In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record another decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.3% to 8,686.5 points.

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

Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)

The Catalyst Metals share price is down 5.5% to $5.71. This follows the release of the gold miner’s quarterly update. Catalyst reported gold production of 26,127 ounces with an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of A$2,901 per ounce. Looking ahead, while the gold miner has reaffirmed its production guidance of 100,000 ounces to 110,000 ounces, it has lifted its cost guidance. It now expects its FY 2026 AISC to come in at A$2,750 per ounce to A$2,950 per ounce. This compares to its previous guidance range of A$2,200 per ounce to A$2,650 per ounce. This reflects processing plant downtime, lower material movements, and broader inflationary pressures such as rising diesel costs.

G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM)

The G8 Education share price is down 30% to 16.7 cents. Investors have been selling this childcare operator’s shares following the release of a trading update. Management advised that occupancy across the sector is lower compared to 2024 and 2025. This is due to families experiencing sustained affordability pressures, falling birth rates, increased long-day care supply, and confidence being impacted by serious child safety incidents. At the same time, operators are dealing with increased costs due to inflationary pressures, persistent workforce challenges, changing regulation and compliance requirements, and a more complex operating environment. Current occupancy stands at 56.4%, which is down 7% versus the prior corresponding period.

Meteoric Resources NL (ASX: MEI)

The Meteoric Resources share price is down 6.5% to 18.7 cents. This morning, the rare earths developer announced the completion of a $40 million placement to institutional and sophisticated investors. Meteoric Resources raised the funds through the issue of 235 million shares at 17 cents per new share. The placement will fund the advancement and pre-development activities for the 100%-owned Caldeira Rare Earth Iconic Absorption Clay Project towards a final investment decision.

Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX)

The Westgold Resources share price is down 3% to $5.92. This follows the release of the gold miner’s quarterly update. Westgold reported production of 93,145 ounces of gold, which was down 16.4% quarter-on-quarter from 111,418 ounces. And while it has reaffirmed its production guidance, it expects costs to be at the high-end of its guidance range.

The post Why Catalyst Metals, G8 Education, Meteoric Resources, and Westgold shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 ASX 200 stocks rated a strong buy with an upside over 50%
• Why is this ASX 300 share crashing 31% today?
• Why is this ASX 100 gold stock under pressure today?
• Why are Catalyst Metals shares sinking today?
• Westgold Resources posts $285M quarterly cash build

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.

ASX gold stock Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) is pushing higher on Wednesday, up 2.5% to $11.78 in afternoon trade.

The gains follow a strong March quarter update released before market open, where the company reported record operating cash flow of $143.1 million and unveiled its first-ever dividend — a fully-franked interim payout of 5 cents per share.

Let’s take a closer look.

Shareholders are getting a slice

The $5 billion ASX gold stock didn’t just deliver solid numbers; it hit a new milestone, announcing the first payout to shareholders.

The maiden dividend totals $22.8 million and signals growing confidence from the board. Management says the payout reflects a strong balance sheet and the company’s ability to fund growth internally, even while continuing to invest in expansion and exploration.

That’s often a key turning point for miners, shifting from pure growth mode to rewarding shareholders while still expanding.

Production steady, guidance intact

On the operational front, Capricorn kept things consistent.

Gold production for Q3 FY26 came in at 30,358 ounces, broadly in line with the previous quarter. Year to date, the company has produced 93,152 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,623 per ounce.

Importantly, management reaffirmed that it remains on track to hit the upper end of its FY26 guidance. Production will be between 115,000 and 125,000 ounces, with costs expected in the range of $1,530 to $1,630 per ounce.

That combination of stable output and controlled costs is helping underpin strong cash generation.

Growth projects gaining momentum

Capricorn is also making steady progress on its next phase of growth.

Development of the Karlawinda Expansion Project (KEP) is advancing well, with key infrastructure largely complete. Commissioning is targeted for the first quarter of FY27. Once up and running, the expanded plant is expected to lift sustainable production to around 150,000 ounces per year. That’s a meaningful step up from current levels.

At the same time, work continues at the Mt Gibson Gold Project (MGGP), where environmental approvals and planning are moving forward alongside an active exploration program. Drilling at both MGGP and Karlawinda has delivered encouraging high-grade results. That’s strengthening the case for long-term underground mining opportunities.

What’s next for the ASX gold stock?

Capricorn appears focused on maintaining momentum across operations, development, and exploration.

With the KEP on track and resource growth continuing across its portfolio, the company is positioning itself for a larger production profile in FY27 and beyond. More detailed guidance is expected once expansion works are complete.

And investors have already been rewarded. Over the past 12 months, the ASX gold stock has risen around 26%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has gained about 8%.

The post Why is this ASX gold stock charging higher on dividend news? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Capricorn Metals reports record cash flow and first dividend in March 2026 quarter
• Which ASX 200 stock is falling despite big news
• Capricorn Metals reports Mt Gibson gold results
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 2 ASX 200 gold stocks jumping higher on major updates today

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 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 Mayne Pharma Group Ltd (ASX: MYX) have climbed around 8% at the time of writing following the release of the company’s third-quarter update.

The move extends a sharp rebound that has seen Mayne Pharma’s share price rise 32% since hitting a five-year low in March this year.

That share price rebound has put the company back on investors’ radar and raises a key question: Is this just a dead cat bounce, or the start of something more durable?

Momentum is starting to build

The latest update points to early signs of improving momentum across the business.

A major highlight was the launch of DistributeRx, Mayne Pharma’s new prescription distribution platform. Early results have been encouraging, with prescription volumes significantly exceeding internal expectations and continuing to build as new prescribers come on board.

This is strategically important. DistributeRx represents a shift in how the company engages with the market, with the company moving beyond individual products to a broader ecosystem approach. If it scales as planned, it could become a meaningful growth driver.

At the same time, the company’s women’s health portfolio continues to perform well.

Prescriptions for BIJUVA® rose strongly, while demand for NEXTSTELLIS® also increased. These products sit in attractive, growing markets and are central to Mayne Pharma’s strategy of focusing on higher-value segments.

Financials still catching up

While operational momentum is improving, the financials are still in transition.

Revenue growth (+1%) was broadly flat for the quarter, but gross margins improved, reflecting better pricing discipline and product mix. Underlying EBITDA also moved closer to breakeven, although the business remains loss-making.

One area that stood out was cash flow.

The company generated strong operating cash flow during the quarter, boosting its cash position and providing greater flexibility to reinvest in growth initiatives. That’s an important foundation, particularly for a business still working towards consistent profitability.

Is this the bottom?

Mayne Pharma shares had been under significant pressure, falling to around $2.20 in March 2026, their lowest level in five years. The recent 32% rally from that low point suggests sentiment may be starting to shift.

But it’s too early to call a full turnaround.

For that to happen, investors will want to see continued execution (particularly with sustained sales growth of DistributeRx) alongside sustained growth in key product segments and a clearer path to profitability.

Foolish bottom line

Mayne Pharma’s latest update suggests the business is moving in the right direction, and the share price is starting to respond. But after a long period of underperformance, investors will be looking for consistent delivery before concluding that the bottom is truly in.

The post Mayne Pharma stock jumps 8% on strong Q3 update. Has it finally bottomed? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where is the value amongst ASX healthcare shares?
• What’s the impact of US tariffs on Aussie drugmakers CSL and Mayne Pharma?

Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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.

It is not often you see a high-quality healthcare share like Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) fall this far.

The shares are down around 65% year to date in 2026, with most of that decline happening this month following a trading update.

There is no way to sugar-coat it. The update was weak, guidance was cut, and sentiment has clearly turned negative.

But when I step back from the short-term noise, I think this could be one of those rare moments where a great business becomes available at a much more reasonable price.

What actually went wrong?

The February result already showed things were slowing.

Revenue only grew 1% and underlying net profit fell 9% to $195 million, reflecting a slower-than-expected rollout of its new Nucleus Nexa system and some pressure on margins.

That alone was not ideal, but the bigger issue came with the April trading update.

Management flagged softer-than-expected demand in developed markets, hospital capacity constraints, weaker referral activity, and growing uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict.

As a result, FY26 earnings guidance was cut significantly to $290 million to $330 million (from $435 million to $460 million).

That is a big downgrade, and it explains why the share price reacted so sharply.

This is a setback, not a broken business

Even so, I do not think the long-term story has changed.

Cochlear is still the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. It has decades of R&D behind it and continues to invest heavily in new products, with around 13% of revenue going into R&D.

Importantly, demand for its products is not cyclical in the traditional sense. There is a large and growing pool of people with hearing loss, particularly in the adult and ageing population.

Management itself continues to point to a “significant, unmet and addressable clinical need” that underpins long-term growth.

What we are seeing now looks more like a timing issue.

Surgeries are being delayed. Referrals have slowed. Some patients are treating procedures as discretionary in the short term.

None of that suggests demand has disappeared. It suggests it has been pushed out.

The valuation looks very different now

Before looking at valuation, I think it is important to acknowledge what has changed.

Cochlear’s earnings have gone backwards. Earnings per share were $5.98 in FY25, and consensus estimates now point to $4.86 per share in FY26. That is a meaningful decline, and it helps explain why the share price has fallen so sharply.

The market is not overreacting to nothing. It is responding to a real step back in earnings.

But this is where things get interesting. At around $91.00, Cochlear is now trading on less than 19 times FY26 earnings. For a business of this quality, that is not a level we typically see.

Looking further out, consensus forecasts suggest earnings could recover to $5.28 in FY27 and $5.88 in FY28.

So while the near-term picture is weak, the market is already pricing in a lot of that softness.

For me, the key question is whether FY26 represents a temporary dip or a more permanent reset in earnings power.

If it is the former and earnings recover in line with consensus estimates, then today’s valuation could prove to be quite attractive over time.

Why I think this could be an opportunity to buy Cochlear shares

For me, this comes down to a simple question. Has the long-term earnings power of the business permanently declined?

Right now, I do not think there is enough evidence to say that it has.

Cochlear still has market leadership, strong technology, and a clear runway for growth driven by demographics and increasing awareness of hearing loss treatment.

What has changed is short-term execution and near-term demand. That matters for the next 6 to 12 months. But it matters far less over the next 5 to 10 years.

When high-quality companies disappoint, the market often overshoots on the downside. I think that is exactly what is happening here.

Foolish takeaway

This is not a risk-free setup. Cochlear’s earnings could remain under pressure for longer than expected, and sentiment may take time to recover.

But with the shares down 65% and trading at a much lower multiple, I think Cochlear is starting to look like a long-term opportunity rather than a falling knife.

For patient investors willing to look beyond the next year, this could be one of those moments that only shows up once-in-a-decade.

The post Down 65%, are Cochlear shares a once-in-a-decade buying opportunity? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 oversold ASX shares to buy with $10,000
• Which beaten down ASX healthcare stock is a better buy right now: Pro Medicus vs Cochlear shares
• Why Cochlear, Karoon Energy, Origin Energy, and WiseTech shares are falling today
• Down 43% this week, are Cochlear shares now the best bargain buy of the year?
• After falling 43% in a week, are Cochlear shares now a buy?

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

ASX gold stock Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) is edging lower on Wednesday, down around 2% in early afternoon trade. The share price fell despite the company unveiling promising new exploration results.

Over the past 12 months, the $7 billion stock has been a strong performer. It has climbed around 30%, beating the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has gained roughly 14%. But momentum has cooled in 2026, with the stock now down around 12% year to date.

So, what’s behind today’s dip?

Strong discoveries at Dalgaranga

The ASX gold stock released an exploration update from its Dalgaranga project, highlighting high-grade gold hits that could support future underground mining at the Gilbey’s deposit.

Standout drill results included 3.9 metres at 21.2g/t gold and 6.1 metres at 10.4g/t gold — impressive grades that point to a potentially valuable underground resource.

Total mineral resources at Gilbey’s Underground now sit at 6.9 million tonnes at 1.9g/t for around 380,000 ounces of gold.

Drilling across areas like West Winds and Four Pillars is helping validate earlier estimates and is pushing Ramelius to consider Gilbey’s as its next underground mine at Dalgaranga. Importantly, these higher-grade zones could replace lower-grade ore currently planned for processing in FY29 and FY30.

That could potentially boost margins and supporting long-term production targets.

More growth potential emerging

Beyond Gilbey’s, the ASX gold stock is actively drilling across the Plymouth-Sly Fox region, aiming to add both underground and open-pit opportunities to its pipeline.

Early results are pointing to further resource growth, with additional assays still pending. Exploration is also underway at nearby Golden Wings and Gilbey’s South, with more updates expected in coming months.

Ramelius plans to ramp up drilling at Gilbey’s Underground from late April 2026, targeting resource upgrades and extensions to known high-grade zones. Similar work is planned at Sly Fox and Plymouth to support future mine planning.

All of this feeds into a bigger ambition: lifting group gold production beyond 525,000 ounces per year by FY30 through a mix of resource conversion and new discoveries.

So why are shares falling?

Despite the positive operational update, external factors appear to be driving today’s weakness.

Gold prices slipped overnight, with futures down around 0.95% to US$4,695.7 an ounce. Concerns around inflation and the potential for further interest rate hikes — partly linked to rising oil prices — weighed on the precious metal.

For ASX gold stocks like Ramelius, short-term share price moves are often closely tied to the gold price itself. So even strong exploration results can be overshadowed if the commodity price is moving in the opposite direction.

Foolish takeaway

Ramelius has delivered encouraging exploration news, pointing to higher-grade resources and future production upside. But in the short term, macro factors — particularly gold price movements — can have the final say on share price direction.

For investors, that means separating the long-term story from the day-to-day noise.

The post Why is this ASX gold stock slipping despite new gold discoveries? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why did the ASX 200 just rebound following the hottest inflation print since 2023?
• Nickel Industries reports March quarter earnings
• BSP Financial Group Q1 2026 earnings: Profit and revenue climb as bank continues investment
• Mesoblast shares in focus after key Phase 3 milestone for low back pain
• Stanmore Resources: Coal output recovers in March quarter

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was down 0.4% at 8,673 points when the clock struck 11:30am AEST today.

In the minutes that followed, Australia’s benchmark stock market index rebounded to be down less than 0.2% at 8,696 points.

ASX 200 investors have been favouring their buy buttons following the release of the latest inflation data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Here’s what we know.

Inflation not quite so hot as expected

ASX 200 investors appear relieved at the latest inflation print, despite the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) running at two and a half year highs.

That’s likely because consensus economist forecasts had been expecting headline inflation for the 12 months to March to come in at a blistering 4.8%, while the ABS revealed price increases have been slightly below those expectations.

“March CPI inflation of 4.6% is up from the 3.7% annual inflation to February,” Sue-Ellen Luke, ABS head of prices statistics, said. “‘Annual CPI inflation is the highest it’s been since September 2023.”

A 6.5% increase in housing was the biggest driver of the annual inflation increase in March.

And, as you’ll know if you’ve stopped by the petrol station lately, Australia is feeling the price pain from the Middle East conflict.

According to the ABS:

The CPI monthly movement for March was 1.1 per cent, driven by transport which rose 9.2%, due primarily to a 32.8% monthly increase in automotive fuel prices.

Electricity costs also offered an unwelcome jolt. Electricity prices were up 25.4% year on year, largely due to the removal of Commonwealth and State government rebates that reduced electricity costs for households.

Trimmed mean annual inflation, which takes out certain volatile items like automotive fuel, was unchanged at 3.3% in the 12 months to March.

Why are ASX 200 investors celebrating the uplift in inflation?

While Australia’s inflation print is the highest in almost three years, the fact that it came in lower than most economists had been expecting looks to have lifted hopes that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may hold off on another interest rate hike.

The RBA meets again next Tuesday, 5 May, to announce its next interest rate decision.

Australia’s central bank has diverged from most leading global central banks on embarking on its tightening path this year to combat inflation, which was already back on the rise before the Middle East conflict put a rocket under energy prices.

After hiking interest rates by 0.25% at both of its 2026 meetings this year, Australia’s official cash rate currently stands at 4.10%.

Whether the slightly cooler-than-expected inflation print is enough to see the RBA keep rates on hold, as some ASX 200 investors appear to believe today, remains to be seen.

It’s important to remember that a lot of the price pressures we’re likely to see from the Iran war have yet to flow through to the broader economy.

Stay tuned!

The post Why did the ASX 200 just rebound following the hottest inflation print since 2023? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is this ASX gold stock slipping despite new gold discoveries?
• Nickel Industries reports March quarter earnings
• BSP Financial Group Q1 2026 earnings: Profit and revenue climb as bank continues investment
• Mesoblast shares in focus after key Phase 3 milestone for low back pain
• Stanmore Resources: Coal output recovers in March quarter

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.

Today marks the 7th consecutive day in which the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen. 

On Wednesday morning Australia’s benchmark index opened at 8,671 points – roughly 0.5% down from yesterday. 

This morning, I covered earlier this morning which ASX sectors may now offer opportunity for investors. 

However, on the bearish side, there’s no guarantee of a market recovery in the short term as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to weigh on sentiment.

For those bolstering down the hatches for a prolonged share market fall, it may be worth revisiting some defensive options. 

What are defensive shares?

As a quick refresher, defensive stocks are shares in well-established, mature companies that tend to generate steady profits and pay consistent dividends 

These occur regardless of the overall economic environment. 

Unlike growth stocks, which usually reinvest most of their earnings to expand the business, defensive companies often distribute a larger portion of their profits to shareholders through dividends.

These companies typically operate in non-discretionary industries, meaning their products or services are always in demand, even when the economy is weak or consumer confidence declines. 

Common examples include:

• consumer staples such as supermarkets and essential food producers
• healthcare providers like hospitals and pharmaceutical companies,
• food and beverage businesses 
• utilities that supply electricity, gas, and water
• infrastructure companies that manage essential services like toll roads.

Defensive examples 

For investors looking for individual defensive companies, some well known examples include: 

• Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) – one of the world’s largest toll-road operators, managing and developing urban toll-road networks in Australia and North America.
• Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) – Australia’s largest and longest-running provider of telecommunications and information products and services
• Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) – Australia’s largest supermarkets. 

Investing in defensive shares using ASX ETFs

Another option for investors looking for more diversified defensive options is an ASX ETF. 

There are several that group together high dividend or defensive themed companies into one fund. 

Some options include: 

• Global X Physical Gold (ASX: GOLD) – Gold is often considered a defensive option because it tends to hold its value (or rise) during periods of economic uncertainty, market volatility, or inflation.
• iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ) – provides investors with the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Healthcare (Sector). 
• VanEck Msci International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL) – provides investors with an international equity portfolio of 300 companies with fundamentals that satisfy principles of quality (high ROE, stable year-on-year earnings growth and low financial leverage). 

The post Is it time for investors to turn back to defensive ASX shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Is the Telstra share price a buy for its 5.4% dividend yield?
• I think this simple ASX investing habit can build wealth over time
• 3 reasons why the Coles share price is a buy
• 3 top ASX income ideas beyond CBA and the big four banks
• Are Telstra shares a good deal at $5.32?

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 positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group, Transurban Group, and Woolworths Group. 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) has tumbled again in early morning trade on Wednesday as inflation fears, interest rate hike concerns, and surging oil prices continue to put pressure on Australian stocks across several sectors.

During periods of market weakness, it’s important to look for stocks with the strongest outlooks. Here are four ASX stocks that brokers rate as strong buys, with potential upside of over 50%.

Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK)

Seek shares have tumbled another 0.6% in Wednesday morning trade, to $13.97 a piece. There is no price-sensitive news from the company this week, so the downward share price pressure is likely a mix of broad economic fears about slowing economic growth and a higher cost of living, combined with concerns about a weakening job market. Seek reported robust double-digit revenue growth for the first half of FY26, although investors were underwhelmed by the result. But it looks like analysts consider the shares well below fair value. Hiring activity is expected to slowly improve this year, and as a company so closely linked to the employment market, this is great news for Seek. Market Index data shows brokers are tipping a 58% upside to $21.94 at the time of writing.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

Telix shares have rebounded sharply from a multi-year low in mid-February. In Wednesday morning trade, the ASX 200 biopharmaceutical stock is climbing higher again, up 0.2% to $14.77 a piece. The rebound comes off the back of a series of good-news announcements out of the company over the past couple of months. In late February, the company confirmed that it had filed a key regulatory approval in Europe. Later in March, Telix posted several announcements about its growth and development plans. Earlier this month, Telix announced that the FDA had accepted its NDA for TLX101-Px (Pixclara®) and also announced a major collaboration with US-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. It has also announced a 56% increase in revenue and issued FY26 guidance in the range of US$950 million to US$970 million. Brokers seem to think there is plenty more room for the stock to run too. They tip a 54% upside to $22.63 a piece, at the time of writing.

Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX)

Westgold shares are tumbling this morning, down 1.23% to $6.02 a piece, after posting a $285 million quarterly cash build ahead of the market open. The miner maintained its FY26 gold production guidance of 345,000 to 385,000 ounces despite slightly lower quarterly grades and volumes. A softening gold price has also contributed to downward pressure on many ASX gold stocks this week. But Westgold said it expects production rates to ramp up in Q4 FY26, with ventilation upgrades at Beta Hunt and Big Bell now complete and no major shutdowns planned. Its Higginsville Expansion Plan is also underway, with plans to increase processing capacity and reduce unit costs from mid FY28. Brokers tip a 55% upside to $9.31 per share over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Zip shares are in focus this month after rebounding from an annual low in late March. The shares have rocketed 64% higher over the past month, and the gains keep on coming. The ASX 200 stock is up another 1.24% at the time of writing to $2.44 a piece. The BNPL provider posted its Q3 FY26 results ahead of the ASX earlier this month, including a 41.5% year-on-year EBITDA increase. The company also updated FY26 guidance figures ahead of the back of the results. It looks like investor sentiment has finally turned a corner, and many are buying back into the tech company’s shares. Brokers tip a 56% upside to $3.76 over the next 12 months.

The post 4 ASX 200 stocks rated a strong buy with an upside over 50% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is this ASX 100 gold stock under pressure today?
• 3 reasons to buy Zip shares
• Westgold Resources posts $285M quarterly cash build
• Experts think the Zip share price can rise 48% in a year!
• Why this top ASX gold share could rise 50% from here

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

A key clinical milestone has put ASX biotech stock Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) back on the radar on Wednesday.

The biotech announced a key milestone before the market opened, though investors are not getting carried away.

During midday trade, the share price is up 4% to $2.24.

Overall, it has been a rough year for Mesoblast, with the stock still down around 18% in 2026.

Here’s what came through.

Phase 3 trial reaches key milestone

According to the release, Mesoblast has now fully enrolled patients in its Phase 3 trial for chronic low back pain.

The study is testing rexlemestrocel-L in patients with degenerative disc disease. It includes 300 participants and is designed to confirm results seen in an earlier Phase 3 study.

The earlier trial showed reductions in both pain and opioid use after a single injection.

With recruitment now complete, the study moves into the monitoring phase. Patients will be followed over 12 months, with the goal of showing a clear difference compared to a placebo.

Secondary endpoints include reduced opioid use, which has become a bigger focus in the US healthcare system.

What this actually changes

While the update does not bring revenue closer, it does remove another layer of uncertainty around the trial.

Large clinical studies can take time to recruit patients, so reaching full enrolment keeps the timeline on track and gives investors something more concrete to follow.

If the data lines up with earlier findings, Mesoblast expects it could support a regulatory filing in the United States in 2027.

The therapy has already received regenerative medicine advanced therapy designation from the US FDA, which can speed up the review process.

Looking further ahead

Chronic low back pain linked to degenerative disc disease is a large and growing market.

Mesoblast estimates more than 7 million people in the United States are affected.

The company believes even modest uptake could translate into significant revenue over time.

But there are still a few steps before that happens.

The trial needs to deliver positive results, and regulators will need to approve the therapy.

After that, it still needs to be rolled out and taken up by doctors.

Foolish takeaway

The ASX biotech has moved another step forward, but I am still taking a wait-and-see approach.

The milestone keeps things moving, but the outcome now comes down to the data. Until those results land, it is hard to get too confident about the potential upside.

I will be watching from the sidelines here.

The post A big milestone for this ASX biotech. Here’s why the share price is moving appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Mesoblast shares in focus after key Phase 3 milestone for low back pain
• Down almost 20% this year, how high could Mesoblast shares go?
• Why are Mesoblast shares jumping 8% today?
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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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is expected to drop further this morning. 

Another day in the red would mark 7 consecutive days of falling for Australia’s benchmark index. 

That’s after already hitting a three-week low yesterday. 

Intriguingly, the Australian market has been moving south despite US equities holding near record highs. 

Part of the puzzle is the higher oil prices, which usually feed into inflation. 

With the market expected to lag again today, let’s look at where opportunities may lie. 

Healthcare still lagging 

ASX healthcare stocks have been some of the worst-performing in 2026. 

This has continued over the past week. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is down 23% year to date. 

This includes a 7% drop in the last 7 days of trading. 

One noticeable decline has been 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX), which has dropped 8% in that period and 30% since mid-April. 

This could be a buy-the-dip opportunity for a stock now down significantly from 52-week highs.

On the other end of the spectrum, healthcare giants Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) remain well below yearly highs. 

Bell Potter currently views CSL as a hold, although its $155 price target indicates 20% upside. 

Meanwhile, Pro Medicus shares have attracted a buy rating from the team at Bromley.

Aussie tech pulls back 

During the start of 2026, ASX technology shares were also down significantly. 

The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) fell 27% from January until March 30. 

Then, from March 30 until April 17, it rebounded more than 17%. 

This has now reversed again over the last week. 

Some major names that have also pulled back in this period include: 

• WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are down 8% in the last 7 days
• Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares are down almost 5% since April 21 
• Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE) shares have fallen 4.5%

For investors hoping for a long-term rebound for Aussie tech, a thematic ASX ETF to consider is Betashares S&P ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC). 

It provides exposure to leading ASX-listed companies across a range of tech-related market segments, including information technology, consumer electronics, online retail, and medical technology.

How to target the ASX 200?

For investors who are more optimistic on a broader market recovery and less interested in targeting individual sectors, there are several ASX ETFs that target the benchmark index. 

Some options include: 

• BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)
• iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ)

For slightly more diversification but still including the 200 largest companies: 

• Global X Australia 300 ETF (ASX: A300)
• Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

The post After 7 straight days in the red, where is the value for ASX 200 stocks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• I’d buy this high-yield ASX ETF over the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS)
• Are these the best ASX ETFs to buy in May?
• If I had to build a simple ASX portfolio today, this is what I’d do
• All-weather ASX ETFs to buy if the market crashes 20%
• Why it’s time to look past the “SaaSpocolypse” and target Aussie tech

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Technology One, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL, Pro Medicus, and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.