• Breville shares could be the most underrated consumer shares on the ASX right now

    Displeased and shocked emotional young friends cooking in the kitchen.

    There is a category of ASX stock that tends to get overlooked: quality consumer businesses that are not retailers, not banks, and not miners.

    They do not fit neatly into any of the narratives dominating the market in 2026.

    Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) is a perfect example.

    The Sydney-based designer and distributor of premium kitchen and home appliances operates across more than 70 countries, generates consistent earnings growth, and has outperformed its global industry peers for the better part of a decade.

    Yet Breville shares are down approximately 23% from their peak of $37.11, and barely anyone is talking about them.

    This has created an interesting situation for patient investors.

    Why Breville keeps outperforming its peers

    Breville does not compete on price.

    The company rather competes on design, innovation, and the aspirational appeal of its premium brands. These include Breville in Australia and the US and Sage in Europe and the UK.

    Breville’s positioning insulates the business from the margin pressure that squeezes lower-end appliance manufacturers when commodity costs rise or consumer budgets tighten.

    Macquarie has been tracking the global small appliance industry for years and its data offers clear insight.

    Breville has outperformed the industry benchmark by approximately 11% per annum between 2018 and 2024.

    Most remarkably, Breville is one of only a handful of global appliance companies whose revenue is currently above pandemic-era peaks, a group that also includes Nespresso and De’Longhi.

    Every other major player is still trying to recover to their 2021 revenue levels. Meanwhile, Breville has already blown past them.

    The FY2025 result confirmed the momentum

    The most recent full-year result delivered further evidence of the outperformance story.

    Breville reported FY2025 revenue growth of 10.9% and a 14.6% increase in NPAT, with the global products segment. This segment accounts for the overwhelming majority of revenue, delivering constant currency growth of 13.0% in the December 2024 half.

    The coffee segment continues to be the primary growth engine, benefiting from the ongoing premiumisation trend in home coffee preparation that accelerated during the pandemic.

    New market development, particularly in Asia and Latin America, is adding a further growth dimension that is still in its early stages.

    What Macquarie thinks about Breville shares

    Macquarie retained its outperform rating on Breville shares this week with a $37.10 price target.

    The broker was pleased with the most recent industry data.

    At the current Breville shares price of approximately $26.26, that $37.10 target implies upside of approximately 30%.

    Furthermore, Macquarie forecasts Breville’s dividend to grow from 39.1 cents per share in FY2026 to 51.1 cents by FY2028.

    This is a 31% increase in the payout over three years, backed by earnings growth the broker describes as highly visible given the company’s long order pipeline and global distribution reach.

    The risks worth acknowledging

    Breville is not without risk.

    Consumer discretionary spending is under pressure from the RBA’s rate hiking cycle, and a sustained deterioration in household budgets could delay appliance upgrade cycles.

    The strong Australian dollar reduces the AUD value of overseas earnings when translated back to domestic reporting currency.

    Lastly, tariff risk in the United States, where a significant portion of revenue is earned, has not fully resolved despite some moderation in the trade tension environment.

    Foolish takeaway

    Breville shares have drifted lower while the underlying business has kept outperforming every global benchmark the industry tracks.

    Macquarie has done the homework and arrived at a bull case backed by three years of forecast dividend growth.

    For investors looking for a quality consumer stock that the market has temporarily lost interest in, Breville shares look like exactly the kind of opportunity that tends to reward patient investors.

    The post Breville shares could be the most underrated consumer shares on the ASX right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Breville 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 Breville 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 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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.

  • 2 ASX small-caps with 50% and 270% upside according to Brokers

    Happy woman working on a laptop.

    ASX small-caps can be a high upside allocation for an investor’s portfolio. 

    While diversification and long-term principles should still be the fundamental base of a healthy strategy, ASX small-caps can provide increased potential compared to blue-chip stocks.

    For investors looking to monitor smaller companies with big potential, brokers have tipped these two options to rise significantly.

    Biome Australia Ltd (ASX: BIO)

    Biome Australia develops and commercialises clinically backed innovative live biotherapeutics (probiotics), marketing 18 products under the ‘Activated Probiotics’ Brand. 

    As is the case with small-caps, it has experienced plenty of volatility recently. 

    It was making headlines yesterday after rocketing 20% in a single session after signing a new manufacturing agreement.

    In a new report from Bell Potter, the broker has predicted this rise can continue in the next 12 months. 

    The broker has a $1.00 price target on this ASX small-cap, indicating a massive 270% upside from current levels. 

    In the report, Bell Potter highlighted that Biome Australia has announced an initiative to derisk and diversify its supply chain. The company is doing this by introducing contract manufacturing in its home market of Australia of assembly and packaging of its Activated Probiotics range. 

    The initial two-year term with Specialty Probiotics Australia (SPA) is on an exclusive basis. It is subject to limited carve outs and meeting quality and delivery standards.

    Conceptually, this is a positive and material development that should enhance operating leverage and BIO’s capacity to plan for growth, which has been impeded to some degree by relying completely on importing finished product. Assuming BIO continues to build its domestic franchise, we can see a path to $100m in Australian sales, with attractive margins.

    Imricor Medical Systems Inc (ASX: IMR)

    Imricor Medical Systems is a medical device company. It engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible products for cardiac catheter ablation procedures.

    It has also experienced volatility in 2026, but remains up 6% year to date. 

    The team at Morgans believes this ASX small-cap could be an upside play. 

    There are multiple near-term catalysts approaching which when achieved will see a share price re-rating. IMR is now well funded to deliver on clinical, regulatory, and commercial objectives. We have updated our model and valuation for the capital raise. Our target price is A$2.61 (was $2.63). We maintain our SPECULATIVE BUY recommendation.

    From yesterday’s closing price of $1.74, the price target from Morgans indicates a 50% upside for this ASX small-cap. 

    The post 2 ASX small-caps with 50% and 270% upside according to Brokers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Biome Australia right now?

    Before you buy Biome Australia 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 Biome Australia 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 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

  • Why experts think this ASX growth share can rise 63% in a year

    Person pointing at an increasing blue graph which represents a rising share price.

    The ASX growth share Siteminder Ltd (ASX: SDR) could be one of the most undervalued businesses on the ASX right now. Experts believe the ASX stock could deliver great returns from here.

    As the above chart shows, the Siteminder share price has sunk around 50% since October 2025. But, investor fears about AI could be overblown and the company’s ongoing financial success with its hotel software may help justify a resurgence.

    Experts predict big returns

    According to CMC Invest, the business has a 100% positive backing from analysts who have rated the business within the last three months – all six were a buy.

    The average price target on the ASX growth share is $6.35. A price target tells us where analysts think the business will be trading in a year from now. Therefore, at the time of writing, those analysts suggest the Siteminder share price could rise by 63% over the next year.

    The most optimistic price target is $7.32, implying a possible rise of around 90%. Even the most pessimistic price target is $5.30, suggesting a rise of 36%, which would very likely be a market-beating return if that happened.

    Price targets are not guarantees, of course, but it’s clear that analysts think the business is undervalued, and I believe the company is delivering what it needs to for long-term success.

    Strong financial performance

    Two of the most important things that an ASX growth share can do is grow its revenue and increase its profit margins. When a business does that, it can lead to a rapidly improving bottom line, which is usually what investors value a business on.

    It’s winning in a number of ways, including attracting new hotels, growing its average revenue per user (ARPU), offering its distribution engine to other hospitality software providers, and growing its profit margins.

    In the FY26 half-year result, annualised recurring revenue (ARR) grew by 29.7% to $280.3 million thanks to the accelerating contributions from its smart platform modules, alongside its continued strength across the broader business.

    It also reported in HY26 that ARPU grew 11.3% to $435 and net property additions were 2,900 (taking the total to 53,000) – its current focus is winning larger hotels.

    On the margin side of things, the adjusted group gross margin improved by 98 basis points to 67.8%, while the adjusted operating profit (EBITDA) more than doubled in dollar terms to $12.3 million.

    If ARR continues growing at well over 20% per year, I think the ASX growth share can deliver a wonderful performance for investors in the next three years.

    According to the forecast on CMC Invest, it’s projected to generate 11.7 cents of earnings per share (EPS) in FY28. That means, at the time of writing, the Siteminder share price is valued at 32x FY28’s estimated earnings. I believe it’s a great time to invest in this business for the long-term.

    The post Why experts think this ASX growth share can rise 63% in a year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in SiteMinder right now?

    Before you buy SiteMinder 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 SiteMinder 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 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Which defensive shares are outperforming the ASX 200

    A strong female rock climber holds on to a precarious cliff face by her fingernails.

    It’s been a down year thus far for ASX 200 shares. 

    Australia’s benchmark index has experienced volatility in 2026. 

    This has been due to several headwinds including inflation, interest rate hikes and global conflict. 

    At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is essentially flat for the year to date.

    The case for defensive shares

    With market volatility continuing to rattle investors in 2026, defensive ASX shares are once again proving their worth. 

    Companies operating in essential sectors such as consumer staples, utilities, and telecommunications tend to generate relatively stable earnings regardless of economic conditions. 

    This makes them attractive when growth stocks are under pressure. 

    While defensive shares may not deliver the market’s biggest gains during bull runs, their ability to preserve capital, maintain reliable cash flows, and often pay consistent dividends can provide valuable stability during uncertain periods. 

    For long-term investors, the recent market weakness could present an opportunity to accumulate high-quality defensive businesses at more attractive valuations while positioning a portfolio to better withstand further volatility.

    Here are three examples of defensive shares that have held steady in 2026 and outperformed the ASX 200. 

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

    Woolworths shares are a popular defensive option amongst investors. 

    As one of Australia’s supermarket giants, it sells essential products that consumers continue to buy regardless of economic conditions. 

    This resilience helps support relatively stable revenue and cash flow, making Woolworths a popular choice for investors seeking stability during periods of market volatility.

    This has been on full display this year, as Woolworths shares have risen almost 20% year to date. 

    Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    Telstra is often viewed as a defensive stock because it provides essential telecommunications services that households and businesses rely on regardless of economic conditions. 

    Its recurring revenue from mobile, internet, and infrastructure services helps support relatively stable cash flows even during periods of market volatility.

    So far in 2026, it has been able to shake some of the broader market sell-offs and rise just over 5%. 

    It also provides some volatility relief through its historically high dividend yield, which can also provide passive income during down periods of capital growth. 

    Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

    Finally, Transurban Group is considered defensive because it operates toll roads that generate predictable, usage-based revenue from essential commuter and freight traffic. 

    Its long-term concession agreements and inflation-linked pricing features further enhance the stability and visibility of its cash flows through economic cycles.

    The company has seen its share price rise 6% so far year to date, outperforming the broader ASX 200. 

    The post Which defensive shares are outperforming the ASX 200 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Woolworths 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 Woolworths 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 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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 Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group, Transurban Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

    A man sitting at his desktop computer leans forward onto his elbows and yawns while he rubs his eyes as though he is very tired.

    On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a positive session and raced higher. The benchmark index rose 0.7% to 8,785.7 points.

    Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

    ASX 200 expected to tumble

    It looks set to be a poor session for Australian investors on Thursday after a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 65 points or 0.75% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 1.2%, the S&P 500 fell 0.75%, and the Nasdaq dropped 0.9%.

    Megaport shares on watch

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) shares will be on watch today if they return from their trading halt. The network solutions company is currently undertaking a capital raising after announcing four new artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure contracts with a combined total contract value of approximately $458.9 million. Megaport’s CEO, Michael Reid, said: “AI inference is becoming a global infrastructure challenge, not simply a GPU problem. As AI adoption accelerates, organisations need seamless access to GPUs, CPUs, storage, and the connectivity that powers them. Megaport is built to deliver it all.”

    Oil prices rise

    It could be a good day for ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices charged higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.7% to US$96.31 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 2.1% to US$98.00 a barrel. An escalation in US-Iran tensions sent oil prices charging higher last night.

    Buy SRG shares

    The SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG) share price has more than doubled in value over the past 12 months. Despite this, Bell Potter believes the diversified industrial services company’s shares are good value. In response to a contracts update, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $4.25 (from $3.15). It said: “Management have demonstrated a strong track-record of operational execution, delivered accretive acquisitions (Diona and TAMS in recent years) and guidance outperformance. We see upside to consensus earnings forecasts from forthcoming guidance upgrades and accretive acquisitions. With FCF expanding over FY26-28, we anticipate SRG will be well capitalised to self-fund acquisitions.”

    Gold price drops

    It looks likely to be a tough session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price dropped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.15% to US$4,467.4 an ounce. Higher oil prices have fuelled inflation and rate hike fears.

    The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Megaport right now?

    Before you buy Megaport 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 Megaport 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 20 Feb 2026

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

  • TPG Telecom just raised its dividend. Here’s what that means for income investors

    Investor looking at smartphone and considering Evolution's share purchase plan

    Telecommunications stocks are not usually associated with excitement.

    They are owned for yield, not growth, and they tend to move slowly in both directions.

    TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG) has offered investors rather less stability than the sector’s reputation might suggest, with shares down 30% over the past twelve months.

    But this week’s Investor Day contained a commitment that income investors specifically should pay close attention to.

    What TPG said at its Investor Day

    TPG Telecom held its annual Analyst and Investor Day on Tuesday 3 June 2026.

    The company presented a first-half 2026 trading update alongside its medium-term strategic direction.

    TPG delivered two important messages for income investors.

    First, mobile service revenue continues to grow strongly. The company forecasts 70,000 to 80,000 new mobile subscribers in the first half of FY2026. EBITDA growth is also expected to outpace revenue growth as the company’s cost discipline takes hold.

    Second, and most importantly for dividend investors, management confirmed that dividend growth is expected to continue in line with sustainable profit and cash flow growth.

    This is a meaningful upgrade to the dividend policy from prior years when capital was being prioritised for debt reduction.

    The financial transformation behind the dividend commitment

    The dividend growth commitment is credible because of the financial transformation underpinning.

    In FY2025, TPG’s operating free cash flow almost doubled to $1.91 billion. This was a dramatic improvement from prior years when heavy capital expenditure on the mobile network consumed the bulk of cash generation.

    Net bank borrowings fell from $4.1 billion to $1.361 billion over the same period, dramatically reducing the financial risk that had previously constrained dividend capacity.

    Total FY2025 dividends paid were $0.18 per share, franked at 30%.

    Management is now guiding for FY2026 EBITDA of $1.665 billion to $1.735 billion and capital expenditure of approximately $750 million.

    This combination implies continued strong free cash flow generation and growing capacity to lift the dividend.

    The current yield picture

    At the current TPG share price, the trailing dividend yield sits at approximately 4.9% on a partially franked basis.

    This yield does not compare unfavourably to the big four banks, particularly ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), which carry their own earnings risks in the current high-rate environment.

    Furthermore, the partially franked dividend does carry some franking credit value for Australian taxpayers. This should improve their effective after-tax yield above the headline figure.

    The key question for income investors is not the current yield but the trajectory.

    A business with nearly doubling free cash flow, dramatically lower debt, and a new dividend growth policy is precisely the setup from which reliable income growth tends to emerge over a three to five-year horizon.

    The risks worth knowing

    TPG’s broadband subscriber base has been declining as the company shifts focus toward mobile and away from legacy fixed-line services.

    This transition has created some revenue headwinds in the near term that management is working to offset through cost reduction and mobile subscriber growth.

    The company also flagged that spectrum renewal costs from 2028 represent a capital expenditure risk that will need to be managed carefully.

    Competition from Telstra (ASX: TLS) and Optus in the mobile market remains intense, and any meaningful loss of mobile market share would directly threaten the earnings trajectory that underpins the new dividend policy.

    Foolish takeaway

    TPG shares have underperformed the market significantly over the past year.

    That underperformance has created a more attractive entry point for income investors than has been available in some time.

    A dividend growth commitment backed by nearly doubling free cash flow and dramatically reduced debt is not something to overlook.

    For patient income investors comfortable with a telco turnaround story, TPG shares deserve serious consideration.

    The post TPG Telecom just raised its dividend. Here’s what that means for income investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Tpg Telecom right now?

    Before you buy Tpg Telecom 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 Tpg Telecom 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 20 Feb 2026

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

  • DroneShield shares slump 18% in a month: Has the ASX defence stock finally lost steam?

    A man casually dressed looks to the side in a pensive, thoughtful manner with one hand under his chin, and holding a mobile phone in his other hand.

    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares slumped further into the red at the close of the ASX on Wednesday afternoon.

    After the bell rang on the sharemarket for the day, DroneShield shares ended 4.36% lower at $3.07 a piece.

    The decline means the ASX defence shares are now down 18% over the past month. And are around 8% lower for the year-to-date.

    What has dragged DroneShield shares lower over the past month?

    It looks like a combination of governance and regulatory has dampened investor sentiment recently.

    In mid-May, DroneShield announced that it had received a notice from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) asking for reasonable assistance with an investigation under the Corporations Act.

    The investigation relates to market announcements and share trading between the 1st and 20th or November 2025.

    The company made several announcements during this time, including new contract announcements and news that several executives were selling DroneShield shares through on-market trades.

    It’s unclear if any of these are under investigation by ASIC.

    The company said it will cooperate fully and that it is unclear what action, if any, may result.

    Governance issues and regulatory investigations often weigh heavily on investor confidence, especially for growth stocks where sentiment is already important.

    Investors weren’t happy with the notice and the share price crashed around 20% in just over a week. 

    The update came amid a background of signs of easing conflict in the Middle East. While heightened conflict can increase interest in defence technology, particularly counter-drone systems, signs of easing can do the opposite.

    It looks like investor sentiment has now cooled.

    Is there any upside ahead? Or is this the beginning of the next downturn?

    It’s not only investor sentiment about DroneShield shares which has shifted, analysts have also changed their outlook.

    In late-May, TradingView data showed two analyst ratings – one as a strong buy, and the other as a hold. The average target price was $4.10.

    But today shows a very different story.

    The latest TradingView data shows three analysts ratings – one is a strong buy, one a sell and one a strong sell.

    This is a huge shift in sentiment.

    The average target price is also lower at $3.29. Although it still implies a potential 7% upside at the time of writing.

    The company has experienced staggering financial growth, notably surging revenues from a massive surge in global counter-drone demand. 

    But it looks like analysts now view the DroneShield shares are trading at fair value.

    The post DroneShield shares slump 18% in a month: Has the ASX defence stock finally lost steam? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in DroneShield right now?

    Before you buy DroneShield 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 DroneShield 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 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Why is everyone talking about Wesfarmers shares this week?

    Photo of two women shopping.

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares are in the spotlight this week.

    At the close of the ASX on Wednesday afternoon, the conglomerate’s shares ended marginally lower, down 0.15% to $79.03 a piece.

    Wesfarmers shares have now rebounded around 11% from a 52-week low recorded in late-May. But they’re still 3% lower for the year-to-date and 6% below trading levels seen this time last year.

    For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is around 1% higher for the year-to-date and 4% higher than 12 months ago, at the time of writing. 

    So, why are Wesfarmers shares catching investor attention this week?

    Earlier this week, Wesfarmers made a major business restructuring announcement.

    In a post to the ASX, Wesfarmers said that the Industrial and Safety businesses, Blackwoods and Workwear Group, will transition into Wesfarmers-owned Bunnings Group.

    Management said the change is expected to improve operational efficiencies, strengthen Bunnings’ position in the small and medium-sized business market. This is all while also retaining Blackwoods and Workwear Group as standalone brands.

    The Industrial and Safety businesses will transition to Bunnings on 1 July 2026. Their financial contributions will be included in Bunnings’ results for the first half of the 2027 financial year. 

    Bunnings will continue to disclose key sales metrics excluding Blackwoods and Workwear Group, such as total retail sales and store-on-store sales. 

    Wesfarmers does not expect to record any material one-off costs associated with the transition and will provide further updates at its full-year results in August 2026.

    The announcement comes ahead of Wesfarmers’ upcoming annual strategy briefing day next week. 

    Management is expected to provide updates on Bunnings’ growth planes, Kmart and Officeworks financial performance, and the long-term earnings outlook.

    It looks like investors are buying back into the shares in the hope that the update will be impressive.

    What’s next for the shares?

    According to TradingView data, analysts are reserved about the outlook for Wesfarmers shares over the next 12 months.

    Out of 11 analysts, seven have a hold rating on the Bunnings and Kmart owner’s shares. Another two have a buy or strong buy rating, and two have a sell rating.

    The average $75.21 target price implies a potential 5% downside at the time of writing. Meanwhile, some analysts think the shares could climb 6% higher to $84, and others think Wesfarmers shares could sink another 17% to $65.97.

    The post Why is everyone talking about Wesfarmers shares this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Wesfarmers right now?

    Before you buy Wesfarmers 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 Wesfarmers 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 20 Feb 2026

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

  • 1 ASX dividend stock down 16% I’d buy right now

    Australian dollar notes in the pocket of a man's jeans, symbolising dividends.

    When it comes to ASX dividend stocks, Shaver Shop Group Ltd (ASX: SSG) is a long-term high-yield player.

    At the close of the ASX on Wednesday afternoon, Shaver Shop shares had fallen 1.57% to $1.26 a piece.

    The drop means that ASX dividend stock’s shares are now down around 16% for the year-to-date and are 5% lower than this time last year.

    As a discretionary retail business, which sells personal grooming products online and in store, Shaver Shop shares are sensitive to changes in consumer spending.

    That means the company has faced headwinds from higher inflation and cost of living woes this year. Consumers have cut bank on discretionary spending while finances are tight, and this has had a negative impact on the company’s revenue and earnings growth.

    Earlier this year, Shaver Shop posted a positive but modest FY26 half-year result, but it came short of investor expectations.

    The ASX dividend stock was also removed from the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) as part of a quarterly rebalance in March, further damaging investor sentiment.

    Some investors might be put off by the falling share price and company headwinds. But I think the latest dip presents a rare opportunity to buy the high-yielding ASX dividend stock for cheap.

    Here’s why.

    Consistent long-term dividends

    The ASX dividend stock has paid a regular semi-annual dividend payment to shareholders for years. 

    Shaver Shop started paying a dividend to investors in 2017 and has gradually increased its annual payout each year ever since, with the exception of FY24 when the dividend payment was unchanged.  

    A reasonable valuation

    The business is currently trading on a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of around 11. This is relatively low compared to many other ASX consumer stocks.

    The benefit of a lower P/E ratio is that it can help support a higher dividend yield.

    A high yielding ASX dividend stock

    The ASX dividend stock most recently paid investors an interim dividend of 4.8 cents per share, fully franked, in March. 

    The ASX dividend share’s latest two half-year dividends total 10.3 cents per share. That translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of around 8%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

    The retailer is forecast to pay shareholders between 10.5 cents and 10.9 cents per share for FY26.

    Growth plans in place

    Shaver Shop is continuing to push forward with plans to grow its profits and increase its dividend paying for investors. 

    This ASX dividend stock is driving growth by expanding its store network in Australia and New Zealand, boosting online sales, launching private brands like Transform-U, and securing exclusive supplier agreements.

    The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 16% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Shaver Shop 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 Shaver Shop 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 20 Feb 2026

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

  • 3 ASX ETFs to diversify away from a flat Aussie market

    ETF in blue with person's hand in the direction of green and red bars on graph.

    History shows that the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) can bring average yearly returns around 9%. 

    Unfortunately for investors, 2026 is shaping up to be a down year. 

    At the time of writing, Australia’s benchmark index is sitting almost in the same position as the start of the year. 

    Why international diversification matters 

    While the Australian share market has delivered strong long-term returns, it makes up only a small portion of the global share market.

    That means investors who only own ASX shares are missing out on many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies. 

    International diversification can help reduce reliance on the performance of Australian banks, miners, and energy companies, while providing exposure to global leaders in sectors such as technology, healthcare, consumer brands, and artificial intelligence. 

    It can also smooth portfolio returns when the local market is struggling, as different economies and industries often perform well at different times.

    With the ASX 200 treading water in 2026, adding international ETFs could be a simple way for investors to access new growth opportunities and build a more resilient portfolio.

    Here are three ideal options to diversify away from Australian equities. 

    BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

    This ASX ETF is one of the most popular funds for Australian investors and one of the largest by market cap. 

    The fund aims to track the performance of the Nasdaq 100 Index. 

    The Nasdaq 100 comprises 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq market, and includes many companies that are at the forefront of the new economy.

    With its strong focus on technology, NDQ provides diversified exposure to a high-growth potential sector that is under-represented in the Australian sharemarket.

    It could be an ideal choice for investors looking to access the dynamic tech sector in the US. 

    The fund has risen more than 12% year to date. 

    Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

    This ASX ETF from Vanguard is another popular choice amongst investors looking to target international stocks. 

    It includes roughly 1,300 companies from developed countries, excluding Australia.

    The fund provides exposure to many of the world’s largest companies listed in major developed countries. 

    It has provided annual returns of over 10% for the last 5 years. 

    Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)

    Another option for investors looking to diversify away from Australian and US stocks is this fund from Vanguard. 

    The ETF provides exposure to many of the world’s largest companies listed in major developed and emerging countries outside the US.

    It offers instant diversification with over 3,000 equities in a single trade. 

    Over the last 5 years, it has provided annualised returns of approximately 10%. 

    The post 3 ASX ETFs to diversify away from a flat Aussie market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF right now?

    Before you buy Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF 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 Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF 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 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.