Author: openjargon

The S&P/ASX Small Ords Index (ASX: XSO) is down 14% in the calendar year to date (YTD).

Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) has edged 1% lower in 2026 so far.

Let’s check out some new buy recommendations from three experts on three ASX small-cap shares.

Challenger Gold Ltd (ASX: CEL)

The Challenger Gold share price is $1.46, down 1.9% today and down 51% over 12 months. 

Challenger is developing the Hualilan gold project in Argentina.

Philippe Bui from Medallion Financial Group has a buy rating on this ASX small-cap mining share. 

On The Bull this week, Bui said: 

A 35,000 metre drilling program provides near term catalysts through resource growth and mine-plan optimisation. Management is targeting commercial production from this operation by early 2029.

We see potential for a re-rating as engineering, approvals and financing progresses. CEL is suitable for investors who are comfortable with higher risk.

Janus Electric Holdings Ltd (ASX: JNS)

The Janus Electric share price is 52 cents, down 2.8% today and up a staggering 420% over 12 months. 

Janus is a heavy transport electrification company.

It converts diesel prime movers into electric vehicles using a patented zero-carbon battery-swap system in Australia and the US.

Tom Fairchild from Lazarus Capital Partners has a speculative buy call on this ASX small-cap utilities share. 

He explained: 

The macro case is compelling as Australia imports about 87 per cent of its diesel. Freight transportation uses almost half of the imported diesel. Electrifying trucks means owners don’t have to rely on imported diesel.

Conversions appeal in terms of fuel savings over the longer term and reduced emissions.

Revenue is growing, but the company reported a $9.1 million statutory loss after tax in full year 2026. However, the share price has risen from 14 cents on July 1 to trade at 69 cents on October 8.

The outlook appears prosperous, but a speculative buy at these levels.

Artrya Limited (ASX: AYA)

The Artrya share price is $3.10, up 1.6% today and up 9% over 12 months. 

Artrya is a commercial-stage medical technology company.

Mark Gardner of MPC Markets has a buy rating on this ASX small-cap healthcare share. 

Recently on The Bull, Gardner said: 

Artrya is a commercial stage medical technology company, providing exposure to AI-led coronary imaging as the US commercial roll-out begins. The company’s Salix platform reads coronary CT scans and flags patients at risk of a heart attack.

The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared the Salix coronary plaque module.

The company is establishing a platform for recurring revenue growth, although revenue is relatively small at this stage. US foundation partners have converted to paying contracts.

The recent share price sell-off has created an appealing entry level prior to the next US hospital announcement.

The post 3 ASX small-cap shares to buy amid sector weakness: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

Some investments are well suited to being bought and held for decades.

For me, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a good place to look, particularly when they provide exposure to established businesses with long-term growth potential.

One fund that stands out is the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV).

But is it one of the best ETFs to buy and hold for the long term?

Why I like the IVV ETF

The IVV ETF tracks the S&P 500 Index, giving investors exposure to approximately 500 of the largest companies listed in the United States.

I think that is a strong foundation for a long-term investment. The US market is home to some of the world’s most successful businesses, many of which generate revenue from customers across the globe.

This means that although the IVV ETF invests exclusively in US-listed companies, its underlying businesses have exposure to economic growth well beyond America.

I also like the way the S&P 500 evolves over time. Companies that grow and become more important to the US share market can gain greater influence within the index, while those that decline can eventually be replaced.

For investors planning to hold an ETF for 20 or 30 years, I think that is a valuable feature.

The portfolio can change alongside the economy without requiring investors to constantly make decisions about which individual shares to own.

Plenty of growth ahead

Another reason I like the IVV ETF is its exposure to businesses driving major changes across the global economy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an obvious example. Major holding NVIDIA has become a major supplier of the technology powering AI development, and the IVV ETF gives investors exposure to its growth.

Investors would also be owning a slice of AI leaders Microsoft, Broadcom, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms.

But I think the longer-term opportunity extends well beyond the companies developing AI infrastructure.

Businesses across healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and other industries are finding new ways to use technology to improve productivity and expand their operations.

The S&P 500 contains established companies across many of these sectors, which could allow the IVV ETF to benefit from a range of developments over the coming decades.

Low costs make a difference

Another reason I think the iShares S&P 500 ETF suits a buy-and-hold strategy is its low management fee.

The ETF charges just 0.04% annually. This means investors pay only $4 in management fees for every $10,000 invested.

Over several decades, keeping fees low can make a meaningful difference, particularly when investment returns are reinvested and allowed to compound.

As with all investments, there are risks to consider. The IVV ETF is heavily exposed to the US market, with some of its largest technology companies accounting for a significant share of the index.

If these businesses struggle or US shares underperform other markets, returns could disappoint. Currency movements can also affect Australian investors.

Foolish takeaway

I think the IVV ETF is one of the best buy-and-hold options available on the ASX.

It provides exposure to successful global businesses, offers long-term growth potential, and charges very low fees.

For me, it is the kind of ETF I would be happy buying today and continuing to add to over many years.

The post Is the IVV ETF one of the best buy and hold picks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• IVV ETF and other iShares funds are paying dividends today. Here’s how much
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs in October
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• VGS vs IVV: Which ETF would I buy with $10,000?
• How much must I invest in IVV ETF shares to earn a $1,000 passive income in 2027?

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 Alphabet, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.3% to 8,753.5 points on Tuesday.

Meanwhile on The Bull this week, two experts share their views on three ASX 200 shares.

Let’s take a look.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price is $59.98, down 2.5% today and down 61% over 12 months. 

Philippe Bui from Medallion Financial Group has a buy rating on this ASX 200 tech share. 

Bui said: 

Operating revenue grew 31 per cent in full year 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period. Adjusted EBITDA rose 18 per cent, demonstrating continuing growth alongside investment in its US expansion.

The Melio acquisition in the US broadens its offering across accounting and payments, creating opportunities to deepen customer relationships.

We believe its recurring revenue model, established accounting network and growing product suite support an attractive long term investment case.

Integration costs and competition remain risks, but we favour buying for sustained international growth.

Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)

The Ansell share price is $45.49, up 0.7% today and up 40% over 12 months. 

Tom Fairchild from Lazarus Capital Partners has a hold rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share. 

Fairchild said: 

Ansell is a global leader in safety solutions, making protective gloves and clothing for industrial and health care customers.

Its premium brands give it genuine pricing power. In full year 2026, price increases fully offset higher US tariffs and Middle East-driven cost pressures without derailing volumes.

Global sales of $US2.14 billion in full year 2026 were up 5 per cent on an organic constant currency basis.

Adjusted earnings per share of $US1.486 were up 18.5 per cent.

With full year 2027 guidance pointing to further growth on top of a strong balance sheet and an ongoing share buy-back, Ansell looks well placed for inflationary times.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

The Wesfarmers share price is $77.27, down 0.1% today and down 13% over 12 months. 

Bui has a sell rating on this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share. 

He explained: 

Wesfarmers owns retail giants Bunnings, Kmart and Officeworks among other businesses. Bunnings and Kmart remain strong businesses. However, we regard the valuation of Wesfarmers as demanding.

Fiscal year 2026 underlying earnings per share increased by 8.3 per cent, while the shares were recently trading around 30 times reported earnings. Consequently, this leaves limited room for potentially weaker consumer spending or execution setbacks.

An earnings decline at Officeworks and the ongoing lithium investment add uncertainty outside the core retailers.

We favour reducing exposure and re-allocating capital to opportunities offering a more attractive balance between valuation and growth.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Xero, Ansell, Wesfarmers shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 11% in a month: Is it time to buy Xero shares?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 9,627 shares of Wesfarmers pay an income equal to the Age Pension
• Xero vs Megaport: Which ASX tech stock suits young investors better?
• Are Xero shares a must-buy for investors?

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

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares have tumbled into the red in Tuesday morning trade. At the time of writing, the ASX tech shares are down around 2% to $60.27 a piece.

The shares have now fallen 11% over the past month. They’re also down around 46% for the year to date and are a huge 61% lower than 12 months ago.

Why are Xero shares still falling?

There hasn’t been any price-sensitive news out of Xero over the past couple of months. The latest decline is mostly a continuation of existing headwinds.

Xero shares rallied to a six-month high in late August after the company attracted investor interest and rolled out new AI-powered tools. In mid-August, the company announced significant product updates across its payments, payroll, and bookkeeping offerings in the US.

At the time, many investors were impressed that the company had successfully turned the threat of AI into an enterprise growth driver. 

Much of the tech-sector-wide sell-off this year was driven by concerns that AI could replace the core services of companies like Xero.

But as quickly as the shares spiked, they tumbled again. There isn’t any clear indication why, so it’s most likely a combination of renewed macroeconomic pressures and investors taking their gains off the table after a strong rally.

Over the past month, a fresh round of macroeconomic shocks, including an interest rate hike in late September and sky-high Australian bond yields, has also created strong headwinds for an already dampened Xero share price.

Xero also recently locked in the 12th of November as the date for its upcoming half-year FY27 financial results, for the six months ending 30th of September.

It’s not uncommon for investors to sell up shares in companies that have the potential for risk in upcoming financial updates.

This is particularly true for Xero, as investors are still focused on its Melio acquisition in the US. There are ongoing concerns about how the acquisition will affect the company’s near-term margins.

Are Xero shares a buy, sell, or hold?

Investors may be spooked, but the experts are much more confident that we’ll see a rebound ahead for Xero.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the stock. The $112 average target price implies an upside of around 84%, at the time of writing.

Data is also very positive on TradingView. All nine analysts have a buy/strong buy rating on Xero shares. The $119.13 average target price implies an upside of around 97%. But some think the shares have the potential to jump 181% higher to $169.71 each, at the time of writing.

If analyst forecasts are anything to go by, now is a good time to buy Xero shares in the dip.

The post Down 11% in a month: Is it time to buy Xero shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Xero, Ansell, Wesfarmers shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Xero vs Megaport: Which ASX tech stock suits young investors better?
• Are Xero shares a must-buy for investors?
• 6 ASX shares to buy in today’s weak market: experts

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

Getting started with investing can feel a little scary.

There are thousands of shares to choose from, and knowing which companies to buy is not always easy.

That is why I think exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a great place for beginners to start.

Here are three Vanguard ETFs I would consider for someone looking to build their wealth over the long term.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

I think one of the easiest ways to start investing is by owning a selection of Australia’s leading businesses.

That is what the VAS ETF offers. The fund tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), giving investors exposure to 300 companies listed on the Australian share market.

This includes businesses across banking, mining, healthcare, retail, and other industries.

For a beginner, I like the simplicity of that approach. Rather than trying to work out which Australian bank or mining share will perform best, investors can own a broad collection of businesses through one investment.

The fund also offers the potential for regular dividend income, including franking credits, which could be valuable as an investment portfolio grows.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

Once investors have exposure to Australia, I think the next step worth considering is looking overseas. After all, Australia represents only a small part of the global share market.

The VGS ETF makes international investing straightforward by providing exposure to around 1,300 stocks across developed markets.

That includes businesses operating in the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

I particularly like the access this provides to industries that are less prominent on the ASX.

For example, many of the world’s leading software, semiconductor, and technology businesses are listed overseas. Through the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF, beginners can participate in long-term growth without having to identify individual winners.

There is also the benefit of spreading investments across multiple economies, although the fund still has significant exposure to the United States.

Overall, I think this Vanguard ETF could be an excellent long-term holding, particularly alongside an Australian shares ETF.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG)

My final pick is for beginners who want to keep things simple. The VDHG ETF effectively provides a ready-made investment portfolio.

It combines Australian shares, international shares, emerging markets, smaller companies, and bonds in a single fund.

That means investors can get broad diversification without needing to choose several ETFs and work out how much money to put into each.

Vanguard also handles the rebalancing, helping maintain the fund’s intended investment mix over time. I think that convenience could be valuable for someone who is just starting out.

The VDHG ETF targets approximately 90% in growth assets and 10% in defensive assets. It is therefore designed for investors with a long investment horizon who can tolerate substantial share market movements.

For a beginner who wants to invest regularly and spend less time managing their portfolio, I think this Vanguard ETF is well worth considering.

Foolish takeaway

I think getting started is often the hardest part of investing.

These Vanguard ETFs offer relatively straightforward ways to build a diversified portfolio without needing to become an expert at picking individual shares.

For beginners who are prepared to invest regularly and think long term, I believe any of these could be a great place to start.

The post Why these Vanguard ETFs could be buys for beginners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. 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 Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has dipped into the red on Tuesday morning as oil prices climb higher and gold falls. 

Find out how three of the biggest ASX 200 shares, CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are tracking today. And which one brokers rate as a buy, a hold, and a sell.

BUY CSL shares

CSL shares are up around 0.5% at the time of writing on Tuesday, to $185.21 a piece. The ASX biotech shares have now rebounded 101% from a 10-year low in June. They’re 8% higher year to date.

Last week, the company said it had entered into an exclusive US$1.6 billion deal with Alentis Therapeutics for lixudebart, a treatment targeting rare kidney and liver conditions.

CSL is expected to make an initial upfront payment of US$355 million to Alentis Therapeutics, and it will make additional commercial milestone payments of up to US$1.2 billion depending on the commercial success.

The update follows a rebound in investor confidence and a robust FY26 results announcement in August. The company said that it expects a return to growth in FY27. 

The experts are confident that the company can deliver. Market Index shows the majority have a buy rating on the shares, but after the latest increase, the $159.86 average target price implies a downside of around 14%, at the time of writing.

HOLD BHP shares

BHP shares have slumped lower today, down around 1.5% to $61.57 at the time of writing. Despite the decline, the shares are still up around 35% year to date and 47% higher than this time last year.

It looks like ASX mining shares are facing headwinds from broad market weakness and ongoing operational disruptions.

Last month, BHP was forced to suspend mining activities at its Escondida copper mine in Chile after a fatal accident. Under Chilean mining regulations, operations cannot restart following a fatal accident until safety inspectors have confirmed that conditions are safe. There is no indication when production might resume. 

Higher oil prices today also act as a headwind for BHP because they drive up operational costs. Trading Economics shows that crude oil has surpassed US$93 per barrel this morning, following three consecutive sessions of gains.

Investors are hesitant about BHP shares, and so are the experts. Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating on the mining shares. The current $61.50 average target price is close to flat on the trading price at the time of writing.

SELL Westpac shares

Westpac shares are slightly higher at the time of writing, up around 0.5% to $34.71 a piece. The increase is good news for investors. The ASX bank shares have tumbled around 11% lower for the year to date, and they’re also 11% lower than a year ago.

The Reserve Bank’s latest interest rate hike continues to put pressure on Westpac shares. The move also comes at a time when there is a broad slowdown in Australia’s property market, lower mortgage applications, and falling confidence in bank shares.

Westpac shares have been pushed into the spotlight this week amid fresh media reports that it plans to cut 102 jobs as part of its restructuring plans. The Financial Services Union (FSU) said Westpac is proposing to restructure its Risk, Institutional Banking, and Finance teams, affecting a total of 174 jobs. Of those roles, 102 positions will be made redundant, while the remaining 72 will be moved to comparable roles.

Market Index data shows that the experts are already bearish about the outlook for Westpac shares. The majority have a sell rating on the shares. The average target price of $34.18 implies a downside of around 1% at the time of writing.

The post CSL, Westpac, BHP shares: Buy, hold, or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Uranium project developer Atomic Eagle Ltd (ASX: AEU) was formed late last year through the reverse takeover of GoviEx Uranium by Tombador Iron.

Since that time, it has been proving up the resources at its Muntanga heap leach uranium project in Zambia, as well as progressing studies at the Madaouela project in Niger, which it owns a 60% stake in.

Broker Morgans has recently initiated coverage of the company with a speculative buy recommendation and a very bullish share price target, which I’ll get to shortly.

First, let’s have a look at the company’s projects.

Zambian project coming together well

Atomic Eagle’s flagship asset is the Muntanga project, where it has to date proved up a resource of 58.8 million pounds of uranium.

The company currently has drilling ongoing at Muntanga, and recently said new drilling at Muntanga North had identified a zone of uranium mineralisation that remains open along strike and down dip.

Atomic Eagle Chief Executive Officer Phil Hoskins said of the program:

The objective of our 30,000m drilling program is to grow the Muntanga resource base while systematically testing a portfolio of exploration targets across the broader Project area. Earlier drilling at Chisebuka delivered encouraging results and is expected to support future resource growth. We are further encouraged by the results at Muntanga North, where wide-spaced drilling has identified a zone of uranium mineralisation that remains open along strike and down dip to the east. We are over half-way through an active exploration program, with the large-scale Muntanga North Targets 6 to 8 still to be tested.

Atomic Eagle also recently said in a statement to the ASX that it had started a technical review of the Madaouela project, designed to “evaluate opportunities to increase project scale, expand the mining inventory and enhance project economics relative to the earlier 2022 Feasibility Study undertaken by GoviEx”.

Madaouela currently has a resource of 116 million pounds of uranium, and US$160 million has been spent on the project to date.

Shares looking cheap, broker says

Morgans, in its new research note on the company, said it was currently being valued on Muntanga alone.

They said that the project was “capital light”, and they had confidence in the board, which had experience bringing uranium projects into production.

Morgans has a price target of 80 cents per share on Atomic Eagle, compared to 35 cents currently.

They added:

Most of the value is currently derived from Muntanga via a discounted cash flow valuation with a 10.5% weighted average cost of capital, supplemented by risked value for undeveloped resources, AEU’s interest in Madaouela and unpaid capital via current options. We believe the market is discounting Madaouela and resource growth potential, creating an attractive entry point for long-term investors.

Atomic Eagle is valued at $134.2 million.

The post Could this ASX uranium developer more than double in value? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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.

It hasn’t been an easy period for Australian bank shareholders.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares have lost substantial ground from their highs, with investors becoming increasingly cautious about the economic outlook.

But could that weakness be creating a buying opportunity?

Here’s how I see it.

What makes NAB shares worth considering?

One reason I have always liked NAB is its strong position in Australian business banking.

The bank has established relationships with businesses of all sizes, providing everything from everyday banking and payment services to financing for expansion and investment.

I think that gives NAB an attractive position in the Australian economy. As businesses grow, their banking requirements often become more complex, creating opportunities for NAB to deepen those relationships and generate additional revenue.

The bank also has a substantial presence in residential mortgages and deposits, providing another important source of earnings.

For me, that combination makes NAB a solid long-term business. It has several ways to generate profits, an established customer base, and the financial strength to reward shareholders with regular dividends.

Of course, the economic environment will influence how much those businesses can grow over the next few years.

What do rising interest rates mean?

This is probably the biggest question facing NAB and the other major banks right now.

Interest rates have been rising as the Reserve Bank of Australia attempts to bring inflation under control, and further increases could be on the way in the coming months.

For NAB, higher rates create opportunities and challenges. Banks can benefit when lending rates rise faster than the interest they pay on deposits, supporting their net interest margins.

But that benefit depends on competitive conditions. Banks are also competing hard for deposits and mortgage customers, which can limit how much additional profit they generate from higher rates.

There is also the impact on borrowers to consider. More expensive mortgages and business loans can reduce demand for credit, while prolonged pressure on household and business finances could eventually lead to higher bad debts.

I think NAB is well placed to manage these conditions, but I would not expect particularly strong earnings growth while the economy adjusts to higher borrowing costs.

Has the share price fallen far enough?

NAB shares are trading around $38.62 on Tuesday, well below their 52-week high of $49.45. That represents a decline of approximately 22%.

At this lower price, I think investors are getting a more reasonable entry point into a business that should remain profitable through the economic cycle.

Consensus forecasts point to earnings per share (EPS) of $2.38 in FY26 and $2.54 in FY27. That is modest growth, but it puts NAB on approximately 15 times forecast FY27 earnings at the current share price.

I think that looks reasonable for a major Australian bank with NAB’s established market position.

There is also a healthy dividend to consider. Analysts expect NAB to pay fully franked dividends of $1.70 per share in FY26 and $1.72 in FY27.

At today’s price, the FY27 forecast represents a dividend yield of approximately 4.5%, before franking credits.

For income investors, I think that provides another reason to consider the shares, particularly if the bank can maintain its profitability while interest rates remain elevated.

Foolish takeaway

I think NAB shares are worth buying around $39.

The next year could be challenging for the banking sector, and I would keep my expectations for earnings growth fairly modest.

But I like NAB’s business banking franchise, and the recent share price weakness has made the valuation more reasonable.

With a healthy dividend on offer as well, I would be comfortable buying at current levels and holding for the long term.

The post Should smart investors be buying NAB shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Westpac vs NAB shares: Which big bank is the better buy?
• How much could the big 4 banks’ share prices fall?
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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 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) shares are down 0.2% to 8,769.2 points on Tuesday.

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) shares are the fastest risers of the ASX 200 today, up 4.7%.

Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) shares are the biggest fallers, down 8.5%.

Meanwhile, on The Bull this week, three experts share their ratings and insights on three ASX shares.

Wildcat Resources Ltd (ASX: WC8)

The Wildcat share price is 24 cents, down 1.2% today and up 15% over 12 months. 

Tom Fairchild from Lazarus Capital Partners has a buy rating on this ASX lithium share. 

Fairchild said: 

This developer is fast-tracking the Tabba Tabba lithium project near Port Hedland in Western Australia. The project is located near some of the world’s largest lithium mines.

Macro tailwinds help drive the company’s investment case. Electric vehicles and fast growing industrial battery storage drive lithium demand. Australia is the world’s largest lithium producer, and the Federal Government offers incentives to grow critical minerals projects.

Tabba Tabba hosts 74.1 million tonnes at 1 per cent lithium oxide. A definitive feasibility study is well advanced. Wildcat is drilling the nearby Bolt Cutter lithium discovery and is well funded.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)

The Ramsay Health Care share price is $54.58, up 1% today and up 71% over 12 months. 

Blake Halligan from Gray Perry Wealth Advisers has a hold rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share. 

Halligan said: 

Ramsay Health Care is one of the largest private hospital operators in Australia, with additional operations in the UK and Europe.

Revenue increased 4.2 per cent in constant currency in full year 2006 when compared to the prior corresponding period. Underlying earnings before interest and tax were up 11.8 per cent, supported by improved activity, theatre utilisation and higher margins.

Management expects further revenue growth and margin improvement in full year 2027.

Ramsay’s scale and exposure to growing health care demand support its longer term outlook.

However, labour cost pressures and a strong share price rise following the full year results reduce the margin of safety.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia share price is $151.41, up 0.3% today and down 8% over 12 months. 

Philippe Bui from Medallion Financial Group has a sell rating on CBA shares.

He explained: 

This bank delivered another strong result in full year 2026. The company posted cash profit of $10.982 billion in full year 2026, up 7 per cent on the prior corresponding period. The full year dividend of $5.05, fully franked, was up 4 per cent.

CBA’s scale, customer franchise and technology investment underpin the company’s quality. Nevertheless, we believe the valuation leaves insufficient room for disappointment.

Mortgage competition, operating costs and the potential for credit losses to normalise remain risks.

We favour taking profits and re-allocating capital to other companies where earnings growth and income offer a more compelling prospective return.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Wildcat Resources, Ramsay Health Care, CBA shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares are almost flat in early morning trade on Tuesday, at $37.88 a piece.

The shares have now rebounded around 12% from an annual low, recorded in early June. 

The June share price dip was the result of a combination of macroeconomic headwinds, including geopolitical volatility, and a sharp crash in global commodity prices. 

Many investors became more concerned about the implications on Australia’s inflation rate, and any consequential interest rate increases. These concerns created market-wide selling pressure.

But thanks to the latest rebound, the shares are now up 4% year to date and 5% higher than this time last year.

Why are ANZ shares rebounding?

Again, it’s down to a combination of factors. 

The ASX bank shares have climbed higher off the back of a solid third-quarter FY26 result, progress of its Suncorp Bank Ltd (ASX: SUN) integration plans, and a general investor rotation away from other ASX bank shares.

As part of its latest trading update in mid-August, ANZ posted a $1.90 billion cash profit, up 1% compared to the first quarter of FY26.

Excluding a provision relating to a New Zealand class action, ANZ’s cash profit increased 5% to $1.98 billion for the quarter.

The company’s Business and Private Banking lending climbed an impressive 4% over the quarter, while net interest income from its core banking operations increased 2%.

Operating expenses also fell 3% (excluding the legal provisions), with management set on achieving a 5% reduction in annual costs.

At the time, ANZ also confirmed that its Suncorp integration is on track, with customer migration scheduled for completion by June 2027. ANZ said it expects the integration to deliver approximately $500 million in annual pre-tax cost savings by FY29.

Meanwhile, higher inflation, interest rate concerns, and a declining property market have put pressure on retail-mortgage-focused banks like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).

Of Australia’s big four major banks, ANZ has the smallest exposure to the Australian residential home loan market. Its skew towards business banking exposure means it is often viewed as an attractive alternative to some of its peers. 

The bank is structurally less sensitive to domestic property market headwinds, including higher inflation and interest rate increases. However, it isn’t completely immune. 

Are ANZ shares a buy, sell, or hold now?

It looks like sentiment about the outlook for ANZ shares is mixed.

On Market Index data, the majority of brokers have a hold rating on the bank shares. But the $36.05 target price now implies around a 5% downside ahead, at the time of writing.

Again on TradingView, the experts are divided. The majority (seven out of 16) have a hold rating on the shares, but another six rate the shares as a buy/strong buy, and three more rate the shares as a sell/strong sell.

The same $36.05 target price implies a downside of around 5%, at the time of writing.

However, the difference between the minimum and maximum target prices is huge. Some think the shares could climb 8% to $41 a piece over the next 12 months. Meanwhile, others tip the shares to fall by up to 35%, to just $24.82 apiece at the time of writing.

The post ANZ shares rebound 12% from a 52-week low: Buy, hold, or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• ANZ vs AMP: Which ASX blue chip is the better buy this month?

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