Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares are trading in the red again on Tuesday. At the time of writing the shares are down 0.98% to $3.03 a piece. 

The latest decline means the shares have now dropped 9.55% for the year-to-date but are 0.66% above the trading price this time last year.

What dragged Zip shares lower so far this year?

Zip shares jumped over 11% in just two days of trade earlier this month after positive market sentiment for buy-now-pay-later (BPNL) stocks boosted investor confidence. But the hike was short-lived.

However last week, Zip shares plunged 13.24%. There was no news out of the company at the time to explain the decline so it was more-than-likely linked to investors selling off their stock and taking profit.

What’s next for the business in 2026?

There have been plenty of ups and downs for the Australian financial technology company over the past year, but the business continues to show strong and improved earnings.

In the first quarter of FY26, the company said that its total transaction value grew 38.7% to $3.9 billion and income was up 32.8% to $321.5 million. 

At the time, the company said it is on track to meet its FY26 results target.

Meanwhile, Zip is also working on broadening its product range beyond the traditional BNPL options. In late October, the company announced that its US segment is expanding its partnership with programmable financial services business, Stripe.

Zip has said it is still considering a secondary sharemarket listing in the US which would reduce dependence on Australian markets and potentially introduce more opportunity for business expansion. A dual listing on Nasdaq could help the business tap into US capital markets and boost its valuation among US-based investors.

The next major update out of the company is expected next month. Zip plans to post its FY26 half-year results h on the 19th of February. Investors are expecting that the company will reveal news about whether the business is still on track, any news about the potential US expansion, and an update on transaction growth. 

Are Zip shares a buy, hold or sell?

Despite a lacklustre start to the year so far, analysts seem to be bullish that there is plenty more upside ahead for Zip shares. I certainly think the stock is a screaming buy for 2026.

Analysts at UBS have a buy rating and price target of $5.20 on the BNPL provider. The broker said that significant share price weakness has created a buying opportunity for investors.

Analysts at Citi also have a buy rating on Zip shares, and a price target of $4.30. The broker is predicting total transaction value (TTV) growth of 43% in the second quarter. 

TradingView data shows that the majority of analysts have the same bullish sentiment. Eight out of 10 have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The maximum target price is $6.11, which, at the time of writing, implies a potential 104.01% upside ahead over the next 12 months. 

The post Are Zip shares a buy, hold or sell in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
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• 3 reasons why Zip shares are worth a look
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• 3 unstoppable ASX growth stocks to buy even if there’s a stock market sell-off in 2026

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are slipping today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant are down 1.7% in early afternoon trade on Tuesday, changing hands for $47.94 apiece.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.6% at this same time.

Despite today’s retrace, BHP shares remain up 19.1% since this time last year. And that doesn’t include the $1.71 a share in fully-franked dividends the miner paid out over the 12 months.

This sees the stock handily outpacing the 5.7% one-year returns posted by the benchmark index.

And looking ahead, the team at Airlie Funds Management expect more outperformance to come (courtesy of The Australian Financial Review).

Here’s why.

BHP shares in the sweet spot

BHP is a diversified miner. The majority of its revenue comes from iron ore, with its growing copper revenue coming in at number two.

As you’re likely aware, the iron ore price has defied consensus expectations that it would trade below US$100 per tonne this year and potentially fall to US$80 per tonne.

However, BHP shares are Airlie’s biggest portfolio holding. The fund manager expects that iron ore prices will remain above US$80 per tonne, forecasting “fresh cash windfalls” for the miner, topping what the market has priced in.

Then there’s copper. Amid ongoing growth in global EV sales and the world’s push towards electrification, copper prices have surged more than 39% over the past year, currently trading for US$12,967 per tonne. And copper prices are widely expected to keep pushing higher in 2026.

This has helped send shares in ‘pure play’ ASX copper stock Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) rocketing 91.6% over 12 months.

That’s well ahead of the 19.1% gains delivered by BHP shares or rival rising copper producer Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), whose shares are up 22.5% over this period.

Commenting on that lagging performance, Airlie fund manager Emma Fisher said, “We believe the valuation opportunity for both diversified miners [Rio Tinto and BHP] comes as the market is unwilling to ‘pay up’ for the 50% to 60% of both businesses that currently comes from iron ore.”

BHP increases FY 2026 copper guidance

BHP reported its half-year results (H1 FY 2026) for the six months to 31 December this morning.

On the copper front, the miner reported steady copper production of 984,000 tonnes, with its achieved copper price up 32% year on year to US$5.28 per pound. And BHP shares could get support with the miner upgrading its full-year FY 2026 copper guidance to 1.90 million tonnes to 2 million tonnes. That’s up from prior guidance of 1.80 million to 2 million tonnes.

“We have increased FY26 group copper production guidance off the back of stronger delivery across our assets,” BHP CEO Mike Henry said.

BHP shares increasing copper exposure

Commenting on the half-year results that have as yet failed to lift BHP shares today, Zavier Wong, market analyst at eToro, said:

BHP’s half-year update showed steady execution across iron ore and coal, providing a solid base for the business. It’s no surprise, though, that copper is the headline investors are focused on.

Wong noted, “BHP lifting copper production guidance highlights just how strategically important the metal has become, both for the company and the global economy.”

He concluded:

BHP is clearly positioning copper as a long-term growth pillar, with a pathway towards 2 million tonnes of production in the 2030s. Over the past 12 months, we have seen just how critical copper has become for the world’s largest miners as they look to secure future supply.

The post Why this fund manager is buying BHP shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Should you buy DroneShield, Westpac, and BHP shares?
• BHP shares rise on solid half and copper upgrade
• BHP lifts copper guidance after record half-year output
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• BHP shares at 52-week high: Here’s why I’m not buying

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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 Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) share price is trading in the red again on Tuesday morning. At the time of writing, the shares are down 0.13% to $7.52 a piece.

Today’s decline means the IAG share price is now down 5.88% for the year-to-date and represents a 13.06% drop over the past year.

What happened to the IAG share price lower?

The IAG share price has been relatively volatile over the past 12 months, fluctuating anywhere between $7.10 a piece to $9.21 a piece. 

The shares crashed 15% in a week in February last year after investors were unhappy with its FY25 half-year result. 

The shares reached an annual low of $7.31 a piece in early April before climbing just over 20% to end the financial year at around $9 per share. 

The insurance company’s share price tumbled constantly throughout the final quarter of the 2025 calendar year after IAG provided FY26 guidance for GWP growth of “low-to-mid single digit”.

In 2026 so far the shares have tumbled even further after extreme weather conditions across the country. Recent weather events, such as bushfires and widespread flooding, raises concerns about the number of insurance claims and reinsurance costs. Investor concerns about what this might mean for the business has likely contributed to the pullback in the share price.

Buying opportunity or time to sell up?

While the IAG share price has tumbled recently, there has also been some positive news out of the business. 

Earlier this month, the insurance company announced that it has successfully integrated its RACQ Insurance (RACQI) business into its main catastrophe cover.

IAG also announced that it has expanded its WAQS arrangements to cover 35% of the consolidated business. The company has maintained RACQI’s separate standalone reinsurance program that comprised quota share and catastrophe protections.

IAG’s total 2026 catastrophe reinsurance program provides a main catastrophe cover for two events up to $10 billion, with an attachment at $500 million.

UBS recently said it predicts that the business could generate $1 billion of net profit in FY26.

The broker has a buy rating on IAG shares with a price target of $9.10. This implies a potential 21.01% upside for investors over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Some brokers are even more bullish. TradingView data shows that 7 out of 11 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The maximum target price is $9.90, which implies the shares could jump another 31.47% from the share price at the time of writing. 

There is no crystal ball to show exactly what will happen with the IAG share price. But with potential upsides as high as those noted above, the current price point could present a great opportunity for investors to get into the stock before it starts climbing again.

The post IAG share price drops 13 in a year: Buying opportunity or time to sell up? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) shares rose by 7.11% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 10.56% last year.

That was slightly higher than the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which rose 6.8% and returned 10.32%.

Earlier this month, we covered the five best-performing ASX All Ords shares for capital growth in 2025.

A number of stocks, not just the top five, more than tripled in value last year.

Here, we look at whether the experts think there is any room for further price growth in 2026 from two of these stocks.

Can these 2 ASX All Ords shares maintain their trajectory?

The following ASX All Ords shares rose by more than 200% in 2025.

Can they stay on this incredible upward trajectory?

Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR)

The Pantoro share price rose 220% to close at $4.89 on 31 December.

Today, the Pantoro Gold share price is $5.48, up 0.64%.

Like all ASX All Ords gold shares, Pantoro benefited from the astounding 65% gold price rally last year.

Gold has continuing tailwinds, including interest rate cuts, geopolitical tensions, and strong central bank buying worldwide.

Pantoro is optimising its 100% owned Norseman Gold Project in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.

Norseman’s total mineral resource is 4.8Moz. 

Pantoro bought a stake in Norseman in 2019 and merged with its joint venture partner in 2023 to achieve 100% ownership.

Over the past seven years, Pantoro has defined ore reserves of 958,000 ounces.

It has also built a new gold processing plant capable of producing 1.2Moz per annum, and recommenced production across the open pit and underground operations.

Over the past fortnight, three brokers reiterated their buy ratings on Pantoro Gold shares and raised their 12-month price targets.

Ord Minnett lifted its target from $6.40 to $7.30.

Canaccord Genuity increased from $7.30 to $7.50.

Goldman Sachs raised its target from $6.80 to $8.

Clearly, these brokers think this ASX All Ords gold share has more room to run.

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO)

This ASX All Ords lithium share leapt 206% to finish 2025 at 28 cents per share.

On Tuesday, the Core Lithium share price is 26 cents, down 8.9%. There is no news from the company today.

Core Lithium shares have benefited from a rebound in lithium commodity prices since mid-2025.

The global oversupply that killed lithium prices in 2023 is now over, and demand for batteries and electric vehicles is higher.

Analysts at Trading Economics say the lithium carbonate price is now at a two-year high.

Core Lithium’s flagship Finniss Project was put into care and maintenance in early 2024 due to weak lithium prices.

However, the miner released a restart plan last year and says it will only take a month to resume production.

However, it can’t reopen the mine without new financial partners.

Core Lithium raised its ore reserve estimate for the Grants deposit by 33% to 1.53Mt at 1.42% Li2O last year.

Last week, Canaccord Genuity reiterated its buy rating on this ASX All Ords lithium share.

The broker lifted its share price target from 27 cents per share to 40 cents per share.

This implies a potentially large upside of 35% this year.

Goldman Sachs is much less optimistic.

Earlier this month, the broker reiterated its hold rating and increased its price target from 14 cents to 18 cents.

This suggests a 30% share price decline is on the cards.

The post Brokers rate 2 ASX All Ords rippers of 2025: Is their phenomenal run over? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Core Lithium. 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.

BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) shares have pushed to a new peak, capping off a strong run that has firmly put the industrial heavyweight back in the market spotlight.

BlueScope shares raced to a new record level of $31.63 on Monday, bringing the gain for this year to almost 30%.

Long regarded as a steady, cyclical performer, BlueScope shares are now enjoying renewed investor attention – and not without reason.

What’s next for BlueScope shares?

Takeover bid as catalyst

The immediate catalyst behind the rally has been takeover interest. A non-binding indicative proposal from a consortium led by SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) and Steel Dynamics, Inc (NASDAQ: STLD), put a clear valuation marker on BlueScope shares. It reignited interest in a stock that had already been performing well.

The offer represented a material premium to where BlueScope shares had been trading, prompting a swift re-rating as investors priced in deal potential. The takeover proposal offered to acquire all BlueScope shares at a price of $30 cash per share.

The BlueScope board unanimously rejected the unsolicited takeover proposal from the consortium.

Stronger resilient operations

The rise of BlueScope shares hasn’t been purely takeover-driven. BlueScope enters this period from a position of strength. Australian construction activity has strengthened, boosting demand for BlueScope’s coated and painted steel products, like Colorbond and Zincalume.

The company also has a diversified geographic footprint, with meaningful exposure to Australia, North America, and Asia. Its North American operations have delivered resilient margins, benefiting from infrastructure spending and disciplined industry capacity.

Strong cash generation has allowed BlueScope to reward shareholders through dividends and capital management, reinforcing its appeal to income-focused investors.

Operationally, BlueScope has also shown an ability to manage through steel’s inevitable cycles. Cost control, product mix improvements, and a focus on higher-value coated and painted steel products have helped smooth earnings volatility compared to past cycles.

Steep energy and raw-material prices

That said, risks remain. BlueScope remains exposed to the global steel cycle. The company still faces steep energy and raw-material costs at home. The board of BlueScope flagged this as a threat to the competitiveness of Australian manufacturing.

Its recent full-year profit collapse — down nearly 90% following an impairment on its US coated-products division — highlighted weaknesses in parts of its global portfolio. The company also continues to grapple with lower returns on equity compared with industry rivals, raising questions about capital efficiency.

What next for BlueScope shares?

Looking ahead, the path for BlueScope shares hinges on two key factors. First, whether it will receive any other takeover proposals, potentially lifting the share price further or at least underpinning current levels.

Second, whether operating conditions remain supportive enough to justify BlueScope’s higher valuation even without corporate action.

Analysts are generally upbeat, with most market watchers recommending BlueScope Steel shares as a buy or even a strong buy.

Several major brokers see further room for gains, with average 12-month price targets at $31.58 and some high-end estimates of $37. This implies a 19% upside at the current share price of $31.09.

The post So BlueScope shares go to all-time high of $31. Big deal. What next? 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 recommended Steel Dynamics. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Gold has been one of the standout assets on global money markets over the past 12 months, no doubt about it. For one, as investors rushed to buy gold, the precious metal spent 2025 minting plenty of new all-time highs (which is quite a remarkable achievement for an asset that has been priced for thousands of years).

This has continued into 2026, with gold now getting pretty close to US$4,700 an ounce. That same ounce was going for just over US$2,700 12 months ago, meaning gold has risen by more than 70% since early 2025. As such, we can see how lucrative investing in the yellow metal has been for investors lately.

The underlying fundamentals that have likely pushed gold up so high arguably remain in place. Major economies around the world, most particularly the United States and Japan, are still heavily indebted, with no signs of a turnaround. Geopolitical tensions remain elevated. And central banks continue to purchase gold at historically high rates.

With these factors in play, many Australian investors might wish to buy gold (or more of it) in 2026. If that’s you, here are three ways you can do so.

How to buy gold in 2026

Bullion remains the gold standard

For many precious metal investors, there is no alternative to buying raw gold bullion, in either bar or coin form. This is the only way an individual can truly own gold. Whilst owning the yellow metal outright has a certain appeal, it is also costly. You will be paying a decent spread on bullion purchases from a dealer. Additionally, the costs of transporting, insuring and storing gold can be burdensome.

This is why many investors prefer easier options.

Buy gold ETFs

One of those options is buying a gold exchange-traded fund (ETF). Gold ETFs work by pooling investors’ money together and purchasing gold bullion on their behalf. This bullion is usually stored in a bank vault, with each unit of the ETF representing a specific amount of gold. The price of the gold ETF should rise and fall alongside the price of gold over time. Some ASX examples of gold ETFs include Perth Mint Gold (ASX: PMGOLD), the Global X Physical Gold Structured ETF (ASX: GOLD) and the VanEck Gold Bullion ETF (ASX: NUGG).

Many investors like this approach to buying gold as it removes many of the costs and inconveniences of owning the physical metal. The downside is that you don’t actually possess the gold you are buying, and have an indirect ownership stake in the metal.

Mining stocks

Finally, ASX investors can consider buying gold mining companies. There are many gold miners on the ASX. Some of the largest names are Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN).

These miners own vast tracts of gold and extract and sell the metal for a profit. Gold miners often outperform the gold price in a bull market, as they disproportionately benefit from increasing prices, thanks to their relatively fixed costs. That’s why owning gold miners is the preferred choice for a gold investment for many professionals.

There are outsized risks involved with this approach, too, though. For one, buying shares of a gold miner is not a direct investment on gold itself. A miner’s fortunes can be influenced by factors outside the process of gold itself. That could be anything from bad weather to incompetent corporate management.

For another, again, you do not own gold directly if you buy shares of a gold miner. This may make owning shares of one unappealing for the enthusiastic gold bug.

The post Want to buy gold in 2026? Here are 3 ways to do it appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Shares in Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) are trading lower today. This comes despite the medical device company delivering a solid half-year trading update just one day earlier.

On Monday, the Polynovo share price finished almost flat, down just 0.41%, as investors digested the announcement. However, selling pressure has returned on Tuesday, with the stock now down 7.5% to $1.11.

That leaves Polynovo shares down almost 50% over the past 12 months. It marks a sharp reversal for a company that was once one of the ASX’s standout growth stories in the healthcare sector.

So, what did the company report, and why has the update failed to lift the share price?

What did Polynovo report?

Polynovo said it delivered another strong half-year, with sales continuing to grow.

Total sales for the six months reached $68.2 million, up 26% on the same period last year. Growth was broad-based, led by the United States, where sales rose 25.3% to $51.7 million.

The company’s main product, NovoSorb MTX, also performed strongly. Sales jumped to $6.2 million, up 195% from a year earlier, as more hospitals used it to treat burns and complex wounds. Sales outside the US rose 28.3%.

Including government BARDA revenue, total group revenue increased 17.6% to $70.4 million.

Cash flow improved, with Polynovo generating $9.5 million in operating cash, compared with a $12.5 million outflow a year earlier. The company ended December with $29.3 million in cash and access to additional funding if needed.

So why is the share price falling?

Despite the solid numbers, the update was largely in line with what the market expected.

After a tough year for the share price, investors are looking for clearer signs that growth can pick up, especially in the United States, which is Polynovo’s most important market.

Some investors are also cautious about timing. The company is still working through key approval and reimbursement steps in the US, including progress with Medicare.

Until there is more certainty around these milestones, some investors are choosing to stay on the sidelines.

What it means for investors from here

Polynovo’s share price has been falling for much of the past year, well before this update was released. From that perspective, Tuesday’s drop looks more like a continuation of weak sentiment than a direct response to the results.

That said, the business is still growing, generating cash, and expanding its products into new markets.

For long-term investors, the key issue is whether that growth can turn into steady profits and restore confidence in the stock. Until then, share price swings are likely to continue.

The post Polynovo shares fall despite yesterday’s upbeat update. Here’s what investors are watching appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 gold shares have delivered exceptional returns for investors due to the soaring gold price over the past two years.

The gold price increased another 65% in 2025, its greatest annual rise in more than four decades, building on its 27% gain in 2024.

Strong central bank purchasing, lower interest rates, and less confidence in the US dollar as the reserve currency fuelled the rally.

A Goldman Sachs poll conducted in November found that one in three institutional investors expect gold to rise above US$5,000 per ounce this year.

Today, the gold price is US$4,665 per ounce, up 1.5% at the time of writing.

Gold reached a new closing record of US$4,678.29 per ounce yesterday after the US imposed tariffs on eight European countries.

The US did so to punish these nations’ opposition to America’s ambition to buy Greenland from Denmark for security purposes.

Warwick Grigor, an analyst at mining investment company Far East Capital, says gold has continuing tailwinds in 2026.

In an article, Grigor commented:

There is not much doubt that the gold price will continue to rise during 2026. Sure, there will be volatility and some people are already saying that gold is a sell, but you would have to be very brave to exit gold just now.

While ever the gold price is strong, sentiment in the resources sector will be positive and liquidity will be likewise strong.

With all this in mind, let’s take a look at some new broker ratings on three of the largest ASX gold shares.

Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD)

The Genesis Minerals share price is $7.58, up 0.13% on Tuesday.

This ASX 200 gold share has risen by 163% over the past 12 months. It is the fourth largest gold miner on the market.

Bell Potter resumed coverage on Genesis Minerals shares this month.

The broker raised its rating from hold to buy and increased its 12-month price target to from $4.45 to $8.65.

This implies a potential upside of 14% for investors this year.

Bell Potter said:

We believe GMD to be a high-quality gold producer, expanding production underpinned by a large Mineral Resource portfolio (18.6Moz), into a rising gold price environment.

Management’s disciplined approach to counter-cyclical growth has seen shareholders rewarded (12m rolling shareholder return – 194%).

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

Evolution Mining had the best capital growth of all ASX 200 large-cap shares last year.

It is the ASX 200’s second-largest gold miner.

On Tuesday, Evolution Mining shares are 0.8% lower at $13.42 apiece. They have risen 143% over the past year.

Last week, Goldman Sachs reiterated its sell rating on Evolution Mining shares.

The broker raised its share price target from $9.95 to $12.40.

This implies a potential downside of almost 8% in 2026.

Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM)

The Newmont Corporation share price is $170.89, down 0.44% today and up 155% over the past 12 months.

Goldman Sachs thinks the ASX 200’s third largest gold mining share is a buy.

The broker reiterated its rating last week, and lifted its 12-month price target from $154.50 to $185.10.

This suggests a potential upside of 8% in 2026.

The post 2 ASX 200 gold shares to buy and 1 to sell: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Resolute Mining shares have surged 217% in a year. Can the momentum last?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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.

When investors look at the ASX, it is not unusual to see very different types of companies sitting side by side. A defence technology specialist, a major bank, and a global mining giant can all appear attractive for completely different reasons.

So should you buy DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) today?

Here is how I think about each one.

DroneShield shares

DroneShield is the most speculative stock of the three, but also the one with potentially the most asymmetric upside.

The company operates in counter-drone technology, an area that has become increasingly important for defence, government, and the protection of critical infrastructure. As drones become cheaper, more capable, and more widely used, the need to detect and neutralise unauthorised drones continues to grow.

While its revenues are harder to predict due to the lumpy nature of its contracts, underlying demand drivers are structural rather than cyclical. I believe this means that the overall trajectory for revenue is up over the next decade.

For investors who can tolerate volatility and think long term, I believe DroneShield shares are a buy. However, this is with the understanding that patience will be required.

Westpac shares

Westpac is a very different proposition for investors.

As one of Australia’s major banks, it offers scale, a strong deposit base, and a history of paying dividends. For income-focused investors, that alone can make its shares appealing.

However, Westpac’s earnings growth has been more subdued than some of its peers, and its returns have been less consistent over time. While the bank is well capitalised and stable, it does not stand out as the most attractive opportunity in the sector right now.

For that reason, I would classify Westpac as a hold rather than a buy. It can continue to play a role in a diversified portfolio, but I would not be rushing to add to a position at current levels.

BHP shares

BHP sits at the opposite end of the spectrum to Westpac.

The company is a global resources leader with exposure to iron ore, copper, and other commodities that are central to long-term economic development. While commodity prices move in cycles, BHP’s scale and asset quality allow it to generate strong cash flows through different conditions.

What makes BHP particularly attractive at the moment is its growing exposure to copper, which is increasingly important for electrification, infrastructure investment, and energy transition themes. That provides a longer-term growth angle alongside income.

On that basis, I see BHP shares as a buy for investors comfortable with commodity cycles.

Foolish takeaway

DroneShield, Westpac, and BHP each offer something different.

DroneShield provides exposure to a growing defence technology niche with higher risk and higher potential reward. BHP offers scale, income potential, and long-term relevance through its commodity exposure. Westpac, while stable, looks more like a hold than a buy at this point.

For me, DroneShield and BHP stand out as the more compelling options today, while Westpac is best approached with a more neutral stance.

The post Should you buy DroneShield, Westpac, and BHP shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Bellevue Gold, DroneShield, Hub24, and Telix shares are storming higher today
• BHP shares rise on solid half and copper upgrade
• BHP lifts copper guidance after record half-year output
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• BHP shares at 52-week high: Here’s why I’m not buying

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

In investing, time is your greatest advantage, and quality is your best defence.

While short-term trades can grab headlines, it is long-term compounding that builds real wealth.

The challenge? Finding ASX 200 shares you can back with confidence and hold through whatever the market throws your way.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at three ASX 200 shares that analysts rate highly and could be top options to buy and hold for the next 10 years. Here’s what they are recommending:

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is a global leader in hearing implant technology and one of Australia’s best examples of long-term innovation.

With more than 54,000 implantable hearing devices sold worldwide in FY 2025 and almost a million since its founding, Cochlear has built a strong competitive moat through its research and development focus, clinical relationships, and high switching costs.

The ASX 200 share operates in a growing market, driven by ageing populations, rising awareness of hearing health, and emerging middle classes in developing markets. This bodes well for its future growth.

The team at UBS is positive on Cochlear. It recently put a buy rating and $350.00 price target on its shares.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

It is hard to find a more agile and forward-thinking financial institution than Macquarie Group.

The company has built a business that goes far beyond traditional banking. It is a global leader in asset management, infrastructure, energy transition financing, and structured finance, and has proven it can grow and evolve with the times.

Macquarie is also one of the few Aussie financials with truly global exposure, giving investors a powerful hedge against domestic slowdowns. Its ability to identify emerging opportunities, execute at scale, and deliver shareholder value has made it a standout performer over the past two decades.

The team at Ord Minnett appears to believe this can continue long into the future. It is positive on the investment bank and has a buy rating and $255.00 price target on its shares.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Finally, Wesfarmers may be best known for owning Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks, but its success comes from more than just retail dominance.

What makes Wesfarmers unique is its conglomerate model and disciplined capital allocation. Over the years, it has shown an ability to manage diverse businesses effectively, spin off or exit when the time is right, and reinvest into high-quality growth areas.

Overall, Wesfarmers combines defensive earnings from retail with exposure to emerging growth platforms like data, digital innovation, and clean energy through Covalent Lithium. This appears to have positioned it well to grow its earnings and dividends over the next decade.

Macquarie is a fan. It has an outperform rating and $91.00 price target on its shares.

The post 3 ASX shares I would hold for the next 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why 4DMedical, ARB, Inghams, and Qoria shares are tumbling today
• 3 ASX 200 shares I’d load up on if markets crashed tomorrow
• Wesfarmers vs Coles: Which ASX share is the best buy?
• Analysts say these ASX dividend shares are top buys
• Could the Macquarie share price reach $250 this year?

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