• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Three children wearing athletic short and singlets stand side by side on a running track wearing medals around their necks and standing with their hands on their hips.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares endured yet another red session this hump day, its third in a row this week, and seventh in total. By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had slid another 0.27% lower, leaving the index below 8,700 points at a flat 8,687.

    This rather woeful Wednesday for the local markets comes after a similarly downbeat night over on the American stock exchanges.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to snatch a loss from the jaws of victory, losing 0.053%.

    The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, though, dropping 0.9%.

    But let’s get back to ASX shares and assess the damage from today’s trading amongst the different ASX sectors.

    Winners and losers

    Despite the market’s drop today, we still saw quite a few sectors stay above water.

    But first, it was healthcare stocks that copped it the hardest. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanked by 1.35% this session.

    Financial shares were also on the nose, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) plunging 0.6%.

    Gold stocks were no safe haven either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) shed 0.5% of its value.

    Communications shares were only marginally better off, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)’s 0.49% dive.

    Consumer staples stocks found more sellers than buyers. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) went backwards by 0.41% this Wednesday.

    Mining shares couldn’t catch a break either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slipping 0.38%.

    Let’s get to the winners now. Leading said winners were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soared 2.18% higher this Wednesday.

    Energy shares ran hot too, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)’s 1.27% surge.

    Tech stocks were a little tamer. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) still put on 0.33%, though.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were a dead tie with tech, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) also adding 0.33% to its total.

    Consumer discretionary shares also escaped the selling. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) went home 0.27% heavier this Wednesday.

    Finally, industrial stocks scraped over the line, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s lucky 0.13% boost.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Today’s best share on the index boards was diversified services stock Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA). Codan shares rocketed 15.45% this session to close at a flat $42 each. This big jump came after the company issued a profit guidance upgrade.

    Here’s how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) $42.00 15.45%
    Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) $19.68 5.18%
    Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) $1.06 4.43%
    Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) $8.03 3.61%
    New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) $5.43 3.43%
    Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) $2.22 3.26%
    Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) $12.03 3.17%
    Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI) $1.02 3.05%
    Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) $7.50 3.02%
    Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) $8.23 2.88%

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

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

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

    Before you buy Codan 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 Codan wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Are APA shares a buy after reaching a three-year high?

    people looking through comical glasses, what to look for, reporting season, person thinking, person interested

    APA Group (ASX: APA) shares have climbed another 0.6% to a three-year high of $10.18 at the time of writing. 

    The latest increase means the shares are now 13% higher for the year-to-date, having rebounded nearly 19% since mid-January. APA shares are now also 22% higher than 12 months ago.

    Why are APA shares climbing higher?

    There is no price-sensitive news out of APA recently to explain the latest share price surge. The share price hike is likely the result of investors increasingly rotating into defensive income-generating shares during ongoing volatility.

    APA is Australia’s largest energy infrastructure company, owning and operating an extensive portfolio of gas, electricity, solar, and wind assets.

    The company is also a major owner and operator of Australia’s gas distribution network, including pipelines, gas-fired power stations, and storage facilities. It transports more than half the natural gas used in Australia. 

    Since listing on the ASX in 2000, APA Group has substantially grown its energy assets. More recently, it has added solar farms to its portfolio. 

    APA announced its latest expansion plans in February, around the same time it posted an impressive first-half FY26 result.

    APA posted a 7.6% jump in underlying EBITDA to $1,092 million and upgraded its organic growth pipeline from $2.1 billion to around $3 billion for FY26 to FY28.

    FY26 Underlying EBITDA guidance is unchanged at $2,120–$2,200 million, with expectation to exceed midpoint.

    The company also said it is on track to achieve $50 million in full-year cost savings, helped by simplification efforts including the sale of its Networks business and pending divestment of its GDI stake.

    It’s this continued long-term revenue which means the company is able to pay a consistent passive income to its shareholders too.

    APA paid an interim dividend of 27.5 cents in the first half of FY26 and is guiding a full-year dividend of 58 cents per security. That translates to a forward distribution yield of 5.7%, partially franked, at the time of writing.

    Are the shares a buy, sell or hold now?

    Despite the latest share price rally, and the company’s attractive passive income, analysts aren’t too optimistic about the outlook for APA shares over the next 12 months.

    According to TradingView data, four out of nine analysts have a hold rating on the stock, three have a sell or strong sell rating. Others are more bullish with a buy or strong buy rating.

    But, the average target price for APA shares is $8.96, which implies a potential 12% downside at the time of writing.

    Even the best-case scenario $10.41 maximum target price implies a minor 3% upside from the current trading price. 

    The post Are APA shares a buy after reaching a three-year high? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Apa Group shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Should you buy Coronado Global and Whitehaven Coal shares?

    Copal miner standing in front of coal.

    Two of the largest coal miners on the Australian share market have released updates this week.

    Bell Potter has been running the rule over these updates from Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) and Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC). But has it seen enough to recommend either coal miner as a buy?

    Let’s see what the broker is saying about them:

    Coronado Global Resources

    Bell Potter notes that it was a challenging first quarter for Coronado, with production and sales down heavily quarter on quarter, and costs coming in higher than expected. It said:

    CRN reported quarterly saleable coal production of 3.0Mt (down 30% QoQ; BPe 3.3Mt) and sales of 3.5Mt (down 20% QoQ; BPe 3.3Mt). Production was heavily impacted by a 6-week shutdown at Mammoth following a fatality; adverse weather and a planned 2-week CHPP shutdown at Curragh; and two longwall moves at Buchanan. Group mining costs were US$135/t produced (BPe US$113/t), up 41% QoQ. Group realised met coal pricing was US$165/t (70% realisation to the average HCC index). BP calculated quarterly group EBITDA was -US$88m (BPe US$8m) with unit mining costs elevated on lower sales.

    In response, the broker has retained its speculative hold rating with a reduced price target of 30 cents.

    Whitehaven Coal

    Unlike Coronado Global, Bell Potter notes that Whitehaven Coal performed better than feared during the third quarter. It highlights that production and sales were ahead of expectations for the three months. The broker said:

    WHC reported quarterly managed ROM production of 9.5Mt (BPe 9.6Mt), managed saleable production of 8.4Mt (BPe 7.8Mt) and equity coal sales of 6.9Mt (BPe 6.3Mt). Sales were supported by a stock drawdown with production impacted by heavy rainfall in Queensland and geotechnical issues at Narrabri. The next 8-week longwall changeout and maintenance period is scheduled for the December 2026 quarter. Group realised pricing was A$207/t, up 9% QoQ in line with higher met and thermal market prices. FY26 guidance was reiterated; ROM production and sales are tracking to the upper end and costs to the middle of the ranges provided.

    According to the note, the broker has retained its hold rating and $8.10 price target on Whitehaven Coal’s shares.

    Bell Potter then concludes:

    We maintain a Hold recommendation. In the medium term, WHC are positioned to capitalise when coal markets sustainably improve with a diversified portfolio of assets in Queensland and New South Wales and strong organic growth optionality. We have a positive long term met coal outlook, driven by constrained supply and increased demand from steel producers reliant on seaborne met coal (i.e. India).

    The post Should you buy Coronado Global and Whitehaven Coal shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Coronado Global Resources right now?

    Before you buy Coronado Global Resources 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 Coronado Global Resources wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has 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.

  • Up 60%: Why this exciting ASX stock could keep rising

    A bearded man holds both arms up diagonally and points with his index fingers to the sky with a thrilled look on his face.

    Vitrafy Life Sciences Ltd (ASX: VFY) shares have been strong performers this year.

    During this time, the ASX stock has risen over 60%.

    But if you thought you were late to the party, think again.

    That’s because Bell Potter believes the life sciences company’s shares could continue to rise over the next 12 months.

    What is this ASX stock?

    Vitrafy is aiming to become a global leader in cryopreservation by significantly improving cell survival of biological materials.

    The ASX stock has designed and developed an innovative solution for the advancement of cryopreservation which includes smart devices, a quality management software platform, and smart packaging solutions.

    Bell Potter highlights that after 18 months as a listed company, Vitrafy is approaching an inflection point. It said:

    It has been c.18 months since the IPO and VFY are now approaching the point where commercial revenues are within reach. The final report on the Phase II USAISR study is due to be released in 4Q26, with an understanding that the study has been successful and passed regulatory standards.

    An update on commercial activity with USAISR is expected in 1H27. The market would be hoping for a final commercial agreement. This collaboration is understood to have created material inbound interest from the civilian blood products sector and follows a recent end-of-life announcement for a legacy technology. No details were provided but this event could be a catalyst for demand for VFY’s liquid nitrogen free cryopreservation technology.

    Big potential returns

    According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its speculative buy rating on the ASX stock with a significantly improved price target of $3.00 (from $2.25).

    Based on its current share price of $2.10, this implies potential upside of 42% for investors over the next 12 months.

    While Bell Potter still has a speculative rating on the stock, it notes that it has removed a 10% risk rating in response to operational progress. It concludes:

    We judge the progress VFY has made in blood products and animal production to be sufficient to remove the 10% risk rating we had applied to our revenue forecasts, lifting our FY27e/FY28e revenue estimates by c.11%. Subsequently, this lifts our DCF valuation by c.33% to $3.00/sh.

    Since the post IPO low of $1.08 a year ago, VFY’s share price has effectively doubled as confidence toward commercialisation has increased. Key catalysts relate to 1) securing commercial arrangements with USAISR and 2) FDA registration for the Guardion cryopreservation device.

    The post Up 60%: Why this exciting ASX stock could keep rising appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vitrafy Life Sciences right now?

    Before you buy Vitrafy Life Sciences 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 Vitrafy Life Sciences wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has 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.

  • Why this ASX healthcare high-flyer just dropped another 9% today

    A person holds their hands up through the middle of a rubber lifesaving ring while swimming in relatively calm conditions at a beach.

    4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) shares are falling again on Wednesday, with the high-growth stock extending losses despite no new update.

    At the time of writing, the 4DMedical share price is down a sizeable 9.34% to $4.27.

    That follows a 5.23% drop yesterday and leaves the stock down more than 20% over the past week.

    There has been no announcement to explain the move, which points to broader forces at play.

    Let’s take a closer look.

    Selling builds after massive run

    The recent pullback comes after an extraordinary run for the stock.

    4DMedical shares are still up more than 1,300% over the past 12 months, even after this week’s decline. The company’s market capitalisation sits around $2.5 billion, and it remains in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    That surge was driven by growing interest in its lung imaging platform, alongside regulatory wins and commercial progress in the United States.

    But when a stock moves that far, that fast, it tends to attract a lot of short-term interest.

    Day traders often pile in during the sharp rally. But when momentum fades, they can exit just as quickly to lock in profits.

    And that can amplify the downside, especially when buying support is limited.

    Tech sector weakness adds pressure

    The broader backdrop is not helping.

    The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) is down 4.18% over the past week and has fallen roughly 20% over the past 12 months.

    This shows that the selling is not limited to one stock.

    Growth shares have been under pressure as investors rotate away from higher-valuation companies, which has been noticeable over the last few sessions.

    The ASX 200 Index has also been drifting lower. It is down about 2.93% over the past week and is trading around 8,687 points today.

    Valuation and expectations in focus

    4DMedical is still in its growth phase.

    It is building out its commercial footprint and pushing for wider adoption of its imaging technology. That includes contracts, regulatory approvals, and hospital rollouts.

    The trade-off is that earnings remain limited. The company is not profitable yet, and that could take time as it continues to scale.

    That leaves the share price closely tied to future expectations.

    Foolish Takeaway

    This week’s pullback shows how quickly sentiment can shift with high-growth stocks.

    4DMedical has clear potential, and its recent run shows how strong the upside can be. But it is still not profitable, which adds risk at current levels.

    Personally, I would rather back a more established name like Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), which is already delivering consistent earnings.

    4DMedical may have upside, but it comes with higher volatility and risk.

    The post Why this ASX healthcare high-flyer just dropped another 9% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in 4DMedical right now?

    Before you buy 4DMedical 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 4DMedical wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

  • Are these ASX shares a buy, hold or sell according to Morgans after key updates?

    A company manager presents the ASX company earnings report to shareholders at an AGM.

    Plenty of ASX shares are in the process of releasing quarterly updates and results. 

    After more reports and key announcements this week, the team at Morgans have provided fresh guidance on these ASX shares. 

    Let’s see if Morgans sees these ASX shares as a buy, hold or sell. 

    6K Additive Inc (ASX: 6KA)

    6K Additive is a US-based manufacturer, upcycling metal scrap into premium metal powders and alloying additives.

    Yesterday, the company released Quarterly Activities and Cash Flow Report. 

    The team at Morgans said the company delivered a strong March quarter update, with revenue up 88% to US$6.2m. 

    This implies an annualised run-rate of ~US$25m, up from ~US$22m in 4Q25, driven by solid demand from both new and existing customers. The run-rate is also ahead of our CY26 revenue forecast of US$22.8m, with the company capturing market share and improving operational metrics. B

    oth the Powder (+100%) and Alloy (+70%) products divisions delivered strong revenue growth on the pcp, with a higher order backlog supporting sales momentum over coming months.

    Based on this guidance, Morgans said it thinks the company is well positioned to benefit from strong demand in metal additive manufacturing and US initiatives to reshore critical minerals, supported by its fully domestic powder production which reduces reliance on foreign-controlled feedstock. 

    The broker has retained its speculative buy rating and $1.30 price target on these ASX shares. 

    This target is approximately 71% upside from today’s share price. 

    Atlas Arteria Ltd (ASX: ALX)

    This ASX company is a global owner, operator, and developer of toll roads. 

    It received an unsolicited, off-market bid earlier this week from infrastructure investor IFM Investors.

    This sent the stock price surging 14% higher on Monday. 

    The team at Morgans said given IFM’s existing large (and growing) stake in ALX and the OTPP poison pill we believe it unlikely that a counter-bidder will emerge. 

    Hence, our assessment is that risk at current prices is skewed to the downside ($4.22/share) rather than upside ($5.10/share). TRIM into current share price strength.

    ALX shares are currently exchanging hands for $4.84. 

    Imricor Medical Systems Inc (ASX: IMR)

    Imricor is a medical device company, which engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible products for cardiac catheter ablation procedures.

    The company just released a 1Q26 cash flow report.

    Morgans said while sales remain modest the underlying cash burn was higher than the previous quarter and expected to normalise around US$6m. 

    During the quarter one-off costs related to the purchase of 40 generators which were part of an in-house transitioning process. Cash at the end of the quarter was US$32.9m, representing 5.5 quarters of underlying cash burn.

    We have made no changes to forecasts. However, a higher risk-free rate (house view), sees our DCF valuation reduce to A$2.63 (was $2.71). We maintain our SPECULATIVE BUY recommendation with numerous catalysts approaching.

    This indicates a 35% upside from today’s stock price of $1.94. 

    The post Are these ASX shares a buy, hold or sell according to Morgans after key updates? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Atlas Arteria right now?

    Before you buy Atlas Arteria 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 Atlas Arteria wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

  • Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

    Broker written in white with a man drawing a yellow underline.

    Many of Australia’s top brokers have been busy adjusting their financial models and recommendations again. This has led to a number of broker notes being released this week.

    Three ASX shares that brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here’s why their analysts are feeling bullish on them right now:

    Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360)

    According to a note out of the Macquarie equities desk, its analysts have initiated coverage on this location technology company’s shares with an outperform rating and $32.20 price target. The broker believes that recent share price weakness has created an asymmetrical risk profile for investors. It highlights that Life360’s shares are changing hands for only 23x estimated FY 2027 earnings. It thinks this is cheap for a company with such a strong revenue growth outlook, as well as operating leverage potential. The Life360 share price is trading at $20.31 on Wednesday afternoon.

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

    A note out of Citi reveals its analysts have retained their buy rating on this network solutions company’s shares with an improved price target of $15.00. This follows the release of an update which revealed that Megaport’s Latitude business has won a significant contract. Megaport advised that it has secured a three-year compute and storage contract with a total value of approximately US$25.1 million (A$35.4 million). In response, the broker has upgraded its annual recurring revenue and EBITDA forecasts. And while it suspects that capital expenditure investment may have to increase, Citi isn’t concerned due to the attractive returns and payback profiles. The Megaport share price is fetching $9.05 at the time of writing.

    Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM)

    Analysts at Ord Minnett have retained their buy rating and $205.00 price target on this gold miner’s shares. According to the note, the broker was impressed with Newmont’s performance during the first quarter. It notes that the company’s production came in ahead of expectations, which underpinned stronger than expected earnings and cash flow generation. The broker highlights that this has supported another increase in the gold miner’s share buyback program. In response, the team at Ord Minnett has lifted its earnings forecasts for FY 2026 to reflect the stronger than expected performance. The Newmont share price is trading at $154.06 on Wednesday.

    The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Life360 right now?

    Before you buy Life360 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 Life360 wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360 and Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, Macquarie Group, and Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • CFO quits within weeks as this ASX 200 stock keeps sliding. What on earth is going on?

    Meeting taking place amongst members of a board.

    IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) shares are under pressure again on Wednesday, adding to what has already been a rough stretch for the lithium and nickel producer.

    At the time of writing, the IGO share price is down 1.49% to $7.38.

    Over the past week, the stock has fallen close to 20%, including a steep 17.92% drop last Friday after a disappointing quarterly update.

    Now, investors have another update to process.

    CFO exits less than a month into the job

    Before the market opened today, IGO confirmed that chief financial officer Johan van Vuuren has resigned, effective immediately.

    That is a very quick turnaround, given he only stepped into the role on April 1.

    According to the company, both parties agreed the position was not the right fit, with van Vuuren set to pursue other opportunities.

    IGO said it has started arrangements for interim CFO cover and will begin the process of finding a permanent replacement.

    There was no indication of broader changes to strategy or operations, though the timing stands out given what has just played out.

    This comes straight after a weak quarter

    The resignation lands just days after IGO’s March quarter result, which triggered a sharp sell-off.

    The company reported group sales revenue of $120 million, up 45%, with underlying EBITDA of $119 million and free cash flow of $36 million.

    While Nova delivered solid production and cash flow, the same could not be said across the rest of the portfolio.

    At Nova, nickel production rose 11% to 4,202 tonnes and copper lifted 7% to 1,907 tonnes, helping drive $52 million in free cash flow for the quarter.

    Greenbushes was a key weak spot. Production came in flat at 351,000 tonnes, while lower grades, recoveries, and maintenance issues weighed on performance.

    Costs also moved higher, with unit costs rising about 20% to $446 per tonne.

    At the same time, IGO cut its full-year production guidance for Greenbushes to between 1.375 million and 1.425 million tonnes.

    Furthermore, management noted that the lithium downstream business at Kwinana continues to struggle. Production came in at 3,047 tonnes, with the plant running at just 51% of nameplate capacity.

    What investors are focusing on now

    This latest management change gives the market something else to weigh up.

    On its own, a CFO exit does not always move the dial. But the timing, just weeks into the role and straight after a weak result, raises some serious questions.

    Nonetheless, the bigger focus is still on operations.

    Greenbushes needs to stabilise, and Kwinana needs to lift utilisation and improve cost performance.

    Until that happens, it is hard to see investor sentiment shifting much.

    The post CFO quits within weeks as this ASX 200 stock keeps sliding. What on earth is going on? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Igo 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 Igo wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Ampol shares surge 50% to a two-year high: Buy, sell or hold?

    A service station attendant crosses his arms and smiles towards the camera with a backdrop of petrol bowsers and a drive-through facility.

    Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares have climbed another 1.85% in Wednesday afternoon trading to a two-year high of $34.90.

    The uptick also means the Australian petroleum company’s shares are now 8.6% higher year to date and 50% higher than this time 12 months ago.

    What is driving Ampol shares higher?

    Ampol is the largest transport energy distributor and retailer in Australia, with more than 1,800 Ampol-branded service stations across the country as of June 2025. Its shares have rocketed higher on the back of conflict in the Middle East and concerns about global oil supply.

    Ampol shares have jumped 24% higher since the war between the US and Iran ramped up in late February.

    While news that the two nations could be reaching a peace deal temporarily dented Ampol’s share price earlier this month, failure to agree on terms and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to allow oil supplies to flow back through saw demand spike back up again.

    As of late April, the two nations are in a temporary, but unstable, ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz is partially open, but supply continues to be very constrained and unpredictable. 

    While news that increased supply has helped cool the price of WTI crude oil, it is still significantly higher than earlier this year. Trading Economics data shows WTI crude oil is currently around US$100 per barrel, up from around US$60 per barrel seen in late February.

    Prices for Brent oil, gasoline, and heating oil have also cooled, but remain much higher than before the conflict situation escalated.

    And it’s not just fuel prices

    Ampol shares have also been driven higher recently off the back of some good news announcements out of the company.

    Last week, the Aussie fuel supplier said it has submitted a formal remedy offer with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) about a proposed acquisition of fuel and convenience store operator EG Australia. Ampol revealed it is now offering 41 retail fuel sites for divestment, up from the previously proposed 37, in an effort to address competition concerns raised by the ACCC.

    Also last week, Ampol posted its Q1 FY26 trading update, where it confirmed a 10% increase in refinery production, higher refiner margins, and increased production.

    The company said it has locked in diesel and jet fuel supply through to the end of May, and gasoline supplies to the end of June, despite rising landed crude costs. 

    It confirmed that demand from both consumers and commercial customers in Australia and New Zealand has remained stable despite recent price increases.

    Are Ampol shares a buy, sell, or hold?

    Analysts think there is still some upside left for Ampol shares this year. TradingView data shows that out of 10 analysts, seven have a buy or strong buy rating on the stock.

    The average $36.77 target price implies a 5% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. Whereas, the maximum $40.80 target pierce implies a potential 17% increase in value.

    The post Ampol shares surge 50% to a two-year high: Buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Ampol 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 Ampol wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • $10,000 invested in the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield (VHY) ETF a year ago is now worth?

    A woman sits in a cafe wearing a polka dotted shirt and holding a latte in one hand while reading something on a laptop that is sitting on the table in front of her

    It has been an interesting 12 months for the share market.

    Income-focused shares, particularly banks and miners, have done a lot of the heavy lifting. At the same time, many growth names and technology stocks have struggled, with sentiment weighed down by valuation concerns and uncertainty around AI disruption.

    That shift in leadership has had a clear impact on how different strategies have performed.

    Why the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF has performed well

    One ETF that has quietly benefited from this environment is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY).

    The VHY ETF focuses on higher-yielding shares within the Australian market. That naturally leads it toward sectors like financials and resources, which have been among the stronger performers over the past year.

    For example, companies such as Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) have both delivered solid gains, supported by strong earnings.

    I think this highlights an important point. Market returns are not evenly distributed. Leadership changes over time, and in the past year, income has been back in favour. The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF is designed to capture that.

    The role of distributions

    It is also worth remembering that returns from an ETF like this do not just come from the share price.

    Distributions play a big role. Over the past 12 months, the VHY ETF has paid distributions of 81.14 cents, 65.83 cents, 109.69 cents, and 200.17 cents per unit.

    That adds up to a meaningful income stream on top of any capital growth.

    What is the investment in the VHY ETF worth now?

    Putting it all together. If you had invested $10,000 into the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF a year ago at $71.63, you would have received around 139.6 units.

    At today’s price of $82.98, those units would now be worth approximately $11,580.

    On top of that, the total distributions over the year come to approximately $4.56 per unit. Across 139.6 units, that equates to roughly $637 in income.

    That brings the total value of the investment to around $12,217.

    In other words, a $10,000 investment has grown by just over 22% in a year.

    Foolish takeaway

    I think this is a good example of how different parts of the market can take the lead at different times.

    The VHY ETF has benefited from strong performance in dividend-paying sectors, as well as the income those companies generate. That combination has worked well over the past year.

    Looking ahead, I think it reinforces the value of diversification. Income strategies can have their moment, just as growth strategies do. The key is having exposure to both and staying invested for the long term.

    The post $10,000 invested in the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield (VHY) ETF a year ago is now worth? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy BHP Group shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.