Category: Stock Market

Building a share portfolio does not have to be complicated to be effective.

For many investors, the hardest part is not choosing investments, but sticking with them. A simple structure can make it easier to stay invested through market ups and downs, while still providing diversification and long-term growth potential.

Here is an example of an easy, three-investment ASX ETF portfolio that covers Australia, the United States, and a long-term global theme.

iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV)

The first investment in this portfolio would be the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF.

This hugely popular ETF tracks the S&P 500 Index, giving exposure to 500 of the largest companies in the United States. It includes businesses such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), which sit at the centre of global commerce, technology, and innovation.

But its holdings are not static. The index naturally evolves over time, adding new leaders and removing those that lose relevance. This has historically made it a strong long-term holding for investors who want exposure to global growth without constant decision-making.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

For Australian exposure, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF could be the way to do it.

Rather than simply tracking the largest ASX shares, this ASX ETF focuses on businesses with strong balance sheets, high returns on equity, and consistent earnings. This essentially means that it tilts toward shares that aren’t going away any time soon and are well-positioned for the long-term.

Holdings currently include names such as CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) and Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), which are businesses known for their resilience and long-term execution. This quality bias can help smooth returns and make the portfolio easier to hold during volatile periods.

It could work well alongside the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF by providing local exposure with an emphasis on financial strength rather than size alone. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

To add a thematic growth element, the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF could be worth considering.

This ASX ETF provides investors with exposure to global stocks that are involved in cybersecurity, which is an area becoming more critical as economies digitise. Its holdings include businesses such as CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) and Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), which are helping to protect data, networks, and digital infrastructure.

Cybersecurity demand is not tied to economic cycles in the same way as many industries. As digital systems expand, security requirements tend to grow alongside them. This fund allows investors to access this theme without relying on the success of a single company or technology.

Foolish takeaway

An effective ASX portfolio does not need dozens of investments. By combining a US market ETF, an Australian quality ETF, and a thematic growth ETF, investors can build a balanced, low-maintenance portfolio that is designed to grow over time. Sometimes, less is more.

The post An easy and effective ASX portfolio with just 3 investments appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How a beginner investor could build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio
• VAS and IVV: 3 reasons these two ASX ETFs belong in a long-term portfolio
• 3 Australian ETFS to buy and hold forever
• Why these ASX ETFs could be perfect to buy and hold forever
• If I had $5,000 to invest on the ASX today, this is how I’d split it

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CSL, CrowdStrike, Goodman Group, Microsoft, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, CSL, CrowdStrike, Goodman Group, Microsoft, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are trading around $50.26 on Thursday, putting them very close to a 52-week high. Earlier this week, that strength made BHP Australia’s most valuable listed company again.

When a stock is already near its peak, the instinctive reaction is often to wait. But in BHP’s case, I think there’s a strong argument that buying now can still make sense, even at these levels.

Here’s why I wouldn’t let the share price alone stop me.

Copper exposure

The main reason I’m comfortable buying BHP shares here is copper.

BHP is one of the world’s largest copper producers, with assets that sit at the low end of the global cost curve. Over time, I think that exposure becomes more valuable, not less. Electrification, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and data centres are all copper-intensive, and there are very few large, high-quality copper projects coming online globally.

What I like about BHP is that it doesn’t need a speculative surge in demand for the copper story to work. Even steady, structural growth can tighten supply over time, which supports pricing and margins. In that environment, BHP’s scale and asset quality give it a clear advantage.

Free cash flow

Another reason I’m happy buying BHP near its highs is free cash flow.

BHP has consistently shown it can generate substantial cash flows across the cycle. That matters because it gives the company options. It can fund growth, strengthen the balance sheet, return capital to shareholders, or do all three at once.

For me, this reduces the risk of buying at elevated levels. Even if commodity prices don’t move sharply higher from here, BHP doesn’t need everything to go right to keep producing strong cash flows. That provides a margin of safety that many other cyclical stocks simply don’t have.

Scale still matters

BHP’s size can sometimes be seen as a negative, but I actually see it as a strength.

Large-scale mining projects are increasingly difficult to approve, build, and operate. BHP already owns world-class assets, has deep technical expertise, and operates with a level of discipline that smaller players struggle to match. Over time, that tends to separate the leaders from the rest.

I also like that management has become more focused on returns rather than empire building. Capital allocation feels more measured than it did in past cycles, which I believe supports long-term shareholder outcomes.

Foolish Takeaway

Buying a stock near its highs is never comfortable, and BHP shares are no exception. But I don’t think this is a case where waiting automatically improves your odds.

Between its growing importance as a copper producer, its ability to generate strong free cash flow, and the quality of its asset base, I think BHP shares can still be worth buying today. It may not deliver fireworks in the short term, but as a long-term holding backed by real assets and real cash generation, I’m comfortable saying yes rather than waiting on the sidelines. Especially with Bank of America seeing scope for the miner’s shares to rally to $56.

The post BHP shares: Should I buy now or wait? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX stocks every Aussie investor should consider in 2026
• 3 compelling reasons to buy BHP shares today
• If I invest $12,000 in BHP shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026?
• ASX All Ords shares smashing 52-week highs today
• Bye bye CBA: BHP is back as the ASX 200’s biggest stock

Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 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.

Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) shares are having a day to forget on Thursday.

In afternoon trade, the ASX 200 gold stock is down 15% to $1.42.

Why is this ASX 200 gold stock crashing?

This gold miner’s shares have come under significant pressure following the release of its quarterly update.

According to the release, Ora Banda delivered record gold production for the quarter totalling 32,036 ounces. This is a 5% increase on the September quarter.

This supported gold sales of 31,247 ounces with an average realised price of A$6,049 per ounce, leading to the ASX 200 gold stock reporting quarterly revenue of $189 million.

At the end of the quarter, Ora Banda had a cash balance of $155.4 million. This is up $32.8 million from the end of September despite spending $57.9 million on capital, resource development, and exploration, as well as $8.3 million for put option premiums.

So, why the selling?

On paper this looks like a good update, so why is this ASX 200 gold stock being sold off?

Well, the reason for that is its outlook. Management revealed that based on the expected ramp up in Sand King and Riverina production, FY 2026 gold production is now expected to be at the lower end of its 140k ounces to 155k ounces guidance range.

In addition, its FY 2026 all-in sustaining cost (AISC) is now expected to be $3,250 per ounce to $3,350 per ounce. This is up from $2,800 to $2,900 per ounce. Management advised that this reflects increased tonnage through third party processing at a higher cost linked to the rising gold price.

Finally, growth capital is now expected to be $143 million (from $86 million), incorporating key growth initiatives.

The ASX 200 gold stock’s managing director, Luke Creagh, said:

The Company continues to deliver its organic growth strategy, with production expected to increase in the second half of FY26 as mining volumes increase at both operations. Importantly, the $73 million investment in exploration and resource development drilling across the Project in FY26 continues to yield strong results, underpinning the recent decision to approve a number of additional capital growth projects.

Despite today’s weakness, the Ora Banda share price is still smashing the market on a 12-month basis. Since this time last year, the company’s shares have risen by an impressive 80%.

The post Why is this ASX 200 gold stock crashing 15% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Brainchip, Galan Lithium, Iluka, and Ora Banda shares are tumbling today
• Why I think ASX 200 gold shares like Newmont and Northern Star will keep surging higher in 2026
• Up 154% since August, Ora Banda shares jumping again today on ‘exciting’ gold results

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) shares are down 0.3% to 9,124.3 points on Thursday.

However, financial shares are outperforming the broader market, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) down 0.7%.

On The Bull this week, two experts revealed three financial stocks that they’ve sell-rated for the new year.

Here’s why.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

The ANZ share price is $36.36, down 0.11% on Thursday and up 19% over the past 12 months.

ANZ was among the top 5 ASX 200 financial shares for capital growth in 2025.

However, looking ahead, Remo Greco from Sanlam Private Wealth has a sell rating on the bank stock.

Investors responded positively after the bank unveiled its 2030 strategy in late 2025.

The 2030 strategy included ceasing the $800 million share buy-back and accelerating delivery of the ANZ Plus digital front end to all retail and business customers.

Reducing duplication and simplifying the bank is part of the plan.

Greco noted that the ASX 200 financial share rose from $32.67 on 24 September to close at $38.85 on 12 November.

During intraday trading on 12 November, ANZ shares reached a new record high of $38.93.

Greco said the bounce was understandable because ANZ was the cheapest major bank in the sector, with the highest yield, at the time.

Looking ahead, Greco says the stock is now “trading at a premium given the early stages of an ambitious strategy”.

He concluded:

We would be inclined to lock in some profits at these levels.

Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG)

The Magellan share price is $8.82, up 0.63% today and down 29% over the past year.

John Athanasiou from Red Leaf Securities has a sell rating on the fund manager.

Magellan faces the challenges of fee pressure, potentially slower fund inflows and increasing competition from passive and low-cost global managers.

In our view, growth catalysts are limited in the longer term.

Returns can vary depending on market performance.

Existing investors may consider reducing exposure, while new capital is better allocated to businesses with stronger earnings visibility.

The analyst noted that this ASX 200 financial share has tumbled by 28% from $12.18 apiece on 24 January 2025 to $8.82 today.

Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)

The Medibank Private share price is $4.64, up 0.32% today and up 20% over the past 12 months.

Greco says this ASX 200 insurance share is also a sell, commenting:

MPL is a private health insurer, operating in a fiercely competitive sector.

Cost-of-living increases may pressure some policy holders to downgrade or cease their cover.

We expect private health cover premiums to attract Federal Government scrutiny, while private hospitals are demanding a better deal from private health insurers.

The analyst said Medibank had performed well over the past few years.

However, the outlook “appears challenging in a difficult economic environment”, he said.

The Medibank share price has gone from $5.26 on 21 August to $4.64 today, a decline of 12%.

The post 3 ASX 200 financial shares to sell: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX dividend shares paying 4% a year on average in 2026!
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• ASX Sectors to target and avoid in 2026: Expert
• One ASX 200 giant to buy, one to hold, and one to sell
• Should I buy ANZ, VAS, and Zip shares this week?

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Magellan Financial Group. 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 price of gold has rocketed to an all-time high this week, surpassing the US$5,300 per ounce barrier in what is seen as a record-breaking rally. The latest uptick to a fresh high has well and truly put the spotlight on ASX gold shares. 

What has caused the latest gold price rally?

According to Trading Economics, a combination of US dollar weakness, US interest rate expectations, heightened economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and ongoing tariff threats has created a perfect storm for gold.

And investors have flooded into safe-haven assets as confidence weakens, sending gold prices soaring and lifting sentiment among ASX gold miners.

But not all ASX gold shares are equal. Some are a far better buy than others.

Here’s one ASX gold stock I’d buy amid the gold price rally, and one I’d sell.

I’d buy Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM) shares

The Newmont share price is up 1.63% today to $186.78 a piece. The latest uptick means the ASX gold stock is now 23.6% higher year-to-date and a huge 180.45% above its trading price this time last year.

As the world’s largest gold miner, Newmont has a large portfolio of mines, including 11 mines and interests in two joint ventures in the Americas, Africa, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. 

It had about two decades of gold reserves, along with significant byproduct reserves at the end of December 2024. Newmont also produces material amounts of copper, silver, zinc, and lead as byproducts. 

The miner’s diversification and operational resilience make it a strong choice for those looking for gold exposure on the ASX.

Analysts are bullish on the outlook for the ASX gold stock, too. TradingView data shows 22 out of 28 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The maximum target price is currently $232.81, which implies a potential 24.6% upside for investors at the time of writing.

I’d avoid Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares

Evolution Mining shares have fallen 0.2% today, to $15.32 a piece at the time of writing. For the year-to-date, the gold miner’s shares have climbed 20.78% and they’re also up a whopping 171.28% over the year.

Although the miner is riding the latest gold price rally, I’m not optimistic about its outlook. In fact, I think Evolution Mining’s shares could halve in value in 2026. The main issue, I think, is that the window of opportunity to buy has passed. 

Its share price gains have been incredible over the past 12 months, and its financial performance has been robust. But I’m concerned that the stock is now trading above fair value. I’m also wary that the ASX 200 gold miner is heavily reliant on higher-than-ever gold prices, and any pullback could send the shares tumbling.

It looks like analysts agree, too. TradingView data shows 8 out of 19 analysts have a sell or strong sell rating on the ASX gold shares. Another 8 have a hold rating. The average target price is $13.09, which implies a potential 14.66% downside at the time of writing. Although some think the shares could drop 53.75% to just $7.10 a piece over the next 12 months.

The post ASX gold shares: One I’d buy and one I’d avoid appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $10,000 invested in gold stock Evolution Mining a year ago is now worth…
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• ASX All Ords shares smashing 52-week highs today

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.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) is back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

The ASX tech stock is under pressure again today, with the WiseTech share price down 1.75% to $59.64.

That puts the stock at its lowest level since October 2023.

Zooming out, the sell-off has been brutal. WiseTech shares are now down almost 52% over the past 12 months, making it one of the worst performers among large-cap ASX tech names.

So, what has pushed the WiseTech share price this low? Let’s take a closer look.

A tough year for a former market darling

WiseTech has long been regarded as one of the ASX’s highest-quality growth companies. Its CargoWise platform is widely used across global logistics supply chains, supporting years of strong revenue growth.

But over the past year, the market has reassessed WiseTech’s outlook.

Valuation concerns, ongoing governance scrutiny, and a broader pullback from expensive growth stocks have all pressured the share price. At the same time, shifting interest rate expectations have reduced investor appetite for high multiple technology names.

Despite the sell-off, WiseTech still sits with a market capitalisation of around $20 billion and remains ranked number one in the ASX technology sector by size.

What the charts are saying

The chart still points to ongoing weakness.

WiseTech shares are trading well below their key moving averages, including the 50-day and 200-day lines. That suggests sellers remain in control for now, as the broader trend continues to point lower.

The relative strength index (RSI) is hovering around 30, which is approaching oversold territory. This does not guarantee a bounce, but it does suggest downside momentum may be starting to slow.

Bollinger Bands also show the share price sitting near the lower band, often a sign that selling pressure has become stretched in the short term.

The next key support level appears to be around the mid $50 range. A break below that could open the door to further weakness.

Upcoming dates investors should watch

There are several important catalysts ahead.

WiseTech is scheduled to report its half-year results on 25 February 2026. This update will be closely watched for signs that earnings growth remains on track and that margins are holding up.

The interim dividend goes ex-dividend on 13 March 2026, with payment due on 10 April 2026.

Looking further ahead, WiseTech is expected to release its full-year results on 26 August 2026, followed by its AGM later in the year.

Foolish Takeaway

WiseTech Global shares have fallen a long way, and the chart still looks fragile. In the short term, the trend remains down.

That said, the stock is now trading at levels not seen in more than two years. If upcoming results show resilience in earnings and cash flow, sentiment could improve quickly.

I believe that WiseTech looks like a stock to watch closely rather than rush into for now.

The post This ASX 200 tech stock just hit a 2-year low. Is it worth a closer look? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX tech shares I would buy with $5,000
• 3 Australian stocks tipped to grow 100% (or more) in 2026
• Morgans names 3 ASX shares to buy
• Why experts have put buy recommendations on these ASX shares
• The best Australian shares to buy in 2026

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 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.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.3% to 8,905.9 points.

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

Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN)

The Brainchip share price is down 6% to 15.5 cents. Investors have been selling this semiconductor company’s shares following the release of another disappointing quarterly update. Brainchip recorded cash receipts of just US$0.4 million for the three months ended 31 December. That’s despite it entering the commercialisation stage a few years ago. And with its market capitalisation now at $350 million, it seems that some investors are finally recognising that this premium valuation is undeserved.

Galan Lithium Ltd (ASX: GLN)

The Galan Lithium share price is down 13% to 40.7 cents. This morning, this lithium developer announced that it has received firm commitments from institutional and sophisticated investors for a $40 million placement at a discount of 41 cents per new share. The proceeds will be used to complete phase one construction activities, expand phase one production capacity from 4 ktpa LCE to 5.2 ktpa LCE, undertake exploration activities at Greenbushes South, and for working capital purposes. The company’s managing director, Juan Pablo Vargas de la Vega, commented: “An accelerated recovery in lithium prices has provided Galan with an opportunity to expand HMW Phase 1 production capacity by 30%.”

Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU)

The Iluka Resources share price is down 13.5% to $5.58. Investors have been selling this mineral sands company’s shares after it revealed that it would recognise $565 million in impairment charges in its upcoming first-half results. It advised: “The suspension [of the Cataby mine] was enacted given subdued demand for mineral sands and their associated downstream products, particularly pigment. The persistence of these demand conditions has impacted price expectations in the nearer term.”

Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM)

The Ora Banda Mining share price is down 13% to $1.44. This morning, this gold miner released its quarterly update and revealed record gold production. However, looking further ahead, management is now guiding to the low end of its production guidance range and has increased its cost guidance meaningfully. Its FY 2026 all-in sustaining cost (AISC) is now expected to be $3,250 per ounce to $3,350 per ounce from $2,800 to $2,900 per ounce.

The post Why Brainchip, Galan Lithium, Iluka, and Ora Banda shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are Brainchip shares sinking today?
• This mineral sands miner’s shares are falling sharply on write-down news
• Iluka Resources shares in focus as 2025 production beats guidance
• 4 ASX 200 stocks smashing the benchmark this week
• Why I think ASX 200 gold shares like Newmont and Northern Star will keep surging higher in 2026

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.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares are trading at $3.57 after falling 9.62% on Thursday. That leaves the stock a long way below its 52-week high of $6.71, raising an obvious question for investors looking at the pullback. Is this an opportunity?

After reviewing the company’s latest fourth-quarter and FY25 update, I believe the answer is yes. I think the sell-off has more to do with expectations and short-term noise than any deterioration in the long-term story.

Here’s why I’d buy DroneShield shares below $4.

A very large and expanding addressable market

The investment case for DroneShield starts with the problem it is trying to solve. The proliferation of drones and autonomous systems is no longer theoretical. It is already a reality across the military, government, critical infrastructure, airports, and, increasingly, civilian settings.

DroneShield operates in what is effectively a global counter-drone and electronic warfare market, with customers spanning defence forces, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and infrastructure operators. Importantly, management has highlighted that the civilian sector could grow to account for up to half of revenue over the next five years, thereby meaningfully expanding the total addressable market.

This is not a niche opportunity tied to one conflict or region. It is a structural demand trend driven by technology becoming cheaper, more capable, and more widely available.

Sales pipeline has softened, but momentum remains

One of the reasons the shares reacted poorly this week was a decline in the reported sales pipeline compared to the previous update. That is worth acknowledging. A smaller pipeline can make investors nervous, particularly after a strong run in the share price last year.

However, I think it is important to look at this in context. DroneShield just delivered its second-highest revenue quarter on record, capped off a year with all-time record metrics, and now has committed revenues for 2026 of $95.6 million. At the start of 2025, committed revenue was negligible.

In other words, some of the pipeline has been converted into actual contracts. That is exactly what you want to see over time. While the pipeline will naturally fluctuate, the company continues to announce meaningful contract wins across Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and other Western military customers.

SaaS growth is becoming a bigger part of the story

One of the most encouraging parts of the latest update was the growth in SaaS revenue. Quarterly SaaS revenue jumped 475% year-on-year to $4.6 million, and management expects this to keep rising.

This matters because DroneShield is deliberately shifting toward a model where software plays a larger role. As drone hardware becomes more open-ended and adaptable, software, command-and-control platforms, and ongoing subscriptions become increasingly valuable.

All new products are now expected to include one or more SaaS components, creating a more recurring, higher-quality revenue stream over time and helping smooth earnings.

Cash flow and balance sheet strength

Another point that I think gets overlooked during volatile trading sessions is cash flow. DroneShield generated operating cash flow of $7.7 million in the quarter and is targeting consistent operating cash flow positivity and profitability going forward.

The company ended the period with over $210 million in cash and no debt. That gives it the flexibility to continue investing in R&D, expand globally, and ride out short-term volatility without raising capital.

Foolish takeaway

DroneShield is not a low-risk stock. Revenues can be lumpy, sentiment can swing quickly, and expectations can move faster than fundamentals.

But at below $4, with the shares down sharply from their highs and at a discount to the peer group, I think the market is focusing too much on short-term pipeline movements and not enough on the bigger picture. A growing addressable market, accelerating SaaS revenues, strong contract momentum, and a very healthy balance sheet are not signs of a broken business.

For investors who understand the risks and are comfortable with volatility, I think DroneShield shares below $4 look like a compelling opportunity.

The post DroneShield stock is below $4. Should I buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d probably be aware by now of the extraordinary performance run that gold, and ASX gold stocks by extension, have been on over the past year or two, but particularly over the past few months.

As we’ve covered extensively here at the Motley Fool, gold has gone from US$1200 an ounce in 2019 to US$1,700 an ounce by late 2023. This time last year, that ounce was worth just under US$2,800, but, in the past 24 hours, it has just broken through US$5,300 for the first time ever.

Over just 2026 to date, we’ve seen gold jump from US$4,300 to US$5,300, a gain worth almost 25%.

Extraordinary stuff. We’ve already discussed how investors can buy, or at least invest in, gold itself this month. But today, let’s talk about how this unprecedented runup has affected the shares of one of the ASX’s largest gold stocks.

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) may not be the largest official gold stock on the Australian share market. That title technically belongs to the US-listed Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM). But Evolution is one of the largest gold stocks that exclusively calls the ASX home, behind only Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST).

As such, investors could happily expect that gold’s booming price has treated this company very well. But just how well? Let’s investigate a hypothetical scenario: an investor buying $10,000 worth of Evolution shares a year ago and see how they’d be faring today.

Meet the ASX gold stock that has almost tripled in 12 months

So, one year ago today, Evolution stock was about to close at $5.64 a share. If one had bought $10,000 worth of this ASX gold stock’s shares, they would have picked up 1,773 shares.

Today, Evolution shares are trading at $15.32 each at the time of writing. That means those 1,773 shares would be worth $27,162.36. Yep, this gold stock has almost tripled in value since January 2025, with investors bagging a 171.6% capital return.

But that’s not the only profit that this ASX gold stock made for its shareholders over the past 12 months. Evolution also paid out two dividends.

The first of these dividends was the interim April payout, worth 7 cents per share. The second was the final dividend from October, worth 13 cents per share. Both dividends were fully franked.

This annual total of 20 cents per share means our investor would have received an additional $354.60 in dividend income over the past 12 months, lifting their overall capital to $27,516.96. That’s a return of 175.2% on the original $10,000 investment.

The post $10,000 invested in gold stock Evolution Mining a year ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Newmont. 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 Immutep Ltd (ASX: IMM) share price is in the red today after the company released its latest quarterly update.

At the time of writing, the Immutep share price is down 2.95% to 42.7 cents.

That short-term dip comes despite a solid year for investors. Immutep shares are still up almost 30% over the past 12 months, as the company continues to make progress across its drug development programs.

So, why is the share price falling today?

A big partnership deal moves closer to cash

The biggest news from the quarter was Immutep’s new partnership with global drug company, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.

Under the deal, Dr Reddy’s will develop and sell Immutep’s lead cancer drug, eftilagimod alfa (efti), in most global markets. Immutep will retain full rights in the US, Europe, Japan, and Greater China.

In return, Immutep received an upfront payment of about $30 million in January. The company could also receive up to $528 million in future milestone payments if the drug is successfully developed and approved. Immutep would also earn royalties on any future sales.

Cancer trials continue to show progress

Immutep’s main focus remains its late-stage lung cancer trial, which is testing efti alongside Keytruda and chemotherapy.

The company said patient enrolment continues at a steady pace, with more than 38% of the required patients now enrolled across sites in 27 countries. Management said the trial remains on track.

Earlier-stage trials have also delivered encouraging results. In one lung cancer study, response rates were higher than typically seen with standard treatments, even in harder-to-treat patients.

Immutep also reported positive data from a soft tissue sarcoma trial, where the drug showed signs of shrinking tumours and activating the immune system.

Outside of cancer, the company shared early positive results from a new autoimmune disease program, which could open the door to future growth.

A strong cash position supports the next phase

Looking at the numbers, Immutep finished the quarter with $99.1 million in cash and term deposits.

After receiving the upfront payment from Dr Reddy’s in January, that figure increased to around $129.3 million.

Management said this gives the company enough funding to operate well into the second quarter of FY27, even before factoring in any future milestone payments.

Immutep spent $9.4 million on operations during the quarter, mainly to support its clinical trials.

Why the share price dipped anyway

Expectations were already high following Immutep’s recent run.

With no major new trial results released on the day, some investors appear to have taken profits, pushing the share price slightly lower.

Even so, Immutep’s update showed steady progress, a major commercial partnership, and a strong cash position.

The post This ASX biotech just smashed its quarterly update. So why are its shares falling? 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.