• Why Macquarie’s $321 million Shield problem is back in court

    A judge sitting in a blurred background reaches forward to strike his gavel on the strikeplate on his judge's bench.

    Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares are moving higher on Thursday.

    This comes despite another legal headache returning to investors’ radar after appearing largely settled.

    At the time of writing, the investment bank’s stock is up 0.81% to $241.76.

    That still leaves the stock down almost 8% over the past month, although it remains around 19% higher in 2026.

    So, what’s going on?

    What is the new claim about?

    According to The Australian, Gordon Legal has launched a class action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against Macquarie Investment Management.

    The action involves Rachelle Dessent and around 2,800 account holders who invested in the Shield Master Fund through Macquarie’s platform.

    Macquarie agreed last September to compensate affected investors for the money they had put into Shield.

    Around $480 million was invested in the fund between 2022 and its closure in 2024, with roughly $321 million coming through Macquarie’s platform.

    But Gordon Legal says getting the original investment back doesn’t necessarily cover everything investors lost.

    It says some investors potentially missed out on returns their superannuation could have earned if the money had been invested elsewhere.

    Furthermore, the claim is also seeking compensation for the distress investors allegedly suffered.

    Gordon Legal partner James Naughton told The Australian that some investors “have not been fully compensated for all their losses, even if they have already received payouts”.

    Why is Shield still causing problems?

    Shield was available through Macquarie’s superannuation platform from early 2022 until investments were stopped in 2023.

    The fund later collapsed and was put into liquidation, leaving thousands of investors facing losses.

    That ultimately left Macquarie facing regulatory action over the issue.

    Last year, ASIC took Macquarie Investment Management to court after the company admitted it failed to place Shield on a watch list for extra monitoring.

    Macquarie later agreed to pay around $321 million to roughly 3,000 affected investors.

    What should investors watch?

    At this stage, there’s no telling how much more this could end up costing Macquarie.

    Gordon Legal is seeking further compensation, but no dollar figure has been put on the claim just yet.

    Evidently, that makes it hard to know whether this could become another sizeable cost or something Macquarie can absorb easily.

    Nonetheless, investors don’t seem too worried today, with the shares still trading slightly higher.

    I’d be watching how the case develops and whether Macquarie ends up facing another sizeable payout over the Shield collapse.

    The post Why Macquarie’s $321 million Shield problem is back in court appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Macquarie Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Macquarie Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia 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.

  • ASX shares investors are still buying despite volatility: survey

    Woman looking at a laptop and thinking.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XAO) shares are up 0.3% to 8,724.3 points on Thursday.

    The market has endured much volatility in the calendar year-to-date (YTD).

    We started the year with a major metals commodity sell-off in late January/early February.

    Then the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February, leading to a world oil supply crisis that has raised inflation.

    The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised interest rates three times in 2026 in an effort to curb resurgent inflation.

    The market is pricing a 76% chance of another 0.25% hike when the RBA board meets again on 28-29 September.

    Overnight, the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years.

    The Fed increased its benchmark rate by 0.25% to a range of 3.75% and 4%, also due to persistently high inflation.

    On top of that, bond yields have surged to multi-year highs in both Australia and the US over the past month.

    Rising bond yields, especially at today’s level of 5% or more for 10-year bonds, can pull investment away from ASX shares.

    Put all of this together and it’s not so great for the share market.

    The ASX 200 was up 5.6% for the YTD just before the conflict in Iran began.

    In the month following the first strike, the ASX 200 fell 8.9%.

    There have been more fluctuations ever since.

    Today, ASX 200 shares have slipped into the red for the YTD.

    Here’s a visual aide.

    Despite all of this, a large survey shows ASX shares investors are still buying stocks amid the volatility.

    Investors still buying ASX shares

    A survey of more than 8,500 Aussie investors and traders conducted by CMC shows continuing engagement in the ASX share market.

    More than 55% said they were more cautious, but 87% plan to carry on investing the same amount, or more, over the next six months.

    Fraser Allan, Head of Premium Client Management at CMC, said uncertainty in markets had not deterred investors this year.

    Rather than stepping back, they appear to be reassessing how and where they participate, a measured response that reflects neither complacency nor retreat.

    That’s a meaningful shift from what could be expected, given that uncertainty has in the past led some retail investors and traders to flee to cash.

    This time, some investors and traders are staying in the market and adjusting how they participate.

    ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were the most common way investors and traders had added to their portfolios this year.

    About 48% increased their investment in ETFs, 38% raised their ASX shareholdings, and 21% increased their US stock positions.

    The post ASX shares investors are still buying despite volatility: survey appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Cmc Markets Plc right now?

    Before you buy Cmc Markets Plc shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Cmc Markets Plc wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

  • Buy, hold, sell: Aurizon, Car Group, Guzman y Gomez shares

    I young woman takes a bite out of a burrito n the street outside a Mexican fast-food establishment.

    S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) shares are 0.4% higher at 8,659.1 points on Thursday.

    On The Bull this week, Toby Grimm from Baker Young explains his views and ratings on three ASX 300 shares.

    Let’s take a look.  

    Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ)

    The Aurizon share price is $3.73, up 0.5% today and up 16% over 12 months. 

    Grimm has a buy rating on this ASX 300 industrials share. 

    He commented: 

    This coal and freight logistics firm delivered better than expected full year 2026 results, in our view. Revenue of $4.194 billion was up 6 per cent on the prior corresponding period and statutory net profit after tax of $362 million was up 19 per cent.

    A highly encouraging performance at its containerised freight division provides a long term opportunity, in our view.

    Strong global coal prices amid favourable weather conditions to date in New South Wales and Queensland should generate demand for export logistics.

    While competition for haulage contracts may lower margins, the business outlook remains positive.

    It was recently trading on an attractive dividend yield above 6 per cent.

    CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

    The CAR share price is $23.91, down 0.5% today and down 37% over 12 months. 

    Grimm has a hold rating on this ASX 300 communications share. 

    He said: 

    Australia’s premium online car trading platform posted reported revenue of $1.253 billion in full year 2026, up 6 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Reported net profit after tax of $314 million was up 14 per cent.

    Guidance for 2027 appears favourable relative to consensus expectations.

    While the stock remains expensive relative to the broader market, its recent forward price/earnings ratio was trading at a significant discount to its average over the past four years.

    The company expects revenue growth of between 11 per cent and 14 per cent in constant currency in full year 2027.

    Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

    The Guzman Y Gomez share price is $24.91, up 0.2% today and down 1% over 12 months. 

    Grimm has a sell rating on this ASX 300 consumer discretionary share. 

    He explained: 

    The share price has rallied strongly after a decision to exit loss making US operations in May, followed by encouraging full year results in August.

    While there’s a near term benefit of withdrawing from the US, the decision also removes long term expansion potential. Also, it places more pressure on Australia, Singapore and Japan to perform to greater heights to justify what we consider a lofty price-earnings multiple.

    The shares materially exceed our valuation. The shares have risen from $16 on May 20 to trade at $26.85 on September 10.

    Investors may want to consider taking a profit at these levels given the Australian economy is dealing with a cost of living crisis.

    The post Buy, hold, sell: Aurizon, Car Group, Guzman y Gomez shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Guzman Y Gomez right now?

    Before you buy Guzman Y Gomez shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Guzman Y Gomez wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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