Category: Stock Market

  • 4DMedical shares jump 600% in a year: Time to sell up or can the stock go higher?

    Young woman waiting for job interview.

    4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) shares were one of the fastest-growing on the planet in 2025. The healthcare technology company, which is focused on advanced respiratory imaging and ventilation analysis for the treatment of lung and respiratory diseases, saw its share price explode last year after its flagship product rocketed to success following successful partnerships and commercial contracts.

    A good run of financial results and increased adoption of its technology, all while the company smashed its milestone goals throughout the year, sent the share price rocketing.

    Most recently, 4DMedical announced that UC San Diego Health was the latest institution to adopt its flagship CT:VQ product. There has already been uptake by other centres, including Stanford University, the Cleveland Clinic, and the University of Miami.

    Where is the 4DMedical share price now?

    At the time of writing, the shares are 0.92% lower at $3.76 each. The drop means the shares are now 16.96% lower year to date and have fallen 26.18% from their all-time high of $5.09 in mid-January.

    But it isn’t all bad news. Since starting their speedy ascent in August last year, 4DMedical shares have rocketed 1,109.68% and they’re now 583.64% above where they were just 12 months ago.

    The question now is, what’s next? Can the share price climb even higher, or is it time to sell up ahead of the next downturn?

    Are 4DMedical shares a buy, hold, or sell this year?

    Despite the strong rally over the past year and the sell-off this month, analysts remain very bullish on the stock’s outlook.

    Data shows that two out of three analysts have a strong buy rating on the shares, and the maximum target price is $4.50. That implies a potential 19.68% upside ahead for investors, at the time of writing. 

    What’s next from 4DMedical?

    Late last month, the healthcare tech company posted its quarterly update and new commercial development. The announcement revealed that its CT:VQ product has moved beyond regulatory approval and into full commercial execution. The technology has now been adopted in five top-tier US academic centres within five months of FDA clearance.

    At the same time, the company also revealed that its SaaS revenue grew 31% in the first half of FY26 and that its net operating cash outflows declined 21% in Q2 FY26. 

    4DMedical ended the quarter with $56.8 million in cash, rising to a pro forma balance of $206.2 million following a $150 million institutional placement completed in January.

    Management estimates the company has around 5.8 quarters of funding available, providing ample time to execute its US commercial strategy.

    In 2026, 4DMedical will focus on accelerating the rollout of its newly FDA-approved CT:VQ imaging product through strategic partnerships and new contracts. 

    The post 4DMedical shares jump 600% in a year: Time to sell up or can the stock go higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in 4DMedical Limited right now?

    Before you buy 4DMedical Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and 4DMedical Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Ventia extends NZ$160m Transpower contract: What it means for investors

    two businessmen shake hands in a close up mid-level shot with other businesspeople looking on approvingly in the background.

    The Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus today after the company extended its specialist electrical services contract with Transpower in New Zealand, an agreement expected to deliver approximately NZ$160 million in revenue over two years.

    What did Ventia Services Group report?

    • Contract extension with Transpower for specialist electrical services across New Zealand’s electricity grid
    • Expected to generate around NZ$160 million in revenue over two years
    • Extension period to commence August 2027
    • Ventia to continue operating across North and South Islands, covering about one third of Transpower’s network
    • Over 30 years of ongoing partnership with Transpower

    What else do investors need to know?

    This contract extension forms part of the Transmission Grid Services contract and Contestable Work Panels that began in 2022. It locks in revenue growth and operational presence for Ventia through to at least mid-2029.

    Ventia is a major player in essential infrastructure services, supporting utilities like electricity, water, and more, across Australia and New Zealand. This extension builds on Ventia’s strong reputation for safe and reliable delivery, underpinning its longer-term order book and client relationships.

    With more than 35,000 people working over 400 sites, Ventia’s continued focus on customer satisfaction and innovation is part of its ongoing strategy to redefine service excellence.

    What did Ventia Services Group management say?

    Managing Director and Group CEO Dean Banks said:

    Our long-standing relationship with Transpower has been underpinned by consistent performance, collaboration and a shared focus on delivering safe and reliable energy infrastructure. We are pleased to be extending our partnership and look forward to continuing to grow our relationship and delivering the critical services that support New Zealand’s energy future.

    What’s next for Ventia Services Group?

    The contract extension provides Ventia with firm revenue visibility into the next decade, allowing the company to continue investing in technology, workforce development, and geographic expansion across New Zealand.

    Management has indicated a strong commitment to enhancing customer value, with a growing focus on sustainable energy infrastructure and innovation—key strengths likely to underpin further contract wins and reliable income streams.

    Ventia Services Group share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services shares have risen 42%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Ventia extends NZ$160m Transpower contract: What it means for investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ventia Services Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Ventia Services Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Ventia Services Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Spark New Zealand earnings: profit rebounds, dividend declared

    Woman working at computer

    The Spark New Zealand Ltd (ASX: SPK) share price is in focus today after the company reported a strong half-year result, with EBITDAI up 10.3% to $448 million and net profit rising 82.9% to $64 million.

    What did Spark New Zealand report?

    • Reported H1 FY26 revenue of $1,893 million, down 1.2% on H1 FY25
    • Adjusted revenue (including data centre business) of $1,917 million, down 1.1%
    • Reported EBITDAI of $448 million, up 10.3%, and adjusted EBITDAI of $471 million, up 5.1%
    • Net profit after tax of $64 million, up 82.9%; adjusted NPAT of $73 million, up 30.4%
    • Free cash flow rose 84% to $107 million
    • Interim dividend of 8 cents per share declared, 50% imputed

    What else do investors need to know?

    Spark’s mobile service revenue grew by 1.6% to $499 million, with the strongest growth coming from higher value post-paid plans. Broadband revenue also nudged up by 0.3%, while cloud revenue increased 1.7%. However, ongoing declines were seen in legacy voice services and other connectivity revenue, mainly due to the Digital Island divestment and customers moving off older products.

    The company completed the sale of a 75% stake in its data centre business (‘TenPeaks Data Centres’) at the end of January, receiving $453 million in cash and potential further deferred proceeds, aiming to reduce net debt in the second half. Spark also launched a new financing partnership for handset payment plans and emphasised its continued investment in 5G, customer experience, and AI projects to support growth and improve efficiency.

    What did Spark New Zealand management say?

    Spark CEO Jolie Hodson said:

    Today’s result shows that focused execution in the first six months of our new five-year strategy is building momentum. Mobile remains central to our SPK-30 strategy, and we have delivered a return to revenue growth and ongoing connection stabilisation. Our strategic focus on delivering a better network and better customer experiences is central to our success, and we were pleased to maintain network coverage leadership off the back of more than 100 cell site upgrades and new builds during the half.

    What’s next for Spark New Zealand?

    Spark reaffirmed its full-year FY26 guidance, expecting adjusted EBITDAI between $1,010 million and $1,070 million, and free cash flow of $290 million to $330 million (subject to no material changes in outlook). BAU capital expenditure is forecast at $380 million–$410 million, with an additional $55 million of data centre strategic capex. The company will pay out 100% of free cash flow as dividends for FY26.

    In the coming months, Spark plans more than 100 additional mobile site builds and upgrades, new roaming products, and the launch of satellite-to-mobile services. Management remains focused on cost discipline, digital transformation, and sustainability—highlighted by progress on emissions and expanding social connectivity through products like Skinny Jump.

    Spark New Zealand share price snapshot

    Over the pat 12 months, Spark New Zealand shares have declined 30%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Spark New Zealand earnings: profit rebounds, dividend declared appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Spark New Zealand Limited right now?

    Before you buy Spark New Zealand Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Spark New Zealand Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Mirvac Group posts 5% profit growth, expands pipeline in 1H26

    Two businessmen look out at the city from the top of a tall building.

    The Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) share price is in focus today after the company posted a 5% boost in first-half operating profit to $248 million and grew earnings per security to 6.3 cents.

    What did Mirvac Group report?

    • EBIT of $398 million, up 10% from 1H25
    • Operating profit after tax of $248 million, up 5% on the prior year
    • Statutory profit of $319 million, a significant increase from $1 million in 1H25
    • Half-year distribution of 4.7 cents per security, up from 4.5cpss
    • Net tangible assets rose to $2.30 per security (from $2.26 at FY25)
    • Residential sales surged 38%, with 1,304 lots exchanged and settlements up 22%

    What else do investors need to know?

    Mirvac continued its momentum in the Living segment, restocking its residential pipeline with around 2,300 new lots and settling 835 lots for the half. The business also secured two new land lease sites and completed strong volumes in both settlements and sales, signalling ongoing demand for quality housing.

    On the capital front, Mirvac entered a notable joint venture with Mitsubishi Estate to deliver the Harbourside project in Sydney, raising approximately $1 billion. The company’s $1.7 billion LIV Mirvac Build to Rent Fund also saw recapitalisation, with major investor Australian Retirement Trust acquiring a significant stake.

    Mirvac’s commercial portfolio remained resilient, reporting high occupancy (98%) and 4.4% like-for-like net operating income growth. The group’s strong balance sheet featured headline gearing of 25.8% and available liquidity of about $1.1 billion.

    What did Mirvac Group management say?

    Mirvac’s CEO & Managing Director, Campbell Hanan, said:

    We delivered a strong performance across all parts of the business in the first half of FY26, underpinned by the continued execution of our strategy. Positive momentum saw residential sales increase 38 per cent year-on-year, with settlements up 22 per cent and a recovery in gross margins. The significant restocking of our development pipeline is also in line with our focus on Living and Premium-grade Office, and, coupled with a number of key launches and completions in the coming 18 months, provides excellent future earnings visibility.

    What’s next for Mirvac Group?

    Mirvac has reaffirmed its FY26 guidance, targeting operating earnings of 12.8 to 13.0 cents per security and distributions of 9.5 cents, subject to key assumptions. The business expects continued residential momentum, with targets for 2,000 to 2,300 lot settlements in FY26 and a focus on growing future pipeline projects.

    Ongoing investment in high-quality, well-located commercial assets and strategic capital partnerships are anticipated to strengthen the group’s income streams and support earnings growth. Management sees recent margin restoration and robust sales as providing good visibility and near-term confidence.

    Mirvac Group share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Mirvac Group shares have declined 11%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Mirvac Group posts 5% profit growth, expands pipeline in 1H26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Mirvac Group right now?

    Before you buy Mirvac Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Mirvac Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Iluka Resources posts lower FY25 profit but advances rare earths strategy

    Two miners standing together.

    The Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) share price is in focus after the miner posted $976 million in full-year mineral sands revenue and declared a final dividend of 3 cents per share fully franked.

    What did Iluka Resources report?

    • Mineral sands revenue of $976 million, down from $1,129 million in FY24
    • Underlying mineral sands EBITDA of $300 million, with a margin of 31%
    • Net profit after tax (NPAT) loss of $288 million, impacted by $566 million in impairments and write-downs
    • Operating cash flow of $61 million (FY24: $252 million)
    • Net debt (excluding non-recourse debt) of $473 million at year-end
    • Final dividend of 3 cents per share fully franked; total full year dividend of 5 cents

    What else do investors need to know?

    The 2025 result reflects challenging conditions in the mineral sands market, with subdued demand and softer pigment industry activity. Iluka responded by suspending production at its Cataby and Synthetic Rutile 2 operations and completing a reset of its cost base.

    On the development front, the company commenced mining at the high-grade Balranald site in January 2026 and expects to bring a second rig online shortly. Construction of the Eneabba rare earths refinery continues on budget, with commissioning targeted for 2027. Iluka also adjusted long-term synthetic rutile contracts to guarantee at least $240 million in contracted revenue for 2026.

    What did Iluka Resources management say?

    Managing Director Tom O’Leary said:

    2025 saw challenges for mineral sands contrast with strong momentum in rare earths. External developments across both industries have validated Iluka’s approach to our respective businesses, including in relation to diversification, operational and market discipline, capital allocation and balance sheet management.

    What’s next for Iluka Resources?

    Iluka expects mineral sands costs and capital expenditure to decrease in 2026, following the cost reset and as the Balranald project ramps up. Management says the company is well positioned for a range of industry outcomes thanks to its diversified product mix and significant inventory.

    The focus for 2026 and beyond is disciplined delivery at both Balranald and the Eneabba rare earths project. Engineering at Eneabba is now more than 95% complete, with offtake discussions advancing as construction picks up pace.

    Iluka Resources share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, the Iluka Resources share prices have risen 13%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Iluka Resources posts lower FY25 profit but advances rare earths strategy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Iluka Resources Limited right now?

    Before you buy Iluka Resources Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Iluka Resources Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • These 2 ASX 200 stocks crashed yesterday – should investors swoop in?

    A woman puts up her hands and looks confused while sitting at her computer.

    Two ASX 200 stocks that endured a tough day yesterday were Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) and Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE). 

    These companies experienced share price falls of 4.4% and 4.6% respectively. 

    For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 0.24%. 

    Lets see what was behind the fall and if now is a good time for investors to scoop them up. 

    Treasury Wine Estates

    Treasury Wine Estates is among the world’s top five wine producers and owns a portfolio of more than 70 brands including Australian labels such as Penfolds. 

    Its share price tumbled 4.6% yesterday following a 5% fall on Monday.

    It seems investors are exiting the ASX 200 stock following the release of its half-year results.

    The company reported profits that were down substantially from the prior corresponding period.

    It reported: 

    • Net Sales Revenue (NSR) down 16.0% to $1.3 billion.
    • EBITS dropped 39.6% to $236.4 million; EBITS margin shrank to 18.2% from 25.3%.
    • NPAT before material items and SGARA was $128.5 million, down 46.3%.
    • Statutory NPAT loss of $649.4 million

    Perhaps the most disappointing part of the announcement was the suspension of dividends.

    Its share price is now down more than 50% over the last year. 

    Reece

    For those unfamiliar, the company is a supplier of plumbing, bathroom, heating ventilation, and air-conditioning products.

    This ASX 200 stock also lost significant ground during Tuesday, falling 4.4%.

    However unlike Treasury Wine Estates, there was no price sensitive news out of the company. 

    Reece Ltd has endured a tough 12 months, down roughly 36% in that span. 

    It is now sitting close to its 52-week low.

    Is either ASX 200 stock a buy low candidate?

    With both stocks being down significantly in the last 12 months, it could be an opportunity for investors to buy. 

    Recent valuations from experts suggest investors should wait for further drops before entering. 

    A recent note out of UBS included a share price target of $4.75 for Treasury Wine Estates shares. 

    That is right around the current levels. 

    Morgans had a recent price target of $5.25 on the ASX 200 stock on the back of disappointing US performance in January. 

    This indicates a modest upside after the recent fall, however general sentiment is negative/neutral on Treasury Wine Estates shares. 

    It’s unfortunately a similar story for Reece shares. 

    Analysts via TradingView have an average one year price target of $13.28 on this ASX 200 stock. 

    That’s roughly 4.5% below current levels. 

    The post These 2 ASX 200 stocks crashed yesterday – should investors swoop in? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Reece Limited right now?

    Before you buy Reece Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Reece Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • 3 ASX ETFs to target if you anticipate a tech turnaround 

    Woman with spyglass looking toward ocean at sunset.

    An emerging story this year has been the heavy sell-off of ASX technology shares.

    Global risk-off sentiment and a renewed reassessment of the technology sector have weighed heavily on growth-oriented names.

    A major driver has been investor concerns about artificial intelligence (AI).

    Rather than being a clear catalyst for growth, fears that rapid AI advances could disrupt traditional software business models have prompted revaluation and selling in software and SaaS stocks, with markets questioning future demand and pricing power. 

    In fact the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) is down 43% over the past six months.

    Big companies that have been largely sold off in 2026 include: 

    • TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) is down 22% YTD 
    • Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) is down 30%
    • Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) has fallen 28%
    • SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR) has dropped by 38.5%. 
    • WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) is 31% lower YTD. 

    What are experts saying?

    It’s very reasonable that investors don’t want to tie themselves to a sinking ship. 

    But is the technology industry really going down?

    Bear markets don’t last forever, and many experts are reinforcing this panic isn’t being driven by sound logic.

    Research from J.P. Morgan Private Bank describes this as “broken logic” and says, “the market is selling indiscriminately.”

    Analysis from Wilsons Advisory also suggested the doom and gloom around these stocks is overblown. 

    Whilst holders of these stocks might need an iron will to endure these difficult times, prospective buyers should be rejoicing in the opportunity. 

    It can be challenging to sift through these companies and decide on a case-by-case basis if the outlook is positive, and core business a safe choice.

    One strategy to take advantage of this crash is to consider technology exposed ASX ETFs. 

    Here are a few to consider. 

    Buyers should be aware that these funds could certainly keep falling in the near term before things get better. 

    Betashares S&P ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

    Unsurprisingly, this fund is down roughly 20% year to date. 

    It includes exposure to leading ASX-listed companies in a range of tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail and medical technology.

    Global X Morningstar Global Technology ETF (ASX: TECH)

    This fund focuses on global technology companies rather than just ones here in Australia. 

    It targets companies positioned to benefit from the increased adoption of technology. 

    This including companies whose principal business is in offering computing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), and/or cloud and edge computing infrastructure and hardware.

    It’s important to mention this might not suit investors who are bearish on the future of SaaS companies due to AI influence.

    Global X FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG)

    This ASX ETF is focussed on companies at the leading edge of next-generation technology that includes household names and newcomers.

    It only includes 10 underlying holdings that are targeted for global tech/growth potential. 

    It is down 16.5% year to date. 

    The post 3 ASX ETFs to target if you anticipate a tech turnaround  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Betashares S&P Asx Australian Technology ETF right now?

    Before you buy Betashares S&P Asx Australian Technology ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Betashares S&P Asx Australian Technology ETF wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, SiteMinder, Technology One, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360, SiteMinder, WiseTech Global, and Xero. 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.

  • Which ASX 200 retail stock looks stronger: JB Hi-Fi or Harvey Norman?

    JB Hi-Fi staffer helping customer share price

    Two of the best-known ASX retail stocks are JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) and Harvey Norman Ltd (ASX: HVN).

    This sector relies heavily on economic conditions and consumer sentiment. These pressures have kept the sector lower in the past year.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) has lost 7.7% in the past 12 months.

    Here’s what experts are tipping for the ASX retail stocks. 

    JB Hi-Fi Ltd

    The group sells consumer electronics, electrical products and white goods through its JB Hi-Fi, JB Hi-Fi Home and The Good Guys brands.

    The ASX retail stock has dropped about 12.5% over 12 months and is down 7.6% in 2026, at the time of writing.

    On Monday, the electronics and homewares retailer posted a 7.3% increase in sales to a record $6.1 billion. Net profit was up 7.1% to $305.8 million and the interim dividend was boosted by a massive 23.5% to 210 cents per share.

    What’s the verdict on the ASX retail stock? Analysts are split, but some remain firmly bullish.

    Macquarie Group is the most optimistic. Analysts argue market concerns are overdone and they see tailwinds ahead, including ongoing tech upgrade cycles.

    The broker has a 12-month price target of $106 versus the current share price of $88.94. If delivered, that implies a 19% upside.  

    Citi also rates the ASX retail stock a buy but trimmed its target from $110 to $100. The team was “positively surprised” by gross margins at JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys. Based on history — just one major downgrade in 15 years — Citi sees limited risk of sharp earnings cuts.

    Morgans Financial takes a more cautious stance. It rates the retailer a hold and lowered its price target from $95 to $87. Morgans described the latest profit result as ‘solid’. The team acknowledged the company’s market leadership but cut earnings forecasts on softer sales growth assumptions.

    Harvey Norman

    It’s a very different story for Harvey Norman. The ASX retail stock has surged more than 22% over the past 12 months, ranking among 2025’s top retail performers. Strong FY25 results drove the rally.

    Beyond electronics and furniture, Harvey Norman also owns a large property portfolio. This adds stable income and underpinning dividends.

    So, what’s next for the ASX retail stock— more upside, or time to lock in gains?

    Like rival JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman also offers income appeal. It’s forecast to deliver a fully franked dividend yield of 4.5% in FY26.

    At Bell Potter, analysts see value in Harvey Norman as an ASX dividend play. They point to its franchise model, which throws off strong cash flow and gives the retailer flexibility in tough conditions.

    Bell Potter forecasts fully franked dividends of 30.9 cents in FY26 and 35.3 cents in FY27. At $6.38 a share, that implies yields of 4.85% and 5.5%.

    The broker rates the ASX retail stock a buy with an $8.30 price target. That’s on the upper end of TradingView data. Analysts have set the average 12-month price target at $7.30. That points to a potential gain 14.7% and a little over 19% in total returns, including dividends.

    The post Which ASX 200 retail stock looks stronger: JB Hi-Fi or Harvey Norman? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in JB Hi-Fi Limited right now?

    Before you buy JB Hi-Fi Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and JB Hi-Fi Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Top broker says this ASX share is a buy after guidance upgrade

    Three happy office workers cheer as they read about good financial news on a laptop.

    SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG) shares have surged over the past year.

    During this time, the ASX share has risen by almost 100%.

    The good news is that following the diversified industrial services company’s first-half results and an upgrade to its full-year guidance, Bell Potter believes there is still further upside on offer.

    Here’s what the broker is saying.

    Solid first half, modest miss

    The ASX share reported a 20% increase in underlying group EBITDA for the first half. While this was strong, it was slightly below Bell Potter’s expectations. The broker said:

    SRG reported underlying Group EBITDA of $71.0m, up 20% YoY, and 3% below BPe. 1H FY26 financial result: Group EBITDA and EBIT(A) missed our expectations by 3% and 4%, respectively, driven by weaker than forecast E&C revenue and EBITDA margin.

    Importantly, excluding the recently acquired TAMS business, the base Maintenance & Industrial (M&I) business continued to perform strongly. Bell Potter notes:

    Stripping out TAMS revenue and our expectation of EBITDA from the M&I segment financials, the base M&I business delivered revenue of $470.7m (BPe $463.2m), up 21% YoY, and EBITDA of $64.9m (BPe $64.6m), up 14% YoY.

    Guidance upgraded

    The key takeaway from the result was the upgrade to the ASX share’s full-year guidance. Bell Potter said:

    FY26 guidance: Group EBITDA guidance was upgraded to $164-168m (previously >$163.0m; BPe $163.8m; VA $163.5m). Group EBIT(A) guidance was raised to $126-130m (previously >$125.0m; BPe $125.2m; VA $125.7m).

    The broker acknowledges that the midpoint of the upgraded EBITDA guidance implies a heavier weighting to the second half. This is largely due to a greater contribution from TAMS compared to the two months included in the first half.

    Should you buy this ASX share?

    According to the note, the broker has responded to the half-year result by retaining its buy rating and lifting its price target to $3.15 from $3.00.

    Based on its current share price of $2.79, this implies potential upside of 13% for investors over the next 12 months.

    In addition, a 2.3% dividend yield is expected, boosting the total potential return beyond 15%.

    Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

    Our upgraded Target Price implies a NTM PE(A) of 21.2x (a 17% premium to the Industrials Services peer group). This premium is justified given management’s consistent track record for delivering acquisition accretion, organic business EPS(A) growth, managing execution risk, and sustaining a high proportion of recurring work compared with other companies in the peer group with greater exposure to lumpier, project-based work revenue.

    The post Top broker says this ASX share is a buy after guidance upgrade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in SRG Global Limited right now?

    Before you buy SRG Global Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and SRG Global Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Bell Potter tips 34% a turnaround for this ASX consumer staples stock

    Ecstatic woman looking at her phone outside with her fist pumped.

    Select Harvests Ltd (ASX: SHV) is an ASX consumer staples stock that has endured a tough 12 months. 

    Select Harvest shares fell 3.43% yesterday, closing at $3.94 per share. 

    Its share price is now down just over 20% year to date. 

    However a new report from Bell Potter suggests it could now be priced at an attractive entry point.

    The new report from Bell Potter has come after the company’s FY25 AGM.

    Response to the AGM 

    Select Harvests is an integrated grower, processor and marketer of almonds owning and operating farming and processing assets in Australia. It offers a vertically integrated model with core capabilities in farming, processing and marketing.

    Yesterday, Bell Potter adjusted its outlook on this company following the AGM. 

    The broker anticipates softer near-term earnings driven mainly by currency and cost assumptions, while maintaining a positive long-term outlook.

    It said cost pressures remain in areas such as bees, water and fertiliser, though FY26 water cost assumptions have been slightly reduced given lower year-to-date prices.

    Volume forecasts remain unchanged at 29,000 tonnes for FY26, with management noting a fast bloom, successful bee procurement and no major frost damage, while industry forecasts point to a 7% year-on-year increase in Australia’s 2026 crop.

    As a result of updated pricing, FX and water assumptions, Bell Potter has reduced EBITDA forecasts by 7% in FY26 and 10% in FY27, with a modest 1% uplift in FY28.

    Price target adjustment for this consumer staples stock

    According to yesterday’s report, the target price has been lowered to $5.30 per share (from $5.80). 

    However Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation, citing supportive global supply dynamics – including a smaller-than-expected Californian crop and weak snowpack – along with attractive valuation metrics (11.4x FY26e EPS, ~30% EPS CAGR FY25–28e) and a roughly 20% discount to market book value.

    Bell Potter’s price target of $5.30 indicates a potential upside of 34.5%. 

    We also see SHV trading at a ~20% discount to market-BV, with recent orchard transactions supportive of the market value as reported (~$4.97/sh).

    Elsewhere, the average analysts rating via TradingView also indicates there is plenty of upside for this consumer staples stock. 

    TradingView has an average 12 month price target of $5.42 which indicates an upside of approximately 37.5%. 

    The post Bell Potter tips 34% a turnaround for this ASX consumer staples stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Select Harvests Limited right now?

    Before you buy Select Harvests Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Select Harvests Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.