Author: openjargon

I recently had some goods shipped from the United States to Australia. They were couriered by the American logistics company FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX), a name you may be familiar with. You may also be wondering what this has to do with WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares.

Well, FedEx may be an American company, listed on the American markets, and with a market capitalisation of US$80.1 billion.

However, I noticed something interesting on my shipping invoice. FedEx employed the use of CargoWise, and included references to it on my invoice.

CargoWise happens to be the flagship logistics service of none other than ASX tech stock WiseTech Global.

As an ASX investor, this immediately piqued my interest. We might want to take a brief pause and acknowledge the success of having a homegrown company’s services employed by a global shipping juggernaut like FedEx.

This observation got me thinking about Warren Buffett’s concept of a moat, and more specifically, whether WiseTech shares show enough evidence of an effective moat to warrant an investment.

WiseTech shares: Show me the moat

A moat is a concept that Buffett began discussing publicly in the 1990s. It refers to a permanent competitive advantage that a company can possess that helps to protect it and its profits from competitors and other threats.

Here’s how Buffett himself once described the concept back in 1995:

The post Do WiseTech Global shares have a moat? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• If the ASX 200 rallies in the back half of the year these sectors could be portfolio winners
• Down 65%+, why I’d buy and hold these ASX shares
• How to make $2,000 of monthly passive income from ASX shares
• Down 46%: What should I do with my WiseTech shares now?
• Buy, hold, sell: WiseTech, Lotus Resources, Ampol shares

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

The wait is over for ASX bank shares. The Reserve Bank of Australia held the cash rate at 4.35% on Tuesday 16 June 2026. This marked the first pause following three consecutive hikes in February, March, and May which sent the cash rate up 75 basis points since the start of the year.

The decision was widely expected, with markets pricing a hold at near-certainty heading into the meeting.

What matters more for ASX bank shares is what Governor Michele Bullock said after the decision.

What the RBA actually said

The board’s decision was unanimous.

At the press conference, Bullock revealed that no one on the board even considered raising rates this month, but she refused to rule out further hikes.

She said:

I’d say the board is still concerned. And if we need to increase rates again, we will. I think the board feels now that we’re in a better position than we were in at the beginning of the year, when interest rates were three quarters of a percentage point lower.

That is a hawkish hold.

The RBA statement noted that while oil prices had eased in recent weeks, related commodity prices remained higher than before the Middle East conflict began, and both headline and underlying inflation were still too high.

What it means for Commonwealth Bank shares

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) has forecast two rate cuts in May and August 2027. Alongside ANZ and NAB, all three banks now believing rates have peaked.

Westpac, notably, is the outlier, predicting another hike later in 2026 and again in September.

For CBA shareholders, a hold without a clear hiking signal removes near-term mortgage stress risk. But it also means the net interest margin tailwind from rising rates has likely ended.

In the first half of FY2026, CBA posted statutory net profit of $5.41 billion, up 5% year on year. This confirmed that the underlying business remains strong regardless of the rate outlook.

At approximately 26 times forward earnings, the stock still prices in little margin for error.

What it means for Westpac shares

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is the most mortgage-exposed of the big four bank shares, with approximately 69% of its loan book in residential mortgages.

Westpac’s own economists are forecasting a different path to their domestic rivals, expecting the RBA to hike again later in 2026 and in September.

If that forecast proves correct, Westpac shareholders face a longer period of NIM support but also extended mortgage stress risk across the loan book.

Westpac declared a fully franked interim dividend of 77 cents per share, payable on 26 June, a payment that proceeds regardless of the RBA’s rate path.

What it means for Mirvac shares

Although not technically a bank share, for Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), the RBA’s hold is a positive signal, even with Bullock’s hawkish caveats.

Property trusts are acutely sensitive to interest rates, and Tuesday’s hold without an accompanying hike removes the most immediate valuation risk facing the sector.

The RBA noting that “the next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain” supports a better medium-term outlook for Mirvac shares.

Mirvac shares have fallen approximately 20% over the past twelve months as the hiking cycle weighed on REIT valuations.

Macquarie carries an outperform rating on Mirvac with a price target of $2.70, arguing the residential recovery story can drive earnings higher as the rate cycle turns.

Foolish takeaway for ASX bank shares

The RBA held rates at 4.35%, exactly as expected.

But Bullock’s refusal to rule out further hikes, combined with Westpac’s contrarian forecast of another increase later in 2026, means the uncertainty for CBA, Westpac, and Mirvac shareholders is far from resolved.

The next move me be down. The timing remains the biggest open question for ASX bank shares right now.

The post The RBA just held rates at 4.35%. Here’s what it means for these ASX bank shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• If I invest $5,000 in CBA shares today, what passive income would I get in FY27?
• Got $10,000? I’d buy these ASX 200 shares right now
• Forget CBA and buy these ASX dividend shares
• What does the RBA decision mean for the big four bank shares?
• Brokers rate these 4 ASX 200 shares as a sell!

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 big share price fall does not automatically create value. Sometimes the market is right to lose confidence. But in other cases, a sharp sell-off can leave long-term investors looking at a much better risk/reward than they had a year earlier.

The three ASX shares in this article have been hit hard over the past 12 months, falling by over 65%.

Even so, I think all three could be worth buying and holding.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple & Webster is one ASX share I would consider buying after its heavy fall.

The online furniture and homewares retailer is down around 73% over the past 12 months, which tells us sentiment has turned very negative.

But I think the long-term opportunity remains attractive. Furniture is a large retail category, and I still believe more of that spending can shift online over time. Buying a sofa, bed, rug, outdoor setting, or office chair online may have felt unusual years ago, but consumers are becoming more comfortable researching, comparing, and purchasing big-ticket items digitally.

Temple & Webster is built for that world. It does not need to operate a large traditional store network, and it can offer customers a broad range of products across different styles, price points, and categories. That gives it flexibility and range that would be hard to replicate through a conventional retail footprint.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech Global is another ASX share I would buy and hold despite its 65% decline over the past year.

I think the attraction is the role it plays inside global logistics. Moving things around the world is a tricky process. Shipments can involve freight forwarders, customs brokers, warehouses, ports, carriers, regulators, documents, and multiple countries. A lot can go wrong when information is spread across disconnected systems.

WiseTech’s CargoWise platform helps customers manage more of that complexity in one place. I think that is valuable because logistics companies do not want software that only looks good in a sales demo. They need systems that help them move freight, reduce manual work, manage compliance, and keep customers informed.

The deeper software becomes in a customer’s workflow, the more important it can become.

I also think global logistics will become increasingly data-driven over time. Customers want better visibility, faster execution, and more automation. WiseTech is well placed if it can keep expanding the usefulness of its platform and integrate acquisitions effectively.

The share price fall has been painful, but I think the business still has a rare global software position from an Australian base.

Gentrack Group Ltd (ASX: GTK)

Gentrack is the third ASX share I would consider buying and holding.

Its shares are down around 71% over the past 12 months, but I think the company operates in an attractive niche.

Gentrack provides software for utilities and airports. That may not sound as exciting as consumer apps or artificial intelligence, but I like the importance of the markets it serves.

Utilities are becoming more complex. Energy retailers and infrastructure operators need to manage customer accounts, billing, usage data, pricing, regulatory requirements, distributed energy, and changing consumer behaviour. Old systems can struggle as the energy market becomes more digital and decentralised.

Airports also need better technology as passenger numbers, commercial activity, and operational demands grow. Gentrack is exposed to that need for modernisation.

The appeal for me is that specialist software can become highly valuable when it solves operational problems that customers cannot ignore. If Gentrack keeps winning work and delivering for customers, I think the business could be much larger in the years ahead.

Foolish Takeaway

Shares that fall more than 65% can feel hard to buy.

But I think Temple & Webster, WiseTech, and Gentrack all have long-term opportunities that remain worth taking seriously.

One is trying to capture more of the furniture market online, another is embedded in the complex world of global logistics, and the third is helping utilities and airports modernise their technology.

They are not low-risk shares. But for investors who can be patient and accept volatility, I think these beaten-down ASX shares could be worth buying and holding.

The post Down 65%+, why I’d buy and hold these ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• If the ASX 200 rallies in the back half of the year these sectors could be portfolio winners
• Do WiseTech Global shares have a moat?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• How to make $2,000 of monthly passive income from ASX shares
• Down 46%: What should I do with my WiseTech shares now?

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 Gentrack Group, Temple & Webster Group, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Gentrack Group and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares may finally be showing signs of life.

The biotechnology giant has climbed 9% over the past month. That’s a significant move for a stock that has spent much of the past year under relentless selling pressure.

Even after that bounce, however, CSL shares remain down roughly 55% over the past 12 months.

That leaves investors with a big question: has the $50 billion ASX share finally turned the corner, or is this just another head fake in a painful downtrend?

Investors are starting to buy the dip

The first thing worth noting is that sentiment appears to be improving.

CSL shares were hammered throughout May, falling around 23% during the month before sliding further in early June. But after such a dramatic sell-off, bargain hunters appear to be stepping in.

After plunging 38% in 2026 alone, many investors may now believe the worst-case scenario is already reflected in the share price.

That’s not an unreasonable view.

CSL remains one of Australia’s highest-quality healthcare companies, with leading positions across plasma therapies, vaccines, and kidney care. It also benefits from powerful long-term trends, including ageing populations, rising healthcare spending, and increasing demand for specialist treatments.

Importantly, these structural growth drivers haven’t disappeared just because the share price has.

But risks remain

Of course, there’s a reason CSL shares have been under pressure.

The healthcare company has faced weaker earnings expectations, integration challenges following major acquisitions, and ongoing questions about profitability across parts of the business.

Investors are also watching closely to see whether management can successfully execute its transformation program while restoring earnings growth.

And while the recent rally is encouraging, one month does not make a trend. If earnings disappoint again or operating conditions worsen, CSL shares could easily come under renewed pressure.

That’s why some investors remain cautious despite the sharp decline.

What do analysts think?

Analysts appear divided on the near-term outlook, but most still see upside ahead.

A recent note from UBS revealed that its analysts retained a buy rating on CSL shares, albeit with a reduced price target of $158. UBS believes 2026 could mark the low point for the company’s earnings cycle.

The broker expects cost savings from CSL’s transformation program and lower plasma collection costs to support stronger earnings growth in FY2027.

TradingView data paints a similar picture. Of the 18 analysts covering CSL, 10 currently rate the stock as a hold, while the remaining eight have buy or strong buy recommendations.

The average price target sits at $138.89, implying potential upside of approximately 30% from current levels.

That said, there remains considerable disagreement. Some analysts believe CSL shares could slip around 3% to $103.02, while the most bullish forecasts point to gains of roughly 84% and a share price of $196.76.

Foolish Takeaway

CSL shares are no longer in freefall, and investors appear increasingly willing to look beyond today’s challenges.

The company still possesses world-class assets, strong competitive advantages, and attractive long-term growth drivers. However, execution risks remain and earnings recovery is far from guaranteed.

For investors willing to take a long-term view, the recent weakness may present an opportunity. For more cautious investors, waiting for clearer signs of an earnings turnaround could still be the prudent approach.

The post Investors are buying CSL shares again. Should you? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• If you invested $10,000 in CSL shares 10 years ago, here’s what they would be worth today
• 3 reasons I’d buy CSL shares in FY27
• CSL shares jump 15%: Is it time to start buying the beaten-down biotech stock?
• CSL shares trade at just 12 times forecast earnings. Here’s why they could be the buy of the decade
• CSL shares: bargain or value trap?

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 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.

There is a quiet fantasy that sits behind most income investing. You build a portfolio big enough that the dividends alone cover your bills. You never sell a single unit. The capital stays intact, and the cheques keep landing.

It is a lovely idea. It is also more expensive than most people realise.

So let’s run the honest maths on whether you could actually live off ASX ETF dividends in retirement.

What the number actually is

Start with the income target. The ASFA Retirement Standard reckons a comfortable retirement costs roughly $54,840 a year for a single, and $77,375 for a couple who own their home. 

Now assume a conservative grossed-up dividend yield of 4%. That means for every $100,000 invested, you collect about $4,000 a year in income and franking credits combined.

To generate $54,840 from a 4% yield, you need about $1.37 million invested. For a couple chasing $77,375, the figure climbs to roughly $1.93 million.

Prefer a modest lifestyle? The targets fall to about $33,470 for a single and $47,999 for a couple, which still call for around $837,000 and $1.2 million respectively. 

Here is the uncomfortable part. ASFA’s own lump-sum guide suggests just $630,000 for a single and $730,000 for a couple. The difference? Those figures assume you draw down your capital and collect a part Age Pension. Living on dividends alone, capital untouched and no pension, asks for nearly double.

Yield, franking, and the inflation trap

A few mechanics make or break this strategy.

Dividend yield is simply the annual income divided by the price you paid. A fund like the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) tilts toward higher-paying names such as the major banks and miners, which lifts that figure above the broad market.

Franking credits do some of the the heavy lifting in Australia. When a company pays tax before passing on a dividend, it attaches a credit. A retiree on a low tax rate can often have those credits refunded in cash – which is why a grossed-up yield matters far more than the cash figure alone.

Then comes the threat everybody needs to budget for: inflation.

The $54,840 you need today will not stretch nearly as far in 15 years’ time. If your dividends stay flat, your real income shrinks every single year. The saving grace is that Australian dividends have tended to grow over time as company profits rise – but that growth is never guaranteed, and a weak year for the banks can dent it sharply.

This is why income alone is rarely the whole answer. Globally diversified options, such as the Betashares Global Royalties ETF (ASX: ROYL), or the yield-focused funds like Betashares S&P 500 Yield Maximiser Complex ETF (ASX: UMAX), can spread the load across sectors and geographies.

Foolish takeaway

Can you live off ASX ETF dividends in retirement? Yes – provided you reach the finish line with enough capital and a portfolio whose payouts keep pace with the cost of living.

The honest maths simply says the bar sits higher than the headline super numbers imply. Roughly $1.37 million for a comfortable single retirement, funded entirely by dividends, is a serious target.

None of this accounts for sequencing risk, possible changes to franking rules, or how much you actually hold at preservation age. Treat 4% as a deliberately cautious anchor, not a promise.

Build the capital first. The income, reassuringly, tends to look after itself.

The post Can you live off ASX ETF dividends in retirement? Here’s the honest maths appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to make $2,000 of monthly passive income from ASX shares
• Which ASX ETF should I buy?
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold by investors in May
• 5 steps to bring in $1,000 per month in passive income
• Got $50k of savings? Here’s how I’d turn that into passive income of $10k a year

Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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 BetaShares S&P 500 Yield Maximiser Fund. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you have any unused super contribution limits, you could be about to lose a valuable tax opportunity.

The carry-forward contribution rules allow some Aussies to put extra money into super using contribution room left over from earlier financial years.

But that unused room doesn’t last forever.

Any amount left over from the 2020-21 financial year will disappear after 30 June 2026.

Although you will need to act sooner than that because super funds generally set their payment deadlines days before the financial year ends.

How does the super rule work?

The concessional contribution limit is $30,000 for the 2025-26 financial year.

That figure includes the super paid by your employer, any salary sacrifice payments, and personal contributions you plan to claim as a tax deduction.

You may also be able to contribute more than $30,000 by using unused cap amounts from the previous 5 financial years.

To qualify, your total super balance has to be below $500,000 at the end of the previous financial year.

The oldest unused amount is used first.

So, if you still have unused contribution room from 2020-21, it will be used before any amounts left over from later years.

Once 30 June passes, any remaining 2020-21 amount will be gone.

The maximum amount available to some people this year is $167,500, including the current $30,000 cap.

If you’re not sure, you can check your available concessional contribution amount through the ATO section of myGov.

Why put more money into super?

For many people, the biggest reason is tax savings.

Concessional contributions are generally taxed at 15% inside super. That is likely going to be lower than the tax rate you pay on part of your normal income.

For example, someone paying a marginal tax rate above 15% could reduce their tax bill by making an eligible contribution into super.

The carry-forward rules can be helpful if you previously worked part-time, spent time out of the workforce, or could not afford extra contributions.

But adding extra money into super won’t be the right move for everyone.

Keep in mind, the money is generally locked away until you meet a condition of release, usually when you retire. Going over your available cap may also lead to extra tax and paperwork.

Do not wait until 30 June

Do not assume a payment made on 30 June will count towards the current financial year.

A contribution counts when the super fund receives the money, not when it leaves your bank account.

Some funds have already published earlier cut-off dates, depending on how the payment is made.

You will also need to submit a notice of intent form to your fund if you plan to claim a personal contribution as a tax deduction.

With the oldest unused amounts about to expire, checking your available cap and your fund’s deadline could save you from missing out.

The post This major super tax break could disappear in days. Are you about to lose it? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 world-class ASX ETFs to help build a winning portfolio
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy now
• 3 ASX 200 shares, including Macquarie and BHP, smashing new 52-week-plus highs today
• This ASX 200 mining stock is up 44% in a year. Why is it climbing again?

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.

Do you want to build a winning portfolio?

ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be a simple way to add global exposure, quality filters, and long-term growth potential without having to pick every individual stock yourself.

But which ones could be buys?

Here are three world-class ASX ETFs that could be worth a closer look.

VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF (ASX: GOAT)

The VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF takes a more selective approach to global investing.

Rather than simply buying the biggest companies in the world, the fund looks for international businesses that combine quality with attractive valuations. This can lead it into a very different mix of names from a standard global index, with holdings such as NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI), Etsy (NYSE: ETSY), and Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO).

The common thread is durability. The fund is looking for companies with characteristics that can help them defend profits over time, whether that comes from strong brands, valuable intellectual property, scale, loyal customers, or high switching costs.

For investors, that can be a powerful combination. A portfolio of businesses with strong competitive positions and valuation discipline could be well placed to compound over the long term.

Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)

Another ASX ETF that could help strengthen a portfolio is the Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF.

This fund focuses on global companies that generate strong free cash flow. Its holdings include ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML), Palantir (NASDAQ: PLTR), and Visa (NYSE: V).

Free cash flow is important because it shows how much money a business can generate after funding the spending needed to keep operating and growing.

Companies with strong free cash flow can have more control over their future. They may be able to invest in new opportunities, strengthen their balance sheets, buy back shares, pay dividends, or make acquisitions without relying too heavily on outside funding.

That can be especially valuable when markets become more selective and investors start paying closer attention to financial quality.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

A third ASX ETF to look at is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF.

This fund is the simplest of the three, but that is arguably part of its strength. It gives investors broad exposure to developed markets outside Australia, including the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Its holdings include NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).

The Australian share market is heavily influenced by banks, miners, supermarkets, and a relatively small number of large companies. This fund gives investors access to a much wider opportunity set.

That includes global technology leaders, healthcare giants, industrial businesses, consumer brands, and financial companies that are not available on the ASX.

The post 3 world-class ASX ETFs to help build a winning portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 high-quality ASX ETFs at 52-week highs I’d still buy
• New to ASX ETFs? These 4 products could be a good start
• 5 ASX ETFs for beginners with $500
• Which ASX ETF should I buy?
• 3 world-class ETFs for Australian investors

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ASML, Apple, Etsy, Microsoft, NXP Semiconductors, Novo Nordisk, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ASML, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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

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• Why is the ASX 200 hitting a fresh 2 month high today?
• Diamond Infraco’s $5.10 offer for Atlas Arteria now unconditional
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• Growthpoint Properties Australia delivers leasing momentum, maintains FY26 guidance
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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ARB Corporation, SiteMinder, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended SiteMinder. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation 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.

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

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

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have been looking at the industrial property market and are pleased with what they saw. They note that demand continues to outstrip supply, which is supporting rental growth. In addition, the broker is very positive on Goodman due to its 6.4GW power bank and $14 billion+ development pipeline. It is just waiting for news on lease execution across key markets such as Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles, and Australia. When this happens, it believes the share price could respond very positively. The Goodman share price is trading at $32.65 on Wednesday.

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this lithium miner’s shares with an improved price target of $2.90. Bell Potter believes the outlook for lithium prices is positive after comparing medium term lithium supply restarts and greenfield projects against expected demand. In light of this, it has lifted its lithium price forecasts and its earnings estimates for Liontown in FY 2027 and FY 2028. Outside this, with current lithium price strength, Bell Potter notes that the company can rapidly generate cash to support incremental production expansions and shareholder returns. It also thinks that Kathleen Valley is highly strategic in terms of scale, long project life, and location in a tier-one mining jurisdiction. The Liontown share price is fetching $2.12 at the time of writing.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Analysts at UBS have retained their buy rating and $26.00 price target on this fashion jewellery retailer’s shares. According to the note, the broker highlights that a good portion of Lovisa’s growth over the past decade has been driven by new store openings. The good news is that it expects this to continue with the company opening almost 50 stores since the end of the first half. This has been driven largely by new stores in Europe and America. The Lovisa share price is trading at $22.68 this afternoon.

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

More reading

• How these 3 ASX 200 mining stocks have more than tripled investors’ money in a year
• 2 of the best ASX 200 blue-chip shares I’d buy in June
• Is Goodman Group a buy for dividend income today?
• How to make $2,000 of monthly passive income from ASX shares
• Want to retire earlier? This mix of ASX shares and ETFs could help

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 0.4% in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with three big-name ASX 200 shares jumping to new 52-week-plus highs.

Here’s what’s happening.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP is cementing its position as the biggest stock on the ASX today.

Shares in the Aussie mining giant are up 0.4% at the time of writing, changing hands for $65.48 apiece.

That’s not only a new 52-week high for BHP but, if the ASX 200 share holds these gains to close, it will mark a new all-time closing high.

BHP shares look to be benefiting from an overnight uptick in global copper prices. The red metal is currently fetching US$13,774 per tonne.

Amid the resilient iron ore price and surging copper prices, BHP shares have been on fire over the past 12 months, up 75.6%. And that doesn’t include the two fully-franked dividends totalling $1.96 a share the miner paid eligible stockholders over this time.

BHP shares trade on a 3% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie shares are also setting a new high-water mark today.

Shares in the diversified financial stock are up 0.9% at the time of writing, trading for $251.28 each.

If these gains are held to close, that will also mark a new all-time high for this ASX 200 share.

The Macquarie share price is now up 18.5% since this time last year. Atop those capital gains, Macquarie shares also trade on a 2.8% partly franked trailing dividend yield.

Which brings us to…

Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM)

Joining Macquarie and BHP shares in the new 52-week-plus high club is metal and electronics recycler Sims.

Sims shares are up 1.5% in afternoon trade today, swapping hands for $29.87 each.

You’d have to go back to September 2008 to find this ASX 200 share trading at higher levels than that.

The Sims share price has surged 91.4% over the past 12 months. Sims also trades on a 0.9% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

The stock caught fresh tailwinds today following a positive trading update.

Among the highlights stoking ASX investor interest, Sims lifted its FY 2026 underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) guidance to the range of $420 million to $435 million.

That was up from prior earnings guidance in the range of $350 million to $400 million.

Management credited the improved full-year earnings outlook to strong operating performances across both Sims’ North America Metals and SA Recycling businesses.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares, including Macquarie and BHP, smashing new 52-week-plus highs today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Up 134% since October, why is this $6 billion ASX 200 stock leaping higher again today?
• Sims lifts outlook as North American metals drive gains

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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP 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.