Category: Stock Market

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a disappointing decline. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 1.55% to 8,507.7 points.

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

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

The A2 Milk share price is down 3.5% to $9.32. This has been driven by a combination of broad market weakness and the infant formula company’s shares going ex-dividend today. Last month, A2 Milk released its half-year results and declared a fully franked 8.3 cents per share interim dividend. Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving this payout in a couple of weeks on 2 April.

BWP Trust (ASX: BWP)

The BWP Trust share price is down 4% to $3.64. The catalyst for this appears to have been a broker note out of UBS this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the Bunning Warehouse-focused property company’s shares to a neutral rating (from buy) with a reduced price target of $3.89. UBS highlights that the last time there was an energy crisis (the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict), Australian REITs sank deep into the red as interest rates rose.

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO)

The Core Lithium share price is down 6% to 20.7 cents. Investors have been selling the lithium miner’s shares following broad weakness in the mining sector and the completion of its $120 million institutional placement. Those funds were raised at a 4.5% discount of 21 cents per new share and will be used to restart the Finniss Lithium Project this year. Core Lithium’s managing director, Paul Brown, said: “The strong support we have received through this equity raising is a clear endorsement of Core’s restart strategy and the long-term value of the Finniss Operation. Combined with the strategic funding from Glencore, InfraVia and Nebari, this places Core in a fully funded position to execute the restart in line with the FID.”

Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM)

The Newmont share price is down 5.5% to $146.51. This follows a sizeable pullback in the gold price overnight after the US Federal Reserve kept rates on hold. It appears that traders were hoping for a rate cut, which would be supportive of the safe haven asset, but rising oil prices have seemingly ruled that out. It isn’t just Newmont that is falling today. The gold industry is a sea of red, with the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold index down 8% at the time of writing.

The post Why A2 Milk, BWP, Core Lithium, and Newmont shares are sinking today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are ASX 200 gold stocks like Northern Star and Newmont down so much today?
• Core Lithium shares tumble after $120m capital raising for Finniss restart
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Why this ASX lithium stock requested a trading halt today
• Which ASX gold shares have risen the most in 2026?

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.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares haven’t exactly flown under the radar lately.

After climbing around 37% over the past year, they’ve delivered the kind of return investors usually hope for from growth stocks, not major banks.

But with that strong performance now behind it, the more important question is whether there’s still value on offer today for a $10,000 investment?

Westpac shares look fully valued after strong run

After a rally like this, I always ask whether the upside is already priced in.

Westpac’s latest quarterly update shows a steady, improving business. It delivered around $1.9 billion in quarterly profit, with growth supported by lending momentum and cost discipline.

That’s solid. But it’s not exceptional enough, in my view, to justify chasing the shares after such a strong run.

Margins are still under pressure, with net interest margin slipping slightly, reflecting competition and a changing rate environment.

So while the business is performing well, I think the share price is already factoring in a lot of that progress.

I wouldn’t sell… but I wouldn’t buy either

If I already owned Westpac shares, I wouldn’t be rushing to sell them.

The bank remains well capitalised, profitable, and positioned to benefit from steady credit demand. Its capital ratio sits comfortably above target levels, and its outlook remains stable.

But investing is about opportunity cost.

And right now, I don’t think Westpac offers a compelling risk-reward profile.

Why I prefer CBA instead

If I’m going to invest in a bank, I want the best one.

For me, that’s Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).

Its latest first-half results highlight why. The bank continues to deliver strong and consistent profitability, with cash NPAT of $5.45 billion for the half and a return on equity of 13.8%, which remains sector-leading.

It also declared a fully franked dividend of $2.35 per share, supported by a strong balance sheet and resilient earnings.

What stands out to me is consistency.

CBA continues to execute well, invest in technology, and maintain strong credit quality. Its scale, brand, and operational discipline have allowed it to outperform peers over time.

Yes, it often trades at a premium valuation. But in my experience, there’s usually a reason for that.

Quality over alternatives

I tend to lean toward owning the highest-quality business in a sector rather than spreading exposure across multiple similar names.

That’s especially true in banking, where differences in execution, margins, and returns can compound over time.

Westpac is improving, but I don’t think it’s operating at the same level as CBA right now.

And if I already have exposure through CBA, I don’t see a strong case to add Westpac on top.

Foolish takeaway

Westpac shares have performed well and the business is on a solid footing. But after a 37% rise over the past year, I think the valuation looks full.

I wouldn’t sell if I owned them. But if I had $10,000 to invest today, I’d be looking elsewhere.

For me, that means sticking with the highest-quality option in the sector rather than chasing a bank that has already had a strong run.

The post Should I invest $10,000 in Westpac shares right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why the RBA could increase interest rates again in May
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• How many Westpac shares do I need to buy for a $10,000 annual passive income?
• 3 ASX dividend shares I’d buy instead of Westpac
• Here’s what Westpac says the RBA will do with interest rates next week

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 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 Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) share price is higher on Thursday after the company released a key operational update.

At the time of writing, the Lynas share price is up 1.86% to $20.01. The stock has been a strong performer this year and is now up around 60% in 2026.

The gain comes even as the broader market moves lower. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 1.5% amid escalating developments in the Middle East.

Lynas produces first samarium oxide in Malaysia

In the announcement, Lynas confirmed it has successfully produced its first samarium oxide at its Malaysian operations.

This marks an important expansion of the company’s heavy rare earths processing capability. Previously, Lynas produced separated neodymium and praseodymium products, which are widely used in permanent magnets.

With the addition of samarium oxide, Lynas is now increasing its range of separated heavy rare earth products.

Samarium is used in high-performance magnets, particularly in electronics and defence-related applications. The company noted that the product is already in demand from customers requiring advanced magnet materials.

How this fits into Lynas’ long-term growth plan

The production milestone forms part of Lynas’ broader plan to expand its heavy rare earths capabilities.

The company has previously outlined plans to develop heavy rare earth separation at its Malaysian facility as part of its long-term growth strategy.

This work sits within Lynas’ “Towards 2030” plan, which is focused on increasing production and expanding its product mix.

Management confirmed that samarium oxide production was delivered ahead of schedule, marking the first step in this expansion.

Lynas is now working to add further heavy rare earth products, including dysprosium and terbium, which are used in high-performance magnets.

The company said initial heavy rare earths production capacity is expected to be available within the next 2 years.

Strong share price performance in 2026

Despite some volatility in recent months, Lynas shares have delivered strong gains over the past year.

The stock is up more than 160% over the past 12 months and around 60% since the start of 2026.

The company currently has a market capitalisation of approximately $20 billion and remains one of the largest rare earth producers outside China.

What to watch next

Today’s update shows Lynas is moving ahead with its expansion plans.

The next focus will be progress in heavy rare earth production and updates on new products.

Progress on its expansion plans and new production capacity will be key in the months ahead.

The post This major update just sent Lynas shares higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should you buy Lynas Rare Earths or Yancoal shares after yesterday’s crash?
• Rare earth stocks are tumbling today. Here’s why the Lynas share price is holding up
• Lynas Rare Earths announces US$96m US rare earth agreement
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• 3 ASX 200 stocks storming higher in this week’s slumping market

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. 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 travel companies such as Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) have been under pressure since the start of the Iran conflict in late February.

Shares in the national carrier were trading just shy of $10 when the first attacks were launched by the US and Israel, and are now trading at $8.49, although keep in mind the shares went ex-dividend during this period.

Qantas shares still good value

The team at Macquarie have had a look at Qantas’s valuation in light of the conflict and believes that there’s still plenty of upside to be had.

That said, they believe that jet fuel costs in the short term will be a negative.

As they said in their research note to clients:

Entering the third week of the conflict, we adjust our earnings forecasts down to reflect a structurally higher crack spread for the rest of FY26, and the limited ability to pass through the higher costs. With 90 days to run, much of the sales have already been made across international, domestic and Jetstar.

“Crack spread” refers to the differential between the cost of a barrel of crude oil and the cost of refined products such as jet fuel.

The Macquarie team also believes Qantas has some flexibility in capital management.

Balance sheet remains robust. FY26 dividend we anticipate would move back to the base level of about $0.396 per share, i.e., 4.6% yield, reflecting a 50% payout if the $150m share buyback is executed, which remains our default assumption. Leverage remains in the low half of the preferred range post downgrades, and recent currency strength should aid future capex spend.

On any disruptions caused by the Iran conflict, Macquarie says Qantas has flexibility, being able to retire planes or delay capital expenditure.

Price target lowered

Macquarie has lowered its target price for Qantas by 40 cents per share, but at $11.60, it is still well above where the stock is trading.

Qantas also recently settled a class action relating to flight credits during the pandemic, which was lodged against the company in August 2023.

Under the terms of the settlement, Qantas agreed to pay $105 million with no admission of liability.

Qantas said earlier this month:

The class action related to flights scheduled to depart between 1 January 2020 and 1 November 2022 that were cancelled by Qantas, and included allegations that the airline breached its contractual obligations regarding refunds. In August 2023, Qantas removed the expiry date on flight credits issued during Covid, meaning customers can request a cash refund indefinitely.

Qantas said it would recognise a provision for the settlement in its second-half results.

Qantas is currently valued at $13.2 billion.

The post How high does Macquarie think Qantas shares will go? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What’s next for Virgin Australia, Qantas shares as fuel prices surge?
• Qantas shares flying through $105 million legal turbulence
• How many Qantas shares do I need to buy for a $10,000 annual passive income?
• 5 ASX shares I’d buy with $5,000 today
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

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 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.

The last time Australia faced back-to-back interest rate rises, most investors were hoping the worst was behind them.

Not anymore.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has now raised the cash rate to 4.1%, following a hike in February, and all four major banks had tipped this move as a near certainty heading into today’s decision. That is two increases in a matter of months, reversing much of the easing cycle that played out through 2025. The catalyst is well-known: persistent inflation, a tight labour market, and an oil shock from the Middle East conflict that has complicated the RBA’s path back to target.

For shareholders in Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), the question is what any of this actually means for one of the ASX’s most closely watched businesses.

The rate rise paradox

Higher interest rates are, in theory, good for banks. When the cash rate rises, lenders can reprice their loan books faster than their deposit costs, widening the net interest margin (NIM) — the spread between what a bank charges borrowers and what it pays savers. Commonwealth Bank’s NIM is already among the strongest of the major banks.

But there is a catch. That same rate rise squeezes the customers Commonwealth Bank relies on.

With the cash rate now at 4.1%, and potentially heading higher again in May if inflation data stays sticky, mortgage holders are absorbing real pressure. Each 25 basis point rise adds roughly $90 per month to repayments on a $600,000 loan. Two rises in 2026 alone adds $180 per month for millions of Australian households — many of whom bank with the big four.

The risk is not just sentiment; it is also credit quality. Higher rates for longer raise the probability of loan arrears climbing and some borrowers falling into difficulty. The RBA’s own forecasts project unemployment will rise gradually toward 4.6% by mid-2028 as tighter policy slows growth. That headwind does not hit immediately, but it builds.

What does the current valuation actually tell you?

Commonwealth Bank shares are currently trading around $176, which puts the price-to-earnings ratio at roughly 28 times. That is the highest valuation of the big four banks, and well above the long-run average for Australian banking stocks as a sector.

To put that in context: the trailing dividend yield sits at close to 2.9%, fully franked. The most recent interim dividend was $2.35 per share, paid in late March. For income-focused investors, the franking credits add meaningful value on a grossed-up basis. However, compared to where Commonwealth bank has historically yielded — and compared to peers like National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC), which trade at lower multiples and higher yields — the income argument for buying Commonwealth Bank at current prices is relatively thin.

The premium has always been there, and it has always been justified to a degree. Commonwealth Bank’s H1 FY2026 cash net profit after tax came in at $5.45 billion, up 6% on the prior period. Return on equity remains among the highest in the sector. The brand, the scale, and the technology investment program are genuine competitive advantages that peers have not been able to replicate.

Yet, a premium valuation priced for near-perfection leaves limited room for error. If net interest margins normalise as competition for deposits intensifies, or if loan impairments tick up in a higher-for-longer rate environment, that 28 times multiple becomes harder to defend.

The Foolish takeaway

Commonwealth Bank is not a bad business. It is arguably one of the best-run banks in the world, and it has consistently rewarded long-term shareholders who held through noise and uncertainty.

The honest question in 2026 is whether the current price already reflects all of that quality, and then some. At 28 times earnings with a sub-3% yield, investors are paying a significant premium over peers for a franchise that, while exceptional, faces the same credit cycle headwinds as every other lender. That does not make the shares uninvestable. But for investors weighing up where to put new capital in a rising rate environment, the price being asked for Commonwealth Bank deserves careful thought.

The post Rates are rising. Are Australia’s biggest bank shares still worth buying? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How are Australia’s biggest blue-chip stocks performing in 2026?
• Here’s what experts think will happen with the RBA interest rate this year
• Why the RBA could increase interest rates again in May
• CBA shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell
• Forget CBA shares! Buy these ASX dividend shares instead for passive income

Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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 sell-off we’ve seen in March has been hefty and adds to the declines that many ASX growth shares have seen this year.

I don’t know how long energy prices will stay elevated, but I don’t think it will be forever.

Lower share prices give brave investors the chance to buy businesses at a lower valuation that would have been unthinkable last year. It’s possible shares could go even lower, but after all the pain, I think the following ASX shares are great contenders to buy for a possible future recovery.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple & Webster is one of Australia’s leading retailers, in my view. It sells hundreds of thousands of homewares, furniture, and home improvement products.

As the chart below shows, the company has fallen 54% since the start of the year and 27% in the past month.

It’s normal for retailers to face elevated volatility because of worries about what could happen to consumer spending. Higher energy prices and the flow-on to overall inflation could be a negative.

But in the long term, I think this valuation below $7 will be a great time to buy.

It’s still growing strongly. The FY26 half-year financials showed how revenue rose by 19.8% to $375.9 million, while revenue in the second half of FY26 (to 9 February 2026) showed 20% revenue growth year over year.

The company is gaining market share, and this should have long-term benefits thanks to operating leverage, but it’s sacrificing profitability in the short term to do so.

Technology is helping the ASX share reduce costs, and growing scale is helping it reduce fixed costs as a percentage of revenue. Temple & Webster is forecasting its FY26 operating profit (EBITDA) margin to be between 3% to 5% in FY26, with expectations that the EBTIDA margin could climb to at least 15% in the long term.

I’m bullish about its growth as more people adopt online shopping for homewares and furniture. The online penetration of this category is currently around 20% in Australia – it has reached 29% in the UK and 35% in the US.

Home improvement is also an exciting segment because it could undergo significant online adoption. The ASX share’s home improvement revenue grew 47% in HY26 to $30 million.

In three years, I think this company will be much bigger and more profitable.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group has been one of the ASX’s best growth shares of the past 20 years, but the share price hasn’t been the strong performer it used to be. As the chart below shows, it’s down 31% in the past six months and 14% in 2026 to date.

It’s the owner of realestate.com.au, Australia’s leading portal for finding residential property. The business also has a number of other property businesses/investments such as realcommercial.com.au, flatmates.com.au, PropTrack, Mortgage Choice, REA India, and Move Inc (a US business).

Higher interest rates may be a headwind for property prices, but they could be a tailwind for REA Group earnings if they lead to a higher level of property listings and more revenue for the ASX tech share.

I believe the ASX share’s strong market position – it receives significantly more property buyer and seller attention than the competition – will allow it to continue delivering underlying earnings growth in the next few years, making the current valuation look cheap.

At the time of writing, the REA Group share price is valued at under 30x FY27’s estimated earnings, according to CommSec.

The post 2 top ASX shares I’d buy right now in this March madness appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 quality ASX shares to buy and hold until 2036
• 3 undervalued ASX stocks to consider buying immediately
• Where to invest $5,000 in Australian shares for the rest of 2026
• Are these 3 ASX shares at 52-week lows going cheap?
• New to investing? Start with ASX ETFs and quality ASX stocks

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

Are you looking for ASX mining stocks to buy outside the status quo of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)?

If you are, then it could be worth considering the two in this article.

That’s because the team at Morgans has just named them as buys and is predicting major upside over the next 12 months.

Here’s what the broker is recommending to clients in the mining sector:

29Metals Ltd (ASX: 29M)

This copper miner has caught the eye of Morgans following its recent equity raising. The broker believes this leaves 29Metals well-positioned to execute on its growth plans.

This morning, the broker has initiated coverage on the ASX mining stock with a buy rating and 54 cents price target. Based on its current share price of 34 cents, this implies potential upside of almost 60% for investors. It said:

We initiate coverage on 29Metals (29M) with a 12-month target price of A$0.54ps and a BUY recommendation. We expect the Xantho Extended restart and Gossan Valley development at Golden Grove to restore grades and operating flexibility, while a potential Capricorn Copper restart provides medium-term production growth. Following its recent equity raise, 29M is better positioned to execute its plans, with upside potential supported by a constructive long-term copper outlook.

Meeka Metals Ltd (ASX: MEK)

Another ASX mining stock that Morgans is positive on is gold miner Meeka Metals.

It highlights that the company is planning to expand its production capability with a modest capital investment.

While it suspects there could be some short-term production challenges, it believes things will pick up from the fourth quarter.

As a result, it has retained its buy rating and 39 cents price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of 15.7 cents, this suggests that its shares could more than double in value. Morgans commented:

MEK announced an expansion to 800ktpa (equivalent ounce basis) via ore sorting, requiring modest capex of A$6m with commissioning scheduled for Q1FY27. Ore sorting effectively near doubles Andy Well underground head grade, lifting our annual production forecasts by an average of 7% from FY27 onwards.

Open Pit throughput has tracked below DFS forecasts due to moisture-driven variability in open pit ore, an issue expected to resolve with underground stope commencement in 4QFY26. We revise our FY26 production forecast to 37.6koz Au (from 40.2koz), this is below the DFS guidance. We maintain our BUY rating and A$0.39ps price target, acknowledging near-term production softness may weigh on the 3Q result ahead of an anticipated step-change in output in 4Q.

The post 2 ASX mining stocks that could rise 60% to 100%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How are Australia’s biggest blue-chip stocks performing in 2026?
• What does a change of CEO mean for the BHP share price?
• Buying BHP shares? Meet your new CEO
• Where to invest $5,000 in Australian shares for the rest of 2026
• $10,000 invested in BHP shares 5 years ago is now worth…

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stocks, including Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM), are getting smashed on Thursday.

In morning trade, the ASX 200 is down 1.6%.

But the gold miners are doing it much tougher today as witnessed by the 7.1% decline in the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD).

Here’s how some of the top ASX 200 gold stock are performing at this same time:

• Northern Star shares are down 7.0% at $19.48
• Newmont shares are down 4.9% at $147.69
• Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares are down 7.0% at $12.56
• Ramelius Resources Ltd(ASX: RMS) shares are down 8.7% at $3.69
• Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) shares are down 9.4% at $1.46
• Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) shares are down 9.1% at $5.61
• Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) shares are down 6.6% at $4.84
• Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) shares are down 8.6% at $4.23
• Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) shares are down 7.8% at $5.69
• Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) shares are down 9.4% at $1.35

Ouch!

Here’s what’s got investors reaching for their sell buttons.

ASX 200 gold stocks in the crosshairs

After enjoying a tremendous run through to the beginning of March this year, ASX 200 gold stocks like Northern Star and Newmont have come under selling pressure amid a sizeable retrace in the record setting gold price.

On 2 March, gold was trading for US$5,322 per ounce. Today, that same ounce is trading for US$4,834, according to data from Bloomberg. That sees the gold price down more than 9% this month.

This comes as the oil price heads the other direction. Brent crude oil is trading or US$107 per barrel today, up 38% since 2 March.

And it matters for two reasons.

First, this divergence in the two commodity prices is driving a rotation from ASX 200 gold stocks into ASX 200 energy stocks.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares, for example, are up 4.5% today, while rival Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are up 2.8%.

The other reason the gold price – and gold miners like Newmont, Northern Star and Evolution Mining – are taking a steep hit is that fast rising energy prices look likely to fuel inflation.

The Middle East conflict and its impact on global oil prices was cited by Fed officials yesterday when the US central bank opted to keep interest rates on hold. On Tuesday, the RBA also mentioned rising energy costs after it opted to increase interest rates in Australia.

And gold, which pays no yield itself and is priced in US dollars, tends to do better in a low or falling rate environment.

The bigger picture

Longer-term investors in most ASX 200 gold stocks should still be sitting on outsized gains.

Despite today’s big retrace, the ASX All Ords Gold Index remains up 55.4% over 12 months.

The post Why are ASX 200 gold stocks like Northern Star and Newmont down so much today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Woodside locks in new CEO as energy giant enters next phase
• Woodside Energy Group appoints Liz Westcott as CEO
• Which ASX gold shares have risen the most in 2026?

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.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares are 0.1% higher in early morning trade on Thursday. At the time of writing, the shares are changing hands at a 10-year high of $5.28 a piece.

The telco’s stock has leapt higher since it posted its impressive half-year FY26 results last month. Telstra shares are now 8% higher for the year-to-date and an impressive 28% higher than this time last year.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has climbed just over 8% over the same 12 month period.

The past month has been a great success story for Telstra, and I still think the telco is a buy.

Here are three reasons why to add Telstra shares to your portfolio today.

1. Telstra is a textbook defensive stock

Internet access and mobile phone connectivity are necessary for everyday life. This means the company is likely to perform steadily, regardless of what stage of the economic cycle we’re in. 

Telstra confirmed this recently when it posted a strong half-year FY26 result last month. The company’s profit and earnings increased, and there were gains seen across every financial metric and division.

The results show that the company has a predictable cash flow and reliable earnings, which is classic for a strong defensive stock. 

And this is great news for investors who want to hedge against potential volatility elsewhere in the index.

2. Telstra offers great passive income

It’s this defensive nature which means Telstra can offer its investors a reliable passive income with a good dividend yield.

In fact, one of the best things about Telstra is that its dividend payout ratio is close to 100% of its earnings. That unlocks a good dividend yield.

Telstra pays investors two dividends every year, in March and September. Investors are due to receive an interim 10.5 cent dividend, 90.48% franked, next week. 

In FY25 the company paid investors an annual dividend of 19 cents per share, which translates to a 3.9% dividend yield at the time of writing. The telco is expected to pay an even larger 20-cent final dividend for FY26, which represents a 5.25% increase year-on-year. For FY27 the dividend payout is expected to increase again to 21 cents per share. 

3. Analysts are still tipping an upside

Even after the latest price rally, some analysts are still tipping more upside ahead for Telstra shares.

TradingView data shows that five out of 15 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Telstra shares. The other 10 have a hold rating.

The maximum target price is $5.60, which implies a potential 6% upside at the time of writing.

The post 3 reasons to buy Telstra shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Charter Hall Long WALE REIT declares March 2026 distribution and DRP update
• How to invest when the ASX refuses to calm down
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Why these ASX shares could be buys in today’s volatile market
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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

S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) healthcare stock Immutep Ltd (ASX: IMM) has been on a decidedly wild ride these past four trading days.

After entering a trading halt on Monday, 9 March, Immutep shares resumed trading last Friday. And by the time the closing bell sounded, the Immutep share price had crashed a very painful 88.6%.

Investors were overheating their sell buttons on the day, after the ASX 300 healthcare stock reported that the Phase III lung cancer study of its eftilagimod alfa (efti) product had been discontinued.

“We are very disappointed and surprised with the outcome of the futility analysis, in light of efti’s performance in every other clinical trial,” Immutep CEO Marc Voigt said at the time.

On Monday, bargain hunters swooped in, sending the Immutep share price up 35.6% by close. But a lot of those gains evaporated again on Tuesday, with shares closing the day down a sharp 16.4%.

See what I mean about a ‘decidedly wild ride’?

Now, here’s what’s happening today.

ASX 300 healthcare stock slides again

The Immutep share price is slumping again today, down 1.9% in morning trade at 5.1 cents. That sees the share price down 87.3% since exiting its trading halt on Friday, as investors appear to have lost confidence in the company’s outlook.

Today’s fall comes despite the company announcing positive results this morning from the first-in-human Phase I study in healthy participants evaluating IMP761.

According to the release, IMP761 is a first-in-class LAG-3 agonist antibody that enhances the physiological inhibitory function of LAG-3 on T-cell receptor signalling, potentially suppressing pathogenic T cell responses in autoimmune diseases.

(Quite a mouthful, I know!)

The ASX 300 healthcare stock reported that the single ascending dose portion of the study has been successfully completed. The drug was well tolerated across all dose levels, with no safety concerns or dose-limiting toxicities observed.

The study is now progressing in the multiple ascending dose portion, which is evaluating pharmacokinetics and safety across two dose levels. Immutep expects to complete this stage of the study in the third quarter of calendar year 2026.

What did management say?

Commenting on the new trial results that have yet to lift the ASX 300 healthcare stock today, Immutep chief scientific officer Frederic Triebel said:

IMP761 continues to show a clear immunosuppressive effect in healthy participants challenged with a foreign antigen in an intra-dermal reaction, with durable inhibition of T-cell–mediated responses after a single administration.

These first-in-human findings support our mechanistic aim of selectively silencing pathogenic, self-antigen–specific memory T cells via LAG–3 agonism and provide the basis for dose levels to be tested in a future phase II trial in patients with autoimmunity.

Immutep said it will present the results of the phase I trial at the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology annual congress in London on 4 June.

The post Down 87% since Friday, why is this ASX 300 healthcare stock sliding again today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.