Category: Stock Market

The Contact Energy Ltd (ASX: CEN) share price is in focus after the company’s retail share offer closed oversubscribed, with around NZ$251 million in applications and strong shareholder demand.

What did Contact Energy report?

• Retail share offer oversubscribed, receiving approximately NZ$251 million in valid applications
• 29,727 eligible shareholders participated, up from 18,667 in the 2021 offer
• Total NZ$125 million raised under the retail offer after accepting an additional NZ$50 million in oversubscriptions
• Retail offer shares issued at NZ$8.75 per share (A$7.36 for Australian investors)
• Settlement and trading to commence on NZX from 13 March 2026, and on ASX from 16 March 2026
• Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) strike price set at NZ$8.75, with shares issued 25 March 2026

What else do investors need to know?

The retail offer is part of Contact’s broader capital raising effort, following a fully underwritten NZ$450 million institutional placement. The total equity raise aims to support the acceleration and potential expansion of Contact’s renewable energy projects, in line with its Contact31+ strategy.

Participation in the retail offer was notably strong, with more shareholders taking part than in previous rounds. All new shares will rank equally with existing ordinary shares, and confirmations on allocations and any surplus refunds will be sent out from 19 March 2026.

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan’s strike price has also been set to benefit investors, using the lower of the five-day volume weighted average price (less a 2% discount) or NZ$8.75, which aligns with the retail offer price.

What’s next for Contact Energy?

Proceeds from the capital raising will be directed towards advancing and potentially upsizing renewable energy developments. These projects are designed to boost Contact’s environmental credentials and future growth as part of its Contact31+ strategic goals.

Investors should watch for further announcements as new projects take shape and the company provides updates on deployment and impacts on future earnings.

Contact Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 moths, Contact energy shares have declined 4%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 12% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Contact Energy reports strong support for 2026 retail share offer appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

I’ve warned before about falling victim to the superannuation myths which could eat away at your balance and derail your retirement. But what about the secret tips to grow it?

Here are 10 lesser-known ways to boost your superannuation balance to get the most out of your retirement. 

1. Fiddle with your insurance

This isn’t a suggestion to cancel your insurance, but make sure to double check your cover is necessary and the premiums are appropriate for you. Many super funds include insurance but there is no point paying for cover that is far too high. 

2. Take advantage of catch-up concessional contributions

The current concessional contributions cap is $30,000 per financial year. If you contribute less than the before-tax cap in one financial year, the leftover amount gets carried into the next year. In fact, you can carry over your leftover pre-tax cap amounts from the past five years, which means you can make larger contributions above the $30,000 limit without the extra tax. 

3. Use the downsizer contributions rule

Australians aged 55 or above can contribute up to $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale (or part sale) of their property into their complying superannuation fund. This is called a downsizer contribution, and it does not count towards contribution caps. It’s an easy way to boost your balance if you’re planning to sell up.

4. See if you’re eligible for the bring-forward rule

This is similar to the catch-up concessional contribution, but the bring-forward rule applies to after-tax (i.e non-concessional) contributions. Under this rule, eligible Australians can contribute three years’ worth of non-concessional contributions (up to $120,000 per year) at once.

5. Find out about the government co-contribution scheme

Low- and middle-income Australians might be eligible for a government co-contribution if they make after-tax contributions to super. This means you’d be, effectively, boosting your balance with extra government funds.

6. Claim a tax deduction on personal contributions

Many Australians aren’t aware that they can make extra contributions to their superannuation fund and then claim it as a tax deduction. This is a double win. It boosts your superannuation balance and reduces your taxable income at the same time. 

7. Ask your spouse to add extra

Couples can boost their combined super savings by the higher-income earner contributing after-tax funds to the lower-income earner’s account. If your spouse earns less than $40,000 per year, it might even earn you a tax offset.

8. Consolidate your funds

Ok, so this one is actually something the experts will tell you to do. In fact, they say it time and time again. By having multiple superfund accounts across several providers, not only will you struggle to keep hold of how much you actually have, but you’re also paying duplicate fees and insurance premiums. Consolidating accounts into one fund can help reduce costs and increase your final balance.

9. Check for lost super

As I mentioned above, if you have multiple accounts across multiple funds, it’s easy to lose track of your total superannuation balance. In fact, it’s easy to lose one of your accounts altogether. Check that all your superannuation is accounted for. Recovering lost funds will instantly boost your balance.

10. Review your risk appetite

Most superfunds default to a ‘balanced’ option, but it doesn’t need to stay that way. You can change your risk level to something that might work better for you. After all, if a fund even slightly underperforms a benchmark, such as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), over a long period of time, it can seriously dent your end balance.

The post 10 hacks to boost your superannuation (that the experts won’t tell you) 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 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.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) shares closed 4.84% lower on Wednesday afternoon, wiping out half the gains made the day before.

The US-based software development company’s shares are now 61.36% below an all-time high of $55.87 recorded in October last year. The stock has crashed 34.01% year to date but is 0.19% above its value 12 months ago.

So, if I bought $10,000 worth of Life360 shares at the beginning of March, what are they worth now?

It’s been a turbulent start to the month for Life360 shares.

The stock crashed 18% on Tuesday last week after it posted its FY25 financial results. 

The company delivered record growth in both its subscription and international segments, by 33% and 26% year-on-year, respectively. Life360 also said that it expects strong growth to continue in FY26. 

The news sent investors flocking to the stock, with the share price spiking 15% in early-morning trade shortly after the announcement. But then the share price took a significant U-turn, ending the day down 18%.

This week, the share price took another turn, jumping over 10% on Tuesday. 

There has been no price-sensitive news out of the company following its results announcement, so the zig-zagging share price is likely due to investors taking their gains off the table and then buying back into the stock after the dust had settled.

It has been difficult to keep track of Life360 shares over the past couple of weeks. But yesterday’s 4.84% drop means the stock is now 12.82% lower than at the beginning of March.

That means that $10,000 invested in Life360 shares at the start of March has already lost value, now worth just $8,718.

Meanwhile, $10,000 invested in Life360 shares this time last year would now be worth $10,019.

Should investors sell up before losses worsen? 

Analysts don’t think so. In fact, it looks like the current share price could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy into Life360 shares cheaply. Because if analyst predictions are correct, the tech stock could soar higher this year.

TradingView data shows that most analysts are extremely bullish on Life360’s shares over the next 12 months. 

Out of 15 analysts, 12 have a buy or strong buy rating, and three have a hold rating on the stock. 

The average target price for Life360 shares is $39.82, implying a huge potential 85.9% upside at the time of writing. But some are even more bullish, expecting the stock to rocket 137.81% to $50.94 apiece over the next 12 months.

With these types of returns, $10,000 invested at the start of March could be worth up to $23,781 by this time next year.

The post $10,000 invested in Life360 shares at the start of March is now worth… 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 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.

With markets swinging significantly over the past week, it can be a challenge not to overreact. 

At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 5% and the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) is down nearly 2% just since the beginning of March. 

Watching your portfolio plummet can induce panic. 

However it’s at times like these investors need to remain focussed on the long-term. 

Research from Betashares reinforced the importance of this discipline. 

Hans Lee, Senior Finance Writer at BetaShares said price swings and permanent losses are not the same thing. 

What often separates the two is whether an individual stayed invested long enough for the market to do its job.

During the Liberation Day sell-down, a hypothetical investor who sold right at the top and reinvested just 3 months later would have underperformed an investor who ‘rode out’ the crash without selling by more than 8% in less than a year.

In other words, remaining invested would have resulted in better returns.

For those investors focussed on holding through the volatility, here are three ASX ETFs that have risen steadily over the long term. 

BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)

Put simply, this ASX ETF aims to track the performance of an index (before fees and expenses) comprising 200 of the largest companies by market capitalisation listed on the ASX.

The fund includes blue-chip companies like the big four banks, as well as mining and materials giants. 

It is a popular option for investors looking for simple exposure to the ASX 200. 

Furthermore, it has a strong track record, with a per annum return of 10.97% over the last 5 years. 

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

A nice compliment to an Australian focussed ASX ETF is this fund from Vanguard. 

It includes around 1,300 companies from developed countries, excluding Australia.

Investing internationally offers greater access to sectors such as technology and health care that aren’t as well represented in the Australian share market.

It has brought annual returns of almost 15% over the last 5 years. 

Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index ETF (ASX: V500)

This fund from Vanguard is actually brand new. 

It only hit the market last week. 

However, the fund provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of the 500 largest publicly listed U.S. companies across all major sectors. 

While the fund is new, the index it tracks – the S&P 500 – is one of the benchmark US indexes. 

The index is up 71.19% over the last 5 years. 

The post Look long-term with these 3 ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. 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 Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There are always ASX share opportunities to be found given how share prices and earnings are regularly changing. Experts recently called two particular businesses a buy after considering their latest developments and updates.

When experts call a business a buy, it’s worth taking note because of the positive outlook that the analysts have identified for the business(es).

The two stocks I’m going to highlight are both from outside the tech industry. Accordingly, they could have clearer growth outlooks than others because they’re not as exposed to possible AI impacts. Let’s take a look at why the ASX shares are buy-rated by UBS.

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

UBS describes GQG as a boutique active asset manager that specialises in managing global shares. The business has a track record of strong performance over most of its life and it also provides funds for a relatively low cost.

The broker said that the month of February 2026 saw a record high funds under management (FUM) which was a 4.3% month-over-month increase, driven by investment returns. However, it continued to experience elevated net outflows of US$3.2 billion, though lower than UBS was expecting of US$3.7 billion.

There was an improvement in US equity outflows, with that strategy experiencing a sharp improvement in performance in US equities flows. This suggests that this rebound could lead to a relatively quick turnaround in outflows.

However, the emerging market strategy, where underperformance has been deepest, continues to be a headwind with outflows for the ASX share.

Pleasingly, early March has seen outperformance by GQG’s strategies. UBS then explained why it rates GQG as a buy with a price target of $2:

We continue to see GQG as an attractive market-hedge, and a relative performance beneficiary of the current backdrop given its defensive portfolio tilts.

Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI)

UBS describes Orica as the world’s largest supplier of commercial explosives and blasting systems servicing both the mining and infrastructure sectors. The broker also noted that the business manufactures ammonium nitrate (AN) from its plants in Australia, North America and Indonesia.

UBS recently released a note highlighting that the ASX share released a trading update which included expectations that the FY26 first half operating profit (EBIT) will be slightly higher than the prior corresponding period of A$493 million. That expectation is “broadly consistent” with the average forecast of market analysts (consensus) of A$493 million.

However, Orica expects blasting solutions EBIT to be lower year over year because of foreign exchange rates and lower Indonesian coal demand. Digital solutions and specialty mining chemicals are supposedly on track to deliver EBIT growth of 20% and 15%, respectively, year-over-year thanks to strong gold and copper exploration and production demand.

UBS is forecasting that Orica’s FY26 EBIT could grow by 2% despite the foreign exchange and Indonesian demand headwinds. The broker said:

We retain our Buy rating with the stock offering a 3yr EPS CAGR of 8% (FY25-28E) linked to resilient global mine production activity, and supportive AN prices given potentially tightening global supply. UBS rates Orica as a buy with a price target of $27.

The post 2 compelling ASX shares experts rate as buys in March appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

It has been a strange 12 months for Australian investors with a number of normally reliable ASX 200 blue chip shares crashing deep into the red.

For example, the two blue-chip shares in this article have fallen by over 40% since this time last year, putting a big dent in investor portfolios and superannuation funds.

While that is disappointing, one leading broker appears to believe it could have created a compelling buying opportunity for investors.

Here are two beaten-down ASX 200 blue-chip shares that could be dirt cheap according to Morgans.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

While not impressed with this biotech’s half-year results, Morgans thinks investors should be snapping up CSL shares this month. It has put a buy rating and $241.34 price target on them, which implies potential upside of almost 70% for investors.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Morgans said:

1HFY26 result was softer and less clean than expected, with adjusted NPATA declining 7% and revenue modestly below forecasts. The result was further complicated by US$1.1bn in impairment charges, largely relating to Vifor and Seqirus, weighing on statutory earnings and sentiment. Importantly, FY26 guidance was maintained, despite Behring weakness and heightened scrutiny following the announced CEO transition, suggesting a 2H recovery, pointing to an execution reset, not structural impost, in our view.

The outlook looks supported through a combination of cost-outs, marketing initiatives, new product launches and diminishing headwinds, reinforced by the Board’s urgency around operational delivery. We adjust FY26-28 forecasts modestly, with our PT decreasing to A$241.34. BUY.

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

Another ASX 200 blue chip share that Morgans is bullish on is building materials company James Hardie. It has put a buy rating and $45.75 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $29.46, this suggests that upside of 55% is possible for investors.

Morgans was pleased with James Hardie’s performance in the third quarter and thinks now could be the time to buy. It explains:

JHX delivered a clean Q3 beat with sequential margin improvement, disciplined execution on AZEK integration, and early evidence that volumes in core Siding & Trim (S&T) are stabilising at low levels. While NPAT remains temporarily weighed by amortisation and higher interest, the underlying margin trajectory and synergy capture both point to improving earnings quality into FY27.

With US housing likely near the trough, we see medium-term upside as organic growth returns, synergies compound, and leverage falls toward <2.0x by 3Q28. We retain our BUY rating and lift our valuation to A$45.75/sh.

The post Down 40%: 2 ASX 200 blue-chip shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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.

It has been a rough year for shareholders of CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL).

Earlier this week, the biotech giant’s share price hit a multi-year low of $140.93 during a broader market selloff. 

Even after a modest rebound, the stock is still trading at $142.58, which leaves it down roughly 43% over the past 12 months.

For a company long considered one of the highest-quality businesses on the ASX, that sort of decline naturally raises questions. What exactly has gone wrong, and does the weakness create an opportunity for investors?

A combination of issues weighing on sentiment and the CSL share price

Part of the explanation comes down to the company’s recent performance.

CSL’s latest half-year results were softer than many investors had expected. Underlying profit fell 7% for the period and revenue declined slightly, reflecting a combination of operational headwinds and policy changes in some key markets.

The results were also complicated by significant one-off items. CSL recorded around US$1.1 billion in impairment charges related largely to assets within its Vifor and Seqirus divisions, which dragged reported profit sharply lower and weighed on sentiment.

At the same time, investors have been digesting broader changes within the business. The company has been undertaking a major transformation program designed to simplify operations, reduce costs, and improve long-term growth.

Transitions like this can be messy in the short term, even when the long-term goal is to strengthen the business.

Leadership changes have also added to the uncertainty, while competition in certain product categories and policy changes affecting healthcare reimbursement have created additional near-term pressure.

Put all that together and I think it becomes easier to see why CSL’s share price has struggled over the past year.

But the long-term story hasn’t disappeared

Despite the challenges, I think it is important to remember that CSL remains one of the largest and most sophisticated biotechnology companies in the world.

The company continues to generate billions of dollars in revenue from therapies that treat serious and often rare diseases. Its plasma-derived medicines, vaccines, and iron therapies remain critical treatments for patients globally.

Importantly, the company still expects growth to improve in the second half of the financial year. Management has maintained its guidance for approximately 2% to 3% revenue growth and 4% to 7% growth in underlying profit for FY26, excluding one-off restructuring costs and impairments.

That outlook reflects expectations that growth in key therapies, particularly immunoglobulin and albumin products, alongside newly launched treatments, will help drive a stronger second half.

Has the sell-off created a buying opportunity?

This is where I think the debate becomes interesting.

According to analysts at Morgans, CSL’s first-half result was “softer and less clean than expected,” with profit declining and impairments weighing on statutory earnings.

However, the broker also noted that the company maintained its full-year guidance despite the challenges, suggesting that the issues appear more related to execution and short-term disruptions rather than structural problems.

In Morgans’ view, the outlook is supported by cost reductions, marketing initiatives, new product launches, and diminishing headwinds. The broker continues to rate the stock as a buy with a price target of $241.34. This is almost 70% above the current CSL share price.

Foolish takeaway

There is no denying that CSL’s past year has been disappointing for shareholders. A combination of softer results, impairments, leadership changes, and broader market volatility has pushed the share price sharply lower.

But the company still operates a global biotechnology franchise built on specialised therapies, strong research capabilities, and decades of expertise.

If management can execute on its transformation program and deliver the growth it expects in the years ahead, I think the recent selloff could eventually look like an incredible buying opportunity.

The post What on earth’s going on with the CSL share price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 40%: 2 ASX 200 blue-chip shares to buy
• Just 3 ASX ETFs could build a lazy Australian millionaire portfolio
• 5 ASX shares I’d buy with $5,000 today
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• After the ASX 200’s latest slide, I spy bargain shares!

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.

Here’s a simple portfolio with 3 ASX ETFs that many investors consider a strong foundation for building wealth over time. It’s also known as the lazy Australian millionaire portfolio.

Instead of trying to pick individual winners, this approach focuses on owning the market through a handful of low-cost exchange-traded funds.

Over time, diversified ETF portfolios like this have proven remarkably resilient. They have navigated events such as the dot-com crash, the Global Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 market shock.

Yet investors who stayed invested and reinvested their dividends have still benefited from powerful long-term compounding. Let’s have a closer look at the 3 ASX ETFs.

BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)

The first building block is the BetaShares Australia 200 ETF. This ASX ETF tracks the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and provides exposure to 200 of the largest companies listed on the Australian market.

In other words, investors gain broad exposure to the Australian economy in a single trade. The fund’s biggest holdings include blue chips such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL).

One of the biggest advantages of A200 is its ultra-low cost. With a management fee of just 0.04%, it is one of the cheapest ASX ETFs available on the Australian share market. Low fees are critical for long-term investors because they leave more of the portfolio’s returns in shareholders’ pockets.

Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

Next comes global diversification through the Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF. While Australia has many strong companies, it represents only a small share of the global stock market.

This ASX ETF solves this problem by investing in more than 1,300 companies across developed markets including the United States, Europe and Japan. Its largest holdings include global giants such as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA).

These businesses dominate their industries and generate enormous cash flows. By owning VGS, investors gain exposure to some of the most innovative and powerful companies in the world.

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The final piece of the puzzle is the ASX ETF ASIA. This fund focuses on leading technology companies across Asia, a region that has become one of the most dynamic growth engines of the global economy.

The portfolio includes well-known companies such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE: BABA) and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd (KRX: 005930).

Asia’s rapidly expanding middle class, rising technology adoption and growing digital economies could provide powerful long-term tailwinds for these companies.

Foolish Takeaway

The beauty of this lazy millionaire portfolio lies in its simplicity. With just three low-cost ASX ETFs, investors can build a diversified portfolio designed to weather market volatility while still capturing long-term growth.

A simple allocation could see investors place around 40% into A200, 40% into VGS and 20% into ASIA. Together, these three ETFs provide exposure to hundreds of leading companies across Australia and the global economy.

For patient investors willing to stay invested and reinvest dividends along the way, this ASX ETFs portfolio shows that sometimes the simplest strategy can also be the most powerful.

The post Just 3 ASX ETFs could build a lazy Australian millionaire portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 40%: 2 ASX 200 blue-chip shares to buy
• What on earth’s going on with the CSL share price?
• How these 2 ASX ETFs benefit from Chinese innovation: Expert
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• Here’s what experts think will happen with the RBA interest rate this month

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, CSL, and Nvidia and is short shares of Apple. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, CSL, Nvidia, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

China just commenced its 2026 Two Sessions meeting.

The Two Sessions is an annual meeting of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and its political advisory body, the CPPCC.

It provides a rare opportunity for investors to understand the country’s thinking on the economy. It includes the country’s GDP growth target, fiscal priorities, and key policy agenda set for the year ahead.

The team at Betashares released a report yesterday, analysing the outcome. The report also provided a snapshot of how investors can position themselves to benefit. 

Why is this meeting important for Aussie investors?

China’s annual “Two Sessions” can have a meaningful impact on Australian investors. 

Australia’s economy – and many of its listed companies – are closely tied to Chinese demand. 

The policy signals coming out of the meetings often shape expectations for commodities, trade flows, and regional growth, all of which influence Australian markets.

What did Betashares have to say?

According to Hugh Lam, Investment Strategist at Betashares, the most notable shift was the GDP target moving from a single figure of ‘around 5%’ to a range of 4.5–5%.

He said this is signallying a deliberate move away from ‘growth at any cost’ toward prioritising high quality, sustainable development. 

While the softer target may be viewed negatively, the range provides more policy flexibility with room to either meet the minimum target or to surprise on the upside.

Ultimately, the change reflects an acknowledgment from the Chinese government that the external trade environment remains highly uncertain and that recalibrating internal growth drivers away from exports toward consumption will take some time.

The report said the policy mix increasingly rewards sectors tied to the innovation, self-sufficiency and clean energy themes.

Simultaneously, it is penalising sectors reliant on infrastructure spending or consumer confidence that has yet to meaningfully recover.

ASX ETFs set to benefit

Betashares said the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan is set to embed AI and technological self-sufficiency as core national priorities. Increased fixed asset investment in this area should support continued growth.

Additionally, strong policy tailwinds, global leadership in clean energy, and an increased need for energy security amid the ongoing war in Iran present tailwinds for renewables. 

The team at Betashares is bullish on Chinese/Asia technology and renewables. 

The report identified two ASX ETFs that offer exposure to these sectors: 

• Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf (ASX: ASIA) – Targets the 50 largest technology and online retail stocks in Asia (ex-Japan). 
• Betashares Energy Transition Metals Etf (ASX: XMET) – XMET provides exposure to global producers of copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, manganese, silver and rare earth elements. 

The post How these 2 ASX ETFs benefit from Chinese innovation: Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. 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.

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) shares were one of the standout performers on the Australian share market Wednesday. The share price of the rare earths producer surged 16% to $20.59.

Lynas shares continued a remarkable run that has seen the stock climb roughly 192% over the past 12 months and about 65% since the start of 2026.

Here’s why Lynas shares were racing higher Wednesday — and whether the rally could continue.

Long-term Japanese supply deal

Lynas shares soared after the company announced a major long-term supply agreement with Japanese industry, locking in demand for its rare earth products. 

Under the deal, Japan will secure access to Lynas’ rare earth materials for 12 years. The agreement also includes a minimum pricing structure, designed to protect producers from aggressive price undercutting in the market. 

Investors appear to have welcomed the move. Long-term supply contracts provide greater revenue visibility and reinforce Lynas’ position as a critical supplier for countries looking to reduce their reliance on Chinese rare earth processing.

Given the strategic nature of these materials, which are essential for EV motors, wind turbines, and defence systems, the deal strengthens Lynas’ geopolitical relevance and commercial outlook.

Strengths behind the Lynas rally

A major strength for Lynas is its unique strategic position in the global rare earth supply chain. China dominates roughly 90% of rare earth processing capacity, meaning Western governments are increasingly keen to secure alternative suppliers. 

As one of the few major rare earth producers outside China, Lynas has found itself in a strategic sweet spot. This has driven strong policy support and investment into companies like Lynas, which operates the Mt Weld mine in Western Australia and processing facilities in Malaysia and the US.

Demand trends also look favourable. Prices for key rare earth metals such as neodymium and praseodymium have climbed to multi-year highs amid tight supply and rising demand from electric vehicles and clean-energy technologies. 

In addition, analysts expect the company’s financial performance to accelerate in the coming years. Forecasts suggest earnings growth of around 40% per year, reflecting higher production volumes and stronger pricing. 

These tailwinds have helped fuel the extraordinary performance of Lynas shares investors have witnessed over the past year.

Risks investors should watch

Despite the strong momentum, Lynas is not without risks.

Rare earth prices can be extremely volatile, and any sharp fall could quickly weigh on earnings. The sector is also heavily influenced by geopolitical tensions and policy changes, which can shift market dynamics rapidly.

Operational risks remain another factor. Mining and processing rare earths is technically complex, and disruptions or cost blowouts at facilities could impact profitability.

What next for Lynas shares?

Valuation risk is emerging after the recent rally. Some brokers are warning Lynas shares could be running ahead of fundamentals if growth expectations fail to materialise.

As a result, Bell Potter believes the run has gone too far and that Lynas shares now reflect overly optimistic long-term rare earth prices.

The broker has a sell rating and a 12-month price target of $11.60. This suggests a 44% downside from current price levels.

The post Up 192%, where to from here for Lynas shares? 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 Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. 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.