• This is a great place to invest $1,000 into ASX shares right now

    A humanoid robot is pictured looking at a share price chart

    Siteminder Ltd (ASX: SDR) shares could be one of the best places to invest for the long-term for Australians. When a great business drops more than 20%, I get excited about the more appealing value on offer and the potential to rebound. It’s down 27% from late October 2025.

    Siteminder offers software under the same name, which it calls the world’s leading hotel distribution and revenue platform. It has another software offering called Little Hotelier, an all-in-one hotel management software that “makes the lives of small accommodation providers easier”.

    It’s a truly a global business. While the headquarters are based in Sydney, it has offices in Bangalore, Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Dallas, Galway, London, Manila, and Mexico City.

    Impressively, the business generates more than 130 million reservations worth more than A$85 billion in revenue for hotel customers each year.

    I believe the business has the potential to generate significantly more revenue in the coming years.

    Great organic growth rate

    The ASX share is aiming to move beyond the role of a channel manager for hotels and become the central revenue platform – a unified system, instead of various systems, where revenue decisions are made, executed, and can be automated.

    It’s embedding AI across its proprietary reservations data to give its hoteliers a predictive edge, identifying new revenue opportunities, and forecasting traveller demand before their competitors can. It can help them decide on optimal pricing and execute changes immediately, or Siteminder can optimise pricing and distribute it for the hotel.

    Its current annual recurring revenue (ARR) equates to approximately 0.3% of the $85 billion of gross booking value it facilitates. But if customers were to adopt its full suite of smart platform tools, it could capture 1.5% of gross booking value, just by deepening its relationship with existing customers.

    The ASX share grew its revenue by 22% in FY25. The company’s ARR growth in FY26 is expected to be similar to the FY25 figure, and it’s aiming to accelerate its revenue growth towards 30% in the medium term.

    There are a lot of hotels that aren’t Siteminder customers yet, and this gives the company a long growth runway with both existing and potential future customers in the coming years.

    Software operating leverage

    As a software business, the company is capable of delivering rising profit margins.

    Selling one more software subscription doesn’t see the costs change much, so additional revenue is very helpful at boosting earnings.

    The company is seeing its underlying gross profit margin increase as the results are revealed every six months, thanks to a larger level of subscription and transaction revenue.

    In FY25, the business saw its underlying free cash flow shift from a $35 million outflow to a $4.7 million inflow, which is great progress and suggests earnings could rise significantly in the coming years.

    The post This is a great place to invest $1,000 into ASX shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and SiteMinder 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.*

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in SiteMinder. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended 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.

  • Takeover bid for rare earths developer launched at a premium of more than 100%

    Engineer looking at mining trucks at a mine site.

    A takeover bid has been launched for rare earths developer Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASX: ASM) priced well above a 100% premium for the company.

    ASM said in a statement to the ASX on Wednesday that Energy Fuels Inc (NYSEMKT: UUUU) had agreed to acquire the company for an implied value of $1.60 per ASM shares.

    ASM shares jumped 93.1% to be changing hands for $1.40 on Wednesday after closing Tuesday’s session at 72.5 cents.

    ASM said in its statement that its board was unanimously basking the deal, which would see ASM shareholders receive 0.053 Energy Fuels shares, at an implied value of $1.47 per share.

    An unfranked special dividend of 13 cents would also be paid to ASM shareholders.

    ASM’s Non-Executive Chair, Ian Gandel, who owns 13.6% of the company, is also supporting the proposed deal.

    Fast track for development

    The company’s Managing Director Rowena Smith said the tie-up made sense.

    This proposed combination delivers a significant premium for ASM shareholders and ensures our shareholders retain the opportunity to participate in the substantial upside of a larger, better capitalised critical minerals business. We are pleased to recommend this transaction not only for the value it delivers but it accelerates the execution of our mine to metals strategy in a way that unlocks greater scale, de-risks delivery and positions us to capture the full potential of our rare-earths opportunity.

    ASM’s flagship project is its Dubbo project in New South Wales, which it says has a “globally significant resource of light and heavy rare earths across a unique ore body comprising bastnaesite mineralogy and zirconosilicates”.

    The company’s website says the project has an initial mine life of 20 years “and a further 50 years of resource”.

    ASM said on Wednesday the tie up with Energy Fuels made strategic sense.

    The transaction is expected to materially accelerate ASM’s mine to metals strategy by providing ASM shareholders with exposure to a secure, ex-China rare earths supply chain spanning mining, processing, separation, metallisation and alloying, underpinned by Energy Fuels’ critical feedstock and processing assets.

    Energy Fuels, ASM said, had 45 years’ operational experience, “as well as … excellent capability in building, commissioning and operating upstream mining assets”.

    Energy Fuels is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange and would establish a listing on the ASX following the deal to allow ASM shareholders to trace their new shares.

    The deal will need to be approved by 75% of votes cast at a meeting to be held, with ASM saying it aimed to have the deal implemented by the end of June.

    ASM was valued at $194.3 million at the close of trade on Tuesday.

    The post Takeover bid for rare earths developer launched at a premium of more than 100% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australian Strategic Materials Ltd right now?

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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 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.

  • Rio Tinto shares charge higher on strong FY25 update

    Two men in hard hats and high visibility jackets look together at a laptop screen at a mine site.

    Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are pushing higher on Wednesday morning.

    At the time of writing, the mining giant’s shares are up 1% to $147.77.

    This follows the release of its fourth quarter and full year production update before the market update.

    Rio Tinto shares rise on production update

    For the fourth quarter of FY 2025, Rio Tinto reported Pilbara iron ore shipments of 91.3Mt and record iron ore production of 89.7Mt. This reflects a 7% and 4% increase, respectively, over the prior corresponding period.

    This meant that Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore shipments totalled 326.2Mt in FY 2025, which was down 1% year on year but in line with its guidance for the lower end of the range of 323Mt to 338Mt.

    Rio Tinto’s copper operations had a positive final quarter. Production was up 5% to 240kt, which brought its full year production to 883kt. This represents an 11% increase on last year’s production and was ahead of its guidance range of 860kt to 875kt. Management advised that this was driven by the strong ramp-up of Oyu Tolgoi.

    Elsewhere, bauxite production was up 6% in FY 2025 to 62.4Mt, alumina production rose 4% to 7.6Mt, and aluminium production increased 3% to 3.38Mt. These were all in line with their respective guidance ranges. Rio Tinto also achieved record quarterly lithium production from its operating assets in Argentina.

    The company’s chief executive, Simon Trott, was rightfully pleased with the final quarter and full year. He commented:

    Our operations delivered exceptional production performance, both on a quarter-on-quarter and full year basis, as we leverage our strong foundation of operating excellence and project delivery across our portfolio. We achieved record quarterly iron ore production in the Pilbara, with a strong recovery from the extreme weather interruptions earlier in the year. At Simandou, we celebrated the major milestone of first shipment from the port; a testament to our ability to deliver major growth projects.

    Record copper production continues following delivery of our Oyu Tolgoi underground project, another demonstration of our unique and diverse project capabilities. A step change in bauxite production through the year once again highlights the ongoing maturation of our operational excellence. In lithium, we achieved production growth from our operations and in-flight projects as planned in 2025, as we build out our high-quality portfolio with discipline. Implementation of our stronger, sharper, simpler way of working continues, and is delivering results and creating value.

    FY 2026 guidance

    All guidance for FY 2026 is unchanged from its capital markets day presentation.

    It continues to forecast total iron ore sales of 343Mt to 366Mt, copper production of 800kt to 870kt, aluminium production of 3.25Mt to 3.45Mt, and lithium production of 61kt to 64kt.

    Unit cost performance for FY 2025 and guidance for FY 2026 will be provided next month when its results are released.

    The post Rio Tinto shares charge higher on strong FY25 update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Ampol share price in focus as ACCC refers EG Australia acquisition to Phase 2 review

    A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie shares

    The Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price is in focus today after the ACCC referred its proposed acquisition of EG Australia to a Phase 2 review, requiring further scrutiny under the new merger regime.

    What did Ampol report?

    • The ACCC has moved Ampol’s acquisition of EG Australia to a Phase 2 assessment.
    • Ampol’s offer to divest 19 retail fuel sites was deemed insufficient to address competition concerns.
    • The ACCC identified 115 EG sites where competition could be substantially lessened.
    • Concerns raised about competition in the retail supply of petrol and diesel, particularly in metropolitan areas.
    • This is the first acquisition subject to a Phase 2 review under the new regime effective from 1 January 2026.

    What else do investors need to know?

    The ACCC’s decision means the acquisition faces heightened regulatory scrutiny and a longer path to approval, which may affect the timeline of Ampol’s transaction with EG Australia. The review targets both localised and broader metropolitan market impacts, especially in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra.

    Parties are invited to make submissions on the Phase 2 Notice by 4 February 2026. The outcome of this process could influence Ampol’s future position and expansion plans in the Australian fuel retail sector.

    What’s next for Ampol?

    Ampol must now await the ACCC’s in-depth Phase 2 review, which can take up to 90 business days unless extended. The company may need to propose further site divestments or other undertakings to satisfy competition concerns.

    Investors should watch for updates from both the ACCC and Ampol, as the review’s outcome will determine whether the transaction is ultimately approved or blocked under the new mandatory regime.

    Ampol share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Ampol shares have risen 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

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

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

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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.

  • Australian Foundation Investment Company shares: Half-year profit slips, dividends held steady

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    The Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX: AFI) share price is in focus today after posting a half-year profit after tax of $147.0 million, down 4.6% compared to the same time last year. Revenue from operating activities dipped 2.8% to $168.7 million, with lower investment income despite special dividends from some holdings.

    What did Australian Foundation Investment Company report?

    • Profit after tax: $147.0 million, down 4.6% from $154.2 million last year
    • Revenue from operating activities: $168.7 million, down 2.8%
    • Investment income: $160.6 million, compared to $166.3 million in the prior period
    • Interim dividend: 12.0 cents per share, fully franked, unchanged from last year
    • Special dividend: 2.5 cents per share, fully franked
    • Portfolio return for 6 months: negative 2.0% (including franking)

    What else do investors need to know?

    The board has announced both an interim and a special dividend for shareholders, using a solid franking credit balance built up over recent years. While overall dividend income fell—mostly due to smaller payouts from companies like BHP, Woodside and Woolworths—certain blue-chip holdings such as ARB and Wesfarmers paid special dividends during the half.

    AFIC adjusted its portfolio by trimming positions in overvalued holdings like Wesfarmers and Commonwealth Bank and added to Telstra, Woolworths, and Sigma Healthcare. The portfolio return lagged the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index, reflecting underperformance from some of its larger holdings and less exposure to strongly performing small and mid-cap resource stocks.

    What’s next for Australian Foundation Investment Company?

    Looking ahead, the company intends to maintain its approach of investing in high-quality businesses to deliver consistent returns and dividends. Management remains cautious due to elevated market valuations and ongoing economic uncertainty but continues to look for opportunities in undervalued sectors and quality companies.

    The board is also aiming to pay another fully franked special dividend with the full-year result in July. Directors plan to revisit capital management strategies, considering franking credit balances and market conditions.

    Australian Foundation Investment Company share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, the Australian Foundation Investment Company shares have declined 6%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

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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.

  • Vault Minerals delivers strong gold production and cash flow in December quarter

    A mining executive from Red Dirt Metals chats on her mobile phone looking pleased with a mining site and mining truck in the background

    The Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) share price is in focus today as the company released its December 2025 quarterly activities report, highlighting group gold production of 76,520 ounces and a $12 million underlying free cash flow for the quarter.

    What did Vault Minerals report?

    • Gold production of 76,520 ounces for the December quarter; YTD production of 168,607 ounces
    • Gold sales of 77,798 ounces at an average realised price of A$4,582/oz; YTD sales of 169,274 ounces at A$4,508/oz
    • All-in Sustaining Cost (AISC) of A$3,160/oz for the quarter; YTD AISC of A$2,865/oz
    • Quarter-end cash and bullion balance of $537 million (excluding $45 million of gold in circuit and concentrate)
    • Quarterly underlying free cash flow of $12 million; $5 million spent on share buybacks
    • Growth capital expenditure of $82 million, primarily for KoTH plant expansion and Deflector mining fleet acquisition

    What else do investors need to know?

    The company remains on track with the Stage 1 expansion of the King of the Hills (KoTH) processing plant, expected to integrate by the end of March, with throughput ramping up throughout the final quarter of FY26. Transition to owner-operator mining at Deflector is progressing well, with the fleet ramp-up on schedule for steady state production in Q4.

    Vault made significant progress with exploration and resource definition at Leonora, Mount Monger, and Deflector, aiming to extend mine lives and improve mill grades. Drilling at the TT8 target near Sugar Zone will commence in Q3, pending receipt of permits.

    The company settled all gold forward sales contracts for the second half of FY26 and is now materially unhedged, providing full exposure to current gold prices. The share buy-back program saw 1.02 million shares repurchased during the quarter, with more capacity set aside for future periods.

    What did Vault Minerals management say?

    Managing Director Luke Tonkin said:

    Our strong results this quarter demonstrate the benefits of our diversified portfolio and commitment to building long-term value. As our major investments in processing and fleet upgrades near completion, we are well positioned to deliver increased free cash generation and capitalise fully on the gold price.

    What’s next for Vault Minerals?

    Vault reiterated its FY26 group production guidance of 332,000 to 360,000 ounces with a clear pathway to growth. As capital projects at KoTH and Deflector progress, the business anticipates a step change in operational performance from the second half of FY26, with a targeted ~11% lift in gold production by FY28.

    Ongoing exploration across key regions is expected to underpin extended mine lives and further production growth. The upcoming period will also see updates from the Leonora drilling program and commencement of drilling at new Deflector and Sugar Zone targets.

    Vault Minerals share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Vault Minerals shares have risen 153%, strongly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has climbed 5% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

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

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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.

  • Is it still game on for Light & Wonder shares?

    Casino players throwing chips in the air.

    Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) shares started the year with a bang, surging sharply earlier this month before momentum fizzled out just as quickly.

    The ASX gaming stock finished 2.9% lower at $174.37 on Tuesday, but Light & Wonder shares are still 19% up for the year.

    However, the sudden pause has left investors wondering whether this was the start of a genuine comeback or just another false start.

    Settled litigation

    The initial rally wasn’t hard to explain. After months under a legal cloud, Light & Wonder finally put a long-running dispute with rival Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) behind it. This removed a major uncertainty that had weighed heavily on sentiment around Light & Wonder shares.

    Markets love clarity, and investors wasted little time pricing in a lower risk profile and a clearer path forward. Add improving profitability and solid cash generation, and Light & Wonder shares suddenly looked far more investable than they had late last year.

    Solid fundamentals

    But rallies driven by relief can lose steam quickly, and that’s exactly what seems to have happened. With the legal issue resolved, attention has shifted back to fundamentals, and they’re solid, but not spectacular enough to keep buyers piling in at higher prices.

    Light & Wonder’s core appeal remains intact. The company sits at the intersection of traditional gaming machines and faster-growing digital and iGaming segments. Management has been steadily lifting the share of recurring revenue, which helps smooth earnings and improve margins over time.

    Recent results have shown expanding profitability, decent free cash flow, and enough balance sheet strength to keep buybacks ticking over, which provides a level of support for the share price.

    Fierce competition, meaningful debt

    That said, there are reasons for caution. Revenue growth has been uneven across divisions, with some digital segments struggling to find momentum. Competition is fierce, particularly from well-capitalised rivals also chasing growth in online gaming.

    The company also still carries meaningful debt, which limits flexibility if trading conditions soften. And after a strong bounce, valuation no longer looks as compelling as it did at the lows.

    What’s next for Light & Wonder shares?

    This helps explain why the rally of Light & Wonder shares has stalled. The market appears to be waiting for proof that earnings growth can accelerate, not just stabilise. Without a fresh catalyst or a clear upside surprise in upcoming results, enthusiasm has cooled.

    Analyst views are mixed but generally constructive. Expectations for dramatic short-term gains have been tempered. The consensus seems to be that upside remains, but it will likely come through steady execution rather than another sharp rally.

    The most optimistic market watcher sees a 41% upside at $246.19 at the time of writing. However, the average target price for the next 12 months is much lower at $190.21, with a potential upside of 9%.

    The post Is it still game on for Light & Wonder shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

  • Paladin Energy lifts uranium output and sales in December quarter

    A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.

    The Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) share price is in focus today after the company posted strong quarterly growth, with uranium production up 16% to 1.23 million pounds (Mlb) and sales volumes more than doubling to 1.43Mlb.

    What did Paladin Energy report?

    • U₃O₈ production of 1.23Mlb for the quarter, up 16% from Q1
    • Sales of 1.43Mlb U₃O₈, up from 0.53Mlb last quarter
    • Average realised price of US$71.8 per pound, higher than the previous quarter’s US$67.4
    • Cost of production fell to US$39.7 per pound
    • Unrestricted cash and investments of US$278.4 million at quarter end
    • Full-year production expected at the upper end of 4.0–4.4Mlb U₃O₈ guidance

    What else do investors need to know?

    Paladin Energy’s ramp up at the Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia remains on track, with full operational status planned for the end of FY2026 and full mining and processing in FY2027. Higher ore feed grades and recovery rates have contributed to the improved production numbers.

    The company completed a major debt facility restructure during the quarter, reducing overall debt capacity but increasing financial flexibility, and closed the period with additional liquidity from a share purchase plan that raised A$100 million. There were also some boardroom changes, with new President Paladin Canada and COO appointments, strengthening leadership.

    Paladin also advanced Canadian project activity, including exploration at the Patterson Lake South (PLS) and Michelin Projects, and continued the permitting process for PLS. Meanwhile, a class action filed against the company is proceeding, but Paladin maintains it will vigorously defend the claim.

    What did Paladin Energy management say?

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Paul Hemburrow said:

    As global interest in nuclear energy continues to strengthen, I am delighted by our progress in ramping-up operations at Langer Heinrich Mine. The new level of production achieved during the quarter provides insight into the robust performance that can be achieved from this strategic uranium asset. Our site team’s goal is to continue delivering a consistent operational performance for the remainder of this financial year.

    What’s next for Paladin Energy?

    Paladin is aiming for Langer Heinrich Mine to reach its full mining and processing run rate by the end of FY2026. Full-year guidance for U₃O₈ production is now expected at the higher end of the 4.0–4.4Mlb range, provided ramp-up continues smoothly.

    Canadian exploration at the PLS and Michelin projects will progress, with a resource expansion drill program kicking off in early 2026. Management says ongoing financial flexibility and a strong contract book should help support further growth in uranium markets.

    Paladin Energy share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Paladin Energy shares have risen 39%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

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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.

  • Bell Potter says this ASX stock can rebound 80% after its selloff

    Man drawing an upward line on a bar graph symbolising a rising share price.

    Qoria Ltd (ASX: QOR) shares had a tough session on Tuesday.

    The cyber safety products and services provider’s shares crashed deep in the red following the release of its quarterly update.

    Has this ASX stock’s pullback created a buying opportunity for investors? Bell Potter thinks this is the case.

    What is the broker saying?

    Bell Potter highlights that Qoria’s quarterly update was a touch short of expectations, partly due to negative foreign exchange (FX) impacts on its annualised recurring revenue (ARR). It said:

    Q2 exit ARR of $150m was 4% below our forecast of $156m but there was a negative FX impact of $5m which was more than we anticipated. Cash receipts of $32.8m in Q2 was also modestly below our forecast of $33.9m but the growth in H1 of 20% was consistent with the guidance. Net operating cash flow of $4m was $6m below our forecast of $10m and the miss was driven by the lower receipts than forecast as well as higher advertising and marketing.

    The broker also points out that the ASX stock has reiterated its ARR, margin, and cash flow guidance for FY 2026. Though, it concedes that this is based on exchange rate assumptions that differ to spot rates. It adds:

    Qoria reiterated its FY26 guidance of revenue >$145m, ARR growth >20%, adjusted EBITDA margin >30% and positive free cash flow for the full year. The revenue, ARR and EBITDA margin guidance, however, is all based on assumed FX rates of $0.64 for AUD/USD and $0.48 for AUD/GBP. Spot rates have been higher than these levels for most of FY26 – particularly the last couple of months – so there is likely to be a negative FX impact in FY26 – as there was in Q2 – unless the AUD weakens in H2.

    In light of this, the broker believes the ASX stock will fall short of its ARR guidance and has downgraded its estimates. It said:

    We have downgraded our FY26, FY27 and FY28 revenue forecasts by 4%, 5% and 6% which has largely been driven by higher AUD exchange rates relative to the USD and GBP. We now forecast FY26 revenue of $141m relative to the guidance of $145m+. The downgrades in revenue have led to downgrades in our adjusted EBITDA forecasts of 9% in each of FY26, FY27 and FY28. We now forecast an FY26 adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.1% compared to 21.3% previously.

    Should you buy this ASX stock?

    Despite the above, Bell Potter is urging investors to buy this ASX stock while it is down in the dumps.

    According to the note, its analysts have retained their buy rating on Qoria’s shares with a trimmed price target of 75 cents (from $1.00).

    Based on its current share price of 41 cents, this implies potential upside of 83% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

    We have rolled forward our EV/Revenue valuation a year and now apply a 6x multiple to forecast FY27 revenue. We have also increased the risk-free rate we apply in the DCF from 4.25% to 4.5% and this has increased the WACC we apply from 8.8% to 9.1%. The net result of these changes and the downgrades is a 25% decrease in our PT to $0.75 which is >15% premium to the share price so we maintain the BUY rec.

    The post Bell Potter says this ASX stock can rebound 80% after its selloff appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Qoria 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 Qoria 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 1 Jan 2026

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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 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.

  • 2 ASX All Ords shares I’d buy today

    The Two little girls smiling upside down on a bed.

    Smaller S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) shares can be contenders for delivering big returns.

    It’s not unusual for smaller businesses to trade at a much lower valuation than they would if they were larger, because so few analysts and fund managers cover them, leading to undervaluation.

    The valuations of the two businesses below make them appealing, in my view, as long-term buys.

    Australian Ethical Investment Ltd (ASX: AEF)

    Australian Ethical is a fund manager that aims to provide investors with exposure to investments that have a high level of ‘ethics’ by excluding certain sectors from its investment strategy.

    A key reason why I believe the company has such a good outlook is that it has a superannuation offering, which is benefiting from the ongoing contributions from members.

    The ASX All Ords share’s superannuation segment, which is where the significant majority of funds under management (FUM) sits, saw net inflows of $0.11 billion in the three months to 31 December 2025. Its total FUM was $14.08 billion at the end of 2025.  

    Australian Ethical notes that it “continues to be recognised for its leadership in ethical investing, winning Money Magazine’s 2026 best of the best awards for best ESG superannuation product and best ESG pension product, reinforcing Australian Ethical’s position at the forefront of sustainable investing and highlighting the organisation’s ongoing commitment to positive impact and industry best practice.”

    The ASX All Ord stock’s Managing Director, John McMurdo, recently said:

    Despite challenging investment market conditions, it’s been a pleasing first half of the year. On the superannuation side, we’ve seen changes to our digital marketing capability delivering an increase in new member joins in Q2, and with the completion of our transition to GROW, we are realising cost efficiencies and can focus on uplifting the member experience to support continued growth. The solid pipeline we’ve built in our newer channels, as well as upcoming product innovation also positions us well for ongoing success and continued growth into the second half of the year.

    Australian Clinical Labs Ltd (ASX: ACL)

    This business describes itself as Australia’s leading private provider of pathology services. Its laboratories perform a range of tests each year for clients, including doctors, specialists, patients, hospitals, and corporate clients.

    The Australian Clinical Labs share price is down by around 30% since February 2025, as the chart below shows, making it much better value. It was pleasing to see that management thought the ASX All Ords share was undervalued last year and launched a share buyback to buy up to 10% of its shares on issue.

    Healthcare is a good, defensive sector to be invested in, yet the business is trading on such a low price-earnings (P/E) ratio. According to the forecast on CMC Markets, the business could generate earnings per share (EPS) of 18 cents in FY26.

    That means it’s trading at 14x FY26’s estimated earnings. Analyst projections suggest the EPS could climb to 20.5 cents in FY27 and then 22 cents in FY28. That implies earnings could climb 22% between FY26 to FY28. The dividend is also expected to grow in the next few years to 15 cents per share in FY28.

    The post 2 ASX All Ords shares I’d buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australian Clinical Labs Limited right now?

    Before you buy Australian Clinical Labs 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 Australian Clinical Labs 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 1 Jan 2026

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