Author: openjargon

It was another busy week for Australia’s top brokers. This has led to a number of broker notes being released.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone:

Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)

According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this gold miner’s shares with a trimmed price target of $15.13. Although the company’s quarterly update was a touch softer than expected, Morgans remains positive. It highlights that Catalyst Metals’ strong cash flow generation is continuing to strengthen its balance sheet. In addition, the broker has been pleased with the company’s exploration success. It notes that momentum is building across the Plutonic Belt, which bodes well for the future. All in all, with its valuation supported by strong cash generation and a clear production growth pipeline, Morgans thinks now could be an opportune time to invest. The Catalyst Metals share price ended the week at $5.21.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

A note out of Macquarie reveals that its analysts have retained their outperform rating on this iron ore miner’s shares with a trimmed price target of $22.00. This follows the release of a third-quarter update, which went down well with Macquarie. The broker highlights that Fortescue revealed lower-than-expected costs and a stronger than anticipated balance sheet. And while the Iron Bridge operation continues to weigh on its production, the broker remains positive. This is particularly the case given the potential for its green energy initiatives to support its growth. The Fortescue share price was fetching $20.01 at Friday’s close.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Analysts at Citi have retained their buy rating on this network as a service company’s shares with an improved price target of $15.00. According to the note, this follows the release of an update last month which revealed that Megaport’s recently acquired Latitude business has won a significant contract. Megaport announced that Latitude has secured a three-year compute and storage contract with a total value of approximately US$25.1 million (A$35.4 million). In response, Citi has upgraded its annual recurring revenue and EBITDA forecasts. And while the broker suspects that capital expenditure investment may have to increase in response to the contract, Citi isn’t concerned. This is due to the attractive returns and payback profiles. The Megaport share price ended the week at $8.94.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buying ASX 200 mining shares? Here’s how Rio Tinto, Fortescue and BHP stacked up in April
• Buy, hold, sell: Capricorn Metals, PLS Group, Fortescue shares
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• Another broker just recommended this ASX materials stock
• The five best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in April revealed

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Megaport. 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.

ASX energy stock Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) slumped almost 4% lower on Thursday after it released its March 2026 quarterly activities report. 

Deep Yellow is a uranium development company with a portfolio of Australian and global projects. The company has two advanced projects: Tumas, its flagship project in Namibia, and Mulga Rock in Western Australia. Both projects are located within tier 1 uranium jurisdictions. The company is also evaluating Mulga Rock for critical minerals and rare earth elements.

On Friday, its share price recovered roughly 2%. 

Following this week’s volatility, it is up 60% over the last 12 months. 

However it has fallen considerably from 52-week highs back in late January. 

What did the company report?

During the week, the ASX energy company reported: 

• Group cash balance on 31 March 2026 of A$171.6 million
• Deep Yellow continued to materially advance the staged development of the Tumas Project (Namibia), with multiple key milestones achieved as the Project moves closer to full construction readiness
• Exploration drilling at the Tinkas Prospect (Namibia) was completed in mid-March 2026, comprising 133 holes for 1,363 m.

Speaking on the results, management said: 

Deep Yellow entered the March 2026 quarter with clear momentum across the business, underpinned by continued advancement of our flagship Tumas development project and a disciplined focus on creating long-term shareholder value. During the quarter, major engineering, procurement and early development activities progressed to reflect the quality of the asset and the capability of our team.

What is Bell Potter’s view?

Following these announcements, the team at Bell Potter updated its view on this ASX energy stock. 

DYL’s refreshed management team is likely to maintain a disciplined strategy, which seeks to maintain leverage to underlying commodity price momentum with respect to development timelines for Tumas. We had anticipated a potential portfolio rationalisation, however, this is yet to be observed with a focus on advancing exploration activities across DYL’s portfolio.

The broker has maintained its speculative hold recommendation on this ASX energy stock. 

It has also reduced its price target to $1.90 (previously $2.00). 

From this week’s closing price of roughly $1.85, this updated price target indicates just 4% upside. 

We maintain a Speculative Hold recommendation in line with our ratings structure. DYL is leveraged to the uranium and nuclear thematic, with numerous positive catalysts on the horizon. The appointment of a new Managing Director, Greg Field, should alleviate market concerns following the resignation of John Borshoff in October 2025. We see no material shift in strategy, which seeks to maximise exposure to rising uranium prices.

The post Is this ASX energy stock a buy, hold or sell following quarterly results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s why Morgans just upgraded Woolworths shares
• Bell Potter says this ASX real estate stock could rise 33%
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April
• 5 ASX mining shares to buy: experts
• Bell Potter says this beaten-down ASX materials stock can rise 56%

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 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.

With May now underway, I think this could be a good time to look again at ASX growth shares.

The past few months have been rough for parts of the market. A number of high-quality growth stocks have pulled back as investors worry about valuations, interest rates, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence.

But I think that kind of environment can create opportunities for investors with a longer time horizon.

If I had $10,000 to invest across ASX growth shares this month, these are three names I would consider.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

I would start with Pro Medicus. This healthcare technology company provides medical imaging software to hospitals, radiology groups, and healthcare networks. It is one of the highest-quality growth shares on the ASX in my opinion.

What I like most is the nature of the product. Medical imaging is mission-critical. Hospitals and radiologists need fast, reliable, secure systems to manage huge volumes of imaging data. Once a platform is deeply embedded, switching is not something customers are likely to do lightly.

That gives Pro Medicus a strong competitive position.

The other part I find appealing is the global opportunity.

The company has already won major contracts in the US, but I still think it is early in its international growth story. The US healthcare market is enormous, and Pro Medicus has only captured a small portion of what could be available over the long term.

For me, this is the kind of business I would be happy to own for many years, even if the valuation can be demanding at times.

I would consider putting around $3,500 into this one.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Next, I would look at Hub24. It operates an investment and wealth management platform used by financial advisers and their clients.

It may not sound as exciting as some technology names, but I think the growth story is very strong.

Australia’s wealth management industry is still changing. Advisers continue to move toward modern platforms that offer better functionality, flexibility, and efficiency. Hub24 has been one of the clear winners from that shift.

What I like about the business is the way scale can improve the economics over time.

As more funds move onto the platform, revenue can rise without costs needing to grow at the same pace. That creates operating leverage, which can support stronger earnings growth over time.

I also think Hub24 benefits from being embedded in adviser workflows. Once advisers build their processes around a platform, it can become sticky.

For me, that makes Hub24 a strong structural growth story rather than just a cyclical winner.

I would consider investing around $4,000 here.

SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

The final ASX growth share I would include is SiteMinder.

SiteMinder provides software for hotels, helping them manage bookings, distribution, and revenue across multiple channels.

The travel industry continues to recover and evolve, and hotels increasingly need digital tools to compete. Managing rooms across online travel agents, direct bookings, and different markets is complex. SiteMinder helps simplify that process.

What appeals to me is the size of the global opportunity.

The hotel industry is highly fragmented, and many accommodation providers are still upgrading their systems. That gives SiteMinder a long runway if it can keep winning customers and expanding revenue per property.

It is also a business with recurring revenue characteristics, which I generally like in ASX growth shares.

There are risks, especially around competition and execution, but I think the long-term opportunity is attractive.

I would consider putting around $2,500 into SiteMinder.

Foolish takeaway

If I were investing $10,000 across ASX growth shares in May, I would want a mix of quality, structural growth, and long-term optionality.

That is why I would consider splitting it across Pro Medicus, Hub24, and SiteMinder.

Each business is exposed to a different part of the economy, healthcare technology, wealth platforms, and hotel software. That gives the portfolio some useful diversification while still keeping the focus on growth.

The post How I would invest $10,000 across ASX growth shares in May appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 10 excellent ASX shares to buy in May
• Why these ASX shares jumped 15%+ in April
• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• These beaten down ASX 200 tech stocks could rise 55% to 60%
• Down 30%, why this ASX 200 stock could be a strong buy

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24 and SiteMinder. 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 SiteMinder. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24 and Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Every year, the same old market saying gets dragged back into the spotlight: “sell in May and go away.”

It sounds simple. Sell before the quieter part of the year, avoid any weakness, and come back later. But investing is rarely that neat.

For long-term investors, the better answer is usually to keep buying as normal.

Why selling ASX shares in May can be risky

The problem with selling based on the calendar is that markets do not follow a script.

Some years, May can be weak. In other years, markets can continue rising. The same applies to the months that follow.

Selling ASX shares because of an old seasonal rule creates a new problem: deciding when to buy back in.

That second decision is often harder than the first. If the market rises after selling, investors risk missing gains. If it falls, they still need the confidence to reinvest while headlines are negative.

Staying invested keeps the plan simple

Most investors are not trying to win one month or one quarter.

They are trying to build wealth over years. That requires consistency more than perfect timing.

Continuing to invest regularly in ASX shares means each purchase becomes part of a long-term plan. Some will be made when prices are high. Others will be made when prices are lower. This is often referred to as dollar-cost averaging.

Over time, that discipline can matter more than trying to guess which months will be stronger or weaker.

Volatility can create opportunity

Market weakness is not always something to avoid.

For investors still building their portfolios, pullbacks can provide better entry points into quality ASX shares and ETFs. If the underlying investment case remains intact, lower prices can make future returns more attractive.

This is why staying active through uncertain periods can be useful. It keeps investors focused on businesses and valuations rather than seasonal sayings.

The better approach with ASX shares

Selling in May might sound clever, but it can easily become a distraction.

A more practical approach is to keep buying quality ASX shares like Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), stay diversified, and focus on long-term goals.

Markets will always have weak periods. The challenge is not avoiding every one of them. It is staying consistent long enough for compounding to work.

The post Should you sell in May and stay away? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to invest $10,000 for passive income in superannuation
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• Are Wesfarmers shares a good buy for passive income?
• Why I’d buy and hold these ASX 200 blue-chip shares for at least 5 years
• 10 excellent ASX shares to buy in May

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

ASX 200 energy shares outperformed last week, rising 1.96%, while a painful 8-day slide for the broader market finally ended on Friday.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 0.74% on Friday to finish the week at 8,729.8 points.

This equated to a weekly fall of 0.65%.

The market was pessimistic last week as negotiations between the US and Iran stalled and oil prices surged again.

Only three of the 11 market sectors finished the week in the green.

Let’s review.

Global fuel shock drags on with no end in sight

Energy prices lifted again last week as the market anticipated continuing supply disruption as the war in Iran continued.

On Friday, Brent Crude was trading at US$111.85 per barrel, up 6% over the week.

West Texas Intermediate Crude was US$106.40 per barrel, up 12.3% for the week.

Also last week, US heating oil rose 5.6%, US gas prices lifted 5.5%, and European gas prices increased 4.3%.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s gas and oil supply is shipped, remains effectively shut down.

On Friday, Trading Economics analysts painted a grim picture as the US and Iran both dug in their heels:

President Donald Trump reaffirmed that the US would maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports to intensify economic pressure.

Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei also dampened prospects for a deal, pledging not to relinquish the Islamic Republic’s nuclear or missile capabilities and indicating that Tehran would retain control over the strait.

Economists have been warning that oil supply shocks have a long-tail impact that is yet to fully play out in Western economies.

The analysts added:

… several countries could soon face acute oil shortages, as the final shipments that departed the Persian Gulf have already arrived at their destinations.

US crude exports surged to record levels last week, with global buyers increasingly turning to American producers to offset disrupted Middle Eastern supply.

What happened with ASX 200 energy shares last week?

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price rose 1.56% to close at $33.12 on Friday.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price lifted 2.95% to $8.02.

The Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price ascended 4.74% to $35.82, after reaching a 52-week high of $36.04 on Friday.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price rose 4.17% to $2.50.

Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) shares fell 3.13% to close the week at $2.17.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares dropped 4.1% to $1.17 apiece.

ASX 200 coal shares also rose last week alongside a 3.8% lift in the thermal coal price.

The thermal coal price was US$134 per tonne on Friday, up almost 9% since the war began.

The Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) share price bounced 6.96% to close at $7.68 on Friday.

The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price increased 8.83% to $8.63.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) shares lifted 3.75% to $5.53 apiece.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here’s how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

S&P/ASX 200 market sector	Change last week
Energy (ASX: XEJ)	1.96%
Industrials (ASX: XNJ)	1.51%
A-REIT (ASX: XPJ)	1.17%
Financials (ASX: XFJ)	(0.31%)
Communication (ASX: XTJ)	(0.76%)
Consumer Discretionary (ASX: XDJ)	(0.8%)
Information Technology (ASX: XIJ)	(0.85%)
Materials (ASX: XMJ)	(1.25%)
Utilities (ASX: XUJ)	(1.49%)
Healthcare (ASX: XHJ)	(2.91%)
Consumer Staples (ASX: XSJ)	(5.45%)

The post ASX 200 energy shares lead and market finally cracks 8-day losing streak appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why did ASX 200 energy stocks like Woodside and Santos struggle in April?
• These ASX financial stocks are bouncing, is it just the start?
• 3 ASX dividend stocks with 4% yields to buy for a winning income portfolio
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX 200 snaps brutal 8-day losing streak. Can it hold?

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.

ASX 200 tech stock Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) has been on an extraordinary run.

Over the past 12 months, the ASX 200 tech stock has surged around 175%, rewarding investors handsomely. And the momentum hasn’t slowed; shares are up 20% in just five days, 35% over the past month, and 52% year to date.

After such a powerful rally, investors are now asking the obvious question: is it time to take profits, or could there be more upside ahead?

Firing on multiple fronts

Codan isn’t your typical ASX 200 tech stock. The company develops electronic solutions for government, military, corporate, and consumer markets globally. Its operations are split into two key divisions: communications and metal detection.

Both are currently performing strongly. The communications segment is benefiting from rising geopolitical tensions, which are driving increased demand for defence and public safety technology. In conflict scenarios, communication systems are mission-critical and often upgraded early.

Codan is seeing solid demand across this segment. Particularly in areas that are linked to unmanned systems and software-defined radios, which are being adopted across a growing range of applications.

At the same time, margins are improving. The company now expects communications margins to reach 30% in FY26 — earlier than previously forecast — up from around 26% in FY25. That kind of margin expansion can significantly boost earnings.

Gold boom fuels metal detection

Codan’s second engine is its Minelab metal detection business.

This division has experienced strong sales of gold detectors, particularly in regions such as Africa where small-scale mining activity is common. As gold prices rise, so does interest in prospecting and that flows directly into demand for Codan’s products.

There’s also steady demand from recreational users globally, adding another layer of growth.

Thanks to these tailwinds, the ASX tech stock now expects FY26 revenue growth to land at the top end of its previously guided 15% to 20% range.

What do analysts think?

Despite the strong performance, broker sentiment is more cautious.

According to TradingView data, most analysts rate Codan shares as a hold. The average 12-month price target sits slightly below current levels.

Bell Potter is among those urging caution. The broker recently retained a hold rating and lifted its price target to $41.30, still below the recent share price of around $43.

Bell Potter noted:

With relatively high levels of R&D spend strengthening CDA’s competitive advantages across its businesses, CDA is well positioned to benefit from increased demand for mission-critical connectivity solutions in both defence and public safety markets. We believe CDA shares trade at fair value on 33x FY26 EV / EBIT amidst improving operating momentum and improving outlook in both segments.

Foolish Takeaway

Codan is delivering strong growth across both of its core divisions. Powerful global trends in defence and gold demand also support the ASX tech stock.

But after a 175% surge, much of that optimism may already be priced in. For investors, the question now isn’t whether the business is performing, it’s whether the valuation still leaves room for upside.

The post Up 175% in a year, do experts think it’s time to sell this ASX 200 tech stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• I’d buy BHP and these ASX 200 shares with $5,000 in May
• The five best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in April revealed
• Why these ASX shares jumped 15%+ in April
• Up 170% in a year: Are Codan shares a buy?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) is one of the most popular exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the ASX. In fact, at the latest count, VGS currently occupies the second spot in terms of assets under management. With more than $15 billion under its belt, this index fund is only behind its ASX-focused cousin, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

As such, there are more than a few ASX investors who have a vested interest in this ETF. So let’s dive into how VGS went over the month that has just passed us by.

The Vanguard International Shares ETF is, as its name implies, an internationally-focused fund. On paper, it holds more than 3,500 individual underlying holdings, spread across more than 20 advanced economies of the world. These range from Japan, the United Kingdom and Switzerland to Spain, Singapore and Israel.

In practice, though, VGS is a US-focused index fund, with a sprinkling of international diversity on top. More than 72% of this ASX ETF’s portfolio is made up of US stocks. These US stocks are top-heavy, and tech-heavy, within the ETF itself, too. To illustrate, Nvidia and Apple together making up more than 10% of the fund’s weighted portfolio. Throw in Microsoft and Amazon, and we almost get to 16%.

But we digress.

How did the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF perform last month?

The Vanguard International Shares ETF had a relatively pleasant month in April. This ASX ETF started the month at $141.15 a unit. Yesterday, those units finished the month’s trading at a price of $148.63. That’s an April gain worth 5.3% – much better than VAS’ 1.46% return, representing the Australian share market, over the same period. Of course, this gain came after VGS lost 4.38% on the ASX over March. But even so, ASX investors will be happy to see that kind of number.

This index fund has been a solid performer for ASX investors in recent years as well. As of 31 March, VAS units have returned a total of 16.08% per annum over the preceding three years. That includes unit price growth as well as dividend distributions. Over five years, VGS has averaged 12.76% per annum, and 13.26% per annum over ten. Its heavy exposure to America’s big tech stocks is undoubtedly responsible for much of that performance. Let’s see how it goes over May.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF charges a management fee of 0.18% per annum.

The post Inside the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (VGS)’s big April gain appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Apple, Microsoft, and Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and 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.

Brokers have been busy running the rule over a number of updates in recent days.

After reviewing the updates, let’s see if they are bullish, bearish, or something in between on the ASX shares listed below.

Here’s what you need to know:

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

Bell Potter is becoming increasingly positive on this biotech company. Last week, it reaffirmed its speculative buy rating and $4.50 price target on its shares.

The broker highlights that Mesoblast’s future is looking brighter than ever. It said:

We maintain our Buy rating and PT of $4.50. 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. FY26 revenues and earnings are largely unchanged. FY27 revenues are downgraded by 16% following adjustments for Ryoncil revenues and recognition of milestone income related to CLBP. Valuation is maintained at $4.45 and we retain our Buy (Speculative) rating.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

Over at Morgans, its analysts are positive on this mining and mining services company. However, not quite enough to recommend its shares as a buy. The broker has an accumulate rating and $71.00 price target on them.

In response to its strong quarterly update, the broker said:

Strong 3Q26 beat against expectations led by Onslow and lithium. FY26 guidance upgraded marginally across Mining Services, Onslow, Wodgina and Mt Marion. Diesel headwinds are emerging but remain contained. No supply risk currently but cost inflation is apparent. Compelling outlook supported by continued deleveraging and commodity prices. Maintain ACCUMULATE with a A$71ps target price (previously A$67ps).

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Morgans has become more optimistic on this supermarket giant. Last week, the broker upgraded Woolworths shares to an accumulate rating with a $37.30 price target.

While higher costs are weighing on profitability, Morgans thinks that absorbing higher costs is the right move to win market share in a value-conscious market. It said:

WOW’s 3Q26 sales trading update was mixed. Strong sales growth was offset by softer FY26 earnings guidance for Australian Food and NZ Food, as management chose to absorb higher fuel costs and invest in pricing. Management noted that value is becoming increasingly important, as customers become more cautious amid rising cost-of-living pressures. We reduce group FY26-28F underlying EBIT marginally by 1%. Our target price remains unchanged at $37.30. With a 12-month forecast TSR of 12%, we upgrade our rating to ACCUMULATE (from HOLD).

While absorbing higher costs and investing in pricing will weigh on margins in the near term, we believe this is the right strategy in the long-term as WOW works to improve its value perception with customers. These are levers within management’s control, and improving sales and volume momentum indicates the strategy is resonating. In an uncertain macro environment with soft consumer sentiment, WOW’s dominant market position and relatively defensive characteristics should support steady and resilient earnings growth.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Mesoblast, Mineral Resources, and Woolworths shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 10 excellent ASX shares to buy in May
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• The huge retail trend many are missing
• 3 ASX mining stocks Macquarie thinks are worth buying right now
• Here’s why Morgans just upgraded Woolworths shares

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woolworths Group. 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 Woolworths Group. 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) gained 2.2% in April, with two of the big three ASX 200 mining shares outperforming those gains and one ending the month in the red.

Turning to the two out-performers first, from market close on 31 March through to the closing bell on 30 April, Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares gained 3.7% to end the month at $167.40 apiece.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares enjoyed an even stronger run. BHP closed out April trading for $53.72 a share, up 6.6% for the month.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares went the other direction, however.

The ASX 200 mining shares slipped 3.3% in April to close the month trading for $19.65.

Over the month, iron ore prices broadly traded in the US$106 to US$108 per tonne range.

Copper prices gained 5% in April, ending the month at US$12,987 per tonne, according to data from Bloomberg.

BHP, Fortescue, and Rio Tinto also all released their March quarter updated in April.

What did the big three ASX 200 mining shares report April?

BHP reported its results on 22 April.

The ASX 200 mining share closed up 1.2% on the day after announcing a 2% year-on-year increase in iron ore production for the nine months to 31 March of 197 million tonnes.

While BHP’s copper production was down 3% year on year to 1.46 million tonnes, the Aussie mining giant reported a 31% increase in its average realised copper price to US$5.47 per pound.

BHP also confirmed that Brandon Craig will take over as CEO from Mike Henry on 1 July.

Turning to Rio Tinto, the ASX 200 mining share released its first quarter production results on 21 April.

Rio Tinto shares closed up 0.8% on the day with the miner achieving a 13% year on year increase in Pilbara iron ore production to 78.8 million tonnes. Rio’s iron ore sales were up by 2%.

Management also reaffirmed Rio Tinto’s full year FY 2026 production and cost guidance across its core operating divisions.

As for Fortescue, the ASX 200 mining share dropped 5.7% on 24 April following its own quarterly update.

Fortescue reported total iron ore shipments of 48.4 million tonnes (Mt), down 4% quarter-on-quarter.

Still, management reaffirmed the miner’s full year FY 2026 guidance for total shipments at 195Mt to 205Mt.

Investors may have reacted unfavourably to a separate green energy announcement from Fortescue. The miner said it will spend US$680 million to accelerate the development of its 200MW Pilbara Green Energy Project. That’s atop Fortescue’s existing US$6.2 billion decarbonisation program.

The post Buying ASX 200 mining shares? Here’s how Rio Tinto, Fortescue and BHP stacked up in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Once you reach your mid-50s, your superannuation balance should be front and centre in your mind.

With roughly around 10 years to go until retirement, your superannuation balance could be the main thing which separates a comfortable lifestyle from one where you can only scrape by.

The problem is, at age 54, many Australians don’t know what their balance should look like.

Here’s a breakdown to help.

What is the average superannuation balance of Australians at age 54?

There aren’t exact figures, but these ballparks can help to provide a good guide.

According to Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) data, the average Australian female aged 50-54 have around $254,074 in their superannuation.

The average 50-54 year-old female has a lot less, at around $190,175.

At age 54, however, you’re sitting right at the top of that bracket. So you’d want your superannuation balance to be somewhere between that figure, and the figure for the age bracket above.

Data shows that the average 55-59 year-old male has around $319,743 and females in the same age bracket have closer to $242,945.

You’ll notice that there is quite a large difference between the average superannuation balances of men and women in their 50s. 

This is the result of several factors, including taking time out of the workforce to raise children, fewer hours and lower overall incomes, and women taking on a greater amount of unpaid work at home.

But the key problem is, none of these average superannuation balances are anywhere close to what Australians need to be able to afford a comfortable retirement when the time comes.

How much will a comfortable retirement cost me?

It’s worthwhile to see how your superannuation balance compares to others the same age, but you really need to compare it to what you actually need instead.

According to ASFA, a comfortable retirement will cost around $54,840 per year for singles and $77,375 per year for couples.

This amount means you should be able to afford to maintain a good standard of living. It assumes you’ll have top level private health insurance, own a reasonable car and partake in the occasional meal out or domestic trip. 

What do I need in my superannuation to be able to afford that?

To fund $54,840 per year for singles and $77,375 per year for couples in retirement, you’ll need a superannuation balance of at least  $630,000, or a combined $730,000 if you’re a couple.

In order to reach that figure, you’d need a balance of $382,000 at age 54, regardless of whether you’re a male or female.

This figure is a lot higher than the ones we discussed above, in some cases by nearly $200,000.

Also, keep in mind that this will fund around 9.5-11.5 years of retirement. So if you’re planning on retiring early, or think you’ll need to fund more years, you’ll need to have even more.

What can I do right now to catch up?

The most important thing you can do today is ensure your superannuation is with a well-performing fund. Its also crucial to check that you’re investments reflect a risk profile that’s suitable to you.

After you’ve made sure that the money that’s already in there is working as well as possible, you can think about adding additional funds such as salary sacrifice or after-tax contributions to boost your balance.

The post Here’s the average Australian superannuation balance at age 54 in 2026 – how does yours compare? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• These top ASX 200 shares could rise 30% to 40%
• How I’d invest $2,000 in high-yield ASX 300 shares
• How to invest $10,000 for passive income in superannuation

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.