Author: openjargon

The ASX share market is a great place to find ideas and experts can help identify those opportunities.

When one expert is excited about a business, that’s interesting. When there are numerous buy ratings on a business, it implies there could be a compelling opportunity.

Let’s look at two of the most appealing opportunities according to analysts.

Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE)

Eagers describes itself as the leading automotive group in Australia and New Zealand with its ownership and operation of car dealerships with new and used vehicles, service, parts and the facilitation of allied consumer finance. It has been operating for more than 110 years.

Its operations are usually provided through strategically clustered dealerships, many of which are situated on properties owned by Eagers Automotive in high-profile, main road locations.

In May, the business reported how it had performed in the four months to April 2026 – its financial year follows the calendar year.

Across Australia and New Zealand in 2026 to April, turnover was up 5% year over year, with order intake at record levels. Order intake was at record levels, with orders taken exceeding deliveries by more than 29% because of supply restraints impacting and deferring delivery timing. Its order book climbed by 70% since December 2025.

The company also noted that its independent used segment, comprising easyauto123 and Carlins, continues to grow and delivered a record start to the year, with profit before tax up 40% year over year.

Another growth avenue for the business is CanadaOne Auto, which it recently acquired. This gives the ASX share earnings diversification and geographic growth potential.

According to CMC Invest, there have been eight buy ratings on Eagers Automotive shares within the last three months.

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)

Cleanaway describes itself as Australia’s largest provider of total waste and resource recovery solutions.

It has a national footprint of more than 330 sites. Cleanaway provides end-to-end waste solutions, including collection, processing, recycling, treatment and safe disposal. Impressively, it has more than 6,400 vehicles in the fleet.

Customers include commercial, industrial and government customers across Australia.

The company points to a number of areas of potential growth, including GDP and favourable trends (namely recycling) trends. It’s also targeting expanding profit margins by more than 260 basis points and growing its cash flow by utilising its branch network, leveraging the scale and utilising its assets.

According to CMC Invest, there have also been eight buy ratings on Cleanaway shares within the last three months. It’s now valued at 24x FY26’s estimated earnings, according to the CMC Invest forecast.

The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why did ASX 200 retail shares outperform last week?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why 4DMedical, Eagers Automotive, IDP Education, and oOh!Media shares are charging higher today
• Why this ASX 200 stock is climbing after a $2 million insider buy

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

Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360) has been one of the more frustrating ASX growth shares to own recently.

The share price is trading around $22.12, which is roughly 60% below its 52-week high of $55.87.

That kind of fall can create opportunity if the business underneath is still moving in the right direction.

But is that the case? Here’s my take.

The valuation looks interesting

According to CommSec, consensus earnings per share estimates are 90.4 cents in FY26, $1.23 in FY27, and $2.13 in FY28.

Based on the current share price, that puts the stock on roughly 24 times FY26 earnings, 18 times FY27 earnings, and just over 10 times FY28 earnings.

For a slow-growth business, that would not be enough to excite me. But Life360 is still expected to grow earnings strongly over the next few years.

If those forecasts prove close to the mark, the FY28 multiple looks very undemanding for a global consumer technology company with a large user base and several ways to monetise it.

There are no guarantees, of course. Management still has to deliver, but I am comfortable with the direction of travel.

A bigger opportunity than location sharing

The reason I like Life360 is that it has already earned a place in the daily routine of many households.

The app helps families stay connected, check locations, receive safety alerts, and feel more comfortable about where loved ones are. That practical, emotional use case is hard to replicate.

But the bigger opportunity is what Life360 can build around that relationship. The company recently reported monthly active users of approximately 97.8 million, up 17% year-on-year. Paying Circles increased 27% year-on-year to 3.0 million, while total revenue rose 38% to US$143.1 million.

Those numbers suggest the business is still growing across both scale and monetisation. In fact, management is forecasting MAU growth of 17% to 20% in 2026.

But it isn’t just user growth driving higher revenue. Another thing I find especially interesting is the advertising opportunity. Life360 reported advertising revenue of US$19.7 million for the quarter, up 329% year-on-year. That could become a meaningful second growth engine alongside subscriptions.

A large, engaged user base can be valuable in several ways. Subscriptions, advertising, driving features, roadside support, Tile integration, and future AI tools could all add layers to the platform over time.

Why the fall may be overdone

A 60% fall from the high tells me the market has become far more cautious.

Some of that caution is understandable. ASX growth shares can be punished quickly when expectations change, and Life360 still needs to prove it can keep expanding while also growing earnings.

The threat of artificial intelligence (AI) disruption has also caused concerns. But I think Life360 has advantages that are not easy for an AI tool to copy, including a large installed user base, trusted family circles, location history, safety features, and habits built around daily use.

Foolish takeaway

Life360 shares are not risk-free, and I would expect volatility to continue. But I think the current setup is attractive.

The company has a large global audience, growing paid users, improving revenue streams, and a valuation that becomes far more appealing when looking out to FY27 and FY28.

If management can deliver on the earnings growth now expected by the market, I think this beaten-down ASX growth share could prove too cheap to ignore.

The post Down 60%: Is this beaten-down ASX growth share too cheap to ignore? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 buy-rated ASX growth shares tipped to rise 30%+
• The ASX shares I’d pick in a FIFA World Cup first eleven
• 8 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week
• 3 ASX growth shares I’d buy to build long-term wealth
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy 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 Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Monday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) started the week with the smallest of declines. The benchmark index edged a fraction lower to 8,729.4 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to sink

The Australian share market looks set to tumble on Tuesday despite a strong night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 123 points or 1.4% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.9%, the S&P 500 climbed 1.65%, and the Nasdaq stormed 3.1% higher.

PLS shares given hold rating

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares are fully valued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating with an improved price target of $6.15 (from $5.50). It said: “We maintain our Hold recommendation. At current lithium market prices, PLS will generate substantial earnings and cash flow with the restart of the 200ktpa Ngungaju processing plant. P2000 and Colina development studies are being progressed, providing substantial organic growth optionality in markets with strong underlying EV and BESS-led long term demand fundamentals.”

Oil prices sink

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a tough session after oil prices sank overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 4.1% to US$81.42 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 4.1% to US$83.73 a barrel. This follows news that the US and Iran have signed a peace deal.

Gold price storms higher

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good session after the gold price stormed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 2.3% to US$4,337.7 an ounce. Traders were buying gold amid easing interest rate hike fears after oil prices pulled back.

Buy Mineral Resources shares

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are good value according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $83.00. This implies potential upside of approximately 16% from current levels. It said: “Completion of the US$765m MIN-POSCO lithium transaction will accelerate balance sheet deleveraging paired with cash flows from persistent iron ore and lithium market prices. MIN’s mining services platform delivers a stable earnings stream that is expected to expand with internal and third-party volume growth. The company is well positioned to execute its next phase of growth with potential to reinstate fully franked dividends.”

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

More reading

• Bell Potter just raised its price targets on these 2 ASX lithium stocks
• This ASX lithium stock is close to an all time high – can it keep rising?
• Qube Holdings scheme update: Dividend and key dates revealed
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Abacus Storage King announces June 2026 distribution

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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has enjoyed two consecutive strong days of trading. Investors have piled back in on positive news out of the Iran/US conflict. 

Australia’s benchmark index has now leapt 3% higher since last Friday. 

As optimism returns for many Australian equities, one ASX materials stock to watch is Wildcat Resources Ltd (ASX: WC8). 

Company overview

Wildcat Resources is a Perth based lithium exploration and development company. It is focused on advancing its 100% owned Tabba Tabba project, located 80km from Port Hedland in Western Australia. 

A July 2025 Pre-Feasibility Study outlined a two-stage development scenario to reach production of 565ktpa spodumene concentrate 5.5% at an upfront capital cost of $687m.

Additionally, a Definitive Feasibility Study is scheduled for 3Q 2026.

Funding discussions and permitting activities are advancing. Bell Potter said it expects first production could commence in late 2028.

It has already generated plenty of excitement amongst investors, as its share price has risen more than 200% in the last 12 months. 

This includes a 26% rise year to date.

Why investors should be excited 

This ASX materials stock is positioned to benefit from an improving lithium market and leverage it through its Tabba Tabba project.

It offers high leverage to a recovering lithium cycle, backed by a large, advanced Pilbara asset and ongoing exploration success. 

If lithium remains strong through 2026-2027, developers such as Wildcat could see outsized valuation gains relative to established producers. 

If lithium demand from EVs and battery storage keeps rising, this stock could be well positioned for a major rerating.

Bell Potter tips big upside

A new report from Bell Potter has tipped this ASX materials stock could rise by 106% in the next 12 months. 

The broker noted that the Tabba Tabba project is one of the only near-term Australian hard rock lithium developments. 

Additionally, it is also the only large scale near-term development positioned to commence production during the current lithium price cycle. 

The project is strategically located 80km from Port Hedland and WC8 enters financing discussions with 100% of offtake uncommitted. The company trades on undemanding EV/Resource multiples compared with Western Australian spodumene producers. We expect its share price will re-rate as Tabba Tabba reaches key feasibility and permitting milestones and transitions into development.

The broker also has a speculative buy recommendation and $1.00 price target on this ASX materials stock, making it an intriguing option for investors. 

The post This ASX materials stock could rise 100% in the next 12 months according to top broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Which ASX lithium shares to buy as the market recovers: 2 brokers weigh in
• Why is this ASX lithium stock dropping despite some big news?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares have had a wild ride over the past few years.

The buy now, pay later sector went from market darling to market warning sign in a short period of time.

Rising interest rates, funding concerns, credit losses, and questions about long-term profitability all weighed heavily on investor confidence.

But Zip today looks very different to the business many investors remember from the boom years.

It is more focused, more disciplined, and now being judged on earnings rather than only transaction growth. That makes the current valuation worth a closer look.

The numbers look interesting

Zip shares are currently trading around $2.78.

Based on consensus forecasts from CommSec, the company is expected to generate earnings per share of 9.2 cents in FY26, 10.9 cents in FY27, and 17 cents in FY28.

That means Zip is trading on roughly 30 times FY26 earnings, 26 times FY27 earnings, and 16 times FY28 earnings.

For a lower-growth business, that would not look especially cheap. But Zip is expected to grow earnings strongly over the next few years. If those forecasts prove accurate, the valuation starts to look much more reasonable as investors look further out.

The FY28 number is the one that stands out to me. A price-to-earnings ratio of around 16 times does not look demanding for a business that is still expected to be growing quickly.

That is why I think Zip shares could be undervalued based on the current forecasts.

Could Zip double?

Could Zip shares double by 2030?

That is hard to predict with confidence. A lot needs to go right between now and then, and Zip remains a higher-risk ASX 200 share.

But I do not think the idea is outlandish.

Zip’s 52-week high is $4.93. A return to that level would already be close to a double from the current share price. Reaching that point again by 2030 would require stronger investor confidence, continued earnings growth, and evidence that the company can keep building a sustainable, profitable business.

The key point is that Zip does not need to reach some distant, never-seen-before valuation to make the idea possible. The shares have traded much higher within the past year.

Of course, a previous high is not a target or a guarantee. The market will need a reason to re-rate the stock. That reason would likely have to come from earnings momentum, better margins, credit discipline, and stronger confidence in the US opportunity.

Brokers are positive

Another factor worth noting is broker sentiment.

According to CommSec, the consensus rating on Zip is a strong buy. That includes 10 strong buy ratings, 2 moderate buy ratings, and no hold, moderate sell, or strong sell ratings.

I would never buy a share only because brokers are positive. Analysts can be wrong, and ratings can change quickly if the numbers disappoint.

But that level of support does suggest the market’s professional watchers see more upside than downside from here.

What needs to happen

For Zip shares to double by 2030, the company will need to keep executing.

It needs to grow strongly beyond FY28, maintain sensible credit settings, manage funding costs, and keep attracting customers without chasing poor-quality growth.

That last point is important. The buy now, pay later boom showed that growth without discipline can destroy value. The more attractive version of Zip is a company that grows transactions, but also protects margins, controls losses, and keeps improving earnings per share.

If management can do that, I think the share price has room to move a lot higher over the next few years.

Foolish takeaway

Zip shares are still risky, and I would not treat a potential double as a simple base case.

But I do think the setup is interesting. The shares are trading well below their 52-week high, the forward valuation looks much more attractive, and brokers are strongly positive on the stock.

If Zip keeps growing earnings, proves the quality of its customer base, and shows that its profit momentum can continue beyond the next few years, I think a much higher share price by 2030 is possible.

The post Could this ASX 200 share double by 2030? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 amazing ASX growth shares to buy and hold forever
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 reasons to buy Zip shares today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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 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 rising tide lifts all ships and that’s exactly what’s been happening with global lithium prices and ASX lithium stocks.

In the last 12 months: 

• Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares have risen over 230%
• Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) have climbed over 200%. 

Liontown and Mineral Resources both focus on the development of high-quality lithium projects in Western Australia.

Lithium lift off

According to Trading Economics, the lithium price has risen by more than 180% in the last 12 months. 

The main reason lithium prices have risen sharply over the past year is that the market has swung from oversupply toward a much tighter balance between supply and demand.

A few years ago, lithium prices collapsed because mines expanded rapidly while EV growth slowed. By mid-2025, prices had fallen roughly 90% from their 2022 peak. 

While electric vehicle growth has moderated compared with the boom years, lithium demand continues to expand because of:

• EV production
• Grid-scale battery storage systems
• Renewable energy deployment
• Growing electricity-storage needs for power grids and data centers. 

The rise can continue for Mineral Resources

New analysis from Bell Potter has pointed towards a continued rise for these ASX lithium stocks. 

Both have received buy recommendations from the broker. 

The broker has increased its price target on Mineral Resources shares to $83.00 (previously $80.50). 

Bell Potter expects the company to deliver a solid quarter, driven primarily by much higher lithium prices.

Lithium production guidance implies lower sales volumes at Wodgina and Mt Marion versus the previous quarter.

However, Bell Potter believes actual production and sales could exceed guidance due to strong operating momentum and favourable market conditions.

Iron ore sales from Onslow are expected to rebound after cyclone disruptions affected the previous quarter.

Although diesel costs have increased, Bell Potter expects higher commodity prices to more than offset the cost pressure.

MIN’s mining services platform delivers a stable earnings stream that is expected to expand with internal and third-party volume growth. The company is well positioned to execute its next phase of growth with potential to reinstate fully franked dividends.

From yesterday’s closing price, the updated target from Bell Potter indicates a 16% upside for this ASX lithium stock. 

Liontown also set to continue

Bell Potter has also increased its price target on Liontown shares to $2.90 (previously $2.65). 

The broker said its Kathleen Valley lithium operations exited the last quarter with strong momentum as increased underground clean ore production led to improving recoveries. 

This trend should continue as the underground mine incrementally scales to mid-2027.

Over FY26-27, LTR will continue to ramp up and de-risk Kathleen Valley. With current lithium price strength, LTR can rapidly generate cash to support incremental production expansions and shareholder returns. Kathleen Valley is highly strategic in terms of scale, long project life and location in a tier-one mining jurisdiction.

From yesterday’s closing price, the updated target from Bell Potter indicates a 29% upside for this ASX lithium stock. 

The post Bell Potter just raised its price targets on these 2 ASX lithium stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in June
• How ASX 200 lithium stocks like Liontown, Mineral Resources and PLS shares again beat the benchmark in May
• Buy, hold, sell: Mineral Resources, IAG, Origin Energy shares

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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 lithium stock PLS Group (ASX: PLS) has brought investors massive returns over the last 12 months. 

Since June last year, the stock price has risen nearly 400%.

Formerly Pilbara Minerals, PLS Group is an Australian lithium-tantalum producer positioning itself at the forefront of the rapidly growing global lithium industry. Its flagship development, the 100%-owned Pilgangoora Lithium-Tantalum Project, is located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Lithium rebound

This rise has been driven by a strong recovery in lithium prices and renewed optimism in the sector. 

The market has become more optimistic about demand from:

• Electric vehicles
• Grid-scale battery storage
• Residential energy storage systems. 

PLS also significantly increased production at its Pilgangoora operation. 

Record output and stronger recovery rates showed the company could generate more tonnes when the market improved. This higher production gives more leverage to rising lithium prices. 

With PLS shares now sitting close to all-time highs, investors may be wondering if the strong run can continue. 

A new report from Bell Potter has provided an updated outlook on what could be to come over the next 12 months. 

Long-term fundamentals strong

According to Bell Potter, after reviewing future supply and demand, it believes new mine supply is unlikely to grow fast enough to meet expected demand growth from EVs and battery storage.

At current lithium market prices, PLS will generate substantial earnings and cash flow with the restart of the 200ktpa Ngungaju processing plant. P2000 and Colina development studies are being progressed, providing substantial organic growth optionality in markets with strong underlying EV and BESS-led long term demand fundamentals.

The higher lithium price outlook flows directly into higher profits, leading Bell Potter to increase its earnings forecasts for PLS by 12% for FY26, 14% for FY27, and 34% for FY28.

The broker also said FY26 production guidance looks cautious. Management’s guidance implies lithium concentrate production could fall in the final quarter. 

However Bell Potter expects production to be stronger than guidance suggests and forecasts 872kt for FY26, above what the market may be assuming.

Costs are likely to rise modestly due to restarting the Ngungaju plant and higher diesel prices, but operating costs remain under control and are tracking near the lower end of guidance.

Hold recommendation 

Despite the positive outlook, Bell Potter has retained its hold recommendation on this ASX lithium stock. 

The broker has increased its price target to $6.15 (previously $5.50). 

However, this target is 5% below current levels, suggesting the ASX lithium stock could slide from here.

The post This ASX lithium stock is close to an all time high – can it keep rising? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• BHP and these ASX 200 shares are up 30%+ in 2026
• 3 ASX 200 mining shares to buy: experts

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

Most 40-year-olds think about superannuation the same way they think about the dentist.

They know they should be paying more attention. But they keep putting it off.

For a 40-year-old Australian today, retirement at age 67 is just 27 years away.

The decisions made in the next five years will determine more of the final outcome than those made in the five years before retirement.

Here is the honest picture of what you need and how to get there.

The superannuation number a 40-year-old needs to retire comfortably

According to ASFA’s February 2026 Retirement Standard, a comfortable retirement now costs $51,278 per year for a single person and $77,375 per year for a couple.

To fund that lifestyle from age 67, ASFA estimates homeowners need $630,000 in superannuation for singles and $730,000 for couples.

Those figures are at all-time highs, driven by inflation pushing up the cost of healthcare, energy, food, and services.

A comfortable retirement includes private health insurance, a reliable car, regular dining out, domestic holidays, and an overseas trip every few years.

It is the retirement most Australians believe they deserve. Unfortunately, many will not have enough to fund it.

Where does a typical 40-year-old stand?

According to APRA’s most recent superannuation statistics, the average superannuation balance for a person in their early 40s is approximately $130,000 for women and $180,000 for men.

Those figures are well below what is needed.

A 40-year-old with $150,000 in super today, contributing 12% of an $85,000 salary and earning 8% per annum, would accumulate approximately $870,000 by age 67.

Now that is above the ASFA benchmark for a single person. But earning 8% per annum is not guaranteed.

In a balanced fund earning 5% per annum, the same person would accumulate approximately $490,000, falling $140,000 short of a comfortable retirement.

That gap is the difference between private health insurance and the public system.

Between flying interstate once a year and staying home.

Why what you invest in inside superannuation matters

Reaching that 8% target is as important as ever.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has returned approximately 8.5% per annum including dividends since inception. Inside a 15% superannuation tax environment, this figure is among the most powerful compounding returns available to Australian investors.

For investors wanting broad exposure to Australian shares inside their SMSF, the Betashares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200) offers a simple and effective solution.

A200 ETF charges a management fee of just 0.04% per annum, the lowest of any Australian shares ETF on the market. Furthermore, the ETF pays quarterly franked distributions.

On the flipside, for investors who prefer individual stocks, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is the most widely held stock inside Australian superannuation funds for good reason.

CMC Invest forecasts CBA will pay a fully franked dividend of approximately $5.15 per share in FY2026. The franking credit refunds that inside a super fund are taxed at 15% boost the effective after-tax yield above what a term deposit can offer.

The 30 June deadline for a 40-year-old

There’s action that Aussies can take now.

The concessional contributions cap for FY2026 sits at $30,000, including employer contributions.

A 40-year-old earning $85,000 with $10,200 in employer contributions already made has room for a further $19,800 in salary sacrifice before 30 June.

Making those contributions at the 15% concessional rate rather than at a marginal rate of 32.5% saves approximately $3,465 in income tax immediately.

Compounded inside superannuation for 27 years at 8% per annum, that single year’s additional contribution grows to approximately $29,000.

But be quick! The window closes on 30 June 2026.

Foolish takeaway

A 40-year-old Australian needs approximately $630,000 in superannuation to retire comfortably as a single person.

Most are not on track to reach that number on employer contributions alone.

The gap can be closed with additional contributions, smart investment choices inside superannuation, and the compounding power of time.

But time is the one resource that only gets scarcer.

The post How much superannuation does a 40-year-old actually need to retire comfortably? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s what brokers tip for CBA shares over the next 12 months
• What falling house prices could mean for these widely held ASX shares
• What are the big four banks expecting at tomorrow’s RBA cash rate meeting?
• Buying ASX 200 bank stocks like Westpac and CBA shares? Here’s why these funds are betting against you
• 5 ASX shares for a winning retirement portfolio

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.

After one of the most dramatic sell-offs in recent ASX healthcare history, Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) shares may finally be showing signs of life.

The hearing implant leader remains down around 60% year to date, but it has quietly staged a comeback in recent weeks, climbing 8.5% over the past month. At the time of writing, Cochlear shares trade at $104.45.

So, is this modest recovery the start of something bigger?

Here are three reasons investors may want to consider buying the healthcare stock in June.

The bad news may already be priced in

It’s worth remembering just how brutal April was for shareholders.

Most of the pain arrived on 22 April following the release of a decidedly unwelcome trading update.

Cochlear shares closed down 40.7% in a single session after the company reported falling demand for its implants in developed markets. Management also flagged cancellations and delivery delays in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict.

The update forced the company to slash its FY2026 underlying net profit guidance to between $290 million and $330 million, down from its prior guidance range of $435 million to $460 million.

The downgrade shocked investors. But after such a severe reset in expectations, the market may have already priced in much of the near-term weakness.

Cochlear remains the industry leader

While earnings expectations have changed, Cochlear’s competitive position has not.

The company still commands roughly 50% of the global cochlear implant market, making it the clear industry leader.

Even more importantly, the long-term growth opportunity for Cochlear shares remains enormous. The addressable market exceeds six million patients in developed markets alone, yet penetration sits at only around 3%.

Over more than four decades, Cochlear has invested heavily in research and development, building a product moat that competitors have struggled to replicate.

With ageing populations, growing awareness of hearing loss, and continued adoption of implantable hearing technology, the long-term demand outlook remains compelling.

Analysts and management see a brighter future

Broker sentiment has become increasingly constructive following the sell-off.

Both Jarden and Wilsons Advisory believe the market reaction has been excessive, with each seeing upside of more than 60% in Cochlear shares over the next 12 months.

Management also continues to argue that the recent volume weakness is temporary rather than structural.

CEO Dig Howitt stated the following in the company’s April trading update:

The clinical need for cochlear implants continues to grow, particularly for the adult and seniors segment. Cochlear implants are also associated with a lower incidence of dementia, with dementia rates lower than in hearing aid users and comparable to those with normal hearing.

Those comments highlight an important point. The factors that drove Cochlear’s long-term growth story before April’s shock downgrade remain firmly in place today.

If demand stabilises and delivery disruptions ease, investors buying Cochlear shares after the sell-off could be well positioned to benefit from a recovery in both earnings expectations and market sentiment.

The post 3 reasons to buy Cochlear shares in June appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How I would use Warren Buffett’s golden rules to build wealth with ASX shares
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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 Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. 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) has crashed 60% from its all-time high. It now trades at just 12 times forecast FY2026 earnings.

That is a multiple more commonly associated with slow-growth industrial companies than with the world’s second-largest plasma-derived therapies business.

For long-term investors looking to buy quality businesses at basement prices, this could be the opportunity of the decade.

Why CSL shares crashed

The selling has been brutal and perhaps partially overdone.

Three forces converged on CSL shares in 2025 and 2026.

First, the broader ASX healthcare sector was sold aggressively as investors rotated into resources and energy stocks during the Middle East conflict.

Second, CSL delivered a series of earnings downgrades as plasma collection volumes normalised more slowly than expected following the COVID-19 disruption, and China albumin pricing weakened.

Third, the appointment of interim CEO Gordon Naylor following Paul McKenzie’s departure created leadership uncertainty at perhaps the wrong moment.

Management cited weakness in China albumin pricing, with revenue down $200 million from market value decline.

What’s more, US immunoglobulin inventory normalisation is expected to have a $300 million impact as the primary revenue headwinds.
The company  also flagged approximately US$5 billion in additional non-cash pre-tax impairments to be recognised across FY2026 and FY2027, largely relating to the CSL Vifor acquisition.

Interim CEO Gordon Naylor said:

Our growth initiatives are working, but the financial benefits will take longer than previously anticipated to materialise.

The sell-off was so severe that insiders began buying CSL shares on market in May 2026, with interim CEO Gordon Naylor purchasing 1,100 shares as a direct signal of his confidence in the business at current prices.

The sell-off looks overdone

CSL is the world’s second-largest plasma-derived therapies company, with an irreplaceable position in a market that has taken decades to build.

The barriers to entry in plasma collection, fractionation, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing are among the highest of any industry.

No competitor has meaningfully eroded CSL’s market position in the past 30 years.

The issues that drove the earnings downgrades, (plasma collection normalisation and China pricing) are both temporary.

Furthermore, the gross profit margin at CSL Behring, the core plasma business, is on a clear recovery path. UBS expects the margin to recover toward pre-COVID levels of approximately 57% by FY2028, with the biggest improvement occurring in FY2026.

That margin recovery, combined with volume growth as plasma collection catches up, has created an earnings recovery trajectory over the next two to three years.

What the brokers are saying about CSL shares

The broker community has remained largely constructive through the selloff.

Morgans carries a buy rating on CSL shares with a price target of $293.83, noting the restructuring augments rather than masks the underlying business. The broker added that streamlining operations and cost savings could support double-digit earnings growth over the medium term.

Macquarie retained its outperform rating on CSL shares following the most recent guidance update.

On the more cautious side, Sanlam Private Wealth holds a hold rating. The broker noted that while CSL appears good value over the longer term, other stocks could potentially deliver faster returns in the short to medium term.

Foolish takeaway

CSL shares at 12 times forecast earnings is not something that comes along often.

The plasma collection recovery and margin improvement narrative is underway.

Insiders are buying and Morgans sees upside to $293.83.

For patient investors who can look past the near-term noise and focus on where CSL’s earnings will be in three years, the current entry point could prove to be one of the great buying opportunities this stock has ever offered.

The post CSL shares trade at just 12 times forecast earnings. Here’s why they could be the buy of the decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Up 15% in a week, is it too late to buy rebounding CSL shares?
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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 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.