Category: Stock Market

The ASX reporting season continued in full swing on Thursday, with many more businesses posting their FY26 results. Among some of the biggest names are Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP), APA Group Ltd (ASX: APA) and Dexus (ASX: DXS).

Let’s recap how the shares are tracking today and whether brokers rate them a buy, sell or hold.

Buy Zip shares

Zip posted a huge 57.9% increase in its cash EBTDA, a 24.7% increase in total revenue, and a 45.7% hike in its NPAT for FY26.

The company expects its cash EBTDA to climb even higher in FY27, by around 26% thanks to strong growth and greater scale across the business.

The announcement has been well received by investors who are rushing to snap up the buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider’s shares this morning.

At the time of writing, Zip shares are up a huge 17% and changing hands for $3.02 a piece. Today’s increase means the shares are now just 10% lower for the year-to-date and are just 0.5% below trading levels seen this time last year.

Experts are incredibly bullish about the outlook for Zip shares too. 

TradingView data shows all 13 analysts have a buy/strong buy rating on the shares. The average $4.19 target price implies a 40% upside ahead, at the time of writing. Although some are confident that Zip shares can climb another 88% to $5.59 within the next 12 months.

Hold APA shares

APA reported an 8.3% increase in underlying EBITDA as part of its FY26 results this morning, surpassing guidance. 

The company also announced a 3.2% increase in its free cash flow and 1.9% uplift in statutory revenue (excluding pass-through), and a 81.4% jump in statutory net profit.

APA is also guiding a higher underlying EBITDA of between $2,260 million and $2,340 million for FY27.

The news seems to have sat well with investors, but there isn’t a significant shift in the share price at the time of writing. APA shares are up around 1% for the day so far, and trading at $10.18 a piece. The shares are now around 13% higher for the year-to-date and 16% higher than a year ago.

It looks like the shares could now be around fair value, however. 

TradingView data shows sentiment is split between a hold and sell rating on APA shares. The average $9.45 target price implies a potential 7% downside at the time of writing.

Buy Dexus shares

Dexus reported adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) of $483.9 million and distributions of 37.0 cents per security, both matching previous guidance, as part of its FY26 results this morning.

Statutory net profit after tax was $482.2 million, and gearing remained at the lower end of the group’s target range.

For FY27, Dexus expects reduced earnings due to lower performance fees, an immaterial contribution from trading profits, and a smaller contribution from funds under review.

It looks like investors are disappointed with the results. At the time of writing, Dexus shares are down around 2.5% and changing hands for $5.66 a piece.

The shares are now down 19% for the year-to-date and are 24% lower than this time last year.

At the time of writing, the experts are still bullish that we could see a rebound from Dexus shares this year. But it’s possible that some may revisit their positions over the coming days following the company’s results announcement.

TradingView data shows that the majority currently have a buy/strong buy stance on Dexus shares. The average $6.55 target price implies a potential 15% upside at the time of writing.

The post Buy, sell, hold: Dexus, APA, Zip shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Megaport, Northern Star and Zip shares are turning heads on Thursday
• Dexus delivers steady FY26 results, maintains distributions, and advances strategy
• Zip Co reports record FY26 earnings and outlines growth strategy
• APA Group FY26 delivers strong earnings, pipeline expansion, and 22nd annual dividend increase
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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 Apa Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) shares are climbing higher into the green on Thursday.

At the time of writing, the shares are up around 2% and changing hands at $4.64 a piece. 

Today’s increase means the shares have now risen over 14% since the company posted its FY26 results ahead of the ASX open on Wednesday morning.

The property group reported a statutory profit up 20.2% to $994 million for FY26, and a 10.4% increase in post-tax Funds From Operations (FFO) to $892 million, hitting the top end of its guidance range.

Stockland announced a full-year dividend distribution steady at 25.2 cents per security, at a payout ratio of 69%. For FY27, the company expects to maintain the same 25.2 cents per security, dividend payment.  

Investors are clearly thrilled with the result and many rushed to buy the shares following the announcement yesterday. The rally has continued this morning, with many more buying into the stock, sending the share price higher again.

There is still a long way to go before Stockland shares can recoup the losses it shed in late-2025 and early-2026, but its certainly a step in the right direction.

Stockland shares are now down around 19% for the year-to-date and 24% lower than 12 months ago.

The question now is, can the shares keep climbing higher. Or has the property group’s shares now reached fair value?

Here’s what the experts think.

Analysts forecasts for Stockland shares over the next 12 months

If analysts’ predictions are anything to go buy, it looks like Stockland shares could be approaching fair value.

Market Index data shows that brokers are split between a buy and hold rating on the shares. But the $4.69 average target price implies a potential 1% upside at the time of writing.

Sentiment is a little more positive according to TradingView data. The majority (seven out of 10) have a buy/strong buy rating on Stockland shares, and another two rate the stock a hold. There is one sell rating.

The average 5.10 target price implies a potential 10% upside at the time of writing. But some are even more bullish and forecast the shares to climb another 26% to $5.80 over the next 12 months.

Ahead of the results announcement, the team at Shaw and Partners confirmed their hold rating on the ASX 200 property shares. They said the business is well positioned to benefit from Australia’s long term population growth and housing supply constraints, while its development pipeline supports future earnings growth.

The broker added that higher interest rates have created some short term headwinds across the property sector. However, Stockland’s robust balance sheet and quality asset portfolio provide resilience.

The post Are Stockland shares a buy after its FY26 results announcement? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Rate rises have finally caught house prices. What does that means for ASX property shares?
• Stockland profit up 20% as development surges: FY26 results and outlook
• Buy, hold, sell: Newmont, Stockland, NAB shares
• 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 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.

Wam Microcap Ltd (ASX: WMI) is paying a dividend yield of 7.6%, or 10.9% including franking credits, despite reporting an operating loss for the full year.

The fund’s investment portfolio also underperformed, increasing just 0.1% for the year, while its benchmark, the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Accumulation Index, rose 8.1%.

Could do better, fund manager says

WAM Microcap Lead Portfolio Manager Oscar Oberg said regarding the result:

Following eight consecutive years of outperformance since listing, FY2026 was a challenging year for the WAM Microcap investment portfolio. The underperformance relative to the benchmark was primarily driven by our limited exposure to resources companies during a period of exceptionally strong performance from the sector, combined with stock selection that was not at the level we expect. The strongest headwind for the portfolio was the significant divergence between resources and industrial companies. While this positioning detracted from investment portfolio performance in FY2026, we believe our focus on identifying undervalued micro-cap industrial companies will continue to create opportunities for shareholders over the long term.

Mr Oberg said the managers believed the fund was well-positioned at the start of the financial year, and they remain confident in the opportunities in the microcap sector.

Since inception, WAM Microcap has increased 14.4% per annum, outperforming the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Accumulation Index by 7.4% per annum.

Dividend yield still looking healthy

Wam Microcap will pay its fully-franked dividend of 5.35 cents on October 29 to shareholders on the register on October 16.

The dividend is up slightly from 5.3 cents for the same period last year.

Some of the fund’s largest holdings include EDU Holdings Ltd (ASX: EDU), Artrya Ltd (ASX: AYA), and Echo IQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ).

The fund focuses on companies with a market capitalisation of less than $300 million at the time of acquisition.

Other Wilson funds also paying good dividend yields

The fund’s dividend yield is better than others in the Wilson Asset Management Stable, with WAM Strategic Value Ltd (ASX: WAR), WAM Active Ltd (ASX: WAA), and WAM Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: WMX) all paying solid dividends, yet not up to that level.

WAM Strategic Value reported earlier this month that it would pay an increased, fully-franked dividend of 6.5 cents per share, up 8.3% on the previous year and representing a yield of 5.9%.

This increases to 8.4% once franking credits are factored in.

WAM Active is paying the same return as WAM Strategic Value; however, if you include capital gains, it returned 40.2% for the year to the end of June.

The post This fund just declared a dividend yield of better than 7% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• WAM Microcap hikes dividend for FY26 despite tricky year
• 2 ASX passive income ideas I’d use to generate $200 a month in 2027
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $2,000 monthly passive income?
• This fund manager thinks these ASX shares are buys and have big potential!
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $90,000 annual passive income?

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.

I like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) because they can open the door to markets and industries that are harder to access through individual ASX shares.

There are a few funds I am watching presently because I can see a strong long-term reason for owning them.

Here are three currently on my watchlist.

Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)

Semiconductors sit behind an enormous amount of modern technology.

Artificial intelligence has pushed chips further into the spotlight, but the opportunity extends across data centres, smartphones, vehicles, industrial automation, cloud computing, and connected devices.

The SEMI ETF provides exposure to 30 major companies involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductors.

I like the idea of approaching this industry through an ETF because predicting which chip company will lead the next generation of technology is difficult.

Demand can also shift across the semiconductor supply chain. One period might favour chip designers, while another could benefit memory manufacturers or the companies producing the equipment needed to make advanced chips.

The SEMI ETF spreads the investment across established industry leaders, allowing investors to participate in the broader growth of semiconductor demand.

Technology spending can move in cycles, so I would expect plenty of volatility along the way. But over a long timeframe, I think increasingly powerful computing creates a strong reason to keep this fund on my watchlist.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

The MOAT ETF takes an approach that closely resembles how I would think about selecting individual shares.

The fund invests in US companies that have sustainable competitive advantages and are trading at attractive prices relative to their fair value.

That combination catches my eye. A strong competitive position can come from factors such as brand strength, switching costs, network effects, or cost advantages. These characteristics can help a business protect profits and continue investing as competitors try to take market share.

The valuation element is also important. Even an excellent company can produce disappointing returns if investors pay too much for it.

I think having both considerations built into the investment process makes the MOAT ETF an interesting alternative to simply buying the largest US businesses by market capitalisation.

Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

The VAE ETF is on my watchlist because I think Asia could offer some exciting long-term opportunities.

The fund invests across Asian markets, excluding Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, providing access to economies such as China, India, Taiwan, and South Korea.

This brings exposure to areas such as semiconductor manufacturing, online commerce, financial services, industrial development, and rising consumer spending.

I think the semiconductor exposure is particularly interesting, with Taiwan and South Korea playing major roles in the global technology supply chain.

There is also a much broader story. Rising incomes across parts of Asia could support businesses serving increasingly wealthy consumers for many years.

The VAE ETF will come with political, regulatory, and currency risks that can create periods of volatility. But I think the size and long-term growth potential of the region still make it worth watching.

Foolish takeaway

I think all three ETFs offer exposure to areas with strong long-term growth potential.

Semiconductors, high-quality US businesses, and Asia’s economic development could all create attractive opportunities over the coming decade.

As a result, these are three funds I would be comfortable considering for a long-term investment.

The post Why these ASX ETFs are on my watchlist appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 strong ASX ETFs for smart investors to buy and hold
• Down 21% in six weeks, what’s happened to SEMI ETF?
• 3 strong Vanguard ETFs to buy with $3,000
• Should investors be targeting the semiconductor boom?
• 3 ASX tech shares on the verge of rocketing to the moon

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 recommended VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Turning $10,000 into $100,000 sounds like a big goal, but compounding can do surprising things when it is given enough time.

If I assume an average annual return of 9% and no further contributions, the maths gives us a good idea of what the journey could look like.

How long would it take?

At a 9% annual return, $10,000 would grow to approximately $100,000 after 27 years.

Of course, it is worth remembering that the share market will not return exactly 9% every year. There will be strong years, weak years, and probably some uncomfortable falls along the way.

But I think it shows what long-term compounding can achieve when an investment is given enough time.

How would I target a 9% return?

If I were choosing individual ASX shares, I would focus on businesses I believe can steadily increase their value over many years.

I would look for strong competitive positions, opportunities to reinvest money at attractive returns, capable management, healthy balance sheets, and markets with room for growth.

I would also spread my money across several businesses rather than relying on one company to deliver the entire result.

For investors who would rather avoid stock picking, an index-tracking fund could provide a simpler route.

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), for example, seeks to track the S&P/ASX 300 Index and provides exposure to hundreds of Australian shares through one investment.

There is no guarantee that the VAS ETF, or the Australian market generally, will deliver 9% per year from here. But broad diversification and reinvesting dividends would allow investors to capture whatever long-term return the market provides.

Could $100,000 come sooner?

It certainly could if the portfolio achieves a higher return.

Warren Buffett provides an extraordinary example of what sustained outperformance can do.

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B)’s per-share market value compounded at nearly 20% annually between 1965 and 2025, compared with 10.5% for the S&P 500 including dividends.

I think Buffett’s approach offers some valuable lessons. He is known to look for businesses he understands, durable competitive advantages, strong long-term economic prospects, and managers who act like owners. Buffett then aims to remain patient and let compounding unfold.

Those sound like straightforward ideas. Applying them successfully for decades is much harder.

Even professional investors regularly struggle to outperform. S&P Dow Jones Indices found that 87% of actively managed Australian Equity General funds failed to beat their benchmark over the 15 years to the end of 2025.

Buffett is an investing legend for a reason.

Foolish takeaway

I think $10,000 can become $100,000 without requiring a spectacular investment idea.

At an average return of 9%, the journey takes around 27 years. The ingredients are patience, sensible investments, reinvested returns, and enough discipline to stay invested when markets inevitably become uncomfortable.

Beating 9% could bring the finish line closer. However, I would treat that as a bonus rather than something my plan depends on.

The post How to turn $10,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Is $2 million really the new superannuation target?
• How much do I need to retire on $100,000 a year at 60?
• Which is the best Vanguard ETF? VAS, VGS and VDHG compared
• $500 a month into ASX shares: Here’s what that could be worth in 20 years
• How much superannuation do you need to retire at 55?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in 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 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.

Healthcare is one part of the ASX where I am happy to think several years ahead.

I like businesses with established positions in important areas of medicine and clear opportunities to reach more patients or healthcare providers over time.

Here are three shares I would be happy to buy.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL is going through a major reset, but following the release of its results this week, I still believe the foundations of the business are strong.

The most important part of the long-term story remains CSL Behring. Demand for immunoglobulin (Ig) continues to grow, and management expects Ig sales to increase at a mid-to-high-single-digit rate in FY27. CSL is also investing around US$1.5 billion to expand its US plasma manufacturing presence and improve yields.

I think that investment makes sense because plasma products remain difficult to manufacture at scale. CSL has spent decades building its collection network, manufacturing expertise, and relationships with healthcare providers.

There are newer products to watch as well. Andembry generated US$240 million of sales in its first full year on the market, while Hemgenix continued to grow.

FY26 was messy, with large impairments and weaker performance in parts of the group. But management is simplifying CSL and expects underlying profit to return to growth in FY27.

I think a successful recovery could remind investors why CSL became one of Australia’s great healthcare businesses in the first place.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is another company where the long-term opportunity interests me more than any one year of earnings.

A huge number of people with severe hearing loss could benefit from an implant but never receive one. Cochlear is trying to change that by making diagnosis, referral, and treatment more systematic, particularly for adults. I think that could be a powerful growth driver.

In the US, medical and professional channels currently account for only around 40% of adult cochlear implant referrals. Cochlear is working with clinicians to improve those pathways and make it easier for suitable patients to progress from diagnosis to treatment.

Product development gives me another reason to be positive. The Nucleus Nexa System became more than 95% of implant sales across developed markets by June. More importantly, the platform has been designed to support future developments including more personalised stimulation, a drug-eluting electrode, and eventually a totally implantable cochlear implant.

If Cochlear can make implants accessible to more people while continuing to improve the technology, I think the business has plenty of growth ahead.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus may have the clearest growth runway of the three.

Its Visage imaging software has become trusted by some of the largest healthcare systems in North America, yet management estimates it still has only around 11% of the US market. That leaves considerable room to keep winning customers.

What I like is how the opportunity is expanding once Pro Medicus gets through the door. Most of its new FY26 contracts included the full Visage stack, while customers are also beginning to add its cardiology offering.

The company signed $407 million of new contracts during FY26 and renewed every contract that came up for renewal, generally with higher minimums and transaction fees.

For me, that says a lot about how valuable the software has become to customers.

Foolish takeaway

I think healthcare can be a great place to look for businesses capable of compounding for many years because better treatments and technology can create value well beyond the next economic cycle.

That is what attracts me to these three shares. I would be comfortable buying them with the intention of giving their long-term opportunities plenty of time to develop.

The post Why I’d buy CSL, Cochlear, and Pro Medicus shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• CSL shares are flying higher. Is it too late to buy?
• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, CSL, and HUB24 shares
• This ASX dividend share just blew me away
• How much are CSL shares worth? 4 brokers have their say
• 3 ASX 200 shares I’d buy for the next decade

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

Shares of Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) are creating a buzz today.

In late morning trade on Thursday, two of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) heavyweights are racing ahead of the 0.4% gains posted by the benchmark index, while one has just tumbled deep into the red.

Here’s what’s piquing investor interest.

Zip shares rocket on record earnings

Zip shares are off to the races today, up 14% at $2.94 apiece.

This strong performance follows the release of the ASX 200 buy now, pay later (BNPL) stock’s full-year FY 2026 results.

Among the highlights, Zip grew its active customers by 3.7% year-on-year to 6.5 million. And the company’s total transaction volume (TTV) of $16.7 billion was up 27.2%.

This helped drive a 24.7% increase in revenue to $1.34 billion, with Zip’s operating margin improving by 4.2% from FY 2025 to 20%.

Also helping lift Zip shares today, the company achieved record cash earnings before taxes depreciation and amortisation (EBTDA) of $268.9 million, up 57.9% from last year.

And on the bottom line, Zip’s net profit after tax (NPAT) surged 45.7% to $116.4 million.

Looking ahead, the ASX 200 BNPL stock is targeting cash EBTDA growth of 26% to $340 million in FY 2027. Zip is aiming for an operating margin in the range of 20% to 22%.

Northern Star shares leap on record profits

Like Zip shares, Northern Star shares are charging higher today.

At the time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 gold stock are changing hands for $24.15 each, up 7.1%.

Northern Star also reported its FY 2026 results today. And investors are clearly impressed.

Highlights from the financial year just past included a 19% year-on-year increase in revenue to $7.6 billion. The revenue boost was supported by a 26% higher average realised gold price.

On the earnings front, Northern Star reported underlying EBITDA of $4.27 billion, up 22% from FY 2025.

And on the bottom line, the ASX 200 gold miner achieved a record NPAT of $1.7 billion, up 24% year on year.

For passive income investors, management declared a fully-franked final dividend of 30 cents per share, in line with last year’s final payout.

Which brings us to…

Megaport shares fall on $39 million net loss

Joining Northern Star and Zip shares in turning heads today, and releasing its FY 2026 results, we find Megaport.

Shares in the ASX 200 network services company kicked off the day in positive territory but have since tumbled into the red, down 4% at $19.52 apiece.

With Megaport shares having closed yesterday up some 79% in 2026, investor expectations are clearly high.

On the positive side of the ledger, Megaport achieved a 37% year-on-year increase in revenue to $312 million. And EBITDA increased by 24% from FY 2025 to $77 million.

But Megaport shares look to have come under pressure, with the ASX 200 tech stock reporting a statutory net loss of $39 million, which compares unfavourably to the net loss of $300,000 reported last year.

The post Why Megaport, Northern Star and Zip shares are turning heads on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, sell, hold: Dexus, APA, Zip shares
• Here’s what brokers tip for Megaport shares over the next 12 months
• Zip Co reports record FY26 earnings and outlines growth strategy
• Megaport FY26: Earnings soar as AI and global footprint drive strategy
• Northern Star Resources posts record profit and steady dividend for FY26

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 positions in and has recommended Megaport. 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.

Hansen Technologies Ltd (ASX: HSN) shares are slightly more than 40% down over the past 12 months, but following their full year results broker Shaw and Partners is predicting some serious upside for the ASX 300 stock.

Shaw and Partners has a buy recommendation on the shares and a very bullish share price target which I’ll get to shortly.

First, let’s look at what the company reported recently.

Strong profit result from steady revenue

Hansen earlier this week reported operating revenue of $386.5 million, down 1.5%, with the company saying the result was impacted by lower licence fees and foreign exchange headwinds.

Underlying net profit was strong however, coming in 22.5% higher than the previous corresponding period at $48.5 million.

Hansen Chief Executive Officer Andrew Hansen said regarding the result:

FY26 demonstrated the resilience of Hansen’s business model. In a more cautious environment, we have remained focused on disciplined execution, protecting earnings quality while continuing to invest for long-term growth. What we have seen during the year, with regards to revenue, is primarily caused by mix and foreign exchange. We continue to have a solid pipeline of demand for our products and services. Our recurring revenue base continues to improve, providing stability and visibility through the cycle. AI is increasingly driving productivity, operating leverage and long-term margin expansion.

The company said AI had been a large focus, and an AI enablement team had been set up to drive capability across the workforce.

Hansen said it was now, “shifting from capability building to the deployment and commercialisation of AI solutions that deliver measurable value for customers and shareholders”.

On the corporate front, the company said its strong cash generation and conservative balance sheet provided flexibility to pursue accretive opportunities.

Hansen Technologies shares looking cheap

Shaw and Partners said in a note to clients following the result, that it was a better result than the headline numbers indicated.

They said:

Key takes: 1) FY26 was stronger underneath the headline, with improving recurring revenue mix, disciplined costs and record cash generation; 2) FY27 is now a transition/investment year as licence revenue shifts to recurring streams and HSN reinvests in AI and sales, with growth and 30%+ margins expected to return in FY28; and 3) Stuart MacDonald’s appointment as CEO adds a credible new growth lens.

Shaw and Partners reiterated their buy rating but reduced their 12-month price target on Hansen shares from $7.60 to $6.80.

This compares to $3.26 currently. Hansen Technologies is valued at $869.2 million.

The post This ASX 300 technology stock is tipped to double in the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Hansen Technologies appoints new CEO as Andrew Hansen becomes Executive Chair

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.

The Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price is having a bit of a wild ride today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed trading yesterday for $18.06. In morning trade on Thursday, shares have been swinging between losses and gains.

At one point, shares were down 2.1% at $17.68 each. At the time of writing, shares have recouped those losses to be changing hands for $18.20 apiece, up 0.8%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.4% at this same time.

This wild ride for the Fortescue share price follows the release of the miner’s full-year FY 2026 results.

Here’s what’s grabbing investor interest.

Fortescue share price swings back in the green on earnings growth

Over the 12-month period, Fortescue reported revenue of US$17 billion, up 9% from FY 2025. Management credited the revenue boost to the 7% increase in the hematite (iron oxide mineral) realised price to US$91 per dry metric tonne (dmt) and a 2% increase in iron ore sales to 201.4 million tonnes.

But costs were up too, with the hematite C1 unit cost of US$18.74 per wet metric tonne (wmt) up 4% year on year.

Likely helping lift the Fortescue share price today, the company achieved a 9% increase in underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to US$8.6 billion.

And underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) was up 3% from FY 2025 to US$3.5 billion.

Potentially explaining the volatile price swings, statutory NPAT of US$2.9 billion was down 15%, reflecting a US$525 million non-cash impairment charge relating to Iron Bridge, and a US$73 million compensation claim expense.

The passive income declined as well, with management declaring a fully-franked dividend of 46 cents per share, down 23.3% from last year’s final payout.

What did management say?

Commenting on the results rocking the Fortescue share price today, Fortescue Metals and Operations CEO Dino Otranto said:

Our record operating performance this year underpinned a 9% increase in underlying EBITDA and a 25% increase in free cash flow.

We invested US$3.6 billion across the business and finished the year with US$5.1 billion in cash and net debt of just US$0.9 billion. That puts us in a strong position to continue investing in growth while delivering returns to shareholders.

And Fortescue is tapping into the artificial intelligence revolution to further ramp up productivity.

“We’re also continuing to look for ways to lift productivity and get more from our assets,” Otranto said.

He noted:

AI is one of our biggest opportunities to create value and has the potential to change almost every aspect of how we operate. We’re already putting it to work across drilling, processing, rail and haulage, and using it to optimise how we generate, store and use energy across our Green Grid.

And this is just the start. Autonomy changed how we operated and helped drive our costs down. We see AI doing the same – but on a much broader scale.

With today’s intraday moves factored in, the Fortescue share price is down 6.4% since this time last year, not including dividends.

The post Why is the Fortescue share price on a rollercoaster 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.

After a slow start to 2026, the ASX has found some momentum in recent months. 

A more optimistic outlook for conflict in Iran, cooling inflation and halted interest rates are shifting market conditions back towards growth shares. 

For investors looking to beat the market in the new financial year, there are several ASX ETFs that could be poised for strong growth. 

Here are three I would be watching closely. 

Betashares Global Robotics And AI ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

This ASX ETF invests in companies involved in industrial robotics and automation, non-industrial robots, humanoid technology, robotics-focused AI and unmanned vehicles and drones.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger driver of the US economy than consumer spending, according to Nasdaq Chief Economist Phil Mackintosh. 

Mackintosh said the extraordinary wave of investment in AI is reshaping both economic growth and financial markets.

We’ve kind of pivoted away from the consumer being the real driver of growth in the US economy. The consumer has been slowing in the US. What’s been replacing it though is all the build-out of AI.

This bodes well for the future of ASX ETFs like this one from Betashares, which targets leading global companies involved in the production or use of robotics and robotics-focused AI products and services.

AI is largely underrepresented here in Australia, which makes this fund appealing to investors looking to capture the high growth potential from international companies. 

Betashares S&P ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

Thanks to the large AI sell-off in early 2026, many Australian technology companies still remain undervalued. 

This may have created a unique opportunity for growth investors that believe these shares can bounce back. 

The ATEC fund remains down 28% over the last 12 months, but with headwinds easing, it could be a winner over the next 12 months. 

This ASX ETF aims to track the performance of the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (before fees and expenses). 

The Index provides exposure to leading ASX-listed companies in a range of tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail and medical technology.

Global X Fang+ ETF (ASX: FANG)

This fund from Global X is another high-growth opportunity. 

It seeks to invest in companies at the leading edge of next-generation technology that includes household names and newcomers.

This includes companies in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital advertising, ecommerce, electric vehicles, social media, and streaming.

All the underlying holdings are US-based, offering another option for investors seeking international diversification.

It has enjoyed strong momentum since late March, rising more than 20% in that span. 

The post 3 growth focussed ASX ETFs that could beat the market in FY27 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 amazing ASX ETFs for Australian investors in August
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy with $5,000 in August
• Why I rate these ASX ETFs as buys in August
• Why millions of Aussies are switching to ASX ETFs

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.