Author: openjargon

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) continued its poor run with a small decline. The benchmark index fell 0.25% to 8,665.8 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to jump

The Australian share market looks set to jump on Friday following a good night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 133 points or 1.5% higher this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 1.6%, the S&P 500 rose 1%, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.9%.

Oil prices mixed

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) will be on watch on Friday after a mixed night for oil prices. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.3% to US$105.59 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.7% to US$111.20 a barrel. Oil prices pulled back after hitting US$125 a barrel.

Big ASX 200 share updates

A number of ASX 200 shares will be on watch when they release their latest updates on Friday. Among the companies scheduled to release results are big four bank ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), sleep disorder treatment company ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), and supermarket giant Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL).

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a decent finish to the week after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 1.5% to US$4,629.9 an ounce. Despite this, the gold price is on course to make it two months of declines in a row.

Woolworths downgraded

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are fairly valued despite pulling back on Thursday. This morning, Bell Potter has downgraded the supermarket leader’s shares to a hold rating (from buy) with a reduced price target of $35.50 (from $38.25). It said: “We downgrade from Buy to Hold. Food inflation looks to be returning which should be beneficial for the topline. This looks largely offset by the margin impact of absorbing supply chain inflation, which is likely to be amplified in 4Q26e as a run rate into FY27e, where outcomes will be dependent on an easing in middle east tensions.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How are Australia’s biggest ASX stocks really tracking in 2026?
• How to build a $500,000 ASX share portfolio in 25 years
• Morgans names 3 ASX 200 gold shares to buy
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in ResMed, Woodside Energy Group Ltd, and Woolworths Group. 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 and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The opening months of 2026 have brought sharp volatility for the biggest ASX stocks.

Global conflict, rising interest rates, AI disruption fears, and shaky investor sentiment have kept markets on edge. But while some blue chips have struggled, others have powered ahead, a reminder that opportunity still exists beneath the surface.

Here’s how five heavyweight ASX stocks are tracking so far this year and what might come next.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Commonwealth Bank has held up relatively well. Shares are up around 8% year to date, and have gained 2.4% over the past month.

The largest ASX banking stock continues to benefit from its dominant market position and strong margins. However, headwinds are building. Slower credit growth and rising competition are starting to weigh on the outlook.

Its defensive earnings and reliable dividends still make it attractive in uncertain markets, but broker sentiment has cooled. Many analysts now view the stock as fully valued, with several rating it a sell or strong sell.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP has been one of the stronger performers, climbing 18% in 2026 and adding 6.7% over the past month.

The mining mogul is benefiting from its exposure to key commodities like iron ore and copper, as well as future-facing demand tied to electrification and infrastructure.

Backed by a strong balance sheet and disciplined capital management, BHP continues to generate robust cash flow. Analysts remain broadly positive on the ASX mining stock, with many highlighting its resilience and long-term positioning.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers has had a tougher run. Shares are down around 10% year to date and have slipped slightly over the past month.

Weaker retail conditions and cautious consumer spending have dampened sentiment. That said, its diversified portfolio — including Bunnings and Kmart — continues to provide a solid foundation.

Analysts have become more cautious recently on the ASX stock, with most now leaning toward hold ratings as near-term growth looks less certain.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL is the worst performer of the group so far this year. The healthcare giant is down about 28% in 2026, and has fallen another 12% over the past month.

Softer earnings, currency headwinds, and margin pressure have weighed heavily on the price of this ASX stock. Despite this, CSL’s core business remains strong, with resilient demand for its life-saving therapies.

Many analysts still back the long-term story, maintaining buy ratings and pointing to a potential recovery once near-term pressures ease.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Woodside has been the standout performer in 2026. The ASX stock is up an impressive 41% year to date, although it dipped about 5% over the past month.

The energy giant has benefited from rising oil and gas prices, driven in part by ongoing geopolitical tensions. Strong cash generation and direct exposure to energy markets have fuelled its rally.

If current conditions persist, Woodside could continue to outperform — though volatility in commodity prices remains a key risk.

Foolish Takeaway

The first few months of 2026 have delivered sharp swings across the biggest ASX stocks.

Some sectors are under pressure, while others are thriving. For investors, it’s a clear reminder: even in uncertain markets, opportunities are always there. You just have to know where to look.

The post How are Australia’s biggest ASX stocks really tracking in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 3 ASX 200 shares for smart investors in May
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April
• 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 Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares have closed the day flat at $2.43 a piece on Thursday afternoon.

This mens that Zip shares have recovered 68% of their value after dropping to an annual low in late-March. The shares are now also 41% higher than the trading price this time last year.

Brokers think the buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) provider’s shares can keep flying even higher over the next 12 months, too.

According to TradingView data, there is a buy consensus among all 11 analysts. The average target price of $3.83 implies a 57% upside at the time of writing. But others are even more bullish and are tipping the shares to soar another 121% to $5.40 each.

Here are three reasons why.

1. Zip shares are massively oversold

Zip shares have lost 50% of their value since peaking at a multi-year high in October last year, most likely the result of investors taking gains off the table after a strong share price rally.

The shares also suffered pressure from short sellers in late-2025. Following its first-half FY26 results in mid-February, its value crashed another 43% within one week.

In that result, the fintech company missed expectations, despite delivering a record result.

Zip’s revenue margin declined 7.9%, net bad debts increased slightly to 1.73% of TTV. Zip also said it expected its second-half cash EBITDA is expected to be broadly in line with the first half. This suggests that profit growth could moderate from here rather than accelerate.

Investors were spooked by concerns about rising competition, slowing growth and margin compression.

Zip shares are now widely considered to be trading below fair value after being oversold.

2. Growth has accelerated

Despite missing expectations, Zip’s financial results have been robust over the past few quarters. Its latest third-quarter FY26 results announcement in mid-April showed that growth has started to accelerate.

Zip reported a 22.4% year-on-year increase in its total translation volume (TTV), a 20.2% increase in total income, a higher operating margin of 19.4% and confirmed it has grown its active customer base by another 3.5%.

The latest update also saw the fintech business upgrade its FY26 group cash EBTDA guidance to at least $260 million, from previous guidance of approximately $248.6 million, and reaffirmed all key target ranges for the year. 

US transaction volume is forecast to rise over 40% in FY26. Meanwhile group operating margins are expected to remain above 18%.

3. It’s expanding aggressively in the US

It’s not only financial growth driving the business forward either. Zip is rapidly expanding its product range in effort to expand its global presence, especially in the US. 

Late last year, the company announced that its US segment is expanding its partnership with programmable financial services business, Stripe, a move which caused some investor panic at the time. 

In early February the company confirmed it is aggressively expanding its US presence by launching its new Pay in 2 product. The new product allows consumers to split a purchase into two installments paid over two weeks.

Zip is also pursuing a dual sharemarket listing on the Nasdaq in the US. This could also help to drive even opportunity for business expansion in the area.

The post Prediction: Zip shares could fly another 121% higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 ASX 200 stocks rated a strong buy with an upside over 50%
• 3 reasons to buy Zip shares
• Experts think the Zip share price can rise 48% in a year!
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Up over 70% in a month, is it too late to buy Zip shares?

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.

Building a $500,000 ASX share portfolio sounds like a big target.

But stretched over 25 years, the goal becomes much more achievable. The key is combining regular contributions with compounding returns and giving the process enough time to work.

How to get to $500,000

If an investor starts from zero and earns an average return of 10% per annum, which isn’t guaranteed but is broadly in line with long-term share market returns, they would need to invest approximately $400 per month into ASX shares to reach $500,000 in 25 years.

That works out to about $4,800 per year.

Why time matters

The early years can feel slow.

At the start, most of the portfolio growth comes from your contributions. A $400 monthly investment builds the balance gradually, and the impact of compounding may not feel obvious straight away.

But over time, the balance becomes large enough that investment returns start doing more of the heavy lifting.

That is when the process begins to accelerate. A 10% return on a $20,000 portfolio is $2,000. A 10% return on a $300,000 portfolio is $30,000.

The percentage return is the same, but the dollar impact changes dramatically.

What to invest in

To target a 10% annual return, investors would likely need meaningful exposure to growth assets.

That could include high-quality ASX shares with strong competitive positions, growing earnings, and long runways for expansion.

It could also include businesses benefiting from structural trends such as healthcare, cloud computing, digital platforms, or global consumer growth.

Examples could be Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO).

The important point is that the portfolio needs to be built for long-term growth, not just short-term income.

Dividends can still play a role, especially when reinvested. But if the goal is to reach $500,000 from zero, capital growth is likely to be a major driver.

Keep investing through market cycles

A 10% annual return will not arrive smoothly each year.

Some years will be strong. Others may be flat or even negative. That is normal.

The advantage of regular contributions is that they keep the plan moving through different market conditions. When prices fall, the same monthly investment buys more shares. When markets rise, the existing portfolio benefits.

Trying to pause and restart based on headlines can make the process harder. Consistency is often more useful than precision.

Review the plan, but do not overmanage it

A 25-year goal requires patience, but it should not be ignored completely.

It is worth checking progress every year or two. If returns are lower than expected, contributions may need to increase. If your income rises over time, lifting your monthly investment can bring the target closer.

For example, increasing contributions after pay rises or bonuses can make a meaningful difference without requiring a major lifestyle change.

The aim is to keep the plan realistic and flexible.

The numbers show what is possible

A $500,000 ASX share portfolio can feel out of reach when starting from zero.

But at a 10% average annual return, investing around $400 per month for 25 years could get the job done.

The real challenge is not the maths. It is staying consistent long enough for the maths to matter.

The post How to build a $500,000 ASX share portfolio in 25 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• 3 ASX shares benefiting from the rise of digital infrastructure
• Does Ord Minnett rate Goodman shares as a buy, hold, or sell?
• CSL, Resmed, Cochlear shares crash to multi-year low: Buy, sell or hold?
• 3 amazing ASX 200 shares to buy with $5,000 in May

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

Smart investing does not always mean chasing the strongest performer of the moment.

It can also mean looking for businesses with durable advantages, clear growth paths, and the ability to keep investing through different market conditions.

With that in mind, here are three ASX 200 shares that could be worth a closer look in May.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

One ASX 200 share that stands out for long-term investors is CSL.

The biotechnology giant has been under pressure in recent years, but its core business remains high quality. CSL is a global leader in plasma therapies, vaccines, and other specialist healthcare products.

Its plasma collections network gives it scale that is difficult to replicate. That is important because plasma-based medicines require deep infrastructure, regulatory expertise, and long-term supply chains.

The company is also exposed to long-term healthcare demand, which tends to be less tied to the economic cycle than many other industries.

If CSL can improve margins and return to stronger earnings growth, its current weakness could prove to be an attractive entry point over time.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

Another ASX 200 share worth watching in May is Life360.

Life360 has built a global app-based platform focused on family connection and safety. The strength of the business is its ability to sit inside users’ daily routines, which supports engagement and retention.

The technology company’s opportunity is increasingly about monetisation. It already has a large user base, but the earnings upside comes from converting more users into paying subscribers and adding services that deepen the relationship.

Features such as driver protection, emergency assistance, and location-based tools give Life360 more ways to increase value for customers.

With scale already in place and monetisation still developing, Life360 remains tied to a growth story that could have further to run.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

A third ASX 200 share that could appeal to smart investors is Wesfarmers.

Wesfarmers owns a collection of high-quality retail and industrial businesses, with Bunnings at the centre of the group.

Bunnings remains one of the strongest retail franchises in Australia. Its scale, brand trust, and wide product range give it a powerful market position across home improvement and trade customers.

The broader Wesfarmers portfolio also adds flexibility. Businesses such as Kmart, Officeworks, and its chemicals and industrial operations give the group multiple sources of earnings.

This mix of quality, scale, and capital discipline has helped Wesfarmers perform well over long periods.

For investors looking for a proven operator with several ways to keep compounding, Wesfarmers remains one of the ASX 200’s standout businesses.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares for smart investors in May appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April
• 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?
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• I think this simple ASX investing habit can build wealth over time

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Life360, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The gold industry has pulled back recently after the gold price softened.

The team at Morgans appears to believe this could have created a buying opportunity and has named three ASX 200 gold shares to buy this week.

Here’s what it is recommending to clients:

Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM)

Morgans thinks Newmont, which is the world’s largest gold miner, could be an ASX 200 gold share to buy.

In response to its stronger than expected quarterly result, the broker has put a buy rating and $208.00 price target on its shares. It said:

Strong beat and capital returns increased: NEM delivered a strong beat across multiple operating and financial metrics, while completing its US$6bn buyback and announcing a further US$6bn program. The result reinforces NEM’s positioning as a high-quality, cash-generative gold producer with strong balance sheet flexibility and increasing capacity to return capital to shareholders. Maintain BUY rating with a A$208ps target price.

Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR)

Another gold share that could be a buy according to Morgans is Pantoro Gold.

Although its production was softer than expected during the third quarter, it remains positive. In response, it has put a buy rating and $6.29 price target on its shares. It said:

PNR reported gold sales for 3Q26 of 20.0koz at an AISC of A$3,204/oz, generating revenue of A$138.9m from an average realised price of A$6,916/oz. Production of 17.8koz fell below expectations despite the company’s revised guidance released in March, paired with a substantially higher cost of production.

Whilst we forecast a narrow miss to FY26 guidance, we still anticipate a material uplift in 4Q26 ounce production as Gladstone open-pit delivers higher ore volume to the mill alongside Mega Resources ore treatment partnership. We maintain our BUY rating, with a price target of A$6.29ps (previously A$6.53ps) – the revision a function of adjustments to long-term head-grade and 4Q26.

Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL)

A third ASX 200 gold share that Morgans is tipping as a buy this week is Regis Resources.

Like Newmont, it outperformed the broker’s expectations during the third quarter.

As a result, Morgans upgraded the company’s shares to a buy rating with a $10.07 price target. It said:

Gold sales of 89.1koz at an AISC of A$2,807 beat our expectations whilst performing in line with company guidance, delivering revenue of A$622m at an average realised price of A$6,977/oz. RRL continues to build a substantial cash balance, adding an additional A$198m bringing the total to A$1.12bn. Replenished ounces with group MRE exceeding 10% yoy resource growth underpinning future production.

We upgrade to BUY (from HOLD) following recent weakness across the gold sector which we believe has uncovered value in RRL underpinned by attractive immediate term cash generation paired with a structured capital management framework.

The post Morgans names 3 ASX 200 gold shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buying ASX gold shares like Newmont and Northern Star? Here’s Goldman Sachs’ latest 2026 gold price forecast
• 5 ASX mining shares to buy: experts
• Morgans tips 1 ASX mining share to rip — and 1 to avoid — in 2026
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

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.

If you have $10,000 to invest in May, ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can make it easy to access global markets without needing to pick every stock yourself.

The key is choosing funds with a clear purpose. Some focus on quality, some target long-term themes, and others use a disciplined stock-selection process to look for companies that could outperform over time.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth a closer look this month.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF.

It is built around a simple idea. Some companies are better protected than others. They may have strong brands, cost advantages, network effects, or other qualities that make it difficult for competitors to take market share.

The ETF looks for US companies that have these sustainable advantages, while also paying attention to valuation.

Its holdings include NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB). NXP is an interesting example because its chips are used across cars, industrial systems, and connected devices. These are areas where reliability matters and customer relationships can be hard to displace.

That gives the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF a different feel from a standard US market ETF. It is not just buying the biggest names. It is trying to own stocks with staying power when the price looks reasonable.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

Another ASX ETF that could appeal in May is the VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF.

Gaming is no longer just a niche entertainment category. It has become a global media industry, with revenue coming from consoles, mobile games, online worlds, in-game spending, and the hardware that powers the experience.

This fund provides exposure to companies involved in video game development, esports, and related hardware and software globally.

Its holdings include Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), and Nintendo. Nintendo shows why this sector can be attractive over long periods. Its value is not only in hardware sales, but also in the franchises it owns and can monetise across games, films, merchandise, and new platforms.

This makes the VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF a way to access the broader economics of gaming rather than betting on one title, one console cycle, or one developer. It was recently recommended by VanEck.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

A third ASX ETF worth considering in May is the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF.

This fund focuses on global stocks outside Australia that rank well on measures such as return on equity, debt-to-capital, cash flow generation, and earnings stability.

Its holdings include UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), Arista Networks (NYSE: ANET), and Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX). Arista is a useful example. It sells networking equipment used by large cloud and AI customers. That gives it exposure to digital infrastructure, but within a business that has been selected through a quality-focused lens.

The appeal of the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF is that it does not rely on one theme or region. It looks for companies with financial strength across global markets, which can be a useful approach when investors want growth exposure without leaning too heavily into speculative names. This fund was recently recommended by the team at Betashares.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs in May appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are these the best ASX ETFs to buy with $1,000 in May?
• Why quality is king during economic downturns
• Stagflation: How to position an ASX stock portfolio
• Wondering which ASX ETFs to buy? Try these top picks
• This ASX ETF has generated returns of almost 15% per year!

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Airbnb, Arista Networks, Lam Research, NXP Semiconductors, Nintendo, Nvidia, and Tencent. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Electronic Arts and UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Airbnb, Arista Networks, Lam Research, Nvidia, and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It was yet another red day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday, cementing what has become a pattern of pessimism on the Australian markets. In its seventh red session in a row, the ASX 200 closed down a miserly 0.24% today. That leaves the index at 8,665.8 points.

This unhappy Thursday session for ASX investors follows a more mixed night on Wall Street last night.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a foul mood, dropping by 0.57%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to stay above ground, inching 0.038% higher.

But let’s return to the local markets now and check out what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April
• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• ASX 200 sinks into longest losing streak in years as oil prices surge
• Why Capstone Copper, Gentrack, Mineral Resources, and WiseTech shares are racing higher today
• Why Mineral Resources, Woolworths and Boss Energy shares are turning heads on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Cochlear and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aub Group, Cochlear, and Generation Development Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares closed 0.2% lower today in the market’s eighth consecutive day in the red.

The benchmark index rose 2.2% this month despite peace negotiations between the US and Iran stalling and oil prices continuing to surge.

The Brent Crude oil price rose 8.8% during April to trade above US$113.50 per barrel today, its highest level since 2022.

The Strait of Hormuz remains shut down, and the global fuel supply crisis worsens by the day.

We saw the impact in yesterday’s Australian inflation data, with automotive fuel prices spiking 33% in March alone.

This contributed to annual inflation rising from 3.7% over the 12 months til the end of February to 4.6% in March.

This is well outside the Reserve Bank’s target band of 2% to 3%.

The market is now pricing in a 69% chance of a third interest rate increase for 2026 in Australia next week.

What’s happening with the Iran war today?

There are reports that the US military will brief US President Donald Trump on potential further action against Iran.

This follows the President’s rejection of Iran’s latest peace proposal.

Trading Economics analysts summarised the situation:

Trump … reaffirmed that the US will maintain its naval blockade until a nuclear agreement is reached, further weakening prospects for a diplomatic resolution.

Iranian authorities warned of retaliation if the blockade continues, accusing Trump of attempting to force Tehran into submission through economic pressure and internal destabilization.

Amid this uncertainty and fears of a global recession, here are the ASX shares and ETFs that investors bought and sold most this month.

Most bought ASX shares in April

The following ASX shares and ETFs were the most bought by investors using the Bell Direct trading platform this month.

The rankings are based on order of net value of buy orders, minus sell orders, placed by Bell Direct customers.

Rank	ASX share
1	Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)
2	Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)
3	Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
4	BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)
5	BetaShares Australian High Interest Cash ETF (ASX: AAA)
6	CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)
7	WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)
8	Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)
9	BetaShares Australian Cash Plus Active ETF (ASX: MMKT)
10	Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Source: Bell Direct

Most sold ASX shares this month

Rank	ASX share
1	Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)
2	Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)
3	Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)
4	Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)
5	Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)
6	Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)
7	Westpac Banking Corporation Ltd (ASX: WBC)
8	PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)
9	Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL)
10	Antipa Minerals Ltd (ASX: AZY)

Source: Bell Direct

The post Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• Forget Rio Tinto shares and buy this ASX copper miner
• Should I sell my Telstra shares in May?
• 5 ASX All Ords shares downgraded by brokers this week
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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Wesfarmers, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group, WiseTech Global, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It is not an uncommon event for the ASX stock market to welcome new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to its boards. Heck, one seems to make its public markets debut every other month. This April is no different, with Australian investors, as of today, having three new choices to pick between if they are on the hunt for their next ASX ETF.

Earlier this week, my Fool colleague heralded the launch of these three new funds in question. They are all from ETF provider VanEck.

VanEck is a well-known name amongst the ETF investor community. Some of this provider’s most popular offerings include the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT), the VanEck International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL), and the VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF (ASX: MVW).

Today, these products have three new stablemates.

They are:

• VanEck Core+ Diversified Balanced Active ETF (ASX: VBAL)
• VanEck Core+ Diversified Growth Active ETF (ASX: VGRO)
• VanEck Core+ Diversified High Growth Active ETF (ASX: VHGR)

What’s new with these ASX ETFs?

As you might guess, all three of these new ETFs are in a family. All three offer investors a diversified portfolio of underlying ETFs – a ‘ETF of ETFs’ model that has grown in popularity in recent years. The underlying ETFs are all VanEck products too, and aim to give investors a specific exposure to different asset classes, depending on their desired risk level.

To illustrate, both the VanEck Core+ Diversified Balanced Active ETF and the VanEck Core+ Diversified High Growth Active ETF both hold stakes in the Australian Equal Weight ETF we touched on earlier.

VBAL’s portfolio allocates about 17% of its portfolio to this ETF, while the higher-growth VHGR product ramps this up to about 35%. In lieu of additional exposure to ASX shares, VBAL instead opts to employ a higher use of bonds and fixed-interest investments to reduce its risk level to investors.

So VanEck is clearly trying to offer something for everyone here. It’s a similar product offering to that of VanEck’s fellow ETF providers like BetaShares and Vanguard. These two providers also offer ‘ETFs of ETFs’. They include the BetaShares Diversified All Growth ETF (ASX: DHHF) and the Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF (ASX: VDCO).

All three of these new VanEck ETFs floated at $20 a unit today. At the time of writing, all three have taken a slight dip, reflecting today’s market-wide drop, no doubt. Let’s see how these funds fare going forward.

VBAL, VGRO, and VHGR all charge management fees of 0.39% per annum. That’s $39 per year for every $10,000 invested.

The post These 3 ASX ETFs just hit the Australian stock market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.