Author: openjargon

ASX mining stock Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) is pushing higher on Friday, rising 3.5% to $12.31 in morning trade.

The move follows the release of its latest annual Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement, which highlighted solid growth in both gold and copper reserves, along with encouraging exploration results.

Today’s gain adds to an already impressive run. Evolution shares are now up around 57% over the past 12 months, comfortably outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has climbed just 6% over the same period.

So, what’s driving the rally?

Reserves growth boosts confidence

Evolution delivered a strong update on its underlying asset base.

The ASX mining stock reported total Mineral Resources of 31 million ounces of gold and 4.2 million tonnes of copper. Contained gold increased by 0.9 million ounces, representing 3% growth, with reserves also expanding across key operations.

That kind of growth is important for miners. It supports longer mine lives and provides a stronger foundation for future production.

Recent drilling has also added to the positive momentum. At Mungari and Cowal, the company confirmed high-grade gold results, reinforcing the potential for further resource expansion.

These developments not only extend the life of existing mines but also open the door to increased production over time.

Exploration and expansion in focus

The ASX mining stock isn’t slowing down. The company is ramping up its exploration efforts in FY 2026, targeting resource growth around core assets such as Ernest Henry and Northparkes. This reflects a broader strategy of building scale through both discovery and development.

A key part of that plan is the Northparkes expansion study, which is currently underway and expected to be completed by the end of FY 2027. The study aims to unlock further resource and reserve growth, particularly in copper. This commodity has strong long-term demand prospects.

The company plans to continue growing its resource base through ongoing exploration and technical studies, positioning itself for sustained long-term expansion.

Production outlook remains solid

Alongside its resource update, Evolution reaffirmed its FY 2026 production guidance.

The ASX mining share expects to produce between 710,000 and 780,000 ounces of gold, along with 70,000 to 80,000 tonnes of copper. All-in sustaining costs are forecast to range between $1,640 and $1,760 per ounce.

That steady outlook, combined with growing reserves, provides investors with a clearer picture of future earnings potential.

Managing Director and CEO Lawrie Conway said:

At Cowal, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves have increased, driven by successful extension drilling to the south of Dalwhinnie and deeper drilling at Regal, providing increased confidence in mineable inventory. This positions Cowal for continued organic growth through disciplined resource delineation and execution focused mine planning.

Foolish Takeaway

Evolution Mining’s latest update ticks several key boxes: growing reserves, strong exploration results, and a clear pathway for expansion.

With a rising resource base and exposure to both gold and copper, the company appears well-positioned to benefit from favourable commodity trends, and investors are taking notice of the ASX mining stock.

The post Why is this $25 billion ASX mining stock charging higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Evolution Mining’s 2025 annual statement details resource and reserves growth
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Buying ASX gold shares like Newmont and Northern Star? Here’s Goldman Sachs’ latest 2026 gold price forecast
• If I’d put $6K in this ASX mining stock 12 months ago I’d have over $20k now
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

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.

Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) shares are on course to end the week in a positive fashion.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 gold share is up almost 3% to $11.64.

This follows a rebound in the gold price overnight and the release of a bullish broker note out of Bell Potter.

Let’s now see what the broker is saying about this gold miner.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with the company’s performance in the third quarter. It highlights that production was in-line with expectations and costs came in lower than expected. It said:

CMM has reported March quarter 2026 production of 30.4koz gold (vs BPe. 30.6koz) from its 100%-owned Karlawinda Gold Project in WA. All-In-Sustaining-Costs (AISC) were A$1,617/oz (vs BPe A$1,649/oz). The production result was in-line with our forecasts and sustained a run-rate at the top of CMM’s guidance range. AISC were 2% below our forecasts, reflecting strong cost control and a marginally lower strip ratio, partially offset by higher gold royalty charges.

While these are tracking to the top end of CMM’s guidance range, they remain among the lowest in the sector. CMM is generating strong operating cash flows that are funding a major capital expansion project and an aggressive exploration program while adding cash to the balance sheet and supporting a maiden dividend distribution.

Another positive is the progress the ASX 200 gold share is making with its Karlawinda Expansion Project. The broker adds:

The Karlawinda Expansion Project (KEP) is progressing to schedule, with commissioning targeted for 1QFY27 and aiming to lift production to ~150kozpa. This is set to deliver the first of two major growth catalysts. CMM continues to await final statutory approvals for the Mt Gibson Gold Project (MGGP), which is set to add production of ~150kozpa over an 11 year mine life. Successful exploration continues to expand the potential of the MGGP, where wide, consistent high grade intercepts were recently reported, adding to the growth opportunity.

Should you buy this ASX 200 gold share?

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on Capricorn Metals shares with an improved price target of $16.25 (from $16.10).

Based on its current share price, this implies potential upside of almost 40% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation for the “sector-leading” gold miner, the broker said:

EPS changes in this report are: FY26: -6%; FY27: -2% and FY28: +13%. CMM is a sector leading gold producer, unhedged and debt free. It is fully funded to grow production from ~120kozpa to ~300kozpa from two gold mines in WA, each with +10 year mine lives. CMM is run by a management team that has an excellent track record of delivery. Our NPV-based valuation is up marginally to $16.25/sh. We retain our Buy recommendation.

The post Is this one of the best ASX 200 gold shares to buy in May? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX gold stock could charge more than 70% higher: Broker
• Why is this ASX gold stock charging higher on dividend news?
• Capricorn Metals reports record cash flow and first dividend in March 2026 quarter
• Which ASX 200 stock is falling despite big news
• Capricorn Metals reports Mt Gibson gold results

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained 2.2% in April, but these five ASX 200 stocks left those gains in the dust.

Below, we look at five of the top stocks to have bought at market close on 31 March and held onto through market close on 30 April.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

First up, we have data centre operator and developer NextDC.

NextDC shares ended March at $11.14 and closed out April trading for $14.24. That saw this ASX 200 stock up 27.8% over the month just past.

There was plenty happening with the company. On 7 April, NextDC announced it was raising $1 billion in new funds via the issue of new hybrid securities. The new funds will support the development of new data centres and expand capacity.

The stock caught investor interest again on 20 April, when NextDC reported that its contracted utilisation increased by 60% to 667 megawatts (MW) in the March quarter. And the tech company’s forward order book increased by 83% to 544MW.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Megaport was another top ASX 200 stock to buy and hold in April.

Shares in the network-as-a-service solutions provider gained 26.3% over April to end the month trading for $9.16 each.

Megaport shares closed up 5.1% on 27 April after the company announced it had inked a new three-year contract valued at US$25.1 million (AU$35.4 million) with a United States-based technology firm.

Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)

Codan shares also shot the lights out in April

Shares in the communications and metal detection company closed out March trading for $31.26 and ended April trading for $41.68 apiece. That put this ASX 200 stock up 33.3% over the month.

Almost half of those gains were delivered on 29 April.

Codan shares closed up 15.5% on the day, following the release of the company’s trading update.

Investors were overheating their buy buttons after Codan forecast full-year FY 2026 earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $235 million, up more than 60% year on year. Management expects net profit after tax (NPAT) to come in at $170 million, also up more than 60%.

Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR)

The fourth ASX 200 stock to buy and hold in April is Liontown.

Shares in the Aussie lithium miner surged 38.2% over the month, closing on 30 April at $2.35 each.

On 29 April, Liontown updated the market on the expansion plans for its Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation, located in Western Australia, committing $12 million to long-lead items.

And on 30 April, Liontown released its March quarter update.

Highlights from the quarter included the successful transition of Kathleen Valley to a fully underground operation, with targeted production rates achieved ahead of expectations.

Liontown reported a 51% quarter-on-quarter revenue boost to $197 million.

Which brings us to the top-performing ASX stock to have bought and held in the month just past.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Zip shares gained a blistering 56.8% over the past month, closing at $2.43 apiece on 30 April.

Zip shares closed up 13.7% on 17 April following the release of the buy now, pay later (BNPL) company’s quarterly update.

Investors were snapping up the ASX 200 stock after Zip reported record quarterly earnings before tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBTDA) of $65.1 million, up 41.5% year on year.

Zip also upgraded its full-year FY 2026 cash EBTDA guidance to no less than $260 million.

The post The five best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in April revealed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why these ASX shares jumped 15%+ in April
• Prediction: Zip shares could fly another 121% higher
• 3 ASX shares benefiting from the rise of digital infrastructure
• Liontown shares climb to 2.5-year high on record cash flow
• These 2 ASX All Ords shares are flying higher today, and tipped to jump another 70%

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Megaport. 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.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are storming higher on Friday.

In morning trade, the mining and mining services company’s shares are up 5% to $66.90.

Why are Mineral Resources shares rising?

Today’s gain appears to have been driven by a positive reaction to its quarterly update from brokers.

One of those is Bell Potter, which highlights that Mineral Resources delivered a strong quarterly performance despite weather challenges. It said:

MIN reported a strong quarter as the Onslow haul road withstood extreme weather conditions arising from two tropical cyclones. Quarterly attributable sales were: Onslow iron ore 4.2Mt (BP est. 4.4Mt); Pilbara Hub iron ore 2.1Mt (BP est. 2.1Mt); Wodgina SC6e 62kt (BP est. 64kt); and Mt Marion SC6e 53kt (BP est. 41kt). Mining Services volumes were 80Mt (BP est. 79Mt). Group average realised pricing was strong: Iron ore US$93/t (89% realisation to Platts 61% Fe index) and SC6e US$2,105/t (in line with the Fastmarkets SC6 index).

Bell Potter was also pleased to see that management has upgraded its guidance for FY 2026. And while higher diesel prices are impacting its costs, it is not enough for a change in its guidance. It said:

MIN upgraded FY26 volume guidance across Mining Services, Onslow and lithium. While higher fuel prices will impact costs in the current quarter, unit cost guidance was reiterated. Diesel supply has been uninterrupted to date. Onslow transhippers six and seven will be commissioned by 1Q FY27, expanding nameplate capacity to 38Mtpa (100% basis; currently 35Mtpa). With net debt/EBITDA expected to fall within its target range of <2.0x by the end of FY27, capital management decisions are in focus. The company is assessing potential production expansions at Wodgina (i.e. train 4) and Mt Marion (float plant) along with a potential Bald Hill restart (+125ktpa SC6e).

Should you invest?

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on Mineral Resources shares with an improved price target of $75.00 (from $70.00).

Based on its current share price of $66.90, this implies potential upside of 12% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter concludes:

Completion of the $1.2b MIN-POSCO lithium transaction will accelerate balance sheet deleveraging paired with higher cash flows from the ramp-up of Onslow iron ore sales. MIN is positioned to benefit from current lithium market pricing strength, holding around 213ktpa (SC6 attributable, pre-POSCO deal completion) of offline spodumene production capacity. MIN’s mining services platform delivers a stable earnings stream that is expected to expand with internal and third-party volume growth.

The post Are Mineral Resources shares a buy in May? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Mineral Resources shares jump 7% on guidance upgrade
• Mineral Resources upgrades FY26 volume guidance and posts robust lithium prices

Shares in Dug Technology Ltd (ASX: DUG) have raced almost 10% higher after the company reported strong quarterly sales figures.

Strong growth figures

The technology company, which provides software and compute as a service (CaaS) products to big players in the oil and gas sector, said in a statement to the ASX that its total revenue for the quarter was up 35% to US$22.4 million for the third quarter, compared with the same period last year.

The company said it had experienced strong year-on-year growth as well as margin expansion.

The company added:

Notably, the Company’s results for the first 9 months of FY26 have already surpassed the full-year results delivered in FY25. This performance continues to underscore the scalability of our business model and the increasing global demand for our MP-FWI Imaging technology.

The company said its services revenue remained the bedrock of the business and was up 16% year on year to US$15.3 million for the quarter, and the outlook was strong.

The company said:

The pipeline continues to build through new and emerging regions as clients, supported by a heightened oil-price environment, look to increase exploration and production activity. The Company continues to win more 4D projects, these are processing projects that are typically repeated every 18 months and allow clients to visualise how they are depleting a producing reservoir.

Dug Managing Director Dr Matthew Lamont said the company’s international expansion strategy “continues to pay off and our growing pipeline positions us well for the future”.

Broker likes the story

Shaw and Partners recently released a research report on Dug, which suggests the company is undervalued, even after today’s share price boost.

The broker said in a recent research note sent to its clients that Dug had sunk nearly $60 million into high-performance computing infrastructure over the past three years, which it could now leverage for outsized gains.

Shaw and Partners added:

New regions and a growing reputation support contract awards continuing to grow. Dug is favourably exposed to a rising oil price environment, has limited direct revenue exposure to the Middle East currently and has materially underperformed its oil and gas service peers … year to date, creating an opportunity for savvy investors.

Shaw said Dug had only recently expanded into the Middle East, with the region accounting for less than 8% of total revenue.

This was despite the Middle East and Latin America accounting for about 22% of global upstream capex in the sector.

Shaw said Dug was also demonstrating an ability to grow its “share of wallet” with existing customers.

Shaw and Partners has a price target of $3 on Dug shares compared with $2.34 on Friday morning, up 9.9%.

The post Why are shares in this ASX tech stock, which operates in the oil and gas space, charging higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The five best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in April revealed
• Are Mineral Resources shares a buy in May?
• What’s going on with ResMed shares today?
• Why are Coles shares falling today?
• ANZ shares rise after reporting 70% cash profit jump

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 recommended Dug Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) shares are under pressure on Friday morning.

At the time of writing, the sleep disorder treatment company’s shares are down 1.5% to $29.43.

As a comparison, the ASX 200 index is up 0.7% in early trade today.

Why are ResMed shares falling?

Investors have been selling the company’s shares today after it released its third-quarter update, which appears to have been softer than the market was expecting.

According to the release, ResMed delivered an 11% (8% in constant currency) increase in revenue to US$1.4 billion. This was driven by increased demand for its portfolio of sleep devices, masks, and accessories.

ResMed’s gross margin increased by 290 basis points during the quarter. This was primarily driven by component cost improvements and manufacturing and logistics efficiencies, as well as a small positive impact from product mix and foreign currency movements.

However, offsetting some of this was an 11% jump in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses. ResMed revealed that this was mainly due to additional expenses associated with its VirtuOx acquisition, employee costs, marketing, and technology investments.

SG&A expenses, excluding acquisition and portfolio review related expenses, were 19.5% of revenue in the quarter, compared with 19% in the prior corresponding period.

This led to the company’s net income increasing 9% to US$398.7 million or 20% to US$417.2 million on a non-GAAP basis.

Operating cash flow was strong for the quarter and came in at US$554 million.

This allowed the ResMed board to declare a quarterly cash dividend of US$0.60 per share. Australian shareholders will receive an equivalent amount in AUD, based on the exchange rate on the record date, and reflecting the 10:1 ratio between CDIs and NYSE shares.

Management commentary

Commenting on the company’s performance, ResMed’s CEO, Mick Farrell, said:

Our third quarter results reflect the continued strength of our global business, driven by ongoing demand for our market-leading products and disciplined execution of our strategy. Year-over-year, we delivered 11% reported revenue growth, 290 basis points of non-GAAP gross margin expansion, and 21% increase in earnings per share.

These results highlight the momentum behind our strategy, and the continued progress we are making in shaping the future of sleep health, breathing health, and healthcare in the home. As we advance through the remainder of our fiscal year 2026, we remain focused on expanding access to care globally, scaling our digital health capabilities, and delivering further strong, profitable growth.

The post What’s going on with ResMed shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Resmed reports double-digit revenue and profit increases in Q3 FY26
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• How to build a $500,000 ASX share portfolio in 25 years
• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• CSL, Resmed, Cochlear shares crash to multi-year low: Buy, sell or hold?

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

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares are edging lower on Friday morning.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 supermarket giant’s shares are down 0.5% to $21.99.

Why are Coles shares falling today?

Investors appear to be responding negatively to the release of the company’s third-quarter sales update.

According to the release, Coles reported total group sales revenue of $10.7 billion for the 12 weeks to 29 March 2026, representing a 3.1% increase on the prior corresponding period.

The standout performer was the company’s key Supermarkets division, which delivered sales revenue of $9.8 billion. This was up 4% on the prior corresponding period, with comparable sales increasing by 3.6%.

Pleasingly for investors, Coles advised that this represented above-market growth, highlighting the strength of its customer offer and continued execution.

Volume growth impresses

One of the key positives from the update was that sales growth was volume-led, rather than simply being driven by inflation.

Excluding tobacco, supermarket sales increased by 5.7% during the quarter. This was underpinned by Coles’ focus on value, targeted promotions, and strong engagement with its seasonal campaigns.

The company also noted that there has been elevated demand for pantry staples in March in response to geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.

At the same time, price inflation continued to moderate. Supermarkets inflation excluding tobacco eased to 0.8%, down from 1.7% in the second quarter. This reflected deflation in fresh produce, easing packaged grocery inflation, and increased promotional activity.

Online growth remains strong

Another highlight was Coles’ eCommerce performance.

Supermarkets ecommerce sales rose 24.8% to $1.3 billion, with penetration increasing to 13.6%. Management noted that online momentum remained strong throughout the quarter, with penetration reaching 14.2% in March.

Flybuys also continued to support customer engagement, with active members increasing 5% to 10.3 million.

Liquor disappoints again

The main soft spot in the update was the Liquor business once again.

Liquor sales revenue fell 3.9% to $781 million, while comparable sales declined 4.3%. Management said trading conditions remained competitive and soft, particularly in March as consumer sentiment weakened. This has continued into the fourth quarter.

Management commentary

Commenting on the company’s performance, Coles Group CEO, Leah Weckert, said:

We delivered another strong sales result reflecting the strength of our customer offer and disciplined execution against our strategic priorities. Achieving consistent sales momentum for the period over multiple years demonstrates our commitment to remaining focused on long term outcomes whilst successfully navigating short term volatility in market conditions and supply chains.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Coles said Supermarkets sales growth early in the fourth quarter has remained broadly in line with the third quarter after adjusting for Easter and Anzac Day timing impacts.

However, it warned that it has seen an increase in supplier cost price increase requests and higher costs within its own operations, particularly in fuel, freight and packaging. It is actively managing these and aims to mitigate impacts where possible.

Commenting on its outlook, Weckert said:

We know value and availability will be important to our customers over the months ahead and we are well placed to respond to this with our extensive own brand portfolio, our leading eCommerce platforms and the strength of the infrastructure and capability that sits within our supply chain.

The post Why are Coles shares falling today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Coles Group shares in focus after Q3 FY26 sales rise 3.1%
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 3 ASX dividend stocks I’d buy if I were a retiree
• Is it time for investors to turn back to defensive ASX shares?
• I think this simple ASX investing habit can build wealth over time

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

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares are on the move on Friday.

At the time of writing, the banking giant’s shares are up over 1% to $37.11.

This follows the release of its half-year results before the market open.

ANZ shares push higher on results day

For the six months ended 31 March, ANZ reported a 3% half-on-half increase in operating income to $11,204 million. This reflects a 2% decline in net interest income to $8,888 million and a 28% jump in other operating income to $2,316 million.

The highlight of the half was the 22% reduction in operating expenses to $5,534 million. This means that ANZ has now achieved 49% of its gross cost savings target of $800 million in FY 2026.

This underpinned a 51% increase in profit before provisions to $5,670 million for the half.

Provision charges came in at $274 million, compared to $296 million in the previous half. This includes a $175 million charge for the potential impacts of the Middle East conflict.

On the bottom line, ANZ reported a cash profit of $3,780 million for the half. This was a sizeable increase of 70% on the second half of FY 2025.

But despite this profit jump, the bank has elected to pay an interim dividend of 83 cents per share, which is in line with the final dividend of FY 2025. ANZ’s interim dividend will be 75% franked and is scheduled to be paid on 1 July.

‘Transformation is running at pace’

ANZ’s CEO, Nuno Matos, was pleased with the performance. He said:

This half year result demonstrates three things. First, our transformation is running at pace, and we are making good progress in executing our five immediate priorities safely, sustainably, and on time. Second, in parallel, we are investing in line with our ANZ 2030 strategic initiatives, to deliver for our customers, accelerate growth and outperform the market beyond 2027. Third, importantly we are already delivering materially better returns for shareholders.

Commenting on the profit jump, Matos adds:

Our half year cash profit of $3.78 billion was up 14% on the previous half, when excluding significant items, as we simplified our business and reduced duplication and settled long-standing regulatory matters. Importantly, we saw an improvement across all key financial metrics compared with the second half of 2025. This includes return on tangible equity which rose to 11.6% and a cost to income ratio at 49.4%. An interim dividend of 83 cents per share, with franking rising from 70% to 75%, was driven by an improvement in the Australian geography performance.

The post ANZ shares rise after reporting 70% cash profit jump appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ANZ shares: Profit jumps in 2026 half-year earnings
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 years ago, $10,000 bought 350 ANZ shares. But how many would it buy now?
• ANZ Bank shares push higher on acquisition news
• Which of the big four bank shares has the most upside?

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

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares have bounced back strongly, rising 14% in April to finish the month at $42.72.

But zoom out, and the picture looks very different. Despite the recent rally, WiseTech shares are still down around 38% in 2026 and have lost more than half their value over the past 12 months.

So after such a sharp pullback — and a partial recovery — is the valuation finally attractive?

A powerful platform with global reach

WiseTech’s strength starts with its core product. Its CargoWise platform is deeply embedded in global logistics and supply chains. This isn’t simple, plug-and-play software, it’s mission-critical infrastructure for freight forwarders and logistics operators.

The company now serves more than 22,000 logistics businesses across 193 countries, including many of the world’s largest players. That scale matters. Once customers are integrated into CargoWise, switching becomes difficult and costly. That creates a high level of customer stickiness, supporting recurring revenue and long-term growth.

WiseTech is also expanding its footprint. The acquisition of e2open has significantly broadened its network, connecting hundreds of thousands of enterprises across global trade.

AI: Threat or opportunity?

Artificial intelligence is one of the biggest questions hanging over WiseTech shares. Some investors worry it could disrupt software businesses. But the tech company appears to be leaning into it.

The business is embedding AI across its platform to improve automation, decision-making, and operational efficiency for customers. Internally, it is also using AI to boost productivity and reduce costs, with plans to reshape parts of the business over time.

There’s a bigger strategic shift underway, too. WiseTech is moving toward a transaction-based model, where revenue is tied more closely to the value delivered rather than just user numbers.

If AI increases throughput and efficiency, it could actually enhance the value of the platform, not erode it. That potentially strengthens its competitive position and expands its long-term opportunity.

What do analysts think?

Despite the volatility, broker sentiment remains firmly positive on WiseTech shares.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on WiseTech with a $78.75 price target. Based on recent levels around $43.00, that implies close to 85% upside over the next 12 months.

The broader market agrees. According to TradingView data, 15 out of 17 analysts rate the stock as a buy or strong buy, with just two holds. The average price target sits near $77, also pointing to roughly 80% upside. At the bullish end, some forecasts go as high as $121.16, suggesting potential gains of more than 180%.

Foolish Takeaway

WiseTech shares have staged a strong short-term rebound, but remain well below previous highs.

The business still has a powerful platform, global reach, and emerging AI-driven opportunities. While risks remain, particularly around execution and market sentiment, the current valuation may be starting to look far more compelling than it did a year ago.

The post Up 14% in April, is it too late to buy WiseTech shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April
• Why Capstone Copper, Gentrack, Mineral Resources, and WiseTech shares are racing higher today
• 2 ASX 200 shares down 50% that I would buy today
• Why I think the WiseTech share price has plenty of upside

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

The Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) share price is in focus after the company announced that 89% of its outstanding US$1,312 million Non-Call 2030 Subordinated Notes have been tendered, and it plans to redeem the remaining notes at par. The group also reaffirmed expected funds from operations (FFO) and distribution growth for 2026.

What did Scentre Group report?

• US$1,169 million (A$1,598 million) of the US$1,312 million Non-Call 2030 Subordinated Notes were tendered, representing approximately 89% participation
• Settlement of the notes is scheduled for 5 May 2026 (New York City time)
• Following redemption, group liquidity will be approximately A$3.2 billion
• FFO is targeted to be at least 23.73 cents per security for 2026, representing at least 4.0% growth year on year
• Distribution per security expected to grow by 4.0% to 18.43 cents for 2026

What else do investors need to know?

Scentre Group intends to restructure its interest rate hedging to maintain coverage in 2026 while increasing hedging in 2027 and 2028. This move is designed to manage interest rate risk amid changing market environments.

The company acknowledged ongoing geopolitical volatility and its potential impact on the consumer and broader economy. Management says it will continue closely monitoring these external influences to inform business decisions and strategy.

What’s next for Scentre Group?

Looking forward, Scentre Group will focus on finalising the redemption of all outstanding Non-Call 2030 Subordinated Notes. Management plans to continue adjusting its capital management and hedging strategies to support future growth and stability.

The company is sticking with its 2026 guidance for FFO and distributions, reflecting a stable and optimistic outlook despite uncertainty in the broader economic environment.

Scentre Group share price snapshot

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

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The post Scentre Group maintains 2026 growth targets appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.