Author: openjargon

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares closed 1.35% higher at a 52-week high of $235.13 a piece at the close of the ASX on Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday’s uptick follows a month-long share price rally which has seen the stock jump 21.2% in value. They’re now up 15.4% for the year to date and 30.5% higher than this time last year.

What has pushed Macquarie shares higher over the past month?

Macquarie is the fifth-largest ASX 200 bank by market capitalisation, but it’s more than just a bank. 

Macquarie provides banking, financial, advisory, investment, and fund management services across 34 markets globally. That means it has exposure to commodities trading, infrastructure deals, asset management, and capital markets. 

The bank also makes around two-thirds of its money internationally, which reduces the risk of being too focused on one region.

This means that, unlike many other Aussie banks, it isn’t reliant on lending margins and its diversity means that it can remain stable, or even benefit, when markets are going through periods of volatility like we’ve endured for the past couple of months.

Can Macquarie keep growing?

In February, the investment bank posted its third-quarter trading update for FY26, where it revealed the business has benefitted from strong quarterly growth. 

Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) reported assets under management (AUM) up 3% quarter on quarter, and Macquarie’s Banking and Financial Services (BFS) segment’s total deposits were up 6% quarter on quarter. 

The BFS home loan portfolio increased by 7%.

Stronger financial results combined with good market momentum has seen analysts hike their performance expectations across several of the bank’s divisions.

The Financial Review reports that Bloomberg consensus analyst estimates now point to Macquarie reporting a 2026 profit of $4.3 billion when Wikramanayake delivers the results next month. Macquarie’s annual profit peaked at $5.2 billion in 2023.

What do analysts expect from Macquarie shares going forward?  

TradingView data shows that brokers are incredibly bullish on the outlook for Macquarie shares over the next 12 months. Out of 15 analysts, 10 have a buy or strong buy rating on the investment bank’s shares, and another five have a hold rating.

The average target price is $242.95 a piece, which implies a potential 3.3% upside from here. But others think the shares could jump another 14.8% to $270.

The team at Morgan Stanley upgraded Macquarie shares earlier this week to an overweight (buy) rating with a price target of $270 per share. The broker said it thinks Macquarie is well-placed to benefit from volatility in commodity markets and still sees potential for a meaningful re-rating thanks to its positive earnings growth outlook. 

Analysts at Jarden also recently reiterated a buy rating on the shares with a price target of $240.

The post Macquarie shares soar 21% to a 52-week high: Buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and 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.

Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VGN) shares closed 7% higher on Wednesday afternoon, at $2.52 a piece.

The uptick is great news for investors after the airline’s shares suffered a very rocky start to the year. 

But there is a long way to go before the shares can claw back losses shed over the past six months. Virgin Australia shares are now down 28% for the year-to-date. They’re also down over 32% from an all-time high in October last year. 

The airline hasn’t been trading for 12 consecutive months yet, but it launched its initial public offering (IPO) at $2.90 per share in June last year.

Why have Virgin Australia shares been tumbling?

It looks like the initial decline late last year was investors selling up and taking gains off the table after the IPO announcement caused a share price rally.

Then, over the past couple of months, Virgin Australia shares have faced some strong headwinds. 

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has severely restricted the supply of jet fuel (which is derived from refined crude oil). The airline has previously raised its domestic airfares in response to rising jet fuel costs in effort to maintain or even boost revenue. But investors were still concerned about how the higher jet fuel prices will affect the airlines operating costs and profits. 

There have also been reports that Virgin Australia’s partnership with Qatar Airways has come under pressure while the war continues to affect aviation routes. 

An overall shift in sentiment has caused Virgin Australia shares to tumble as investors sell up their holdings.

And what caused the latest share price spike?

But it looks like the stock took a sharp u-turn on Wednesday. Ahead of the ASX open the company confirmed that its FY26 financial guidance remains unchanged. Despite fuel prices almost doubling, the airline still expects its underlying EBIT to improve in the second half of FY26.

Virgin Australia’s fuel costs are expected to be around $30 million to $40 million above its earlier forecasts. But because it has strong hedging, the group is protected against most price rises. 

The airline confirmed that 92% of its Brent crude and 71% of refining margin exposure is hedged for the remainder of FY26.

The company’s outlook for FY26 remains solid. And it looks like investors breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Can Virgin Australia’s shares keep climbing from here?

According to analyst estimates, Virgin Australia shares have a long way to run before they reach their peak.

TradingView data shows that seven out of eight analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the airline’s shares. 

The average target price of $3.79 implies a 50% upside at the time of writing, whereas the maximum $4.10 target price suggests the stock could surge another 63% over the next 12 months. 

The post Are Virgin Australia shares a buy after flying 7% higher on Wednesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Evolution Mining, Mesoblast, Nufarm, and Virgin Australia shares are storming higher today
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• Virgin Australia’s FY26 update: Hedging cushions rising fuel costs
• Down 34% in 2026, are Virgin Australia shares a good buy today?
• Buy, hold, sell: Northern Star, Telix, and Virgin Australia shares

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

The New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price is in focus today after the company announced a $300 million senior unsecured convertible notes offering due 2032 and a planned repurchase of up to 100% of its existing 2029 convertible notes. The new convertible notes carry a coupon of 2.375%–2.875% and give investors a put option in 2030.

What did New Hope report?

• Launch of $300 million senior unsecured convertible notes due 2032 (“New Notes”)
• Concurrent repurchase of up to 100% of existing $300 million convertible notes due 2029
• Coupon rate for New Notes set at 2.375%–2.875% per annum, payable semi-annually
• Notes may be converted into ordinary shares or settled in cash at New Hope’s election
• New Notes to be listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST)
• Use of proceeds: refinancing, capital management, and general corporate purposes

What else do investors need to know?

The Offering will fund the repurchase of all or part of the 2029 notes, allowing New Hope to refinance at more attractive terms and extend its debt maturity profile. Any balance not used for the repurchase will go towards general corporate purposes, supporting the company’s ongoing strategy.

A book-build for the new issue will finalise terms before market open. Jefferies (Australia) is acting as sole global coordinator, with Jefferies and Jarden Australia as joint lead managers. If more than 85% of the 2029 notes are repurchased and cancelled, New Hope may redeem the remainder at face value plus accrued interest.

Recent volatility in global energy markets, driven by tensions in the Middle East, has kept thermal coal prices elevated. New Hope reports production and costs are tracking within its FY26 guidance range.

What did New Hope management say?

Chief Financial Officer Rebecca Rinaldi said:

We are pleased to return to the convertible bond market for the third time. The convertible bond market continues to be an important and cost-effective component of our capital structure. Through this transaction, we are proactively refinancing our 2029 notes at improved terms, extending our debt maturity profile and reducing our financing costs. Consistent with our prior issuance, New Hope may cash settle any conversions, providing us with flexibility to manage any future dilution that may arise.

What’s next for New Hope?

Looking ahead, New Hope aims to strengthen its balance sheet and maintain financial flexibility through this refinancing. By extending its debt maturity and reducing financing costs, the company positions itself to support growth initiatives and deliver value for shareholders in a volatile energy market.

Management will keep investors updated as final pricing and allocations for the New Notes are confirmed and the repurchase process unfolds. The company remains focused on disciplined capital management in alignment with its established strategy.

New Hope share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, New Hope shares have risen 51%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 16% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post New Hope launches $300m convertible notes offer and buyback appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Virgin Australia’s FY26 update: Hedging cushions rising fuel costs
• National Storage REIT: Scheme meetings confirm buyout pathway

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

If you are looking to take your portfolio to the next level, it may be time to think beyond traditional sectors.

Some of the most exciting opportunities in the market today are being driven by global technology, automation, and cybersecurity trends. The good news is that ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) make it easy to access these themes in a single trade.

Here are five ASX ETFs that could supercharge your portfolio.

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The first ASX ETF that could add serious growth potential is the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF.

This fund provides exposure to leading technology companies across Asia, a region that continues to digitise rapidly.

Its holdings include Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), and Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA).

What makes this fund compelling is its exposure to markets that are still in earlier stages of digital adoption compared to the US, which could translate into strong long-term growth.

BetaShares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

Another ASX ETF that could boost returns is the BetaShares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF.

This ETF targets companies at the forefront of automation and AI, industries that are transforming how businesses operate.

Key holdings include NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), and Keyence.

Rather than focusing on a single niche, this ETF spreads exposure across multiple applications of AI and robotics, giving it a broad growth runway. It was recently recommended by the team at Betashares.

BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

A third ASX ETF that could be worth considering is the BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF.

This fund provides exposure to Australia’s leading technology companies, offering a way to back local innovation.

Its holdings include Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE).

This ETF gives investors access to businesses that are growing both domestically and internationally, with scalable models and strong long-term potential. It was also recently recommended by the team at Betashares.

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

Another ASX ETF that could strengthen a portfolio is the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF.

It focuses on high-quality global companies with strong balance sheets, stable earnings, and competitive advantages.

Its holdings include Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Visa (NYSE: V).

This focus on quality helps balance out more aggressive growth exposures, providing a layer of resilience while still offering solid long-term returns. It was recently recommended by the team at VanEck.

BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

A fifth ASX ETF that could round out a portfolio is the BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF.

This fund targets companies involved in cybersecurity, an area that is becoming increasingly critical as digital threats continue to rise.

Key holdings include CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS).

As businesses and governments invest more heavily in protecting data and systems, demand for cybersecurity solutions is expected to grow.

The post 5 ASX ETFs that could supercharge your portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf, Technology One, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CrowdStrike, Intuitive Surgical, Microsoft, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Technology One, Tencent, Visa, WiseTech Global, Xero, and Zscaler and is short shares of Apple. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group and Palo Alto Networks and has recommended the following options: long January 2028 $520 calls on Intuitive Surgical and short January 2028 $530 calls on Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, CrowdStrike, Microsoft, Nvidia, Technology One, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price is a long way from where it used to be.

At $139.44, it is sitting closer to its 52-week lows than anything resembling its former peak. That peak was $342.75 back in February 2020, when CSL was widely seen as one of the ASX’s most dependable growth stories.

I think that contrast is striking. The same business that once traded at a premium for its consistency is now being priced far more cautiously.

A shift in how the market sees CSL and its shares

For a long time, CSL benefited from a very clear narrative.

It was a high-quality global biotechnology company with reliable growth, strong margins, and a pipeline that supported long-term expansion. Investors were comfortable paying up for that combination because the company delivered on it consistently.

That narrative has become less certain.

Over the past couple of years, CSL has been working through a period where growth has been less predictable and more dependent on a range of moving parts across its business.

In its latest update, the company reported a decline in revenue and underlying earnings for the half, while reported profit was heavily impacted by restructuring costs and impairments.

That alone does not tell the full story.

From consistency to complexity

One way I think about the current situation is that CSL has moved from being a relatively straightforward growth story to a more complex one.

Different parts of the business are moving at different speeds.

Some products are facing changes in pricing or policy settings in key markets. Others are dealing with increased competition or weren’t granted approval as expected. At the same time, the company is investing in new therapies, expanding manufacturing, and reshaping its business.

All of that adds layers. For investors, more moving parts often leads to more uncertainty, and that can influence how a company is valued, even if the long-term opportunity remains intact.

Still building for the next phase

What I find interesting is that CSL is still actively positioning itself for future growth.

The transformation program underway is designed to improve efficiency and simplify operations, while ongoing investment in research and development continues to build out the pipeline.

There are also new products coming through that could contribute more meaningfully over time, alongside existing therapies that remain central to the business.

To me, that suggests the company is focused on its next phase rather than standing still.

So, what could $10,000 become?

If CSL shares were to return to their record high of $342.75, investors would be laughing all the way to the bank.

That would represent an increase of roughly 145% from the current price of $139.44.

Based on that, a $10,000 investment today would grow to approximately $24,500 if the shares were to revisit that level.

But that is a big if.

Foolish takeaway

CSL is in a different phase to the one investors became used to over the past decade. The business now has more moving parts, more investment underway, and a broader set of factors influencing performance.

That has led to a reset in expectations and a lower share price.

At the same time, the company continues to invest in its future and build out its next wave of growth. If that plays out as hoped, the gap between the current share price and its previous high could narrow. But it is not guaranteed and could take some time to happen.

The post How much would $10,000 become if CSL shares returned to their record high? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in CSL. 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.

If you had invested $5,000 in Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares two years ago, you’d be sitting on a seriously impressive gain today.

Among today’s S&P/ASX 20 Index (ASX: XTL) heavyweights, CBA shares are one of the standout performers over the past 24 months. And no, this isn’t a speculative tech rocket or a turnaround story. This is a bank.

Let’s dive in.

Stellar growth, generous payouts

Back in April 2024, CBA shares were trading around $114.54. Fast forward to today, and they’re changing hands near $183.38 at the time of writing. That’s a gain of almost 60% in share price alone. By comparison the ASX 20 has risen roughly 23% over the same period.

Do the maths, and it gets even more interesting. A $5,000 investment at $114.54 would have bought you roughly 43.7 shares. At today’s price, those shares would now be worth about $8,010. That’s more than $3,000 in capital gains.

But that’s only half the story. CBA shares have continued to deliver generous, fully-franked dividends over that period. CBA’s yield has generally been between 3% and 4%.

If you’d reinvested those payouts along the way, your total investment would likely be worth north of $8,600 today. That brings the total earnings gain over 2 years to 72%. Not bad for a “boring” blue chip.

Strong, consistent profits

So what’s been driving this performance? Plenty.

First, earnings resilience. Despite a challenging economic backdrop, CBA has continued to deliver strong and consistent profits. Its dominant position in the Australian banking sector — particularly in home lending — has helped it maintain steady revenue streams.

Then there’s pricing power. Higher interest rates have boosted net interest margins, allowing the bank to earn more on its lending book. At the same time, its massive customer base and sticky relationships have helped protect those margins from competition.

And don’t underestimate demand. CBA shares have become a cornerstone holding for ETFs, super funds, and income-focused investors. In uncertain markets, money tends to flow into large, reliable companies and CBA has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of that trend.

Consistent investor demand

There’s also the dividend appeal. With consistent, fully-franked payouts, CBA remains a favourite among income investors. That demand helps support the share price, even when broader market conditions are volatile.

Put it all together, and you get a powerful combination: steady earnings, strong margins, reliable dividends, and constant investor demand. The result? A blue-chip stock that has quietly delivered market-beating returns.

Foolish Takeaway

The performance of CBA shares over the past two years is a reminder that you don’t always need to chase high-risk growth stocks to build wealth.

Sometimes, the biggest winners are the ones hiding in plain sight. And for long-term investors, that’s the real takeaway.

Quality businesses don’t just protect capital, they can grow it faster than you think.

The post $5,000 invested in CBA shares two years ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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 National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR) share price is in focus after news that the company will be removed from the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), following its planned takeover by Brookfield Asset Management and GIC.

What did National Storage REIT report?

• National Storage REIT to be removed from the S&P/ASX 200 Index, pending final court approval of its acquisition.
• The removal and replacement process will take effect before the open of trading on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
• Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX: ALK) will join the S&P/ASX 200 Index in NSR’s place.
• The acquisition involves a consortium led by Brookfield Asset Management and GIC.

What else do investors need to know?

National Storage REIT’s removal from the S&P/ASX 200 comes as the company approaches the completion of its acquisition by a global consortium. This follows a period of market speculation about National Storage’s future on the index and under new ownership.

The change is subject to final court approval of the acquisition, a common step when listed entities are taken over and cease to be independent ASX-listed companies.

What’s next for National Storage REIT?

If the court approves the acquisition as expected, National Storage REIT shares will be delisted, and investors will receive their consideration from the takeover consortium. The company’s removal from the S&P/ASX 200 may affect portfolios tracking the index and eligibility for certain funds.

Investors might want to keep an eye out for the final court decision and any further updates from the consortium regarding the acquisition timeline and settlement process.

National Storage REIT share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, National Storage shares have risen 27%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index which has risen 16% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post National Storage REIT to exit ASX 200 after takeover announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

If I were building a balanced ASX share portfolio today, I’d pair one elite growth compounder with one high-yield cash machine.

That combination gives you the best of both worlds: long-term capital growth and immediate passive income. For an investor thinking a decade ahead, that’s the kind of ASX share mix that can help build both wealth and retirement income.

Let’s take a closer look.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The growth pick is Pro Medicus. The $14 billion ASX share has lost 38% of its value in 2026. Even after its sharp sell-off earlier this year, this remains one of the highest-quality growth businesses on the ASX.

The radiology imaging software specialist recently delivered another strong half, with revenue and profit surging, and it continues to land long-duration US hospital contracts. In just the past two weeks, Pro Medicus has landed two significant US contracts and that’s starting to shift sentiment.

Importantly, the February result-driven plunge pushed the stock to a fresh 52-week low near $108, despite record earnings. That disconnect is exactly what makes the ASX healthcare share interesting.

This is a business with world-class margins, no debt, sticky healthcare clients, and a huge US expansion runway. Its Visage imaging platform is deeply embedded into hospital workflows, making switching incredibly difficult.

While the valuation still isn’t cheap, quality software leaders rarely are. In light of the recent weakness, most brokers see Pro Medicus as a strong buy, with the maximum average 12-month price target set at $275. That’s a potential 100% upside, at current price levels.

For patient investors, this looks like a rare chance to buy a premium ASX growth share well below its highs.

GQG Partners Inc. (ASX: GQG)

The funds management giant continues to stand out as one of the market’s most attractive dividend plays, currently offering a double-digit yield above 11% based on recent payouts. Morgans is expecting very generous dividend yields of 11% in FY 2026 and FY 2027.

What I like most is that GQG’s dividend isn’t just high for the sake of it. The ASX share throws off serious cash, boasts strong profit margins, and still trades on a relatively modest earnings multiple.

If global equity markets remain supportive and funds under management (FUM) continue to grow, investors could enjoy both juicy income and capital upside. On Monday GQG reported FUM of US$162.5 billion as at 31 March 2026. That included net outflows of US$8.6 billion for the quarter, a clear red flag for the market.

Despite the recent setback, Morgans recently upgraded the ASX share to a buy rating (from accumulate) and lifted its price target from $1.89 to $2.03. That implies around 19% upside from the current share price of $1.70 over the next 12 months.

The post One ASX share to double, one yielding 11% — ASX picks for April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Gqg Partners and Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There are a lot of gold miners to choose from on the Australian share market.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at one ASX 200 gold stock that Bell Potter is bullish on.

Which ASX 200 gold stock?

The gold miner that Bell Potter is tipping as a buy is Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN).

It notes that the company released its quarterly update this week. While it wasn’t blown away with the update, the broker remains positive given its strong cash flow generation. Commenting on the quarter, Bell Potter said:

EVN has reported a weaker March quarter 2026 result, in-line with management commentary and previously disclosed operational disruptions at Ernest Henry (flooding) and Cowal (bi-annual mill shutdown). Group production was 170.1koz gold and 10.8kt copper (vs BPe 171.0koz gold and 16.6kt copper).

While the March quarter suffered from operational and weather disruptions resulting in lower production and higher costs QoQ, this had been flagged to the market. That EVN still generated near-record free cash flow under these circumstances helped a strong positive reaction. We also believe consistent commentary on maintaining capital discipline, investing in high-returning organic growth projects and an aversion to hoarding cash has been well received by the market. We forecast EVN to declare fully-franked dividends of 50cps in FY26, up from 20cps in FY25.

Time to buy?

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on the ASX 200 gold stock with a slightly trimmed price target of $16.45 (from $16.60).

Based on its current share price of $14.45, this implies potential upside of 14% for investors over the next 12 months.

In addition, Bell Potter is forecasting an attractive 3.5% dividend yield over the period. This boosts the total potential return to over 17%.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

EPS changes on this update are -6% for FY26, FY27 and FY28 are unchanged. Changes to our operational assumptions are minor. EVN offers effectively unhedged gold and copper exposure via a portfolio of high quality, long-life assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions, overseen by a high-quality management team. EVN has stated its intention to pass growing free cash flows on to shareholders. Our NPV-based Target Price drops 1% to $16.45/sh and we retain our Buy recommendation.

The post Why this ASX 200 gold stock could be a strong buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Is this one of the best ASX 200 gold stocks to buy now?

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.

Wouldn’t it be great to own ASX shares that could deliver big returns over the next 12 months and potentially beyond? I’m going to highlight three businesses that experts are very positive about.

A price target tells investors where experts think the share price could go within the next year, and we’re going to look at three ASX shares where analysts have put price targets on businesses that suggest they could rise by at least 75%.

Let’s look at these different opportunities.

Autosports Group Ltd (ASX: ASG)

Autosports describes itself as Australia’s only ASX-listed specialist prestige and luxury vehicle retailer. It has more than 80 businesses across key metropolitan markets in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Auckland.

It has new and used vehicle dealerships, motorcycle dealerships, and specialist collision repair facilities.

The business is growing strongly – in the first half of FY26, revenue grew 10.9% to $1.52 billion, normalised operating profit (EBITDA) rose 26.6% to $70.6 million, and normalised net profit before tax (NPBT) grew 74.9% to $35.3 million. In January 2026, new vehicle written orders were up 13% and service and parts revenue was up 11%.

In its FY26 half-year result, it said it was expecting further profit growth, partly because of operating leverage and the inclusion of earnings from recent acquisitions.

According to CMC Invest, there have been five buy ratings on the business, with an average price target of $4.78, suggesting a possible rise of around 100% over the next year.

Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR)

Myer is best known as a department store retailer and it also has a number of apparel brands, including Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans, Dotti, Jacqui E, Sass & Bide, Marcs, and David Lawrence.

The ASX share’s FY26 half-year result included growth from the inclusion of acquired apparel brands into the business. Total sales grew 24.5% to $2.28 billion and underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 21.7% to $51.7 million. But, ‘pro forma’ net profit declined 17% because of investments in strategic initiatives.

The Myer share price dropped more than 50% in the past year and it now looks cheap according to experts.

According to CMC Invest, there have been three recent ratings on the business, with two of those being a buy and one being a hold. The average price target is 53 cents, suggesting a possible rise of well over 80%.

It’s now priced at under 8x FY26’s estimated earnings, according to the forecast on CMC Invest.

Beacon Lighting Group Ltd (ASX: BLX)

The third ASX share that I’m going to cover is one of the leading lighting retailers in Australia with a large retail store network as well as having commercial customers and international sales.

The Beacon Lighting share price has dropped by around 50% in the past year, which makes it look a lot cheaper today.

According to CMC Invest, there have been six recent ratings on the business, with five of those being a buy. The average price target from those ratings was $3.06, suggesting a possible rise of around 80% from where it is today.

Using the forecast on CMC Invest, the Beacon Lighting share price is valued at 13x FY26’s estimated earnings.

The post 3 ASX shares tipped to grow 75% or more in the next 12 month! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 21 ASX shares going ex-dividend over the school holidays
• These 3 dirt-cheap ASX shares are tipped to climb another 50-90%
• Which ASX retail stock could soar more than 100% if this broker is right?
• Why DroneShield, Guzman Y Gomez, IAG, and Myer shares are falling today

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