The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has defied weakness on Wall Street and is pushing higher on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.3% to 8,846.6 points.

Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are climbing:

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP Group share price is up 3% to $49.69. Investors have been buying this mining giant’s shares following a broad rally in resources stocks. It seems that many investors believe that strong commodity prices are going to lead to a solid half year results in February. BHP’s shares are now up 25% over the past 12 months.

BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL)

The BlueScope share price is up 4.5% to $31.15. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Macquarie. According to the note, the broker has retained its outperform rating on the steel producer’s shares with an improved price target of $34.05. In addition, investors may be picking up shares to gain exposure to the special dividend it announced on Wednesday. BlueScope will be returning $1.00 per share or a total of $438 million to shareholders from surplus cash. BlueScope’s managing director and CEO, Mark Vassella, said: “With a clear line of sight to the completion of our current significant capital investment program, BlueScope is positioned to not only return to the robust cash generation it has been known for, but to strengthen it further with the enhanced earnings of the business.”

Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)

The Catalyst Metals share price is up 4% to $7.99. Investors have been buying this gold miner’s shares following the release of a strong quarterly update. Catalyst Metals produced 28,176 ounces of gold with an average all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of A$2,565 per ounce. Looking ahead, the company has retained its FY 2026 guidance of 100,000 ounces to 110,000 ounces of gold production at an AISC of A$2,200 to A$2,650 per ounce.

Ryman Healthcare Ltd (ASX: RYM)

The Ryman Healthcare share price is up 2.5% to $2.59. This follows the release of the retirement living company’s third quarter trading update. Ryman Healthcare revealed that total sales were broadly flat on the second quarter with a shift in mix across product types. However, occupancy continued to grow in Ryman Healthcare’s recently opened aged care centres and remained strong in mature care centres at 96%.

The post Why BHP, BlueScope, Catalyst Metals, and Ryman shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 mining stocks including Mineral Resources and BHP shares smashing new 52-week highs today
• This ASX 200 gold share is racing 5% higher on record quarter
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• BHP shares hover near 52-week high as momentum builds. Is a breakout coming?

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

One of the mistakes investors often make with technology stocks is focusing too much on what is exciting right now, rather than what will still matter in five or ten years. Share prices move quickly, sentiment swings wildly, but the businesses that quietly solve essential problems tend to endure.

Two ASX tech stocks that I think deserve serious consideration in 2026 are Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) and SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR). They operate in different corners of the tech landscape, but both provide infrastructure that customers genuinely rely on, and both look better positioned today than their recent share prices suggest.

Megaport shares

When artificial intelligence (AI) is discussed, most attention goes to software platforms or semiconductor companies. What gets far less airtime are the infrastructure providers that make large-scale computing practical and efficient.

That is where Megaport fits in.

Megaport provides the connectivity layer that links data centres, cloud providers, and enterprise networks. Its network-as-a-service platform allows customers to provision bandwidth dynamically, scaling usage up or down as needs change. In a world of increasingly complex, multi-cloud architectures, that flexibility is becoming a genuine competitive advantage.

AI only strengthens this case. Training models, running inference, and moving vast datasets requires fast, reliable connectivity between multiple locations. As workloads become more distributed and data-intensive, the quality of the underlying network becomes critical.

What also stands out to me is how the business is evolving. Megaport is no longer positioning itself purely as a connectivity provider. The addition of compute capabilities through its Latitude platform expands its role across the digital infrastructure stack, allowing customers to both move and process data more efficiently.

Importantly, this expansion builds on Megaport’s existing footprint and customer relationships rather than requiring a completely new strategy. Over time, that should help increase wallet share and deepen customer engagement.

After a tough period for the share price and a reset in expectations, I think Megaport now offers a more balanced risk-reward profile. Structural tailwinds remain intact, while management’s focus on discipline and margins has become clearer.

SiteMinder shares

SiteMinder operates in a very different market, but its value proposition is just as practical.

The ASX tech stock provides software that helps hotels manage bookings, pricing, and distribution across multiple online channels. For accommodation providers, these systems are not optional. They sit at the centre of how rooms are sold and revenue is managed.

What I like about SiteMinder is the durability of demand. Travel can be cyclical, but the need for efficient digital distribution is structural. Hotels still need to fill rooms, optimise pricing, and manage visibility across dozens of platforms, regardless of broader economic conditions.

SiteMinder also benefits from scale. Its large global customer base reduces reliance on any single region and gives it opportunities to improve monetisation over time through additional products and services.

From an investment perspective, I am encouraged by the company’s path toward improved operating leverage. Revenue continues to grow, while cost growth is moderating. That is the combination that ultimately matters for long-term shareholder returns.

Why these two ASX tech stocks stand out to me

Megaport and SiteMinder are not speculative stocks. They are established platforms with global customers, recurring revenue, and clear use cases.

For investors looking to add ASX tech exposure in 2026, I think these two stocks stand out as businesses with real infrastructure value and long-term relevance, even if they are not the loudest names in the market today.

The post 2 magnificent ASX tech stocks to buy in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• My top 3 artificial intelligence ASX stocks to buy for 2026
• Here are my top 10 ASX stocks for 2026
• 10 ASX shares I’d buy with $10,000 in 2026 to beat the market
• The ASX 200 stocks I’d be happy to hold until retirement
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

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

Oil prices have been back in focus this week after a strong short-term rally followed by a pullback.

After 5 straight days of gains, oil prices have cooled as traders reassess risks around supply and geopolitics. The focus now is on whether this move is a brief pause or the start of a new trend.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s driving oil prices and what it means for ASX energy stocks.

Oil prices cool after a strong run

Oil’s recent rally was driven mainly by rising geopolitical concerns, particularly in the Middle East.

Fears that unrest in Iran could disrupt global supply pushed prices higher earlier in the week. Iran is a major oil producer, so any threat to exports tends to quickly lift prices as traders factor in possible shortages.

At the time of writing, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is trading around US$60.99 per barrel, down 1.66% on the day. Brent crude, the global benchmark, is sitting near US$65.38 per barrel, down 1.72%.

That pullback came after comments from US officials reduced expectations of immediate military action, easing fears of supply disruptions and prompting traders to lock in profits.

Why oil remains volatile

Oil prices are being pulled in different directions right now.

On one hand, geopolitical risks remain elevated. Any renewed escalation in the Middle East could quickly push prices higher again.

On the other hand, global supply is still relatively strong. Oil inventories have been building in key regions, and production from major exporters remains high. That has limited how far prices can rise and helps explain why oil is still well below last year’s highs.

As a result, oil is struggling to break out in either direction, leading to sharp moves from news headlines rather than long-term trends.

What this means for ASX energy stocks

For investors, movements in oil prices are especially important for large energy producers like Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO).

Woodside has a diversified business with exposure to oil, gas, and LNG. Higher oil prices generally support stronger cash flow and dividends, but its LNG exposure provides some protection when oil prices dip.

Santos is more sensitive to oil and gas prices. When oil prices rise, Santos can benefit quickly through higher realised prices. When prices fall back, earnings expectations tend to soften.

In the short term, the recent pullback in oil may limit upside for both stocks. Over the longer term, sustained price stability or renewed strength would be more supportive.

Foolish takeaway

Oil’s 5-day rally showed how quickly sentiment can shift when geopolitical risks rise. The recent pullback suggests traders are still cautious and waiting for clearer signals.

For investors watching Woodside and Santos, oil remains a key driver to keep an eye on. Volatility is likely to stay high, and that can create both risk and opportunity in the energy sector.

The post After 5 days of straight gains, is oil setting up for its next move? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Woodside shares lift today. Is the worst behind this ASX energy giant?
• Three oil stocks to buy and one to sell
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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.

The Australian government has this week made public further details of its planned Critical Minerals Reserve, saying it will stockpile specific minerals, including gallium, antimony, and rare earth elements.

While there are plenty of rare earth companies listed on the ASX, potential gallium producers are a bit harder to find, so I’ve done the work for you.

Top-tier producer

First cab off the rank, and the most advanced potential producer, is major aluminium company Alcoa Inc (ASX: AAI).

Alcoa announced last October that it would be working with both the US and Australian governments on a gallium plant to be co-located at the company’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia.

Under a non-binding agreement announced at the time, the governments and the company would contribute capital to the project, “and receive gallium offtake in proportion to their interests”.

As Alcoa said at the time:

Among other purposes, the capital would be used for preparation of final feasibility studies, and the development and construction of the project. Definitive agreements for the gallium joint venture will be prepared among the governments of the United States, Australia and Japan, and Alcoa and (Japanese company) Sojitz.

Gallium is naturally present in bauxite, the raw material used in the production of alumina, and can be extracted during the refining process. Gallium is a critical mineral essential to technology, especially the semiconductor industry and defence sectors and is recognized as vital to national security by the United States, Australia and Japan. Globally, gallium production is concentrated from a single source, and market controls have heightened interest in establishing and securing alternate supply chains. 

Juniors also stepping up

The other Australian companies with potential gallium projects are at the exploration and development phase, and often are also in the rare earths exploration sector.

One such company is RareX Limited (ASX: REE), which just this week announced it had been granted a mining lease for its Cummins Range project in Western Australia.

The company said the grant of the lease materially derisked the project, where it aims to mine rare earths, gallium, scandium and phosphate.

RareX in November said a historical review of drilling results at Cummins showed “extensive deposits of gallium-rich clays”.

The company also stated at the time that Cummins was “technically Australia’s largest undeveloped rare earths project.”

Another junior developer looking at progressing a gallium project is Mt Ridley Mines Ltd (ASX: MRD),

Mt Ridley Mines stated in a mid-December release that gallium at its Mount Ridley project was found within the same clay horizons being assessed for rare earths.

It went on to say:

The company currently expects that gallium mineralisation may represent a potential by-product opportunity within a rare earth element-focused processing flowsheet and is actively engaged with leading industry participants within allied Western jurisdictions to support the evaluation and development of appropriate processing pathways, rather than under a standalone gallium processing route.

And finally there is Victory Metals Ltd (ASX: VTM) which is aiming to develop a project in the Cue region of WA, targeting rare earth elements as well as scandium, hafnium and gallium.

Victory published a mineral resource estimate in August and said at the time the project could play a “pivotal role as a future supplier of critical minerals”.

The post Gallium has been earmarked as a critical mineral. Here’s how you can get exposure on the ASX appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX mining shares on fire! New 52-week highs today
• Red hot: These ASX 200 shares are off to a strong start in 2026
• ASX 200 materials sector dominates as scores of mining shares hit new highs
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Scores of ASX mining shares hit 52-week highs

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.

If you’re a fan of Australian exchange-traded funds (ETFs), you’ve probably either heard of the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) or you already own it.

This ASX ETF is one of the most popular index funds on the ASX. In fact, it is currently the second-largest ETF by assets under management in Australia, holding more than $14 billion of investors’ money. That’s only surpassed by the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

But this ETF is an interesting one to dive into. Many investors might not be aware of exactly what their dollars are going into when they add the Vanguard International Shares ETF to their portfolio. So today, let’s comprehensively answer that question by digging into this popular ASX ETF and taking a look at exactly what is in the VGS portfolio at the start of 2026.

As you might gather from its name, the VGS ETF aims to give ASX investors exposure to a broad and diversified portfolio of international shares. On the surface, the fund looks like it is fulfilling this goal nicely, with the current VGS portfolio holding (as of 30 November) almost 1,300 individual stocks, hailing from over two dozen countries. These range from Japan, Canada and France to Hong Kong, Argentina and South Africa.

So diversification ticked?

Well, not by as much as you might think.

VGS: What’s in this ASX ETF?

Yes, the Vanguard International Shares ETF does hold more than a thousand stocks from more than two dozen countries. However, those stocks, as is the case with most index funds, are weighted by market capitalisation. That means the largest stocks on the index take up more room in the VGS portfolio than smaller ones.

This means that, although there are many different names in this fund, the largest shares take up a disproportionate slice of the portfolio. So much so that out of every $100 invested in VGS units, $73.60 will go into American shares. Yep, 73.6% of VGS’s weighted portfolio calls the United States of America home.

To illustrate, here are the largest ten stocks in VGS’ portfolio (again, as of 30 November), and their respective weighting:

1. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) at 5.27% of the VGS portfolio
2. Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) at 5.08%
3. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) at 4.26%
4. Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL) at 4.2%
5. Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) at 2.74%
6. Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ: AVGO) at 2.22%
7. Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) at 1.72%
8. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) at 1.49%
9. Eli Lilly & Co (NYSE: LLY) at 1.06%
10. JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) at 1.06%

So as you can see, VGS is very much a US-centric fund, with some international diversification sprinkled in. After the US’ 73.6%, the next-largest contributor to VGS is Japan at just 5.6%. Keep this in mind when considering this ASX ETF for your portfolio in 2026.

The post Investing in the Vangaurd International Shares ETF (VGS)? Here’s what you’re really buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 1 Vanguard ETF I’m buying in 2026 and holding forever
• Where I would invest $5,000 in ASX ETFs in January
• VGS ETF outperformed ASX IVV in 2025. Here’s why
• New to Investing? Here are 3 ASX ETFs to get you started
• 2 ASX ETFs I would buy in 2026 and hold forever

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) share price is seesawing on Thursday. This comes after the clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company released a fresh update to the market.

At the time of writing, Clarity shares are up 0.28% to $3.61. Earlier in morning trade, the stock was slightly in the red before recovering.

Despite the intraday fluctuations, the share price remains up around 15% over the past month, reflecting improving investor sentiment.

So, what did Clarity announce today?

Key safety hurdle cleared

According to the release, Clarity said its Phase II SECuRE clinical trial will continue as planned following a formal safety review by independent doctors.

The SECuRE trial is testing a targeted treatment for advanced prostate cancer using a copper-based approach. It focuses on patients who have few remaining treatment options.

The latest review examined patients in the expanded part of the trial, including those who had received multiple treatment cycles. The independent committee confirmed there were no safety concerns, and the study can continue without changes.

Encouraging early efficacy signals

Alongside the safety update, the company shared more information about how patients are responding to treatment.

Most participants saw their prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels fall after treatment. PSA is a key marker doctors use to track prostate cancer activity.

Several patients recorded PSA reductions of more than 50%, and some saw declines of over 80%. In one case, scans showed no visible cancer after multiple treatment cycles.

While the data is still early and based on a relatively small number of patients, early efficacy signals are being closely monitored. Positive trends at this stage can reduce risk and build confidence as studies expand to larger patient groups.

Why investors are paying attention

Radiopharmaceuticals are now one of the most closely watched areas in the global biotech sector. Investor interest has grown after major acquisitions and successful late-stage trials overseas.

This company’s approach combines diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy using the same molecular platform. If successful, that model could enable more precise treatment and better patient selection.

Importantly, management confirmed patient enrolment is continuing, with planning for later-stage trials already underway, assuming the data remains supportive.

What the market is weighing up

Despite the recent rally, the stock remains well below its highs from late last year. Today’s share price movement looks more like normal consolidation than a shift in the underlying outlook.

As always with clinical-stage biotech stocks, the risk remains high. Trial results can disappoint investors, timelines can be extended, and funding needs can change rapidly.

For now, many investors may prefer to watch Clarity shares closely as further clinical data emerges.

The post Why investors are watching this ASX healthcare stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Clarity, DroneShield, St Barbara, and Treasury Wine shares are charging higher today

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining stocks, including Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares, are notching some new high-water marks today.

The strong rally among the big Aussie miners comes amid ongoing strength in global commodity prices.

This sees the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) up 2% today, smashing the 0.5% gains delivered by the ASX 200 at this same time.

Here’s what’s happening.

ASX 200 mining stocks leading the charge

Kicking off with Australia’s biggest ASX 200 mining stock, BHP shares are up 3.1% as we head into the Thursday lunch hour, trading for $49.60 apiece. That’s the highest level since December 2023.

Among its own mining successes, BHP shares have enjoyed tailwinds from a resilient iron ore price and a surging copper price.

Iron ore, BHP’s top revenue earner, is currently trading for US$108 per tonne, up from US$94 per tonne in early July. And at US$13,189 per tonne, the copper price is up 44% over 12 months. Copper counts as BHP’s second-biggest revenue earner.

Lithium producer and diversified ASX 200 mining stock Mineral Resources is also vaulting to new one-year-plus highs, spurred by a strong rally in global lithium prices. Spodumene (a lithium bearing ore) hit two-year highs this week, trading for US$2,305 per tonne.

Mineral Resources shares are up 0.8% today, trading for $61.85 each, the highest level since June 2024.

Rival lithium producer, Pls Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) – formerly Pilbara Minerals – is also notching new 52-week-plus highs today.

PLS shares are up 0.8% at the time of writing, changing hands for $4.91 each. You have to go back to August 2023 to find PLS shares trading at a higher level.

Also notching new 52-week-plus highs today

BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) shares have also been steadily marching higher.

Shares in the painted and coated steel products manufacturer are up 3.6% today, swapping hands for $30.84 each. That’s the highest level BlueScope shares have traded at since way back in September 2008.

BlueScope shares have surged in 2026 after the company received, and rejected, a takeover offer from a consortium comprised of SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) and Steel Dynamics, Inc (NASDAQ: STLD).

Which brings us to the fifth ASX 200 mining stock leaping to new one-year-plus highs, South32 Ltd (ASX: S32).

South32 shares are up 4.3% today, trading for $4.13 each. The last time South32 shares traded at or above these levels was in May 2023.

The post 5 ASX 200 mining stocks including Mineral Resources and BHP shares smashing new 52-week highs today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should you buy Mineral Resources shares for lithium exposure?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Are PLS shares a buy, hold, or sell?
• BHP shares hover near 52-week high as momentum builds. Is a breakout coming?
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

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 recommended Steel Dynamics. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) share price is in the green on Thursday. At the time of writing, the shares are up 0.2% to $9.94 a piece.

So far in 2026, the shares have jumped 5.3%. And they’re currently trading an enormous 735.29% higher than this time last year.

EOS is an Australian company that develops and produces advanced electro-optic technologies. The company’s products are used in space information and intelligence services, in optical, microwave, and on-the-move satellite products, optical sensor units, and remote weapons systems for land, sea, and air applications.

The group’s reportable segments are communication, defence, and space, but EOS generates the highest amount of revenue from its defence business. The company’s defence segment is involved in developing, manufacturing, and marketing advanced fire control, surveillance, and weapon systems to approved military customers. 

When compared to other booming ASX defence stocks, such as Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO), or even smaller players like Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) and Titomic (ASX: TTT), the EOS share price has significantly outperformed. 

Over the past year, Droneshield shares have jumped an impressive 476.47%. Meanwhile, Austal shares have surged 177.46% and Titomic shares have risen 16.28%. These are all excellent annual gains, but none are on par with EOS’ huge 721% increase over the same period.

What pushed the EOS share price so high?

Surging demand for defence sector stocks comes off the back of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Ongoing global volatility, such as the recent US-Venezuela fallout, US-China potential tensions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and instability in the Middle East region, has prompted countries around the world to boost their spending on defence systems to protect themselves.

In fact, Global military spending reached an unprecedented US$2.7 trillion in 2024. I’d bet the figure for 2025 is even higher.

The company has seen some big contract wins, too. In December, the company announced several large new contracts for its remote weapon systems (RWS) and space systems. 

EOS said it had received a new order for its R400 RWS from a North American prime contractor supplying Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) to an end-user in South America. Earlier in the month, the company also said it had signed a binding conditional contract to manufacture and supply a 100kW “high energy laser weapon” to a company in the Republic of Korea. The contract is worth around $120 million.

These latest contracts are just some of the many contracts that the company secured throughout the year. And it looks like there could be many more to come.

Are the shares a buy for 2026?

In my view, EOS shares are a buy for any investor interested in defence sector exposure. As ongoing geopolitical uncertainty continues to put pressure on countries worldwide, and governments step up their spending on defence systems, EOS is well-positioned to snap up some demand.

TradingView data shows that analysts have a consensus strong buy on EOS shares. The maximum 12-month target price is as high as $12.72 per share. This implies a potential upside of 28.1% for investors at the time of writing. 

The post Up 735% in a year! The red-hot EOS share price is smashing Droneshield and other defence stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why EOS, Humm, Pantoro Gold, and Robex shares are dropping today
• New all-time high. Why this ASX defence stock is flying again today
• Why EOS, Elevra, Lynas, and New Murchison Gold shares are pushing higher today
• Why investors are watching this ASX defence stock today
• EOS shares are near all-time highs. Here’s why I think $15 is next in 2026

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield and Electro Optic Systems. 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 Vitrafy Life Sciences Ltd (ASX: VFY) have traded more than 25% higher after the company announced a major agreement with global animal reproduction company IMV Technologies.

Under the agreement, set out in a statement to the ASX on Thursday, it is anticipated that Vitrafy’s “next-generation” cryopreservation technology will be integrated with IMV’s globally recognised product offering.

Vitrafy goes on to explain:

This agreement establishes a 12-month strategic collaboration to co-develop a market-ready solution that brings together the strengths of both organisations – expertise, product portfolios and scientific innovation – to establish a new benchmark in reproductive cryopreservation across farm animals, and aquaculture. Upon the successful completion of the program of work under this Agreement, it is anticipated that a long-term commercial agreement between Vitrafy and IMV will be executed. A long-term commercial agreement would enable IMV to deliver Vitrafy’s state of the art reproductive cryopreservation service offering to the farm animal market, accelerating adoption within the highly concentrated, global animal market.

Big deal for the company

Vitrafy Managing Director Brent Owens said the deal was a significant step in the company’s commercialisation strategy.

By partnering with the global leader in animal reproduction, we accelerate the validation and adoption of our cryopreservation technology at scale. This Agreement creates immediate revenue opportunities but also positions Vitrafy for long term growth through global market access, while we continue to advance our human health strategy in North America.

IMV, the press release from Vitrafy said, is a global leader in animal reproductive technology, “specialising in advanced products and services that support artificial insemination, cryopreservation and reproductive management across farm animals, aquaculture and companion animals”.

Founded in 1963, IMV is recognised as the global leader in providing products and services that support the artificial insemination of animals. With an international footprint (that spans 128 countries) and a comprehensive product portfolio, IMV’s products and services support more than half a billion inseminations each year—equating to approximately 1 insemination every 7 seconds using an IMV product.

Vitrafy said IMV had decades of experience developing and commercialising products and a strong global footprint.

Revenue to flow

Under the 12-month agreement, Vitrafy will be paid a monthly fee of up to $480,000 plus potential milestone payments of $450,000.

Vitrafy shares traded as high as $1.66 on the news, up 26.7%, before settling back to be 21.4% higher at $1.59.

Vitrafy was valued at $83.6 million at the close of trade on Wednesday.

The post This biotech is up more than 20% on new deal news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why investors are watching this ASX healthcare stock
• 5 ASX 200 mining stocks including Mineral Resources and BHP shares smashing new 52-week highs today
• Up 735% in a year! The red-hot EOS share price is smashing Droneshield and other defence stocks
• Buy, hold, sell: Morgans gives its verdict on 3 ASX shares
• Up 154% since August, Ora Banda shares jumping again today on ‘exciting’ gold results

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.

The team at Morgans has been busy looking at a number of ASX shares in recent weeks.

Three that it has given its verdict on are revealed below. Is it bullish, bearish, or something in between? Let’s find out:

Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)

Morgans has become more positive on this baby products retailer’s shares following recent weakness.

And while it isn’t quite ready to recommend Baby bunting as a buy, it has lifted its rating to hold (from trim) with a $2.70 price target. Commenting on the ASX share, the broker said:

The recent share price pullback has provided an opportunity to move our recommendation to HOLD (from TRIM), now offering ~6% TSR to our unchanged target price. Refurbished stores to date have performed above our expectations and management’s target range (15-25%).

Up to October, the 3 refurbished stores have seen sales up 30% on the pcp. BBN has now completed 9 refurbishments, and we expect BBN to provide an update on performance at the 1H26 result. We see the risk/ reward now more balanced, and 14x FY27 PE as a fair valuation. We have made no changes to our forecasts or valuation. We have a $2.70 price target.

EBR Systems Inc (ASX: EBR)

An ASX share that Morgans is more positive on is EBR Systems. It is a medical device company focused on the treatment of cardiac rhythm disease through wireless cardiac pacing. It has a buy rating and $2.95 price target on its shares.

Morgans has been impressed with the company’s commercial performance and highlights its sizeable total addressable market (TAM). It said:

4Q25 delivered a clear step-up in commercial execution, with case volumes doubling q/q and revenue materially ahead of expectations, confirming accelerating physician uptake during the Limited Market Release (LMR). Preliminary 4Q revenue of US$0.87-0.94m exceeded our estimate by c60%, with FY25 revenue of US$1.55-1.62m validating early pricing and demand assumptions.

We view clinical momentum with the WiSE-UP post-approval study and the TLC-AU feasibility study as supporting longer-term adoption and label expansion. Updated TAM of US$5.8bn (+60%) highlights a materially larger opportunity, underpinned by growth in leadless pacing and de novo CRT applications. We adjusted CY25-27 forecasts, with our DCF-based valuation increasing to A$2.95. BUY.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

Finally, this wine giant’s shares have fallen heavily over the past 12 months. Unfortunately, Morgans doesn’t believe this necessarily means they are in the buy zone yet.

The broker has a hold rating and $5.25 price target on its shares. Commenting on the Penfolds owner, Morgans said:

As we feared, but even weaker than expected, TWE’s trading update meant that consensus estimates were far too high. Its US performance was particularly disappointing given of all the capital spent in recent years. Gearing is now well above TWE’s target range and will remain high for the next couple of years.

While we made large downgrades to our forecasts only two weeks ago following the goodwill write-down, TWE’s new trading update has seen us make another round of material revisions. We stress that earnings uncertainty remains high. It will take time for new management to deliver more acceptable returns and for TWE to rebuild credibility with the market. We maintain a HOLD rating.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Morgans gives its verdict on 3 ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Treasury Wine Estates shares drop 50%: Is there any upside left in 2026?
• Why EBR Systems, Endeavour, Monadelphous, and Neuren shares are racing higher today
• Top broker says this ASX small-cap healthcare stock could be set to double
• How much passive income could I earn from Westpac shares

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