The Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price has risen by around 10% in the last six months. The ASX mining share also just reported its FY26 half-year result.

After seeing the numbers, it’s a good time to consider what could happen with the Fortescue share price, and whether the business is a buy or not.

Fortescue reported that revenue rose 10% to US$8.4 billion, underlying operating profit (EBITDA) grew 23% to US$4.5 billion, net profit rose 23% to US$1.91 billion, net operating cash flow increased 32% to US$3.2 billion and the dividend was hiked by 24% to 62 cents per share.

The ASX mining share benefited from a 7% rise in its sold price and production costs declined 3%.

Let’s see what experts think of the Fortescue share price.

Analysis and views of the FY26 half-year result

Broker UBS said that the interim dividend was stronger than the market was expecting with a “sector-leading” 65% dividend payout ratio.

Underlying EBITDA was around 5% stronger than expected thanks to a strengthening of the market to 53%, though earnings was a “slight miss” compared to market expectations reflecting higher depreciation and amortisation (D&A) on Fortescue’s growing asset base.

UBS also highlighted that the company’s roll out of batteries, solar and wind is accelerating. The cost of those installs is improving sequentially, with “strong relationships” with manufacturers. The broker said it’s “confident” in Fortescue’s approach to decarbonisation spending.

Taking diesel and gas costs of C1 production costs were estimated at US$2 to US$4 per tonne by 2030, which could be a positive for the Fortescue share price.

UBS thoughts on the outlook

The broker is forecasting that the iron ore price could be US$96 per tonne in the 2026 calendar year and US$90 per tonne in 2027 as large African iron ore project Simandou ramps up.

UBS also highlighted that CMRG (a large Chinese buyer of iron ore) negotiations “continue to pose a challenge for the sector” and may affect sales. But, Fortescue has to date “encountered less scrutiny than peers”.

Fortescue’s potential green energy projects are waiting for “more favourable return signals”. Additionally, UBS noted that Fortescue is giving itself optionality by looking at copper projects, including the recent Alta Copper acquisition.

Is the Fortescue share price a buy?

UBS is now forecasting that Fortescue could generate US$3.8 billion of net profit in FY26 and pay an annual dividend per share of A$1.22.

The broker has a price target of $20 on Fortescue, implying a mid-single-digit decline of the Fortescue share price, in percentage terms, over the next year. This appears to not be the best time to invest in Fortescue, even though it may provide a large dividend yield of 8.2%, including franking credits.

The post Is the Fortescue share price a buy in March? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Which ASX 200 mining shares raised their dividends this earnings season?
• ASX 200 materials sector leads as earnings season ends with a record high
• Buy, hold, sell: Fortescue, NextDC, and Woolworths shares
• What’s next for the Fortescue share price?

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

Now could be the time to buy Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) shares.

That’s the view of analysts at Bell Potter, who are feeling bullish about this uranium producer in March.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter notes that Boss Energy released its half-year results last week. While it wasn’t overly impressed by them, it saw enough to become more positive. It said:

BOE reported a rather lacklustre set of results, which at the headline continue to be impacted by the accounting treatment of inventory sales. Looking under the hood, operating cash flow was robust, and provided a better representation of the financials.

The broker also highlights that the company’s Honeymoon Project review is progressing. It believes that this review could be a catalyst to a major re-rating if successful. It adds:

The ongoing Honeymoon Project review is progressing, with the commencement of wide-spaced drill configurations underway targeting areas around wellfields B1-B5 with varying spacings up to 100m. Initial guidance was for residence time of roughly ~90 days, meaning that results could begin to filter through around the beginning of April. Should this prove to be a success, we suspect BOE will re-rate strongly. Whilst BOE remains the most shorted stock on the ASX, the short interest (16%) has pared back markedly ahead of the results.

Boss Energy shares upgraded

According to the note, the broker has upgraded Boss Energy shares to a buy rating (from hold) with an unchanged price target of $1.95. Based on its current share price of $1.64, this implies potential upside of 19% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its upgrade, Bell Potter revealed that it made the move on valuation grounds following recent share price weakness. It concludes:

We make no adjustments to our TP in this note, but take the opportunity to upgrade BOE to Buy (previously Hold), following deterioration in the price. We continue to see the market positioning for a negative outcome in the upcoming wide-spaced wellfield program, creating an asymmetric risk opportunity in our opinion.

Adding to this thesis, the continued increase in uranium prices (Spot US$88/lb or A$124/lb and Term US$89/lb A$125/lb), increases near-term margins and cashflow, further bolstering the balance sheet. EPS changes in this report are FY26 -36%, FY27 -1% FY28 nc.

The post Top broker upgrades Boss Energy shares to a buy rating appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Why is this broker upgrading its price target for Boss Energy?
• 3 ASX shares tipped to fall more than 30% in 2026
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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.

Horizon Oil Ltd (ASX: HZN) has launched a takeover bid for its smaller counterpart Cue Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: CUE) at a slender 10% premium to its last trading price.

The larger oil and gas company also said in a statement to the ASX on Monday it had acquired a stake of 19.9% in Cue.

Offer in cash and scrip

Horizon Oil is offering 0.8 cents in cash and 0.5625 Horizon shares for each Cue share under the deal, which Horizon said came to an implied value of 14.3 cents for each Cue share.

Cue shares closed at 13 cents on Friday.

Horizon said in its statement to the ASX:

The offer consideration therefore represents a 10% premium to the closing price of Cue shares of $0.13 on the last practicable date, and a premium of approximately 16.3% to the 30-day VWAP (volume weighted average price) of Cue shares of $0.123 on ASX up to and including the last practicable date. If Horizon is successful in acquiring all of the Cue Shares on issue that Horizon does not have a relevant interest in, existing Cue Shareholders will (in aggregate) hold 16.31% of the combined group and existing Horizon Shareholders will (in aggregate) own 83.69% of the combined group.

Cue has so far made no statement regarding the offer.

Horizon said in its bidder’s statement it had acquired its 19.9% stake in Cue from Echelon Resources Ltd (ASX: ECH) at 11.5 cents per share.

Synergies make sense

Chairman Bruce Clement said the Horizon Oil takeover bid made sense for Cue shareholders.

The Horizon board believes that, if Horizon acquires 100% of the Cue shares on issue, potential synergies will be available to the combined group, including from the consolidation of overlapping joint venture interests and more efficient joint venture management. The combination of Horizon and Cue, if Horizon acquires 100% of Cue shares, may unlock up to $2 million of annualised synergies. Horizon expects that the majority of these cost synergies, if realised, would be progressively achieved over approximately 12-18 months following successful offer completion.

Mr Clement said the companies had a long-standing relationship having been joint venture partners in the Maari field for more than 20 years, “and more recently through Horison’s 2024 acquisition of a 25% interest in the Mereenie field in Australia, in which Cue holds a 7.5% interest”.

He added:

With common interests in assets and non-operators in those permits, common geographical focus and similar strategies, Horizon considers the proposal to be logical. If accepted by all eligible Cue shareholders, the offer would result in an effective merger of the two entities creating an ASX-listed oil and gas producer with nine producing assets across five countries in Southeast Asia and Australia.

Horizon was valued at $390.6 million at the close of trade on Friday while Cue was valued at $90.9 million.

The post Which junior oil and gas company has just fielded a takeover bid? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top broker upgrades Boss Energy shares to a buy rating
• 2 battered ASX shares that look too cheap to ignore
• What is Bell Potter saying about Coles shares?
• Why this growing ASX 200 stock could rise 60%+
• Lynas Rare Earths shares: Malaysia licence renewed for 10 years

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.

These 2 ASX shares have slumped hard in the past 6 months.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) shares plunged 42% at the time of writing, while Zip Co. Ltd (ASX: ZIP) lost a whopping 55% in value over 6 months.

Let’s unpack what’s driving the sell-off and whether this is the moment for investors to pounce.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

On paper, this S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) wine heavyweight still has plenty going for it. Its portfolio of premium and luxury labels such as Penfolds, 19 Crimes, and Lindeman’s carries global clout.

When conditions normalise, brand strength and margin leverage could quickly revive earnings. For contrarian investors who believe in the long-term appeal of premium wine, this slump might look like an entry point to buy this ASX share.

But the risks are hard to ignore.

For the first time in more than a decade, shareholders won’t receive two dividends. The decision to suspend payouts rattled the market. Add in suspended guidance and soft demand across key regions, and it’s clear this isn’t just a small bump in the road.

Management says the focus now is execution, cash flow, and fast-tracking Project Ascent. This cost-cut program is targeting $100 million in annual savings over two to three years. The board is also guiding to a stronger second half in FY26.

The market isn’t fully convinced.

Some brokers have stuck with cautious hold ratings and price targets well below prior highs. Morgans, for one, retained its hold call for the ASX shares after digesting the 1H FY26 result. And it wasn’t exactly glowing in its assessment.

Still, Morgans nudged its 12-month price target up from $5.25 to $5.30 a share, implying potential upside of roughly 17% from current levels.

Zip Co. Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Over the past few weeks, Zip shares have been one of the more volatile ASX shares. They have been swinging from sharp sell-offs after disappointing full-year results and negative sentiment to periodic rallies that give the market some hope.

The buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider delivered solid results. Earnings jumped, guidance edged higher, and momentum looked healthy. But the market focused on the fine print.

Margins slipped to 7.9% as the faster-growing, but lower-margin US business drove more volume. Net bad debts nudged up to 1.73% of TTV, still inside board targets, but enough to keep investors alert.

Management also signalled second-half cash EBITDA will match the first. Translation? Profit growth may pause before it re-accelerates.

The bigger issue is trust. The buy now, pay later sector still faces regulatory change, tougher competition, and the risk of rising credit losses if consumers pull back. Those risks haven’t faded. And for a stock that’s already endured heavy selling, every wobble gets magnified.

So, what’s next?

Most brokers still see upside. The key will be turning new offerings into sticky, sustainable revenue streams.

UBS is bullish on the ASX share, sticking with a buy rating and a $4.50 target, pointing to potential gains of around 136% over the next year.

The post 2 battered ASX shares that look too cheap to ignore appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Why Zip shares are bouncing back 5% today
• This ASX 200 premium stock crashes 58% – bargain or value trap?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX All Ords shares at 52-week lows: Are they a buy?

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

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares came crashing down to earth on Friday.

Investors were selling the supermarket giant’s shares after the release of its half-year results.

Is this a buying opportunity? Let’s see what Bell Potter is saying about this blue chip.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with its half-year results, noting that its profit was ahead of its expectations. It said:

COL reported a 1H26 underlying NPAT modestly ahead of our expectations but inline with market at $676m (BPe $648m).

Revenue of $23,618m was up +2.5% YOY (vs. BPe $23,793m and VA $23,792m). EBITDA of $2,205m was up +7.8% YOY (vs. BPe of $2,201m and VA $2,215m). Underlying NPAT of $676m was up +12.4% YOY (vs. BPe of $648m and VA $674m). Headline NPAT of $511m includes an after-tax charge of $165m related to historical staff underpayments.

However, due to a poor performance from the Liquor business, the broker has trimmed its estimates. It adds:

Key outlook comments included: (1) Supermarket sales growth through first 7wks was +3.7% YoY (+5.3% YoY ex-tobacco); (2) liquor sales growth through first 7wks are down -2.5% YoY; and (3) Liquor is expected to incur $7m NRI’s in FY26e, which when combined with the $9m incurred in 1H26 would imply a total of $16m, modestly lower than the original $20m guidance.

NPAT changes -1% in FY26e, -2% in FY27e and -4% in FY28e, with the majority of the reduction in the liquor business. Our target price falls to $22.35/sh (prev. $24.30/sh) reflecting earnings changes are higher risk free rate assumption.

Should you invest?

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on Coles shares with a trimmed price target of $22.35 (from $24.30). Based on its current share price of $20.56, this implies potential upside of 9% for investors over the next 12 months.

In addition, the broker is forecasting a fully franked 3.6% dividend yield, which boosts the total potential return beyond 12%.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

Continued delivery against ‘Simplify & Save’ initiatives ($133m delivered in 1H25 and $698m to date vs. a target of $1Bn by FY27e) and generating a return on ADC/CFC investments (~$1.45Bn investment). COL has returned to a discount to WOW, though this is likely warranted given the lower level of forecast growth.

The post What is Bell Potter saying about Coles shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What is Morgans saying about Helloworld, TPG Telecom, and Coles shares?
• 1 ASX dividend stock down 15% I’d buy right now
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• Coles or Woolworths shares: Which is the better dividend stock for 2026?
• Why Bapcor, Brainchip, Coles, and Harvey Norman shares are dropping today

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.

If you are looking for outsized returns, then it could be worth checking out the ASX 200 stock in this article.

That’s because the team at Bell Potter believes this growing company could rise over 60% between now and this time next year.

Which ASX 200 stock?

The stock that Bell Potter is tipping as a buy is Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW).

It is a leading global cross-platform games company that operates three segments in the gaming sector.

Bell Potter notes that these divisions include land-based gaming, where it is a top three supplier of slot machines in the outright sales and lease markets and the number one supplier of both casino management systems and table products.

There is also the SciPlay business, which is a top three developer and publisher of social casino games on mobile and web platforms.

The final division is the iGaming division, which is a leading supplier of real money online gaming content and iGaming content aggregation platforms. It operates globally with over 67% of its revenue historically derived from the US.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was relatively pleased with the ASX 200 stock’s performance in FY 2025. It said:

LNW reported +4% YoY revenue growth to US$3,314m below BPe of US$3,337m and consensus of US$3,330m, supported by +6% YoY growth in Gaming (BPe +7%), -3% YoY growth in SciPlay (BPe -2%) and +13% YoY growth in iGaming (BPe +11%). Adj. NPATA of US$567m was up +18% YoY (+1% beat vs. BPe). The Nth. Am. install base grew units to 48.33k, ahead of BPe of 48.00k, with the base business growing by 700 units. The beat to consensus was driven by margin expansion initiatives.

It was also pleased to see that management has reiterated its earnings target. The broker adds:

LNW continues to work towards US$2.0b AEBITDA target. For CY26 LNW forecasts another year of strong Adjusted NPATA and EPSa growth. The company anticipates the shape of earnings to be broadly similar to CY25 reflective of a growing recurring revenue base and industry cyclicality. Strategic investments, tariff costs in Gaming and legacy costs pertaining to legal matters are anticipated in 1H26 (1Q26 in particular.)

Time to buy

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on the ASX 200 stock with a trimmed price target of $220.00 (from $230.00).

Based on its current share price of $134.21, this implies potential upside of 64% for investors over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter believes that Light & Wonder represents a great example of growth at a reasonable price (GARP). It concludes:

We rate LNW a Buy due to a compelling GARP profile relative to the ASX 100 and ALL. We expect a continuation in the re-rate observed since the ASX sole listing in November 2025, as long as the company executes on its strategy. We believe LNW’s heightened investment in R&D will drive continued growth, particularly in the Premium leased market. Further, we believe LNW’s R&D engine is difficult to replicate by AI and therefore gives the company an enduring moat.

The post Why this growing ASX 200 stock could rise 60%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 Australian growth stocks to buy in 2026
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Light & Wonder FY25 profit rises on Gaming and iGaming strength
• Are this gaming company’s shares a buy ahead of results tomorrow? One broker certainly thinks so
• 3 out of favour ASX 200 shares that could be worth a look today

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

The Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) share price is in focus today after the company announced it has secured a 10-year renewal of its Malaysian operating licence, delivering long-term certainty for its rare earths operations.

What did Lynas Rare Earths report?

• Lynas Malaysia operating licence renewed for 10 years, starting from 3 March 2026
• Formal licence document to be issued by the Malaysian regulator in due course
• Licence renewal supports continuity of rare earths production in Malaysia
• Reinforces Lynas’ secure supply chain for partners and customers

What else do investors need to know?

The renewal of the Malaysian operating licence ensures Lynas can continue processing rare earths in its key facility, supporting ongoing supply to global markets. This long-term licence is likely to provide increased strategic stability for Lynas’ operations and planning.

Investor attention has focused on regulatory risk in Malaysia, and this extended licence helps address those concerns. The company also acknowledged the Malaysian Government’s ongoing support for the rare earths sector, which may assist future expansion.

What did Lynas Rare Earths management say?

CEO and Managing Director Amanda Lacaze said:

Lynas welcomes the longer licence term which provides greater investment certainty for Lynas and for our rare earths supply chain partners and customers. On behalf of all Lynas employees, we thank the Malaysian Government for its attention to this matter and its support for the rare earths industry in Malaysia.

What’s next for Lynas Rare Earths?

With this 10-year licence in place, Lynas can focus on strengthening operations, investing in growth projects, and maintaining reliable supply to its partners. The regulatory certainty may also help Lynas plan for the longer term and consider further investment in Malaysia.

Investors will be watching for updates on major projects and any further expansion plans as Lynas leverages this extended security.

Lynas Rare Earths share price snapshot

Over the past year, Lynas Rare Earths shares have risen 176%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 12% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Lynas Rare Earths shares: Malaysia licence renewed for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Magellan Financial Group unveils merger with Barrenjoey
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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 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. 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.

The Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) share price is in focus after the company announced a merger with Barrenjoey Capital Partners, creating a diversified financial services group. Key highlights include Barrenjoey’s strong 12-month revenue of $522 million and adjusted NPATA of $108 million.

What did Magellan Financial Group report?

• Entered agreement to merge with Barrenjoey Capital Partners, valuing Barrenjoey at A$1.62 billion equity (100% basis)
• Barrenjoey reported $522 million revenue and $108 million adjusted NPATA for the 12 months to 31 December 2025
• Magellan will acquire remaining Barrenjoey shares for total consideration of A$903 million, funded by new share issue
• Intends to raise up to $130 million through an institutional placement at $8.45 per share, plus $20 million through a share purchase plan
• Transaction valued at 15.0x P/E based on last twelve-month results, prior to expected synergies

What else do investors need to know?

The merger will combine Magellan’s investment management business with Barrenjoey’s strengths in corporate finance, equities, fixed income, and capital markets. The deal is subject to conditions including regulatory and shareholder approval, and is expected to complete in the second quarter of 2026.

Upon completion, Magellan shareholders will own 58.2% of the group, Placement shareholders 5.3%, Barrenjoey related parties 31.7%, and Barclays approximately 4.9%. Escrow and vesting arrangements will apply to Barrenjoey employees and affiliates, aligning long-term incentives.

What did Magellan Financial Group management say?

Magellan Financial Group Chairman Andrew Formica said:

The merger with Barrenjoey marks a transformative step in MFG’s evolution, bringing together two highly complementary businesses to create an Australian financial services group with meaningful scale and breadth.

MFG and Barrenjoey share a deep commitment to clients and are built on innovation, entrepreneurialism and exceptional talent. We believe we are stronger together – with greater scale, broader expertise and enhanced capacity to create long-term value for clients and shareholders. We are excited to partner with Barrenjoey to pursue the significant opportunities ahead.

What’s next for Magellan Financial Group?

Looking forward, management expects the combined group to benefit from improved diversification, a broader client offering, and a stronger balance sheet to support growth. The planned leadership transition will see David Gonski AC as Chair and Brian Benari as Group CEO, aiming for a smooth integration and continued expansion.

Magellan will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting in April 2026 for shareholders to vote on necessary approvals. Investors have been invited to a briefing to hear more about the merger and Magellan’s future plans.

Magellan Financial Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Magellan shares have increased 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 12% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Magellan Financial Group unveils merger with Barrenjoey appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Magellan requests trading halt ahead of major announcement
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• ASX 200 materials sector leads as earnings season ends with a record high
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Alcoa announces March 2026 dividend

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.

If you are new to the share market, the hardest part is often deciding where to begin.

Rather than trying to pick individual winners, many first-time investors start with exchange traded funds (ETFs).

ETFs allow you to buy a basket of shares in a single trade, instantly spreading your money across dozens or even hundreds of companies.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could make investing simple from day one.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The first ETF new investors might consider is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.

This fund tracks the S&P 500 index, giving you exposure to 500 of the largest stocks in the United States. That includes household names such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD).

Instead of trying to work out which single US company will outperform, this ASX ETF lets you own the entire group. If America’s largest businesses continue to grow earnings over time, the iShares S&P 500 ETF benefits.

For a beginner, that simplicity can be powerful. One investment provides exposure to a broad cross-section of industries including technology, healthcare, consumer goods, financials, and more.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

Another ASX ETF that can make investing easier is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

This fund focuses on the Nasdaq 100, which is packed with innovative and brand-driven stocks. Alongside Apple and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG), you will also find Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), Costco (NASDAQ: COST), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX).

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is more growth-oriented than the iShares S&P 500 ETF, with a heavier tilt toward technology and digital businesses. That means it can be more volatile at times, but it also gives investors exposure to companies shaping how we shop, communicate, work, and entertain ourselves.

For new investors who believe in long-term global innovation, this fund offers a straightforward way to participate without choosing a single tech stock.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth ETF (ASX: VDHG)

If you want something even simpler, the Vanguard Diversified High Growth ETF is designed as an all-in-one solution.

Rather than focusing on one country or sector, this fund invests across Australian shares, international shares, and even fixed income. Through its underlying holdings, you gain exposure to thousands of companies around the world.

That means you are not just betting on the US or one particular theme. You are spreading your investment across markets and asset classes in a single fund.

This could be a good thing for someone starting out, as it can remove much of the guesswork. Instead of building a portfolio piece by piece, the Vanguard Diversified High Growth ETF does the diversification for you. This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Vanguard.

The post New to the share market? Here are 3 ASX ETFs to buy for easy investing 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, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Costco Wholesale, Microsoft, Netflix, Starbucks, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Starbucks, 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.

The Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) share price is in a trading halt on Monday.

This comes after the funds management group requested a pause in trading.

Before the halt, Magellan shares were last trading at $8.46 apiece. The stock is now down around 15% since the start of 2026 and well below levels seen this time last year.

So, what has prompted the halt? Let’s take a closer look.

Why is the Magellan share price in a trading halt?

According to the release, Magellan has requested an immediate trading halt pending an announcement in connection with a proposed transaction.

The company said the halt relates to a proposed merger. It also includes a proposed capital raising comprising an institutional placement and a share purchase plan.

The halt will remain in place until the earlier of an announcement being made or the commencement of normal trading on Tuesday.

Magellan said it is not aware of any reason why the trading halt should not be granted.

All eyes will now be on the company’s follow-up announcement, with further detail likely to influence how the market responds.

What could this mean for shareholders?

While full details are yet to be released, the proposed institutional placement and share purchase plan suggest Magellan may be preparing to raise capital from both professional investors and retail shareholders.

Placements are typically conducted at a discount to the last traded price to secure demand. That means the eventual issue price will be closely watched by investors.

The proposed merger adds another layer of interest. If Magellan is seeking to combine with another business, the move would likely focus on scale, distribution, cost synergies, or product expansion.

Magellan has faced several challenging years marked by fund outflows and share price volatility. A transformational deal could represent an attempt to reposition the business and strengthen its longer-term outlook.

A business under pressure

Magellan remains one of the more recognisable names in Australian funds management. However, its market capitalisation has shrunk materially from its peak during the height of the global equity boom.

At $8.46 per share, the company is valued at roughly $1.4 billion. That is a fraction of the levels seen just a few years ago.

The stock’s 15% decline so far this year highlights that investor confidence remains fragile.

Any capital raising, particularly if done at a steep discount, could create short term pressure.

On the other hand, If the proposed merger strengthens earnings and stabilises funds under management, sentiment toward Magellan could improve.

Until then, the Magellan share price remains frozen. The full announcement is expected to provide clarity on the company’s direction and outlook.

The post Magellan requests trading halt ahead of major announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.