Category: Stock Market

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The “Magnificent Seven” stocks — which include Apple, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla — turned in another solid performance in 2025, up a cumulative 25%, as of Dec. 3.

Alphabet, which was my pick to be the top-performing “Magnificent Seven” stock in 2025, has led the way, easily outperforming its peers.

Data source: PortfoliosLab.

While Alphabet remains one of my favorite stocks to own for the long haul, I think another surprising stock will emerge to lead the group higher in 2026. That stock is Amazon.

Breaking out in 2026

Amazon has admittedly been a laggard among the Magnificent Seven in recent years, with the stock up less than 50% over the past five years. However, that’s the same setup stocks like Alphabet and Meta experienced in recent years before they broke out. And while its stock has underperformed in recent years, the company has been doing a lot of things behind the scenes that are improving both its e-commerce and cloud computing operations.

Amazon came to dominate the e-commerce landscape not by just selling goods online, but by building out the largest fulfillment and logistics network on the planet that could get customers these items quickly. More recently, it has been turning to robots and artificial intelligence (AI) to further this mission, while also creating huge operational efficiencies.

One area that is greatly underappreciated at Amazon is its leadership in robotics. Because the company is designing and making these robots for its own use, it does not get nearly the recognition it deserves in this field. However, it now deploys more than 1 million robots at its fulfillment centers, some of which can perform advanced tasks. For example, earlier this year, it introduced a robot called Vulcan that has a sense of touch, which allows it to handle many more types of items than the average robot. It also has robots that can detect damaged products before they are sent out, saving money on costly returns, as well as robots that can fix themselves.

These robots are all now coordinated by its DeepFleet AI model to operate in the most efficient way possible. The company is also using AI in other areas, such as helping optimize delivery routes, determining the best-located warehouses to store items closer to last-mile delivery, and helping drivers find hard-to-locate drop-off spots in places like large apartment complexes. This all helps speed up delivery times and reduce costs.

Another overlooked area Amazon is seeing success with is digital advertising. The company is now the third-largest digital advertising company in the world, behind only Alphabet and Meta Platforms. This is a higher gross margin business that Amazon is growing quickly through the use of AI tools, which can help merchants create better campaigns and listings and improve targeting.

All of these efforts are driving strong operating leverage in Amazon’s e-commerce business. This could be seen last quarter when the adjusted operating income for its North American segment surged 28% on an 11% increase in revenue.

Cloud computing leader

Amazon’s largest segment by profitability is its cloud computing business, AWS (Amazon Web Services). The company created the entire infrastructure-as-a-service business model, and it remains the market share leader today. However, AWS’ growth has trailed that of its rivals: Microsoft’s Azure and Alphabet’s Google Cloud. That has likely hurt the stock.

But AWS’ revenue began to accelerate last quarter, increasing by 20%, and it has strong growth prospects ahead. It is still ramping up its massive Project Rainier data center, which was built exclusively for Anthropic. The data center is fully operated with its custom Trainium 2 AI chips, and it expects the AI cluster to reach 1 million chips by the end of the year. Additionally, the company signed a $38 billion deal with OpenAI, which will run some of its AI workloads on Amazon’s data center infrastructure that employs Nvidia graphics processing units.

Like other cloud providers, AWS is capacity-constrained, and the company is ramping up its capital expenditures to meet increasing demand. Earlier this month, it introduced a number of new AI hardware (including its Trainium3 AI chip) and software tools. It also sees a huge opportunity with AI agents and its AgentCore offering. 

The top “Magnificent Seven” stock for 2026

Amazon is expanding its AI capabilities and moving to capture more AI revenue streams within the cloud, which should bode well for growth next year. Meanwhile, its e-commerce operations are seeing strong operating leverage and could get a boost from any economic improvement that comes from lower interest rates or reduced or eliminated tariffs in 2026.

With the stock entering the new year at one of its lowest historical valuations, trading at a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of below 33 times, Amazon is my choice to be the best-performing Magnificent Seven stock for 2026. 

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post My surprising top “Magnificent Seven” stock pick for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

More reading

• Is Amazon (AMZN) a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2026?
• Amazon is expanding its AI chip ambitions. Should Nvidia investors be worried?
• Amazon just made a major AI announcement. Here’s what it means for investors.
• What are the 5 top artificial intelligence (AI) stocks to buy right now?
• Screaming buy? This ASX ETF has returned 54% a year since 2022

Geoffrey Seiler has positions in Alphabet and Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

You won’t find Warren Buffett spreading doom and gloom. That isn’t his style. Buffett has always been an optimist at heart, even during the most perilous days of the 2008 financial crisis. 

However, Buffett is sending a clear warning as 2026 approaches. How? He has been a net seller of stocks for 12 consecutive quarters – the longest such streak ever since he took over Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B). This reflects an unprecedented negative outlook for Buffett as he prepares to step down as Berkshire’s CEO at the end of the year.

The “Oracle of Omaha” isn’t publicly predicting what he thinks is about to happen with the stock market. He isn’t telling investors specific steps to take, either. However, his actions speak volumes. Here are three things investors should do, based on what Buffett is doing himself. 

1. Don’t panic

People often refer to Buffett’s quote, “[W]e simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful.” There’s a good case to be made that Buffett is fearful right now.

It can be tempting to equate the fear Buffett referenced with panic. But the legendary investor would never recommend panicking.

Sure, Buffett has sold numerous stocks in recent quarters. He wouldn’t be a net seller of stocks if that were not the case. However, he hasn’t dumped shares in a frenzy.

Do you want proof that Buffett isn’t panicking? Simply look at Berkshire’s portfolio. It still includes more than 40 stocks valued at over $300 billion. If Buffett were truly nervous about the future, Berkshire wouldn’t have so much money tied up in the stock market.

Buffett has held onto positions for which he’s most comfortable over the long term, including stalwarts such as American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). That’s a good strategy for other investors. Sell any stocks for which you have a lower conviction. Keep those you like the most. And, most importantly, remain calm.

2. Build cash

In the same letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders where Buffett provided his famous “be fearful” quote, he also wrote:

As this is written, little fear is visible in Wall Street. Instead, euphoria prevails-and why not? What could be more exhilarating than to participate in a bull market in which the rewards to owners of businesses become gloriously uncoupled from the plodding performances of the businesses themselves. Unfortunately, however, stocks can’t outperform businesses indefinitely.

Those words were written in 1987 during a strong bull market, but they remain just as applicable today. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has skyrocketed to all-time highs. Many investors are fearful, but not in the way Buffett prescribed. They have FOMO — the fear of missing out.

Buffett, though, understands that the boom will eventually come to a grinding halt. He wouldn’t attempt to predict exactly when it will happen. However, he wants Berkshire to be prepared when it does. That’s why he has amassed the largest cash stockpile in the company’s history – around $382 billion.

BRK.A Cash and Short Term Investments (Quarterly) data by YCharts

Building cash is a smart idea for retail investors, too. It puts you and me in a good position to invest in wonderful companies when prices become more attractive. And with short-term U.S. Treasuries yielding north of 3.5%, you’ll still make at least a little money as you wait.

3. Buy selectively

When some hear that Buffett has been a net seller of stocks for 12 consecutive quarters, they might think he hasn’t been buying any stocks at all. That’s not the case. Buffett has bought some stocks. However, he is buying selectively.

This doesn’t mean that Buffett has changed his criteria for investing in stocks because he’s worried about the market or the economy. Instead, he remains consistent in applying the criteria he uses, regardless of what’s happening externally.

To be specific, Buffett is only buying stocks for Berkshire’s portfolio that have attractive valuations relative to their growth prospects. That’s exactly what he has done for decades. This is a prudent approach for any investor. Establish your criteria for buying a stock. Make sure it’s sound. Then stick to it, selling only when the stock no longer meets your initial investment thesis.

Buffett once used a baseball metaphor to make his point, “The stock market is a no-called-strike game. You don’t have to swing at everything – you can wait for your pitch.” No matter what’s in store for the stock market, wait for your pitch and buy selectively.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post Warren Buffett is sending a clear warning as 2026 approaches: 3 things investors should do appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

More reading

• Warren Buffett, weeks before his retirement, has a warning for Wall Street. History says this may happen in 2026.
• Is Warren Buffett sending a quiet warning to investors? Here’s what you need to know.
• Here are billionaire Warren Buffett’s 5 biggest stock holdings
• These 2 dividend stocks might be the safest income payers in the world
• Buffett’s retirement imminent: Should you sell Berkshire Hathaway stock?

American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Keith Speights has positions in Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

At the start of each week, I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which shares are being targeted by short sellers.

This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) continues to be the most shorted ASX share with short interest of 24%. This is up week on week again. Short sellers appear convinced that this uranium miner’s production beyond 2026 will fall short of expectations. In other news, Boss Energy was dumped out of the ASX 200 at the latest rebalance.
• Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has seen its short interest rise to 17%. Short sellers aren’t giving up on this pizza chain operator despite speculation that it could be a takeover target.
• Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has short interest of 13.2%, which is up again week on week. There may be concerns over its production ramp-up.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 13.1%, which is up since last week. This may be due to valuation concerns and disappointment over the burrito seller’s poor performance in the United States.
• IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) has 12.4% of its shares held short, which is up week on week. This language testing and student placement company continues to struggle with unfavourable visa changes and trading conditions.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 11.5%, which is up sharply since last week. Short sellers haven’t been put off by the travel agent’s positive start to FY 2026.
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has short interest of 11.2%, which is up since last week. This could be due to valuation concerns, with the medical device company’s shares trading on sky-high multiples.
• PWR Holdings Ltd (ASX: PWH) has short interest of 11.2%, which is up week on week. This motorsport products company warned that FY 2026 is going to be another transitional year.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 10.7%, which is up week on week. This biotech company has been hit with FDA approval delays this year.
• Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) has short interest of 10.7%, which is down week on week again. The bulls and the bears can’t agree on whether lithium is going to be oversupplied or undersupplied in the next couple of years.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Artrya, Clinuvel, Imugene, and Pilbara Minerals shares are storming higher today
• Why Andean Silver, Boss Energy, Chalice Mining, and Rio Tinto shares are falling today
• Telix shares fall despite ‘significant milestone’
• Telix Pharmaceuticals updates investors as first patient is dosed in Phase 3 prostate cancer trial
• Corporate Travel Management and Boss Energy shares dumped from ASX 200

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, PWR Holdings, PolyNovo, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended PWR Holdings. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Flight Centre Travel Group, PolyNovo, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

For most Australians, December is one of the most expensive months of the year, for obvious reasons. With gifts to sort, hams to buy, and trees to decorate, it can be difficult to find spare cash to set aside during the silly season. However, if anyone does want to start their stock market investing journey this December, all you need to start buying shares is $500.

As it currently stands, $500 is the minimum amount you can trade on the stock market at any one time.

If you’ve never bought ASX shares before, that $500 could well be the best money you will ever spend in your life.

But while deciding you want to invest in ASX shares is a momentous step to take in one’s financial journey, it is only a first step.

Let’s talk about how to actually start buying shares this December.

How to start buying ASX shares with $500 this December

Once you have your $500 ready to go, the next step a potential investor will need to take is to find a broker. A broker is the business that investors use to buy and sell shares on their behalf. In years gone by, this would be an actual person working at a bank or brokerage house. But today, most investors use an online brokerage platform. These are cheap and easy, and suit investors of all experiences.

Traditionally, the brokerage platforms run by the major Australian banks have been investors’ first port of call. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)’s CommSec and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)’s NABtrade are both popular choices.

But there are other options out there, too. These range from Stake and Superhero to eToro, Moomoo, and Interactive Brokers.

Each of these platforms offers broadly the same service. I would advise anyone new to the sharemarket to check out a few of these and see which ones feel most comfortable and easy to navigate.

Once you open an account with a broker, you will have the opportunity to move your $500 into an account. Once those funds have been transferred over, you are ready to buy your first ASX shares.

The next step to invest that $500 is to find a suitable investment.

Choosing your first investment

There are literally hundreds of companies that you can buy shares in, just on the ASX alone. Everything from Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) to JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) or Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD).

The sheer range of options can be very intimidating in itself. That’s why I advocate a more diversified investment for a first timer. The stock market not only houses shares of individual companies, but also companies and funds that invest in other shares on behalf of their owners.

These investments do the hard work for you, buying and selling shares on your behalf. Index funds, for example, are a popular choice for new investors. They work by holding a large swathe of other companies, giving investors inherent diversification.

An index fund like the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ), for example, simply holds the largest 200 companies listed on the Australian share market. That’s everything from CBA and NAB to Telstra and Coles. An index fund like IOZ ‘rebalances’ itself every three months to ensure that it always accurately reflects those 200 shares.

This means an investor can buy into the fund and put it in the proverbial bottom drawer, as it will always return the average of what the Australian share market generates. That’s been about 8.3% per annum since 2010.

There are other ASX index funds that offer something similar. These range from the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) to the BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200).

Clicking the buy button

Whichever share or index fund you choose, you will need to note its ticker code (for example, IOZ for the iShares S&P/ASX 200 ETF). Your brokerage platform’s website or app will have a ‘buy and sell’ function. That’s where you will input the ticker code, find your investment and then have the option to buy shares if the market is open. A market order will buy shares at the best available price, so all you have to do is choose how many shares you wish to buy with your $500.

Once the trade has executed, you will be notified that you have made your first ASX investment. Congratulations on taking a real step towards building wealth.

The post Start buying shares in December with a spare $500? Here’s how! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The ultimate ASX ETF portfolio for beginners in 2026
• How to invest your first $1,000 in the share market the smart way
• Which of the most popular ASX ETFs has brought the best returns this year?
• How to turn $50 a week into a six-figure ASX share portfolio
• How much of my portfolio should Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS) be?

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in National Australia Bank and Vanguard Australian Shares Index 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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a small decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.2% to 8,620.2 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

Artrya Ltd (ASX: AYA)

The Artrya share price is up almost 10% to $3.78. Investors have been buying this medical technology company’s shares after it announced its second customer win in the United States. Artrya has signed a commercial agreement with Northeast Georgia Health System for its Salix AI-powered cloud platform. It is used for the near real time, point of care assessment and management of coronary artery disease. The company’s co-founder and CEO, John Konstantopoulos, said: “We are proud to secure our second U.S. commercial customer through this three-year commercial agreement with Northeast Georgia Health System, a respected leader in patient care across the U.S. Southeast.”

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CUV)

The Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals share price is up 4% to $12.81. This morning, this specialty pharmaceuticals company announced a significant expansion of its VALLAURIX Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) Centre in Singapore. Management notes that this strategic five-year investment solidifies the site’s transition into a global hub for developing advanced, long-acting peptide formulations. Clinuvel’s chief operating officer, Lachlan Hay, said: “We are grateful for the support from EDB and are committed to building a truly unique, bespoke facility in Singapore. This positions CLINUVEL at the forefront of peptide delivery technologies, enabling us to execute our vision with speed and precision.”

Imugene Ltd (ASX: IMU)

The Imugene share price is up 5% to 33.7 cents. This has been driven by news that the immune-oncology company has received written minutes from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following its recent Type C meeting. This is in relation to the registrational pathway for azer-cel. The company notes that the minutes “provide clear alignment across the key elements required to advance azer-cel into a pivotal study and further validate the program’s growing clinical and commercial potential.”

Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The Pilbara Minerals share price is up 4% to $3.95. This may have been driven by a broker note out of UBS this morning. According to the note, the broker has upgraded the lithium miner’s shares to a neutral rating (from sell) with an improved price target of $4.00 (from $2.40). It made the move after upgrading its lithium forecasts on increased demand.

The post Why Artrya, Clinuvel, Imugene, and Pilbara Minerals shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Why is this ASX AI share jumping 11% today?
• Lithium price rebounds 25% in 2025: Which ASX lithium shares are a buy?
• Up over 200% in 6 months: Are Pilbara Minerals shares still a buy?
• Macquarie names best and worst ASX stocks to buy in a rising interest rate environment

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.

The Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) share price is in focus today after the company declared a half-year distribution of 24.83 cents per security, with 85% of the payment franked at a 30% tax rate.

What did Charter Hall Group report?

• Distribution of 24.83 cents per stapled security for the six months ending 31 December 2025
• Payment date scheduled for 27 February 2026
• Record date set for 31 December 2025, and ex-date of 30 December 2025
• 85.0% of the distribution is franked at the 30% corporate tax rate
• The remaining 15.0% is unfranked
• Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) is available for this distribution

What else do investors need to know?

The latest declared distribution from Charter Hall Group covers the six-month period ending 31 December 2025 and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering regular income for securityholders.

The group has confirmed that the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) will apply, giving investors the option to receive additional stapled securities in lieu of a cash payment. The distribution consists almost entirely of franked income, which may benefit Australian tax residents.

What’s next for Charter Hall Group?

Looking ahead, Charter Hall Group is expected to continue its strategy of delivering stable distributions to investors, supported by its diversified property portfolio. The group’s ongoing focus on active property management and capital recycling aims to support sustainable earnings and regular payouts.

The next major date for investors is the payment of the declared distribution on 27 February 2026, with further details likely to be released in future market updates.

Charter Hall Group share price snapshot

Charter Hall Group shares have risen 66% over the past 12 months, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased around 2% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Charter Hall Group declares interim distribution for 1H FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• APA Group gains $1bn extra funding capacity after S&P credit rating change
• DigiCo Infrastructure REIT appoints new CEO and sets strategic growth path
• Telix Pharmaceuticals updates investors as first patient is dosed in Phase 3 prostate cancer trial
• National Storage REIT agrees to $4bn Brookfield-GIC buyout: What it means for investors
• Corporate Travel Management and Boss Energy shares dumped from ASX 200

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 gold price has enjoyed a remarkable run higher in 2025, helping most every S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold share deliver outsized gains.

At the time of writing on Monday, the yellow metal is trading for $4,208 per ounce. That sees bullion up more than 60% year to date.

2025 has seen the gold price smash new record highs more than 50 times, with gold setting its latest all-time high of more than US$4,356 per ounce on 20 October.

As for ASX gold shares, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) has rocketed a jaw-dropping 101.2% so far in 2025, racing ahead of the 4.9% year-to-date gains delivered by the ASX 200.

As for some of the biggest ASX gold shares, the Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price has gained 67.9% this calendar year; Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM) shares have gained 124.3%; and the Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) share price is up 145.1% in 2025.

With this brilliant picture in mind, what can ASX investors expect in the year ahead?

Will the gold price and ASX gold shares keep surging in 2026?

For some greater insight into this million-dollar question, we defer to the World Gold Council (WGC), which just released its 2026 outlook report.

Noting that this year marks the fourth-strongest annual returns for the gold price since 1971, the WGC said, “Two macro forces stood out as drivers: a supercharged geopolitical and geoeconomic environment, and US-dollar weakness coupled with marginally lower interest rates.”

These factors have helped lift bullion since gold is priced in US dollars. And as the yellow metal pays no yield itself, it tends to perform better in low or falling interest rate environments. Gold’s haven status has also been on clear display amid heightened global uncertainty and tensions.

As for what’s next for the gold price, the WGC offered three potential scenarios.

In the bearish case of gold, and ASX gold shares, the WGC noted:

Stronger-than-expected growth and rising inflation would push yields and the US dollar higher, triggering a rotation into risk assets. With hedges unwound and retail demand softening, gold could correct 5%–20% from current levels.

In the “moderately bullish” case for gold investors, the WGC said:

A mild economic slowdown, characterised by lower interest rates, a softer US dollar and rising risk aversion, could support moderate gains for gold. In this environment, gold could rise 5%–15% in 2026, depending on the depth of the slowdown and the pace of Fed rate cuts.

As for the bullish scenario, the World Gold Council said:

A deeper downturn marked by sharply falling yields, elevated geopolitical stress and a pronounced flight to safety would create exceptionally strong tailwinds for gold. Under this scenario, gold could surge 15%–30% in 2026.

The analysts noted that other factors, including central bank demand and gold recycling trends, could also influence the market for the precious metal.

“Most importantly, gold’s role as a portfolio diversifier and source of stability remains key amid continued market volatility,” they said.

All considered, the WGC concluded that in 2026 “the forces of softer growth, accommodative policy, and persistent geopolitical risks” are more likely to support a higher gold price, and by connection ASX gold shares, than not.

The post After smashing 50 record highs in 2025, what’s ahead for the gold price and ASX gold shares like Northern Star in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• ASX 200 mining shares outperform as iron ore and copper prices strengthen
• Northern Star shares shining bright on $225 million gold exploration news
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Expert lists its top resources shares to target in December

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

Shares in Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) were trading lower on Monday despite the company ticking off a key milestone at its Waitsia project in Western Australia.

The Adelaide-based oil and gas producer told the ASX in a statement that it had delivered the first sales gas from its Watsia gas plant into the pipeline network, “marking the critical first gas export milestone for the project”.

The company said further:

Following the recently announced ready for start up milestone, certification procedures and processes have been completed which enabled export of sales gas into the pipeline network. Following achievement of first gas, the facility is now completing the planned emergency power restart test procedures before commencing the production ramp-up.

Project late and over budget

Beach announced the “ready for start up” milestone at Waitsia in November, in a belated positive announcement regarding the project which has been delivered overdue and over budget.

Beach said at the time that once fully operational, the Waitsia plant will have a capacity of 250 terajoules of gas per day.

RBC Capital Markets analysts said at the time that the major revenue impact from Waitsia now looked like it would arrive next financial year.

As they said in a note to clients:

We expect investors to be pleased this project is finally going to start up, as it drives a stepped increase in Beach earnings; however, the delivery of this project has been a significant disappointment in our view. Waitsia Stage 2 has undergone a significant delay (initially a late 2023 start up) and a material circa 70% cost increase.

The RBC analysts said their initial forecast was for Waitsia Stage 2 to achieve 90% capacity by the end of January 2026, “but it now appears more likely this will be by the end of February 2026 … making Waitsia more of an FY27 earnings impact story for Beach”.

Beach in October reported first-quarter sales of 6.8 million barrels of oil equivalent, up 15%, and sales revenue of $537 million, up 18%.

Managing director Brett Woods said at the time it was a strong start to the year, “with increased production, two Waitsia LNG cargoes lifted during the quarter and the Waitsia gas plant nearing the important ready for start up milestone”.

The company also said it was playing a critical role in supplying the domestic gas market, accounting for 19% of total east coast gas demand last financial year.

Beach was valued at $2.66 billion at the close of trade on Friday. Its shares were trading 1.1% lower on Monday at $1.15.

The post Beach Energy shares fall despite the company reaching a key milestone appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should you buy Santos, Beach Energy or Woodside shares? Here’s Macquarie’s top pick
• Is Beach Energy’s 7.7% dividend yield a tempting passive income opportunity?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• This surging ASX energy stock is tipped to storm another 42% higher

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

This $10 billion S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stock has staged an impressive comeback in recent months.

After facing cost challenges and reduced profits, BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) is regaining traction as investors respond positively to its stronger fundamentals.

The share price tells the story. Over the past month, BlueScope has climbed steadily with 6.4% to $23.68 at the time of writing, extending a recovery trend that began mid-year.

Over six months, the ASX 200 stock has rebounded strongly from lows in the high teens, delivering a convincing turnaround. Year to date, the share price is up more than 26%, making it one of the more resilient names in the ASX materials sector.

This raises the question: Can BlueScope Steel continue the rally into the new year?

Recovering Australian and US markets

The revival of the ASX 200 stock stems from several factors. Australian construction activity has strengthened, boosting demand for BlueScope’s coated and painted steel products, like Colorbond and Zincalume. The company’s North American operations have also benefited from a more supportive trade environment, giving its US mini-mill business extra breathing room.

Add ongoing cost-reduction programs, efficiency gains, and a strategic push toward higher-margin premium steel products, and the market sees a company positioning itself more smartly within a cyclical industry.

Steep energy and material costs

That doesn’t mean the risks have vanished. BlueScope still faces steep energy and raw-material costs at home. The board of the ASX 200 stock publicly flagged this as a threat to the competitiveness of Australian manufacturing.

Its recent full-year profit collapse — down nearly 90% following an impairment on its US coated-products division — highlighted weaknesses in parts of its global portfolio. Global steel spreads remain volatile, and any slump in construction or manufacturing demand could quickly weigh on margins.

The company also continues to grapple with lower returns on equity compared with industry peers, raising questions about capital efficiency.

Better sentiment

For now, the rally looks grounded in improving operational performance rather than pure sentiment. If energy pressures moderate and steel demand holds firm, BlueScope has a credible path to extend its end-of-year surge.

Despite the headwinds, sentiment is improving. Management of the steel producer has kept dividends stable, signalling confidence in the underlying business. Operationally, the company’s Australian steelmaking division remains a steady performer, while its move toward branded, value-added products gives it more pricing power than commodity steelmakers typically enjoy.

Analysts are generally upbeat, with most analysts recommending the ASX 200 stock as a buy or even a strong buy. Several major brokers see further room for gains, with average 12-month price targets just over $26 and some high-end estimates of $28. This implies an 18.5% upside at the current share price.

The post Can this ASX 200 stock keep its end of year rally going? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Macquarie tips another 13% upside for this ASX 200 stock
• BlueScope Steel AGM: 1H FY26 earnings guidance and key trading updates confirmed
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is starting the week in a subdued manner. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.35% to 8,602.7 points.

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

Andean Silver Ltd (ASX: ASL)

The Andean Silver share price is down 12% to $1.84. This morning, the silver developer revealed that it has received firm commitments for a $30 million placement to institutional and sophisticated investors. The placement was undertaken at $1.85 per new share, which represents an 11.5% discount to its last close price. Andean’s chief executive, Tim Laneyrie, said: “We have an abundance of opportunities to drive growth and value creation. The proceeds from the Placement and SPP will help us unlock these opportunities through drilling programs, project studies and potential land acquisitions. We are on track to deliver a resource upgrade in the new year while ramping up our drilling to grow and upgrade the resource.”

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE)

The Boss Energy share price is down 5% to $1.60. This follows news that the uranium producer is one of six shares that will be kicked out of the benchmark ASX 200 index at the next quarterly rebalance. Boss Energy shares will be removed from the index at the start of trade on 22 December. This may have forced some fund managers with strict investment mandates to sell its shares today.

Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN)

The Chalice Mining share price is down 9% to $1.59. This has been driven by the release of the pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the Gonneville Palladium-Nickel-Copper Project. The PFS confirmed a long life, globally competitive critical minerals mine in Western Australia, which it believes will generate $4.7 billion in free cashflow (pre-tax) over an initial 23 year open-pit mine life. It also estimates that it has a rapid payback of 2.7 years. However, a final investment decision on the project is not expected until the first half of 2028. This means there is significant uncertainty with respect to commodity price assumptions used in the PFS.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

The Rio Tinto share price is down 1.5% to $136.45. This is despite copper prices rising on Friday. Some investors may be taking profit after strong gains were made in recent months. For example, since this time six months ago, Rio Tinto’s shares remain up 25%. In other news, this morning Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) retained its neutral rating and $130.00 price target on the miner’s shares.

The post Why Andean Silver, Boss Energy, Chalice Mining, and Rio Tinto shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Up 118% in 2025, why is this All Ords ASX silver share crashing on Monday?
• Corporate Travel Management and Boss Energy shares dumped from ASX 200
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• ASX 200 mining shares outperform as iron ore and copper prices strengthen
• ‘Stronger, sharper, and simpler’: Rio Tinto shares fall despite major update

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended 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.