• Brokers rate these 5 ASX shares as a strong buy, and tip upsides of 28% to 62%

    Ecstatic man giving a fist pump in an office hallway.

    ASX shares have slumped this week as investors digest renewed conflict in the Middle East, oil prices and supply concerns, climbing inflation, and the potential for further interest rate hikes.

    But here are five S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares that could turn the index around over the next 12 months. And they’re all rated a strong buy by brokers, with upsides of up to 62%.

    Let’s take a look.

    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

    Life360 posted a strong second-quarter FY26 update in mid-August, including a 38% increase in revenue, and a 53% increase in adjusted EBITDA. And the company expects FY26 revenue growth to accelerate 33% to 40% year on year. But investors weren’t impressed, likely because they were expecting another upward revision to FY26 revenue guidance. But it looks like brokers now view the shares as below fair value. Market Index shows all brokers have a strong buy rating on the ASX shares and the $31.72 target price implies a potential 60% upside, at the time of writing.

    Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

    The clinical-stage ASX biotech company has gained some attention since it posted its FY26 results last month. The company, which develops and commercialises allogeneic cellular medicines to treat complex diseases, posted a sharp increase in revenue to US$120.3 million for FY26, and a 44% reduction in net loss. And there’s plenty of potential for more growth ahead. Its products, particularly Ryoncil, are gaining traction and the business is well-funded. Brokers are also bullish that sales can continue growing strongly in FY27. Market Index data shows all brokers have a strong buy rating for the ASX shares. The $3.60 target price implies a potential 62% upside, at the time of writing. 

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

    The ASX tech shares flew higher in late-May but slumped around 20% in August after the company posted its FY26 results. Megaport reported a 37% increase in full-year revenue, and EBITDA was up 24%. But, on the bottom line, its statutory net loss climbed to $39 million, up from $300,000 in FY25. Investors weren’t impressed and many quickly sold up their shares, sending the share price tumbling. But the company is continuing to grow and it has confirmed several new contracts since late-April. Brokers are bullish that we’ll see a share price correction ahead. Market Index data show that all brokers have a strong buy rating for Megaport shares. The $24.80 average target price implies a potential 39% upside, at the time of writing.

    Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK)

    Shares of household furniture importer and retailer Nick Scali have plunged in 2026 as high interest rates and cost-of-living pressures continue to delay shoppers from buying big-ticket discretionary items like furniture. But the company’s latest FY26 results announcement shows the business is still operating well with a strong gross margin improvement. Last month, Nick Scali announced a 4% increase in revenue and a 22% increase in NPAT. Many experts still view Nick Scali as a high quality retailer with growth potential ahead. Market Index data shows the majority have a strong buy rating on the ASX shares. The $18.50 average target price implies around a 28% upside ahead, at the time of writing.

    Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)

    Judo was one of the strongest-performing bank shares on the ASX earlier this year. But the stock crashed 43% in late-June after it downgraded its profit guidance for FY26, and it has struggled to recover. Even a stronger-than-expected FY26 result wasn’t enough to reignite investor confidence. Judo’s NPAT increased 29% and profit before tax increased 34%, the top end of Judo’s revised guidance range. It’s clear that the sell-off was way overdone and that the bank’s latest results show it is growing stronger than many anticipated. Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a strong buy rating on the shares. The $1.51 average target price implies a potential upside of around 50%, at the time of writing.

    The post Brokers rate these 5 ASX shares as a strong buy, and tip upsides of 28% to 62% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 August 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 positions in and has recommended Life360 and Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nick Scali. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Corporate Travel shares plunge another 9%: Is the worst yet to come?

    Man on a plane using a laptop with headphones on.

    Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) shares have delivered one of the ASX’s most eye-catching returns — for all the wrong reasons.

    The stock only returned to the ASX last Thursday after more than a year suspended from trading. Investors wasted little time selling, sending Corporate Travel shares crashing 86% on their first day back to close at $2.32.

    After briefly stabilising, the selling resumed on Wednesday. The shares fell another 9% to $2.03 during afternoon trading.

    And shareholders have another headache to contend with.

    Potential class action adds to investor concerns

    Law firm Phi Finney McDonald is investigating a potential class action against Corporate Travel Management and its former auditor, PwC Australia.

    According to the law firm’s website, the investigation concerns alleged financial misreporting over several years. The potential class action would allege Corporate Travel misled investors in its annual financial reports between 2020 and 2024, potentially contravening its continuous disclosure obligations under the Corporations Act.

    PwC Australia is also alleged to have engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and made false statements regarding its auditing of Corporate Travel’s financial reports in accordance with applicable standards.

    The proposed action would allege that this conduct caused Corporate Travel shares to trade at an inflated price, resulting in losses for investors who bought shares during the relevant period.

    Roop Sandhu, Principal Lawyer at Phi Finney McDonald, notes:

    Investors have a right to expect that financial statements from their listed investments are a true and fair reflection of the company’s performance. They are rightfully concerned about their investments in Corporate Travel due to its long term suspension. Likewise, investors have a right to assume that an auditor’s standards meet the relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.

    No class action has been filed at this stage. Nevertheless, it’s another issue shareholders could probably have done without.

    Some signs of progress

    Corporate Travel shares were suspended in August 2025 after accounting problems emerged around customer charge rates in its UK operations.

    Since then, the company has been working through a significant customer remediation program. Corporate Travel has agreed or is close to finalising around 78% of refunds, leaving roughly $55 million still to resolve.

    There are, however, some encouraging signs in the underlying business.

    Corporate Travel’s FY26 result showed revenue and other income increasing 4% to $669.9 million. Underlying EBITDA jumped 36% to $113.6 million.

    The company also returned to profitability, reporting net profit after tax (NPAT) of $17.7 million, compared with a $348.5 million loss a year earlier.

    Foolish takeaway

    Corporate Travel’s underlying business appears to be making progress. However, investors are being asked to look beyond an extraordinary amount of uncertainty.

    The remediation program still has work to do, while the potential class action adds another layer of risk. Most importantly, the return of Corporate Travel shares to trading has demonstrated just how quickly investor confidence can evaporate when a company’s financial reporting comes under scrutiny.

    For prospective investors, the question may not simply be whether Corporate Travel shares look cheap after their spectacular collapse. It’s whether the market has enough information yet to confidently say the worst is over.

    The post Corporate Travel shares plunge another 9%: Is the worst yet to come? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Corporate Travel Management right now?

    Before you buy Corporate Travel Management 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 Corporate Travel Management wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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

  • The ASX 200 is down nearly 4% in a month. Is the sell-off getting serious?

    Disappointed man with his hand to his forehead, looking at a falling share price on his laptop.

    Less than a month ago, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was trading as high as 9,282 points.

    Today, it is sitting at 8,901 points.

    That is a fall of more than 380 points from its August peak, with the index now down around 1.8% over the past week and almost 4% over the past month.

    Wednesday has added a little more pressure, with the ASX 200 down 0.22% at the time of writing after briefly falling to 8,888 points earlier in the session.

    The move comes after Tuesday’s 1% slide, which pushed the market to its lowest closing level in 6 weeks.

    A 4% pullback is hardly a crash, but the benchmark index has clearly lost some momentum.

    So, is this becoming a more serious sell-off?

    Interest rates are back in focus

    One of the biggest concerns is interest rates, with investors facing the possibility that the RBA may not be finished hiking just yet.

    The Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate to 4.35% in August, its third increase of 2026, and comments from senior officials this week have kept another move on the table.

    Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser said on Tuesday that inflation remains “too high” and questioned whether the rate increases delivered so far would be enough.

    Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter also said the board may need to lift rates again if inflation turns out to be stronger than expected.

    That could weigh on companies that are more sensitive to interest rates and changes in consumer spending.

    Oil prices are another issue, with Brent crude recently pushing towards US$100 a barrel as the conflict in the Middle East continues.

    The selling is fairly widespread

    It is not just a handful of large companies pulling the market lower either.

    At the time of writing, around 120 ASX 200 shares are in the red, compared with 72 trading higher and 8 unchanged.

    The major banks are among the biggest drags. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are down 2.35% to $154.96, while National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares have fallen 1.79% to $38.18.

    Meanwhile, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares are down 1.26% to $34.15 and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares are 0.43% lower at $36.78.

    There is some support coming from the resources sector, with higher commodity prices helping several of the market’s biggest miners.

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are up 2.29% to $63.98, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares have climbed 2.03% to $179.58.

    Is the sell-off serious?

    At this stage, I wouldn’t call a 4% fall a serious correction.

    The ASX 200 is still up around 2% in 2026, and some of today’s weakness comes from several large companies trading ex-dividend.

    Those dividends are taking around 8.4 points off the index today, so not all of the decline reflects actual selling.

    The post The ASX 200 is down nearly 4% in a month. Is the sell-off getting serious? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

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