The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is out of form again on Wednesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.3% to 8,786.4 points.

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

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

The Evolution Mining share price is up 8% to $14.64. Investors have been buying this gold miner’s shares following the release of its quarterly update. For the three months, Evolution Mining reported record group operating mine cash flow of $1.1 billion and underlying group cash flow of $541 million. This was driven by gold production of 191,000 ounces, copper production of 18,000 tonnes, and its sector-leading all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,275 per ounce. At the end of the period, its cash balance stood at $967 million.

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)

The Lynas Rare Earths share price is up 6% to $16.13. This has been driven by the release of the rare earths producer’s second quarter update. Lynas reported a modest increase in gross sales revenue to $201.9 million for the quarter. Though, this was a sizeable 43% increase on the prior corresponding period. Positively, the company’s average selling price increased to $85.60 per kg across all rare earth products. At the end of December, the company had cash and short term deposits of $1,030.9 million.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

The Paladin Energy share price is up over 12% to $13.09. The catalyst for this has been the release of the uranium producer’s quarterly update. Paladin Energy revealed that its uranium production increased 16% on the previous quarter to 1.24M pounds. This was driven by an uplift in ore feed grade as a result of a higher proportion of mined ore processed. The company’s CEO, Paul Hemburrow, was pleased with the quarter. He said: “As global interest in nuclear energy continues to strengthen, I am delighted by our progress in ramping-up operations at Langer Heinrich Mine. The new level of production achieved during the quarter provides insight into the robust performance that can be achieved from this strategic uranium asset.”

Sovereign Metals Ltd (ASX: SVM)

The Sovereign Metals share price is up 23% to 74 cents. This morning, the mineral exploration company announced a significant and strategic rare earth value addition to its Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi. Sovereign Metals advised that it has successfully recovered a monazite product containing high-value heavy rare earth elements (REE) from the tailings stream generated during rutile processing at its upgraded Lilongwe laboratory facilities.

The post Why Evolution Mining, Lynas Rare Earths, Paladin Energy, and Sovereign Metals shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX rare earths stock is rocketing 27% on big news
• Up 156% in a year, Evolution Mining shares rocketing again today on record setting results
• Buying Lynas shares? Here’s why the ASX rare earths stock is flying higher in Wednesday’s sinking market
• Why are Paladin Energy shares jumping 12% to a 52-week high?
• Paladin Energy lifts uranium output and sales in December quarter

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.

Shares in Emerald Resources Ltd (ASX: EMR) have hit a new record high after the company announced a major upgrade to the gold resource at its Memot project in Cambodia.

The company said in a statement to the ASX on Wednesday that the project now had an indicated and inferred mineral resource estimate of 45 million tonnes of ore at a grade of 1.2 grams per tonne of gold, for a total of 1.7 million ounces of gold.

This was a 27% increase from the previous estimate, the company said, with a 22% increase in the high confidence “inferred” classification.

Future looking bright

Emerald Managing Director Morgan Hart said the company was progressing its plans well.

This update, together with the recent grant of the Industrial Mining Licence and execution of the Mineral Investment Agreement, positions the Project to commence development in 2026. Ongoing exploration work, including extensional drilling at Memot, is expected to further expand on the resource and future reserves. “Progress at the Memot Gold Project, together with continued advancement of our 100% owned Dingo Range Gold Project in Western Australia and strong performance from our 100% owned Okvau Gold Mine in Cambodia, signals a period of significant growth for Emerald.

Mr Hart said the company remains “firmly on track to deliver its objective of becoming a 300,000 to 400,000 ounce-per-annum gold producer”.

Building a regional base

The company applied for a gold exploration licence at Memot, 95km from its Okvau gold mine, in 2021.

The company has since spent US$26.7 million on exploration at Memot, which it says equates to a discovery cost of $18 per ounce of gold.

The company is envisaging a contractor-operated open-cut mining program at the site, where it is continuing to drill for more resources, as it said:

The Memot Gold Project remains open along strike and at depth, with drilling ongoing to test mineralisation in both directions. Access for effective lateral extensional drilling targeting the north-east trending intrusion is currently being hampered by rice paddy farming. The current land purchasing program is underway and is expected to open up areas planned exploration drilling for additional resource extension.

A 16,000m infill drilling program has also started, designed to improve confidence in the mineral resource estimate.

Emerald Resources shares hit a record of $7.45 on the news before settling back to be 5.4% higher at $7.41.

The shares have more than doubled from lows of $3.24 over the past 12 months. The company was valued at $4.64 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post Why is this $4.6 billion gold company’s share price hitting record highs? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Emerald Resources: Memot gold resource climbs 27% to 1.7Moz
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

Gold stocks are marching higher again, and today’s stock in focus is Aurelia Metals Ltd (ASX: AMI), whose share price is up 5% today.

This comes after the miner released a strong quarterly update that reinforced confidence in both its near-term cash flow and longer-term growth plans.

Here’s what got investors excited from the announcement.

Strong production drove a big jump in cash flow

Aurelia reported gold production of 11.7koz for the quarter, taking year-to-date output to 22.1koz and keeping the company on track to deliver FY26 guidance of 40koz at the midpoint.

Base metals production was also solid, with copper, zinc, and lead volumes all increasing quarter on quarter.

Crucially, this translated into operating cash flow of $42.9 million from the Cobar region, a sharp 5x increase from the prior quarter.

That level of cash generation allowed Aurelia to fund growth capital, exploration, tax payments, and bond requirements without putting pressure on the balance sheet.

At quarter end, the company held $85.6 million in cash, with total available liquidity of around $116 million.

Federation mine continues to impress

One of the standout features of the update was the Federation mine, where the ramp-up continues ahead of plan.

Ore mined increased by more than 20% quarter on quarter, while grades improved materially as mining advanced further into the orebody. Zinc, lead, and gold grades all rose, supporting expectations that Federation will be a meaningful contributor to group production and cash flow in FY26 and beyond.

Management also flagged the potential to exceed planned volumes this financial year if current momentum continues.

Growth projects remain firmly on track

Beyond current operations, investors were reassured by steady progress at Great Cobar, Aurelia’s high-grade copper growth project.

Mine development advanced to around 500 metres per quarter, key infrastructure works are underway, and project milestones remain on schedule. Combined with planned plant upgrades at Peak, Aurelia is positioning itself to lift throughput capacity materially over the next 12–18 months.

The company reiterated its longer-term ambition of reaching ~40ktpa of copper equivalent production by FY28, funded largely through internal cash flow.

Foolish bottom line

Aurelia’s update showed disciplined execution across production, costs, and capital allocation at a time when commodity prices are doing some of the heavy lifting.

The market liked that this translated into meaningful cash generation with signs of more progress to come.

Following today’s increase, Aurelia Metals’ share price is now up 18% year to date. For investors, this share price move reflects growing confidence that Aurelia can convert operational momentum into sustainable cash flow, while steadily building toward its next phase of growth. When strong commodity prices meet solid execution, the market pays attention.

The post Here’s why Aurelia Metals shares are up 5% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is this $4.6 billion gold company’s share price hitting record highs?
• Why is this ASX copper stock crashing 31%?
• Dateline shares halted as investors await key announcement
• Forget Telstra shares, I’d buy this ASX telco stock instead
• Up 156% in a year, Evolution Mining shares rocketing again today on record setting results

Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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.

29Metals Ltd (ASX: 29M) shares are having a day to forget on Wednesday.

At the time of writing, the ASX copper stock is down 33% to 41.5 cents.

Why is this ASX copper stock crashing?

The catalyst for today’s decline has been news that the copper miner is raising funds at a deep discount.

According to the release, the ASX copper stock has successfully completed the institutional component of its underwritten 1 for 3.66 accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer.

The institutional entitlement offer will raise approximately $119 million at an offer price of 40 cents per new share. This represents a 35.5% discount to its last closing price of 62 cents.

The ASX copper stock notes that the institutional entitlement offer received strong support from eligible existing institutional shareholders, with existing shareholders (excluding EMR Capital) subscribing for approximately 92% of their entitlements.

New shares that were not taken up by both eligible and ineligible institutional shareholders have been fully allocated to eligible institutional investors.

The company will now push ahead with its retail entitlement offer which is expected to raise approximately $31 million.

The company’s CEO, James Palmer, commented:

The level of support shown by our existing shareholders, as well as new investors, has been very encouraging. This equity raising is expected to allow us to maintain our commitments to our strategic growth objectives to accelerate value realisation across the portfolio. Specifically, the ongoing investment in Gossan Valley, progression of a Restart Definitive Feasibility Study at Capricorn Copper and drilling to test priority exploration targets across the portfolio.

I encourage eligible retail shareholders in Australia and New Zealand to consider the terms of the retail entitlement offer when it opens on 28 January 2026.

Why is it raising funds?

The ASX copper stock advised that proceeds of the equity raising will be used for working capital for the impact of Xantho Extended seismicity to facilitate ongoing investment in Gossan Valley, progression of Capricorn Copper towards restart, including a Restart Definitive Feasibility Study and drilling of exploration targets across the portfolio. James Palmer said:

We have a clear plan to recommence mining at Xantho Extended in April 2026. In the meantime, this equity raising is expected to allow us to maintain our commitments to our strategic growth objectives to accelerate value realisation across the portfolio. Specifically, the ongoing investment in Gossan Valley, progression of a Restart Definitive Feasibility Study at Capricorn Copper and drilling to test priority exploration targets across the portfolio.

The post Why is this ASX copper stock crashing 31%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is this $4.6 billion gold company’s share price hitting record highs?
• Here’s why Aurelia Metals shares are up 5% today
• Dateline shares halted as investors await key announcement
• Forget Telstra shares, I’d buy this ASX telco stock instead
• Up 156% in a year, Evolution Mining shares rocketing again today on record setting results

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.

Shares in Dateline Resources Ltd (ASX: DTR) are in a trading halt today after the company requested a temporary pause in trading from the ASX.

The halt was put in place on 21 January 2026 and will remain until Dateline releases an announcement or trading resumes on Friday, 23 January 2026.

Strong share price run before the halt

Dateline shares had been moving higher before trading was paused.

The stock was last trading at around 37.5 cents, following a sharp rise over recent weeks. Earlier this month, the shares were closer to the mid-20-cent range, showing how quickly investor sentiment has improved.

Looking further back, Dateline has delivered an extraordinary turnaround over the past year. In early 2025, the shares were trading for less than 1 cent, valuing the company at only a few million dollars.

At current levels, the stock has risen more than 12,400% in 12 months, turning it from a penny stock into one of the market’s stronger short-term performers.

What does Dateline do?

Dateline is a mining and exploration company with projects located in the United States.

Its main asset is the Colosseum Gold Project in California, which the company owns outright. The project already hosts a gold resource and is located close to the Mountain Pass region, an area known for rare earths mining.

Alongside gold, Dateline has highlighted the potential for rare earths elements, which are considered strategically important for defence, technology, and clean energy supply chains.

The company also owns the Argos Strontium Project, another US-based asset that could play a role in specialist industrial applications.

Recent board changes add experience

Earlier this month, Dateline strengthened its board by appointing new Non-Executive Directors with strong experience across the North American mining sector.

The new directors bring skills spanning project development, mine operations, and capital markets, gained through decades of working in the industry. This added experience could prove important as Dateline advances its US-based assets toward more defined development pathways.

The appointments were seen as a step toward moving the company beyond early exploration and into more advanced development planning.

All eyes on the upcoming announcement

Once the trading halt is lifted, attention will turn squarely to the content of Dateline’s market update.

Investors will be looking for clarity on the company’s direction, including progress on project development, funding plans, and strategic initiatives. The market will also be watching for guidance on timing, particularly any milestones that could shape Dateline’s near-term outlook.

Given the strong share price move leading into the halt, the reaction is likely to depend on how closely the announcement aligns with current expectations.

Until then, Dateline remains on watch as investors wait for further details.

The post Dateline shares halted as investors await key announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Up 9,800% in a year, this ASX gold stock just delivered another major drilling surprise

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.

Telstra Group (ASX: TLS) shares are trading in the red on Wednesday morning. At the time of writing the stock is down 0.52% to $4.76 a piece. 

For the year-to-date, the shares have fallen 2.36%, but the share price is still 18.87% above where it was this time last year.

The telco is a fantastic defensive stock. It seems to perform steadily, regardless of what stage of the economic cycle we’re in. This is attractive for investors who want to hedge against potential volatility elsewhere. 

The company’s financial performance was robust in 2025. Its latest full-year results, released in August, showed stronger underlying growth and financial performance. At the time, Telstra also said it expected its year-on-year growth to continue. 

But Telstra shares have been in the spotlight recently. The telco giant underwent a buyback of its shares between late-November to mid-December. 

Around the same time, the company hit headlines amid concerns about its calling reliability. A Senate inquiry is reportedly examining cases where Triple Zero calls may have failed, including situations linked to older devices and network/handset software interactions. 

And it looks like the two things, alongside an overall contraction of the telco market since late 2025, have softened investor confidence. TradingView data shows 7 out of 11 analysts have a hold rating on Telstra shares, with an average target price of $4.94. This is just 4.16% above the current trading price at the time of writing.

While Telstra shares are a great buy for passive income, and it’s possible the shares could resurge after this period of instability, there is another good quality ASX telco stock which I think offers an even better opportunity for investors right now.

This ASX telco stock is set to leap higher

Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC) is an Australian-based fixed-line internet service provider. It provides broadband services to consumers and businesses, as well as wholesale solutions to other downstream internet services entities. 

Its services include Wi-Fi management, mobile services, and National Broadband Network products. The company owns an extensive fiber network and is also a part-owner of the Indigo subsea cable. 

The telco has rapidly expanded in recent years with several large acquisitions in recent years, including Exetel (an internet retailer) in 2021 and Uecomm (a fiber infrastructure) in 2024.

At the time of writing, Superloop shares are down 0.21% for the day to $2.38. For the year-to-date the shares have slumped 6.47%, but the stock is currently 15.22% above where it was this time last year.

The telco’s shares follow a very similar pattern to Telstra shares, but analysts are significantly more bullish about Superloop’s potential for growth this year.

The team at Jarden recently said the Superloop business is under appreciated by the market. The broker also thinks that the business is best positioned (versus its competitors) to beat current market expectations. 

Jarden has a buy rating and $3.40 target price on Superloop shares. TradingView data shows some analysts are even more bullish on the stock. Out of 9 analysts, 8 have a buy or strong buy rating on Superloop, with a maximum price target of $3.75 a piece. That implies the shares could rise another 56.9% over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

The post Forget Telstra shares, I’d buy this ASX telco stock instead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build an ASX share portfolio for income and growth
• Would Warren Buffett buy Telstra shares?
• 2 ASX income stocks I would buy with $2,500 in January
• My simple 5-share ASX retirement portfolio
• How to turn ASX dividends into long-term wealth

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

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares are off to the races today.

Again.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stock closed yesterday trading for $13.51. In late morning trade on Wednesday, shares are swapping hands for $14.46 apiece, up 7%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.4% following weakness in US stock markets overnight.

With today’s lift factored in, shares in the Aussie gold miner are up a whopping 155.5% since this time last year.

Here’s why Evolution Mining stock is shrugging off Wednesday’s broader sell-off to charge higher.

Evolution Mining shares leap on record cash flow

Investors are bidding up Evolution Mining shares following the release of the miner’s second-quarter results (Q2 FY 2026).

Highlights from the three months to 31 December included an all-time high operating mine cash flow of $1.1 billion, up 57% from the September quarter.

Quarterly group cash flow of $412 million also smashed into new record territory, up 110% from Q1 FY 2026.

In other core financial metrics, Evolution Mining produced 191,000 ounces of gold during the quarter and 8,000 tonnes of copper.

The miner reported an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,275 per ounce, which it noted is sector-leading.

And with the gold price soaring, Evolution Mining shares have caught some strong tailwinds with the miner achieving an average realised gold price of $6,206 per ounce, up 20% from the prior quarter. Management noted that prices continue to improve, with the current spot gold price of $6,900 per ounce already some 11% higher than the December quarter average.

The ASX 200 gold stock ended the quarter with a cash balance of $967 million, up 24%.

What did management say?

Commenting on the quarterly results helping to boost Evolution Mining shares today, CEO Lawrie Conway said, “Evolution delivered another consistent quarter representing eight consecutive quarters of delivery to plan.”

As for that record quarterly cash flow, Lawrie added:

Delivering to plan in a rising metal price environment with minimal hedging has generated record cash flow and sector-leading cost performance. Our teams continue to safely demonstrate operational discipline while also successfully progressing key growth projects.

Mungari’s expanded plant and new mining hub is fully commissioned and already generating strong return on investment via record high cash flows. We continue to bank the benefits of higher metal prices, which is ultimately delivering value for shareholders.

What’s ahead for Evolution Mining shares?

Looking at what could impact Evolution Mining shares in the months ahead, the miner reaffirmed its full-year FY 2026 production guidance of 710,000 ounces to 780,000 ounces of gold and 70,000 tonnes to 80,000 tonnes of copper.

And management expects costs to come down, with forecast FY 2026 AISC declining 6% from the prior guidance to between $1,640 and $1,760 per ounce.

The post Up 156% in a year, Evolution Mining shares rocketing again today on record setting results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Evolution Mining posts record cash flow in December quarter
• Prediction: Evolution Mining shares will halve in value in 2026
• Want to buy gold in 2026? Here are 3 ways to do it
• 2 ASX 200 gold shares to buy and 1 to sell: experts
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

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.

Yesterday, I covered the extraordinary rise of gold over the past 12 months, and three ways you can invest in the precious metal in 2026. While gold’s 70%-plus rise has been shockingly lucrative, its less-illustrious precious metal sibling, silver, has done even better.

Silver’s ascent over just the past 12 months alone has been truly extraordinary. This time last year, the white metal was going for just under US$31 an ounce. Today, that same ounce will cost an investor a record high of US$97.60. Yep, silver has more than tripled in the past year.

Silver’s status as a precious, investment-grade metal has coupled with growing demand in future-facing technologies such as data centres, semiconductors, solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles to push it up to these unprecedented heights. So it’s fair to say that many investors would be looking to get a slice of the action.

If that’s you, you might want to hear about two ways you can buy silver in 2026.

Three ways to buy silver in 2026

Silver bullion

The traditional way to own silver is still the preferred path for many investors. That would be buying physical silver bullion in the form of bars, ingots or coins. Just like gold, investors can buy silver in its physical form from bullion shops and the like. For true precious metal enthusiasts, having the metal in one’s possession is the only way to fully realise the benefits of investing in silver. There’s nothing quite like owning your own cache.

However, buying real silver is the costliest way of investing in the precious metal. Firstly, you’ll be paying a spread over the metal’s market price, plus extra if you are paying for numismatic value. Then there are transportation, storage and insurance costs to consider. Silver is harder to look after than gold, too, given that it is a reactive metal that can tarnish if not stored correctly.

This is why many investors prefer other ways of investing in silver.

There’s an ETF for that

Like gold, investors who don’t wish to take ownership of silver bullion can opt for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) instead. Silver ETFs work in a similar manner to gold funds. Investors buy units of an ETF on the ASX, with each unit representing an ownership stake in a pile of physical silver that is typically stored in a bank vault somewhere. As each unit of the ETF is tied to silver, its price should rise and fall alongside that of the actual metal.

Silver ETFs don’t come cheap, at least compared to most stock-based ETFs or index funds. Saying that, this is usually the cheapest way you can get exposure to the precious metal. However, you will never take physical custody of the silver you are investing in, so that might be a dealbreaker for some investors.

But if you do opt for a silver ETF, your best bet on the ASX is probably going to be the Global X Physical Silver Structured ETF (ASX: ETPMAG). This fund charges a management fee of 0.49% per annum. Another option is the largest silver ETF in the world, the iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV), if you’re open to buying a US-based ETF.

The post Want to buy silver in 2026? Here are 2 ways to do it appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Want silver exposure? Morgans says this ASX silver stock is a buy
• The best performing Global X ASX ETFs this year
• Forget gold! Meet the 2 metals up by +150% in 2025 and the ASX ETFs riding the wave

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 exposure to booming silver and tin prices, then Bell Potter has an idea for you.

It believes that ASX silver stock Sky Metals Ltd (ASX: SKY) could be worth considering if you have a high tolerance for risk.

What is the broker saying about this ASX silver stock?

The broker has described Sky Metals as having “a sky full of upside” following an update on its Tallebung Project in New South Wales.

Commenting on drilling at the 100% owned project, Bell Potter said:

SKY’s ongoing drill program at its 100% owned Tallebung Project in New South Wales aims to expand recently discovered high-grade tin-silver zones, infill areas to increase geological confidence, and obtain diamond drill core for feasibility study geotechnical and mine design work.

This week, SKY announced assays from an initial 20 holes returned to-date that highlight several shallow, high-grade tin-silver intercepts including drill holes that sit outside the January 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate (15.6Mt at 0.15% tin for 23kt contained tin; 0.03% tungsten trioxide for 4.3kt contained tungsten), such as TBRC274: 3m at 604g/t silver and 0.68% tin from 24m. The deposit remains open in all directions. A third rig will commence drilling in February 2026; we expect the program will complete late in the current quarter.

Bell Potter believes that the ASX silver stock’s mineral resource estimate (MRE) will be upgraded substantially in the middle of the year. It adds:

By mid-2026, SKY will release an upgraded MRE and early-stage development study. The MRE will incorporate over 400 drill holes (vs 115 in the January 2024 MRE) and we expect will feature a substantial increase in tonnage along with a maiden silver Resource. The development study will provide a preliminary economic outlook for a potential low-cost, open pit mining operation that could generate three high-value products; tin concentrate, tungsten concentrate, and silver.

Time to buy

In light of the above, the broker thinks investors should be buying this ASX silver stock if their risk tolerance allows for it.

According to the note, the broker has a speculative buy rating and increased price target to 21 cents (from 12 cents).

Based on its current share price of 15.5 cents, this implies potential upside of 35% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter concludes:

Tallebung is emerging as a strategic source of near-term tin, silver and tungsten supply in a stable jurisdiction. SKY is rapidly de-risking the project into development amidst a backdrop of rising tin, silver and tungsten prices. We expect news flow over the coming months to include drill results (ongoing); updated Mineral Resource Estimate (current half); mine development study (current half); flowsheet optimisation (ongoing); and permitting activities (ongoing).

The post Bell Potter says this ASX silver stock has ‘a sky full of upside’ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Forget Telstra shares, I’d buy this ASX telco stock instead
• Up 156% in a year, Evolution Mining shares rocketing again today on record setting results
• Want to buy silver in 2026? Here are 2 ways to do it
• Should I buy ANZ, VAS, and Zip shares this week?
• Beach Energy shares trade higher despite production slip

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.

When markets are moving quickly, it is tempting to feel like you need to act on every opportunity straight away. But I tend to think the better approach is to slow down and assess each investment on its own merits.

Right now, three ASX investments come up often in conversations with investors: ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP).

Here’s what I would do if I had to make a call on these ASX shares this week.

ANZ shares

ANZ has been a strong performer over the past year, supported by solid earnings, resilient credit quality, and its strong position in Australian banking.

At this point, though, I would not be in a rush to add more. Bank earnings are heavily influenced by factors such as net interest margins, funding costs, and the broader economic cycle. After a couple of favourable years, I think earnings growth across the sector could become more challenging in 2026 and 2027. This could mean returns are softer for shareholders in the near term.

That does not mean ANZ is a bad investment. Far from it. It remains a high-quality business with a solid balance sheet and a reliable dividend. For existing shareholders, I think it still makes sense to hold and collect the income.

However, if I am deploying fresh capital this week, I do not see ANZ as the most compelling risk-reward opportunity right now compared to other parts of the market.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF

If I could only make one simple investment decision this week, buying the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF would be near the top of the list.

The VAS ETF provides broad exposure to the Australian share market, covering large and mid-cap companies across sectors including financials, resources, healthcare, and consumer staples. It is low-cost, diversified, and easy to hold for the long term.

I like this ETF because it removes the need to make perfect stock-picking decisions. Instead, you get exposure to the overall growth of Australian businesses, plus a healthy stream of dividends along the way.

For investors building wealth steadily, adding to the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF during periods of uncertainty or volatility is often a sensible move. It may not be exciting, but it is effective. If I am investing this week with a long-term mindset, the VAS ETF is a clear yes for me.

Zip shares

Zip is a very different proposition to ANZ and VAS. It is higher risk, more volatile, and far more sensitive to changes in consumer behaviour and market sentiment.

That said, this is exactly why I think Zip is interesting right now. The company has spent the past couple of years simplifying its business, exiting less profitable markets, and focusing on improving margins and cash flow. While it is still early, the direction of travel looks a lot more encouraging than it did previously.

According to CommSec, consensus forecasts suggest that earnings could improve meaningfully over the next couple of years. If that plays out, Zip’s current valuation could prove reasonable relative to its growth potential.

This is not a stock I would buy without understanding the risks. But for investors willing to accept volatility in exchange for upside, I think Zip offers an attractive opportunity at current levels.

The post Should I buy ANZ, VAS, and Zip shares this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX shares I’d buy with $5,000 this week
• Are Zip shares a buy, hold or sell in 2026?
• Why Aussies are pouring into ASX ETFs at a record pace
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• How to build your first ASX share portfolio step by step

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. 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.