Category: Stock Market

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares rose 1% to 8,878.1 points yesterday on hopes of an imminent US-Iran peace deal.

Meanwhile, brokers have lowered their ratings on five ASX 200 shares this week.

Let’s take a look.

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

The Lottery Corporation share price finished yesterday’s session at $5.35, up 1.1%.

This ASX 200 consumer discretionary share has risen 2.9% in the year to date (YTD).

Morgan Stanley downgraded Lottery Corporation shares to a hold rating this week.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $5.70, implying a 7% upside from here.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) 

The Sigma Healthcare share price finished Thursday’s session at $2.89, down 1%.

Sigma Healthcare shares have risen 8.2% over the past month.

Morgans downgraded the ASX 200 healthcare share from buy to accumulate this week.

This means Morgans is still positive on the stock, but it says recent share price strength has necessitated a moderated rating.

SIG has provided a solid trading update to 30 April (domestic) and to 31 March (international), noting continuing GLP-1s tailwinds.

SIG continues its international expansion with entry into the UK market and expanding distribution capacity in New Zealand.

We have made minor upgrades to forecasts however a higher risk-free rate sees our valuation reduce modestly to A$3.30 (was $3.36).

The broker’s target price implies a potential 14% capital gain over the next year.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

The Coles share price closed at $21.81, up 0.4%, on Thursday.

This ASX 200 consumer staples share has fallen 2.5% over six months.

Bell Potter downgraded Coles shares from buy to hold this week.

The broker raised its price target from $22.35 to $22.80, suggesting a 4.5% upside from here.

Bell Potter said:

The shortfall between retail shelf price inflation and underlying food inflation in both Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and COL has widened in the recent quarter.

The competitive backdrop appears to be lifting and liquor remains challenged in a rising cost environment.

Trading a discount to WOW, there is a relative value argument to be made, particularly given the more limited exposure to discretionary channels in the near term, however we see more compelling GARP opportunities elsewhere in the consumer staples space at this juncture.

Imdex Ltd (ASX: IMD)

The Imdex share price closed at $3.94 yesterday, down 11.1%.

Over the past year, this ASX 200 materials share has lifted 45%.

Imdex develops cloud-connected devices and drilling optimisation products for the mining sector.

Jefferies downgraded Imdex shares to a hold rating on Wednesday.

The broker lifted its price target from $4.25 to $4.80, implying a 22% upside from here.

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI)

The Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure share price closed at $5.27 on Thursday, down 3%.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 industrials share has leapt 22%.

Morgans downgraded Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure shares to a hold rating this week.

The change was largely due to a 17% share price surge since March.

The broker explained:

DBI’s share price has increased c.17% since our high conviction upgrade of the stock’s rating in March. We moderate from BUY to HOLD, given 12 month potential total return has compressed to c.3%.

Next key event is this month’s AGM. We expect DBI to provide new DPS guidance for the next 12 months at or around that time and target 29.5cps.

The broker shaved its price target to $5.31, implying virtually no upside ahead.

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure will host its AGM on Wednesday 20 May in Brisbane.

The post 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• After a 40% rally, what’s next for this ASX steel stock?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Neuren Pharmaceuticals Q1 2026: DAYBUE sales soar
• What is Morgans saying about Imdex, JB Hi-Fi, and Lottery Corp shares?

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

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was in fine form and raced higher.  The benchmark index rose 0.95% to 8,878.1 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to sink

The Australian share market looks set to sink on Friday following a poor night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 136 points or 1.5% lower this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was down 0.65%, the S&P 500 fell 0.4%, and the Nasdaq edged 0.1% lower.

Oil prices mixed

ASX 200 energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) will be on watch on Friday after a mixed night for oil prices. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.9% to US$95.91 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.1% to US$101.11 a barrel. Traders appear to be waiting to hear if the US and Iran sign a peace deal.

Major ASX 200 share updates

A number of ASX 200 shares will be on watch when they release their latest updates on Friday. Among the companies that are due to release updates are investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), property listings company REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA), insurer QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE), and payments leader Block Inc. (ASX: XYZ).

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a good finish to the week after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.65% to US$4,724.1 an ounce. This has been driven by optimism that interest rate hikes will be avoided if a US-Iran peace deal is signed.

TechnologyOne shares upgraded

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) shares are undervalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has upgraded the enterprise software provider’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $31.75. It said: “Technology One announced a new contract with James Cook University (JCU) last month which in our view is significant from a product perspective. […] On the back of this contract win and clear demonstration of “the power of Plus” we have modestly increased our ARR forecasts in each period.”

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

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week
• After a 40% rally, what’s next for this ASX steel stock?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Neuren Pharmaceuticals Q1 2026: DAYBUE sales soar
• Cleanaway Waste Management hit with landfill levy ruling

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in REA Group, Technology One, and Woodside Energy Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Block, Macquarie Group, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) slid another 2.6% on Thursday to $122.00, marking a fresh nine-year low for the ASX healthcare giant.

The numbers paint a brutal picture. CSL shares are down around 14% over the past month and have lost roughly half their value over the past year.

For a company once viewed as one of the ASX’s most dependable long-term growth stories, the fall has been dramatic.

So, what’s gone wrong? And more importantly, is there a path back?

Troubles beyond sector weakness

Healthcare stocks broadly have struggled in 2026. Investor money has rotated heavily into energy producers, miners, and more defensive sectors, leaving healthcare names under pressure.

But CSL’s problems have gone beyond sector weakness.

The company has faced softer vaccine demand, operational restructuring, and the abrupt departure of its CEO. Those issues have weighed heavily on investor confidence.

Recent developments in the US have added another challenge. The removal of the US military’s annual flu vaccination requirement has raised concerns around future influenza vaccine demand. That matters because CSL has significant exposure to the US vaccine market through its Seqirus business.

Investors now worry vaccine revenue growth could weaken further, especially in areas where demand had previously benefited from mandates.

Classic value trap?

All of that has helped fuel the sell-off.

And after such a sharp decline, some investors are beginning to ask whether CSL shares are turning into a classic value trap. A stock that looks cheap but keeps disappointing.

Still, writing the company off entirely may be premature.

Importantly, vaccines are not CSL’s core earnings engine. The bulk of the company’s profits come from CSL Behring, its plasma therapies division. This business develops treatments used for rare diseases, immune deficiencies, and bleeding disorders.

Demand in these areas continues to grow steadily, supported by ageing populations, better diagnosis rates, and rising healthcare spending globally.

CSL also holds a leading global position in plasma-derived therapies, giving it significant scale advantages and high barriers to entry. In other words, while one division is facing pressure, the company’s core business remains structurally strong.

What do the experts think?

Many analysts still see upside. According to data from TradingView, 12 out of 18 analysts currently rate CSL shares as a buy or strong buy.

The most bullish price target sits at $267.53, implying potential upside of nearly 120% from current levels. Even the lowest target of $152.31 suggests gains of roughly 25%.

Not everyone is convinced, however. Earlier this month, Bell Potter Securities warned CSL was “not out of the woods just yet.” The broker maintained a hold rating and cut its 12-month price target from $175 to $155.

That cautious stance reflects the uncertainty still hanging over earnings momentum and vaccine demand.

The bottom line is that CSL shares are no longer priced like a market darling. Investors are now weighing whether the recent collapse has created a rare long-term opportunity or whether more disappointment still lies ahead.

The post CSL shares hit a 9-year low, time to buy or stay away? 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 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.

This $13 billion ASX steel stock is pushing higher again.

Shares in BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) climbed 2% to $30.96 on Thursday, hovering near 52-week highs. The ASX steel stock has now surged an impressive 40% over the past six months.

By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has been pretty much flat during that time, with a gain of 0.6%.

So, what’s the ASX steel stock getting right?

Takeover chatter lingers

Back in February, BlueScope received what was described as a “best and final” takeover proposal from SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) and US-based Steel Dynamics Inc (NASDAQ: STLD) worth roughly $32.35 per share.

That followed an earlier approach in January. The board of the ASX steel stock rejected both offers, arguing they undervalued the business and its long-term prospects. But even without a deal progressing, investor interest hasn’t faded.

Takeover chatter around BlueScope hasn’t disappeared either. While no fresh formal bid has emerged in recent weeks, speculation continues to swirl following the rejected February proposal from SGH and Steel Dynamics. Both companies have publicly voiced frustration over the lack of engagement from BlueScope’s board.

Add in BlueScope management’s recent comments about remaining open to the “right” valuation, and the takeover narrative continues to linger in the background. That alone can help support a higher share price.

Unlocking hidden value

But takeover tension is only part of the story. BlueScope is also trying to unlock additional value internally. The ASX steel stock has been selling surplus land across New South Wales and Victoria while developing a broader pipeline of property projects.

That matters because these assets could generate meaningful earnings outside the core steel business. In other words, investors may be starting to recognise value that previously sat under the radar.

Some sceptics may also view this as part of a broader strategy to show the company is worth far more than recent takeover offers suggested.

Sharp turnaround, risks remain

Operationally, the business also appears stronger than in previous steel cycles.

Management has focused heavily on cost discipline, product mix improvements, and expanding higher-margin steel products. That has helped reduce some of the earnings volatility traditionally associated with the steel sector.

And recent financial results have been strong. In its latest half-year result, the ASX steel stock reported a 4% increase in revenue to $8.22 billion. Net profit after tax jumped 118% to $390.8 million for the six months to 31 December 2025.

That’s a sharp turnaround and a major reason investor confidence has improved.

Still, risks remain. Steel remains a highly cyclical industry. If global construction activity or manufacturing slows, steel demand and pricing can weaken quickly.

BlueScope also faces exposure to international markets, particularly North America and Asia. That creates additional risks around currency movements, tariffs, and broader trade uncertainty.

What next for the ASX steel stock?

Analyst sentiment remains reasonably positive, although expectations appear more measured from here. According to data from TradingView, seven out of 10 analysts rate the ASX steel stock a buy or strong buy.

However, the average price target sits only slightly above current trading levels. The most bullish forecast points to $35.00 per share, implying potential upside of around 13%. That suggests much of the easy optimism may already be reflected in the share price.

The post After a 40% rally, what’s next for this ASX steel stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Neuren Pharmaceuticals Q1 2026: DAYBUE sales soar
• Cleanaway Waste Management hit with landfill levy ruling

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.

A long holding period can make exchange-traded fund (ETF) investing much simpler.

Rather than trying to guess which market will perform best over the next few months, investors can focus on funds with broad exposure, durable themes, and the ability to compound over many years.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth buying and holding for a decade or more.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to 500 of the largest listed companies in the United States. That makes it a simple way to access many of the world’s most influential businesses through a single ASX trade.

The appeal is not just the size of the market. The S&P 500 includes companies across technology, healthcare, financials, consumer goods, and industrials. This gives the fund exposure to a wide range of earnings drivers.

Its holdings include names such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B).

For long-term investors, this fund offers a straightforward way to participate in the growth of corporate America without needing to pick individual winners.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

Another ASX ETF that could suit a long holding period is the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF.

Consumer staples companies sell products that people tend to buy regardless of economic conditions. This includes food, beverages, household goods, personal care products, and other everyday essentials.

That gives this fund a more defensive profile than many growth-focused ETFs.

Its underlying companies may not always be the fastest growers, but they can offer steady earnings and pricing power through different market environments.

Its holdings include companies such as Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST), Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT), and Nestle (SWX: NESN).

This type of exposure can be useful over a decade or more because it is tied to recurring consumer demand. People continue to buy groceries, cleaning products, and household essentials in strong and weak economies alike.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

A third ASX ETF worth considering is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF.

This fund provides broad exposure to developed share markets outside Australia. This includes companies listed in the United States, Europe, Japan, and other major economies.

The fund is designed to give investors access to global growth in a simple way. Rather than relying heavily on the Australian market, it spreads exposure across thousands of international companies.

Its holdings include Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM).

This breadth is the main attraction. The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF gives investors exposure to different industries, currencies, and economic regions, helping reduce reliance on any single market.

For those looking to build global exposure through the ASX, it arguably remains one of the most straightforward options to hold for the long term.

The post 3 strong ASX ETFs to buy and hold for a decade or more appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How to become a millionaire with ASX shares starting with $0
• Why I’d buy these ASX ETFs if I had $500 spare
• Here’s why I think ASX growth investors should embrace index investing in 2026
• Inside the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (VGS)’s big April gain
• How to shave a decade off retirement with 3 ASX stocks and ETFs

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Costco Wholesale, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Nvidia, Walmart, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Nestlé. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. 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) enjoyed another strong day this Thursday, building on the stunning session we saw yesterday. By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had gained a solid 0.96%, leaving the index at 8,878.1 points.

This impressive showing from the local markets comes after a similarly jubilant night over on the American boards.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was on fire last night, shooting 1.2% higher.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even hotter, rising 2.02%.

But let’s return ot the ASX now and check out how today’s optimism filtered down into the different ASX sectors this session.

Winners and losers

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Neuren Pharmaceuticals Q1 2026: DAYBUE sales soar
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• Why is this ASX industrial stock storming higher today?
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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Megaport and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you have $20,000 available to invest in May, the ASX growth shares in this article could be worth a closer look.

Let’s see why they could be standout picks this month:

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The first ASX growth share that continues to stand out is WiseTech Global.

WiseTech provides software to the global logistics industry through its CargoWise platform. This software helps freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers manage complex cross-border supply chains.

It operates in a large, fragmented industry that is still becoming more digital, and global logistics is full of manual processes, regulatory complexity, and time-sensitive decisions. That creates a strong need for software that can improve efficiency and reduce friction.

WiseTech has also expanded its product suite through acquisitions and internal development, giving it more ways to deepen relationships with customers.

As logistics companies continue investing in technology, WiseTech appears well placed to capture more of that spending.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Another ASX growth share worth looking at in May is investment platform provider Hub24.

It has been benefiting from a long-running shift away from legacy wealth platforms toward newer, more flexible technology.

Funds under administration are a key driver for the business. As more advisers move client assets onto the platform, Hub24 can grow revenue while also benefiting from scale.

The company has built a strong position in a competitive market by focusing on functionality, service, and adviser needs. That has helped it win market share from larger incumbents. In fact, it continues to report market share gains quarter after quarter. This saw it recently reveal a market share of 9.7%, which was up from 8.3% a year ago.

With Australia’s wealth management industry still evolving, Hub24 has a long runway if it can keep attracting advisers and growing platform balances.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

A third ASX growth share to look at is Life360.

It has built a global platform focused on family safety, location sharing, and digital protection. Its app is used by around 100 million people, giving the company a large base from which to grow.

The opportunity is increasingly about turning engagement into earnings. Life360 can do this by converting more users into paying subscribers and expanding the services available within its platform.

This makes the business more interesting than a simple app story. It is building a subscription ecosystem around safety, mobility, and family connectivity. It has even launched a pet service too.

If Life360 continues improving monetisation while growing its global user base, it could deliver strong earnings growth over the coming years.

The post 3 amazing ASX growth shares to buy in May with $20,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Why Life360 shares are a strong buy this week
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 3 of the best Aussie ASX growth shares to buy and hold until 2036
• 3 ASX 200 shares on my May watchlist

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360 and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24, Life360, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are up 0.8% to 8,865.9 points on Thursday.

The market has rallied on hopes of a US-Iran peace deal.

Meanwhile, Morgans has updated its ratings and price targets on three ASX shares.

Let’s check them out.

Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6)

The Minerals 260 share price is 75 cents, down 1.7% today but up 474% over 12 months.

In a new note, Morgans said the gold miner had awarded a building contract for a 400-person accommodation village at Bullabulling.

The broker said this marks “a key step toward development” for the ASX mineral explorer.

Ongoing drilling continues to support resource growth, conversion and strike continuity, reinforcing confidence in the scale and quality of the system.

As a result, our confidence in Bullabulling’s commerciality strengthens and update our model to reflect a larger-scale operation …

We maintain our BUY rating and lift our price target to A$1.40ps (from A$1.20ps), driven by the increased scale and improved production profile under our revised development scenario.

Atlas Arteria Ltd (ASX: ALX)

The Atlas Arteria share price is $4.79, down 0.6% today but up 13% over the past month.

The recent gain is due to a hostile takeover bid from IFM Investors.

Atlas Arteria’s independent directors have recommended that shareholders reject the offer of $4.75 per share.

Morgans moved from a trim to a hold rating this week. It has a share price target of $4.22 on the toll roads operator.

The broker said:

ALX recommended its investors ignore IFM’s hostile off-market takeover bid, citing the offer price as too low, the timing opportunistic, and the offer highly conditional. It also disclosed it initiated a sale process for its interest in Chicago Skyway which, if successful, could be value accretive (at least to our valuation).

While the Chicago Skyway divestment process is underway we moderate our rating from TRIM to HOLD given potential for value realisation above what we consider to be the intrinsic value of the asset and hence driving our ALX valuation up close to where the share price is currently trading.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

The Super Retail share price is $11.20, down 4% today and down 16.4% over 12 months.

Morgans released a note today maintaining its hold rating on this ASX retail share. Its price target is $12.90.

The broker said:

SUL delivered a softer trading update, with all divisions seeing a deceleration in LFL sales through Mar/Apr (group LFL -2%) and group gross margin compression.

Weaker consumer sentiment from inflationary pressures (fuel and rates) weighed over the key Easter period as the promotional environment remains intense.

Limited earnings visibility and a challenging backdrop persist, with capital management initiatives unlikely to feature in FY26.

The post Buy, hold, or sell? Minerals 260, Atlas Arteria, Super Retail shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Why are Super Retail shares crashing 13% today?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Super Retail Group provides a trading update
• Which ASX 200 stock is lifting after a hostile takeover update?

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

Most ASX lithium stocks are rising on Thursday amid a 58% increase in the lithium carbonate price in 2026 alone.

The lithium carbonate price is US$27,528 per tonne at the time of writing.

It rose nearly 6% in the last trading session and is up 18% over the past month and 181% year over year.

Lithium carbonate is now at its highest level since 2023 amid renewed and growing long-term demand for lithium batteries.

The lithium spodumene price has also ripped from less than US$600 per tonne in June last year to US$2,752 per tonne today.

Lithium prices endured a two-year downward spiral before turning a corner in mid-2025 as supply and demand rebalanced.

The green energy transition is the key driver of new demand, while the global oil shock has highlighted the draw of electric vehicles (EVs).

On top of that, supply has rebalanced after many young lithium miners shuttered their operations in 2023 and 2024 as prices collapsed.

Analysts at Trading Economics said:

The surge in crude oil and product prices since the start of March supported the outlook for larger economies to favor new energy vehicles, which use batteries that take lithium as a major input.

Demand also remained supported by Chinese investment in power infrastructure, recently consolidated with Beijing stating it would double national EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2027.

Fresh buying is also featured from data center operators, whose power storage systems require more lithium than those used by EVs, on the historical capital investments by AI companies and hardware producers.

Lithium is leaving other commodities in the dust when it comes to year-to-date (YTD) growth.

The 58% gain for lithium carbonate compares to 3.5% for iron ore, 8.9% for gold, 8% for copper, and 9% for silver.

How are ASX lithium stocks performing today?

Today, the best performing ASX lithium shares for price growth include IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO), up 4.3% to $8.43 per share.

The IGO share price is up 2.6% in the YTD and 103% over 12 months.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are up 2.1% to $71.42 on Thursday.

The Mineral Resources share price is up 29% in the YTD and up 242% over 12 months.

The Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price is down 1.2% today at $2.51.

However, Liontown shares have been on a tear this year, up 55% YTD and up 348% over 12 months.

The market’s largest pure-play lithium company, PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), cracked a new record at $6.38 today.

The PLS Group share price is currently $6.34, up 1.6% for the day and up 47.1% in the YTD.

Which ASX lithium stocks are a buy?

On the CommSec trading platform, IGO shares have a consensus moderate buy rating from 16 analysts.

UBS is among the brokers with a buy recommendation.

Late last month, the broker raised its price target from $9.05 to $9.75, implying a 15% upside from here.

Mineral Resources has a consensus moderate buy rating among 15 analysts tracking the ASX lithium stock on CommSec.

Morgans has an accumulate rating and recently raised its 12-month target from $67 to $71.

In a new note, the broker described a “compelling outlook supported by continued deleveraging and commodity prices”.

Liontown shares have a consensus hold rating among 12 analysts rating it on CommSec.

Morgans downgraded Liontown shares from hold to trim but with an improved $2.20 price target this week.

The broker said:

Weak 3Q26 result was driven by lower recoveries, though ramp-up is progressing well and cash flow turned positive.

Outlook is improving with recoveries and spodumene prices lifting.

Move to a TRIM with a A$2.20ps TP on valuation but the outlook remains positive.

PLS Group shares score a consensus moderate hold rating from 18 analysts on CommSec.

The hold rating is unsurprising given the market’s largest ASX lithium stock by market cap is trading at record price levels.

Bell Potter is among the brokers with a hold rating on PLS Group shares.

In a recent note, the broker said:

At current lithium market prices, PLS will generate substantial earnings and cash flow ahead of the restart of the 200ktpa Ngungaju processing plant.

P2000 and Colina development studies are being progressed, providing substantial organic growth optionality in markets with strong underlying EV and BESS-led long term demand fundamentals.

The post ASX lithium stocks to buy amid commodity price rocketing 58% already this year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) shares are being sold off again on Thursday as investors take another look at one of the ASX’s hottest stocks.

At the time of writing, the 4DMedical share price is down a sizeable 10.39% to $3.405.

That puts the stock down around 40% over the past month. It also leaves the share price more than 50% below its recent high of $7.37, which was reached on 14 April.

While the move is not being driven by any new announcements today, the sell-off appears tied to weaker momentum after a huge recent run.

Here’s what investors are looking at.

A huge rally is now unwinding

This pullback follows a massive run in the share price.

Even after the recent drop, 4DMedical shares are still up around 1,040% since this time last year.

The stock has been helped by a string of updates over the past 12 months. These include regulatory progress, commercial agreements, and stronger interest in the company’s lung imaging technology.

Its CT:VQ platform uses existing CT scans to create detailed maps of lung ventilation and blood flow. 4DMedical has previously highlighted US clearance, UK certification, and a commercial contract with GlaxoSmithKline as key steps.

That run helped send the share price to an all-time high in April.

Since then, investors appear to have been locking in gains as sentiment has cooled.

The stock has recorded several heavy down days, falling 5.47% yesterday and more than 20% over the past week.

The chart looks under pressure

The technical picture has also weakened.

The stock has broken well below its recent highs and is now trading near the bottom end of its recent range. The overall trend since mid-April has been lower, with each bounce struggling to hold.

The relative strength index (RSI) is sitting around 29, which puts the stock close to oversold territory. Meanwhile, the Bollinger Bands show the share price trading near the lower end of its recent range.

The lower band is sitting around $2.75, while the upper band is above $5.

From here, the first support area looks to be around $3.30, near the recent intraday low. If that breaks, the next level to watch could be closer to the lower Bollinger Band near $2.75.

Foolish takeaway

I can see why investors are taking some money off the table after such a big run.

4DMedical has clear commercial progress, but the stock had raced a long way ahead of current earnings.

Personally, I would not be chasing this sell-off today. I would want to see the share price settle first, especially around the $3.30 support area.

The post Why this ASX 200 rocket stock is crashing again today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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.