Category: Stock Market

If I had $2,000 to invest in ASX dividend shares right now, my goal would be to build a small but reliable income stream, with businesses that can keep paying and ideally growing their dividends over time.

It’s not actually about finding the highest dividend yield today. It’s about owning companies that can still be paying you years from now.

Here’s where I’d be looking this week.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is one of the first names that comes to mind for income.

It generates steady cash flow from its telecommunications network, which underpins a large part of Australia’s connectivity.

What I like is that the business has become more focused in recent years. It has simplified operations, improved efficiency, and is now executing on its long-term strategy.

That has helped support a more stable dividend profile, which is exactly what I’d want from a core income holding.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban offers something a little different.

It owns and operates toll roads, which generate long-term, predictable cash flow. Traffic volumes tend to grow over time, and many of its assets include inflation-linked pricing.

That gives it a level of earnings visibility that’s hard to find elsewhere.

For me, this is the kind of business that can add stability to an income portfolio, especially when markets are uncertain.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP brings a different dynamic.

As a major miner, its dividends can be more variable, depending on commodity prices. But when conditions are favourable, it can generate significant cash flow and return a large portion of that to shareholders.

It also offers exposure to commodities like copper, which are expected to play an important role in global electrification and infrastructure.

I’d see this as a complement to more stable income stocks, adding potential for higher payouts over time.

How I’d think about the $2,000

With a smaller amount like $2,000, I’d focus on getting started rather than trying to perfectly allocate every dollar.

That could mean splitting it across a few positions or starting with one or two and building over time.

The key is to begin building that income base and then continue adding to it consistently.

Foolish takeaway

If I were investing $2,000 in ASX dividend shares this week, I’d focus on a mix of reliability and opportunity.

Telstra offers steady income, Transurban adds stability, and BHP provides exposure to stronger payouts when conditions are right.

It’s not about building the perfect portfolio in one go. It’s about starting with quality and letting it grow from there.

The post Where to invest $2,000 in ASX dividend shares this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The stress-free ASX ETF portfolio built to weather market crashes
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• 3 blue-chip ASX shares to boost your retirement income
• 3 dependable ASX shares to add to a superannuation fund in 2026
• Own BHP shares? Here’s an expert’s view on the new CEO

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group and Transurban Group. 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.

Income investors have a lot of options to choose from on the Australian share market.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at two ASX dividend shares that Bell Potter is bullish on and believes could rise 20% to 30% from current levels.

Here’s what the broker is recommending to clients:

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

Bell Potter thinks this agricultural property company’s shares are undervalued at current levels.

However, the broker sees opportunities to unlock value, which could cause a re-rating of its shares. It explains:

The ~35% discount to market NAV is well above the historical average 5% premium since listing. Counterparty profitability indicators have been improving and farm asset values have been resilient, which would suggest that the underearning on unleased assets is the largest performance drain.

Exiting or leasing these assets (combined value ~$387m) would result in reasonable AFFO accretion (14-18% on FY26e PF AFFO) with the scope to also reduce gearing, with this likely to be the greatest share price catalyst. We would expect execution against asset sales to emerge in CY26e.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $2.50 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 20% for investors from current levels.

The broker also expects a 5.65% dividend yield from Rural Funds in FY 2026.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

Another ASX dividend share that the broker is bullish on is Universal Store.

It is the youth fashion retailer behind the Universal Store, Perfect Stranger, and Thrills brands.

The broker thinks that the company’s shares are undervalued based on its positive growth outlook. This is expected to be underpinned by an expansion in its private label product penetration and its leading position in youth fashion. It explains:

At ~18x FY26e P/E (BPe), we see UNI trading at a discount to the ASX300 peer group and see the multiple justified by the distinctive growth traits supporting consistent outperformance in a challenging broader category, longer term opportunity with three brands, organic gross margin expansion via private label product penetration (currently ~55%) and management execution. We continue to see the youth customer prioritising on-trend streetwear and expect UNI to benefit with their leading position.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $10.50 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of approximately 30% for investors.

In addition, a fully franked 4.5% dividend yield is expected by the broker in FY 2026.

The post These cheap ASX dividend shares could rise 20% to 30% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 2 Australian dividend stars that still offer a good price
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• A once-in-a-decade chance to earn a supersized passive income from ASX shares?

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

A new report from Global X has laid out the case for timely exposure to global commodities.

Research from the ASX ETF provider indicates that commodities could outperform other asset classes over the next 12-24 months.

One way to gain exposure to this future performance is through the Global X Bloomberg Commodity Complex ETF (ASX: BCOM). 

Here’s three reasons why the BCOM ASX ETF could be an ideal fund for investors looking for global commodity exposure. 

Commodities undervalued 

According to Global X, commodities have long been an under-loved corner of the investment universe.

Investors often favouring cashflow-generating assets such as equities and fixed income, citing their higher “predictability” and “fundamentals-driven” nature. 

While this perspective is understandable, it is also important to recognise that real assets like commodities, not financial instruments, ultimately power the economy, enable productivity, and sit at the centre of even the most future-facing technologies. In that sense, demand for commodities is itself highly fundamental and persistently anchored in real economic activity.

Global X reported this gap is now beginning to narrow as investors reprice the value of real assets and technology buildouts increase demand for raw materials.

Set for outperformance

According to Global X, commodities remain roughly 20% below their pre-GFC peaks.

The report said they may now be in the process of repricing, triggered by the disruption of the 2020 pandemic, and further reinforced by renewed focus on structural megatrends such as electrification, the transition to clean energy.

Global X said it appears that the outperformance of equities over commodities may be due for a reversal. 

Over the past 35 years, an E2C reading of 3.0 or above has reliably signalled a changing of the guard, with commodities often going on to outperform equities sharply over the following 12 to 24 months.

Hedging against conflict 

The report also considered past periods of commodity outperformance in inflation regimes, with two themes standing out. 

The first is inflationary shocks driven by geopolitical disruption, such as the 2022 Russia Ukraine war. 

The second is structural demand booms, most notably in the early 2000s when China’s industrialisation, alongside rapid housing and infrastructure construction, drove a powerful surge in global commodity demand.

Today’s environment appears to combine elements of both. The war in Iran has the potential to push energy prices higher and, if sustained, could contribute to a hotter for longer inflation environment. At the same time, structural demand drivers are building through the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, electrification, and other large-scale industrial megatrends.

According to the report, these catalysts are emerging at a time when commodities have anomalously underperformed equities despite a high inflation backdrop, potentially laying the groundwork for a more pronounced catch-up rally and even the emergence of a new commodity “super-cycle.”

Commodities ASX ETFs

For investors seeking pure, yet broad-based exposure to commodities, the Global X Bloomberg Commodity Complex ETF may be a compelling option. 

It provides direct exposure to a marquee commodity basket through futures contracts. 

The fund also aims to maintain exposure to contracts which expire ~3 months in the future, helping minimise negative roll yield by investing further up the curve.

What this means is it gives you diversified exposure to real commodity prices by investing in futures contracts rather than physical goods.

Other commodity focussed ASX ETFs that investors may consider include: 

• Global X Physical Precious Metals (ASX: ETPMPM)
• BetaShares Crude Oil Index ETF – Currency Hedged (Synthetic) (ASX: OOO). 

The post 3 reasons this commodities ASX ETF could be an ideal buy in the current environment appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Last week, it felt like all ASX gold stocks were hammered. So much for safe-haven assets! 

Gold stocks enjoyed a bull run through 2025, and this continued into the beginning of this year. 

Since the recent conflict began between Iran, Israel and the United States, many experts tipped gold shares to continue their climb. 

However last week, many ASX gold stocks were heavily sold off. 

It’s a stark reminder that investing isn’t as straightforward as we would like. 

A quick recap 

Among many others, some notable falls last week for some well-known gold stocks included: 

• Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) fell more than 24% last week
• Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) fell almost 11%
• Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) lost 11.5%
• Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM) fell 8.5%
• Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) fell 5.5% 

Why are gold stocks falling?

As Bernd Struben reported last week, many gold stocks are now coming under pressure from a sizable retreat in global gold prices. 

Gold dropped from about US$5,322 per ounce on 2 March and was hovering around $4,600 per ounce on Friday.

This is a fall of more than 13%. 

Simultaneously, oil prices have surged.

This shift has pushed investors from gold into energy stocks. At the same time RBA cash rate hikes have also created headwinds for gold stocks, which usually performs better in a low rate environment. 

Is there any value?

After such a heavy sell-off last week, investors may be considering buying the dip on some of these gold stocks. 

Amongst those listed above, recent analysis does suggest some offer long-term value. 

It is worth noting that if current conditions persist, there could be further drops in the near-term. 

Firstly, Bell Potter maintains a buy rating on Northern Star Resources shares and a price target of $30.00. 

It’s worth noting this target has declined recently from $35.00. 

Despite this, from last week’s closing price of $18.50 for Northern Star Resources, the updated target indicates an upside potential of roughly 62%. 

Another stock that may have fallen to a value is Ora Banda Mining. UBS recently placed a $1.60 price target on the gold stock. 

From last week’s closing price of $1.18, this indicates an upside potential of more than 35%. 

The broker believes this gold miner has a pathway to producing 200,000 ounces of gold per year by FY29 while maintaining strong free cash flow yields.

The post Should you buy these ASX gold stocks after last week’s crash? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Do Northern Star shares have further to fall?
• Why EOS, Latitude, Northern Star, and Rio Tinto shares are falling today
• Down 32% in a month: Where to from here for this ASX gold stock?

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

Market volatility is inevitable. But the right ASX ETF portfolio can help you stay invested — and sleep at night — even when markets tumble.

For investors seeking a simple, ‘set and forget’ approach, a diversified portfolio with exchange-traded funds can offer exactly that. By spreading your money across markets, sectors, and asset classes, you reduce the impact of any single downturn.

Here’s an ASX ETF mix designed to balance growth and defense.

SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Fund (ASX: STW)

This ASX ETF provides exposure to 200 of the largest companies on the Australian share market, offering a solid foundation of income and stability.

Two of its biggest holdings include blue chips BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA). They’re household names with strong market positions and consistent dividend histories.

The fund’s broad diversification across sectors like banking, mining, and healthcare helps smooth returns over time.

Fees are also relatively low, with a management cost of around 0.13% per year. This makes it a cost-effective way to access the Australian market.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

To truly weather market shocks, diversification beyond Australia is essential — and that’s where this Vanguard ASX ETF comes in.

This ETF tracks a broad index of developed markets, giving investors exposure to global giants such as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT).

These companies benefit from global revenue streams, strong competitive advantages, and long-term growth trends in technology and innovation.

VGS also comes with a low management fee of around 0.18%, making it an efficient way to tap into international markets.

BetaShares Global Government Bond 20+ Year ETF (ASX: GGOV)

While shares drive long-term growth, bonds play a crucial role during downturns.

This ASX ETF invests in long-dated government bonds from major economies, which have historically performed well during periods of equity market stress. When share markets fall, bond prices often rise, helping to cushion portfolio losses.

This fund focuses on high-quality sovereign issuers such as the US Treasury and other developed market governments.

The trade-off is a slightly higher fee of around 0.35%, but many investors consider it worthwhile for the added diversification and downside protection.

Why this mix works?

This three ASX ETF portfolio blends income and stability from Australian shares, growth potential from global equities and defensive protection from government bonds

Just as importantly, it keeps costs low — a key driver of long-term returns. With all three ASX ETFs charging relatively modest fees, more of your money stays invested and compounding over time.

Foolish Takeaway

No portfolio can eliminate volatility entirely. But by combining broad diversification with low costs and a defensive component, this ASX ETF mix is designed to help investors stay the course.

And in investing, staying invested – especially during market crashes – is often what makes the biggest difference over the long run.

The post The stress-free ASX ETF portfolio built to weather market crashes appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
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• Why these Vanguard ETFs could be best buys in 2026
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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple and Microsoft and is short shares of Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week with a heavy decline. The benchmark index fell 0.8% to 8,428.4 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to sink

The Australian share market looks set for a poor start to the week following declines on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 156 points or 1.85% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.95%, the S&P 500 dropped 1.5%, and the Nasdaq tumbled 2%.

Oil prices rise

It could be a good start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices charged higher again on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 2.8% to US$98.23 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was up 3.25% to US$112.19 a barrel. Supply concerns continue to drive prices higher.

Buy JB Hi-Fi shares

Analysts at Bell Potter think investors should buy JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) shares after they hit a 52-week low. According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on the retailer’s shares with a $90.00 price target. This implies potential upside of 25% for investors over the next 12 months. It said: “The stock continues to trade at an 18-month low on a ~17x FY26e P/E (BPe), and we see valuation support considering the relative defensiveness and margin levers in the business model.”

Gold price falls

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a subdued start to the week after the gold price fell again on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was down 0.7% to US$4,609.6 an ounce. This was driven by concerns that interest rates could be heading higher. The precious metal lost almost 10% in value during the week.

Buy Premier Investments shares

Bell Potter is also tipping Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) shares as a buy this week. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the Peter Alexander and Smiggle owner’s shares with a trimmed price target of $18.00 (from $20.00). It said: “We view PMV as trading at a discount to our coverage, considering the Premier Retail division with two global roll-out worthy brands together with equity investments, land bank and cash position while retaining a strong balance sheet supportive of M&A. Our SOTP sees an attractive $1.8b EV for the key PA brand vs PMV’s $1.9b market capitalization.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• ASX 200 energy shares lead the market for a third week
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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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 Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX investors will be happy to leave last week in the rear view mirror, and hoping its all uphill here.

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has weighed heavily on investor sentiment. 

Subsequently, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) slumped 1.7% last week, and is now down more than 7% over the last month. 

For investors looking towards greener pastures, recent notes out of the team at Morgans have highlighted two ASX shares that have significant upside. 

Here’s what the broker had to say. 

Turaco Gold Ltd (ASX: TCG)

Turaco Gold engages in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral interests, prospective for precious metals and other mineral deposits. It has ongoing exploration programs throughout the South Kyrgyz Gold project area with trenching, soil sampling and mapping undertaken on all of its prospects.

Like many ASX gold shares, it rose significantly in 2025. However, it has had a soft start to 2026, falling 20% year to date. 

It seems the tide could be turning back towards a positive outlook for the company. 

On Friday, Turaco Gold shares jumped an impressive 7% after the company announced rapid growth in its Afema Project. 

The company has upgraded the gold resource estimate at its Afema Project to 4.65 million ounces, up 15%, at a grade of 1.3 grams per tonne.

Following the announcement, the team at Morgans released updated guidance on the company. 

TCG released an MRE upgrade for the Afema Gold Project lifting the resource base to 4.65Moz Au at 1.3g/t Au (up from 4Moz)– a beat on our forecasts of 4.5Moz Au at 1.1g/t Au. Afema now ranks as one of the largest undeveloped gold resources on the ASX. We maintain our existing forecasts and reiterate our BUY rating, price target A$2.19ps.

From last week’s closing price, this price target of $2.19 indicates an impressive upside of roughly 230%. 

Morgans isn’t the only analyst tipping upside. 

Canaccord Genuity also has a positive outlook on Turaco Gold, along with a price target of $1.45. 

Advanced Innergy Holdings Ltd (ASX: AIH)

The company is a global leader in materials science technology for the protection of critical infrastructure. 

Morgans is optimistic about these ASX shares after it announced the completion of its acquisition of Imenco, although did note there are emerging headwinds.

We have incorporated the transaction into our forecasts, with the deal expected to be low-to-mid single digit EPS accretive. However, we use this update to also reflect forecast FX headwinds (GBP/AUD), which we expect to more than offset the accretion from the acquisition.

Our forecasts for the base business are unchanged excluding the impacts from FX, and we continue to assume constant FX in outer years. Overall, we reduce our EBITDA forecasts by 1% annually across FY26-28 and NPAT by 3-4% over the same period. Target price reduces modestly to $1.45.

Despite the decrease in target price, from last week’s closing price of $0.78, the updated price target still indicates an upside of approximately 86%. 

The post 2 ASX shares Morgans thinks are worth gobbling up right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Two ASX gold companies which could more than double in value, according to Canaccord Genuity

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

A new report from VanEck has highlighted that while geopolitical tensions rattle global markets, China’s onshore equities are showing resilience.

According to Alice Shen, Portfolio Manager, Vaneck, during global geopolitical conflict, countries that rely heavily on imported energy can be particularly exposed. 

This is due to rising oil prices trickling through to inflation and production, and negatively impacting economic growth expectations.

However, China’s onshore equity market has shown relative resilience. 

During the recent oil price spike following tensions in the Middle East, the CSI 300 Index, the benchmark for China’s A-share market, experienced comparatively modest moves relative to many global equity markets.

She said there are two structural factors that may help explain this resilience.

Energy strategy

According to the report, China has spent years pursuing a more diversified energy strategy. This may be helping cushion the impact of oil market shocks. 

VanEck said strategic oil reserves have been steadily built up since last year. This has helped reduce the immediate sensitivity of the economy to supply disruptions.

While coal remains the dominant source of energy, China has also been increasing its renewable energy capacity for many years.

According to the International Energy Agency, IEA, China accounted for roughly 40% of global renewable capacity expansion between 2019 and 2024. Enhance competitiveness of both solar and onshore wind energy generation, combined with improvements in energy storage and system integration, is gradually broadening the country’s energy base.

Diversification and defence potential

VanEck also noted that while China A-shares are not traditionally viewed as a defensive asset class, recent market behaviour has highlighted how domestic policy drivers and structural economic trends can sometimes decouple the market from global macro shocks.

The report also highlighted that at the country’s latest Two Sessions meeting, it pointed towards moderate and “quality growth.” This is set to be driven by domestic demand, technological self-reliance, and structural transformation rather than aggressive stimulus. 

How to gain exposure with ASX ETFs

For investors optimistic on the long-term prospects of Chinese equities, there are plenty of ASX ETFs to consider. 

Three notable options include: 

• VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW) – Invests in 120 fundamentally sound and attractively valued companies with growth prospects in China’s New Economy, targeting technology, healthcare, and consumer staples and consumer discretionary sectors.
• VanEck Ftse China A50 ETF (ASX: CETF) – Invests in a diversified portfolio comprising the 50 largest companies in the mainland (A-shares) Chinese market
• iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ). 

Other ASX ETFs with Chinese exposure include: 

• Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf (ASX: ASIA) – Targets the 50 largest technology and online retail stocks in Asia (ex-Japan).
• VanEck Msci Multifactor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (ASX: EMKT) – Invests in a diversified portfolio of emerging market companies with value, low size, momentum and quality characteristics. Approximately 25% of the fund is currently allocated to China.

The post The unexpected global market showing resilience – 3 ASX ETFs to target appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs that could be strong picks for investors in their 30s
• The best ASX ETFs to buy for building wealth in 2026 and beyond
• Just 3 ASX ETFs could build a lazy Australian millionaire portfolio
• How these 2 ASX ETFs benefit from Chinese innovation: Expert
• 3 excellent ASX ETFs to buy after the selloff

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers 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 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.

It’s been a tough stretch for shareholders of CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares.

The biotech stock is down 45% over the past 12 months and have fallen 20% so far in 2026.

That’s a stark contrast to the broader market, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) down just 3% year to date.

After slipping to fresh 52-week lows on Thursday, the ASX 200 share managed to finish the week on a stronger note, closing almost 3% higher at $138.50.

So, is it finally time to consider jumping into CSL shares?

Demand remains strong

One of CSL’s biggest strengths hasn’t changed. The demand for its products remains both strong and highly recurring.

The company is a global leader in plasma therapies and vaccines, supplying critical treatments for chronic and rare diseases. These are not discretionary products — patients rely on them regardless of economic conditions.

That gives CSL shares a defensive edge and provides a stable revenue base, even during uncertain periods.

Momentum is building

While the share price has struggled, the underlying business is showing signs of improvement.

CSL recently reported solid earnings growth, supported by rising plasma collections and improving margins in its core CSL Behring division. The company also continues to benefit from the integration of its vaccine business, Seqirus, which adds another layer of diversification.

Looking ahead, management has guided for continued earnings growth, with expectations that both revenue and profit will build further as operating conditions normalise and efficiencies improve.

In short, the business appears to be regaining momentum — even if the price of CSL shares hasn’t caught up yet.

What next for CSL shares?

Another encouraging sign for investors is the outlook from analysts.

Broker sentiment on CSL remains broadly positive, with most maintaining buy or outperform ratings on the stock. The average 12-month price target currently sits at roughly $211.00, implying potential upside of around 53% from current levels.

Some forecasts are even more bullish, with the most optimistic broker suggesting the shares could rally as much as 99%.

That’s a strong vote of confidence in CSL’s long-term growth prospects.

What are the risks?

Of course, CSL shares aren’t without risks.

The company has faced headwinds in recent years, including margin pressure, integration challenges, and currency impacts. Any delays in earnings recovery or weaker-than-expected growth could weigh on the share price.

There’s also the broader issue of market sentiment. High-quality healthcare stocks can still fall out of favour, particularly when investors rotate into other sectors.

Foolish Takeaway

CSL shares have been heavily sold off, but the underlying business remains robust.

With strong global demand, improving earnings momentum, and widespread broker support, the pieces appear to be falling into place for a potential recovery.

If that plays out, today’s weakness could prove to be an attractive entry point for long-term investors willing to look beyond the recent volatility.

The post CSL shares look primed to take off — Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Pulse check: How are the top 10 ASX 200 shares performing amid a new war?
• Down 20% in 2026, is now the time to buy CSL shares?
• CSL and these ASX 200 stocks just hit 52-week lows: Should you buy the dip?
• How are Australia’s biggest blue-chip stocks performing in 2026?
• 3 reasons to buy CSL 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 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.

If you are looking to add some ASX 200 stocks to your portfolio this week, it could be worth checking out the two in this article.

That’s because Bell Potter believes they could be dirt cheap at current levels. Here’s what the broker is recommending:

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The first ASX 200 stock that Bell Potter is bullish on is Pro Medicus.

It likes the health imaging technology company due to favourable industry trends and the quality of its Visage platform.

The broker explains:

The company continues to announce new contract wins on a regular basis as the drivers of interest in its product offering remain firmly in place. The entire radiology industry is headed to cloud based (off premises) archiving. Put simply, the Visage 7 viewer, Workflow and Archive are the fastest and most advanced tools for the retrieval and viewing of large radiology files.

The platform is immensely scalable and relatively easily installed, providing it with a sustainable competitive advantage over the likes of peers Intelerad, Sectra, Philips and GE Healthcare. The company is conservatively managed and well owned by large institutional investors while the two founders continue to have a controlling stake.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $240.00 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 100% for investors over the next 12 months.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

Another ASX 200 stock that Bell Potter is recommending to clients is Telix.

It is a radiopharmaceuticals company that had a tough time in 2025 with US FDA rejections. However, the broker appears to believe that 2026 could be different, potentially making now a good time to invest.

Bell Potter commented:

We are confident regarding the approval in CY 2026 of Zircaix following resubmission of the Biological License Application (BLA). The FDA rejected the original BLA due to CMC (chemistry manufacturing & control) matters at Telix’s manufacturing partner. There were no matters related to safety or efficacy. We expect the market for Zircaix once approved will be in excess of US$500m.

The product has been included in guidelines for disease management in the US and Europe and continues to be available in the US under the expanded access program. Elsewhere, sales of Iluuccix/ Gozellix in the PSMA franchise continue to grow and were recently boosted by the refresh on the pass through pricing.

The broker has a buy rating and $19.00 price target on Telix’s shares. This suggests that they could rise approximately 50% from current levels.

The post Bell Potter says these ASX 200 stocks could rise 50%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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