• Buy, hold, or sell? AMP, Domino’s and Netwealth shares

    A man looking at his laptop and thinking.

    Listed below are three ASX shares that are popular with investors.

    But popular doesn’t necessarily mean they are good investments. So, let’s see what Catapult Wealth is saying about them, courtesy of The Bull. Are they buys, holds, or sells?

    AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)

    Although Catapult Wealth acknowledges that this financial services company has made progress with its turnaround strategy, it isn’t enough for a positive rating.

    This is especially the case given the increased competition for its platforms business. As a result, the wealth management firm has named AMP as a sell. It said:

    This diversified financial services company has been making progress with its turnaround strategy. Simplifying the business is revealing positive outcomes. However, there’s a long road ahead for AMP given its disappointing performance over many years.

    Its platform business is exposed to the tailwind of a growing superannuation asset pool, but it lags competitors in a space with rapidly evolving technology. The shares were priced at $1.41 on March 1, 2021. The shares were trading at $1.37 on February 19, 2026. Better options exist elsewhere.

    Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

    This pizza chain operator could be one to avoid according to Catapult Wealth. It thinks Domino’s faces too many headwinds and has named its shares as a sell. It explains:

    The fast food giant has been expanding into European and Asian markets with some success. However, in our view, DMP faces too many headwinds. Domino’s is battling cost inflation on raw materials, cost of living pressures among consumers and a long term trend towards healthier options.

    Also, Domino’s faces significant competition from an ever-growing list of food choices and home delivery services.

    Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

    One ASX share that Catapult Wealth is positive on is Netwealth. This week, it has named the investment platform provider’s shares as a buy.

    While its exposure to the First Guardian collapse was disappointing, the wealth management firm thinks investors should look beyond this and focus on the future. It highlights that Netwealth has a significant growth opportunity with less than 9% market share. It said:

    Netwealth agreed in late 2025 to pay compensation of $100.7 million to customers who invested in the First Guardian Master Fund, a collapsed fund that was included on its platform. On February 18, 2026, investors responded positively to the company’s first half results in fiscal year 2026. Platform revenue of $189 million was up 25.3 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

    A statutory loss of $2.2 million includes the First Guardian compensation expense. Excluding the expense, net profit after tax of $69 million was up 19.9 per cent. Netwealth is the second fastest growing superannuation and investment platform in Australia, driven in part by technology investment and leadership in a rapidly changing sector. With less than 9 per cent of market share, Netwealth still has plenty of room to continue growing in double digits.

    The post Buy, hold, or sell? AMP, Domino’s and Netwealth shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in AMP Limited right now?

    Before you buy AMP Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and AMP Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Experts name 3 ASX dividend shares to buy

    A man and woman in an office look at a laptop and discuss investing, budget strategies or other financial concepts

    Fortunately for income investors, there are a lot of ASX dividend shares to choose from on the Australian share market.

    To narrow things down, let’s take a look at three that experts are tipping as buys, courtesy of The Bull. Here’s what they are recommending:

    Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

    The team at Catapult Wealth thinks this property company could be an ASX dividend share to buy this week.

    It likes the company due to its reliable income stream and generous dividend yield, explaining:

    This Australian real estate investment trust reported solid first half results in fiscal year 2026, which were in line with expectations. Statutory earnings of $153.6 million increased 209 per cent compared to the prior corresponding period. Net tangible assets of $4.68 per security were up 2 per cent from June 30, 2025.

    CLW’s share price has declined due to the re-emergence of inflation and its impact on interest rates and bond yields. CLW appeals for its reliable income stream. It was recently trading on a dividend yield above 6.5 per cent, supported by a high quality property portfolio with occupancy of 99.9 per cent and a weighted average lease length of more than nine years.

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

    Over at Shaw and Partners, its analysts believe Wesfarmers could be an ASX dividend share to buy.

    The broker is a fan of the Bunnings owner and believes it has one of the best management teams around. It believes this leaves it well-placed to continue creating value for investors. It said:

    This industrial conglomerate remains one of the best managed companies in Australia. Its management team consistently demonstrates smart capital allocation and a disciplined acquisition strategy amid maintaining a strong oversight on operations across its diverse group of businesses. This quality of leadership gives me confidence that Wesfarmers can continue delivering long term value, even through changing economic conditions.

    Its diversified revenue streams across retail, chemicals and industrial operations also provide resilience that few companies can match. The company posted its first half results for fiscal year 2026 on February 19. Revenue of $24.212 billion was up 3.1 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Statutory net profit after tax of $1.603 billion increased 9.3 per cent.

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

    Another ASX dividend share that is being recommended as a buy by Shaw and Partners is Woolworths.

    It likes the supermarket giant due to its defensive qualities and dependable long-term outlook. It said:

    The supermarket giant’s revenue base is remarkably consistent, supported by everyday essential spending. Even during softer economic periods, consumers continue to prioritise groceries and household staples, which helps stabilise WOW’s earnings. The company’s ongoing investment in digital shopping, supply chain improvements and customer experience initiatives should continue to support dependable, long term performance.

    The post Experts name 3 ASX dividend shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Charter Hall Long WALE REIT right now?

    Before you buy Charter Hall Long WALE REIT shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Charter Hall Long WALE REIT wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Man puts hands in the air and cheers with head back while holding phone and coffee.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured another negative session this Tuesday, its second slight loss of the trading week thus far.

    By the time trading wrapped up today, the ASX 200 had given up a morning lead to close down 0.041%. That small drop leaves the index at 9,022.3 points.

    This miserly session for the ASX follows an even nastier start to the American trading week on Wall Street in the early hours of this morning.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was crushed, dropping 1.66%.

    The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared slightly better, but still lost 1.13% of its value.

    But let’s return to the local markets and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared amid today’s tough trading conditions.

    Winners and losers

    Despite the market’s bad mood, several sectors rose today.

    But first, it was yet again tech stocks that were smashed the hardest today. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was a horror show, cratering by 3.46%.

    Consumer discretionary shares were also hit hard, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) sinking 1.71%.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) had another rough session, too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) tanked 1.16% today.

    Healthcare stocks didn’t exactly live up to their name today either, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)’s 1.04% plunge.

    Financial shares didn’t get out unscathed. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) ended up diving 0.32%.

    But that was it for the red sectors, so let’s turn to the green ones now. Energy stocks led the charge higher, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) surging 1.68%.

    Mining shares put on another strong showing as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 1.01% higher by the closing bell.

    Industrial stocks fared decently too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.46% jump.

    Communications shares were also in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifted 0.4% today.

    Next came consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) drawing with communications with its own 0.4% bounce.

    Gold shares proved to be a safe haven, too. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw a 0.11% improvement this Tuesday.

    Finally, utilities stocks squeaked onto the right side of the ledger, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 0.03% bump.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    It was resources stock Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) that came in at the top of the index table this Tuesday. Liontown shares rocketed 8.68% higher this session to close at $1.82 each.

    This big gain came despite no news from the company itself. Saying that, most of Liontown’s peers in the lithium space did very well today.

    Here’s how the rest of today’s top shares landed their planes:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) $1.82 8.68%
    Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) $1.87 8.09%
    PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) $4.72 8.01%
    Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) $5.72 7.92%
    Imdex Ltd (ASX: IMD) $4.28 7.00%
    Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) $57.29 6.49%
    Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Group Ltd (ASX: DBI) $5.43 6.47%
    Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) $32.43 5.91%
    Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) $16.64 4.79%
    IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) $6.11 4.44%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

    The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Liontown Resources Limited right now?

    Before you buy Liontown Resources Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Liontown Resources Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    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.

  • 3 ASX ETFs capitalising on ‘the great rotation’ into small caps

    Boys making faces and flexing.

    Betashares investment strategist, Tom Wickenden, says ‘the great rotation’ into small-cap shares has begun.

    Wickenden points out that 2025 was the first year since 2020 that ASX small-cap shares outperformed the rest of the market.

    The S&P/ASX Small Ords Index (ASX: XSO), which tracks companies ranked 101 to 300 by market cap, delivered a total return (capital growth plus dividends) of 24.96% last year.

    By comparison, the S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) delivered total returns of 10.56%.

    Small-cap shares typically have market caps between a few hundred million dollars and $2 billion.

    Wickenden said:

    Following years of large cap earnings stability and pricing power during the higher-than-normal interest rate environment, 2025 gave way to a rate cutting cycle supporting mid and small caps. 

    Lower interest rates reduce smaller companies’ debt servicing costs and boost their earnings potential.

    Wickenden said:

    Mid and small caps in Australia also reported much stronger earnings growth throughout 2025, further driving the performance turnaround. 

    Lower funding costs and easing input pressures helped to lift margins and free cash flow across these segments. 

    Wickenden points to the Betashares Australian Small Companies Select ETF (ASX: SMLL) as an example of the trend.

    SMLL ETF delivered a total return of 36.39% last year. It was the second-best-performing ASX ETF holding Aussie shares in 2025.

    Here are three ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to small-cap shares both on the ASX and overseas exchanges.

    Betashares Australian Small Companies Select ETF (ASX: SMLL)

    This ASX-focused ETF seeks to track the returns of the Nasdaq Australia Small Cap Select Index before costs.

    Betashares explains the ETF’s strategy:

    SMLL invests in a portfolio of ASX-listed companies that are generally within the 91-350 largest by free float market capitalisation. The portfolio will typically consist of 50-100 securities.

    SMLL’s index uses screens that aim to identify companies with positive earnings and a strong ability to service debt.

    Relative valuation metrics, price momentum and liquidity are also evaluated as part of the selection process.

    ASX gold stocks dominate the ETF’s list of top holdings.

    There’s Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) shares at 6.1%, Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) 4.8%, Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) 4.6%, Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) 4.4%, Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) 4%, and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) 3.9%.

    Over the past five years, SMLL ETF has delivered an average annual total return of 9.73% after fees.

    Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM)

    VISM ETF seeks to track the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees.

    This ASX ETF gives investors access to more than 4,000 smaller companies operating in more than 20 developed countries.

    The top holdings are flash memory designer and manufacturer Sandisk Corp (NASDAQ: SNDK) 0.82%, US laser and photonics technologies developer, Coherent Corp (NYSE: COHR) 0.39%, and aircraft engine leasing operator, FTAI Aviation Ltd (NASDAQ: FTAI) 0.29%.

    VISM ETF has delivered an average annual total return of 9.9% after fees over the past five years.

    VanEck MSCI International Small Companies Quality ETF (ASX: QSML)

    QSML ETF seeks to mirror the performance of the MSCI World ex Australia Small Cap Quality 150 Index before costs.

    This provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of 150 high-quality, small-cap companies in developed countries outside Australia.

    Stocks are selected on three key fundamentals: return on equity (ROE); earnings stability; and low financial leverage.

    The top holdings are US aerospace industrial company, Curtiss-Wright Corp (NYSE: CW) 1.9%, precious metals royalties company, Royal Gold Inc (NASDAQ: RGLD) 1.8%, and US convenience store operator, Casey’s General Stores Inc (NASDAQ: CASY) 1.65%.

    QSML ETF began trading in March 2021.

    Over the past three years, the ASX ETF has produced an average annual total return of 14.87% after fees.

    The post 3 ASX ETFs capitalising on ‘the great rotation’ into small caps appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select Fund right now?

    Before you buy BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select Fund shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select Fund wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Coherent and Curtiss-Wright. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Casey’s General Stores. 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.

  • Are Lendlease shares a buy following its half-year results?

    A man with his back to the camera holds his hands to his head as he looks to a jagged red line trending sharply downward.

    Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) shares are trading in the red again on Tuesday afternoon. At the time of writing, the shares are down another 2.94% for the day, to $4.12 a piece.

    Today’s decline follows a sharp sell-off of the international property developer’s shares yesterday after it posted its first-half FY26 results.

    Since the announcement early on Monday morning, Lendlease shares have now fallen 10.13% to an all-time low

    The current trading price also represents a 20.06% decline for the year to date and a 34.32% decline over the past 12 months.

    What spooked investors in Lendlease’s latest results?

    The property and infrastructure group reported a statutory loss after tax of $318 million for the half year ended 31 December 2025. 

    The loss, which includes non-cash negative investment property revaluations and impairments of $118 million primarily in the US, UK, and Singapore, is down from a $48 million profit for the half year for FY24.

    Lendlease said the result has been driven by non-cash negative investment property reevaluations and impairments. 

    Operating profit after tax (OPAT) was at a loss of $200 million, including profit of $87 million from its Investments, Development and Construction (IDC) division and a loss of $287 million from its Capital Release Unit (CRU).

    The company also revealed that it had managed to reduce its net debt to $3.3 billion, which is down $0.1 billion on FY25. It also achieved group statutory gearing of 25.8% and available liquidity of $3.3 billion, which provides balance sheet flexibility.

    The Board said it remains committed to returning surplus capital to securityholders, including through an on-market buyback. This will occur once there is more certainty that underlying gearing will be sustainably at 15%. It also assumes that previously stated preconditions have been met.

    Lendlease also declared an interim distribution of 6.2 cents per share. This will be paid on 18th March, and the record date is 2nd March. 

    Are Lendlease shares a buying opportunity or is it time to sell?

    Analysts haven’t confirmed or revised their position or target price on Lendlease shares following its results yesterday morning. But we might expect some movement in the coming days.

    At the time of writing, TradingView data shows that analysts are divided about the outlook for Lendlease shares. Out of seven analysts, four hold a strong buy rating on Lendlease stock. Another two have a hold rating, and one analyst has rated the shares as a sell.

    However, after the latest crash, all target prices imply an upside ahead for the shares, at the time of writing.

    The average target price is currently $5.41 per share, implying a 30.40% upside over the next 12 months. If the maximum target price remains unchanged, then investors could be looking at a huge 56.82% upside to $6.50 a piece.

    The post Are Lendlease shares a buy following its half-year results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lendlease Group right now?

    Before you buy Lendlease Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Lendlease Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Despite a “strong” financial result, this retailer is being sold down heavily

    A beautiful woman with brown hair and wearing bright red lipstick looks shocked as she holds her hand to her cheek.

    Adore Beauty Ltd (ASX: ABY) shares are being smashed on a profit result its Chief Executive has characterised as “strong”.

    The company said in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday that it had posted record underlying EBITDA of $4.1 million for the first half of the year, up 14.5% on the prior corresponding period.

    In a separate release, however, the company says net profit was down 69.9% to $189,000, while sales increased markedly, from $102.9 million to $111.9 million.

    Investors clearly didn’t like the numbers, pushing Adore Beauty shares 23.3% lower to 66 cents, not far off their 12-month lows of 61 cents.

    Management positive on the outlook

    Chief Executive Officer Sacha Laing said regarding the result:

    Adore Beauty has achieved a strong financial result in the first half of FY26, benefitting from our maturing customer-led strategy. We cost-effectively acquired new customers at the fastest rate in four years whilst halving acquisition costs with record levels of marketing efficiency. Importantly, operating leverage, growing owned brands, and disciplined cost management delivered record earnings despite margin pressures arising from exceptionally strong Black Friday period sales. We stepped-up our omni-channel rollout during the half, opening 10 stores since July with a further six in the pipeline for the remainder of CY2026. While more than half of these stores opened in the final months of CY2025, we are already seeing the benefit of our retail network on customer acquisition and brand awareness.

    Ms Laing said while retail conditions remained challenging, “improving quality of revenue remains a priority for the business, as we continue to acquire more customers at the top of the funnel, reduce our promotional cadence, increase share-of-wallet, and grow our higher-margin iKOU brand”.

    The company said it had opened its first stores in both Queensland and South Australia during the first half, with all of the new stores expected to reach maturity in 12-18 months, and make a meaningful contribution to the business from the second year of operation.

    The group’s loyalty program now has 509,000 members, contributing 78% of sales in the first half, Adore said.

    The company said regarding this:

    ‘Adore Rewards’ is structured to reward frequent and repeat purchasing behaviour, increasing engagement and share-of-wallet while supporting marketing efficiency. The Adore Beauty app is another driver of marketing efficiency, accounting for 35% of online sales during the period, up from 25% for the same period last year. The strong performance of loyalty and app continues to improve quality of revenue, offsetting the reduction in promotional cadence.

    The company also said it had secured a lease for a new major national fulfilment centre, which would unlock material operating efficiencies from the second half of FY27.

    Adore Beauty was valued at $80.8 million at the close of trade on Monday.

    The post Despite a “strong” financial result, this retailer is being sold down heavily appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Adore Beauty Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Adore Beauty Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Adore Beauty Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Forget term deposits! I’d buy these two ASX 200 shares instead

    Man holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares can be a great source of passive income. Term deposits offer guaranteed income, but the payout does not grow. Therefore, Term deposits can’t provide inflation protection for an income stream either.

    An ASX 200 share can provide that golden trifecta of a good dividend yield, payout growth and capital growth.

    There are a few ASX 200 shares that could be an excellent pick compared to a term deposit.

    APA Group (ASX: APA)

    APA Group is an important business for the Australian economy because of its large energy asset base.

    Its key asset is the gas pipeline network that transports half of the nation’s gas usage. The business has recently announced a plan to expand its network to increase its gas capacity to transport more volume from the north of the country (supply) to the south (demand) which will comes with a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, but could unlock stronger earnings.

    The business also has gas storage, gas processing, gas-powered energy generation, wind farms, solar farms, batteries and electricity transmission.

    APA’s asset base allows it to generate defensive earnings each year, with a large majority of revenue growth linked to inflation.

    As the cash flow grows, the ASX 200 share is able to fund a higher distribution for investors.

    APA has grown its annual distribution every year for the past two decades, which is the second-best growth streak on the ASX.

    It’s expecting to grow its FY26 annual distribution by 1.75% to 58 cents per security. That translates into a potential distribution yield of 6.3%, noticeably better than a term deposit.

    Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

    The other business I want to highlight is this real estate investment trust (REIT), which focuses on industrial properties in important metropolitan areas.

    It owns a few different types of industrial buildings: distribution centres, manufacturing and production, transport logistics, data centres and cold storage.

    There are a number of positives that are providing income tailwinds including a growing population, increased e-commerce adoption, fresh food and pharmaceutical demand, increased data centre demand, onshoring of supply chains and limited supply of new industrial properties.

    Those positive demands are helping drive the underlying rental income potential of the business. It reported that in the first half of FY26, it delivered 5.1% like for like net operating income (NOI) growth.

    It’s expecting to deliver funds from operations (FFO – rental earnings) per security of between 18.2 cents to 18.5 cents in FY26. That would be growth of up to 6% year-over-year.

    The ASX 200 share expects to deliver accelerating earnings growth in the medium-term as its rental contracts reset to market rates rather than being 20% ‘under-rented’ on average.

    Its net tangible assets (NTA) per unit is $3.95, so it’s trading at a discount of around 20%, which is very appealing to me. It’s like being able to buy a property portfolio at 20% less than it’s actually worth.

    On the distribution side of things, it’s expecting to increase its annual distribution by 3% to 16.8 cents per security in FY26. That translates into a forward distribution yield of 5.3%. That’s more appealing to me than a term deposit.

    The post Forget term deposits! I’d buy these two ASX 200 shares instead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Centuria Industrial REIT right now?

    Before you buy Centuria Industrial REIT shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Centuria Industrial REIT wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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.

  • Macquarie reckons this ASX tech stock will just about triple

    Two IT professionals walk along a wall of mainframes in a data centre discussing various things

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) shares have been out of favour since the company reported record first-half results last week, but the analyst team at Macquarie think they’ve been seriously oversold.

    The Macquarie team has had a look at the results, updated their modelling for Megaport shares, and come up with a very bullish outlook.

    More on that later. Let’s see what they reported last week.

    Recurring revenues looking strong

    The “network as a service” company said in its ASX earnings report that annual recurring revenue increased 49% year on year to $338 million, while revenue for the half rose 26% to $134.9 million.

    The company’s EBITDA was $35.3 million, and it reported an underlying net loss of $3.3 million, excluding acquisition costs $15.8 million.

     Megaport chief executive Michael Reid said regarding the result:

    Our team delivered an outstanding first half performance, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the underlying business. Importantly, we achieved this while completing two strategic acquisitions and executing a successful capital raise. These initiatives extend our platform into adjacent markets and position Megaport for accelerated growth across Network, Compute, and AI.

    Mr Reid said the company’s global business continued to grow, “with the United States delivering exceptional momentum, pushing the Americas to 24% year on year annual recurring revenue growth”.

    He added:

    This performance was driven by rising net revenue retention and consistent new logo acquisition. We are also seeing strong adoption of our newer products, alongside a clear shift toward larger bandwidth commitments, more complex global routes, and longer-term contracts. Together, these trends demonstrate expanding wallet share and Megaport’s growing strategic importance within our customers’ infrastructure stack. Despite Foreign Exchange headwinds, the fundamentals of the business remain strong, positioning Megaport to deliver scale-able, capital-efficient growth across Network, Compute, and AI.

    Megaport said it “increased all metrics across all regions” in the first half.

    Shares ‘too cheap’

    Macquarie said the result was pretty strong across the board, with foreign exchange the only downside.

    The team added that artificial intelligence was a positive for the company, noting that large language models were using Megaport’s application programming interfaces.

    Macquarie said in its research note to clients this week that with a strong set of results and North American annual recurring revenue growing at 24%, the shares were “too cheap”.

    Macquarie has a price target of $23.30 on Megaport shares, compared with the current price of $7.55, down 5.1% on the day.

    Megaport was valued at $1.41 billion at the close of trade on Monday.

    The post Macquarie reckons this ASX tech stock will just about triple appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Megaport right now?

    Before you buy Megaport shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Megaport wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Megaport. 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.

  • Here are 3 ASX 200 shares trading at 52-week lows I’d buy

    Shot of a young businesswoman looking stressed out while working in an office.

    When high-quality companies trade at 52-week lows, I think it is worth paying attention.

    Not because the share price has fallen, but because it forces an important question: has the business deteriorated, or has sentiment simply turned?

    Right now, three ASX 200 shares stand out after hitting new lows. But, in my view, each remains a high-quality business despite recent share price weakness.

    Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

    Pro Medicus has long been one of the ASX’s standout growth stories. It has consistently delivered high margins, strong recurring revenue, and a capital-light model that generates impressive returns on equity.

    Some investors appear worried that rapid advances in AI could commoditise parts of the medical imaging workflow or reduce the value of premium imaging platforms. When markets get nervous about disruption, high-multiple software names are often the first to be sold.

    However, I think it is important to understand what Pro Medicus actually does. Its Visage platform is deeply embedded within hospital systems, handling complex imaging workflows at scale. It is not simply an image viewer. It is a mission-critical, enterprise-grade platform that integrates with hospital IT systems and supports radiologists across large networks.

    Management has indicated that it doesn’t see AI as a threat to its business model. In fact, it views AI as complementary.

    To me, this looks less like structural disruption and more like sentiment-driven volatility. While valuation always matters, I believe the market may be overestimating the AI risk and underestimating the durability of Pro Medicus’ competitive position.

    Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

    Cochlear, another global healthcare leader, has also found itself under pressure.

    Short-term challenges, including margin pressure and operational factors, have weighed on sentiment. But the underlying business remains dominant in implantable hearing solutions, with a large installed base and recurring revenue from upgrades and services.

    I think it is easy to underestimate how powerful that installed base is. Once a patient is in the Cochlear ecosystem, they are typically there for life. That creates long-term revenue visibility.

    When a market leader with decades of innovation trades at a 52-week low, I am inclined to look at the long-term opportunity rather than the most recent headline.

    CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

    CAR Group, formerly known as Carsales, operates leading automotive classifieds platforms in Australia and internationally.

    The business benefits from network effects. Buyers go where the listings are, and sellers go where the buyers are. That creates a durable competitive advantage.

    Share price weakness has reflected softer auto markets and broader tech sentiment. But the long-term shift to digital marketplaces is not reversing. Over time, transaction volumes and pricing power tend to follow platform scale.

    If I can buy a market-leading digital classifieds platform at a 52-week low, I see that as an opportunity to accumulate quality.

    Foolish Takeaway

    A 52-week low does not automatically mean a bargain. Sometimes it signals deeper problems.

    But in the case of Pro Medicus, Cochlear, and CAR Group, I believe the core businesses remain strong. Each has global reach, defensible market positions, and structural growth drivers.

    The post Here are 3 ASX 200 shares trading at 52-week lows I’d buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in CAR Group Ltd right now?

    Before you buy CAR Group Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CAR Group Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CAR Group Ltd, Cochlear, and Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 ASX mining shares tipped to rise 80% to 140% this year

    Female miner standing smiling in a mine.

    ASX mining shares are higher on Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX 300 Metal & Mining Index (ASX: XMM) up 0.82%.

    So far this year, ASX mining shares have continued to outperform after an exceptionally strong run in 2025.

    The Metal & Mining Index is up 13.9% in the year to date (YTD) while the broader S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) is up 2.7%.

    Here are three ASX mining shares that the experts think will rise strongly over the next 12 months.

    WA1 Resources Ltd (ASX: WA1)

    This ASX copper mining share is $16.73 apiece, up 2.3% today.

    WA1 Resources shares are down 12.9% in the YTD and up 25% over the past 12 months.

    Copper is in high demand for all the new infrastructure required for the green energy transition and artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.

    It’s also attractive to investors seeking hard assets in today’s growing debasement trade.

    The copper price hit a new record above US$6 per pound earlier this year, and is currently up 24.5% over the past 12 months.

    Canaccord Genuity has a buy rating on WA1 Resources shares.

    The broker lifted its 12-month share price target from $28 to $32 apiece this month.

    This implies a 91% potential upside over the next 12 months on the ASX copper mining share.

    Check out Goldman Sachs’ 2026 forecast for the copper price here.

    Santana Minerals Ltd (ASX: SMI)

    The Santana Minerals share price is 90 cents, down 4.3% today and up 58% over the past 12 months.

    Santana Minerals is developing the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project (BOGP) on the South Island of New Zealand.

    Shaw & Partners has a buy rating and a 12-month share price target of $2.15 on this ASX gold mining share.

    This suggests a possible near-140% capital gain over the next year.

    In a recent note, the broker said:

    Santana Minerals Limited (ASX:SMI) has announced that the Fast-Track Approval (FTA) Panel Convener has confirmed a 140 working-day statutory timeframe for determination of the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project (BOGP), with a decision due by 29 October 2026.

    The timeline is longer than expected (60-100 days) but now provides certainty in the process.

    Development consent is now expected to be granted in H2 CY26. 

    Santana Minerals announced the completion of a $113 million institutional capital raise today.

    The funds will be used to accelerate the mine’s development in preparation for a Final Investment Decision (FID).

    The miner will seek to raise up to another $30 million from ordinary investors via a Share Purchase Plan.

    Check out some 2026 gold price forecasts here.

    Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)

    This ASX gold mining share is $8.13 apiece, down 1.8% today.

    Catalyst Metals shares are up 10.2% in the YTD and up 108% over the past 12 months.

    Catalyst Metals owns the Plutonic gold mine in Western Australia and the Bendigo exploration project in Victoria.

    In its 2Q FY26 update, Catalyst Metals announced record quarterly gold production of 28,176 ounces at Plutonic.

    The average realised price was A$2,776 per ounce, and the average all-in sustaining cost (AISC) was A$2,565 per ounce.

    Bell Potter has a buy rating on the ASX gold mining share and a price target of $14.60.

    This implies an 80% potential upside over the next 12 months.

    The post 3 ASX mining shares tipped to rise 80% to 140% this year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Catalyst Metals Limited right now?

    Before you buy Catalyst Metals Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Catalyst Metals Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Goldman Sachs Group. 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.