If Aussie bank stocks were hosting a party in 2025, ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) has been one of the last ones still dancing.

After surging roughly 28% in the past 12 months, ANZ shares have left many investors asking: Is this a breakout, or did we just celebrate too early?

Strong loans, new CEO’s playbook

ANZ’s stellar performance this year has a few clear beats behind it. Strong loan and deposit growth surprised markets mid-year. Retail and commercial segments outperformed modest expectations, enough to give the ANZ share price a lift.

A fresh strategic playbook from new CEO Nuno Matos, with a focus on digital push, cost savings and sustainability goals, has also sparked optimism that ANZ isn’t just another old-school bank. Investors love growth plans with tech and cost cuts, even if the real work is yet to show up in profit tables.

Another tailwind? A resilient economic backdrop in ANZ’s key markets: growing business confidence in New Zealand supports its cross-Tasman earnings engine.

What’s not to love?

Before you crown ANZ king of the big four ASX banks, there are some less-sparkly details bubbling under the surface.

Despite the headline rally, ANZ’s latest full-year results showed cash profit falling and net interest margins under squeeze. Some evidence that strength isn’t uniform across the business.

Mortgage and deposit growth also have lagged peers. Massive restructuring and ambitious digital overhaul plans might be exciting on slides, but execution is a notoriously shaky part of big bank turnarounds.

Only last week, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced that the Federal Court had ordered ANZ to pay a record $250 million penalty. This is for compliance breaches and systemic risk management failures, and an expensive reminder that reputational risks can weigh on valuations too.

What next for ANZ shares?

Analysts today are decidedly measured on ANZ shares’ prospects. Macquarie maintains a neutral stance with a target of $35, almost 3.5% below the current price of $36.27.

Other notes from brokers suggest that ANZ may be relatively cheap compared to its big four peers on certain metrics. However, that cheapness reflects real structural challenges, like cost inefficiencies and competitive headwinds.

TradingView data shows that most market watchers recommend the banking giant as a hold. The average 12-month price target is 4.5% below the current share price.

The forecasts seem to imply that the $108 billion banking stock is running out of steam. The most positive analyst rating is $40.40, representing a potential gain of 11%, while the most pessimistic broker predicts a 25% decline in ANZ shares over the next 12 months.

The post Can ANZ shares go any higher after a 28% sizzle in 2025? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• $5,000 invested in ANZ shares at the start of 2025 is now worth…

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

As 2025 draws to a close, global share markets are once again hovering near record highs. 

As usual, bulls and bears are already dusting off their crystal balls and making bold predictions for 2026 — even though predicting short-term market moves has a success rate not far removed from astrology.

Beyond the noise, optimism around innovation and productivity — particularly driven by AI — remains strong. Corporate earnings across broad parts of the market have been resilient, and risk appetite has largely held up despite persistent geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

At the same time, one of the most influential figures in investing is quietly preparing to step aside.

After more than six decades at the helm, Warren Buffett is nearing the end of his tenure as CEO and chief capital allocator of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B). And the actions he and Berkshire have taken in recent years may offer investors one final, valuable lesson.

The rising cash pile tells a story

Berkshire Hathaway’s cash balance has been climbing steadily for years. Rather than aggressively deploying capital as markets have rallied, Buffett has been a net seller of equities, a notable departure from much of his historical behaviour.

For decades, Buffett was known for leaning into opportunities, even when sentiment was uncertain. Today, he is doing the opposite: exercising restraint.

That doesn’t mean he believes markets are about to collapse. Nor does it suggest equities are inherently unattractive. Instead, it reflects a simple reality: truly compelling opportunities that meet Berkshire’s strict criteria are harder to find at current prices.

Size changes the game

One nuance often missed in commentary around Buffett’s caution is scale.

Berkshire Hathaway is now one of the largest capital allocators in history. It can no longer meaningfully invest in smaller, fast-growing companies, even if they appear attractively priced. Those opportunities simply do not move the needle.

Buffett needs whales: enormous, high-quality businesses capable of absorbing tens of billions of dollars at a time. That naturally narrows the opportunity set and raises the bar for what qualifies as “investable”.

So while parts of the market may look stretched, Buffett’s actions also reflect the constraints of size, not just valuation concerns.

Still the greatest investor of our time

Regardless of market conditions, Buffett’s track record speaks for itself. Few investors have compounded capital as consistently, across as many cycles, for as long.

That alone makes his behaviour worth studying, especially as he approaches the final chapter of an extraordinary career.

And while markets, industries, and technologies have changed dramatically since the 1960s, Buffett’s core principles have remained remarkably stable.

Three takeaways for everyday investors

1. Stick to your process

Buffett has evolved over the years — moving from “cigar butt” bargains to wonderful businesses — but the foundation has not changed. He still focuses on quality companies with durable competitive advantages, purchased at fair or discounted prices.

The lesson is not to copy Buffett’s portfolio, but to commit to a repeatable process you understand and trust.

2. Don’t confuse patience with fear

Berkshire has not stopped investing. It has simply become more selective.

When Buffett can’t find opportunities that meet his standards, he is comfortable holding cash and waiting. History shows that when markets eventually stumble and fear rises, Berkshire is often ready to act decisively.

For individual investors, the message is clear: investing should be rational, not emotional. There is no obligation to deploy capital simply because markets are rising.

3. Never lose sight of the long term

Despite his caution today, Buffett has never wavered in his belief that equities are the greatest wealth-creation vehicle in history.

Human progress continues. Productivity improves. Businesses adapt. Over long periods, the stock market has rewarded patience and discipline.

That conviction has underpinned Buffett’s success — and it remains as relevant now as ever.

The enduring lesson

As Buffett prepares to step back, his final message is not a warning of doom. It is a reminder.

Stay disciplined. Respect valuations. Be patient when opportunities are scarce. And above all, keep investing with a long-term mindset.

Markets will rise and fall. Styles will come and go. But the principles that built one of history’s greatest investment records remain timeless.

The post With 2026 approaching, Warren Buffett is sending investors 3 clear signals appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• A new leadership group is emerging at Berkshire Hathaway. Here are some changes that could be in store for Warren Buffett’s massive holding company.
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Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant owns shares in Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There are a lot of options out there for Aussie investors to choose from.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at three Australian shares that analysts are recommending as buys this week, courtesy of The Bull. Here’s what they are bullish on:

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

The team at Bell Potter is positive on investment bank Macquarie Group and has named it as a buy. It highlights its resilient earnings and strategic plays as reasons to be positive. The broker explains:

This diversified financial services group is actively advancing strategic plays. The company’s asset management division has lodged a $11.6 billion takeover bid for Qube Holdings, a provider of integrated import and export logistics, at $5.20 a share. MQG recently sold its United States and European public asset management business to Nomura, a financial services group. MQG has increased its interim dividend and extended its buy-back program. Despite a softer profit phase, core earnings remain resilient, reinforcing our buy recommendation.

Select Harvests Ltd (ASX: SHV)

Bell Potter’s analysts also think that almond producer Select Harvests could be an Australian share to buy now.

It notes that almond prices have rebounded, which has supported improvements in its balance sheet. In addition, cyclical tailwinds and margin improvement initiatives, together with rising global demand, look set to support its future growth. The broker said:

Select Harvests has delivered a solid recovery, supported by a rebound in almond prices and healthy crop volumes. The business has significantly strengthened its balance sheet, halving net debt and returning to strong cash flow generation. Management commentary points to further upside through operational efficiencies and potential processing volume growth. Given rising global demand for almonds and favourable export trends, SHV is poised to benefit from cyclical tailwinds and internal margin improvement initiatives. This remains a compelling agribusiness story in recovery mode.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

The team at Shaw & Partners is a fan of this pathology provider and has named it as a buy.

The broker highlights the company’s strong growth outlook for FY 2026, its global scale, and dividend yield as reasons to be positive. It said:

Company operations include pathology, radiology, laboratory medicine, general practice medicine and corporate medical services. The company has operations in Australasia, Europe and North America. Revenue of $9.645 billion in fiscal year 2025 was up 8 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Net profit of $514 million was up 7 per cent. The company is expecting strong earnings per share growth in fiscal year 2026. Global scale and dividend yield supports our buy recommendation. The shares have risen from $20.89 on November 18 to trade at $22.55 on December 18.

The post Analysts say these 3 Australian shares are buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT) share price is in focus as the trust declared a monthly unfranked distribution of 1.34 cents per unit, scheduled for payment on 9 January 2026.

What did Metrics Master Income Trust report?

• Monthly distribution of 1.34 cents per ordinary fully paid unit
• Unfranked distribution, with 100% unfranked component
• Ex-distribution date: 31 December 2025
• Record date: 2 January 2026
• Payment scheduled for: 9 January 2026
• Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP) available; election cut-off is 5 January 2026

What else do investors need to know?

This monthly payout fits with Metrics Master Income Trust’s practice of providing regular income to unit holders from its portfolio of private credit assets. Investors can choose to have their distribution paid as cash or participate in the trust’s DRP to reinvest the payout in additional MXT units, with no discount applied under the DRP this time.

The announced distribution is not franked, which means it does not carry any franking credits and will be taxed at the investor’s marginal rate. The trust confirms the amount is estimated and will be finalised by 7 January 2026.

What’s next for Metrics Master Income Trust?

Metrics Master Income Trust continues to target reliable monthly income through its diversified loan portfolio. The DRP provides an option for investors to increase their holdings automatically without brokerage fees, supporting compounding returns over time.

Looking ahead, unitholders can expect ongoing monthly distribution updates as the trust maintains its income-oriented mandate. Investors should keep an eye on future announcements for confirmed distribution amounts and any potential changes to the DRP or payout timing.

Metrics Master Income Trust share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Metrics Master Income Trust shares have declined 8%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Metrics Master Income Trust pays January 2026 monthly distribution 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.

Few assets spark as much debate as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC). Every sharp pullback revives the same question: Is this the start of a crash, or just another bout of volatility in a long-term uptrend?

The honest answer is that no one knows what the price of any asset will do over the short term. That uncertainty is magnified with Bitcoin, which remains far more volatile than shares, bonds, or property. Large price moves in either direction can happen quickly and often shock markets.

For investors, the more useful question is not whether Bitcoin will crash in 2026, but how to think about the probabilities that shape its price.

Why Bitcoin looks different today

One important context point is that many of the long-term headwinds that once clouded Bitcoin’s future have eased.

The launch of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in 2024 was a structural shift. These products gave the cryptocurrency a new level of legitimacy and accessibility, allowing large investment firms to offer Bitcoin exposure within familiar, regulated vehicles. That opened the door to broader institutional participation, rather than Bitcoin remaining the domain of early adopters and retail traders.

At the same time, governments and institutions are increasingly recognising Bitcoin’s role as a potential store of value and hedge against purchasing power erosion. While that debate is far from settled, Bitcoin is no longer dismissed outright as a fringe experiment.

The result is that Bitcoin has firmly anchored itself in global capital markets. After surpassing a trillion-dollar market capitalisation and gaining direct institutional allocation via ETFs, Bitcoin now trades alongside other risk assets, responding to shifts in global liquidity and monetary policy.

Macro forces still matter

That integration cuts both ways.

Bitcoin’s price action over recent months illustrates this clearly. Pullbacks have coincided with a hawkish stance from the US Federal Reserve, rising real yields, and, more recently, Japan’s surprise monetary tightening, which disrupted the yen carry trade.

When global liquidity tightens, risk assets tend to struggle. When liquidity eases, they often rally together. Bitcoin is no longer exempt from these forces. In that sense, sharp declines are not signs of failure, but a reflection of Bitcoin’s place within the broader financial system.

That also means any discussion of a 2026 “crash” cannot ignore macro conditions. Monetary policy decisions in the US and Japan, inflation trends, and global growth expectations will likely matter as much as crypto-specific developments.

Price targets are not prophecies

Bitcoin attracts bold forecasts like few other assets. Bullish commentators regularly float eye-catching price targets, including claims that Bitcoin could rise tenfold to reach US$1 million per coin.

Mathematically, that would imply a market capitalisation of around US$21 trillion, assuming Bitcoin’s maximum supply of 21 million coins. It would also make early adopters and large corporate holders exceptionally wealthy.

The problem is that price targets are not predictions of the future. They often reflect the incentives and positioning of the person making them. Bitcoin holders tend to publish optimistic forecasts. Critics often argue that the asset is ultimately worthless.

History shows that such proclamations rarely come true with any precision. Markets do not move in straight lines, and narratives often change faster than prices.

A long-term lens still matters

Despite its harsh volatility, Bitcoin is proving itself as a large, enduring asset class. Zooming out, its long-term price chart remains one that many investors would dream of owning — provided they can tolerate the rollercoaster along the way.

Whether Bitcoin crashes in 2026 is unknowable. What is more predictable is that volatility will remain a defining feature. For investors, preparing for wide swings, rather than betting on precise outcomes, remains the more sensible approach.

As with any speculative asset, the long run is what ultimately matters.

The post Will the Bitcoin price crash in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) share price is in focus after announcing a new A$14 billion European data centre partnership with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The joint venture aims to develop a major data centre portfolio across key European cities.

What did Goodman Group report?

• Launched a 50/50 A$14 billion (€8 billion) partnership with CPP Investments targeting European data centres
• Initial capital commitment of A$3.9 billion (€2.2 billion) for portfolio development
• Projects span four developments in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Paris with 435 MW of primary power and 282 MW IT load
• All projects have secured power, planning permits, and advanced site works
• Transaction due to complete in phases by March 2026, subject to closing conditions

What else do investors need to know?

This partnership broadens Goodman Group’s portfolio, bolstering its presence in the rapidly growing data centre sector. The so-called FLAP markets – Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, and Paris – are sought after due to their strong demand for cloud and AI infrastructure.

Importantly, the partnership leverages Goodman’s powered landbank and local development expertise alongside CPP Investments’ track record in digital infrastructure. Construction is slated to begin by 30 June 2026, potentially supporting Goodman’s long-term earnings growth.

What did Goodman Group management say?

Group CEO Greg Goodman said:

A portfolio of this size and quality – located in Europe’s FLAP markets – is rare. These powered locations are highly sought after to meet the rapidly growing requirement for cloud computing and AI adoption, particularly when they offer speed to market and delivery certainty. The quality and scale of this Partnership make it ideal for our long-term relationship with CPP Investments. We’re pleased to be investing alongside them for their entry into the European data centre market.

What’s next for Goodman Group?

Goodman Group expects the new partnership to strengthen its foothold in digital infrastructure, meeting soaring demand for cloud and AI solutions in Europe. By focusing on fully permitted and powered sites ready for rapid construction, Goodman is aiming to capture growth in key gateway markets.

Completion of the transaction is expected in phases through to March 2026. Management continues to seek opportunities with capital partners for further expansion, with data centres forming a core pillar of Goodman’s global growth strategy.

Goodman Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the Goodman Group shares have declined 20%, underperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Goodman Group announces $14bn European data centre partnership with CPP Investments 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 positions in and has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. 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 Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) share price is in focus today, after the company announced a binding agreement to acquire the highly prospective Yalgoo Project, expanding its Mt Gibson project tenure in Western Australia.

What did Capricorn Metals report?

• Signed a binding agreement to acquire the Yalgoo Project tenement package from Tempest Minerals for $4.5 million
• The deal includes cash and Capricorn shares based on a five-day VWAP prior to completion
• Yalgoo Project covers approximately 1,000 square kilometres, adjoining Capricorn’s existing Golden Range and Fields Find tenements
• Deferred milestone payments of up to $1.5 million are tied to exploration success and development decisions
• Completion of the acquisition is expected in January 2026, subject to regulatory and due diligence conditions

What else do investors need to know?

The Yalgoo Project sits in the Yalgoo-Singleton Greenstone Belt – a region well-known for gold and base metals. Capricorn has highlighted several drill-ready target zones and plans to kick off focused exploration in 2026.

This acquisition adds more than 60 kilometres of largely untested strike length to Capricorn’s regional footprint, with an eye on both resource expansion and future gold production opportunities.

What did Capricorn Metals management say?

Mark Clark, Executive Chairman, said:

The acquisition of the Yalgoo Project continues the expansion of Capricorn’s Mt Gibson exploration footprint and adds highly prospective targets very close to the Company’s recently acquired Golden Range and Fields Find projects. This provides Capricorn with an outstanding exploration opportunity with a view to adding meaningful additional ore sources to MGGP and the region. We look forward to commencing active exploration on the project in 2026.

What’s next for Capricorn Metals?

Capricorn will conduct geological mapping and geochemical sampling across the newly acquired ground in the third quarter, aiming to define drilling targets by the first half of FY27.

Management sees the Yalgoo Project as a strategic extension for its existing operations, with the goal of boosting both resource potential and shareholder value over the long term.

Capricorn Metals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Capricorn Metals shares have risen 128%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Capricorn Metals boosts exploration ground with Yalgoo Project acquisition 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.

The ASX dividend stock APA Group (ASX: APA) may not be the biggest dividend-paying business in Australia, but I think it could be one of the most appealing for a few different reasons.

APA owns and/or manages a $27 billion portfolio of gas, electricity, solar, battery, and wind assets. Impressively, it delivers around half of the nation’s domestic gas through 15,000km of gas pipelines that it owns, operates, and maintains.

It also has investments in electricity transmission assets, which connect Victoria with South Australia, Tasmania with Victoria, and New South Wales with Queensland.

Finally, APA owns and operates power generation assets, including gas-powered, as well as wind and solar assets.

Its assets are always in demand – it doesn’t face cyclical demand like a retailer or miner.

Let’s get into what three of the most attractive things are about the business.

High yield

When someone invests for passive income, I imagine they want a good dividend yield right away. Ideally, the business has a similar/higher dividend yield than what interest rate term deposits are offering.

The ASX dividend stock certainly offers a noticeably higher payout return than what banks are currently offering.

APA is expecting to increase its payout to 58 cents per security in the 2026 financial year. That translates into a forward distribution yield of 6.2%.

The ASX dividend stock has long-term payout growth

For me, what’s more important than the yield right now is its long record of payout growth for shareholders. If I’m investing for passive income, I want to see there’s a good record of regular growth (rather than cuts).

APA is one of the best available ASX dividend stocks in terms of consistent payout growth.

Incredibly, it has grown its payout every year for the last 20 years in a row, which is the second-best record on the ASX.

Growth isn’t guaranteed from the ASX dividend stock forever, of course, but I think it can continue growing because of two key reasons. Firstly, a vast majority of APA’s revenue is linked to inflation, which provides solid growth over time.

Secondly, APA’s cash flow is regularly boosted by an addition to its portfolio of energy assets.

Expanding portfolio

APA’s energy portfolio is already diversified, and it’s adding to it regularly, which helps increase the cash flow from its asset base.

The latest asset it has announced for its portfolio is the proposed Brigalow Peaker Power Plant for Queensland, in partnership with CS Energy. It’s aimed to be operational in 2028, which will provide firming capacity for peak electricity demand periods, complementing variable renewable energy.

APA will own 80% of the project, while CS Energy will operate and maintain the plant, retaining a 20% ownership stake in the project. The agreement between the two businesses will see APA generate returns under an inflation-linked revenue arrangement, as well as the potential for higher returns from a small portion of variable revenue.

Overall, thanks to its payouts and long-term earnings growth, I believe the ASX dividend stock has a promising future and is worth considering for purchase in almost any market.

The post I’d buy this ASX dividend stock in any market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX technology shares have lost serious momentum over the last couple of months. 

In fact, the S&P/ASX All Technology (ASX: XTX) index is down more than 20% since the start of October. 

As a result, there are some well-known companies that are now undervalued. 

If you are looking for a bargain buy before the new year, here are two technology shares with appealing price targets. 

CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

CAR Group is the company behind online marketplace carsales.com.au. 

Since August, its share price has tumbled more than 25% and is now trading on a lower than normal price to earnings (P/E) ratio – around two-year lows at a P/E of ~28x. 

It could be a buy-low opportunity for investors as this drop seems to be without an obvious driver. 

Recent guidance out of Bell Potter seems to agree with this sentiment. 

In a note out of the broker earlier this month, it said the company continues to screen favourably on a risk-adjusted return basis when considering the stability of earnings growth against comparable ASX-listed classifieds platforms. 

The broker has a buy recommendation and $44.20 price target on CAR Group shares. 

This indicates an upside of 36.53% from yesterday’s closing price. 

Similarly, the team at Wilsons Advisory reinforced the recent share price falls largely reflecting a broad de-rating across technology shares. 

The report said it views these concerns as largely sentiment-driven and overblown given the company’s firmly entrenched competitive moat. 

SEEK Ltd (ASX: SEK)

The company operates online job marketplace Seek.com.au. 

It also operates several other businesses, including Seek Learning, to help connect people with education opportunities; Seek Business, to facilitate the sale of businesses and franchises; and Seek Volunteer, which lists volunteer opportunities.

Its share price is overall up roughly 4% this year, but has fallen almost 19% since September. 

This dip seems to be more cyclical rather than structural, as the core business still has solid cash flow and profitability. 

At its recent AGM, the company reiterated a FY26 guidance that would result in: 

• 10% revenue growth
• 15% EBITDA growth 
• 32% adjusted profit growth. 

Earlier this month, a note out of Macquarie reinforces it is a technology stock with plenty of upside. 

Macquarie confirmed its outperform rating and $32.50 target price. 

This indicates an upside of 37.37%. 

The post Last minute technology shares for your Christmas wish list 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 CAR Group Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Bell Potter has been busy picking out its best shares to buy for 2026.

Two ASX dividend shares that made the list are named below. Here’s why the broker thinks they are best buys for the year ahead:

Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL)

Bell Potter thinks that this specialist alternatives investment manager could be an ASX dividend share to buy now. It has put a buy rating and $4.40 price target on its shares.

The broker has been impressed with its performance and believes this can continue in the future. So, with its shares de-rating recently, it thinks now is a good time to invest. It said:

Regal Partners continues to grow its FUM through inflows, acquisitions, and strong fund performance. The recent quarter was the strongest on record, with FUM reaching $20.0bn, up 13.1% over the quarter, with inflows of 4.1% and investment performance of 9.9%. Revenue is underpinned as 85% of funds ($13.7bn) were at or close to generating performance fees in FY25. The funds continue to see strong performance from: PM Capital funds, Tactical Opportunities and Resources Royalties. Despite record results, the shares have been de-rated since the start of the year. We do not believe the improvement in operational performance is reflected in the current share price.

With respect to dividends, the broker is forecasting payouts of 15.2 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 20 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.23, this equates to dividend yields of 4.7% and 6.2%, respectively.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

Another ASX dividend share that has been named as a best buy is Rural Funds. It has a buy rating and $2.45 price target on the agricultural property company’s shares.

The broker believes that its shares are being undervalued by the market. It highlights their sharp discount to net asset value (NAV), compared to a small premium traditionally. Bell Potter said:

The ~35% discount to market NAV is well above the historical average 5% premium since listing. Counterparty profitability indicators have been improving and farm asset values have been resilient, which would suggest that the underearning on unleased assets is the largest performance drain. Exiting or leasing these assets (combined value ~$387m) would result in reasonable AFFO accretion (14-18% on FY26e PF AFFO) with the scope to also reduce gearing, with this likely to be the greatest share price catalyst. We would expect execution against asset sales to emerge in CY26e.

Bell Potter is expecting dividends per share of 11.7 cents per share in FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $2.02, this equates to dividend yields of 5.8%.

The post 2 of the best ASX dividend shares to buy in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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