Category: Stock Market

If you are looking for some portfolio additions, then it could be worth hearing what analysts are saying about the ASX 200 shares in this article, courtesy of The Bull.

Do they rate them as buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

Fairmont Equities is positive on the outlook for commodity prices over the remainder of 2026. However, while it sees BHP shares as a top pick for investors looking for mining sector exposure, it has only put a hold rating on them. It said:

Despite recent volatility, I expect commodity prices to continue heading higher during 2026. I believe investors who are still underweight in the resources sector will start to rotate into the miners. Global diversified miner BHP Group, which recently was the biggest company on the ASX by market capitalisation, is likely to be the top choice of most investors looking for a blue chip company paying a healthy dividend amid the prospect of capital growth.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Over at Bell Potter, its analysts are tipping this investment platform provider as an ASX 200 share to buy this week.

They believe Hub24 is well-placed for growth thanks to structural tailwinds and the quality of its platform. Bell Potter explains:

The company operates an investment and superannuation platform. It continues to deliver impressive organic growth, underpinned by strong platform inflows and adviser engagement. The company posted record annual platform net inflows of $19.8 billion in full year 2025, up 25 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Underlying earnings per share (EPS) rose 45 per cent. Despite margin pressures from competitive pricing, HUB24 is forecast to maintain high double-digit earnings before interest and tax and EPS growth into fiscal year 2027. The launch of HUB24 Private Invest and growing demand from inter-generational wealth transfers are structural tailwinds, positioning HUB24 well in the platform landscape.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)

Fairmont Equities may be lukewarm on BHP shares this week, but it is more positive on this coal miner. Its analysts have put a buy rating on New Hope’s shares on the belief that coal demand will remain strong and supply will be constrained. They said:

I believe global demand for coal will remain elevated moving forward. New supply is also constrained due to ESG (environmental, social, governance) concerns. Governments around the world are keeping coal in the mix when it comes to power generation and the price of coal was recently starting to rise again. Strong buying support is emerging in coal producers, such as NHC, and I believe it’s still early enough to buy back into this company.

The post Buy, hold, sell: BHP, Hub24, and New Hope shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• How I would build an income portfolio that lasts a lifetime
• 3 ASX ETFs for investors chasing yield and growth
• Mining Mammoths: Are Whitehaven Coal, Rio Tinto or BHP shares a buy ahead of earnings 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 positions in and has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) share price was crunched last week. It’s down by 20% since 11 February 2026, as the chart below shows, after announcing its FY25 result for the 12 months to 31 December 2025.

When a business as large as AMP falls that hard, it could be an extremely attractive, contrarian opportunity to take advantage of.

While the underlying profit growth was strong, investors were seemingly not pleased with guidance and margins.

The company reported that underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) grew by 20.8% to $285 million, with platforms underlying net profit growth of 9.3% to $106 million, superannuation and investments (S&I) underlying net profit growth of 14.8% to $62 million and AMP Bank underlying net profit declined 9.8% to $55 million.

Let’s take a look at experts at broker UBS think of the business.

What happened with the result?

UBS noted that while underlying net profit was in line with expectations, there were a few factors driving the sell-off.

The broker said that compositionally, the result missed by around 10% in the second half of FY25 across the operating divisions due to broad-based revenue pressure, a flat (and weaker than expected) dividend per share and there was global platform sector weakness.

AMP’s platforms and S&I both missed on the revenue margin guidance due to fee tiering and capping and mix-related fee pressure from the rise in managed accounts. Additionally, the bank missed by 16% on expectations because of a lower net interest margin (NIM), with AMP Bank GO contributing an FY25 loss of $10 million.

The positive offset to the operating miss was a large half over half step-up in China partnership income (with $45 million compared to $27 million in the first half of FY25).

Is the AMP share price a buy?

The broker UBS thinks the business is a buy, with a price target of $1.75, suggesting a sizeable potential rise from here.

UBS wrote when the AMP share price was $1.28:

However, given relatively modest FY26 EPS cuts (-4%), we now see value with the stock trading below NTA ($1.33/shr) at an ~11.4x PE despite offering a 10% pa EPS growth outlook. This excludes potential upside from capital management noting AMP’s $287m of surplus CET1 and scope to divest non-core partnership investments (PCCP $193m). We reduce our PT to $1.75, and upgrade our rating to Buy (from Neutral).

The broker’s forecasts suggests the business is trading at less than 13x FY26’s estimated earnings.

The post Is the AMP share price a buy after the huge sell-off? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why AMP, GQG, NextDC, and Origin Energy shares are racing higher today
• Why are AMP shares lifting off in Friday’s sinking market?
• $2,000 invested in AMP shares at the start of 2026 is now worth…
• AMP share price nosedives 31% on earnings miss and disappointing guidance

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) share price was in focus on Thursday after the company posted a 4% lift in sales revenue to $8,224 million and a 118% jump in reported net profit after tax (NPAT) to $390.8 million for the six months ended 31 December 2025.

What did BlueScope Steel report?

• Sales revenue rose 4% to $8,224 million (1H FY2025: $7,914 million), mainly driven by higher benchmark prices and volumes in the US.
• Reported NPAT increased 118% to $390.8 million; underlying NPAT up 117% to $382.0 million.
• Underlying EBIT lifted 81% to $557.5 million; underlying EBITDA up 39% to $915.3 million.
• Reported earnings per share rose 119% to 89.1 cents.
• The interim ordinary dividend declared at 65.0 cents per share (unfranked), up from 30.0 cents last year.
• Net debt reduced to $2.2 million compared to $28.4 million at 30 June 2025; group gearing effectively nil.

What else do investors need to know?

BlueScope confirmed several significant developments post-period. In January, the board announced an unfranked special dividend of $1.00 per share, returning $438 million of surplus cash to shareholders. The company also outlined a buy-back program of up to $310 million and raised its annual target ordinary dividend to $1.30 per share for calendar 2026.

Additionally, BlueScope’s board rejected an unsolicited $30 per share takeover offer from an Australian-US consortium, citing significant undervaluation. Tania Archibald took on the role of Managing Director and CEO in February 2026, signalling a focus on accelerating value delivery.

What’s next for BlueScope Steel?

BlueScope expects underlying EBIT for the second half of FY2026 to be in a range of $620–700 million, reflecting forecast higher steel spreads in North America but softer conditions in Australia and Asia. Major growth projects like North Star’s capacity expansion and the New Zealand electric arc furnace are progressing, aimed at boosting efficiency and supporting decarbonisation goals.

The company’s new capital management policy targets the distribution of at least 75% of free cash flow to shareholders. Management will remain focused on unlocking further operational savings and land value realisation, while progressing low-emissions steelmaking initiatives.

BlueScope Steel share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, BlueScope Steel shares have risen 15%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post BlueScope Steel books strong 1H FY26 profit and dividend surge appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• GPT Group delivers strong 2025 profit and distribution uplift
• Freightways Group lifts profit and dividend in HY26 results
• Contact Energy offers $47m for full King Country Energy ownership
• Ansell shares: earnings jump and dividend rises in FY26 half-year
• The a2 Milk Company impresses with 1H26 earnings—shares in focus

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.

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue to grow in popularity with Aussie investors, and it isn’t hard to see why.

With just one investment, you can gain exposure to hundreds or even thousands of stocks at once. This makes it easier than ever to build a diversified portfolio.

But which ASX ETFs could be buys right now? Let’s take a look at two that analysts are tipping as buys, courtesy of The Bull. Here’s what you need to know about these funds:

Betashares Global Shares Ex US ETF (ASX: EXUS)

The team at DP Wealth Advisory thinks that investors should be buying the Betashares Global Shares Ex US ETF.

This ASX ETF is invested in global shares outside the United States. The advisory firm notes that the fund provides diversification for a portfolio by focusing on the 30% of the global market that is found off Wall Street. It said:

This exchange traded fund focuses on global investments outside the United States. The US accounts for more than 70 per cent of global market size. Some investors are seeking further diversification and less concentration risk. At end of January 2026, main holdings in this ETF included ASML, Roche and HSBC. Geographically, exposure at the end of January 2026 included Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada. While the ETF was only listed on the ASX in November 2025, the index it follows has shown returns of more [than] 12 per cent per annum over the past five years.

BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: FUEL)

Another ASX ETF that is being tipped as a buy by experts this week is the BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF.

Fairmont Equities is positive on this fund. After a strong run for precious metals and base metals, it believes that the energy sector could be next in line for a bull run. As this ETF gives investors exposure to the biggest players in the sector, Fairmont Equities sees it as a good option for 2026. It explains:

I have been bullish on commodities for the past two years. The uptrend in precious metals was followed by base metals. Now, I believe the energy sector is poised for a bull run in response to increasing demand. This exchange traded fund captures the biggest global oil and gas companies. Not only are many investors still underweight in the energy sector, but this ETF is now breaking out of a multi-year trading range. This means the ETF is most likely at the start of a major uptrend, which should last throughout 2026, in my view.

The post Experts name 2 ASX ETFs to buy this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs to target with exposure outside the US and Australia
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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.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) shares have caught the eye over the past 12 months with a strong return.

During this time, the ASX uranium stock has risen by over 40%.

But if you thought this meant that it was too late to invest, think again!

That’s because analysts at Bell Potter are tipping more strong gains over the next 12 months.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter notes that the ASX uranium stock released its half-year results last week and delivered numbers largely in line with expectations. It said:

PDN recorded revenue of US$138m (+79% vs PcP, inline with our estimate of US$139m). COGS were US$91.3m, excluding depreciation, (BPe US$93.8m), largely inline with our expectations. Profit before tax was US$9.26m, BPe US$6.2m. Finance costs were US$15m, which were above our expectations, and drove the divergence in the bottom line result.

Underlying loss after tax was -$6.6, with -$7.5m attributable to NCI and members of the parent recording a $0.872m profit, Vs BPe US$4.4m profit. EPS was US$0.2cps PDN finished the half with US$278.4m in cash and short term investments, following the A$300m equity raise, and $100m SPP.

Production ramp-up and stronger second half expected

The broker believes the second quarter was a clear improvement, particularly as the company moves through its stockpile processing phase at Langer Heinrich. The good news is that it should be onwards and upwards from here, according to Bell Potter. It said:

PDN recorded a markedly improved 2Q result, as the business completes the stockpile processing phase. The expectation, once operations rely more heavily on mined ore in the 2H, is for greater visibility on mill performance, grade and production.

We suspect that should 3Q avoid any unforeseen disruptions, PDN will be cum-upgrade. We forecast FY26 production of 4.75Mlbs, above the upper end of guidance of 4.5Mlbs.

Should you buy this ASX uranium stock?

According to the note, Bell Potter has maintained its buy rating and $15.30 price target on Paladin Energy’s shares.

Based on its current share price of $11.68, this implies potential upside of 31% for investors between now and this time next year. It concludes:

We retain our Buy recommendation and $15.30/sh TP. PDN is positively exposed to rising uranium markets, with ~53% exposure to spot prices out to 2030. Production at LHM continues to improve, with transition to processing primally fresh ore, milled grades should lift from 501ppm over 1H, as should plant performance and reliability. The only risk we see is water disruptions as we enter a seasonally tricky period known for algal blooms which impact availability from the desalination plant.

The post This top ASX uranium stock could rise 30%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Guess which surging ASX 200 uranium share is leaping higher again today
• Paladin Energy shares in focus after uranium sales fuel revenue jump
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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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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.

ASX healthcare stock AVITA Medical Inc (ASX: AVH) recently released earnings results.

This prompted updated guidance from the team at Morgans. 

Let’s see what the company reported and how the broker reacted. 

AVITA Medical

AVITA Medical is a healthcare company specialising in regenerative medicine.

This ASX healthcare stock is down 60% over the last year. 

It released its full-year 2025 financial results last week. 

The company reported: 

• Total revenue of $71.6 million for full year 2025, compared to $64.3 million for full year 2024, representing an increase of approximately 11%, within the company’s revised revenue guidance for the year.
• A gross profit margin of 82.1%.
• A net loss of $48.6 million, or a loss of $1.74 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $61.8 million, or a loss of $2.39 per basic and diluted share, in the prior year.
• Full year 2026 revenue guidance of between $80 and $85 million, representing growth of approximately 12% to 19% compared to 2025 revenue.

Commenting on the result, Cary Vance, Interim Chief Executive Officer of AVITA Medical, said: 

The fourth quarter marked the close of a year of stabilisation, and the beginning of a more execution-focused phase, for the Company. 

While reimbursement disruption and operational transition weighed on revenue performance in 2025, those issues are now largely behind us, and we are seeing early signs of normalisation in clinician use of RECELL.

We enter 2026 with a clearer commercial focus and a validated portfolio that supports Page 2 growth through deeper utilisation within our core burn and trauma centres, with our priority centred on delivering consistent, execution-led growth quarter by quarter.

Morgans’ view following results

In a note out of the broker on Friday, Morgans said this healthcare stock’s FY25 results broadly met expectations. 

It said FY25 revenue landed slightly ahead of its forecast, while gross margin was a touch softer as secondary products entered the mix. 

Morgans also commented that operating expense was more disciplined, cash burn improved and the cash runway extended via the new debt facility with a small increase in available debt, but more importantly improved trailing revenue covenants. 

We see the below-consensus FY26 guidance range as a positive, to reset market expectations and give a sense the company is aiming to restore credibility around guidance, which has been off the mark in recent years. Gradual but achievable.

Speculative buy recommendation 

Based on this guidance, the team at Morgans retained its speculative buy recommendation and price target of $1.35. 

This ASX healthcare stock closed trading last week at $1.08. 

From this share price, the team at Morgans anticipates an increase of approximately 25%. 

The post Broker tips 25% upside for this ASX healthcare stock following FY25 earnings results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, Hub24, and New Hope shares
• Is the AMP share price a buy after the huge sell-off?
• BlueScope Steel books strong 1H FY26 profit and dividend surge
• Experts name 2 ASX ETFs to buy this week

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

The Freightways Group Ltd (ASX: FRW) share price is in focus today after the company delivered robust HY26 results, with revenue up 8.5% to $718.2 million and NPAT climbing 17.2% to $52.5 million.

What did Freightways Group report?

• Operating revenue rose 8.5% to $718.2 million
• EBITA increased 12.2% to $96.5 million, with margin improving to 13.4%
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) jumped 17.2% to $52.5 million
• Basic earnings per share lifted 17.2% to 29.3 cents
• Interim dividend up 10.5% to 21 cents per share
• Net debt reduced 6.7% to $587.1 million

What else do investors need to know?

Freightways’ Express Package and Business Mail division showed strong revenue and margin growth, with same-customer volume increases, market share gains, and successful pricing moves. The Australian Allied Express business enjoyed solid volume momentum, boosted by successful Black Friday trading and new customer wins.

The Information Management and Waste Renewal division remained steady, with revenue broadly flat but modest EBITA growth. One-off restructuring costs affected HY26, but these are not expected to repeat, and waste renewal segments like Secure Destruction and Medical Waste saw solid growth.

The recent acquisition of VT Freight Express for A$71 million post-period end adds a complementary B2B express service in Australia, expected to be 6% earnings-per-share accretive in the first year and building out Freightways’ Australian presence.

What’s next for Freightways Group?

Freightways expects continued improvement in same-customer volumes, particularly in New Zealand, as economic conditions gradually recover. The focus remains on rebuilding margins, boosting operational efficiency, and delivering better value for shareholders through disciplined growth.

The group also plans to pursue bolt-on acquisitions to strengthen its niche express offering in Australia, with the recent VT Freight Express acquisition laying a foundation for further growth, while sticking close to its capital management policy.

Freightways Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Freightways Group shares have risen 27% outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Freightways Group lifts profit and dividend in HY26 results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• GPT Group delivers strong 2025 profit and distribution uplift
• BlueScope Steel books strong 1H FY26 profit and dividend surge
• Contact Energy offers $47m for full King Country Energy ownership
• Ansell shares: earnings jump and dividend rises in FY26 half-year
• The a2 Milk Company impresses with 1H26 earnings—shares in focus

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.

The Contact Energy Ltd (ASX: CEN) share price could attract attention today after the company announced a non-binding offer to acquire the remaining stake in King Country Energy for approximately $47 million. If successful, the move would see Contact take full ownership of all five King Country Energy hydropower stations.

What did Contact Energy report?

• Contact has offered to buy the remaining 24.98% of King Country Energy from King Country Trust for around $47 million.
• The purchase, if finalised, would give Contact full ownership of five hydropower stations with 53MW installed capacity.
• The consideration is expected to be paid in scrip (new Contact shares issued to the Trust or its nominee).
• Consultation and review will occur before any deal is finalised, with completion targeted for Q2 CY26.

What else do investors need to know?

Contact already operates and maintains King Country Energy’s five hydropower stations, supplying renewable power mainly in the King Country and Horowhenua regions. Full ownership would streamline operations and integrate King Country Energy’s assets under the Contact umbrella.

Before the deal can proceed, King Country Trust will run a public consultation and special review, as required by their trust deed. This process is expected to last around a month, and any agreement remains subject to approval from both parties.

What’s next for Contact Energy?

The next step is the Trust’s public consultation, which will help inform its decision on the offer. If both parties agree, a sale and purchase agreement could be signed and completed in the second quarter of calendar year 2026.

If finalised, Contact Energy will issue new shares as payment, consolidating all King Country Energy operations and assets under its direct control. Investors should watch for further updates as the review and consultation progress.

Contact Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Contact Energy shares have risen 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Contact Energy offers $47m for full King Country Energy ownership appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• GPT Group delivers strong 2025 profit and distribution uplift
• BlueScope Steel books strong 1H FY26 profit and dividend surge
• Freightways Group lifts profit and dividend in HY26 results
• Ansell shares: earnings jump and dividend rises in FY26 half-year
• The a2 Milk Company impresses with 1H26 earnings—shares in focus

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.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) has once again reminded the market why it trades at a premium.

Following its latest half-year result, the CBA share price rallied strongly as earnings came in ahead of expectations. That reaction doesn’t surprise me. While some brokers continue to argue the stock looks expensive, I’m still holding my CBA shares and I’m comfortable doing so.

The numbers back up the premium

In the half-year to 31 December 2025, CBA delivered cash net profit after tax of $5,445 million, up 6% on the prior corresponding period . Pre-provision profit rose 5% to $8,131 million, reflecting what I see as solid operational discipline across the core franchise.

Return on equity improved to 13.8%, which remains peer-leading. For a bank of this size, maintaining that level of profitability in a competitive lending environment is no small achievement.

Yes, margins were slightly lower and operating expenses increased due to inflation and continued investment in technology. But I actually like seeing that investment. The bank is spending over $1.2 billion on modernising its technology infrastructure and enhancing GenAI capabilities. In my view, that is how it protects its leadership position rather than slowly losing ground.

Credit quality remains a strength

One of the reasons I sleep well owning CBA shares is the quality of its balance sheet.

Loan impairment expense was $319 million, with a loan loss rate of just 6 basis points. Home loan arrears actually decreased in the half, and 87% of home loan customers are now ahead of their scheduled repayments.

To me, that speaks volumes about the resilience of both the customer base and the broader economy. The bank is also carrying a substantial provisioning buffer of around $2.8 billion above expected losses under its central scenario. That’s not the behaviour of an institution cutting things fine.

Capital remains strong too, with a CET1 ratio of 12.3%, comfortably above regulatory minimums. I think that balance sheet strength deserves a premium valuation.

The dividend still matters to me

CBA declared an interim dividend of $2.35 per share, fully franked. That’s up 4% on the prior corresponding period and continues the bank’s track record of rewarding shareholders.

As I’ve written before, yield alone doesn’t tell the full story. For long-term holders, yield on cost can look very different from the headline figure new investors see today. Add full franking credits into the mix and I still see CBA as a core income holding in my portfolio.

Why I’m not selling

I understand the valuation debate. On traditional metrics, CBA is not cheap. But I believe the market pays up for consistency, execution, and franchise strength. This result reinforced all three.

The bank continues to grow lending and deposits, invest in technology, maintain strong capital levels, and deliver reliable dividends. For me, that combination is exactly why I own it.

Foolish takeaway

CBA isn’t a bargain share. But I believe it remains Australia’s highest-quality bank.

With strong earnings, improving credit quality, and a fully franked dividend continuing to grow, I’m still happy to hold my CBA shares and let them compound over time.

The post Here’s why I’m still not selling my CBA shares anytime soon appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• The ANZ share price is a sell – UBS
• Utilities outperform as ASX 200 ascends to a 3-month high
• The CBA share price is a sell – UBS
• How I would build an income portfolio that lasts a lifetime

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. 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.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares have surged over the past year.

During this time, the gold miner’s shares have risen more than 50% in response to a booming gold price.

Is it too late to invest? Here’s what Bell Potter is saying following the company’s first-half result.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was relatively pleased with Northern Star’s half-year results given the operational disruptions it experienced during the period. The broker said:

Highlights: Revenue A$3,414m (BPe A$3,417m, VA A$3,383m), EBITDA A$1,876m (BPe A$1,894m, VA A$1,890m), NPAT A$760m (BPe A$848m, VA A$779m) and EPS A$50cps (BPe A$59cps, VA A$54cps). The result was largely inline, except for a larger than anticipated impairment on exploration assets of A$77.6m (A$24.7m PcP).

Despite the production downgrade in Jan-26 following disruptions across South Kalgoorlie and Jundee, lower mined grades from the Orelia OP (Thunderbox) and a primary crusher failure at KCGM, financial performance remained resilient, with EBITDA margins expanding across both Kalgoorlie and Pogo production centres. NST finished the half with A$293m in net cash.

Hemi delays

One of the key developments from the result was a potential delay to the Hemi project, which it gained with the acquisition of De Grey Mining. Bell Potter explains:

The key development from the announcement was the potential delay for the Hemi project. We had forecasted production commencement in Mar-29, however NST now anticipates this to occur around the beginning of FY30. A short delay, which was likely to be expected.

The broker also notes that meeting full-year production guidance in FY 2026 will require a stronger second half. It adds:

We still need to see a material grade lift across the portfolio to hit guidance (FY26 1,600-1,700koz), which is going to come from Golden Pike North (KCGM/ Kalgoorlie), and a normalization of operations at Yandal.

Should you buy Northern Star shares?

Despite the operational hurdles and the Hemi timing slip, Bell Potter remains positive on this ASX gold stock.

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on Northern Star shares with an improved price target of $35.00.

Based on its current share price of $28.37, this implies potential upside of 23% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

Our Target Price lifts to $35.00/sh, and we maintain our Buy recommendation. The 1HFY26 result was already flagged as being impacted by the disruptions outlined above. The question is; how quickly the business can rectify remaining disruptions, in a timely manner to meet the downgraded guidance. We forecast the cashflow inflection point in FY28, with the potential for capital returns/ buybacks should KCGM reach capacity ahead of cash outlays for Hemi.

The post Should you buy Northern Star shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.