Author: openjargon

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) shares are down 1.76% in lunchtime trade on Wednesday. At the time of writing, the ASX coal stock’s shares are changing hands at $5.01 a piece. But today’s decline comes off the back of a string of daily share price gains.

At the time of writing, New Hope shares are now 23.58% higher for the year to date and 24.81% higher over the year. 

What has driven New Hope shares higher this year?

New Hope shares have climbed this year thanks to a combination of improving coal prices, solid production figures, and news of new capital-market buybacks. Analysts’ ratings also helped drive the share price higher.

Coal prices jumped 8% in late January and have then surged another 16% over the past five days. At US$138 per tonne, coal is currently sitting at its highest level since December 2024. It’s also 18.86% higher over the month and 35.96% higher than a year ago. And these types of increases have been great news for coal stocks like New Hope.

The coal price isn’t the only thing supporting New Hope shares. The company also posted a solid quarterly update in mid-February. At the time, it announced that its group coal sales were up 8.2% over the quarter and production was 4.8% higher. Underlying EBITDA of $106.9 million was steady.

Meanwhile, just yesterday, New Hope extended its on‑market share buyback program through to March 2027. This is part of the company’s ongoing capital management strategy.

Following the flurry of company updates and the shift in the coal price, many analysts have updated their ratings on New Hope shares. 

What do analysts expect from New Hope shares now?

TradingView data shows that analysts are relatively bearish about the outlook for New Hope shares this year. Out of seven analysts, four have a hold rating, and three have a strong sell rating. The average target price is $4.27, which implies a potential 15.09% downside at the time of writing. 

Morgans said it thinks the company is positioned to achieve the top end of its New Acland 3 guidance range. The broker has a hold rating and $5 target on the stock.

Meanwhile, the team at Bell Potter are bearish on New Hope shares. The broker has a sell recommendation, along with an updated price target of $4.10, citing a subdued thermal coal price outlook.

But not everyone is pessimistic about the company’s outlook. Analysts at Baker Young recommended New Hope shares as a buy to investors in early February. The broker said that the extension of Origin Energy’s Eraring coal-fired power station is a reminder that demand for thermal coal is likely to remain robust for longer than many investors believe. Analysts added that New Hope has a strong balance sheet, and the market is undervaluing the company’s growth potential.

The post New Hope shares soar 24% in 2026 so far: Buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why Boss Energy, Lindian, Magellan, and New Hope shares are rising today
• ASX 200 coal shares surge as commodity price lifts to 14-month high
• New Hope extends share buy-back program to March 2027
• 3 ASX dividend stocks I think every Aussie should own

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.

As the dust settles on reporting season, the analyst team at Macquarie has been publishing their thoughts on stocks to buy, hold, and avoid.

We’ve picked three of these that stand out from the pack as providing potential large returns for shareholders.

So let’s see what they are.

AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB)

This is an ASX 200 company that operates retail and wholesale insurance brokers and underwriting agencies globally.

The company’s shares are currently trading at $23.45, not far off their 12-month lows of $22.72 and a long way from the highs of $40.28 reached over the past year.

AUB last month reported a 14% increase in net profit and raised its FY26 profit guidance to $220 to $230 million, representing 9.9% to 14.9% growth over FY25.

The Macquarie team said the result beat consensus forecasts across all segments except New Zealand, with the other segments outperforming.

They added that the company “offers attractive growth at a valuation discount”, and they have a price target of $35.81 on AUB shares, while also forecasting a 4% dividend yield.

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)

This ASX 200 waste management company reported first-half results ahead of expectations, Macquarie said, while also tightening its full-year earnings expectations from $470 to $500 million to $480 to $500 million.

The Macquarie team said they think that “earnings momentum should inflect”, with Cleanaway Management commenting on a favourable backdrop from project work and favourable price dynamics.

The Macquarie team added:

Margin improvement in Solid Waste is a key indicator of the better operating efficiencies resulting from improvement interventions. Health Services was a key disappointment, which is expected to see a 2H improvement. Contract Resources is bedding down well. Cost-out is progressing.

Macquarie has a price target of $3.40 on Cleanaway shares, compared with a price of $2.54 currently, and is forecasting a full-year dividend yield of 2.8%.

Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC)

Capstone Copper’s recently-released EBITDA of US$308 million was in line with consensus estimates, Macquarie said, but the net profit of US$79 million was 28% lower than expected due to higher tax expenses.  

Macquarie said they saw value in the company because its shares were trading at an implied copper price that was well below the spot price.

After running the ruler over Capstone’s first-half results, Macquarie downgraded its price target on Capstone shares by only 1% to $15.40, which compares to $13.20 currently.

Macquarie said the current valuation was “not demanding”.

The post Three stocks to buy for double-digit returns, according to Macquarie appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Capstone Copper, Life360, Neuren, and St George Mining shares are falling today
• ASX copper producer falls after record Q4 performance
• ASX 200 materials sector leads as earnings season ends with a record high
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• This waste management company should deliver double-digit returns according to three brokers

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

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a disappointing decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 1.7% to 8,921.7 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

The EOS share price is up 5% to $9.92. Earlier this week, the defence and space company announced that it secured new remote weapon system (RWS) orders valued at approximately $17 million. The largest component is a US$12 million order for R400 RWS units from an established Middle Eastern government customer. EOS also advised that it has finalised a $100 million two-year secured term loan facility. This will support growth across the business, provide additional working capital, and help fund payments related to the acquisition of MARS.

GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)

The GenusPlus share price is up 1% to $8.07. This morning, this essential power and telecommunications infrastructure services provider agreed to acquire Railtrain Holdings. The two parties have agreed upfront consideration of $36.5 million, which is payable in cash. Genus’ managing director, David Riches, said: “I am pleased to announce the signing of binding documentation for our acquisition of Railtrain which is another step forward in our strategy to expand into the rail infrastructure sector. Railtrain is a highly logical acquisition which will add critical scale, and expands the geographical and service capability of our existing MGC rail business.”

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The Life360 share price is up 2% to $20.76. This morning, analysts at Bell Potter responded positively to its full-year results release from yesterday. It has retained its buy rating with a slightly trimmed price target of $40.00. The broker was impressed with Life360’s performance in FY 2025. It said: “2025 revenue of US$489m was slightly above our forecast of US$488m and VA consensus of US$486m and was top end of the US$486-489m guidance range. Adjusted EBITDA of $93m, however, was a beat versus our forecast of US$90m and VA consensus of US$88m and was also above the US$87-92m guidance range. Cash at year end was US$495m which was ahead of our forecast of US$476m.”

WIA Gold Ltd (ASX: WIA)

The WIA Gold share price is up 4% to 57.7 cents. This follows the release of additional significant assay results from recent drilling at its Kokoseb Gold Project in Namibia. The company revealed that results from 18 diamond drill holes targeting mineralised depth extensions beyond the current open-pit mineral resource estimate further confirm the continuity, scale, and robustness of high-grade plunging shoots. WIA Gold’s managing director and CEO, Henk Diederichs, said: “These drilling results continue to confirm the continuity and scale of the high‑grade gold system at depth, further enhancing the prospectivity of an underground mining operation beyond the open pit shell.”

The post Why EOS, GenusPlus, Life360, and WIA Gold shares are rising today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX growth shares you’ll wish you’d bought at these cheap prices
• Why Life360 shares could rise 100%
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Why Capstone Copper, Life360, Neuren, and St George Mining shares are falling today
• Why are Life360 shares jumping 15% today?

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 Electro Optic Systems, GenusPlus Group, and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended GenusPlus Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Exchange-traded funds giant Vanguard has launched two new ETFs and a fund to give Australian investors access to the American market.

Like many ETFs, the new vehicles are designed as an easy way to access offshore markets and provide diversification, in this case across the world’s largest share market.

Invest in global leaders

The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) is one of the main benchmarks in the US market and, similar to the All Ordinaries Index in Australia, provides exposure to the top 500 companies listed in the US.

This, by its very nature, means it provides exposure to the major technology companies, with Nvidia currently the largest company by value in the S&P 500, followed by Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms.

Asia-Pacific head of investment management for Vanguard Capital Markets, Duncan Burns, said the new ETFs were an efficient way to gain exposure to the US market.

These new Australian‑based S&P 500 funds offer investors a straightforward, low-cost entry point to the world’s largest economy. An S&P 500 allocation can also serve as a tactical satellite position within a broadly diversified portfolio, offering targeted exposure to the U.S. stock market.

The new products include the Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index ETF (ASX: V500), an unhedged ETF, and the Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index (Hedged) ETF (ASX: V5AH), which is currency hedged to reduce the impact of foreign exchange movements.

New fund also available

There is also a new unlisted fund, the Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index Fund, which investors can access through the Vanguard platform.

Mr Burns said investors’ risk appetites would determine which fund was best for them.

By offering both hedged and unhedged options, as well as ETF and unlisted fund structures, we’re giving investors greater choice in how they access that exposure in a way that suits their goals and preferences.

V500 and V5AH have management fees of 0.07% per annum and 0.09% per annum, respectively, while the unlisted managed fund has a management fee of 0.16% per annum.

The ETFs are available to be traded from today.

Vanguard said it is currently Australia’s largest ETF manager with more than $90 billion in ETF funds under management at the end of January.

Other popular choices from Vanguard include Vanguard Australia Shares ETF (ASX: VAS) and Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), which provides diversification across about 1500 international companies from more than 20 countries.

The post Vanguard launches new US-focused ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The easy way to invest globally is with these ASX ETFs
• New to investing: 3 ASX ETFs to set and forget until 2036
• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• Why these ASX ETFs could be strong buys for investors in their 40s
• The $10,000 ASX share portfolio I’d build for a 25-year-old today

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) share price is under heavy pressure on Wednesday.

At the time of writing, shares are down 9.55% to $8.31, making it one of the weaker performers on the ASX today.

While this pullback is significant, the uranium miner’s shares are still up around 80% over the past 12 months.

So, what is behind the move today?

Uranium is lagging the broader commodity rally

One key reason for the sharp fall in Paladin shares appears to be the uranium price.

Right now, uranium is trading at about US$86.20 per pound. While that remains well above levels seen a few years ago, it has not been moving higher in line with the rest of the commodity market.

Oil, copper, and gold have all strengthened in recent weeks, supported in part by rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Investors have rotated into energy and traditional safe-haven assets, while uranium has largely moved sideways.

There has also been fresh news in the uranium market, including a multi-billion-dollar supply agreement between India and Canada. While the deal highlights ongoing nuclear demand, it also reinforces that additional supply is entering the market.

Increased supply can place pressure on prices, which may be contributing to the softer tone in uranium stocks.

Key levels on the chart

From a technical standpoint, Paladin had been in a clear uptrend for most of the past year.

However, that trend has slowed in recent weeks.

The relative strength index (RSI) has eased back toward neutral levels, which suggests buying momentum has cooled. It is no longer in overbought territory.

The share price is also trading near its lower Bollinger Band, reflecting the recent increase in selling pressure.

In terms of key levels, the $8 area now stands out as important support. If shares hold above that level, the weakness may be contained. If it breaks lower, the next support zone appears closer to the mid $7 range.

On the upside, resistance is likely to emerge between $9 and $9.50, where the stock has previously struggled to move higher.

Foolish Takeaway

It is important to remember that Paladin is a uranium producer. Its earnings outlook is closely tied to uranium prices.

If uranium remains around US$86 per pound or drifts lower, sentiment toward uranium stocks may stay subdued in the short term.

That said, the broader outlook supporting nuclear power, energy security, and rising electricity demand remains firmly in place.

Today’s weakness appears to reflect profit taking following a strong 12-month run, rather than a change in Paladin’s fundamentals.

The post Why the Paladin share price is sinking 9% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Which ASX uranium stock is the smarter buy: Nexgen Energy or Paladin Energy?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Paladin share price jumps after major Canadian project approval
• Paladin share price on ice pending major announcement
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price has tumbled further in early-morning trade on Wednesday as conflict in the Middle East continues to put pressure on energy and commodity markets, and investor sentiment softens.

At the time of writing, the shares are down 4.33% to $5.20 a piece. It’s the second consecutive loss. The shares closed 2.62% lower yesterday afternoon.

Despite the drop, the BHP share price is still 20.59% higher for the year to date and 39.79% above where it was a year ago.

What has happened?

The miner reported impressive half-year earnings last month, prompting investors to flock to the stock. On the bottom line, the ASX 200 miner achieved a 22% increase in underlying profit to US$6.20 billion. This saw management declare a fully-franked interim dividend of 73 US cents (AU$1.03) a share, up 30% in Aussie dollar terms and up 46% in US dollar terms.

The company’s share price hiked nearly 18% between the announcement and the close of the ASX on Friday last week. It’s likely that some softening in the share price this week is due to cooling investor interest following the sharp uptick.

At the same time, soaring geopolitical uncertainty as the US and Israeli war against Iran continues to intensify, is also frightening investors. The Middle East Conflict has boosted the US dollar and dampened demand expectations for commodities. Generally, a stronger US dollar tends to make US-dollar-priced commodities less attractive, which can dent the share prices of miners, such as BHP.

Meanwhile, to add to this week’s headwinds, there have been recent reports that BHP Queensland mines can no longer compete for investment and that the company is receiving no returns from the projects. The update will raise more concern for investors about the company’s outlook.

What’s next for the BHP share price?

TradingView data shows that the majority of analysts still have a hold rating on BHP shares. Of 20 analysts, 11 rate the mining giant’s stock as a hold, and 7 have a buy or strong buy rating. Another two have a sell or strong sell rating on BHP shares. This is an improvement from last month, when three analysts had a sell rating on the stock.

The average target price is currently $52.74 per share, which, after the latest rally, implies a 4.74% downside at the time of writing. 

Although some analysts are bullish that the shares could climb 22.73% to $67.95 a piece this year. And others think the stock could shed 35.95% and tumble to $35.46.

Many of the target prices have been raised over the past week. Late last month, Jason Fairclough of Bank of America put a 12-month price target of $68 on BHP shares, up from $57 previously.

Citi also updated its price target, lifting it from $49.60 to $53.41 while keeping a hold rating. As did Barclays, which lifted its target to $52.84 and maintained its hold rating.

The post What’s next for the BHP share price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Want to receive the BHP, Rio Tinto, and Woodside dividends? Here’s what you need to do
• 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors
• Why the BHP share price rocketed 16% in February
• 1 miner, 1 bank, and 1 ASX tech share I’d buy this month
• Which ASX 200 mining shares raised their dividends this earnings season?

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 recommended Barclays Plc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If I had $5,000 to invest in the ASX today, I’d consider splitting it across a mix of dependable income, long-term growth, a cyclical opportunity, and a broad exchange-traded fund (ETF) to smooth the ride.

Here’s how I’d think about allocating it.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Every portfolio needs ballast. For me, Transurban could play that role. It owns and operates toll roads across major Australian cities and in North America. These are long-life infrastructure assets with relatively predictable cash flows.

Traffic volumes can change short term, but over time, population growth and urban expansion tend to support an increase in usage. Many of its concessions also include inflation-linked toll escalations, which are helpful in protecting real returns.

I’d allocate $1,500 here for stability and income. It’s not an ASX share I expect to double quickly, but it’s one I’d feel comfortable holding through most market cycles.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

If Transurban is the steady hand, Pro Medicus is the growth engine.

Pro Medicus provides high-end imaging software to hospitals and healthcare providers globally. Its Visage platform continues to win contracts with major US health systems, and the long-term shift to more sophisticated imaging workflows remains intact.

Yes, the valuation is rarely cheap in traditional terms. But I’m willing to pay up for a business with strong margins, recurring revenue, and global expansion opportunities.

A $1,500 allocation gives exposure to what I see as one of the ASX’s highest-quality growth stories without going all-in on a single theme.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

I like having at least one cyclical or commodity-exposed name in a portfolio.

PLS Group gives exposure to lithium, a key input in battery production and electric vehicles. Lithium prices have been volatile, but demand for electrification and energy storage isn’t going away.

This is higher risk than the first two picks. Commodity prices move in cycles, and sentiment can shift quickly. That’s why I’d size it slightly smaller at $1,000.

If lithium markets tighten further and pricing strengthens further, the upside could be meaningful. If not, the position size keeps overall risk contained.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG)

Finally, I’d round things out with broad diversification. The Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF gives exposure to local and international equities, with a small allocation to bonds. It’s designed for long-term capital growth and holds thousands of underlying securities across markets.

For me, this is the set-and-forget portion of the portfolio. It reduces reliance on any single company and ensures I’m participating in global growth rather than just local themes.

Allocating $1,000 here makes the overall structure more resilient.

Foolish Takeaway

If I had $5,000 to put to work today, I’d spread it across a mix of dependable earners and long-term growth plays rather than betting it all on one idea.

Transurban, Pro Medicus, PLS Group, and the Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF give me that blend. Over time, I believe that kind of balanced approach is far more powerful than trying to swing for the fences with a single stock.

The post $5,000 to invest? Here’s how I’d split it across the ASX appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to retire early using ASX dividend shares
• The five worst performing ASX 200 stocks bought and held in February unmasked
• 3 of the best ASX dividend shares to buy in March
• Where to invest $20,000 in ASX growth shares this month
• 5 of the best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in February revealed

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

Owning Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares could be a smart move over the coming years, with analysts expecting the business to deliver rising profits.

I view growing profits as the most important factor for delivering a higher share price and a growing dividend. If a company’s profit isn’t rising, then why would the market want to send the Telstra share price higher over the long term?

Additionally, in terms of a company’s financials, higher earnings are required to sustainably fund larger dividend payments. That’s why I think it’s very important for passive income investors to focus on the likely direction of the net profit first, before thinking about the dividend yield.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at where Telstra’s net profit is projected by analysts to go over the next few years.

HY26 earnings recap

The telco business recently reported its FY26 half-year results, which included a 4% increase in mobile revenue to $5.8 billion and a 4% increase in mobile operating profit (EBITDA) to $2.7 billion.

Mobile service revenue increased 5.6% thanks to growth in handheld price changes and wholesale user growth.

In terms of average revenue per user (ARPU) growth, there was a 4.8% rise for postpaid handheld, 14.7% for prepaid handheld, and 7% for wholesale. Mobile handheld users increased by 135,000 in total, with a 16,000 rise in postpaid retail, a 21,000 rise in prepaid retail, and a 98,000 increase in wholesale.

The above strength helped the business deliver 0.2% total income growth to $11.8 billion, EBITDA growth of 4.7% to $4.4 billion, and net profit growth of 9.4% to $1.1 billion. Cash earnings per share (EPS) increased by 19.7% to 14 cents and the dividend per share was hiked by 10.5% to 10.5 cents.

Broker UBS noted that, with the result, Telstra continued to demonstrate the strength of its mobile business and its general cost control, despite other segments being generally weaker.

UBS remains constructive on the growth outlook for the business and continues to forecast that cash operating profit (EBIT) can grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% over the next four years, thanks to CPI-linked mobile price increases and continued cost control through AI productivity savings.

However, the fixed enterprise, active wholesale, and international are weaker than what UBS was expecting, though cost control is helping operating profit.

FY26

UBS said that it remains constructive on margin expansion at Telstra, with near-term initiatives “likely to see cost growth limited to 1.5% CAGR over the next four years”.

On cost growth, UBS noted that Telstra recently highlighted up to 650 redundancies (around 1.5% of the Telstra workforce), benefits from the consolidation of software and IT providers, and a joint venture with Accenture to help cost reduction benefits, as well as faster product-to-market times.

The broker UBS said it’s forecasting the group EBITDA margin will expand by an average of 60 basis points (0.60%) per year from FY26 to FY30, driven by ongoing efficiencies as AI adoption increases.

Taking all of the above into account, UBS predicts that Telstra could generate a net profit of $2.3 billion in FY26. Growth is usually a long-term positive for Telstra shares.

FY27

As the above commentary suggests, the business is projected by UBS to see a rising EBIT margin in the coming years. UBS predicts the EBIT margin could climb to 18% in FY27, showing increasing profitability from FY26’s projected EBIT margin of 17.4%.

The 2027 financial year is forecast to see a net profit of $2.45 billion.

FY28

Profitability could increase even more in the 2028 financial year, which could see the business report a net profit of $2.6 billion on an EBIT margin of 18.7%.

FY29

The FY29 profit could get even better for owners of Telstra shares, with the EBIT margin projected to increase to 19.5%, helping net profit rise again to a projected $2.85 billion.

FY30

The last year of this series of projections could mean the business sees an increase in profitability to $3.2 billion in FY30. The EBIT margin could increase to 20.8%, showing the business is expected to make more money from its asset base.

While Telstra is rated neutral (not a buy or sell) by UBS, with a price target of $5.20, the broker said it is the preferred business exposure in the Australian telecommunications space.

The post Here’s the latest earnings forecast out to 2030 for Telstra shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Bannerman, CBA, and Telstra shares
• 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors
• 3 reasons to buy Telstra shares right now
• 5 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy in March
• The best ASX dividend stock to buy in March

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), already under pressure over the past year, took a further tumble after the company announced its first-half results in mid-February.

But the analyst team at UBS has run the ruler over the results and believes there’s plenty of upside from current levels for the CSL share price.

Firstly, let’s have a look at what CSL reported last month.

Profits slide

The blood products company reported total revenue of US$8.3 billion, down 4% while net profit fell 7% to $1.9 billion.

The company’s chief financial officer, Ken Lim, said it was an unsatisfactory result.

We are clearly not satisfied with our performance and have implemented a number of initiatives to drive stronger growth going forward. Our first-half results were also adversely impacted by a number of factors including government policy changes, one-off restructuring costs and impairments. In the second half we have an ambitious growth plan, driven by immunoglobulin (Ig), albumin and our newly launched products.

Mr Lim said CSL was continuing to advance its transformation strategy and was making strong progress on cost-cutting initiatives.

CSL also announced it would extend its share buyback, increasing it from US$500 million to US$750 million.

The company also maintained its guidance for the full year of approximately 2-3% revenue growth and 4-7% net profit growth, “excluding one-off restructuring costs and impairments”.

CSL shares are looking cheap

The UBS team has reviewed the results and believes CSL shares are oversold.

Their research note sent to clients this week has the title, “A market leader at a discount”, and UBS says while CSL struggled in a number of sectors, it still retains a strong market share and is undervalued at the current share price.

UBS said that while CSL reported a 4% slump in plasma-derived therapy sales, it still held its position as the leading supplier with a market share of 31%.

UBS added regarding the flu vaccine market:

Global flu vaccine sales contracted by nearly 4% in 2025 as uptake slowed in the US. Despite the weak market, CSL Seqirus reported seasonal flu sales growth of 3% which was sufficient to take its share to roughly one third of the market. We attribute this success to the group’s differentiated portfolio and entry into European markets.

UBS has a price target of $235 on CSL shares, compared with the current price of $144.95, which is near the bottom of its 12-month trading range.

CSL was valued at $70.5 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post How high does UBS think CSL shares will go? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• I’d listen to Warren Buffett and buy quality ASX shares at fair prices today
• ASX 200 shares to buy on the cheap right now
• Buy, hold, sell: CSL, TechnologyOne, and Woodside shares
• Follow Warren Buffett: 3 cheap ASX 200 shares worth a closer look
• These ASX 200 shares sank 20% or more in February

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

Shares in Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN) have tumbled to their lowest level since January 2019 as investors continue to flee risk assets.

Right now, the Jumbo share price is down 2.70% to $8.64 amid a broader sell-off across the ASX linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East. The stock is now down more than 25% over the past year and well below its 2024 highs above $15.

With sentiment fragile, the key question is whether this pullback has gone too far.

Let’s take a closer look.

A brutal chart breakdown

Looking at the chart, Jumbo’s trend has clearly deteriorated over the past 12 months.

The stock has been making a series of lower highs and lower lows, confirming a sustained downtrend. Importantly, the recent fall has pushed shares below the $9 level, which had previously acted as psychological support.

At $8.64, the next obvious historical support zone sits around $8.50. Below that, there is limited visible support until the $7.50 to $8 range based on pre-2020 trading levels.

Momentum indicators suggest the sell-off may be stretched in the short term. The relative strength index (RSI) is hovering around 30, placing the stock near oversold territory.

Meanwhile, the share price is trading near the lower Bollinger Band, another sign that volatility has expanded and the stock is extended on the downside. In previous cycles, similar conditions have led to short-term relief rallies.

Is the business broken?

While the share price has been punished, the latest half-year result released last Wednesday showed continued growth across key metrics.

For the 6 months to 31 December 2025, Jumbo reported total transaction value of $524 million, up 15.6% year-on-year. Group revenue rose 29% to $85.3 million, while underlying EBITDA increased 22.6% to $37.5 million.

The company also declared an interim dividend of 12 cents per share, reflecting a payout ratio of 49% and sitting at the top end of its 30% to 50% target range.

Importantly, management upgraded parts of its FY26 outlook, including expectations for its Dream Giveaways UK business and Canadian managed services segment.

Buying opportunity or value trap?

At $8.64, Jumbo trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 14.5 times with a dividend yield near 4.9%. That valuation is well below where the stock traded during its growth phase in 2021 and 2022.

If geopolitical tensions ease and broader market confidence stabilises, a recovery toward former resistance around $10 to $11 would not be unrealistic.

That said, the chart remains weak in the short term, and a sustained move above $9.50 would help signal a potential trend reversal.

At a 7-year low, investors must balance ongoing technical weakness against a business that continues to generate profits and deliver growth.

The post Jumbo hits a 7-year low as markets continue to tumble. Time to buy the dip? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• What is Morgans saying about Jumbo Interactive and Tabcorp shares?
• Jumbo reports half-year results. Here’s what investors need to know
• 2 ASX dividend shares tipped to grow 50% (or more) in 2026
• Morgans names 2 ASX shares to buy now

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