Category: Stock Market

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week with a disappointing decline. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 1.3% to 8,822.4 points.

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

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP Group share price is down almost 6% to $52.05. This reflects significant weakness in the resources sector on Friday. This may be due to demand concerns for copper and iron ore, as well as investors taking profit and rotating their funds into cheaper areas of the market. At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Resources index is down 4.3%.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

The Northern Star share price is down 7% to $27.36. Investors have been selling Northern Star and other gold miners on Friday following a pullback in the gold price overnight. Traders have been selling the precious metal amid concerns that inflation could spike from higher energy costs. This could mean interest rates rise, which reduces the allure of the safe haven asset. In addition, the US dollar has been strengthening because of this, which has an inverse effect on the gold price. The S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold index is down by 5.2% in afternoon trade.

Resimac Group Ltd (ASX: RMC)

The Resimac share price is down 18% to 98.5 cents. This has been driven by the non-bank lender’s shares going ex-dividend this morning for its interim and special dividends. Last month, Resimac released its half-year results and declared a fully franked interim dividend of 4 cents per share and a 9 cents per share fully franked special dividend. Based on its last close price, this equates to a total dividend yield of over 11%. Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving this dividend later this month on 24 March.

Tivan Ltd (ASX: TVN)

The Tivan share price is down 6% to 37 cents. This morning, this mineral exploration company announced the establishment of a community development initiative committing up to $1 million of funding over four years to support Indigenous communities in remote regions in Central Australia. While this is noble and undoubtedly a great thing for the community, last month, the company reported a net loss of $4.9 million and cash reserves of $11.9 million. Some investors may be concerned that it could quicken the path to a capital raising.

The post Why BHP, Northern Star, Resimac, and Tivan shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• If gold is a safe haven, why are ASX 200 gold stocks like Northern Star and Evolution Mining getting smashed this week?
• 1 beaten-down ASX share to consider buying today, and 5 I’m shunning for now
• Why BHP, EQ Resources, Lottery Corp, and Woodside shares are falling today
• Why is BHP share price sinking today?
• 5 Australian stocks to buy and hold for the next 5 years

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

When it comes to ASX-listed gold companies, investing in an up-and-coming explorer or developer that brings a project into production is a good strategy.

The key, of course, is finding the right company.

The team at Shaw and Partners think they’re on to a winner with Golden Horse Minerals Ltd (ASX: GHM), which recently announced good exploration results from its Hopes Hill prospect.

So let’s have a look at what they announced this week.

Strong drilling results

Golden Horse Minerals said that drilling, much of which was still being tested at the laboratory, had so far confirmed gold mineralisation at more than 110m below the historic Hopes Hill open-pit mine.

Grades from the recent drilling campaign included 7.1m at 2.5 grams per tonne of gold from a depth of 178.9m, and 4m at 3.1 grams per tonne of gold at 243m.

Meanwhile, at Hopes Hill North, the company reported “numerous near surface and wide gold intersections across multiple holes” and the company said the drilling results indicated mineralisation extending beyond 700m from the existing pit.

A regional drilling program at the Hakes Find had also been completed, with results expected shortly, while the drill rig had since been mobilised to another target, Marionete.

Golden Horse Managing Director Nicholas Anderson said regarding the results:

It is great to be at the Stable in Southern Cross and see the first results of our aggressive +125km drill campaign begin to flow. With 3 RC and 2 Diamond drill rigs running and the sample labs packed tighter than a float on race day, we are expecting plenty of results to feed the members shortly. The aggressive selection to actively target conceptual open pit extensions to the north of Hopes Hill is paying dividends, with multiple broad intercepts highlighting the prospectivity of the immediate area and indeed the broader Southern Cross Greenstone Belt. We are trying to rein in our excitement for the Year of the Horse, however some brumbies refuse to be broken

Shares looking cheap

The Shaw and Partners team said the 125,000m drilling campaign for 2026 was “massive”.

They added:

While Hopes Hill remains the flagship, the broader regional program aims to identify satellite deposits that could eventually feed into a centralised processing hub. By moving rigs to Marionete, GHM is maintaining a dual-track strategy: aggressively defining the main Hopes Hill resource while simultaneously testing new regional targets to build a larger project pipeline within their extensive tenement holding.

Shaw and Partners said Golden Horse Minerals was one of its preferred picks in the gold sector, and it has a price target of $1.50 on the shares, compared with just 66.5 cents currently.

Golden Horse Minerals was valued at $176.8 million at the close of trade on Thursday.

The post Which gold company does Shaw and Partners think will more than double in value? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• This gold explorer has more than tripled, but could double again one broker says

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stocks, including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)  Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares, are getting hammered this week.

In late morning trade on Friday, the Northern Star share price is down 5.7% at $27.69. That sees Northern Star shares down 13.7% since Monday’s close.

Evolution Mining shares are down 4.3% at the time of writing, changing hands for $15.05 apiece. This puts the Evolution Mining share price down 14.8% since Monday’s close.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 3.2% since the closing bell on Monday.

Here’s how these other top ASX 200 gold stocks have performed over this same time:

• Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM) shares are down 11.5%
• Ramelius Resources Ltd(ASX: RMS) shares are down 10.0%
• Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) shares are down 11.7%
• Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) shares are down 9.0%
• Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) shares are down 8.3%
• Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) shares are down 13.2%
• Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) shares are down 12.5%
• Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) shares are down 3.2%

Why are ASX 200 gold stocks getting smashed despite gold’s haven status?

In times of global uncertainty, investors often turn to gold as a relatively safe store of wealth.

And, indeed, on Monday, the gold price spiked to US$5,322 per ounce following the United States and Israel’s military strikes on Iran. This, in turn, saw most ASX 200 gold stocks post outsized gains on Monday.

But over the following days, the gold price went into reverse.

The yellow metal is currently fetching US$5,094 per ounce, down 4.3% over the past four days.

“Gold’s sell-off this week is a reminder to investors that even with rising demand for safe havens, the ultimate safe haven asset isn’t immune if market forces work against it,” Josh Gilbert, market analyst at eToro, said.

One of those market forces is the rapidly changing outlook for the prospect of interest rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and a host of other prominent central banks.

That’s because the sharp spike in oil prices (Brent crude is up 18% this week, trading at US$85.40 per barrel) is likely to fuel inflation worldwide. And gold tends to underperform in high or rising rate environments.

Fewer (or no) further interest rate cuts from the US Fed will also aid the already strengthening US dollar. And with the gold price in US dollars, that throws up additional headwinds for the yellow metal, as well as ASX 200 gold stocks.

According to Gilbert:

We’re seeing similarities to what we saw in 2022. When Russia invaded Ukraine, oil prices surged, inflation spiked globally, and the Fed responded by hiking rates aggressively, which strengthened the dollar and sent gold lower for much of that year…

The physical gold market is also facing real disruption. The UAE, one of the world’s most important regions for the global gold trade, closed its airspace over the weekend.

There are other forces pressuring the gold price as well.

As we’ve seen during other market pullbacks, traders have been selling off their gold holdings to meet margin calls, adding more gold supply to the market just as demand is dipping.

“This hints strongly at ‘good for bad’ activity in markets, where traders need to cover loss-making positions elsewhere by booking profits on their hitherto profitable trades,” National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) head of FX strategy Ray Attrill said (quoted by The Australian Financial Review).

Now what?

As for what’s ahead for the likes of Northern Star and Evolution Mining, it’s worth noting that the vast majority of ASX gold shares are still well into the green over the longer term.

S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) – which also contains some smaller miners outside of ASX 200 gold stocks – remains up 95.7% since this time last year.

“The structural case for gold hasn’t changed,” Gilbert said.

He noted:

Central banks have been buying at a historic pace for three consecutive years, concerns around fiscal deficits remain firmly in place, and the geopolitical backdrop is arguably more uncertain now than at any point this year. Gold is still up almost 20% year to date, and with the conflict in the Middle East not seemingly letting up for now, buyers may not be gone for too long.

The post If gold is a safe haven, why are ASX 200 gold stocks like Northern Star and Evolution Mining getting smashed this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 32 ASX shares about to go ex-dividend
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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

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.

Putting a lump sum to work in the market can feel a little daunting. There are thousands of listed companies on the ASX and plenty of different strategies investors can follow.

If I had $20,000 to invest right now, I would look to spread the money across a handful of businesses operating in different industries.

That way, the portfolio isn’t overly dependent on any single company or sector.

Here are five ASX shares I would consider for a $20,000 portfolio today.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Netwealth is one of the standout wealth platform businesses on the ASX.

The company provides a platform used by financial advisers to manage client investments, reporting, and administration. As the advice industry continues to shift toward more modern, flexible platforms, Netwealth has been steadily gaining market share.

Funds under administration on the platform have grown strongly over the past decade as advisers move client portfolios across.

What I like about this business is the scalability of the model. As more funds flow onto the platform, Netwealth’s revenue base expands without the company needing to increase costs at the same pace.

With the structural growth of financial advice and retirement savings in Australia, I think Netwealth remains well-positioned for long-term expansion.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

The buy now, pay later sector has been through a difficult period over the past few years as interest rates rose and investors questioned the sustainability of some business models.

However, Zip has proven the doubters wrong, successfully reshaping its business, improving credit quality, tightening costs, and strengthening profitability.

If the company continues executing well and maintains discipline around lending, I think there is potential for sentiment around the business to improve significantly from here.

For investors willing to accept some volatility, Zip could offer meaningful upside if its strong performance continues.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Another ASX share I would invest some of the $20,000 in is Temple & Webster. It is one of Australia’s leading online furniture and homewares retailers.

The company operates an asset-light model, enabling it to offer a wide range of products without carrying large inventory levels. That structure gives the business flexibility and scalability as it grows.

What stands out to me is the strength of the brand the company has built in online furniture retail.

While consumer spending in discretionary categories can fluctuate with economic conditions, Temple & Webster has continued to invest in its platform, data capabilities, and customer experience.

If online penetration in furniture retail continues increasing over time, Temple & Webster could remain a major beneficiary of that shift.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Lovisa has quietly become one of the most impressive retail growth shares on the ASX.

The jewellery retailer operates a fast-fashion model and has been expanding aggressively across international markets. New store openings have been a major driver of growth as the brand continues entering new regions.

What makes the business appealing to me is the simplicity and scalability of its model. Lovisa has proven that it can replicate its store concept across different countries while maintaining strong margins.

If management continues executing its global store rollout strategy successfully, the company could still have a very long runway for growth.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers plays a different role in the portfolio.

While the other ASX shares on this list lean more toward growth, Wesfarmers provides exposure to a high-quality conglomerate with a strong track record of capital allocation.

The company owns a collection of businesses, including Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks, which together generate substantial cash flow.

What I particularly like about Wesfarmers is management’s disciplined approach to investing and returning capital to shareholders.

For a long-term portfolio, I think it provides a good balance to some of the higher-growth names.

Foolish Takeaway

If I were investing $20,000 in the ASX shares today, I would want a mix of growth opportunities and established businesses.

Netwealth, Zip, Temple & Webster, and Lovisa offer exposure to different growth themes across financial platforms, fintech, e-commerce, and global retail.

Adding a quality company like Wesfarmers helps balance the portfolio with a business that has a long track record of delivering steady returns.

Together, I think these five ASX shares could form the foundation of a diversified portfolio with the potential to grow over time.

The post How I’d invest $20,000 in the ASX share market right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 reasons to buy this oversold ASX growth stock today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX growth stocks primed to rocket in 2026
• Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on Wesfarmers and CBA shares
• 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Lovisa and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa, Netwealth Group, Temple & Webster Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa, Temple & Webster Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There are a lot of options to choose from on the Australian share market.

To narrow things down, let’s see what Morgans is saying about the three popular ASX shares named below.

Here’s what the broker is recommending:

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Morgans is positive on this network-as-a-service provider following its half-year results.

After reviewing the results, the broker has retained its buy rating with a $16.00 price target. It commented:

After doing a post result deep dive into one-off versus recurring costs implied in 2H26 guidance, we now understand 2H26 includes a number of one-off costs. We update our forecasts, lowering our FY27/28 OPEX due to expectations of a higher underlying 2H26 exit rate EBITDA margin relative to that implied in guidance (which includes meaningful one-off costs in 2H26). We lift our FY27/28 EBITDA forecasts by 15-20%. Our forecasts now sit in line with consensus. Our target price lifts to $16.00 and we retain our Buy rating.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

Another ASX 200 share that Morgans is positive on is mining and mining services company Mineral Resources.

Morgans was pleased with the clear step change in profitability during the first half, which is helping to strengthen its balance sheet.

In response, Morgans put a buy rating on its shares with a $68.00 price target. It said:

1H26 EBITDA and underlying NPAT beat consensus with Onslow, Mining Services and lithium delivering a clear step change in profitability. MIN is firmly on track to achieve <2x ND/EBITDA within 6 months supported by strong earnings and POSCO proceeds. Move to a BUY recommendation (previously HOLD) with embedded growth from Onslow moving to 38Mtpa and additional lithium capacity underpinning medium-term upside.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

Finally, Morgans was pleased with Rio Tinto’s performance in FY 2025. However, it wasn’t enough for a broker upgrade. This is especially the case given its concerns over the miner potentially looking at deal-making at the top of the cycle.

As a result, Morgans has a trim rating and $146.00 price target on Rio Tinto’s shares. The broker said:

Solid earnings result, albeit flat earnings despite Copper EBITDA doubling. An investment heavy phase, FCF will rise on Simandou/OT ramp. Underlying NPAT US$10.9bn (in line with cons). Final dividend was 254 USc (+1% vs cons).

Whether RIO prove sceptics wrong and unlock value from mega deals at the top of the cycle is a key question and risk. We lean towards ‘no’, as in our experience M&A action in bull markets pushes listed targets beyond fair value. RIO is keeping pace with the upgrade cycle, which supports gains but undermines our view on further value, although it remains one of the highest quality sector exposures. We maintain a TRIM rating on RIO with a valuation-based A$146 target price (previously A$142).

The post Buy, hold, sell: Megaport, Mineral Resources, and Rio Tinto shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 1 beaten-down ASX share to consider buying today, and 5 I’m shunning for now
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Want to receive the BHP, Rio Tinto, and Woodside dividends? Here’s what you need to do
• 3 star ASX 200 stocks to buy in March
• Follow Warren Buffett: 3 cheap ASX 200 shares worth a closer look

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Megaport. 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 Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) share price is under pressure during late morning trade on Friday.

At the time of writing, shares in the copper miner are down 7.25% to $17.53.

The decline comes despite the stock’s strong run over the past year. Sandfire shares are still up more than 50% over the past year after rallying strongly through 2025 and early 2026.

So, what is pushing the ASX copper stock lower today?

Let’s take a closer look.

Copper price pullback weighs on the sector

The main driver behind today’s decline appears to be a pullback in copper prices.

Copper is currently trading at US$5.78 per pound, down about 1.20%.

Prices have eased after inventories tracked by the London Metal Exchange climbed to a 16-month high following a rise in deliveries into US warehouses. Higher inventories can signal softer short-term demand or improving supply, which often pressures prices.

Copper futures have also been affected by a stronger US dollar, which tends to weigh on commodity prices. Ongoing geopolitical tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran have also added uncertainty to global markets.

While the recent move lower has rattled sentiment, it is important to keep the bigger picture in mind.

Copper prices are still up more than 20% over the past year. The gains have been supported by growing demand tied to electrification, renewable energy infrastructure, and electric vehicles.

Strong profit growth recently reported

The recent weakness also follows the release of Sandfire’s latest financial results.

The company reported a 94% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) to US$96.3 million for the first half of FY26.

Sandfire is one of the larger copper producers listed on the ASX and operates assets across several regions.

Its key operations include the MATSA copper operations in Spain and the Motheo copper project in Botswana.

These assets have helped drive a significant lift in production and earnings over the past year as the company expanded its global copper footprint.

What brokers are saying about the stock

Following the results, several brokers reviewed their outlook for Sandfire shares.

Morgan Stanley maintained a sell rating with a price target of $16.20.

Macquarie reiterated a hold rating with a target price of $20.10, while Morgans also kept a hold rating and lifted its price target to $20.40.

Meanwhile, Canaccord Genuity upgraded the stock to a buy rating and increased its price target to $21.

Sandfire shares reached a record high of $21.75 in late January, highlighting the strength of the rally before the recent pullback.

Foolish Takeaway

While the Sandfire share price has fallen today, the decline appears to be tied largely to short-term weakness in copper prices.

The broader trend for copper remains constructive, with demand supported by electrification, renewable energy projects, and growing power infrastructure needs.

With Sandfire heavily exposed to copper, movements in the metal’s price will likely remain a key driver of the share price.

The post Why this ASX copper stock is sinking 7% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 materials sector leads as earnings season ends with a record high
• Brokers review 12-month price targets for 3 ASX 200 mining shares post-results
• Sandfire Resources posts 94% profit jump and record revenue in H1 FY26
• Copper price forecast for 2026: Goldman Sachs

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

NexGen Energy Ltd (ASX: NXG) has been granted environmental approval to build its Rook 1 uranium mine in Canada, which is set to be among the world’s largest.

The company said in a statement to the ASX on Friday that the environmental approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission was the final approval necessary for the project, which it owns 100% of.

The ASX-listed uranium company said it had worked together with local indigenous groups and partners on the permitting process.

The company went on to say:

When fully operational, the Rook I Project will be the largest single source and environmentally elite uranium mine globally, incorporating state-of-the-art extraction and safety systems. In production, Rook I is capable of producing up to 30 million pounds annually – representing over 20% of the current global uranium fuel supply and over 50% of western world supply.

All systems go

The company said now that approvals were in place, it was set to begin construction.

The team, procurement, engineering, vendors, contractors and capital are in place to commence construction activities with advanced site and shaft sinking preparation. NexGen has already made its Final Investment Decision with official construction commencing in summer 2026. As per the Rook I Project schedule, construction will take 4 years from commencement.

NexGen Chief Executive Officer Leigh Curyer said the company had gone through what was “one of the most rigorous and comprehensive regulatory processes undertaken for a resource project globally”.

He added:

The world is changing fast, and NexGen’s Rook I is now ready to be a significant contributor to global requirements for nuclear energy and Canada’s role as an energy superpower. As global demand for reliable, clean, baseload nuclear energy continues to accelerate at an unprecedented pace, uranium is the critical fuel for powering industrial electrification and the digital infrastructure of tomorrow. Simply put, energy is the key to our global growth. Nuclear is the chosen energy to supply that economic growth. NexGen is the foundational and necessary key to fuelling that growth.

The Rook 1 project will be an underground mine in the Athabasca region of Canada.

NexGen’s feasibility study envisages the project operating for a mine life of 11 years, over which time it would produce 233.6 million pounds of uranium.

NexGen’s Australian shares were 1 cent higher on the news at $17.87. The company’s shares are also listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The company’s ASX-listed shares were valued at $11.79 billion at the close of trade on Thursday.

The post Which uranium company has just received approval to build one of the world’s biggest mines? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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

Investing gets much simpler when you focus on the long term. Instead of worrying about short-term market swings, the goal becomes owning businesses that can keep expanding, strengthening their competitive positions, and compounding earnings over many years.

With that mindset, I tend to look for companies operating in large markets with strong brands, scalable platforms, or structural tailwinds behind them.

Here are five ASX shares I’d be happy to buy and hold for the next decade.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma has been transformed following its merger with Chemist Warehouse, creating one of the most powerful pharmacy groups in Australia.

The combined business brings together Chemist Warehouse’s retail strength and brand recognition with Sigma’s wholesale distribution and supply chain expertise. That combination gives the group enormous scale across both pharmacy retail and pharmaceutical distribution.

Chemist Warehouse already has a dominant position in the Australian pharmacy market and continues expanding internationally. With Sigma now integrated into the group, the merged business has the potential to unlock meaningful efficiencies and growth opportunities over time.

For long-term investors, I think the scale and brand strength of the Chemist Warehouse network make Sigma a very interesting business to watch over the coming decade.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group operates one of the most valuable digital platforms in Australia through realestate.com.au.

Property listings are a critical part of the real estate industry, and REA has built an incredibly strong position with both agents and buyers. When people search for property online in Australia, realestate.com.au is usually where they start.

That network effect has allowed REA to steadily increase pricing and expand its product offering for real estate agents over time.

Even when property volumes fluctuate with the housing cycle, the long-term shift toward digital property marketing continues to support the business. I think that structural advantage gives this ASX share a strong foundation for long-term growth.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech Global has built one of the most ambitious technology platforms on the ASX.

Its CargoWise software helps logistics companies manage complex global supply chains. Freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers rely on the platform to coordinate the movement of goods across borders.

The logistics industry is enormous and still relatively fragmented from a software perspective. WiseTech’s strategy has been to build a global operating system for the industry, integrating logistics processes into a single platform.

That vision gives the company a very large long-term opportunity. If WiseTech continues expanding its platform and integrating more of the global logistics ecosystem, its revenue and earnings could look dramatically larger over the next decade.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Aristocrat Leisure is one of the world’s leading gaming companies.

The business has long dominated the global gaming machine market, supplying slot machines and digital gaming systems to casinos around the world. But in recent years, the company has also built a strong presence in mobile gaming through its social casino and mobile gaming divisions.

This combination of land-based gaming and digital gaming gives Aristocrat multiple growth drivers.

Gaming remains a highly profitable industry with strong global demand, and Aristocrat has proven over many years that it can create games that resonate with players. If it continues innovating and expanding across both casino and mobile platforms, I think this ASX share could remain a major global player for many years to come.

Block Inc. (ASX: XYZ)

Block is a global financial technology company focused on making financial services more accessible.

Through its Square ecosystem, the company provides payment solutions, point-of-sale technology, and business tools for merchants. Meanwhile, its Cash App platform offers peer-to-peer payments, banking features, and investing services to consumers.

What makes Block interesting is the scale of its ecosystem. Millions of businesses and consumers use its products every day, creating a powerful network that can support additional financial services over time.

Digital payments and fintech adoption continue to expand globally, and Block remains well-positioned to benefit from that shift as it continues building out its ecosystem.

Foolish Takeaway

Sigma, REA Group, WiseTech Global, Aristocrat Leisure, and Block all operate in large markets with long-term growth potential.

If these businesses continue executing well, I think they could reward patient investors over the next decade.

The post 5 ASX shares I’d buy and hold for the next decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Block and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Oil prices have surged sharply this week as escalating conflict in the Middle East rattles global energy markets.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude has jumped 7.47% to US$80.24 per barrel, while Brent crude is up 4.31% to US$84.91.

The rally comes as tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran threaten to disrupt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.

With supply risks rising, investors have been moving back into oil producers, helping lift Australian energy stocks.

Let’s take a closer look.

Oil markets react to rising geopolitical risks

Oil prices can move very quickly when geopolitical tensions flare up.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical choke point for global energy markets. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to international markets.

Recent reports suggest tanker traffic has slowed as security concerns rise in the region. There have also been incidents involving oil tankers and refinery infrastructure, which have further unsettled energy markets.

Energy stocks are responding

The rally in crude prices is already flowing through to Australian energy stocks.

The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) has surged roughly 9% over the past week, making it one of the strongest-performing sectors on the local market.

Among the biggest beneficiaries has been Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS).

The Woodside share price has climbed 10% in a week, recently trading around $30.84.

Higher oil prices are generally positive for large producers because they increase revenue from every barrel sold.

Woodside is Australia’s largest listed oil and gas producer with major operations across Australia, the Gulf of Mexico, and Africa. The company also has growing exposure to liquefied natural gas (LNG), another market that often tightens during periods of geopolitical tension.

Why investors are watching oil closely

Oil prices often act as a key signal for energy stocks.

When crude moves higher, the earnings outlook for producers usually improves quickly. That is why oil rallies can often drive strong share price gains across the sector.

However, oil markets are also notoriously volatile.

Prices can surge during geopolitical crises but fall just as quickly if tensions ease or supply increases.

That means investors need to balance the short-term momentum with longer-term fundamentals.

Where I’d put my money

If oil prices remain elevated, Australia’s large energy producers are likely to benefit.

Companies such as Woodside have global assets, strong cash flows, and exposure to both oil and LNG markets.

That combination leaves them well-positioned when energy prices rise.

While commodity markets are volatile, ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could keep oil prices elevated in the near term.

The post Oil prices rocket 8%. Here’s where I’d put my money appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Looking for a big return? If you are, then it could be worth checking out the ASX 200 share in this article.

That’s because if analysts at Bell Potter are on the money with their recommendation, mouth-watering returns could be on offer with this share over the next 12 months.

Which ASX 200 share?

The share that Bell Potter is tipping as a buy is agricultural chemicals company Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF).

Bell Potter has been looking at industry data and believe it could be supportive of a recovery in margins. It said:

Recent peer reporting has highlighted continued margin recovery, with trade flows indicating a solid level of inventory rebuild ahead of major selling windows. Key points: Quarterly reporting: Key highlights from reporting season include: (1) average reported selling prices were down -2% YoY and volumes were up +2% YoY; and (2) gross margins (where reported) were up +120bp YoY.

Sector trade flows: Sector trade flows globally have continued to demonstrate reasonable levels of demand, with trade flows ex-China down -1% YoY and imports into major NUF markets up +11% YoY, driven by a +23% YoY uplift in the EU+UK and a +8% YoY uplift in North American import activity.

In addition, the broker highlights that omega-3 pricing indicators have been positive and weather has been favourable, which are good news for the ASX 200 share. It adds:

Pricing indicators for omega-3 oil have remained firm, with Peruvian omega-3 oil up +5% YoY, feed grade oil up +10% YoY and high-grade fishmeal up +35% YoY. These figures are comparable to pricing indicators reported by Austevoll through 1Q26, with high double-digit uplifts relative to the lows seen through 2Q25-4Q25 (i.e. 24-46% gains).

Recent rainfall has improved soil moisture profiles in Australia, EU soil moisture looks stronger in western and southern Europe than eastern Europe and three month outlooks are generally supportive. US drought monitors are better than a year ago with generally normal conditions in most belts forecast.

Big potential returns

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating and $3.60 price target on Nufarm’s shares.

Based on its current share price of $2.09, this implies potential upside of over 70% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

We expect 1H26e to demonstrate a continuation of the margin recovery story that became evident in 2H25 in the crop protection business (and reported by peers), with a material turnaround in Omega-3 earnings (reflected in improved pricing indicators). The foundations for 2H26e selling windows look positive with the potential for prolonged Middle East conflict to elevate crop protection pricing. Demonstrating progress on deleveraging of the balance sheet in FY26e is a key catalyst to NUF bridging the gap to sector multiples (Sector at 8.0x FY26e EBITDA vs. NUF at 6.0x).

The post Looking for big returns? This ASX 200 share could rise 70% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Can this ASX energy stock keep the rally going?
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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.