Shares in Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN) are under pressure on Thursday after the company released a leadership update to the market.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 healthcare stock is down 7.03% to $33.09, marking its lowest level since late October. The pullback extends a softer run for the stock, with Ansell shares now down around 8% over the past month.

While the sell-off follows a CEO transition update, investors are now assessing whether the sharp drop has left the stock oversold.

Let’s take a closer look.

CEO transition triggers short-term selling

Ansell announced that long-serving CEO Neil Salmon will retire, with Nathalie Ahlstrom appointed as his successor. The transition will formally take place in February, following a short handover period.

Mr Salmon has spent more than 13 years at the company, including several years as CEO, overseeing significant operational improvements and major acquisitions. Any leadership change at a $5 billion company can create uncertainty in the short term, which likely explains part of today’s market reaction.

Importantly, the board framed the move as an orderly succession, with Mr Salmon remaining involved as a senior adviser until mid-2026.

While this update may have unsettled some investors, it does not materially change Ansell’s underlying business outlook.

The share price is flashing oversold signals

From a technical perspective, Ansell shares are beginning to look stretched on the downside.

The stock’s relative strength index (RSI) has slipped into oversold territory, suggesting selling pressure may be close to exhaustion. At the same time, the share price has pushed below the lower Bollinger Band, a signal that often appears during short-term capitulation moves.

Adding to that, the current price level lines up with a key support zone that has held on several occasions over the past year. Historically, Ansell shares have attracted buyers when trading near this region.

Taken together, these indicators suggest the recent decline may be more about sentiment than fundamentals.

A high-quality defensive business

Ansell remains a global leader in personal protective equipment, supplying healthcare and industrial customers across more than 100 countries. The company benefits from long-term structural demand, strong brand positioning, and exposure to defensive end markets.

At current levels, Ansell is trading well below its recent highs, despite no deterioration in balance sheet strength or long-term growth drivers. The stock also offers a dividend yield of around 2.3%, providing some income support while investors wait for sentiment to stabilise.

Should investors consider buying the dip?

While short-term volatility may persist, the latest pullback appears to have pushed Ansell shares into oversold territory.

For long-term investors, this weakness could present an attractive entry point into a high-quality ASX healthcare name with defensive characteristics.

As always, a patient, long-term mindset could prove a winning strategy from here.

The post Ansell shares tumble to a 3-month low. Is this a buying opportunity? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Ansell, Elsight, Ramelius, and SGH shares are falling today
• $5 billion ASX 200 healthcare stock tumbling on CEO exit
• Ansell announces CEO transition: Nathalie Ahlström to succeed Neil Salmon in 2026
• Analysts name 2 top ASX 200 shares to buy today

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

BetaShares Australian Resources Sector ETF (ASX: QRE) is trading for $8.98 per unit on Thursday, down 0.8%.

This exchange-traded fund (ETF) provides broad exposure to ASX mining shares at a time when many major commodities are soaring.

Strong commodity prices led to the ASX 200 materials sector topping the 11 market sectors for capital growth last year.

The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) rose by 31.71% and produced total returns, including dividends, of 36.21%.

In the first week of 2026, many ASX mining shares are resetting their 52-week highs as metal and mineral prices continue their run.

The big ones to watch are gold, silver, copper, and lithium, which have clocked 12-month gains of 66%, 160%, 36%, and 77%, respectively.

By investing in the QRE ETF, you are buying exposure to 43 ASX shares.

It’s heavily weighted to diversified miner BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), whose share price has lifted 20% over the past 12 months.

BHP, which has exposure to iron ore and copper and is the largest miner on the ASX, makes up 34% of QRE’s investments.

QRE is also invested in gold, copper, lithium, mineral sands, rare earths, and alumina producers.

When we think about the ‘resources sector’, the mind naturally goes to ASX mining shares. But this ASX ETF is broader than that.

QRE ETF also holds a significant number of ASX energy stocks, including oil & gas producers, as well as uranium and coal miners.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) is the fund’s third-largest holding at 6.4%.  

ASX utilities share Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) is also in the mix at 2.8%.

The ASX ETF pays distributions, or dividends, twice per year.

The management fee is 0.34% per annum, which is one of the lowest on the market.

Say you bought QRE ETF a year ago.

While ASX mining stocks have done well since then, energy shares have struggled.

So, how has this investment turned out for you?

What is your investment worth now?

On 8 January 2025, the QRE ETF closed at $6.73 apiece.

If you had put $10,000 into the QRE ETF then, it would have bought you 1,485 units (for $9,994.05).

There’s been a capital gain of $2.25 per unit since then, which equates to $3,341.25 worth of capital growth.

Thus, your BetaShares Australian Resources Sector ETF holdings are now worth $13,335.

In terms of distributions, the QRE ETF paid 10.1811 cents per unit in July and will pay 10.6539 cents per unit on 19 January.

Altogether, that is just over $309 in annual income from your 1,485 QRE ETF units.

Miners and energy producers tend to pay fully-franked dividends, so the average franking on this ETF is high at 88%, amplifying your yield.

Total returns for the QRE ETF…

Your capital gain of $3,341.25 plus your distributions of $309 gives you a total return in dollar terms of $3,650.25.

Now remember, you invested $9,994.05 purchasing QRE ETF on 8 January last year.

This means you have received a total return, in percentage terms, of 36.5%.

While that’s a ‘wow’ of a return, we must remember that mining and energy shares are volatile in nature.

We can see this in the long-run average annual total return after fees for this ASX ETF.

Since inception on 10 December 2010, QRE ETF has delivered an average annual total return after fees of 4.85%.

The post $10,000 invested in QRE ETF a year ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

There are a lot of shares to choose from on the ASX 200 index.

To narrow things down for investors, let’s see what analysts are saying about these popular options.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out.

AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL)

The team at Ord Minnett is feeling bullish on this energy giant. It has a buy rating and $13.00 price target on its shares.

The broker sees potential for AGL’s earnings to rise from higher Victorian wholesale prices. It said:

The company has demonstrated solid momentum over recent times with the Tilt renewable asset sale, flexible capacity development at Bayswater, progress in its Western Australia operations and a series of power purchase agreements (PPAs), and we see further drivers to come from revaluation of its 20% stake in energy management platform Kaluza, a closure of Energy Australia’s Yallourn power station that will push Victorian wholesale prices, and thus AGL earnings, higher, and repricing of Tomago supply contracts.

Post the investor day, we have raised our FY26 EPS estimates by 6.1% to incorporate wider electricity margins partially offset by higher growth capital expenditure, while our forecasts for FY27 and FY28 are trimmed 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

Over at Morgans, its analysts have been pleased with the supermarket giant’s performance in FY 2026, despite softer than expected liquor sales.

However, due to recent share price strength, the broker thinks its shares as fairly valued. As a result, it has a hold rating and $22.90 price target on its shares. Morgans feels that investors should wait for a better entry point. It said:

COL reported a solid 1Q26 sales trading update driven by growth in its Supermarkets division. However, Liquor sales were softer than expected as consumers remain focused on value. Management indicated that Supermarkets sales growth in early 2Q26 has remained broadly in line with 1Q26, at ~4.8%. With Woolworths’ (WOW) Australian Food sales up ~3.2%, COL continues to outperform, although the gap is narrowing. The liquor market remains challenging.

We decrease FY26-28F underlying EBIT by 1%, mainly on the back of lower Liquor forecasts due to the ongoing softness in the market. Our target price declines to $22.90 (from $23.45) and we maintain our HOLD rating. While Supermarkets momentum remains positive heading into the key Christmas trading period and execution continues to be strong, trading on 23x FY26F PE with a 3.6% yield, we view COL as fully valued. We would look to reassess our view should the share price weaken further.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

Morgans has also been looking at lithium giant PLS Group, which was formerly known as Pilbara Minerals.

It thinks its shares are overvalued following a strong gain. As such, it has put a sell rating and $3.10 price target on them. It said:

Strong 1Q26 result with production, costs and revenue ahead of expectations. PLS continues to engage with the government following the Australia-US critical minerals framework. Management stipulated its preference for shared infrastructure initiatives over potential price floors. Following recent share price strength we believe PLS is now trading well ahead of fundamentals and we therefore move to a SELL rating.

The post Buy, hold, sell: AGL, Coles, and PLS shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Analysts are urging investors to buy these ASX dividend shares
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• My 10 top stocks to buy to start the New Year off right

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

Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN) has been one of the ASX’s standout performers over the past year.

The Chalice share price is up 7.11% today to $2.56, extending a strong run that has seen the stock climb 16% over the past week.

Zooming out, the gains are even more eye-catching. Chalice shares are up 45% over the past month and an impressive 120% over the past 12 months.

After such a powerful run, the key question is whether there is still upside from here.

Let’s break it down.

Gonneville project continues to drive momentum

The key driver behind Chalice’s share price surge is its Gonneville palladium-nickel-copper project in Western Australia.

Gonneville is a globally significant critical minerals discovery, containing palladium, nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum group elements. These metals are essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.

Last month, Chalice released a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the project. The study outlined a long-life, large-scale operation with strong forecast economics.

According to the PFS, Gonneville has the potential to generate substantial cash flow over its mine life, with relatively low operating costs and a competitive capital profile. Importantly, the study confirmed that the project remains technically and economically viable at current commodity prices.

The project has also received strong government backing. Gonneville has been granted Major Project Status by the federal government and recognised as a Strategic Project by the WA government. That support can help streamline approvals and reduce development risk over time.

Strong commodity backdrop adds support

Chalice’s recent rally has also been helped by improving sentiment across key commodities.

Copper prices have pushed towards record highs, driven by strong demand from electrification and data centre buildouts. Nickel prices have also surged to multi-year highs amid supply concerns and policy changes in Indonesia.

This gives Chalice exposure to a mix of critical minerals that are seeing favourable long term demand trends.

Risks investors should keep in mind

Despite the strong share price performance, Chalice is still a pre-production company. Earnings remain negative, and the path to first production will require further studies, approvals and funding.

It is also worth noting that Chalice shares can be volatile and sensitive to changes in commodity prices and broader market sentiment.

Foolish bottom line

Chalice Mining’s 120% rally has been driven by solid progress at Gonneville and a supportive commodity backdrop.

While the easy gains may now be behind it, further upside could come from continued project de risking and strong metals prices.

For investors with a long-term view and a tolerance for volatility, Chalice remains a stock worth watching closely.

The post This ASX mining stock is up 120% in a year. Can the rally continue? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Chalice Mining, Predictive Discovery, Premier Investments, and St Barbara shares are sinking today
• These speculative ASX stocks could rise 90% to 140%

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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a decent session on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.2% to 8,710.7 points.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are falling:

Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)

The Ansell share price is down over 6% to $33.28. Investors have been selling this health and safety products company’s shares after it announced the exit of its CEO. Ansell revealed that Neil Salmon has decided to retire after 13 years with the company. Replacing Salmon will be Nathalie Ahlstrom, who brings strong global experience having served until recently as CEO and President of the Fiskars Group. Commenting on the appointment, Ansell’s chair, Nigel Garrard, said: “We are delighted to appoint Nathalie as Ansell’s next Managing Director and CEO. Nathalie brings exceptional leadership experience, a track record of delivering results in complex global markets, and a deep understanding of innovation and operational excellence.”

Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS)

The Elsight share price is down almost 3% to $3.48. This morning, this global provider of resilient connectivity solutions for unmanned systems announced a new contract win with a U.S.-based commercial customer in the public safety sector. However, the value of the contract is only US$460,000 (A$682,000). Though, Elsight’s CEO, Yoav Amitai, believes it is a positive signal. He said: “We see this as an early indicator of accelerating commercial momentum driven by regulatory progress in parallel to the continued growth in the defence market.”

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

The Ramelius Resources share price is down almost 3% to $4.14. This follows the release of a quarterly update from the gold miner. Ramelius reported gold production of 45,610 ounces for the three months. This was down 17% from 55,013 ounces in the previous quarter. The company also posted underlying free cash flow of $67 million for the three months, which was down from $129 million in the first quarter. Management believes it is positioned to meet its FY 2026 guidance of 185,000 ounces to 205,000 ounces.

SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH)

The SGH share price is down 2% to $48.01. This has been driven by news that BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) has rejected its takeover proposal. The company’s chair, Jane McAloon, said: “Let me be clear – this proposal was an attempt to take BlueScope from its shareholders on the cheap. It drastically undervalued our world-class assets, our growth momentum, and our future – and the Board will not let that happen. This is the fourth time we’ve said no, and the answer remained the same – BlueScope is worth considerably more than what was on the table.”

The post Why Ansell, Elsight, Ramelius, and SGH shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 10 best ASX 200 large-cap shares of 2025
• $5 billion ASX 200 healthcare stock tumbling on CEO exit
• Why is this popular ASX 200 gold stock tumbling today?
• This ASX tech stock is in focus after fresh US news
• BlueScope shares fall after rejecting ‘significantly undervalued’ takeover offer

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell. 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 Financials Index lifted 7.97% in 2025, with total returns (including dividends) of 12.05%.

By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 6.8% and produced total returns of 10.32%.

ASX financials were the third-best performer among the 11 market sectors last year.

Looking ahead, here are five ASX financial shares that the experts are backing for price growth in 2026.

5 ASX financial shares with new year buy ratings

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

The Hub24 share price rose by 38% to finish 2025 at $96.25 per share.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on Hub24 shares with a price target of $125.

On Thursday, the investment and superannuation platform provider is trading at $95.53 per share, up 2%.

The broker’s price target suggests potential gains of 31% in the new year.

Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT)

The Infratil share price fell 15.8% in 2025 to close at $9.74 on 31 December.

Today, Infratil shares are $9.88 apiece, up 0.5%.

Morgans has just initiated coverage on this ASX financial share with an accumulate rating.

The broker has put a price target of $11.30 on the New Zealand-based investment company.

This suggests a potential 14% upside over the new year ahead.

Morgans said:

Infratil (IFT) is a high quality, concentrated structural growth investor targeting 11-15% pa post fee returns. IFT’s investors have enjoyed c.18% pa returns over the last ~30 years.

Assuming delivery of target returns, post fees the Net Asset Value (NAV) should nearly double over the next five years and create substantial value for equity holders.

The share price is currently trading at a 30% discount to NAV.

Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG)

Retirement and investment solutions provider Generation Development Group was the best performer of the financials sector in 2025.

The Generation Development Group share price rose 66% to finish the year at $5.89.

Macquarie gives Generation Development Group shares an outperform rating with a 12-month price target of $6.70.

Today, the ASX financial share is trading for $5.90, up 0.3%.

The broker’s target implies a potential upside of 14% for investors who buy the stock today.

Navigator Global Investments Ltd (ASX: NGI)

Navigator Global Investments shares increased 72% last year to close at $2.96 on 31 December.

Ord Minnett has a buy rating on this ASX small-cap financial share with a price target of $3.50.

Today, the alternative asset manager is trading at $2.98 per share, up 4.9%.

The broker’s price target suggests potential gains of 17% in the new year.

Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)

Challenger shares also performed strongly last year, rising 57% to finish the year at $9.41 apiece.

Citi has a buy rating on this ASX financial share with a price target of $10.25.

Today, the Challenger share price is $9.39, down 0.2%.

The broker’s price target implies a potential upside of 9% for 2026.

The post 5 ASX financial shares to buy in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 positions in and has recommended Hub24 and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Challenger, Generation Development Group, and Hub24. 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 rose by 6.8% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 10.32% in 2025.

Here, we look at the 10 best ASX 200 large-cap shares of 2025 for capital growth.

Large caps have a market capitalisation of $10 billion or more. All the stocks below fit this category.

Investors like large caps because they are typically older, well-established companies that pay reliable dividends every year.

Let’s check out last year’s best performers.

10 best ASX 200 large caps for share price growth

1. Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

The Evolution Mining share price rose by 164% to close the year at $12.68 apiece.

ASX gold shares had a fantastic year due to a 65% rally in the gold price on top of a 27% gain in 2024.

The gold price rose to a new record of US$4,533 per ounce in December.

Evolution Mining shares are $12.92 apiece on Thursday, down 0.6%.

2. Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM)

Newmont Corporation shares increased 152% to finish 2025 at $150.20 apiece.

The ASX gold share continues to streak higher, hitting a new 52-week peak of $162.45 yesterday.

The Newmont share price is $158.66 today, up 0.1%.

3. Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)

The Lynas Rare Earths share price rose by 93.5% to $12.44 on 31 December.

Today, the ASX 200 large-cap rare earths share is trading at $14.74, down 2.2%.

Lynas shares were the market’s best performer yesterday amid improving sentiment about rare earths prices.

4. PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

Formerly known as Pilbara Minerals, PLS Group shares lifted 93% to close the year at $4.22.

The ASX 200 large-cap lithium share set a new 52-week high of $4.89 today.

5. Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

The share price of the ASX 200’s largest gold miner rose 73% to close the year at $26.73.

The ASX gold share has fallen in the first week of 2026 to $24.88 today.

An operational update released on 2 January prompted some investors to sell.

6. Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC)

Shares in this property fund manager ripped 71% higher to close out the year at $24.45.

The ASX 200 large-cap real estate investment trust (REIT) is steady at $24.07 today.

7. Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

This ASX 200 large-cap mining share had a turbulent year due to governance issues and other factors.

The Mineral Resources share price plunged to a 52-week low of $14.05 before commencing a recovery.

Mineral Resource shares managed a 59% gain over the year to close at $54.38 apiece on 31 December.

The Mineral Resources share price is $57.91 on Thursday, up 1.1%.

8. Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI)

Shares in the explosives manufacturer rose 46% to $24.28 in 2025.

Today, Orica shares are trading at $25.85 apiece, down 0.1%.

9. ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) 

The ALS share price rose 46% to $22.04 last year.

ALS provides testing solutions to clients in a wide range of industries around the world.

Today, the ALS share price is $22.79, up 2%.

10. Bluescope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) 

The Bluescope share price lifted 29% to finish the year at $24.07.

The steel maker is in the news this week after rejecting a takeover offer at $30 per share.

A consortium comprising SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) and Steel Dynamics, Inc (NASDAQ: STLD) made the offer.

Today, Bluescope shares are $29.31, down 1.9%.

The post 10 best ASX 200 large-cap shares of 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: AGL, Coles, and PLS shares
• Why Ansell, Elsight, Ramelius, and SGH shares are falling today
• Which ASX 200 market sectors delivered the best dividend yields in 2025?
• Why this top-tier ASX gold stock is sliding again this week
• BlueScope shares fall after rejecting ‘significantly undervalued’ takeover offer

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 recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd and Steel Dynamics. 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) uranium share NexGen Energy Ltd (ASX: NXG) is marching higher today.

NexGen shares closed yesterday trading for $15.90. In afternoon trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for $16.08 apiece, up 1.1%.

This sees the NexGen share price up a whopping 147.0% since hitting one-year lows on 9 April.

For some context, the ASX 200, which plumbed its one-year lows on 7 April, has gained 18.9% since its own low water mark.

Amid the sharp increase in the company’s market cap, NexGen officially joined the ASX 200 on 22 December as part of the S&P Dow Jones Indices quarterly rebalance.

What’s been lifting the ASX 200 uranium share?

NexGen shares have in part been racing higher amid the miner’s own operational successes at its flagship Rook I uranium project, located in Canada.

The ASX 200 uranium share, and its stockholders, have also benefited from resurgent uranium prices. The nuclear fuel is currently trading for US$82 per pound, up from US$64 per pound in early April.

Investors have been pushing up uranium prices as an increasing number of countries, including the United States, are ramping up their nuclear power ambitions. With a growing global population and surging energy demand from power hungry AI data centres, more countries are seeking reliable baseload power amid the clean energy transition.

And looking at the year ahead, Argonaut’s David Franklyn forecasts more outperformance from NexGen shares (courtesy of The Australian Financial Review)

“We are most bullish on NexGen Energy, the emerging major in the uranium space,” Franklin said.

He added, “Its Arrow project in the Athabasca Basin, Canada, is an emerging global leader with final environmental approvals likely to come through in the first half of 2026.”

The Arrow project sits within NexGen’s broader Rook I project.

What’s the latest from NexGen?

On 2 December, NexGen announced its highest-grade assay results to date from a drill hole at the miner’s 100%-owned Patterson Corridor East (PCE), located nearby the Arrow project Franklin mentioned above.

Commenting on the strong results that helped lift the ASX 200 uranium share on the day, NexGen founder and CEO Leigh Curyer said the “high-grade assay results, consisting of ultra-high grade 0.5 metres 74.8% U3O8, takes PCE into a rare mineralised category on a world scale for uranium deposits”.

Curyer added:

This type of basement-hosted mineralisation is synonymous with Arrow, only 3.5 kilometres to the west. It is clear, the frequency of this ultra-high-grade category of intercepts at Arrow and now PCE, is evidence of a very significant mineralising event occurring at Rook I and in the surrounding region of the southwest Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan.

The post Up 147% since April, why this ASX 200 uranium share is tipped to keep outperforming in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Up 119% since April, 3 reasons to buy this newly-minted ASX 200 uranium share today
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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.

Investing in emerging biotechnology stocks can be a high-risk, high-reward scenario, with the three stocks we’re examining today being a prime example.

Generally speaking, companies move through phases from drug discovery to phase I, II, and III clinical trials, and then on to commercialisation.  

Investors who get on board early can make gains of 10 and even 20-fold, although there’s always the risk that trials will fail, and send a company’s shares south in a rapid fashion.

On the other hand, if companies continue to perform and successfully commercialise their products, the upside can be huge.

This one’s a market darling

One of the best performers among Australian biotech shares over the past year has been 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX), whose share price has increased from lows of 22.5 cents to $4.58 currently.

4DMedical is currently right in that sweet spot of moving from cash burn to revenue generation, with several key contract wins in recent months after it secured a key US Food and Drug Administration approval in August.

Since that time, the company has secured contracts with four of the most respected academic medical centres in the US to use its CT:VQ technology for lung scans.

It will be interesting to see how quickly these contract wins translate into material revenue for the company, which reported a net loss of $30 million in its last financial year.

4DMedical founder and Managing Director Andreas Fouras said just this week that the company had “unstoppable momentum”, which appears to flag further good news in the near term.

Despite its major gains over the past year, I think this is a company to watch closely.

Up and coming

A company at an earlier stage of development is heart drug company Nyrada Inc (ASX: NYR), which has also had huge share price gains over the past year.

The company just today announced it had been granted ethics approval to start a Phase II clinical trial of its heart attack drug Xolatryp.

Nyrada shares are up almost 20-fold over the past year, but the company is still valued at a modest $336.2 million.

Ethics approval for the trial is a positive for the company and pushed the shares briefly to a new 12-month high of $1.43.

It will take another nine to 18 months for this particular trial to be concluded. For investors with the right risk appetite, getting in at this stage before positive results potentially emerge could be a winning move.

And finally, there’s PYC Therapeutics Ltd (ASX: PYC), which has more than doubled in value over the past year to $982.8 million.

PYC is progressing a drug candidate called PYC-003, which seeks to address the underlying cause of polycystic kidney disease, with that program currently at the Phase I stage.

The company said it expects to update shareholders on the Phase I trial this year.

PYC is also aiming to develop drug candidates for use in treating retinitis pigmentosa, other forms of vision loss, and the neurodevelopmental disease PMS.

Once again, for investors with the right risk profile, this might be one to keep an eye on.

The post These three biotechs show how the sector can produce huge outsized gains, but are they still good value? 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 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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) produced a total return of 10.32% last year.

That was comprised of 6.8% capital growth and 3.52% dividends.

That dividend yield is below the benchmark index’s historical average of 4.5% per annum since 2000.

The reduction in yield was largely due to mining shares paying smaller dividend amounts after lower iron ore prices impacted earnings.

Additionally, we saw lower dividend yields from the ASX 200 bank stocks last year due to elevated share prices.

Ryan Felsman, Chief Economist at CommSec said:

S&P/ASX 200 index dividend payout ratios have been under pressure in recent years amid weaker earnings growth, with ASX-listed companies paying out less of those earnings as dividends to shareholders.

That has resulted in a declining dividend yield for Aussie shares. 

Let’s take a look at the dividend yields of each of the 11 market sectors in 2025.

Which ASX sectors delivered the best dividend yields?

The sectors are listed in order of highest dividend yield for 2025.

As you can see, ASX 200 utilities shares and energy stocks delivered the best dividend yields.

The worst payers were the technology and healthcare sectors.

Utilities

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) last year was 13.22%.

Dividends made up 6.3% of the ASX 200 utilities sector’s total return.

APA Group (ASX: APA) shares were the sector’s No. 1 performer, rising 29% in value.

Energy

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was 3.21%.

The index lost 2.25% of its market cap last year, but dividends of 5.46% brought the sector into the green.

ASX 200 uranium explorer Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) delivered the strongest share price growth, up 63%.

Materials

The No. 1 sector for total returns in 2025 was materials, largely due to strongly rising ASX 200 mining shares.

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was a whopping 36.21%.

Dividends made up 4.5% of the sector’s total return.

ASX gold miner Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) was the materials sector’s strongest riser, up 220%.

Financials

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was 12.05%.

Dividends made up 4.08% of the ASX 200 financials sector’s total return.

Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) shares performed best, rising 66%.

Industrials

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was 13.98%.

Dividends made up 3.78% of the ASX 200 industrials sector’s total return.

Defence stock DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) was the No.1 riser, up almost 300%.

Communications

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Communications Index (ASX: XTJ) was 10.56%.

Dividends made up 3.56% of the ASX 200 communications sector’s total return.

Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB) shares outperformed, rising 41% in value last year.

Real estate & REITs

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate Index (ASX: XPJ) was 8.38%.

Dividends made up 3.35% of the ASX 200 real estate sector’s total return.

Property fund manager Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) was the strongest share, up 70%.

Consumer discretionary

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) last year was 4.09%.

Dividends made up 2.32% of the consumer discretionary sector’s total return.

Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) was the sector’s highest riser, up 113%.

Consumer Staples

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was 2.01%.

The index fell by 1.43% last year, but a dividend yield of 3.44% put the sector into the green for the year.

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) was the consumer staples sector’s strongest riser, up 59%.

Healthcare

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) was the worst performer of the 11 market sectors last year.

The index fell 24.91%, with a small dividend yield of 1.25% only slightly offsetting the decline.

The total return for the ASX 200 healthcare sector in 2025 was (23.66%).

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) shares had the best price growth, up 49%.

Technology

The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) tanked in 2025. The total return was (20.8%).

ASX tech stocks typically pay low or no dividends because they are much younger companies than their global counterparts.

The tech index fell 21.04% and an 0.24% dividend yield only slightly mitigated the decline.

Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) shares were the standout performers of the sector, rising 77%.

The post Which ASX 200 market sectors delivered the best dividend yields in 2025? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 incredible ASX growth shares to buy and hold forever in 2026
• How I’d build a $1,000-a-month passive income from ASX shares
• 5 unbeatable ASX stocks I’m eager to buy in 2026
• 3 of the fastest-growing stocks on the planet in 2025
• 5 best ASX 200 industrial shares of 2025

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 positions in and has recommended Aussie Broadband and DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aussie Broadband, Eagers Automotive Ltd, and Generation Development Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.