After a record-breaking year, S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium stocks had a month to forget in June.

From market close on 29 May through to the closing bell on 30 June, the ASX 200 gained 0.5%.

Here’s how these ASX 200 lithium stocks performed over the month just past:

• Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares tumbled 15.5% to close June at $62.07 apiece
• Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares fell 30.2% to close June at $1.69 apiece
• PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) – formerly Pilbara Minerals – shares dropped 22.3% to close June at $5.02 each
• IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) shares tumbled 23.1% to close June at $7.37 apiece

What sent ASX 200 lithium stocks crashing lower?

The common headwind pressuring all the big Aussie lithium producers was a sharp pullback in spodumene (a lithium-bearing ore) prices. Spodumene prices fell around 12% in June, according to data from Trading Economics.

Though it’s important to note that the spodumene price remains up around 160% over past 12 months, which also still sees the ASX 200 lithium stocks racing ahead of the 1.5% one-year gains posted by the benchmark index.

Here’s what I mean (price data below through to 2 July):

• Mineral Resources shares are up 183.9% in 12 months
• Liontown shares are up 143.9% in 12 months
• PLS shares are up 273.0% in 12 months
• IGO shares are up 80.4% in 12 months

Which helps put the June retrace into some perspective!

What else moved the Aussie miners in June?

PLS shares closed down 4.7% on 19 June after the ASX 200 lithium stock reported that it had approved up to $175 million of spending ahead of the final investment decision (FID) at its P2000 Project, within its Pilgangoora hard-rock lithium operation.

The miner is studying the potential to increase Pilgangoora’s concentrate production capacity to around 2 million tonnes a year.

PLS CEO Dale Henders noted:

P2000 has the potential to represent the next major phase of growth at Pilgangoora and further strengthen PLS’ position as one of the world’s leading lithium producers. This pre-FID capital expenditure preserves optionality and maintains momentum along the critical path.

By progressing long-lead procurement, engineering and early works now, we are positioning PLS to respond to future lithium demand while retaining optionality for the timing of any final investment decision.

Mineral Resources was the only other ASX 200 lithium stock to release major news in June.

Mineral Resources shares closed down 2.5% on 25 June after the diversified miner announced that its Western Australia-based Lucky Bay Garnet Project would enter care and maintenance commencing on 1 July.

The company said it expects to book a non-cash impairment on the written down value of Lucky Bay of around $40 million for FY 2026.

The post Why did ASX 200 lithium stocks like PLS, Liontown and Mineral Resources shares get smashed in June? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 9 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings for FY27
• 5 best ASX 200 mining shares of FY26
• ASX shares vs. property in FY26: Which investment outperformed?
• 6 ASX 200 large-cap shares that rose 60% to 275% in FY26
• The ASX 200 sector that outperformed the benchmark 7 to 1 in FY26. Can it keep delivering?

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 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares rose 2.77% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 7% in FY26.  

The financials sector underperformed in FY26, which was in stark contrast to its outperformance in FY25.  

Financials were actually the best performer of the 11 market sectors in FY25, delivering a near-30% total return to investors.  

Things changed dramatically in FY26. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) fell 1.89%, but the 3.58% dividend yield lifted it into the green for a total return of 1.69%. 

Here are the top five ASX 200 financial shares for capital growth in FY26. 

1. Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT)

Infratil is a New Zealand-based infrastructure investment company.

This ASX 200 financial share lifted 28.8% to finish the year at $12.61 apiece. 

One of the highlights of FY26 was Infratil’s data centre business, CDC Data Centres (CDC), signing Australia’s largest-ever data centre contract.  

CDC was already the largest data centre provider across Australia and New Zealand before the deal was done. 

The 30-year, 555MW agreement with a US customer highlighted the structural global theme of surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. 

Infratil also delivered impressive earnings growth for FY26.

The company reported an 11% rise in proportionate operational EBITDAF to NZ$989 million. The company also raised its FY27 guidance by 21%.  

2. AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)

The AMP share price rose 27.4% to close out the year at $1.61. 

AMP has been on a multi-year comeback journey following the Banking Royal Commission in 2018.

AMP was amongst the companies exposed for the worst conduct, prompting a multi-year restructure of the business. 

Brokers appear positive on the outlook for this ASX 200 financial share from here.  

As my colleague Samantha reports, AMP is focused on improving its operational leverage and looking at new capital relief strategies to boost returns. 

Out of 10 analysts rating AMP shares on the TradingView platform, eight have a strong buy or buy rating on AMP shares.

Nine analysts have provided a 12-month target price ranging from $1.68 to $1.94.

Thus, there is a uniform expectation of a further share price rise for AMP in FY27.

3. Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)

The Challenger share price rose 23.8% to finish at $10 on 30 June. 

This ASX 200 financial share went up on increased investor confidence that Challenger is gaining market share as Australia’s leading retirement income provider.

Arguably, the biggest catalyst for Challenger’s share price in FY26 was the 1H FY26 report.

Challenger reported record annuity sales of $3.8 billion, up 32% year over year.

The company also bumped up its fully-franked interim dividend by 7%, and launched a $150 million buyback.

This reinforced investor confidence in the earnings outlook ahead.

4. ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

The ANZ share price rose 21.2% to $35.35 on 30 June. 

New CEO Nuno Matos has been restructuring the business and integrating Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)’s banking division post-acquisition. 

In 1Q FY26, ANZ achieved a quarterly cash profit of $1.94 billion, up 75% from the 2H FY25 quarterly average.

Management said the strong profit was driven by a 4% increase in operating income and a 21% cut in operating expenses.

The ASX 200 bank share rose 8.5% on the day of the report, and hit a record high of $41 the next day. 

This ASX 200 financial share is also attractive because it offers the highest trailing dividend yield of the big banks. 

5. Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) 

The Magellan share price rose 13.2% to $9.69 on 30 June. 

The defining event in FY26 was Magellan’s proposed merger with the highly successful boutique investment bank, Barrenjoey Capital Partners.

Magellan and Barrenjoey completed the merger on 1 July. 

Former UBS bankers Matthew Grounds and Guy Fowler OAM founded Barrenjoey in 2020.

Magellan was a seed investor in Barrenjoey, and will seek shareholders’ approval to rebrand as Barrenjoey Group Limited at the October AGM.

Magellan received more than 90% approval from shareholders at the merger vote in April. 

This ASX 200 financial share has crumbled almost 80% over five years. The stock entered a downward spiral in 2021 after losing a major client. Its co-founder, Hamish Douglass, also resigned.

Assets under management have dropped from $113 billion in July 2021, when Magellan shares traded at $50 apiece, to $38 billion as of the last update in March. 

The post 5 best ASX 200 financial shares of FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are AMP shares a good buy for passive income?
• 9 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings for FY27
• Top ASX 200 share of each market sector in FY26
• This is the ASX bank stock I would buy today for franked dividend income
• How much passive income can I earn off a $100,000 portfolio?

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Magellan Financial 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 recommended Challenger. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) shares climbed higher at the end of June, recouping losses shed earlier on in the month.

The same can’t be said for the year-to-date, though. 

After a strong start to the year, AMP shares crashed by around 26% in February following the financial services company’s FY25 results. It came in far below expectations, and investors were disgruntled.

The decline marked the company’s largest one-day fall since 2003, when its value tanked 36%.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns about Australia’s inflation data rate also weighed heavily on financial shares like AMP throughout the first half of the year.

Thankfully, AMP’s first-quarter update was a little more positive. The company reported 45% growth in Platforms’ net cash flows and improved Superannuation & Investments (S&I) net cash outflows in April. The result proved that business growth is underway and revealed momentum across several key divisions. 

It looks like AMP is still viewed as a potential turnaround story by the experts, too.

Many think that if management successfully executes its strategy, improves profitability, and restores market confidence, the share price could benefit from both earnings growth and a higher valuation multiple.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a strong buy rating on AMP shares. The $1.72 average target price implies a potential 7% upside at the time of writing.

The outlook for AMP shares looks positive. But it’s not the only reason investors should think about adding the stock to their portfolio.

AMP shares are a great passive-income opportunity

While AMP is inherently financial cyclical stock, it does have some defensive qualities.

The company is well-known for its superannuation funds, home loans, and everyday/savings accounts. But, a significant portion of its revenue comes from the AMP’s wealth management and superannuation accounts.

Superannuation is often considered defensive because it is an essential financial service, the customer relationships are generally sticky because this type of customer doesn’t usually switch providers, and AMP also benefits from recurring fees.

What dividend does AMP pay its shareholders?

AMP typically pays its investors twice-yearly dividends: an interim dividend in September and a final dividend in April.

AMP’s latest dividend payment in April was 2 cents per security, with 20% franking. Shareholders were also paid an interim 2 cents per security, 20% franked, in September last year.

At the time of writing, that translates to a trailing dividend yield of around 2.5%. 

 

The post Are AMP shares a good buy for passive income? 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 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.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares may be one of the most popular dividend options due to the company’s perceived stability and dividend yield.

The ASX telco share usually has a higher dividend yield than the ASX bank shares of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), though typically lower than names like Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).

Telstra has consistently increased its annual payout since the onset of the inflationary period in FY22.

Plus, the FY26 half-year result was yet another example of the bank providing investors with stability and growth – it hiked its interim dividend by 10.5% to 10.5 cents per share.

The HY26 result also showed the business is capable of growing earnings. It reported total income of 0.2% to $11.8 billion, operating profit (EBITDA) rose 4.7% to $4.4 billion, net profit for Telstra shareholders increased 9.4% and earnings per share (EPS) climbed 11.2%.

The cash profit was particularly good. Cash operating profit (EBIT) rose 14%, cash earnings grew 17%, and cash EPS increased 19.7%.

In this article, we’re going to look at the annual FY27 dividend, which will be paid in 2027.

2027 dividend projection for owners of Telstra shares

According to the projection on CMC Invest, the ASX telco share is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of 22 cents in the 2027 financial year.

At the time of writing, this forecast translates into a dividend yield of 4.4% excluding franking credits and a grossed-up dividend yield of approximately 6.1%, including franking credits.

If someone were to invest $8,000 in Telstra, they would be able to buy 1,603 Telstra shares (with a little bit of money left over).

With those 1,603 Telstra shares, investors could receive $352.66 of cash and approximately $136.03 franking credits.

Is this a good time to invest in the ASX telco share?

According to CMC Invest, there have been six analyst ratings calls on the business in the last three months.

Of those six, one was a buy rating and five were hold ratings. So, the investment professionals are largely neutral on the appeal of the company’s valuation right now.

The average price target of those six ratings is $5.33. That means, collectively, those analysts are predicting the Telstra share price could climb by around 7% within the next year (at the time of writing).

The Telstra share price was above $5.33 earlier this year, though it has clearly dropped back since then.

Telstra looks like a solid option for dividends, though there seem to be more compelling ASX shares out there to buy.

The post If I invest $8,000 in Telstra shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• These ASX shares could generate $5,000 per year in passive income

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

Australia’s property market has been the defining economic story of 2026.

Three RBA rate hikes since January have pushed the official cash rate to 4.35%, the highest level since 2011.

The impact on house prices is now showing up in the data. 

CBA’s own economists forecast that dwelling price growth will slow to just 3% by December 2026, down from a prior forecast of 5%. 

What’s more, the Federal Budget’s negative gearing changes add a further headwind for established property prices.

For three of the most widely held ASX shares with direct property exposure, the implications are significant.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA): The listing volume threat

Rea Group is the most directly exposed of the three to the property price cycle. This is because its revenue depends on the volume and value of properties listed for sale rather than on owning property itself. 

REA Group shares have fallen 25% so far in 2026, as a combination of a softening property market and a Bell Potter downgrade to sell, with a $137 target, dented the stock’s long-held premium.

The concern is straightforward: if falling prices reduce vendor confidence, fewer Australians choose to list their properties for sale, and REA’s listing volume and yield per listing both come under pressure simultaneously.

That double headwind is precisely what Bell Potter flagged, noting that REA “currently trades around 28x FY27 P/E, which is a level it has historically only traded at during EPS declines.”

The counterargument is equally straightforward: falling prices can extend the time a property sits on the market before selling, which actually increases the total listing revenue REA generates per transaction.

Whether that offset is enough to compensate for lower volumes is the core debate about REA’s FY27 earnings.

Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP): New builds vs established markets

Stockland Corporation is one of Australia’s largest residential developers.

The company develops new residential communities rather than selling existing ones. This has meant that the Federal Budget’s negative gearing exemption for new builds directly benefits the company by channelling investor demand away from established properties and toward the new homes Stockland sells. 

Stockland shares have fallen 31% in 2026, dragged lower by interest rate fears alongside the broader real estate sector rather than by any deterioration in the company’s operational performance.

The operational picture actually tells a different story.

In Q3 FY26, Stockland reported a 43% year-on-year lift in Masterplanned Communities sales and a 162% surge in Land Lease Community sales. These results were driven by the same housing shortage that policy changes are trying to address.  

Seven of 10 analysts covering Stockland have a buy or strong buy rating, reflecting confidence in the stock’s future prospects.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR): A new-build tailwind hiding inside a falling market

Mirvac Group shares the same structural advantage as Stockland, developing new residential properties rather than trading established ones. 

The Federal Budget’s decision to preserve the negative gearing concession for new builds while restricting it for established properties creates a direct demand incentive for investors to buy new Mirvac apartments and townhouses rather than established properties.

In Q3 FY26, Mirvac delivered a 28% year-on-year lift in residential sales, with management reaffirming full-year guidance. Furthermore, management confirmed the new-build demand tailwind is translating into real sales momentum. 

Mirvac shares have fallen approximately 25% over the past twelve months as the rate-hiking cycle weighed on REIT valuations across the sector. 

Despite this, Macquarie carries an outperform rating on Mirvac with a price target of $2.70. The broker has argued that the residential recovery and build-to-rent growth story can drive earnings higher even in a higher-for-longer rate environment. 

The common thread for ASX property stocks

Falling house prices are not uniformly bad news for every ASX company with property exposure.

REA Group faces the most direct headwind, with its listing revenue model exposed to both lower volumes and reduced vendor confidence. 

Stockland and Mirvac, as new residential developers, are paradoxically better positioned than their share price declines suggest. These companies benefit from the very policy changes driving established property prices lower.

For investors, understanding which side of that distinction each company sits on is the most important question heading into FY27. 

Foolish Takeaway

Property prices are falling in Australia’s two largest cities, and the impact on ASX property shares is material.

REA Group faces the clearest earnings headwind as listing volumes soften.

Stockland and Mirvac, counterintuitively, may be among the few property-exposed ASX shares that benefit from today’s policy environment. 

The post Property prices are falling. Here are the ASX shares most affected appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How much do I need in my superannuation to get $1500 per week in passive income?

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

The team at Morgans has been running the rule over a number of popular ASX shares again this week.

Let’s see if it rates these as buys, holds, or sells. Here’s what you need to know:

Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)

Morgans remains positive on this software provider despite the loss of a major government contract.

It notes that the company’s shares have been hammered and are now at a five-year low. In response, the broker has retained its buy rating on Objective Corp’s shares with a reduced price target of $11.50. It commented:

OCL’s largest and longest standing customer, the Australian Department of Defence, has elected not to renew its Upgrade and Support (USP) agreement for Objective ECM, a relationship that has been in place for over 25 years. Whilst OCL expects no impacts to earnings in FY26, the group has flagged that the impact from the loss in revenue will see FY26 ARR end the period “in line with FY25” on a constant currency basis (i.e. ~A$120m Pre FY26 FX headwinds). Rebasing our forecasts for OCL’s revised FY26 ARR, our NPAT estimates reduce by ~22-23% in FY27-28F. Whilst this is a disappointing and unexpected update, post our revisions OCL is trading on FY27F P/E of 21x, with a share price at 5-years lows. We therefore reiterate our Buy rating with a revised PT of $11.50/sh.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

Morgans also highlights that ResMed shares have de-rated materially this year. This is despite the market continuing to expect strong earnings growth from the sleep disorder treatment company. 

While there are risks, Morgans remains bullish and has put a buy rating and $41.72 price target on its shares. It said:

RMD has de-rated to ~16x forward earnings, its lowest valuation since the post-GFC period, despite consensus continuing to forecast double-digit EPS growth. GLP-1 therapies, positive Phase III data from Apnimed’s oral OSA therapy, the prospect of Philips re-entering the US PAP market from 2027 and broader healthcare sector de-rating, have driven recent share price weakness. While these risks are real, current industry data and RMD’s operating performance provide limited evidence of a material deterioration in underlying demand. We make no changes to FY26-28 forecasts or our A$41.72 target price. BUY.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

Finally, this mining giant has been downgraded by Morgans following news that it is selling its aluminium business for US$5.6 billion. 

The broker has cut its recommendation to hold with a trimmed price target of $4.50. It explains:

S32 has agreed to sell its entire ali business for total consideration of US$5.6bn (US$4.1bn upfront), and transfer of US$1.2bn closure/rehab liabilities. Our view on S32’s aluminium sale is genuinely mixed. It leaves S32 a simpler and, in important respects, a better business, but also a smaller and less valuable one. Total value of up to ~US$6.8bn, which sits at a discount to consensus/Morgans valuations of US$8.8-9.2bn. We reduce our valuation on S32’s ali assets to in line with the agreed Alcoa deal, and shift our valuation methodology to a blended NAV:EBITDA valuation of A$4.50 (from A$5.00). As a result we update our rating to HOLD (from Accumulate).

The post Buy, hold, sell: Objective Corp, ResMed, and South32 shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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

Your late 50s are a turning point in your life when your priority shifts from building your superannuation to planning what your retirement might look like.

After all, at the age of 59, you’re just one year from preservation age (when you can access your super if you’ve stopped working), six years from the average Australian retirement age of 65, and eight years from potentially receiving the Age Pension payment at age 67.

The question is: do you know how your super balance compares to others your age? Do you know exactly how much money you need to fund your retirement?

Here’s a breakdown of what the average Aussie has at age 59, and what you actually need to retire comfortably in the next few years.

What is the average superannuation balance at age 59?

There isn’t an exact figure for the average superannuation balance at age 59, but the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has a good guideline.

ASFA’s data shows that at age 55-59, the average Australian male has around $319,743 in superannuation. The average female the same age has approximately $242,945.

But given that age 59 is right on the boundary of the 55-59 age bracket, it can be helpful to consider the bracket above as well. 

Ideally you want to be somewhere in between the two. 

ASFA’s data shows that at age 60-64, the average Australian male has around $395,852 in their superannuation. Meanwhile, the average 60-64-year-old female has less, at approximately $313,360.

So, how does your balance compare to the average Aussie the same age?

How much does it cost to retire?

In Australia, retirement is generally split into two broad categories: modest and comfortable. 

A modest retirement is defined as being able to cover expenses slightly above what the full Centrelink Age Pension would provide from age 67. 

ASFA estimates that a modest retirement will cost around $36,434 per year for singles and $52,473 per year for couples. These figures assume you’ll also receive a part Age Pension and that you own your home outright.

A comfortable retirement as one that enables retirees to maintain a good standard of living well beyond the age pension. 

ASFA data shows that a comfortable retirement is estimated to cost around $55,923 per year for singles and $78,566 for couples. Again, it assumes you’ll receive a part Age Pension and that you own your home in full. 

That means ASFA’s data indicates that by age 67, single Australians need a superannuation balance of approximately $630,000. And couples should have closer to $730,000.

At age 59, is the average superannuation balance on track for retirement?

If your superannuation is in line with the rest of the population, then you’ll be able to afford a very basic and modest retirement lifestyle from the age of 67.

It could cover things like basic health insurance and home repairs, but wouldn’t leave much room for leisure activities or meals out, let alone a holiday.

But if you’re expecting to live a retirement lifestyle beyond the basics, you’re already falling behind. 

I’ve crunched the numbers, and at age 59, you should have around $479,500 in your superannuation. 

As you can see, this is significantly higher than the average balances in both age brackets.

Is it too late to catch up?

Thankfully, no.

At age 59, there is still time to boost your superannuation before it’s too late.

The first thing to do is check that your super fund is performing well and your risk profile is appropriate for your age. 

Next, you’ll need to focus your attention on making extra contributions however you can. Individuals can make concessional (before-tax) super contributions, such as salary sacrificing, which are taxed at a reduced rate. You can also make after-tax payments within your annual limits. 

It also makes sense to check in with Government contribution rules. There are several rules and co-contribution rules you might be eligible for, depending on your personal circumstances. Every cent counts when it comes to compound growth!

The post Average superannuation balance for 59 year olds in 2026. How does yours compare? 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 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.

Shares in Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL) have been a bit unloved over the past year, falling more than 40% over the period.

That has prompted the analysts at Morgans to have a look at the energy company, and they believe there is significant upside to be had by investing in this offshore gas producer.

What has been driving the Amplitude share price lower?

In a note to clients recently, Morgans said there had been some sizeable, albeit short-term catalysts recently which had pushed the share price lower, but added that the shares had de-rated, “to a level we view as unsustainable given the company’s forward earnings profile”.

Morgans’ assessment of the value of the company had dropped 17% due to poor exploration results and weaker spot gas prices, but the shares had fallen 57% since a high in February.

In May, Amplitude bought half of the Artisan gas field in the offshore Otway Basin from Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) for $58.3 million, which Morgans said was a deal that made sense for the company.

Amplitude Managing Director Jane Norman said regarding the deal:

Producing Artisan through Amplitude Energy’s existing infrastructure allows faster and lower-cost development of this gas for the east coast domestic market. Artisan development costs will significantly benefit from leveraging the existing East Coast Supply Project (ECSP) program and our readily-available infrastructure. This is a win-win for Amplitude, O.G. Energy and Beach with respect to optimising our respective Otway Basin positions. We expect to rapidly move to FID on the development phase of the ECSP over the next few months while the drilling of the Juliet and Annie wells is conducted, with Juliet now brought forward and drilling expected to commence by late July or early August.

Morgans said the deal de-risked the ECSP for Amplitude.

Amplitude shares looking cheap

Morgans added:

While the year-to-date share price performance has been disappointing, driven by gas reservation policy uncertainty and the ECSP drilling results, but in our view the share price pressure has outpaced the change in value and has increased the size of the long-term value upside on offer. While there remains great uncertainty around Australia’s gas reservation policy, which could bring some downside to long-term domestic gas prices (potentially), it is hard not to believe we are near peak negativity on the topic sentiment wise (an appealing marker for value investors).

Morgans has a buy rating on Amplitude shares with a price target of $3, compared to $1.27 currently.

Amplitude is valued at $385.35 million.

The post This ASX gas company could more than double in value: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares have fallen back into the red this week.

At the time of writing, the buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider’s shares are down around 8% for the year-to-date, but they’re still around 1% higher than 12 months ago.

Zip shares have been volatile ever since the stock was caught up in an ongoing sector-wide tech sell-off. 

Technology and growth shares have also come under renewed pressure recently as investors reassess valuations and risk appetite. 

The ASX 200 tech shares rebounded an impressive 40% in June, but since the first of July, they have resumed their downward trajectory. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is roughly flat for the year-to-date at the time of writing, but around 1.5% higher than 12 months ago.

It’s not all bad news for Zip shares though. Here are three reasons to add the tech stock to your portfolio this financial year, and three reasons to sell up.

3 reasons to buy Zip shares

1. The company is financially sound

Zip’s financial results have been strong through the past few quarters. Its latest third-quarter FY26 results announcement in mid-April showed that growth has started to accelerate. The fintech business also upgraded its FY26 group cash EBTDA guidance to at least $260 million, from previous guidance of around $248.6 million.

2. Zip is aggressively expanding

Zip is rapidly expanding its product range and aggressively expanding its global presence, especially in the US. Late last year, the company announced that its US segment was expanding its partnership with the programmable financial services business Stripe. In early February, the company confirmed it is expanding its US presence by launching a new Pay in 2 product. Zip is also pursuing a dual sharemarket listing on the Nasdaq in the US. This could help drive an even opportunity for business expansion in the area.

3. Brokers tip a huge upside ahead

TradingView data shows that analysts are very bullish on Zip’s outlook over the next 12 months.

Out of 12 analysts, 11 have a buy or strong buy consensus on the shares, and the average $3.87 target price implies a potential 25% upside.

Some are even more optimistic and tip the shares to increase up to 74% to $5.40 a piece, at the time of writing.

3 reasons to sell Zip shares

1. There is increasing competition

Zip competes with major players including Klarna, PayPal, Block (through Afterpay), traditional banks, and credit card providers. Increased competition can pressure the company’s margins and growth.

2. Zip doesn’t pay dividends

If passive income is your goal, Zip isn’t the stock for you. The company is still in the growth phase, which means it is focusing its funds on growing the business rather than distributing products to shareholders.

3. Zip is highly sensitive to volatility

Zip is a growth stock, which means its share price is subject to investor sentiment, changes in interest rates, slower consumer spending, and even employment rates. It’s not a defensive asset which means it isn’t as resilient as some other alternatives during times of sharemarket volatility.

The post Zip shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Zip shares are flying again. Is this ASX 200 stock finally back in favour?

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

Ten years is long enough for the share market to embarrass short-term opinions.

Themes come and go, but some parts of the global economy look likely to become more important over time.

With that in mind, here are three ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that could be worth buying and holding for the next decade.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could be one of the best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years.

This fund is often described as a technology ETF, but that undersells it.

This ASX ETF is really a bet on the companies building the operating system of modern life. Search, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital advertising, streaming, online shopping, software, chips, smartphones, and payments all sit inside the broader ecosystem that the Nasdaq 100 captures.

The power of this ETF is that investors do not need to know exactly which part of the digital economy wins next.

Maybe artificial intelligence keeps driving spending. Or maybe cloud platforms become even more important, or software, chips, or digital media take the next turn.

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF gives investors exposure to a collection of businesses with the scale, cash flow, and ambition to keep shaping those changes.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF could be a strong option for investors who think the digital world is becoming more vulnerable as it becomes more valuable.

Every new app, cloud platform, connected device, payment system, workplace tool, and artificial intelligence service creates another door that needs a lock.

That is the simple idea behind this ASX ETF. Cybersecurity used to sound like a specialist IT department issue. Today, it is closer to insurance, compliance, infrastructure, and reputation protection all rolled into one.

Companies can cut back on some technology spending when conditions get tougher, but leaving systems exposed is becoming harder to justify.

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF gives investors exposure to businesses trying to solve that problem across networks, identity, cloud security, endpoint protection, and threat detection.

The fund can move sharply because cybersecurity shares often trade on high expectations. But the long-term demand outlook is hard to dismiss.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

Finally, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF brings something different to the table.

While the other two funds lean into big growth themes, this ASX ETF is built around business durability.

The fund looks for US companies believed to have sustainable competitive advantages and attractive valuations.

That can mean brands customers keep choosing, networks that are hard to copy, cost advantages, intellectual property, scale, or high switching costs.

The idea is simple enough. Great businesses can stay great for longer than expected when competitors struggle to attack their economics.

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF also adds a valuation filter, which can help stop investors from simply chasing quality at any price.

A decade is a long time in markets, and plenty will change along the way. But a portfolio of companies with strong competitive positions and valuation discipline could be well placed to keep doing its job.

The post The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 6 ASX ETFs offering 10%-plus dividend yields in a single payout
• Own NDQ, ARMR, HACK or other Betashares ASX ETFs? Dividends just announced
• 3 exciting ASX ETFs for exposure to the future of technology
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.