Author: openjargon

When it comes to ASX dividend stocks, blue-chip business Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) is an old favourite.

At the close of the ASX on Wednesday afternoon, Wesfarmers shares had tumbled 0.87% to $74.32 a piece.

The slump means the shares are now 9% lower over the year-to-date and 18% lower over the past six months.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is 1.33% higher over the year-to-date but 2% lower than 6 months ago.

Global volatility and concern about inflation and the rising cost of living has smashed the retail giant’s shares recently. After initially climbing 9% through the first few weeks of the year, Wesfarmers shares have crashed nearly 17% since mid-February.

Some investors might be put off by the dwindling share price and company headwinds over the past couple of months, but I see it as a rare opportunity to buy the ASX dividend stock for cheap.

Here’s why.

Wesfarmers has a long track record of consistency

As a leading Australia blue-chip company and the seventh-largest company listed on the ASX, Wesfarmers is well-established and long-standing.

The company is diversified too, with retail operations in everything from home improvement to health and wellbeing and even chemicals.

Wesfarmers has demonstrated consistent and long-term net profit growth over several years. It also has a track record of delivering solid earnings regardless of how challenging the economic conditions are.

Take the latest first-half FY26 update, for example.

The Kmart and Bunnings owner posted a 9.3% increase in its NPAT, an 8.4% hike in EBIT, and its revenue climbed 3.1% on the prior period.

And while the company acknowledges that inflation and higher operating expenses could remain as headwinds going forward, it is confident that earnings growth will continue.

Markets estimate that Wesfarmers could achieve a $2.86 billion in net profit in FY26 before climbing to $3.07 billion FY27, and $3.1 billion in FY28.

Its dividend payment is reliable and consistent

Wesfarmers is well-known for its reliable and consistent passive income payment. 

In February, the ASX dividend stock declared a fully franked interim dividend of $1.02 per share, up 7.4%. 

And it’s expected to keep climbing higher too. The board is expected to deliver an annual dividend per share of $2.13 in FY26, which translates to a dividend yield of around 2.9%.

The retail conglomerate is forecast to pay an annual dividend per share of $2.31 in FY27 and $2.56 in FY28. By FY30, it could hike as high as $3 per share, which would be a 41% increase from FY26. 

The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 18% — I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build a $25,000 ASX share portfolio from zero
• How to start investing in ASX shares with $1,000
• Stagflation: How to position an ASX stock portfolio
• Here are the latest growth forecasts for the Wesfarmers share price
• Buy, hold, or sell? Coles, Wesfarmers, BHP 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 positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

For many investors, the hardest part is not choosing ASX shares. It is getting to the first meaningful milestone.

A $25,000 portfolio does not happen overnight. It is usually built through steady contributions, patience, and a few good investments that compound over time.

The process tends to look less like a single plan and more like a series of small, repeatable steps.

Start by making the first $5,000 count

The early stage matters more than it seems. With a smaller balance, each investment has a larger impact on overall performance. That makes it worth focusing on businesses with established earnings, strong positions in their industries, and a track record of delivering results. Think Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) or Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

This is not about finding the next breakout stock. It is about choosing ASX shares that are already working and are likely to keep working.

Getting the first few investments right builds both momentum and confidence.

Add regularly, not occasionally

Most $25,000 portfolios are built through a combination of contributions and market gains.

Adding a fixed amount at regular intervals can turn a slow start into steady progress. It also removes the need to decide when the right time to invest is.

Some months will feel uncomfortable. Markets move, headlines change, and prices fluctuate. A consistent approach keeps the focus on the long term instead of short-term noise.

Over time, these regular additions become a large driver of growth.

Let winners grow

As the portfolio begins to take shape, some holdings will perform better than others.

It can be tempting to lock in gains quickly, especially when a position moves higher in a short period. But long-term portfolio growth often comes from allowing strong performers to continue compounding.

This does not mean ignoring risk. It means recognising when a business is still delivering and giving it time to grow.

A small position can become a meaningful part of the portfolio if it is allowed to run.

Keep the number of holdings manageable

A $25,000 portfolio does not need a long list of ASX shares.

Holding too many positions can dilute returns and make it harder to keep track of what is actually driving performance. A focused group of investments is easier to understand and manage.

Each addition should have a clear reason for being there. If that reason is not clear, it is often better to wait.

Stay invested through the difficult periods

Every investor encounters periods where the portfolio falls in value.

These moments can feel like setbacks, but they are a normal part of building long-term wealth. Selling out during weaker periods can interrupt the compounding process and make it harder to reach the next milestone.

Staying invested allows the portfolio to recover and continue growing as conditions improve.

Progress tends to be gradual, then noticeable

Building a $25,000 ASX share portfolio rarely feels dramatic while it is happening.

Growth is often gradual at first. Then, over time, the combination of contributions and compounding begins to show.

What started as a small collection of investments becomes something more substantial. For many investors, that is the point where the process starts to feel real.

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

More reading

• 1 ASX dividend stock down 18% — I’d buy right now
• How to start investing in ASX shares with $1,000
• Stagflation: How to position an ASX stock portfolio
• Here are the latest growth forecasts for the Wesfarmers share price
• Buy, hold, or sell? Coles, Wesfarmers, BHP shares

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

When it comes to ASX dividend shares, most of them pay their investors every 12 months, six months, or possibly quarterly.

But for any investor who wants to be paid a reliable income much more frequently, there are a few ASX dividend shares that pay out to their shareholders on a monthly basis.

Here are three of my favourites.

Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8)

As a listed investment company (LIC), Plato targets investors who need a dependable income stream. These are mostly income-focused investors like retirees and SMSF investors.

The company actively manages a portfolio of mature ASX-listed equities, cash, and listed futures. It mostly focuses on ASX dividend shares with strong dividend payouts, such as major banks, mining giants, and energy firms. 

Plato has consistently paid fully-franked dividends of 0.55 cents per share every month since April 2022. That equates to an annual running total of 6.6 cents per share in fully-franked passive income. This equates to a dividend yield of 4.89% at the time of writing.

Betashares Australian Top 20 Equity Yield Maximiser Fund (ASX: YMAX)

The Betashares YMAX is an ASX-listed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that targets the 20 largest Australian shares on the ASX. 

As at 31st of March, the YMAX ETF has a 12-month gross distribution yield of 10.3% and a 12-month distribution yield of 8.7%. The total 12-month franking level is 41.6%.

Its first-ever monthly dividend payment (previously the fund paid shareholders on a quarterly basis) was paid on the 17th of February, where it handed investors $0.035221 per unit. Its most recent payment was on Monday this week when it handed shareholders $0.043779 per unit.

Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT)

As a listed investment trust (LIT), the Metrics Master Income Trust holds a portfolio of corporate loans and private credit investments rather than a portfolio of other ASX dividend shares. 

This means it can give diversity-seeking investors direct exposure to the Australian corporate loan market. This is an area that is currently dominated by regulated banks. 

The Metrics Master Income Trust targets a return of the Reserve Bank cash rate plus 3.25% p.a. (net of fees) through every stage of the economic cycle. 

Its latest payout was 1.33 cents per share unfranked in March, payable next week. That means that over the past 12 months, Metrics Master Income Trust has paid out 12 dividends totalling 15.5 cents per share. At the time of writing, this gives the LIT a dividend yield of 7.93%.

The post These 3 ASX dividend shares yield 5% (or more) with monthly payouts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Own ASX DHHF or other Betashares ETFs? It’s a big day for you!
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• 8% yield: The ASX is getting a new dividend stock that pays out monthly
• 2 monthly income ETFs with yield reaching as high as 9%
• Metrics Master Income Trust announces March 2026 distribution

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.

At age 50, your focus should be on building your superannuation to a level where you have enough money to retire comfortably.

After all, the difference between a comfortable and a modest retirement is the difference between living a good retirement lifestyle and getting by on a little more than the Age Pension payment. 

Here’s a breakdown of what a comfortable retirement will cost you, and how much you need in your superannuation right now to meet that figure. 

The cost of a comfortable retirement

According to data from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), a comfortable retirement will cost around $54,840 per year for individuals and $77,375 per year for couples.

In order to achieve a comfortable retirement, ASFA also calculates that a couple will need a superannuation balance of $730,000 and a single person will need $630,000.

These figures assume that you retire at age 67 and own your home outright.

They also assume that, at retirement, Australians will draw down all their capital and receive a part Age Pension.

How much superannuation should I have at age 50 to be on track to reach that goal?

For a comfortable retirement, your current superannuation balance should be around $313,500 at age 50.

The concerning thing is, the average superannuation balance for a 50 to 54-year-old male is $254,071, and for a female, it’s just $190,175.

How does your balance compare?

Falling behind? Here are a few tips to catch up before it’s too late

While it might be frightening to think your superannuation is below what is needed to fund a comfortable retirement, or even possibly below the average 50-year-old, there are a few things you can do to help.

Keep in mind that if you retire at the average age of 65, or even later, then you still have another 15 (or more) years to go before your retirement years are upon you. That’s quite a lot of time for your investments to grow.

The first, and most important, thing to do is to review your superannuation setup and performance.

It’s important to make sure your super fund is performing well. The difference between a top-performing fund and one that is underperforming a benchmark such as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) can be the difference between meeting your superannuation balance goal and missing it entirely.

Also, check that your fund’s risk appetite aligns with your own. Putting your money into the wrong type of fund can quickly chip away at your balance. 

Then, the easiest way to boost your superannuation balance is to make extra concessional or non-concessional contributions, whether this is salary sacrificing or after-tax payments (within your annual limits). 

If you don’t currently have the spare funds to add money yourself, you can look into applicable government initiatives. There’s the downsizer contributions rule, the bring-forward rule, the government co-contribution rule, and many others. These can help boost your balance just a little bit further. 

The post Superannuation balance you need at age 50 to be able to retire comfortably appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Morgans says these ASX shares could rise 30% to 70%
• Where to invest $20,000 in ASX ETFs right now
• CSL’s collapse deepens. Why this ASX giant can’t find a floor
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

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.

It was a rather horrid hump day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares today, as investor pessimism once again took over the markets.

After spending the entire session in red territory, the ASX 200 ended up closing down a nasty 1.18%. That leaves the index at 8,843.6 points at this mid-week point.

Today’s unhappy performance from the Australian markets follows a similarly negative night up on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) closed down 0.59% after initially rising during morning trading.

In a rare coincidence, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) also finished up with a 0.59% loss.

But let’s return to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into how today’s pessimism filtered down into the various ASX sectors.

Winners and losers

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

More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• UBS names 3 ASX 200 shares to buy right now
• Why Ampol, Meteoric Resources, Praemium, and Treasury Wine shares are storming higher
• Why this ASX 200 energy stock is back in focus today
• Qube Holdings wins ASX waiver for flexible scheme timetable and dividend

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 Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are looking to supercharge your portfolio with some big returns, then it could be worth checking out the two ASX shares in this article.

That’s because the team at Morgans has named them as buys with potential upside of 30% or more.

Here’s what the broker is recommending to clients:

Elementos Ltd (ASX: ELT)

This tin-focused mineral exploration company has caught the eye of Morgans.

It highlights that tin prices have lifted strongly since its definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the Oropesa project.

And with electrification and supply constraints expected to support tin prices over the medium term, the broker is feeling positive about Elementos’ outlook.

It has put a buy rating and 51 cents price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 34% for investors from current levels. It said:

Recent strong tin price growth is expected to continue with electrification, supply constraints in the current geopolitical situation, and enhanced Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focus in tin producing jurisdictions. Since delivery of the definitive feasibility study for Oropesa, Spain, in May 2025, (US$156M capex, producing 3,400tpy of tin in concentrate, projected cost US$15,000/t) ELT has advanced the regulatory and administrative approvals.

Since the DFS, the tin price has lifted from ˜US$30,000/t to ˜US$50,000/t. We now model US$35,000/t (previously US$30,000/t) for tin to generate a Valuation of A$0.57ps (previously A$0.50) and a Target Price discounted by 10% to A$0.51ps.

Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL)

Another ASX share that Morgans is recommending to clients is fund manager Regal Partners.

Although it had a soft quarter and has trimmed its earnings estimates, the broker remains positive.

It has put a buy rating and $4.20 price target on Regal Partners’ shares. Based on its current share price of $2.45, this suggests that upside of 70% is possible between now and this time next year. It commented:

RPL has released its March 2026 quarterly FUM update. This was a soft quarter (FUM -3%) for RPL as hedge fund investment performance suffered on the back of volatile market conditions. FUM bounced back in Apr-26. We update our RPL numbers for the quarterly following a broad review of our FUM expectations for the CY26.

Our CY26/27/28F EPS estimates are revised down -2%, reflecting more conservative FUM assumptions for the current year. Our valuation declines on the back of lower peer multiples and higher cost of capital assumptions. Target price $4.20/sh. We maintain our RPL BUY rating with >20% upside to our price target.

The post Morgans says these ASX shares could rise 30% to 70% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Where to invest $20,000 in ASX ETFs right now
• CSL’s collapse deepens. Why this ASX giant can’t find a floor
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Drones, defence, and demand: Why this ASX stock is running hot in 2026

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.

Putting $20,000 to work in the share market can feel daunting.

But don’t let that put you off, even if you don’t like picking stocks.

That’s because exchange traded funds (ETFs) offer an easy way to put the money to work in the share market. They provide diversification, access to long-term themes, and a clear structure without requiring constant management.

Here are three ASX ETFs to consider for the $20,000.

BetaShares Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)

The first ASX ETF to consider is the BetaShares Global Defence ETF.

This ETF provides investors with exposure to companies involved in the global defence sector. It includes businesses linked to military equipment, cybersecurity, and defence technology, including our very own DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO).

Spending in this area has been increasing as governments respond to shifting geopolitical conditions. That trend has supported long-term demand for defence-related products and services.

For investors, the BetaShares Global Defence ETF offers a way to access this theme without needing to identify individual international companies.

This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ASX: ACDC)

Another ASX ETF to consider is the Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF.

This ETF is built around the global transition to electrification. It holds companies involved in lithium mining, battery production, and electric vehicle supply chains. This includes Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) and Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS).

Demand for battery technology continues to grow as industries move toward cleaner energy and transportation solutions. This creates a broad opportunity set across both resource producers and technology companies.

The Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF provides exposure to that ecosystem in a single investment. It allows investors to participate in the long-term shift without needing to pick individual winners in a rapidly evolving space. It was recently recommended by Global X.

VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF (ASX: MVW)

A final ASX ETF to consider for the $20,000 is the VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF.

This ETF takes a different approach to investing in the Australian market. Instead of weighting companies by size, it gives each holding an equal allocation. This reduces the heavy concentration in large banks and major resource companies that is common in traditional indices.

The result is a more balanced exposure across sectors and companies, without one area dominating the portfolio.

This structure can also create opportunities. In periods of rising interest rates, equal weight strategies have historically outperformed the broader market. There is also greater exposure to companies outside the largest names, which may present opportunities at current valuations.

It was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

The post Where to invest $20,000 in ASX ETFs right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Global X says it’s time to target this electric vehicle ASX ETF that has doubled in a year
• Why this HALO focused ASX ETF outperformed over the last month
• 5 ASX ETFs to buy and hold for five years
• Why I’d buy these BetaShares ETFs for my portfolio in April

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield and Tesla. 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.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares are breaking down again on Wednesday, with selling pressure pushing the stock to levels not seen in nearly a decade.

At the time of writing, the CSL share price is down 5.10% to $130.02.

Earlier in afternoon trade, the stock fell as low as $128.675, marking a 9-year low and extending one of the steepest declines seen in a blue-chip behemoth in recent years.

It also comes during a weaker session for the broader market.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 1.07% to 8,853 points, with healthcare among the sectors under pressure.

Here’s what appears to be driving the latest leg lower.

A key demand driver just took a hit

One of the key triggers appears to be fresh policy changes in the United States.

According to The Australian, the US military has scrapped its annual flu shot requirement for service members. While vaccinations remain available, the removal of a broad mandate changes the demand outlook.

CSL generates a significant portion of its revenue from the US, with its influenza vaccines forming part of that exposure.

A policy shift like this feeds directly into investor concerns around vaccine volumes. Lower uptake could weigh on future sales, particularly in segments where demand was previously supported by mandates.

The selling didn’t start today

The latest drop adds to a trend that has been building for some time.

CSL has been working through a slower growth phase, with expectations pulled back over the past 18 months. Earlier updates pointed to softer earnings momentum, driven by pressure in vaccines and margins.

At the same time, healthcare stocks have fallen out of favour in 2026. Capital has moved into other parts of the market, leaving former high-multiple names exposed.

Recent developments across the sector have added to the pressure. Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)’s profit warning has weighed on sentiment and reinforced concerns around earnings visibility.

That backdrop has left CSL more vulnerable to negative news.

A blue-chip reset that’s too hard to ignore

The scale of the decline stands out given CSL’s history.

For years, it was viewed as one of the ASX’s most dependable growth companies. Strong earnings expansion and global leadership in plasma therapies supported a premium valuation.

That premium has now been stripped out.

The share price is trading well below prior highs, and valuation multiples have compressed alongside slower growth expectations.

The core business remains solid, particularly in plasma-derived therapies where demand continues to build over time. But the market is placing more weight on near-term earnings than long-term positioning.

Foolish Takeaway

CSL’s slide to a 9-year low reflects a combination of shifting demand expectations and broader sector pressure.

The removal of a US flu shot mandate has added another layer of uncertainty at a time when growth is already under scrutiny.

With sentiment toward healthcare stocks still fragile, the shares have struggled to find support.

The next phase will depend on whether earnings can stabilise and rebuild confidence.

The post CSL’s collapse deepens. Why this ASX giant can’t find a floor appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Prediction: CSL shares could surpass $265 in 2026
• Are ASX healthcare shares the next to rally?
• 5 oversold ASX shares to buy before the end of April
• 2 ASX healthcare shares I think can beat the market
• How much could a $10,000 investment in these undervalued ASX 200 shares be worth in a year?

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

Many of Australia’s top brokers have been busy adjusting their financial models and recommendations again. This has led to a number of broker notes being released this week.

Three ASX shares that brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here’s why their analysts are feeling bullish on them right now:

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this investment platform provider’s shares with a trimmed price target of $110.00. This follows the release of Hub24’s quarterly update, which revealed net inflows ahead of the broker’s expectations but below consensus estimates. Overall, the broker was pleased and highlights that the quantum of net inflows remains on an upwards trajectory. In addition, the broker points out that Hub24 issued positive language for momentum and highlighted the strong growth in retail net inflows. And while Bell Potter has trimmed its estimates slightly, it still expects earnings per share growth of 33% in FY 2026 and 21% in FY 2027. The Hub24 share price is trading at $86.45 this afternoon.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

A note out of Morgan Stanley reveals that its analysts have retained their overweight rating on this data centre operator’s shares with a slightly reduced price target of $18.00. This follows the announcement of a major capital raising to support accelerated construction plans. Morgan Stanley highlights that NextDC has won its largest-ever single contract with a 250MW customer for the S4 data centre in Sydney. While NextDC shares trade at a premium to US peers, the broker believes this is justified given its significantly stronger growth outlook. The NextDC share price is fetching $14.46 at the time of writing.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Another note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this logistics solutions technology company’s shares with a trimmed price target of $78.75. Bell Potter highlights that WiseTech shares are currently trading at a 30% discount to TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) on an EV/EBITDA basis in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. And while it believes some sort of discount is now warranted, it thinks the current discount is excessive. This is especially the case given WiseTech has greater forecast earnings growth over the medium term and also a similar strong competitive moat due to 30 years of proprietary data, deeply embedded software and high switching costs. The WiseTech share price is trading at $45.53 on Wednesday.

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

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: ANZ, NAB, and WiseTech shares
• Why are NextDC shares storming higher today?
• NEXTDC completes $1bn institutional entitlement offer to fund growth
• Leading broker says this top ASX 200 share is a buy with 25%+ upside
• Still down 40% over the past year, how high could WiseTech shares recover?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nextdc, Technology One, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24, Technology One, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24 and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

A stock doesn’t climb more than 120% in a few months without drawing strong investor attention.

Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) has been one of those names in 2026, riding a wave tied to defence and autonomous systems.

The shares are down 5.16% to $6.80 in afternoon trade after the company released its Q1 update.

Even so, the recent run still holds up.

The latest numbers add more detail to what has been building across the business.

Here’s what came through.

Revenue keeps pushing higher

Elsight reported another record quarter, with revenue reaching approximately US$11.6 million.

That marks its 5th consecutive quarter of record revenue and a 12-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

Recurring revenue also continues to build. The company generated US$1.3 million from software licences, cloud services, and connectivity subscriptions, representing 11% of total revenue.

Cash flow remained positive, with net cash from operations of US$3.99 million. Cash on hand rose to US$64 million by the end of March.

There were no material cost overruns or operational issues flagged during the quarter.

Defence contracts and pipeline still expanding

A large part of that growth continues to come from defence.

Elsight delivered units tied to a US$21.2 million contract signed in late 2025 and secured further orders, including a US$460,000 contract from a US public safety customer.

The company is also progressing through the final phase of a US Defence Innovation Unit project, while gaining access to SOCOM’s OTA contracting framework.

The latter opens the door to faster procurement pathways with US defence agencies.

Activity across drone and autonomous programs is also picking up. Engagement is increasing across the US Department of Defense Drone Dominance initiatives, as well as with defence contractors and integrators.

The broader backdrop is helping. Defence budgets are rising globally, with a growing focus on autonomous systems, drones, and secure connectivity in contested environments.

And Elsight’s Halo technology sits directly within that area of demand.

New products and commercial expansion underway

Beyond defence, the company is starting to expand its product offering.

Elsight confirmed the soft launch of its GNSS-denied positioning solution, designed for environments where traditional GPS signals are unreliable.

That represents a step toward becoming a multi-product business, rather than relying on a single connectivity platform.

Its stealth initiative is also moving closer to commercialisation. The business unit has advanced to proof of concept stage, with initial customer engagement already underway.

Management expects first paying customers during CY2026, although early revenue contribution is likely to be modest.

Commercial adoption is also improving, supported by regulatory progress around drone operations and beyond visual line of sight use cases.

Foolish Takeaway

Today’s drop doesn’t change much.

Elsight is still delivering rapid revenue growth, building recurring income, and adding to its contract base.

At the same time, exposure to defence and autonomous systems continues to expand, with more programs moving from testing into real deployment.

After a 120% run, short-term weakness is not unusual.

If contract wins convert into revenue and new products gain traction, the current momentum may still not be fully reflected.

The post Drones, defence, and demand: Why this ASX stock is running hot in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Eden Innovation, Elsight, Paladin Energy, and Zip shares are racing higher today
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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.