• Goldman Sachs tips 19% upside for Suncorp shares…plus dividends!

    A woman wearing a lifebuoy ring reaches up for help as an arm comes down to rescue her.

    Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) shares are slipping today.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) insurance company closed yesterday trading for $17.26. In early afternoon trade on Wednesday, shares are swapping hands for $16.85 apiece, down 2.4%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.2% at this same time.

    Taking a step back, Suncorp shares have fallen 25.8% over the past 12 months. Much of the selling pressure came amid elevated natural hazard payouts related to extreme weather events in the latter months of 2025.

    But investors’ capital losses will have been somewhat mitigated by the two Suncorp dividend payouts.

    Over the past 12 months, the ASX 200 insurance stock paid out a total of 90 cents a share in fully franked dividends. This sees Suncorp stock trading on a 5.3% trailing dividend yield.

    Suncorp shares tipped for big 2026 rebound

    While 2025 was a year to forget for Suncorp stockholders, 2026 could deliver a big turnaround.

    That’s according to the analysts at Goldman Sachs (courtesy of The Bull).

    The broker recently upgraded Suncorp shares to a buy rating with a $20 price target. That represents a potential upside of 18.7% from current levels. And it doesn’t include the two upcoming Suncorp dividends.

    What’s been happening with the ASX 200 insurance stock?

    Suncorp reported its full-year FY 2025 results on 14 August.

    Among the highlights, the 2025 financial year saw the ASX 200 insurer complete its sale of Suncorp Bank to ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ). Separately, Suncorp also sold off its New Zealand Life business.

    The sales helped drive a 52% year-on-year increase in Suncorp’s net profit after tax (NPAT) to $1.82 billion.

    Investors were also bidding up Suncorp shares on the day after management announced the company would commence an on-market share buyback of up to $400 million. That buyback that started in September is scheduled to run through to the end of FY 2026.

    “Our disciplined approach to capital management and robust capital position has enabled us to announce an on-market buy-back of up to $400 million,” Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston said.

    Johnston added:

    Our strong set of results delivered this year included the one-off profits on the sale of Suncorp Bank and New Zealand Life, significantly higher investment returns and weather costs across Australia and New Zealand that were favourable to allowance by more than $200 million.

    Looking at what could impact Suncorp shares in the months ahead, the insurance company forecasts gross written premium growth in the mid-single digits for the full FY 2026 financial year.

    The post Goldman Sachs tips 19% upside for Suncorp shares…plus dividends! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Suncorp Group Limited 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 Suncorp Group Limited 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…

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    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. 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

    Man presses green buy button and red sell button on a graph.

    Many of Australia’s top brokers have been busy adjusting their financial models and recommendations again. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes 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:

    Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

    According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have upgraded this share registry company’s shares to a buy rating with a trimmed price target of $39.60. The broker believes that recent share price weakness means that the risk is now skewed to the upside for investors. Especially given its belief that increased mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and debt issuance activity could offset softer margin income. And while it has trimmed its earnings per share forecasts to reflect interest rate cuts, it sees plenty of value on offer with its shares at current levels. The Computershare share price is trading at $34.40 on Wednesday afternoon.

    EBR Systems Inc (ASX: EBR)

    A note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this medical device company’s shares with an improved price target of $2.95. Morgans highlights that EBR Systems delivered a clear step-up in commercial execution during the fourth quarter. This includes volumes doubling quarter on quarter and revenue coming in materially ahead of expectations. It believes this confirms an accelerating physician uptake. In addition, the broker views clinical momentum with the WiSE-UP post-approval study and the TLC-AU feasibility study as supporting longer-term adoption and label expansion. So much so, its updated total addressable market has increased by 60% to US$5.8 billion, giving the company a materially larger opportunity. This is being underpinned by growth in leadless pacing and de novo CRT applications. The EBR Systems share price is fetching $1.11 at the time of writing.

    Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

    Analysts at Bell Potter have retained their buy rating on this mining and mining services company’s shares with an increased price target of $68.00. Looking ahead to its quarterly update, the broker is expecting a small decline in iron ore production, slightly higher costs, and steady lithium production. However, due to significantly better than expected commodity prices, the broker has boosted its earnings estimates and valuation materially. In addition, it highlights that Mineral Resources is positioned to benefit from a recovery in lithium markets, with around 338ktpa of offline spodumene production capacity. The Mineral Resources share price is trading at $60.44 today.

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in Computershare Limited right now?

    Before you buy Computershare Limited 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 Computershare Limited 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…

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    Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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.

  • How is Ethereum stacking up against the Bitcoin price so far in 2026?

    A smiling woman holds a Bitcoin token in her hand.

    The Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) price is up 4.2% over the past 24 hours. The world’s first and biggest crypto is currently trading for US$95,292. That gives Bitcoin a market cap of US$1.9 trillion, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

    Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH), the world’s second biggest crypto, is outpacing those gains today. The Ethereum price is up 7.1% since this time yesterday, trading for US$3,329. This sees Ethereum commanding a market cap of US$402 billion.

    As for the two top cryptos’ performance 14 days into 2026, that title also goes to Ethereum.

    On 31 December, Ethereum was trading for US$2,973, which now sees the number two crypto up 12% year to date in 2026.

    The Bitcoin price has gained 7.9% over this same time, having closed out 2025 trading for US$88,321.

    Ethereum and Bitcoin price still well below all-time highs

    Despite the solid start to 2026, both top cryptos remain well down from the record highs they notched in 2025.

    Ethereum traded at an all-time high of US$4,954 on 25 August last year. This leaves the Ethereum price down 32.8% from that high watermark.

    The Bitcoin price notched its own record high of US$126,198 six weeks later, on 7 October. Bitcoin is currently trading 24.4% below that all-time high.

    The sell-down from those record highs for both cryptos was partly driven by profit-taking following months of strong gains. The latter half of 2025 also saw investors begin to question the pace and depth of likely interest rate cuts from global central banks.

    Much like tech and other growth stocks, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and most non-stable coins have proven to be highly susceptible to interest rate moves. Most economists still expect at least one rate cut from the embattled US Federal Reserve in 2026, which could help support crypto prices.

    Crypto waters are calming

    Zerocap analyst Emir Ibrahim noted that the outsized moves crypto investors have historically experienced in the Bitcoin price have been smoothing out.

    “For over a decade, Bitcoin’s halving was a North Star for crypto investors,” he said. “Things are a bit different as we move into 2026, however, and it has become clear that the rhythmic four-year boom-bust cycle is effectively broken.”

    According to Ibrahim

    In previous cycles, we’d be bracing for a multi-year crypto winter right about now. Instead, we’re seeing a market anchored by patient capital. It’d be hard to ignore that institutional participation has fundamentally changed the math on the asset class.

    BTC ETFs alone now hold about US$140 billion, about 7% of total supply, and issuance has dropped below 1% annually.

    Ibrahim concluded, “It’s clear that BTC’s volatility is no longer an outlier among other assets; it’s on par with major high-growth tech stocks at the end of 2025.”

    The post How is Ethereum stacking up against the Bitcoin price so far in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in The Ticker Is ETH right now?

    Before you buy The Ticker Is ETH 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 The Ticker Is ETH 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…

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

  • PLS shares near all-time high as lithium rebounds. Buy now or wait?

    a miniature moulded model of a man bent over with a pick working stands behind a sign that has lithium's scientific abbreviation 'Li' with the word lithium underneath it against a sparse bland background.

    PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares continue to attract strong buying interest as momentum builds across the lithium sector.

    At the time of writing, the PLS share price is trading 0.51% higher at $4.885. The stock has now climbed almost 20% in the past month and is up more than 120% over the past year.

    This move marks a sharp reversal from where things stood mid-last year. On 20 June 2025, PLS shares were changing hands at $1.07. Since then, the stock has surged roughly 350%, highlighting just how quickly sentiment has shifted.

    With the share price near previous highs, is the recovery just getting started or already priced in?

    Lithium prices have roared back

    The biggest driver behind PLS’ rally has been the sharp recovery in lithium prices.

    Lithium carbonate prices in China have surged to around CNY 159,500 per tonne. Prices are now more than 100% higher over the past year, according to recent market data. This marks a clear shift from the deep downturn that hit the sector in 2024 and early 2025.

    Stronger demand from electric vehicles, grid storage, and battery manufacturing has combined with tighter supply conditions. Several high-cost producers were forced to cut output during the downturn, which has now left the market more sensitive to rising demand.

    Strong assets are doing the heavy lifting

    PLS operates the Pilgangoora lithium project in Western Australia, one of the largest hard rock lithium operations in the world. The company has also been expanding its downstream exposure and securing long-term partnerships across the battery supply chain.

    This scale and strategic positioning mean investors tend to see PLS as one of the strongest ways to gain exposure to a lithium stock on the ASX. In turn, this has helped drive renewed buying interest.

    How close is the stock to its peak?

    PLS shares are now trading not far below their all-time high of $5.66, which was reached in late 2022 during the previous lithium boom.

    On the technical side, the rally has become stretched. Momentum indicators such as the relative strength index (RSI) are pushing toward overbought territory. The share price is also trading well above key moving averages, which often increases the risk of short-term pullbacks.

    Support now appears to sit around the $4.40 to $4.50 zone, while resistance remains near the $5.66 peak.

    Foolish Takeaway

    PLS has delivered an outstanding rebound as lithium prices recovered sharply. The long-term outlook for lithium demand remains attractive, and PLS is well placed within the sector.

    However, after a 350% rise in a short period, the stock looks vulnerable to periods of consolidation or pullbacks. Investors should expect volatility from here, even if the broader lithium market conditions remain supportive.

    The post PLS shares near all-time high as lithium rebounds. Buy now or wait? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pilbara Minerals Limited right now?

    Before you buy Pilbara Minerals Limited 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 Pilbara Minerals Limited 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…

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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.

  • Why is everyone talking about the Westpac share price this week?

    Half a man's face from the nose up peers over a table.

    The Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price is trading in the red on Wednesday afternoon. At the time of writing, the shares are 1.92% lower at $37.76 a piece.

    During 2026 so far, the shares have fallen 2.02%, but they’re still trading 18.81% above levels seen this time last year.

    Why is the Westpac share price in the spotlight this week?

    Investor interest in Westpac has jumped this week after some noticeable shifts in the company’s share price.

    The banking giant’s shares slid nearly 4% last week as an ongoing focus on inflation weighed on investor sentiment. Changing views on the RBA’s next move have also driven some volatility across the banking sector, putting Westpac in the spotlight as investors reassess bank margins, earnings outlooks, and valuations heading into 2026.

    Late last year, Reserve Bank Governor Michelle Bullock said that she didn’t see a rate cut “on the horizon for the foreseeable future” and signalled that the board might consider an extended hold period or even a rate hike in 2026. 

    The cash rate currently stands at 3.6%, a level it has maintained since the RBA’s last rate cut in August 2025. 

    Westpac’s economists recently revised their outlook for the RBA cash rate to an extended hold for the entirety of 2026.

    The bank’s Chief Economist stated that inflation is expected to moderate in 2026, but not soon enough to prompt the RBA to reconsider its current hawkish stance on the risks. “If our broader set of forecasts are borne out, rate cuts are still feasible in February and May 2027,” the Chief Economist said at the time.

    Westpac is also in the spotlight after it announced a new disaster relief package for customers impacted by Victorian bushfires. Immediate assistance includes deferred home loan repayments for up to three months, home and contents insurance support, deferred credit card payments for up to 90 days, and cash flow support for business customers. 

    What can investors expect from Westpac shares this year?

    Much like the rest of the big 4 banks, analysts’ sentiment is bearish about the outlook for the Westpac share price in 2026.

    TradingView data shows that analysts are relatively split – 7 have a hold rating on the stock, and another 9 have a sell or strong sell rating. 

    The average 12-month target price is $33.41, which implies an 11.63% downside from the share price at the time of writing. However, some brokers think the share price could drop as low as $23.03 a piece. That would translate to a 39.09% downside for 2026.

    The post Why is everyone talking about the Westpac share price this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Westpac Banking Corporation right now?

    Before you buy Westpac Banking Corporation 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 Westpac Banking Corporation 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…

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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.

  • Treasury Wine Estates shares drop 50%: Is there any upside left in 2026?

    a man sits alone in his house with a dejected look on his face as he looks at a glass of red wine he is holding in his hand with an open bottle on the table in front of him.

    Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) shares are flat at $5.23 a piece at the time of writing.

    So far in 2026, the shares are down 1.13% and they’re a huge 50.75% lower than the price they were trading at this time last year. 

    What happened to Treasury Wine Estates shares in 2025?

    Treasury Wine Estates shares were one of the worst performers on the ASX 200 Index in 2025. Throughout the 12-month period, the share price gradually and consistently tumbled as overall weaker global demand for wine, higher costs, and disappointing earnings all weighed on the share price. 

    Last month, the company released an investor update and outlook for the first half of FY26. It said that trading conditions have weakened in recent months, particularly in the US and China. 

    The company’s CEO, Sam Fischer, said, “We are currently experiencing category weakness in the US and China, two of our key growth markets, which will impact our business performance in the near-term. Maintaining the strength of our brands and the health of their respective sales channels is of critical importance to our Management team and our Board as we navigate through the current environment.” 

    And as a result, the wine giant said that near-term improvement is now considered unlikely. 

    The company has reset expectations for its sales volume growth. Treasury Wine Estates now expects its earnings before interest and tax to be between $225 million and $235 million in H1 FY26. Although it still anticipates better performance in the second half of the year. 

    Management has also begun cutting costs to help combat the weaker trading conditions. Fischer launched a company-wide cost-cutting program called TWE Ascent shortly after his appointment to the role late last year. The program hopes to optimise the company’s portfolio, improve operating models, and reduce costs by approximately $100 million per year. However, the benefits of the cost savings won’t be seen until FY27.

    Is there any upside for the wine giant in 2026?

    Although Treasury Wine Estates shares performed poorly in 2025, many brokers think a lot of the bad news is already priced in.

    It looks like the shares have well and truly reached the bottom. But I’m on the fence about whether we’ll see much material upside over the next 12 months.

    But the experts are divided. TradingView data shows that 12 out of 17 analysts have a hold rating on the stock. The other five have a buy or strong buy rating on Treasury Wine Estates shares. 

    The average 12-month target price is $5.51, which implies a potential 4% upside for investors at the time of writing. However, some think the share price could nearly double to $8.55 by this time next year. That implies a potential 61.32% upside from the current trading price.

    While there is no crystal ball to predict exactly what will happen, with much of last year’s headwinds already factored into the stock, any resurgence in investor interest could only push the share price upwards this year.

    The post Treasury Wine Estates shares drop 50%: Is there any upside left in 2026? 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 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 Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Why EBR Systems, Endeavour, Monadelphous, and Neuren shares are racing higher today

    Two happy excited friends in euphoria mood after winning in a bet with a smartphone in hand.

    In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has given back its morning gains and slipped into the red. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.2% to 8,789.6 points.

    Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising today:

    EBR Systems Inc (ASX: EBR)

    The EBR Systems share price is up 5% to $1.10. Investors have been buying this medical device company’s shares following the release of a bullish broker note out of Morgans. According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on EBR Systems’ shares with an improved price target of $2.95. It said: “We view clinical momentum with the WiSE-UP post-approval study and the TLC-AU feasibility study as supporting longer-term adoption and label expansion. Updated TAM of US$5.8bn (+60%) highlights a materially larger opportunity, underpinned by growth in leadless pacing and de novo CRT applications.”

    Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

    The Endeavour Group share price is up 2.5% to $3.79. This may have been driven by the release of a broker note out of Citi. According to the note, the broker has upgraded the drinks giant’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $4.10. It was pleased with improving sales trends reported by the Dan Murphy’s and BWS owner, but acknowledges that its earnings have fallen short of expectations due to margin weakness.

    Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)

    The Monadelphous share price is up 2.5% to $29.34. Investors have been buying this diversified services company’s shares after it announced another new contract win. Monadelphous has been awarded a major long-term maintenance contract with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) worth approximately $300 million over five years. Monadelphous’ managing director, Zoran Bebic, said: “We are delighted to continue supporting Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations, where Monadelphous has provided services for more than 30 years.”

    Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)

    The Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price is up 7% to $20.71. This follows the release of a sales update from the pharmaceuticals company this morning. Neuren revealed that its US partner now believes global sales could reach about US$700 million by 2028. This will be a big increase on its 2025 guidance of US$400 million. Supporting this is the continued momentum it is experiencing, with more than 2,000 Rett patients treated by Daybue since US launch. There are an estimated 6,000 sufferers in the US.

    The post Why EBR Systems, Endeavour, Monadelphous, and Neuren shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in EBR Systems, Inc. right now?

    Before you buy EBR Systems, Inc. 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 EBR Systems, Inc. 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…

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Endeavour Group. 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 government is looking to stockpile antimony – these four companies can help you gain exposure

    A coal miner smiling and holding a coal rock, symbolising a rising share price.

    Earlier this week, the Federal Government shed more light on its proposed $1.2 billion Critical Minerals Reserve, with Resources Minister Madeleine King revealing they’d be stockpiling critical minerals, including specifically antimony, gallium, and rare earths elements.

    Ms King said the reserve would “help attract further investment and help the sector deal with potential future market disruptions”.

    Give these stocks a once over

    We’ve had a look at some of the players in the antimony field, which might be worth a look now that the government will be intervening in a positive way in the sector.

    One company that issued a press release on Thursday welcoming the new strategic reserve is Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd (ASX: SX2).

    As the company said in their release, their Sunday Creek project was well-placed to be a supplier:

    The company welcomes this landmark initiative which recognizes the strategic importance of securing domestic antimony supply for Australia and its allies. Sunday Creek, located just 60km north of Melbourne in Victoria, represents one of the most significant undeveloped gold-antimony deposits in the Western world and stands ready to support Australia’s critical minerals security objectives.

    The company said construction had started on an exploration decline at the project, and Chief Executive Officer Michael Hudson was touting Victoria’s historical strength in the sector.

    Victoria has always been Australia’s antimony state. Antimony has historically been Victoria’s second most important metal after gold, with a heritage stretching back to the 1860s. During World War I, central Victoria’s Costerfield mines were critical suppliers of antimony for British munitions. Today, Victoria remains Australia’s only antimony-producing state.  

    Another company with a well-timed release out on Wednesday was Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX: RML), which reported new high-grade antimony and silver samples from its Antimony Ridge project, albeit in the US in this case.

    These samples were taken from within historically-mined areas at the project, and the company said the results “reinforce the potential for Antimony Ridge to host a high-grade, strategically significant U.S antimony system”.  

    New South Wales focus

    Back home in Australia, and Larvotto Resources Ltd (ASX: LRV) is aiming to bring its Hillgrove gold and antimony project in New South Wales into production this year.

    It’s a substantial project, as the company says on its website:

    Hillgrove is poised to become Australia’s largest producer of antimony, expected to produce 7% of global antimony requirements when global supply is tightening and Western governments are prioritising strategic supply chains. Hillgrove has been mined for antimony and gold since 1857. With a rich history within the region, Hillgrove continues to provide residential employment opportunities and support for local business and communities.

    And finally, Black Cat Syndicate Ltd (ASX: BC8) announced in October that new drilling had found visible antimony in the first four holes drilled at its Mt Clement project, which it said is “one of Australia’s largest and highest-grade antimony projects” with a resource of 13,200 tonnes at a grade of 1.7%.

    The company at the time said it had appointed a manager to drive the project faster, “given the strong demand and pricing for antimony”.

    The post The government is looking to stockpile antimony – these four companies can help you gain exposure appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Southern Cross Gold right now?

    Before you buy Southern Cross Gold 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 Southern Cross Gold 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…

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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 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.

  • Lynas shares storm 26% higher. Is the stock a buy, hold or sell for 2026?

    Young woman thinking with laptop open.

    Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) shares climbed 4.15% higher to $15.68 at the time of writing on Wednesday. The latest uptick means the shares have jumped 26.41% already in the first couple of weeks of 2026. 

    The shares are now 117.41% higher than this time last year but still 27.59% below their all-time high of $21.64 in mid-October last year.

    Shares in the miner rode the wave of booming demand for rare earths materials throughout 2025. Demand peaked in mid-October when US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a deal to bolster rare earths and critical mineral supplies and reduce dependence on China’s exports. 

    Shortly later, Lynas revealed plans to establish a new Heavy Rare Earths separation facility in Malaysia to meet strong market demand.

    Shortly later, Trump and China’s president Xi Jinping reached a trade framework agreement to ease tariffs and postpone export controls for a year. And it took the wind out of Lynas’ share price throughout the final months of 2025.

    What’s ahead for Lynas in 2026?

    Lynas is expected to hike its production this year, which, combined with higher pricing for Neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), could drive the company’s revenue skywards in 2026. 

    Broker forecasts suggest Lynas’ revenue could double from approximately $557 million in FY25 to $1.1 billion in FY26. Its NdPr production is expected to jump 35% to around 8,800 tonnes, and prices are forecast to increase around 50%.

    NdPr is used in magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, and applications in the defence technology. Demand for the materials is expected to outpace supply in 2026 as countries invest heavily into their defence sector and green technologies take off. 

    Are Lynas shares a buy, hold or sell this year?

    While the stock finished 2025 on a low, the share price has rallied since the ASX opened in 2026.

    But analysts are still divided about where they think the share price will travel from here. Data shows that the split between analysts with a strong buy, hold, and sell rating is nearly equal. 

    The average target price, however, is $15.52. At the time of writing, this implies a potential 0.13% upside ahead for investors. Although some think the shares could climb as high as $29.50 over the next 12 months. If that were to happen it would represent a huge 90.50% upside, at the time of writing.

    The issue is that the Lynas share price is closely tied to commodity price movements. Therefore it is likely to remain volatile in the near future.

    The team at Macquarie are optimistic about Lynas shares and expect more gains out of the rare earth producer. The broker has a $17 target price on the shares. The broker expects the rare earths market to remain tight in 2026.

    The post Lynas shares storm 26% higher. Is the stock a buy, hold or sell for 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lynas Rare Earths Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Lynas Rare Earths Ltd 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 Lynas Rare Earths Ltd 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 Jan 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 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.

  • Why EOS, Humm, Pantoro Gold, and Robex shares are dropping today

    Frustrated stock trader screaming while looking at mobile phone, symbolising a falling share price.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a subdued session on Wednesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.2% to 8,789.3 points.

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

    Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

    The EOS share price is down 7% to $10.24. This appears to have been driven by profit taking from some investors following strong gains by the defence and space company’s shares. In fact, despite today’s pullback, EOS shares are up 60% over the past month. The announcement of major new contract wins has been behind this. On a 12-month basis, the company’s shares are up a staggering 750%.

    Humm Group Ltd (ASX: HUM)

    The Humm share price is down 2% to 72.5 cents. This morning, the financial services company’s board strongly recommended that shareholders vote against resolutions proposed at an extraordinary general meeting to remove three current directors. It named a number of reasons why. One is: “Replacing the current Board would jeopardise the strategy delivering measurable results, including a ~118% total shareholder return, since mid-2022.” Another reason is: “The Convenors’ ill-conceived and simplistic ‘plan’ threatens Humm’s capital strength, lender relationships and growth prospects. In contrast, your Board’s disciplined approach prioritises sustainable value creation.”

    Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR)

    The Pantoro Gold share price is down 2% to $5.27. This appears to have been driven by the release of drilling results from the gold miner’s 100%-owned Norseman Gold Project this morning. Pantoro Gold’s managing director, Paul Cmrlec, said: “These high-grade results from Daisy South support the development of an additional open pit to be mined at the same time as the Gladstone Everlasting Open Pit, located just 900 metres to the west. Mining the pits simultaneously is expected to improve fleet efficiency and extend the open pit life of the Gladstone Everlasting Mining Centre.”

    Robex Resources (ASX: RXR)

    The Robex Resources share price is down 3% to $6.69. This is despite the gold miner announcing that Superior Court of Quebec has approved its merger with Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI). Closing of the transaction remains subject to the satisfaction of the remaining closing conditions. This includes the receipt of the consents of the Governments of Guinea and Mali. But if all goes to plan, the transaction is expected to complete later in the first quarter of 2026.

    The post Why EOS, Humm, Pantoro Gold, and Robex shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited 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 Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited 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 Jan 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 positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems. 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.