New analysis from the team at Bell Potter have identified upside for ASX energy shares Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) and Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE). 

ASX energy shares have enjoyed strong returns in 2026, as robust commodity prices, strong demand and improving investor sentiment have boosted the sector.

However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the aforementioned stocks. 

Boss Energy has actually dipped 8% year to date. 

Meanwhile, Paladin Energy has risen 11% year-to-date.

For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Energy (ASX: XEJ) is up almost 30% year-to-date. 

Here is what’s behind the optimism for these two ASX energy shares from Bell Potter. 

Investor day reaffirms confidence for Paladin 

In yesterday’s report, Bell Potter said it remains positive on this ASX energy stock, with no changes to its modelling or earnings outlook following the company’s investor day.

The company is focused on optimising production at Langer Heinrich, while progressing Paterson Lake South (PLS) toward potential production in 2031.

The broker highlighted that Paladin has strong exposure to rising uranium prices. 

Additionally, planned 30,000m of drilling in FY27 could expand resources and mine life, providing further upside. 

Overall, Bell Potter sees the investor day as confirmation of the existing investment case rather than a reason to change its forecasts.

Based on this guidance, the broker has a buy recommendation and $14.80 price target, indicating 31% upside from current levels. 

Bell Potter isn’t the only broker with a positive outlook. 

Recently, Canaccord Genuity renewed its buy rating on Paladin Energy shares.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $15.40 to $15.80.

Boss Energy also a buy

The team at Bell Potter has also retained its buy recommendation on Boss Energy shares. 

The broker commented on the new feasibility study (NFS) from the ASX energy company for its Honeymoon operation. 

According to the report, the new well design uses fewer wells and longer uranium recovery times, which management expects will improve recovery to 90% from 80%.

Overall, the new study improves operational efficiency and recovery, but comes with higher costs and capex.

We maintain our Buy recommendation. The Honeymoon NFS provides clarity on the cost outlook and a clear pathway to steady-state production. BOE has leverage to rising uranium prices, on which we hold a positive long-term view.

The broker has an updated price target of $1.70 on this ASX energy stock, indicating 18% upside from current levels. 

The post These 2 ASX energy shares have 18-31% upside according to Bell Potter appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Australian supermarket rivals Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) have been in close competition for decades. The two supermarket shares dominate the Australian supermarket sector, and account for around 70% of market share combined.

They compete closely for grocery prices, customers, and supplier terms.

Here’s the latest out of the two retailers, and what is expected next. 

In my view, one is a buy and one is a sell.

I’d buy Coles shares

Coles shares have climbed higher so far in 2026 off the back of stronger financial results, execution of its turnaround strategy, and higher sales figures. 

At the time of writing, the shares are up around 12% for the year-to-date and are trading at $23.85 a piece.

The company posted its FY26 results last month, which included a 2.8% increase in its group sales revenue, a 9.9% increase in its EBIT excluding significant items, and a 13.7% increase in its NPAT excluding significant items.

Management also declared a fully-franked total dividend of 78 cents per share for FY26, an increase of 13%.

It looks like investors are pleased that the company’s efforts have started to translate in better earnings.

And there are also more growth plans in the works.

Coles said it is ramping up its investment in new stores, renewals, and technology, including accelerated eCommerce and supply chain automation.

Most experts are positive about the outlook for Coles shares over the next 12 months.

According to TradingView, the majority of analysts (eight out of 17) have a buy/strong buy rating on Coles shares, and another seven rate Coles shares as a hold. Two experts have a sell/strong sell rating.

The average $24.46 target price implies a potential 3% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. 

I’d sell Woolworths shares

Woolworths shares have had a more stable run this year, versus Coles. The supermarket shares have mostly trended upwards and at the time of writing, are around 34% higher for the year-to-date.

It looks like the increase is mostly driven by investor confidence that the turnaround is coming to fruition. There is renewed investor confidence that the retailer’s earnings are recovering after a difficult period in late 2025.

The ASX consumer staples stock gathered more attention after it posted its FY26 results last month. 

The supermarket giant reported a 3.6% year-on-year boost in sales to $71.54 billion. And EBITDA (before significant items) increased by 6.7% to $6.09 billion. On the bottom line, Woolworths achieved a NPAT (before significant items) of $1.60 billion, up 15.4%.

The bumper results meant management was able to increase the final fully franked dividend by 15.6% from last year’s final payout of 52 cents per share.

Investors were clearly pleased with the result, and the shares rallied to a new multi-year high shortly afterwards.

But it looks like the shares are now fully priced with little room for more upside. 

Market experts agree. TradingView data shows the majority of analysts (nine out of 17) have a hold rating on Woolworths shares. But another six rate the shares as a sell/strong sell.

The average $39.71 target price implies a potential 1% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

The post Coles vs Woolworths shares: One I’d buy and one I’d sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Shaw and Partners has released research notes on two ASX small caps that it believes can deliver substantial returns over the next year.

Let’s have a look at who they like.

Objective Corp Ltd (ASX: OCL)

The Objective Corp share price fell sharply on the release of the company’s FY26 results, but Shaw and Partners believes this was an over-reaction.

The company reported revenue of $134.7 million, up 9%, and adjusted EBITDA of $51.5 million, up 11%.

It also increased its dividend from 22 cents per share to 26 cents.

The company said regarding its results:

During FY2026, 100% of our software revenue was contracted under a subscription model and recurring revenue represented 86% of total revenue from customers. The Annualised Recurring Revenue (ARR) balance at 30 June 2026 decreased by 2% to $117.3 million ($120.2 million at 30 June 2025). Information Intelligence ARR decreased by 5% to $81.0 million (FY2025: $85.1 million); Regulatory Solutions ARR increased by 4% to $17.6 million (FY2025: $16.9 million); Planning and Building ARR increased by 3% to $18.7 million (FY2025: $18.2 million).

The company said it had a strong balance sheet, which “provides significant capacity to further pursue investment opportunities that enhance returns for stakeholders”.

Shaw and Partners said Objective Corp delivered solid underlying growth despite the loss of a defence contract.

They said the company was now poised for growth:

Strategically, years of R&D investment have delivered a mature product portfolio, with the focus now shifting toward sales and monetisation. FY27 establishes a new earnings base, with sales execution key to re-accelerating growth. Reiterate Buy.

Shaw and Partners has a price target of $9.50 for Objective Corp, compared with $6.40 at the time of writing.

Humm Group Ltd (ASX: HUM)

This finance and credit card company’s shares have been on a slide in recent months, and are now down 35% over the past 12 months.

Humm Group’s full-year net profit fell from $39.6 million to $15.7 million, but Shaw and Partners said this was largely due to one-off costs associated with corporate activity.

They said they expected net profit to “materially recover” this financial year, and noted that the company was trading at a substantial discount to the small-cap financial sector.

The company itself said re the outlook:

Humm Group enters FY27 with a clear focus on disciplined execution, with the final stages of platform transformation expected to create a shift in focus from building foundations, to realising benefits. This focus will enable meaningful and cost-effective scale in the consumer portfolios, accelerate AI adoption, simplify and automate processes and deliver better experiences for customers, merchants and employees.

Shaw and Partners has a price target of 80 cents on Humm Group shares compared to 42.25 cents at the time of writing.

The post 2 ASX small caps which could deliver 50% to 90% returns appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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