Category: Stock Market

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price has gone up 11% in 2026 to date, as shown on the chart below, which is a solid return. Experts have given their view on what could happen over the next year.

The capital gains we’ve seen this year all came after the ASX bank share reported its FY26 first-half report.

Let’s take a look at what investors saw in the HY26 result before getting to expert views on the CBA share price.

FY26 half-year result recap

The bank reported that its net interest margin (NIM) – lending profitability in percentage terms – was flat year over year on an underlying basis at 2.04%, with competition in home lending. But there was strong growth in at-call deposits.

CBA also said that its loan impairment expense (credit quality) was flat year over year at $319 million, but down 21% from the second half of FY25.

The bank reported that its operating expenses increased by 5% to $6.7 million due to inflation, increased technology investment, and additional lenders and operational resources. Investment spending rose 10% to $1.2 billion, with the investment in its technology to modernise its infrastructure.

CBA said that its lending volume growth was “disciplined”. Home lending in Australia grew at the same pace as the overall lending system, while Australian deposits grew 1.1x faster than the overall banking system. Pleasingly, New Zealand lending grew at 1.3x the system rate, and Australian business lending grew by 1.3x the system rate.

CBA said that pre-provision profit increased 5% year over year to $8.1 billion, cash net profit grew 6% to $5.4 billion, and statutory net profit increased by 5% to $5.4 billion. The dividend was hiked by 4% to $2.35 per share. These metrics are key to driving the CBA share price higher.

While those numbers don’t suggest huge growth, they were enough to excite the market, given how big the ASX bank share already is and how much profit growth was expected.

Let’s see where analysts think the ASX bank share can go from here.

Expert views on the CBA share price

According to CMC Invest, there have been 10 recent ratings on Commonwealth Bank in the last three months. Of those 10, all are sell ratings.

The average price target of those 10 ratings is $127.22, implying a possible drop of close to 30% in the next year. The most optimistic price target suggests a possible decline of around 20% in the next 12 months, while the most pessimistic price target suggests it could fall 50%.

I personally don’t think we’re going to see the CBA share price crash by 50% this year (unless the entire market plummets, which is also unlikely). However, analyst views suggest the CBA share price is overvalued relative to the profit it’s generating, compared to its peers.

If the bank continues to grow its loan book and maintains its profit margins, it could still do well over the long term. But I believe there are more attractive ideas out there, either for growth or dividend income.

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

More reading

• 5 low-cost ASX ETFs for a global diversified portfolio
• How to build an ASX share portfolio you can stick with long term
• Buy, hold, sell: ANZ, CBA, NAB, and Westpac shares
• Is it too late to buy BHP and CBA shares?
• 3 ASX 200 shares powering higher in 2026

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 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.

Analysts have been busy updating their recommendations this month following the release of countless results.

Three ASX 200 shares that have received sell ratings, courtesy of The Bull, are named below. Here’s why analysts are bearish on these names:

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

This auto listings company’s shares have been named as a sell by Shaw and Partners this week.

The broker has concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) disrupting the ASX 200 share’s business model and heightening competition. It said:

CAR operates a global digital marketplace across diverse vehicle categories. Reported revenue of $626 million in the first half of fiscal year 2026 was up 8 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Reported net profit after tax of $143 million was up 16 per cent. However, the shares have fallen from $41.62 on August 18, 2025 to trade at $25.51 on February 19, 2026. In my view, CAR is another group exposed to advancing artificial intelligence, which is transforming the economics of software creation. AI can reduce barriers to entry and heighten competitive pressures. It may be prudent to reduce exposure.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Over at MPC Markets, its analysts believe this fashion jewellery retailer’s shares are expensive and think investors should be looking in some gains.

As a result, it has named the ASX 200 share as a sell. It explains:

This global fashion and jewellery accessories retailer generated total revenue of $500.7 million in the first half of fiscal year 2026, an increase of 23.3 per cent. The company released its results on February 19, 2026. Statutory net profit after tax of $58.39 million was up 2.6 per cent. The results appear to have fallen short of market estimates as the shares were down about 12 per cent in morning trade on February 19. The shares have fallen from $43.14 on August 29, 2025 to trade at $27.85 on February 19, 2026. Despite, the share price fall, we believe the shares are trading at a premium, so investors may want to consider cashing in some gains.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

Shaw and Partners is also feeling concerned about the threat of AI disruption on this property listings company’s business.

In addition, it highlights that Domain now has a powerful owner that could increase competition. In light of this, it has named REA shares as a sell. The broker said:

This online multinational digital advertising business specialises in property. The shares have plunged since Nasdaq-listed CoStar Group acquired REA competitor Domain Holdings Australia in August 2025. REA is a strong operator, with a well established brand. However, CoStar is well equipped to provide fierce competition. Also, investors are most concerned about the impact artificial intelligence will have on the company’s operations moving forward. As new AI‑driven competitors emerge, margins may compress and the traditional valuation multiples applied to software centric companies could moderate.

However, it is worth noting that not everyone agrees. For example, Morgans has a buy rating and $35.20 price target on CAR Group shares, Morgan Stanley has an overweight rating and $32.50 price target on Lovisa’s shares, and Bell Potter has a buy rating and $211.00 price target on REA shares.

The post Experts name 3 ASX 200 shares to sell now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 1 ASX dividend stock down 39% I’d buy right now
• The Warren Buffett rule that could transform your ASX share portfolio
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX 200 shares next week
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Buy, hold, sell: Lovisa, Wesfarmers, and Rio Tinto shares

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

Shares in ecommerce company Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN) are trading higher after the company reported what one broker has called a “very strong result”.

In a statement to the ASX on Monday, Kogan.com said it had boosted gross sales by 16%, while revenue was 5% higher at $287.6 million.

Adjusted EBITDA was $24.4 million, down 3% on the same period the previous year, while net profit of $8.2 million was down 20%.

Despite a decline in some figures, the team at RBC Capital Markets said it was a “very strong result,” beating EBITDA expectations by 23%.

The RBC team added:

Pleasing to us, the significant beat to expectations for EBITDA has been driven by both segments Kogan.com (+16.5% vs consensus) and Mighty Ape (+15.1% vs consensus). January trading (revenue growth: +7.8%) is tracking below current consensus expectations for 2H26 (+13.8%). However, we note this has been driven by weaker than expected top-line growth at Mighty Ape with Kogan.com tracking ahead. Given the well-flagged and one-off nature of issues within the Mighty Ape segment, we expect the market may choose to look through lower than expected performance in this segment in early 2H26.

And it seems that was the case, with Kogan.com shares trading 6.8% higher at $3.30 around noon on Monday.

Fleshing out the results further, the company said it had 3 million active customers on Kogan.com at the end of the half, up 28% year on year, while Mighty Ape had 700,000 customers, up 3%.

The company also increased its interim dividend by 14.3% to 8 cents per share, fully-franked.

Company well-positioned

Kogan.com chief executive officer Ruslan Kogan said the company was performing well.

Kogan.com’s consistent focus on delivering value to our growing customer base is driving significant momentum across our business. Our platform’s strength allows us to continuously improve the shopping experience and deliver increasing value for our customers. We are very pleased with our ability to grow and serve over 3 million Active Customers. This dedication to value resonated during the crucial Christmas trading months of November and December. By helping millions of shoppers stretch their holiday budgets, we achieved a 35% increase in Adjusted EBITDA over the period.

Mr Kogan said there had been a “deliberate operational and inventory reset” within the Mighty Ape division, and he was encouraged by the early signs of that strategy paying off.

Mr Kogan added that the company was well-positioned in challenging times.

The broader economic environment remains challenging for many households. In times like these, customers gravitate towards trusted brands that consistently deliver value. The Kogan Group is well positioned in this regard, having built its reputation on providing marketing leading prices, supporting customers with unbeatable value that makes everyday shopping more affordable.

RBC has a bullish price target of $5.50 on Kogan.com shares. Kogan was valued at $302.4 million at the close of trade on Friday.

The post This online ASX retailer is trading strongly higher after beating earnings expectations appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• This ASX 300 stock has shed over 5% following half-year results
• How high does Macquarie think Digico shares can go?
• Why this expert is calling time on AMP and Domino’s shares
• How much could the CBA share price rise in the next year?

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

Building a second income could be exactly what many working Australians aspire to do. Passive income from ASX shares can help bolster or even entirely replace wage earnings.

We can only earn so much from our work earnings each year. How good would it be to have more money to spend on discretionary areas or allow us to work less?

Share investing is very scalable – owning more shares doesn’t mean spending more time managing them. Owning a bigger property portfolio can mean dealing with more maintenance issues, more bills and more tenants.

Investing in ASX shares can just tick along in the background. There are two ASX share names that have been growing their annual dividend payout every single year for more than 20 years! I think they’re great options for a second income.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA is one of the largest energy infrastructure businesses on the ASX with a large portfolio of assets, including a national network of gas pipelines, wind farms, solar farms, gas-powered energy generation and electricity transmission.

I like how the business is steadily building its portfolio so that it can generate more cash flow and fund a larger payout.

For example, it recently announced that it expects to add approximately 30% additional gas transport capacity to its east coast gas grid and address projected southern market gas shortfalls from 2028. Its expansion plan includes $480 million of capital expenditure.

The business has increased its annual distribution every year since 2004, which is an excellent record of consistent growth.

It’s expecting to increase its annual distribution per security by 1 cent per security in FY26 to 58 cents per security. This translates into a distribution yield for FY26 of 6.3%, which is a solid starting yield.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL)

Soul Patts is by far the leading pick for building a second income, in my view.

It’s not just a single business – it’s an investment house that owns a portfolio of assets across a range of industries including resources, telecommunications, swimming pools, agriculture, industrial properties, building products, financial services and plenty more.

By owning this diversified portfolio, it has created an array of avenues to receive cash flow which is used to pay for its expenses, deliver a rising dividend each year and re-invest the rest into more opportunities.

The company has paid a dividend to shareholders every year since it listed in 1903, including through the wars, global pandemics, recessions and so on. That’s a great level of commitment to giving investors passive income each year.

Soul Patts has increased its annual payout each year since 1998, meaning it’s getting close to three decades of continuous dividend growth.

Each year, the ASX share adds to its portfolio which can help grow its payout for shareholders.  

I’m expecting the business to pay an annual dividend per share in FY26 that equates to a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.1% in FY26, including franking credits. I think that’s a good starting point with the yield.

The post Want to build a second income? I’d buy these ASX shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What is Morgans saying about APA, Bega Cheese, and Transurban shares?
• 3 ASX dividend shares with business models built for uncertain times
• APA Group lifts earnings and growth outlook for 1H26
• The 1 ASX share I’d buy to navigate the tech wreck
• Why it’s a great time to buy these ASX 200 shares in these rocky times

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) shares enjoyed a big lift last week following the release of the company’s strong half-year earnings results (H1 FY 2026).

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) wealth management and technology company closed up 16.6% on Wednesday, the day of the results release. And the stock gained another 6.0% on Thursday.

All up, Netwealth shares gained 21.1% in the week just past.

During the Monday lunch hour today, shares are giving back some of those gains, down 1.8% at $25.40 each.

Which could make now an opportune time to buy, according to Catapult Wealth’s Dylan Evans (courtesy of The Bull).

Should you buy Netwealth shares today?

According to Evans:

Netwealth agreed in late 2025 to pay compensation of $100.7 million to customers who invested in the First Guardian Master Fund, a collapsed fund that was included on its platform.

While Netwealth shares were negatively impacted by the First Guardian failure, Evans noted that the losses incurred are now water under the proverbial bridge.

“On February 18, 2026, investors responded positively to the company’s first half results in fiscal year 2026,” he said.

Digging into those results, Evans said:

Platform revenue of $189 million was up 25.3% on the prior corresponding period. A statutory loss of $2.2 million includes the First Guardian compensation expense. Excluding the expense, net profit after tax of $69 million was up 19.9%.

And the ASX 200 wealth manager is on the growth path.

“Netwealth is the second fastest growing superannuation and investment platform in Australia, driven in part by technology investment and leadership in a rapidly changing sector,” Evans said.

And Evans expects the company has plenty of growth runway left ahead of it.

“With less than 9% of market share, Netwealth still has plenty of room to continue growing in double digits,” he concluded.

Don’t forget the passive income!

Another reason you might want to buy Netwealth shares is for the passive income on offer.

With underlying half-year net profit after tax leaping 19.9% year on year, management declared a fully franked interim dividend of 21 cents per share. That’s up 20% from last year’s interim payout.

If you want to grab the interim Netwealth dividend, you’ll need to own shares at market close on 3 March. Netwealth trades ex-dividend on 4 March.

You can then expect to receive see passive income payout land in your bank account on 26 March.

The post Up 21% last week, why Netwealth shares are still a buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 excellent ASX 200 shares to accumulate right now
• What is Morgans saying about these popular ASX 200 shares?
• 3 ASX 200 shares storming 22% to 29% higher this week
• Up 20% in 2 days, can this quality ASX share go higher?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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

If you are looking for some portfolio additions, then it could be worth hearing what analysts are saying about the ASX 200 shares in this article, courtesy of The Bull.

Do they rate them as buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Shaw and Partners is positive on this conglomerate and has named it as a buy this week.

The broker believes that the Bunnings and Kmart owner is one of Australia’s best managed companies and positioned to continue delivering long term value. It said:

This industrial conglomerate remains one of the best managed companies in Australia. Its management team consistently demonstrates smart capital allocation and a disciplined acquisition strategy amid maintaining a strong oversight on operations across its diverse group of businesses. This quality of leadership gives me confidence that Wesfarmers can continue delivering long term value, even through changing economic conditions.

Its diversified revenue streams across retail, chemicals and industrial operations also provide resilience that few companies can match. The company posted its first half results for fiscal year 2026 on February 19. Revenue of $24.212 billion was up 3.1 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Statutory net profit after tax of $1.603 billion increased 9.3 per cent.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

Over at Catapult Wealth, its analysts were pleased with the banking giant’s quarterly update.

However, due to bank stock valuations looking stretched, it has put a hold rating on Westpac’s shares. It said:

The bank’s first quarter update in fiscal year 2026 was positive, with profit growth of 6 per cent, excluding notable items, tracking ahead of consensus. The bank’s cost cutting program has the potential to boost earnings. Upside potential is backed by one of the best balance sheets in the sector, and a strong retail banking franchise. Despite the positives, Westpac and the broader banking sector remain relatively expensive given modest growth expectations, so it’s difficult to make a case for an overweight allocation.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

The team at Shaw and Partners is also positive on supermarket giant Woolworths. The broker has named it as a buy this week.

Its analysts like Woolworths due to its defensive earnings and investments in digital shopping, supply chain improvements, and customer experience. It said:

The supermarket giant’s revenue base is remarkably consistent, supported by everyday essential spending. Even during softer economic periods, consumers continue to prioritise groceries and household staples, which helps stabilise WOW’s earnings. The company’s ongoing investment in digital shopping, supply chain improvements and customer experience initiatives should continue to support dependable, long term performance.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Wesfarmers, Westpac, and Woolworths shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 reasons to buy Wesfarmers shares today
• 3 of the best Aussie stocks I would buy
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX 200 blue chip shares today
• Here’s the earnings forecast out to 2030 for Wesfarmers shares
• 2 more ASX 200 blue chip stocks that increased dividends this week

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. 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.

Lendlease Corporation Ltd (ASX: LLC) shares hit a new 52-week low on Monday, falling to $4.31. During lunch-hour trade, the ASX share clawed its way back to $4.36, still down 4.8%.

Lendlease reported its results for the half year that ended on 31 December 2025 on Monday. Investors were less than impressed after the property and infrastructure group reported a statutory loss after tax of $318 million.

Prestigious precincts

Lendlease was once considered a global powerhouse in property development and urban regeneration. The real estate group designs, builds, and manages large commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects.

Its fingerprints are on some of the world’s most prestigious precincts, such as Sydney’s Barangaroo and the Elephant & Castle redevelopment in London. A series of earnings downgrades, budget blowouts, delayed project deliveries, and rising interest rates have battered the company, Lendlease shares, and investors’ sentiment.

Over the past 12 months, Lendlease shares have declined 30.5%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 9% over the same period.

Loss signals transition

The reported loss on Monday was a sharp swing from profit in the prior period as investment property revaluations and impairments weighed heavily on the bottom line. Core operating profit after tax was also negative, underscoring the challenges still facing the group’s turnaround.

While the ASX 200 stock has lagged the broader market, the company has undergone a significant operational turnaround. Management exited international construction operations, simplified the business, and lifted distributions.

No surprise, management described the first half as transitional. It’s signalling expectations for stronger earnings in the second half and into FY27 as project completions and development milestones come through.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Tony Lombardo, who will be stepping down in August, commented:

FY26 is a transitional year, with our core operating segments performing in line with expectation. We anticipate stronger Investments, Development and Construction earnings in the second half and into FY27. The Group continues to make considerable progress on its strategy with momentum building across its core operations. Our Development and Construction pipelines remain strong, and we are seeing continued growth in investor partnering and mandate activity.

Billions in pipeline

Despite the headline loss, there were encouraging operational points buried in the results. The Investments, Development and Construction (IDC) segment delivered positive EBITDA, and the Australian construction arm performed well, securing $4 billion in new project work.

Lendlease also declared an interim distribution of 6.2 cents per security and managed to reduce net debt, a key part of its capital recycling strategy.

While the results highlight the bumps in Lendlease’s recovery path, the pipeline strength and capital management progress might give investors something to build on.

The post Lendlease shares hit fresh lows after reporting $318m loss appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Lendlease half-year results: $318m loss, construction steady, capital recycling on track
• Lendlease announces CEO succession as Tony Lombardo steps down
• Top Australian shares to buy right now with $2,000

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 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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is starting the week in the red. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.5% to 9,035.7 points.

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

Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN)

The Coronado Global share price is down 6% to 28.7 cents. Investors have been selling this coal miner’s shares following the surprise exit of its CEO. According to the release, Douglas Thompson intends to resign from his role to pursue new opportunities. Subject to board approval, the company’s executive chair and former CEO, Gerry Spindler, will assume the role of interim CEO, and Greg Pritchard will transition to interim chair. In addition, it was revealed that Jeff Bitzer, Coronado’s chief development officer and formerly chief operating officer, has decided to step back from full-time responsibilities, effective as of 28 February.

G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM)

The G8 Education share price is down 15% to 39.2 cents. This follows the release of the childcare centre operator’s full-year results. G8 Education reported a 7% decline in revenue to $946.9 million and an 18.4% decline in underlying net profit after tax to $59 million. On a reported basis, G8 Education recorded a net loss of $303.3 million. This was driven by a $349.1 million goodwill impairment expense. The company also provided a trading update which revealed that its spot occupancy rate was 54.4% on 15 February. This is down 7.5 percentage points from the prior corresponding period.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

The Megaport share price is down a further 15% to $8.17. This network-as-a-service provider’s shares have crashed since the release of its half-year results last week. This is despite them revealing record revenue and earnings. Megaport reported a 26% increase in revenue to $134.9 million and EBITDA growth of 28% to $35.3 million. Its CEO, Michael Reid, said: “Our global business continues to scale, with the United States delivering exceptional momentum, pushing the Americas to 24% YoY ARR growth. This performance was driven by rising NRR and consistent new logo acquisition.”

Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN)

The Perenti share price is down 14% to $2.43. This morning, the diversified mining services company released its half-year results and revealed flat revenue and a 2% decline in EBITDA for the period. Looking ahead, management is forecasting revenue of $3.45 billion to $3.55 billion for FY 2026. This is broadly in line with the $3.49 billion it achieved in FY 2025. It seems that the market was expecting a stronger performance.

The post Why Coronado, G8 Education, Megaport, and Perenti shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 rapidly growing ASX 200 shares I would buy and hold for 10 years
• ASX 200 tech shares lead market sectors with a 7% bounce back
• How to build an ASX share portfolio you can stick with long term
• Why Guzman Y Gomez, Inghams, Megaport, and Rio Tinto shares are tumbling today
• Megaport shares tumble despite record results

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

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares are slipping today.

Shares in the diversified S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) conglomerate – whose retail subsidiaries include Bunnings Warehouse, Kmart Australia, Officeworks and Priceline – closed on Friday trading for $83.99. During the Monday lunch hour, shares are changing hands for $82.40 each, down 0.7%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.4% at this same time, pressured by a new round of global tariff threats from United States President Donald Trump over the weekend.

Taking a step back, Wesfarmers shares have gained 8.5% over the past 12 months, not including dividends. The stock trades on a fully franked dividend yield (partly trailing, partly pending) of 2.5%.

Now, here are four reasons you might want to pick up some shares today.

Should you buy Wesfarmers shares today?

Shaw and Partners’ Jed Richards recently ran his slide rule over the ASX 200 conglomerate (courtesy of The Bull).

The first reason he has a buy recommendation on Wesfarmers shares is one that legendary investor Warren Buffett would most likely agree with. Buffett, as you may recall, famously advises, “A great manager is as important as a great business.”

As for Wesfarmers, Richards noted, “This industrial conglomerate remains one of the best managed companies in Australia.”

Richards added:

Its management team consistently demonstrates smart capital allocation and a disciplined acquisition strategy amid maintaining a strong oversight on operations across its diverse group of businesses. This quality of leadership gives me confidence that Wesfarmers can continue delivering long term value, even through changing economic conditions.

The second reason Richards is bullish on the stock is the diversification it offers.

“Its diversified revenue streams across retail, chemicals and industrial operations also provide resilience that few companies can match,” he noted.

And Richards’ third reason for his buy recommendation relates to Wesfarmers’ strong half year (H1 FY 2026) results.

According to Ricards:

The company posted its first half results for fiscal year 2026 on February 19. Revenue of $24.212 billion was up 3.1% on the prior corresponding period. Statutory net profit after tax of $1.603 billion increased 9.3%.

And I’ll add a fourth reason you might want to buy Wesfarmers shares today. Though depending on when you’re reading this, you’ll have to be quick!

When the company reported its half year results last Thursday, management declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $1.02 per share, up 7.4%.

And Wesfarmers stock trades ex-dividend tomorrow, 24 February.

So if you want to score that passive income payout, you’ll need to own shares at market close. You can then expect to receive that Wesfarmers dividend on 31 March.

The post 4 reasons to buy Wesfarmers shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 of the best Aussie stocks I would buy
• Here’s the earnings forecast out to 2030 for Wesfarmers shares
• 2 more ASX 200 blue chip stocks that increased dividends this week
• 5 low-cost ASX ETFs for a global diversified portfolio
• Buy, hold, sell: Lovisa, Wesfarmers, and Rio Tinto shares

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended 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 tough start to the week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.5% to 9,038.2 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6)

The Clarity Pharmaceuticals share price is up 12% to $3.92. This morning, the company announced another patient in its SECuRE Phase II trial achieved undetectable disease following treatment with its 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA therapy. Clarity’s executive chair, Dr Alan Taylor, said: “The momentum of data we are generating with our lead SAR-bisPSMA product in both theranostic and diagnostic trials is strong, with excellent results to date on all fronts. We are beyond excited to see yet another patient achieve undetectable disease following their 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA treatments.”

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

The EOS share price is up 17% to $8.57. This follows the release of the defence company’s FY 2025 results. EOS reported revenue from continuing operations of $128.5 million, which is down 27% year on year. However, looking ahead, management revealed that its unconditional order book stood at $459 million on 31 December 2025. This is up 238% from $136 million a year earlier. Importantly, EOS aims to realise 40% to 50% of the current order book during 2026.

Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL)

The Nuix share price is up 16% to $1.58. Investors have been buying this investigative analytics and intelligence software provider’s shares after it released its half-year results. Nuix reported an 8.4% increase in annualised contract value (ACV) to $234.4 million. A key driver of this has been the Nuix Neo offering, which reported ACV growth of 148% year on year to $46.8 million. It now represents 20% of the company’s total ACV. Commenting on the AI threat, Nuix’s interim CEO, John Ruthven, said: “The rapidly evolving AI landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for enterprise software companies. Nuix is well positioned to capitalise on these dynamics through our BYO AI framework, which allows customers to integrate their preferred AI models whilst Nuix Neo provides the critical enterprise infrastructure required by regulated industries.”

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

The Reece share price is up 16% to $16.15. This follows the release of the plumbing parts company’s half-year results. Reece reported a 6% increase in revenue to $4,648 million but a 20% decline in net profit after tax to $144 million. The latter is better than Morgans was expecting. It was forecasting a 22.9% decline in net profit to $139.5 million.

The post Why Clarity Pharmaceuticals, EOS, Nuix, and Reece shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are ASX 300 tech stock Nuix shares jumping 27% in Monday’s falling market?
• Why are EOS shares rocketing 17% today?
• Why is this ASX 300 stock jumping 14% on Monday?
• Reece HY26 results: Profit falls despite higher sales revenue
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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