The Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) share price is in focus after the company revealed a quarterly cash and bullion balance of $1.128 billion and group gold production of 90,600 ounces for the March quarter.

What did Regis Resources report?

• Quarterly group gold production: 90,600 ounces (FY26 to date: 277,500 ounces).
• Cash and bullion build during the quarter: $198 million.
• Cash and bullion balance at 31 March 2026: $1.128 billion.
• FY26 gold production guidance: 350,000–380,000 ounces.
• Tax payment made in February for FY25: $92 million.

What else do investors need to know?

Regis Resources advised there has been no interruption to its fuel supplies so far, despite wider uncertainty around Australia’s fuel stability. The company has committed supply contracts with major importers and is actively monitoring its consumption and fuel supply chain.

All-In Sustaining Cost figures and further operational commentary will be provided with the full March quarterly results, due for release on 23 April 2026. An investor webcast and conference call are scheduled for the same day.

What’s next for Regis Resources?

Investors can expect a more detailed operational and financial update when Regis Resources releases its full March quarter report. The company continues to monitor market conditions and will update guidance if material impacts to costs or capital spending arise.

No changes to the company’s gold production or cost guidance have been flagged at this stage. Regis remains committed to operational stability and prudent financial management.

Regis Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Regis Resources shares have risen 62%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 16% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Regis Resources posts strong Q3 cash build and gold production appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Flight Centre Travel Group sells Pedal Group stake for $61.7 million
• Greatland Resources posts March quarter update

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Today’s Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price news is headlined by a binding deal to sell its 47% Pedal Group stake for $61.7 million, with the transaction unanimously backed by independent directors and an expected accounting gain of around $15 million.

What did Flight Centre Travel Group report?

• Signed a binding agreement to sell its 47% stake in Pedal Group for $61.7 million
• Divestment to the Turner Collective, a consortium linked to co-founder Graham Turner
• One-off accounting gain of about $15 million expected on completion
• No cash tax is anticipated due to existing losses offsetting the gain
• Shareholder vote scheduled for 14 May 2026 with completion expected soon after

What else do investors need to know?

This sale is part of Flight Centre’s ongoing strategy to focus on its core travel businesses and streamline its portfolio. The company has recently exited other non-core assets, including Cross Hotels and Resorts, to sharpen growth in key segments such as cruises and meetings.

The deal is subject to shareholder approval, as required under ASX rules, and an independent expert has deemed the terms fair and reasonable. The group expects no significant regulatory headwinds and aims to complete the sale by mid-May.

What did Flight Centre Travel Group management say?

Non-Executive Chairman Gary Smith said:

Pedal is a strong business with a loyal and engaged customer base, and we are proud of what has been built through the joint venture. We believe the Turner Collective is well placed to support Pedal’s next phase of growth. This divestment follows the sale of our Cross Hotels and Resorts business and reflects FLT’s disciplined approach to capital allocation and portfolio simplification. The transaction crystallises a strong return on our investment and enhances our capacity to invest in our core global travel businesses and future growth initiatives.

What’s next for Flight Centre Travel Group?

Flight Centre shareholders (excluding Graham Turner’s interests) will vote on the proposal at an Extraordinary General Meeting slated for 14 May 2026. If approved, the capital realised will be used to further invest in its global travel operations and growth strategies.

Looking ahead, management remains focussed on maximising value from its core travel businesses while continuing to assess its investment portfolio for further simplification and enhanced shareholder returns.

Flight Centre Travel Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Flight Centre shares have declined 14%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 16% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Flight Centre Travel Group sells Pedal Group stake for $61.7 million appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Magellan Financial Group posts March 2026 AUM drop
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• Greatland Resources posts March quarter update

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) share price is in focus today after the company announced March quarter gold production of 82,723 ounces and cash reserves jumping $260 million to $1,208 million.

What did Greatland Resources report?

• Produced 82,723 ounces of gold and 4,128 tonnes of copper during the March 2026 quarter
• Year-to-date FY2026 output reached 249,887 ounces of gold and 11,022 tonnes of copper
• Sales for the quarter were 97,800 ounces of gold and 4,620 tonnes of copper
• Cash balance of $1,208 million as at 31 March 2026, up from $948 million at 31 December 2025
• No debt and $73 million in tax payments for the previous year

What else do investors need to know?

Greatland built its cash reserves strongly, ending the quarter with over $1.2 billion even after capital expenditure and tax payments. The company will start making regular tax instalments from April 2026.

Management noted that, despite tensions in the Middle East, Telfer operations have not been impacted by diesel disruptions, thanks to secure contracts and alternative energy sources. The site also holds over 12 months of mill feed in surface stockpiles at quarter-end. Greatland maintains exposure to high gold prices while partially protecting against downside risks using gold put options.

What’s next for Greatland Resources?

Greatland expects FY26 gold production to be at or slightly above the top end of its guidance range (260,000–310,000 ounces). Investors can expect further detail in the full March 2026 Quarterly Activities Report to be released later in April, with a management webcast planned for the same day.

The company continues to monitor global challenges while relying on long-term supply contracts and significant on-site reserves to underpin output through the year.

Greatland Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Greatland Resources shares have risen 83%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 16% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Greatland Resources posts March quarter update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX share market has taken a step back in recent months.

That has been enough to shake confidence in parts of the market. Headlines have turned more cautious, and it is easy to focus on what could go wrong next.

But I think periods like this are worth looking at differently.

For long-term investors, pullbacks can create the conditions for building wealth.

Lower ASX share prices change the equation

When share prices fall, future return potential improves. 

That is a simple idea, but an important one.

A number of quality ASX shares are now trading well below their recent highs. Businesses like CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX), and Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) have seen significant declines, even though their long-term growth drivers remain in place.

That does not mean they will rebound immediately.

But starting from a lower entry point can make a big difference over time.

Short-term concerns are driving sentiment

There are clear reasons behind the recent selloff.

Rising oil prices, driven by tensions in the Middle East, have increased concerns about inflation and interest rates. At the same time, ongoing debates around artificial intelligence are creating uncertainty in parts of the technology sector.

These are real factors.

But markets tend to react quickly to uncertainty, sometimes more quickly than the underlying fundamentals change.

In many cases, I think what we are seeing is sentiment adjusting faster than business performance.

This is how long-term returns are built

Looking back, some of the best investment periods have followed market weakness.

The COVID-19 selloff in 2020 is a good example. Investors who were willing to buy during that period were often rewarded as markets recovered.

I am not suggesting that every downturn plays out the same way.

But I do think the principle holds.

Buying quality ASX shares when prices are lower can improve long-term outcomes, particularly if you remain invested and allow compounding to work.

Staying consistent matters more than timing

Trying to pick the exact bottom is extremely difficult. It usually becomes obvious only after the fact.

That is why I prefer a more consistent approach.

Adding to investments during periods of weakness, rather than waiting for perfect conditions, can help build positions over time without relying on a single decision.

Focus on quality

Not every ASX share that falls is an opportunity. Some declines reflect real challenges.

That is why I think it is important to focus on quality.

Businesses with strong balance sheets, competitive advantages, and clear growth drivers are more likely to recover and continue compounding over time.

For me, that is where the real opportunity lies during a selloff.

Foolish takeaway

The recent ASX share market selloff may feel uncomfortable, but I think it also creates opportunity.

Lower prices can improve long-term return potential, especially when applied to high-quality businesses.

There will always be uncertainty in markets.

But for investors with a long-term mindset, periods like this can be some of the most important times to stick with it and continue building positions.

The post Why the recent ASX share market selloff is a wealth-building opportunity appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

This $11 billion ASX steel stock is on the move again.

Shares in BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) jumped 3.8% to $27.07 on Tuesday and is now up an impressive 42% over the past 12 months. But it hasn’t been a smooth climb. The share price has behaved more like a yo-yo, swinging on sentiment and headlines.

While other materials stocks also pushed higher on Tuesday, one key driver keeps popping up: takeover tension.

So, what’s going on?

Let’s rewind. Back in February, BlueScope received a “best and final” takeover offer from SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) and its US counterpart Steel Dynamics Inc worth around $32.35 per share. That followed an earlier bid in January. The board of the ASX steel stock rejected both offers, arguing that the proposals undervalued the business.

Still, the interest hasn’t gone away. The market knows bidders are circling and that’s enough to keep speculation alive. Investors are now watching closely for a sweetened offer or a new player entering the mix.

Unlocking hidden value

That’s the takeover angle. But there’s more to the story.

BlueScope is also working to unlock hidden value internally. The company has been actively selling surplus land across New South Wales and Victoria, building a pipeline of development projects. These assets could generate additional earnings streams beyond its core steel operations.

In other words, there’s value here for the ASX steel stock that isn’t fully reflected in the steel business alone.

Improving resilience

Operationally, the company looks stronger too.

Management has improved resilience compared to past cycles, with tighter cost control, a better product mix, and a focus on higher-margin steel products. That’s helping smooth out earnings volatility — a big win in a notoriously cyclical industry.

And the numbers back it up.

In its latest half-year result, BlueScope reported a 4% lift in sales revenue to $8.22 billion. Even more impressive, net profit after tax surged 118% to $390.8 million for the six months to 31 December 2025.

That’s a serious earnings rebound.

Trade uncertainty, currency risk

But let’s not ignore the risks for the ASX steel stock.

Steel is a cyclical business, heavily tied to global growth. If construction or manufacturing slows, demand — and margins — can fall quickly.

There’s also exposure to global markets, particularly North America and Asia, which introduces currency swings and trade uncertainty.

And then there’s the ESG challenge.

Steelmaking is energy-intensive, and environmental regulations are tightening. While BlueScope is investing in decarbonisation, transitioning legacy operations won’t be cheap or easy.

The bottom line

BlueScope shares are being pulled in two directions — strong fundamentals on one side, takeover speculation on the other.

If a higher bid emerges, the upside could come quickly. If not, investors are still left with a more resilient, better-run steel business.

Either way, this is one ASX stock that’s unlikely to stay quiet for long.

The post Is takeover tension sending this ASX steel stock soaring? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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.

There are always interesting ASX shares to consider. Sometimes, an analyst may call a business a buy. A few businesses have multiple experts rating them as an opportunity, which could be a clear signal that they’re appealing ideas to invest in.

The two ASX shares I’m going to highlight are among the most highly-rated businesses in Australia and they both may be capable of producing very pleasing shareholder returns.

Of course, these are just analysts’ predictions, not guarantees of how things will play out.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Zip is one of the largest buy now, pay later businesses in Australia and the US.

According to CMC Invest, there have been six recent ratings on the business, with all of those being a buy.

The business could deliver significant capital growth according to the price targets. A price target is where analysts think the share price could be in a year from the time of the investment call.

According to CMC Invest, the average price target on Zip is $3.84, suggesting a potential rise of around 130% over the next year. The most optimistic price target is $4.50, suggesting a possible rise of approximately 170%, while the lowest price target is $2.60, implying a rise of more than 50%.

Of course, it’s not common for a particular business to rise more than 50% in a year, so a rise of over 100% would be very impressive.

The ASX share’s FY26 first-half result was impressive. Total income grew 29.2% to $664 million, operating profit (cash EBITDA) jumped 85.6% to $124.3 million and active customers rose 4.1% to 6.6 million.

However, net bad debts increased to 1.7% of total transaction value (TTV), up from 1.6% of TTV in the first half of FY25.

Most importantly, the business is expecting ongoing strength growth in the US. In FY26, the company expects to report US TTV growth of more than 40% in USD dollar terms, balancing profitability and credit loss performance. The US TTV in January 2026 grew by more than 40% year-over-year.

According to CMC Invest, the business is valued at around 20x FY26’s estimated earnings.

Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)

Another ASX share that’s currently liked by analysts is Baby Bunting, a retailer of various baby and toddler items like prams, beds, clothing, toys and so on.

According to CMC Invest, in the last three months, there have been four buy ratings on the business and two holds.

The average price target of those ratings is $3.18, suggesting a possible rise of more than 130% for the ASX share.

The most optimistic price target is $4.20, suggesting a potential increase of around 210%, while the lowest estimate is $2.60, which implies a possible rise of more than 90%.

In the FY26 half-year result, the business was able to report a number of positives.

Total sales increased by 6.7% year-over-year to $271.4 million, with comparable store sales growth of 4.7%. Excitingly, its ‘store of the future’ refurbishment program unlocked a 25% sales increase, which was the top end of its guidance range of between 15% to 25%.

Pleasingly, the company said that second half sales momentum continued in the first seven weeks with comparable sales growth of 6.7%.

The projection on CMC Invest suggests the business could generate earnings per share (EPS) of 12.8 cents in FY26, putting the current valuation at under 11x FY26’s estimated earnings.

The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 50% in 2026, Zip shares are ‘one of the most compelling value opportunities on the ASX’
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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares appear to be staging a comeback after a 7.8% fall last month due to the war in Iran.

In April so far, ASX 200 shares have recovered by 2.91%. However, trading activity remains volatile.

Meantime, brokers have reviewed their ratings on the following three ASX shares.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) 

Telstra is the largest ASX communications share on the market.

Ord Minnett issued a new note on Telstra shares yesterday.

The broker maintained its accumulate rating with a 12-month target of $5.50.

Telstra shares hit a record high of $5.44 apiece on Tuesday.

Ord Minnett said it raised its earnings per share (EPS) estimates for FY26-FY28 after the telco announced some price increases.

The broker said:

Telstra has flagged it will raise prices on almost all of its post-paid and prepaid mobile phone plans from 5 May, two months ahead of the 1 July start date it used last year, and cease sales of its non-advertised 5 gigabyte (GB) ‘starter plan’ to new customers from the same date.

Ord Minnett views the scale of the changes as largely in line with consensus estimates and see them as supportive of Telstra’s target of generating operating earnings growth of $300 million per annum.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

Treasury Wine Estates owns household-name wine brands including Penfolds, Wynns, Wolf Blass, Lindemans, and Squealing Pig. ‍

Ord Minnett issued a new note on this ASX wine share yesterday.

The broker upgraded Treasury Wine shares from lighten to hold and cut its price target from $5 to $4.50.

Treasury Wine shares closed the session yesterday at $3.78, up 1.3%.

The stock has fallen 28.7% in the year to date (YTD) and 55.7% over 12 months.

Ord Minnett said it had increased its debt assumptions due to tight grape supply contracts in the US and Australia.

The broker said:

‍Combined, the impact of these contract terms means Ord Minnett estimates Treasury’s inventory will increase again in FY27 before scaling down in the following years.

Size-wise, we see inventory topping out at circa $2.9 billion, a whisker away from the company’s current market capitalisation and twice the inventory size it held a decade ago.

We raise our recommendation to Hold from Lighten, however, given the stock’s lost 18% slide in March and fall of decline of almost 30% in the year to date.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

Domino’s Pizza shares closed at $17.06 on Tuesday, up 6.8%.

The ASX consumer discretionary share has fallen 21.8% YTD and 29.5% over 12 months.

On The Bull this week, Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities revealed a sell rating on Domino’s shares.

Gable explained:

Although the share price of this fast food company has lost a lot of value in the past few years and recently remained in a downtrend, I don’t see any price support emerging at current levels.

The company is entering a challenging period, where increasing costs and lower consumer confidence could erode margins and put downward pressure on earnings.

I can’t identify a positive catalyst at least until the company posts full year results in August.

I expect investors to continue selling the stock on any sharemarket bounce.

The post Buy, hold, or sell? Treasury Wine, Domino’s Pizza, and Telstra shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The team at Morgans has been running the rule over two popular ASX 200 stocks this week.

Let’s see if the broker is bullish or bearish on these names. Here’s what it is recommending:

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

Morgans was pleased with the company’s recent half-year results, which were the first since the merger with Brickworks.

Commenting on the result, the broker said:

SOL has recently released its 1H26 result, which represents the first reporting period post the completion of the Brickworks (BKW) merger (Sep-25). It was another strong period for SOL, with Pre-tax NAV increasing ~15% on pcp to ~A$13.8bn. The portfolio delivered a 9.7% increase in NAV per share in the period (versus the ASX200 total return index returning 3.1%).

Net cash flow from investments (NCFI) grew ~15% on pcp to ~A$334m, supported by strong contributions from the private, credit and real asset portfolios. Regular NPAT from the portfolio was up ~21% on pcp to ~A$397m. A 48cps fully-franked interim dividend was declared (28 consecutive years of dividend increases).

However, despite being pleased with Soul Patts’ results, due to the outperformance of its shares, it isn’t enough for a buy rating. The broker has put a hold rating and $41.85 price target on them. It said:

Our DDM/SOTP-derived price target is now A$41.85 following the BKW merger, which materially changed the portfolio composition and tax base. We also remove the associated premium we had applied to our prior valuation to factor in index upweighting post the merger. Our updated forecasts are overleaf. We continue to like the SOL story, particularly its track record of growing distributions and history of uncorrelated and above market returns. We maintain our Hold recommendation.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Another ASX 200 stock that the broker has been looking at is energy giant Woodside.

After removing its 10% conflict premium that was applied to Woodside shares, but upgrading its oil and gas assumptions, the broker has come to a valuation of $33.40. And with its shares racing beyond this price target, it has downgraded its shares to a hold rating (from accumulate). It explains:

We downgrade our rating on WDS to HOLD (from ACCUMULATE). Owning WDS has been powerful insurance (as a hedge against supply disruption) but now trading above A$35/share and above our NAV, it has crossed over into an active wager that the crisis is more permanent than we estimate, which sadly is possible, but should this be our base case steering our strategy? No. We remove our 10% conflict premium and apply our upgraded oil/LNG deck, for a small net change in our target price, now at A$33.40 (was A$33.55).

The post What is Morgans saying about these massively popular ASX 200 stocks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are a popular option for Aussie investors.

But after rising 50% over the past 12 months, is it too late to invest in the mining giant?

Let’s see what three analysts are saying courtesy of The Bull. Here’s what you need to know:

What are analysts saying about BHP shares?

Fairmont Equities currently rates BHP as a hold.

Although it believes the commodities bull market is only just beginning and sees BHP as a safe bet, it appears to be waiting for a more attractive entry point. It said:

The commodities bull market has only just started, in my view. As a global mining giant, BHP generally appeals to investors looking to increase exposure in the resources sector. BHP’s share price has retreated to a major support level since the start of the war in Iran. I’m confident the stock should bounce from these levels. BHP’s diversification makes it a safer bet for investors to ride the commodities bull market.

What else?

Over at Investor Pulse, its team also rates BHP shares as a hold this week.

It highlights that the Big Australian is currently trading in line with historical enterprise value-to-earnings multiples. As a result, investors may want to wait for a pullback before opening up a position. It said:

The company remains a global resources powerhouse, increasingly focused on future-facing commodities, such as copper and potash. The first half result in fiscal year 2026 highlights a robust performance across its portfolio. Iron ore continues to deliver strong cash flow, but copper has become the standout performer, contributing about 51 per cent of total earnings.

Copper production guidance has been upgraded to between 1.9 million tonnes and 2 million tonnes following record output at its Escondida operation and various South Australian assets. Valuation metrics indicate that BHP was recently trading in line with historical enterprise value-to-earnings multiples, reflecting solid fundamentals and current commodity price expectations.

Finally, analysts at Morgans complete the trifecta and also rate BHP shares as a hold this week.

While very positive on the mining giant, it isn’t quite enough for a buy rating at this stage. The broker said:

BHP is a diversified mining company producing iron ore, copper, nickel, metallurgical coal and potash. First half revenue in fiscal year 2026 grew 11 per cent on the prior corresponding period and profit after tax was up 28 per cent. The fully franked interim dividend of US73 cents a share was up 46 per cent and ahead of consensus. BHP’s fundamentals position it to play a recovery in China’s subdued growth. Capital expenditure cycles and copper growth provide a compelling reason to retain BHP as a core position in portfolios.

The post 3 analysts give their verdict on BHP shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 sector leaders to buy amid today’s market rally
• Up 59% in a year, should you still buy BHP shares today?
• Why I think BHP, CBA, and DroneShield shares are buys in April
• BHP shares just dropped — is this your chance to buy the dip?
• Buy, hold, sell: Aristocrat, BHP, and Woodside shares 

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

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares closed 1.7% higher on Tuesday afternoon, at $37.26 each.

It’s great news for investors after the bank’s share price fluctuated over the past month as the market adjusted to a new market normal. Throughout March ANZ’s share price fell 8.5%.

Despite ongoing global uncertainty, cash rate hikes, and a slowdown in lending, the banking giant’s shares are now up 2.3% for the year-to-date and 39% above their trading levels this time last year. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is practically flat for the year-to-date, and 18.9% higher than 12 months ago.

Despite interest rate headwinds and broad under-certainty across the ASX financial sector, I still think ANZ shares are a great buy.

Here are three reasons why.

1. ANZ has stable earnings and a predictable cash flow

ANZ is generally considered to have stable earnings and predictable cash flow. This is due to its position as one of Australia’s big four banks. The bank has a strong deposit base and a diversified portfolio that means it is relatively defensive in nature.

In mid-February, ANZ posted a first-quarter cash profit of $1.94 billion, up a whopping 75% from the second-half average of FY25. Operating income was up 4% and cash return on tangible equity climbed 11.7% over the quarter.

The news beat expectations, delighted investors and instilled some renewed confidence into the stock. ANZ shares closed at an all-time high following the announcement.

2. It pays a regular dividend to shareholders

ANZ traditionally makes dividend payments to shareholders every six months, payable in July and December. It also offers both a dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) and a bonus option plan (BOP) as alternatives to receiving cash dividends on ANZ ordinary shares.

The bank’s most recent dividend was paid out to shareholders in December. It paid 83 cents per share franked at 70%. This brought the total annual dividend to $1.66 per share, at a yield of 4.45%. UBS brokers are projecting a similar payout from ANZ in FY27, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.2% (excluding franking credits).

3. It has a better share price outlook versus some of its peers

Brokers are neutral on the outlook for ANZ shares over the next 12 months. Most have a hold rating with an average target price of $38.01, which implies a potential 2% upside at the time of writing. 

Therefore, ANZ has a better share price outlook than its big four bank peers. Brokers hold a strong sell rating on Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Westpac Banking Corporation Ltd (ASX: WBC) with a 25% and 11% downside respectively.

Brokers have a neutral rating on National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares but with a smaller 0.08% average upside. 

The post 3 reasons to buy ANZ shares 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 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.