Author: openjargon

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares rocketed higher at the start of the year, climbing around 18% to an all-time high in mid-May.

But as quickly as the telco‘s shares spiked, they cooled back down again. 

What has happened to Telstra shares?

The telco’s share price has been incredibly volatile recently, swinging between $5.41 and $4.97 over the past couple of months. At the time of writing, Telstra shares are trading at $5.14 a piece.

By early June, Telstra shares had fallen 11% from their peak. It looks like much of the shift in sentiment was investors taking their gains off the table after a huge rally.

The downturn also accelerated when a flurry of brokers updated their outlooks on the stock.

A broad softening in defensive shares, including telcos, and valuation concerns have also acted as headwinds.

Another headline that has weighed on sentiment is Telstra’s announcement of job cuts late last month. The company said it plans to cut 111 jobs as part of a restructuring of its technology division under new CEO Vicki Brady. The restructure collapses several of Telstra’s internal technology and infrastructure teams into two new divisions.

The latest headcount cut follows the telco’s announcement earlier this year that it would axe up to 650 roles as part of a restructuring and AI-driven efficiency programs.

It looks like investor confidence is still under pressure and the share price has struggled to rebound through June.

The question now is, what’s next?

Are the telco’s shares a buy, sell or hold?

The outlook over the next 12 months is split.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a buy rating on Telstra shares. The $5.50 average target price implies a potential 7% upside ahead.

But analysts on TradingView data are a lot more reserved. All 10 analysts have a hold rating on Telstra’s shares, but their target prices vary significantly. The average $5.25 target price implies a potential 2% upside at the time of writing.

But some forecast the shares to rise 8% to $5.57, and others expect them to fall further by around 11% to $4.60 apiece.

Macquarie thinks Telstra shares are trading close to fair value. The broker downgraded its rating to a hold earlier this month and shaved its price target on Telstra shares to $5.57. Based on the current share price of $5.14, the price target suggests potential upside of around 8%.

The team at Shaw and Partners give Telstra a sell rating. The broker said it thinks the stock has been trading at elevated levels and was pushed higher by its defensive appeal. But it adds that underlying growth is limited, and the dividend yield is becoming less attractive.

The post Here’s what brokers tip for Telstra shares over the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• How much is needed in superannuation to target an $11,000 monthly passive income?
• How I’d build $50,000 of ASX passive income
• There are still some well-priced ASX dividend shares. Here’s where to look
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) has done something it has rarely done at this scale before.

The company has signed a binding Heads of Agreement with Echo IQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ), a Sydney-based AI cardiology company, to expand its AI-driven cardiology solutions and broaden its commercial reach in the United States.

On paper, this is a small transaction for a company with a market capitalisation in the tens of billions.

The potential that lies underneath is what deserves attention.

What the Pro Medicus AI cardiology deal involves

Pro Medicus will make an initial $10 million investment in Echo IQ through secured convertible notes. The company retains the option to invest a further $10 million once Echo IQ’s heart failure algorithm, EchoSolv HF, receives clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Pro Medicus also becomes the proposed US reseller of Echo IQ’s EchoSolv product suite. This should plug an AI-powered cardiac diagnostic tool directly into the same hospital network that already runs its Visage 7 imaging platform.

CEO Sam Hupert framed the move as part of a deliberate strategy, stating:

In addition to providing financial backing, we are looking to offer our Visage 7 Cardiology customers the option of Echo IQ’s technology. This is in line with our AI strategy of offering a curated suite of algorithms that will be a mixture of algorithms created by us, those created in conjunction with our clinical partners and third party algorithms such as Echo-IQ.

Definitive legal documentation is still being finalised, with completion expected within the coming weeks.

Why this deal matters more than its size suggests

Pro Medicus has spent the past 18 months landing landmark Full Stack contracts with major US health systems. The company’s cardiology modules are increasingly attached at the point of first sale.

Bolting Echo IQ’s AI diagnostic layer directly onto Pro Medicus’ existing distribution network gives Pro Medicus a capability it does not have to build in-house, sitting natively alongside the workflow its customers already use every day.

This deal positions Pro Medicus as acquiring a low-cost option on AI-led cardiology imaging without diluting its own research and development.

The more pessimistic view states that every legacy imaging vendor in North America is now racing to add its own AI partners. This may narrow the window in which a reseller deal like this one carries exclusive competitive value.

What it means for Pro Medicus shares

Pro Medicus shares were up 3.5% to $185.30 on the news, adding to a rally that has lifted the stock roughly 50% since mid-May. Year-to-date, however, shares still remain down.

This partial recovery follows a difficult few months for the stock. This downturn was driven by broader fears that AI would disrupt rather than enhance imaging software businesses.

This deal is a direct rebuttal to that fear. Pro Medicus is not being disrupted by AI cardiology tools. Rather, it is bringing them in-house and reselling them to its own customer base.

What it means for Echo IQ shareholders

The reaction in Echo IQ shares has been even more dramatic.

Echo IQ shares jumped 28% to a record high of $1.58.

Echo IQ CEO Dustin Haines called the deal:

A transformational milestone for Echo IQ and a significant validation of both our technology and long-term commercial strategy, while also providing exceptional financial flexibility to accelerate our commercialisation activities in the US.

For a small-cap AI company, validation and distribution from one of Australia’s most successful healthcare technology exporters is about as strong an endorsement as the market could ask for.

Foolish takeaway

The dollar value of this deal is immaterial to Pro Medicus’s balance sheet.

The strategic message is not.

By investing in and reselling third-party AI cardiology technology rather than treating it as a competitive threat, Pro Medicus is reinforcing the thesis that AI strengthens its moat rather than eroding it.

For a stock that spent the first half of 2026 being sold down on exactly the opposite fear, that distinction is the real reason this deal matters.

The post Pro Medicus just struck a revolutionary AI cardiology deal. Here’s why that matters 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 recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Superannuation is a popular and tax-effective way for working Aussies to build a long-term passive income for their future.

Of course, the catch is that you can’t access your funds until you reach your preservation age, typically around 60. You’ll also need to meet the conditions of release.

But by investing early, you can benefit from lower tax rates, compounding, and then eventually a retirement lifestyle boosted by a tax-free passive income.

The question is, how much do you need in your superannuation to receive the passive income you want when you’ve retired?

Let’s break it down, using $4,000 per month as an example.

How much do I need in my superannuation to get $4,000 of monthly passive income?

If you want to earn $4,000 in passive income every month from the money saved in your superannuation, that equates to $48,000 per year in dividend payments.

To work out the superannuation balance you’d need to get that, you’ll need to divide your annual passive income by the dividend yield.

The catch is that the figure varies widely depending on the dividend yield of the ASX shares you have in your portfolio.

For example, a portfolio with a dividend yield of around 6% only needs to be around half the size of one with a dividend yield closer to 3% to generate the same level of dividend income.

Let’s break it down further.

To earn $48,000 in annual passive income from a portfolio with a dividend yield around 3%, you’d need $1.6 million.

But to earn the same amount from a portfolio with a dividend yield closer to 4%, you’d need more like $1.2 million.

Then you’d need closer to $960,000 in a portfolio with a 5% dividend yield to earn the same amount.

If the yield is 6%, you’d need less, at around $800,000.

To get the same $48,000 of annual passive income from a portfolio with a 7% dividend yield, you’d need around $685,714. 

And if the portfolio’s dividend yield is closer to 8% or 9%, the portfolio size could be more $600,000 or $533,333, respectively.

And so on… 

As you can see, as your dividend yield increases, the superannuation balance needed to earn the same level of passive income goes down.

What ASX shares can I get around these dividend yields?

There is a wide range of high-quality ASX dividend shares available for superannuation investments, with yields varying significantly. 

But here are a few of my favourites to get you started.

Lower yielding ASX dividend-paying shares such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) are solid and reliable shares that offer a yield of around 2% to 3%.

For a mid-range yielding ASX dividend option, I’d look at defensive assets like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) or Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), and blue-chip majors like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), which pay a dividend of around 3% to 4%.

For a higher 5% to 6% dividend yield, I’d look at reliable payers like APA Group (ASX: APA), Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS), or Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG).

If you want to take on more risk and go for a much higher-yielding ASX stock, my picks would be something like IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH), the BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equities Yield Maximiser Complex ETF (ASX: YMAX), or the Metrics Income Opportunities Trust (ASX: MOT). These typically yield around 9% or more.

The post How much do I need in my superannuation to get $4,000 per month in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Age pension income and asset test limits to rise next week
• ASX 200 drops again as investors dump banks and miners
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• Crude oil falls below US$70 as ASX energy shares sell-off

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 Transurban Group, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Telstra Group, Transurban Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, IPH Ltd , and Wesfarmers. 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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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 Block, Lovisa, and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The income you can earn and the value of assets you can own in retirement, while still qualifying for the age pension, will rise next week.

The Department of Social Services has just announced the next lot of indexation changes to means testing for the pension.

These indexation changes are made twice per year to reflect the impact of inflation.

Pension amounts will remain as they are today. All that is changing next Wednesday, 1 July, is the parameters for means testing.

The full age pension $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and $905.20 per person, per fortnight, for couples.

Let’s review.

When can I get the age pension?

Australians born on or after 1 January 1957 are eligible for the pension at age 67, whether retired or not.

The pension is subject to an assets test and an income test. You have to pass both to receive the full pension.

If you own too much in assets, or earn too much income, you may only qualify for a part-pension, or no support at all.

What are the new pension thresholds for asset values?

The first thing to know is that your home is excluded from the pension assets test if you own your residence.

If you rent your home, you are allowed to own more assets (and earn more income) while still qualifying for the pension.

Assessable assets include ASX shares, international shares, superannuation, bonds, managed funds, rental properties, and cash.

Single homeowners

Under next week’s changes, single homeowners will be able to own up to $333,000 in assets and still qualify for the full age pension.

Single homeowners with assets worth between $333,001 and $733,500 will qualify for a part-payment.

Single non-homeowners

Single renters will be able to own up to $600,000 in assets and still qualify for the full age pension.

Single non-homeowners with assets worth between $600,001 and $1,000,500 will be eligible for a part-pension.

Couple homeowners

Couple homeowners will be able to own up to $499,000 in assets and still qualify for the full age pension.

Couple homeowners with assets worth between $499,001 and $1,102,500 will still be eligible for a part-payment.

Couples who are renting in retirement

Couple non-homeowners will be able to own up to $766,00 in assets and still be eligible for the full pension.

Renters who own assets worth between $766,001 and $1,369,500 will qualify for a part-payment.

How much income can you earn and still get the age pension?

Under next week’s changes, singles will be able to earn up to $226 per fortnight and still qualify for the full pension.

If they earn between $227 and $2,627.80 per fortnight, they will qualify for a part-payment.

Couples will be able to earn up to $396 per fortnight and still receive the full age pension.

Couples who earn between $397 and $4,016.80 per fortnight will be eligible for a part-payment.

Assessable income includes wages and investment income.

To make things easier, Centrelink relies on deeming rates to determine a pensioner’s investment income.

(The only exception is rent from investment properties. Pensioners must report actual net rental income each year.)

Deeming rates have been well below market average returns for many years.

The Albanese Government has been gradually increasing deeming rates and the asset value thresholds.

Under next week’s changes, the lower deeming rate will remain at 1.25% and the upper deeming rate will remain 3.25%.

However, the thresholds will lift.

The lower deeming rate will apply if a single pensioner’s assets are worth less than $66,800. For couples, the new threshold is $110,600.

If your investments are worth more than that, the upper deeming rate will apply.

The post Age pension income and asset test limits to rise next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having another rough session on Thursday.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is down 0.47% to 8,766 points.

That leaves the benchmark on track for another disappointing session. The market is struggling to build on a more positive lead from Wall Street futures.

At the latest check, 103 ASX 200 shares are rising, while 92 are falling and 5 are unchanged.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s putting the index in the red.

Banks and resources weigh on the ASX 200

The big miners are doing a fair bit of damage today as commodity prices fall across the board.

At the time of writing, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) is down 1.93% to $58.35, Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is down 2.61% to $169.38, and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) is down 1.09% to $19.04.

Energy shares are also under pressure after oil prices dropped back toward pre-war levels.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are down 3.10% to $27.37 as crude oil trades below US$70 a barrel.

Oil had rallied earlier this month on Middle East supply fears, but that support has quickly faded as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz improves.

And looking at the banks, they aren’t offering much help either.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is down 3.07% to $37.56, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is down 0.59% to $35.57, and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) is down 0.70% to $35.39.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is only slightly lower, down 0.03% to $164.75.

Not everything is falling

But while the heavyweights are in the red, there are still some winners on the ASX 200 today.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) is up 2.25% to $89.23, while Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is up 1.73% to $40.05.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) is also having a positive session, rising 2.91% to $118.34.

The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) is 0.1% higher, helped by a solid lead from US tech futures after Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ: MU)’s strong update.

What investors are watching now

The jobs data has added another wrinkle to today’s session.

Australia’s unemployment rate fell to 4.4% in May, with employment rising by 40,300 jobs.

That’s good news for the economy, but it may also keep the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cautious if the labour market stays firm.

Despite today’s fall, the ASX 200 remains up about 0.6% since the start of 2026.

The post ASX 200 drops again as investors dump banks and miners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Micron Technology, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

JB Hi Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) shares are charging higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) electronics retailer closed trading yesterday for $78.40. In afternoon trade on Thursday, shares are swapping hands for $81.57 apiece, up 4.1%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.4% at this same time.

Today’s rally adds fuel to the stock’s recent rebound. JB Hi-Fi shares plumbed a one-year closing low of $68.89 on 3 June, and the share price is now up 18.4% in three weeks.

Longer-term, however, shares in the ASX 200 electronics retailer remain down 25.0% since this time last year, underperforming the 2.5% 12-month gains posted by the benchmark index.

Though we shouldn’t forget the two fully franked dividends, totalling $4.15 a share, that the company paid out to eligible stockholders over this time.

JB Hi-Fi stock currently trades on a 5.1% fully franked trailing dividend yield.

And looking ahead, Baker Young’s Toby Grimm believes the stock’s recent rally has further to run (courtesy of The Bull).

Here’s why.

Should I buy JB Hi-Fi shares today?

“The share price of this consumer electronics giant has significantly fallen since August 2025 in response to cost of living and supply chain cost pressures and increasing interest rates,” Grimm noted.

Citing the first reason he’s bullish on the ASX 200 stock, Grimm said, “Despite these issues, JBH is expected to deliver positive sales and underlying earnings growth during the next two years.”

As for the second reason, he has a buy recommendation on JB Hi-Fi shares, Grimm said, “The outlook for consumer electronics remains structurally sound. Diminishing rate hike expectations is another positive.”

And the third reason you may want to buy shares in the Aussie electronics retailer today is the attractive passive income.

“The stock is trading on more appealing multiples compared to 2025 and was recently offering an attractive dividend yield above 5%,” Grimm concluded.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 electronics retailer?

The last price-sensitive news from JB Hi-Fi was the company’s third quarter (Q3 FY 2026) sales update, released on 6 May.

The company reported a 4.0% year-on-year increase in sales at JB Hi-Fi Australia and a whopping 23.2% increase in sales at JB Hi-Fi New Zealand.

As for its other two business segments, third-quarter sales at the Good Guys were up 2.5% year-on-year, while e&s sales went the other way, falling 1.4% from Q3 FY 2025.

With investor expectations clearly running high, JB Hi-Fi shares closed down 6.3% on the day of the update.

The post 3 reasons to buy the rebound in JB Hi-Fi shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The oil price rally has faded quickly, and ASX energy shares are being pulled lower with it.

At the time of writing, crude oil is down 1.71% to US$69.14 a barrel, while Brent crude is down 1.88% to US$72.35 a barrel.

That leaves crude oil below US$70 and Brent below US$73, with both benchmarks now moving back toward levels seen before the recent Middle East war.

It’s a clear shift from earlier in the month, when traders were closely watching the Strait of Hormuz and pricing in the risk of supply disruptions.

Here’s what has changed.

Oil prices fall as US-Iran talks continue

According to reports, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has improved after recent progress in US-Iran talks.

One report said 14 oil tankers crossed the maritime chokepoint on Tuesday, carrying about 20 million barrels of oil. That compares with roughly 12 tankers a day the previous week.

Trading Economics also noted that shipowners are becoming more confident moving through the area after safety guarantees from the International Maritime Organization.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates the United Arab Emirates is exporting oil at nearly 85% of pre-war levels, selling roughly 60 million barrels from the Persian Gulf.

China demand is also being watched

The demand side is not helping oil prices either.

Oilprice.com reported that China’s crude imports have fallen to their lowest level since 2018.

The report said China imported 7.82 million barrels per day in May. That was down 38% from February’s pre-conflict level.

China is one of the world’s biggest oil buyers, so that number is getting plenty of attention.

The same report said China has been relying more on physical cargoes already in storage, while cutting back purchases from major Middle East suppliers.

ASX energy shares slide

The latest developments have flowed through to ASX energy shares.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are trading 2.92% lower at $27.41. The ASX’s biggest energy stock has now fallen almost 15% in a month.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are also tumbling, down 2.69% to $7.04. The Santos share price has dropped 14.5% across the same period.

What investors are watching now

There was some supportive inventory data in the background.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, US crude inventories fell by 6.1 million barrels in the week ending 19 June.

Commercial crude stockpiles fell to 412.1 million barrels, which is around 7% below the 5-year average.

However, that wasn’t enough to stop oil prices from falling today.

At the moment, the market appears more focused on easing Middle East supply concerns than lower US inventories.

The post Crude oil falls below US$70 as ASX energy shares sell-off appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 drops again as investors dump banks and miners
• Why Judo Capital, Minerals 260, Santos, and Worley shares are dropping today
• Is the Woodside share price a buy in July?
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• Buying Woodside shares? Here’s the dividend yield you’ll get today

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.4% to 8,772.2 points on Thursday.

Among the 11 market sectors, healthcare is in the lead today, up 2.7%, amid signs of a meaningful sector rebound. 

The energy sector is the drag on Thursday, down 2.5%, as the supply outlook improves in the Middle East.

Trading Economics analysts reported that growing confidence in a lasting peace deal had prompted more tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz with their tracking signals on.

Supply has also increased across key segments of the market, with buyers facing a surge of crude offers from the Middle East and other exporting regions, including West Africa.

In addition, a temporary US waiver permitting purchases of already-loaded Iranian oil is expected to further boost available supply.

Meanwhile, three experts let us in on their opinions of three ASX shares.

Let’s check them out.

Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM)

The Capricorn Metals share price is $11.98, down 5.5% today and down 17% in the calendar year to date (YTD). 

David Coates from Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX gold share. 

Coates said: 

CMM is a sector leading gold producer, unhedged and debt free. It is fully funded to grow production from ~120kozpa to ~300kozpa from two gold mines in WA, each with +10 year mine lives.

CMM is run by a management team that has an excellent track record of delivery.

Our NPV-based valuation is up marginally to $16.25/sh.

Chrysos Corporation Ltd (ASX: C79)

The Chrysos Corporation share price is $5.65, down 3.4% today and down 23% YTD. 

Toby Grimm from Baker Young has a hold recommendation on this ASX industrials share. 

On The Bull this week, Grimm said: 

The company combines science and software to create technology solutions for the global mining industry. The company’s flagship product is PhotonAssay.

A pull back in gold prices, if protracted, presents a potential headwind. However, we’re encouraged by expansion into South America, where we see a large copper analysis opportunity as C79 continues to branch out from gold.

The company’s decision to upsize its debt facility to $200 million reflects management’s confidence in the near term growth runway.

In our view, the stock offers significant recovery potential given it was recently trading at a substantial discount to its February highs.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price is $115.31, up 1.6% today and down 56% YTD.

Niv Dagan from Peak Asset Management has a sell rating on this ASX healthcare share.

He explained: 

Hospital capacity constraints amid softer consumer sentiment and reduced referral activity are weighing on implant volumes, while cost base restructuring is likely to impact earnings in the near term.

In April, the hearing implants maker materially reduced its fiscal year 2026 underlying net profit guidance to between $290 million and $330 million from between $435 million from $460 million in February.

The downgrade was a response to weaker than expected demand in developed markets amid Middle East uncertainty, lower margins and foreign exchange headwinds.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Capricorn Metals, Chrysos, Cochlear shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Chrysos and Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Chrysos. 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.4% to 8,777.5 points on Thursday.

This week, brokers downgraded four ASX shares and recalculated their 12-month price targets on them.

Let’s check them out.

Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN)

The Jumbo Interactive share price is $6.31, down 14.3% today.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share has fallen 44%.

Morgan Stanley downgraded Jumbo Interactive shares to a hold rating yesterday.

The broker slashed its 12-month price target from $14.50 to $8.40.

This still implies a big potential upside of more than 30% ahead.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)

The Beach Energy share price is 82 cents, down 5.2% today.

In the calendar year to date (YTD), this ASX energy share has fallen 30%.

Oil prices have retreated to pre-war levels after the US and Iran signed an interim peace deal.

Morgans downgraded Beach Energy shares to a sell rating this week.

The broker said:

After downgrading our Q4 estimates for daily production rates, we see potential for BPT to fall just short of its FY27 group production guidance.

While BPT’s share price has already been under pressure, its earnings outlook has declined at a faster rate, with its forward EV/EBITDA actually rising.

The broker cut its 12-month price target from $1.10 to 81 cents.

This suggests the stock is already fully priced.

Amcor CDI (ASX: AMC)

The Amcor share price is $60.94, up 4% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 materials share has ripped 11% higher.

Morgans downgraded Amcor shares from a buy to an accumulate rating this week.

The broker explained:

Following its merger with Berry Global in April 2025, AMC identified a non-core portfolio of ~US$2.5bn in revenue.

These lower-growth or lower-margin businesses where AMC lacks scale or leadership positions are expected to be divested over time via cash sales or joint ventures/partnerships.

While there is a range of scenarios that can play out, using conservative assumptions, we estimate the combined non-core portfolio could be worth ~US$1.8bn.

To date, AMC has reached agreements to sell six businesses for a combined value of ~US$500m.

AMC plans to use proceeds from non-core asset sales to reduce leverage, which stood at 3.8x at the end of 3Q26.

While management expects leverage to end FY26 at 3.4-3.5x, the stretched balance sheet remains a key investor concern.

Morgans kept its 12-month price target of $65.40, indicating 7% potential upside ahead.

Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI)

The Centuria Capital share price is $2.04, up 1.8% today and down 0.3% over six months.

Centuria Capital Group is a funds manager that specialises in property investment and investment bonds.

MA Financial Group downgraded the ASX real estate share to a hold recommendation on Tuesday.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $2.18.

This suggests a potential 7% upside ahead.

The post Downgrade alert! 4 ASX shares re-rated by experts this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Buy, hold, sell: How does Morgans rate these ASX shares?

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Jumbo Interactive. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Jumbo Interactive and Ma Financial Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.