Author: openjargon

A falling share price does not automatically create a bargain. Sometimes it is the market correctly reassessing a business. But other times, a heavy sell-off can leave a good company priced for a far worse future than it is likely to deliver.

That is what I think may be happening with the three ASX shares in this article.

All have fallen more than 60% from their highs. For investors with patience, I think they could be bargain buys.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple & Webster has been one of the hardest-hit ASX growth shares.

That is not too surprising. Online retail stocks can be punished heavily when consumer spending weakens, interest rates rise, and investors become less willing to pay up for growth.

But I think the long-term story still has a lot of appeal.

Temple & Webster is trying to win in a large category that is still moving online. Furniture and homewares have historically been showroom-heavy, but I think more customers are becoming comfortable researching, comparing, and buying these products digitally.

That gives Temple & Webster a structural tailwind if it keeps improving its range, delivery experience, pricing, and brand awareness.

The business also has a useful advantage in not needing the same store network as traditional retailers. That can give it more flexibility as it scales.

There are risks. Furniture demand is tied to housing turnover, renovations, and household confidence. The Federal Budget has also added more uncertainty around the housing outlook.

But after such a large share price fall, I think Temple & Webster could be worth another look. If the online shift continues and consumer conditions eventually improve, the rebound potential could be meaningful.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech Global has also fallen heavily from its highs.

The logistics software company has faced investor concerns around valuation, management issues, acquisitions, AI disruption, and growth in its core business.

I think those concerns explain the sell-off. But I do not think they erase the long-term opportunity.

WiseTech is tied to one of the most complex parts of the global economy: moving goods across borders. Freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers handle paperwork, compliance, tariffs, routing, warehousing, and transport networks.

That complexity creates demand for specialist software.

CargoWise is already used by many logistics companies to help manage these workflows. If WiseTech can keep expanding the role its software plays across global trade, the company could become much larger over time.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is a very different type of fallen share.

This is not a speculative growth company. It is a global leader in hearing implants, with a long history of innovation and a strong position in a specialised healthcare market.

What I like is that hearing loss is not a short-term theme. It is a long-term healthcare need linked to ageing populations, diagnosis rates, technology adoption, and access to treatment.

Cochlear has spent decades building trust with surgeons, audiologists, patients, and healthcare systems. That is difficult to replicate.

The company’s growth may not always be smooth. Healthcare funding, competition, product cycles, and currency movements can all affect performance.

But I think the market may be too focused on near-term disappointment and not enough on the durability of the franchise.

If Cochlear can continue improving its products, expanding access, and supporting lifelong patient care, I think the business can keep compounding over time.

Foolish Takeaway

Share price falls of more than 60% are not small setbacks. They usually mean confidence has been badly damaged.

But that is exactly why I think these opportunities are worth studying. Temple & Webster, WiseTech, and Cochlear do not need every investor to agree today. They just need their businesses to keep improving over the next few years while expectations remain low.

That is where patient investors can sometimes find the best bargains.

The post 3 ASX shares down over 60% that could be bargain buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• WiseTech shares crash 65% — is the bottom near?
• ASX tech shares vs. ATEC ETF: How they fared during sector downturn
• 9 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy calls from the experts this week
• Are these 2 battered ASX healthcare shares too cheap to ignore?
• These ASX retail stocks are near 52-week lows, are they bargain buys?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear, Temple & Webster Group, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX: ALK) shares are falling on Friday morning.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 stock is down 1% to $1.54.

Why is this ASX 200 stock falling?

Investors have been selling the gold miner’s shares after a pullback in the gold price overshadowed the release of third quarter results revealing the strongest quarterly performance in its history.

According to the release, Alkane delivered record revenue of $274.4 million for the three months ended 31 March 2026. This compares to revenue of $63.2 million in the prior corresponding period.

The increase was driven by higher gold equivalent sales, the addition of the Costerfield and Björkdal operations following its merger with Mandalay Resources, and stronger realised gold prices.

Alkane sold 43,373 gold equivalent ounces during the quarter at an average realised gold price of $6,315 per ounce and an average realised antimony price of $34,394 per tonne.

Record production

Production was also strong. Alkane produced 44,669 ounces of gold and 377 tonnes of antimony during the quarter. On a gold equivalent basis, production reached 45,776 ounces, supported by contributions from Tomingley, Costerfield, and Björkdal.

The ASX 200 stock’s EBITDA came in at a record $161.2 million, compared to $20.8 million a year earlier.

Most notably, net profit increased to a record $93 million. This compares with a profit of $8.1 million in the prior corresponding period.

Free cash flow was also very strong at $127.6 million, up from $7.7 million in the third quarter of FY 2025.

Management commentary

The ASX 200 stock’s managing director, Nic Earner, was pleased with the quarter. He said:

Alkane has just delivered the strongest quarter in its history. During a period of high gold and antimony prices, the power of our three mine portfolio delivered exceptional operating results as they produced a record 44,669 ounces of gold and 377 tonnes of antimony, which generated record profit after taxes of $93 million.

The Company ended the quarter in with cash and bullion of $362 million which will provide the support for Alkane’s growth plans. Given the strong performance to date, we move into the second half of the year with momentum and are on track to meet our production and cost guidance for 2026.

Outlook

Alkane confirmed that it remains on track to meet its FY 2026 guidance.

This is gold equivalent production of 155,000 to 168,000 ounces with all-in sustaining costs of $2,600 to $2,900 per ounce.

The post Guess which ASX 200 stock is dropping despite record quarterly profit appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Bell Potter just upgraded its outlook on this ASX materials stock tipping 30% upside

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.

The Vicinity Centres (ASX: VCX) share price is in focus after the retail property giant announced a $400 million acquisition of Eastern Creek Quarter, set to boost its exposure to metropolitan Sydney and expand its Outlet centre network.

What did Vicinity Centres report?

• Signed contract to acquire Eastern Creek Quarter (ECQ) in Western Sydney for $400 million
• Settlement expected by 30 June 2026, pending landlord consent
• Acquisition funded by existing debt facilities; gearing to rise by around 200 basis points
• ECQ includes a new 20,000 sqm Outlet centre, 10,000 sqm retail centre, and 11,000 sqm large-format retail offering

What else do investors need to know?

ECQ is strategically located in a major growth corridor in Western Sydney, providing Vicinity with more frequent everyday shoppers as well as destination shopping flows. The asset’s mix of retail space covers both convenience and outlet segments.

This acquisition builds on Vicinity’s ongoing strategy to focus on “fortress-style” assets, aiming for strong, sustainable income and lifting its presence in Australia’s biggest city. With a solid track record of driving growth through well-managed centres, Vicinity plans to use its property management expertise to enhance ECQ’s long-term value.

What did Vicinity Centres management say?

Vicinity’s CEO and Managing Director Peter Huddle said:

For some time now, Vicinity has been a selective, timely and disciplined acquirer of strategically aligned retail assets. As a hybrid retail asset that is strategically located and boasts a new Outlet centre with future development opportunity, acquiring ECQ makes sense for Vicinity.

Furthermore, by intentionally maintaining a conservative but flexible capital structure, we have been able to once again, capitalise on an attractive acquisition opportunity, that will enhance earnings resilience and strengthen our future income and value growth profile.

What’s next for Vicinity Centres?

Looking ahead, Vicinity intends to leverage its proven leasing, management and development capabilities to unlock further value at ECQ. Strengthening its Sydney footprint and Outlet offering supports Vicinity’s aspiration to deliver reliable and growing returns for shareholders.

The company remains committed to fortress-style assets in high-performing trade areas and will continue to pursue opportunities that align with its investment strategy.

Vicinity Centres share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Vicinity Centres shares have risen 9%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Vicinity Centres: $400m Sydney acquisition expands Outlet network appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) gold stock Dateline Resources Ltd (ASX: DTR) is rocketing today.

Dateline Resources shares closed yesterday trading for 20 cents. In early morning trade on Friday, shares are changing hands for 21.5 cents apiece, up 7.5%.

For some context, the ASX 300 is up 0.1% at this same time.

Taking a step back, Dateline Resources shares have rocketed a jaw-dropping 571.8% over 12 months, smashing the 4.5% one-year gains delivered by the benchmark index.

Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

ASX 300 gold stock leaps on high-grade intercepts

Dateline Resources shares are jumping higher following the release of a promising exploratory drilling update at the miner’s Colosseum Gold and Rare Earth Element (REE) Project, located in the US state of California.

The ASX 300 gold stock said that it had struck two new broad gold intersections from drill testing, extending the known mineralised zone.

Dateline reported top results from one hole of 287.3 metres at 1.05 grams of gold per tonne from 0 metres, including 17.7 metres at 6.13g/t Au from 19.2 metres.

The second hole returned 1.06g/t Au from 0 metres, including 87.9 metres at 1.59g/t Au from 12.2 metres.

Management said that mineralisation remains open and the targets will be tested further over the coming months.

On the rare earths front, the ASX 300 gold stock currently has two drill rigs that are targeting rare earth mineralisation at Colosseum with an 18-hole drill campaign. Dateline is currently commissioning a third company-owned rig so it can test the gold extensions in parallel.

The miner has completed almost 3,000 metres of rare earths focused diamond drilling to date. Some of the exploratory holes have drilled up to 745 metres below the surface.

The rare earths samples from that drilling campaign are currently at an assay lab for analysis.

What did Dateline Resource management say?

Commenting on the results helping boost the ASX 300 gold stock today, Dateline Resource’s managing director Stephen Baghdadi said, “Gold mineralisation at the Colosseum North Pit continues to extend to the northeast and these latest drill intersections again highlight the robust nature of the deposit.”

Baghdadi added:

These broad gold intersections highlight the potential for the definition of an underground deposit at Colosseum that could be exploited following the completion of open pit mining.

Based on the positive indications so far, the rare earth drilling program has now been expanded to 18 holes. The high-density rocks are an encouraging indicator that we are on the right track.

The post Up 572% in a year, why is this ASX 300 gold stock rocketing again on Friday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why this ASX mining high-flyer just dropped 14% in a day

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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.

A $2,000 investment may not sound like a life-changing amount of money.

But I think it can still be a very useful starting point if it is put into high-quality ASX shares and left to compound.

For me, the best approach would be to focus on businesses with strong positions in attractive markets. I would want companies that can keep getting larger over time.

Three blue-chip ASX shares I would happily buy with $2,000 are named in this article.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma Healthcare has become a much more interesting company since merging with Chemist Warehouse.

The business now gives investors exposure to a powerful pharmacy retail network, healthcare distribution, and the long-term demand for medicines, wellness products, and everyday health-related spending.

That combination appeals to me. Healthcare retail has some defensive qualities because people still need prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and pharmacy services in most economic environments. But Sigma also has a growth side because Chemist Warehouse is a highly recognisable brand with a large customer base and potential to keep expanding.

I think the scale of the combined business is important. A larger network can help with supplier relationships, distribution efficiency, data, marketing, and customer reach.

The valuation may not always look cheap, and integration still needs to be handled well. But if the merged group can keep executing, I think Sigma could be a great long-term investment.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group is another blue-chip ASX share I would consider buying with $2,000.

The company owns realestate.com.au, which sits at the centre of Australia’s property search market.

I like REA because it has a rare position in an area that attracts huge consumer attention. Australians care deeply about property. Buyers browse listings, sellers want maximum exposure, agents need leads, and advertisers want access to that audience.

REA connects all of those groups. This creates a powerful network effect. Buyers and renters go where the listings are. Agents want to list where the buyers and renters are. That loop helps protect REA’s position.

The stock often trades on a premium valuation, which means investors should be comfortable paying for quality. But I think dominant digital platforms with strong brands and high margins deserve close attention when building a long-term portfolio.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is a third ASX blue-chip share I would be happy to own for the long term.

The group has built a collection of businesses that reach into many parts of Australian consumer life. Bunnings remains a standout in home improvement, Kmart has become a powerful value-focused retailer, Officeworks serves households and businesses, and Priceline gives the group exposure to health and beauty.

I think that mix is useful in the current environment. Households may be under pressure, but they still need everyday products, affordable clothing, home essentials, school supplies, medicines, and health-related items. Wesfarmers has brands that can stay relevant across those needs.

The share price can still be affected by consumer confidence, costs, and valuation. But I think Wesfarmers has enough quality across the group to keep compounding over time.

Foolish takeaway

A $2,000 investment will not transform a portfolio overnight.

But I think it can still be put to work in a way that makes sense for the long term.

Sigma, REA Group, and Wesfarmers all have strong positions in areas where demand is likely to remain important: healthcare retail, property search, and everyday household spending.

That is the kind of foundation I would want from blue-chip ASX shares. The returns may take time to show up, and the entry price still matters, but I would be very comfortable letting these three businesses work away in the background for years.

The post I’d buy these blue-chip ASX shares with $2,000 in a heartbeat appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended 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.

Broker Shaw and Partners recently held an Emerging Financial Companies Conference, during which several ASX-listed companies presented their outlooks.

I’ve had a look at the broker notes for two, which the Shaw and Partners team think could appreciate well over the next 12 months.

Let’s have a look at the companies they are tipping for strong share price gains.

Credit Clear Ltd (ASX: CCR)

Credit Clear offers a customer intelligence and accounts receivable platform and has clients including Toyota Finance, Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN), and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN).

Shaw and Partners said Credit Clear reiterated FY26 guidance of $9.5 to $10.5 million in EBITDA during its presentation.

They said the company has a strong economic moat and a large potential runway.

Shaw and Partners added:

CCR provides a highly regulated service in debt resolution and receivables management to Tier 1 utilities, financial firms, government entities and leisure companies. CCR has 10 years of data across numerous industries and dozens of clients to train its next-best-action AI debt resolution system. This is difficult for competitors to replicate. CCR is gaining share in the Australian market for commission-based debt resolution from a base of about 10% of industry revenue. Tier 1 client retention is about 95%.

The Shaw research note added that Credit Clear has a solid footprint in the UK and New Zealand and an emerging presence in the US and Canada.

They also noted that the company was working on an artificial recoveries platform to automate some processes, while noting that “debt recovery from consumers is generally highly regulated, and in many instances must involve human intervention”.

Shaw and Partners has a price target of 40 cents on Credit Clear shares compared with 23 cents currently.

Pioneer Credit Ltd (ASX: PNC)

Pioneer Credit also operates in the debt recovery sector.

Shaw and Partners said the company reiterated its full-year net profit guidance of more than $23 million.

The company also “re-iterated that FY26 cash collections are in growth and further cash growth is expected in FY27”.

Shaw said that Pioneer indicated that the industry was now returning to a growth phase.

Over the last few years the debt recovery industry suffered from subdued supply in part due to very low interest rates and regulatory oversight inhibiting banks from selling debt. PNC observes now that banks are returning to the market in force.  

One example was Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), which Shaw estimated could be inventorying nearly $2 billion of aged debt, which had been “written off but not resolved”.

Shaw estimated that winning its share of that debt could be worth 30 cents a share to Pioneer alone.

Shaw also said Pioneer benefits from being in a strong market position.

As they said:

In recent years competition has thinned such that the large end of the market, PNC operates in a duopoly. PNC is benefitting from panel deselection of competitors and its status as preferred counterparty due to its compliance record.

Shaw and Partners has a price target of $1 on Pioneer shares compared with 60 cents currently.

Pioneer Credit is valued at $96.4 million.

The post These two ASX financial services companies could both jump more than 50% Shaw and Partners says appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• If I invest $8,000 in Westpac shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?

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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) shares are having a rough week.

The ASX 200 stock was sold off on Thursday and crashed 13%.

This means the grain exporter’s shares are now down 31% since this time last year.

Is this a buying opportunity for investors? Let’s see what Bell Potter is saying.

What is the broker saying about this ASX 200 stock?

Bell Potter notes that Graincorp released a half-year result this week that was well short of expectations. It said:

Revenue of $3,884m was down -5% YOY (vs. BPe $3,849m). EBITDA of $136.1m was down -32% YOY (vs. BPe of $148.6m) with a weaker result in Nutrition and energy and Agribusiness, despite moving higher volumes of grains in the half. There was a $12m EBITDA timing impact on derivative mark-to -markets within the Nutrition business which should unwind in 2H26e. Operating NPAT of $32.7m (vs. BPe of $49.6m) was down -53% YOY. 1H26 crop receipts were 11.0mt (vs. BPe of 10.4mt) and crop exports were 3.3mt (vs. BPe of 3.0mt).

In response to the results, the broker has reduced its earnings estimates for the coming years. It adds:

EPS changes are -4% in FY26e, -12% in FY27e and -9% in FY28e. changes reflect modestly lower margin assumptions and higher base interest rate assumptions. Our target price is $5.90ps (prev. $6.80ps) reflecting lower corporate net cash.

Should you buy the dip?

According to the note, the broker doesn’t think investors should be rushing in to buy the ASX 200 stock following its decline.

It has retained its hold rating with a reduced price target of $5.90 (from $6.80). Based on its current share price of $5.38, this implies potential upside of 9.5% for investors over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter has concerns that grain trading margins could remain tight in the near term. It said:

As the focus shifts to the upcoming crop, soil moisture profiles are in general the opposite of a year ago, being improved in the south and drier in the north. At this stage, the increasing shift in outlook towards an El Nino bias in 2HCY26 warrants consideration against potential yield outcomes. Global production forecasts for 2026/27 remain at elevated levels (~2% above the 5YR avg.), suggesting ongoing tight grain trading margins. Oilseed crush margins remain strong and have the potential to be a tailwind as hedge positions rollover.

The post Down 30%: Is this ASX 200 stock a buy after its crash? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

ASX tech stock Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) has gone absolutely ballistic lately.

On Thursday alone, the ASX tech stock blasted 27% higher to $12.58 after delivering a major announcement tied to the booming artificial intelligence sector.

That latest surge means Megaport shares have now skyrocketed an eye-watering 75% over the past month. Remarkably though, the stock is still sitting marginally lower than this time last year, highlighting just how volatile the journey has been for investors.

Now the big question being asked across the market is simple: can this rally keep going?

Three major contracts

First, it is worth understanding exactly what Megaport does. The ASX tech stock operates a global network-as-a-service platform that allows businesses to instantly connect to cloud providers, data centres, and internet infrastructure around the world.

That positioning is becoming increasingly valuable as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure demand continue accelerating globally.

And this week, the company delivered exactly the kind of update growth investors love to see. Megaport unveiled three major contract wins tied directly to the booming AI sector. Combined, the deals carry a total contract value of US$182.9 million, or roughly A$254 million.

Even more importantly, management of the ASX tech stock expects the contracts to generate approximately US$65.2 million (A$90.6 million) in annual recurring revenue.

That instantly caught the market’s attention. Recurring revenue is highly prized in technology investing because it improves earnings visibility and can create powerful operating leverage as businesses grow.

The contracts also strengthen Megaport’s position as an emerging AI infrastructure player rather than simply another speculative tech stock riding the hype cycle.

Fierce cloud competition

Of course, risks still remain. ASX tech stocks can stay extremely volatile, particularly after sharp rallies like the one Megaport has experienced over the past month.

Competition across cloud infrastructure and connectivity markets also remains fierce, with global giants constantly investing heavily in the space.

Execution will also be critical. Investors will want proof that Megaport can successfully deploy the required infrastructure, manage costs carefully, and convert this momentum into sustained profitability growth.

What next for the ASX tech stock?

Still, analyst sentiment currently appears very supportive. According to TradingView data, 12 of 15 analysts covering the ASX tech stock currently rate it as either a buy or strong buy. The remaining three have hold recommendations.

The average analyst price target sits at $15.32, implying roughly 22% upside from current levels.

Meanwhile, the most bullish valuation among analysts suggests Megaport shares could climb as high as $24. That would suggest a potential gain of around 90% from the current share price.

So while the stock has already staged a stunning rally, many analysts clearly believe the AI-fuelled growth story may only just be getting started.

The post This ASX tech stock has exploded 75% in a month, but can it climb higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX tech shares vs. ATEC ETF: How they fared during sector downturn
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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 positions in and has recommended Megaport. 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.

Are you looking for exposure to the mining sector outside the status quo of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)?

If you are, and have a higher tolerance for risk, then it could be worth checking out the ASX mining stock in this article.

That’s because Bell Potter believes it is on track to deliver big returns and equally big profits in the near future.

Which ASX mining stock?

The stock that Bell Potter is tipping as a buy is WA1 Resources Ltd (ASX: WA1).

It is the niobium-focused mineral exploration company behind the West Arunta project in Western Australia.

Bell Potter notes that since its listing, WA1 Resources has focused on an aggressive drill-out program at West Arunta, specifically targeting the Luni carbonatite structure.

Niobium is considered to be a critical mineral by both the United States and European Union due to supply concentration and economic importance.

Bell Potter was pleased with the recently updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Luni deposit. It said:

The total MRE tonnage for Luni was already established and widely understood, what this update importantly delivers is the conversion of Inferred material into the Indicated category. At 57% of contained niobium now sitting in Indicated, WA1 has crossed a material threshold in terms of resource maturity and provides a platform for Ore Reserve declaration, pre-feasibility study completion, and ultimately, project financing. The Indicated high-grade subset represents a meaningful improvement in tonnage and grade versus the prior update.

This material is expected to anchor the initial mine schedule and underpin any starter operation economics. Our base case assumes a staged development, beginning with a 0.5Mtpa operation (5yrs) processing ore at average grade of 2.5% Nb₂O₅, scaling to 1.0–1.5Mtpa over the following decade. The high-grade Indicated subset as it now stands is sufficient to support that schedule.

Based on this, Bell Potter believes the company is well-placed to start generating sales and profits in FY 2028.

It is forecasting sales of $491.8 million, EBITDA of $354.1 million, and a net profit after tax of $256.1 million.

Should you invest?

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its speculative buy rating and $24.80 price target on the ASX mining stock.

Based on its current share price of $16.17, this implies potential upside of 53% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, the broker said:

We maintain our Speculative Buy recommendation with a $24.80/sh valuation (unchanged). Our valuation is based on a Notional Development Scenario (NDS) for Luni, discounted at 10% and risked at 30% to reflect the project’s current stage. Key catalysts for higher valuations and share price re-rating include: eastern zone assay results, Measured classification, PFS/Reserve declaration and potential MRE increase from eastern AC extensions.

The post This ASX mining stock tipped to rise 50% could make a profit of $250m in 2028 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Your early 50s are a vital time to prioritise your superannuation.

At this stage, your focus should shift from accumulating funds in your superannuation to deciding what your retirement will look like and how to pay for it.

The good news is that at this point, you’ve most likely built a decent superannuation balance, which means compounding can really start to work in your favour. 

But if not, your 50s are also the last major opportunity to significantly boost your superannuation before it’s too late.

Here’s a breakdown of the average superannuation balance of Aussies aged 53, and the balance you need by this point if you want to retire comfortably.

What is the average superannuation balance at age 53?

According to the latest data from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), the average Australian male aged 50-54 has around $254,074 in their superannuation.

The average 50-54-year-old female has a lot less, at around $190,175.

Around $65,000 is a huge difference for men and women in this age bracket. And that is mainly due to women taking time out of the workforce to raise children, working fewer hours, and having lower overall incomes, as well as taking on a greater amount of unpaid work at home.

Even so, none of these average superannuation balances is anywhere near what Australians need to afford a comfortable retirement when the time comes.

In fact, even if you have an above-average superannuation balance for your age, it doesn’t mean you have enough to live the retirement lifestyle that you want.

How much do I need at age 53 to get a comfortable retirement?

Again, ASFA has crunched the numbers. The association estimates that a comfortable retirement will cost around $54,840 per year for singles and $77,375 per year for couples.

This amount means you should be able to afford to maintain a good standard of living. It assumes you’ll have top level private health insurance, own a reasonable car, and partake in the occasional meal out or domestic trip. 

To fund $54,840 per year for singles and $77,375 per year for couples in retirement, you’ll need a superannuation balance of at least $630,000, or a combined $730,000 if you’re a couple.

In order to reach that figure, you’d need a balance of $364,000 at age 53, regardless of whether you’re a male or female.

And the concerning thing is that this $364,000 figure is significantly higher than the average superannuation balance for 50-54-year-olds. 

You say my 50s are the last major opportunity to significantly boost my superannuation savings. How can I do that? 

The good news is, at age 53, there are still seven years left until you reach preservation age (when you can access your superannuation balance if retired), or 12 years until you reach age 65 (when you can access your superannuation regardless of whether you’re still working or not).

That means there is still plenty of time to boost your superannuation balance up to the level that you need.

The most important thing you can do today is ensure your superannuation is with a well-performing fund and that your risk profile suits your own. 

Once you’ve checked that the money you already have in your super is working as well as possible, the next step is to think about how to add extra funds. Take advantage of additional concessional or non-concessional contributions, whether this is salary sacrificing or after-tax payments (within your annual limits), while you still can.

Also, look into any applicable government initiatives that could help turbocharge your balance. For example, there is a downsizer contributions rule, a bring-forward rule, a government co-contribution rule, and many others. 

If that still doesn’t give you enough to catch up, there is always the option of delaying retirement by a couple of years. By pushing your retirement back, even by another five years, it gives your investments more time to grow, and it could be the difference between a comfortable retirement and a modest one. 

The post The average superannuation balance at age 53 in Australia, versus what you need to retire comfortably appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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