ASX uranium shares, including Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) and Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE), look well placed to deliver outsized returns over the next several years.

That’s according to the team at Shaw and Partners.

Both Paladin and Boss Energy shares are already off to a strong start in 2026.

Year to date at the time of writing, the Paladin share price is up 28.3%, while Boss Energy shares have gained 14%. That compares to a 1.1% gain posted by the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) over this same period.

Why ASX uranium shares could charge higher from here

In a new report, Uranium Super-Cycle, Shaw and Partners recommends investors hold an overweight position in ASX uranium shares.

The broker expects that “a growing disconnect” between global uranium supply and long-term nuclear demand will see a big uptick in uranium prices, which should help lift profits for producers like Boss Energy and Paladin.

Uranium was recently trading for around US$88 per pound, after hitting a two-year high of $101 per pound on 29 January.

But citing structural supply deficits, accelerating nuclear demand, and tightening fuel contracting cycles, Shaw and Partners expects nuclear fuel to surge to US$200 per pound.

In the new report, the broker now forecasts a uranium spot price of US$175 per pound in 2027, up from its prior forecast of US$150 per pound. And in 2028, Shaw and Partners expects uranium will fetch US$200 per pound, up from the prior forecast of US$150 per pound.

Why the uranium price could more than double by 2028

Shaw and Partners’ bullish outlook on the price of the nuclear fuel, and the resulting expected strength of ASX uranium shares, follows on what it called a “sharp market signal” when uranium spiked from US$85 per pound to US$102 per pound in only three days at the end of January.

Andrew Hines, head of research at Shaw and Partners, said this big move shows just how sensitive the uranium market is to incremental buying pressure.

According to Hines:

The January spike demonstrated how quickly this market can reprice. A relatively modest amount of financial buying was enough to move the spot price materially. If utilities return to the term market in size, we believe the upside move could be significant.

Shaw and Partners noted that global nuclear capacity currently consumes some 180 million pounds of uranium a year. That’s significantly more than the existing mine production of around 150 million pounds a year.

And bringing more uranium to the market isn’t something the miners can do overnight.

“On paper there are new projects slated for development, but in practice these are technically complex, capital intensive and often in challenging jurisdictions,” Hines said.

Atop Paladin and Boss Energy, Shaw and Partners’ preferred exposure to ASX uranium shares includes:

• Bannerman Energy Ltd (ASX: BMN), whose shares are up 28.6% year to date
• NexGen Energy Ltd (ASX: NXG), whose shares are up 24.5% year to date
• Peninsula Energy Ltd (ASX: PEN), whose shares are down 3.3% year to date

“The narrative around nuclear has shifted decisively,” Hines said. “Energy security, decarbonisation and AI-driven power demand are converging. Nuclear is no longer a fringe solution. It is becoming central to energy policy.”

The post Why ASX uranium shares like Paladin and Boss Energy could be set to rocket appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• One uranium stock to buy and one to sell, according to Macquarie
• How much upside is there in Paladin Energy shares?
• Why the Paladin share price is sinking 9% today
• Buy, hold, sell: Bannerman, CBA, and Telstra shares
• Why Boss Energy, Lindian, Magellan, and New Hope shares are rising 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 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.

February was a busy month for brokers with countless results releases hitting the wires.

Three ASX 200 shares that Morgans is bullish on after reviewing their results are named below. Here’s what the broker is saying about them:

ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB)

Morgans remains positive on this 4×4 auto parts company and believes that a return to growth is coming in FY 2027.

In light of this, the broker thinks investors should be buying this ASX 200 share while its shares are down in the dumps. It has put a buy rating and $31.85 price target on them. It said:

ARB’s 1H26 result was pre-released (sales -1%; PBT -16%) and we saw limited incremental information today that justified the sharp share price fall. Exports remain the highlight, as the US delivered +26% growth with ARB product sales through the ORW/4WP network up +100% LFL, the UK returned to growth (+5%), and management expressed confidence EMEA headwinds are behind them with the orderbook tracking well ahead of pcp.

Within Aftermarket, network expansion, the new e-commerce platform, new product cycles and the Ford partnership provide levers to help offset a slower start to industry volumes. FY26 reflects a base year for ARB and we remain positive on a resumption of sustainable growth in FY27. We view ~18x FY27F PE as undemanding relative to ARB’s market leadership, strong balance sheet and ongoing US execution. BUY.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

Another struggling ASX 200 share that Morgans is positive on is pizza chain operator Domino’s Pizza.

While there is still a lot of work to be done, the broker is pleased with the action that management is taking. In light of this, it has retained its buy rating and $25.00 price target on Domino’s shares. It said:

1H26 marks a clear strategic reset for DMP, with management prioritising a more profitable operating model over near-term volume. SSS was hard to digest, below expectations, but the balance of new information was encouraging, underpinned by a 4.5% lift in franchisee profitability and further cost-out opportunities. We believe early actions from the new leadership team are directionally sound, although this is a multi-year turnaround and proof of execution is still required.

Returning economics to franchisees is a prerequisite for improved sales momentum and store roll-outs, meaning shareholders may need to be patient, but the prize is there if the strategy is delivered. BUY maintained with an unchanged target price of $25.00.

Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG)

This alternative investment company could be an ASX 200 share to buy according to Morgans.

After releasing an impressive half-year result that was ahead of expectations, the broker retained its buy rating with a $6.66 price target. It said:

GDG’s 1H26 group underlying NPAT (A$20.1m, +63% on the pcp), was in line with MorgansF and +5% above Visible Alpha consensus (A$19.3m).    We acknowledge the change in divisional reporting made this a messy result, albeit it was more straightforward than we envisaged, and largely as expected across the board. Positive commentary on potential Evidentia mandates dropping this quarter was arguably our key takeaway, and this could provide a catalyst at the 3Q26 update (if management can deliver as promised). We lower our GDG FY26F/FY27F EPS by -1%/-6%.

Changes to our forecasts reflect a broad review of our earnings assumptions, and re-modelling per GDG’s new reporting structure. Our PT falls to A$6.66 (previously A$7.97). We believe GDG has a great story, and management has executed well over time. With the stock trading at a >20% discount to our TP, we maintain our Buy call.

The post Broker names 3 ASX 200 shares to buy in March appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• What are the experts saying about Domino’s Pizza, Wisetech, and Woolworths shares?
• Are Domino’s shares a buy, sell or hold after its half-year result?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ARB Corporation and Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, and Generation Development Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It was a day of recovery for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday. After enduring two of the worst drops investors have seen in months on Tuesday and yesterday, the ASX 200 rebounded slightly today, rising 0.44%. That gain leaves the index at 8,940.3 points.

This tentatively positive session for the local markets comes after a bullish morning on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) recovered well, despite an initial dip, gaining 0.49%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, enjoying a 1.29% rise.

But let’s get back to ASX shares now and dig a little deeper into what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors this session.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Can the DroneShield share price reach its all-time high again?
• Why is the Magellan share price up 10% today?
• 3 ASX growth stocks primed to rocket in 2026
• Why Endeavour, Lindian, Magellan, and WiseTech shares are storming higher today
• 3 excellent Australian tech stocks to buy before they rebound

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Catapult Sports, DroneShield, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and WiseTech Global. 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.

The DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) share price is bouncing back strongly in late afternoon trade on Thursday.

At the time of writing, shares in the counter-drone technology company are up 9.23% to $3.67.

The recovery follows two sharp declines earlier this week. DroneShield shares fell 7.18% on Wednesday and dropped 6.22% on Tuesday, sparking concerns that the recent rally may have run out of steam.

Even after those losses, the defence technology stock remains one of the standout performers on the ASX over the past year.

But with the stock still well below its record high of $6.71 reached in October 2025, investors may be wondering if it can return there.

Let’s take a closer look.

The fundamentals remain strong

DroneShield specialises in counter-drone technology, providing systems that detect and disable hostile drones using radio frequency and electronic warfare solutions.

Demand for these systems has been growing rapidly as militaries and governments respond to the rising threat of low-cost drones in modern conflicts.

The company recently announced 6 new contracts worth $21.7 million to supply counter-drone systems, spare kits, and software to a Western military customer.

This follows strong full-year results for FY 2025.

DroneShield reported revenue of $216.5 million, representing 276% growth year on year. The company also delivered positive EBITDA of $4.5 million, compared with a loss the year before.

Management also highlighted a sales pipeline of approximately $2.3 billion, suggesting strong demand ahead.

Broker Bell Potter remains positive on the company and has retained a buy rating with a price target of $4.80.

Based on the current share price, the potential upside is roughly 30% over the next 12 months.

What does the chart say?

Looking at the technical side, DroneShield shares appear to be attempting a rebound after the recent pullback.

The stock is currently trading around the middle of its Bollinger Bands, which often indicates a neutral momentum phase following a short-term correction.

The relative strength index (RSI) sits around the mid-50s, suggesting the stock is neither overbought nor oversold.

Looking at key levels, the $3.30 to $3.40 region appears to be forming near-term support, which aligns with the lows reached during this week’s sell-off.

On the upside, the next resistance level sits around $4, followed by a stronger barrier near $4.80, which coincides with Bell Potter’s price target.

If the stock can break through those levels, momentum traders may begin looking back toward the previous record high near $6.71.

Foolish bottom line

DroneShield remains a volatile stock, and sharp swings are likely to continue given the nature of defence contracts and investor sentiment.

However, with defence spending rising globally and counter-drone technology becoming increasingly important, the long-term growth opportunity for DroneShield remains significant.

The post Can the DroneShield share price reach its all-time high again? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $10,000 invested in DroneShield shares 12 months ago is now worth…
• 3 ASX 200 shares to buy and hold for a decade or more
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• These ASX defence stocks are rallying. Is it too late to buy?
• Why DroneShield shares soared in February and are rocketing into March

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 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.

Blue chip ASX 200 shares often have a reputation of delivering slow and steady returns.

But that isn’t always the case.

For example, the two blue chip shares named below are currently being tipped to rise by almost 50% by analysts at Morgans.

Here’s what they are recommending to clients this month:

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

The team at Morgans is positive on travel agent giant Flight Centre and believes it could be an ASX 200 blue chip share to buy now.

It has put a buy rating and $18.05 price target on its shares, which suggests that upside of almost 50% is possible between now and this time next year.

The broker was pleased with its half-year results, which were better than feared, and highlights the low multiples that Flight Centre’s shares trade on. It said:

FLT’s 1H26 NBPT was up 4.1%, a beat on guidance for a flat result. The Corporate result was the highlight with NPBT was up 20%, while Leisure was better than feared down only 4%. The 3Q26 is off to a strong start and importantly Leisure is back in growth.

FY26 guidance was reiterated. We have made minor upgrades to our forecasts. FLT’s fundamentals remain attractive (FY27 PE of 10.6x) and we retain a Buy recommendation with a new A$18.05 price target.

Iress Ltd (ASX: IRE)

Morgans also thinks that this financial technology company could be an ASX 200 blue chip share to buy.

In response to its full-year results last month, the broker upgraded Iress’ shares to a buy rating with a $10.95 price target.

This implies potential upside of almost 50% for investors over the next 12 months. It said:

IRE delivered a solid FY25 result with underlying EBITDA of A$136.2m, +4.7% ahead of our estimate, and the group’s FY25 guidance range. Divisionally each segment delivered solid EBITDA growth half on half, with APAC Wealth up +24.5%, UK Wealth +46%, and GTMD +8.6%. FY26 Cash EBITDA guidance (underlying EBITDA less capex) was provided at A$116-126m (representing 15-26% growth YoY).

IRE flagged that capex for FY26 will remain in line with FY25, which implies further operating leverage is expected. We upgrade our underlying EBITDA forecasts by +5-6%, which sees our price target increase to $10.95 from $10.50. With over 50% implied TSR, we move to a BUY rating from ACCUMULATE.

The post 2 ASX 200 blue chip shares that could rise 50% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 ASX dividend shares to buy for income in 2026
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• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts
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• Morgans just upgraded these ASX shares to buy ratings

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 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.

The Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) share price rose 10% on Thursday and is now up 23% on this week’s big news.

That news is the proposed merger with Barrenjoey Capital Partners, an investment bank that Magellan helped finance in its early days.

On Monday, Magellan announced the proposal while in a trading halt.

On Tuesday, the financial services group announced the completion of a $130 million institutional capital raise to help fund the deal.

Magellan shares ripped after resuming trading, and today, the financial stock continues to climb as investors digest the details.

The Magellan share price reached an intraday high of $10.53 on Thursday, up 10% on Wednesday’s closing value.

This makes the Magellan share price the top riser of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) today.

Magellan shares are currently fetching $10.46 apiece, up 9.25%.

The history of Barrenjoey

Magellan is a founding shareholder in the six-year-old investment bank, and already owns a 36% stake.

The financial services company will acquire the remaining shares in Barrenjoey for $903 million, funded with new Magellan shares.

Barrenjoey was launched in 2020 by co-executive chairs Matthew Grounds and Guy Fowler OAM, who left UBS to start their own show.

Barrenjoey’s current and founding CEO, Brian Benari, had been CEO of Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) for seven years before joining the start-up.

Magellan sank $150 million of seed money into Barrenjoey on the recommendation of former chief investment officer, Hamish Douglass.

Could the merger end Magellan’s struggle?

The Magellan share price has struggled since Douglass resigned for health reasons in December 2021.

The company has also lost several major clients.

They included St James Place in December 2021, which represented about 12% of Magellan’s revenue at the time.

Funds under management have fallen from $113 billion in July 2021, when the Magellan share price was about $50, to $40 billion today.

Meantime, Grounds, Fowler, and Benari have built an impressive business.

Barrenjoey generated $522 million in revenue in CY25, with adjusted NPATA of $108 million.

The merger deal gives Barrenjoey an implied value of $1.62 billion on a 100% equity basis.

In a statement, Magellan said of Barrenjoey:

The business has consistently exceeded expectations with strong organic growth, attractive returns on capital, and an entrepreneurial culture that positions the combined group for continued expansion.

Benari will be Group CEO of the merged company, and Grounds and Fowler will continue as co-executive chairs of Barrenjoey.

In a statement, Benari said:

The merger will benefit our clients, through deepening our global distribution, expanding our balance sheet and diversifying our product offering.

We are particularly excited about the opportunities for our Private Capital arm who will bring together our expertise in private assets with MFG’s global distribution capability and infrastructure.

Extended escrow arrangements for key Barrenjoey players

Magellan shareholders may be reassured by the voluntary escrow and vesting arrangements that imply that Benari, Grounds, and Fowler are in this for the long haul.

Benari, Grounds, and Fowler have agreed to extended escrow arrangements for their new Magellan shares of up to nine years.

The weighted average term is approximately six years post-announcement. The trio will own just under 32% of the merged company.

Magellan said:

These arrangements are designed to ensure continuity of leadership, and alignment with long-term shareholder outcomes with the Barrenjoey Parties to which the restrictions apply only permitted to sell their Consideration Shares after their respective dealing restriction period ends.

In a statement, Grounds and Fowler said:

We are very excited about this next step and the opportunities that it provides for our clients and our staff.

Magellan share price snapshot

The Magellan share price is now up 30% over the past year but down 73% over the past five years.

The post Why is the Magellan share price up 10% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Endeavour, Lindian, Magellan, and WiseTech shares are storming higher today
• A once-in-a-decade chance to get a 10%+ yield from ASX 200 income shares?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why Boss Energy, Lindian, Magellan, and New Hope shares are rising today
• Magellan share price soars 31% on completed capital raise for Barrenjoey merger

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

The Australian share market has traditionally delivered a return in the region of 10% per annum.

While that is a fantastic return, it pales in comparison to the potential return on offer with the ASX 200 stock in this article.

That’s because Bell Potter believes this stock is dirt cheap and could be destined to rocket from current levels.

Which ASX 200 stock?

The stock that Bell Potter is bullish on is Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU).

It is a biotechnology company with two novel drug assets. The most advanced is Daybue (trofinetide), which has been licensed to Acadia (NASDAQ: ACAD) for commercialisation.

Neuren’s second asset, NNZ-2591, is under development for multiple rare diseases, the most advanced of which is Phelan McDermid syndrome.

The ASX 200 stock is currently conducting a Phase 3 trial in Phelan McDermid syndrome and has conducted Phase 2 trials in three other rare neurological conditions.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with the ASX 200 stock’s performance in FY 2025, highlighting that it is profitable from its existing royalty stream alone. It said:

The FY25 result demonstrated NEU remains comfortably profitable based on the existing royalty stream from Daybue more than offsetting R&D spend on the company’s second asset, NNZ-2591. Royalty revenue of $64.6m (+15%) plus interest income of $12.2m was well above opex of $42.6m, resulting in NPAT of $30.4m. Cash balance is a mighty $296m as at 31-Dec-2025 with no debt. This is after the $50m buyback over the last ~15 months, which NEU announced will resume from 2nd of March.

Should you invest?

According to the note, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating and $22.00 price target on the company’s shares.

Based on its current share price of $12.21, this implies potential upside of 80% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, the broker said:

We have increased our Daybue licensing income forecast but are still below Acadia’s guidance range. While the recent EU approval setback clouded NEU’s near-term catalyst, the company’s balance sheet remains impeccable and will continue to be supplemented by ongoing royalties and possible milestones.

The biggest upside opportunity still lies in the company’s second asset, NNZ-2591, for which the Phase 3 trial in Phelan McDermid syndrome is now recruiting. Results from the Phase 3 trial are still ~18 months away but represent the key inflection opportunity for NEU. We maintain our BUY recommendation and make no change to our $22.00 PT.

The post Why this cheap ASX 200 stock could rise 80% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Macquarie thinks this biotech company’s shares could jump more than 50%
• Why Capstone Copper, Life360, Neuren, and St George Mining shares are falling today
• Why is this ASX 200 stock sinking 6% today?
• Neuren shares dip after FY25 result. Here’s what stood out
• Neuren Pharmaceuticals earnings: Profits up, pipeline builds in 2025

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.

So, the short answer to the question of how the Iran war is affecting the gold price is: volatility.

Since the war in Iran began last weekend, the gold price has traded in a wide range between about US$5,000 and $5,400 per ounce.

Over the past two years, gold has benefited from a structural change in central banks diversifying their reserves away from the US dollar.

The gold price has also risen due to safe-haven demand amid US tariffs that have destabilised global trade and geopolitical uncertainty.

With a new war upon us, gold’s safe-haven appeal is obviously enhanced.

However, the war is likely to have far-reaching economic effects that will impact interest rates, with a flow-on effect to the gold price.

The key concern is that higher oil and gas prices will inevitably lead to higher inflation.

Likely economic outcomes of the Iran war

So far, the war has pushed oil prices up 17%. Natural gas prices in the UK, Europe, and Germany have also skyrocketed 35% to 60%.

These price spikes are a big problem because every national economy on Earth runs on energy. Without it, industry shuts down.

Oil and gas supply shocks mean businesses running machines to make products, or those transporting products, face higher costs.

This will inevitably flow through to prices — not just at the petrol bowser, but also on supermarket shelves and everywhere else.

This will stoke inflation, and right now, that will mean higher interest rates in Australia and delayed rate cuts in the US.

Neither is helpful for gold.

Interest rates impact the gold price because gold bars yield nothing, but simple cash savings accounts and government bonds do.

When rates fall, gold looks more appealing. Expectations of imminent cuts in the US have been supporting gold in the new year.

Today, analysts at Trading Economics said:

Higher oil and gas prices have revived inflation concerns, prompting traders to delay expectations for easing by the Federal Reserve, with a first cut now seen in September and two reductions still priced in for 2026.

Gold price volatility here to stay, says expert

Peter A. Grant, Vice President and Senior Metals Strategist at Zaner Precious Metals, said the gold price has been volatile all week.

In a blog, Grant commented:

Initial gains on Monday saw five-week highs above $5,400.

However, selling interest emerged on Tuesday as rising concerns about oil prices – and broad inflation – weighed on Fed easing expectations.

The dollar followed yields higher and gold ended the day down more than 4%.

The gold price closed at US$5,390.45 on Monday, US$5,267.60 on Tuesday, and US$5,131.09 on Wednesday.

So far this week, Grant said tests below the 20-day moving average of US$5,068.27 per ounce for the gold price could not be sustained.  

Today, the gold price is US$5,182 per ounce, up 0.9% today, down 0.2% over the week, and up 20% in the year to date (YTD).

Where to next for gold?

For now, Grant said the US$5,000 per ounce ‘support zone’ for the gold price is still in play.

A modestly more favorable tone is evident midweek as the trade assesses the most recent war developments and the yellow metal is consolidating in the lower half of this week’s more than $400 range.

Grant said the underlying fundamentals for gold remain supportive, but there will be more volatility ahead as the war continues.

Bulls will be quick to take profits on rallies, and look for limited risk opportunities to buy on dips.

I’m not catching any longer-term bearish vibes out there, but sellers will absolutely step in when the right opportunity presents itself.

The gold price reached a record high of US$5,595.02 per ounce in January before an end-of-month rout.

The rout was triggered by the US President’s Fed Chair pick, which inspired investors to take profits on gold after a 65% rise in 2025.

The post How is the Iran war affecting the gold price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• The easy way to build a diversified ASX share portfolio
• 3 ASX shares perfect for beginners
• Why this ASX lithium stock is jumping 5% today
• What next for CBA shares after expectations-busting results?

Motley Fool contributor =””>=””>=””>=””>=””>=””>=””>=””>=””>-brl=”PR” data-uw-origin=””>al-href=”https://www.fool.com.au/author/TMFBronwyn/”>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 href=”https://www.fool.com.au/fool-com-au-disclosure-policy/” data-uw-rm-brl=”PR” data-uw-original-href=”https://www.fool.com.au/fool-com-au-disclosure-policy/”>disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price is pushing higher in mid-afternoon trade on Thursday.

At the time of writing, shares in the biotech giant are up 1.82% to $145.46.

Despite today’s modest rebound, CSL shares have been under heavy pressure recently. On Wednesday, the stock briefly fell to $142.40, marking its lowest level in more than 8 years.

That is a long way from the company’s recent peak of $275.79 in late July 2025.

So, what has been weighing on this ASX healthcare giant?

A difficult period for the CSL share price

CSL has experienced a sharp fall over the past year as a combination of weaker earnings momentum and leadership changes unsettled investors.

The company released its half-year results last month, reporting revenue of US$8.3 billion, down 4% year-on-year. Net profit also declined 7% to US$1.9 billion.

Management said the first-half result was impacted by several factors including government policy changes, restructuring costs, and impairments.

However, the company expects conditions to improve in the second-half. CSL said earnings growth should be supported by demand for its immunoglobulin therapies, albumin products, and newly launched medicines.

The company also announced an expansion of its share buyback program, increasing it from US$500 million to US$750 million.

Investor sentiment has also been affected by the departure of chief executive officer Dr Paul McKenzie, who announced he would step down earlier this year.

Brokers suggest CSL shares could be undervalued

Despite the recent weakness, some analysts believe the CSL share price may now be trading at more attractive levels.

The team at UBS recently described CSL as a “market leader at a discount” after reviewing the company’s latest results.

While plasma therapy sales experienced a short-term decline, CSL remains the largest global supplier with roughly 31% market share.

UBS also noted that the company continues to expand its differentiated product portfolio and has been increasing its presence in European markets.

The broker currently has a $235 price target on CSL shares. Based on the current share price, that suggests upside of more than 60%.

What next for CSL?

CSL remains the largest healthcare company on the ASX with a market capitalisation of roughly $70.5 billion.

The business operates across more than 40 countries and focuses on plasma therapies, vaccines, and specialty medicines used to treat serious medical conditions.

While the share price has fallen sharply from last year’s highs, CSL continues to generate strong cash flow. The company is also investing heavily in research, manufacturing capacity, and its global plasma collection network.

The key question now is whether earnings growth can pick up again as CSL moves through this softer period.

The post Why CSL shares are rebounding today after falling to an 8-year low appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Building a diversified investment portfolio might sound complicated, but it does not have to be.

Many investors assume they need to own dozens of individual shares across multiple industries to spread their risk. While that can work, there is a much simpler way to achieve diversification on the ASX.

In fact, a well-diversified portfolio can be built with just a handful of carefully chosen investments.

Why diversification matters

Diversification is one of the most important principles in investing.

By spreading your money across different companies, industries, and even countries, you reduce the risk that a single poor investment will significantly damage your overall portfolio.

For example, if you only owned mining stocks and commodity prices suddenly fell, your portfolio could take a major hit. But if you also owned healthcare companies, technology businesses, and global shares, the impact would likely be much smaller.

This is why diversification is often considered a cornerstone of long-term investing.

The easiest solution: ETFs

For many investors, the simplest way to achieve diversification is through exchange traded funds (ETFs).

ETFs allow you to buy exposure to dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of shares with a single investment. Instead of trying to pick individual winners, you gain broad exposure to entire markets.

For example, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) provides investors with exposure to around 300 Australian companies. This includes major businesses such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL).

With one trade, you gain access to a large portion of the Australian share market.

Going global

Of course, diversification does not just mean owning Australian shares.

Australia represents only a small slice of the global economy. To build a truly diversified portfolio, many investors choose to add international exposure as well.

One popular option is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS). This fund holds more than 1,300 companies across developed markets, including well-known names such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA).

Adding global exposure allows investors to participate in industries that are underrepresented on the ASX, such as large-scale technology and global consumer brands.

Adding quality and balance

Beyond broad market exposure, investors may also want to add strategies focused on quality businesses.

For example, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT) invests in companies with strong competitive advantages that help protect their market positions over long periods.

This includes global businesses such as Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), Nike (NYSE: NKE), and Salesforce (NYSE: CRM).

Funds like the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF can complement broader market ETFs by adding a focus on high-quality companies with durable business models.

Foolish takeaway

Building a diversified ASX share portfolio does not require dozens of individual investments or constant trading.

By combining a few well-chosen ETFs covering Australian shares, global markets, and quality companies, investors can quickly create a diversified portfolio designed to grow over the long term.

The post The easy way to build a diversified ASX share portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX shares perfect for beginners
• The $10-a-day ASX share investing habit that could change your financial future
• 5 simple ASX ETFs to build a long-term portfolio around
• The easy way to invest globally is with these ASX ETFs
• New to investing: 3 ASX ETFs to set and forget until 2036

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL, Nike, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, CSL, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, Salesforce, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, CSL, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, Salesforce, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.