Category: Stock Market

If you are hunting outsized returns for your portfolio and have a high risk tolerance, then read on.

This article looks at one ASX share that Bell Potter believes could more than double in value over the next 12 months.

Which ASX share?

The stock that Bell Potter is bullish on is Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: PAR).

It is an Australian biotechnology company focused on repurposing Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS) under the brand name Zilosul for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee.

Bell Potter notes that the global market for a safe, effective treatment that provides superior patient outcomes compared to the standard of care is a multiple blockbuster.

The good news is that the recently completed phase 2 study produced some highly encouraging results that it believes are worthy of further clinical trials.

Speaking of which, Bell Potter points out that enrolment for a phase 3 trial is now complete. It said:

PAR has achieved a key milestone in the development of iPPS for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with the announcement of completion of enrolment of the first of its Phase 3 clinical trials. Enrolment was extended to 538 participants – 72 more than anticipated following a period of rapid enrolment in Japan and Moldova. Numerous patients had met the enrolment criteria and it was decided to include these for ethical reasons with the added benefit of increasing the powering of the study.

Bell Potter was impressed with the way that management completed this enrolment in a cost-efficient manner. It adds:

PAR has been phenomenally cost-efficient spending a mere A$27m on PARA_OA_012 over the course of the first 9 months of FY26 during which it completed 50% enrolment, with remaining participants (~300) enrolled in a little over 2 months since 31 March. This rapid enrolment has been a function meticulous planning and the exhaustive clinical program in the period leading into the phase 3 trial where the clinical outcomes had consistently indicated highly effective reduction in pain (when dosed at the 2mg/kg twice weekly dose) with an attractive adverse event profile.

Big potential returns

According to the note, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating on the company’s shares with a reduced price target of 45 cents (from 65 cents).

Based on its current share price of 17 cents, this implies potential upside of more than 160% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter said:

Enrolment is complete and PARA_OA_012 is in the home straight, now awaiting interim and headline data in the coming months. Following the recent cap raise, the company has $40m in notional cash inclusive of undrawn credit with a further $5.4m from R&D tax refund also due in the coming months. Cash burn is currently $11m/qtr and expected to step down over the next 6 months as participant screening and recruitment reduces to nil. The company will require significant additional funding for a confirmatory Phase 3, however, the upcoming data will be instrumental to valuation.

The post Bell Potter says this ASX share could rise 150%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Supermarket giants Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) have been locked in a rivalry for decades.

From grocery prices and product ranges to revenue growth and share price performance, the two retailers compete across nearly every corner of Australia’s supermarket sector.

In recent weeks, both ASX supermarket shares have delivered strong gains, but the pace has been closely matched. Woolworths shares are up around 12% this month, while Coles shares have risen roughly 10%.

However, the story looks very different when zooming out to the 2026 performance so far.

Woolworths: Strong rebound, valuation questionable

Woolworths shares have staged a solid recovery this year, rising around 30% year to date. That strength reflects improving investor sentiment after a period of operational and cost-related challenges, as well as renewed confidence in the company’s core supermarket operations.

The market has also responded positively to signs of stabilising margins and a more disciplined approach to capital allocation. Woolworths remains the dominant player in Australian grocery retail, giving it scale advantages in procurement and distribution.

However, not all analysts are convinced the recent rally can continue.

Bell Potter is currently cautious on Woolworths shares, assigning a hold rating. The broker has set a price target of $35.50, which sits below the current share price of $38.12.

From an income perspective, Bell Potter expects Woolworths to pay dividends of 91 cents per share in FY26 and 94 cents in FY27. This translates to forward dividend yields of approximately 2.4% and 2.5%, respectively.

For investors, this suggests Woolworths may be trading ahead of fair value following its strong run.

Coles: Steadier growth and dividend appeal

Coles shares have also performed well, though their gains have been more modest than Woolworths’. The stock is up around 9% so far in 2026.

Unlike Woolworths, which has seen a sharper rebound, Coles has delivered a more gradual and steady performance profile, reflecting its reputation as a defensive, operationally disciplined retailer.

Investors continue to favour Coles for its consistent execution, stable earnings base, and reliable dividend profile. While it lacks Woolworths’ scale advantage, it has built a reputation for efficiency and steady returns.

UBS remains positive on Coles shares, maintaining a buy rating with a $25.50 price target. Based on the current share price of $23.37, this implies potential upside of approximately 9%.

From an income perspective, UBS forecasts dividends of 77 cents per share in FY26 and 89 cents in FY27. This equates to forward dividend yields of approximately 3.3% and 3.8%, respectively.

Buy, hold, or sell?

Both Woolworths and Coles remain high-quality ASX supermarket shares with strong market positions and reliable earnings.

However, they are currently offering very different investment profiles. Woolworths appears to be priced for growth following a strong rally, while Coles offers a more attractive dividend yield and modest upside, according to analysts.

For investors, the decision may come down to whether they prefer Woolworths’ dominant scale or Coles’ steadier income-focused profile.

The post Woolworths shares vs Coles: Buy, hold, or sell these ASX giants? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price has seen a very painful last 12 months, as the chart below shows. It’s not normal for an ASX 200 healthcare share to fall that much over a relatively short time period.

At the time of writing, the CSL share price has declined by 55% in the past year. Theoretically, if it were to go back to that previous level, it would need to rise around 125%.

Of course, we shouldn’t anchor our thoughts to a previous CSL share price. Just because it was at that price before doesn’t mean it’s going to go back there in the foreseeable future.

But, the CSL share price will move in the coming weeks and months. Let’s see what analysts think will happen.

Expert views on the CSL share price

A number of analysts have had their say on the business over the last three months. Considering the huge decline of the CSL share price, it’s not surprising that the business has had analysts lining up to give their view.

In the past three months, there has been 11 ratings on the business. Of those 11 ratings, three ratings were a buy and eight were a hold. So, on average, the investment community are neutral on the the business, though there are a few positive ratings on the ASX healthcare share too.

A price target is also a very interest aspect to look at. Price targets aren’t guarantees of future returns. Rather, they’re analyst expectations about where share prices will be in 12 months from the time of the investment call.

The average price target on the CSL share price of those 11 ratings is $135.80, which suggests a possible rise of 27% over the next year, at the time of writing.

The most optimistic price target is $234.62, suggesting a huge possible rise of approximately 120% in the year ahead.

But, not every analyst is convinced that the declines have finished. One analyst has a price target $99.79, which implies a possible decline of more than 6% from where it is at the time of writing.

What’s the valuation?

According to the earnings projection on CMC Invest, the company’s forward price/earnings (P/E) ratio suggests the business is trading at around 12x FY26’s estimated earnings.

The forecasts then suggest profit could slightly rise in FY27 and then another 6% in FY28. If earnings can indeed rise, then the CSL share price could be very good value today. But, there are other ASX share names that could deliver stronger earnings growth over the rest of the decade.

The post How much could the CSL share price rise in the next year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

Looking at the AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) share price today, it might appear that there is a lot to like.

For one, AGL shares look fairly beaten down. At a share price of $8.53 at the time of writing, this energy generator and retailer is down about 8.5% year to date in 2026. It’s also down about 20% from its February peak of over $10.60 a share, and 17.4% from where it was this time last year.

AGL is even in the red over a five-year period by about 8.6%.

For another, the company is seemingly trading on a dividend yield of 5.73%. That’s significantly higher than what most ASX blue-chip stocks are offering right now. Heck, it’s almost double the yield of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA). Plus, AGL’s last few dividends have come with full-franking credits attached, meaning that the yield grosses up to an eye-catching 8.19% if we include the value of those credits.

AGL is also a company that sells services that we tend to need to spend money on. Even if money is tight, the last thing to go out of the household or company budget would be electricity and gas.

Unfortunately, we have to consider some complications as well, though.

AGL share price: Should we buy today?

Yes, AGL has all of these things going for it. However, it is a company that is in the eye of a storm of disruption. The energy market is shifting rapidly, with ageing coal-fired power stations being steadily replaced by renewable energy projects and large-scale batteries. Unfortunately for AGL, it has to fund and manage much of this transition, which comes with a plethora of uncertainties

AGL also must handle government regulation of the energy market, as well as the complex National Electricity Market pricing system.

Operating in this not-so-free market has its downfalls. To illustrate, here’s some of what ASX broker Ord Minnett recently stated about the AGL share price:

Battery-capacity additions are now running at close to double the pace implied by system requirements to 2030, meaning anticipated needs are likely to be met as early as 2027. Many of the coal-fired power station closures assumed in long term planning, however, have yet to occur. This timing mismatch has materially reduced volatility across the electricity market, and is evident in lower gas demand from power generation, a sharp fall in capacity contract prices, weaker frequency control ancillary services revenue, and narrower intraday price spreads.

Thus, AGL can be viewed as a cyclical stock with an uncertain future. As such, its dividends arguably cannot be considered at the high end of the ASX’s income reliability spectrum.

AGL is an important company in Australia and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. And when the stars align, it does have a lot of dividend potential. Thus, AGL could conceivably have a comfortable place in a diversified portfolio that prioritises maximising franked dividend income.

As this isn’t a primary goal of my portfolio, I won’t be buying AGL shares at their current level anytime soon.

The post Is the AGL share price a buy at $8.50 today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Although the gold price has pulled back from its high, it is still at elevated levels compared to where it has been over the past decade.

This means that ASX gold stocks are continuing to generate strong cash margins and deliver bumper profits.

In light of this and recent weakness in the gold industry, now could be a good time to look for exposure to this side of the market.

But which ASX gold stocks could be buys? Let’s look at seven that Bell Potter currently rates as buys.

Tailwinds re-emerging

Before looking at the gold miners that could be buys, let’s hear what Bell Potter is saying about the gold price.

The good news is that the broker believes the precious metal could strengthen as tailwinds re-emerge. It explains:

The last few months have seen markets reacting to Presidential social media posts more than fundamentals. We are now looking for the drivers that may re-emerge for the gold price, with a bit of clear air. In the first instance we see opportunities for:

Central Banks purchasing remains a price insensitive tailwind. The World Gold Council’s annual survey of Central Bank purchasing intentions reinforces they remain positive on gold, highlighting its significance as a reserve asset in a volatile geopolitical and economic environment.

Iran conflict continues on a trajectory to resolution: The war in Iran has been pushing oil / real yields higher and gold lower. We expect a deescalation to do the reverse. While it is a bumpy road, we expect the trend to remain towards a ceasefire / peace deal. Gold equities have pulled back but balance sheets, margins and exploration momentum remain strong. Quality companies and projects are attractive.

The ASX gold stocks to buy

The seven ASX gold stocks that Bell Potter is bullish on are as follows:

The broker has a buy rating and $2.10 price target on Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX: ALK) shares.

Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) shares have been given a buy rating and $14.60 price target.

Bell Potter rates Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) shares as a buy with a $16.25 price target.

Gold giant Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) has been given a buy rating and $16.45 price target.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $9.90 price target on Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) shares.

Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) shares have a buy rating and $1.35 price target on them.

Finally, the broker rates ASX gold stock Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) as a buy with a $9.45 price target.

The post 7 ASX gold stocks to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The ASX share market is a wonderful hunting ground to find ideas that can provide enormous dividend yields.

The passive income can be particularly attractive thanks to a combination of a low valuation, a rewarding dividend payout ratio and potentially franking credits.

I’m going to highlight two businesses that are delivering large dividend yields.

Centuria Office REIT (ASX: COF)

This business describes itself as Australia’s largest listed pure play office real estate investment trust (REIT). It says it owns a portfolio of high-quality office assets situated in core submarkets throughout Australia.

Office properties are not exactly a ‘hot’ sector. But, I think this business is deeply undervalued.

Its FY26 third quarter update was very promising – it reported a four-year weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of four years with an occupancy rate of 90%. That means it’s generating a significant level of rental income from its portfolio.

But, the most pleasing element of the ASX share’s update on the rental side was that it announced 5,742sqm of lease terms agreed, with an 8.6% re-leasing spread. In other words, the new rental contracts are generating 8.6% more rental income than the old contracts. This could bode well for future rental contracts.

It also noted it had refinanced $1 billion of debt, with a 30 basis point (0.30%) reduction of debt margins, while the debt expiry was extended to 4.3 years.

For me, one of the main reasons why it has such a large dividend yield and why it looks undervalued is because it’s trading at a massive discount to its reported underlying value. It reported net tangible assets (NTA) of $1.72 as at 31 December 2025 – it’s trading at a 47% discount to this.

The fund manager of the REIT, Belinda Cheung, recently said:

Looking ahead, we maintain an optimistic outlook for the Australia metropolitan office markets across the medium term. Diminishing forecast supply has been further impacted by rising rates and inflation and is expected to amplify the significant disconnect between replacement costs and current valuations. The widening gap of economic rents to prevailing market rents not only prohibits feasible office development but provides ample room for current market rents to continue to grow and underpin future valuations, reinforcing the relative value of existing high-quality, well-located office assets.

It’s generating real rental profit and paying large distributions with that rental income. Its FY26 annual distribution translates into a distribution yield of 11%.

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

The other ASX share I want to highlight is the fund manager GQG, which, up until recently, had an excellent long-term track record of investment returns.

Following a 40% decline since July 2025, I think the ASX share is now very cheap with a single-digit price/earnings (P/E) ratio.

While the company is still experiencing fund outflows, that pace of the outflows have reduced and if it can deliver positive investment returns then its funds under management (FUM) could still climb, despite the headwind of outflows.

I believe the market is mispricing the potential of GQG to start achieving positive net inflows again.

The ASX share’s latest quarterly dividend of AU 4.878 cents translates into a dividend yield of 3.4%. Annualised, that’s a dividend yield of 13.4%. That’s a huge yield! The dividend returns alone could outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) for the foreseeable future.

The post 2 ASX shares with dividend yields above 10% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Gqg Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Warren Buffett has long favoured businesses that can stay strong for a very long time.

One way to think about this is through the idea of a moat.

A moat is the defence around a business. It is what makes it hard for competitors to come in, steal customers, crush margins, or copy the model.

That moat can come from a powerful brand, scale, patents, network effects, customer loyalty, cost advantages, or products that are painful to replace once they are embedded.

Its value is that it can give a company more time, more pricing power, and more room to keep earning attractive returns.

Fortunately, ASX investors do not have to identify every moat stock themselves. These two ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) are built around that idea.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

One way to put the moat idea to work is through the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF.

This fund focuses on US companies that have durable competitive strengths, while also taking valuation into account.

That second part is important. A great business can still be a poor investment if the price is too high.

The portfolio can look quite different from a standard US index fund. Holdings currently include Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT), NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI), and NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA).

That mix shows the fund is not trying to follow one theme. Fortinet gives exposure to cybersecurity, NXP sits inside the semiconductor supply chain, and NVIDIA remains one of the most important companies in advanced computing and artificial intelligence.

The common thread is not the industry. It is the idea that each business has characteristics that may help it defend its economics over time.

For investors who want a more selective way to own US shares, this ETF could be a top option.

VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF (ASX: GOAT)

Another ASX ETF that uses the same philosophy is the VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to moat-style companies outside Australia, creating a wider opportunity set than the local market can offer.

Its holdings currently include Murata Manufacturing (FRA: MUR1), Etsy Inc (NYSE: ETSY), and Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO).

These companies are very different from one another. Murata is tied to electronic components, Etsy operates an online marketplace, and Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare leader.

But that is part of the appeal of this type of fund. It is not trying to tell investors that one sector will dominate the next decade. It is trying to find businesses with strong positions that may be able to keep earning good returns across different industries and markets.

That can make the fund useful for investors who like the Warren Buffett idea of owning quality businesses, but want more geographic variety than a US-only approach.

The post Invest like Warren Buffett with these top ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Etsy, Fortinet, NXP Semiconductors, Novo Nordisk, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nvidia, VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF, and 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.

Many investors’ portfolios will have a strong allocation to the large banks and miners that dominate the ASX 200. 

The market cap of several companies has a big impact on Australia’s benchmark index. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 2% in 2026. 

This is far below the historical average. 

However some of the biggest ASX companies have outperformed this in 2026. 

Let’s see which blue-chips have outperformed the market this year. 

Materials leading the way 

The S&P/ASX 200 Materials (ASX: XMJ) index has far outperformed the ASX 200. 

It has risen by over 20% year to date. 

This has been led by the two largest materials companies: 

• BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have risen 42% year to date
• Rio Tinto Group Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are up 24%. 

This outperformance has been driven by a broad rally across iron ore, copper, and gold, supported by a weaker US dollar, falling bond yields, and improved sentiment following the Iran peace deal.

Bank shares disappoint 

The big four bank shares have all underperformed this year. 

The best performer has been Commonwealth Bank Of Australia (ASX: CBA) which is essentially flat year to date. 

Meanwhile, the remaining three have all fallen between 3% and 12%. 

Looking outside the big four, a blue-chip bank stock that has performed well has been Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), which is up 24% for the year to date. 

Another blue-chip stock that has performed well (outside of banking) has been Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES). 

Its defensive profile has held up well amidst broader market headwinds. 

How to avoid over concentration 

While these companies dominate the ASX 200, there is also a risk that investors become overconcentrated on just a few companies. 

Many investors could end up overly exposed to banks or miners without realising, by owning individual stocks as well as ASX ETFs that are heavily weighted towards the same shares. 

In case you are unaware, the big four banks and BHP account for over 32% of the entire ASX 200. 

One way to avoid this is with an equal weighted ASX ETF such as the VanEck Vectors Australian Equal Weight ETF (ASX: MVW).

It provides a more balanced and diversified approach to the Aussie market. 

It aims for true diversification by equally weighting across companies and reducing sector concentration.

MVW has less exposure to the mega-caps that dominate the S&P/ASX 200 Index compared to many Australian equity portfolios. MVW is underweight mega cap companies and overweight those large companies outside the mega-caps. Relative to the S&P/ASX 200, MVW has a higher weighting to stocks outside the top 15.

The post Which Aussie blue-chip stock is the best performer so far in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares have been on a remarkable run.

At the time of writing, the retail giant’s shares are up around 20% over the past month to $86.27. That comfortably outpaces the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has gained approximately 5% over the same period.

The outperformance extends beyond the past month. Wesfarmers shares have risen roughly 6% in 2026, compared to a gain of around 2.5% for the broader market.

But after such a strong rally, investors may be wondering whether the shares are still worth buying.

Why investors love Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers is one of Australia’s highest-quality businesses.

The company owns a portfolio of leading brands, including Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, Priceline, and Blackwoods. These businesses generate significant cash flow and have built strong competitive positions in their respective markets.

Bunnings remains the crown jewel of the portfolio, benefiting from its dominant position in the home improvement sector. Kmart has also delivered impressive growth in recent years by offering value-focused products that resonate with consumers during periods of economic uncertainty.

Another strength is Wesfarmers’ balance sheet and disciplined capital allocation. Management has a strong track record of investing in growth opportunities while returning capital to investors in Wesfarmers shares through dividends.

These qualities help explain why the company has consistently rewarded long-term investors.

What are the risks?

The challenge is that great businesses do not always make great investments at every price.

Following the recent rally, some analysts believe Wesfarmers shares are trading above fair value. The company held a strategy day last week, but investors did not receive a meaningful trading update or any major new catalyst that could drive earnings expectations higher in the near term.

There are also broader risks to consider. Retail spending remains sensitive to economic conditions, interest rates, and consumer confidence. While Bunnings and Kmart have proven resilient, a slowdown in spending could still affect growth.

Valuation is another concern. When a stock trades at a premium multiple, even a small earnings disappointment can lead to a sharp share price correction.

Buy, hold, or sell?

According to TradingView data, analysts appear divided on the outlook.

Most analysts currently rate Wesfarmers shares as a hold, suggesting they see limited upside from current levels. More notably, four of the 14 analysts covering the stock now have a strong sell recommendation.

While opinions differ, analysts broadly agree that the shares may have run ahead of fundamentals. In fact, the lowest price target on the stock is $65.10.

Based on the current share price of $86.27, that target implies downside of approximately 24% over the next 12 months.

As a result, while Wesfarmers remains a high-quality ASX share with excellent businesses and a strong long-term track record, investors may want to consider whether its recent rally has already priced in much of the good news.

The post Wesfarmers shares have surged 20% in a month. Buy now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Which Aussie blue-chip stock is the best performer so far in 2026?
• 2 ASX growth shares experts think could double over 12 months
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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

It has been a rough 12 months for Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) and REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) shares. 

These well known online classifieds companies provide customers with property and job listings. 

REA Group shares are down 38% in the last year, while Seek shares are down 44%. 

However AI takeover fears and competition threats have soured sentiment in recent times. 

Despite these headwinds, both have received some positive views from brokers after being heavily sold off. 

New analysis from Bell Potter sees plenty of upside for one of these stocks, while the other could be in very real danger of falling further. 

Here is the updated view from the broker. 

Why REA shares are a sell 

A new report from the team at Bell Potter has reiterated its sell rating on the ASX 200 stock. 

There are four key reasons the broker expects further share price declines in the next 12 months: 

• Elevated near-term RBA cash rate forecast expected to soften demand for lending
• Recent budget measures adversely impacting property investment as an asset class, particularly in the investor book, partially offset by owner-occupied
• Both factors combined expected to negatively impact average national dwelling values and listing volumes, more than offsetting Buy yield for REA
• REA’s history of EPS declines in a falling 12-month average dwelling price environment raises further concern. 

The broker also reduced its price target on REA shares to $133 (previously $137). 

From yesterday’s closing price, this indicates a downside of 8%. 

REA published a Property Outlook Report (available on rea-group.com.au) outlining an internal expectation for largely flat prices YoY in CY2026 across combined capital cities, before rebounding to 5.5% growth in CY2027. 

A flat print for CY2026 implies a weak 2HCY2026 with YoY combined capital cities growth currently 6.4% as at May.

Why Seek shares are a buy

In good news for investors, the broker is more optimistic about Seek shares. 

Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation on Seek shares along with a price target of $18.60. 

This target indicates 39% upside from current levels. 

The broker did note the number of job listings on Seek’s Australian platform is declining at a faster rate, and Seek is underperforming compared to competitors. 

However, people are still actively applying for jobs, suggesting underlying demand for work remains healthy.

Bell Potter expects Seek to bounce back when interest rates fall, as it has done in previous economic recoveries.

The post What is Bell Potter’s updated view on Seek and REA shares? 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.