Stockland Corp Ltd (ASX: SGP) shares are falling again on Thursday, with the property giant sliding to a fresh multi-year low.

In afternoon trade, the Stockland share price is down 2.83% to $4.12, leaving the stock down 28% since the start of 2026.

That is a steep fall for one of the ASX’s biggest property names and shows how quickly sentiment has turned against the stock.

The weakness suggests shareholders are becoming more concerned about the outlook, especially with interest rates staying high and the company expanding into data centres.

Here is what seems to be driving the move.

The market is looking past the data centre excitement

One of the biggest reasons Stockland shares moved higher this year was its new 50:50 data centre partnership with EdgeConneX.

The deal gives Stockland exposure to one of the fastest-growing infrastructure themes linked to AI, cloud computing, and enterprise data storage.

The market initially welcomed the move as a smart way to unlock value from its large logistics and industrial land portfolio.

But after the initial excitement, investors now appear to be reassessing what this means for the business.

Building data centres costs a lot of money, takes years to complete, and adds a new layer of uncertainty to a business better known for housing communities, logistics estates, shopping centres, and workplace assets.

There may also be concerns about how much this new venture could affect cash flow in the near-term.

On top of that, property stocks often struggle when interest rates remain high, as borrowing costs remain elevated and asset values can come under pressure.

Technicals show sellers still in control

The technical picture also looks very weak right now.

The relative strength index (RSI) has dropped to around 19, which is well into oversold territory and shows the shares have been heavily offloaded in recent sessions.

The next major support appears to sit around the psychological $4 level, which investors often watch closely as a key round-number price point.

If the shares fall below that level, the next area of support may not appear until the high-$3 range, which was last seen in 2022.

Fundamentally, Stockland still offers a trailing dividend yield above 6% and has a relatively modest beta of around 1.03. The latter means it has generally moved broadly in line with the wider market over time.

Foolish Takeaway

Stockland still has long-term strengths across its residential communities, logistics assets, retail town centres, and now its growing exposure to digital infrastructure.

But for now, the share price weakness suggests investors are more focused on high interest rates, the heavy selling trend, and uncertainty around how quickly the EdgeConneX partnership can start adding to earnings.

Until buyers can defend the $4 level, the sell-off may continue in the short-term.

The post Why Stockland shares just crashed to a multi-year low appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares including WiseTech and Xero plumbing new 52-week-plus lows on Monday
• Downer shares jump today. Here’s what’s driving the move
• Goodman, Scentre Group, Stockland: Why are ASX 200 real estate stocks tumbling in 2026?
• Why are Stockland shares diving to near 52-week lows?
• Stockland shares in focus after unveiling EdgeConneX data centre partnership

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 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.

It’s hard to find a better example of why long-term investors should stay calm during market crashes than Goodman Group Ltd (ASX: GMG) shares.

At the depths of the COVID, Goodman shares briefly traded at $12.10. Fast forward to today, and the stock is changing hands at roughly $26.00.

Let’s have a look what a $5,000 Goodman investment in March 2020 would be worth now. 

Double the money

Here’s the simple math. If you bought Goodman shares at $12.10 and the current price is $26.00, that’s a gain of 115% per share. A $5,000 investment would have bought around 413 shares, which would now be worth approximately $10,744.

That means a $5,000 investment in Goodman shares made near the bottom would now be worth about $10,744.

In other words, Goodman has turned a scary market moment into a potential $5,744 profit in just six years.

Lockdowns spread, recession fears

The bigger lesson is why this happened. Back in March 2020, investors were selling almost everything as lockdowns spread and recession fears dominated headlines.

But Goodman’s portfolio of premium logistics, industrial, and urban infill assets was built for the long term.

As e-commerce demand exploded, warehouse space became mission-critical. Retailers, transport groups, and major global platforms all needed strategically located logistics hubs closer to customers. Goodman shares were perfectly positioned to benefit.

Riding the AI boom

And then came the next leg of the story: AI and data centres.

Today, Goodman is no longer viewed as just a traditional property group. A huge portion of its development pipeline is now linked to data centres and digital infrastructure, making it a major beneficiary of the AI boom. Recent updates suggest around 73% of its $14.4 billion pipeline is tied to data centres, giving the group a powerful second growth engine. 

The company also benefits from high-quality locations and long-term customer relationships, which have previously supported occupancy and rental growth.

That combination — logistics plus AI infrastructure — helps explain why the Goodman shares have more than doubled from the pandemic lows, even after pulling back from their 2025 highs.

Foolish Takeaway

Of course, the real takeaway for investors is broader than Goodman itself.

The best wealth-building opportunities often appear when fear and volatility are at its highest. In 2020, buying quality ASX stocks – like Goodman shares – felt uncomfortable. Yet for investors willing to focus on long-term business quality instead of short-term panic, the rewards could be enormous.

This $52 billion ASX stock is a textbook case. A $5,000 investment made when the market looked its bleakest would now be worth more than $10,700, and that’s before factoring in any distributions along the way.

It’s a timely reminder that the next market sell-off could once again create the kind of opportunity that turns a modest investment into something far more meaningful.

The post $5,000 in Goodman shares at COVID lows is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How I’d aim to build a $100,000 ASX share portfolio starting at zero
• 3 ASX 200 shares that could beat the market over the next 10 years
• How to become a millionaire with a $5,000 investment in ASX 200 shares each year
• Are we in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy cheap ASX shares?

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are lower today, but James Gerrish from Shaw and Partners says the “war fear” is now fading.

ASX 200 shares rallied 1.76% to close at 8,671.8 points yesterday after US President Donald Trump suggested they could be out of Iran within two or three weeks.

This boosted investors’ confidence in the global economic outlook, with European and US markets also responding positively overnight.

ASX 200 shares were initially higher today, rising to 8,723.3 points before retracing to 8,594.8 points, down 0.9%, at the time of writing.

While the ASX 200 is still volatile, Gerrish said the market is preparing for a rally.

After a steep 9.1% drop between 27 February and 23 March, the ASX 200 reversed its trajectory last Tuesday and has since gained 2.7%.

In this Market Matters newsletter today, Gerrish said:

With hostilities potentially nearing an end, investors rotated aggressively into cyclicals, particularly resources.

While it’s no surprise the market staged an aggressive relief rally with an end to the conflict now in sight, the key question is what comes next, with the ASX200 still ~6% below its March high.

Gerrish cautioned that “we’re not out of the woods yet”.

He said if ASX 200 shares were to fall below 8,550 points again in the coming days and weeks, a re-test of the 8,200 trough was “likely”.

The ASX 200 fell to a 10-month low of 8,262.4 points last Monday.

Gerrish and his team remain bullish on ASX shares for 2026 because of the strong February earnings season and stable credit markets.

He said:

The markets’ performance over the next 24 hours will give us a big clue as to the strength in equities, if they’re strong into Easter, the bulls could be in control.

Gerrish and his Market Matters team are bullish on ASX 200 shares for the rest of 2026.

Today, they named two ASX 200 shares that they expect to “ride the rebound”.

These companies both reported well in February, initially sending their share prices higher, before the Iran war dragged them back down.

Gerrish said this was “potentially affording an opportunity to buy high-performing stocks at a cheaper entry”.

Here are those ASX 200 share picks.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price is $172.33, up 0.25% on Thursday.

The ASX 200 financial share has fallen 0.66% over the past month.

Gerrish and his team like CBA shares at today’s price, and predict a 10% rally ahead to about $190 apiece.

He said:

If we are correct and the ASX is going to test/make new highs in 2026, a call many find it hard to imagine, CBA will likely come along for the ride.

Australia’s largest bank delivered a strong 1H result in February which saw the stock surge ~12% in 2-days, a huge move for such a stock let alone bank of its size.

CBA beat consensus on cash profit and lifted the interim dividend, with volume growth and improving credit quality offsetting margin pressure and higher costs.

The stock’s “drift” lower in March demonstrates that investors are hesitant to reduce their position in the bank, even during a war.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)

The Ramsay Health Care share price is $39.01, down 0.15% today.

This ASX 200 healthcare share has fallen 9.5% over the past month, after reaching an 18-month high of $44.73 in early March.

The Market Matters team is “cautiously bullish” on Ramsay Health Care shares at today’s price.

Gerrish said:

RHC surged ~10% after the private hospital operator delivered a better than expected 1H result in February.

We liked the comments from Chief executive Natalie Davis saying the turnaround strategy for Australia’s largest private hospital operator is gaining traction, pointing to improved admissions, better utilisation of operating theatres, increased market share, and growth in both revenue and margins.

Ramsay’s domestic performance likely marks an inflection point after years of post-pandemic stagnation, with early margin improvement signalling that management’s operational focus is beginning to drive earnings momentum despite ongoing challenges.

The stock has rallied 30% from its 2025 low and we still see reasonable value in this turnaround story, although it’s unlikely to enjoy the same tailwind from a broader “risk-on” rally as some other areas of the market.

The post 2 ASX 200 shares to buy ahead of anticipated rally: expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 ASX 200 healthcare shares to buy amid sector rout
• What happened with ASX 200 bank stocks like CBA and Westpac in March?
• Why sitting out this ASX share market chaos could cost you big
• 3 reasons to buy Ramsay Health Care shares today
• How are these 5 ASX share giants really tracking in 2026?

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.

With April now here, I am thinking about how to position a portfolio for what comes next.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a simple way to do that.

They allow you to gain exposure to entire themes or segments of the market without needing to pick individual winners. And right now, there are a few BetaShares ETFs that I think are worth considering.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Nasdaq 100 has been one of the most powerful drivers of returns over the past decade.

But what I find interesting is how it continues to evolve.

This is not just a tech-heavy index anymore. It is a collection of businesses that are shaping how the modern economy functions. Cloud computing, digital advertising, artificial intelligence, and software are all embedded within it.

The recent pullback has taken some heat out of valuations, which I think makes the entry point more reasonable than it was previously.

For me, the NDQ ETF is a way to stay exposed to innovation at scale. You are not betting on one company. You are backing an entire ecosystem of global leaders.

BetaShares Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)

Defence is not always the most talked-about sector, but I think it is becoming increasingly relevant.

Global tensions have shifted how governments think about security and military capability. That is translating into higher defence spending and a greater focus on advanced technologies.

The ARMR ETF provides exposure to companies operating in areas like defence equipment, cybersecurity, and aerospace.

What stands out to me is that this is not just a short-term reaction to current events. Defence budgets tend to be long-term in nature, often spanning many years.

That gives the sector a level of visibility that I think is often overlooked.

BetaShares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)

The CFLO ETF is a bit different. It focuses on companies that generate strong free cash flow, which I think is one of the most important indicators of business quality.

In a market where sentiment can shift quickly, I like the idea of owning businesses that consistently produce cash and have flexibility in how they use it. Whether that is reinvesting, paying dividends, or strengthening their balance sheets.

This ETF does not chase hype. It leans toward companies that are already proving their ability to convert revenue into real earnings.

For me, that adds a layer of resilience to a portfolio.

Foolish takeaway

If I were adding to my portfolio in April, I would probably be looking for a mix of growth, thematic exposure, and underlying business quality.

For me, the NDQ ETF offers exposure to global innovation and leading companies, the ARMR ETF provides access to a sector benefiting from long-term structural shifts in defence spending, and the CFLO ETF brings a focus on cash-generative businesses that can perform across different market conditions.

Together, I think they can help build a portfolio that is both balanced and forward-looking.

The post Why I’d buy these BetaShares ETFs for my portfolio in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Which ASX ETFs have Aussies traded most since the Iran war began?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and is short shares of BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Our local share market was looking steady earlier today. Then everything changed.

After starting the day higher, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has turned lower and is now down 0.61% to 8,618.1 points.

The index had climbed as high as 8,723 earlier in the session before sellers stepped in.

The sudden drop came after fresh comments from US President Donald Trump about the conflict with Iran, which unsettled global markets.

Instead of giving investors confidence that the fighting may be winding down, his latest remarks suggested the conflict could continue for up to three weeks.

That has made investors nervous again, especially heading into the Easter break.

Oil jumps again as market nerves return

The biggest move following Trump’s comments has been in the oil market.

Brent crude oil jumped back above US$105 a barrel after Trump’s comments raised concerns the conflict could drag on.

Rising oil prices are already pushing up costs right across the economy, which is now feeding into local market sentiment.

Higher fuel, freight, and shipping costs have been squeezing profit margins for retailers, transport businesses, airlines, and many other companies that rely heavily on moving goods and people.

It has also added to inflation worries and reduced hopes for interest rate cuts, putting extra pressure on company valuations.

This has helped push the benchmark index back into the red after its earlier gains.

Selling spreads across the ASX 200

The weakness is showing up across most of the market.

Selling has also become more widespread, with 118 stocks falling compared to 78 rising in the ASX 200.

Large mining stocks have been among the main drags on the index.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) are all in the red as investors weigh what higher oil prices and renewed geopolitical risks could mean for global growth.

Energy shares are offering some support as oil prices rise, but that has not been enough to offset the broader weakness.

Even gold has pulled back after rising earlier, which shows how quickly investors are changing positions as sentiment shifts.

Foolish Takeaway

The ASX 200 had been building on hopes that the Middle East conflict was moving closer to an end.

Instead, the latest headlines have sent oil prices higher and brought uncertainty back into the market.

Investors are still reacting quickly to every development, particularly anything that could affect inflation, interest rates, and the outlook for global growth.

Until there is a clearer direction on how the conflict ends, this kind of volatility looks here to stay.

The post ASX 200 suddenly turns lower as fresh war fears hit before Easter 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Share price declines of 30% or more tend to get attention.

Sometimes that decline is warranted. Sometimes it is an overreaction and opens up opportunities for investors willing to take a longer-term view.

Right now, there are a number of ASX 200 shares trading well below their recent highs. Here are three that I think are worth considering.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

Qantas has pulled back around 32% from its 52-week high, and I think that is starting to look very interesting.

Airlines are never simple investments. Fuel costs, economic conditions, and operational risks can all impact earnings quickly. With oil prices recently pushing above US$100 per barrel, it is easy to see why sentiment has softened.

But when I step back, I still see an ASX 200 share that is structurally stronger than it was a few years ago.

Qantas operates in a relatively rational domestic market, supported by a duopoly structure. Its loyalty division continues to provide a high-margin earnings stream, and the ongoing fleet renewal program should help improve efficiency over time.

To me, this looks like a case where short-term concerns are weighing on a business that still has a solid long-term foundation.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

DroneShield is down roughly 40% from its high, and that volatility is not unusual for a company of its size and growth profile.

What stands out to me with DroneShield is the underlying theme. The use of drones in both military and civilian settings is expanding rapidly. With that comes a growing need for counter-drone technology, which is exactly where DroneShield is focused.

This is a market that is still evolving, but I think the direction is clear.

Governments and organisations are increasing their focus on security, surveillance, and defence capabilities. Technologies that can detect and respond to drone activity are becoming more important.

There will likely be ups and downs along the way, particularly as contracts and funding cycles play out. But over a longer period, I think the opportunity set remains compelling.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Lastly, Cochlear has fallen around 45% from its highs, which is a significant move for a company that has historically been viewed as a high-quality defensive growth business.

The recent weakness reflects a combination of factors, including softer earnings and broader market pressure on healthcare stocks.

But I do not think the core story has changed.

Cochlear operates in a specialised area of medical technology with high barriers to entry. Its products address a critical need, and demand is supported by long-term trends such as ageing populations and increased awareness of hearing health.

What I like is the combination of innovation and global reach. This is an ASX 200 share that continues to invest in new products and expand its footprint internationally. That gives it the potential to grow over time, even if the path is not always smooth.

Foolish takeaway

Not every share that falls 30% or more is a buying opportunity. But I think it is worth paying attention when established businesses and emerging growth companies are trading well below their recent highs.

Qantas, DroneShield, and Cochlear are very different businesses, each with their own risks and drivers. What they have in common is that sentiment has weakened, while their long-term potential still appears intact. For me, that is often where the most interesting opportunities start to appear.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares down at least 30% to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

There is a large volume of ASX income stocks on the Australian sharemarket. And these are a great option for investors seeking easy, no-frills passive income.

Most ASX dividend-paying stocks pay investors every quarter, every six months, or every 12 months. And then there are the select few that pay dividends on a monthly basis. 

There are the long-standing and reliable blue-chip income stocks, growth stocks which pay a modest dividend of around 2% to 5% and offer long-term earnings growth, and then there are your high-yield dividend stocks.

It’s worth noting, though, that chasing the highest yield isn’t always the best strategy. In fact, very high yields can be a red flag that there is something fundamentally wrong with the business or that the share price has fallen sharply.

The aim of the game should be to find a financially sound dividend-paying business that pays a reliable dividend at a good rate.

Here’s one that springs to mind: IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH).

What is IPH, and what does it pay?

IPH provides intellectual property (IP) services through a network of global brands. These subsidiaries include global IP brands AJ Park, Griffith Hack, Pizzeys, Smart & Biggar, and Spruson & Ferguson, as well as IP business Applied Marks.

The group covers ten jurisdictions in 25 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and the US, which makes it the largest IP services provider in the Asia-Pacific region. 

IPH services cover everything from patent filing and trademarks to prosecution, portfolio management, and enforcement. A significant share of its revenue comes from the Asia-Pacific market.

The best part is that the company has a long history of generating consistently strong cash flow from its operations. Most recently, IPH reported a cash conversion of 101% in its first-half FY26 results.

This type of cash flow enables the company to be an established, reliable dividend payer that gradually increases its dividend payment over time.

IPH has historically paid two partially or fully-franked dividends a year, in March and September. Last month, the board paid investors an interim dividend of 10 cents per share, 20% franked, which was an 11.8% increase on the prior corresponding period. 

Analysts forecast that the ASX income stock’s annual dividend could rise to 37.6 cents per share in FY26. That translates into a dividend yield of 11.2%, excluding any franking credits, at the time of writing.

What’s the outlook for the IPH share price? 

At the time of writing, IPH shares are down 0.6% for the day, to $3.36. That means that $500 invested in IPH will buy you 148 shares.

The latest decline also means the shares are now nearly 26% below this time last year. Most of the declines came off the back of the company’s FY25 results announcement in August last year. 

The company delivered solid growth, but it came short of investor expectations, and the news sent the shares crashing 22%.

It looks like we could be close to the bottom, though. Analysts think we’ll see much more upside out of the IP provider over the next 12 months.

TradingView data shows that five out of seven analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the ASX income stock. 

The average target price is $4.79, and the maximum is $6. That implies a potential upside of 43.4% to 79.6% over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

The post $500 buys 148 shares in this 11% yielding ASX income stock! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Electrification and energy transition services company IPD Group Ltd (ASX: IPG) is in focus for the analyst team at Shaw and Partners, as the oil shock pushes more people towards electric vehicles.

Shares looking cheap

Shaw and Partners has published a new research note on the company, with a bullish share price target for IPD, valued at just shy of half a billion dollars.

They note that there was a surge in web searches for electric vehicles in March, coinciding with the increase in fuel prices resulting from the US’ war with Iran.

The Shaw team went on to say:

EV‑related web searches in Australia rose sharply in March 2026, with several platforms reporting week‑on‑week increases of 60–80% at peak moments. The surge is abrupt rather than gradual, indicating an external trigger rather than slow organic growth. Search interest is now at its highest level since mid‑2024 on several consumer platforms. Carsales reported EV searches almost tripling from February to March 2026, with a 76.7% week‑on‑week jump in early March alone.

Unsurprisingly, Shaw said the dominant catalyst behind the spike was fuel price volatility caused by global instability.

Oil prices surged above USD 100/bbl during March 2026 due to Middle East supply concerns. Media coverage explicitly linked rising petrol prices to increased consumer EV research and consideration. ABC News documented a clear correlation between fuel price spikes and increased EV interest across metropolitan and regional Australia. Carsales confirmed the timing: EV search growth accelerated after fuel prices rose, not before. Bloomberg coverage shows similar search interest increases in energy‑importing economies globally during the same period.

This is good news for IPD, Shaw says, as their business providing grid-connected infrastructure and services would be well-placed to benefit from an increased take-up of electric vehicles.

Shaw went on to say:

Management often frames IPG’s role as enabling sustainable electrical infrastructure, with EV charging and grid‑related upgrades a key growth vector. EV adoption cannot scale without switchgear, power distribution, protection & control systems, and substations and capacity upgrades. Those are exactly IPG’s product and services stack.

Gains to be made

Shaw has a buy rating on IPD Group shares and a price target of $5.35, compared with the current price of $4.65.

If achieved, that would represent a 15.1% return, and the company is also expected to pay a dividend yield of 3.3% this year.

IPD shares have traded as low as $2.75 over the past year and as high as $5.22.

The post Why web searches for electric vehicles make this stock a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) looked like it was set to end the shortened holiday trading week on a positive note.

Just before noon today, the benchmark Aussie index was up a solid 0.6%.

But if you were watching the charts, you’ll know things turned sharply south from there.

At the time of writing in early afternoon trade on Thursday, the ASX 200 stands at 8,594 points, down 0.9% for the day and down 1.4% in just 90 minutes.

Here’s what’s got investors spooked in mid-day trade today.

ASX 200 dives on renewed Iran war fears

The ASX 200 closed up 0.3% on Tuesday and gained an impressive 2.2% on Wednesday after United States President Donald Trump indicated that the war in Iran should be winding down in the next two to three weeks.

As you’re likely aware, the war in the oil-rich Middle East has roiled global markets and sent oil prices surging almost 50% in March. It also saw the benchmark index slump 7.8% in the month just past.

While investors might have Trump to thank for this week’s earlier gains, we can also point the finger of blame at the US president for today’s steep intraday decline.

As many Aussies were sitting down to lunch today, Trump issued a decidedly hawkish speech outlining the ongoing conflict.

Parts of his speech were in line with his earlier remarks that the war is approaching its conclusion. He noted that America’s “core strategic objectives are nearing completion.”

“We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast. We’re getting very close,” he said.

But the ASX 200 tumbled alongside futures on the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) and the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), with Trump adding, “over the next two to three weeks, we’re going to bring them back to the stone ages where they belong”.

Trump said if the Iranian regime doesn’t reach a deal he finds acceptable, the US will proceed to destroy all of Iran’s power plants.

Commenting on investors’ negative reaction to Trump’s speech, Rodrigo Catril, a currency strategist at National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) said (quoted by Bloomberg):

The market is seemingly focusing on the idea that the war has not ended, the US is looking for escalation and hoping that will force Iran to make a deal.

Oil price spikes

On the heels of Trump’s speech, the Brent crude oil price spiked 4.1% to US$105.34 per barrel.

That’s clearly seeing ASX 200 investors reevaluate the inflation outlook as well as the potential for further interest rate increases from the RBA and other leading central banks.

That picture has put gold stocks under pressure, as gold tends to perform better in low or falling rate environments.

Indeed, the Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price is down 3.2% since noon.

And, as you might expect, following on Trump’s speech and the resulting oil price spike, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares surged 5.1% in intraday trading.

The post Why did the ASX 200 just plunge 1.4% in Thursday afternoon trade? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares are climbing higher again today. At the time of writing on Thursday, the drone operator’s shares are up 1.8% to $4.05 a piece.

Today’s price increase means the shares are now up 5% over the past month and 21.6% higher over the year-to-date. The shares have jumped 343% in just 12 months.

Droneshield is one of the few ASX stocks which has actually climbed off the back of the latest geopolitical tensions and ongoing war in the Middle East.

Over the past few months governments around the world have hiked their budget for defence spending. This includes anything from missiles or submarines, to defence technologies such as drones, AI, and electronic warfare.

And as Droneshield sits firmly as a counter-done electronic warfare business, Droneshield sits front a centre, ready to absorb the increase in investor interest. 

If I bought $5,000 worth of Droneshield shares 4 months ago, what are they worth now?

After a steep climb in late 2025, Droneshield shares crashed 73% within the space of five weeks. By late November, the shares had dropped to just $1.72 a piece. 

The share price climbed slightly to $1.88 on the 2nd of December, but that’s still 114.4% below the trading price at the time of writing.

That type of increase over a short four-month period is impressive, however. It’s more than double!

It also means that any investor who invested $5,000 into Droneshield shares in very early December would be sitting on $10,720 today.

Meanwhile, investors who bought $5,000 worth of shares 12 months ago would have a huge $22,150 today.

Those numbers are impressive.

Can the share price keep climbing?

The longer that tensions in the Middle East continue unresolved the more pressure there will be on military spending. It’s possible that demand for DroneShield’s technology could keep accelerating. 

Analysts are mostly bullish about the outlook for DroneShield shares, but it doesn’t look like the annual increase will continue at the same pace.

TradingView data shows two out of three analysts have a strong buy rating on the defence stock. The third analyst has recently downgraded their rating to neutral. 

The average target price for DroneShield shares over the next 12 months is $4.50 a piece. At the time of writing, that implies an 11% upside ahead for investors. Some are more bullish and expect the shares to jump 23% to $5 in the next 12 months. 

The post $5,000 invested in Droneshield shares 4 months ago is already worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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