Category: Stock Market

The ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price is in focus today after the big four bank reported a half-year cash profit of $3.78 billion, up 70% from the previous half, and a statutory profit of $3.65 billion. ANZ also declared an interim dividend of 83 cents per share, with franking increased to 75%.

What did ANZ report?

• Statutory profit for the half: $3,650 million, up 62% on prior half
• Cash profit: $3,780 million, up 70% or 14% excluding significant items
• Cash return on tangible equity: 11.6%, up 161 basis points
• CET1 capital ratio: 12.39%, up 36 basis points from September 2025
• Interim dividend: 83 cents per share, franked at 75%
• Cost-to-income ratio: down to 49.4% from 65.5% previously

What else do investors need to know?

ANZ reported improved results across key metrics after simplifying its business and completing several transformation initiatives. The proposed integration of Suncorp Bank remains on track, with customer migration planned by June 2027.

Credit quality stayed strong, with low portfolio losses and only a minimal increase in non-performing exposures. Customer deposits increased 3% and capital levels remain well above regulatory minimums. Liquidity ratios also stayed strong, highlighting ANZ’s financial stability.

What did ANZ management say?

ANZ Chief Executive Officer Nuno Matos said:

This half year result demonstrates three things. First, our transformation is running at pace, and we are making good progress in executing our five immediate priorities safely, sustainably, and on time.

Second, in parallel, we are investing in line with our ANZ 2030 strategic initiatives, to deliver for our customers, accelerate growth and outperform the market beyond 2027.

Third, importantly we are already delivering materially better returns for shareholders.

What’s next for ANZ?

ANZ expects to continue executing on its ANZ 2030 strategy, focusing on cost reductions, technology, and customer experience. The bank is targeting a return on tangible equity around 12% by FY28 and a cost-to-income ratio in the mid-40s percent range.

There are further plans to complete the integration of Suncorp Bank and achieve cost savings of $800 million in FY26, with Suncorp synergies expected to deliver $500 million in annual benefits by FY29. ANZ will also keep building its risk management framework amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

ANZ share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, ANZ shares have risen 23%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post ANZ shares: Profit jumps in 2026 half-year earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Contact Energy appoints new Chair as Rob McDonald retires
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX 200 sinks into longest losing streak in years as oil prices surge
• 5 ASX All Ords shares downgraded by brokers this week

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

In April, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form and pushed 2.2% higher.

The good news for investors is that a number of ASX 200 shares thoroughly outperformed this with very strong gains.

Here’s why these shares rose more than 10% during the month:

Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)

The Codan share price charged 33% higher in April. A good portion of this came at the end of the month following the release of a trading update from the technology company. Codan announced that its performance in the second half has been stronger than expected. As a result, it now expects FY 2026 EBIT to hit $235 million and net profit to reach $170 million. This represents an increase of over 60% from last year. It stated: “In DTC, strong demand from defence customers for unmanned systems, supported by ongoing geopolitical tensions, continues to drive growth in our software-defined radios (SDRs). As a result, the Communications business is expected to achieve revenue growth at the top end of the 15% to 20% range for the full year FY26.”

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS share price outperformed with an 18% gain in April. This lithium miner’s shares stormed higher following the release of a strong third-quarter update. PLS posted a 12% quarter-on-quarter increase in spodumene concentrate production to 232.4kt for the three months. And with its realised price increasing 61% to US$1,867 per tonne, the company reported a 52% jump in revenue to A$567 million. Another positive was that its costs reduced to A$520 per tonne, which underpinned a cash margin from operations of A$461 million. This represents a 178% increase quarter-on-quarter.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The Pro Medicus share price was on form and raced 15% higher last month. As well as getting a boost from a rebound in the tech sector, a new contract renewal helped lift sentiment. The health imaging technology company signed a five-year contract renewal with Northwestern Medicine. Importantly, the $37 million contract comes with higher minimums and an increased fee per transaction. Commenting on the renewal, Pro Medicus’ CEO, Dr Hupert, said: “We are extremely pleased that in addition to committing to a second five-year term at an increased fee per exam, NM have also committed to an increase in their minimums reflecting the growth in their exam volumes since standardising on our platform five years ago.”

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

The Zip share price was a strong performer in April with a gain of 57%. Investors were buying the buy now pay later provider’s shares following the release of its third-quarter update. Zip reported record cash EBTDA of $65.1 million for the third quarter. This was a sizeable 41.5% increase on the prior corresponding period. In light of this stronger than expected performance, management revealed that it now expects group cash EBTDA of at least $260 million for FY 2026. This is up from its previous guidance of approximately $248.6 million.

The post Why these ASX shares jumped 15%+ in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Prediction: Zip shares could fly another 121% higher
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April
• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• 5 ASX All Ords shares downgraded by brokers this week
• Morgans tips 1 ASX mining share to rip — and 1 to avoid — in 2026

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

The Contact Energy Ltd (ASX: CEN) share price is in focus today after the company announced the upcoming retirement of Chair Rob McDonald and the appointment of Jon Macdonald as the new Chair, set to take effect following this year’s Annual Shareholder Meeting.

What did Contact Energy report?

• Rob McDonald will retire as Chair after the 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting
• Jon Macdonald, current independent director, appointed as Chair-elect
• Rob McDonald served as Chair since 2018 and joined the Board in 2015
• Leadership succession follows acquisition of Manawa Energy Limited and major growth initiatives

What else do investors need to know?

Rob McDonald’s time as Chair saw Contact accelerate its renewable generation strategy and deliver key projects supporting New Zealand’s energy transition. Under his leadership, the company also completed its acquisition of Manawa Energy Limited, reinforcing its market position.

Jon Macdonald brings strong governance and executive experience to the Chair role, having served as Chief Executive of Trade Me Group and holding board roles at Sharesies Group, Mitre 10 New Zealand, and Kiwibank Limited. This transition is expected to provide continuity and stability for Contact Energy’s future strategic direction.

What’s next for Contact Energy?

The upcoming change in Chair is expected to be seamless, as Jon Macdonald’s experience supports ongoing momentum for Contact’s strategic plans. The Board expressed confidence that his leadership will continue to drive innovation and shareholder value, focusing on renewable energy and customer outcomes.

The company remains committed to supporting the nation’s energy transition and strengthening its position in the New Zealand energy sector.

Contact Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Contact Energy shares have declined 9%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Contact Energy appoints new Chair as Rob McDonald retires appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ANZ shares: Profit jumps in 2026 half-year earnings
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX 200 sinks into longest losing streak in years as oil prices surge
• 2 high-quality ASX 200 shares experts rate as buys

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) shares went into freefall in late April after a brutal earnings downgrade shocked the market.

The stock plunged from around $168 to near $90 in a matter of days — a staggering 46% wipeout. It’s not every day a blue chip healthcare name gets smashed like this. While it managed to claw back slightly to finish April around $94, the damage has been done.

So, what just happened at the end of April and could a recovery be on the cards?

Sharp cut, delayed surgeries

The $6 billion ASX company leads the global cochlear implant market with about 50% global market share. Cochlear shares are now down roughly 65% year to date in 2026, with the bulk of that decline triggered by a weak trading update released on 22 April.

There’s no dressing it up. The update disappointed. The company slashed its FY26 underlying net profit guidance to between $290 million and $330 million. That’s a sharp cut from its previous $435 million to $460 million range and a significant downgrade for a business known for consistency.

What’s driving the weakness? Demand has softened in key developed markets, with fewer hearing implant procedures taking place. Cochlear also flagged disruptions in the Middle East, where ongoing conflict has led to cancelled orders and delayed deliveries.

At the same time, some patients appear to be delaying surgeries, treating them as discretionary in the short term. Referrals have slowed, and procedures are being pushed out. Importantly, that doesn’t mean demand has disappeared.

Growing pool of patients

Cochlear remains the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, backed by decades of research and development. Around 13% of its revenue continues to be reinvested into innovation, a sign the long-term strategy remains intact.

There is also a large and growing pool of patients with hearing loss, particularly among ageing populations. Management of Cochlear shares continues to point to a “significant, unmet and addressable clinical need” underpinning future growth.

In other words, this looks more like a timing issue than a structural collapse.

Uncertainty is high

Still, the market isn’t reacting without reason. Earnings have taken a clear hit, and near-term visibility is now clouded.

But here’s where things get interesting. At around $94, Cochlear shares are trading on a little over 19 times FY26 earnings, a level rarely seen for a company of this quality. That’s starting to divide opinion.

Some brokers remain optimistic. Jarden has a price target on Cochlear shares of $169, suggesting almost 80% upside if conditions normalise. Other analysts are more cautious. Macquarie has slashed its target from $239 to $115, while Morgans sits in the middle with a hold rating and a $107.17 target.

The spread tells the story: uncertainty is high.

Foolish Takeaway

Cochlear shares’ collapse late April was dramatic and justified by a sharp downgrade in earnings expectations. But the long-term story hasn’t disappeared. If delayed demand returns and execution stabilises, a recovery could follow.

For now, though, this ASX healthcare giant sits at a crossroads, caught between short-term pain and long-term potential.

The post Cochlear shares crashed in April, but is a comeback looming? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• CSL, Resmed, Cochlear shares crash to multi-year low: Buy, sell or hold?
• Down 65%, are Cochlear shares a once-in-a-decade buying opportunity?
• 3 oversold ASX shares to buy with $10,000

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

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) continued its poor run with a small decline. The benchmark index fell 0.25% to 8,665.8 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to jump

The Australian share market looks set to jump on Friday following a good night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 133 points or 1.5% higher this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 1.6%, the S&P 500 rose 1%, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.9%.

Oil prices mixed

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) will be on watch on Friday after a mixed night for oil prices. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.3% to US$105.59 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.7% to US$111.20 a barrel. Oil prices pulled back after hitting US$125 a barrel.

Big ASX 200 share updates

A number of ASX 200 shares will be on watch when they release their latest updates on Friday. Among the companies scheduled to release results are big four bank ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), sleep disorder treatment company ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), and supermarket giant Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL).

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a decent finish to the week after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 1.5% to US$4,629.9 an ounce. Despite this, the gold price is on course to make it two months of declines in a row.

Woolworths downgraded

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are fairly valued despite pulling back on Thursday. This morning, Bell Potter has downgraded the supermarket leader’s shares to a hold rating (from buy) with a reduced price target of $35.50 (from $38.25). It said: “We downgrade from Buy to Hold. Food inflation looks to be returning which should be beneficial for the topline. This looks largely offset by the margin impact of absorbing supply chain inflation, which is likely to be amplified in 4Q26e as a run rate into FY27e, where outcomes will be dependent on an easing in middle east tensions.”

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

More reading

• How are Australia’s biggest ASX stocks really tracking in 2026?
• How to build a $500,000 ASX share portfolio in 25 years
• Morgans names 3 ASX 200 gold shares to buy
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in ResMed, Woodside Energy Group Ltd, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The opening months of 2026 have brought sharp volatility for the biggest ASX stocks.

Global conflict, rising interest rates, AI disruption fears, and shaky investor sentiment have kept markets on edge. But while some blue chips have struggled, others have powered ahead, a reminder that opportunity still exists beneath the surface.

Here’s how five heavyweight ASX stocks are tracking so far this year and what might come next.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Commonwealth Bank has held up relatively well. Shares are up around 8% year to date, and have gained 2.4% over the past month.

The largest ASX banking stock continues to benefit from its dominant market position and strong margins. However, headwinds are building. Slower credit growth and rising competition are starting to weigh on the outlook.

Its defensive earnings and reliable dividends still make it attractive in uncertain markets, but broker sentiment has cooled. Many analysts now view the stock as fully valued, with several rating it a sell or strong sell.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP has been one of the stronger performers, climbing 18% in 2026 and adding 6.7% over the past month.

The mining mogul is benefiting from its exposure to key commodities like iron ore and copper, as well as future-facing demand tied to electrification and infrastructure.

Backed by a strong balance sheet and disciplined capital management, BHP continues to generate robust cash flow. Analysts remain broadly positive on the ASX mining stock, with many highlighting its resilience and long-term positioning.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers has had a tougher run. Shares are down around 10% year to date and have slipped slightly over the past month.

Weaker retail conditions and cautious consumer spending have dampened sentiment. That said, its diversified portfolio — including Bunnings and Kmart — continues to provide a solid foundation.

Analysts have become more cautious recently on the ASX stock, with most now leaning toward hold ratings as near-term growth looks less certain.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL is the worst performer of the group so far this year. The healthcare giant is down about 28% in 2026, and has fallen another 12% over the past month.

Softer earnings, currency headwinds, and margin pressure have weighed heavily on the price of this ASX stock. Despite this, CSL’s core business remains strong, with resilient demand for its life-saving therapies.

Many analysts still back the long-term story, maintaining buy ratings and pointing to a potential recovery once near-term pressures ease.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Woodside has been the standout performer in 2026. The ASX stock is up an impressive 41% year to date, although it dipped about 5% over the past month.

The energy giant has benefited from rising oil and gas prices, driven in part by ongoing geopolitical tensions. Strong cash generation and direct exposure to energy markets have fuelled its rally.

If current conditions persist, Woodside could continue to outperform — though volatility in commodity prices remains a key risk.

Foolish Takeaway

The first few months of 2026 have delivered sharp swings across the biggest ASX stocks.

Some sectors are under pressure, while others are thriving. For investors, it’s a clear reminder: even in uncertain markets, opportunities are always there. You just have to know where to look.

The post How are Australia’s biggest ASX stocks really tracking in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 3 ASX 200 shares for smart investors in May
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April
• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• CSL, Resmed, Cochlear shares crash to multi-year low: Buy, sell or hold?

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

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares have closed the day flat at $2.43 a piece on Thursday afternoon.

This mens that Zip shares have recovered 68% of their value after dropping to an annual low in late-March. The shares are now also 41% higher than the trading price this time last year.

Brokers think the buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) provider’s shares can keep flying even higher over the next 12 months, too.

According to TradingView data, there is a buy consensus among all 11 analysts. The average target price of $3.83 implies a 57% upside at the time of writing. But others are even more bullish and are tipping the shares to soar another 121% to $5.40 each.

Here are three reasons why.

1. Zip shares are massively oversold

Zip shares have lost 50% of their value since peaking at a multi-year high in October last year, most likely the result of investors taking gains off the table after a strong share price rally.

The shares also suffered pressure from short sellers in late-2025. Following its first-half FY26 results in mid-February, its value crashed another 43% within one week.

In that result, the fintech company missed expectations, despite delivering a record result.

Zip’s revenue margin declined 7.9%, net bad debts increased slightly to 1.73% of TTV. Zip also said it expected its second-half cash EBITDA is expected to be broadly in line with the first half. This suggests that profit growth could moderate from here rather than accelerate.

Investors were spooked by concerns about rising competition, slowing growth and margin compression.

Zip shares are now widely considered to be trading below fair value after being oversold.

2. Growth has accelerated

Despite missing expectations, Zip’s financial results have been robust over the past few quarters. Its latest third-quarter FY26 results announcement in mid-April showed that growth has started to accelerate.

Zip reported a 22.4% year-on-year increase in its total translation volume (TTV), a 20.2% increase in total income, a higher operating margin of 19.4% and confirmed it has grown its active customer base by another 3.5%.

The latest update also saw the fintech business upgrade its FY26 group cash EBTDA guidance to at least $260 million, from previous guidance of approximately $248.6 million, and reaffirmed all key target ranges for the year. 

US transaction volume is forecast to rise over 40% in FY26. Meanwhile group operating margins are expected to remain above 18%.

3. It’s expanding aggressively in the US

It’s not only financial growth driving the business forward either. Zip is rapidly expanding its product range in effort to expand its global presence, especially in the US. 

Late last year, the company announced that its US segment is expanding its partnership with programmable financial services business, Stripe, a move which caused some investor panic at the time. 

In early February the company confirmed it is aggressively expanding its US presence by launching its new Pay in 2 product. The new product allows consumers to split a purchase into two installments paid over two weeks.

Zip is also pursuing a dual sharemarket listing on the Nasdaq in the US. This could also help to drive even opportunity for business expansion in the area.

The post Prediction: Zip shares could fly another 121% higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 ASX 200 stocks rated a strong buy with an upside over 50%
• 3 reasons to buy Zip shares
• Experts think the Zip share price can rise 48% in a year!
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Up over 70% in a month, is it too late to buy Zip shares?

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.

Building a $500,000 ASX share portfolio sounds like a big target.

But stretched over 25 years, the goal becomes much more achievable. The key is combining regular contributions with compounding returns and giving the process enough time to work.

How to get to $500,000

If an investor starts from zero and earns an average return of 10% per annum, which isn’t guaranteed but is broadly in line with long-term share market returns, they would need to invest approximately $400 per month into ASX shares to reach $500,000 in 25 years.

That works out to about $4,800 per year.

Why time matters

The early years can feel slow.

At the start, most of the portfolio growth comes from your contributions. A $400 monthly investment builds the balance gradually, and the impact of compounding may not feel obvious straight away.

But over time, the balance becomes large enough that investment returns start doing more of the heavy lifting.

That is when the process begins to accelerate. A 10% return on a $20,000 portfolio is $2,000. A 10% return on a $300,000 portfolio is $30,000.

The percentage return is the same, but the dollar impact changes dramatically.

What to invest in

To target a 10% annual return, investors would likely need meaningful exposure to growth assets.

That could include high-quality ASX shares with strong competitive positions, growing earnings, and long runways for expansion.

It could also include businesses benefiting from structural trends such as healthcare, cloud computing, digital platforms, or global consumer growth.

Examples could be Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO).

The important point is that the portfolio needs to be built for long-term growth, not just short-term income.

Dividends can still play a role, especially when reinvested. But if the goal is to reach $500,000 from zero, capital growth is likely to be a major driver.

Keep investing through market cycles

A 10% annual return will not arrive smoothly each year.

Some years will be strong. Others may be flat or even negative. That is normal.

The advantage of regular contributions is that they keep the plan moving through different market conditions. When prices fall, the same monthly investment buys more shares. When markets rise, the existing portfolio benefits.

Trying to pause and restart based on headlines can make the process harder. Consistency is often more useful than precision.

Review the plan, but do not overmanage it

A 25-year goal requires patience, but it should not be ignored completely.

It is worth checking progress every year or two. If returns are lower than expected, contributions may need to increase. If your income rises over time, lifting your monthly investment can bring the target closer.

For example, increasing contributions after pay rises or bonuses can make a meaningful difference without requiring a major lifestyle change.

The aim is to keep the plan realistic and flexible.

The numbers show what is possible

A $500,000 ASX share portfolio can feel out of reach when starting from zero.

But at a 10% average annual return, investing around $400 per month for 25 years could get the job done.

The real challenge is not the maths. It is staying consistent long enough for the maths to matter.

The post How to build a $500,000 ASX share portfolio in 25 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• 3 ASX shares benefiting from the rise of digital infrastructure
• Does Ord Minnett rate Goodman shares as a buy, hold, or sell?
• CSL, Resmed, Cochlear shares crash to multi-year low: Buy, sell or hold?
• 3 amazing ASX 200 shares to buy with $5,000 in May

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

Smart investing does not always mean chasing the strongest performer of the moment.

It can also mean looking for businesses with durable advantages, clear growth paths, and the ability to keep investing through different market conditions.

With that in mind, here are three ASX 200 shares that could be worth a closer look in May.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

One ASX 200 share that stands out for long-term investors is CSL.

The biotechnology giant has been under pressure in recent years, but its core business remains high quality. CSL is a global leader in plasma therapies, vaccines, and other specialist healthcare products.

Its plasma collections network gives it scale that is difficult to replicate. That is important because plasma-based medicines require deep infrastructure, regulatory expertise, and long-term supply chains.

The company is also exposed to long-term healthcare demand, which tends to be less tied to the economic cycle than many other industries.

If CSL can improve margins and return to stronger earnings growth, its current weakness could prove to be an attractive entry point over time.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

Another ASX 200 share worth watching in May is Life360.

Life360 has built a global app-based platform focused on family connection and safety. The strength of the business is its ability to sit inside users’ daily routines, which supports engagement and retention.

The technology company’s opportunity is increasingly about monetisation. It already has a large user base, but the earnings upside comes from converting more users into paying subscribers and adding services that deepen the relationship.

Features such as driver protection, emergency assistance, and location-based tools give Life360 more ways to increase value for customers.

With scale already in place and monetisation still developing, Life360 remains tied to a growth story that could have further to run.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

A third ASX 200 share that could appeal to smart investors is Wesfarmers.

Wesfarmers owns a collection of high-quality retail and industrial businesses, with Bunnings at the centre of the group.

Bunnings remains one of the strongest retail franchises in Australia. Its scale, brand trust, and wide product range give it a powerful market position across home improvement and trade customers.

The broader Wesfarmers portfolio also adds flexibility. Businesses such as Kmart, Officeworks, and its chemicals and industrial operations give the group multiple sources of earnings.

This mix of quality, scale, and capital discipline has helped Wesfarmers perform well over long periods.

For investors looking for a proven operator with several ways to keep compounding, Wesfarmers remains one of the ASX 200’s standout businesses.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares for smart investors in May appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold in April
• What’s making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year?
• CSL, Resmed, Cochlear shares crash to multi-year low: Buy, sell or hold?
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• I think this simple ASX investing habit can build wealth over time

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Life360, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The gold industry has pulled back recently after the gold price softened.

The team at Morgans appears to believe this could have created a buying opportunity and has named three ASX 200 gold shares to buy this week.

Here’s what it is recommending to clients:

Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM)

Morgans thinks Newmont, which is the world’s largest gold miner, could be an ASX 200 gold share to buy.

In response to its stronger than expected quarterly result, the broker has put a buy rating and $208.00 price target on its shares. It said:

Strong beat and capital returns increased: NEM delivered a strong beat across multiple operating and financial metrics, while completing its US$6bn buyback and announcing a further US$6bn program. The result reinforces NEM’s positioning as a high-quality, cash-generative gold producer with strong balance sheet flexibility and increasing capacity to return capital to shareholders. Maintain BUY rating with a A$208ps target price.

Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR)

Another gold share that could be a buy according to Morgans is Pantoro Gold.

Although its production was softer than expected during the third quarter, it remains positive. In response, it has put a buy rating and $6.29 price target on its shares. It said:

PNR reported gold sales for 3Q26 of 20.0koz at an AISC of A$3,204/oz, generating revenue of A$138.9m from an average realised price of A$6,916/oz. Production of 17.8koz fell below expectations despite the company’s revised guidance released in March, paired with a substantially higher cost of production.

Whilst we forecast a narrow miss to FY26 guidance, we still anticipate a material uplift in 4Q26 ounce production as Gladstone open-pit delivers higher ore volume to the mill alongside Mega Resources ore treatment partnership. We maintain our BUY rating, with a price target of A$6.29ps (previously A$6.53ps) – the revision a function of adjustments to long-term head-grade and 4Q26.

Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL)

A third ASX 200 gold share that Morgans is tipping as a buy this week is Regis Resources.

Like Newmont, it outperformed the broker’s expectations during the third quarter.

As a result, Morgans upgraded the company’s shares to a buy rating with a $10.07 price target. It said:

Gold sales of 89.1koz at an AISC of A$2,807 beat our expectations whilst performing in line with company guidance, delivering revenue of A$622m at an average realised price of A$6,977/oz. RRL continues to build a substantial cash balance, adding an additional A$198m bringing the total to A$1.12bn. Replenished ounces with group MRE exceeding 10% yoy resource growth underpinning future production.

We upgrade to BUY (from HOLD) following recent weakness across the gold sector which we believe has uncovered value in RRL underpinned by attractive immediate term cash generation paired with a structured capital management framework.

The post Morgans names 3 ASX 200 gold shares to buy 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.