Category: Stock Market

  • After surging 36% in 2026, why did this ASX materials stock just get upgraded?

    Man and woman looking over documents at computer.

    ASX materials stock Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) has been charging higher in 2026. 

    Develop Global is a mineral exploration and development company.

    Year to date, its share price has risen more than 36%. 

    The company is in focus today after it announced it was not successful in renewing its Bellevue Gold Mine (BGM) contract through a competitive tender process. 

    What happened?

    In simple terms, Develop Global lost a big mining contract at the Bellevue Gold Mine because another company won the tender.

    That contract would have been worth about $850 million over 4 years (around $213 million revenue each year).

    The work there ends in July 2026.

    However at the same time, it won a new contract at the Finniss Lithium project with Core Lithium.

    That deal is worth at least $274 million over 3 years, with possible extensions. Once fully running, it should bring in about $120 million revenue per year. Work starts mid-2026, but it will likely  take 6-9 months to fully ramp up.

    This news prompted the team at Bell Potter to bump up its price target on this ASX materials stock. 

    Here’s what the broker had to say. 

    Bellevue lost – Finniss gained

    Bell Potter noted that it had assumed Develop Global would remain on-site for the next 4 years:

    DVP announced a $274m minimum 3-year contract (with a 2-year extension option) with Core Lithium (CXO; not rated) for capital development and production activities at its Finniss Lithium project in the Northern Territory. 

    We do not see the unsuccessful BGM contract renewal as a major set-back. The unsuccessful renewal highlights DVP’s disciplined approach to competitive contract tendering, ensuring achievement of internal return hurdles. DVP can re-deploy underground mining teams to Sulphur Springs to expedite capital decline works and to the upcoming Pioneer Dome development. We estimate DVP is positioning for $1.4b of tender opportunities to replace lost BGM contract revenue.

    Target price increases for this ASX materials stock

    Based on this guidance, the team at Bell Potter increased its target price on this ASX materials stock to $7.10 (previously $6.60). 

    It has maintained its buy recommendation. 

    From yesterday’s closing price of $6.21, this indicates an upside potential of just over 14%. 

    We are confident DVP can replace BGM contract revenue through conversion of an outstanding ~$1.4b tender pipeline. In the meantime, DVP are targeting to deliver several Pioner Dome and Sulphur Springs related catalysts this quarter that could support its share price.

    The post After surging 36% in 2026, why did this ASX materials stock just get upgraded? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Develop Global right now?

    Before you buy Develop Global shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Develop Global wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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.

  • Can these ASX shares hitting record highs keep climbing?

    Two friends giving each other a high five at the top pf a hill.

    BHP Group (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Group (ASX: RIO) made headlines yesterday as both companies hit all-time highs. However they weren’t the only ASX shares rocketing to record highs. 

    On Wednesday: 

    • BMC Minerals Ltd (ASX: BMC) rose 12% to a new all-time high
    • SKS Technologies Group Ltd (ASX: SKS) jumped 5% to a new record high
    • APA Group Ltd (ASX: APA) hit a record high. 

    Lets see what sparked investor interest, and if there is any further upside in store. 

    BMC Minerals continues hot start

    BMC Minerals engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties. It operates the Kudz Ze Kayah Project located in the Finlayson Lake District of south-eastern Yukon, Canada.

    It debuted on the ASX back in December last year, and has climbed more than 50% since its initial listing. 

    Most of this increase has come following its quarterly report in late April. 

    Investors have seemingly been scooping up shares in this exploration company after it announced a positive Decision Document for development of the ABM Mine issued by the Government of Yukon, Natural Resources Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 

    This was a major de-risking milestone for the Company, allowing the continuation of the permitting process for all remaining permits and licences for the project.

    Once in production, the ABM Mine is expected to be Canada’s largest silver and zinc producer and a top 15 Canadian copper producer.

    A recent report from Morgans suggested a price target of $5.70 for these ASX shares. 

    This would indicate a further 48% upside from current levels. 

    SKS nearing peak

    SKS Technologies engages in the development and distribution of technology products. It provides audiovisual products & solutions and electrical and communications cabling for the commercial, retail, health, defence and education market.

    In 2026, it has already risen 122%, and it is now up 438% in the last year after yesterday’s rise. 

    This has been spurred on by continued contract wins for the company. 

    However targets from brokers indicate the stock could be close to fully valued. 

    Morgans recently placed a revised price target of $8.95 on these ASX shares, which is only slightly above the current share price of $8.78. 

    APA benefits from federal budget

    APA is Australia’s largest energy infrastructure company, owning and/or operating an extensive portfolio of gas, electricity, solar, and wind assets.

    It hit new record highs during trading on Wednesday, and could be set to benefit from changes in the federal budget. 

    As reported by Bernd Struben on Tuesday, UBS equities strategist Richard Schellbach said the proposed CGT changes will favour the likes of quality ASX 200 dividend shares such as APA.

    According to Schellenbach, ASX stocks with strong capital gain potential are likely to become less attractive following the CGT changes. 

    ASX 200 dividend shares in the banking and real estate sectors could be set to benefit over high-growth stocks.

    The post Can these ASX shares hitting record highs keep climbing? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Apa Group right now?

    Before you buy Apa Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Apa Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Sks Technologies Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

    Broker looking at the share price on her laptop with green and red points in the background.

    On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was out of form and dropped into the red. The benchmark index fell 0.45% to 8,630.4 points.

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

    ASX 200 expected to fall again

    The Australian share market looks set for another soft session on Thursday following a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 24 points or 0.3% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.15%, but the S&P 500 rose 0.6% and the Nasdaq jumped 1.2%.

    Xero results

    All eyes will be on Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares on Thursday when the cloud accounting platform provider releases its FY 2026 results. According to CommSec, the consensus estimate is for earnings per share of $1.22. Outside this, investors will be looking for strong subscriber growth in the US and signs that AI is a tailwind for Xero (boosting ARPU) and not a headwind as some fear.

    Oil prices fall

    ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued session on Thursday after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.85% to US$101.32 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.8% to US$105.81 a barrel. Traders may believe Donald Trump’s visit to China could lead to the US seeking help from Beijing to end the war with Iran.

    Buy Aristocrat shares

    Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) shares jumped 13% on Wednesday following the release of a strong half-year result. Bell Potter believes there’s still plenty more room for the gaming technology company’s shares to rise further. It has retained its buy rating and $61.00 price target on its shares. It said: “We retain Buy. We expect ALL’s leading R&D investment will drive market share gains. Top 2 game performance observed in both the core sales and premium gaming ops markets leaves us confident that ALL can grow the install base >4.0k per year and grow global shipments. Further, with leverage expected to reach 0.4x despite significant buybacks, ALL has substantial capacity to boost growth inorganically.”

    Gold price rises

    ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good session on Thursday after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.25% to US$4,698.2 an ounce. This was despite fears that interest rates could be heading higher in the US.

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aristocrat Leisure right now?

    Before you buy Aristocrat Leisure shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Aristocrat Leisure wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • After a rollercoaster start to the year, are Droneshield shares headed up?

    Soldier in military uniform using laptop for drone controlling.

    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares have given investors quite a ride in the last twelve months.

    The stock hit an all-time high of $6.71 back in October 2025, only to pull back sharply in the months that followed. 

    After announcing the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced an investigation into announcements and share trading by directors in November 2025, the stock has sunk to around $3 at the time of writing.

    So what has been going on, and does the business still justify investor attention?

    What drove the pullback?

    Several factors have weighed on sentiment in 2026. 

    DroneShield shares fell 7.1% in April alone, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)’s 2.2% gain over the same month. 

    Earlier in the year, a number of company directors sold shares, which rattled confidence among retail investors. 

    April also brought a significant leadership change, with long-serving CEO Oleg Vornik stepping down and Chief Technology Officer Angus Bean stepping up to take the top job.

    The ASIC investigation hasn’t helped either.

    At such high valuations, any sign of uncertainty in management conviction tends to have a significant impact on stock valuations. 

    But the numbers tell a different story

    Outside of these issues, DroneShield’s operational performance looks as strong as it has ever been. 

    The company delivered record customer cash receipts of $77.4 million in Q1 2026, up 360% on the same period last year. 

    Revenue came in at $74.1 million for the quarter, up 121% year on year and the second-highest quarterly result in the company’s history. 

    DroneShield recorded its fourth consecutive quarter of positive net operating cash flow, ending the period with $222.8 million in cash and zero debt. 

    Committed revenues for FY 2026 already stand at $154.8 million as of April, giving the business meaningful earnings visibility for the year ahead.

    The pipeline remains massive

    Beyond the near-term numbers, DroneShield’s sales pipeline sits at $2.2 billion, spanning 312 projects across more than 60 countries, the largest in the company’s history. 

    Droneshield is likely to continue benefiting from rising global defence budgets and growing interest in AI-enabled defence solutions. 

    Bell Potter maintains a buy rating on the stock with a price target of $4.80, stating:

    We believe DRO has a market leading RF detect/defeat C-UAS offering and a strengthening competitive advantage owing to its years of battlefield experience and large and focused R&D team. We expect 2026 will be an inflection point for the global C-UAS industry with countries poised to unleash a wave of spending on RF detect and defeat solutions.

    Foolish Takeaway

    DroneShield remains a high-risk but high-reward proposition. 

    With such uncertainty around future earnings, investors need to be wary of any earnings disappointments Droneshield may announce. 

    The share price will likely stay volatile as long-term contracts convert unevenly and investor sentiment swings with news flow. 

    But for Fools with a stomach for volatility and high conviction, the global tailwinds for Droneshield are undeniable. 

    The post After a rollercoaster start to the year, are Droneshield shares headed up? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in DroneShield right now?

    Before you buy DroneShield shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and DroneShield wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 DroneShield. 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.

  • Why Pro Medicus shares could still have their best years ahead

    Two lab workers fist pump each other.

    Medical imaging software company Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) has fallen sharply from its highs.

    On the surface, it looks like a stock in trouble.

    Dig into the numbers, however, and a very different picture emerges.

    This is a business that is still growing revenue at nearly 30% per year, winning major new contracts, and generating margins many technology companies can only dream of.

    The market has punished the share price but the business itself has barely missed a beat.

    What actually happened

    Pro Medicus shares sat at $230 per share earlier in 2026 before a brutal sell-off took hold.

    Two forces drove the decline.

    First, a broader rotation away from expensive technology and growth stocks hit high-multiple names hardest across the ASX.

    Second, the company’s first half FY2026 result. While strong, the numbers came in slightly below elevated market expectations due to higher staff costs and a smaller-than-anticipated contribution from its landmark Trinity contract.

    With high expectations already baked into the share price, that was enough to send the stock sharply lower.

    The fundamentals remain exceptional

    But the underlying results also showed some very promising signs.

    Revenue grew 28.4% to $124.8 million for the half, with underlying profit before tax rising 29.7% to $90.7 million.

    Pro Medicus maintained an EBIT margin of 73%, one of the highest of any listed technology company in Australia.

    The company signed more than $280 million in new contracts during the half, including a $170 million ten-year deal with the University of Colorado and a $37 million five-year renewal with Northwestern Medicine that came with higher fees per transaction.

    Five-year contracted revenue now sits at approximately $1.1 billion, giving the business extraordinary earnings visibility.

    Brokers see significant upside

    The broker community has stayed firmly behind the stock through the sell-off.

    Morgan Stanley carries a price target of $210, while Bell Potter sits at $226. Both imply meaningful upside from current levels.

    Morgans reaffirmed its buy rating after the half-year result with a price target of $275, noting that the longer-term growth outlook had actually strengthened from the wave of significant contract wins.

    Foolish Takeaway

    Pro Medicus is not a cheap stock, and there are high expectations for future growth already baked into its share price.  

    What investors get when buying Pro Medicus shares is a world-class software business with a sticky customer base, extraordinary margins, and a growing contracted revenue backlog.

    What’s more, Pro Medicus’ dominant position in a market will only get larger as healthcare digitisation accelerates globally.

    For Fools who can handle volatility and think in years rather than months, the current price could be a genuinely interesting entry point.

    The post Why Pro Medicus shares could still have their best years ahead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus right now?

    Before you buy Pro Medicus shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Pro Medicus wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

  • How to build passive income on the ASX without chasing the highest yield

    Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    A high dividend yield can look tempting.

    It suggests more passive income today, which is exactly what many investors want.

    But the highest yield on the market is not always the best opportunity. Sometimes, it is a warning sign that the market expects the dividend to fall.

    That is why income investing should start with sustainability, not size.

    Look for the source of the dividend

    A dividend is only as strong as the cash flow behind it.

    This means investors should look at how the company actually earns its money. Is revenue recurring? Are earnings stable? Does the business have pricing power? Is debt manageable?

    A company with a lower dividend yield but more dependable earnings can sometimes be a better income share than one offering a much higher yield from a weaker position.

    An example of this might be Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), which offers a forecast 3.4% dividend yield backed by defensive earnings from everyday essentials.

    Avoid dividend traps

    A dividend trap occurs when a share looks attractive because its yield is high, but the payout is not sustainable.

    This can happen when the share price has fallen sharply. The historical dividend yield may look impressive, but the next dividend could be much lower if earnings are under pressure.

    That does not mean every high-yield share should be avoided. But it does mean investors need to ask why the yield is high.

    If the market is pricing in a dividend cut, there may be a good reason.

    Focus on consistency

    Some of the best passive income shares are not the ones with the highest dividend yield in any given year.

    They are the companies that can keep paying dividends through different market conditions and grow those payments over time.

    That may include businesses providing essential services, such as Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), or infrastructure assets, such as APA Group Ltd (ASX: APA).

    Consistency can matter more than headline yield because income investing is usually a long-term exercise. A reliable 4% yield that grows steadily can be more useful than a 9% yield that disappears.

    Reinvest when passive income is not needed

    Income investing is not only for retirees.

    For investors who do not need the cash today, reinvesting dividends can help accelerate portfolio growth.

    Each dividend payment can buy more shares, which then generate more dividends in the future. Over time, this creates a compounding effect.

    This approach can be particularly powerful during weaker markets, when reinvested dividends buy more units or shares at lower prices.

    Foolish takeaway

    The best income strategy is not always the one that pays the most today.

    It is the one that can keep paying over time.

    By focusing on cash flow, balance sheet strength, payout sustainability, and diversification, investors can build a passive income stream with a much better chance of lasting through market cycles.

    The post How to build passive income on the ASX without chasing the highest yield appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Apa Group right now?

    Before you buy Apa Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Apa Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woolworths Group. 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, Telstra Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • This ASX industrials stock just jumped 4% in a single day and is tipped to keep climbing

    Ecstatic woman looking at her phone outside with her fist pumped.

    ASX industrials stock Mader Group Ltd (ASX: MAD) rose an impressive 4% yesterday. 

    Over the long term, Mader Group has been one of the best ASX industrials stocks to own. It has risen more than 700% in the last 5 years. 

    While Mader Group has experienced significant volatility so far in 2026, a new report from Bell Potter suggests there could be brighter days ahead. 

    Mader Group is a maintenance services company contracting to the resources sector. The company specifically provides specialised labour to maintain and repair heavy mobile and plant equipment.

    Here is the latest guidance from Bell Potter.

    Entering FY27 with tailwinds

    In a report released yesterday, the broker said this ASX industrials stock is benefiting from strong growth in Western Australia’s iron ore sector. 

    This is driving demand for its heavy mobile equipment (HME) maintenance services.

    Key points from the Bell Potter report:

    • WA iron ore production increased 6% year-on-year in the March 2026 quarter, signalling higher mining activity.
    • WA diesel consumption (a proxy for mining activity) rose 7% YoY in February 2026.
    • The Australian Government forecasts iron ore production growth of 2.8% annually across FY26-27, compared with flat growth over FY23-25.
    • This is positive for Mader Group because its core business services mining equipment fleets used in iron ore operations.

    We believe upside to consensus revenue growth rates in FY27-28 is dependent on MAD’s ability to diversify into new adjacent markets while expanding existing verticals.

    Looking at the US market, the broker said market conditions across the region appear robust. 

    MAD’s initiatives to accelerate labour deployment will be key to delivering higher revenue growth rates in the short-term (vs consensus expectations).

    The broker noted it anticipates the ASX industrials stock will announce its next five-year growth strategy before its FY26 result update, representing a potential re-rate catalyst.

    Buy rating unchanged 

    Bell Potter has retained its buy recommendation on this ASX industrials stock. 

    It also has a price target of $9.70, which indicates an upside potential of approximately 25%. 

    MAD is screening relatively undervalued compared with its historical multiples. We see MAD’s risk-reward as attractive considering: 1) favourable market conditions are conducive of upgrades (the FY27 NPAT guidance is a forthcoming upgrade catalyst); and 2) announcement of the 5-year growth strategy may bolster short-to-medium term earnings expectations.

    Bell Potter isn’t the only broker tipping upside for this ASX industrials stock. 

    5 analyst forecasts via TradingView have an average price target of $9.27 on the company, indicating roughly 20% upside. 

    The post This ASX industrials stock just jumped 4% in a single day and is tipped to keep climbing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Mader Group right now?

    Before you buy Mader Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Mader Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Why Aussie investors are pouring into international ASX ETFs

    ETF written on wooden blocks with a magnifying glass.

    A new report from Betashares has highlighted key trends amongst investors targeting ASX ETFs. 

    The Australian ETF Review shows that the diversification of ASX ETFs is attracting more and more investors every month, particularly into international funds.

    After a turbulent few months, global markets staged a strong rebound in April, helping push the Australian ETF industry to a new record of $346 billion in funds under management. Combined with another month of net inflows exceeding $5 billion, the industry recorded its third largest monthly gain in history.

    April overview

    According to Betashares, the Australian ETF industry set a new record in April, reaching $346 billion in funds under management following another month of inflows exceeding $5 billion. 

    Strong flows, combined with a rebound in global markets, drove the third largest single-month dollar gain in the industry’s history.

    International equities was the standout asset class for the month, capturing nearly half of all inflows at $2.6 billion – reflecting strong performance across global markets. 

    Australian equities and fixed income followed in second and third place respectively.

    Market insights 

    Hugh Lam, Betashares, Investment Strategist said despite the ongoing fallout from the Iran war, stock market indices staged a remarkable recovery in April buoyed by a still resilient global economy and renewed optimism around the AI hardware/memory theme. 

    Following their Q1 2026 earnings results, US mega-cap hyperscalers are forecast to spend US$755 billion on capital expenditures this year. This has fuelled a massive memory supercycle, with markets like South Korea’s KOSPI index having tripled over the last year due to its outsized exposure to memory chip manufacturers, Samsung and SK Hynix.

    Mr Lam noted that the oil supply shock still presents downside risks to the global economy should the Strait of Hormuz remain closed for longer than anticipated. 

    Structural themes that are either unaffected or bolstered by the Iran war include AI tech hardware, defence and energy security.

    Top performing ASX ETFs in April

    April’s top performers skewed heavily toward growth and technology exposures, led by Nasdaq-linked strategies and strong gains in thematic equities.

    Semiconductor and hydrogen ETFs featured prominently, reflecting continued momentum in AI-driven demand and clean energy optimism. 

    The top performers in April were: 

    • Global X Ultra Long Nasdaq 100 Hedge Fund (ASX: LNAS) rose 38%
    • Global X Hydrogen ETF (ASX: HGEN) rose 35%
    • Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI) climbed 30%. 

    Inflows were largely focussed on international equities during April amidst volatility in the Australian market. 

    The funds that received the most inflows during April were: 

    • Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)
    • Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF (ASX: VEU)
    • Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS). 

    The post Why Aussie investors are pouring into international ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Global X Ultra Long Nasdaq 100 Hedge Fund right now?

    Before you buy Global X Ultra Long Nasdaq 100 Hedge Fund shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Global X Ultra Long Nasdaq 100 Hedge Fund wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Experts: 2 ASX shares to buy with big growth plans!

    Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.

    The ASX share market is full of good opportunities if we look in the right places. Fund managers are always on the lookout for ideas that could beat the market and Wilson Asset Management (WAM) has highlighted two that could perform.

    Both of the businesses below are tapping into strong demand tailwinds that could help their earnings in the coming years.

    Let’s look at what makes them appealing buys today.

    GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)

    The first ASX share I’ll talk about is a national power and communications infrastructure contractor.

    WAM noted that the GenusPlus share price rose in April, as investors gained confidence in the company’s near-term earnings upgrade potential and exposure to large-scale energy infrastructure projects.

    The fund manager said that GenusPlus Group has approximately $2.5 billion in confirmed orders and continues to bid for major transmission projects, including the Hunter, Gippsland Offshore Wind and New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) developments.

    Potential contract awards through 2026 remain “important near-term catalysts”.

    The fund manager concluded with the following:

    We believe the April share price performance reflects growing confidence in GenusPlus Group’s earnings outlook, supported by a strong pipeline of work linked to Australia’s energy transition.

    Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

    Nextdc is a major data centre builder, owner and operator. WAM noted that in April, the ASX share announced a record 250MW contract win at its S4 data centre.

    For data centres, megawatts (MW) explain how much power capacity is available to run customers’ IT equipment (servers and infrastructure), which is the primary driver of how much customer demand a facility can support.

    WAM noted that this contract win lifted total contract utilisation to 667MW, a 60% increase in a single quarter. The company expects existing contracts to generate over $1 billion in operating profit (EBITDA) once these convert into billing by FY30.

    To support an accelerated build program, Nextdc brought forward an additional $1.5 billion of S4 capital expenditure into FY27. It also launched a $1.5 billion capital raising, an upsized La Caisse hybrid securities facility to $1.7 billion and raised $750 million in subordinated debt.

    The fund manager said that these steps de-risk the near-term pipeline and provide sufficient liquidity to build through FY27 and beyond.

    WAM said:            

    We see the company as well-positioned to benefit from strong demand for computational power, with valuations not yet reflecting the earnings potential being secured through investment grade hyperscale customers.

    The post Experts: 2 ASX shares to buy with big growth plans! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in GenusPlus Group right now?

    Before you buy GenusPlus Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and GenusPlus Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Two men celebrate while another holds his head in his hands, after watching the race.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a red hump day session this Wednesday, continuing on the selling momentum we have seen for three days in a row now. After a big drop this morning, the ASX 200 managed to regain some ground over the day, but ended up closing 0.46% lower by the time trading wrapped up. That leaves the index at 8,630.4 points.

    This disappointing mid-week session for Australian investors comes after a mixed night over on Wall Street.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) recovered from an early dip to post a 0.11% gain.

    However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn’t so lucky and ended up dropping 0.71%.

    Let’s get back to ASX shares now, though, and take a deeper dive into what was going on amongst the different ASX sectors today.

    Winners and losers

    Despite the fall of the broader market, we only had one sector that went backwards this Wednesday. If you can believe that.

    That sector, of course, was financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had a clanger, crashing 4.01% lower today.

    It was all smiles everywhere else.

    Leading the winners were consumer discretionary shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) galloping 2.94% higher.

    Mining stocks had a strong session too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surged 1.97% today.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) ran hot as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 1.22% jump.

    Gold shares were in demand too. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soared up 0.88%.

    Communications stocks also had a day to remember, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) vaulting 0.65% higher.

    Consumer staples shares held their value well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) advanced 0.42% this session.

    Tech stocks didn’t miss out either, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)’s 0.38% improvement.

    Healthcare shares lived up to their name. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) went home 0.32% heavier.

    Energy stocks weren’t too far off that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) lifting 0.25%.

    Industrial shares were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) added 0.24% to its value this Wednesday.

    Finally, utilities stocks kept above water, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 0.18% rise.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Coming in at the top of the index this hump day was gaming stock Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL). Aristocrat shares spiked a huge 13.28% this session to close at $51.94 each.

    This came after the company posted its latest half-year results, which investors clearly took a shine to.

    Here’s how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) $51.94 13.28%
    Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN) $2.20 8.37%
    Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) $94.81 5.39%
    Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) $4.17 5.30%
    Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) $13.92 5.14%
    Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) $115.73 4.92%
    GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) $1.63 4.82%
    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) $18.76 4.69%
    Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) $19.96 4.50%
    Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) $4.00 4.44%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

    The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aristocrat Leisure right now?

    Before you buy Aristocrat Leisure shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Aristocrat Leisure wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 positions in and has recommended Life360 and Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Generation Development Group, Gqg Partners, and Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.