Author: openjargon

Shares in Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) were in the red on Friday following two broker downgrades, but there remains a wide range of opinions on the value of the company.

Opinion starting to turn

Broker Jeffries on Friday cut their price target on Paladin shares by 8.3% to $11, while Goldman Sachs went much further, downgrading the stock to a sell rating and setting a price target of $9.70, as reported by The Bull.

That report said that Goldman Sachs believed the shares were trading ahead of fundamentals despite the positive outlook for the uranium market.

Paladin shares were changing hands for $9.85 around noon on Friday, down 2.3% on the day. The shares are up 32.1% over a 12-month period.

Macquarie sees more value in the shares

The Macquarie analyst team disagrees with the assessments of the other two brokers, noting in a research report released in late May that Paladin shares were undervalued.

Macquarie said Paladin had successfully ramped up production at its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia and was also making “real progress” on its Patterson Lake South approvals in Canada.

Paladin in mid-May reported that for the March quarter it had produced 1.29 million pounds of uranium at Langer Heinrich, up 5% from the previous quarter, “driven by strong processing plant performance”.

The Patterson Lake South Project had also had its environmental impact statement approved.

Chief executive Officer Paul Hemburrow said at the time:

Our Langer Heinrich Mine continues to perform strongly and activities at the site are in line with our commitment to complete the ramp-up to full operations by the end of the financial year. We were pleased to increase our production guidance for the full year as a result of the hard work and sustained effort of our team and key contractors to successfully mobilise the mining fleet, along with the improved feed grade and the delivery of high recovery rates from the processing plant. We were pleased to receive Environmental Approval for the PLS Project from the Saskatchewan Government and are now focused on progressing the next regulatory steps to obtain our construction license for this significant uranium development.

Macquarie said Paladin’s share price underperformance against NexGen Energy (ASX: NXG), Cameco, and ASX-listed Namibian project developers “seems unwarranted”.

Macquarie added:

We now see value in the shares, which imply a US$77/lb uranium price. We recognise downside risk to FY27 consensus production forecasts still exists into guidance, but investors are now being rewarded for taking this risk on, in our view.

Macquarie upgraded Paladin to outperform with a price target of $13.25.

Paladin will be added to the S&P/ASX 100 Index (ASX: XTO) next week. The company is valued at $4.53 billion.  

The post Why is the Paladin Energy share price heading south? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Bull alert! Bell Potter just put a buy rating on this ASX uranium stock
• Why might Pro Medicus shares soon be under pressure?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 10 ASX shares given buy ratings this week
• 6 ASX 200 shares just upgraded by the experts

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

The Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW) share price is in focus after the company announced a quarterly cash distribution of 6.375 cents per unit, with unitholders able to participate in a discounted Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

What did Charter Hall Long WALE REIT report?

• Quarterly distribution of 6.375 cents per stapled security (unfranked)
• Record date: 30 June 2026
• Ex-dividend date: 29 June 2026
• Payment date: 14 August 2026
• Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) available with a 1% discount

What else do investors need to know?

The full distribution is unfranked, with 100% unfranked component and no conduit foreign income declared. Investors who wish to participate in the DRP must make their election by 5:00 pm on 1 July 2026. DRP securities will be issued at a 1% discount to the volume weighted average price, calculated over the 10 trading days from 3 July to 16 July 2026.

If you do not nominate for the DRP, you will receive your payment as cash. The DRP issue price, and further details, will be released in a separate announcement on or around 14 August 2026.

What’s next for Charter Hall Long WALE REIT?

Investors can expect further details on the DRP pricing when Charter Hall Long WALE REIT releases its update in August. The trust’s next steps will likely focus on consistent distributions and actively managing its property portfolio to support income streams for unitholders.

Looking forward, Charter Hall Long WALE REIT remains committed to maintaining predictable income backed by long-term lease arrangements, while providing income and growth opportunities via its DRP.

Charter Hall Long WALE REIT share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Charter Hall WALE REIT shares have declined 13%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Charter Hall Long WALE REIT declares June 2026 distribution and DRP details appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the ASX 200 sinking to a 5 day low today?
• APA Group announces estimated FY26 final distribution, up 1.7%
• Wesfarmers shares have surged 20% in a month. Buy now?
• 2 ASX growth shares experts think could double over 12 months
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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

The Brent crude oil price hit a four-year high of US$114 per barrel during the war between the US and Iran.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also reached a four-year high of US$113 per barrel during the conflict.

Oil prices skyrocketed due to the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply.

Today, all those oil price gains are gone.

Oil prices are back to pre-war levels, and ASX 200 energy shares are down sharply this week as a result.

What’s the oil price today?

The Brent crude oil price is US$79.50 per barrel, and WTI is US$76.40 per barrel at the time of writing.

Brent Crude is down 9% for the week and down 24% over the month. WTI has fallen 10% this week and 22% over the month.

Oil prices began a rapid retreat in recent weeks after US President Donald Trump talked up an impending deal with Iran.

News of a US-Iran interim peace agreement earlier this week saw a final cascade in oil prices back to February levels.

The deal incorporates a 60-day ceasefire, the end of the US blockade of Iranian ports, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trading Economics analysts said the supply disruption caused by the 16-week war was the biggest on record.

Today, tankers are slowly moving out of the Strait of Hormuz.

The analysts said:

Tankers carrying previously stranded crude began exiting the waterway on Thursday, and Kuwait said it would begin increasing production.

As a result, oil prices have erased nearly all the gains recorded since the Middle East conflict began in late February.

While oil prices have slumped, many economists say we have yet to see the full inflationary impact of the supply shock.

In Australia, higher oil prices have contributed to three interest rate rises already this year.

What’s happening with ASX 200 energy shares on Friday?

ASX 200 energy shares are in the red on Friday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) down 0.9%.

By comparison, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 1%.

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is up 0.1% to $28.66 today, but down 7.2% over the week.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price is 1.5% lower at $7.23, and has fallen 8.9% over five days.

The Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price is 1.4% lower at $32.88, and is 8.1% lower over the week.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price is down 0.5% to $2.14, and down 1.8% over five days.

Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) shares are 2.3% lower at $1.41, and down 25.7% this week after production downgrades.

The Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) share price is 2.5% lower at 97 cents, and down 9.8% over five days.

The post Oil prices slump to pre-war levels as supply-risk premium evaporates appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 6 ASX shares upgraded by analysts this week
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Why has the ASX 200 given up its early rebound today?
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• Guess which ASX stock is rocketing 10% today?

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 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 APA Group (ASX: APA) share price is in focus today as the company announced an estimated final distribution of 30.5 cents per security for the six months ending 30 June 2026, up 1.7% on last year.

What did APA Group report?

• Estimated final distribution of 30.5 cents per security, a 1.7% increase over FY25
• Total FY26 distributions expected to be 58.0 cents per security, matching previous guidance
• Interim distribution of 27.5 cents per security paid in March 2026
• Final distribution and tax details to be confirmed with FY26 results in August
• Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP) available for this cycle at a 1.5% discount

What else do investors need to know?

The actual amount of APA Group’s final distribution, its tax-deferred status, and franking credits will be confirmed when the full-year financial results are released on 20 August 2026. Key dates for the distribution include an ex-distribution date of 29 June, record date on 30 June, and payment set for 16 September.

Securityholders in Australia and New Zealand will receive payments via direct credit, so it’s a good idea to check and update banking details with APA’s registry if needed. The Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP) offers the flexibility to reinvest distributions at a 1.5% discount, with election changes due by 1 July 2026.

What’s next for APA Group?

Investors can look forward to more details with APA’s full-year results in August, when the final distribution amount and franking information will be clarified. The company’s guidance for a full-year distribution of 58.0 cents per security remains on track, consistent with earlier expectations.

APA continues to position itself as a key partner in Australia’s energy infrastructure, with more than $20 billion in assets across gas transmission, renewable energy, and electricity assets. The company’s ongoing investment in critical energy networks is likely to remain a focus.

APA Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, APA Group shares have risen 20%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post APA Group announces estimated FY26 final distribution, up 1.7% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the ASX 200 sinking to a 5 day low today?
• Charter Hall Long WALE REIT declares June 2026 distribution and DRP details
• Wesfarmers shares have surged 20% in a month. Buy now?
• 2 ASX growth shares experts think could double over 12 months
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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

When it comes to finding undervalued stocks amid all of the market noise, it can pay to turn to the experts for advice.

I’ve had a look at the research reports coming out this week and selected three from UBS that make the case why they consider the shares profiled worthy of a buy rating.

Let’s see what they’re saying.

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

Shares in A2 Milk have underperformed over the past 12 months, giving up about 22% of their value over that time.

The company’s fortunes have been battered by a product recall in the US in May, which followed the company downgrading its FY26 guidance in April.

At the time, the company said it was “experiencing temporary in-market product availability issues” in China, and that it expected revenue growth in the low to mid double digits, where it had previously been mid double digits.

The UBS team said they believed the stock had been oversold.

They said:

While unanswered questions remain following China supply shortages and the US product recall, A2M’s derating of 35% captures a significantly greater permanent value loss compared to UBS at 12%.

The UBS team said they believed the likelihood of further infant formula recalls was low, and FY26 earnings risk had moderated with China restocking underway.

They said they expected net profit to double by FY30, driven by market share gains, “plus margin expansion from internalised manufacturing”.

UBS has a price target of NZ$9.20 on the stock, compared to NZ$7.81 at the moment.

Spark New Zealand Ltd (ASX: SPK)

UBS said in its research note that shares in this broadband and mobile services provider had underperformed the NZX50 by 15% year to date.

They said various factors could be involved in the drop, including a weak economy, continued market share loss, and the possibility of a dividend cut.

But the UBS team believes the sell-off is overdone.

They said:

FY26 guidance and FY27 consensus assumes minimal growth which is similar to One NZ outlook. Current share price implies virtually no growth into perpetuity which in our view fails to take into account that the NZ economy will recover – it’s just been delayed by six months.

UBS has a price target of NZ$3 for Spark shares, compared to NZ$1.84 currently.

Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)

Shares in Challenger are up a healthy 24.9% over the past 12 months, but the UBS team thinks they still have a way to run.

They said Challenger’s recent deal, to merge its Fidante business with Channel Capital, was a positive.

They said:

While CGF will retain a 45% stake in the more diversified group with greater scale to support long-term growth, it will allow CGF to focus squarely on its key Life division where stronger growth prospects are emerging across retail, institutional and reinsurance channels. With improving Life growth prospects and reduced regulatory capital intensity ahead, we continue to see compelling value headroom.

UBS has a price target of $11 on Challenger shares compared to $9.79 currently.

The post 3 ASX stocks UBS rates as a buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Buy, hold, sell: Transurban, Sonic Healthcare, A2 Milk shares
• Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on A2 Milk and NAB shares
• 3 ASX 200 shares to sell this week according to experts
• Why ASX, Challenger, Flight Centre, and Goodman shares are falling 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 Challenger. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

With Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) rising from a mid-tier US stock to the most valuable company in the world by market capitalisation today (US$5.1 trillion), it’s fair to say that more than a few Australian investors might want a slice.

The cutting-edge chipmaker and artificial intelligence (AI) stock is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting and future-facing companies out there. So today, let’s discuss three ways ASX investors can buy Nvidia stock in 2026.

3 ways to buy Nvidia stock on the ASX

Buy Nvidia stock

The most direct way ASX investors can buy Nvidia stock is, well, by buying Nvidia stock on the US market. Yes, Nvidia is listed on the American NASDAQ exchange. However, it has never been easier for Australians to hop across the Pacific and buy US shares. Almost every Australian broker now offers US market access, including CommSec, NABtrade, Stake, Pearler, and Superhero.

It usually only takes minutes to set up a US or international account. Once you have converted some Australian dollars to US dollars, you will be able to purchase Nvidia stock in your own name.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

Many ASX investors still aren’t comfortable trading on stock exchanges outside Australia. If that’s you, fortunately, there are alternatives to owning Nvidia stock right here on the ASX. Perhaps the simplest one is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF. This index fund tracks 100 of the largest companies listed on the NASDAQ-100 Index.

As we’ve already established, this includes Nvidia, which by virtue of its enormous market cap, is NDQ’s largest holding. Right now, $8 of every $100 invested in NDQ units ends up in Nvidia shares. Of course, you’ll also get exposure to a range of other US stocks with NDQ. This includes other members of the Magnificent 7, such as Alphabet and Apple, as well as stocks like Netflix, PayPal, Texas Instruments, and Costco Wholesale.

Global X FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG)

One final option for ASX investors wanting to own Nvidia stock is another ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Global X FANG+ ETF. This fund is a rather unique one, holding just ten US stocks. Those stocks are dominated by the Magnificent 7, as well as some other tech leaders.

Nvidia stock itself currently makes up about 9.7% of the FANG portfolio, meaning this ETF offers the highest Nvidia concentration of almost any ETF on the ASX. This makes it another top contender for any ASX investors wishing to own Nvidia in some form.

The post 3 easy ways to buy Nvidia stock on the ASX appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Apple, Costco Wholesale, and Netflix. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Costco Wholesale, Netflix, Nvidia, PayPal, and Texas Instruments. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: short June 2026 $50 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Apple, Netflix, Nvidia, and PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 1.1% to 8.816.7 points on Friday.

This week, brokers see new potential in several ASX shares.

Let’s take a look at them.

Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR)

The Karoon Energy share price is $1.41, down 2.6% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 energy share has lost almost a third of its value.

Morgans downgraded Karoon Energy shares from a trim to hold rating on Tuesday.

The broker said:

A good company in a difficult position, dealing with multiple operational issues, albeit enjoying a nice bump in earnings resulting from the Middle East conflict.

Operator LLOG advised of ongoing operational issues leading to a 41% downgrade to Who Dat production in 2026, an 11% downgrade at group level. Down 20% in two sessions, KAR is trading close to our revised target price.

As a result, we lift our Trim rating to HOLD with a A$1.67 target price.

Morgans has a 12-month price target of $1.90, which implies very healthy upside of 35% ahead.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

The Treasury Wine Estates share price is $4.78, down 0.6% today.

Over the past month, this ASX wine share has risen 10%.

Citi upgraded Treasury Wine Estates shares to a buy rating on Tuesday.

The broker lifted its 12-month price target from $4.25 to $5.50.

This implies a potential 15% upside ahead.

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

The Liontown share price is $1.96, down 4.1% today.

In 2026, this ASX 200 lithium share has gained 21% in value.

Lithium commodity prices are rapidly recovering from a devastating two-year decline.

The carbonate price is now 43% higher YTD, following a 58% rise in 2025.

Macquarie upgraded Liontown shares to a buy rating on Monday.

The broker lifted its 12-month price target from $2.20 to $2.30.

This implies a potential 17% upside ahead.

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

The Evolution share price is $12.55, down 5% today.

In 2026, this ASX 200 gold share has dipped 1%.

Macquarie upgraded Evolution shares to a buy rating on Tuesday.

The broker shaved its 12-month price target from $14 to $13.

This suggests just 3% potential upside ahead.

Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM)

The Sims share price is $29.45, down 1.8% today.

Over the past month, this ASX industrial share has ripped 31%.

Jefferies upgraded Sims shares to a hold rating on Wednesday.

The broker lifted its 12-month price target from $19 to $31.

This indicates a potential 6% upside over the next year. 

Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

The Accent share price is 73 cents, down 0.7% today.

Over the past month, this ASX consumer discretionary share has soared 31%.

On Monday, Frasers Group plc (LSE: FRAS) made an unconditional on-market cash takeover offer of 65 cents per share.

Following the bid, Morgan Stanley upgraded Accent shares to a hold rating.

The broker has a 12-month target of 75 cents.

This suggests the ASX retail share is almost fully valued.

The post 6 ASX shares upgraded by analysts this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 7 ASX gold stocks to buy now
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Buy, hold, sell: Liontown, Wildcat Resources, PLS Group shares
• This crushed ASX wine stock could surprise investors
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Citigroup 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 Jefferies Financial Group, Macquarie Group, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) shares are charging higher on Friday after the company returned from a trading halt with a major contract update.

At the time of writing, the EOS share price is up 14.24% to $10.67.

That adds to what has already been a huge run for the defence company. Its shares are now up around 22% over the past month and almost 300% higher than this time last year.

Let’s take a closer look at the announcement.

US$124 million order lands

According to the release, EOS said it has received a US$124 million order for its Slinger counter-drone remote weapon system (RWS).

The order has come from Generation 5 Holding LLC, or Gen5, which is a UAE-based company headquartered in Abu Dhabi.

Gen5 is 100% owned by Odeley Investments, which is a private office of defence equipment, technology, and services.

The order includes the RWS, cannons, spares, training, and other supplies.

EOS said the systems are being supplied against a backdrop of ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East.

The company also described Slinger as the leading product in its counter-drone defence offering.

The systems are expected to be manufactured in Australia and the UAE, with delivery planned across 2027 and 2028.

The order is still subject to Gen5’s customary terms, as well as export approval requirements.

A new Middle East joint venture

In addition to the contract news, EOS also announced a conditional joint venture shareholders agreement with Gen5.

The proposed 50/50 venture would be based in Abu Dhabi, and would focus on high-energy laser weapons (HELW) and RWS across the Middle East and North Africa.

Under the arrangement, Gen5 is expected to contribute US$40 million of equity. EOS would contribute intellectual property covering laser and RWS technology.

The joint venture is expected to focus on developing and selling next-generation 200kW to 300kW HELW. It would also handle manufacturing and distribution of certain existing EOS systems, including the R400, R500, and R800, in the UAE and selected markets.

What comes next?

EOS expects work on the joint venture to continue during 2026, with the venture potentially starting to contribute to results from 2027 or 2028.

But the announcement includes some big targets. Gen5 and EOS are aiming to secure a minimum US$250 million order for the 200kW to 300kW laser weapon product within 12 months.

They are also targeting a minimum US$290 million contract within 9 months for 100kW laser weapons to be developed through the joint venture.

The post This ASX defence stock just jumped 14%. Here’s the big news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• SpaceX climbs nearly 20% after its IPO. Here’s why that is good news for these ASX shares
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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 positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are hunting outsized returns for your portfolio and have a high risk tolerance, then read on.

This article looks at one ASX share that Bell Potter believes could more than double in value over the next 12 months.

Which ASX share?

The stock that Bell Potter is bullish on is Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: PAR).

It is an Australian biotechnology company focused on repurposing Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS) under the brand name Zilosul for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee.

Bell Potter notes that the global market for a safe, effective treatment that provides superior patient outcomes compared to the standard of care is a multiple blockbuster.

The good news is that the recently completed phase 2 study produced some highly encouraging results that it believes are worthy of further clinical trials.

Speaking of which, Bell Potter points out that enrolment for a phase 3 trial is now complete. It said:

PAR has achieved a key milestone in the development of iPPS for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with the announcement of completion of enrolment of the first of its Phase 3 clinical trials. Enrolment was extended to 538 participants – 72 more than anticipated following a period of rapid enrolment in Japan and Moldova. Numerous patients had met the enrolment criteria and it was decided to include these for ethical reasons with the added benefit of increasing the powering of the study.

Bell Potter was impressed with the way that management completed this enrolment in a cost-efficient manner. It adds:

PAR has been phenomenally cost-efficient spending a mere A$27m on PARA_OA_012 over the course of the first 9 months of FY26 during which it completed 50% enrolment, with remaining participants (~300) enrolled in a little over 2 months since 31 March. This rapid enrolment has been a function meticulous planning and the exhaustive clinical program in the period leading into the phase 3 trial where the clinical outcomes had consistently indicated highly effective reduction in pain (when dosed at the 2mg/kg twice weekly dose) with an attractive adverse event profile.

Big potential returns

According to the note, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating on the company’s shares with a reduced price target of 45 cents (from 65 cents).

Based on its current share price of 17 cents, this implies potential upside of more than 160% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter said:

Enrolment is complete and PARA_OA_012 is in the home straight, now awaiting interim and headline data in the coming months. Following the recent cap raise, the company has $40m in notional cash inclusive of undrawn credit with a further $5.4m from R&D tax refund also due in the coming months. Cash burn is currently $11m/qtr and expected to step down over the next 6 months as participant screening and recruitment reduces to nil. The company will require significant additional funding for a confirmatory Phase 3, however, the upcoming data will be instrumental to valuation.

The post Bell Potter says this ASX share could rise 150%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 6 ASX shares upgraded by analysts this week
• This ASX defence stock just jumped 14%. Here’s the big news
• SpaceX shares pay off big time for this ASX-listed fund
• BHP shares sink as investors react to $2.8 billion cost blowout
• Why are EOS shares rocketing 20% today?

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

Supermarket giants Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) have been locked in a rivalry for decades.

From grocery prices and product ranges to revenue growth and share price performance, the two retailers compete across nearly every corner of Australia’s supermarket sector.

In recent weeks, both ASX supermarket shares have delivered strong gains, but the pace has been closely matched. Woolworths shares are up around 12% this month, while Coles shares have risen roughly 10%.

However, the story looks very different when zooming out to the 2026 performance so far.

Woolworths: Strong rebound, valuation questionable

Woolworths shares have staged a solid recovery this year, rising around 30% year to date. That strength reflects improving investor sentiment after a period of operational and cost-related challenges, as well as renewed confidence in the company’s core supermarket operations.

The market has also responded positively to signs of stabilising margins and a more disciplined approach to capital allocation. Woolworths remains the dominant player in Australian grocery retail, giving it scale advantages in procurement and distribution.

However, not all analysts are convinced the recent rally can continue.

Bell Potter is currently cautious on Woolworths shares, assigning a hold rating. The broker has set a price target of $35.50, which sits below the current share price of $38.12.

From an income perspective, Bell Potter expects Woolworths to pay dividends of 91 cents per share in FY26 and 94 cents in FY27. This translates to forward dividend yields of approximately 2.4% and 2.5%, respectively.

For investors, this suggests Woolworths may be trading ahead of fair value following its strong run.

Coles: Steadier growth and dividend appeal

Coles shares have also performed well, though their gains have been more modest than Woolworths’. The stock is up around 9% so far in 2026.

Unlike Woolworths, which has seen a sharper rebound, Coles has delivered a more gradual and steady performance profile, reflecting its reputation as a defensive, operationally disciplined retailer.

Investors continue to favour Coles for its consistent execution, stable earnings base, and reliable dividend profile. While it lacks Woolworths’ scale advantage, it has built a reputation for efficiency and steady returns.

UBS remains positive on Coles shares, maintaining a buy rating with a $25.50 price target. Based on the current share price of $23.37, this implies potential upside of approximately 9%.

From an income perspective, UBS forecasts dividends of 77 cents per share in FY26 and 89 cents in FY27. This equates to forward dividend yields of approximately 3.3% and 3.8%, respectively.

Buy, hold, or sell?

Both Woolworths and Coles remain high-quality ASX supermarket shares with strong market positions and reliable earnings.

However, they are currently offering very different investment profiles. Woolworths appears to be priced for growth following a strong rally, while Coles offers a more attractive dividend yield and modest upside, according to analysts.

For investors, the decision may come down to whether they prefer Woolworths’ dominant scale or Coles’ steadier income-focused profile.

The post Woolworths shares vs Coles: Buy, hold, or sell these ASX giants? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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