Regular readers will know that I’m a big fan of Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), or Soul Patts, shares. It recently made an investment decision I’m happy about.

Due to the rise of more than 10% of the Soul Patts share price over the past month, it’s the biggest position in my portfolio, with some distance to the second-largest position in my portfolio.

There’s a lot to like about the business and there has been a recent change with the Soul Patts portfolio that makes me more bullish on the business.

Asset selldown

The investment house gives investors exposure to a wide variety of industries such as resources, telecommunications, swimming pools, agriculture, water entitlements, electrification and plenty more.

For most of the last few decades, its three largest holdings were New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC), Brickworks and TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG).

Soul Patts recently acquired the entire Brickworks business and continues to hold a substantial stake of New Hope. But, it has made a big investment decision with its TPG holding.

Over the last several weeks it has made multiple sales of TPG shares, raising hundreds of millions of dollars. In fact, Soul Patts has sold so many shares that it has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in TPG.

Why I think this was a great move for Soul Patts shares

TPG has been a great long-term investment for Soul Patts that it has held for decades.

However, I think it is a good time to move on. TPG has not been delivering sufficient growth, in my view, to justify being a long-term holding. Its margins and market share have not been growing in the way I was hoping for.

The TPG share price has dropped close to 40% since October 2021 – it has been going in the wrong direction for a while, though part of that was because of the capital return to shareholders after the sale of some of its telecommunication assets.

Ideally, as an owner of Soul Patts shares, I want to see its investments deliver long-term capital growth and dividend growth for the investment house’s portfolio.

Soul Patts can reallocate the TPG money into other opportunities.

I think new, non-TPG investments will deliver stronger growth for Soul Patts over time compared to sticking with the telco, even if that means paying some tax on the gains (which turn into franking credits).

As a result of this change, I think Soul Patts can deliver stronger long-term portfolio growth, which makes it more appealing to own, in my view.

The post Why I’m even more bullish about Soul Patts shares from now on! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• ASX 200 shares rip with financials leading a remarkable recovery last week
• ASX 200 energy shares whipsaw amid fragile ceasefire
• Buy, hold, or sell? Bubs, Soul Patts, and Endeavour shares
• Why I invest a lot in ASX shares outside of superannuation
• Forget term deposits! I’d buy these ASX dividend shares instead!

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) slipped again on Monday after US-Iran peace talks collapsed over the weekend. Oil prices surged back above US$100 a barrel, reigniting inflation concerns across global markets.

The benchmark index finished the session down 0.39% to 8,926 points as investors moved away from risk across most sectors.

While that kind of geopolitical shock can feel uncomfortable in the moment, these are often the periods when long-term opportunities start to appear.

When fear pushes quality businesses lower alongside everything else, I prefer to focus on proven ASX names with durable earnings, strong market positions, and long growth runways.

Here are three quality ASX shares I would be happy to buy while sentiment remains fragile.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero is still one of the highest-quality software businesses on the ASX.

The company provides cloud accounting, payroll, invoicing, payments, and small business finance tools for SMEs and accountants. This has made Xero deeply embedded in the day-to-day operations of businesses across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and increasingly the US.

That stickiness continues to show up in the numbers. In H1 FY26, Xero delivered revenue of roughly $1.2 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $351 million, and operating cash flow of $321.1 million, while continuing to grow subscriber numbers and average revenue per user.

Its scale, pricing power, and growing payments ecosystem give it multiple levers for long-term earnings growth.

If the broader market weakness pushes premium tech valuations lower, this is exactly the sort of proven software compounder I want to keep buying.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL remains one of the ASX’s clearest examples of a global defensive growth business.

The company earns most of its money from plasma therapies through CSL Behring, vaccines through Seqirus, and iron deficiency and kidney products through CSL Vifor. These are essential healthcare products with demand drivers that are far less sensitive to geopolitical headlines.

Its latest half-year result showed NPATA of US$1.9 billion, while management maintained FY26 guidance for 2% to 3% revenue growth and 4% to 7% NPATA growth.

Plasma margin recovery also still has room to play out, alongside cost savings from the broader operational simplification program.

That gives the business multiple earnings drivers even if the market stays nervous.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech is a global logistics software leader best known for its CargoWise platform. It helps freight forwarders, customs brokers, warehouses, and supply chain operators manage complex global trade workflows.

What makes the business so powerful is how deeply integrated that software becomes once customers are onboarded.

Its most recent half-year result showed CargoWise revenue up 12% to $372.4 million, customer attrition below 1%, and group gross profit rising 61% to $529.9 million following the e2open acquisition.

That combination of high retention, recurring revenue, and global trade digitisation still gives WiseTech a very long runway.

If fear around the Middle East continues dragging high-multiple growth stocks lower, this is exactly the kind of business where I’d be happy adding on weakness.

Foolish takeaway

Broad market fear often creates the best opportunities in high-quality businesses.

For me, Xero, CSL, and WiseTech all fit that description. They are proven compounders with strong market positions, recurring earnings, and stable growth outlooks.

While everyone else is focused on geopolitical noise, I’d be looking closely at whether this pullback is offering a better long-term entry point.

The post 3 quality ASX shares I’d buy while everyone else is nervous appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• 3 ASX 200 shares I would buy immediately if the market dips again
• $5,000 to invest? 3 ASX shares that could be no-brainer buys right now
• Insignia Financial shareholders consider $4.80 per share CC Capital takeover
• 2 ASX 200 blue-chip shares worth owning in April 2026

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

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares are showing signs of life. The ASX healthcare stock jumped 4.3% on Monday to $132.38 after announcing another major contract win.

That’s a strong move, but zoom out and the picture looks very different. Pro Medicus shares are still down roughly 40% in 2026, following a sharp reset in valuation.

So, what’s changing?

Major US contracts

In just two weeks, Pro Medicus has landed two significant US contracts and that’s starting to shift sentiment.

The latest win came via its wholly owned US subsidiary, Visage Imaging, which has signed a five-year contract renewal with Northwestern Medicine.

This is no small client. Northwestern Medicine is a leading academic health system based in Chicago, anchored by top-ranked hospitals including Northwestern Memorial Hospital. It spans more than 200 sites across Illinois and serves as the primary teaching affiliate for the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The deal itself is valued at $37 million and centres on Pro Medicus’ flagship Visage 7 Viewer platform, a high-performance imaging solution that continues to win traction in the US healthcare system.

And it doesn’t stand alone. Just last week, Pro Medicus secured another five-year agreement, this time with the University of Maryland Medical System. That contract is worth $23 million and will see its cloud-based Visage 7 Enterprise Imaging Platform rolled out across the network, delivering a unified imaging solution for diagnostics.

Expanding US penetration

Two major wins. Two weeks. Real momentum for Pro Medicus shares. This is exactly what investors want to see from a premium-priced growth stock, continued contract flow, expanding US penetration, and validation of its technology at the highest levels.

And make no mistake, this is a high-quality business.

Pro Medicus operates in a niche but critical space. Its imaging software is deeply embedded in hospital workflows, making it sticky, high-margin, and difficult to replace. Its cloud-based model also positions it well as healthcare systems modernise infrastructure.

Valuation and concentration risk

But there are risks. The biggest one? Valuation.

Even after a 40% pullback, Pro Medicus still trades at a premium to the market. That leaves little room for execution missteps. Any slowdown in contract wins or delays in implementation could quickly hit sentiment again.

There’s also concentration risk. Large contracts are lumpy, and revenue visibility can fluctuate depending on deal timing.

Still, the recent news suggests demand remains strong, particularly in the lucrative US market.

What next for Pro Medicus shares?

So, is this a sentiment changer? Brokers seem to think so.

According to TradingView data, 13 out of 14 analysts rate Pro Medicus shares as a hold, buy, or strong buy. The average 12-month price target sits at $199.60, implying potential upside of around 50% from current levels.

And the bulls are even more ambitious. The most optimistic forecasts tip the stock could climb back to $275, suggesting a potential gain of 107%.

The post Still down 40%, are Pro Medicus shares primed to break out? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Why these ASX 200 stocks could be perfect for buy and hold investors
• Why Monash IVF, Pro Medicus, Telix, and Woodside shares are storming higher today
• Why are Pro Medicus shares outperforming the market on Monday?
• Pro Medicus locks in 5-year, $37m Northwestern Medicine contract renewal

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

Putting $10,000 to work in the share market is a great opportunity to build out a portfolio with high-potential ASX shares.

With markets still a little uncertain and many growth shares trading below previous highs, April could be a great time to start or add to positions. The key is focusing on companies with strong long-term stories that are still playing out.

Here are three ASX shares that could be worth considering right now.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

The first ASX share that could be a smart option is Lovisa.

Lovisa has built a highly successful fast-fashion jewellery business with a global footprint. What makes it particularly compelling is its store rollout strategy.

The company continues to expand rapidly across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, opening new stores and scaling its brand internationally. Each new location adds to revenue and helps build brand recognition.

At the same time, Lovisa operates with a relatively simple and scalable model. Its products are affordable, its inventory turns quickly, and its margins have historically been strong.

For investors looking to put $10,000 to work, Lovisa offers exposure to a proven retail concept with a long runway for growth.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Another ASX share that could be worth considering this month with the $10,000 is Megaport.

Megaport is evolving beyond its original networking focus and positioning itself as a broader infrastructure platform.

With its recent move into on-demand compute through the acquisition of Latitude, the company is bringing together networking and compute in a single offering. This places it closer to the centre of how modern cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads are deployed, and could mean Megaport is entering a new phase of growth.

As a result, this could be a good option for investors that are willing to take a longer-term view.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

A final ASX share that could be a top pick for the $10,000 investment is Temple & Webster. It operates a rapidly growing online furniture and homewares platform.

While the business has experienced ups and downs, its long-term opportunity remains intact. The shift to online shopping continues, and the company has established itself as a leading player in a category which is still in the early days of moving online.

As operating leverage improves, even modest revenue growth can translate into stronger earnings.

For investors putting $10,000 to work in the share market, Temple & Webster shares offer a higher-risk, higher-reward opportunity.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX shares in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Got $7,500? Here are 2 strong ASX retail stocks to buy now
• Down 43% this year, this ASX tech stock is now back at January 2025 levels
• 3 beaten-down ASX shares that I think could rebound strongly

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

Tech has been hit hard. Valuations have reset. Sentiment has swung from extreme optimism to caution in a matter of months. ASX tech ETFs have also experienced serious losses. But that’s often when long-term investors start looking closer.

Because while share prices fall, the structural story behind technology keeps moving forward.

If you want exposure to the rebound without picking individual winners, three ASX-listed ETFs stand out right now. Each fund offers a different way to play tech, from local disruptors to US giants and globally diversified quality.

BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

Start with Australia’s innovation story via this BetaShares ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF).

This ASX ETF gives direct exposure to local tech leaders such as Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC). These are not speculative startups anymore. They are scaled, profitable businesses with recurring revenue models and expanding global footprints.

ATEC has been dragged down by the broader tech sell-off, down 37% over the past 6 months, but the underlying companies continue to execute. If Australian tech sentiment turns, this ETF offers concentrated upside.

BetaShares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

Then there’s the global “quality tech” approach, where this ASX ETF stands out.

This ETF doesn’t chase hype or concentrate heavily in one sector. Instead, it targets high-quality global companies with strong balance sheets, high profitability, and stable earnings. That naturally brings in global tech giants like Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG), but within a broader diversified portfolio.

The key appeal here is balance. You still get exposure to the core drivers of global tech, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms, but with less volatility than pure growth-focused ETFs. Microsoft and Alphabet remain central to the innovation story, yet QLTY wraps them in a more disciplined, valuation-aware framework that also includes other resilient global leaders.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

Finally, for concentrated US tech exposure, there’s the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

This is the heavy hitter. This ASX ETF tracks the Nasdaq 100 and gives investors direct exposure to the world’s most influential technology companies, including Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Microsoft. These businesses sit at the centre of global digital infrastructure and continue to reinvest heavily into AI, cloud computing, and ecosystem expansion.

This fund has been through a sharp correction phase, driven by higher interest rates and stretched valuations. But the long-term growth drivers remain intact. These are companies with scale advantages that are difficult to replicate and global demand that continues to expand.

Importantly, NDQ also provides modest distributions, offering some income alongside capital growth potential.

Foolish Takeaway

What ties all three ASX ETFs together is timing. Each has been caught in the same broad tech sell-off driven by rate hikes, valuation compression, and AI disruption fears. But underneath the noise, the fundamentals haven’t broken.

Innovation is still accelerating. Cloud adoption is still expanding. And AI is more likely to reshape demand than destroy it.

For investors willing to look through short-term volatility, these ETFs offer three different ways to capture the same long-term theme.

The post Are these 3 ASX tech ETFs bargain buys in April? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to turn $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX ETFs
• 3 ASX ETFs for investors in their 30s
• Why these ASX ETFs could be top picks for investors in their 50s
• 3 BetaShares ETFs I think can beat the market over 5 years
• 3 top ASX ETFs to buy with $30,000 this month

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Microsoft, WiseTech Global, and Xero and is short shares of Apple and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Apple, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Every now and then, a particular part of the market falls out of favour.

Right now, that appears to be technology.

After a strong run, many tech names have pulled back amid concerns around interest rates and how artificial intelligence might reshape parts of the industry. That shift in sentiment has made the space feel more uncertain in the short term.

But it has also made it more interesting.

If I were looking for a single exchange-traded fund (ETF) to gain exposure to that uncertainty, while still backing the long-term opportunity, one fund that stands out to me is the Vanguard Global Technology Index ETF (ASX: VTEK).

A different way to think about tech exposure

When people think about investing in technology, the focus is often on a handful of well-known US stocks like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta Platforms.

But the reality is more complex than that. Technology is not just about the platforms we use every day. It is also about the infrastructure that powers them, the chips that run them, and the systems that connect everything together.

That is where the VTEK ETF feels a little different.

It provides exposure to a broad group of around 300 global technology companies, spanning everything from software and cloud computing to semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. This includes ASML, Broadcom, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Shopify.

For me, that wider lens matters. It means you are not relying on one specific trend or trying to pick the next winner. Instead, you are backing the ecosystem as a whole.

The selloff could be doing the heavy lifting

One of the challenges with investing in technology is valuation. When sentiment is strong, it can be difficult to justify buying in at elevated prices.

That is why periods like this can be useful. The recent pullback has taken some of the heat out of the sector. It does not mean tech is suddenly cheap across the board, but it does mean expectations have come down.

I think that shift can be important. Lower expectations can make it easier for companies to surprise on the upside over time, particularly if underlying demand continues to grow.

Not just a US story

Another aspect I like about the VTEK ETF is that it is not solely focused on the United States. While US companies still play a major role, the fund also includes technology leaders from Europe and Asia.

That matters because innovation is not confined to one region.

Semiconductor manufacturing, for example, is heavily concentrated in parts of Asia, while specialised equipment and advanced engineering often come from Europe.

By spreading exposure across regions, I think this Vanguard ETF better reflects how the global technology landscape actually works.

It will not be a smooth ride

That said, this is not a low-volatility investment. Technology shares can move sharply, particularly when interest rates are rising or sentiment turns cautious.

This ETF is designed for growth, which means it is likely to experience ups and downs along the way.

For me, the key is being comfortable with that. If you are investing in this space, it needs to be with a long-term mindset.

Foolish takeaway

Calling any single Vanguard ETF the best is always a stretch. Different investors will have different goals, and what works for one person may not suit another.

But I do think the VTEK ETF makes a strong case right now. It offers broad exposure to the global technology sector, captures multiple layers of innovation, and comes at a time when sentiment has cooled.

For investors who believe in the long-term role of technology in the global economy, I think it is an ETF that is well worth a closer look.

The post Is this the best Vanguard ETF money can buy right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why now could be the time to buy these popular ASX ETFs
• Why are ASX 200 tech stocks like WiseTech and Life360 going gangbusters on Wednesday?
• 5 of the best ASX ETFs to buy in April
• The stress-free ASX ETF portfolio built to weather market crashes
• These 3 ASX ETFs can help protect your portfolio in 2026

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 ASML, Apple, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Shopify, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and is short shares of Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ASML, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Shopify. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are among the most popular on the Australian share market.

But one leading broker is urging investors to stay away from them right now and put their money elsewhere.

Let’s see what Shaw and Partners is saying about Australia’s largest bank, courtesy of The Bull.

What is the broker saying about CBA shares?

Shaw and Partners concedes that CBA is a high-quality ASX bank share. However, it has concerns over its valuation. The broker notes that given the premium CBA shares trade on, there is little room for error.

In light of this, its analysts think investors should be selling the bank’s shares at present and focus on better value options elsewhere in the sector. The broker explains:

The CBA remains a high quality banking operation, but its valuation is increasingly difficult to justify. The stock trades at a significant premium to global peers despite a mature domestic banking market and limited growth potential, in my view.

While earnings remain stable, we see better value elsewhere in the sector. We believe the current share price leaves little margin for error, supporting a sell recommendation on valuation grounds. The shares have risen from $158.74 on February 10 to trade at $181.65 on April 9.

What should you buy instead of CBA?

One ASX share that Shaw and Partners is tipping as a buy this week is Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM). It is a global leader in metal recycling and the provision of circular solutions for technology.

The broker believes that Sims provides investors with long term stronger and sustainable commodity themes. It highlights that demand for recycled inputs, such as lithium, copper and gold, is growing strongly amid the electrification and decarbonisation megatrends.

And while it acknowledges that Sims’ shares can be volatile, it thinks it is worth sticking with them over the long term. It said:

Sims offers exposure to long term stronger and sustainable commodity themes through its global metals recycling operations, particularly in Europe. Demand for recycled inputs, such as lithium, copper and gold, continue to grow as electrification and decarbonisation trends advance.

The business provides leverage to improving industrial activity, although earnings can be volatile given commodity price swings and cyclical end markets. In our view, the strategic positioning justifies a buy despite near term volatility.

The post Forget CBA shares and buy this ASX 200 stock: Shaw & Partners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Buy, hold, sell: CBA, Reece, and Wesfarmers shares
• ASX 200 shares rip with financials leading a remarkable recovery last week
• How to build a winning 10 ASX share portfolio from scratch in 2026
• If I invest $8,000 in CBA shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?

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.

On Monday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) started the week with a decline. The benchmark index fell 0.4% to 8,926 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 set to jump

The Australian share market looks set for a strong session on Tuesday following a positive start to the week in the US. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 122 points or 1.35% higher. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 0.6%, the S&P 500 rose 1%, and the Nasdaq pushed 1.2% higher.

Oil prices rise

It could be a good session for ASX 200 energy shares Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.5% to US$98.00 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 3.4% to US$98.39 a barrel. Traders were buying oil after the US blockaded Iranian ports.

Buy Pro Medicus shares

The team at Bell Potter remains bullish on Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares following the announcement of a new contract renewal. In response, the broker has retained its buy rating and $226.00 price target. It said: “Longer term, the outlook remains strong with PME FY27 exam revenues expected to benefit from full period benefit of implementations in the current half including the two largest cohorts of the Trinity Health contract plus the Big Bang implementation at U. Colorado covering radiology and cardiology”

Gold price falls

ASX 200 gold shares such as Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) could have a relatively subdued session on Tuesday after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.5% to US$4,763.3 an ounce. A stronger US dollar put pressure on the precious metal.

Hold A2 Milk shares

On Monday, A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) shares crashed 13% following a guidance downgrade. This morning, Bell Potter has responded by retaining its hold rating with a reduced price target of $8.35 (from $9.55). It said: “While some of the issues are likely to be temporary in nature (such as elevated air freight) they may well persist into 1Q27e as in-market inventory levels are restored. The deterioration in FY26e margin expectations, when supply chain issues were flagged by SM1 in Feb’26 and are now below Aug’25 guidance levels on a higher revenue base is somewhat concerning, given returning ingredient COG inflation.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 quality ASX shares I’d buy while everyone else is nervous
• Still down 40%, are Pro Medicus shares primed to break out?
• Why these ASX 200 stocks could be perfect for buy and hold investors
• Why Monash IVF, Pro Medicus, Telix, and Woodside shares are storming higher today
• Why A2 Milk, Metallium, Northern Star, and St Barbara shares are sinking today

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

For any 20-year-old (or younger) reading this, there’s one incredible retirement asset on your side that a lot of ASX stock investors don’t have: time.

Compounding is a very powerful force that can help a small number grow into a much larger figure over the long term. As one of the greatest ever minds, Albert Einstein, once reportedly said:

Compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe. Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t pays it.

If someone starts investing early, younger Aussies can take advantage of having more time to compound their wealth and let the snowball roll for longer.

The power of compounding

I’ll demonstrate how much a single $250 ASX stock investment could grow.

For starters, it’s good to know that the local and global share markets have returned an average of 10% per year over the ultra-long term.

If $250 grows by an average of 10% per year – which includes volatility along the way – it reaches $648 after a decade, according to the Moneysmart calculator. That’s a return of 159% over that time.

After 20 years of growing 10% per year, it becomes $1,682 – that’s a gain of 573%.

In 30 years, $250 will become $4,362. That translates into a gain of 1,645%.

After 45 years, that single $250 investment could become $18,223, a huge rise of 7,189%.

Of course, I’d suggest investing more than $250 if someone wants to retire. I’d want to regularly put in an amount towards building a great retirement figure. A monthly total is usually a good target to save for

But, I’d also recommend investing at least approximately $1,000 per investment, just so that not too much money is being lost to brokerage. There are some online share brokers that can offer a brokerage fee of less than $10 for a $999 buy. So, saving $250 per month could mean saving $3,000 per year, or making three investments of around $1,000 each year.

Saving $250 per month towards ASX stocks

If someone can save at least $250 per month towards investing, I think they’re going to make a very noticeable difference by retirement. I’m going to provide a variety of timelines so people of different ages can see what it could turn into.

If an Aussie invested $250 per month and it returned 10% per year for a decade, that would become $47,812.

Over two decades, that strategy would reach $171,800.

In three decades, the figure becomes $493,482.

If a 20-year-old followed this strategy for 45 years until they’re 65 – and didn’t increase the monthly investment amount – it would become $2.15 million. Increasing the investment amount during prime earning years would probably be a smart thing to do.

Time and compounding can really make a massive difference with ASX stocks.

If I were following this strategy, I’d want to choose globally diversified exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as a core investment that gives exposure to businesses with good earnings growth potential, such as Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL), and Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY).

If I came across any extra savings, I’d consider putting them towards compelling long-term ASX growth shares that could help accelerate my wealth building.

The post If a 20-year-old invests $250 a month in ASX stocks, here’s what they could have by retirement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on CBA and Woodside shares
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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in VanEck Msci International Quality ETF. 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 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.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares have both been strong performers over the past year.

CBA shares closed Monday trading for $183.20 each, while Woodside stock ended the day changing hands for $34.15 a share.

This sees the CBA share price up 16.47% over 12 months, while Woodside shares have gained a whopping 72.04%.

For some context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 15.20% over this same period.

And the above outperformance doesn’t include the two fully-franked dividends CBA and Woodside both paid out over the full year.

Woodside trades on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 4.8%, while CBA shares trade on a fully-franked yield of 2.7%.

But after their recent strong runs, Shaw and Partners’ Jed Richards believes now could be an opportune time for stockholders to take some profits off the table (courtesy of The Bull).

Have Woodside shares burned too bright?

“This energy giant has historically struggled to consistently meet market expectations,” said Richards, who has a sell recommendation on Woodside shares. “While the current commodity environment has supported its share price, we see this as an opportunity to exit.”

Among potential looming headwinds for the ASX 200 energy stock, Richards noted, “Capital intensity, project execution risk and long dated development timelines remain my concerns.”

Richards concluded:

Investors may want to consider taking advantage of its recent valuation and improved sentiment. The shares rose from $23.59 on January 9 to $35.80 on April 7. The shares were trading at $33.37 on April 9. The shares are also responding to volatile crude oil prices resulting from the Middle East conflict.

Which brings us to…

Are CBA shares looking pricey?

Atop Woodside shares, Richards also recommends investors consider selling CBA shares.

“The CBA remains a high-quality banking operation, but its valuation is increasingly difficult to justify,” he said. “The stock trades at a significant premium to global peers despite a mature domestic banking market and limited growth potential, in my view.”

CBA trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just under 30 times.

Summarising his sell recommendation on CBA shares, Richards concluded:

While earnings remain stable, we see better value elsewhere in the sector. We believe the current share price leaves little margin for error, supporting a sell recommendation on valuation grounds. The shares have risen from $158.74 on February 10 to trade at $181.65 on April 9.

The post Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on CBA and Woodside shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.