Category: Stock Market

It’s turning into a horrid day for the Australian share market and most ASX shares this Monday. At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has plunged by a horrendous 4.2% and is now under 8,500 points. If this continues, the ASX 200 is in for its worst day since the 2020 COVID crash. But let’s talk about what’s happening with Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares.

Qantas shares are faring even worse than the broader market today. The ASX 200 airline and travel stock closed at $8.92 a share on Friday afternoon. But this morning, those same shares opened at just $8.11, an awful 9.08% down from where Qantas closed last week.

At the time of writing, the selling has eased, but Qantas remains down a nasty 5.7% at $8.41 a share.

So why are investors punishing the Flying Kangaroo so severely today, compared with the broader market?

Why are Qantas shares nosediving on Monday?

Unfortunately for Qantas shareholders, today’s punishing sell-off of the airline’s shares is probably due to the nature of the company. As an airliner, Qantas is one of the ASX 200’s most sensitive stocks when it comes to oil prices. Fuel is the company’s single-largest balance sheet cost. To illustrate, fuel costs for Qantas’ 2025 financial year came in at $2.61 billion, making up more than a quarter of the company’s total costs ($10.23 billion).

These fuel costs are directly tied to the global price of crude oil. Unfortunately for Qantas, oil has exploded higher over the weekend, thanks to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, itself a consequence of the US-Iran War.

As we covered this morning, Brent crude was going for US$82 a barrel at the end of last week. Today, that same barrel is almost at US$110. That’s the highest we’ve seen oil at since the spike caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

If the current situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate, Qantas’ fuel costs are set to skyrocket. That’s at the same time that global flights are in chaos thanks to attacks on or near popular Middle East airports in Dubai, Doha, and other Gulf states.

So investors have a plethora of potential negative impacts on Qantas’ business model to digest today. As such, it’s not too surprising to see such a visceral reaction in the Qantas share price this session. Let’s see how the rest of the week unfolds and how it impacts this ASX 200 travel stock.

The post Nosedive: Why did Qantas shares crash 9% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Catapult Sports, CBA, Dyno Nobel, and Qantas shares are sinking today
• US$100 oil is a big deal for every ASX share. Here’s why
• If I wanted to outperform the ASX 200 over the next 10 years, I’d focus here
• 32 ASX shares about to go ex-dividend
• 2 ASX 200 shares you’ll be glad you held for 10 years

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 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 Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is moving slightly higher on Monday.

At the time of writing, Woodside shares are up 1.01% to $31.06.

The move comes as investors continue to reflect on the departure of former Chief Executive Meg O’Neill. She is preparing to take the top job at global energy giant BP plc (LON: BP).

Here’s what investors need to know.

Meg O’Neill’s potential pay package revealed

According to media reports, O’Neill could receive a pay package worth 11.7 million pounds (about $22 million) when she becomes BP’s Chief Executive.

The package reportedly includes a base salary of 1.6 million pounds, along with restricted share awards worth around 8.3 million pounds.

She may also receive performance-based incentives worth about 1.8 million pounds, with the compensation tied to company performance targets over the coming years.

A large portion of the package is designed to replace remuneration she forfeited when leaving Woodside.

Reports indicate more than 85% of the awards will be delivered in shares, aligning O’Neill’s interests with BP shareholders.

The incentives are expected to vest over the coming years.

From Woodside to global oil major

O’Neill served as Woodside’s Chief Executive from 2021 until late 2025.

She joined the company in 2018 after previously holding senior leadership roles at ExxonMobil.

During her time as CEO, Woodside completed the merger with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)’s petroleum business, creating one of the largest independent oil and gas producers listed on the ASX.

The company also advanced major developments, including the Scarborough gas project and Pluto Train 2, which are expected to support Woodside’s future production growth.

O’Neill stepped down from the role after being appointed as BP’s next Chief Executive.

She is expected to formally take over leadership of the 117-year-old energy giant in April 2026, becoming the first woman to lead the company.

Woodside continues leadership transition

Following O’Neill’s departure, Woodside appointed Liz Westcott as acting Chief Executive while the board conducts a global search for a permanent replacement.

Westcott joined Woodside in 2023 and previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Australian operations.

The company has indicated it will consider both internal and external candidates as part of the selection process.

Woodside has stated its aim is to appoint a permanent Chief Executive during 2026.

Oil market tensions remain in focus

Beyond the leadership transition, investors are also watching developments in global energy markets.

Oil prices have risen in recent weeks as tensions escalate in the Middle East following the conflict involving the United States and Iran.

Higher crude prices have been supporting earnings for Woodside and other major oil producers across the sector.

As a result, the Woodside share price has surged around 30% year to date.

The post Woodside shares edge higher as Meg O’Neill prepares to take the top job at BP appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s why Woodside shares are demolishing the stock market
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• 7 ASX 200 stocks racing higher in this week’s sinking market
• Oil prices rocket 8%. Here’s where I’d put my money
• $10,000 invested in Woodside shares at the start of 2026 is now worth…

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

One of the biggest mistakes investors can make is assuming that blue chip shares are boring.

They may not deliver the explosive short-term gains sometimes seen with small caps, but the right blue-chip ASX 200 share can quietly build enormous wealth over time.

This is because they tend to dominate their industries, generate strong cash flows, and reinvest heavily to stay ahead.

On the ASX 200, there are a number of shares that have demonstrated this ability repeatedly. Here are three blue chip shares that stand out as long-term compounders.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

The first blue chip ASX 200 share that could be a buy is ResMed.

At first glance, ResMed looks like a medical device manufacturer selling sleep apnoea machines. But there’s more to it than just that. Each device connects patients, doctors, and healthcare providers through a growing digital health platform.

This network effect is quietly strengthening the business. Every new device adds another patient to ResMed’s ecosystem, increasing the value of its software tools for clinicians and insurers.

With sleep apnoea still massively underdiagnosed globally, the runway for growth remains long. Millions of people who need treatment are yet to be identified, which gives ResMed years of potential expansion ahead.

That combination of recurring device sales, software revenue, and expanding healthcare demand is what could make ResMed such a powerful long-term blue chip.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Another blue chip ASX 200 share that deserves attention is Goodman Group.

Many investors still think of Goodman as a property developer. In reality, it has become one of the world’s most important providers of logistics and data infrastructure.

The company owns and develops warehouses, distribution hubs, and increasingly data centre facilities located near major cities. These assets sit at the heart of modern commerce.

Every time a package is delivered from an online retailer or data is processed in the cloud, infrastructure like Goodman’s is often involved somewhere in the chain.

The company also partners with global institutional investors to fund these developments, allowing it to expand while generating steady management and development income.

As ecommerce, cloud computing, and data consumption continue to grow, demand for this type of infrastructure is unlikely to slow.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

A final blue chip ASX 200 share worth considering is Macquarie Group.

Macquarie has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most globally successful financial institutions. Over the past two decades it has transformed itself from a domestic investment bank into a global infrastructure and asset management powerhouse.

The company now manages and invests in assets ranging from airports and renewable energy projects to data centres and telecommunications infrastructure.

What makes Macquarie particularly interesting is its ability to identify emerging investment themes early. Whether it was infrastructure decades ago or renewable energy more recently, the company has consistently positioned itself ahead of major capital flows.

That adaptability has allowed Macquarie to grow earnings across multiple economic cycles while continuing to reward shareholders with rising dividends.

The post 3 blue chip ASX 200 shares I’d happily buy and hold through the next decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Whitehaven Coal, Goodman, and Xero shares
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• If I wanted to outperform the ASX 200 over the next 10 years, I’d focus here
• Why I’d invest $5,000 in these ASX dividend shares
• This would be my $1 million ASX retirement portfolio

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

Looking for ASX shares to buy after the market selloff?

Well, let’s see what analysts are saying about these popular shares, courtesy of The Bull.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

The team at Red Leaf Securities thinks there are limited short-term catalysts that could drive this industrial property company’s shares higher. As a result, it has put a hold rating on its shares this week.

The investment company thinks investors should wait for a better entry point before buying shares. It said:

Goodman Group offers high quality exposure to industrial property and data infrastructure globally. Structural tailwinds from e-commerce logistics and data centres support long term growth, while development margins remain robust. The capital management platform provides recurring earnings visibility.

However, after a share price recovery, the valuation was recently stretched relative to near term earnings, and higher interest rates and construction costs temper development returns. The long term growth story is intact, but short term catalysts are limited, in our view. Existing investors can consider holding for now, while new entrants may wait for a more attractive entry point.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

The team at EnviroInvest has put a sell rating on the shares of coal miner Whitehaven Coal.

It wasn’t impressed with its performance in the first half and highlights that its earnings are leveraged to a commodity that is facing long term demand erosion. It explains:

Revenue of $2.5 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2026 was down from $3.4 billion in the prior corresponding period, reflecting a fall in average realised prices. Underlying EBITDA of $446 million was down from $960 million.

The company reported an underlying net loss after tax of $19 million, despite moderately lower costs of $135 a tonne compared to the prior corresponding period. While markets may tighten cyclically, global decarbonisation targets and a capital flight from thermal coal remain structural risks. In my view, earnings are leveraged to a commodity facing long term demand erosion.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Analysts at Red Leaf Securities are more positive on this one. They have put a buy rating on Xero shares following a recent selloff.

The investment company highlights that the cloud accounting platform provider still has a long growth runway and believes artificial intelligence (AI) will enhance its offering, not disrupt it. It explains:

This accounting software provider has been sold off, but fundamentals remain strong. Its capital light, subscription based model provides recurring revenue, pricing power and operating leverage. Subscriber growth in Australia, New Zealand and the UK is resilient amid expanding margins through improving cost discipline. The US market remains under-penetrated, offering options over the long term.

Artificial intelligence is likely to enhance Xero’s product suite, improving workflow automation and stickiness rather than disrupting revenue. Recently trading below prior multiples, the risk/reward is attractive for long term investors. This is a profitable, global software platform with scale, and current weakness presents an accumulation opportunity for those looking beyond short term sentiment.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Whitehaven Coal, Goodman, and Xero shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 blue chip ASX 200 shares I’d happily buy and hold through the next decade
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• What I’d buy if the ASX share market crashes
• What to make of Xero’s 12% recovery last week?
• 2 ASX growth stocks set up for massive gains in 2026+

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

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a very disappointing decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 4.4% to 8,462.3 points.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

The Catapult Sports share price is down 11% to $3.53. Investors have been selling this sports technology company’s shares after it was kicked out of the ASX 200 index at the quarterly rebalance. Also leaving the benchmark index are DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) and EBOS Group Ltd (ASX: EBO). They will be replaced by gold miner Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI), engineering services company SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG), and lithium developer Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL).

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price is down 4% to $165.50. This banking giant and the rest of the big four banks have been caught up in the market selloff on Monday. It is possible that investors are concerned that the spike in oil prices could cause inflation to jump. This could force the Reserve Bank of Australia to increase interest rates higher than expected, which would put pressure on mortgage holders.

Dyno Nobel Ltd (ASX: DNL)

The Dyno Nobel share price is down over 11% to $3.00. This morning, this explosives company announced a binding agreement for the sale of Phosphate Hill to a subsidiary of Mayfair Australia Corporation for just a single dollar. However, up to $100 million will be payable to Dyno Nobel subject to certain conditions and meeting certain performance hurdles. Dyno Nobel’s CEO, Mauro Neves, said: “The sale of Phosphate Hill to Mayfair is an important milestone that concludes our separation from the Fertilisers business. This transaction delivers the certainty that we have been working towards and allows us to fully focus on our future as a global explosives leader.”

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas Airways share price is down 5.8% to $8.40. Investors have been selling the airline operator’s shares on Monday in response to surging oil prices. Given that fuel is the company’s largest operating expense, a significant rise could have a major impact on its profits in the near term. So much so, if things remain the same way, it is quite likely that analysts will start downgrading their earnings estimates for Qantas.

The post Why Catapult Sports, CBA, Dyno Nobel, and Qantas shares are sinking today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• US$100 oil is a big deal for every ASX share. Here’s why
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why this ASX stock is slipping after today’s major announcement
• Bell Potter names more of the best ASX shares to buy in March
• Buy, hold, sell: NextDC, WiseTech Global, and CBA shares

Well, the big news that is dominating the Australian share market as investors return to work this Monday is the massive share market sell-off that we are currently seeing. ASX shares are in freefall this session, no other way to put it. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is currently down a horrid 3.64%, its worst fall in years, and is back to just above 8,500 points.

That’s after ending last week at 8,851 points. It’s probably fair to say that the oil price is at least partially responsible for this dramatic plunge.

Investors woke up this morning to find that the price of Brent crude oil has exploded from around US$82 per barrel at the end of last week to well over US$108 per barrel at the time of writing. This is the first time oil has been above US$100 per barrel since the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The impact of such a sharp rise in such a short space of time cannot be overstated.

For one, it points to structural issues in the oil market. That’s not really a surprise, given that we know what is causing this price spike. As investors would no doubt be aware by now, the US-Iran War has resulted in the effective shuttering of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that usually hosts about 20% of the world’s oil traffic.

Further, there have been numerous attacks on oil refineries and other infrastructure assets in the Gulf region of the Middle East since the outbreak of the war. We can only guess how long this new reality will last.

This combination has sent oil markets into a tailspin and has resulted in the momentous price hike we see today.

How do higher oil prices damage ASX shares?

But let’s talk about the impact that US$100 oil has on ASX shares.

As we mentioned above, the share market is diving today. Almost every sector is seeing strong selling, with the notable exception of energy stocks.

So why does a shift in oil prices seemingly damage the valuations of everything from Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) to Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)?

Well, it’s because oil is a fundamental cost for many ASX-listed businesses. It simply flows into everything.

For Qantas, it is one of the airline’s highest fixed costs. Aeroplanes need jet fuel, and that just got a whole lot more expensive. Hence Qantas’ nasty 5%-plus nosedive this Monday.

For Woolworths, the costs of shipping groceries from suppliers to warehouses, and then on to supermarkets, just went up too. The company will either have to absorb these higher costs or pass them on to customers. That’s two rather unpalatable options for shareholders to think about.

Even companies that don’t directly use oil to provide goods and services cannot escape the influence of black gold, though. Commonwealth Bank, for example, is not a major oil user. However, its fortunes are highly correlated with the health of the broader economy.

If oil prices stay at their new levels, it will damage economic growth and increase inflation. After all, every extra dollar we have to spend on oil, petrol, or diesel is a dollar we can’t spend on something else. And that’s bad news for CBA and almost every company on the ASX that isn’t an energy stock.

So, US$100 oil is bad news for most ASX shares and, by extension, most Australians. As such, it’s perhaps no wonder the ASX is taking such a dramatic dive today. Let’s see what the rest of the week has in store for investors.

The post US$100 oil is a big deal for every ASX share. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Catapult Sports, CBA, Dyno Nobel, and Qantas shares are sinking today
• Buy, hold, sell: NextDC, WiseTech Global, and CBA shares
• What I’d buy if the ASX share market crashes
• If I wanted to outperform the ASX 200 over the next 10 years, I’d focus here
• Why I’d invest $5,000 in these ASX dividend shares

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having one of its worst sessions in a long time on Monday. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 4.1% to 8,487.2 points.

Four ASX shares that have managed to avoid the selloff are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL)

The Amplitude Energy share price is up 1.5% to $2.66. This morning, this natural gas company released an update on drilling operations at the Isabella prospect in the offshore Otway Basin in Victoria. Preliminary data collected implies high deliverability and low CO2 levels in the Isabella reservoir. It said: “The gas water contact is currently interpreted as being below the Waarre C reservoir intersection, with technical results to date indicating potential for a larger gas accumulation than that implied by the Waarre C reservoir intersection alone, which supports the Joint Venture progressing to a flow test to confirm minimum gas volume and reservoir pressure.”

Cogstate Ltd (ASX: CGS)

The Cogstate share price is up almost 2.5% to $2.16. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Bell Potter. It has named the healthcare technology company specialising in digital cognitive assessments as one of its best buys for March. It said: “The stock is trading at ~11x forward EV/EBITDA which looks very undemanding relative to local small cap healthcare peers (>30x avg) and large global peers (~13x avg with lower growth). The company has an impressive NAPT margin of 19% in FY25 and is well poised for leverage off the back of its second-best ever half of new sales in 1H26 which grew revenue backlog up to US$92m.”

Dexus Convenience Retail REIT (ASX: DXC)

The Dexus Convenience Retail REIT share price is up 1% to $2.79. This morning, the REIT revealed that it intends to undertake an on-market buy-back with an initial target of 2.5% of securities on issue. DXC Fund Manager, Pat De Maria, said: “Around current trading levels, we believe that an on-market securities buy-back represents a compelling return on capital and further enhances value for existing securityholders.”

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

The Santos share price is up 3% to $7.68. Investors have been buying Santos and other ASX energy shares on Monday after oil prices raced beyond US$100 per barrel. According to CNBC, the WTI crude oil is currently up 20% to US$109.12. This has been driven by news that major Middle Eastern oil producers, including Kuwait, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, have cut oil production following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The post Why Amplitude Energy, Cogstate, Dexus Convenience Retail, and Santos shares are charging higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 shares dumped from the ASX 200 index (and 3 new additions)
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• Bell Potter names the best ASX shares to buy in March
• Santos shares rise despite CEO selling $5.6 million worth of stock
• 7 ASX 200 stocks racing higher in this week’s sinking market

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

The Immutep Ltd (ASX: IMM) share price is currently halted on Monday. This comes after the biotech company requested a trading halt from the ASX late last week.

Before being placed on ice, shares in the cancer immunotherapy developer finished Friday’s session up 3.95% to 39.5 cents.

Despite that gain, the stock has had a softer start to the year and remains around 5% lower in 2026.

Let’s take a look at what is happening with this ASX healthcare share.

Trading halt ahead of important clinical update

According to the release, Immutep requested that its shares be paused while it prepares to release a significant update to the market.

The pause relates to an upcoming update on the company’s Phase III TACTI 004 clinical trial.

Management said the move is designed to ensure trading does not occur on an uninformed basis while the company prepares its announcement.

Immutep stated that the trading halt will remain in place until the earlier of an announcement being released or the commencement of trading on 11 March 2026.

Investors are now waiting for the company to disclose the results of the interim analysis.

What the clinical trial is testing

Immutep is an Australian biotechnology company developing new treatments that help the immune system fight cancer and other diseases.

Its lead drug candidate is called eftilagimod alpha. The treatment works by stimulating the body’s immune system so it can better recognise and attack cancer cells.

The company is currently running a late-stage Phase III clinical trial known as TACTI 004, also called the KEYNOTE F91 study.

This trial is testing eftilagimod alpha alongside Keytruda, a widely used cancer treatment developed by pharmaceutical giant Merck.

The study focuses on patients with advanced head and neck cancer that has either returned or spread to other parts of the body.

As part of the trial, researchers are carrying out what is known as a futility analysis. This is an interim check to see whether the treatment appears likely to deliver positive results.

If the early data suggest the trial is on the right track, the study will continue. If not, researchers may decide it is unlikely to meet its goals.

Because this is a Phase III study, it is one of the final stages of clinical testing. The outcome of this analysis could have a major impact on Immutep’s future.

What investors will be watching

Biotech shares often react strongly to clinical trial updates, particularly when they involve late-stage studies.

If the futility analysis indicates the trial should continue, it could strengthen investor confidence in Immutep’s development pipeline.

However, if the results are disappointing, the market could react negatively.

The post Why the Immutep share price is halted today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Catapult Sports, CBA, Dyno Nobel, and Qantas shares are sinking today
• US$100 oil is a big deal for every ASX share. Here’s why
• Why Amplitude Energy, Cogstate, Dexus Convenience Retail, and Santos shares are charging higher
• Here’s why Woodside shares are demolishing the stock market
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares pushed to a new 52-week high of $31.96 during Monday trading. Woodside shares have risen 2.44% to $31.50 at the time of writing, bringing the total gain in 2026 to a massive 33%.

When energy prices start climbing, investors often turn quickly to companies that produce the fuel that powers the global economy. That appears to be happening again with Woodside shares that have been soaring while much of the broader market struggles to keep pace.

Rising geopolitical tensions

The main catalyst for Woodside shares has been a rebound in oil and liquefied natural gas prices. On Friday, the WTI crude oil price surged 12.2% to US$90.90 a barrel, and the Brent crude oil price was up 8.5% to US$92.69 a barrel.

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have unsettled energy markets and driven crude prices higher. It has been lifting the wider ASX energy sector and helping propel Woodside’s share price.

Australia’s largest oil and gas producer

Operationally, the ASX energy company has also been delivering. Woodside recently reported record full-year production of 198.8 million barrels of oil equivalent. That’s exceeding its guidance range and reinforcing its position as Australia’s largest independent oil and gas producer.

That production strength helped the company generate roughly US$13 billion in annual revenue while maintaining solid operating performance across its global portfolio of assets.

Large LNG pipeline

A key part of Woodside’s long-term story is its large pipeline of LNG developments. Major projects such as the Scarborough gas project and Pluto Train 2 are approaching completion and are expected to support production growth over the coming years.

At the same time, the company is expanding its global footprint. One of its most significant long-term developments is the Louisiana LNG project in the United States, which could eventually position the company as a major supplier to international gas markets.

Income investors are also drawn to the stock. Woodside has long built a reputation for generous shareholder returns, with the shares offering a dividend yield of around 6% in recent periods. Those payouts have been supported by strong operating cash flow generated from its energy assets.

Delays and cost overruns

Of course, investing in energy stocks always comes with risks. The biggest challenge for Woodside shares is commodity price volatility. Woodside’s earnings can rise and fall significantly depending on movements in global oil and gas prices, which are influenced by geopolitical events, economic growth, and shifts in global supply.

Large capital projects also carry execution risks. The company is investing billions of dollars into new LNG developments, and delays or cost overruns could weigh on profitability. Credit rating agencies have also warned that large-scale investments could put pressure on balance sheets if energy prices weaken.

What next for Woodside shares?

Even so, analysts generally remain constructive on the $58 billion Woodside shares. Some market watchers believe the stock could climb further if oil and LNG prices remain elevated through 2026.

In a favourable energy cycle, some bullish forecasts suggest Woodside shares could eventually challenge previous highs near $38. That points to a potential 20% upside over 12 months.

The post Here’s why Woodside shares are demolishing the stock market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• 7 ASX 200 stocks racing higher in this week’s sinking market
• Oil prices rocket 8%. Here’s where I’d put my money
• $10,000 invested in Woodside shares at the start of 2026 is now worth…
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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.

With so many shares to choose from on the Australian share market, it can be difficult to decide which ones to buy. The good news is that brokers across the country are doing a lot of the hard work for you.

Three top ASX shares that leading brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here’s why they are bullish on them:

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $6.25 price target on this sports technology company’s shares. The broker has updated its forecasts to incorporate the Impect and IsoLynx transactions. Outside this, Morgans has previously spoken about how it believes Catapult is well-positioned to grow its top line by 20% per annum over the next three years to reach US$180 million by FY 2028. In light of this, the broker sees plenty of value on offer here and appears to see recent share price weakness as a buying opportunity for investors. The Catapult share price is trading at $3.59 on Monday.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

A note out of Morgan Stanley reveals that its analysts have retained their overweight rating and $24.00 price target on this supermarket giant’s shares. The broker highlights that Coles shares are trading at a discount to rival Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW). However, it believes this valuation gap is unjustified and should close given its strong performance so far and the prospect of a strong finish to FY 2026. The Coles share price is fetching $20.90 at the time of writing.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Analysts at Macquarie have retained their outperform rating and $32.20 price target on this industrial property company’s shares. According to the note, the broker highlights that REITs have underperformed the market this year amid concerns over higher interest rates. This is despite half-year results in the sector coming in largely ahead of expectations in February and earnings per share forecasts only falling marginally in response to rising interest rate expectations. Macquarie notes that it has a preference for quality and growth at a reasonable price in the current environment and Goodman ticks these boxes as one of its preferred exposures in the sector. This is especially the case given that the company offers resilient double-digit earnings growth, which is being supported by its data centre opportunity. The Goodman share price is trading at $26.43 on Monday.

The post Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.