remains robust with net debt of just $21m, leaving the company well placed to pursue further growth opportunities. While the valuation has re-rated materially over the last ~12 months, SRG may continue to compound +20% EPS growth for the next few years through a combination of organic and inorganic growth.

Price target upside for this ASX industrials stock

Morgans has subsequently raised its price target to $3.20 (previously $3.00). This is slightly above Bell Potter’s price target of $3.15.

Yesterday, SRG Global shares closed at $2.88. 

Based on the revised target from Morgans, the broker sees a potential upside of approximately 11%. 

The broker retained its accumulate rating. 

We increase our EBITDA forecasts by +1% each year across our forecast period and EBITA by +2-3%. Target price rises to $3.20 (from $3.00). Accumulate maintained.

The post Morgans just upgraded its outlook on this booming ASX industrials stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top broker says this ASX share is a buy after guidance upgrade
• This ASX industrials stock has dropped nearly 5% following H1 FY26 result

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

While a fundamental portfolio features strong diversification with a long-term focus, some investors may also choose to add exposure to ASX small-caps. 

These types of companies often have stronger growth prospects than well established blue-chip shares.

While ASX small-caps can experience heightened volatility, here are two that have drawn attention from experts recently. 

The Environmental Group Ltd (ASX: EGL)

The Environmental Group engages in designing, application and servicing of gas and vapour emission control systems, inlet and exhaust systems for gas turbines, water purification and engineering services. 

It operates through the following three segments: Products, Services and the Corporate segment.

Yesterday, the company released 1H FY26 results which included: 

• Revenue up 8.6% on prior comparable period
• Underlying EBITDA up 25.9% on pcp
• Gross profit up 21.7% from pcp. 

Investors were clearly disappointed with the result, as the share price tumbled 15.69% following the release. 

Following the results, the team at Bell Potter issued updated its guidance on this ASX small-cap. 

It seems that after yesterday’s sell-off, the small-cap could be undervalued. 

The broker reiterated its buy recommendation, but slightly lowered its price target to $0.350. 

From yesterday’s closing price of $0.22, this still indicates an upside of 59%. 

The broker said:

Although EGL’s first half was below expectations, we remain confident in its outlook. We believe EGL will reap the benefits of its growth initiatives which created temporary inefficiencies during the half. EGL’s growing recurring and diversified revenue stream drives a forecasted EPS CAGR of +19% over the next 3 years. We retain our Buy recommendation.

Meeka Metals Ltd (ASX: MEK)

Meeka Metals is another ASX small-cap stock that has been drawing positive attention from brokers. 

It is a gold and rare earths company with a portfolio of high-quality 100% owned projects across Western Australia.

It has risen 60% over the past year, however it has slumped 20% since the start of 2026. 

This ASX small-cap also closed trading yesterday at $0.22. 

However a recent share price target from Morgans indicates it is well below fair value. 

The broker has a buy rating and price target of $0.33 on this ASX small-cap stock. 

That indicates an upside of 50%. 

The confidence out of the broker is on the back of recent earnings results from the gold miner. 

The broker said:

MEK delivered its 2Q26 operating result as the Murchison Gold Project continues to ramp up. Gold production increased 28% quarter on quarter to 9.1koz Au and was in-line with MorgansF of 9.3koz Au. Ounce production was underpinned by a mill head grade of 3.3g/t Au, ~10% above MorgansF assumptions; however, this grade outperformance is partially offsetting lower-than-expected throughput.

The post 2 ASX small-caps that could soar according to brokers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Analysts at UBS are optimistic about what could happen next with the JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) share price despite rising around 15% over the last three days of trading.

The business reported a 7.3% increase in sales to $6.1 billion, an 8.1% rise in operating profit (EBIT) to $454 million, a 7.1% increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $2.80, and a 23.5% jump in the annual dividend per share to $2.10.

UBS noted that the result was stronger than it was expecting. Let’s take a look at what was so good and why the broker is still bullish on the ASX retail share.

A strong result

The broker said that there were market fears that the company would find it tough to deliver growth after a strong second quarter of FY25. But those fears “did not materialise”.

UBS said that The Good Guys’ EBIT was stronger than expected, with promotional periods being “well executed”. The broker said that The Good Guys’ EBIT margin was stronger thanks to a mixture of higher gross profit margin and lower cost of doing business (to sales) ratio.

The JB Hi-Fi Australia EBIT was also stronger than expected, partly thanks to the “flexibility” of its cost of doing business, which allows it to manage any slowing in sales.

After seeing those numbers, UBS decided to increase its estimate for JB Hi-Fi’s forecast EPS by 5.6% and 5.3%. This was due to slightly higher sales and a much higher EBIT margin projected for The Good Guys, while JB Hi-Fi Australia is expected to see slightly higher sales and EBIT margin.

However, those EPS estimates also include lower projections for the JB Hi-Fi New Zealand and E&S divisions, though they are smaller contributors to the overall pie.

Is the JB Hi-Fi share price a buy?

UBS thinks it is, with a price target of $94, which implies a possible rise of around 7% over the next year.

The broker notes that the JB Hi-Fi price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has decreased over the last several months, though it’s still higher than it was last decade. UBS thinks this is justified because it’s a large, growing business with an expandable total addressable market (TAM), it’s gaining market share, it’s good at managing costs, and it’s prudent at managing capital.

UBS suggested it can be increasingly compared to businesses with higher P/E multiples, such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and its retail divisions of Bunnings and Kmart. The broker concluded:            

Given share price performance, 1H26 result above UBSe, and confidence on JBH being able to enjoy a higher earnings multiple vs history, the risk reward now appears attractive. Upgrade to Buy from Neutral.

The post Why the JB Hi-Fi share price is a buy and could keep rising – UBS appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• JB Hi-Fi shares jump 15% this week. What’s next?
• Which ASX 200 retail stock looks stronger: JB Hi-Fi or Harvey Norman?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why BHP, JB Hi-Fi, Judo Capital, and PEXA shares are storming higher today

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

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) shares were on form on Wednesday.

The ASX 200 stock ended the session 13.5% higher at $25.35.

This was driven by the release of the investment platform provider’s half-year results.

Is it too late to invest?

The team at Bell Potter doesn’t believe it is too late for investors to snap up this ASX 200 stock.

It was impressed with the company’s results, stating:

NWL delivered a solid 1H26 result ahead of expectations, with revenue growth more advanced. Outlook guidance was reissued. NWL is tracking to its net inflow parameter with +10% run-rate growth support. Language now incorporates confidence into outer years, factoring in the broker segment pipeline as well.

One highlight was its cash conversion, which improved notably on the prior corresponding period. Bell Potter said:

Cash conversion was better than pcp despite slight build in the working capital. Free cashflow improved with +$60.3m inflow. This compares to +$47.7m in the pcp. NWL declared a fully franked dividend of 21¢ps which increased +20% pcp. Pro-forma adjustments for the $70m of debt drawn post balance date sees modest leverage (0.1x EBITDA). NWL provided strong dividend guidance, based on underlying earnings despite the loss booked and borrowings. The facility is subject to financial covenants and matures March 2028.

And lastly, the broker highlights that management spoke positively on its outlook and has reaffirmed its net inflows guidance. It adds:

NWL reaffirmed its outlook, guiding to net inflows comparable to FY25, an EBITDA margin of 49% and $12m in capitalised software. Net accounts added are at record levels and present lower balances, diluting existing accounts that sit on higher balances. Platform advisers expanded +118 (+52 pcp.). NWL provided an update on the net inflows which were +$1.6bn (+$1.5bn pcp.) so far. Extrapolating the run-rate would return a soft estimate (seasonality). Linearly this is in-line with our forecast.

Time to buy this ASX 200 stock

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $30.00 price target on Netwealth’s shares. Based on its current share price of $25.35, this implies potential upside of 18% for investors over the next 12 months.

In addition, a dividend yield of 1.8% is expected in FY 2026, which stretches the total potential return to approximately 20%.

Bell Potter concludes:

Our Buy rating is unchanged. There were no surprises from the result that challenged the view momentum is building. We make +4% EPS upgrades contained to FY26.

The post Bell Potter says this high-quality ASX 200 stock is a buy with 18% upside appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Dividend boost sends Netwealth shares 13% higher
• Can HUB24 match Netwealth’s stellar results tomorrow?
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• Netwealth shares surge 12% as record inflows power earnings growth

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

When brokers upgrade stocks or reaffirm buy ratings after a period of weakness, I always pay attention.

Not because I blindly follow recommendations, but because I want to understand what the market might be missing. Right now, three buy-rated ASX shares stand out to me for different reasons: REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA), Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL).

Here’s why they’ve caught my eye.

REA Group shares

REA’s half-year result wasn’t perfect, and the share price reaction suggested the market wanted more. But when I look past the noise, I actually see a very resilient franchise.

Morgans recently upgraded REA to a buy recommendation with a $230.00 price target, arguing that recent weakness has created an opportunity.

What stands out to me is the resilience of the core business. As the broker pointed out, “REA’s 1H26 result was broadly in line with expectations” and the result “highlighted the resilience of the franchise in a tougher volume environment.”

In a period where listings declined 6%, REA still delivered strong yield growth of 14%. That tells me pricing power is intact. When you can offset lower volumes with higher yields, you have a strong platform.

Yes, costs were higher and full-year volume guidance was lowered. But to me, this looks cyclical rather than structural. REA remains the dominant property listings platform in Australia, and that network advantage is incredibly hard to disrupt.

Life360 shares

Life360 has been caught up in broader software weakness, particularly around AI disruption fears. But I agree with Bell Potter’s view that this business doesn’t neatly fit the traditional SaaS narrative.

The broker argues that “Life360 is an app rather than software company so faces little risk of AI disruption given the ecosystem it has developed over >15 years.”

That’s important. This isn’t just a back-end accounting tool that can be replaced by automation. It’s a consumer-facing safety platform built around a sticky, long-standing user base.

Bell Potter also notes that “the 2025 result is already largely known” following the January update, which reduces the risk of nasty surprises. Revenue grew more than 30% and profitability improved sharply. That gives me comfort heading into the next result.

On FY26 expectations, consensus adjusted EBITDA sits around US$132m, and the broker expects guidance to be at least consistent with that. In other words, expectations don’t look stretched.

Add in 20% monthly active user (MAU) growth guidance and a valuation of around 31x and 21x EV/Adjusted EBITDA for 2026 and 2027 respectively, and I can see why Bell Potter believes it “looks value for forecast growth of c.45% in both periods.”

With a buy recommendation and a $41.50 price target, I think this is one of the more interesting growth setups on the ASX right now.

CSL shares

CSL’s half-year result was messy. Morgans described it as “softer and less clean than expected,” with adjusted NPATA down 7% and US$1.1bn in impairment charges related largely to Vifor and Seqirus.

That understandably weighed on sentiment.

But here’s what matters to me: despite Behring weakness and CEO transition noise, FY26 guidance was maintained.

Morgans sees this as pointing to “an execution reset, not structural impost.” That’s a key distinction. If the issue is execution, it can be fixed. If it’s structural, that’s far more serious.

The broker believes the outlook is supported by cost-outs, marketing initiatives, new product launches, and diminishing headwinds. Even after trimming forecasts and lowering its price target to $241.34, it retained a buy recommendation.

I tend to agree with that view. CSL is not a short-term momentum stock. It’s a global biotech leader navigating a tougher period. If management can deliver the expected second-half recovery, sentiment could shift quickly.

Foolish takeaway

REA, Life360, and CSL are very different businesses. But what they share right now is broker support, credible long-term growth drivers, and share prices that don’t fully reflect their potential, in my view.

I don’t buy stocks just because a broker says buy. But when I see solid reasoning, realistic forecasts, and resilient business models backing those calls, it definitely makes me look twice.

The post Why these buy-rated ASX shares stand out to me appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. 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.