Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN) shares have recouped their earlier intraday losses, trading flat at 14 cents apiece during the Wednesday lunch hour.

This sees shares in the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) artificial intelligence (AI) stock down about 43% over the past 12 months.

Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL) shares have had an even tougher year.

Shares in the ASX 300 investigative analytics and intelligence software provider are down 1% at the time of writing, changing hands for $1.53 each. This puts the Nuix share price down 53.5% over 12 months.

For some context, the ASX 300 has gained 9.9% since this time last year.

And if Peak Asset Management’s Niv Dagan has it right, Nuix and Brainchip shares could have further to fall (courtesy of The Bull).

Time to sell Brainchip shares?

“Brainchip is a commercial producer of neuromorphic artificial intelligence (AI),” said Dagan, who has a sell recommendation on Brainchip shares.

If you’re not familiar with what that means, the company’s neuromorphic processor, Akida, is intended to mimic the human brain and keep machine learning local to the chip, independent of the cloud.

“The company operates across Australia, the US and Europe and had a market capitalisation of about $349.17 million during trading on March 12,” Dagan said.

Explaining his sell recommendation, Dagan said:

The broader AI hardware landscape is increasingly dominated by big players, such as Nvidia. The AI sector is intensively competitive. The company substantially lifted revenue in full year 2025 but reported a loss from continuing operations after tax.

Full-year revenue of US$1.9 million was up 374% from 2024. The loss from continuing operations came in at US$20.4 million.

“Brainchip shares have fallen from 24.5 cents on October 9, 2025, to trade at 14 cents on March 12. Other stocks appeal more at this stage of the cycle,” Dagan concluded.

Also on the selling block

Apart from Brainchip shares, Dagan also recommends selling Nuix.

“Nuix is an investigative analytics software provider,” he said. “It enables customers to process and search large data sets of unstructured information, including emails, documents and communications records.”

Despite the sizeable one-year losses, Nuix shares are up 12.1% since the company reported its half-year results on 23 February.

Which could make today a good day to think about taking some profits, according to Dagan. He noted:

The company earns most of its revenue from licence and maintenance fees. Revenue of $121.2 million in the first half of fiscal year 2026 was up 15.2% on the prior corresponding period. Annualised contract value of $234.4 million was up 8.4%.

Investors may want to consider taking a profit as we believe gains are priced in following the half year result. We see limited scope for upside amid increasing competition.

The post Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on Nuix and Brainchip shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Buy, hold, sell: Brainchip, CAR Group, and Endeavour shares
• Up 41% last week, why this buy rated ASX 300 stock is tipped to leap another 69%
• Why Brainchip, Fortescue, Qantas, and Westpac shares are dropping today
• Why Bapcor, Brainchip, Coles, and Harvey Norman shares are dropping today

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 recommended Nuix. 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 on track to record a small gain on Wednesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.2% to 8,629.7 points.

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

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

The EOS share price is up 7% to $9.52. Investors have been buying this defence and space company’s shares after a major sell-off on Tuesday. That sell-off was triggered by news that the company’s CEO, Dr Andreas Schwer, was given approval to sell 2.5 million EOS shares on-market following the exercise of options that were granted under a long-term incentive plan. Some investors may believe the selling was an overreaction, especially after its CEO committed to retain a shareholding well above the minimum levels required under its recently announced shareholding policy.

Humm Group Ltd (ASX: HUM)

The Humm share price is up 5.5% to 69.2 cents. This is despite the financial services company revealing that the Takeovers Panel made a declaration of unacceptable circumstances. It said: “[T]he Panel considered that the following statements in Humm’s 17 December 2025 announcement of the conditional, non-binding indicative offer from Credit Corp Group Limited (Credit Corp) to acquire control of Humm (Credit Corp Proposal) were misleading and contrary to an efficient, competitive and informed market.” The Panel advised that it is still considering whether it should make final orders.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)

The New Hope share price is up 6% to $5.27. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Bell Potter this morning. In response to its half-year results, Bell Potter has upgraded the coal miner’s shares to a hold rating with a $4.50 price target. It said: “We upgrade to a Hold recommendation and apply a 5% premium to our sum of the parts valuation with energy security concerns exacerbated by recent geopolitical issues. NHC’s low-cost operations will continue to underpin margins through the coal price cycle, funding capital expenditure commitments and supporting shareholder returns.”

Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM)

The Sims share price is up 8% to $20.37. This morning, this global leader in metal recycling and the provision of circular solutions for technology released a trading update. Sims revealed that it expects FY 2026 underlying EBIT to be in the range of $350 million to $400 million. This will be at least double the underlying EBIT of $174.9 million that the company reported in FY 2025.

The post Why EOS, Humm, New Hope, and Sims shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Guess which ASX 200 stock is jumping 17% on strong FY26 guidance
• What is this broker saying about New Hope Group shares?
• Sims flags stronger FY26 earnings on robust metals and tech demand

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.

There are many exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the ASX for Australian investors to choose from.

If I were putting money into the market today, these are a few Vanguard ETFs I’d be happy to buy for my portfolio.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

The VGS ETF could be a great pick for Australian investors wanting global exposure.

It provides access to a wide range of developed-market companies, particularly in the United States, but also across Europe and other major economies.

What I like about it is that it captures many of the world’s most dominant businesses in one place. These are companies with global reach, strong margins, and the ability to keep growing regardless of what’s happening in any single country.

Rather than trying to pick which global winners will outperform, this ETF lets you own a broad slice of them.

It also reduces reliance on the Australian market, which traditionally is heavily concentrated in banks and miners. And while that concentration is good when the banks and miners are charging higher, it can be bad when the cycle turns. As a result, the VGS ETF’s diversification alone could make it a valuable building block in a portfolio.

Vanguard FTSE Asia Ex-Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

The VAE ETF adds an entirely different dimension.

It provides exposure to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. This includes countries like China, India, and Taiwan.

These markets don’t always move in line with the US or Australia. That can create periods of volatility, but it also opens the door to growth that isn’t available in more mature economies.

What stands out to me is the long-term story. Rising middle classes, increasing digital adoption, and ongoing industrial development are powerful forces that could drive growth for many years.

It’s not the smoothest ride, but that’s part of the trade-off when investing in developing regions.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG)

Lastly, the VDHG ETF also takes a different approach.

Instead of targeting a specific region, it bundles together a diversified portfolio of growth assets, including Australian shares and international equities.

To me, this is one of the simplest ways to invest.

It’s essentially a ready-made portfolio that is designed for long-term growth. There’s no need to constantly rebalance or decide how much to allocate to each market. That’s handled within the fund.

What I find appealing is how it combines convenience with diversification. For investors who don’t want to spend time managing multiple positions, it offers a straightforward way to stay invested in global growth.

Foolish Takeaway

I think ETFs are one of the easiest ways to invest in the market. But with so much choice, it can be hard to decide which funds to buy.

The VGS, VAE, and VDHG ETFs each offer a slightly different way to invest, but all provide broad exposure and long-term growth potential.

For me, they’re simple options I’d be happy to buy and hold.

The post Why I’d buy VGS and these Vanguard ETFs right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• New to investing? Start with ASX ETFs and quality ASX stocks
• The ASX ETFs to buy for growth, income, and diversification
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• Why I think these Vanguard ETFs could outperform the ASX 200
• How I’d start building an ASX retirement portfolio today

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT) had some big news this week, announcing the sale of its wealth management business to Bain Capital Private Equity for $500 million.

The analyst team at Macquarie have run the ruler over the sale, and has upgraded their price target for Perpetual shares as a result.

Major deal

We’ll get to that later; let’s first look at what was announced.

Perpetual will sell the Perpetual Wealth business to Bain for $500 million, plus a potential $50 million payment depending on the performance of the business.

Perpetual Chief Executive Officer Bernard Reilly said regarding the sale:

Following a thorough sale process, we believe we have achieved the right outcome for our shareholders, clients and people, and one that reflects Wealth Management’s longstanding reputation as a premium provider of high net worth advisory, fiduciary, philanthropic and not-for-profit offerings in the Australian market. “This is a pivotal step in our strategy to simplify and transform Perpetual. Following completion, Perpetual will have a stronger balance sheet and more simplified business, focused on two core businesses, asset management and corporate trustee services, while also enhancing its ability to invest for future growth and deliver improved shareholder returns over the longer term. We believe we have found the right owner for the Wealth Management business to help it continue to grow and deliver high quality products and services to its clients.

The money raised will be used to retire debt and support investment in Perpetual’s asset management and corporate trust divisions.

Perpetual shares looking cheap

The Macquarie team said the sale, which followed a 12-month process, was conducted at a multiple which appeared reasonable.

They noted that Perpetual must overcome several regulatory hurdles to complete the transaction and that separating the wealth business would be complex.

They added:

However, Perpetual expects no ‘material’ stranded costs post-completion, reflecting an effective carve-out while generating revenue to offset any lingering costs during this process.

Macquarie raised its price target on Perpetual from $23.85 to $24.60 on the back of the deal. This compares to Perpetual’s current share price of $16.02.

They added:

Despite continued outflows, we reiterate our Outperform rating, with the Wealth sale to simplify the business and unwind some of the some of the parts discount, while we see scope for further cost out above current plans with Perpetual’s cost-to-income ahead of global peers.  

Perpetual is also expected to pay a 7% dividend yield this financial year. Perpetual was valued at $1.86 billion at the close of trade on Wednesday.   

The post How high does Macquarie think this ASX 200 stock will go after its wealth sale? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Lifestyle Communities, Perpetual, Reliance Worldwide, and Woodside shares are rising today
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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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) shares are marching higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) sleep disorder treatment company closed yesterday trading for $32.63. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $32.91 apiece, up 0.9%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time.

ResMed shares have broadly been trending lower since the ASX 200 healthcare stock notched a new all-time closing high of $45.41 on 21 August.

Over the past 12 months, shares are down 5.2%. Though that doesn’t include the 24.6 cents a share in unfranked dividends ResMed has paid out over the full year.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

Should you buy ResMed shares today?

Securities Vault’s Nathan Lodge recently ran his slide rule over the ASX 200 healthcare stock (courtesy of The Bull).

“ResMed remains a global leader in sleep apnoea devices and digital health monitoring,” Lodge noted.

And ResMed shares look well-placed to deliver long-term growth.

“Structural demand drivers, including ageing populations, increasing diagnosis rates and broader awareness of sleep health, continue to support long term growth,” Lodge said.

But he’s not ready to pull the trigger just yet.

Explaining his hold recommendation on ResMed shares, Lodge concluded:

However, a strong share price recovery following concerns about the impact of weight loss drugs on sleep apnoea treatment appears to leave much of the near-term optimism priced into the stock.

While the company’s fundamentals remain robust, the valuation reflects its market leadership and growth outlook. Investors may prefer to retain existing positions, while awaiting further earnings expansion, or more attractive entry points.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 healthcare stock?

ResMed reported its second-quarter results (Q2 FY 2026) on 30 January.

Highlights included an 11% year-on-year increase in revenue to $1.42 billion (up 9% in constant currency). And net income of $392.6 million was up 14% from Q2 FY 2025.

The company reported sales growth across most of its operating regions. Sales in the United States, Canada, and Latin America increased 11% year on year, while sales in Europe and Asia were up 6% (in constant currency).

Commenting on the results, ResMed CEO Mick Farrell said:

These results reflect strong ongoing demand for our market-leading sleep and respiratory care devices, as well as the growing impact of our digital health ecosystem that spans more than 140 countries.

Looking ahead, Farrell added:

As we move into the second half of fiscal year 2026, we will continue to invest in innovation to scale our digital health capabilities and expand global access to life-saving care, while delivering sustainable, profitable growth.

ResMed shares closed up 3.1% on the day of the result announcement.

The post With global populations ageing, are ResMed shares a good buy today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The team at Shaw and Partners have run the ruler over AML3D Ltd (ASX: AL3) shares after a major contract win, and they like what they see.

The broker is predicting more than 100% upside for the ASX technology company’s shares, which we’ll get to shortly.

Major new contract win

Firstly, let’s look at what they announced this week.

AML3D said they had received a $9.9 million order for four Arcemy X 3D printing systems from US shipbuilder Newport News Shipbuilding, which is a division of HII which is the largest US military shipbuilder.

AML3D chief executive officer Sean Ebert said it was a major milestone for the company.

The step change in the size and value of this HII ARCEMY order is very much reflective of the strong and growing demand signals that underpin AML3D’s continued expansion into the U.S. defense market. It is also a strong endorsement of our U.S. ‘Scale up’ strategy which included establishing our U.S. technology Center in Stow Ohio and our plans to invest $12 million to expand our U.S. production capabilities. Not only do we expect to see a continued growth in U.S. defense orders we are also looking to continue to expand into other sectors. We have already successfully supplied ARCEMY technology to the Tennessee Valley Authority, the largest public utility in the U.S., and are targeting growth across the U.S. Marine, Energy, Aerospace and Oil & Gas sectors. In addition, we are seeing the emergence of early-stage demand in our UK and European markets that is similar to the demand signals that are driving our success in the U.S.

Shares looking cheap

Shaw and Partners said the new order supports their projection for FY27 revenue at AML3D of $30 million.

They added:

AL3 is set for growth with U.S. reshoring initiatives, strengthened by key partnerships including the U.S. Navy and Boeing.

And they said more announcements were likely:

AL3 has been in discussions with the US Navy/BlueForge Alliance around an A$23mn “Phase 2” expansion of additive manufacturing capacity in the Navy’s supply chain. This is likely to involve 10 ARCEMY systems and could be framed by a “take or pay” agreement with the Navy to supply printed components. The contract depends on appropriation of funding under the National Defense and Authorization Act FY26. We believe funds may be made available for this arrangement over the next month catalysing AL3 to make an announcement at that time.

Shaw has a price target of 40 cents on AML3D shares, compared with just 17 cents currently. AML3D was valued at $93.9 million at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post This ASX technology stock could more than double: broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares are racing higher in Wednesday morning trade. At the time of writing the biopharmaceutical company’s shares are up 8% to $12.58 a piece.

The uptick now means the shares are 11% higher for the year-to-date and have recovered some losses seen during the sharp selloff throughout 2025.

Telix shares are now 54% lower than this time last year.

What happened to Telix shares?

Telix shares crashed in early 2026 after the company’s Q4 FY25 results disappointed investors. In late January, Telix reported that it had achieved the lower end of its guidance, but investors weren’t pleased, and the 2025 share sell-off accelerated.

It’s just one of several significant headwinds that the company has faced over the past six months, including slow or delayed regulatory approvals for some of its key radiopharmaceutical products.

In mid-February, Telix shares finally reached the bottom and started rebounding. The uptick started when the company announced that it had filed a key regulatory approval in Europe.

Investors were pleased with the announcement and it looks like sentiment has finally started rebounding.

The good news has continued through March with several announcements about the company’s growth and development plans.

The company released its Part 1 results from its global Phase 3 ProstACT study of TLX591-Tx, its novel prostate cancer therapy last week. The results were encouraging, and showed that the therapy demonstrates an acceptable and manageable safety profile, with no new safety signals and sustained tumour uptake across patients.

This week, Telix announced it has resubmitted its New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. FDA for TLX101-Px (Pixclara®), a brain cancer imaging candidate. Telix’s resubmission includes new data addressing the FDA’s previous requests. The new submission is expected to be enough to gain US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

And why are Telix shares storming higher today?

There hasn’t been any new price-sensitive information out of Telix today to explain the current share price hike. But it’s likely that a positive sentiment swing is now flowing through to investors, causing an increase in buying activity.

Has the tide finally turned for Telix?

Telix shares are now widely considered oversold and undervalued.

Analysts are very bullish on where the share price can go from here. TradingView data shows that all 16 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the stock. And the expectation among all of them is that the share price will fly higher over the next 12 months.

Some expect the shares to climb 92% to $23.97, but others are even more optimistic and expect the share price to rocket to $31.59 a piece over the next 12 months. That implies an enormous 154% upside, at the time of writing.

The post Why are Telix shares racing 8% higher today? 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 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.

Shares in Electro Optic Systems (ASX: EOS) have edged higher in morning trade, rising about 3% (at the time of writing) after a sharp sell-off yesterday that wiped around 16% off the company’s market value.

The rebound suggests some investors are stepping back in after the decline, but the catalyst behind the volatility remains front of mind.

What triggered the sell-off?

In yesterday’s late afternoon trading session, EOS announced that its CEO, CFO, and other senior executives had exercised millions of share options and are now planning to sell a significant portion of those shares.

In total, management exercised more than 3.4 million options under the company’s long-term incentive plan, converting them into ordinary shares.

More importantly for the market, they also flagged their intention to sell.

CEO Dr Andreas Schwer has been given approval to dispose of up to 2.5 million shares in the near term, while the CFO and other executives have indicated that they may sell some or all of their holdings.

That disclosure appears to have caught investors off guard.

Why was the reaction so sharp?

EOS shares have been on a remarkable run, rising roughly 7 times over the past year.

That kind of performance naturally creates a setup where insiders, whose compensation is often tied to equity, begin to realise gains once options vest.

Even though the company noted that executives will retain holdings well above minimum ownership requirements, the prospect of large-scale selling was enough to turn sentiment and trigger a sharp repricing.

So why are shares rebounding today?

The 3% rebound in early trade is a natural function of the price-discovery process in response to new information. EOS shares have run a lot recently and for good reason, as demand for their remote weapon systems and high-energy lasers has surged.

At the same time, management selling huge chunks of their stock is often unpopular with investors who want to see them stay invested alongside them, even if they may be selling for understandable reasons (most people would likely sell too if they had millions in unrealised gains).

Sell-offs driven by insider selling announcements are often fast and sentiment-driven, particularly after a strong run. Once that initial wave passes, some investors step in to reassess the fundamentals.

Ultimately, we should expect big swings in both directions for EOS shares given the significant events happening in and around the company.

What happens next?

The key question now is how much stock actually comes to market and how quickly.

If large volumes are sold in a short period, it could continue to weigh on the share price. But if disposals are managed gradually, the impact may be absorbed more easily.

For now, the combination of a strong long-term rally and insider selling has introduced a new dynamic for EOS, one that investors will be watching closely in the days ahead.

The post EOS shares rebound after yesterday’s 16% plunge as insiders move to cash out appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

Shares in Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) are currently in a trading halt.

The freeze follows an announcement outlining a major funding package to restart operations at the company’s Finniss lithium project.

Before the halt, Core Lithium shares last traded at 22 cents. The stock is down about 20% in 2026, though it has gained roughly 13% over the past month.

Here’s what the company announced.

Core Lithium approves Finniss restart

Core Lithium confirmed it has made a Final Investment Decision (FID) to restart mining and processing at its Finniss Lithium Operation.

The restart will be supported by a funding package that includes convertible notes, a senior secured loan, and a large equity raising.

The company said the decision follows completion of an updated restart study for the project.

According to the study, Finniss is expected to generate pre-tax net present value of $1.10 billion and post-tax NPV of $837 million.

The project is forecast to deliver an internal rate of return of 76.5% and a payback period of around 3 years.

Core Lithium also estimates the operation could generate approximately $1.7 billion in cash flow over its life.

Funding package to restart the project

To support the restart, Core Lithium has secured a funding package worth roughly US$170 million plus A$120 million in equity.

The funding structure includes:

• US$70 million in convertible notes provided by Glencore and InfraVia

• US$50 million senior secured loan facility from Nebari

• A$120 million equity placement to institutional investors

The placement will be conducted at 21 cents per share, representing a 4.5% discount to the company’s last closing price of 22 cents.

The equity raising is split into two parts:

• $53.3 million unconditional placement

• $66.7 million conditional placement, subject to shareholder approval

In total, Core Lithium plans to issue up to 571.4 million new shares under the placement.

Production timeline and project details

The Finniss restart is expected to begin mobilisation during the June quarter of 2026.

Core Lithium said the operation is targeting first spodumene concentrate shipments in the second-half of 2026.

Initial production will come from the Grants open pit, while development continues at the BP33 underground deposit.

The BP33 deposit is expected to deliver first ore around mid-2027, with the operation reaching full production in 2028.

Once fully operational, the Finniss plant is expected to process about 1.2 million tonnes of ore per year and produce roughly 214,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate each year.

Core Lithium estimates operating costs of around US$533 per tonne, with EBITDA margins of about 48%.

What happens next?

Core Lithium said the trading halt will remain in place until it makes an announcement in relation to the capital raising or until Friday 20 March, whichever occurs first.

Attention now turns to further details once the company releases its next update later this week.

The post Why this ASX lithium stock requested a trading halt today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why these 3 ASX lithium shares are charging higher today

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.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares have caught plenty of attention recently for their volatile price swings. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has swung anywhere between $1.08 and $4.93 a piece.

In early morning trade on Wednesday, Zip shares are up 2.27% to $1.58. 

But the shares have crashed over 67% since peaking at an all-time high in October last year, and have now tumbled 53% for the year-to-date.

What happened to Zip shares?

Zip shares crashed over 43% in mid-February after it posted its half-year FY26 results. 

The fintech company delivered a record result but it missed expectations. Zip’s revenue margin declined 7.9%, net bad debts increased slightly to 1.73% of TTV. Zip also said it expected its second-half cash EBITDA is expected to be broadly in line with the first half. This suggests that profit growth could moderate from here rather than accelerate.

Investors were spooked by concerns about rising competition, slowing growth and margin compression.

It’s just one of many headwinds facing the business over the past six months. The stock faced pressure from short sellers in late-2025, and investors taking their gains off the table after a huge mid-year price rally.

What’s ahead for Zip this year?

Despite missing expectations, Zip’s financial results have been robust over the past few quarters. And profit growth is expected to keep climbing. UBS is forecasting that US total transaction value (TTV) could grow by 38% in the second half of FY26 and its net profit could more than double.

There are good growth prospects for the business too. Late last year Zip made some significant progress in plans to broaden its product range and expand its global presence.

The company announced that its US segment is expanding its partnership with programmable financial services business, Stripe, a move which caused investor panic at the time. 

In early February the company announced it is aggressively expanding its US presence, which now drives over 75% of its total translation volume, by launching its new Pay in 2 product. The new product allows consumers to split a purchase into two installments paid over two weeks.

Zip is also pursuing a dual sharemarket listing on the Nasdaq in the US, which will potentially drive opportunity for business expansion.

How high can its share price go?

I think we can expect great things from the buy-now-pay-later (BPNL) provider this year. At just $1.58, at the time of writing, Zip shares are a bargain, and I expect the share price growth could very well keep climbing higher. 

Analysts agree, and TradingView data shows all 11 analysts with a rating on the stock hold a consensus buy rating on Zip shares. 

The average target price of $4.21, which implies a huge potential 167% upside at the time of writing. Others think the stock could soar even higher, up another 235% to $5.27 within the next 12 months!

The post Prediction: Zip shares could explode over 230% to $5.27 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.