Category: Stock Market

The Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) share price is in focus today after the company posted a 7% lift in production to 4.8 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) and quarterly sales revenue of $419 million for the third quarter of FY26.

What did Beach Energy report?

• Production increased 7% quarter-on-quarter to 4.8 MMboe, led by the Perth Basin ramp-up (up 174%)
• Sales revenue was $419 million, down 6% from the previous quarter
• Sales volumes totalled 5.3 MMboe (down 10% vs Q2), including one LNG cargo ($54 million revenue)
• Average realised oil price climbed 19% to A$125/bbl; gas price averaged $11.2/GJ (down 6%)
• Available liquidity strengthened to $974 million with net gearing reduced to 11%
• FY26 production guidance revised to 19.4–20.3 MMboe (from 19.7–22.0 MMboe)

What else do investors need to know?

Beach Energy’s quarter saw strong output from the Waitsia Gas Plant, now operating close to full capacity after the final two compressors were brought online. The company lifted one LNG cargo in February, contributing $54 million in sales.

Severe rains in the Cooper Basin and Western Flank led to some production setbacks and delayed drilling, but these operations have since resumed. Beach also secured new exploration acreage, including ATP 2081 in the Taroom Trough and three Queensland gas blocks, bolstering its East Coast gas portfolio.

On the development front, a final investment decision was made to advance the Moomba Central Optimisation project, aiming to streamline and extend infrastructure life, with completion targeted in the first half of FY29.

What did Beach Energy management say?

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Brett Woods said:

This was a pivotal quarter for Beach, with the Waitsia Gas Plant reaching 94% of nameplate capacity, the Equinox rig returning to commence Phase 2 of the Otway offshore campaign and a final investment decision was taken on the Moomba Central Optimisation (MCO) project. Combined with strong cash generation and three new tenement awards, the third quarter marks the continued progress on our strategy.

What’s next for Beach Energy?

Looking ahead, Beach Energy will continue the ramp-up of the Waitsia Gas Plant and progress its new acreage across the Taroom Trough and Cooper Basin. Management is targeting completion of the Moomba project in H1 FY29, which should help unlock value and support longer-term output.

Production outlook for FY26 has been revised due to weather impacts but remains strong. The company’s improved liquidity and disciplined approach to capital will support ongoing drilling and development across its expanded portfolio.

Beach Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Beach Energy shares have risen 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 10% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Beach Energy lifts production in Q3 FY26, updates outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are Beach Energy shares sinking today?
• Greatland Resources posts record March quarter cash build and gold-copper resource growth
• Reliance Worldwide resets FY26 outlook, updates on tariffs and Middle East
• Capricorn Metals reports Mt Gibson gold results
• Whitehaven Coal shares: Q3 FY26 shows steady sales, improved pricing

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 Reliance Worldwide Corporation (ASX: RWC) share price is in focus after the company reaffirmed its full year FY26 trading outlook and provided updates on US tariffs and Middle East impacts.

What did Reliance Worldwide report?

• FY26 full-year guidance has been reaffirmed after nine months of trading to 31 March 2026
• The company expects the FY26 net cost impact of US tariffs to be at the lower end of the previously indicated US$25 million–US$30 million range
• FY27 net cost impact of US tariffs is forecast to remain at US$5 million to US$7 million
• No material change in assumptions regarding regional and group outlook, net tariff impact, cash flow conversion, or cost savings

What else do investors need to know?

Two notable US tariff changes were flagged: the IEEPA-based tariffs were struck down by the US Supreme Court, replaced by a Section 122 tariff set to expire in July 2026. Reliance Worldwide lodged a claim for a refund of previously paid IEEPA tariffs, but the amounts are yet to be verified.

There’s also an update to Section 232 tariffs on metals like steel, aluminium, and copper. Despite these changes, Reliance Worldwide does not anticipate a major shift in their operating earnings or cash flows for FY26 based on current estimates.

What’s next for Reliance Worldwide?

Reliance Worldwide expects its FY26 earnings to remain on track, despite higher costs driven by oil price impacts on resin, logistics, and energy. The company is offsetting increased input costs through price rises, and does not foresee material impacts from the war in Iran for FY26.

However, Reliance Worldwide cautions that a sustained conflict in the Middle East may influence operating conditions heading into FY27. The company remains focused on managing external pressures and maintaining its guidance.

Reliance Worldwide share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Reliance Worldwide shares have declined 26%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 10% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Reliance Worldwide resets FY26 outlook, updates on tariffs and Middle East appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Capricorn Metals reports Mt Gibson gold results
• Whitehaven Coal shares: Q3 FY26 shows steady sales, improved pricing
• Don’t sit out this ASX share market chaos, it could cost you
• Deep Yellow provies March quarter update
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

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.

It’s been hard to ignore PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares. The lithium miner has been one of the hottest names on the ASX, rocketing an eye-watering 299% over the past 12 months at the time of writing, making it one of the best performers in the S&P/ASX 50 Index (ASX: XFL).

That kind of run tends to raise a big question: Have PLS shares already peaked, or could there be more upside ahead? Let’s see what the experts think.

What’s driving momentum

A lot of the recent strength comes down to strong operational performance, and the company’s latest update only added fuel to the fire. PLS reported record production in its most recent results, coming in around 8% ahead of consensus expectations.

At the same time, costs impressed even more, landing roughly 13% better than what analysts had forecast. That’s a powerful combination. Higher production means more volume to sell, while lower-than-expected costs boost margins — particularly important in a commodity business where pricing can swing.

It also reinforces PLS’ position as a key player in the global lithium market, benefiting from long-term demand tied to electric vehicles and battery storage.

In short, the fundamentals haven’t just kept up with the share price, they’ve helped drive PLS shares higher.

But here’s the catch

Even great companies can become risky investments when expectations get too high. After a near 300% rally, a lot of good news may already be baked into the PLS share price. That leaves less room for upside surprises and more room for disappointment if anything goes wrong.

And in lithium, things can change quickly. Prices for lithium have been volatile, and any sustained drop could weigh on earnings. On top of that, global supply is increasing as new projects come online, which could pressure prices over time.

There’s also the broader market backdrop to consider. If sentiment toward growth stocks or commodities weakens, high-flyers like PLS shares are often the first to feel it.

What are analysts saying?

Broker views are starting to reflect this more cautious stance. Bell Potter recently retained its hold rating on PLS shares, while lifting its price target to $5.50. With the shares currently trading at $5.93, that suggests a potential downside of close to 7.5% over the next year.

Morgans is even more conservative. It has downgraded PLS from a hold to a trim rating, with a $5.40 price target, signalling that, in its view, the upside is already fully priced in.

Foolish Takeaway

PLS has delivered exceptional returns, backed by strong operational performance and favourable industry tailwinds. But after such a massive run, the risk-reward balance is shifting.

For new investors, the question isn’t whether PLS is a quality company. It’s whether today’s price still offers enough upside to justify the risk. Sometimes the hardest move is the right one: not chasing a stock that’s already had its moment in the spotlight.

The post Red-hot PLS shares: Smart buy or risky move? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Up 300%: Should you buy PLS shares after its strong update?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Why Newmont, PLS and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday

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.

The Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) share price is in focus today after the company released its drilling results at its Mt Gibson Gold Project, including intercepts of 13.1 metres at 13.93 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 28.6 metres at 5.35g/t gold from the Lexington underground prospect.

What did Capricorn Metals report?

• The first 7 holes (3,333m) of an 18-hole programme at Lexington returned strong gold mineralisation.
• All results are outside the current resource envelope, extending high-grade gold to over 900m of strike and more than 500m below reserve pits.
• Notable intercepts: 13.1m @ 13.93g/t Au from 714.9m, 28.6m @ 5.35g/t Au from 431.8m, and 23.9m @ 3.32g/t Au from 724.1m.
• The drilled zone at Lexington is 600 metres north of the Orion South underground deposit, which boasts an underground mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 895,000 ounces of gold as of November 2025.
• A further 10,000 metres of drilling is planned to support a maiden inferred resource for Lexington.
• An updated Orion South resource and prefeasibility study are expected this quarter.

What else do investors need to know?

The latest results confirm significant underground system scale and continuity between Orion South and Lexington, both open at depth and along strike. The combined 2.1-kilometre drill-tested zone between these prospects remains a small portion of the broader 8-kilometre Mt Gibson resource extent, suggesting substantial resource expansion opportunities.

Drilling at Lexington has identified a distinct intrusion-related orogenic gold system, offering thicker and higher-grade intercepts compared to other areas. Further drilling along this trend is in early stages, with upcoming results likely to inform future resource estimates.

What did Capricorn Metals management say?

Executive Chairman Mark Clark said:

The drilling at Lexington has delivered some of the strongest underground intercepts we have seen at Mt Gibson to date. These outstanding results highlight the scale, continuity and high-grade tenor of the system defined between Orion South and Lexington, which is now clearly emerging as a major underground discovery with genuine potential to add a significant long-life, high-margin underground mining operation to the Mt Gibson project.

What’s next for Capricorn Metals?

Capricorn Metals plans to continue aggressive extensional and infill drilling at Lexington to define a maiden underground resource. At the same time, the Orion South resource and prefeasibility study are due for update this quarter, reflecting the potential for increased resource confidence and future ore reserves.

The company emphasises that the 2.1-kilometre zone between Orion and Lexington could underpin a large-scale, long-life underground gold operation. With much of the 8km strike under-explored, ongoing drilling may open up further extensions for future resource growth.

Capricorn Metals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Capricorn Metals shares have risen 26%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 10% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Capricorn Metals reports Mt Gibson gold results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Reliance Worldwide resets FY26 outlook, updates on tariffs and Middle East
• Whitehaven Coal shares: Q3 FY26 shows steady sales, improved pricing
• Don’t sit out this ASX share market chaos, it could cost you
• Deep Yellow provies March quarter update
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

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.

Building a retirement portfolio is different to investing for growth alone.

The focus usually shifts toward stability, diversification, and a smoother ride over time, while still allowing for some growth to keep up with inflation.

If I were putting together a simple retirement-focused portfolio using exchange-traded funds (ETFs), these are three I would consider.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

Even in retirement, I think it makes sense to have exposure to global growth.

The iShares S&P 500 ETF provides access to 500 of the largest companies in the United States. That includes many of the world’s leading businesses across technology, healthcare, and consumer sectors.

The reason I would include it is straightforward. The US market has historically been a strong driver of long-term returns. Holding an ETF like the IVV ETF gives you exposure to that growth without needing to pick individual winners.

It also adds diversification beyond the Australian market, which can be more concentrated.

Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF (ASX: VDCO)

The Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF would form the core of the portfolio.

It is designed as a more conservative, balanced ETF, with a mix of equities and fixed income. That helps reduce volatility compared to a portfolio made up entirely of shares.

This is important in retirement. Having exposure to bonds and defensive assets can help smooth returns and reduce the impact of market downturns.

At the same time, the VDCO ETF still includes equities, which allows for some growth over time.

That balance between income, stability, and modest growth is why I think it fits well in a retirement portfolio.

BetaShares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

The final piece I would add is a focus on quality. The BetaShares Australian Quality ETF focuses on Australian stocks with strong balance sheets, high returns on equity, and more stable earnings.

In my view, that can be particularly useful in a retirement portfolio.

Quality companies tend to be more resilient during difficult periods, which can help reduce downside risk. Many also pay dividends, which can support income.

It also provides exposure to Australian stocks, which can complement the global exposure from the IVV ETF.

Foolish Takeaway

A retirement portfolio does not need to be complicated.

For me, the focus would be on combining global growth, defensive balance, and quality companies.

I think the IVV ETF provides exposure to leading global businesses, the VDCO ETF adds diversification and stability through a balanced approach, and the AQLT ETF brings in a focus on higher-quality Australian companies.

Together, I think they offer a simple way to build a retirement portfolio that can generate income, manage risk, and still grow over time.

The post 3 ASX ETFs I’d buy for a retirement portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• ASX ETF investors exit US stocks in favour of Aussie shares: Betashares
• How I’d use the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV) to create $50,000 annual passive income

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price is in focus after the company reported managed ROM coal production of 9.5 million tonnes for the March quarter, with equity sales of produced coal steady at 6.8 million tonnes. Net debt reduced to A$0.6 billion while the business is tracking towards targeted annualised cost savings.

What did Whitehaven Coal report?

• Managed ROM coal production: 9.5Mt in Q3 FY26 (down 14% on previous quarter due to seasonality)
• Equity sales of produced coal: 6.8Mt, broadly in line with the December quarter
• Average achieved prices: QLD A$242/t (up 8% QoQ); NSW A$175/t (up 7% QoQ)
• Net debt: A$0.6 billion as at 31 March 2026, down from A$0.7 billion at 31 December
• Refinancing secured: US$900 million in senior secured notes and US$600 million bank funding, aiming for annual interest savings of A$50–55 million
• On track for A$60–80 million of targeted annualised cost savings by 30 June 2026

What else do investors need to know?

Operationally, there was a sharp 28% drop in QLD managed ROM coal production due to wet-season disruptions, but sales rose 9% as stock drawdowns continued. NSW managed ROM production held steady, supported by strong results at Maules Creek, offsetting lower longwall output at Narrabri.

The business continued its capital management initiatives, repurchasing 1.4 million shares for A$11 million in the quarter. Full-year FY26 share buy-backs have reached 7.7 million shares for a total of A$56 million. The refinancing of debt facilities should lower funding costs and extend Whitehaven’s average debt maturity.

Development work continued at the Winchester South and Vickery projects, with A$4 million spent on development and an additional A$1 million on exploration. The company remains disciplined in allocating capital to future opportunities, subject to board review and market conditions.

What did Whitehaven Coal management say?

CEO & Managing Director Paul Flynn said:

Production in the March quarter was broadly in line with plan reflecting strong outcomes from NSW open cut operations and solid results from Queensland operations in a weather impacted quarter. For the first nine months of the year we have produced 29.5Mt of ROM, and we are on track to be firmly in the upper half of guidance for FY26. Equity sales of 6.8Mt for the quarter were also strong and are tracking at the upper end of guidance for the year… Our successful refinancing of the acquisition debt facility and smaller finance facilities will deliver considerable savings in the order of ~A$50-55 million per annum.

What’s next for Whitehaven Coal?

Whitehaven Coal has left FY26 guidance unchanged, expecting to land in the upper range for ROM coal production and coal sales, with unit costs tracking near the guidance midpoint. Capital expenditure is trending toward the lower end of the range, and ongoing cost discipline remains a focus.

The business expects to benefit from positive market dynamics, with higher metallurgical and thermal coal prices and a healthy balance sheet. Board reviews of new developments such as Vickery and Winchester South remain in progress, depending on project approvals and market opportunities.

Whitehaven Coal share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Whitehaven Coal shares have risen 59%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 10% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Whitehaven Coal shares: Q3 FY26 shows steady sales, improved pricing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Reliance Worldwide resets FY26 outlook, updates on tariffs and Middle East
• Capricorn Metals reports Mt Gibson gold results
• Don’t sit out this ASX share market chaos, it could cost you
• Deep Yellow provies March quarter update
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

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 BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price has been an excellent performer in the last year, rising by close to 50%, as the below chart shows.

After such a strong rise, investors may be wondering where the BHP share price could go next.

It’s a good time to consider that question because the ASX mining share recently released its FY26 third-quarter update.

Let’s take a look at how the business performed and then what analysts think of the business now.

Recent production performance

In the three months to 31 March 2026, BHP said it produced 476.8kt, which was down 7% year-over-year. But, the business did upgrade its FY26 group copper production is now expected to be in the upper half of its guidance range of between 1,900kt to 2,000kt.

Iron ore production went up 2% year-over-year to 62.8mt, with BHP’s share of Australian iron ore production rising by 1% to 60.9mt.

The company noted that there was 10% lower iron ore production in the third quarter of FY26 than the second quarter of FY26 because of impacts from Tropical Cyclone Mitchell and Tropical Cyclone Narelle that led to a temporary port closure, operational adjustments and higher planned maintenance.

Additionally, BHP revealed that it has concluded iron ore sales contract negotiations with the China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) – a key buyer of iron ore.

Steelmaking coal production declined 3% year-over-year to 3.8mt and energy coal rose 12% year-over-year to 4mt.

Is the BHP share price attractive?

According to CMC Markets, most experts are feeling neutral about the business.

Of 15 recent ratings on the business with in the last three months, there are currently 13 hold ratings and just two buys.

A price target is where analysts think the share price will be in 12 months from the time of the investment call to now.

The average price target of those 15 analysts for BHP shares is $51.61. That implies a possible decline of approximately 8% from where it is at the time of writing, so experts seem to think the BHP share price has risen a little too far.

The highest price target on BHP is $67.80, suggesting a possible rise of around 20% from where it is at the time of writing.

Time will tell whether it’s right to be optimistic or pessimistic at the current valuation.

The post How much could the BHP share price rise in the next year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

If the recent swings in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) have you clutching your portfolio with ASX shares a little tighter — you’re not alone.

The market has slipped almost 5% from its early March highs and is down roughly 3% over 6 months at the time of writing. Not exactly the kind of chart that sparks joy.

But here’s the cheeky twist: this kind of wobble might actually be one of the better buying windows for ASX shares 2026 has served up so far.

Because while sell-offs feel uncomfortable, they’ve historically been where the real money gets made. Not when everything’s cruising and everyone’s feeling clever.

What’s spooking the market?

Plenty, frankly. Markets have been jittery thanks to rising oil prices, renewed conflict in the Middle East, sticky inflation, and a fresh round of hand-wringing over whether the Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom is getting a little… overcooked. It’s a notable mood swing from earlier this year.

Over the past five years, ASX shares have been on a solid run, driven by banks, miners, and a tech sector riding the AI hype train. Confidence was high, earnings held up, and dips were treated more like mild inconveniences than genuine risks.

Back then, buying felt easy. Almost too easy.

Now it gets interesting

Because here’s the thing, the best time to buy ASX shares is rarely when everything feels great. It’s when sentiment sours, headlines turn gloomy, and investors start second-guessing themselves.

That’s when quality companies quietly go on sale.

Right now, many of the ASX’s heavy hitters — think CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) — are trading below recent highs. Same businesses, same long-term prospects… just at lower prices. Not exactly a tragedy.

Short-term noise, long-term game

It’s also worth remembering that much of what’s driving today’s volatility in ASX shares is, well, temporary.

Geopolitical tensions flare up and cool down. Oil prices spike, then settle. Inflation surprises — in both directions. Markets have seen it all before and, historically, moved higher over time.

We’ve even had a reminder of how quickly things can flip. The ASX 200 recently posted one of its strongest single-day gains in a year on hopes of easing tensions and softer inflation data.

That’s markets for you, dramatic one minute, optimistic the next.

The same logic applies to AI concerns. While there’s debate about how sustainable current spending levels are, the long-term demand for AI infrastructure, automation, and data capabilities isn’t going anywhere fast.

Foolish Takeaway

When ASX share prices fall but business fundamentals remain intact, the maths quietly improves in your favour. Lower prices can mean higher dividend yields, better long-term returns, and less valuation risk.

In other words, volatility isn’t just noise. It’s opportunity wearing a slightly scary costume.

Sitting on the sidelines might feel comfortable right now. But in markets, comfort and returns don’t always go hand in hand. And this could be one of those moments where doing nothing ends up costing more than taking action.

The post Don’t sit out this ASX share market chaos, it could cost you appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Reliance Worldwide resets FY26 outlook, updates on tariffs and Middle East
• Capricorn Metals reports Mt Gibson gold results
• Whitehaven Coal shares: Q3 FY26 shows steady sales, improved pricing
• Deep Yellow provies March quarter update
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

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 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.

While the big four banks often dominate headlines, it’s ASX bank stock Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) getting attention this week. 

Judo Capital is an Australian bank focused on lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Its Judo Bank brand provides business lending starting at $250,000 and touts itself as providing more flexibility than major banks. It also offers personal term deposit products and home loans.

Relative underperformance

So far in 2026, this ASX bank stock has underperformed relative to its peers. 

Year to date, its stock price is down more than 20%. 

In that same span, the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) has climbed just over 2%, and some of the larger bank stocks have risen by much more. 

For comparison: 

• Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is up almost 14%
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is up 7%

However, the 20% dip for Judo shares could be a buy-low opportunity, according to brokers, after positive results were released last week. 

What did Judo report?

Last week, this ASX bank stock released an update on financial performance, asset quality, and FY26. 

The company reinforced that its lending growth, net interest margins, and operating expenses all remain on track to meet existing guidance, “resulting in Judo reaffirming guidance for FY26 profit before tax of between $180 million – $190 million”.

Judo Bank reported:

• Gross loans and advances reached $13.8 billion at 31 March, up from $13.4 billion at December 2025
• Net interest margin (NIM) rose to approximately 3.15% for Q3, up from 3.03% in 1H26
• Total deposits increased to $11.5 billion, with the blended cost of deposits at 0.74% over 1‑month BBSW
• Operating expenses remained in line with previous guidance. 

Brokers react positively 

Following the report, both Morgans and Macquarie provided updated guidance on this ASX bank stock. 

The team at Morgans sees the recent share price weakness as a buy-low opportunity. 

We view JDO’s recent share price weakness as a buying opportunity for a stock with high growth potential, increasing the margin of safety for the investment. Upgrade from ACCUMULATE to BUY. Potential TSR at current prices is c.49%.

Meanwhile, Macquarie also sees upside for this ASX bank stock. 

As Cameron England reported, Macquarie said the underlying revenue performance was strong, “with continued lending book growth and positive margin momentum”.

The broker said they remained of the view that Judo would beat its guidance on margins in the second half.

It has an outperform rating on Judo shares, with a 12-month price target of $1.85. 

From the current share price of $1.43, the updated target indicates a potential return of 29.4%.

The post Brokers say this ASX bank stock can rise almost 50% after key announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• 2 ASX 200 shares Macquarie thinks will return nearly 30%
• 3 ASX shares upgraded by Morgans to buy ratings
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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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Owning Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares usually means getting a solid dividend yield each year. Based on projections, it’s looking positive for investors wanting passive income growth and a larger dividend yield.

Wesfarmers is best known as the company that operates Bunnings, Kmart and Officeworks. But, it also has businesses like Target, Priceline, InstantScripts and WesCEF (chemicals, energy and fertilisers).

Given how it generates its earnings across a variety of high-quality sources, the business is well positioned to deliver pleasing cash payments as well as long-term capital growth.

Let’s take a look at how big the Wesfarmers dividend yield could be in the coming years.

Dividend projection

Wesfarmers is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of $2.16 in FY26 according to the forecast on Commsec.

At the time of writing, the projected payout for the 2026 financial year translates into a forward grossed-up dividend yield of 4.1%, including franking credits.

Pleasingly, according to the estimate on Commsec, the company is expected to increase its dividend again in the 2027 financial year by 7.9% to $2.33.

If the company does deliver that enlarged dividend in FY27, that would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.5%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

Wesfarmers is also projected to deliver rising earnings per share (EPS) in FY26 and FY27, reaching $2.55 and $2.74, respectively.

Growing profit is an essential part of driving shareholder returns, including the dividend payments, so it’s good to see earnings are projected to rise 7.6% in FY27.

The company is currently valued at 29x FY26’s estimated earnings, at the time of writing.

Latest outlook comments

When the company announced its FY26 half-year result, it made some largely positive commentary, which could bode well for the Wesfarmers dividend yield.

The company said:

Wesfarmers remains well positioned to deliver satisfactory returns to shareholders over the long term, supported by its portfolio of cash generative businesses with market-leading positions, strong balance sheet and commitment to invest to strengthen its existing divisions and develop platforms for growth.

Wesfarmers recognises the impact of inflation on households and businesses, and the retail divisions play an important role in the community through offering everyday low prices. Bunnings and Kmart’s well-established everyday low price operating models deliver sustainable growth in earnings through a relentless focus on productivity and low prices.

Australian consumer demand remains solid, but cost of living pressures are being felt unevenly across the economy and impacting many households. The recent interest rate rise and uncertainty regarding the outlook for inflation and interest rates are affecting consumer sentiment, while higher operating expenses are weighing on business confidence and spending.

Overall, I think the company can help households and businesses with good value products from Kmart and Bunnings during this period, allowing them to capture market share. This could be key to long-term returns from the current level.

The post How big will the Wesfarmers dividend yield be in 2027? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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