Category: Stock Market

The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) share price is in focus after the bank posted unaudited cash earnings of $137.9 million, up 7.6% on the previous half-year’s quarterly average, and announced two new strategic partnerships aimed at ramping up innovation and efficiency.

What did Bendigo and Adelaide Bank report?

• Unaudited cash earnings of $137.9 million for 3Q26, up 7.6% from the 1H26 quarterly average
• Statutory net profit after tax of $109.4 million for the quarter
• Net interest margin improved to 1.98%, up 6 basis points on 2Q26
• Lending growth annualised at 5.6% for the quarter, with strong momentum in both residential and business lending
• Operating expenses were 4.1% lower than the previous quarter, largely due to reduced staff costs
• Credit expenses incurred were $2.1 million

What else do investors need to know?

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank kicked off the next phase of its Productivity Program, which includes newly announced partnerships with Infosys and Genpact. The Infosys collaboration brings a seven-year boost to technology services, giving the bank access to more advanced software and AI expertise, while the six-year deal with Genpact focuses on process optimisation.

These partnerships are expected to enhance efficiency, build on existing technology platforms, and help respond more quickly to customer needs. However, they’ll also result in changes to the workforce, especially in technology and business operations teams, with consultations to follow.

Significant operational improvements are targeted, with ongoing expense benefits of $65–$75 million per year expected by FY28. Upfront transition costs of $85–$95 million are mostly expected to fall in FY27.

What’s next for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank?

Looking ahead, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank remains focused on accelerating its 2030 strategy by investing in technology and process excellence. Management says the operational efficiencies achieved through these partnerships will support expense guidance, aiming for business-as-usual costs to remain no higher than inflation through the cycle.

The bank is also keeping a close eye on global developments and potential impacts on credit risk, while continuing to support its customers, particularly amid a challenging external environment.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares have risen 6%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 21% over the same period.

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The post Bendigo and Adelaide Bank lifts profit and launches strategic partnerships appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Sandfire Resources posts Q3 FY26 operations highlights and maintains guidance
• Transurban Group March quarter 2026: Traffic rises across key toll roads
• 2 ASX 200 shares I rate as top buys for growth

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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. 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.

Cogstate Ltd (ASX: CGS) shares are in focus today after a big climb yesterday. 

The ASX healthcare stock was one of many ASX shares to enjoy a strong rebound after President Trump set a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. 

Cogsgate shares jumped an impressive 12% during yesterday’s trading session.

Why did Cogstate shares climb yesterday? 

It seems investors were reacting positively to not only international market tailwinds, but also to the company’s 3Q26 Business Update. 

Cogstate is a neuroscience technology company specialising in brain health assessments. The principal activity of the company is the sale of technology and services to measure cognition.

In yesterday’s release, the company said it continues to demonstrate strong demand across an expanding range of Central Nervous System (CNS) indications, consistent with trends outlined with the release of the 1H26 financial results.

The company reported total contracted revenue, as at 31-Mar-26, has increased reflecting the sales contracts executed during the quarter: 

• Contracted revenue for the June 2026 half year (2H26), including revenue recognised during 3Q26, is $29.1 million, up from $21.7 million under contract at 31-Dec-25. 
• This brings full year FY26 revenue under contract (including first half actual of $26.9 million) to $56.0 million (FY25 total revenue was $53.1 million). 
• Contracted revenue for next financial year (FY27) is $35.6 million, up from $27.0 million under contract at 31-Dec-25.

What did Bell Potter have to say?

Following this release, the team at Bell Potter provided updated guidance on Cogsgate shares. 

The broker said the strong sales momentum is continuing for the healthcare stock, with the recent results representing the best quarter of new sales in at least 3 years. 

Bell Potter said it was clearly a positive update, which increases confidence that the diversification and strong momentum seen in 1H26 was not just a ‘one-off’ and further growth in the revenue backlog looks likely.

Following the strong sales update, he broker has lifted its FY27 revenue forecast by 3% and its FY28 forecast by 5%.

Our updated FY26 forecast implies $3.2m of in-period additions in Q4 which seems quite achievable.

Buy recommendation in tact

The broker also reiterated its buy recommendation for Cogsgate shares, along with increasing its price target to $3.20 (previously $2.90). 

The broker said the company is trading at a discount to global peers (13x on avg) despite having a far more attractive topline growth outlook. 

From yesterday’s closing price of $2.40, the updated price target from Bell Potter indicates a potential upside of 33%. 

The post Are Cogsgate shares a buy, hold or sell after rocketing 12% higher yesterday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• This ASX healthcare stock is up 70% in a year and climbing again today

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

There are few ASX shares that can sustainably give investors a dividend yield above 10%, but a few could be appealing options to own.

Not every large yield is reliable. Extremely high dividend yields may be funded by an unsustainable dividend payout ratio, or by a significant decline in the share price (which pushes up the trailing yield) as the market expects a drop in earnings (and dividends).

While the dividend yields I’m about to talk about are not guaranteed, I think it’s likely the ASX shares will continue to paying large dividends for the foreseeable future.

Centuria Office REIT (ASX: COF)

This is a very unloved real estate investment trust (REIT) right now – it owns office buildings across Australian metropolitan locations.

In the last six months alone, the Centuria Office REIT unit price has declined by 20%, making it much cheaper.

The work from home trend has certainly been a headwind for office demand in the last few years. Recently, AI growth and rising interest rates are also a potential headwind for earnings, office property valuations and market confidence.

However, the properties are still generating rental income for investors, the buildings still retain significant value and the land the ASX share owns is rising in value over time.

In the FY26 first-half result, the business reported its portfolio valuation increased by $42.8 million, which was the second consecutive period of valuation gains. That shows the business was experiencing green shoots last year.

The business also said it continued to sign new rental leases, while the supply of new office buildings remains restrained because of high replacement costs (and lower demand).

In FY26, the business is expecting to generate rental profit (FFO – funds from operations) of between 11.1 to 11.5 cents per security. The guided FY26 distribution of 10.1 cents per unit translates into a forward distribution yield of 10.75%. Even a 10% cut of the distribution next financial year would still see it pay a distribution/dividend yield of well over 9%.

Hearts and Minds Investments Ltd (ASX: HM1)

The other high-yield ASX share I want to highlight is a unique listed investment company (LIC) on the ASX. It invests in shares across the world.

Instead of just one funds management team being in charge of the investment decisions, it’s invested in stocks that have been chosen (for no management costs) by various fund managers.

Some of the portfolio is chosen by a core group of permanent fund managers, while picks in the portfolio are decided by an annual investment conference where experts pitch a stock they think could be a strong performer.

The reason why so many investment professionals are willing to contribute ideas for free is that the LIC donates 1.5% of net assets each year to medical research. I think that’s a great initiative and one well worth supporting.

This ASX share has pleasing dividend characteristics – it hasn’t given shareholders a dividend reduction since it started paying dividends in FY21. It has grown its annual payout every year in that time, aside from FY23 when it maintained its dividend.

The ASX share has provided guidance it will grow its half-year dividend by 0.5 cents every six months for the foreseeable future, implying the next two dividends to be declared will come to 20.5 cents per share. That translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 10%, including franking credits.

The post 2 ASX shares with dividend yields above 8% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Hearts And Minds Investments. 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.

Zip Co Limited (ASX: ZIP) has always been clear on its trajectory — grow first, make profit later. And for a while, investors were on board with the buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) company’s pathway to profitability. Its cash burn was readily accepted as a means to fuel growth and investors looked to user adoption and transaction volume as the primary measures of success.

However, with changing economic conditions, investors began asking more questions about execution and profitability.

What’s happening at Zip Co?

While Zip Co shares saw circa 60% growth over the last twelve months, year-to-date, they have dropped roughly 40%.

Zip Co has been responding to changing investor sentiment for some time, reducing costs, improving margins and narrowing losses. In February, it reported some impressive 1H26 results, including:

• A significant improvement in operating margin at 18.7%, up from 13% on the prior corresponding period (PCP).
• Record total transaction volume of $8.4 billion, a 34.1% increase on PCP
• A 4.1% increase in active customers on PCP
• 10.5% growth in merchants on the platform

But it is still asking investors to believe that the worst is behind it and the best is still worth waiting for. There is no denying that Zip Co is a company on the improve. The question is whether investors will be willing to back its next phase.

What is happening in the BNPL sector more broadly?

Looking at what is happening in the BNPL sector more broadly, it was flying in 2022. In Australia, according to Finder, 49% of Australians were actively using the service to fund purchases. And this looked set to grow. But things went the other way, dropping to 40% or 2 in 5 Australians by 2024. That said, more recent surveys have found high adoption rates amongst younger consumers and Australians remain one of the highest users of BNPL. In addition, with Gen Z eschewing the traditional credit card model, there is still room for user growth.

Of course, BNPL is irrevocably tied to consumer spending. And it is more widely used by younger consumers, who are also more likely to be affected by current conditions. On the flip side, given that it can fund a wide range of products and services, it may prove an interest-free lifeline on hard-to-delay purchases for some right now.

Whether you believe BNPL can pick up or not in the current climate is key to your investment decision as reaching profitability for Zip Co is highly sensitive to the broader economic backdrop. 

Are Zip Co shares a buy right now?

Many analysts certainly think so. And with the share price rallying 20% yesterday, it looks like investors are starting to agree.

Zip Co is a materially better business today than it was in 2022. Costs and losses are both trending in the right direction and its geographic footprint is more focused. User growth and transaction volume continue to grow, despite challenging market conditions.

But right now, Zip Co is sitting in an uncomfortable middle ground. It is no longer a high-growth disruptor that investors are willing to fund on belief alone but has not yet reached profitability. In calmer economic conditions, it could well have remained in investor favour.  

For me, Zip Co shares are a conditional buy. There is certainly potential upside at the current price. And it is making the right moves towards profitability. But you have to be comfortable with some volatility in near-term and wholeheartedly believe in a cyclical recovery in consumer spending.

The post Are Zip Co shares a buy right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Melissa Maddison 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 Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) share price is in focus as the company posted group copper equivalent production of 34.5kt for the March quarter, and a net cash balance of $76 million at quarter-end.

What did Sandfire Resources report?

• Group copper equivalent (CuEq) production of 34.5kt in Q3 FY26, totalling 106.5kt for the nine months to 31 March 2026
• MATSA mine produced 21.7kt CuEq in the quarter; Motheo mine delivered 12.8kt CuEq
• Net cash balance of $76 million as at 31 March 2026, up $63 million from December 2025
• Group capital expenditure guidance for FY26 reduced by $15 million to $225 million
• Underlying operating costs: $86/t at MATSA and $44/t at Motheo, in line with guidance

What else do investors need to know?

Persistent high rainfall and unplanned maintenance limited MATSA’s output in Q3, while Motheo’s transition to higher grade ore was delayed. However, both mines recorded improvements in annualised ore mining and processing rates, with Motheo achieving a record 6.5Mt mined and 6.1Mt processed.

The company’s FY26 copper equivalent production guidance remains at 149kt to 165kt, though full-year performance is now expected in the lower half of that range. Guidance for operating costs was reaffirmed, barring extended impacts from the Middle East conflict on freight and energy prices.

Sandfire also made its inaugural tax payment from Motheo and completed additional payments to Havilah Resources related to its Kalkaroo project. Management’s next in-depth update will come with the full March 2026 Quarterly Report later this month.

What’s next for Sandfire Resources?

Looking ahead, Sandfire expects an upswing in production volumes in the June quarter, particularly at Motheo as higher grade ore comes online. The company is aiming to meet the lower half of guidance ranges for both operations in FY26 and is keeping capital spending tightly managed following a slight delay in ramping up activity at Kalkaroo.

Management says FY26 cost guidance is on track for MATSA and Motheo, although external factors like freight and energy costs remain a watchpoint. Investors can expect a fuller financial and operational update with the upcoming official quarterly report release.

Sandfire Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Sandfire Resources shares have risen 153%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 21% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Sandfire Resources posts Q3 FY26 operations highlights and maintains guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) share price is in focus after the company reported a 3.0% increase in average daily traffic (ADT) for the March 2026 quarter, boosted by strong performances in Melbourne and North America.

What did Transurban Group report?

• Group average daily traffic up 3.0% to 2,536,000 trips versus Q3 FY25
• Melbourne ADT grew 3.8%, driven by the opening of the West Gate Tunnel
• Brisbane ADT increased 5.2%, reflecting post-cyclone recovery
• North America ADT rose 7.9%, supported by the 495 Northern Extension ramp-up
• Sydney ADT edged up 0.6% despite ongoing freeway construction impacts

What else do investors need to know?

Transurban’s latest quarterly update highlights resilience amid ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. Major projects like Sydney’s M7 upgrade and the new West Gate Tunnel in Melbourne contributed to traffic growth. The company noted that 90% of its revenue is either CPI-linked or has fixed escalations, helping provide stability during market swings.

Large vehicle traffic remained a key driver, especially in Melbourne, which saw an impressive 17.1% increase in this category. In North America, the 495 Express Lanes posted a 17.2% jump in ADT, while the 95 Express Lanes delivered steady growth.

Transurban also stressed its ongoing support for customers through its Linkt Assist program and expanded assistance for community organisations and small suppliers, reflecting its focus on customer and community care.

What did Transurban Group management say?

Chief Executive Officer of Transurban Group Michelle Jablko said:

This quarter’s results reflect the strength of our diversified portfolio and our ability to keep Australia’s cities moving, even during challenging market conditions.

What’s next for Transurban Group?

Transurban is looking ahead to the staged opening of widened sections of the Sydney M7 in the June quarter and the anticipated completion of the Warringah Freeway project by the end of 2026. Management will continue to monitor the evolving geopolitical and macroeconomic environment and assess how developments might impact travel patterns and demand.

With most revenue either linked to inflation or set by contract, the company remains optimistic about its ability to deliver consistent returns and maintain support for customers dealing with cost-of-living pressures.

Transurban Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Transurban shares have risen 3%, underperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 21% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Transurban Group March quarter 2026: Traffic rises across key toll roads appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Charter Hall Group secures $1.2bn property mandate from institutional client
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• 2 ASX 200 shares I rate as top buys for growth

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 positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. 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 Age Pension is an extra fortnightly payment from the government to help you fund your living expenses in retirement. 

It’s one of Australia’s most important safety nets which ensures Australians have a minimum income in retirement if their superannuation isn’t enough.

The problem is, with rising inflation and the cost of food, petrol and mortgage repayments climbing higher and higher, sometimes the Age Pension falls short of retiree’s needs. This means additional income is required to meet living costs.

However, there’s also a limit to how much income you can bring in retirement to quality for the pension.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What’s the retirement income test for the age pension

Age Pension rates vary wildly for singles and couples, and depend on your assets and any additional income. 

As of the 20th of March this year, the Age Pension is a maximum of $1,100.30 per fortnight for singles and up to $829.40 per person for couples. This doesn’t include any additional potential supplement rates.

But the Age Pension is subject to both an income test and an asset test. Unfortunately, Australians in retirement are paid under whatever test that produces the lowest rate of payment.

The income test assesses all of your income pooled from all sources. That includes anything from superannuation contributions, investment income, part-time wages, bonuses or commission payments. It’s applicable regardless of your age. 

So how much can I earn?

As of last month, in order to receive the full Age Pension, singles can’t earn more than $218 per fortnight, and couples can’t earn more than $380 per fortnight.

But it’s still possible to receive a part pension if you earn over those thresholds.

Singles can earn up to $2,619.80 per fortnight and couples (living together) can earn up to $4,000.80 per fortnight and still qualify for at least a part-pension. Couples living apart due to ill health can earn a little more, at up to $5,183.60.

But it’s important to note that earning up to these thresholds will reduce your Age Pension payment. For a single person, your Age Pension will reduce by 50 cents for each dollar over $218 and for couples it will reduce by 25 cents for each dollar over $380.

How much will retirement actually cost me?

According to ASFA, a comfortable retirement is expected to cost approximately $54,840 per year for individuals and $77,375 per year for couples.

That translates to approximately $2,109 per fortnight for singles and around $2,975 per fortnight for couples. 

The post How much can I earn in retirement and still qualify for the Age Pension? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares with a lot of growth potential could be some of the best investments to buy since they’re probably already market leaders in their respective industries, with potential to increase their earnings even further.

I’m bullish about the two businesses I’m about to talk about. I’ve bought shares for my own portfolio because of what they could achieve between now and 2030.

When it comes to investing in ASX growth shares, I think it’s a good idea to think at least three to five years ahead. This allows ample time for businesses to execute their plans and initiatives.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Breville is one of the world’s leading coffee machine businesses – it has multiple brands including Breville, Sage, Lelit and Baratza, as well as a coffee bean business called Beanz.

There are few Australian businesses that have had as much global success as Breville, which continues to deliver excellent double-digit revenue growth.

In the FY26 half-year result, total global product revenue grew by 10.9% to $973.6 million, with Americas revenue growing 11.6% to $549.5 million, Asia Pacific revenue rising 5.9% to $190.3 million and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Asia) revenue rising 13.7% to $233.8 million.

That growth was achieved despite a challenging operating environment, including US tariffs.

I think the ASX 200 share can continue growing its global presence, particularly in some of its newer markets like South Korea, China and the Middle East. I also think it will continue to invest in development to create new products to unlock more growth in its existing markets.

According to the projection on CMC Invest, the ASX share is valued at 26x FY27’s estimated earnings. If the business can grow its net profit by more than 10% per year after FY26, I think it will have a very promising future.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

GYG is one of the fastest-growing quick service restaurant (QSR) businesses in Australia.

I think it’s an excellent ASX 200 share to own because both the ongoing sales growth for its existing network, as well as its restaurant rollout plans.

Its recent FY26 third-quarter update included numerous positive figures, which I think bodes well for the foreseeable future.

In the three months to 31 March 2026, the business reported that its total network sales grew by 19.5% to $345.9 million, with Australian network sales increasing 19.7% to $320.4 million.

For me, the success of the Australian division is essential because it’s where a vast majority of the global network is located. Australia is also the market where the company expects its network to grow from 242 to 1,000 over the next 20 years. The 242 locations represented a rise of 14.7% year-over-year.

Asia is also an exciting market because it’s gaining traction across Singapore and Japan. The combined network of those two countries increased three locations year-over-year to 13 at 31 March 2026, while Asian network sales rose 15% to $21.5 million.

If the business can continue growing its Australia and Asian network sales by between 15% to 20% per year, I think the ASX 200 share could be a great long-term performer.

The post 2 ASX 200 shares I rate as top buys for growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Breville Group and Guzman Y Gomez. 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 ASX share market has seen major volatility since the end of February 2026. There are opportunities worth sniffing out.

If I had $7,000 to invest in a couple of ideas today, there are a few I’d want to highlight.

But, the two below are particularly appealing, and I’m calling them buys today.

Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA)

Tuas is a leading ASX telecommunications share that’s based in Singapore, and it’s rapidly expanding its market share in the country.

In the FY26 half-year result, Tuas reported that its active mobile services increased by 21.5% to 1.41 million, helping revenue grow by 25.5% to $73.2 million, and underlying operating profit (EBITDA) rose by 27.2% (excluding its cost related to the ongoing acquisition of Singapore competitor M1). The company is winning subscribers with its focus on providing great value.

Thanks to the telco’s operating leverage, the business is seeing its profit margins improve. The underlying EBITDA margin rose from 45% to 46%, meaning that additional revenue dollars are increasingly valuable and can help its bottom line grow at a faster pace, which is a key driver of the Tuas share price.

The Tuas share price has declined by around 20% since 23 January 2026, making it much better value.

While the business still has a very small broadband subscriber base, it’s starting to gain some traction there. In HY26, broadband subscribers jumped 220% to 46,133.

In the next few years, I’m expecting its market share and profit margins to continue to increase as its subscriber base grows, particularly once the M1 acquisition settles and if the ASX share expands into other countries.

I expect its profits will rise significantly in the coming years under the excellent stewardship of David Teoh.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

Another investment I want to highlight is this exchange-traded fund (ETF) that focuses on quality US businesses.

One of the main things that keeps a business ahead of others is its competitive advantage (an economic moat), which can take many forms. I’m thinking of things like intellectual property, cost advantages, network effects, brand power, and so on.

When a competitive advantage allows a business to make good profits year after year, it means they have a strong economic moat.

The MOAT ETF seeks businesses that Morningstar analysts believe will almost certainly have competitive advantages that last for at least 20 years, giving them excellent longevity to generate strong profits.

But it’s not just a portfolio of great businesses. Morningstar has judged these businesses to be trading at an attractive valuation, which I think makes them an appealing option for potentially outperforming the local and global share markets.

According to VanEck, the MOAT ETF has returned an average of 13.6% per year since it started in June 2015.

The post Where to invest $7,000 in ASX shares during April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Tuas and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. 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 VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX biotech stock Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) finally delivered some good news. Shares jumped 5.7% on Wednesday to $13.00, outpacing the 2.6% gain of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

This followed the biotech company announcing a new commercial milestone for its flagship Rett syndrome therapy.

For investors, it was a welcome reprieve. But the ASX biotech stock is still down more than 30% since the start of 2026, leaving some long-term holders wondering if now is the time to step back in.

A fresh commercial milestone

A new commercial milestone for Neuren’s lead Rett syndrome therapy DAYBUE drove Wednesday’s lift. Partnered with US biotech giant ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD), Neuren confirmed its DAYBUE STIX powder formulation is now widely available across the US.

The therapy, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in December, first launched on a limited basis during the March quarter. The expanded rollout means more patients and caregivers now have access to the treatment.

The powder formulation gives families greater flexibility in dosing and taste as they can mix the powder with water-based liquids. This small change can make a meaningful difference in managing Rett syndrome day to day.

Increasing royalty income

Neuren receives royalties on all global net sales of trofinetide under its licensing agreement with ACADIA. Historically, commercial milestones like this one tend to have an immediate impact on the price of the ASX biotech stock.

At its FY25 results, Neuren reported $65 million in royalty income and expects further growth in 2026 as DAYBUE sales expand. ACADIA has guided for DAYBUE net sales of US$460–490 million this year, implying another strong year of royalty growth for Neuren.

Strengths and risks

Neuren’s strengths are clear. Its lead therapy addresses an underserved rare disease market, and the royalty model gives it high-margin, recurring income with minimal operational risk. The broader rollout also demonstrates increasing commercial traction, which can help restore investor confidence.

That said, risks remain. The fortunes of the ASX biotech stock are tightly linked to ACADIA’s commercial execution. Any delays, pricing pressures, or regulatory hurdles could weigh on revenue.

The company also operates in the volatile biotech sector, where investor sentiment can swing sharply on clinical or regulatory news.

Analyst snapshot

Bell Potter remains bullish. The broker recently reaffirmed its buy rating and $22.00 price target. At the current share price of $13.00, this implies potential upside of roughly 70% over the next 12 months.

TradingView data show that brokers are upbeat on the ASX biotech stock. The most bullish average 12-month price target is $29.00, which points to a 123% upside, while the most conservative forecast comes in at $18.40. That still suggests a potential gain of 41%.

Foolish Takeaway

For investors willing to tolerate biotech volatility, Neuren’s recent milestone, strong royalty pipeline, and underappreciated market potential could make this battered ASX biotech stock one to watch closely.

The post Is this battered ASX biotech stock ready to rocket higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.