Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI) shares are ending the year on a disappointing note.

In morning trade, the ASX gold stock is down 4% to 73.5 cents.

Why is this ASX gold stock tumbling?

Investors have been selling the gold miner’s shares despite the release of an update on its proposed merger with Robex Resources (ASX: RXR).

According to the release, Robex Resources shareholders have approved the merger of the two gold miners at a special meeting overnight.

The ASX gold stock highlights that Robex shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of the transaction. In fact, a total of 94.54% of votes recorded were in favour of the merger.

It notes that this satisfies one of the outstanding closing conditions under the arrangement agreement between Predictive Discovery and Robex Resources. That condition was at least 66% of the votes cast by Robex shareholders voting in person or by proxy at the meeting were in favour.

Though, there are still a few boxes to tick before the merger completes. Management points out that closing of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of the remaining closing conditions, including the approval of the Superior Court of Quebec and receipt of the key regulatory approvals. The latter include the consent of the Government of Guinea and the consent of the Government of Mali.

But if everything goes to plan, the transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2026.

Commenting on the news, the ASX gold stock’s CEO and managing director, Andrew Pardey, said:

We are delighted with the strong support shown by Robex shareholders for the Transaction, which has the potential to create significant value for shareholders of the combined company. The Transaction consolidates two of the largest, lowest cost and most advanced gold projects in West Africa – Bankan and Kiniero – within a combined group with the execution capability and funding strength to grow into a significant gold producer with expected production of more than 400,000oz per annum1 by 2029.

The Robex team has done an outstanding job of developing Kiniero, recently achieving first gold pour on time and budget and now progressing through ramp-up towards commercial production. We are looking forward to the team turning their focus to the development of Bankan post completion of the Transaction, with 2026 shaping up as an exciting year for the combined company to advance its strategy of building a leading West African gold producer.

Why are its shares falling?

There are a few reasons why this could be the case. It could be that some investors hold shares in both companies and are now selling one holding to diversify. Alternatively, some investors may not be a fan of the plan and are exiting positions.

A third reason is that some traders may believe that Robex Resources shares are better value and are selling their Predictive Discovery shares to buy them for exposure to the merger. It is worth highlighting that Robex shares are up 4% on the news.

The post ASX gold stock tumbles on big merger news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Predictive Discovery updates market on amended Robex merger
• Should we be paying more attention to these two rocketing ASX small-cap mining stocks?

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.

After a strong rally through to the end of 2025, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is still trading close to its record high. But there are concerns emerging that the index is overheating, with stretched valuations indicating we could face an ASX market crash in 2026. 

After big share price rallies, markets are even more vulnerable to sharp corrections if investor confidence starts to waver. 

At the same time, news that the Reserve Bank could keep interest rates on hold (or even hike) for longer than planned puts pressure on household spending and company profits.

And all this is on the backdrop of ongoing global uncertainty, such as trade disruptions, increasing tension between the US and China, and the risk of war and conflict between countries or regions.

There’s no telling exactly what will happen in 2026. But for investors concerned that an ASX market crash is coming, here are two ASX stocks I’d buy and one I’d sell.

2 ASX stocks I’d buy in 2026

As one of Australia’s largest and most established supermarket businesses, Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is high up on my list. 

It’s an oligopoly, with supermarket rival Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), meaning the two supermarkets have significant power over the Australian grocery sector. The latest Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) estimates indicate that Woolworths accounts for approximately 38% of Australia’s nationwide supermarket grocery sales.

Both businesses are defensive stocks that will consistently experience relatively stable demand for their products throughout every part of the economic cycle. After all, everyone needs to eat! 

If I had to pick between the two, I’d go for Woolworths. 

Coles has been a strong performer this year, and it looks like its ongoing growth strategy has paid off. But I’m concerned that its share price has reached a ceiling a few months ago and will continue to correct from its peak. Meanwhile, after a more subdued 2025, Woolworths has much more room for growth throughout the next 12 months.

Another ASX stock I’d buy in 2026 is Transurban Group (ASX: TCL). Again, the stock is defensive, which makes it a great option when facing a potentially unstable market. The company operates toll roads, which have stable traffic volumes, meaning it generates a resilient cash flow regardless of the economic conditions. 

1 ASX stock I’d sell ahead of a market crash

Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) is one I’d sell if a market crash looked imminent. The business and its revenue depend heavily on fund flows, performance fees, and market valuations, which means it is very cyclical.

It’s vulnerable in a market crash because its revenue is tightly tied to market sentiment, economic conditions (like rate rises), and investor confidence.

The Australian-based funds manager revealed its group earnings in October. It announced an increase in total assets under management (AUM) to $40.2 billion. But this followed the company’s fiscal year results, which showed operating profit was 5% higher, but its net profit after tax was down a huge 31%. I think the tide has already begun turning for this ASX stock.

The post 2 buys and 1 sell for investors worried about an ASX market crash in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban 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.

When markets become volatile, it’s natural to feel uneasy. Sharp share price swings, alarming headlines, and endless predictions can make investing feel more stressful than it needs to be.

In times like these, I’m not looking for the fastest-growing shares or the next big trend. Instead, I would focus on Australian shares with essential services, predictable cash flows, and long-term relevance. These are the kind of companies I would be comfortable holding even when markets turn rough.

Here are four Australian shares that I think fit that bill.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA Group owns and operates some of Australia’s most critical energy infrastructure.

Its portfolio includes more than 15,000 kilometres of gas transmission pipelines, alongside renewable energy assets and gas-fired generation. These assets sit at the heart of Australia’s energy system, servicing governments, utilities, and large industrial customers.

What makes APA appealing during volatile periods is the stability of its earnings. Energy transport and infrastructure don’t disappear during downturns, and long-term contracts help provide reliable cash flows. As Australia navigates the energy transition, APA’s existing assets and future-focused investments give it continued relevance.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban is a global toll road owner and operator with assets across Australia and North America.

The company operates 22 toll roads, handling millions of trips each day across major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Washington D.C., and Montreal. Population growth and urban congestion continue to support long-term demand for efficient transport infrastructure.

While traffic volumes can fluctuate in the short term, toll roads tend to deliver resilient, inflation-linked cash flows over time. That makes Transurban the kind of business I’m comfortable owning through market ups and downs.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Another Australian share I would be happy to buy now and hold through market volatility is Telstra. It plays an essential role in Australia’s digital infrastructure.

With around 22.5 million retail mobile services and 3.4 million retail bundle and data services, Telstra provides connectivity that households and businesses rely on every day. Mobile phones and internet access are no longer discretionary; they’re necessities.

For investors, Telstra offers exposure to stable demand and a focus on sustainable cash generation. While it’s not a high-growth stock, I believe it can provide reliability and income during volatile market conditions.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

When it comes to defensive businesses, supermarkets are hard to ignore.

Woolworths has been serving Australian customers since 1924 and now reaches around 24 million customers every week. Regardless of economic conditions, people still need to buy groceries, making food retail one of the most resilient sectors in the market.

Although the last 12 months have been challenging for one-off reasons, Woolworths’ scale, supply chain strength, and trusted brands traditionally help it navigate inflationary pressures and shifting consumer behaviour better than most. For me, that makes it a core defensive holding.

The post Safe Australian shares to buy now and hold through market volatility appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Telstra Group, Transurban 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.

If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you could be forgiven for feeling uneasy about the outlook for share markets.

Geopolitical tensions remain elevated, trade tariffs are in the headlines, and concerns about an AI-driven bubble refuse to go away. Against that backdrop, the idea of a market crash in 2026 doesn’t sound far-fetched. It’s certainly not off the table.

Do I think a crash is guaranteed? No.
Do I think it’s possible? Absolutely.

But despite all of that, my plan is surprisingly simple.

I’m not trying to predict a crash

One thing I’ve learned over time is that worrying about market crashes is rarely productive.

Every year, there’s no shortage of experts warning that disaster is just around the corner. One day, someone will be right. Markets do crash from time to time. The problem is that markets also spend far more time going up than going down.

If you’d stayed on the sidelines over the past few years waiting for the inevitable crash, you would have missed out on some extraordinary returns. That’s the opportunity cost most crash predictions fail to mention.

Trying to time the market requires being right twice: when to get out, and when to get back in. Very few people manage that consistently.

What I plan to do instead

Rather than making big, emotional decisions based on headlines, I plan to keep doing what I’ve always done.

I’ll continue investing regularly, buying ASX shares I believe can grow earnings and compound value over time. That doesn’t change just because volatility might increase or sentiment turns negative.

Great businesses don’t stop being great because markets fall. If anything, periods of uncertainty tend to create opportunities for disciplined investors.

Preparing without panicking

That said, doing nothing doesn’t mean doing nothing at all.

I also plan to keep some cash on the sidelines. Not because I’m convinced a crash is coming, but because optionality has value. If markets were to sell off sharply, I want the flexibility to invest more aggressively when prices are lower.

This approach gives me the best of both worlds. I stay invested and allow my existing holdings to compound, while also being prepared to take advantage of opportunities if fear takes over.

Importantly, I’m not holding cash instead of investing. I’m holding cash alongside investing.

Why I’m not losing sleep over 2026

Markets have always faced reasons to fall. Wars, recessions, bubbles, pandemics, inflation scares. None of this is new. And yet, over long periods, share markets have continued to move higher.

That doesn’t mean the path will be smooth. There will be drawdowns, corrections, and moments where headlines feel overwhelming. But history suggests that patience and consistency are far more powerful than prediction.

Foolish Takeaway

Could the share market crash in 2026? It could.

But worrying about it won’t improve my returns, and acting on fear could easily make them worse. So instead of trying to outsmart the market, I plan to stay invested, keep buying quality ASX shares, and let them flourish.

If a crash comes, I’ll be ready.
If it doesn’t, I’ll still be invested. Either way, I’m comfortable with my plan.




The post Is the share market going to crash in 2026? Here’s what I plan to do appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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 originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Both Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) and Spotify (NYSE: SPOT) had great starts to 2025, but investors soured on the streaming giants in the back half of the year. Shares of both have fallen between 25% and 30% since midyear as poor earnings results have weighed on the stocks.

But with the drop in price for each stock, investors may have an opportunity to scoop up shares of a great company at the forefront of a long-term growth trend in streaming media. One of the streaming companies stands out as a great opportunity heading into 2026. 

What’s weighing on each stock?

Shares of Spotify began to fall after the company released its second-quarter earnings results, which showed a worsening operating margin and negative earnings per share. It course corrected somewhat in the third quarter, but CEO Daniel Ek announced he was stepping down and the company provided weak fourth-quarter guidance, sending the stock lower.

Netflix stock also sold off after its second-quarter earnings due to management’s disclosure that its strong financial results and outlook were driven by improvements in foreign-exchange rates rather than increased engagement or willingness to pay from consumers. The sell-off accelerated after a one-time Brazilian tax weighed on third-quarter results. More recently, Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery has pushed shares lower, as investors see regulatory and operational challenges for the merger.

To be sure, neither company is showing significant weaknesses. However, with both stocks priced for strong and continuous growth, any minor hiccup can lead to investors losing confidence in the company’s value and selling their shares. A company with a strong competitive advantage is better equipped to weather setbacks and overcome financial challenges, as its operating results ultimately prevail in the long run. I believe one of these companies has a greater competitive advantage that should enable it to produce strong long-term results and could allow the stock to bounce back quickly in 2026.

Which company has a wider moat?

One of the biggest indicators that Spotify and Netflix have competitive advantages in the market is that they’ve both been able to increase prices. Spotify made two pricing changes in the United States in 2023 and 2024, and another price increase could be on the way next year. Netflix, meanwhile, has consistently raised prices since 2014.

Spotify currently charges a premium relative to competitors, but it also includes additional content with the price. Specifically, premium subscribers can listen to 20 hours of audiobooks each month. Differentiated content is key for the streaming service to stand out from the pack.

But acquiring differentiated content in music streaming is practically impossible. Every service has access to the same 100 million songs, and they all pay the record labels relatively standard royalties for access to their libraries. That means that Spotify doesn’t have a clear advantage in content, and it doesn’t have a lot of leverage on its content costs. That will limit its margin expansion over time.

By comparison, Netflix has built a differentiated library of unique content on its platform through a combination of original productions and exclusive licensing agreements. As the largest video streaming service, it can afford to spend more money on productions and licensing agreements for key content, as it amortizes those costs over a larger number of subscribers. It doesn’t pay a fee every time someone streams a show like Spotify. As a result, it’s able to produce meaningful margin expansion over time.

Netflix historically sets a target operating margin at the start of the year. With its highly predictable subscription revenue, it’s able to manage its content spending to come very close to its target in normal circumstances. Despite the Brazilian tax it paid last quarter, management’s full-year outlook still calls for its operating margin to expand 1.6 percentage points for the year. Spotify has less room to control costs and expand its margins.

A better value

The market prices Netflix stock at a much more attractive valuation than Spotify, with shares trading hands at less than 30 times analysts’ consensus estimate for 2026 earnings. Spotify shares, by comparison, will cost closer to 50 times 2026 estimates.

That said, analysts expect Spotify to deliver strong earnings growth over the next few years. But with its high valuation, any revision in those estimates lower could cause the stock to pull back further. Netflix might not have the same expected earnings per share growth, but investors can have more confidence in the company hitting those targets. Strong execution in 2026 should push the stock price back toward its all-time high and beyond.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post Netflix vs. Spotify: Which streaming giant is poised for a comeback in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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Adam Levy has positions in Netflix. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Netflix, Spotify Technology, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Netflix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There are more than 300 ASX ETFs available on the market. One of the emerging ASX ETF providers is Global X. 

While Global X does offer broader index tracking funds, it has made a name for itself by offering targeted, thematic funds. 

In 2025, it released 7 new funds to the market, to take its total tally to 48. 

Looking at the year in total, the best-performing Global X funds give a great insight into the sectors that emerged as winners. 

Here are the best-performing ASX ETFs from Global X this year. 

Silver and Platinum 

The two best-performing ASX ETFs this year were actually those tracking silver and platinum prices.

Rather than tracking a group of companies, these funds give investors a way to gain exposure to these commodities without having to buy the physical version. 

These two funds were the Global X Physical Silver Structured (ASX: ETPMAG) and the Global X Physical Platinum Structured (ASX: ETPMPT). 

They are designed to generate returns that correspond with the silver and platinum prices, excluding fees and expenses.

These two funds rose by approximately 136% and 147% respectively. 

The success of these funds showcases the boom for these commodities in 2025. 

In fact, silver surged past $80 an ounce on Monday, propelled by strong industrial and investment demand. 

Similarly, platinum has surged by about 180% since the start of January to more than US$2,500 an ounce.

Despite the niche focus, the Physical Silver Structured fund from Global X is actually its second-largest ASX ETF by assets under management (AUM).

Next best ASX ETF for 2025

The next best performing ASX ETF from Global X was the Global X Green Metal Miners ETF (ASX: GMTL). 

The fund provides exposure to global companies that produce critical metals for clean energy infrastructure and technologies.

These metals include lithium, copper, nickel, and cobalt.

It gives investors the chance to gain exposure to structural tailwinds. These are backed by government and corporate clean energy transition initiatives.

The fund has risen by almost 80% in 2025. 

At the time of writing, it is made up of 49 holdings. Its largest geographical exposure being to companies based in: 

• China (35.6%)
• Canada (16.7%)
• USA (12.2%)
• Australia (10.9%) 

The post The best performing Global X ASX ETFs this year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Warren Buffett has never been one to push Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) into hot trends. He gave an excellent reason for that in his 1996 letter to shareholders: 

We are searching for operations that we believe are virtually certain to possess enormous competitive strength ten or twenty years from now. A fast-changing industry environment may offer the chance for huge wins, but it precludes the certainty we seek.

In other words, Buffett would rather be the tortoise than the hare. So, hot trends like internet stocks in 1996 or booming artificial intelligence (AI) companies today don’t interest him too much as an investment manager.

Nonetheless, Buffett finds himself in charge of a stock portfolio where roughly 23% of the assets are invested in three companies that are heavily tied to AI — among them, one of Berkshire’s biggest equity purchases of the last few years. But all three have qualities that he generally seeks in investments — and qualities that will surely set up his successor, Greg Abel, to deliver excellent returns for the next 10 or 20 years or more. 

1. Apple (20.5%)

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has been the largest position in Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio since Buffett and his right-hand man, the late Charlie Munger, built up a massive stake in the company between 2016 and 2018. At this year’s shareholder meeting, Buffett jokingly thanked Apple CEO Tim Cook for making Berkshire Hathaway shareholders more money than he ever has.

But Buffett has been selling shares of Apple since late 2023. There may be a few reasons for that. First, the stock’s weight in the portfolio might have been too much, even for Buffett, who historically keeps a highly concentrated portfolio. At its peak, Apple accounted for about half of the portfolio’s value. It remains Berkshire’s largest marketable equity holding heading into 2026, based on the conglomerate’s most recent SEC disclosures.

Second, Buffett saw what he viewed as an opportunity to take gains while corporate tax rates are low, as he expects that Congress will have to increase tax rates due to the federal government’s massive deficits and debts. Lastly, Buffett assessed the valuation of Apple stock and deemed it to be well above its intrinsic value.

That last point is key. Apple hasn’t benefited as much as other tech giants from the increase in AI spending on semiconductors, cloud computing infrastructure, and advanced software. It has continued to exhibit steady revenue and earnings growth, though, and its earnings per share have been further boosted by its massive share-repurchase program. But the stock now trades for a premium valuation of about 33 times forward earnings estimates, in line with other big AI stocks.

However, Apple will push its AI ambitions forward next year with the long-awaited release of a revamped Siri that will feature numerous new generative AI capabilities. The advanced AI assistant may spur a big upgrade cycle for the company’s devices, pushing iPhone sales higher. Additionally, the introduction of more on-device AI capabilities could increase its high-margin services revenues significantly in the coming years. Based on those expectations, it may be worth paying a premium for Apple stock.

2. Alphabet (1.8%)

Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) is the latest major addition to Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio. The conglomerate acquired 17.8 million shares during the third quarter, which are worth $5.6 billion as of this writing.

The stock has been on an incredible run since September, when a federal judge imposed remedies upon Alphabet that were much more lenient than expected following its conviction for maintaining an illegal monopoly in online search. Strong financial results and continued momentum for both its cloud computing business and its large language model (LLM) development have helped propel the stock materially higher.

Its cloud computing business has seen strong growth. Revenue climbed 33% last quarter, and its operating margin expanded to 24%, but there could be even more room for margins to expand as it scales. That’s especially true given the momentum for its custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which can offer its cloud computing clients a more cost-effective alternative to graphics processing units (GPUs) for AI training and inference. It has signed several big deals with major AI developers to use its TPUs, helping push its remaining performance obligations 46% higher year over year to $155 billion.

The core search business remains a cash cow despite the threat of AI chatbots taking market share away from Google. The company has effectively integrated AI into its search results through AI Overviews and AI Mode, resulting in an increase in search traffic without negatively impacting monetization. As a result, Google Search revenues continue to climb. And that may have been the key to Buffett’s decision to invest in the company — the “enormous competitive strength” of its core business.

As mentioned, Alphabet shares have climbed significantly in Q4, pushing their valuation to almost 30 times expected earnings. It’s unclear if Buffett and his team will keep buying shares at that significantly higher valuation, but they could be worth it given the AI-driven momentum behind the company.

3. Amazon (0.7%)

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has been a small position in Berkshire Hathaway’s marketable equity portfolio since 2019. Based on the size of the investment, many believe one of its other investment managers, Ted Weschler or Todd Combs, made the decision to buy it. The driving force behind Amazon’s operations when Berkshire first acquired shares in 2019 was its cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services (AWS). That remains true today. 

AWS is the world’s largest public cloud computing platform. Its revenue is more than double Google Cloud’s, and its operating margin of 35% dwarfs it. Management notes its AI services on AWS are growing at a triple-digit percentage pace, and demand continues to outstrip its ability to add capacity despite three years straight of building as fast as possible.

Like Alphabet, Amazon’s massive investment in cloud capacity to capitalize on the AI opportunity is supported by a stalwart business with a wide competitive moat. Amazon’s e-commerce business has become increasingly profitable over the past few years. That profitability has been driven by an increase in high-margin advertising sales as a percentage of total revenue, improvements to its logistics network to reduce shipping costs and operating expenses, and the continued growth and scale of its Prime subscription service. As a result, the operating margin for the North American retail business has expanded to 6.6% over the last 12 months, and the international segment’s margin sits at a respectable 3.2%.

Amazon shares have recently been weighed down by investors’ concerns about the high capital expenditures for its cloud computing business. As of Q3, its free cash flow over the last 12 months fell to $14.8 billion. But as sales continue to grow, margins expand, and capital spending levels off, Amazon should see its free cash flow soar to new highs. That could push the stock price significantly higher, making the stock worth paying a premium multiple of free cash flow for today. 

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post Warren Buffett has 23% of Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio invested in 3 artificial intelligence (AI) stocks heading into 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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Adam Levy has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway. 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 big returns in 2026, then read on!

That’s because experts believe that the ASX shares in this article have the potential to smash the market next year.

Here’s what they are recommending to clients for the year ahead:

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

The team at Morgans thinks that this sports technology company’s shares could be strong performers in 2026.

Its analysts have put a buy rating and $6.25 price target on the ASX share. Based on its current share price of $4.14, this implies potential upside of 50% for investors over the next 12 months.

Morgans thinks that Catapult is well-placed to deliver strong top line growth through to at least 2028. It said:

Catapult Sports Ltd (CAT) is a global leader in sports performance technology that provides a comprehensive all-in-one platform for elite professional and collegiate sports. This encompasses coaching, scouting, analytics and athlete management. Initially landing with its core wearables technology, CAT has since expanded its service offering and opened up new key verticals assisting its penetration into a large addressable market of ~20k teams globally. We forecast strong topline growth for CAT, estimating a ~20% ACV 3-year CAGR, reaching ~US$180m by FY28. A scalable platform and strong SaaS metrics should see CAT join the ‘Rule of 40’ club by FY27. We initiate coverage on Catapult Sports (CAT) with a Buy recommendation and a A$6.25 per share price target.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

Another ASX share with the potential to deliver big returns next year according to experts is radiopharmaceuticals company Telix.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $23.00 price target on its shares. This is almost double its current share price.

The broker is expecting a better year for Telix, supported by the potential approval of its Zircaix product. It explains:

We are confident regarding the approval in CY 2026 of Zircaix following resubmission of the Biological License Application (BLA). The FDA rejected the original BLA due to CMC (chemistry manufacturing & control) matters at Telix’s manufacturing partner. There were no matters related to safety or efficacy. We expect the market for Zircaix once approved will be in excess of US$500m. The product has been included in guidelines for disease management in the US and Europe and continues to be available in the US under the expanded access program. Elsewhere, sales of Iluuccix/ Gozellix in the PSMA franchise continue to grow and were recently boosted by the refresh on the pass through pricing.

The post 2 ASX shares experts think will smash the market in 2026! 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 positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Investing doesn’t have to feel stressful. Yet for many people, share market volatility, constant negative headlines, and the fear of picking the wrong stock can turn investing into a source of anxiety rather than wealth creation.

If my goal were simple peace of mind, while still giving my money a strong chance to grow, I would build a portfolio around high-quality, globally diversified ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs).

These would be the kind you can buy, hold, and largely ignore, confident that time and compounding are doing the work for you.

With that in mind, here’s a three-ETF portfolio I would build.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

The foundation of this portfolio would be the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF.

This fund invests in businesses that sell everyday essentials. These are the products people keep buying regardless of economic conditions. Its holdings include companies like Walmart (NYSE: WMT), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), and Nestlé (SWX: NESN).

What makes the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF so appealing from a sleep-well-at-night perspective is its predictability. These companies tend to generate steady cash flows, maintain strong pricing power, and perform relatively well during market downturns. While they may not be the fastest growers, they provide stability when share markets get rough.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

Another addition to the portfolio would be the popular iShares S&P 500 ETF.

This ASX ETF provides exposure to 500 of the largest and most successful stocks in the United States. These span technology, healthcare, finance, consumer goods, and industrials stocks. Its holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD), and Visa (NYSE: V).

Rather than trying to guess which US stock will win next, this fund lets investors own the entire engine room of American capitalism. Over decades, this broad exposure has proven to be one of the most reliable wealth-building tools available to everyday investors.

Warren Buffett has often suggested that investors just buy a low cost index fund like this one and it isn’t hard to see why.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

To round things out, I would add the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF to the portfolio.

This ASX ETF focuses on companies with strong balance sheets, high returns on equity, and sustainable competitive advantages. Its portfolio includes names like Visa, Microsoft, Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), L’Oréal (FRA: LOR), and ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML).

This ETF is designed to avoid weak businesses and instead concentrate on stocks that can compound earnings through economic cycles.

It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post The ASX ETF portfolio I’d build if I wanted to sleep well at night appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Own IVV or IOO ETFs? Here’s your next dividend
• How to invest like Warren Buffett without picking ASX stocks
• How to invest your first $500 in ASX shares the smart way
• 3 super strong ASX ETFs to buy with $10,000
• 3 ASX ETFs I’m buying in January 2026

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 ASML, Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Nestlé and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ASML, Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It’s been a modest year for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), rising approximately 6.3%. 

The team at The Motley Fool have been covering top performers, undervalued shares, and everything in between. 

For investors setting their sights on quality companies that could be undervalued heading into the new year, here are three ASX 200 stocks to consider. 

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

This ASX 200 stock is an Australian gaming technology company licensed in around 340 gaming jurisdictions in more than 100 countries.

Aristocrat offers a range of products and solutions in the gaming space including poker machines and casino management systems.

In 2025, its share price tumbled almost 16%. 

Despite this, the company has a strong market presence both in Australia and the US. 

Furthermore, it boasts healthy financials. 

In November, the gaming company reported: 

• Revenue growth of 11% (8% in constant currency), driven by market share gains across the portfolio and the inclusion of NeoGames for the full 12 month period.
• 12% growth in normalised NPATA to $1.6 billion (9% in constant currency). 
• EBITDA growth of 15.6%

It seems brokers also view this ASX 200 stock as undervalued. 

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $80.00 price target, indicating an upside of more than 38%. 

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group has been hotly covered here at The Fool over the past months. 

The company behind online real estate marketplace realestate.com.au has seen its share price fall 30% since August. 

It now appears to have fallen below fair value, and could present a buy low opportunity for investors. 

The ASX 200 stock still maintains a dominant market position here in Australia. 

Earlier this month, Macquarie placed a $220.00 price target on REA Group shares, which indicates an upside of almost 20%. 

However the broker did note the risk of Australian rate hikes could present a headwind. 

That being said, I still see this ASX 200 stock as trading below fair value. 

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

It wasn’t a great year for many ASX healthcare stocks, including Cochlear.

Cochlear’s main products include cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing devices, and associated sound processors.

Its stock price is down more than 11% over the year. 

However this ASX 200 stock maintains a blue-chip status as the world’s leading cochlear implant device manufacturer with around half of global market share.

Its global positioning will help it benefit long term from ageing populations. 

UBS currently has a buy recommendation with a $350.00 price target, indicating an upside of more than 34%. 

The post 3 ASX 200 bargain buys heading into the new year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The ASX blue chip shares I’d buy during the next correction
• Which ASX gaming stock to buy in 2026: Aristocrat Leisure or Light & Wonder?
• These could be 3 of the best ASX stocks to own in 2026
• The best Australian stocks to buy in 2026
• Should you buy low on these ASX 200 shares before the new year?

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 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.