Category: Stock Market

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a solid gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.6% to 8,977.7 points.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are falling:

Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6)

The Clarity Pharmaceuticals share price is down almost 8% to $2.89. This follows the announcement of a commercial manufacturing agreement for 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA with Nucleus Radiopharma. It is an innovative contract development and manufacturing organisation in the radiopharmaceutical industry. Clarity’s executive chair, Dr Alan Taylor, said: “Clarity is building a strong foundation with its supply and manufacturing strategy to support a large-scale commercial rollout of 64Cu-SARbisPSMA from day one, with capability to supply not only the entire existing PSMA PET market, but a larger pool of patients that could benefit from our optimised product, given the promising data we have seen in the clinic to date.”

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas share price is down 1% to $8.93. This follows the release of a market update from the airline operator today. As was widely expected, Qantas revealed that fuel costs have risen strongly. It now expects jet fuel costs for the second half to be $3.1 billion to $3.3 billion. This is more than double previous expectations. It also advised that net debt is now expected at or above the midpoint, but within Qantas’ target range. And while the $300 million interim dividend will be paid on 15 April, its $150 million buyback remains on hold.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

The Universal Store share price is down 3% to $7.20. This morning, this youth fashion retailer announced the exit of its CEO, Alice Barbery, later this year. However, Universal Store has acted fast and named George Do as her successor. Universal Store’s chair, Peter Birtles, said: “On behalf of the Board and the Universal team, I would like to thank Alice for her outstanding leadership of the Company over the past 17 years. During this time, she has overseen the continued strong growth and performance of the Universal Store retail banner, the creation and successful rollout of the Perfect Stranger retail banner and the acquisition of the CTC business.”

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

The Westpac share price is down 2.5% to $41.60. Investors have been selling the banking giant’s shares following the release of an update on its first-half expectations. The bank advised that: “Balance sheet momentum was solid with lending and deposit growth of 4% and 3% respectively; Core NIM, excluding the timing impact of rate rises, was stable in 2Q26; Ongoing productivity initiatives supported a 2% decline in expenses; and Asset quality metrics improved and the CET1 capital ratio strengthened in 2Q26.”

The post Why Clarity, Qantas, Universal Store, and Westpac shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Westpac, Cleanaway and Qantas shares are catching ASX investor interest on Tuesday
• Why Clarity Pharmaceuticals shares just fell 5% on today’s announcement
• This ASX retail stock is sliding after a surprise leadership announcement
• Qantas shares dip after fresh market update puts FY26 in focus
• Why Westpac shares are holding near record highs after a $75 million hit

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. 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 Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Cuscal Ltd (ASX: CCL) shares are off the board on Tuesday, leaving the stock parked at $4.21 after a strong 12-month run.

The pause comes at an interesting point in the stock’s recent performance.

Only yesterday, the shares closed 3% lower at $4.21 after touching $4.35 intraday, suggesting some repositioning may already have been underway.

Even after that softer finish, the stock is still up roughly 72% over the past 12 months.

That keeps expectations elevated heading into the next update.

Here’s what investors are waiting on.

Trading halt points to a larger corporate move

According to the release, Cuscal requested the halt pending a material acquisition announcement and associated equity raising.

The company expects the pause to remain in place until either a further update is released or trading resumes on Wednesday morning.

That may explain why Monday’s move remained relatively contained despite the broader S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) slipping 0.46%.

The main question is whether the acquisition strengthens Cuscal’s position in Australia’s growing payments and regulated data infrastructure markets.

Investors will also be watching whether issuing new shares puts pressure on the stock.

The company already completed the Indue acquisition in December 2025. That could also signal management is stepping up a broader consolidation strategy across banking and payments infrastructure.

Why the market may still stay constructive

Cuscal entered this trading pause with solid business momentum already in place.

At its half-year result, the company reported double-digit profit growth, supported by the Indue contribution and continued growth in core operating income. That helped reinforce the view that scale benefits across payments infrastructure are beginning to flow through more clearly.

The stock is also still trading comfortably above its $2.50 listing price set at its November 2024 IPO.

That suggests investors have been willing to pay up for exposure to one of Australia’s key digital payments platforms.

That backdrop could help the market look through an equity raising, especially if the acquisition expands network scale, client reach, or data capabilities.

Foolish takeaway

Today’s halt is all about the terms of the deal still to come.

Cuscal has already shown it can integrate acquisitions and use scale to lift earnings. Another deal in payments infrastructure makes strategic sense if the numbers stack up.

The key will be whether the acquisition adds quality clients, stronger network reach, and earnings support quickly enough to justify any new shares issued.

Cuscal has a market capitalisation of around $806.5 million, with 191.56 million shares on issue.

The post This ASX stock is locked after a major Tuesday update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Fetching Disclosure…

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares fell 7.8% during the first month of the Iran war and the ensuing oil shock.

Rising oil and gas prices rattled investors, raising concerns about the impact on the businesses they were invested in.

We are starting to see that impact, with Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) doubling its jet fuel cost estimates for 2H FY26 today.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) chair Dr Andrew Forrest has also revealed they paid up to double for emergency fuel supplies last month.

With all this in mind, it’s interesting to look at how Aussie investors repositioned their ASX ETF portfolios as the conflict unfolded.

Aussies have $329 billion invested in ASX ETFs, and last month they ploughed an additional $5.6 billion into their favoured funds.

That makes March the third-highest month for net inflows ever. It seems the volatility caused by the war did not dampen their interest.

A new report from Betashares, which shows the top 10 ASX ETFs for inflows and outflows last month, reveals some interesting trends.

Let’s take a look.

Top 10 ASX ETFs for inflows last month

ASX ETF	Amount
Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)	$895,737,926
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)	$544,375,179
Vanguard All-World ex US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)	$411,499,905
iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ)	$324,006,912
iShares U.S. Factor Rotation Active ETF (ASX: IACT)	$272,290,741
Betashares Global Shares ETF (ASX: BGBL)	$254,954,620
iShares S&P Europe ETF (ASX: IEU)	$250,738,482
Betashares Global Shares Currency Hedged ETF (ASX: HGBL)	$235,960,993
iShares S&P 500 AUD Hedged ETF (ASX: IHVV)	$232,411,736
Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)	$174,883,785

Top 10 ETFs for outflows

ASX ETF	Amount
iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)	-$461,301,546
Magellan Global Fund (Open Class) (Managed Fund) (ASX: MGOC)	-$189,775,555
iShares Global High Yield Bond (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: IHHY)	-$133,228,387
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (ASX: EMXC)	-$70,942,670
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (ASX: IVE)	-$70,120,623
iShares Core FTSE Global Infrastructure (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: GLIN)	-$67,261,421
Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF (ASX: ETHI)	-$53,986,599
Betashares Australian Credit Income Active ETF (ASX: HBRD)	-$52,576,579
Airlie Australian Share Fund (ASX: AASF)	-$46,503,867
Betashares Gold Bullion ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: QAU)	-$44,214,386

How ASX ETFs investors repositioned last month

The VAS ETF is the most popular Australian shares ETF on the market, so it’s no surprise to see it take out the top spot.

VGS is the most popular international shares ETF, so it’s routine to see it close to the top as well.

The presence of IHVV in the top inflows list, and its unhedged counterpart IVV ETF in the top outflows, shows investors are mindful of currency changes over the past 12 months.

The Australian dollar has risen from just over 60 US cents 12 months ago to a three-year high of 70.8 US cents today.

As James Gruber, Equity Market Strategist at CommSec, points out:

When the Australian dollar strengthens, your international ETF returns shrink, and if the Australian dollar weakens, your returns improve.

Outflows from QAU ETF reflect profit-taking amid a 21% decline in the gold price over the first three weeks of March.

Sprott Managing Partner, Paul Wong, said investors need not be worried though.

Wong added:

Gold’s March drop reflects a liquidity crunch, not a breakdown in its long-term role. 

As financial stress builds, gold is likely to reassert itself as a key monetary anchor.

Another interesting trend is the inflows into non-US international ETFs, reflecting the poorer performance of US markets this year.

In the year to date, the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) has lifted just 0.6% compared to a 3% bump for the ASX 200.

The post How ASX ETF investors repositioned as the Iran war shook markets appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and iShares S&P 500 Aud Hedged ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, 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.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY), and Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) are grabbing plenty of investor interest today.

As we head into the Tuesday lunch hour, all three of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stocks are underperforming the current 0.4% gain posted by the benchmark index.

Here’s what’s happening.

Qantas shares slide on surging jet fuel costs

Qantas shares are slipping today, down 1.3% at time of writing at $8.90 each.

This follows an update this morning in which the ASX 200 airline stock warned that fast rising energy costs are going to impact its full year costs assumptions.

Indeed, since the outbreak of the Iran war, the Brent crude oil price has surged from US$71 per barrel to US$98 per barrel today. Brent crude oil traded near US$113 towards the end of March, having kicked off 2026 at just US$61 per barrel.

And that’s going to have a material impact on fuel guzzling jetliners.

How much of an impact will that have on Qantas shares?

Well, enough so that the airline has more than doubled its previous expectations for second half year (H2 2026) jet fuel costs to the range of $3.1 billion to $3.3 billion.

To mitigate the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on its operations, Qantas said it is taking steps that include international network changes, capacity adjustments and fare increases.

With the current uncertainty in mind, Qantas planned $150 million on-market share buyback has not yet commenced.

Which brings us to…

Cleanaway shares slip on earnings downgrade

Cleanaway shares are also grabbing investor interest today, and for a related reason to Qantas shares.

Shares in the ASX 200 waste management and environmental services company are down 1.1% at time of writing, changing hands for $2.31 apiece.

Investors are bidding down Cleanaway shares after the company announced that it was downgrading full year FY 2026 earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) guidance to between $460 million and $480 million. That’s down from prior full year earnings guidance of $480 million to $500 million.

The reason?

You guessed it. The Iran war.

The company estimates earnings will take a full year hit of some  $20 million, catching headwinds from higher fuel prices, increased supplier and logistics costs, and lower Middle East project activity.

Westpac shares in focus amid rising inflation and interest rates

Atop Cleanaway and Qantas shares, investors are tuning into Westpac today after the ASX 200 bank stock released an update detailing items impacting its first-half 2026 (H1 2026) results.

These include, wait for it, the initial impacts of the Middle East conflict.

Westpac noted:

With the supply shock from the energy market disruption expected to result in higher inflation and higher interest rates, an expected slowing in economic growth will create a more challenging environment for some customers.

The bank said its “strong financial position” enables it to support customers during these uncertain times while accelerating the execution of its strategic priorities.

The post Why Westpac, Cleanaway and Qantas shares are catching ASX investor interest on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Clarity, Qantas, Universal Store, and Westpac shares are falling today
• Qantas shares dip after fresh market update puts FY26 in focus
• Why Westpac shares are holding near record highs after a $75 million hit
• Qantas Airways flags higher fuel costs and capacity changes in FY26 update
• Cleanaway Waste Management trims FY26 outlook on fuel challenges

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.

There appears to be cautious optimism surrounding the conflict in the Middle East.

This is pushing global benchmarks into the green recently. 

The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) recovered more than 1% overnight. Today, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has opened with strong momentum.

Since the end of March, both indexes have rallied, with Australia’s benchmark up more than 6% and the S&P 500 rising more than 8%. 

While it’s impossible to predict what will happen in the Middle East, one possibility is we have already hit the bottom of the current cycle. 

If this is the case, it may be time to buy low on ASX ETFs that are yet to fully bounce back from yearly lows. 

Here are three ASX ETFs to consider.

iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ)

Healthcare stocks have been some of the hardest hit in 2026. 

Unsurprisingly, this ASX ETF has been heavily sold off. 

It is down more than 12% since November last year, but has slowly started to bounce back since late March. 

The fund aims to provide investors with the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Healthcare (Sector) Capped Index, before fees and expenses. 

The index is designed to measure the performance of healthcare providers, biotechnology companies and manufacturers of medical supplies, advanced medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

This fund has been around since 2001, and in the last 10 years has brought annualised returns of nearly 10% per year. 

The recent drop off could be a rare opportunity to buy low on this ASX ETF. 

Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP)

This ASX ETF seeks to track the return of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index. 

This index includes real estate companies in the retail, office, industrial and diversified sectors. 

Since inception in 2010, it has brought annualised returns of nearly 10% per year. 

However, it is currently down nearly 18% since late last year. 

This could be a rare opportunity to access exposure to the Australian real estate industry at a relative value. 

Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index Etf Fun (ASX: VESG)

This ASX ETF was first listed in 2018, since then, it has brought an average annualised return of more than 12%. 

At the time of writing, it is down almost 7% since yearly highs back in January. 

It includes more than 1,400 holdings, and is an ESG fund. 

This means it excludes companies that have a specified level of business involvement in fossil fuels, nuclear power, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, adult entertainment or weapons.

The post ASX ETFs that might never be this cheap again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

If you are looking for gold sector exposure for your portfolio, then read on.

That’s because the team at Bell Potter has just named one ASX 200 gold stock to buy now.

Which ASX 200 gold stock?

The gold miner that the broker is bullish on is Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN).

Bell Potter has been looking ahead to the company’s quarterly update and is expecting a decent performance, albeit with some weather and operational disruptions. It said:

With this update we have made allowances for various weather and operational disruptions that have eventuated during the March quarter, causing us to shift some production from the March quarter to the June quarter and overall result in a modest reduction to our FY26 production forecasts.

Lower gold production is partially offset by higher copper production. All-In-Sustaining-Costs (AISC) are marginally higher overall. Our near-term commodity price forecasts are up (2%-11% for gold, 1% for copper) and partially offset by a higher exchange rate. The net impact is a 14% reduction to our FY26 earnings forecast and a 5% reduction to our full year dividend distribution forecast.

The good news is the broker believes the ASX 200 gold stock is well placed to deal with any energy security issues caused by war in the Middle East. It adds:

We view EVN as relatively well placed to deal with potential energy security issues. It benefits from grid electrical power to all the processing plants in its asset portfolio, removing exposure to diesel power generation. EVN’s mining production is dominated (~60%) by underground mining which is less diesel intensive than open-pit mining. Its open-pit operations (Cowal and Mungari) both hold substantial ore stockpiles, including ~5yrs mill feed at Cowal and 12-18 months mill feed at Mungari.

EVN is also relatively less exposed to flight restrictions, with all its operations (other than Ernest Henry) having largely residential workforces rather than Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO). While risks remain, we believe this provides EVN with greater optionality in contingency planning compared with most peers. We expect these options and the outlook on input costs to be a key focus of the quarterly.

Major upside potential

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on Evolution Mining’s shares with a slightly trimmed price target of $16.60 (from $16.70).

Based on its current share price of $12.88, this implies potential upside of almost 29% for investors over the next 12 months.

It also expects an attractive 4% dividend yield over the forecast period, lifting the total return further.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

EVN offers effectively unhedged gold and copper exposure via a portfolio of high quality, long-life assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions and overseen by a high-quality management team. EVN has stated its intention to pass growing free cash flows on to shareholders. Our NPV-based Target Price is lowered 1% to $16.60/sh and we retain our Buy recommendation.

The post Is this one of the best ASX 200 gold stocks to buy now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index (ASX: XSO) is up a solid 1.4% today, but that’s nothing compared to the gains rolling in for investors in this junior ASX mining stock.

The surging ASX share in question is Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX: BSX).

Blackstone Minerals shares closed yesterday trading for 3.5 cents. In late morning trade on Tuesday, shares are changing hands for 6.3 cents apiece, up a jaw-dropping 80%.

Here’s what’s got investors fired up.

ASX mining stock rockets on Philippines green light

In late October last year, the Municipal Mayor of Mankayan issued a Cease and Desist Order, halting exploration activities at Blackstone’s Mankayan Copper-Gold Project, located in the Philippines.

That decision followed concerns from some local residents and government officials about the potential environmental impacts of the copper-gold mine.

As you’d expect, the ASX mining stock came under heavy selling pressure in late October following this news.

Today, Blackstone Minerals shares are shaking off those headwinds and rocketing higher after the company reported that the Cease and Desist Order has been lifted. Meaning exploration activities can now resume at the Mankayan project.

The ASX mining stock said that its affiliate, Crescent Mining & Development Corporation, has been working with local community groups, including indigenous peoples and regional and national government bodies, to achieve this positive outcome.

Blackstone Minerals said it expects to commence drilling at the Mankayan project in the “near future”. The miner plans to drill up to 10 holes, averaging between 800 metres and 1,000 metres each.

Mankayan is reported to be the fourth largest undeveloped copper project in the Philippines. The project hosts a Mineral Resource of 2.8 million tonnes of copper, 9.7 million ounces of gold, and 20.4 million ounces of silver.

What did management say?

Commenting on the regulatory green light sending the ASX mining stock surging today, Blackstone Minerals executive chairman Geoff Gilmour said:

On behalf of Blackstone and CMDC, I would like to thank all our staff, community members and Regional and National Government departments for their constructive engagement and actions in achieving the lifting of the Order. With this behind us, there is a clear pathway forward to advance the Mankayan Project for the benefit of all stakeholders.

A project of Mankayan’s size and international importance cannot be underestimated and I look forward to updating shareholders and stakeholders as the Pre-Feasibility Study work and associated drilling activities progresses.

Judging by today’s price action, investors are expecting some materially positive updates from the resumption of those drilling activities.

The post Guess which ASX mining stock is rocketing 80% today on huge Philippines news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Is this one of the best ASX 200 gold stocks to buy now?
• Why Clarity Pharmaceuticals shares just fell 5% on today’s announcement
• This ASX retail stock is sliding after a surprise leadership announcement
• Is it time to buy low on these ASX travel stocks?
• Up 188% in a year, why is this ASX All Ords gold stock surging again on Tuesday?

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.

Shares in Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CU6) have dropped around 5% today after the company announced a major manufacturing agreement in the United States.

At face value, the news looks positive. Clarity has secured large-scale production capacity for its lead prostate cancer imaging product, and this positions it for a future commercial launch.

So why did the stock fall?

High expectations

It’s fair to say that investor expectations for Clarity are sky high, but progress isn’t always linear.

Today’s announcement from Clarity was actually, on the face of it, quite positive but it did lack concrete dollar figures to provide the required level of ‘clarity’ (sorry I had to!) on the pathway to commercialisation.

The announcement notes that Clarity will gain access to significant manufacturing capability across the US, including the ability to produce tens of thousands of doses today and potentially hundreds of thousands in the future.

This matters because radiopharmaceuticals are not easy to deliver. These products have short shelf lives and require specialised infrastructure. Companies that can manufacture and distribute reliably have a real advantage.

In simple terms, Clarity is building the foundations to compete at scale.

Despite the strategic progress, investors are forward-looking and thinking of what happens next.

At the moment, Clarity is still a clinical-stage company; its lead product is not yet approved, and it must still complete late-stage trials to secure regulatory approval before generating revenue.

At the same time, expanding manufacturing brings forward costs. Investors often worry about how much capital will be needed and how long it will take to turn that investment into profits.

Another possible factor to explain today’s share price movement is the starting point.

Clarity’s share price had already performed strongly over the past year, and so when expectations are elevated, even positive developments can trigger selling if they do not materially accelerate the timeline.

In other words, the market was hoping for a step change. Instead, it got a steady step forward.

Foolish bottom line

Zooming out, this announcement is another step forward in Clarity’s long-term trajectory.

The company is not just trying to develop a better product; it is trying to ensure it can deliver that product at scale across a large market. If its clinical trials are successful, this manufacturing footprint could become a key competitive strength.

For now, however, investors are balancing that long-term potential against near-term uncertainty, which is understandable.

Clarity shares are now down around 20% year to date, and are up roughly 69% over the past 12 months.

The post Why Clarity Pharmaceuticals shares just fell 5% on today’s announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) shares are extending their recent pullback on Tuesday after the market was hit with an unexpected management update.

The stock is down 2.29% to $7.24 in morning trade, bringing its decline to almost 20% over the past month. This also leaves it well below the record high of $9.88 reached earlier this year.

Today’s weakness comes only weeks after Universal reported a strong half-year result that included healthy sales growth and a higher dividend.

The focus now appears to be moving away from recent momentum and toward how the leadership handover may influence the group’s next stage of growth.

A founder-era chapter is coming to an end

Before market open, Universal announced that its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Alice Barbery, will retire on 31 October 2026. She will step down after 17 years with the company.

Her replacement will be George Do, an internal executive who takes over from 1 November.

The succession plan appears deliberately measured. George joined the business in 2005, began on the shop floor, moved into the buying and product side, and most recently led the Universal Store and Perfect Stranger banners as CEO.

His long history with the business should give investors more confidence that the merchandising approach, brand direction, and retail strategy are unlikely to change materially.

Alice is also not leaving entirely. She is expected to join the board as a Non-Executive Director in February 2027 and continue supporting George during the handover period through consulting and advisory work.

Why investors aren’t buying the handover yet

Discretionary retail stocks have become harder to please in recent weeks. This is especially after a strong run through 2025 and into early 2026 pushed expectations higher.

With the shares already pulling back, investors may now want proof that momentum across the group’s brands can keep building.

The CEO change gives investors one more thing to keep an eye on, even though the replacement is coming from inside the business.

The key question now is whether the sales and earnings momentum across Universal Store, Perfect Stranger, Thrills, and CTC can carry through the second half.

Foolish Takeaway

To me, this looks more like investors trimming expectations after a strong run than a negative read-through on the CEO change.

The handover looks orderly, and the incoming CEO already knows the business well. Recent momentum across the brands also suggests the company still has a solid platform to keep growing.

The post This ASX retail stock is sliding after a surprise leadership announcement 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 recommended Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

One section of the ASX that has struggled significantly in 2026 is travel stocks. 

While it doesn’t operate as one of the core sectors of the ASX, “travel stocks” refer to companies that operate in the leisure, travel, or tourism sectors.

Fundamentally, travel companies sell goods and services that help people get from one place to another – be it for business or pleasure.

Why are travel stocks struggling in 2026?

Travel is largely a discretionary activity. 

That means it’s not an essential need for the everyday consumer. 

A clear comparison can be made between consumer staples and discretionary companies.

Staples are goods and services we can’t live without, like groceries, healthcare, or utilities. 

These companies generally have steady, non-cyclical earnings, regardless of economic factors. 

Travel stocks, on the other hand, are highly sensitive to a mix of economic factors that influence people’s ability and willingness to travel. 

These factors include: 

• Economic growth (GDP) – Strong growth increases travel demand 
• Disposable income & consumer confidence – Higher income and confidence lead to more spending on travel
• Interest rates – Higher rates reduce spending power and travel budgets
• Fuel prices – Rising fuel costs increase expenses, especially for airlines
• Exchange rates – Currency strength affects affordability of international travel
• Inflation – Higher inflation raises costs and reduces real spending power
• Employment levels – More jobs can mean more people able to afford travel
• Global stability & events – Crises or disruptions can quickly impact travel demand. 

Glancing over this list, you might see why travel stocks have struggled this year, with plenty of these headwinds influencing people’s ability to travel. 

However, many travel stocks have now been heavily sold off. 

This means if headwinds subside in the back half of 2026, there could be value. 

Let’s look at three options to consider buying low. 

Web Travel Group Ltd (ASX: WEB)

Web Travel Group is an online travel agency that enables customers to search and book domestic and international travel flight deals, travel insurance, car hire, and hotel accommodation worldwide.

Its share price has fallen more than 44% year to date. 

However, 8 analyst forecasts via TradingView place an average price target of $5.86 on this travel stock. 

That indicates an upside of 121% from today’s price. 

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre operates a vast network of travel agencies under various brands worldwide, including Student Universe, Travel Money, Corporate Traveller, and Topdeck.

Its share price has tumbled nearly 25% year to date. 

A recent note out of Citi included a $16.75 price target on Flight Centre shares. 

This indicates a potential upside of 48% from today’s opening share price of $11.30. 

Helloworld Travel Ltd (ASX: HLO)

Helloworld is an Australian-based travel distribution company. It comprises a wide array of travel brands across three key business pillars: retail, wholesale, and inbound.

Its share price is down more than 17% year to date. 

However, Shaw and Partners placed a 12-month share price target of $2.80 late last month. 

This indicates nearly 80% upside from current levels. 

The post Is it time to buy low on these ASX travel stocks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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 Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.