Category: Stock Market

There are a lot of ASX shares out there for investors to choose from.

So, to narrow things down, let’s take a look at three popular shares and see if analysts currently rate them as buys, holds, or sells.

Here’s what they are saying:

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

The team at Bell Potter remains very positive on this counter-drone technology company’s shares.

Despite them rising very strongly over the past 12 months, the broker believes they are undervalued compared to its global drone peer group. Bell Potter has a buy rating and $5.00 price target on its shares. It said:

We believe DRO has a market leading RF detect/defeat C-UAS offering and a strengthening competitive advantage owing to its years of battlefield experience and large and focused R&D team. We expect 2026 will be an inflection point for the global C-UAS industry with countries poised to unleash a wave of spending on RF detect and defeat solutions.

Consequently, we believe DRO should see material contracts flowing from its $2.1b potential sales pipeline over the next 3-6 months as defence budgets roll over to FY26e. At 47x CY26e EV / EBITDA, DRO trades at a 28% discount to the global drone peer group. Further, we see upside risk to our revenue forecasts in CY26/27e, given the opportunities observed in the C-UAS industry.

Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL)

Morgans has been looking at this gold miner’s shares following its quarterly update. While it was a record quarter of cash generation, the broker thinks its shares are fully valued and has retained its hold rating with an improved price target of $8.05. It said:

RRL delivered a strong 2Q26, with group gold production of 96.6koz Au supporting record quarterly cash and bullion generation of A$255m, lifting the balance to A$930m. The result was underpinned by stable performance at Duketon, a sharp uplift in gold sales at Tropicana and continued strength in spot gold prices. We maintain our HOLD rating, and price target of A$8.05ps (previously A$6.17ps) with the uplift a function of our updated precious metals price deck.

Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)

A third ASX share that brokers have been looking at is insurance giant Suncorp. The broker believes there are heightened earnings risks for investors to consider. As a result, it has put a hold rating and $20.50 price target on its shares. It said:

Post the update, we have downgraded our FY26 EPS estimate by a significant 12%. Even then, we highlight heightened earnings risk for the rest of FY26 and potentially into FY27. For the moment, our EPS estimates for FY27 and FY28 have been downgraded only by a nominal 0.1% for both years. ‍ Between weather-related volatility and an industry-wide slowdown in premium rate growth, the outlook for Suncorp (and its peers) remains challenging. This leads Ord Minnett to cut its target price on Suncorp to $20.50 from $22.50, and maintain its Hold recommendation despite the apparent value on offer.

The post Buy, hold, sell: DroneShield, Regis Resources, and Suncorp shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Top Australian shares to buy right now with $2,000
• Up 576% in a year, should you buy the latest dip in DroneShield shares?

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 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.

Saluda Medical Inc (ASX: SLD) is a recently listed ASX healthcare stock. 

It is a commercial-stage medical device company commercialising spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy. 

Saluda is currently a single product company, centred around its differentiated SCS product called the ‘Evoke System’.

It is designed for the treatment of patients with chronic pain of the trunk and/or limbs.

A bumpy ride 

Since initially listing in December last year, this small-cap ASX healthcare stock has experienced volatility.

After opening at $1.27, the company saw its share price rocket 20% higher within the first week of trading. 

However after topping out at $1.54, it has tumbled more than 26%. 

This included a fall of more than 5% yesterday.

It now sits close to an all-time low at $1.13. 

It’s important to acknowledge that small-cap stocks can often experience increased volatility. 

First update since December 

Yesterday, the company released its first financial update since its IPO last December. 

The company reported 1H26 revenue of $39.4m (+17% on pcp). 

In a report from Bell Potter yesterday, the broker said the biggest positive was strong Q2 sales of $15.4m in the US (+17% on pcp and +19% qoq) driven by a greater number of physicians utilising the Evoke System. 

International sales are a smaller contribution compared to the key US market but also increased during 1H26 to $11.0m (+26% on pcp).

Bell Potter said this reflected strong execution on commercial targets as the company beat its 1H26 revenue forecast. This resulted in an upgraded FY26 revenue guidance by 4% to $85m. 

Buy recommendation for this ASX healthcare stock

The broker increased FY26 forecasts in line with the updated guidance while leaving FY27 and FY28 effectively unchanged. 

Bell Potter said penetration into the US physician base is deepening and total volumes will benefit from the ongoing expansion and training of Saluda’s US sales force, which is proceeding at good pace. 

Updated forecasts imply 2H26 global revenue growth of +25% on the pcp, with the most relevant focus being US sales, which we now expect to reach $34.2m in 2H26 at a growth rate of +37% on the pcp.

The broker has retained its speculative buy recommendation on this ASX healthcare stock and slightly decreased its price target to $2.70 (previously $2.80). 

From yesterday’s closing price of $1.13, this indicates an upside of 138.94%. 

We maintain our BUY (speculative) recommendation and look forward to accelerating market share capture of the crucial US market over the coming reporting periods.

The post Is this ASX healthcare stock a buy after yesterday’s 5% drop? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• IGO posts improved earnings on higher lithium price, Nova strength
• Mineral Resources upgrades lithium guidance on strong Q2 sales
• Buy, hold, sell: DroneShield, Regis Resources, and Suncorp shares
• 1 ASX blue-chip stock I’d consider buying with the ASX 200 around 8,900
• How a beginner investor could build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio

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

When the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is trading near record highs, it’s natural to feel cautious. At around 8,916 at the time of writing, the index is not far from its peak of 9,115, which makes broad market buying feel a little less comfortable.

That’s usually when I start looking for high-quality blue chips that haven’t kept pace with the index and still offer a margin of safety.

One ASX blue-chip stock that fits that bill for me right now is Goodman Group (ASX: GMG).

Goodman shares are trading around $30.96 at the time of writing, well below their 52-week high of $37.31.

A different kind of REIT

Goodman is often grouped in with traditional real estate investment trusts (REITs), but I think that misses the point. This is not a passive rent-collection business.

Goodman owns, develops, and manages logistics facilities and data centres in some of the most supply-constrained metropolitan markets in the world. These assets sit at the heart of e-commerce, automation, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. Demand for that combination is structural, not cyclical.

That positioning is becoming increasingly important as customers invest heavily in automation, robotics, AI, and digital infrastructure.

Development momentum is building

Goodman’s most recent operational update showed just how much activity is underway across the group.

As at 30 September 2025, Goodman had $12.4 billion of development work in progress, with projections pointing to more than $17.5 billion by June 2026. Data centres now represent 68% of work in progress, highlighting how central digital infrastructure has become to the strategy. Occupancy across partnerships remains high at 96.1%, and the group reaffirmed its forecast of 9% operating earnings per share (EPS) growth for FY26.

What I find particularly appealing is that much of this development is taking place in highly constrained markets, where access to land and power creates meaningful barriers to entry.

Data centres are a long-term tailwind

One of the most important parts of the Goodman story today is data centres.

The group has built a global power bank of 5.0 GW across 13 major cities, with 3.4 GW already secured and a further pipeline under development. These projects are typically 100% leased to hyperscale and colocation customers, providing long-dated, high-quality income streams once stabilised.

Late last year, Goodman deepened this opportunity by launching a $14 billion European data centre partnership with CPP Investments, focused on prime locations in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Paris. These projects benefit from secured power, advanced planning approvals, and speed-to-market advantages that are hard to replicate.

To me, that partnership is a strong external validation of the quality of Goodman’s development platform.

Why I’m comfortable despite the ASX 200 Index being high

At a time when the broader market looks expensive, Goodman stands out because its growth is being driven by execution rather than multiple expansion.

The shares are not cheap in absolute terms, but they are cheaper than they were a year ago, while the underlying opportunity set has arguably improved. Between logistics consolidation, automation, and data centre demand tied to cloud and AI, Goodman has several long-duration growth drivers working in its favour.

Foolish Takeaway

With the ASX 200 hovering near record levels, I’m not rushing to buy the market indiscriminately. But I am happy to look for high-quality businesses that are still trading below their highs and continue to build long-term value.

For me, Goodman Group fits that description well. It’s a blue-chip ASX stock with global scale, structural tailwinds, and a visible development pipeline. If I were looking to put money to work selectively at these market levels, this is one stock I would seriously consider.

The post 1 ASX blue-chip stock I’d consider buying with the ASX 200 around 8,900 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How a beginner investor could build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio
• These ASX 200 shares could be no-brainer buys
• 5 fantastic ASX shares to buy for an SMSF
• How to build a $50,000 portfolio with ASX 200 shares
• How much could I make investing $500 a month in ASX shares?

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 Goodman 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.

Building a $250,000 ASX share portfolio can sound like something only experienced investors achieve. In reality, it is often the result of ordinary behaviour repeated consistently.

For a beginner investor, the path does not rely on market timing, day trades, or finding the next big thing. It relies on patience, regular investing, and allowing compounding to do its work.

If an investor contributes $500 a month, earns an average 10% per annum over time (not guaranteed, but broadly in line with long-term market returns), and stays invested for around 17 years, the maths begins to take care of itself.

The key is how that money is invested along the way.

Step one

In the early years, it can be tempting to chase fast-moving ideas. A more sustainable approach is to focus on high-quality ASX shares with proven track records and long growth runways.

Companies such as ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), and REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) are examples of businesses that have shown an ability to grow earnings through different market conditions.

These types of companies are not immune to share price volatility, but their underlying businesses tend to keep moving forward. That matters far more than short-term performance when the goal is long-term wealth building.

Step two

For beginners, diversification can be difficult to achieve using only individual shares.

This is where ETFs can play a valuable supporting role. Global and thematic ETFs allow investors to spread risk and gain exposure to markets that are otherwise hard to access.

Funds such as the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV), the Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), or the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) can complement ASX shares by adding global diversification and exposure to innovation-led companies.

Rather than needing every stock pick to succeed, ETFs help ensure the portfolio participates in broader market growth.

Step three

In the early years, progress feels slow. Contributions matter more than returns, and portfolio balances grow gradually.

Over time, that changes. Returns begin to compound on top of previous returns, and the portfolio starts to grow even without increasing contributions. This is often when investors are surprised by how quickly momentum builds.

The hardest part is not the maths. It is staying invested during market downturns and continuing to contribute when confidence is low.

Step four

Trying to perfect allocations or switch strategies often causes more harm than good.

A beginner investor who consistently invests $500 a month into a mix of quality ASX shares and diversified ETFs is often better off than someone who constantly tweaks their approach. Simplicity helps reduce emotional decisions, which can quietly erode returns over time. This approach is called dollar-cost averaging.

Foolish takeaway

Building a $250,000 ASX share portfolio is not about being clever. It is about showing up regularly, investing in quality, and giving compounding enough time to work.

By focusing on strong ASX shares, using ETFs for diversification, and staying patient for around 17 years, a beginner investor gives themselves a realistic path to reaching that goal.

The post How a beginner investor could build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Why these ASX ETFs could be perfect to buy and hold forever
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Goodman Group, REA Group, ResMed, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, ResMed, Xero, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Macquarie Group, ResMed, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Betashares Chief Economist David Bassanese has weighed in on the upcoming RBA Cash Rate decision on 3 February.

Experts have been updating their predictions after the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest inflation data yesterday. 

Across the board, it seems like there is little hope for an RBA rate cut next week, after CPI rose by 3.8% in the 12 months to December, sending the ASX 200 south yesterday.

What do these numbers tell us?

The official cash rate currently stands at 3.60%.

As a quick refresher, the cash rate is the interest rate that banks pay to borrow funds from other banks in the money market overnight. 

It influences all other interest rates, including mortgage and deposit rates.

It acts as a benchmark for financial institutions (like banks). 

When the RBA increases the cash rate target, banks tend to follow. 

This means variable loans like mortgages will increase, cutting into the disposable income of many Aussies. 

Yesterday, the ABS reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 3.8% in the 12 months to December.

CPI shows how fast prices are rising, and The Reserve Bank uses it as a guide for setting the cash rate:

• If CPI is high, it is likely to raise or keep rates high to slow spending and cool prices.
• If CPI is low, it often lowers rates to encourage spending and support the economy.

Essentially, CPI is one metric that helps decide whether interest rates should go up, down, or stay the same.

RBA to hike in February

In a new report, Betashares Chief Economist David Bassanese said the quarterly consumer price index report (CPI) suggested the hot underlying inflationary pressures evident in the September quarter persisted into the December quarter. 

According to Mr Bassanese, this suggests the lift in economic growth over the past year has already run into inflationary roadblocks.

As a result, the Reserve Bank seemingly has little choice but to throttle back current economic momentum through at least one, or possibly two, rate hikes in the first half of this year.

The report pointed towards key economic factors such as: 

• Seasonally adjusted quarterly gain in trimmed mean inflation which only eased to 0.9% in the December quarter.
• New home purchase costs rose 1.3% over the quarter, up from 1.0% in the September quarter.
• Rental inflation also remained firm, with a quarterly gain of 0.8% after a 1.0% gain in the previous quarter.
• Holiday and travel costs rose a blistering 4.9%, after a 3.0% gain in the previous quarter.

All up, it appears to be game, set and match for a rate rise at the February policy meeting. My base case is that the RBA will raise rates by 0.25%, taking the cash rate to 3.85%.

To my mind, two rate hikes – given our highly indebted and interest-rate-sensitive economy – should be more than enough to dampen economic growth again and rein in ongoing inflation pressures in areas such as housing, travel and hospitality.

Where should investors turn?

While RBA rates and inflation are far from record highs, there are sectors that have historically performed well in these environments. 

A report last month from Canaccord Genuity pointed to two sectors in particular: 

• Resources – A more hawkish RBA combined with a dovish Fed supports AUD strength, historically a key driver of mining sector outperformance. Ultimately, resources are more sensitive to global growth than domestic demand. 
• Consumer staples – Typically outperform into RBA hiking periods, and valuations look attractive relative to Cyclical Retail, creating scope for a rotation.

The post Expert says an RBA rate hike in February is a done deal – How should investors react? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Mineral Resources upgrades lithium guidance on strong Q2 sales
• Iluka Resources shares in focus as 2025 production beats guidance
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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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

The Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) share price is in focus after the company exceeded its 2025 production guidance, delivering 559kt of zircon, rutile, and synthetic rutile, and reducing unit cash costs below forecast.

What did Iluka Resources report?

• Full year 2025 Z/R/SR (zircon, rutile, synthetic rutile) production: 559kt, up 13% on 2024 and above guidance
• Mineral sands revenue for 2025: $976 million, down 13.5% on 2024
• Unit cash costs of production: $1,054 per tonne for 2025, 19% lower than 2024 and below guidance
• Total capital expenditure for 2025: $862 million, mainly on Eneabba rare earths refinery and Balranald
• Net debt at 31 December 2025: $473 million for mineral sands, $584 million for rare earths
• Dividends received from Deterra: $23 million, distributed 100% to shareholders

What else do investors need to know?

Iluka’s Q4 production rose despite the idling of the SR2 kiln from December, as higher zircon-in-concentrate output offset lower synthetic rutile. The company’s quarterly review led to a cost base overhaul, cutting around 120 roles and targeting $36 million in 2026 savings.

The Eneabba rare earths refinery in Western Australia continued as a key investment focus, reaching $865 million in capital spend by year end. Mining began at Balranald in New South Wales, meeting or exceeding expected extraction rates, with ramp-up underway.

Market conditions for mineral sands remained subdued in Q4, especially in China, with lower pricing and customers keeping inventories lean. Iluka remains flexible, able to adjust synthetic rutile output if market demand recovers.

What’s next for Iluka Resources?

Iluka’s 2026 production guidance assumes Cataby and SR2 remain idle, with Balranald ramping up during the first half of the year. The company is prepared to restart SR2 if conditions improve.

Mineral sands capital expenditure in 2026 will focus mainly on the completion of Balranald, as well as ongoing studies for the Wimmera and Typhoon projects. For its rare earths segment, Eneabba construction remains on track, further positioning Iluka to diversify earnings as the project progresses.

Iluka Resources share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement

The post Iluka Resources shares in focus as 2025 production beats guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• IGO posts improved earnings on higher lithium price, Nova strength
• Mineral Resources upgrades lithium guidance on strong Q2 sales
• Expert says an RBA rate hike in February is a done deal – How should investors react?
• Here’s what 100 Droneshield shares purchased 5 years ago are worth now
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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

ASX silver shares have been one of the hottest commodities thanks to the rocketing global silver price. 

Yesterday, ​​the price of silver jumped more than 7%, pushing it to around US$111 per ounce, near record levels.

Prices are trading near US$104 per ounce, after jumping more than 50% in the past month and 260% over the past year.

As The Motley Fool’s Aaron Teboneras covered yesterday, this has been driven by a rare combination of geopolitical risk, industrial demand, and speculative momentum.

The global rise in silver prices has seen many ASX silver shares benefit. 

For example: 

• Silver Mines Limited  (ASX: SVL) is up almost 300% in the last year
• Andean Silver Ltd (ASX: ASL) is up 134%. 

New ASX ETF targeting Silver shares

For investors looking to gain diversified exposure to this booming sector without selecting just one stock could be in luck. 

Yesterday, Global X announced the release of its newest ASX ETF. 

It will operate under the name Global X Silver Miners ETF (ASX: SLVM). 

According to the ETF provider, it provides access to a global basket of silver miners which stand to benefit from rising silver prices and being a key part of the value chain facilitating growth in photovoltaics, advanced electronics and more.

According to a report from the provider, silver has begun to re-emerge as a focal point for investors, with spot prices recently breaking above the nominal highs last seen during the Hunt Brothers–driven spike of 1980. 

This renewed strength comes at a time when silver’s role in the global economy has expanded materially. Beyond its traditional monetary and store-of-value characteristics, silver has become a critical input into the energy transition and a range of advanced technologies, fundamentally reshaping demand dynamics at a time when supply has struggled to respond.

Global X currently provides pure-play physical silver exposures through Global X Physical Silver Structured (ASX: ETPMAG). 

The launch of this new silver miners ETF offers investors an alternative avenue for accessing the theme, capturing the operating leverage inherent in mining equities. 

Overview 

The ASX ETF is made up of 39 holdings, with a unique focus on silver miners, rather than a physical pure-play option.

By market capitalisation, it has a variety: 

• 72.3% large-cap
• 22% mid-cap
• 5.7% small-cap

Geographically, it has largest exposure to companies based in: 

• Canada (58.93%)
• United States (18.40%)
• Mexico (9.98%)
• South Korea (4.36%)
• Peru (4.10%)

This thematic fund comes with a management fee of 0.65% p.a. and is not currency-hedged.

The post Global X releases new ASX ETF targeting silver shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO) share price dropped 5.5% to close the day at $3.95 a piece on Wednesday afternoon. For the year to date, the drone operators’ shares have jumped 18.6% higher, and they’re still an enormous 537.1% higher than this time last year.

While Droneshield was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and one of the fastest-growing stocks on the planet in 2025, it’s well known that Droneshield shares plummeted late last year. After reaching an all-time high of $6.60 in early-October, the share price crashed nearly 74% in a six week window.

Before this week, the drone operator was making incredible progress this year, but the latest share price drop has sparked concerns about volatility for the year ahead.

If you bought 100 Droneshield shares today, its not clear exactly how much they’d be worth at the end of the year. But if you’d bought 100 Droneshield shares five years ago, they’d be worth a fortune today.

Just how much upside have Droneshield shares had over the past five years?

At the time of writing, after the ASX close on Tuesday, Droneshield shares are 2,095% higher than five years ago. That means that 100 shares, purchased at the January 2021 trading price of 18 cents per share, would cost a total of $18. 

Today that $18 would be worth $395!

That’s a huge increase.

So what’s next for Droneshield shares this year?

After a couple of setbacks it looks like Droneshield‘s share price hit the bottom in 2025. I’m hoping that after this latest blip, it will keep climbing higher in 2026.

The good news is that the business has a strong growth strategy in place for the next 12 months, including scaling its manufacturing capacity, expanding its global footprint and growing its customer base.

What do the experts think?

Analysts are pretty bullish that there is a decent upside ahead for Droneshield shares in 2026. TradingView data shows that analysts consensus is for a strong buy rating on the stock with agreement for a target price of $5.00. This implies a 26.58% upside for the shares this year, at the time of writing.

The team at Bell Potter recently confirmed their buy rating and $5.00 price target on the shares. The broker said that the company’s sales growth was stronger than it was expecting and that the company has a competitive advantage going forwards. Bell Potter believes 2026 will be an inflection point for the global C-UAS industry with countries poised to unleash a wave of spending.

The post Here’s what 100 Droneshield shares purchased 5 years ago are worth now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why AUB, Aurelia Metals, DroneShield, and Elevra Lithium shares are dropping today
• ASX 200 sinks as inflation spike dashes hopes for RBA interest rate relief

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 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.

When a new month rolls around, I like to think about whether there are simple, sensible additions that can strengthen a portfolio over the long term. Not flashy trades, just solid building blocks that do their job quietly in the background.

These are three Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs) I think smart investors could look at buying in February.

Vanguard Global Value Equity Active ETF (ASX: VVLU)

The Vanguard Global Value Equity Active ETF stands out for me because it offers something different from the growth-heavy portfolios many investors already own.

Rather than chasing the most popular stocks, this ETF uses an active, rules-based approach to focus on companies trading at lower valuations relative to fundamentals like earnings, cash flow, and book value. That makes it a useful counterbalance when expensive growth stocks dominate market leadership.

I like the Vanguard Global Value Equity Active ETF as a way to introduce valuation discipline into a portfolio without having to pick individual global value stocks. It’s not about timing a rotation perfectly, it’s about diversification and improving risk-adjusted returns over time.

Vanguard FTSE Asia Ex-Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

The Vanguard FTSE Asia Ex-Japan Shares Index ETF is a higher-risk option, but one that can make sense for investors with a long time horizon.

The ETF provides exposure to fast-growing Asian economies, including China, India, Taiwan, and South Korea. These markets come with more volatility, but they also offer growth drivers that are hard to find in developed markets, particularly in technology manufacturing, financial services, and consumer demand.

I wouldn’t build a portfolio around the VAE ETF alone, but as a satellite holding alongside broader global exposure, it can add a different growth engine that isn’t tied to the US or Australian cycles.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF is still one of the best core ETFs available on the ASX, in my opinion.

It gives exposure to around 1,300 stocks across developed markets outside Australia, including the US, Europe, and Japan. Importantly, it provides access to sectors like technology and healthcare that are underrepresented on the ASX.

What I like most about the VGS ETF is its simplicity. It’s low cost, broadly diversified, and designed to compound over long periods. If I had to pick just one global equity ETF to hold for years, this would be very hard to go past.

Foolish takeaway

Smart investing doesn’t need to be complicated. A mix of global value, Asian growth, and broad international exposure can go a long way toward building a resilient portfolio.

The VVLU ETF adds valuation discipline, the VAE ETF introduces long-term regional growth, and the VGS ETF provides a dependable global core. Together, they form a balanced trio that I think makes a lot of sense heading into February and beyond.

The post 3 Vanguard ETFs for smart investors to buy in February appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why ASX ETFs are a good place to start for beginner investors
• 3 excellent Vanguard ETFs I would buy with $3,000
• 5 ASX ETFs for genuine global exposure
• If a 25-year-old invests $1,250 a month in ASX stocks, here’s what they could have by retirement
• Why I think beginners would love these Vanguard ETFs

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 Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a fantastic investment option for beginner investors, or for those who want ASX exposure and long-term growth without the short-term stress.

When it comes to the best options to buy and hold over the long-term. I think the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) and the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) are a no-brainer.

Here are three reasons why.

1. Instant diversification

As Australia’s largest ETF, VAS gives its investors exposure to the top 300 companies listed on the ASX, which means it offers incredible instant diversification across a broad range of Australian shares.

Meanwhile, IVV gives investors exposure to the largest stocks in the US. The ETF tracks the S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP: INX) which is based on the 500 largest US stocks by market capitalisation.

By combining these two ETFs together into a long-term portfolio, investors are able to spread their portfolio risk across a huge range of companies on two different indexes and therefore two different economic cycles and are subject to different aspects of risk.

2. They offer a balance of income and growth

Not all ASX ETFs offer both income and growth. But VAS is well-known for its access to long-term capital growth and potential for regular income through distributions. This includes any associated franking credits. As of 2026, the ETF has delivered 1-year total returns of roughly 9.34% and 3-year returns of 9.77%.

And IVV also pays out decent distributions via its dividends and also has a strong focus on long-term capital growth. Past performance isn’t a guarantee on future performance, but the S&P 500 Index has performed strongly in 2025, particularly in the latter half of the year, and it looks like that growth has continued through to 2026. In the past 10 years to 31st of December, the IVV ETF has returned an average of 15.56% per year.

3. They’re low cost

Both the ASX ETF’s have very low management fees. That means that more returns are paid into investors’ pockets rather than eroded down by excess fees.

VAS product fees are around 0.07% per annum for investment management costs. The EFT doesn’t charge indirect costs or net transaction fees. When it comes to platform fees, investors can expect a $9 brokerage fee when selling ETFs via a Vanguard Personal Investor Account but there is no fee for purchases.

IVV said it aims to provide investors with the performance of the S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses. The ETF’s management fee is 0.04% plus any brokerage fees for buying and selling. 

The post VAS and IVV: 3 reasons these two ASX ETFs belong in a long-term portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX ETFs to buy for passive income
• 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
• 3 excellent Vanguard ETFs I would buy with $3,000

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 positions in and has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended 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.