Trying to predict which individual shares will perform best over the next year can be difficult, especially when markets are being pulled in different directions by technology, geopolitics, and economic uncertainty.

That is where exchange traded funds (ETFs) can shine. By focusing on long-term themes rather than short-term noise, they allow investors to stay exposed to powerful trends without relying on a single outcome.

But which funds could be buys for investors? Here are three ASX ETFs that I think could be best buys for the year ahead.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF provides investors with exposure to the technology leaders shaping Asia’s digital economy.

This ASX ETF invests in major regional players across ecommerce, payments, gaming, and hardware manufacturing. Key holdings include Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), and Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930).

Digital adoption across Asia continues to grow, supported by large populations and expanding middle classes. This bodes well for the fund’s holdings, which stand to benefit greatly from these tailwinds over the next decade.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF targets a theme that is becoming more critical each year.

As businesses, governments, and individuals rely more heavily on digital systems, the need to protect data and networks continues to grow. This means that cybersecurity has become essential infrastructure rather than discretionary spending.

This ASX ETF holds global leaders in the industry such as CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT). These companies benefit from recurring revenue models as organisations prioritise security regardless of economic conditions.

Looking ahead, cybersecurity demand appears structural rather than cyclical, which could make the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF a compelling long-term thematic exposure.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

A final ETF that could be among the best to buy this year is the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF.

It provides investors with access to companies that provide products people buy regardless of what is going on in the economy.

Its portfolio includes household names like Nestle (SWX: NESN), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), and Walmart (NYSE: WMT). These are global giants with strong brands, pricing power, and steady cash flows.

This gives the fund defensive qualities, which could be good if you think rising geopolitical tensions may cause market volatility in 2026.

The post Why I think these ASX ETFs are best buys for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, and Tencent. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group, Nestlé, and Palo Alto Networks. 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 CrowdStrike. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept. It is already reshaping how businesses operate, how data is processed, and how entire industries compete.

For investors, the challenge is not believing in AI’s potential. It is figuring out how to invest without needing to pick the single company that gets everything right. That is where ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can help, offering diversified exposure to AI-related growth in a simple and accessible way.

Here are three ASX ETFs that provide different angles on the AI theme.

Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF is probably the most direct way to invest in AI through the ASX.

This ASX ETF focuses on stocks that are involved in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, covering both hardware and software. This includes businesses building the tools that allow AI systems to function in the real world, not just consumer-facing applications.

Top holdings include NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), and Keyence (TYO: 6861). These are companies that benefit from increased demand for computing power, automation, and precision technology as AI adoption accelerates.

For investors who want targeted exposure to AI as a long-term structural trend, the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF offers a clear and focused option. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is another ASX ETF to consider for AI exposure. It provides a broader, but still powerful, way to invest in this megatrend.

Rather than focusing solely on artificial intelligence, the fund tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, which includes many of the companies leading AI development and commercialisation. These businesses tend to have the scale, capital, and data needed to deploy AI at speed.

Key holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN). AI is not their only growth driver, but it is increasingly embedded across their products and services.

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could suit investors who want AI exposure without relying on a single theme, blending innovation with established global leaders.

Betashares Cloud Computing ETF (ASX: CLDD)

The Betashares Cloud Computing ETF is a third ASX ETF to look at for AI exposure. It focuses on the infrastructure that makes AI possible.

AI relies heavily on cloud computing for data storage, processing, and scalability. This ETF invests in companies that provide the platforms and services enabling AI workloads to run efficiently.

Holdings include Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), and Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW). As AI models become more data-intensive, demand for cloud-based solutions is expected to rise alongside them.

This fund was also recently recommended by Betashares.

The post 3 super ASX ETFs for easy investing in AI appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Intuitive Surgical, Microsoft, Nvidia, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Snowflake. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. 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 BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia, Salesforce, and ServiceNow. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) share price is in focus after the company announced a new multi-year exclusive delivery partnership with Uber Eats in Australia. Delivery now accounts for around 27% of the company’s total sales, highlighting its growing importance to the business.

What did Guzman y Gomez report?

• Entered a multi-year exclusive delivery partnership with Uber Eats covering Australia, effective 22 February 2026
• Delivery sales made up approximately 27% of total Australian sales in 1H26
• GYG and Uber will jointly invest to enhance value, choice and convenience for customers
• Franchisees expected to benefit from improved commercial terms and sales support
• Exclusivity applies only to Australia, with international arrangements unchanged

What else do investors need to know?

The exclusive partnership is designed to strengthen the economics of GYG’s delivery channel by driving growth for both corporate-owned and franchised restaurants. GYG’s franchisees across Australia are expected to benefit through new initiatives supporting a smooth transition to Uber Eats exclusivity, aimed at protecting restaurant sales performance.

The company emphasised that while Uber Eats will become its sole delivery partner in Australia, existing partnerships in the United States, Singapore and Japan will not be impacted by this move.

What did Guzman y Gomez management say?

Steven Marks, Founder and Co-CEO of GYG, said:

Our guests love the convenience of delivery, and this exclusive partnership with Uber Eats means we can serve them even better.

“This isn’t just about delivery, it’s about creating an experience that reflects the quality and speed our guests expect, while driving innovation in how we connect with them. We’re excited about what this partnership means for our guests today and for the future of GYG.

What’s next for Guzman y Gomez?

GYG plans to launch the new exclusive partnership with Uber Eats from 22 February 2026, aiming to accelerate delivery sales and improve customer experience. The company said it will continue investing in growth and innovation within both its delivery and restaurant operations.

Investors should also note GYG’s upcoming 1H26 results announcement, scheduled for 20 February 2026, when further financial details and outlook are expected.

Guzman y Gomez share price snapshot

Over the past 12 moths, Guzman Y Gomez shares have declined 43%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Guzman y Gomez teams up exclusively with Uber Eats for Australian delivery appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Whenever I buy an ASX share, I do so with the hope, and expectation, that I won’t have to sell it. Things change and don’t turn out how we might expect, of course. I have sold many ASX shares that didn’t execute on their potential over the years. But at the end of the day, I try to live up to Warren Buffett’s advice that “If you aren’t thinking about owning a stock for ten years, don’t even think about owning it for ten minutes”.

So with that in mind, let’s talk about five ASX shares that I think any investor should buy in 2026 if they intend to hold them for at least a decade.

Five ASX stocks to buy and hold until 2036 and beyond

First up is Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). Telstra is the leading telecommunications provider in Australia. Its superior network coverage and powerful brand give this stock an impressive moat, which has historically enabled Telstra to steadily grow its earnings and dividends. As a reliable income stock and a steady blue-chip share, I don’t think you can go wrong with Telstra as a long-term investment.

It’s a similar story with Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL). Coles has done an exceptional job since beginning ASX life in its own terms in 2018. It has gained market share from rival Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) in recent years. Additionally, its nature as a provider of food and household essentials makes it a defensive stock resistant to economic problems like inflation and recessions.

Again, this helps protect the company’s earnings and ability to pay a consistent and reliable dividend. Unless we find a way to live happily without eating and running our houses, Coles should be bigger and better in 2036.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) is another ASX stock perfect for a long-term investor, in my view. Wesfarmers is the company behind some of Australia’s most popular retailers. These include Kmart, OfficeWorks, Target, and Bunnings. This stock also owns a collection of other diversified businesses, which range from lithium extraction to pharmacies.

Wesfarmers has proven over many decades that it knows how to manage different businesses successfully and to grow investors’ capital. It has a strong history of dividend payments and share buybacks. I would be happy to own Wesfarmers shares for many decades to come.

Our final two shares

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) is our fourth long-term investment. Soul Patts is an investment house that manages an underlying portfolio on behalf of its shareholders. This portfolio contains stakes in other ASX shares, as well as private credit investments and other unlisted assets.

Like Wesfarmers, Soul Patts has decades of history that it can point to with pride. It has delivered market-beating returns for the past 25 years, and boasts the best dividend streak on the ASX. Its investors have enjoyed an annual dividend pay rise every single year since 1998.

Our final stock today is another retailer in Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL). Like Wesfarmers, many Australians might not have heard of Super Retail Group. But they have probably heard of its brands, which include Super Cheap Auto, Rebel, Macpac, and BCF. Super Retail Group is one of the most resilient retailers in the country, surviving and thriving during both the 2008 global financial crisis and the pandemic. Given the enduring popularity of its stores, I think buying and holding this company for at least the next ten years would be a prudent investment.

The post 5 ASX stocks to hold for the next decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group, Telstra Group, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and 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.

Every now and again, top-quality Australian stocks experience a significant share price dip. These occasions can be rare. But when they do happen, it can be a fleeting opportunity to pick up shares of a lucrative investment. We could be seeing this in action as we speak with Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL).

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co, or Soul Patts for short, is an investing house. Unlike most Australian stocks, which produce goods or services for consumers, Soul Patts instead manages an underlying portfolio of investments on behalf of its shareholders.

These investments are highly diversified. There are a few ASX shares that the company owns major stakes in, including TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG) and New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC). There’s also a broader portfolio of blue-chip stocks that Soul Patts inherited from the acquisition of the old Milton Corporation a few years ago.

In addition to this impressive share portfolio, Soul Patts also invests in a range of other assets. These include private credit, venture capital, and other unlisted assets. That’s in addition to the property portfolio and construction materials manufacturing business that Soul Patts acquired with its acquisition of Brickworks last year.

Soul Patts is pure long-term perfection in an Australian stock

So we can be sure that a Soul Patts investment is an inherently diversified one. But it has historically also been an incredibly lucrative one. Last year, the company confirmed that its investors had enjoyed an average total return (share price growth plus dividends) of 13.7% per annum over the 25 years to 23 September 2025. That beat out the broader market by over 5% per annum.

The company also outperformed over 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15-year periods, too. Additionally, Soul Patts shareholders have enjoyed the longest streak of annual dividend increases on the ASX from this company. Soul Patts has raised its annual dividend like clockwork every year since 1998. That included 2025.

Putting all of this together, I think we can conclude that this company is pure perfection for long-term investors.

Yet this company has just come off a fairly dramatic share price plunge. Back in September of last year, Soul Patts shares were riding high on the back of the Brickworks acquisition. The company hit a new all-time record of $45.14 that month. But ever since, this exuberance has been fading. At the current (at the time of writing anyway) price of $38.22, the company is a significant 14.5% or so down from that record high. Back in December, Soul Patts went under $35 a share, which was more than 21% below that height.

Despite the recent recovery from that low, today’s pricing could be a good entry point for investors looking for a company they can buy and hold forever.

The post 1 Australian stock down 14% that’s pure long-term perfection appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 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.

Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) shares have been among the best performers on the Australian share market over the past 12 months.

During this time, the gold miner’s shares have risen 145%.

The good news is that analysts at Bell Potter don’t believe it is too late to invest and see potential for market-beating gains in 2026.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with Regis Resources’ performance during the second quarter. It highlights that the gold miner delivered production ahead of expectations and costs that were largely in line.

In light of this, the broker believes the company is well-positioned to achieve its guidance in FY 2026. It said:

RRL has released its December 2025 quarterly report, for which group production lifted ahead of our expectations and costs were broadly in-line. Overall, it was a solid quarter with RRL well placed to meet FY26 guidance and continue to build on its track record of consistent delivery. For the quarter, RRL achieved group production of 96,556oz at AISC of A$2,839/oz (vs BPe 92,158oz at AISC of A$2,718/oz).

Operating cash flow for the quarter of $419m was up 44% from $290m QoQ, demonstrating RRL’s exceptional leverage to the gold price. RRL achieved an average realised price of A$6,436/oz, up 19% QoQ from A$5,405/oz. This drove a further lift in cash generation, with $255m added to the balance sheet (equivalent to $2,640/oz produced, vs $1,750/oz QoQ). RRL holds cash of $930m (from $675m QoQ) after the payment of $38m in dividends and remains debt free.

Dividends incoming?

In light of its strong performance and significant cash generation, Bell Potter thinks that Regis Resources could increase its dividends. It adds:

RRL’s accelerating cash generation, $930m cash balance, no debt and no major budgeted capital projects shifts the focus to shareholder returns. RRL recommenced dividend distributions at end FY25. It will publish a formal capital management policy with the 1HFY26 results to be released in February 2026. We consider the likelihood of increased dividends to be high.

Major upside

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on Regis Resources shares with an improved price target of $8.85 (from $7.05).

Based on its current share price of $7.58, this implies potential upside of 17% for investors over the next 12 months.

The broker also expects a 2% dividend yield, which boosts the total potential return to 19%.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter concludes:

We remain attracted to RRL’s all-Australian, multi-mine asset portfolio, its demonstrated leverage to the gold price, highly competitive cash generation and its fully unhedged, debt free position. Our NPV-based valuation lifts 26%, to $8.85/sh. We retain our Buy recommendation.

The post Up 145% in 12 months: Why it isn’t too late to buy Regis Resources shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

It is fair to say that Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) shares have been on fire over the past 12 months.

During this time, the rare earths producer’s shares have risen an impressive 150%.

This has been driven by growing demand for rare earths and Chinese export restrictions.

Is it too late to buy Lynas shares?

The team at Bell Potter thinks it is too late to invest and is urging investors to sell their shares if they own them. Especially after Lynas’ quarterly update fell short of expectations.

Commenting on the quarter, Bell Potter highlights that its production and revenue were short of expectations. Though, it does acknowledge that the company’s realised price was higher than forecast, which bodes well for its margins. It said:

LYC produced 1,404t NdPr (BPe 2,100t VA Cons 1,700t) and 978t other rare earths. The December quarter was plagued by power outages in Kalgoorlie and planned maintenance in Kuantan. LYC’s achieved basket price hit a record $86/kg (BPe $60/kg VA Cons $67/kg). Revenue was $202m (BPe $279m VA Cons $206m). Cash operating costs were $140m, up from $115m in 1QFY26, equating to cash costs of $59/kg TREO.

Payments for capital expenditure were $45m, down from $66m in 1QFY26. LYC finished 1QFY26 with $1,030m in cash, down from $1,060m in 1QFY26. Whilst the result disappointed on production, the power outages look to be resolved (for now). The higher than forecast basket price appears to have been driven by mix and product premiums. Whilst it is uncertain how long LYC can manage this, it does bode well for near-term margin protection.

Time to sell

According to the note, the broker has retained its sell rating on Lynas shares with an improved price target of $11.15.

Based on its current share price of $16.75, this implies potential downside of 33% for investors over the next 12 months.

Although the broker is a fan of the company, it just simply isn’t a fan of its valuation. Commenting on its sell recommendation, Bell Potter said:

Our target price increases to $11.15/sh (previously $9.60/sh), and we maintain our Sell recommendation. Whilst we like the business, asset, and team, we believe there is significant optimism priced into the stock, with investors using it as a hedge on US-China relations. Earnings changes in this report include: FY26 -16%, FY27 nc [no change], FY28 nc.

The post Why Lynas shares could crash 33% 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 recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. 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.

A key acquisition from IVE Group Ltd (ASX: IGL) has helped improve the outlook for this ASX communications stock, according to Bell Potter. 

The company is the largest integrated marketing communications business in Australia with leading market positions across every sector in which it operates.

Over the last 12 months, this ASX communications stock has risen by 33%. 

In late December last year, the company acquired DailyPress.

Here’s an overview of the deal.

Key acquisition 

On December 31, 2025, the company announced the completed acquisition of Daily Press, an Australian-based creative agency specialising in digital, social media and performance marketing.

The company said the total purchase consideration for Daily Press is up to $35.0 million, comprising:

• $25.0 million payable in cash on completion
• up to $8.0 million payable in deferred consideration subject to the achievement of agreed performance hurdles over the first and second 12-month periods post completion
• up to a further $2.0 million in deferred consideration (up to $1.0 million per each 12-month earnout period) based on performance against stretch targets.

IVE Group also expects the acquisition to contribute annual revenue and EBITDA of approximately $23.0 million and $5.5 million respectively.

Bell Potter’s analysis 

Broker Bell Potter released a new report yesterday which included updated guidance on this ASX communications stock following the acquisition. 

The broker said the net impact on underlying EPS forecasts is upgrades of 2%, 4% and 6% in FY26, FY27 and FY28.

Following the acquisition, Bell Potter said the Balance Sheet of IVE Group remains strong and it believes the company still has capacity to make further acquisitions of up to around $30m without needing to use or raise equity and also fund the dividends. 

We also believe the Balance Sheet can support an increase in the dividend from 18c in FY26 to 20c in FY27 subject to any further acquisitions not exceeding $30m in the near term.

Price target upside 

Bell Potter has also upgraded its price target on this ASX communications stock to $3.25 (previously $3.10). 

The broker has maintained its buy recommendation. 

Based on yesterday’s closing price of $2.86, this indicates an upside of 13.64%. 

We have increased the multiple we apply in our PE ratio valuation from 7.75x to 8.25x given the recent demonstrated ability of IVE to make EPS accretive acquisitions and the potential of more to come given the Balance Sheet strength.

Elsewhere, TradingView has an average analyst target of $3.10. 

This indicates approximately 8.4% upside. 

Online brokerage platform Selfwealth lists this ASX communications stock as undervalued by 14%.

The post Bell Potter just raised its price target on this ASX communications stock 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.

It was a rough day of trading yesterday for ASX 200 stocks Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST). 

These two companies fell by 5.99% and 8.43% respectively. 

After such a large sell-off, is this a buy the dip opportunity for investors?

Let’s find out. 

Why the sell-off?

There was price sensitive news out of both ASX 200 stocks yesterday that led to the sharp decline. 

Generation Development Group released December Quarter results. 

This included a 36% increase in group funds under management (FUM) to $34.5 billion.

As The Motley Fool’s Laura Stewart reported yesterday, the company maintained strong momentum across all divisions. 

Despite this, the ASX 200 stock dropped almost 6% during the day’s trade. 

Meanwhile, Northern Star Resources shares fell following the release of its quarterly update. 

All in all, the miner reported lower gold sales, revised FY26 guidance, and ongoing investment in major growth projects.

Are either of these ASX 200 stocks a buy?

The team at Bell Potter has issued new analysis on both of these ASX 200 companies following yesterday’s announcements. 

The broker noted that Northern Star Resources experienced production disruptions across several operating assets. 

Bell Potter said whilst the result was disappointing, the information was priced into the stock following the 2 January update, with the company underperforming large-cap gold peers since then. 

In its report, the broker said EPS changes include: FY26 +27% FY27 +6% and FY28 -1%. 

For Generation Development Group, Bell Potter said the company delivered a mixed 2Q26 update which saw Investment Bonds beat expectation. However, Managed Accounts were softer than anticipated due to timing differences of new client entries and flows. 

Price target adjustments 

Bell Potter has maintained buy recommendations on both these ASX 200 stocks. 

The broker has increased its price target of Northern Star Resources shares to $31.10 (previously $30.00). 

After yesterday’s rough day of trading, this indicates an upside of 18.8%. 

Whilst the 2QFY26 report disappointed, we view the issues as being largely resolved/ one off, setting up a base for a stronger 2HFY26.

The broker decreased its price target on Generation Development Group shares to $7.90 (previously $8.40). 

Despite lowering its price target, this indicates an upside of 39.82% after yesterday’s sell-off.

Our Buy is unchanged and target price down on lower sector multiples and risked growth for lumpiness. We continue to see structural growth and strategic progress.

The post Two ASX 200 stocks to buy after crashing 6-9% yesterday 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 recommended Generation Development Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The WiseTech Global (ASX: WTC) share price closed in the red again on Thursday afternoon. Over the course of the day the shares fell 0.48% to $61.72 a piece.

The latest drop means the shares are now 9.96% lower for the year-to-date and nearly 50% below where they were this time last year.

It looked like the logistics software provider’s stock had finally bottomed out in late-2025 after WiseTech faced several headwinds throughout the 12-month period. 

From unexciting financial results to an AFP and ASIC raid and a boardroom fallout, several consecutive events managed to knock back investor confidence time and time again. And confidence keeps on dwindling.

The thing is, WiseTech shows fantastic potential for growth over the next 12 months. The business is strong, it is continually expanding its operations, and it also has a proven track record of company growth.

I even think there is a good chance it’s shares could double in value in 2026.

The team at Bell Potter thinks that the beaten-down logistics company could be an ASX 200 share to buy. It has a $100 price target on WiseTech shares.

Macquarie said that it sees limited risk associated with the company’s upcoming half-year results. The broker has an outperform rating and $108.50 price target on WiseTech shares. 

And some analysts are even more bullish on their outlook for the stock. TradingView data shows that 12 out of 14 analysts have a strong buy rating on the stock. 

The average target price is $107.56 per share, which implies a 74.27% potential upside, at the time of writing. However the maximum target price is a whopping $175.65 a piece, which implies a potential 174.65% upside over the next 12 months. 

So, why aren’t we seeing this type of price increase come to fruition?

Why are WiseTech shares still falling?

There has been no price-sensitive news out of the company this month to explain the latest decline. So it looks like investor confidence is still taking a beating from the multiple headwinds the business faced last year.

WiseTech has been affected by governance drama and an ASIC raid, which weighed heavily on investor sentiment.

The raid was in relation to alleged insider trading by founder and former CEO Richard White and other staff members during late 2024 to early 2025. No charges have been laid against the company, but a board turnover and media scrutiny heavily affected investor confidence which still has not been able to recover.

Around the same time, investors were also worried about the execution of its e2open acquisition, adding more risk. Another red flag to investors it seems.

In short, WiseTech shares are still declining because the uncertainty and risks posed continue to outweigh business strength in the short term. The question now is, when will it end?

The post  Why are WiseTech shares still falling? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 beaten-down ASX blue-chip tech shares I’d buy today
• 2 ASX growth stocks set to skyrocket in the next 12 months
• A once-in-a-decade chance to buy WiseTech Global shares?
• Where to invest $5,000 in ASX 200 shares to try and beat the market
• 5 of the best ASX growth shares to buy and hold

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