Category: Stock Market

Kaoko Metals Ltd (ASX: KAO) shares have shifted into top gear. The ASX small cap was up 160% to $1.91 during Wednesday afternoon trading, taking its gains to roughly 390% since its IPO in May 2026.

The shares have been rising so quickly that the ASX has issued Koako with what investors commonly call an ASX ‘speeding ticket’.

So, what’s behind the extraordinary move?

Copper find sends Kaoko shares soaring

Kaoko Metals is a mineral exploration company in Perth, focused on copper and other metals in Namibia.

The flagship asset of the ASX small cap is the Chalkos Copper-Silver Project in the prospective Kaoko Belt, where the company has recently commenced its maiden diamond drilling campaign.

The first results have certainly caught investors’ attention. Two completed drill holes at the Otniel prospect intersected broad zones of visible copper mineralisation.

One hole intersected 60.25 metres of visible copper mineralisation from 36.65 metres down-hole, including a stronger 32.36-metre zone. The second hole intersected 51.83 metres from 39.27 metres, including a 17.2-metre stronger zone.

The drill core contained several copper minerals, including chalcocite, malachite, cuprite, native copper and chalcopyrite. For a small, newly listed exploration company, broad zones of visible copper in the first holes of a maiden drilling program are naturally attracting plenty of investor interest.

And when a company’s market capitalisation is relatively small, roughly $45 million at the time of writing, a rush of buying can produce some extraordinary percentage gains.

Why did the ASX small get a ‘speeding ticket’?

Despite the name, Kaoko hasn’t been fined. An ASX ‘speeding ticket’ is an informal term for a price and volume query.

When a company’s shares experience an unusually large movement, the ASX can ask the company whether it is aware of any information that could explain the trading activity and whether it has complied with its continuous disclosure obligations.

In the case of this ASX small cap, the enormous share-price move has followed the company’s announcement about its encouraging copper drilling observations.

The speeding ticket is therefore not necessarily a negative development. It is essentially the ASX asking the company to explain the unusual market activity.

The big caveat for Kaoko investors

There’s an important catch. The copper mineralisation has been visually identified in the drill core, but the actual copper grades have not yet been confirmed by laboratory assays.

Those assays will be crucial. Kaoko expects the laboratory results in approximately four to six weeks. They should provide investors with a much clearer picture of the quality and potential economic significance of the mineralisation.

Until then, the ASX small cap remains a highly speculative exploration stock. The drill results have certainly given investors plenty to get excited about, but the assays will ultimately determine whether the spectacular share-price rally has substance behind it.

The post Why is this ASX small cap up 160% to get an ASX ‘speeding ticket’? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: New Hope, BOQ, Santos shares
• Could the RBA really hike interest rates again this month?
• Here’s how Fortescue, Rio Tinto and BHP shares stacked up in August
• Down 12% in a month: Is the rally finally over for CBA shares?
• Buying Qantas shares? Here’s what happened with the ASX 200 airline in August

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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen further into the red on Wednesday. At the time of writing, the index is down around 1%, with declines across the majority of shares.

Inflation concerns, fears about more interest rate increases, and rising oil prices are spooking investors this week.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC), Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ), and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) are just some of the many companies under pressure today.

Let’s take a look at how their shares are tracking and what brokers tip next.

Hold New Hope shares

New Hope shares have fallen around 1.5% and are trading at $6.02 per share at the time of writing. After a rocky start to 2026, the thermal-coal miner’s shares are now up around 49% for the year to date.

New Hope’s operational picture has strengthened over the past couple of quarters, and its latest quarterly update in mid-August shows an increase in saleable coal production, higher coal sales, and an improved underlying EBITDA. 

The company also expects its Bengalla mine to return to its targeted production rate, and a ramp-up of production at its New Acland mine.

Brokers are mostly optimistic about the outlook for New Hope. But after the latest price rally, some are concerned that the shares are now fully priced. Market Index data shows the majority have a hold rating on the ASX shares. The $5.67 target price implies around a 6% downside, at the time of writing.

Hold BOQ shares

BOQ shares were caught up in an ASX bank stock sell-off throughout August. Investors have become spooked about how banks will cope with falling mortgage demand, a weaker housing market, higher inflation, and renewed concerns about interest rate hikes.

The intermediate bank’s shares have had a volatile run this year. They’ve fluctuated anywhere between a high of $7.43 and a low of $5.91. 

At the time of writing, BOQ shares are down slightly, around 0.1%, and trading at $6.56 a piece. The shares are now around 1% lower year to date.

In early August, BOQ announced a $295 million capital return to shareholders and a fully-franked special dividend of 15 cents per share.

The bank also reported a $47 million pre-tax ($33 million post-tax) impairment charge. This was related to technology and other asset reviews and will be recognised as a notable item in its FY26 results. BOQ is expected to post its full-year FY26 results in mid-October.

Investors weren’t thrilled with the update, and its shares tumbled around 6% shortly following the results announcement.

And it looks like the shares are still trading above fair value. According to Market Index, the majority of brokers have a hold rating on the shares. But the $6.06 average target price still implies a potential downside of around 8%, at the time of writing.

Buy Santos shares

Santos shares have trended higher so far in 2026, as recurring tensions between the US and Iran continue to fuel concerns over global oil supplies and support energy prices. 

Then, in mid-August, the shares spiked to a four-year high of $8.45 per share after the company posted its FY26 results.

Santos reported a 2% year-on-year increase in sales revenue to US$2.62 billion. Production volumes were also higher, up 1.7% to 48 million barrels of oil equivalent (mboe).

But the oil and gas giant also posted a 19% decline in its half-year statutory net profit after tax (NPAT), which fell to US$355 million. 

At the time of writing, Santos shares are down around 0.3% and changing hands at $8.26 per share. The share may have softened slightly today, but over the past month, Santos shares are up around 8%, and they’re 34% higher year to date.

And going forward it looks like they could climb even higher. Market Index shows that all brokers have a strong buy rating on the shares. And the $8.57 average target price implies a potential 4% upside, at the time of writing.

The post Buy, hold, sell: New Hope, BOQ, Santos shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the ASX 200 having its worst day in 3 months?
• Santos versus Woodside shares: Which ASX energy stock outperformed in August?
• How much is needed in superannuation for $1,500 in weekly passive income?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Term deposits are paying more than ever. Are ASX dividend shares still worth it?

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.

Aussies hoping that interest rates had peaked have received some unwelcome news this morning.

The latest economic growth figures came in stronger than expected, increasing the pressure on the RBA ahead of its September meeting.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that GDP rose 0.4% in the June quarter and 2.1% over the year.

Economists had expected quarterly growth of 0.3% and annual growth of 1.8%, while the RBA had forecast annual growth of 1.9%.

According to The Australian, there’s a 60% chance of a 25-basis-point rate hike this month. That’s up from 52% before the GDP figures were released today.

So, could borrowers be facing another rate hike this month?

Let’s dive right in.

GDP comes in ahead of forecasts

While the economy is growing at a steady pace, today’s numbers were above the RBA’s forecasts.

Household consumption increased 0.4% during the quarter and contributed 0.2 points to GDP growth. Discretionary spending rose 1.4%, although the ABS said almost half of that increase came from vehicle purchases.

Private investment was flat, while GDP per capita was unchanged during the quarter and rose 0.7% over the year.

Productivity was also weak, with GDP per hour worked flat in the June quarter and down 0.2% over the year.

And that gives the RBA another reason to keep a rate hike on the table, particularly with trimmed mean inflation still running at 3.6%.

Rate hike bets are climbing

The RBA left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% in August after raising rates 3 times earlier in 2026.

At the time, it said inflation remained too high and warned there was still a risk it could stay elevated for longer.

It seems that the GDP result has given markets another reason to think the August pause may not last long.

Capital Economics head of APAC, Marcel Thieliant, told The Australian that “the bank will probably hike rates again before long, perhaps as soon as this month”.

The bond market also reacted, with Australia’s 3-year government bond yield rising to around 4.82% as traders increased their bets on another rate hike.

What happens next?

The next RBA decision is due on 29 September, which means there is still more data to come before the board meets again.

By then, the RBA should have a read on whether inflation and demand are easing enough to keep rates unchanged.

Nonetheless, all eyes will now be on what the RBA does at the end of the month.

The post Could the RBA really hike interest rates again this month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: New Hope, BOQ, Santos shares
• Here’s how Fortescue, Rio Tinto and BHP shares stacked up in August
• Down 12% in a month: Is the rally finally over for CBA shares?
• Buying Qantas shares? Here’s what happened with the ASX 200 airline in August
• Why is the ASX 200 having its worst day in 3 months?

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.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares put in mixed performances in August.

Two of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giants charged ahead of the 1.1% gains posted by the benchmark index in August, while one finished in the red.

Looking at the miners’ top two revenue earners, the iron ore price dipped around 2% in August to close the month at US$96 per tonne. But the copper price increased by 3.7% to end the month at US$14,294 per tonne, according to data from Bloomberg.

August also saw all two of the miners release their full-year results.

Here’s what’s been happening.

BHP shares lead the charge

The best performing of the big three ASX 200 mining stocks in the month just past is also the biggest of them all.

BHP shares closed on 31 August trading for $66.23 each, up 9.8% for the month.

BHP released its full year FY 2026 results on 18 August.

Highlights from the 12 months included 15% year-on-year increase in revenue to US$58.8 billion. Underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) leapt 27% to US$32.9 billion.

On the bottom line, the miner reported a 30% increase in underlying profit to US$13.2 billion.

That saw management boost the final FY 2026 dividend to $1.392 per share, up 51.5% from last year’s final dividend payout.

If you want to bank the boosted BHP dividend, you’ll need to own shares at market close today. The ASX 200 miner trades ex-dividend on Thursday. You can then expect to see that passive income hit your bank account on 23 September.

BHP shares closed up 2.7% on the day of the results release.

Rio Tinto shares trade ex-dividend

Like BHP shares, Rio Tinto shares outperformed in August, closing the month at $174.81 apiece, up 2.5%.

We should also note that Rio Tinto stock traded ex-dividend on 13 August. Investors who held the ASX 200 mining stock on 12 August will receive the $3.029 fully franked interim dividend on 24 September. If we add that back into the 31 August closing price, then the cumulative value of Rio Tinto shares gained 4.3% over the month.

Rio Tinto reported its half year results on 29 July. There was no fresh price sensitive news out from the company in August.

Fortescue shares take a tumble

Unlike Rio Tinto and BHP shares, Fortescue shares lost ground in August, closing the month trading for $17.70 apiece, down 4.4%.

Fortescue reported its FY 2026 results on 20 August.

On the positive side of the ledger, the miner reported revenue of US$17 billion, up 9% year-on-year. And underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) was up 3% to US$3.5 billion.

However, statutory NPAT of US$2.9 billion was down 15%. That was primarily due to the US$525 million non-cash impairment charge relating to Iron Bridge, and a US$73 million compensation claim expense.

On the passive income front, Fortescue declared a fully franked final dividend of 46 cents per share, down 23.3% from last year’s final payout. The stock traded ex-dividend yesterday.

Fortescue shares closed down 0.6% on the day of the results release.

The post Here’s how Fortescue, Rio Tinto and BHP shares stacked up in August appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the ASX 200 having its worst day in 3 months?
• Last chance to grab the supersized BHP dividend today
• How much passive income can I earn off a $630,000 superannuation balance
• Fortescue shares just hit a 52-week low. Is it time to buy?
• Buy, hold, sell: South32, Mineral Resources, BHP shares

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

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares have slumped further into the red in Wednesday lunchtime trade.

At the time of writing, the ASX bank stock is down around 1% for the day, and trading at $158.22 a piece.

The shares have now fallen around 12% over the past month, and are down roughly 2% for the year-to-date.

Why are CBA shares falling?

August was a rough month for ASX bank shares, with sharp declines reversing many gains made earlier this year.

Investor sentiment turned negative amid concerns about falling mortgage demand, a weakening housing market, and tight competition squeezing margins.

Later in the month, inflation data also came in much higher than expected, and sent the market into a frenzy. The update has prompted several major banks to revise their interest rate forecast to another hike as early as September.

The bank posted its FY26 results in mid-August, which also contributed to the falling share price.

CBA posted a 7% increase in cash NPAT and an 8% increase in statutory NPAT. Operating income also increased by 6.2%. The bank announced a $ 2.70-per-share fully-franked final dividend and a fully-franked full-year dividend of $5.05, up 20 cents.

The bank said it is the first time it has reported growth at or above system in each of its five core domestic product categories: home lending, business lending, consumer finance, household deposits, and business deposits.

But going forward, CBA flagged a cautious outlook, with softer household spending and slower economic growth.

The result was positive overall, but it raised concerns about the bank’s earnings strength and its already-high valuation against a backdrop of a weakening housing market.

I think the latest update, and other market fundamentals suggest that the CBA share price rally is finally over, and that we will make corrections over coming months.

JHer’s what the experts think.

What do brokers tip for the ASX bank stock now?

CBA shares may have fallen sharply over the month, but according to the experts there could be a lot more downside ahead.

Market Index data shows brokers still have a strong sell rating on the shares. The $125.10 average target price implies the shares could fall another 21% over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

On TradingView data, the majority (14 out of 16) have a sell/strong sell rating on CBA. The average $127.86 target price implies a potential 20% downside, and the minimum $90 suggests the shares could fall another 43%, at the time of writing.

Damien Nguyen from Morgans has a sell rating on CBA shares and thinks the bank could continue to underperform the benchmark in the months ahead.

Remo Greco from Sanlam Private Wealth also has a sell recommendation on the shares and also believes CommBank could be in for some growing headwinds.

The post Down 12% in a month: Is the rally finally over for CBA shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to earn $10,000 in passive income a month with these ASX dividend shares
• Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on CBA shares and this top ASX 200 stock
• Term deposits are paying more than ever. Are ASX dividend shares still worth it?
• Home values just fell for a fifth straight month. Which ASX shares are most exposed?
• When to sell your ASX shares? Warren Buffett has 3 answers

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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained 1.1% in August but Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares didn’t join in the rally.

Shares in the ASX 200 airline stock closed out July trading for $9.95. When the closing bell sounded on 31 August, shares were swapping hands for $9.42.

This saw the Qantas share price down 5.3% in the month just past.

Atop keeping one eye on the turbulent global oil prices in August, investors also pored over Qantas full year FY 2026 results.

Here’s what’s been happening

Qantas shares saddled with higher fuel costs

Qantas released its full financial year results on 27 August.

And most of the figures were down from FY 2025.

Management estimated that the impact from the Middle East conflict had so far cost the airline $420 million, largely due to higher jet fuel costs. Qantas’s total fuel cost for the FY 2026 came out to $5.7 billion.

Qantas reported underlying earnings per share (eps) of 96 cents, down 12.7% year-on-year.

And on the bottom line, the company’s underlying profit before tax of $2.06 billion, was down 13.8% from FY 2025.

On the passive income front, the ASX 200 airline declared a fully franked final dividend of 19.8 cents per Qantas share. That’s down 25% from last year’s final dividend payout.

That dividend is still up for grabs, by the way.

If you want to bank the final Qantas dividend, you’ll need to own shares at market close on 14 September. Qantas stock trades ex-dividend on 15 September. You can then expect to see that passive income land in your account on 14 October.

Qantas shares closed up 4.8% on the day of the results release.

As for that turbulent oil price this last month, Brent crude oil kicked off August at around US$90 per barrel. It then dropped to US$79 per barrel by 4 August amid hopes of a Middle East peace deal. But as talks faltered, oil pushed higher again.

Brent crude oil ended August right about where it started, at around US$90 per barrel, according to data from Bloomberg.

Despite higher fuel costs, Qantas expects to see its unit revenues grow by 8% to 10% in the first half of FY 2027.

How has the ASX 200 airline stock been performing in 2026?

As we head into the Wednesday lunch hour today, Qantas shares are changing hands for $9.26 apiece, down 11.8% year to date, trailing the 2.7% gains posted by the ASX 200 over this same period.

The post Buying Qantas shares? Here’s what happened with the ASX 200 airline in August appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How many Qantas shares do I need to buy for $10,000 per year of passive income?
• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts
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• Would I buy Qantas shares today?
• 9 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week

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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is heading south on Wednesday.

At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 1.38% to 8,941.9 points, with losses spread across most sectors.

There are 159 ASX 200 shares trading lower, compared with just 34 risers and 7 unchanged.

If the market closes around these levels, it would be the ASX 200’s worst session since 28 May, when the index fell 1.43%.

So, what is weighing on the market today?

What’s behind today’s fall?

The weak start followed another poor session in the US.

The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) fell 0.7%, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) dropped 1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJX: .DJI) lost 0.8%.

Oil prices and bond yields are both causing some headaches.

Brent crude surged 4.6% overnight to US$94.65 a barrel following another escalation in tensions between the US and Iran. It has since pushed above US$96 a barrel.

That is adding to inflation concerns at a time when investors are already pricing in a greater chance of further interest rate rises.

The US 10-year Treasury yield has climbed to around 4.79%. This is the highest level since October 2023, while Australian 10-year yields have moved back to levels last seen in 2011.

Mining shares are being hit hard

The resources sector is doing plenty of the damage, with copper and gold prices falling.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 2.93% to $64.88 after copper prices dropped overnight.

Gold miners are also having a difficult session, with Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares down 4.81% to $22.55 and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares falling 4.29% to $14.28.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares have also tumbled by 4.20% to $5.25.

In addition, a number of companies are trading ex-dividend today, with those moves expected to shave around 31 points off the index.

A few shares heading the other way

Energy shares are one of the few areas holding up as oil prices rise

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are up 2.02% to $33.36, and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares have gained 1.21% to $8.38.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is another standout, rising 1.94% to $4.72.

GDP beats expectations

Investors also got a new read on the economy this morning.

Our GDP grew 0.4% in the June quarter and 2.1% over the year, ahead of expectations for growth of 0.3% and 1.8%.

Even though it wasn’t a huge beat, it’s another result that could keep the interest rate discussion alive.

The post Why is the ASX 200 having its worst day in 3 months? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Santos versus Woodside shares: Which ASX energy stock outperformed in August?
• Why these ASX shares are worth watching closely today
• How to earn $10,000 in passive income a month with these ASX dividend shares
• Better buy: Telstra vs TPG Telecom shares
• The average superannuation balance for 64 year olds in Australia in FY27

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

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares have slid slightly into the red in Wednesday lunchtime trade.

At the time of writing, the ASX biotech stock is down around 0.2% and is changing hands at $172 a piece.

Despite the softer share price today, CSL shares are still up a huge 38% over the past month alone, have rebounded 86% from a multi-year low in early-June, and are now roughly flat for the year-to-date.

What has driven CSL shares higher over the past month?

After a difficult 18 months, including several market and company headwinds, it looks like investor sentiment around CSL shares have finally turned a corner and the worst could finally be over. And it appears to be driven by several tailwinds.

It looks like investors finally realised that the CSL share sell-off was overdone, and the shares were selling too cheap compared to the underlying business. 

At the same time, it looks like ASX healthcare shares have come back into favor after a significant sell-off. CSL hasn’t moved in isolation, either. Australian healthcare stocks have staged a major recovery, with the healthcare index rising more than 20% in a month recently.

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) has jumped 17% higher over the past month as investors rotate back into the sector.

CSL shares were boosted even higher after it posted an impressive FY26 result in mid-August.

CSL reported total revenue of US$15.8 billion and NPAT of US$2.6 billion. It also recorded a net loss after tax of US$2.6 billion for FY26, coming from pre-tax impairments and restructuring costs. 

CSL management describes FY26 as a ‘reset year’, with FY27 marking a return to growth.

The result came in way ahead of guidance and investors rushed to snap up the shares.

Are the shares a buy for September?

I think there is a lot of potential for the company to grow over the next few years. CSL is operating in a high-growth market, and its blood plasma division dominates the market for rare blood disorders and immunoglobulin products.

The company’s growth initiatives are clearly working. But it’s likely it will take a while longer to see the financial benefits.

At the moment, forecasts suggest the experts are mostly on the fence. But after the latest price spike, many think we’ll see a downside ahead. 

Market Index data shows that brokers are split between a buy and a hold rating on CSL shares. The $153.21 average target price now implies a potential 11% downside, at the time of writing.

Sentiment is similar on TradingView. The majority (10 out of 18) have a hold rating on the stock. However, the other eight rate CSL shares as a buy/strong buy.

The average $168.13 target price is higher, but it still implies a potential downside of around 2%, at the time of writing.

I’d consider adding them to my portfolio in September, but I’d be wary of exactly how much upside, if any, it left after CSL shares rallied in August.

The post CSL shares rebound 86%: Is the ASX biotech stock a buy, sell or hold for September? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The 5 best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in August revealed
• Top 3 ASX shares to buy in September 2026
• CSL shares are up more than 40% in a month. What just happened in the US?
• 5 things reporting season taught ASX investors about FY27
• Where will CSL shares be in 12 months? Brokers weigh in

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 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed up 1.1% in the month just past, with Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares trailing those gains while Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares just edged out the benchmark index.

Closing on 31 August trading for $24.04 apiece, Coles shares slipped 0.2% over the month.

Woolworths shares went the other way, gaining 1.4% to close the month at $40.31 each.

Both of the ASX 200 supermarket giants reported their full year FY 2026 results in August.

Here’s what’s been happening.

Woolworths shares march higher in August

Woolworths shares were in focus on 26 August following the release of the company’s FY 2026 results.

The company achieved solid growth over the year, with sales of $71.54 billion up 3.6% from FY 2025. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) (before significant items) increased by 6.7% year on year to $6.09 billion.

And on the bottom line, Woolworths reported a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.60 billion, up 15.4% (before significant items).

Passive income investors were rewarded with a 15.6% increase in the final fully franked Woolworths dividend, which came out to 52 cents per share.

“Sales momentum together with strong productivity and cost discipline has delivered solid EBIT growth with an increased contribution from all trading segments,” Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell said.

Woolworths shares closed up 3.4% on the day of the results release.

Coles shares jump on results, slip over the month

Coles released its own FY 2026 results on 25 August.

Over the 12 months, Coles reported sales revenue of $45.58 billion, up a 2.8% year-on-year. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $2.32 billion were up 9.9% (excluding significant items).

On the bottom line, Coles NPAT came out to $1.26 billion (excluding significant items) up 13.7% from FY 2025.

Coles declare a 37-cent per share fully-franked final dividend, up 15% from the prior final dividend payout.

If you want to bank the final Coles dividend, there’s still time. But not much!

To grab that passive income, you’ll need to own shares at market close today. Coles shares trade ex-dividend on 3 September.

Coles shares closed up 4.9% on the day of the results release.

How have the ASX 200 supermarkets been tracking in 2026?

In morning trade today Coles shares are changing hands for $23.74 apiece, up 11.3% year to date.

Woolworths shares are trading for $39.36 each, up 33.7% in 2026.

The post Coles versus Woolworth shares: Which ASX supermarket giant outperformed in August? 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 team at Shaw and Partners have used the recent reporting season as an opportunity to have another look at some of the companies they cover, with two in particular standing out as presenting some possible large upside.

Let’s have a look at the companies they like.

Beamtree Holdings Ltd (ASX: BMT)

Beamtree is a healthcare technology company which, in its own words, “applies deep clinical, coding and data expertise combined with AI to help hospitals and pathology labs improve clinical quality, coding accuracy, and reimbursement outcomes”.

The company said in a recent shareholder update that it had undertaken a strategic review which led to it refining its product mix, reshaping its cost base and strengthening its executive team.

The company added:

Going forward, we are focusing our investment on the products with strongest customer resonance, margin potential and capacity for innovation, namely our market leading Diagnostics product (Rippledown), our Coding solutions (PICQ and PICQ Audit, RISQ) and our Analytics platform. This year we are launching our Autonomous Coding Solutions (ACS) product and our Autonomous Data Entry (ADE) product with selected customers.

Shaw and Partners in its research note on the company said the company’s full year result of $29.2 million in revenue and negative EBITDA of $3.5 million was broadly as expected.

The broker said the business had a solid foundation to grow from, with execution now the key.

They have reduced their price target on the company from 30 cents to 25 cents, however this is still well above the current level of 10 cents.

NobleOak Life Ltd (ASX: NOL)

This small cap life insurance provider delivered a net profit of $14.1 million in FY26, up 98% while its in-force premiums grew 18% to $549.2 million.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer Anthony Brown said it was a good year, with the company achieving strong market share gains.

He added:

We are executing our growth strategy and during the year launched new partnerships and products including a new alliance with nib, one of Australia’s largest private health insurers, which is delivering encouraging early results and is expected to accelerate in FY27. Disciplined underwriting, ongoing investment in technology and AI, and a relentless focus on our customer continue to underpin our performance. As we transition from a Friendly Society to a Life Company, we are well positioned and well capitalised to deliver our next growth phase.

Shaw and Partners said NobleOak beat its guidance for both in-force premiums and underlying net profit.

The broker has a price target of $3 on the shares, compared to $1.23 currently.

The post 2 ASX small caps which could rise 140% to %150 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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 Beamtree. 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.