Author: openjargon

The Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) share price is in focus after the company reported group revenue of US$230 million, up 11% quarter-over-quarter, and reaffirmed its FY 2026 revenue guidance.

What did Telix Pharmaceuticals report?

• Unaudited group revenue of US$230 million, up 11% from the previous quarter
• Precision Medicine revenue of US$186 million, a 16% quarter-over-quarter increase
• FY 2026 revenue guidance reaffirmed at US$950 million to US$970 million
• Successful early results from Phase 3 ProstACT® study of TLX591-Tx for prostate cancer
• Key regulatory submissions: Pixclara® NDA resubmitted to the US FDA and Pixlumi® MAA filed in Europe

What else do investors need to know?

Telix continues to advance its therapeutics pipeline, hitting milestones in global studies across prostate, brain, and kidney cancer. Notably, the company observed no new safety signals in the first part of the ProstACT study, supporting the safety profile of its lead prostate cancer candidate.

The company maintains strong momentum in its global expansion, now offering Illuccix in 21 countries, including 16 European nations. Its commercial presence is poised to support future product launches in both diagnostics and therapeutics.

Board renewal is underway, with David Gill set to join as Non-Executive Director in May and be appointed Chair in the future, bringing recognised governance and industry experience.

What did Telix Pharmaceuticals management say?

Managing Director and Group CEO Dr. Christian Behrenbruch said:

Growth accelerated across our Precision Medicine business in the first quarter, with U.S. dose volumes increasing 5% quarter-over-quarter. This performance reflects the growing uptake of Gozellix alongside Illuccix, contributing to market share gains underpinned by disciplined sales execution and pricing, and high-quality service delivery despite extreme North American weather conditions, an advantage of the pharmacy distribution model. With our two-product PSMA imaging strategy, differentiated clinical positioning and expanding commercial presence globally, we are seeing a solid foundation for continued growth through 2026. Importantly, we are delivering on our strategic priorities to advance our high-value clinical programs, demonstrated by the momentum in our therapeutics pipeline this quarter.

What’s next for Telix Pharmaceuticals?

Telix reaffirmed its FY 2026 revenue guidance, expecting further revenue growth driven by global uptake of its products and a full-year contribution from RLS Radiopharmacies. The company is targeting increased scale through new product launches and expanding its clinical program footprint across many markets.

R&D spend for the full year is forecast between US$200 million and US$240 million, subject to commercial progress. Telix is also moving forward with additional regulatory filings and study site activations in new countries, supporting a positive outlook for its pipeline.

Telix Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Telix shares have declined 44%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 17% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Telix Pharmaceuticals Q1 2026: Revenue growth, guidance reaffirmed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Are you looking for ASX shares to buy after recent market weakness?

Well, if you are, let’s see what analysts are saying about the popular shares in this article, courtesy of The Bull.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

This biotechnology giant’s shares have fallen heavily over the past 12 months, but Morgans isn’t in a rush to buy them.

This week, the broker has put a hold rating on CSL shares. It appears to be waiting for its performance to improve before recommending it as a buy. It said:

This biotechnology giant has a strong research and development pipeline and a successful track record in launching new products. Its first half result in fiscal year 2026 was softer than expected, with net profit after tax and amortisation declining 7 per cent.

However, the company’s outlook appears supported through a combination of cost-outs, marketing initiatives and diminishing headwinds, which are all reinforced by the board’s urgency around operational delivery. This provides long term appeal for investors already holding the stock.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The team at Fairmont Equities has named this health imaging technology provider’s shares as a sell this week.

It believes that the rotation out of technology has not finished, which could mean further declines are on the cards. It said:

The company provides medical imaging software and services to hospitals and healthcare groups across the world. We remain negative on the technology sector as higher interest rates, continuing market volatility and increasing uncertainty leaves investors questioning the high multiples that companies, such as Pro Medicus, trade on. As we saw in the early 2000s, technology stocks can lose a significant amount of value before they become attractive again.

This rotation out of technology stocks often sees investors flocking to hard assets, such as mining company shares. This is what we’re seeing in sharemarkets at the moment, and this dynamic has further to go, in my view. PME shares have fallen from $330.48 on July 17, 2025 to trade at $120.17 on April 2, 2026.

QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)

Over at Investor Pulse, it has named this insurance giant’s shares as a buy this week.

It has been pleased with QBE’s strong premium rates and higher interest yields. Looking ahead, it appears to believe the positive form can continue. It said:

Elevated premium rates and higher interest yields combine to drive earnings momentum. Improvement was clear in its full year 2025 results released in February. Net profit after tax of $US2.157 billion was up from $US1.779 billion in the prior corresponding period. Premium growth remained solid, with gross written premiums increasing 7 per cent to $US23.9 billion, driven by rate increases across North America and international markets.

At the same time, catastrophe costs were well below expectations. This combination of underwriting strength and cost control supported a 25 per cent increase in the full year dividend to $A1.09 a share. Improved quality of earnings and reduced volatility adds to QBE’s appeal.

The post Buy, hold, sell: CSL, QBE, and Pro Medicus shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Is now the time to load up on CSL shares?
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• If I could buy just one ASX stock in April, it’d be Pro Medicus shares
• Are these ASX blue chips now too cheap to ignore?
• 3 ASX shares that could double over the next decade (or much sooner)

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

If you are looking for new investment ideas this month, then it could pay to listen to what Bell Potter is saying.

That’s because the broker has just released its latest top Australian picks from the small-cap side of the market. These are its panel of favoured ASX shares that it believes offer attractive returns over the long term.

Two that make the list in April are named below. Here’s why it is bullish on them:

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

This sports technology company has been named as an ASX share to buy in April by the broker.

It likes Catapult due to its strong position in a market that is expected to double in value to US$72 billion by 2030.

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter said:

Catapult Sports is a leading global provider of elite athlete wearing tracking solutions and analytics for athlete tracking. The key target market of Catapult is elite sporting teams and organisations and the acquisition of SBG also now gives the company a presence in motorsports. The pro sports technology market is currently valued at US$36bn in 2025 and is forecast to double to US$72bn by 2030.

We view CAT as a market leader entering a stronger phase of cash generation and operating leverage, with an underpenetrated global customer base and expanding analytics suite providing a long runway for subscription growth and valuation upside.

Region Re Ltd (ASX: RGN)

Bell Potter has added Region Group to its best ideas list in April. It is a neighbourhood shopping centre landlord which counts the likes of Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) as major tenants.

The broker believes the company is well-placed for both growth and to pay a generous dividend in the near term. It also highlights its attractive valuation, with the ASX share trading at a discount to its net tangible assets (NTA). Bell Potter explains:

We add Region Group (RGN), Australia’s largest landlord of neighbourhood shopping centres – a portfolio of highly resilient income streams heavily weighted to non-discretionary retail tenants (Woolworths and Coles). The business delivered a solid 1H26 result with a pickup in NOI and an upgrade to full year FY26 guidance, which doesn’t account for any potential acquisitions, buyback activity, and growth in its funds management platform.

RGN also ranks amongst the most hedged in its peer group, with interest costs largely locked in for the next two years (100% hedged for FY26, 87% hedged in FY27), providing strong earnings visibility and a buffer to rising funding costs. The stock trades at a -9% discount to NTA, 6.0% 1yr forward DPS yield, and is an internally managed REIT with a largely open register in one of the most attractive risk-adjusted sub-sectors of real estate.

The post Bell Potter names the best ASX shares to buy in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

When I am thinking about long-term investing, I tend to focus on a simple idea.

Find businesses that can keep growing over time, supported by strong demand and durable competitive advantages.

They do not need to be the fastest-growing companies every year. What matters more is consistency and the ability to compound over many years.

Three ASX shares that I think fit that description are in this article.

ResMed (ASX: RMD)

Healthcare is an area where I like to look for long-term winners, and ResMed stands out to me.

The company focuses on sleep apnoea and respiratory care, which I believe are supported by long-term demographic and health trends.

An ageing population and increasing awareness of sleep disorders could continue to drive demand for its products and services.

I also like that ResMed has been building out its digital health ecosystem, which could enhance patient outcomes and strengthen its competitive position over time.

For me, it is a combination of defensive characteristics and growth potential, which is not always easy to find.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne is probably one of the quieter achievers on the ASX, but I think that is part of what makes it interesting.

It provides enterprise software, particularly to government and education sectors, and has successfully transitioned to a software-as-a-service model.

What stands out to me is the consistency.

Recurring revenue, high margins, and long-term customer relationships all point to a business that can compound earnings over time.

It may not grab headlines in the same way as some other tech names, but I believe that reliability can be a real advantage for long-term investors.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group adds a different type of quality.

It operates one of the most dominant digital platforms in Australia through realestate.com.au, which gives it a very strong competitive position.

What I like here is the combination of pricing power and network effects. Agents need to list where buyers are, and buyers go where the listings are. That creates a reinforcing cycle that is difficult for competitors to break.

The business is also highly profitable, with strong margins and the ability to grow earnings over time as the property market evolves and digital penetration increases.

For me, REA Group is an example of a platform business that can continue compounding over many years.

Foolish takeaway

I think long-term investing is about owning businesses that you can hold through different market cycles without constantly second-guessing the decision.

ResMed offers exposure to global healthcare demand with a growing digital component, TechnologyOne provides a steady, recurring revenue model that continues to scale over time, and REA Group brings a dominant platform with strong pricing power and long-term growth potential.

Overall, the three have the kind of characteristics I think can support long-term compounding.

The post 3 high-quality ASX shares I’d buy and hold for the long term appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

It’s been a quiet fall from grace for CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares.

Once a market darling, the ASX biotech giant has slipped around 45% over the past 12 months and is now drifting near 52-week lows. Short-term issues have started to dominate headlines, and investor confidence has taken a hit.

But here’s the big question: is this the kind of setup long-term investors wait for?

Softer performance, weak sentiment

CSL’s latest half-year result helps explain the weak sentiment.

The company reported softer performance, with underlying profit declining and revenue slightly lower. A mix of policy changes, restructuring costs, and impairments weighed on the numbers — not exactly what investors wanted to see.

That’s been enough to keep pressure on CSL shares.

But look a little deeper, and the story starts to shift. This doesn’t look like a business in decline. It looks like a business in transition.

CSL remains a global leader in plasma therapies and vaccines, supplying critical treatments for chronic and rare diseases. These are not optional products. Demand is consistent, recurring, and largely immune to economic cycles.

That gives CSL a powerful defensive edge.

Foundations still strong

At the same time, momentum is quietly building again for CSL shares. Plasma collections are improving, margins in its core CSL Behring division are stabilising, and its vaccine arm, Seqirus, continues to add diversification and growth potential.

In other words, the foundations are still strong.

What we’re seeing now is more of a reset — both in earnings and valuation — after a period of elevated expectations.

And that reset could be creating opportunity.

Margin pressure, integration risks

Of course, there are risks to consider.

CSL has faced ongoing margin pressure, integration challenges, and currency headwinds. If the earnings recovery takes longer than expected, or if costs remain elevated, the price of CSL shares could stay under pressure.

There’s also the broader issue of market sentiment. Even high-quality healthcare stocks can fall out of favour when investors rotate into other sectors.

But the long-term thesis remains intact.

What next for CSL shares?

Encouragingly, analysts are backing a recovery.

Broker sentiment on CSL shares is broadly positive, with most maintaining buy or outperform ratings. The average 12-month price target sits around $214.00, suggesting potential upside of roughly 54% from current levels.

And some are even more bullish.

UBS has a buy rating and a $235 price target on CSL shares, implying a possible 69% upside over the next year. Some forecasts go further, tipping gains of up to 98%.

Foolish Takeaway

The bottom line? CSL shares may have lost their shine in the short term, but the underlying business hasn’t.

For investors willing to look beyond the noise, this could be a rare chance to buy a world-class healthcare company at a significant discount.

The post Is now the time to load up on CSL shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended CSL. 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.

There are a lot of options on the Australian share market for income investors to choose from.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at two ASX dividend shares that brokers think could be among the best to buy now.

Here’s what they are recommending:

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

Morgans thinks this investment management company’s shares could be undervalued at current levels.

In response to its improving investment performance, the broker recently put a buy rating and $2.03 price target on its shares.

But more importantly, Morgans is expecting double-digit dividend yields over its forecast period. It said:

GQG has provided a February FUM update.  Whilst monthly net flows remained negative (-US$3.2bn), strong February investment performance (+US$10.5bn), which drove +4.5% FUM growth, made this a positive update in our view. We lift our GQG FY26F/FY27F EPS by +1%-+2%, driven by increased FUM forecasts based on better investment performance than we expected. Our PT rises to A$2.03 (previously A$1.89).

We acknowledge it remains early, but the improved January and February investment performance for GQG might mark the start of a business turnaround. We continue to see the stock as undervalued trading on 8x FY1 PE and an ~11% dividend yield. With >20% TSR upside, we move to a BUY rating, previously Accumulate.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

The team at Bell Potter thinks that retail giant Harvey Norman could be a top ASX dividend share to buy.

Last week, it put a buy rating and $6.70 price target on its shares.

As for income, it is forecasting fully franked dividend yields of 6.2% in FY 2026 and then 7% in FY 2027.

Commenting on the retailer, the broker said:

Our PT is based on a sum-of-the-parts valuation with a DCF methodology (WACC ~9%, TGR 3.5%, FY26-30e) for retail operations (exProperty) and the property bank on a fair value basis (as BPe for FY26e) assuming a broadly stable capitalisation rate for the remainder of FY26e.

While our preference skews to category specialists with balance sheet strength, we see HVN’s well balanced geographical diversification somewhat offsetting the multi-category risks. Following the sharp sell-off in the name since Oct-25, HVN’s 1-year forward P/E of ~13x (as per BPe) appears attractive considering the new store driven growth in international retailing (UK, Malaysia, Croatia), refit program in Australia and opportunities to grow their real estate portfolio as Australia’s single largest owner in large format retail with a global portfolio of ~$4.6b.

The post 2 of the best ASX dividend shares to buy in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Gqg Partners. 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 Harvey Norman. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Gqg Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Getting started in the share market does not need to be complicated.

In fact, I think the simpler the approach, the better. Especially in the early stages.

With $5,000 and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), it is easy to get exposure to quality assets, build a diversified portfolio, and begin the habit of investing.

Here are three ASX ETFs I think are a great place to start.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

If I were starting out with ETFs, I would want exposure to the local market. The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF provides that.

It gives you access to a broad range of Australian companies, from the largest names like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), through to mid and smaller companies such as Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) and DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO).

That diversification matters. It means you are not relying on a single company or sector. You are participating in the overall performance of the Australian economy.

There is also the benefit of dividends, with Australian shares typically offering income supported by franking credits. For a beginner, I think this is a very straightforward foundation.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

Australia is only a small part of the global market. That is why I would want international exposure as well.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF gives access to around 1,300 large and mid-cap companies across developed markets. This includes global leaders like Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Johnson & Johnson.

What I like is how it complements Australian exposure. The ASX is heavily weighted toward banks and miners. The VGS ETF brings in sectors like global technology, healthcare, and consumer brands, which helps balance a portfolio.

For me, this is about broadening the opportunity set.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The final ETF I would consider has a growth tilt.

The BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF focuses on the Nasdaq 100 index, which includes many of the companies driving innovation globally.

Top holdings include Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta Platforms, and Tesla Inc.

This ETF gives exposure to areas like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, electric vehicles, and digital platforms.

It is more concentrated and can be more volatile than a broad market ETF. But I think having a portion of your portfolio exposed to these kinds of businesses makes sense, especially over a long time horizon.

It adds a different growth dynamic alongside the broader exposure of the VAS and the VGS ETFs.

Foolish takeaway

Starting with ETFs is one of the easiest ways to begin investing. The VAS ETF gives you broad exposure to the Australian market, the VGS ETF opens the door to global developed markets, and the NDQ ETF adds a focused growth component tied to innovation.

Together, they create a simple, diversified starting point. And from my perspective, that is what a beginner investor needs.

The post 3 simple ASX ETFs to start investing with $5,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, DroneShield, and Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, DroneShield, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla and is short shares of Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, and DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BHP Group, Elders, Meta Platforms, 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.

If you are looking to add some higher-growth potential to your portfolio, there are plenty of ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to powerful global trends.

Rather than relying on a single company to deliver returns, these funds allow you to tap into entire industries that could expand significantly over the coming years.

Here are three exciting ASX ETFs that could be worth considering.

Betashares Crypto Innovators ETF (ASX: CRYP)

The first ASX ETF for growth investors to look at is the Betashares Crypto Innovators ETF.

This fund gives investors easy exposure to companies that are operating across the cryptocurrency ecosystem. This includes exchanges, mining firms, and infrastructure providers.

Some of its key holdings include Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN), Marathon Digital (NASDAQ: MARA), and Riot Platforms (NASDAQ: RIOT).

A good example is Coinbase, which is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. It plays a critical role in enabling users and institutions to buy, sell, and store digital assets.

While the crypto market can be volatile, adoption continues to grow globally. If digital assets become more widely integrated into financial systems, the companies supporting this ecosystem could benefit significantly.

BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

Another ASX ETF that could be a strong growth option is the BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF.

Cybersecurity has become a critical area of spending for organisations as threats continue to increase in scale and sophistication.

The fund includes companies such as CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS).

CrowdStrike is a standout holding. It provides cloud-native cybersecurity solutions that protect businesses from cyber threats in real time. Its platform is widely adopted by enterprises and continues to expand its capabilities.

With cyber risks unlikely to disappear (and likely to increase significantly over the next decade), demand for these services is expected to remain strong for years to come.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

A third ASX ETF that could appeal to growth investors is the VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF.

This fund focuses on stocks that are involved in video games, esports, and interactive entertainment. These are industries that continue to grow as digital engagement increases.

Top holdings include NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Tencent (SEHK: 700), and TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE (NASDAQ: TTWO).

NVIDIA is a key player here. Its graphics processing units power gaming experiences, but they are also increasingly used in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

The combination of gaming, AI, and digital entertainment creates multiple growth avenues for companies within this ETF. It was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

The post 3 exciting ASX ETFs for growth investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CrowdStrike, Nvidia, Take-Two Interactive Software, Tencent, and Zscaler. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Coinbase Global and Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CrowdStrike and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It’s been a rough ride for Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shareholders. The ASX tech stock finished last week with a loss of 4% at $74.06.

Xero shares have tumbled 35% so far in 2026 and a steep 53% over the past six months. That’s a dramatic reversal for a company that was once one of the market’s favourite growth names.

But is this sell-off a warning sign or a golden opportunity?

Critical multi-platform

Let’s start with the fundamentals.

Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform built for small and medium-sized businesses. It allows users to manage invoicing, payroll, and financial reporting all in one place — a mission-critical service for its customers.

And it’s not a small player. Xero has built a strong global footprint across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and beyond. Its scalable subscription model delivers recurring revenue, while its ecosystem of integrations creates sticky customers and high switching costs.

In short, this is a high-quality growth business.

Broader tech rout

So why the sell-off? It’s not just about Xero shares. The decline has been part of a broader tech rout with the share price of WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) and Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE) also suffering.

After a strong run in 2025, valuations across the tech sector looked stretched, and many investors were bracing for a correction.

Then came a new fear: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Markets began questioning whether artificial intelligence could disrupt traditional software models. The concern is that AI-powered tools could reduce demand for subscription-based platforms like Xero.

Add in higher interest rates — which tend to hit growth stocks hardest — and you’ve got the perfect storm for Xero shares.

Attractive entry point

But here’s where things get interesting. After months of heavy selling, Xero shares are now trading at a significant discount to their previous highs. And that’s starting to attract attention.

Bargain hunters appear to be stepping back in, looking to pick up high-quality growth names at more attractive entry points.

And the analysts? They’re backing that view.

According to TradingView data, 13 out of 14 analysts rate Xero as a buy or strong buy. Price targets suggest potential upside of up to 215%, with some tipping the stock could reach $233.00 over the next 12 months.

Meanwhile, Citi has retained its buy rating and set a $144.80 price target, implying around 92% upside from current levels.

Compelling big picture

Of course, risks remain. Competition in the accounting software space is heating up, and any slowdown in customer growth or margin expansion could weigh on sentiment. The AI disruption narrative also hasn’t fully disappeared.

But stepping back, the bigger picture is compelling.

Xero shares have been hit hard, but the core business remains strong. With a global footprint, recurring revenue, and sticky customers, it still ticks many of the boxes long-term investors look for.

The bottom line? This ASX tech stock has been knocked down, but not out. If sentiment continues to recover, Xero could be gearing up for a powerful comeback and today’s price might just look like a bargain in hindsight.

The post Down 35% in 2026, are Xero shares the bargain buy of April? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Building a $1 million portfolio can feel like a huge leap when you are starting from nothing.

But when I break it down, it becomes far more manageable.

It is not about finding the perfect ASX share or timing the market. It is about consistency, patience, and leveraging the power of compounding.

The maths behind it

Let’s start with a simple assumption.

If you can achieve an average return of 9% per year, which I think is a reasonable long-term expectation for a diversified portfolio of ASX shares, although not guaranteed, the path to $1 million becomes clearer.

At that return, investing $5,000 per year would grow to roughly $1 million in just over 33 years.

Clearly this is not a one-off effort. It is a habit. A system that builds momentum over decades.

And once that momentum builds, the numbers can start to accelerate in ways that are hard to appreciate early on.

The early years feel slow

In the beginning, progress can feel underwhelming. After five years, you have contributed $25,000. The portfolio might be worth a bit more than that, but not dramatically so.

This is where a lot of people lose interest. But I think this is the most important phase.

Because what you are really building early on is not wealth. It is discipline.

You are learning to invest regularly, ignore short-term noise, and stay focused on the long term.

Then compounding starts to show up

As the portfolio grows, something changes. The returns begin to matter more than the contributions.

At some point, your portfolio might grow by more in a year than you are adding yourself.

That is when compounding really starts to work in your favour.

And from there, the process becomes less about how much you can contribute and more about how long you can stay invested.

Which ASX shares I would invest in

If I were building a portfolio like this, I would keep things simple.

I would focus on high-quality ASX shares that have the potential to grow earnings over time and deliver a mix of capital growth and income.

This might mean companies like Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), and Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) for exposure to global growth themes.

At the same time, businesses such as TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) provide exposure to high-margin software models with recurring revenue.

And I would likely balance that with more established names like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), which can provide stability and income along the way.

The exact mix is less important than the principle. Own quality businesses and give them time.

Foolish takeaway

Building a million-dollar ASX share portfolio from zero is not about luck or timing. It is about consistency and time.

A steady investment of $5,000 per year, combined with a long-term return of around 9%, could get you there over a few decades.

It may not feel exciting in the early years. But over time, compounding can turn small, consistent steps into something significant.

The post How to build a million-dollar ASX share portfolio from zero appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear, Goodman Group, ResMed, Technology One, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed, Telstra Group, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear, Goodman Group, and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.