Category: Stock Market

  • Sun Silver shares to soar 235% in 12 months, tips expert

    A man holds his glasses up to his forehead looking gobsmacked over ASX share price rises

    Sun Silver Ltd (ASX: SS1) shares have experienced phenomenal growth, rising 160% over the past 12 months.

    East Coast Research thinks there is more room to run for this ASX silver share, despite volatility in the commodity price.

    In a new note, East Coast Research has revealed a 12-month price target of $6.54 for Sun Silver shares.

    This tip implies a staggering 235% potential upside from the stock’s closing value of $1.955 on Tuesday.

    Before we find out why East Coast expects such strong growth, let’s check in on Sun Silvers’ recent performance.

    How did Sun Silver shares survive the commodities rout?

    Sun Silver shares reached an all-time high of $2.73 on 29 January.

    That was the same day that the silver price reached a record of US$121 per ounce.

    Then came the fall.

    A major metals market sell-off last week saw the silver price nearly halve to a low of about US$67 per ounce, before rebounding.

    Sun Silver shares followed suit, and remain nearly 30% off their historical high now.

    The silver price is US$81.51 per ounce at the time of writing, down 2.2% and up almost 160% year over year.

    Silver retains an impressive 2026-to-date growth rate of 15.5%.

    What’s the latest news with Sun Silver?

    Sun Silver is developing the Maverick Springs Silver-Gold Project in Nevada, US.

    The project has a JORC Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 539 Moz silver equivalent (AgEq) at 71g/t AgEq.

    This includes 347.2Moz of silver (Ag) at 45.5g/t Ag and 2.25Moz of gold (Au) at 0.30g/t Au.

    Sun Silver says this makes Maverick Springs the largest pre-production primary silver project on the ASX and within the US.

    Last month, Sun Silver tripled its landholding by staking 427 additional lode claims to the north and south of the existing project.

    Sun Silver also announced that further drilling had uncovered more thick silver-gold and antimony mineralisation at Maverick Springs.

    In its December quarterly update, Sun Silver said it expects “further significant growth” for the silver/gold mineral resource estimate on the back of recent drilling results, as well as the potential for a maiden antimony mineral resource estimate.

    Why will this ASX silver share rocket 235%?

    In its note, East Coast Research praised Sun Silver for adding 59 Moz to its mineral resource estimate in the December quarter.

    SS1’s impressive recent 3rd Mineral Resource upgrade in under 2 years since listing places its Maverick Springs Project as a standout, strategically significant U.S. primary silver asset at a time when silver is becoming an important element of the North American / western-based secure supply chain thematic.

    East Coast said the scale of Maverick’s growth potential was unusual for an already large silver mining project.

    Maverick Springs continues to reaffirm our original thesis that, apart from just peer set leading primary silver asset scale, the asset is still open for notable further exploration upgrade.

    SS1’s last 2 Mineral Resource upgrades have increased both scale and silver equivalent grades, which is an uncommon facet of large projects.

    Sun Silver began trading on the US OTCQX market under the code (OTCQX: SSLVF) during the December quarter.

    East Coast says this is “setting the stage for an eventual material rerate that rewards SS1 stockholders from the U.S. markets’ silver premium”.

    East Coast said it viewed the recent pullback in the silver price as “an opportune time to increase exposure to silver, given that the medium- to long-term structural thesis supporting silver remains intact”.

    The silver price is supported by continuing safe-haven demand and rising industrial use in the green energy transition.

    Given all these tailwinds, East Coast said its most conservative estimate for the Sun Silver share price is $5.96 within 12 months.

    Its bull case is $7.11, a whopping 264% higher than where the ASX silver share closed yesterday.

    The post Sun Silver shares to soar 235% in 12 months, tips expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Sun Silver right now?

    Before you buy Sun Silver 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 Sun Silver 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 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

  • Investment themes investors should be watching closely – Expert

    A woman stands at her desk looking a her phone with a panoramic view of the harbour bridge in the windows behind her with work colleagues in the background.

    A new report from Global X has identified some key global investment themes that ASX investors should be aware of. 

    Billy Leung, Senior Investment Strategist, reinforced that while gold and silver have dominated recent headlines, there is still plenty of opportunity in other corners of the market.

    Here are three other themes investors should be aware of. 

    AI infrastructure 

    According to Global X, the narrative around AI is currently evolving. 

    Reports are emerging that OpenAI is testing alternatives to Nvidia. 

    According to Reuters, OpenAI has been unsatisfied with some of Nvidia’s latest artificial intelligence chips, and it has sought alternatives since last year. 

    While this has raised concerns around potential market share loss for Nvidia, switching costs across AI hardware, software stacks and developer ecosystems remain high, both in time and capital.

    Mr Leung said the more important takeaway is not a sudden loss of Nvidia’s dominance, but the continued broadening of the AI value chain. 

    As AI workloads scale, opportunities extend beyond leading chip designers into the infrastructure layer supporting compute, networking and data centre build-out.

    SpaceX and xAI

    Another emerging story is that SpaceX and xAI are reportedly planning to merge ahead of a potential mega IPO, valuing the combined entity at around US$1.25 trillion. 

    If realised, this would be one of the largest technology listings in history. It would also reshape the investable universe across launch services, satellite communications and frontier technologies.

    This analysis supports a case for investing in defence shares because it points to a powerful overlap between defence, aerospace, and the rapidly accelerating space economy.

    It could generate tailwinds for defence and aerospace companies supplying propulsion, satellites, sensors and mission-critical systems.

    India and US Trade

    Finally, the US is set to cut tariffs on India to 18% following commitments by Prime Minister Modi to curb Russian oil purchases and increase US imports. 

    According to Global X, the announcement triggered sharp moves in India futures, easing a key macro overhang and reinforcing India’s role within US-aligned supply chains. 

    This development has been supportive for Indian equities and the rupee. 

    While near-term volatility will persist, the combination of external resilience, domestic liquidity and institutional depth supports the case for India as a structural growth market rather than a macro risk trade.

    How to gain exposure with ETFs

    For investors looking into these themes more deeply, there are several thematic ASX ETFs that track these sectors. 

    For global AI exposure: 

    • Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)
    • Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF)

    Global defence: 

    For exposure to India: 

    • Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)
    • Global X India Nifty 50 ETF (ASX: NDIA)
    • VanEck India Growth Leaders ETF (ASX:GRIN)

    The post Investment themes investors should be watching closely – Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF right now?

    Before you buy Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF 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 Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF 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 1 Jan 2026

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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.

  • These 3 ASX 200 stocks have already soared 20% to 30% in 2026

    A young man punches the air in delight as he reacts to great news on his mobile phone.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed 0.03% lower on Tuesday afternoon. For the year-to-date the index is still 1.6% higher and is 4.53% above this time last year. The gains so far this year are sturdy, but there are some stocks which have already significantly outperformed the ASX 200 index.

    Here are three of them.

    Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL)

    Uranium development company, Deep Yellow, has had a fantastic start to 2026. It was one of the best stock performers on the ASX 200 index in January as tailwinds from its solid quarterly update and overall improving sentiment in the uranium sector drove the share price higher.

    The company reported a strong cash balance of A$187.1 million for the quarter ending 31st of December. The company also revealed that engineering and infrastructure at its Tumas project is on track. 

    Demand for uranium is expected to continue quietly climbing this year as governments ramp up activity on nuclear power.

    Deep Yellow shares jumped 7.14% higher on Tuesday to close the day at $2.55 a piece. And for the year-to-date the shares are now an impressive 30.77% higher.

    Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

    Paladin is another uranium production company that focuses on developing and operating uranium mines globally. Its share price has also been pushed higher off the back of surging demand for uranium so far in 2026. 

    The company’s production and financials are very strong too. In its December 2025 quarterly report, Paladin announced a 16% quarter-on-quarter increase in uranium production and reaffirmed full-year FY26 production guidance of between 4 and 4.4 million pounds of uranium. The ASX 200 miner is also on track for full mining and processing operations by FY27.

    Paladin Energy share closed Tuesday 5.48% higher at $12.13 a piece. The gain pulled the ASX 200 stock’s share price up 19.74% for 2026 so far.

    Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP)

    Greatland Resources is an ASX 200-listed gold and copper mining stock. It focuses on discovery, development, extraction, processing, and sale of precious and base metals. 

    The miner’s share price has surged this year as copper shares rally. Demand comes from a jump in demand for safe haven commodities amid global geopolitical uncertainty and a rapid decline in the US dollar. Greatland has also benefited from a gold price rally this year. 

    It wasn’t the commodity boom which pushed the ASX 200 stock higher though, it also posted record drilling and grades at its Telfer site, a strong Q4 cash flow and progress in its mine expansion plans in January. 

    At the close of the ASX on Tuesday, Greatland Resources shares were 3.47% higher at $12.82. For the year-to-date the share price has jumped 21.4%.

    The post These 3 ASX 200 stocks have already soared 20% to 30% in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Deep Yellow Limited right now?

    Before you buy Deep Yellow Limited 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 Deep Yellow Limited 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 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Life360 shares drop 50% from their peak: Buy, sell or hold?

    Man with virtual white circles on his eye and AI written on top, symbolising artificial intelligence.

    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) shares closed 2.99% higher on Tuesday afternoon. While the uptick is good news for investors, the stock has a while to go before it recovers losses made over the past four months.

    For the year to date, Life360 shares have declined 18.33%. They’re also 52.18% below the all-time high of $55.44 achieved in October last year.

    What happened to Life360 shares?

    The US-based software development company took the tech industry by storm last year. The dual-listed (on the Nasdaq and the ASX) company was earmarked as an unstoppable ASX growth share after the launch of its new GPS pet-tracking feature.

    There was never any real price sensitive news out of the tech company to explain the dramatic investor sell-off. Rather, it looks like the decline is a combination of investors selling up to take profit off the table after a period of strong price growth, combined with overall sector wide weakness across the tech sector.

    Earlier this month there was concern that artificial intelligence could disrupt traditional platforms and software models. This damped investor sentiment and caused a further pullpack in the share price.

    This year’s headwinds come off the back of a sharp share price correction across the tech sector in late 2025. 

    The company delivered a standout quarterly update last month. The result beat expectations and caused a share price surge of nearly 30%.

    Life360 reported strong user growth, with monthly active users (MAU) reaching 95.8 million. That marks the highest Q4 MAU level in the company’s history and represents an intake of an additional 16.2 million users over calendar year 2025.

    But it wasn’t enough to keep confidence high and the uptick was short-lived. 

    What’s ahead for Life360 in 2026?

    Life360 said it expects to see strong user acquisition and monetisation in both its core US and fast-growing international markets this year. 

    Following its new pet-related software, the business plans to turn its attention to an elderly-focused solution.

    Some even think the user growth could accelerate in 2026 if engagement remains strong.

    In short, Life360 is well positioned for growth in 2026. If that eventuates, then the current share price is a bargain for investors who want to get in on the stock. Especially ahead of the next uplift.

    Data shows that analysts are mostly bullish on the outlook for the tech stock. Out of 13 analysts, 10 have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The maximum price target is $49.68 which implies a potential 87.41% upside for investors at the time of writing.

    The post Life360 shares drop 50% from their peak: Buy, sell or hold? 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 1 Jan 2026

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    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 Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • CSL prepares for half-year results as CEO transition comes into focus

    Silhouette of CEO standing in conference room looking out at cityscape.

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) will report its 2026 half-year financial results this morning. The update comes as the company prepares for a change in senior leadership.

    Just after market close on Tuesday, CSL confirmed that chief executive officer and managing director Dr Paul McKenzie will retire. Gordon Naylor has been appointed interim CEO and managing director, effective from 11 February 2026.

    The timing places leadership succession firmly in focus as investors await the company’s earnings update and outlook commentary.

    CSL shares were volatile during Tuesday’s session. The stock was trading up around 2.2% at around $184.02 in late afternoon trade before reversing direction to finish the day down 4.98% at $171.39.

    Leadership change after 3 years as CEO

    Dr McKenzie served as CSL’s CEO and managing director since late 2022. His tenure covered a challenging period marked by shifting demand conditions, cost pressures and operational adjustments across parts of the group.

    CSL chair Brian McNamee said the board determined it was the right time for new leadership to continue driving the company’s strategic transformation. He also acknowledged Dr McKenzie’s contribution during a period that included post-pandemic operational stabilisation and ongoing investment in research and development.

    Incoming interim CEO Gordon Naylor is a long-time CSL executive and current non-executive director, with more than 3 decades of experience at the company. His background includes senior leadership roles across plasma therapies and vaccines, as well as involvement in major acquisitions and infrastructure expansion.

    The board said Naylor will have full authority during the interim period while a search for a permanent CEO takes place.

    Half-year results due before market open

    CSL is scheduled to release its half-year financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2025 before the market opens today.

    An investor and analyst briefing will follow at 10:00am AEDT via webcast.

    The result is also expected to include the declaration of an interim dividend. Historically, the interim dividend is paid in April, with the ex-dividend date typically falling in early March.

    What investors will be watching

    While the leadership change is notable, attention will remain firmly on the numbers and forward guidance.

    Investors will be focused on revenue performance across CSL’s plasma and specialty therapies businesses, margins, currency impacts and commentary around second-half trading conditions.

    Any update to full-year guidance is likely to be closely watched, particularly given recent share price weakness.

    With CSL shares well below previous highs and sentiment still fragile, the earnings update comes at an important time.

    The post CSL prepares for half-year results as CEO transition comes into focus 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 1 Jan 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. 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.

  • 3 of the best ASX dividend shares right now

    Australian dollar notes in the pocket of a man's jeans, symbolising dividends.

    Recently it has been well covered here at The Motley Fool that both the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) are trading close to all-time highs. 

    When valuations appear full, it can be a good time for investors to consider generating passive income through dividend shares. 

    Dividend shares can bring steady passive income should markets correct or stay flat. 

    Here are three options to consider with healthy yields right now. 

    Argo Investments Ltd (ASX: ARG)

    Argo is a listed investment company (LIC) with a diversified portfolio of more than 90 ASX-listed companies. 

    It has a healthy track record of consistent dividends dating back more than 20 years. 

    This aligns with its ethos, as it aims to provide shareholders with long-term growth as well as reliable dividend income.

    Argo released its half-year results to 31 December 2025 on Monday. 

    The announcement included an interim dividend worth 18.5 cents per share for the first half of FY2026.

    As Sebastian Bowen reported on Monday, this is a record high interim dividend for the company. 

    It’s important to note the ex-dividend date for this payout has been set for this Friday, 13 February.

    This means you need to have bought Argo shares by market close on Thursday to qualify for the payment. 

    The updated interim dividend means these ASX dividend shares now give the company a forward dividend yield of roughly 4.2%.

    CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

    Car Group is another ASX dividend stock that announced positive news for investors this week. 

    On Monday, the company also released half-year results, which included a bumped up dividend payment. 

    Car Group announced its next interim dividend will be 42.5 cents per share.

    This is a significant jump from the interim dividend of 38.5 cents per share that investors saw last year.

    The stock now has a forward dividend yield of 3.16%.

    While 3.16% isn’t the best yield on the market, it’s the consistency of passive income that might attract investors. 

    As far as dividend shares go, Car Group has now put together 10 years of consistent increases. 

    Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

    Qantas is one of Australia’s most recognisable ASX dividend shares. 

    New data from UBS has projected a cash dividend yield of almost 5% in 2026 including the franking credits.

    Macquarie also expects Qantas to deliver a dividend yield of around 5% in FY26.

    This is expected alongside further share price gains, which could bring the magical combination of capital gains and passive income. 

    Its dividend is also expected to continue to grow through 2030, giving these ASX dividend shares strong long term potential. 

    Qantas will release its half-year results on February 26.

    The post 3 of the best ASX dividend shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Qantas Airways Limited right now?

    Before you buy Qantas Airways Limited 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 Qantas Airways Limited 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 1 Jan 2026

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

  • 3 super small-cap ASX shares that could be destined for big things

    A female ASX investor looks through a magnifying glass that enlarges her eye and holds her hand to her face with her mouth open as if looking at something of great interest or surprise.

    Are you wanting some exposure to the small side of the market? If you are, then Bell Potter has you covered.

    It has named three small-cap ASX shares that could be top picks for investors in February. Here’s what it is recommending to clients:

    Integral Diagnostics Ltd (ASX: IDX)

    This diagnostic imaging company is highly rated by Bell Potter, especially after its merger with Capitol Health. The broker sees plenty of growth opportunities from greenfield and brownfield investments, as well as M&A opportunities. It said:

    The merger between Integral Diagnostics and Capitol Health results in a diagnostic imaging (DI) company which operates 151 clinics throughout Australia. Its strongest presence will be within Victoria and Queensland (67 & 41 locations respectively) with minor penetration in the other States. The company offers a range of imaging modalities through its clinics with the largest contribution to revenue from CT (31%) followed by US (24%), MRI (13%) and X-Ray / Diagnostic Radiology (11%), and Nuclear Medicine PET (5%). The growth strategy has centred around a combination of greenfield & brownfield investments and M&A opportunities.

    Kinatico Ltd (ASX: KYP)

    Another small-cap ASX share that has been recommended as a buy by Bell Potter is technology company Kinatico. It provides CV checks and workforce compliance management solutions.

    The broker is positive on the company’s growth outlook. It said:

    Kinatico is a leading provider of “know your people” solutions to organisations in Australia and New Zealand. The company operates two key businesses: its legacy CVCheck brand, which provides employment screening and verification services to over 10,000 repeat corporate customers and its new key focus, a SaaS-based business that delivers real-time workforce compliance management and monitoring. The core strategy is to leverage the large customer base of the legacy CVCheck business to provide a ready-made sales pipeline for its higher growth SaaS compliance solutions.

    Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

    A third small-cap ASX share that is being recommended by Bell Potter is youth fashion retailer Universal Store.

    The broker highlights Universal Store’s strong growth outlook, which is being underpinned by its store rollout strategy, and cheap valuation as reasons to buy. It said:

    Universal Store Holdings is a leading youth focused apparel, footwear and accessories retailer in Australia. UNI will continue to increase store numbers over the next few years, supporting earnings growth of 10% p.a.. Valuation looks attractive, trading on a forward P/E of ~16x. UNI is a quality small cap (ROE ~26%) that is executing on its rollout strategy.

    The post 3 super small-cap ASX shares that could be destined for big things appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Integral Diagnostics right now?

    Before you buy Integral Diagnostics 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 Integral Diagnostics 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 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. 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 Integral Diagnostics and Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Zip shares climb 10% higher this week. Can they keep going?

    Happy woman shopping online.

    Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares jumped 6.07% higher to close the day at $2.62 a piece on Tuesday.

    The digital financial services company’s shares have caught headlines and investor attention over the past year for its volatile price swings. The shares have swung anywhere between $1.08 and $4.93 each over the past 52 weeks.

    But this week, investors are buying back in. Since closing at $2.36 a piece on Friday afternoon last week, Zip shares have climbed 10.78%. And they’re now 18.55% higher than this time last year.

    It’s welcome news. But now the question is, can it keep on going?

    What’s ahead for Zip in 2026?

    Zip has posted strong financial results over the past few quarters, and the business has robust growth plans for 2026. 

    In October the company announced its Q1 results for FY26. It revealed that its total transaction value had jumped 38.7% to $3.9 billion and income was 32.8% higher at $321.5 million. Zip also confirmed it is on track to meet its FY26 results target.

    Late last year Zip also made some significant progress in plans to broaden its product range and expand its global presence.

    The company announced that its US segment is expanding its partnership with programmable financial services business, Stripe, a move which caused investor panic at the time. 

    Zip is still considering plans to tap into the US capital markets too in order to boost its presence among US-based investors. It is mulling over plans for a secondary sharemarket listing on the Nasdaq to potentially drive opportunity for business expansion.

    On paper, Zip’s rapid expansion plans and growing profit margins make the stock a no-brainer buy. And it looks like investor confidence could finally be returning too.

    What do the experts expect from the shares?

    I think Zip shares are a bargain at the current trading price, and I expect the share price growth could very well keep climbing higher. 

    TradingView data shows that analysts also expect great things from the buy-now-pay-later (BPNL) provider this year. All 11 analysts are incredibly bullish and have a buy or strong buy rating on the stock and the maximum target price is $6.72. At the time of writing this implies the shares could soar 156.48% higher over the next 12 months.

    Zip is due to post its FY26 half-year results on the 19th of February which it is expected to reveal whether the business is still on track and any news about the potential US expansion.

    The post Zip shares climb 10% higher this week. Can they keep going? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Zip Co right now?

    Before you buy Zip Co 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 Zip Co 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 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Are Suncorp or QBE shares a better buy after yesterday’s sell-off?

    A happy woman holding an umbrella in front of a rainbow.

    Two of Australia’s largest ASX financials stocks are Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) and QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) shares. 

    Both suffered heavy losses yesterday, falling between 4.24% and 3.4% respectively. 

    For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was essentially flat on Tuesday. 

    Following yesterday’s results, it could be an opportunity to buy the dip. 

    Here is what experts are saying. 

    Suncorp Group

    Suncorp is a Queensland-based financial services conglomerate offering retail and business banking, general insurance, superannuation, and investment products in Australia and New Zealand.

    Its shares fell 4.24% yesterday despite no price sensitive news out of the financial services conglomerate. 

    Its share price is down almost 10% in 2026 and more than 32% in the last 12 months. 

    It now sits close to its 52-week low, trading at $16.05 per share. 

    The insurance stock experienced a prolonged sell-off during elevated natural hazard payouts related to extreme weather events towards the back half of 2025.

    Based on recent targets from experts, Suncorp shares could be a buy-low opportunity. 

    Recently, Goldman Sachs placed a price target of $20 on Suncorp shares. 

    From yesterday’s closing price, that indicates an upside of 24.61%. 

    Estimates from Morgan Stanley suggest even more upside for this ASX financials stock. 

    Last month, Morgan Stanley retained its overweight rating with a trimmed price target of $22.25.

    This indicates an upside of 38.63%. 

    It’s worth noting these capital gains could come alongside a healthy dividend yield that is projected to be more than 5%. 

    An important date for investors to watch will be on Wednesday 18 February when the company releases its HY26 results.

    QBE Insurance Group

    QBE is Australia’s second-largest international insurer. It provides a broad range of insurance products across personal, business, corporate, and institutional markets, and is involved in insurance underwriting and reinsurance.

    Its shares have also spluttered over the last 12 months, including a fall of 3.39% yesterday. 

    QBE has faced headwinds over the last year which has dampened investor confidence. 

    These include slowed increased premiums, and subdued growth. 

    Recently, Wilsons also noted the company is negatively exposed to US dollar weakness. 

    QBE shares closed yesterday at $19.69, and there appears to be limited upside based on analysts ratings. 

    According to TradingView, 12 analysts have one year price targets between $19.30 and $24.21. 

    This indicates QBE shares are hovering close to fair value. 

    On the positive side, Bell Potter estimates that QBE’s shares will provide investors in FY 2026 with a dividend yield of 4.7%.

    It is set to release full year results on Friday, 20 February. 

    The post Are Suncorp or QBE shares a better buy after yesterday’s sell-off? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Suncorp Group Limited 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 Suncorp Group Limited 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 1 Jan 2026

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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.

  • Here’s why this standout ASX 200 share can keep racing up

    A row of Rivians cars.

    This S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) share doubled in value last year. Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) may have moved more slowly this year, but in the first six weeks of 2026 the share price still climbed 6%.

    At the time of writing, the ASX 200 share is trading at $25.93 apiece, a gain of 102% over 12 months.

    The slowing pace has investors asking whether Eagers is gearing up for its next leg higher. Here’s why this rocketing ASX 200 share still looks compelling.

    BYD as growth engine

    A big driver of Eagers’ success has been electric vehicles, particularly BYD. The ASX 200 share now operates roughly 80% of BYD dealerships in Australia, giving it unmatched exposure to one of the fastest-growing EV brands in the country.

    Analysts point to Eagers’ diversified earnings base as a key advantage. As the market normalises and interest-rate pressure eases, Eagers’ scale and brand partnerships could see it outperform peers.

    Eagers delivered a record half-year result in mid-2025 — and the numbers were hard to ignore. Revenue surged to $6.5 billion, up 18.9% year-on-year. Underlying operating profit before tax hit $197.7 million, while underlying EBITDA climbed to $297 million, up 11.6%.

    On 19 February the $7 billion ASX 200 share will release its second half year results for 2025.

    A bold step into North America

    In October, the ASX 200 share announced a game-changing move, revealing the acquisition of a 65% stake in CanadaOne Auto, one of Canada’s largest dealership groups.

    The deal values CanadaOne at around $1.05 billion and marks Eagers’ first expansion into North America. Once completed in Q1 2026 (pending approvals), Eagers will control 42 dealerships across multiple Canadian provinces.

    Why does this matter? Canada’s auto market is significantly larger than Australia’s and typically delivers stronger margins. Analysts see the deal as strategically important. It gives Eagers geographic diversification and reduces reliance on domestic car sales cycles.

    The acquisition is backed by a $452 million capital raise and a strategic placement with Mitsubishi Corporation, which already partners with Eagers through its Easyauto123 used-car business.

    Built to weather the cycle

    Eagers isn’t just a new-car dealer — and that’s a big plus.

    The used-car operations, service and parts divisions, and independent retailer Easyauto123 provide recurring, higher-margin revenue streams that are far less cyclical. With new vehicle sales often the most volatile part of the industry, this diversification gives Eagers a natural buffer during downturns.

    The result is a more resilient, cash-generative business than many investors realise.

    What next for Eagers shares?

    Despite the monster rally in the past year, analysts still see room to move.

    TradingView data shows most brokers rate the ASX 200 share a hold or buy, with bullish forecasts stretching as high as $35.90. This points to 38% upside from current levels.

    The average 12-month price target sits at $30.96, which still points to a potential 19% gain from here.

    The post Here’s why this standout ASX 200 share can keep racing up appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Eagers Automotive Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Eagers Automotive Ltd 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 Eagers Automotive Ltd 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 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 Eagers Automotive Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.