Author: openjargon

  • The top Australian ETFs I would buy this week

    A woman wearing dark clothing and sporting a few tattoos and piercings holds a phone and a takeaway coffee cup as she strolls under the Sydney Harbour Bridge which looms in the background.

    When I look at exchange-traded funds (ETFs), I’m trying to stack the odds in my favour by owning parts of the market that I think can quietly compound over time, even if headlines move around a lot.

    Right now, these are three Australian ETFs I’d feel comfortable putting fresh money into.

    VanEck Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

    The way I think about the VanEck Australian Quality ETF is simple. If I’m going to own Australian shares, I want to own the ones that actually earn their keep.

    The AQLT ETF focuses on companies with high returns on equity, relatively low leverage, and more stable earnings profiles. That naturally tilts the portfolio toward businesses that generate real cash and can reinvest it sensibly. You see that reflected in the holdings, with exposure to names like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), the major banks, and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG).

    What I like about this ETF is that it avoids the temptation to chase whatever is fashionable. Instead, it leans into quality characteristics that tend to matter most over a full market cycle. It also ends up with different sector weightings compared to the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which can be useful if you already have exposure to traditional index funds.

    For investors who want Australian equities without relying purely on market cap weighting, this feels like a sensible middle ground.

    BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

    The BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF is at the other end of the spectrum, and that’s why I like pairing it with something like the AQLT ETF.

    This ETF gives you exposure to Australia’s listed technology leaders, including businesses like Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA), Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE).

    I don’t expect this part of the market to move in a straight line. Tech never does. But over time, I think Australia’s best technology companies can grow earnings much faster than the broader market, even if sentiment swings around in the short term.

    The ATEC ETF also plays a useful portfolio role. Many Australian investors are heavily exposed to banks and resources by default. This ETF helps balance that out with businesses tied to digital adoption, healthcare technology, and online platforms.

    VanEck S&P/ASX MidCap ETF (ASX: MVE)

    If large caps are the heavyweights and small caps are the lottery tickets, mid-caps often sit in a sweet spot that doesn’t get enough attention.

    The VanEck S&P/ASX MidCap ETF tracks the S&P/ASX MidCap 50 Index (ASX: XMD), giving exposure to companies that are already established but still have room to grow. These are businesses that often sit just below the top 20, with proven operations and expanding markets.

    The holdings reflect that mix. You get exposure to companies like Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS), Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI), Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC), REA Group, JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH), and SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH). It’s a broad cross-section of Australian industry, spanning resources, industrials, property, retail, and technology.

    What appeals to me here is optionality. Some of these stocks will eventually grow into large-cap leaders. Others may simply compound steadily without ever being headline names. Either way, mid-caps can deliver attractive long-term returns if you’re patient.

    Foolish Takeaway

    If I were adding to an ETF portfolio today, I’d want a mix of quality, growth, and opportunity beyond the biggest names.

    The AQLT ETF gives me exposure to Australia’s strongest businesses. The ATEC ETF adds long-term growth through technology leaders. The MVE ETF captures the potential of mid-sized companies that are still climbing.

    Together, they offer diversification by style, sector, and company size, without needing to overcomplicate things. That’s usually a good place to start.

    The post The top Australian ETFs I would buy this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BetaShares Australian Quality ETF right now?

    Before you buy BetaShares Australian Quality ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BetaShares Australian Quality ETF wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Technology One, Wesfarmers, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Telstra Group, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Pro Medicus, Technology One, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 ASX stocks with global revenue to diversify your portfolio

    Portrait of a boy with the map of the world painted on his face.

    When thinking about geographic diversity, many investors still instinctively look at where a company is headquartered. But in a globalised market, where a company earns its money is often far more important than where it is domiciled. Here are three ASX stocks to increase your global exposure.

    Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA): A global earnings powerhouse

    Codan is an Australian technology company with a reputation for durable communications and electronics equipment for the government, corporate, NGO and consumer markets. Its metal detector brand, Minelabs, is widely considered to be the industry standard for both commercial and private prospecting.

    It operates in more than 150 countries globally, across North America, Africa, Europe and Asia, offering exposure to diverse markets.

    Codan’s share price hit all-time high in late January 2026, off the back of strong growth and revenue results in both its communications and metal detector divisions. It’s metal detector business grew 46% in H1 FY26, largely driven by sales in Africa.

    While we may see some of that growth slow if the price of gold continues to drop, its exposure to defence spending and reputation for quality should maintain momentum across its communications division.

    In addition, the company has low debt and a disciplined approach, creating a fertile environment for long-term growth. In my opinion, Codan is a solid investment for long-term investors seeking geographic diversity, even at current prices.  

    Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC): A turnaround play in a resilient market

    While Ramsay has a notable footprint in Australia, it’s significant operations across Europe and the UK give it global revenue streams in the resilient healthcare market.  

    Here in Australia, Ramsay is the largest private hospital operator. In the UK, it provides similar services on a smaller scale alongside mental health services via its Elysium Healthcare subsidiary. Ramsay also holds a controlling stake in European-based Ramsay Santé, which delivers healthcare services across France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Italy.

    In terms of performance, Ramsay is a turnaround play right now. Its share price has fallen around 45% across five years, potentially indicating that investors have lost confidence. That said, it is up circa 9% over the last year, and some analysts have suggested it is undervalued based on its strong fundamentals, margin recovery and Q1 FY2026 revenue growth.

    It’s an option worth exploring if you are looking to diversify and want a value play in a market with long-term growth tailwinds.  

    Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH): Local success story with global reach

    Cochlear is a primary example of an ASX-listed company with an extensive global footprint. This Australian invention is now a world leader in implantable hearing devices. And although it remains based in Sydney, it earns most of its revenue offshore.

    Its most lucrative market is the Americas. This is followed by its Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific operations, giving Cochlear diverse global revenue streams and fantastic earnings resilience.

    In terms of share price, Cochlear has historically been a solid and dependable performer. In 2025, however, it saw some decline, starting the year at around $300 per share and ending it at around $260. While it continues to perform, investors may be losing patience with its relatively slow growth at such a high valuation.  

    If you’re looking for an ASX stock with global revenue streams, Cochlear remains an excellent option. Given its continued success and solid long-term outlook, current share price declines may present an opportunity to buy.  

    The post 3 ASX stocks with global revenue to diversify your portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Codan Limited right now?

    Before you buy Codan Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Codan Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Melissa Maddison 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. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Should you buy this ASX utilities stock before it explodes?

    A male electricity worker in hard hat and high visibility vest stands underneath large electricity generation towers as he holds a laptop computer and gazes up at the high voltage wires overhead.

    LGI Ltd (ASX: LGI) is an ASX utilities stock that has been tipped to grow in the next 12 months. 

    Its share price has fallen 9% year to date, however it remains up almost 30% in the last 12 months. 

    For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) is up approximately 11% in that same period. 

    The company is engaged in the recovery of biogas from landfills. It also engages in the subsequent conversion into renewable electricity and saleable environmental products.

    Yesterday, the team at Bell Potter released updated guidance on this ASX utilities stock.

    This was ahead of LGI’s 1H26 result later this month. 

    Here’s what the broker had to say. 

    1H26 result preview

    Bell Potter notes that Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) Q4 2025 Quarterly Dynamics report shows sharp wholesale electricity price declines across the National Electricity Market (NEM). 

    Prices were down 55% in Queensland and 48% in NSW year-on-year.

    As a result, Bell Potter has cut its 1H26 forecasts for this ASX utilities stock. It has reduced revenue by 5% to $20.0m, EBITDA by 2% to $9.7m and NPAT by 3% to $3.6m. 

    Bell Potter did note that LGI is partially protected from weaker spot prices. 

    LGI have partially shielded themselves from the weakening of spot prices with a ~75% hedge book for FY26.

    Despite this forecast cut, full-year guidance remains for underlying EBITDA growth of 25–30% ($21.7–22.6m), with Bell Potter forecasting $22.0m.

    Earnings are expected to be stronger in the second half due to typically higher electricity prices.

    Some good news

    In yesterday’s report, the broker also pointed out that The Australian Government introduced a new landfill gas method for creating ACCUs in November 2025 to improve scheme integrity. 

    Under the new rules, baselines will rise by 0.5% each year and are set at 30% for flaring-only projects, 37% for new electricity-generating projects, and 40% for existing electricity-generating projects, with ACCUs only earned above these levels. 

    LGI is expected to be less affected than competitors. This is because its projects already operate at an average baseline of about 37%.

    We downgrade EPS by -3%/-4%/-6% across FY26/27/28 reflecting reviewed commodity price and volume forecasts following new AEMO information and regulatory ACCU changes.

    Price target optimism for ASX utilities stock

    Based on this guidance, the team at Bell Potter has retained its buy recommendation on LGI shares. 

    The broker also has a price target of $4.70. 

    This indicates an upside of approximately 26%. 

    We anticipate the scheduled pipeline in reaching 80MW+ to be reflected in significant earnings growth for LGI through FY26 and the coming years. The company is adequately funded to execute its medium-term targets with further scope to upgrade existing sites.

    Based on the report out of Bell Potter, this ASX utilities stock could be one to target before LGI’s 1H26 result later this month. 

    The post Should you buy this ASX utilities stock before it explodes? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in LGI Limited right now?

    Before you buy LGI Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and LGI Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Pinnacle Investment Management profit dips as revenue climbs, dividend steady

    Three people in a corporate office pour over a tablet, ready to invest.

    Yesterday afternoon, Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) reported a 66.6% jump in revenue to $46.1 million, while net profit fell 11.1% to $67.3 million for the half year to 31 December 2025.

    What did Pinnacle Investment Management Group report?

    • Revenue from ordinary activities up 66.6% to $46.1 million
    • Net profit after tax down 11.1% to $67.3 million
    • Earnings per share down 17.6% to 30.4 cents
    • Interim dividend of 29.0 cents per share, 23.2 cents franked
    • Net tangible assets per share at $4.08

    What else do investors need to know?

    Pinnacle has maintained its dividend payments, with an interim dividend of 29.0 cents per share declared for the half year. The company continues to operate a dividend reinvestment plan, giving shareholders the option to reinvest their dividends.

    No new entities were acquired or disposed of during the period. Pinnacle’s aggregate share of net profits from its associates and joint venture entities stood at $69.4 million, down from $74.3 million in the previous period.

    What’s next for Pinnacle Investment Management Group?

    Looking ahead, Pinnacle’s diverse investments in asset managers across multiple regions provide the group with continued exposure to market opportunities. The dividend reinvestment plan and steady income from its associates may help underpin shareholder returns.

    Management will likely continue monitoring market trends and focus on supporting its affiliate network for future growth. Investors may want to keep an eye on Pinnacle’s ability to deliver consistent profits in a shifting investment landscape.

    Pinnacle Investment Management Group share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Pinnacle Investment Management Group shares have declined 31%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Pinnacle Investment Management profit dips as revenue climbs, dividend steady appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pinnacle Investment Management Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Pinnacle Investment Management Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Pinnacle Investment Management Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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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 Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management Group. 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.

  • 3 ASX 200 momentum stocks to buy right now

    rising share price line observed by person

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed nearly 1% higher on Tuesday afternoon. The increase means the index has now climbed 1.5% higher for the year-to-date and is up 5.7% on the year. The index gains are strong, but some ASX 200 stocks have enjoyed much stronger momentum, and it looks like it’ll continue too.

    Here are 3 ASX 200 momentum stocks to buy right now.

    Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK)

    Nick Scali shares closed 0.69% higher on Tuesday at $24.96. For the year-to-date the shares are 5.76% higher and they’ve significantly outpaced the ASX 200 index over the past 12 months, rising 57.58% over the year.

    The household furniture importer and retailer’s shares have risen very steadily over this period too, showing incredible resilient momentum. In fact, the ASX stock has climbed pretty consistently since they listed on the ASX back in 2004, with the exception of a covid-19-included blip in early 2020.

    The team at Bell Potter recently named the furniture retailer as one of the best stocks to buy. The broker said that the company’s expansion into the UK gives the opportunity for the business to drive scale efficiencies and margin expansion. 

    IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO)

    Nickel, copper, and cobalt miner IGO is another good momentum stock picking up investor interest right now.

    Unlike Nick Scali, the miner’s share price hasn’t had such stable and historically long share price growth. However, the ASX 200 miner’s shares have had a strong price rally over the past 12 months.

    At the close of the ASX on Tuesday, the shares had climbed 1.07% to $8.52 a piece. For the year-to-date the shares are 3.78% higher and they’re now a huge 78.24% higher for the year.

    The company recently posted a strong operational performance for the December quarter. Including a 55% increase in its underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) and a positive operating cash flow of $12.8 million. 

    Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX)

    Westgold shares also closed in the green on Tuesday afternoon, up 0.14% to $6.96 a piece. For the year-to-date the ASX 200 gold miner’s shares are 7.91% higher, and have shown strong momentum since 2023. Over the past year alone, the stock has rallied 207.96% higher.

    The gold miner reported record gold production and a doubling of its cash build for the December quarter. The latest gold price upswing has also helped push the share price higher recently. 

    Analysts are bullish that the shares will keep building momentum this year too. Data shows that the maximum 12-month target price is $11.70, which implies a potential 68.1% upside for investors at the time of writing. 

    The post 3 ASX 200 momentum stocks to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in IGO Ltd right now?

    Before you buy IGO Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and IGO Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • The $100,000 superannuation mistake many Australians make in their 40s

    Devastated woman sits near smartphone on home kitchen floor troubled with loneliness.

    When it comes to your superannuation, even a small mistake could cost you a fortune in the long run. 

    From failing to consolidate your accounts, to losing insurance coverage, or even switching preferences in fear of an S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) market crash, there are many different superannuation mistakes which could damage your retirement balance.

    But there is one in particular which is rife with Aussies in their 40s. And the worrying thing is, we’re probably all guilty of it.

    The $100,000 superannuation mistake

    The biggest superannuation mistake that many Australians make in their 40s is to leave their super on autopilot.

    That means, failing to start or increase your contributions, failing to review your superfund performance, or failing to adjust your super risk profile to suit you as an individual.

    This is because your 40s are generally an age bracket when salaries are likely to rise, promotions are on the table, and parents are able to return to some type of work.

    By leaving your superannuation on autopilot, what might be a $5 loss today could easily snowball into $100,000 by retirement after you take compound growth into account.

    What do I need to action now?

    To avoid this, you simply need to take action. Here are a few pointers to get started:

    1. Make sure your superfund is performing

    Is your superfund underperforming or in line with market expectations? One of the worst superannuation mistakes you can make is to stick with a poorly performing fund. The difference between an average superannuation fund and a top-performing one can be the difference between scraping by in retirement and living comfortably.

    2. Review your risk profile

    Do you have the default superfund investment option? Putting your money into the wrong type of fund can quickly chip away at your balance. It makes sense to be conservative later on in life when you’re approaching retirement and you’re planning to access your funds in the next few years. But by being too conservative too early you’ll lose out on the potential for more growth. 

    3. Add extra when you can

    There’s no sense adding money to your superannuation fund if it means you’ll struggle to make it to payday. But if you do have spare cash at the end of the month, it pays in the long run to contribute it to your superfund. The power of compounding returns means that the more money you can invest when you’re younger, the more impact it will have on your final balance.

    The post The $100,000 superannuation mistake many Australians make in their 40s appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    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.

  • These ASX 200 shares could rise 50% to 80%

    Two happy excited friends in euphoria mood after winning in a bet with a smartphone in hand.

    Are you on the lookout for some big returns in 2026? If you are, then it could be worth looking at the two ASX 200 shares in this article.

    That’s because analysts believe they could rise 50% or more this year. Here’s what they are recommending to clients:

    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

    Bell Potter thinks this location technology company’s shares could be seriously undervalued at current levels.

    The broker was impressed with the ASX 200 share’s recent quarterly update and believes there’s far more to come in 2026. It said:

    Life360 provided a Q4 and 2025 update which was ahead of both the guidance and our forecasts: Year end MAU of 95.8m (vs BPe 93.5m) comprising 50.6m in the US (vs BPe 49.5m) and 45.3m international (vs BPe 44.0m); Year end paying circles of 2.83m (vs BPe 2.80m) comprising 2.00m in the US (vs BPe 1.97m) and 0.83m international (vs BPe 0.81m); 2025 revenue expected to be b/w US$486-489m (vs guidance US$474-485m and BPe US$480m); and 2025 adjusted EBITDA expected to be b/w US$87-92m (vs guidance US$84-88m and BPe US$86m).

    The company also provided one outlook statement for 2026 which was MAU growth of 20% which implies absolute growth of c.19m users to around 115m at year end.

    Bell Potter has a buy rating and $45.00 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $28.64, this suggests that upside of 55% is possible between now and this time next year.

    Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

    The team at Bell Potter also thinks that big returns could be coming from this biotechnology company’s shares in 2026. Though, it warns that it would only be suitable for investors with a high tolerance for risk.

    The broker believes that the ASX 200 share is in a very healthy position following its new debt funding and growing demand for its Ryoncil product. It explains:

    We continue to expect large reductions in cash burn in the March and June quarters reflecting collections from current and future sales with operating expenses stabilising at the new higher level. Elsewhere, this note reviews key terms of the new debt funding package. The new loan package vastly simplifies the balance sheet and earnings transparency by virtue of the simple 8% charge, paid quarterly – interest only for five years.

    Finally, the recent update on real world performance of Ryoncil in the treatment of paediatric SR aGvHD is reassuring. 21 of 25 patients (84%) treated since launch were alive at day 28. The challenge for the commercial team is to convince physicians that established modes of treatment are now obsolete. Ryoncil is here to stay.

    Bell Potter has a buy rating and $4.45 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of approximately 80% for investors over the next 12 months.

    The post These ASX 200 shares could rise 50% to 80% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Life360 right now?

    Before you buy Life360 shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Life360 wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Two men celebrate while another holds his head in his hands, after watching the race.

    It was a bullish Tuesday session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and most ASX shares today. Despite the decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to hike interest rates for the first time since 2023 this afternoon, investors were still excited to buy shares.

    By the time the markets closed, the ASX 200 had risen a buoyant 0.89% to 8,857.1 points.

    This rosy Tuesday session for the ASX follows a euphoric morning up on Wall Street.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was on fire, shooting 1.05% higher.

    The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn’t quite as enthusiastic, but still managed a 0.56% gain.

    But let’s return to the local markets now and take stock of what the various ASX sectors were up to today.

    Winners and losers

    It was almost a universally positive session this Tuesday, with only one sector left out of the market’s excitement.

    That unlucky sector was utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was singled out for punishment, shedding 1.12% of its value.

    But it was all smiles everywhere else.

    Leading the winners today were gold stocks, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) recovering a little from yesterday’s sell-off to post a 1.96% surge.

    Tech shares were in demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) soared 1.89% higher today.

    Mining stocks also ran hot, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)’s 1.49% spike.

    Consumer discretionary shares didn’t miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) vaulted up 1.12% this session.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) lifting 1.09%.

    Financial stocks had another strong day. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) swelled by 0.82% this Tuesday.

    We could say the same for industrial shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.55% bounce higher.

    Energy stocks fared decently, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) added 0.5% to its total by the closing bell.

    Consumer staples shares were in the winners’ corner as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) increasing by 0.48%.

    Healthcare stocks managed to stick the landing. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) crawled 0.1% higher today.

    Finally, communications shares scraped home with a small rise, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)’s 0.04% bump.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Defence stock DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) was our index topper this Tuesday. DroneShield shares rocketed 7.83% higher this session, closing at $3.71 each.

    This gain came despite no fresh news or announcements from the company itself.

    Here’s how the other top stocks from today’s trading pulled up at the kerb:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) $3.71 7.83%
    Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) $164.75 5.64%
    Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) $16.73 5.09%
    NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) $5.42 4.84%
    Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) $14.46 4.18%
    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) $28.64 4.07%
    Sandfre Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) $19.84 4.04%
    Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) $2.03 3.84%
    Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) $173.49 3.63%
    Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) $15.25 3.25%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in DroneShield Limited right now?

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    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Newmont. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield, Life360, and Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Gold price rebounds after 21% dive: What’s going on?

    a woman holds her hands to her temples as she sits in front of a computer screen with a concerned look on her face.

    The gold price reached a record intraday high of $US5,608.35 per ounce last Thursday.

    Then came the steepest fall in more than a decade during overseas trading sessions on Saturday (Australian time).

    The gold price hit an intraday low of  $US4,405  per ounce yesterday before rebounding in afternoon trading.

    Top to bottom, the gold price tumbled 21% over three days.

    Should ordinary investors be freaking out or taking this in their stride?

    What just happened to the gold price?

    Analysts at Trading Economics said Saturday’s gold price sell-off was triggered by the US President’s new Federal Reserve chair pick.

    President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to replace current chair, Jerome Powell, when his term expires in May.

    The analysts said Warsh was “viewed as more hawkish than other contenders, raising concerns about tighter monetary policy”.

    Markets have been concerned over the Fed’s independence amid President Trump’s persistent public pressure on Powell to cut rates.

    Those concerns eased after the more hawkish nominee was announced, prompting a boost for the US dollar.

    While the nomination ended months of uncertainty, Warsh was a surprising choice given Trump’s preference for lower interest rates.

    It was expectations of lower rates, alongside a weakening US dollar and high US debt, that fuelled the remarkable run-up in the gold price last month.

    The gold price went from just over US$4,300 per ounce on 31 December to above US$5,600 per ounce last Thursday.

    That’s a 30% gain in less than a month.

    To put that into greater perspective, that’s just under half the gain we saw over the entirety of last year for the gold price.

    Trading Economics analysts said:

    That advance was fuelled by strong central bank demand and the so-called debasement trade, as investors rotated into physical assets from currencies and bonds amid concerns over surging government debt.

    The debasement trade refers to investors moving out of paper assets, such as bonds and cash, into real assets, such as gold, silver, and other commodities, because they fear the US dollar will weaken further.

    The US dollar’s weakness has been driven by concerns over US debt, lower US interest rates and expectations of more to come, and broader economic and geopolitical risks.

    This has driven many central banks to diversify into gold, which is seen as the quintessential “safe-haven asset“.

    Profit-taking and positioning drive 21% rout

    While Warsh’s nomination was the spark, profit-taking was the fire that led to the gold price plummeting 21% in three days.

    Trading Economics analysts said: “Profit-taking also emerged after a relentless rally that had pushed gold to record highs.”

    In the Australian Financial Review, Aakash Doshi, global head of gold and metals strategy at State Street Investment Management, said the sell-off was also “probably … exacerbated by month-end rebalancing as both short dollar and long precious metals has been the consensus macro trade over the past two to three weeks”.

    Commodity analysts at French bank Societe Generale SA said the sell-off also represented de-leveraging and positioning.

    The analysts said (courtesy Kitco News):

    Metal prices didn’t just correct on Friday — they deleveraged.

    Gold fell 10%, exceeding the largest intraday drop since the 2008 global financial crisis and the biggest daily decline since the early 1980s. 

    They added:

    When positioning gets stretched, stops get hit, margin calls rise, and systematic funds cut risk.

    Should you be worried?

    AMP head of investment strategy Shane Oliver said the gold price was poised for a correction after such a big run-up.

    Oliver said (courtesy abc.net.au):

    Gold has been overbought and got ahead of itself.

    These rises have been exponential.

    It’s been vulnerable to a pullback.

    Warwick Grigor, an analyst at mining investment specialists Far East Capital, said the fundamentals for gold had not changed.

    What has changed in the big picture in a week? Nothing really.

    With Trump in office the chaos will continue.

    We have just seen over-zealous speculators get carried away and the enthusiasm has been reigned in, appropriately, for the time being.

    Movements like this are sent to test our resolve and there will be selling by some, but there but has been no fundamental shift in the
    thematic.

    Silver also took a pounding, falling 26% in [30 January] trading. We need to take this in our stride.

    Grigor pointed out that gold miners would still make plenty of money despite the 21% fall in the gold price.

    He said implied profitability for gold producers was between US$3,000 and US$4,000 per ounce.

    Gold price rebounding now

    The gold price began rebounding yesterday and is up 3.45% on Tuesday to US$4,820 per ounce.

    Trading Economics analysts said bargain hunting has emerged, and the gold price remains supported by central banks and the debasement trade.

    Societe Generale SA is now tipping an increase in the gold price to US$6,000 by year’s end, up from their previous prediction of US$5,000.

    In a new note, commodity analysts at the bank said (courtesy Kitco News):

    … we remain bullish on gold as we believe the fundamental rationale for precious upside remains despite one area of uncertainty being removed – namely, lower Fed institutional chaos.

    We always believe a correction can be very healthy.

    JP Morgan has a year-end forecast of US$6,300 per ounce for the gold price, with potential to rise toward US$6,600 next year.

    JP Morgan analysts said (courtesy wsj.com)

    While the dust has yet to fully settle from last week, it has not derailed our structural bullish view on gold.

    This long-term rally in gold has not and will not be linear, so for now we once again digest, reset and repeat.

    The post Gold price rebounds after 21% dive: What’s going on? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

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    JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended JPMorgan Chase. 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.

  • 3 ASX growth shares to buy before they rebound

    A young man punches the air in delight as he reacts to great news on his mobile phone.

    The Australian share market may be trading within sight of a record high, but not all shares have climbed with it.

    A good number of ASX growth shares have been sold off over the past 12 months as investors rotated into the large miners and gold and silver.

    While this is disappointing for growth investors, it has arguably created an incredible buying opportunity for those that have capital to deploy.

    Let’s take a look at three that analysts think could be worth considering before they rebound. They are as follows:

    NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

    The first ASX growth share that could rebound is NextDC.

    NextDC operates data centres that support cloud computing, enterprise IT, and increasingly AI-related workloads. Demand for data storage and processing continues to rise, even if short-term market sentiment fluctuates.

    Its share price has been pressured by concerns over the AI boom and interest rates, but the long-term need for digital infrastructure has not gone away. As customers scale cloud and AI usage, high-quality data centre capacity remains critical.

    The team at Macquarie thinks this could be a buying opportunity for investors. It recently put an outperform rating and $22.30 price target on its shares.

    TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

    Another ASX growth share that could be worth buying before a rebound is TechnologyOne.

    TechnologyOne develops enterprise software for governments, universities, and large organisations. These customers tend to be sticky, long-term users, which gives the company a high level of revenue visibility.

    While its shares have pulled back alongside the broader tech sector, its fundamentals remain very much intact. The ongoing shift to a software-as-a-service model continues to lift recurring revenue and cash generation, while international expansion provides an additional growth lever. In fact, management believes it can double in size every five years because of these drivers.

    If market sentiment toward quality software businesses improves, TechnologyOne’s consistency and long track record could see investors re-rate the shares.

    UBS is bullish on TechnologyOne and has a buy rating and $38.70 price target on its shares.

    Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

    A final ASX growth share to consider before a rebound is Temple & Webster.

    The online furniture retailer has been weighed down by softer consumer spending and a de-rating of tech valuations. However, the business continues to operate in a large addressable market where its market share remains relatively small.

    Temple & Webster has been improving customer retention, private-label penetration, and operational efficiency. These factors position the company to benefit disproportionately if trading conditions normalise.

    Bell Potter thinks there’s major upside ahead for investors. It has a buy rating and $19.50 price target on its shares.

    The post 3 ASX growth shares to buy before they rebound appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in NEXTDC Limited right now?

    Before you buy NEXTDC Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and NEXTDC Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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