Author: openjargon

It has been a brutal year for WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC).

WiseTech shares are down approximately 47% year to date and have crashed 66% over the past twelve months.

At $36 today, the stock trades near levels last seen in early 2022.

May was another poor month for WiseTech shares, with the stock down approximately 16%.

So what happened?

What drove the May selling in WiseTech shares

The selling in WiseTech shares in May reflected a toxic combination of two forces.

First, the most dramatic company-specific event was WiseTech’s announcement that it would cut approximately 2,000 jobs, as part of a two-year AI-linked restructuring program.

This is nearly a third of its total workforce.

The cuts triggered an urgent request for a meeting from an Australian trade union.

Furthermore, the company simultaneously faces a Fair Work Commission claim from an executive over her dismissal.

The handling of the layoffs attracted significant negative media coverage and raised questions about WiseTech’s workplace culture.

Second, WiseTech’s Q3 FY2026 quarterly update, published on 4 May 2026, added to investor unease rather than providing reassurance.

While the company reaffirmed its full-year FY2026 revenue guidance of US$1.39 billion to US$1.44 billion, it also confirmed that one-off integration costs related to the E2open acquisition would reach US$45 million to US$50 million in FY2026, materially compressing profit margins.

Furthermore, analysts have cut the consensus full-year FY2026 EPS forecast to approximately A$0.72 per share.

This is down from higher estimates earlier in the year, as the E2open integration costs and restructuring charges weigh on the bottom line.

With full-year results not due until August 2026, investors have had no earnings catalyst to offset the negative newsflow from the restructuring and integration cost overruns.

But the business keeps delivering

Look past the sentiment and WiseTech’s operational performance remains solid.

CargoWise is used by all of the world’s top 25 global freight forwarders.

And switching costs for WiseTech’s customers are enormous.

That gives WiseTech a revenue base that is considerably more resilient than the share price performance implies.

Moreover, the company has accelerated its AI integration roadmap.

The company is embedding AI tools directly into CargoWise to automate workflows, improve compliance, and reduce costs for customers.

What does the broker community think?

The broker picture on WiseTech shares is divided but broadly constructive.

UBS maintains a buy rating on WiseTech shares, stating the medium-term growth outlook remains intact and seeing the stock as attractively valued on a forward sales multiple basis.

The broker forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 27% in sales and 33% in EBITDA through FY2028.

Meanwhile, Bell Potter recently named WiseTech shares as a stock that could rise 150% from current levels.

The broker cited the deep competitive moat and the platform’s irreplaceable role in global freight forwarding.

Foolish takeaway

WiseTech shares have been through the wringer in May.

The near-term volatility is unlikely to disappear while governance uncertainty and sector rotation pressures persist.

However, the underlying business continues to grow at impressive rates, the CargoWise moat is intact, and at least two major brokers see substantial upside from current WiseTech shares levels.

For patient investors who can tolerate volatility, May may prove to be an interesting month to have paid attention.

The post What happened to WiseTech shares in May? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX shares to buy now: How I’d invest a $1,000 lump sum
• I’d aim for $1 million in retirement buying just 10 ASX 200 shares
• WiseTech shares crash 66% in 12 months. What’s next?
• 2 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy with $10,000
• Xero shares vs WiseTech shares: Which ASX tech share would I buy today?

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven has a position in the stock mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. 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 ASX dividend stock Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP) has fallen 16% since November 2025 and it’s down 28% from December 2021, as the chart below shows.

The business describes itself as Australia’s largest domestic pure play industrial real estate investment trust (REIT).

It says it has a portfolio of high-quality industrial assets which are located in key metropolitan locations throughout Australia. It aims to offer investors a mixture of passive income and capital growth.

Higher interest rates are certainly a headwind for the business, but I think rates will only be this high for a certain period of time, so it looks like the right time to scan for opportunities in the REIT space. Centuria Industrial REIT looks like one of the best options to me.

Solid dividend yield

The business expects to pay a pleasing distribution for FY26 and I expect the FY27 payout will be a similar amount.

It expects to pay an annual distribution of 16.8 cents per unit in FY26, which would mean a 3% rise year-over-year. This guided payout translates into a distribution yield of 5.6%.

But, the current distribution yield is not the key reason why I think it’s a wonderful time to invest right now.

Cheap valuation

I love buying assets for less than they’re worth. Every six months, this ASX dividend stock tells investors about the underlying value of its business with the net tangible assets (NTA) – that takes into account the property values, the loans and other assets and liabilities.

At 31 December 2025, the business reported a NTA of $3.95. It’s trading at a 24% discount to that latest NTA update, so it looks very cheap.

It also noted in its FY26 third-quarter update, it enacted $188 million of divestments, achieving an average premium to book value of 18%. Since FY23, it has sold close to $460 million of assets at an average premium to book value of 12%.

So, not only is it trading at a large discount to the NTA, but that NTA may be understated as well.

Excellent rental tailwinds

I think the business has a very promising earnings growth future, which is absolutely key in my opinion.

Industrial properties are in high demand and there’s limited space to put more in across key metropolitan locations. This is helping drive the rental value of the existing real estate significantly.

Centuria Industrial REIT benefits from significant demand from areas like e-commerce and data centres. Plus, it’s seeing a big jump in rental income as contracts come up for renewal.

The fund manager of the REIT, Grant Nichols, explains the positive dynamic for the business:

Looking ahead, we foresee the domestic infill industrial market’s supply-demand imbalance to persist with limited construction of new warehouses coupled with consistently high occupier demand as tenants look to strengthen their delivery times and reduce transport costs. Current macroeconomic uncertainty, resultant of the Middle East conflicts and global oil constraints, is impacting inflation and construction price pressures. These factors are expected to curtail future industrial market supply. The value of high-quality, existing infill industrial assets is expected to increase as the disconnect to replacement cost continues to escalate.

Overall, the ASX dividend stock looks undervalued with an appealing future of earnings growth, which should help drive the rental income higher.

The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 28% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 2 excellent high-yield ASX dividend stocks I’d buy today
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $3,000 monthly passive income?
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $7,500 monthly passive income?
• I’d buy 17,858 shares of this ASX stock to aim for $250 a month of passive income

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

On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form and raced higher. The benchmark index jumped 1.6% to 8,731.7 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to edge lower

The Australian share market looks set for a subdued start to the week despite a decent finish to the last one on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 13 points or 0.15% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones was up 0.7%, the S&P 500 rose 0.2%, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.2%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could start the week in the red after oil prices fell on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 1.75% to US$87.36 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 1.7% to US$91.12 a barrel. This led to Brent crude oil posting its largest monthly loss in six years.

Buy Goodman shares

Bell Potter has named Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) shares as a buy this week. In its latest weekly REIT review, the broker has named the industrial property giant as a buy with a $36.45 price target. Based on its last close price of $31.67, this implies potential upside of 15% for investors over the next 12 months.

Gold price charges higher

ASX 200 gold shares including Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good start to the week after the gold price charged higher on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 1.35% to US$4,593 an ounce. Traders were buying gold after oil prices pulled back on US-Iran ceasefire optimism.

Sell CBA shares

The team at Medallion Financial Group thinks Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are a sell. According to The Bull, it thinks CBA’s premium valuation is unjustified given tough trading conditions and fading earnings momentum. It said: “Australia’s largest bank carries a premium valuation. Slowing credit growth, sticky inflation and proposed property tax changes are headwinds for this mortgage heavy business. Sentiment took a material hit recently when the stock posted its largest single-day decline of about 10 per cent since listing in 1991 following a disappointing trading update. Earnings momentum is fading and the valuation is still trading at a significant premium to peers.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 10 ASX shares given buy ratings this week

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

ASX shares were relatively volatile throughout May, but a last minute uptick means the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) managed to close the month marginally higher. 

Unfortunately not all stocks ended the month on a high, some oversold shares are now trading for rock-bottom prices, and they’re too cheap to ignore this month.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

Life360 shares tumbled just over 4% in May, closing the month at $19.33 a piece. 

At the time of writing, the US-based software development company’s shares are now around 65% below an all-time high recorded in October last year, and 40% lower for the year-to-date.

The tech stock has been caught up amid an ongoing tech-sector-wide sell-off.

Investors sold up their tech shares amid a growing fear that companies’ core services could be replaced by AI. At the same time, there has been some concern that tech sector share prices, including Life360, had become overpriced.

The tech sector suffered its latest sector-wide selloff in mid-May, with tech shares down across the board.

But I think the oversold ASX shares show great potential for growth.

The company reported a 38% increase in its total revenue in its latest quarterly results in mid-May. This was primarily driven by a 32% increase in subscription revenue and 36% increase in core subscription revenue.

Life360 upgraded its FY26 revenue guidance to US$650 million to US$685 million, up from previous guidance of US$640 million to US$680 million. This implies year-on-year growth of 33% to 40%.

Life360 also raised its adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of US$130 million to US$140 million, up from US$128 million to US$138 million previously. This implies an expected margin of around 20%.

It’s clear the business is performing well and is profitable. I think that once sentiment catches up its share price could climb higher quickly. 

At the time of writing, brokers rate the ASX shares as a strong buy. The also tip a potential upside of 75% to $33.73.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero shares fell just over 6% throughout May. The oversold ASX shares are now down 33% for the year-to-date and 61% lower than an all-time high recorded in June last year.

The tech stock was also smashed by the latest tech-sector wide sell-off.

But I think the shares are now way oversold and trading well below fair value.

Xero shares are a great option for investors looking for an attractive long-term investment. 

The company has a sticky subscription revenue, which means its customers are likely to keep paying for its services and products over a long time. This makes Xero’s revenue predictable. 

At the same time, the ASX tech stock still has a relatively small position in the market, which means there is potential to unlock a large amount of growth. 

Global growth opportunities include expansion in the UK and US, as well as payroll and workflow automation offerings. Xero is also actively expanding its presence and its product suite. 

The company’s latest FY26 result was impressive too. In mid-May, Xero reported a 31% hike in operating revenue in mid-May, and its adjusted EBITDA is up 18%.

At the time of writing, brokers rate the ASX shares as a strong buy. They tip a potential 88% upside to $141.56 a piece.

The post Are these 2 oversold ASX shares too cheap to ignore in June? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 rapidly growing ASX shares down over 50% to buy now
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Is it time to get greedy with Xero shares?
• 10 ASX shares given buy ratings this week
• Down 60%: 3 oversold ASX 200 shares to buy in June

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Sometimes the best opportunities on the ASX are found not in the stocks everyone is talking about but in the ones everyone has given up on.

Three ASX shares in particular have been punished heavily in 2026.

Each carries near-term risk.

But each also has a broker prepared to make the case for meaningful upside over the next twelve months.

Here is what they are saying.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre Travel Group has fallen significantly year to date and trades near six-year lows.

The market has been pricing in the worst: Middle East conflict disrupting leisure travel, a $10 million profit hit in April from cancellations, and elevated fuel costs weighing on corporate travel margins.

Yet beneath the noise, the underlying business keeps delivering.

Total transaction value for the nine months to March 2026 rose 7.6% to $19.5 billion.

Corporate travel continues to grow at record pace.

Management reaffirmed full-year FY2026 underlying profit guidance of $315 million to $350 million at the Macquarie Conference in early May.

Macquarie retains an outperform rating on Flight Centre shares with a price target of $17.95, implying significant upside from today’s price.

The broker also notes that 13 of 13 analysts covering Flight Centre carry buy ratings, with an average 12-month target of $15.89.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear has had one of the most devastating years of any large-cap ASX stock in living memory.

Cochlear shares are down approximately 63% over the last twelve months after the company delivered a 30% earnings downgrade on 22 April.

The company cited hospital capacity constraints, reduced referral activity, and foreign exchange headwinds.

However, the fundamental demand picture has not changed.

Cochlear holds approximately 50% global market share in cochlear implants in a market with just 3% penetration of an addressable patient population exceeding six million people in developed markets alone.

Investors should note that surgeries are being delayed, not cancelled.

Jarden carries a price target of $169 on COH shares, implying upside of approximately 68% from today’s price of approximately $100.50.

Wilsons Advisory has initiated a buy recommendation, describing the current valuation as an attractive entry point ahead of earnings acceleration.

The consensus analyst price target sits at approximately $232, implying significant upside for investors with the patience to wait for the recovery.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

DroneShield is a very different kind of opportunity from the other two.

Rather than a beaten-down blue chip, Droneshield is a high-growth defence technology company that has simply pulled back sharply from extraordinary highs.

The stock hit an all-time high of $6.71 in October 2025 and today trades much lower than that, having shed approximately half its peak value.

Yet the operational performance remains impressive.

In Q1 2026, DroneShield delivered record customer cash receipts of $77.4 million, up 360% on the same period a year earlier.

The company holds $222.8 million in cash, zero debt, and a sales pipeline of $2.2 billion spanning 312 projects across more than 60 countries.

Bell Potter retains a buy rating on DRO shares with a price target of $4.80, stating:

We believe DRO has a market leading RF detect/defeat C-UAS offering and a strengthening competitive advantage owing to its years of battlefield experience and large and focused R&D team. We expect 2026 will be an inflection point for the global C-UAS industry with countries poised to unleash a wave of spending on RF detect and defeat solutions.

Foolish takeaway

Flight Centre, Cochlear, and DroneShield have each been sold down for reasons that are partly legitimate and partly an overreaction.

None of them is a certainty.

And all three carry meaningful near-term risk.

However, the broker community is clearly more optimistic about all three ASX shares than the market currently is.

For long-term investors, that divergence is worth paying close attention to.

The post 3 ASX shares that brokers tipped to soar in the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why did ASX 200 retail shares lead the market last week?
• Why I think DroneShield could be an ASX growth share to buy and hold
• Down 60%: 3 oversold ASX 200 shares to buy in June
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 9 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week

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 positions in and has recommended Cochlear and DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear and Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Australia has no shortage of ASX dividend stocks.

The problem is that most investors stop looking after the big four banks and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

They miss a layer of income opportunities that offer comparable or higher yields, from businesses most retail investors have never considered.

Here are three worth putting on the radar.

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI)

If you have never heard of Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, you are not alone.

But for income investors, it is one of the most reliable quarterly dividend payers on the entire ASX.

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure owns and operates the Dalrymple Bay Terminal, the world’s largest export metallurgical coal facility, located near Mackay in Queensland.

Critically, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure is not really a coal company in the traditional sense.

It operates under a regulated access regime, meaning its revenues are set by the Queensland Competition Authority through a pricing framework, not the coal price.

Think of it as a toll road operator that collects fees regardless of what commodity prices do.

The results speak for themselves.

In TY-26/27, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure raised its distribution guidance by 8.5% to 28.62 cents per security, underpinned by a forecast Terminal Infrastructure Charge of $4.02 per tonne.

At the current share price of approximately $5.54, that implies a forward distribution yield of approximately 5.2%, rising to around 5.7% at the upper end of management’s 3% to 7% long-term distribution growth target.

The terminal is fully contracted at 84.2 million tonnes per annum until 30 June 2028, with evergreen renewal options beyond that date.

Distributions are paid quarterly in March, June, September, and December, giving investors four income payments per year.

Amcor Plc (ASX: AMC)

Amcor is not entirely unknown, but it is overlooked far more often than its dividend deserves.

The global packaging giant makes flexible and rigid packaging for food, beverages, healthcare, and consumer goods across more than 200 countries.

People still buy groceries and medicine in a downturn.

That gives Amcor a revenue base that holds up regardless of the economic cycle.

Following the completion of its Berry Global acquisition in 2025, Amcor is now one of the largest packaging companies on the planet, with combined annual sales approaching US$24 billion.

The company pays dividends quarterly in March, June, September, and December, and at the current share price of approximately $55, trades on a trailing yield of approximately 6.8%, unfranked.

Amcor’s dividends do not carry franking credits, as the company is domiciled in the United Kingdom.

This reduces the after-tax return for investors in higher Australian tax brackets.

However, for investors holding shares inside superannuation at the 15% tax rate, or those in lower tax brackets, the yield remains very attractive.

In Q3 FY2026, Amcor delivered net sales of US$5.91 billion, up 77% year-on-year, with adjusted EBITDA surging 87% to US$892 million, as Berry Global synergies tracked ahead of schedule.

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT owns more than 50 convenience-based shopping centres across Australia.

Tenants across its portfolio include Woolworths Ltd (ASX: WOW), Wesfarmers, and Coles Ltd (ASX: COL).

These defensive assets generate foot traffic regardless of consumer confidence.

People will still buy groceries, visit the pharmacy, and drop the kids at childcare even in a downturn.

In its first-half FY2026 results, HDN maintained occupancy and cash rent collections above 99%, delivered property NOI growth of 4.6%, and reaffirmed its full-year FY2026 distribution guidance of 8.6 cents per unit.

Most recently, HDN declared a Q3 FY2026 quarterly distribution of 2.15 cents per unit, paid on 22 May 2026, keeping it on track to meet full-year guidance.

At the current share price of approximately $1.24, that annualised distribution implies a forward yield of approximately 6.9%.

Distributions are paid quarterly in February, May, August, and November.

With gearing of 34.6% sitting comfortably within management’s 30% to 40% target, HDN has the financial capacity to keep growing its $650 million development pipeline without stretching its balance sheet.

Foolish takeaway

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, Amcor, and HomeCo Daily Needs REIT are three very different businesses, but they share a common characteristic.

Each generates predictable, recurring cash flows from assets or contracts that do not depend on economic optimism to keep performing.

For income investors who are tired of fighting over the same bank shares everyone else owns, all three deserve a place on the watchlist.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares offering yields above 5% that most investors have never heard of appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended HomeCo Daily Needs REIT and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

May was a month of mixed fortunes for holders of Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).

Westpac shares began the month near $38.50 and ended it at $36.00, a decline of approximately 6.5%.

That underperformed the broader ASX 200, which rose 0.76% over the same period.

Three distinct events drove the Westpac shares story in May, and each deserves a closer look.

The ex-dividend date came and went

The most anticipated event for Westpac shares in May was the ex-dividend date.

Westpac went ex-dividend on 8 May 2026, with a fully franked interim dividend of 77 cents per share payable on 26 June.

As is typical with large dividend payers, Westpac shares fell approximately in line with the dividend amount on the ex-dividend date itself.

This is because the value of the upcoming payment is deducted from the share price.

For income investors who already held Westpac shares before 8 May, the 77 cent payment remains on track for the 26 June payment date.

At the current Westpac shares price of $36, a full-year dividend of 155 cents per share implies a forward fully franked yield of approximately 4.3%, or around 6.2% when grossed up with franking credits at the 30% company tax rate.

A court ruling added to the pressure

Westpac shares came under additional selling pressure in May after a court ruling weighed on sentiment.

The nature of the ruling related to a regulatory matter that added to the perception of ongoing compliance risk at the bank.

Westpac has faced a string of regulatory challenges in recent years, and each new development reminds investors of that history.

However, the financial impact of the ruling appears limited, and analysts do not expect it to materially affect near-term earnings or the dividend.

The broader bank sector dragged on Westpac shares

Beyond the company-specific events, Westpac shares suffered from broader sector weakness in May.

The S&P/ASX 200 Banks Index (ASX: XBK) fell 5.33% in May.

Portfolio manager Suhas Nayak from contrarian fund manager Allan Gray stated that ASX 200 bank shares look less attractive today, noting the total returns from here look less appealing than many other parts of the market.

Furthermore, the RBA raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.35% at its May 2026 meeting, its third consecutive hike this year.

While supportive of net interest margins, this hike added to concerns about mortgage stress across the big four banks’ home loan books.

Westpac, with approximately 69% of its loan book in residential mortgages, is particularly sensitive to that dynamic.

In addition, the federal budget’s negative gearing changes for established properties raised concerns about slower investor credit growth.

This is a headwind that Jarden analyst Matthew Wilson estimated could cut housing credit growth by as much as 25%.

What brokers think about Westpac shares

The broker consensus on Westpac shares is cautious.

Morgan Stanley maintains an underperform rating on Westpac shares with a price target below the current share price.

Macquarie also carries a below-market target on Westpac shares, citing valuation concerns and competitive pressure in the mortgage market.

The analyst consensus target price sits at approximately $34.99, implying modest downside from current levels.

That is not a ringing endorsement, but it does not price in catastrophe either.

Foolish takeaway

Westpac shares had a difficult May.

The ex-dividend fall, a court ruling, sector-wide selling, and negative gearing concerns all converged in a single month.

However, the fully franked 77 cent dividend is still on track for payment in June, and the underlying business posted a solid first-half result with net interest margin improving 3 basis points to 1.81%.

For income investors holding Westpac shares for the dividend rather than capital growth, May’s events change little about the core investment case.

The post What happened to Westpac shares in May? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How many Westpac shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?
• Buy, hold, sell: ANZ, Macquarie, Westpac shares
• This ASX bank ETF has a 5.2% dividend yield right now
• ASX 200 rises as inflation surprise leaves investors with one big question
• Westpac shares sink after court calls conduct ‘grossly negligent’

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.

Some growth shares have been hit hard over the past year.

That can sometimes be a warning sign. But it can also create an opportunity when the underlying business is still expanding quickly.

Two ASX shares I think fit that description are in this article. Both are down more than 50% from their 52-week highs, but both businesses are still growing strongly.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

Life360 shares are trading around $19.36 at the time of writing, well below their 52-week high of $55.87.

That is a huge fall, but I think the business remains one of the most exciting global growth stories on the ASX.

Life360 is best known for its family safety and location-sharing app. This might sound simple, but the scale is now significant. In the first quarter of 2026, the company reported approximately 97.8 million monthly active users, up 17% year on year.

That gives Life360 a very large audience to monetise through subscriptions, advertising, and new services.

I also like that the company is becoming more than just a location app. Management has talked about turning Life360 into a broader super app for family life. That could include safety, connection, driving insights, location tools, emergency support, advertising, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven features.

The recent numbers show impressive growth. First-quarter revenue rose 38% year on year to US$143.1 million, while annualised monthly revenue increased 32% to US$517.9 million. Advertising revenue also jumped sharply to US$19.7 million, helped by the Nativo acquisition.

There are risks for investors to consider. App businesses can be competitive, user engagement needs to stay strong, and privacy expectations are high when location data is involved.

But with almost 100 million monthly active users and multiple ways to grow revenue, I think Life360 could be worth a closer look after such a large share price fall.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

Catapult shares have also fallen heavily. The sports technology company is trading around $3.44 at the time of writing, down from a 52-week high of $7.72.

I think that sell-off looks interesting because Catapult’s latest result showed a business with strong momentum.

The company reported record FY26 revenue of US$140.7 million, up 19% in constant currency. Annualised contract value grew 28% in constant currency to US$133.8 million, while management EBITDA increased 67% to US$24.7 million.

That tells me Catapult is not just growing. It is starting to show the benefits of scale.

The part of the story I find most compelling is the platform shift. Catapult is moving beyond a narrow wearable technology story. It now offers athlete monitoring, video analysis, gym monitoring, scouting intelligence, and AI insights across one broader sports technology platform.

That is important because professional teams do not just want more data. They want useful information that helps coaches, analysts, and performance staff make better decisions quickly.

Catapult also reported more than 96% retention and continued growth in multi-solution teams. That suggests to me that the product is becoming more embedded in customers’ daily workflows.

Investors still need to watch execution, valuation, and the pace of profit growth. But I think Catapult has the makings of a high-quality global software business in a specialised market.

Foolish Takeaway

Share price falls of more than 50% can make investors nervous, and rightly so. They usually mean expectations have changed dramatically.

But I think these two businesses are still moving in the right direction. Life360 has a large and growing user base with improving monetisation. Catapult is building a deeper platform for elite sport and showing stronger operating leverage.

Both shares could remain volatile. But for patient investors looking for growth after a major reset in expectations, I think they are worth considering now.

The post 2 rapidly growing ASX shares down over 50% to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Catapult Sports and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The federal government’s decision to abolish negative gearing for established residential properties purchased after 12 May 2026 was widely debated in the context of housing affordability.

For Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shareholders, however, the more important question is what it does to the bank’s loan book growth.

The answer, according to several analysts, is more concerning than the initial market reaction suggested.

The exposure is bigger than most investors realise

CBA is not just Australia’s largest bank.

It also holds the largest investor mortgage book in the country.

Property investors have historically been among the most profitable mortgage customers for Australian banks.

They tend to take out interest-only loans at wider spreads, maintain better asset quality through economic cycles, and generate higher fee income than owner-occupiers.

Jarden Bank estimates that the changes could cut housing credit growth by as much as 25% as the key investor incentive is removed.

The broker named CBA as the most exposed bank among the big four given its investor loan concentration.

UBS agreed, stating that CBA and Westpac were the most exposed banks should there be a slowdown in mortgage growth.

What CBA’s own economists say

CBA’s own economics team published its updated housing outlook following the budget, forecasting that the negative gearing changes would reduce established dwelling prices by close to 3% relative to what they would otherwise have been.

The bank now forecasts dwelling price growth of just 3% to December 2026, down from a prior forecast of 5%.

CBA’s chief economist noted that the policy impact would be most pronounced in the apartment and lower-priced segments where investor activity is highest.

The share price reaction has been volatile

CBA shares fell 8.5% in early trading the morning after the budget, hitting their largest single-day fall on record.

This compounded an already disappointing Q3 FY2026 trading update which showed flat operating income.

The shares have since bounced, recovering some of the loss as initial fears moderated and investors rotated back into the quality and defensiveness of Australia’s largest bank.

But the stock still remains down over the past twelve months.

Is the damage already priced in?

The broker picture is deeply divided on whether the selloff has created a buying opportunity.

Morgans retains a sell rating on CBA shares with a price target of $119.40, stating:

FY26-28 EPS forecasts downgraded c.3-5%. Target price reduced 4% to $119.40. SELL retained, with potential total return of c.-19% at current prices (including c.3.3% dividend yield).

Macquarie carries a price target of $114, also implying meaningful downside from current levels, while Morgan Stanley reiterated its sell call with a target of $130.

Foolish takeaway

CBA is not going to stop being Australia’s dominant bank because of negative gearing changes.

The changes do remove one of the most profitable and reliable sources of loan book growth the bank has enjoyed for years.

But for investors already holding CBA for income, the large dividend yield on a grossed-up basis still provides a meaningful floor.

For long-term investors willing to look past short-term noise, CBA could be an interesting option today.

The post Why the negative gearing changes could impact CBA shares more than anyone realises appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Passive income investors: Term deposits or ASX dividend stocks in 2026?
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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.

June is almost here, and many investors may be wondering where to look for opportunities next.

ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be a useful way to invest in major global trends without having to choose a single winner. That can be especially helpful in fast-moving sectors where leadership can change quickly.

Here are three incredible ASX ETFs that could be worth a closer look.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF.

This fund gives Australian investors exposure to the technology companies powering Asia’s digital economy. But the story is not just online shopping or social media.

Asia is home to some of the world’s most important semiconductor, hardware, ecommerce, and internet platform businesses. Many sit inside the supply chains and consumer ecosystems that support artificial intelligence, mobile payments, cloud computing, gaming, and digital advertising.

Current holdings include SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM).

The fund can be volatile, particularly because sentiment toward Asian technology shares can shift quickly. But it gives investors access to a part of the global technology market that is very different from the US-heavy exposure many already own. It was recently recommended by the team at Betashares.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

Another ASX ETF that could be a buy in June is the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF.

Cybersecurity is becoming less like a technology upgrade and more like a permanent business cost. Every company moving workloads to the cloud, storing customer data, using artificial intelligence, or accepting digital payments has more to defend.

This fund provides exposure to companies building the tools that sit behind that defence. Its holdings include CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT).

What makes this area interesting is that cyber threats do not stand still. As attacks become more sophisticated, businesses and governments need to keep upgrading their protection.

That creates a long-term demand backdrop for security software, network protection, cloud security, and identity management. The fund will still move with growth-stock sentiment, but the need it serves is unlikely to fade.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

A third ASX ETF to consider is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

This fund provides exposure to many of the companies shaping how people work, shop, communicate, advertise, create, and consume entertainment.

Current holdings include Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL).

What makes the fund powerful is the breadth of profit pools it touches. Artificial intelligence is one part of the story, but so are cloud infrastructure, digital advertising, software, ecommerce, semiconductors, and consumer platforms.

This bodes well for the ETF over the next decade, which could make it a great buy and hold pick.

The post 3 incredible ASX ETFs for Australian investors in June appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 exciting ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs in June
• Broker tips this ASX cyber security stock to rise over 30%
• 3 amazing ASX ETF for beginners to buy and hold
• How to build a $20,000 ASX share portfolio with $100 a month

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and CrowdStrike. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.