Having some exposure to the small side of the market can be a good thing for a balanced portfolio, if your risk tolerance allows for it.

After all, the potential returns from small-cap ASX shares can be significantly greater than those on offer with large caps.

With that in mind, here are two small-cap shares that Morgans thinks could rise strongly from current levels. Let’s see what it is recommending:

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CUV)

This biopharmaceuticals company disappointed Morgans during the first half, with softer-than-expected revenue growth and higher-than-expected cost growth.

However, the broker remains positive, especially given that this small-cap ASX share trades on lower-than-normal multiples.

As a result, the broker has put a speculative buy rating and $13.00 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 30% for investors from current levels. It said:

CUV delivered a softer result that landed below expectations, with top line underperformance and operational cost growth materially outpacing revenue. The combination of slower revenue growth, heavier opex, FX drag, and margin compression makes for an underwhelming print relative to expectations.

While fundamentally cheap with a large cash balance providing valuation support and trading well below historical multiples, the outlook continues to hinge on clinical catalysts and a change in sentiment (strategic direction driven) which we view is unlikely to shift meaningfully in the near term. Minor downgrades due to higher OpEx base and adjustments to WACC. Our target price reduces to A$13 (from A$14) but retain a SPECULATIVE BUY recommendation.

Readytech Holdings Ltd (ASX: RDY)

Another small-cap ASX share that Morgans is positive on is enterprise software company Readytech.

While it also delivered a half-year result that was softer than expected, the broker remains bullish due to its cheap valuation and strong sales pipeline. It has a speculative buy rating and $2.20 price target on Readytech’s shares, which suggests that upside of almost 80% is possible over the next 12 months. Morgans said:

RDY’s 1H26 result and revised outlook came in softer than expected, with Underlying EBITDA of $17.5m / Cash EBITDA of $7.5m ~6% behind MorgF. Whilst RDY’s enterprise strategy remains on track, the group indicated that increased churn in 1H26 along with more protracted implementation/sale conversion have led to an FY26 guidance downgrade and the withdrawal of its longer-term targets.

Whilst we downgrade our FY26-17 EBITDA forecasts by 10-20% reflecting revised guidance, given RDY’s robust pipeline, potential catalysts (VIC TAFE decision and likely increased corporate appeal), we move to a SPECULATIVE BUY rating, with a revised price target of $2.20/sh (previously $3.00/sh).

The post Morgans says these small-cap ASX shares could rise 30% to 80% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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ARN Media Ltd (ASX: A1N) has terminated its contract with shock jock Kyle Sandilands, setting the company up for a legal battle worth tens of millions of dollars.

On-air feud

Sandilands was the co-host of The Kyle and Jackie O Show along with Jacqueline Henderson, however, the pair had a falling out during a broadcast on February 20.

ARN Media said earlier this month that Henderson later gave notice that she “cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands.”

At the time, ARN Media said it had terminated its agreement with Henderson, while offering her the possibility of another show on the network.

ARN also said on March 3 it had written to Sandilands, saying “that it considers that Mr Sandilands’ behaviour during the show on 20 February 2026 is an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN’s services agreement with Quasar Media, under which Mr Sandilands presents the Kyle and Jackie O show”.

Sandilands was given 14 days “to remedy this breach”.

ARN said today that it had now issued a notice of termination of contract to Sandilands and his company, Quasar Media, and as a result, The Kyle and Jackie O Show will no longer be presented.

In a statement quoted in The Guardian and other media, Mr Sandilands said he didn’t accept the termination.

He said:

I don’t accept it. My lawyers told them last week this would be invalid. And guess what? It is. ARN knew exactly what they were getting when they signed my deal. They’ve worked with me for over a decade. They knew how I work, they knew the show, and they were happy to pay for it – because I delivered. Number one ratings. Year after year. Hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for their business. I held up my end. I always have.

Legal cost could be huge

The legal battle over the show could be worth north of $100 million, with both Sandilands and Henderson on separate $100 million contracts signed in 2024 and running for 10 years.

ARN also told the ASX earlier this week that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) had imposed licence commissions on the broadcaster following an investigation into The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

The conditions, imposed for five years, included that the broadcaster must comply with the decency provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act and that the program should not broadcast content that was highly offensive or that contained strong and explicit sexual references.

ARN shares are down about 44% over the past 12 months and were trading 1.5% lower at 33.5 cents on Wednesday morning.

The post ARN Media has torn up Kyle Sandilands’ contract – so how much could it cost them? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX growth stocks down 40% to 60% to buy now
• Why Cochlear and ResMed shares could be strong buys
• Buying ASX shares or paying off a mortgage? Here’s what the experts are saying about RBA interest rate hikes in 2026
• CBA shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell
• ASX All Ords gold stock lifts off on exploration success

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.

Some of the most uncomfortable moments in investing can also be the most interesting.

When share prices fall sharply, it’s easy to assume something is broken. And sometimes that’s true. But other times, the sell-off goes further than the fundamentals justify.

That’s when I start paying closer attention.

Right now, there are a few ASX growth shares that have been hit hard over the past year. Two that stand out to me are in this article.

Both are down heavily from their highs. And in my view, both could offer compelling upside if things go right from here.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

Catapult is one of those technology businesses that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.

It provides performance analytics and wearable technology to professional sports teams around the world. That might sound niche, but it’s actually a growing global market as teams invest more in data-driven decision making.

At its peak, the market was clearly very optimistic about Catapult’s growth potential. Since then, sentiment has cooled significantly, with the share price falling close to 60% from its 52-week high of $7.72.

When I look at the business today, I don’t see a company that has lost its opportunity. If anything, the long-term thesis still appears intact.

Catapult continues to expand its customer base across elite sports leagues and deepen its product offering. As more teams adopt data and analytics, the company has a clear runway for growth.

There’s still execution risk, and it may take time for confidence to return. But after such a large pullback, I think the risk-reward balance is looking very attractive.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

DroneShield is a very different type of growth story, but just as interesting.

The company develops counter-drone technology used in defence and security applications. With the increasing use of drones in both military and civilian settings, demand for these solutions is growing quickly.

Its share price had a strong run, driven by rising interest in defence spending and geopolitical tensions. But more recently, it has pulled back almost 40% from its highs.

To me, this looks more like a reset in expectations rather than a collapse in the underlying opportunity.

DroneShield is still operating in a market that is expanding rapidly. Governments and organisations are investing heavily in security solutions, and counter-drone capability is becoming increasingly important.

It won’t be a smooth journey. Revenue can be lumpy, contracts can take time, and sentiment can swing quickly.

But if the ASX growth share continues to win contracts and execute on its strategy, I think there is potential for the share price to recover strongly over time.

Foolish takeaway

In Catapult Sports and DroneShield, I see two businesses that still have meaningful long-term growth potential, despite their recent falls.

That doesn’t mean they’ll bounce back immediately. Volatility is likely to remain part of the story.

But from where I sit, these look like the types of beaten-down ASX growth shares that could reward patient investors if sentiment turns and execution follows through.

The post 2 ASX growth stocks down 40% to 60% to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and DroneShield and is short shares of DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you want exposure to the healthcare sector, then it could be worth hearing what Wilsons is saying.

That’s because the broker recently named the two popular ASX healthcare shares in this article as buys. Here’s what it is recommending to clients:

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Wilsons is feeling positive about this hearing solutions company’s outlook thanks to a key new product launch. The broker feels that the launch of Nucleus Nexa could be supportive of double-digit implant growth over the medium term. It explains:

Cochlear is approaching an inflection point in its earnings growth trajectory, supported by the ongoing global rollout of Nucleus Nexa (approved in mid-2025), which is its most significant product launch in over two decades. Nexa’s upgradeable firmware architecture represents a step-change in implant technology, enabling ongoing improvements in sound processing, connectivity and battery life via its Smart Sync app.

The rollout over the next few years should support ~10% CI unit growth over the medium term, with potential upside toward the mid-teens, while recurring implant upgrades will extend the Nexa’s product cycle, supporting a longer duration of growth.

In light of this, the broker believes now could be the time to buy Cochlear shares. It adds:

Cochlear trades on a forward P/E multiple of ~26x, representing a >10 year low and a material discount to its 10-year average of ~42x. We view this as a compelling entry point for a high-quality business ahead of accelerating earnings growth.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

The team at Wilsons is also very positive on ResMed shares. It highlights its strong operational performance and attractive valuation. It said:

Following another solid result in February, the company’s earnings upgrade cycle remains intact. As a result, ResMed continues to screen attractively across our earnings momentum, quality and valuation lenses.

The broker also notes that while its shares have recovered strongly from a selloff related to concerns over weight-loss wonder drugs in 2024, they are still trading on an undemanding valuation. It said:

Despite ResMed’s share price trading over 60% above its GLP-1 sell-off low, the valuation remains undemanding, as the rally has been driven predominantly by EPS growth rather than multiple expansion and is currently priced at a forward P/E of 21x, well below its 10-year average of 29x and its pre-GLP-1 level of 37x.

Combined with double-digit EPS growth expectations over the medium term, and further scope for upgrades given the ongoing earnings upgrade cycle, ResMed continues to offer compelling growth at a reasonable price.

The post Why Cochlear and ResMed shares could be strong buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Cochlear and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

As I imagine you’re aware by now, yesterday ASX investors and mortgage holders alike learned that interest rates Down Under are heading higher.

Again.

In afternoon trade on Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced a 0.25% increase in the cash rate target amid concerns over rising inflation. That’s partly due to ongoing strong domestic demand and partly driven by the global energy price spike amid the war in Iran.

This sees Australia’s official interest rate back up at 4.10%.

And it represents the second rate increase by the Aussie central bank in 2026, with the RBA also having hiked by 0.25% at its 3 February meeting.

Investors were not deterred, however. With the market having widely priced in another rate increase, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) closed up 0.3% on Tuesday.

Now, here’s what the experts are saying about RBA interest rate hikes in 2026.

RBA triggers second interest rate increase in 2026

Commenting on Tuesday’s interest rate hike, eToro market analyst Josh Gilbert said:

This is clearly not a hike the RBA wanted to make, but with the board itself acknowledging inflation risks have tilted further to the upside, along with petrol prices climbing by the week, the board has been backed into a corner.

Geopolitical tensions didn’t create Australia’s present inflation problem, but they have certainly exacerbated it.

Gilbert added that households will find this a “bitter pill to swallow”. He noted:

Mortgage repayments are going up at the same time fuel and grocery bills are surging, and that squeeze is going to hit hard and fast. The rate relief many were counting on this year doesn’t just seem to be delayed, it looks to have disappeared.

As for what mortgage holders and ASX investors can expect from interest rates over the remainder of the year, Gilbert concluded:

If oil stays elevated, the view that another hike is on the table will only gain momentum… If the situation in the Middle East resolves and crude comes back to earth, today’s hike could be the last we see. Right now, though, that feels like wishful thinking rather than the base case.

Filip Tortevski, senior analyst at Wealth Within highlighted the risks the RBA is facing as it tightens in the current environment.

Tortevski said:

Higher rates can slow spending and economic activity, but they do little to directly control the price of oil. That leaves the RBA walking a fine line, trying to contain inflation without pushing an already fragile economy into a deeper slowdown

How much more will mortgage holders pay?

David Koch, economic director at Compare the Market, noted that the RBA’s 0.25% interest rate hike could add $116 to monthly repayments for a homeowner with a loan of $736,000. That’s $1,392 more a year.

“Nobody wants another rate hike – we’ve already had one this year – and that means millions of homeowners are spending thousands more on their repayments,” he said.

“But inflation is a prickly issue and that means it’s not one we can sit on. Every month we wait to act could be precious time lost in the fight against more expensive groceries, power bills and insurances,” Koch noted.

As for the prospect of further interest rate increases in 2026, Koch said:

There’s no meeting in April, but the RBA sits again in May and another six times this year. I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet…

I encourage homeowners to prepare for the possibility of more hikes this year. That means knowing your rate, and doing some leg work to make sure you’re not paying more than you need to.

The post Buying ASX shares or paying off a mortgage? Here’s what the experts are saying about RBA interest rate hikes in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ARN Media has torn up Kyle Sandilands’ contract – so how much could it cost them?
• 2 ASX growth stocks down 40% to 60% to buy now
• Why Cochlear and ResMed shares could be strong buys
• CBA shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell
• ASX All Ords gold stock lifts off on exploration success

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

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are 0.32% higher in early morning trade on Wednesday. At the time of writing, the ASX bank stock is changing hands for $176.69 a piece.

Today’s uptick/drop means CBA shares are now up 9.69% for the year to date and 22.57% higher over the year.

CBA’s strong share price growth looks promising, but if you’re looking to add the stock to your portfolio, here are some things to consider.

3 reasons to buy CBA shares

1. It’s a defensive stock 

CBA is a defensive stock, meaning it can remain stable in times of economic crisis. Australians will always need banking. From home loans to credit cards and even bank accounts. Banking is an essential service, rather than a discretionary spend.

2. Consistent operational performance

Because CBA is a defensive stock, its operational performance and earnings are mostly strong and consistent, even when markets are weaker. CBA posted its half-year results in mid-January, where it revealed a 6% increase in cash net profit to $5,445 million. The result was far better than the market expected and demonstrates ongoing core banking business growth. The bank has also continued to generate strong profitability and returns.

3. Reliable dividends

Another bonus for CBA shares is that, because of its defensive nature and consistent earnings and operational performance, it can pay a decent dividend to its investors. CBA has paid dividends twice per year consistently since 2006. The bank is due to pay a fully franked dividend of $2.35 per share to investors later this month. At the time of writing, this gives a yield of around 2.88%.

3 reasons to sell CBA shares

1. It’s overvalued

CBA’s share price is overvalued relative to its peers, and the bank’s bumper price tag isn’t supported by its earnings or business fundamentals. CBA’s current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, at the time of writing, is 27.62, which is much higher (and therefore more expensive) than that of other major banks.

2. Analysts are tipping a strong downside

Analysts are mostly bearish on the outlook for CBA shares, with consensus of a downturn ahead. TradingView data shows that 14 out of 16 analysts have a sell or strong sell rating on the stock. The average target price is $131.41, which implies a 25.55% upside at the time of writing. But some think the share price could crash 49.02% to $90 in the next 12 months.

3. There is better value elsewhere

The reality is, while CBA shares offer reliable passive income from a defensive stock with strong operational performance and potential for further growth, investors can also find this elsewhere at a lower price.

Other major banks, particularly the big four, offer dividends that are very similar, but their share prices are significantly lower.

The post CBA shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to 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.

The All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up 0.2% in morning trade today, with this ASX All Ords gold stock charging ahead of those gains.

The outperforming miner in question is Brightstar Resources Ltd (ASX: BTR).

Brightstar shares closed yesterday trading for 43.50 cents. In early morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for 44.25 cents apiece, up 1.7%.

Here’s what’s catching investor interest.

ASX All Ords gold stock gains on results

The Brightstar share price is marching higher after the miner announced a promising batch of results from its ongoing diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling programs at its Sandstone Gold Project, located in Western Australia.

Sandstone hosts a current Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 2.4 million ounces at 1.5 grams of gold per tonne (2.4Moz at 1.5g/t Au).

The ASX All Ords gold stock said its diamond and RC drilling campaign targeted infill and extensions to key deposits at the Sandstone Hub, including Two Mile Hill-Shillington, Whistler, and Lord Nelson.

Brightstar sounded particularly optimistic about the Two Mile Hill deposit, noting it presents a potential bulk-tonnage underground mining operation. This could provide a higher-grade ore contribution within the miner’s proposed multi-ore source processing hub at Sandstone.

Among the top results at the deposit, the ASX All Ords gold stock reported an unconstrained intercept of 411.2 metres at 1.11g/t Au from 80 metres.

Two Mile Hill hosts a current MRE of 664koz at 1.6g/t Au, and it remains open at depth.

Brightstar has two RC rigs and two diamond drill rigs currently active at Sandstone.

The company said a Sandstone Mineral Resource upgrade is due in the June quarter, with the pre-feasibility study (PFS) targeted for delivery in the second half of calendar year 2026.

What did management say?

Commenting on the results helping boost the ASX All Ords gold stock today, Brightstar managing director Alex Rovira said, “The latest drill results from the Sandstone project clearly highlight how the potential scale is developing.”

Rovira added:

The Two Mile Hill-Shillington deposit is shaping up to be a significant contributor to a future Sandstone operating hub. With high grades zones within a lower grade halo up to 400m wide, the drilling illustrates the substantial extent of the mineralisation delineated to date.

Looking ahead, Rovira concluded:

With the addition of further results from Whistler and Lord Nelson, work at the Sandstone Hub continues to progress. The latest results, including 31m @ 5.17g/t Au at the Whistler Deposit, will flow into the upcoming MRE updates, due later this year, and the ongoing pre-feasibility study workstreams.

The post ASX All Ords gold stock lifts off on exploration success 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 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.

Orthocell Ltd (ASX: OCC) shares are catching the eye on Wednesday morning.

In early trade, the ASX All Ords stock is up 5% to 82 cents.

Why are Orthocell shares rising today?

The company’s shares are pushing higher today following the release of an announcement that highlights the real-world use of its Remplir device in a conflict setting.

Remplir is a collagen nerve wrap used in the repair of peripheral nerve injuries. It provides compression-free protection to the nerve, generating an ideal microenvironment to aid nerve healing.

According to the release, the ASX All Ords stock’s Remplir product has been used in 23 surgical procedures on injured soldiers in Ukraine.

The company confirmed that the procedures followed a humanitarian delivery of the device to Ukraine in April 2025, with surgeons now successfully using Remplir in both primary and secondary nerve repair operations.

The good news is that feedback from surgeons has been positive, supporting the clinical utility of the device.

Real-world validation in challenging environments

Management highlighted that this deployment demonstrates the practicality of Remplir in demanding conditions such as conflict zones.

The device is designed to connect, protect, and cap severed nerves resulting from trauma. Its portability, ease of use, and ability to be stored at room temperature make it well suited for use in military and emergency environments.

Importantly, Orthocell was able to train Ukrainian surgeons remotely via video, supported by its key opinion leader and Australian orthopedic surgeon, Dr Alex O’Beirne. The successful adoption of the product following remote instruction highlights its accessibility and ease of implementation in the field.

Defence opportunity emerging

The ASX All Ords stock believes this experience could open the door to further opportunities with defence organisations globally.

Orthocell intends to continue working with Ukrainian surgeons to monitor patient outcomes and collect clinical data where possible. This data is expected to support future discussions with defence and medical organisations around the world.

Commenting on the development, the company’s managing director, Paul Anderson, said:

In a time where there are multiple global conflicts, the application of Remplir in trauma-related nerve injuries is highly relevant. The successful remote training of surgeons and subsequent use of the device across 23 patients reinforces its unique handling, transportability, and clinical utility as a leading collagen-based nerve repair solution.

The post Which exciting ASX All Ords stock is jumping on big news? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 2 ASX growth stocks down 40% to 60% to buy now
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• Buying ASX shares or paying off a mortgage? Here’s what the experts are saying about RBA interest rate hikes in 2026
• CBA shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell

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

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has announced a new partnership with Robin Radar Systems, which it says will further extend its radar interoperability and strengthen airspace awareness for its customers.

The Australian anti-drone company said Robin Radar Systems was recognised for its 360-degree, 3D radar technology, “designed to detect and track small airborne objects, including drones”.

Technology ecosystem expanded

DroneShield added in a statement released on Wednesday:

Its radars are engineered to deliver reliable detection and classification performance across complex environments.

DroneShield said its approach to counter-unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) was “ecosystem led”.

It said further:

Rather than offering a closed or static solution, the company has invested in building a scalable marketplace of interoperable third-party sensors. This model gives operators the flexibility to select the right sensing technologies for their specific environment, threat profile, and operational constraints, both today and as requirements evolve. By adding Robin Radar Systems to its ecosystem, DroneShield continues to expand the options available to customers seeking radar-based detection as part of a layered CUAS deployment. Radar can play a critical role in detecting and tracking airborne objects across wide areas and in challenging conditions, supporting persistent awareness and resilience.

DroneShield said at the centre of this ecosystem was its DroneSentry-C2 product, “which combines inputs from multiple sensor types to create a consolidated operational picture that reduces ambiguity and enhances decision confidence”.

DroneShield Chief Product Officer Angus Bean said operators needed systems that adapt to their mission, not the other way around.

By partnering with Robin Radar Systems and expanding our sensor marketplace, we give customers more freedom to design their airspace security architecture, while SensorFusionAI ensures that all sensor inputs are fused into insights that support decisive action.

Robi Radar Chief Commercial Officer Marcel Verdonk welcomed the agreement.

At Robin, we see ourselves as a new generation radar company – fast, adaptive, and built for integration. Our technology is designed to deliver seamless performance within broader security architectures. We’re pleased to be partnering with DroneShield to combine our market-leading IRIS 3D radar with their CUAS platform, enabling smarter, layered airspace protection worldwide.

Building on recent good news

DroneShield also recently announced that it had started manufacturing counter-drone armaments in the European Union under contract, marking a significant expansion into a key market.

DroneShield said the European manufacturing capability would enable it to bid more competitively for European contracts, “which increasingly prioritises sovereign capability, regional production, and resilient supply chains”.

DroneShield shares were 1.2% higher in early trade on Wednesday at $4.07. The company was valued at $3.71 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post Here’s why the Droneshield share price just jumped                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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield and is short shares of DroneShield. 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.

Brokers have been busy looking over a number of ASX shares this week.

Let’s see what they are saying about the three named below, which have released updates in recent days. Here’s what you need to know:

Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6)

Bell Potter has been pleased with recent study data relating to this radiopharmaceutical company’s 64Cu-SAR-bis-PSMA PET product. It highlights that it is significantly outperforming Ga-PSMA-11 PET in the detection of biochemical recurrence in men with very low PSA levels.

As a result, the broker has reaffirmed its speculative buy rating and $6.40 price target on its shares. It said:

The stage is now set for a readout from the approval study for 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA (AMPLIFY) which has now ceased accepting new patient consents and is practically fully enrolled (n=220). The Co-PSMA data along with data from COBRA and anticipated findings from AMPLIFY will form the basis of submission of a new drug application to be submitted to the FDA.

CU6 has three fast track designations for the SAR-bisPSMA agent which includes patients with BCR of prostate cancer following definitive therapy. The company is well funded with cash in excess of $226m at 31 Dec 2025.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)

This coal miner disappointed analysts at Morgans with its half-year results. The broker highlights that its net profits were much softer than expected.

In light of this, the broker has retained its hold rating with a $5.00 price target. It said:

Overall result missed expectations, with underlying NPAT of A$54m materially below MorgansF (A$63m) and Visible Alpha consensus (A$78m), despite EBITDA of A$215m coming in line with expectations. NHC declared a fully franked 10c dividend, beating MorgansF (8c) and consensus (6c) estimates.

With an increasing production profile and material upside potential in coal prices, NHCs outlook remains positive. We maintain a HOLD rating with a target price of A$5.00ps.

Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI)

Morgans was pleased with this commercial explosives and blasting systems company’s trading update.

It was also pleased to see its CF Industries litigation settled and the strengthening of its US operations with an acquisition.

This has seen Morgans reiterate its buy rating with an improved price target of $25.35. It said:

ORI’s trading update was slightly stronger than we expected. It also announced the settlement of its litigation with CF Industries and the acquisition of its US explosives JV partner, Nelson Brothers, strengthening its US operations. Higher AUD and Indonesia’s coal production quotas have seen us make minor revisions to our FY26 forecasts but the acquisition has upgraded FY27/28.

With leverage to attractive industry fundamentals, market leading positions, solid earnings growth, proven management team and strong balance sheet, we reiterate our BUY rating with a new price target of A$25.35.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Clarity Pharmaceuticals, New Hope, and Orica shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.