Category: Stock Market

  • Why Amotiv, DroneShield, Life360, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today

    Shot of a young businesswoman looking stressed out while working in an office.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having another poor session. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.35% to 8,670.2 points.

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

    Amotiv Ltd (ASX: AOV)

    The Amotiv share price is down 4% to $6.20. This appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Citi this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the auto parts company’s shares to a neutral rating with a heavily reduced price target of $6.70 (from $9.30). It made the move after reducing its earnings forecasts to reflect margin pressures.

    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

    The DroneShield share price is down 14% to $3.03. Investors have been selling the counter-drone technology company’s shares following the announcement of an ASIC investigation. The investigation relates to announcements made between 1 November 2025 and 20 November 2025, as well as share trading between 6 November 2025 and 12 November 2025. It said: “DroneShield advised that it will cooperate fully with the investigation regarding announcements and information provided to the Australian Securities Exchange between 1 and 20 November 2025, and trading in Droneshield shares between 6 and 12 November 2025 (inclusive). […] It is not clear what action, if any, may result from ASIC’s investigation.”

    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

    The Life360 share price is down 12% to $17.69. This follows the release of the family safety and location technology company’s first-quarter update. Life360 reported total revenue of US$143.1 million for the quarter, up 38% on the prior corresponding period. It also posted global monthly active user (MAU) growth of 17% year on year to approximately 97.8 million. And while management has upgraded its revenue and EBITDA guidance for FY 2026, it has been forced to trim its MAU guidance due to a technical issue with Android phones. MAU growth is now expected to be in the range of 17% to 20%, rather than 20%.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

    The WiseTech Global share price is down 5% to $40.21. This is despite there being no news out of the logistics solutions technology company on Tuesday. However, it is worth noting that the technology sector is facing a selloff today. This has seen the S&P/ASX All Technology Index fall 3% this afternoon.

    The post Why Amotiv, DroneShield, Life360, and WiseTech shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Life360 right now?

    Before you buy Life360 shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Life360 wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360 and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield, Life360, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Are Woolworths shares a buy amid fast-growing food sales?

    A couple in a supermarket laugh as they discuss which fruits and vegetables to buy

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are sliding today.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) supermarket giant closed yesterday trading for $33.50. In early afternoon trade on Tuesday, shares are changing hands for $32.90 each, down 1.8%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.3% at this same time.

    Woolworths shares have outperformed in 2026, gaining 11.8% compared to the benchmark index’s 0.6% year-to-date loss.

    Over the past year, however, Woolies stock has gained a slender 0.4%, trailing the 5.4% returns posted by the ASX 200.

    Though we shouldn’t forget Woolworth’s dividends. The ASX 200 stock trades on a 2.8% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

    And the supermarket recently reported strong growth in its quarterly food sales.

    Which brings us back to our headline question.

    Woolworths shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

    Catapult Wealth’s Blake Halligan recently ran his slide rule over the supermarket giant (courtesy of The Bull).

    “Food retail sales were up 5.9% in the third quarter of 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period,” he noted.

    But Halligan sounded a note of caution on that growth outlook.

    Explaining his hold recommendation on Woolworths shares, he said:

    However, food earnings before interest and tax growth guidance is expected to be in the mid-to-high single digit range, but no longer at the upper end of the range.

    While scale and defensive earnings remain strengths, possible margin pressure and cautious consumer sentiment temper near‑term upside, supporting a hold for now.

    What’s the latest from the ASX 200 supermarket?

    Woolworths released its third quarter (Q3 FY 2026) results on 30 April.

    The 5.9% year-on-year increase in Australian Food sales to $13.8 billion, which Halligan mentioned above, helped support a 4.5% lift in total Q3 sales to $18.1 billion.

    eCommerce sales showed particularly impressive growth, surging 20.2% from Q3 FY 2025 to reach $2.7 billion. That now sees the company’s eCommerce segment representing 16.6% of all its Australian Food sales.

    However, Woolworths shares closed down 7.8% on the day of the results release, with investors having taken note of the lowered expectations for full-year FY 2026 food earnings growth.

    The company also flagged rising uncertainty amid the ongoing Iran war.

    “The conflict in the Middle East is creating greater uncertainty for our customers, suppliers and team at a time when cost-of-living pressures are already acute,” Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell said.

    Bardwell added:

    While the impact on the group to date has been limited, higher fuel costs and secondary effects are likely to have an increasing inflationary impact as we move through the calendar year.

    The post Are Woolworths shares a buy amid fast-growing food sales? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woolworths Group right now?

    Before you buy Woolworths Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Woolworths Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • ASX 200 sinks before tonight’s budget. Are investors about to get a tax shock?

    Tax time written on wooden blocks next to a calculator and Australian dollar notes.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is sliding on Tuesday as investors turn their attention to tonight’s Federal Budget.

    At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is down 0.51% to 8,657 points.

    That puts the benchmark under pressure again after a weak start to the week. The index fell 0.49% on Monday as CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) dragged the healthcare sector lower following another profit warning and impairment update.

    The selling is also fairly broad. Right now, 138 ASX 200 stocks are trading lower, while 57 are higher and 5 are unchanged.

    Let’s take a look at what’s behind today’s fall.

    Budget night looms

    The biggest local event is tonight’s Federal Budget, which Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down at 7:30pm AEST.

    Investors will be watching closely for any changes to capital gains tax (CGT) and negative gearing.

    For share investors, the key point is whether any CGT change stays focused on property or applies to other assets, including shares.

    CGT can affect investors who sell shares, ETFs, managed funds, and other assets for a profit.

    The current CGT discount allows eligible individuals to reduce a capital gain by 50% if they hold the asset for more than 12 months.

    Reports suggest the government may change the discount as part of a wider tax reform package. ABC reported that the CGT discount could be linked to inflation, although a flat discount of 25%, 30%, or 35% may also be considered.

    The Australian Financial Review has also reported that changes to negative gearing and CGT would apply to assets acquired from budget night, but take effect from 1 July 2027.

    That timing would give investors and property buyers some room to adjust. But the market will still want clarity tonight.

    If changes are limited to property, the direct impact on ASX investors may be smaller. But if shares are included, investors could face a lower after-tax return on future gains.

    CSL and banks continue to weigh on the index

    CSL shares are still in the red after Monday’s heavy fall. The stock is down another 2.76% to $97.97 at the time of writing.

    ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) is also weighing on the market. The stock is down 4.05% as its CHESS Depositary Interests (CDI) trade ex-dividend tomorrow.

    The banks are also weaker. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) are all trading lower.

    Miners offer support

    Nonetheless, the main support today is coming from the resources sector.

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) are all trading higher by 2.85%, 3.17%, and 1.75%, respectively.

    The miners are getting support from stronger commodity prices, with iron ore, gold, and copper all helping sentiment. Oil is also higher, with Brent crude above US$105 a barrel amid fresh concerns over the Middle East.

    The post ASX 200 sinks before tonight’s budget. Are investors about to get a tax shock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Forget gold, BHP shares could be the better long-term buy

    A woman holds a gold bar in one hand and puts her other hand to her forehead with an apprehensive and concerned expression on her face after watching the Ramelius share price fall today

    Gold has had a strong run.

    With rising geopolitical tensions, it is easy to see why investors have been drawn to the precious metal.

    But if I were looking for a long-term wealth-building idea on the ASX, I would be more interested in a business that can generate cash flow, pay dividends, and benefit from a major structural demand trend.

    That is why BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares stand out to me.

    The copper opportunity

    BHP is often thought of as an iron ore giant, and for good reason.

    Iron ore has been the backbone of the business for years and remains a major earnings driver. But I think the more interesting long-term story is copper.

    Copper is used across electricity networks, renewable energy infrastructure, data centres, electric vehicles, industrial machinery, and construction. If the world keeps electrifying, it is hard to see copper demand disappearing.

    That is where BHP could be well placed.

    The company already has major copper exposure, and management has been clear about its desire to increase its exposure to future-facing commodities. For investors, that gives BHP a growth angle that goes beyond the usual iron ore cycle.

    I think this matters because copper is becoming more strategically important. Supply is difficult to bring on quickly, new mines can take years to develop, and permitting can be challenging.

    If demand remains strong and supply stays tight, copper could be a very useful tailwind for BHP over the next decade.

    A real business behind the theme

    One of the risks with commodity investing is getting too excited about the theme and forgetting the business.

    That is why I prefer BHP shares to many smaller resource shares.

    It has scale, diversification, balance sheet strength, and a long operating history. It can invest through cycles, fund major projects, and return capital to shareholders when conditions are favourable.

    BHP also has potash as another long-term option through its Jansen project. That gives it exposure to global food production and fertiliser demand, which could become increasingly important over time.

    So, while copper is my favourite part of the thesis, it is not the only reason I would own the stock.

    There is also the dividend.

    BHP’s dividend will always move with commodity prices and earnings. It is not a fixed income stream. But over time, the company has shown a willingness to reward shareholders when cash generation is strong.

    For investors who want both income and long-term growth potential, I think that combination is attractive.

    Why I would buy instead of gold

    Gold can help during uncertain periods, and I understand why some investors like it.

    But gold does not grow earnings, expand production, or pay dividends.

    BHP can do all three, although none of that is guaranteed, and commodity cycles can be brutal.

    The key difference for me is that BHP gives investors exposure to real economic activity. If copper demand grows, if potash becomes a larger contributor, and if iron ore remains profitable, the company can generate cash and reinvest for the future.

    That is the kind of long-term setup I would rather own.

    Foolish Takeaway

    Gold may continue to attract attention, especially while markets remain unsettled.

    But for my money, BHP looks like the more attractive long-term ASX share idea.

    It offers exposure to copper, iron ore, potash, dividends, and one of the strongest resource platforms in the world.

    The post Forget gold, BHP shares could be the better long-term buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BHP Group right now?

    Before you buy BHP Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BHP Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • ‘Blood on the Street’: What is Bell Potter saying about the CSL share price crash?

    A business woman looks unhappy while she flies a red flag at her laptop.

    The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price has been under heavy selling pressure again this week.

    So much so, the biotechnology giant’s shares are trading near a decade-low.

    Is this a buying opportunity? Let’s see what the team at Bell Potter is saying about the former market darling.

    What is the broker saying?

    In a broker note titled “Blood on the Street”, Bell Potter highlights that CSL has made a sizeable downgrade to its earnings guidance.

    While this was disappointing, Bell Potter was particularly concerned with its CSL Behring gross margin weakness. This has caused doubts that CSL will be able to bring its margin back to pre-COVID levels in the future. It said:

    CSL provided a hefty downgrade to FY26 guidance, lowering revenue by ~$750m (i.e. -4.7%) and NPATA by ~$300m (i.e. -8.7%) from the prior midpoint of guidance ranges. Updated guidance now implies a 2% decline in revenue and 4% decline in NPATA vs FY25. We were already below prior guidance ranges however the update today was worse than expected. The majority of CSL’s products are facing a mix of underlying market softness (e.g. Seqirus, albumin) or increased competitive pressures (e.g. Ig and iron) as evidenced by today’s update.

    One of the most concerning takeaways was the further degradation in Behring GM for FY26, leading to further loss of confidence it can climb back to the pre-Covid level of ~57%. Additionally, the US Ig plasma market has undoubtedly faced oversupply recently, leading to price competition and further market share loss for CSL. The approval by EU regulators of Grifols’ Egyptian based plasma supply chain will only add further supply capacity in the coming years to the global market.

    Is the CSL share price good value?

    According to the note, the broker has retained its hold rating with a heavily reduced price target of $100.00 (from $155.00).

    This is only modestly higher than the current CSL share price of $99.25.

    Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter said:

    Earnings decreases drive large reductions to our PE and DCF-based valuations. We increase the PE valuation weighting to 75% and reduced the multiple to 12.0x. This leads to a reduction of our PT to $100 (from $155). We maintain our Hold recommendation. CSL’s global biopharma peers trade on a median of 14x FY27 PE.

    We think a discount is warranted for CSL considering the declining underlying earnings outlook across FY26-27, the lack of stable management, and series of credibility hits following several disappointing results/trading updates. CSL is trading on ~12x our forecast NPATA for FY27. The difference between NPATA to statutory NPAT remains uncertain given the $5b of additional impairments announced today with unclear spread across FY26-27.

    The post ‘Blood on the Street’: What is Bell Potter saying about the CSL share price crash? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in CSL right now?

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CSL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Just added to the ASX 200: 3 stocks that deserve a spot on your watchlist 

    A young man sits at his desk working on his laptop with a big smile on his face.

    Being added to the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is no small feat. 

    Outside of reflecting a company’s strong performance, it also opens up a new universe of institutional investors and ETFs to the company.

    Index inclusion can also shine a light on compelling businesses that the broader market has been sleeping on. 

    Here are three newly added ASX 200 members worth adding to your watchlist.

    SRG Global (ASX: SRG)

    SRG is a Perth-based infrastructure services company employing more than 5,000 people across more than 20 industries, with revenues approaching $1.6 billion. 

    What sets it apart from your typical contractor is how recurring its revenue is, with more than 80% of the business tied to annuity-like streams.

    The most recent half-year results told a good story: EBITDA climbed 20% year on year, and the work-in-hand book hit a record $4.2 billion, up 24% from the prior year.

    For investors looking for infrastructure exposure without the volatility of miners and explorers, SRG is worth a closer look.

    Vulcan Energy Resources (ASX: VUL)

    Vulcan is building what it describes as the world’s first carbon-neutral lithium operation, drawing lithium from geothermal brines beneath Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. 

    The flagship Lionheart Project is targeting 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide per year, enough to supply batteries for around 500,000 electric vehicles annually. 

    As European carmakers face mounting pressure to clean up their supply chains, a domestically sourced green lithium product could stand to benefit.

    Vulcan Energy has secured a €2.2 billion financing package, and construction of the project is now underway in Frankfurt. 

    The company is still pre-revenue, so risks remain high, and performance depends on the scale of the lithium deposits and on management execution.

    But if Vulcan can execute, investors could gain a lot. 

    Predictive Discovery Limited (ASX: PDI)

    Predictive Discovery is a leading West African gold producer and developer, listed on the ASX.

    Predictive Discovery’s Bankan Gold Project in Guinea has been shaping up as one of the more significant gold discoveries in West Africa in recent years. 

    The timing of Predictive Discovery’s index promotion could hardly be better, given that the price of gold has risen significantly over the last few years. 

    Similar to Vulcan, future performance depends largely on the scale of the deposits found and on management’s ability to execute its plan.

    Despite all of this, the scale of the Bankan project gives plenty of reasons to be excited. 

    Foolish takeaway

    Index inclusion gives investors the opportunity to analyse new stocks with exciting business models. 

    SRG, Vulcan, and Predictive Discovery are no exception.

    All have fascinating future growth trajectories, and I reckon they should be on investors’ watchlists.

    The post Just added to the ASX 200: 3 stocks that deserve a spot on your watchlist  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Srg Global right now?

    Before you buy Srg Global shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Srg Global wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 Srg Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Why is everyone talking about WiseTech, GQG and Life360 shares on Tuesday?

    A young woman holds her hand to her ear and leans sideways as if to listen to something that's surprising her as her eyes and her mouth are wide open.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) and Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) shares are turning heads today.

    Two of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) heavyweights are underperforming the 0.6% losses posted by the benchmark index during the Tuesday lunch hour, while one is marching higher.

    Here’s what’s catching investor interest.

    Life360 shares tumble despite revenue growth

    Life360 shares are taking a beating today.

    Shares in the ASX 200 location sharing software company are down a sharp 10.9% at the time of writing, trading for $17.93 each.

    This underperformance follows the release of the company’s first-quarter results (Q1 2026) and comes amid broader weakness in the ASX tech sector today and apparently lofty investor expectations.

    Indeed, Life360 shares are tumbling despite the company reporting a 38% year-on-year quarterly revenue boost to US$143.1 million. And adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$17.1 million were up 7%.

    Management also increased full-year 2026 revenue guidance to between US$650 and US$685 million, up from prior guidance of US$640 million to US$680 million. Full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance was increased to US$130 to US$140 million, up from the prior range of US$128 million to US$138 million.

    GQG shares lift on FUM boost

    Unlike Life360 shares, GQG shares are on the rise today following an April performance update.

    As at 30 April, the ASX 200 financial stock reported funds under management (FUM) of US$166.9 billion. That’s up US$4.4 billion from the end of March.

    GQG achieved that FUM growth despite April net outflows of US$1.4 billion. Management credited this to a strong month for investment markets and performance across GQG’s strategies.

    WiseTech shares join tech sell-off

    Joining GQG and Life360 shares in the financial headlines, WiseTech shares are down 5.2%, changing hands for $40.08.

    The ASX 200 logistics software solutions company presented at the annual Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) Australia Conference today.

    The company highlighted its strong first half-year performance (H1 FY 2026), which included a 76% increase in revenue and a 31% increase in EBITDA. This was spurred by WiseTech’s acquisition of US-based cloud software company e2open in late 2025 to create TradeWise.

    Management said this provided “a clear path to margin expansion post integration”.

    WiseTech now serves more than 22,000 logistics companies across 193 countries. That includes 23 of the top 25 largest global freight forwarders.

    And rather than seeing AI as a potential threat to its business, WiseTech noted, “AI amplifies our resilient market position, drives step-change efficiency, and accelerates customer success.”

    The post Why is everyone talking about WiseTech, GQG and Life360 shares on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Life360 right now?

    Before you buy Life360 shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Life360 wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, Macquarie Group, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360, Macquarie Group, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Gqg Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Which ASX energy company has just signed off on a major gas project?

    Workers inspecting a gas pipeline.

    Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) has just made a final investment decision to go ahead with a major gas project in Papua New Guinea, which will start producing two years from now.

    All systems go

    The Adelaide-based oil and gas company said in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday that it had decided to go ahead with the Agogo Production Facility (APF) Tie-In Project in PNG, following approval by the PNG LNG joint venture.

    Santos said:

    The APF Tie-In Project will deliver gas from the Santos-operated Agogo Production Facility to the PNG LNG gas pipeline via a new 19-kilometre pipeline, together with two new wells and associated production facility modifications. Santos’ share of capital expenditure is approximately $160 million (gross capex approximately $400 million over three years). First gas is targeted second quarter 2028.  

    Santos Managing Director Kevin Gallagher said the project was a “highly value-accretive investment” which met the company’s investment criteria.

    He added:

    The APF Tie-In Project is a high-quality development with strong economics and a clear role in our strategy to build and grow portfolio production. The execution of this project will convert Santos’ 66 mmboe (million barrels of oil equivalent) 2P undeveloped reserves into developed reserves, delivering incremental net production of ~54 mmscf/d (million standard cubic feet per day) with significant upside potential depending on reservoir performance. With an expected internal rate of return of greater than 50 per cent and a payback period less than four years from FID, and approximately two years from first gas, the project is expected to be strongly value accretive, support our long-term production profile and sustain feed gas supply to PNG LNG.

    The project has a 12-year production plateau, and Santos said it had the potential to continue production beyond 2050.

    Santos said the key regulatory approvals were in place, the required land access had been secured, and all material joint venture approvals had been obtained.

    Santos holds a 39.9% interest in the PNG LNG joint venture. The other joint venture partners are ExxonMobil PNG, ENEOS Xplora, Kumul Petroleum, and the Mineral Resources Development Company.

    Shares looking attractive

    Jarden last month published a research report into Santos, which said that while commissioning issues at the company’s Barossa and Pikka projects were negatives, the company had delivered an “otherwise solid quarterly”.

    The Jarden team added:

    While we think Santos will eventually need to downgrade 2026 production guidance, it shouldn’t stop the company from moving from its 5-year investment phase to serious cash flow generation in 2H26.

    Jarden has a price target on Santos shares of $8.80 compared with $7.55 currently.

    Santos is valued at $24.42 billion.

    The post Which ASX energy company has just signed off on a major gas project? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Santos right now?

    Before you buy Santos shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Santos wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • DroneShield shares crash 16% on ASIC investigation

    A man sitting at his desktop computer leans forward onto his elbows and yawns while he rubs his eyes as though he is very tired.

    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares are being sold off on Tuesday.

    In morning trade, the counter-drone technology company’s shares are down 16% to $2.95.

    Why are DroneShield shares crashing?

    Investors have been rushing to the exits on Tuesday after the company made an announcement.

    According to the release, the company has advised that it has received a notice from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

    The notice reveals that ASIC is requesting for it to provide reasonable assistance in connection with an investigation under the Corporations Act.

    What is the investigation?

    The investigation relates to announcements made between 1 November 2025 and 20 November 2025, as well as share trading between 6 November 2025 and 12 November 2025. It said:

    DroneShield advised that it will cooperate fully with the investigation regarding announcements and information provided to the Australian Securities Exchange between 1 and 20 November 2025, and trading in Droneshield shares between 6 and 12 November 2025 (inclusive).

    What was announced during this time?

    Between 1 November and 20 November, DroneShield made a number of announcements.

    However, a release that stands out is one that it made on 10 November, which was subsequently withdrawn.

    On that date, DroneShield announced the receipt of a package of three standalone contracts totalling $7.6 million for handheld systems for delivery to the U.S. Government.

    However, it later withdrew this announcement after realising that it had made a mistake and that the contracts were not new orders. It stated:

    DroneShield advises that the November Contracts do not represent new orders. The November Contracts were orders that were reissued by the customer due to regulatory updates. The November Contracts were previously issued to DroneShield this year. One of the November Contracts was previously announced by DroneShield to the ASX on 17 September 2025.

    And during 6 and 12 November 2025, several executives were selling DroneShield shares through on-market trades.

    It is unclear if any of these sales were made during the short window between the release of the announcement and its withdrawal. And that may be the reason why ASIC is looking into the company today.

    With respect to action, DroneShield revealed that it doesn’t know what may come of the investigation. It advised:

    It is not clear what action, if any, may result from ASIC’s investigation.

    The post DroneShield shares crash 16% on ASIC investigation appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in DroneShield right now?

    Before you buy DroneShield shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and DroneShield wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 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.

  • How low can CSL shares go?

    a man weraing a suit sits nervously at his laptop computer biting into his clenched hand with nerves, and perhaps fear.

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares are continuing to slide after yesterday’s brutal sell-off.

    At the time of writing, the CSL share price is down another 3.75% to $96.97.

    That follows Monday’s huge plunge, when the healthcare giant fell more than 20% to as low as $93.64 after a disappointing update.

    That was a near-decade low for the stock. The last time CSL shares were trading around this price was November 2016.

    CSL shares are now down around 44% in 2026 and almost 59% over the past year.

    So, how much worse can this get?

    Another guidance cut hurts confidence

    The latest damage came after CSL released its interim CEO 90-day review and financial update on Monday.

    In that update, CSL said its growth plans are working, but the financial benefits are taking longer than previously expected.

    The company now expects FY26 revenue of around US$15.2 billion. It also expects NPATA, excluding restructuring costs and impairments, of around US$3.1 billion.

    CSL also expects to recognise about US$5 billion of additional non-cash, pre-tax impairments across FY26 and FY27. These are mainly tied to CSL Vifor’s intangible assets and property, plant, and equipment.

    Investors clearly did not like the update, with CSL shares heavily sold off on Monday.

    The size of the impairment is also hard to ignore. According to The Australian, the charge is likely to be the third largest in ASX history, behind Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)’s US$20 billion Alcan write-down and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)’s US$15 billion shale write-down.

    Brokers are also cutting numbers

    Unfortunately, the market reaction has not been kind.

    Broker cuts have followed quickly today. Citi reportedly slashed CSL shares to neutral with a $110 price target, while Jarden cut the stock to neutral with a $191 target. Canaccord also cut CSL shares to hold with a $106.31 price target.

    Some analysts still see value after the sell-off. But the market is clearly less confident about CSL’s earnings path than it was a week ago.

    The chart still looks bad

    From a technical view, CSL shares remain under heavy pressure.

    The stock broke below $100 on Monday and is now trading close to yesterday’s low of $93.64. That makes the low the nearest support level to watch.

    If that level breaks, the next round number investors will likely focus on is $90.

    On the upside, $100 is now the first obvious resistance level. Monday’s close at $100.75 may also matter because sellers have already pushed the stock back below it today.

    The relative strength index (RSI) is also sitting near 11, which tells us that the stock is very much oversold.

    Foolish Takeaway

    CSL is still the ASX’s biggest healthcare company with a market cap of around $46.5 billion. But that’s not enough to stop investors selling.

    The market is dealing with repeated downgrades, a major Vifor write-down, weaker earnings expectations, and a share price that keeps making fresh lows.

    At some point, the fall may bring bargain hunters back in. But right now, it looks like CSL shares are trying to find a floor.

    The post How low can CSL shares go? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in CSL right now?

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CSL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.