Category: Stock Market

  • Buy, hold, sell: Capricorn Metals, PLS Group, Fortescue shares

    Two smiling men in high visibility vests and yellow hardhats stand side by side with a large mound of earth and mining equipment behind them smiling as the Carnaby Resources share price rises today

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining shares rose strongly on Friday with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) up 2.1%.

    Materials was the best performer of the 11 market sectors today.

    The ASX 200 finally broke one of its longest losing streaks in years, rising 0.7% on Friday.

    This follows eight consecutive days in the red amid stalled negotiations between the US and Iran and the continuing global fuel crisis.

    Higher fuel costs are a short to medium-term headwind for the mining sector.

    However, the future is bright due to rising long-term demand for commodities with industrial uses amid the green energy transition.

    This week, Bell Potter reviewed its ratings and 12-month price targets on three ASX 200 mining shares.

    Let’s take a look.

    Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM)

    The Capricorn Metalsshare price closed at $11.77 on Friday, up 3.9%.

    This ASX 200 gold share has risen 29% over the past year, and Bell Potter gives it a buy rating.

    The broker explained why:

    CMM is a sector leading gold producer, unhedged and debt free.

    It is fully funded to grow production from ~120kozpa to ~300kozpa from two gold mines in WA, each with +10 year mine lives.

    CMM is run by a management team that has an excellent track record of delivery.

    Bell Potter increased its 12-month share price target from $16.10 to $16.25, implying a 38% gain ahead.

    PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

    The PLS Group share price closed at $6.14, up 2%.

    This ASX 200 lithium share has ripped 321% over the past 12 months, and hit a record $6.17 this week.

    Bell Potter gives PLS Group shares a hold rating following the miner’s 3Q FY26 update.

    The broker said:

    At current lithium market prices, PLS will generate substantial earnings and cash flow ahead of the restart of the 200ktpa Ngungaju processing plant.

    P2000 and Colina development studies are being progressed, providing substantial organic growth optionality in markets with strong
    underlying EV and BESS-led long term demand fundamentals.

    Bell Potter increased its 12-month share price target from $4.60 to $5.50.

    This suggests a 10.5% fall for PLS Group shares from here.

    Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

    The Fortescue share price closed at $20.01, up 1.8%.

    The ASX 200 iron ore giant has risen 23% over 12 months.

    Bell Potter downgraded Fortescue shares to a sell rating this week.

    The broker said:

    FMG’s core iron ore operations continue to perform very well and benefit from an elevated iron ore price.

    However, we anticipate higher costs to emerge in 2HCY26 as low-cost inventories are exhausted, putting pressure on earnings.

    We are wary of the “portfolio optimisation” review encompassing Iron Bridge.

    The broker reduced its target from $20.30 to $18.15, suggesting a 9% fall over the year ahead.

    The post Buy, hold, sell: Capricorn Metals, PLS Group, Fortescue shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Fortescue 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 Fortescue wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    A group of young people celebrate and party outside.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) sent off the trading week with a bang this Friday, recording a healthy rise and breaking what was the longest losing streak the Australian markets have seen in years.

    After falling for eight straight sessions in a row, the ASX 200 finally turned a corner today, with investors clearly deciding enough was enough. By the time trading wrapped up, the index had gained 0.74%, leaving it at 8,729.8 points as we head into the weekend.

    This stellar end to the trading week for the local markets comes after a euphoric night on Wall Street.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was off to the races, rising a confident 1.62%.

    The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was slightly less enthusiastic, but managed a respectable 0.89% jump regardless.

    Let’s return to the ASX now and examine how today’s market optimism percolated down into the different ASX sectors this session.

    Winners and losers

    Today’s market enthusiasm only left one corner of the ASX behind.

    That unlucky sector was financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was looked over today, sliding 0.25% lower.

    But it was all sunshine and rainbows everywhere else.

    Leading the charge were mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soaring 2.09%

    Industrial shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) surged up 1.27% this session.

    Consumer staples stocks also saw strong demand, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)’s 1.13% bounce.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn’t miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) leapt up 1.05% by the end of trading.

    Gold shares got a look in, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) adding a flat 1% to its total.

    As did, to a lesser extent, consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) put on an additional 0.78%.

    Communications stocks joined the party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting 0.74%.

    Tech stocks came next, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)’s 0.73% jump.

    Utilities shares didn’t miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) came home 0.56% heavier this Friday.

    Healthcare stocks managed a win as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) increasing by 0.21%.

    Finally, energy shares managed to keep above water, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)’s 0.02% bump.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Today’s best share on the index came in as lithium stock Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR). Liontown shares had another strong session, adding a robust 12.34% to finish the week at $2.64 a share.

    This seems to be a continuation of the momentum we saw yesterday following the company’s well-received quarterly report.

    Here’s the rest of today’s best:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) $2.64 12.34%
    IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) $4.50 9.76%
    NextGen Energy (Canada) Ltd (ASX: NXG) $17.35 6.31%
    NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) $6.44 5.23%
    Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) $19.26 5.19%
    Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) $98.77 5.07%
    Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) $1.38 4.96%
    Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) $1.77 4.75%
    Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) $66.70 4.69%
    Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) $2.39 4.37%

    Enjoy the weekend!

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

    The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Liontown 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 Liontown wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now

    Three people in a corporate office pour over a tablet, ready to invest.

    It has been another busy week for many of Australia’s top brokers. This has led to a number of broker notes being released.

    Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

    Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)

    According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this gold miner’s shares with a trimmed price target of $15.13. Although the company’s quarterly update was a touch softer than expected, Morgans highlights that its strong cash flow generation continues to strengthen its balance sheet. In addition, the broker has been pleased with its exploration success, with momentum building across the Plutonic Belt. So, with valuation supported by strong cash generation and a clear production growth pipeline, the broker thinks now could be an opportune time to invest. The Catalyst Metals share price is trading at $5.21 on Friday.

    Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

    A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this defence stock’s shares with an improved price target of $10.40. This follows the release of another strong quarterly update. Bell Potter was pleased to see its unconditional contract backlog continue to increase. It now stands at $518 million. And given how EOS is positioned as a market leader in C-UAS solutions, particularly in directed energy, and is leveraged to increasing budget allocations to C-UAS technologies, Bell Potter believes it has a long runway for growth. The EOS share price is fetching $9.31 at the time of writing.

    NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

    Analysts at Citi have retained their buy rating on this data centre operator’s shares with an improved price target of $19.10. According to the note, the broker believes that industry conditions are very favourable for NextDC, with strong hyperscaler demand and improving cloud growth trends. This is being underpinned by rising AI adoption. And with NextDC recently raising significant funds, Citi believes the company is well-placed to accelerate development of new data centres if and when required. The NextDC share price is trading at $14.18 on Friday afternoon.

    The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Nextdc 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 Nextdc wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nextdc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems. 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.

  • 3 ASX shares to buy: experts

    A panel of formidable business people stand in a group with serious looks on their faces as if in judgement of what's before them.

    S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) shares are 0.8% higher at 8,960.4 points on Friday.

    Let’s take a look at some buy-rated stocks.

    Abacus Storage King Ltd (ASX: ASK)

    The Abacus Storage King share price is $1.43, up 0.4% today and down 5.6% in the year to date (YTD).

    Shaw and Partners upgraded its rating on the ASX real estate investment trust (REIT) from hold to buy due to the recent share price weakness.

    In a note, the broker said:

    We examine Abacus Storage King’s (ASX: ASK) growth potential ahead of two catalysts.

    First, Abacus Group (ASX: ABG) and ASK are considering the transfer of ASK’s management function from ABG to ASK, which could ultimately lead to ABG divesting its 19.7% stake in ASK – potentially to public investors.

    Second, Brookfield/GIC’s takeover of National Storage REIT is expected to complete in May. Following NSR’s delisting, ASK would be the only listed vehicle offering pure exposure to the Australian self-storage sector.

    In mapping ASK’s growth to FY32, the existing portfolios (Established, Stabilising, Acquired, and Development) may contribute an incremental A$40-45mn, or about +35% by our calculations. 

    Shaw and Partners has a 12-month price target of $1.65, implying a potential 16% upside from here.

    betr Entertainment Ltd (ASX: BBT)

    The betr Entertainment share price is steady at 18 cents on Friday, and down 14.3% YTD.

    Morgans maintains a buy rating on this ASX consumer discretionary share after the company’s 3Q FY26 update.

    The broker said the sports betting group’s update marked “a solid sequential improvement”.

    Morgans said:

    Encouragingly, margins have normalised following the customer-friendly Spring Carnival period in Q2, and the business looks well placed to achieve its H2 targets.

    With the internal focus firmly on value-generating customers, a leaner cost base now in place, and the streamlining of operations largely complete, we remain optimistic about the path ahead.

    In our view, BBT is trading well below fair value and looks compelling at current levels.

    Morgans reduced its 12-month target from 41 cents to 35 cents, which still suggests a 94% upside ahead.

    Helloworld Travel Ltd (ASX: HLO)

    Helloworld Travel shares are steady at $1.45 apiece on Friday, and down 23% YTD.

    Shaw and Partners kept its buy rating on this ASX travel share after the Australian Bureau of Statistics released new data.

    The broker commented:

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Overseas Arrivals and Departures data for February 2026 bodes well for Helloworld Travel Limited (ASX:HLO) with Departures up 8.5% Financial YTD (March) and the travel destination mix reasonably steady.

    Preliminary data for March 2026 was quite solid showing departures for the month up 13.2% versus PCP. 

    Shaw and Partners retained its 12-month price target of $2.80, suggesting 93% capital growth ahead.

    The post 3 ASX shares to buy: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Abacus Storage King right now?

    Before you buy Abacus Storage King 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 Abacus Storage King wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Here’s what happened to Wesfarmers shares in April

    Woman in red hat with scarf rejoicing in the city park with leaves falling.

    As we embark upon the fifth month of 2026, it’s a great time to take stock of how some of the ASX’s most popular shares have been faring. Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) is one of those shares, currently the seventh largest stock in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    Wesfarmers has been around for a very long time and has a loyal following on the ASX. It has a proud history of growing its capital base, looking after its shareholders, and paying strong, reliable dividends.

    Wesfarmers is a rather unique company on the ASX. It is a sprawling conglomerate, with businesses that cover almost every corner of the economy. Its core holdings, and crown jewels, are the leading retailers Kmart, Target, OfficeWorks and, last but not least, Bunnings Warehouse.

    But the company also owns operations in mining and mineral processing, gas, clothing, and healthcare, just to name a few.

    As such, many ASX investors would be interested in this company’s performance. So today, let’s take a look at how Wesfarmers fared over the month of April.

    Wesfarmers shares began April at $72.91 each. Yesterday, those same shares wrapped up the day’s trading at $72.92. That’s almost a dead rubber, with the company rising just 0.01% over the month. In stark contrast, the broader ASX 200 had a relatively pleasant month, rebounding 2.2% after March’s nasty 7.8% plunge.

    Of course, Wesfarmers’ April bookends don’t tell the entire story. Last month saw this ASX 200 stock rise as high as $77.31 on 14 April, and get as low as $71.88 just two days ago on 29 April. That’s a difference of about 7.5%.

    How have Wesfarmers shares been faring?

    Wesfarmers shares have had a rather awful 2206 to date. The company began the year on a roll, rising more than 9.2% betwween 1 January and mid-February. However, Wesfarmers’ poorly-received half-year earnings report threw water on that fire. The company’s share price plunged after the company warned of imminent headwinds to its profitability.

    Since 18 February, the Wesfarmers share price has taken a 17.4% dive (as of current pricing). Year to date, the company is sitting on a 9.9% loss, which narrows to 6.35% over the past 12 months. Investors are still comfortably in the green over a five-year period, though, with the company up 36% since May 2021.

    At the current Wesfarmers share price, this ASX 200 blue chip is trading on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 27.3, with a trailing dividend yield of 2.89%.

    The post Here’s what happened to Wesfarmers shares in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Wesfarmers 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 Wesfarmers wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Wesfarmers. 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.

  • 3 reasons I’d buy and hold the NDQ ETF for 10 years

    A woman researcher holds a finger up in happiness as if making the 'number one' sign with a graphic of technological data and an orb emanating from her finger while fellow researchers work in the background.

    If I were building a long-term portfolio today, I would want at least some exposure to global technology.

    Not because it is the hottest theme right now, but because of how deeply technology is embedded in the way the world is changing.

    That is where the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) stands out to me.

    Here are three reasons I think it could be worth holding for the next decade.

    Exposure to some of the world’s most powerful businesses

    One of the simplest reasons I like the NDQ ETF is what it gives you access to.

    The ETF tracks the Nasdaq 100, which includes many of the largest and most influential companies in the world.

    This includes the likes of Apple, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Tesla, and Alphabet.

    These are businesses that dominate areas like cloud computing, software, semiconductors, and digital platforms.

    I think that is important because these companies are not just participating in change. In many cases, they are driving it.

    Over a 10-year period, I believe that kind of positioning can be very powerful.

    Long-term structural growth

    When I think about the next decade, a few themes keep coming up.

    Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, digital infrastructure, and data growth all continue to expand.

    The NDQ ETF sits right in the middle of those trends.

    That does not mean the ride will be smooth. Technology stocks can be volatile, especially when interest rates are rising or sentiment shifts.

    But over longer periods, I think the direction of travel has been fairly clear.

    As more of the global economy becomes digital, companies that enable that shift are likely to keep growing.

    A simple way to access global tech

    Another reason I like the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF is its simplicity.

    Instead of trying to pick individual winners, the NDQ ETF gives you diversified exposure across a wide range of technology-focused businesses.

    That reduces the risk of getting a single stock wrong.

    At the same time, it still allows you to participate in the upside if the broader sector performs well.

    For me, that balance is important. It is a way to gain exposure to a high-growth area without relying on one company to deliver all the returns.

    Foolish takeaway

    The NDQ ETF is not a low-risk investment. It can be volatile, and there will be periods where it underperforms other parts of the market.

    But when I look out over the next 10 years, I think the combination of global technology exposure, structural growth, and diversification makes it a compelling option.

    The post 3 reasons I’d buy and hold the NDQ ETF for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF right now?

    Before you buy BetaShares Nasdaq 100 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 BetaShares Nasdaq 100 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 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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 Alphabet, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Apple, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Bell Potter is tipping a 40% return from this ASX 200 share

    A man holding a cup of coffee puts his thumb up and smiles with a laptop open.

    If you are searching for a combination of major upside and an attractive dividend yield, then read on.

    That’s because Bell Potter has named one ASX 200 share that it believes offers both.

    Which ASX 200 share?

    The share in question is Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA).

    It is focused on the processing, manufacturing, and distribution of dairy and associated products to both Australian and international markets. This includes the iconic Vegemite brand.

    According to the note, the broker was pleased with what it heard from Bega Cheese at its investor day event.

    Bell Potter highlights that management continues to target strong earnings growth over the coming years. It said:

    FY28e targets: FY26e EBITDA guidance $222-227m was unchanged, with recently announced product levies of 8-15¢/L or kg implemented quickly and with the ability to move on short notice. FY28e EBITDA guidance has been firmed from >$250m to $260-265m with the majority of the uplift from FY26e to FY28e linked to already announced initiatives, principally the closure of Strathmerton.

    FY31e targets: BGA has issued its initial FY31e baseline EBITDA target of $310m+, which is driven by two strong themes in the branded business, being: (1) Continued investment in high growth categories such as milk based beverages and yoghurt, where category growth has been +8-10% p.a. and BGA unveiled a planned +25% uplift in yoghurt capacity; and (2) Continued investment in its Tatura cream cheese capability, where volumes have grown at +14% p.a. and a +28% capacity expansion is planned.

    Importantly, Bell Potter believes this is achievable. The broker explains:

    The FY28-31e baseline projections would look highly achievable based on current dynamics in the categories being targeted and requires BGA to execute at a rate not inconsistent with what they have achieved over the FY23-26e.

    Big potential returns

    In response to the investor update, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating and $7.75 price target on the ASX 200 share.

    Based on the current Bega Cheese share price of $5.54, this implies potential upside of 40% for investors over the next 12 months.

    In addition, it expects a 2.5% dividend yield over the period, rising to 3.5% by FY 2028.

    Commenting on its recommendation, the broker said:

    Our Buy rating is unchanged. BGA has articulated a strategy to generating double digit EPS growth to FY31e, through low risk investment in its core competencies of yoghurt, cream cheese and milk based beverages. In addition, BGA has also implemented levy frameworks that reduce the risk of prolonged Middle East disruption on the cost base and retailers have already followed suit with on shelf price moves.

    The post Bell Potter is tipping a 40% return from this ASX 200 share appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Bega Cheese right now?

    Before you buy Bega Cheese 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 Bega Cheese wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Up 1,173% in a year, what do 4DMedical shares have over other healthcare stocks?

    A group of people in a corporate setting do a collective high five.

    The 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) share price is $3.95, down 1.5% today, but up a staggering 1,173% over 12 months.

    This ASX 200 healthcare share is a major outlier in a sector that has been struggling big-time for many months.

    In fact, healthcare has been the worst performer of the 11 ASX 200 market sectors over the past year, down 39%.

    So, why are 4DMedical shares bucking the trend?

    4DMedical shares shooting the lights out

    4DMedical shares have ripped higher as the respiratory imaging technology company takes big strides in its growth.

    Samy Sriram, a market analyst at online investment platform, Stake, sums it up:

    Its performance is built on a series of catalysts, each of which is the opposite of what’s hurting its peers. 

    ASX 200 healthcare companies are facing many headwinds today.

    Sriram cites currency challenges for companies reporting in US dollars, and the likelihood of further interest rate rises in Australia.

    Cost-of-living pressures in Australia and worldwide are also prompting people to delay treatments, such as surgeries.

    Higher shipping costs due to the Iran war, new caps on insurance payouts in some nations, and higher staff wages are also having an impact.

    However, 4DMedical has cleared one of the biggest hurdles for ASX biotechs today: regulatory uncertainty in the world’s biggest market, the United States.

    Amid leadership changes at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are also conflicting signals on future approval standards.

    A US rare diseases advocacy organisation says uncertainty has become so great that biotechs are finding it difficult to raise funding.

    Sriram said:

    While other ASX healthcare stocks are being hammered by FDA uncertainty under Trump, 4DX had already cleared the hurdle.

    In September 2025, 4DMedical received FDA 510(k) clearance for its CT:VQ platform.

    4DX also secured a one-year contract with GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK), starting in May 2026, to provide lung imaging biomarkers for pharmaceutical clinical trials. 

    What is CT:VQ?

    4DMedical describes CT:VQ as the world’s first non‑contrast post‑processing technology that transforms routine chest CTs into quantitative, lobar ventilation and perfusion maps without the need for patients to be injected with contrast agents or radioisotopes.

    It’s a software-as-a-service (SaaS) system compatible with the 14,500 CT scanners already installed across the US.

    Sriram said 4DMedical shares are bucking the trend because the company is in a different stage of its regulatory and commercial journey than its healthcare sector peers.

    She said:

    The headwinds hammering CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) and ResMed CDI (ASX: RMD) don’t apply to a company that cracked the US market open from scratch.

    It’s a pure growth story in a sector that’s otherwise in a value reset.

    Last month, 4DMedical announced several other regulatory approvals, including certification for CT:VQ in the United Kingdom.

    The company said:

    UK clearance opens access to one of the world’s most developed diagnostic imaging markets, with millions of chest CT scans performed annually across respiratory, oncology and acute care pathways.

    Should you buy 4DMedical shares?

    This ASX 200 healthcare share sure is popular with Aussie investors.

    Over the past 30 days, 4DMedical shares were the most traded ASX 200 healthcare stock on Stake, and 70% of orders were buys.

    There is a consensus hold rating among three analysts on the CommSec trading platform today.

    Stuart Bromley from Medallion Financial Group also has a hold rating on 4DMedical shares.

    Bromley noted that 4DMedical has a strong regulatory moat in the US, and commented (courtesy The Bull):

    In a relatively short time since the US Food and Drug Administration approved its CT:VQ product, US hospitals are adopting it, including the highly renowned Mayo Clinic.

    Also, 4DX has been included in the S&P/ASX200 Index, which should generate more interest in the company.

    4DMedical shares ascended into the ASX 200 on 20 April in place of Insignia Financial, which was acquired by Daintree BidCo.

    The post Up 1,173% in a year, what do 4DMedical shares have over other healthcare stocks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in 4DMedical right now?

    Before you buy 4DMedical 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 4DMedical wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • New ANZ dividend: Here’s everything you need to know

    View of a business man's hand passing a $100 note to another with a bank in the background.

    ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) likes to be fashionably late when it comes to earnings. Most shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) report their half-year earnings between February and March. But, as of this first day of May, ANZ’s have only just arrived. So let’s talk about them and the next ANZ dividend.

    As we covered this morning, it was a seemingly pleasing set of numbers that the bank had to show for itself.

    ANZ reported a statutory profit of $3.65 billion for the six months to 31 March, up 62% on the prior half. The ASX bank also unveiled a cash profit of $3.78 billion, up 70% or 14% excluding significant items. Meanwhile, operating income was up 3% to $11.2 billion, helped by a 22% drop in operating expenses to $5.54 billion.

    It seems investors were expecting better from the bank, though. ANZ shares closed at $36.65 each yesterday. However, at the time of writing, the ANZ share price is down a hefty 1.01% to $36.29. Given that the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is presently up a happy 0.94%, we can only conclude that this earnings report hasn’t gone down too well. Perhaps that has something to do with the dividend that ANZ just announced.

    ANZ shares drop as interim dividend steady

    Despite the notable jump in profits for the half, ANZ has revealed that its interim dividend for 2026 will come in at 83 cents per share. That matches both the interim and final dividends from last year. In fact, 83 cents per share is the same payout that investors have been receiving every six months since July 2024.

    By now, ANZ investors would be used to their dividends coming only partially franked. However, in a bright spot of dividend news, this latest interim dividend from ANZ will be franked at 75%, above the 70% franking that both of 2025’s pay-outs carried.

    This latest ANZ dividend has been scheduled for payment on 1 July, kicking off the new financial year with a bang for investors. If investors wish to receive it, though, and don’t already own shares, they will need to buy some before the ex-dividend date of 11 May.

    Eligible investors then have until 13 May to decide if they wish to participate in the optional dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) and receive additional ANZ shares in lieu of a cash payment.

    At the current ANZ share price, this ASX 200 bank stock trades with a trailing dividend yield of 4.58% – the highest among the big four ASX banks at present. Since ANZ is holding its interim dividend steady, we can also assign the company a forward yield of 4.58%.

    The post New ANZ dividend: Here’s everything you need to know appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Anz Group shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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.

  • Why EQ Resources, Inghams, ResMed, and Skycity shares are tumbling today

    Frustrated stock trader screaming while looking at mobile phone, symbolising a falling share price.

    In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a strong gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 1% to 8,753.2 points.

    Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are falling:

    EQ Resources Ltd (ASX: EQR)

    The EQ Resources share price is down 5.5% to 25.5 cents. This follows news that the tungsten producer announced that it will not go ahead with the proposed acquisition of Tungsten Metals Group. EQR Resources’ managing director, Craig Bradshaw, said: “Following thorough engagement with TMG Group throughout 2025 and a careful review of our strategic priorities during the second and third quarters of FY2026, the Board has determined that proceeding with the acquisition is not in the best interests of shareholders at this time.”

    Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

    The Inghams share price is down 4% to $1.81. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Bell Potter. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the poultry producer’s shares to a hold rating (from buy) with a reduced price target of $2.00 (from $2.75). It said: “We downgrade our rating from Buy to Hold. Recent commentary from other ASX listed entities would imply a softening in foodservice and out-of-home channels as consumer confidence has weakened over March-April.”

    ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

    The ResMed share price is down 4% to $28.53. Investors have been selling the sleep disorder treatment company’s shares following the release of its third-quarter update. ResMed reported an 11% (8% in constant currency) increase in revenue to US$1.4 billion. However, higher expenses meant that net income increased at a slower rate of 9% to US$398.7 million. ResMed’s CEO, Mick Farrell, said: Our third quarter results reflect the continued strength of our global business, driven by ongoing demand for our market-leading products and disciplined execution of our strategy.”

    Skycity Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SKC)

    The Skycity share price is down over 3% to 52.2 cents. This morning, the casino and resorts operator downgraded its earnings guidance. It now expects underlying EBITDA to be $180 million to $190 million. This is down from its previous guidance of $190 million to $210 million. The company blamed the negative impact that rising fuel prices are having on consumers.

    The post Why EQ Resources, Inghams, ResMed, and Skycity shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in EQ Resources Ltd right now?

    Before you buy EQ Resources 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 EQ Resources 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 20 Feb 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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