• Why CSL shares could be trading at a 94% discount today

    Two excited woman pointing out a bargain opportunity on a laptop.

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares are having a week to forget.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) biotech stock have closed in the red every day this week so far, leading up to Friday’s opening bell.

    The stock closed down 6.88% yesterday, trading for $152.19 a share.

    That followed on the 4.6% losses suffered on Wednesday as investors pored over the company’s half-year earnings results. Investors also responded negatively to news, reported after market close on Tuesday, that Paul McKenzie was stepping down from his three-year stint as CEO.

    The four consecutive days of losses see CSL shares down 15.68% since last Friday’s close.

    Which, according to Family Financial Solutions’ Jabin Hallihan, could make today an opportune time to buy shares at a potential bargain (courtesy of The Bull).

    Should you buy CSL shares today?

    “CSL develops plasma therapies and vaccines for a global market,” Hallihan said late last week, prior to CSL’s results release and CEO departure news. “The company provides products to patients in more than 100 countries.”

    Hallihan noted, “The share price has fallen from $271.32 on August 18, 2025 to trade at $181.48 on February 5, 2026. Our fair value is $295 a share.”

    At Thursday’s close of $152.19 a share, this sees the ASX 200 biotech stock trading 94% below Hallihan’s fair value estimate.

    Commenting on his buy recommendation on CSL shares, Hallihan concluded:

    Short term earnings noise obscures a high-quality plasma franchise with structural demand growth. In a bull market, valuation normalisation and quality should deliver strong upside moving forward.

    What’s been happening with the ASX 200 biotech stock?

    As mentioned up top, it was a big news week for CSL shares.

    On the leadership front, McKenzie abruptly retired as CEO and managing director effective on Tuesday. The board appointed Gordon Naylor, former CFO and president of CSL’s Seqirus business, as interim CEO and managing director. Naylor took over the reins on Wednesday.

    As for the results for the six months to 31 December, the company reported revenue of US$8.3 billion, down 4% year on year on a constant currency basis.

    On the bottom line, CSL saw a 7% decline in underlying net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) to US$1.9 billion.

    Commenting on the half-year results that pressured CSL shares, CFO Ken Lim said, “We are clearly not satisfied with our performance and have implemented a number of initiatives to drive stronger growth going forward.”

    Looking ahead, Lim added:

    We continued to advance our broader transformation strategy, making strong progress on our cost efficiency initiatives and strengthening the foundations of the business.

    We invested in growth opportunities including our strategic collaboration with VarmX. This will deliver enhanced growth, profitability and shareholder returns.

    CSL also increased its share buyback program from US$500 million to US$750 million.

    The post Why CSL shares could be trading at a 94% discount today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CSL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • ASX gold stocks never pay high dividends, but Evolution just changed the game

    Gold bars and Australian dollar notes.

    ASX investors buy gold stocks for a number of reasons. Perhaps they might think a particular gold miner is undervalued. Perhaps they might be bullish on the price of gold itself and see gold miners as a potentially lucrative leverage play on further price increases. Or perhaps just wish to hedge against inflation, geopolitical tension, or economic uncertainty. But ASX investors rarely buy gold stocks for the dividends.

    As we went through late last year, the economics of mining gold are strikingly different to other commodities that ASX investors might be used to investing in. Gold miners typically don’t enjoy the fat margins and bulk production that other commodities like oil or iron ore can facilitate.

    That’s mainly why we are used to seeing dividend yields of 4%, 5%, or even 6% from big miners like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), or Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO). And why dividends of 2% or less are common to see with even the largest ASX gold stocks like Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) or Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST).

    Well, that’s the conventional wisdom anyway. However, we are in a different world right now. Gold, as many investors would know, has just come off the back of one of the most significant price rallies we’ve ever seen in precious metals investing. It’s hard to even picture, but it was only 12 months ago that gold was asking under US$3,000 an ounce. Today, that same ounce will set investors back just over US$5,080. And that’s after the pullback we have seen over February. Gold hit a new record high of over US$5,500 an ounce late last month.

    Evolution’s monster dividend changes the ASX gold stock game

    This sharp surge in value has obviously been mana from heaven for ASX gold stocks. Consider Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN). Evolution dropped its latest earnings on Wednesday. And they were something special for a gold miner. First up, Evolution told investors that it achieved an all-in sustaining cost (cost of mining and processing in simpler terms) of US$1,063 ($1,493) per ounce over the six months to 31 December 2025.

    If we assume Evolution had that cost base a year ago, this means the miner’s gross margin has surged from US$1,831 a year ago to US$4,017.

    So even though gold itself has surged 75.5% over the past 12 months, Evolution’s profitability has exploded by almost 120%. This is probably why Evolution was able to declare a record 20-cent-per-share dividend on Wednesday. That dividend represents a whopping 185.7%, or a near-tripling, over the 7 cents per share interim dividend that investors received last year.

    At the time of writing, Evolution shares are trading with a trailing dividend yield of 1.25%. However, the new internal dividend, together with last year’s final dividend of 13 cents per share, gives Evolution a forward yield of 2.07%. That might not look too significant. But remember, Evolution’s 154% gain over the past 12 months has blunted that dividend yield substantially.

    If an investor bought this stock a year ago, they will soon be enjoying a yield on cost of 6.36%. Perhaps the gold-dividend game is changing.

    The post ASX gold stocks never pay high dividends, but Evolution just changed the game appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Evolution Mining Limited right now?

    Before you buy Evolution Mining Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Evolution Mining Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Newmont. 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.

  • Buy, hold, sell: Telstra, TechnologyOne, NAB shares

    A young woman wearing a red and white striped t-shirt puts her hand to her chin and looks sideways as she wonders whether to buy ASX shares

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares closed 0.32% higher at 9,043.5 points on Thursday as earnings season continues.

    This is the second day that the ASX 200 has traded above the 9,000 threshold, with the benchmark now at a 14-week high.

    Strong reports from ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) moved the market up today.

    Here, we review the opinions of experts on three ASX 200 shares within the communications, technology, and financials sectors.

    One is a buy, one is a hold, and one is a sell.

    Let’s take a look.

    Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    The Telstra share price closed at $4.88, steady today and up 24.8% over the past 12 months.

    On The Bull this week, Jabin Hallihan from Family Financial Solutions revealed a buy rating on Telstra shares.

    Hallihan values this ASX 200 telecommunications stock at $5.40 per share.

    He explains his view:

    Reported net profit after tax of $2.3 billion in full year 2025 was up 31 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

    Cash earnings per share of 22.4 cents were up 12 per cent.

    Cost discipline, share buy-backs and resilient mobile earnings support steady upside in a market that still rewards defensiveness.

    On top of this, Telstra pays reliable, fully franked dividends.

    Its full year dividend of 19 cents a share in fiscal year 2025 was up 5.6 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

    TLS was recently trading on a dividend yield of 3.85 per cent.  

    Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE)

    The TechnologyOne share price closed at $21.70, down 6.9% today and down 32% over the past year.

    Tony Paterno from Ord Minnett has a hold rating on this ASX 200 technology share.

    Paterno explains:

    TNE’s result in fiscal year 2025 disappointed the market with annual recurring revenue growth falling below consensus expectations. Offsetting the negative result was robust growth in the UK.

    TNE’s core segments continue to perform well.

    Early feedback on TNE’s recently launched artificial intelligence product Plus has been positive. 

    TNE is one of the higher quality software businesses on the ASX and we remain positive about its outlook.   

    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

    The NAB share price rose 3.9% to an all-time high of $47.25 on Thursday.

    NAB had no news for the market today.

    NAB shares closed at $46.54, up 2.3% today and up 13% over the past 12 months.

    Hallihan has a sell rating on this ASX 200 bank share.

    The analyst commented:

    NAB is Australia’s largest business bank, benefiting from an oligopolistic market structure.

    Statutory net profit of $6.759 billion in full year 2025 was down 2.9 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

    A credit impairment charge of $833 million was up from $728 million in the previous year.

    In our view, the shares are materially overvalued and leave little margin for error.

    Capital is better redeployed into discounted quality.

    The post Buy, hold, sell: Telstra, TechnologyOne, NAB shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in National Australia Bank Limited right now?

    Before you buy National Australia Bank Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and National Australia Bank Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    The silhouettes of ten people holding hands with their arms raised against the sky, as the sun rises or sets in the background.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed another strong session this Thursday, building on the momentum we saw yesterday amongst ASX shares to push even higher. After sitting in green territory all day, and at one point climbing back over 9,100 points, the ASX 200 ended the day with a gain of 0.32%. That leaves the index at 9,043.5 points.

    This positive session for the local markets follows a less enthusiastic session on the American markets in the early hours of this morning.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up an early spike to close 0.13% lower.

    The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared similarly, falling by 0.16%.

    But let’s get back to ASX shares now and examine how today’s market-wide optimism trickled down to the different ASX sectors this Thursday.

    Winners and losers

    Despite the market’s general positivity, there were several corners that were left behind.

    The most notable of those were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a shocker today, collapsing by 6.65%.

    Healthcare shares suffered another disastrous session too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) crashing 6.19% lower.

    Consumer discretionary stocks were also out of favour. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) tanked by 2.13% today.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were left out in the cold too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 1.95% plunge.

    Communications shares had an unlucky day as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) took a 1.54% dive this session.

    Industrial stocks weren’t finding many friends either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) sliding 0.87%.

    Our last losers this Thursday were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) gave up an early lead to close 0.18% lower.

    Let’s get to the green sectors now, though. Leading the charge higher were utilities stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 2.89% surge.

    Financial shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) soared 2.57% higher by the closing bell.

    Mining stocks were popular too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) galloping up 1.13%.

    Consumer staples shares didn’t miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) added 0.79% to its value today

    Finally, gold stocks held their own, illustrated by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)’s 0.54% improvement.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Our best ASX stock this Thursday was none other than big four bank ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ). ANZ shares rocketed 8.47% today, up to $40.35 each.

    This dramatic gain for one of the ASX’s largest stocks came after the bank released a well-received quarterly update.

    Here’s how the rest of today’s winners landed their planes:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) $40.35 8.47%
    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) $178.74 5.41%
    Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) $29.39 4.00%
    Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) $11.50 3.88%
    PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) $4.43 3.75%
    AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) $10.16 2.73%
    Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) $168.80 2.58%
    Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) $1.00 2.56%
    Amcor plc (ASX: AMC) $69.85 2.48%
    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) $46.54 2.31%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australia And New Zealand Banking Group right now?

    Before you buy Australia And New Zealand Banking Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Australia And New Zealand Banking Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • A once-in-a-decade chance to buy ASX 200 tech stocks like WiseTech, Megaport and NextDC?

    A young man talks tech on his phone while looking at a laptop. A financial graph is superimposed across the image.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) is trading 0.69% higher in afternoon trade on Thursday. The index is down 15.23% year-to-date and 36.66% over the year, after a crash in investor confidence sent ASX tech stocks plummeting in late-2025 and into early-2026.

    Renewed concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) disruption have driven tech shares such as WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1), and NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) sharply lower.

    WiseTech shares are down 7.07% today to $47.34 a piece, and down 61.65% for the year. 

    Megaport shares are 5.44% lower in Thursday afternoon trade, to $10.95. The stock is still 23.17% higher over the year. 

    Meanwhile, NextDC shares are down 1.15% to $13.74, and down 8.75% for the year.

    On paper, the plummeting share prices of these ASX tech stocks look concerning, but I think it’s a once-in-a-decade opportunity.

    Here’s why.

    Long-term drivers of growth haven’t gone away

    Despite the recent volatility in the tech market, the fact is that AI isn’t going anywhere. AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, automation, and digital payments are still front and centre. 

    Technology is rapidly advancing, businesses are investing in AI more than ever before, and continued tech investment points to widespread, ongoing adoption rather than abandonment.

    I think short-term investor concerns will likely be just that… short term. And short-term market concerns don’t change the fact that tech is the fastest-growing segment of the sharemarket over the long term.

    Eventually, the market will correct itself, and the ASX tech stocks involved in AI could enjoy a share price recovery.

    The upsides are huge for ASX tech stocks

    Current valuations of tech stocks present a strong opportunity for investors to buy at a discount.

    Analysts are hugely optimistic about the outlook for these tech stocks, with many tipping significant upside over the next 12 months when investor confidence returns and people start pressing the buy button once again.

    Data shows that 14 out of 15 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on WiseTech shares. And the maximum upside is $167.24 per share, implying an enormous 253.19% over the next 12 months at the time of writing.

    It’s a similar story for Megaport shares too. Out of 14 analysts, 10 have a buy or strong buy rating on the ASX tech stock. The maximum target price is $22.27, which implies a 103.1% upside at the time of writing.

    Analysts are even more bullish on NextDC shares. All 14 analysts have a buy or strong buy consensus on the shares. The maximum target price is $29.36 which implies a 114.46% upside at the time of writing.

    The post A once-in-a-decade chance to buy ASX 200 tech stocks like WiseTech, Megaport and NextDC? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Megaport shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Megaport wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Best ASX stock to buy right now: Xero or TechnologyOne?

    A young man talks tech on his phone while looking at a laptop. A financial graph is superimposed across the image.

    When high-quality software stocks sell off, long-term investors tend to start paying attention.

    Over the past year, sentiment toward technology shares has deteriorated sharply. Rising rates, concerns about artificial intelligence disrupting traditional software models, and multiple compression have all weighed heavily on valuations.

    Two of the ASX’s best-known software names, Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE), have both been caught up in the pullback.

    Xero shares are down roughly 58% over the past 12 months, while TechnologyOne has fallen around 32% over the same period.

    So which one looks like the better buy right now?

    The case for TechnologyOne shares

    TechnologyOne has quietly become one of the most consistent software businesses on the ASX.

    It provides mission-critical enterprise software to governments, universities, and large organisations. Over recent years, its transition to a software-as-a-service model has transformed the business. Recurring revenue has risen, cash generation has strengthened, and earnings visibility has improved materially.

    Management has laid out an ambitious target to double the size of the business roughly every five years. With growing momentum in the UK and a highly sticky customer base, that goal does not look unrealistic.

    For investors seeking stability and steady execution, TechnologyOne remains a compelling long-term compounder.

    The case for Xero shares

    Xero, meanwhile, operates in a larger and more competitive global market.

    It provides cloud accounting software to small and medium-sized businesses and has built strong positions in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The long-term opportunity remains significant as more businesses transition from legacy accounting systems to cloud-based platforms.

    The sharp share price decline reflects concerns that AI could lower barriers to entry in accounting software or pressure pricing. However, Xero’s platform is deeply embedded in customer workflows, with extensive integrations and ecosystem partnerships that are not easily replicated overnight.

    Importantly, much of that risk now appears reflected in the valuation after the 58% sell-off.

    Which one wins?

    Both ASX stocks remain high-quality software businesses with strong recurring revenue models and long growth runways.

    TechnologyOne arguably offers the smoother ride, with a more concentrated customer base and a long history of disciplined execution. But its smaller share price decline suggests investors are still willing to pay a premium for that consistency.

    Xero, on the other hand, has seen far more valuation compression. While risk remains, the larger pullback means expectations are significantly lower. If the company can continue delivering subscriber growth and margin expansion, the rebound potential could be greater.

    The post Best ASX stock to buy right now: Xero or TechnologyOne? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Technology One Limited right now?

    Before you buy Technology One Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Technology One Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • 2 great ASX shares I’m planning to buy next week

    Red buy button on an apple keyboard with a finger on it representing asx tech shares to buy today

    Reporting season is a great time for investors to find ASX share opportunities that are good value, with a very recent view on the company’s operational performance.

    There have been some very volatile reactions to some results, and I think this has opened up a number of buying opportunities.

    I’m planning to put money to work next week, with the following two names being the likely candidates.

    Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

    This business has suffered a huge sell-off – down 30% at the time of writing – following its FY26 half-year result.

    Margins decreased as the business increased investment, with a focus on price, promotion and expansion into New Zealand. But I think this is the right move for the business’s long-term success.

    The company reported that revenue rose 19.8% to $375.9 million, the delivered margin rose 12.8% and operating profit (EBITDA) grew 2.2%. However, excluding the New Zealand investment, EBITDA grew by 13%.

    Its capital-light model remains attractive and cash generative, with a huge $161 million in cash (and no debt). This can allow the business to fund share buybacks, if it wants to.

    Over the long term, the ASX share is expected to experience further adoption of online shopping and rising profit margins. The Australian homewares and furniture market has a 20% penetration rate in Australia, whereas it’s 29% in the UK and 35% in the US. I expect Australia’s figure to climb in the coming years towards 30%.

    The New Zealand play has already generated more than $1 million in sales, and I’m expecting it to become a significant contributor by the end of the decade.

    Revenue growth remains strong, particularly in home improvement products. Home improvement revenue during the six-month period grew 47% year over year to $30 million. If it continues to grow faster than the core business, it will become an increasingly material contributor to the company’s financials.

    Finally, the trading update to 9 February 2026 was solid and suggests ongoing good growth – revenue was up 20% year over year. That’s a strong compounding growth rate.

    Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

    The other ASX share I’m looking at is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on industrial properties.

    I don’t know whether rental income can grow strongly from office buildings or shopping centres, but industrial properties are experiencing growth from areas like e-commerce and data centres.

    The ASX share experienced like-for-like net operating income (NOI) growth of 5.1% in its FY26 half-year result. The REIT said that 20% average under-renting across its portfolio provides future earnings growth potential, implying good potential for a rental boost in the next few years.

    It’s expecting to grow funds from operations (FFO) per unit – the rental earnings – by up to 6% in FY26, which could fund a 3% rise in the distribution to 16.8 cents per unit. That translates into a forward distribution yield of 5.3%.

    It looks good value after reporting its net tangible assets (NTA) climbed by around 1% over the six month period to $3.95. That means it’s trading at a discount of around 20%, which I think is very appealing for a growing business.

    The post 2 great ASX shares I’m planning to buy next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • The 3 ASX shares I’d buy and hold into 2026

    A woman with strawberry blonde hair has a huge smile on her face and fist pumps the air having seen good news on her phone.

    If you want good returns, you need to find ASX shares destined for continued long-term growth. After all, owning a slow or even mediocre-growing stock over a few years doesn’t guarantee returns. Here are three ASX shares I’d buy and hold this year.

    IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)

    Titanium metal and critical materials company, IperionX, recently said it plans to ramp up production with the goal of becoming America’s largest and lowest-cost titanium powder producer. 

    The company recently received a prototype purchase order valued at US$300,000 from American Rheinmetall. The order is for the production of 700 lightweight titanium components destined for US Army heavy ground combat systems.

    IperionX also recently received the final US$4.6 million tranche of funding under a previously announced US government award. The funding comes through the US Department of War’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, which aims to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical materials.

    Analysts are bullish on the company’s shares, with a strong buy consensus rating for IperionX. The maximum target price is $11.03, which implies a potential 84.69% upside at the time of writing.

    South32 Ltd (ASX: S32

    The prices of copper, silver and gold have reached all-time highs this year, and the momentum has driven South32’s shares toward a multi-year high earlier this month. The miner has also posted strong financial results over the past six months and solid production figures. 

    Last month, the miner announced that it had exceeded expectations for first-half production. Overall, the results were ahead of consensus, and investors were thrilled.

    I don’t think the good news will stop there either. In fact, I think South32 could outpace mining giant BHP this year.

    South32 shares are tipped to rise up to 11.83% from the current share price, to $5.22 a piece.

    Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

    Xero’s “sticky” subscription-based model, high retention rate and active product expansion make it a great contender for growth this year.

    The ASX business is still early in its global expansion, too. If it can crack the US market and become more dominant while maintaining its position and revenue in other markets, its earnings could surge as well.

    Despite the company’s operating revenue, net profit and cash flow continuing to rise, its share price has dived recently as investor confidence struggles to pick back up. Concerns about AI and the company’s US Melio acquisition dented sentiment last year. But I think the latest share price decline is a fantastic opportunity for investors to buy the stock cheaply.

    In fact, I’m quietly confident that Xero shares could double in value in 2026, or go even higher. Analysts are mostly bullish on the shares and expect an upside of up to 200.55% this year, at the time of writing, to $233.73.

    The post The 3 ASX shares I’d buy and hold into 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in IperionX Ltd right now?

    Before you buy IperionX Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and IperionX Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Virgin Australia shares fly 10% higher: Time to buy, sell or hold?

    a man sitting in an aeroplane seat holds the top of his head as he looks at his airline ticket with an annoyed, angry expression on his face.

    It’s been a great week for Virgin Australia Holding Ltd (ASX: VGN) shares. The ASX travel stock is trading in the green once again on Thursday afternoon, up 0.15% to $3.305 a piece.

    It’s been a volatile few months for the airline, though. The shares crashed 20% from October to November last year, and then recovered 18.5% in December. The share price crashed again, this time by around 15%, throughout the first 6 weeks of the year, and now they’re on their way back up once again.

    Over the past week, Virgin shares have jumped 10.53% and they’re now 13.97% higher over the year.

    What is pushing Virgin Australia shares higher?

    There is no price-sensitive news out of the travel company this week to explain the uptick. But after a 15% drop between December and earlier this month, it’s likely that investors have identified a buying opportunity. 

    Virgin is set to deliver its first interim result since being relisted on the ASX in June last year, on the 27th of February.

    And analysts are optimistic that the announcement will be good news.

    Since its relisting on the ASX 200 in June this year, the airline has repositioned itself under a simpler, leaner business model, shedding many of its old inefficiencies. And I like what the business has done. 

    The team at Jarden recently said that, while it is too early for the company to start paying dividends, it expects solid results later this month. The broker said the airline’s fundamentals are strong for the near term.  

    Are Virgin Australia shares a buy, sell or hold?

    At the current share price, I think the airline’s shares are a bargain. Analysts are mostly bullish on the stock’s robust upside this year.

    TradingView data shows that 5 out of 7 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Virgin Australia shares. The average target price is $3.95 for the next 12 months, which implies a potential upside of 19.27% at the time of writing.

    Although others think the upside could be anywhere between 10.14% and 27.27% from the current share price.

    Jarden has a $4 target price on the shares. The team at Ord Minnett are also impressed with the company’s near-term outlook. The broker has a buy rating and $4 target price on Virgin Australia shares.

    The post Virgin Australia shares fly 10% higher: Time to buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Virgin Australia shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Virgin Australia wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • 3 of the best Australian stocks to buy and hold until 2036

    A woman wearing dark clothing and sporting a few tattoos and piercings holds a phone and a takeaway coffee cup as she strolls under the Sydney Harbour Bridge which looms in the background.

    If you’re investing with a 10-year horizon, the game changes.

    Short-term earnings beats, monthly volatility, and broker upgrades become far less important.

    What really matters instead is whether a business has a long runway, structural tailwinds, and the ability to compound earnings over many years.

    With that in mind, listed below are three Australian stocks that could be worth buying and holding right through to 2036 (and probably beyond). They are as follows:

    Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360)

    The first Australian stock for investors to consider for the long term is Life360.

    It operates a global family safety platform that combines location sharing, emergency services, and digital protection tools. While the company is nearing 100 million monthly active users (MAUs), monetisation is still developing. That creates a rare combination of scale and optionality.

    Over the next decade, the opportunity lies in deepening engagement. As Life360 layers in more services such as identity protection, roadside assistance, and insurance-related offerings, its average revenue per user (ARPU) metric could rise meaningfully.

    Overall, a business with a large installed base and expanding revenue streams has the potential to look significantly larger in 2036 than it does today.

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

    Another Australian stock with long-term appeal is Megaport.

    Megaport provides on-demand connectivity between data centres, cloud providers, and enterprise networks. As organisations increasingly operate across multiple cloud platforms and geographies, network complexity rises. Megaport’s software-defined platform is designed to simplify that complexity.

    Over a 10-year period, digital transformation is unlikely to slow. If anything, data usage, cloud adoption, and AI-driven workloads should increase demand for flexible connectivity solutions. This bodes well for Megaport.

    In addition, its opportunity is tied less to any single technology trend and more to the broader expansion of global digital infrastructure.

    ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

    A final Australian stock that could be a top buy and hold option until 2036 is ResMed.

    ResMed sits at the heart of healthcare, demographics, and technology. Rising awareness of sleep apnoea and chronic respiratory conditions continues to expand its addressable market, which stands at over 1 billion people.

    Beyond sleep apnoea devices, ResMed has been building a growing software ecosystem that connects patients, healthcare providers, and insurers. This recurring data-driven model strengthens customer relationships and creates long-term stickiness.

    With ageing populations across developed markets and increasing healthcare digitisation, ResMed’s growth drivers are likely to remain in place for many years.

    The post 3 of the best Australian stocks to buy and hold until 2036 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Life360 right now?

    Before you buy Life360 shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Life360 wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360, Megaport, and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, Megaport, and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and ResMed. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.