Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares rocketed 19.4% higher on Wednesday. At the close of the ASX on Wednesday afternoon, the shares were $4.26 a piece.

The uptick means the drone operators share price is now 28% higher for the year-to-date and a huge 330.3% higher than just 12 months ago.

The company’s shares have steadily declined over the past five days, before crashing 14% earlier this week following sentiment that tensions in the Middle East were de-escalating. 

Wednesday’s share price hike has recovered most of the losses, but the shares are still down nearly 2% over the five-day period.

Why are Droneshield shares being so volatile?

Droneshield shares have jumped higher this year on renewed investor enthusiasm about defence sector stocks. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East and rising geopolitical tensions have led to an uptick in government defence spending. This includes the development of missiles or submarines, as well as technologies such as drones, AI, and electronic warfare.

Given counter-drone electronic warfare sits at the core of Droneshield’s business, it has been well placed to soak up the increase in investor demand.

It’s possible that the share price crashes over the past five days are as a result of softening investor sentiment. It’s also possible that investors were taking gains off the table after this year’s strong price rally.

Even news of Droneshield’s announcement on Tuesday didn’t stop the share price from tumbling. 

The company revealed that it has a new interoperability between its DroneSentry-C2 command-and-control software and optical sensing technologies from OpenWorks Engineering.

According to the announcement, the integration strengthens DroneShield’s ability to combine multiple sensor inputs into a single operational platform, improving detection, tracking, and identification of drone threats.

OpenWorks Engineering is a UK-based company specialising in advanced optical sensors and imaging systems. The release highlights that the addition of its technology gives DroneShield customers another option to enhance visual detection and tracking capabilities within a unified system.

So, why has the share price spiked higher now?

There was no price sensitive news out of the company on Wednesday, which implies the share price move is driven by broader market sentiment.

Earlier sentiment that the war in the Middle East is deescalating has also reversed. Iran rejected the US ceasefire proposal on Wednesday, calling it unreasonable and putting forward its own conditions instead. This likely contributed to Droneshield’s share price reversal.

Can Droneshield shares keep climbing?

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 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 a 5.6% upside ahead for investors. 

As tensions in the Middle East continue, and they put more pressure on military spending, we could see demand for DroneShield’s counter-drone detection and mitigation technology pick up pace. But it won’t be the huge 330% uplift we’ve seen over the past 12 months.

The post Droneshield shares rocket 20% higher: What has happened? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 most traded ASX 200 shares since the war began
• Why are these 2 defence stocks tumbling today?
• 3 massively popular ASX 200 shares experts say to sell (inc. CBA)
• Why DroneShield, Guzman Y Gomez, IAG, and Myer shares are falling today

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.

The Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) share price is in focus today after the company announced it has begun commissioning the Stage 1 upgrade of its King of the Hills (KoTH) processing plant, confirming the project is on time and on budget.

What did Vault Minerals report?

• Stage 1 KoTH plant upgrade commissioning has commenced, increasing plant throughput capacity to ~6.0 million tonnes per annum (mtpa)
• New primary crusher and conveyor belt extension installation completed
• Wet plant upgrades, including four additional CIL tanks and a new tailings booster pump, are in operation
• Stage 1 power station upgrade finalised with two new gas-fired gensets
• ~15mt of stockpiled ore at KoTH, containing ~180,000 ounces, as of 28 February 2026

What else do investors need to know?

Stage 2 of the KoTH plant upgrade remains on schedule and budget, targeting completion in the second quarter of FY27. This second phase is planned to lift total plant capacity to between 7.5 and 8.0 Mtpa throughout the second half of FY27.

The upgrade is projected to boost throughput by about 50% at a competitive capital intensity of $57 per tonne of increased annual capacity. Vault Minerals also highlighted the flexibility provided by its substantial stockpiles, which help ensure ongoing mill feed despite possible supply disruptions linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

What’s next for Vault Minerals?

Looking ahead, Vault Minerals will focus on finalising commissioning of the Stage 1 upgrades, with the first ore set to feed through the new crusher by 31 March 2026. Management will also continue advancing the Stage 2 expansion, keeping the project on time and within budget.

By expanding throughput capacity and securing a long-term, CPI-linked gas supply for its power station, the company aims to enhance operational resilience and steady production despite broader market uncertainties.

Vault Minerals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Vault Minerals shares have risen 39%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Vault Minerals: KoTH plant upgrade commissioning kicks off appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Soul Patts 1H26 earnings: Strong growth, dividend up again
• Sims Group earnings: SLS now core to growth
• Infratil lifts CDC outlook and FY27 earnings guidance
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) share price is in focus as the diversified investment house posted another strong half, with pre-tax net asset value (NAV) climbing to $13.8 billion and interim dividends rising for a 28th consecutive year. The portfolio generated a 9.7% return in 1H26, outperforming the ASX200 by 6.6%.

What did Washington H. Soul Pattinson report?

• Net Asset Value (pre-tax) rose 9.7% to $13.8 billion versus the prior corresponding period (pcp).
• Statutory NPAT surged to $2,303 million (up 604.3% vs pcp), while regular NPAT increased 6.7% to $304 million.
• Net Cash Flow From Investments (NCFI) jumped 15.4% to $334 million.
• Interim dividend increased 9.1% to 48 cents per share, fully franked.
• Strong balance sheet with available cash of $472 million and $1.2 billion in liquidity.

What else do investors need to know?

Soul Patts continues its shift towards a more diversified portfolio, with significant investment growth in emerging companies, credit, private companies, and real assets. The recent Brickworks merger has delivered both financial upside and enhanced portfolio flexibility, resetting tax positions and boosting post-tax NAV per share by 26.8% during the half.

The company’s disciplined deployment of $2.1 billion into new public and private investments was matched by a broad range of exits and loan repayments, keeping liquidity robust. The team now manages a portfolio distributed widely across listed companies, private investments, property, and sector-diverse credit holdings.

What’s next for Washington H. Soul Pattinson?

Looking ahead, Soul Patts plans to actively manage liquidity and risk, reposition the portfolio to capture new opportunities, and continue allocating capital in a counter-cyclical fashion. The focus remains on balancing growth, yield, and capital protection for long-term shareholder value.
Management is also prioritising increased deployment into international and defensive assets and stands ready to capitalise on mispriced risk as markets evolve.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Soul Patts shares have risen 9%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Soul Patts 1H26 earnings: Strong growth, dividend up again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Vault Minerals: KoTH plant upgrade commissioning kicks off
• Sims Group earnings: SLS now core to growth
• Infratil lifts CDC outlook and FY27 earnings guidance
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) business is now a core driver of Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM) earnings growth, making up around 40% of group EBIT in the first half of FY26 and reflecting rapid growth as hyperscaler partners increase demand.

What did Sims Group report?

• SLS contributed approximately 40% of Sims Group’s underlying EBIT in H1 FY26 (A$49 million out of A$121.1 million)
• Group underlying EBIT rose to A$121.1 million in H1 FY26, up from A$73.0 million in H1 FY25
• FY26 SLS underlying EBIT is forecast in the range of A$165–185 million
• FY26 Memory GB Sold forecast is 65–70 million, using new volume metric
• Resale gross margin from Memory GB Sold sits at approximately 30%–35%
• SLS has a capital-light, diversified revenue model with strong secondary market access

What else do investors need to know?

SLS is embedded in key hyperscaler decommissioning cycles, working with major cloud infrastructure players and capturing structural demand growth as hyperscalers invest in new data centres. The business continues to serve both hyperscaler and enterprise clients, combining secure execution, quality service and the ability to ramp up capacity quickly.

The newly introduced “Memory GB Sold” metric now gives a clearer picture of SLS’s growth drivers, connecting volumes directly to revenue and reflecting the business’s evolving role as a global leader in circular cloud solutions. SLS has also announced an expansion in Ireland, expected to be operational from July 2026, supporting future European growth.

What did Sims Group management say?

Sims Group CEO & Managing Director Stephen Mikkelsen said:

SLS is already a material earnings driver for Sims and is uniquely positioned at the intersection of structural growth trends in technology. Our capital-light business model and strong partner relationships set us up well for the next phase.

What’s next for Sims Group?

SLS will continue to focus on expanding volumes with existing hyperscaler partners while onboarding new clients and growing its footprint in key regions like Ireland. The business is scaling up capacity and automation, supporting both DDR4 and next-generation DDR5 memory markets.

Management expects structural tailwinds in cloud and memory markets to drive strong demand over the coming years. SLS targets 15 million Memory GB Sold in Ireland by FY29 and aims to expand adjacent services, such as cloud migration, for enterprise clients.

Sims Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Sims Group shares have risen 39%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Sims Group earnings: SLS now core to growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Vault Minerals: KoTH plant upgrade commissioning kicks off
• Soul Patts 1H26 earnings: Strong growth, dividend up again
• Infratil lifts CDC outlook and FY27 earnings guidance
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Long-term thematic investing has historically played a key role in capturing outsized returns.

Major technological shifts, from the expansion of the internet back to mass automobile production, highlight how early exposure to structural change can drive meaningful value creation.

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor infrastructure are shaping up as two of the most important themes of the next decade.

The challenge, however, is not recognising the trend — it is figuring out how to invest in it before the opportunity becomes obvious to everyone.

The rise of AI and semiconductor infrastructure

AI is no longer a niche concept. It is rapidly becoming embedded across industries, from healthcare and finance to logistics and defence.

Behind that shift sits an enormous infrastructure buildout.

Data centres are expanding. Cloud computing demand continues to rise. High-performance chips are becoming more critical with each new generation of AI models.

Semiconductors are effectively the “picks and shovels” of this transformation. Without them, AI simply does not function.

At the same time, the ecosystem is far broader than just chipmakers. It includes equipment suppliers, data centre operators, network providers, and unique part manufacturers.

That complexity is part of what makes the opportunity so compelling — and also what makes it difficult for investors to navigate.

Why picking winners can be harder than it looks

While it may be tempting to back a handful of individual companies, this approach comes with risks.

Even if an investor correctly identifies a leading player, there is no guarantee it will capture the majority of value over time.

Technology cycles can shift quickly. Competitive dynamics evolve. New entrants can disrupt incumbents.

In many cases, the biggest winners are not always the most obvious at the start.

That is one reason some investors are increasingly looking beyond individual stocks and toward broader exposure.

A different approach: thematic ETFs

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a way to gain exposure to a theme rather than a single company.

Instead of trying to pick one or two winners, investors can access a diversified basket of businesses that are all positioned to benefit from the same structural trend.

Two ASX-listed ETFs that focus directly on this theme include:

• Global X AI Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF) – targets companies enabling AI through data centres, cloud infrastructure, and hardware.
• Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI) – provides exposure to global semiconductor leaders, including chip designers, manufacturers, and equipment providers.

These types of ETFs reflect the reality that AI is not just an endpoint use case story; it is also an infrastructure story.

They provide exposure across the value chain rather than relying on a single company to execute perfectly.

Where these ETFs can fit in a portfolio

For many investors, broad index ETFs remain the foundation of a portfolio. These provide exposure to the overall market and help manage risk through diversification.

Thematic ETFs, on the other hand, tend to play a different role.

They can be used as a satellite allocation — a smaller portion of a portfolio designed to target specific areas of potential growth.

In this context, an investor might allocate a portion of their capital to themes like AI infrastructure, while maintaining core holdings elsewhere.

This allows for targeted exposure without overcommitting to a single idea.

It also aligns with a broader strategy of building a portfolio over time, focusing on quality, diversification, and compounding.

The trade-offs to consider

While thematic ETFs offer clear advantages, they are not without trade-offs.

Because they are more focused, they can be more volatile than broad market funds. They may also become crowded if investor enthusiasm runs ahead of fundamentals.

And importantly, not every theme will deliver the returns investors expect.

However, for investors who believe AI and semiconductors could remain at the centre of global growth, the question may not be whether to gain exposure — but how.

Foolish takeaway

AI and semiconductor infrastructure are already reshaping industries and attracting enormous global investment.

For those looking to participate without picking individual winners, ETFs like AINF and SEMI offer a simple, diversified entry point.

Used thoughtfully within a broader portfolio, they may provide exposure to one of the most powerful investment themes of the coming decade before it becomes fully priced in.

The post As AI spending accelerates these ASX ETFs could help you tap into the boom appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What is HALO investing and how do investors gain exposure to it?

Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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.

If you have $10,000 ready to invest, the current market volatility could be creating some interesting opportunities.

Recent weakness, particularly across growth and quality names, has seen a number of high-performing companies trade well below their highs.

For investors with a long-term mindset, this could be a chance to build positions in businesses with strong fundamentals at more attractive prices.

Here are three ASX shares that could be worth considering right now.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

The first ASX share that could be a top option for a $10,000 investment is Goodman Group.

The industrial property giant focuses on logistics and warehouse assets, which are critical infrastructure for ecommerce and global supply chains.

Furthermore, Goodman has a growing presence in data centres. In fact, at the last count, its global power bank increased to 6.0 GW across 16 major global cities. This leaves it well-positioned to benefit from increasing demand for digital infrastructure.

Goodman’s model combines development, management, and ownership of assets, which allows it to generate multiple income streams. Its strong balance sheet and access to capital also support ongoing expansion.

With structural tailwinds from both ecommerce and data usage firmly in its sails, Goodman appears well placed for long-term growth.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Another ASX share that could be worth considering is Pro Medicus.

The health imaging technology company provides software used by hospitals and radiologists. Its best-in-class Visage 7 suite of products are the foundation of an ultra-fast, clinically rich, and highly scalable platform that can seamlessly be implemented in both public and private cloud environments.

Unsurprisingly, due to the quality of its Visage platform, Pro Medicus continues to win major contracts. This includes a $40 million contract announced this month

And with a capital-light model and high margins, much of this revenue falls straight to the bottom line.

Overall, with increasing demand for advanced medical imaging and digital healthcare solutions, Pro Medicus appears well-placed for long-term growth.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

A final ASX share to consider for a $10,000 investment is Xero.

It offers cloud-based accounting software to small and medium-sized businesses, helping them manage everything from invoicing to payroll.

Its subscription-based model provides recurring revenue and strong visibility over future earnings. In addition, Xero has opportunities to grow through international expansion and by increasing the number of services offered to its users.

The company has a significant total addressable market, estimated in the region of 100 million users globally. So, with around 4.5 million users currently, it has a long growth runway.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The ASX healthcare stocks with the biggest upside according to brokers
• Buy, hold, sell: NAB, Pro Medicus, and Telstra shares
• Here are expert views on whether the Xero share price is a buy amid AI concerns
• 3 ASX growth shares that could rebound strongly after the selloff
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group, Pro Medicus, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group and Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Market conditions have been far from smooth in recent months.

Volatility has picked up, sentiment has weakened, and growth assets in particular have been sold down heavily. But history shows that the best time to position for the next bull market is often during periods of uncertainty.

For investors looking to get ahead of the recovery, here are five ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that could be worth considering.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The first ASX ETF that could lead the next bull market is the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

This fund is heavily exposed to global technology leaders such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). These companies sit at the centre of innovation across artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and digital platforms.

These businesses continue to invest heavily in future growth, which could position them strongly when sentiment improves.

iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV)

Another ETF that could be worth considering is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.

This fund provides exposure to 500 of the largest companies in the United States, offering a broad mix of industries and business models. Its holdings include companies such as Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ).

This diversification can help smooth returns while still providing exposure to global economic growth.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

A third ASX ETF to consider is the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF.

This fund focuses on companies with sustainable competitive advantages and currently includes holdings such as Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB), Nike (NYSE: NKE), Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT), and Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT).

By targeting businesses with strong competitive positions and combining this with valuation discipline, the ETF aims to identify companies that can outperform over time.

BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

Another ETF that could be worth a look is the BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF.

This fund invests in companies that help protect data, networks, and digital systems. Its holdings include CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT).

Cybersecurity spending is increasingly seen as essential rather than optional, which could support long-term growth for companies in this space.

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

A final ASX ETF to consider is the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF.

This fund provides exposure to leading Asian technology companies such as Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM).

These companies are key players in the global technology ecosystem and offer exposure to growth trends across Asia.

And with valuations having pulled back alongside global markets, now could be an opportune time to consider a position in this fund.

The post 5 ASX ETFs to buy before the next bull market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• After sinking 10%, is the IVV share price too cheap to ignore?
• 3 ASX ETFs I’d buy for when the market rebounds
• Where to invest $50,000 in ASX ETFs for the next 10 years
• 3 of the best ASX ETFs to buy after the market selloff
• The unexpected global market showing resilience – 3 ASX ETFs to target

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf, Nike, and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Airbnb, Amazon, Apple, Applied Materials, Berkshire Hathaway, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent, and iShares S&P 500 ETF and is short shares of Apple and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group, Johnson & Johnson, and Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Airbnb, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, CrowdStrike, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It’s been well documented that ASX technology and healthcare stocks are trading at long-term lows. 

In fact, the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is down 32% in the last year, and 17% in 2026. 

For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down just 2% year to date, and remains up more than 6% over the last 12 months. 

Yesterday, I compiled a list of the tech stocks that have drawn the most attention from brokers recently. 

Now let’s look at the healthcare stocks also drawing the best long-term targets from experts. 

It’s important to remember these targets are not guaranteed to be met, however they can help act as a guide of which stocks may have fallen past fair value.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus has been one of the most consistently covered healthcare stocks recently as it has continued to fall despite positive outlooks. 

The company is a provider of medical imaging technology globally.

At the time of writing, Pro Medicus shares are 45% year to date. 

This is despite the continued flow of new contract wins as the drivers of interest in its product remain firmly in place.

It closed yesterday at $120.79 per share. 

However, brokers see plenty of room for a rebound. 

Recently, Bell Potter placed a buy rating and $240.00 price target, suggesting almost 100% upside over the next 12 months.

Meanwhile, Morgans is even more bullish, with a buy rating and a $275.00 price target.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

It’s a similar story for Cochlear. 

The company is the world’s leading cochlear implant device manufacturer with around half of global market share.

Its share price is currently down 36% year to date, closing yesterday at $165.63 each. 

However, brokers are confident a recovery is coming. 

UBS recently retained their buy rating and $302.00 price target on this healthcare stock 

According to a note out of the broker, it believes that recent share price weakness has created an attractive entry point for investors. 

This price target indicates Cochlear shares could nearly double in the next 12 months. 

The team at Wilsons also recently released a positive outlook on the company based on valuation terms. 

Wilsons pointed out that Cochlear was trading on a forward P/E multiple of ~26x, in mid-March. 

This represented a >10 year low at the time and a material discount to its 10-year average of ~42x. 

The share price has only fallen further since that analysis. 

The post The ASX healthcare stocks with the biggest upside according to brokers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Buy, hold, sell: NAB, Pro Medicus, and Telstra shares
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• 3 top blue-chip ASX 200 shares that look dirt cheap right now
• I’m listening to Warren Buffett and loading up on cheap ASX shares

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

Most Australians know superannuation matters. Fewer know whether they are actually on track — or how much time they have left to do something about it.

At 55, retirement is no longer a distant concept. It is approaching, but it is not here yet. That distinction matters.

Because while 60 is often framed as the “line in the sand”, 55 is where the real decisions get made — particularly around how you accumulate, invest, and position your final years of working life.

So instead of asking what your super should look like at retirement, a more useful question might be this: what position do you want to be in five years earlier?

The benchmark still matters — but timing changes everything

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) continues to provide a useful guidepost.

A comfortable retirement today still implies spending of roughly $55,000 per year for a single person and over $78,000 for a couple. To support that lifestyle, the broad benchmark sits around $630,000 in super for singles and closer to $730,000+ combined for couples.

Those figures assume home ownership and some support from the Age Pension from 67.

At face value, the targets have not changed dramatically. What has changed is how much flexibility you still have at 55.

Where Australians in their mid-50s are actually sitting

For many Australians, the gap is already visible by 55.

Average balances tend to sit meaningfully below the “comfortable” benchmarks — particularly for singles and women. Structural factors such as career breaks, part-time work, and lower lifetime earnings continue to show up in the data.

Couples, on the other hand, are often closer to the mark on a combined basis, especially when both partners have maintained steady contributions over time.

But averages only tell part of the story.

At 55, most people are still working. That means contributions are ongoing, investment returns are still compounding, and decisions made now can have an outsized impact compared to earlier decades.

Why your 50s are the most powerful investing years

There is a tendency to become more conservative as retirement approaches. In some cases, that is sensible. In others, it can quietly work against long-term outcomes.

The reality is that your early-to-mid 50s may represent the most capital-rich period of your life:

• Your income is often at or near its peak
• Debts may be lower or more manageable
• Super balances are large enough for compounding to matter
• Time horizon is still meaningful (10–20 years of retirement ahead)

That combination creates a window where both contributions and investment allocation can materially change your trajectory.

Even small adjustments — whether that is increasing concessional contributions, reviewing fees, or ensuring your super is appropriately invested for growth — can compound over the next decade.

This is also where the mindset subtly shifts.

Earlier in life, investing is about building. In your 50s, it becomes about finishing well — maximising what you already have.

The levers available at 55

Unlike at 60, where the focus often shifts to drawing down, 55 still offers a full toolkit for accumulation.

There are three broad levers worth understanding:

• Contributions: Concessional contributions (up to current caps) remain one of the most tax-effective ways to boost super. Carry-forward rules may also allow for larger catch-up contributions depending on your balance and history.
• Downsizer strategy (later optionality): While typically used closer to retirement, understanding the ability to contribute proceeds from a future home sale can influence planning decisions now.
• Investment positioning: Reviewing asset allocation, fees, and fund structure can be just as impactful as adding new money. Over a 5–10 year window, these changes can compound meaningfully.

None of these are silver bullets on their own. Together, they can meaningfully shift outcomes.

A different way to think about “on track”

The conversation around super often focuses on a single number at a single age.

In reality, the more useful lens is trajectory.

At 55, you are not locked in. You are positioned.

Some Australians will already be within reach of a comfortable retirement. Others will see a gap that feels confronting at first glance.

The key difference now is that you still have time — and, more importantly, leverage.

Foolish takeaway

Looking at super at 55 reframes the conversation.

It is less about whether you have “enough” today, and more about what you can still influence before retirement begins.

For couples, the path to a comfortable retirement may already be visible. For singles, the gap can be more pronounced — but not necessarily fixed.

The final working years are not just a countdown. They are an opportunity.

And how you approach accumulation and investing from here may matter more than anything that came before.

The post What Australians must focus on at 55 to build enough superannuation before retirement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX ETFs to buy before the next bull market
• The ASX healthcare stocks with the biggest upside according to brokers
• Infratil lifts CDC outlook and FY27 earnings guidance
• Why ASX dividend shares could still be better than term deposits
• Which defensive ASX shares are outperforming right now?

Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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

The Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT) share price is in focus today after the company increased its EBITDAF guidance for 2027 and announced progress in expanding data centre operations.

What did Infratil report?

• Upgraded FY27 EBITDAF guidance to A$680–$720 million (previously ~A$660 million)
• FY26 EBITDAF expected at lower end of A$390–$400 million, due to timing of contracted capacity
• A$500 million equity raise completed to support accelerated growth at CDC
• Bank debt upsizing to A$2.1 billion expected by March 2026
• Strong pipeline with 18 operational CDC data centres and five under construction

What else do investors need to know?

CDC, Infratil’s Australasian data centre business, continues to benefit from robust demand for secure, large-scale data centre infrastructure—especially supporting AI and cloud workloads. Two new data centres at CDC’s Eastern Creek campus are nearing operational status, which will significantly boost available capacity.

The business maintains its position as the largest data centre operator in Australasia, with market-leading water efficiency thanks to closed-loop cooling systems. Minimal water use has enabled CDC to add almost 200 megawatts of capacity in the latest quarter, while maintaining environmental credentials.

What did Infratil management say?

Infratil CEO Jason Boyes commented:

Our focus is on supporting CDC to deliver more capacity to meet the growing demand for data centre space across Australasia. Infratil, along with CDC’s other major shareholders, recently provided A$500 million in equity funding to support the acceleration of CDC’s construction programme.

What’s next for Infratil?

Looking ahead, Infratil plans to keep expanding CDC’s footprint, meeting ongoing demand for secure data centre capacity across Australia and New Zealand. The higher formal EBITDAF guidance for FY27 reflects management’s confidence in CDC’s strong contract pipeline and expectations for continued growth in digital infrastructure.

Investment in skills and sustainable technology will remain a priority, alongside developing new sites and supporting the transition to clean energy.

Infratil share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Infratil shares have declined 6%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Infratil lifts CDC outlook and FY27 earnings guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Metrics Master Income Trust announces March 2026 distribution
• ASX 200 jumps as inflation surprises to the downside
• Sims Group posts robust US growth through SA Recycling in FY26

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.