• Down 70% in six months: What is Bell Potter saying about this ASX share?

    Young businesswoman sitting in kitchen and working on laptop.

    It has been a tough period for owners of Adore Beauty Group Ltd (ASX: ABY) shares.

    Over the past six months, the small-cap ASX share has lost over 70% of its value.

    Is there a rebound coming? Let’s see what Bell Potter is saying about the beaten down beauty retailer.

    What is the broker saying?

    Bell Potter notes that the small-cap ASX share has released a trading update which has fallen short of expectations. It said:

    Adore Beauty released a trading update for the first 47 weeks of FY26, with sales growth of $193.4m +7.4% YoY (vs. BPe $203.9m on a 47-week run-rate basis). For 2HFY26 the company expects the gross margin to be resilient and land at 34.5% (vs. BPe 34.7%), as they chose to reduce promotional intensity as part of their previously outlined strategy.

    The low light was that EBITDA is expected to land at ~$4.0m for FY26 (vs. BPe $7.2m), representing a ~2.0% margin (versus previous guidance of b/w 3-4% for FY26e), driven primarily by a sales slowdown paired with an increased fixed cost base from their aggressive store rollout (from 0-20 stores in ~24 months).

    Looking ahead, the broker believes the company can deliver on its FY 2027 guidance. This is due to cost savings from its new distribution centre. It said:

    The company also provided FY27 guidance, expected revenue growth of at least 10% and underlying EBITDA of b/w $9-13m. We are confident the company lands within the lower end of the guidance, namely due to cost savings of 1) $2.0m from the new NDC efficiencies (from 1Q27), and 2) $2.5m in savings from a head office restructure.

    Should you buy the dip?

    Unfortunately, Bell Potter believes the Adore Beauty share price weakness isn’t a buying opportunity just yet.

    In response to its trading update, the broker has downgraded the small-cap ASX share to a hold rating (from buy) and slashed its price target to 39 cents (from $1.00). This compares to its last close price of 34 cents.

    Commenting on the downgrade and valuation crunch, the broker said:

    We have adjusted the key assumption we use in our relative valuation, lowering our FY27 EBIT multiple from 12.5x to 10.0x, off the back of a reduction in the median peer group multiple. We move our valuation weighting to 70% relative and 30% DCF, reflecting comparable retail businesses in a more challenging consumer environment, and to reflect current market sentiment on the sector.

    We view the DCF as contingent on a macro recovery and execution of an as-yet unproven growth strategy. As a result, we lower our target price by ~60% to $0.39. Given this implies less than 15% upside to the current share price, we downgrade our recommendation to HOLD.

    The post Down 70% in six months: What is Bell Potter saying about this ASX share? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Adore Beauty 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 Adore Beauty Group wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts

    Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.

    When one analyst is positive about an ASX share, that’s interesting. When multiple experts rate a business as a buy, it could be a great time to invest (if they’re right).

    Share prices are always changing, so the available opportunities can change month to month. When we look across the ASX share market, the following two businesses are among the most widely backed.

    Integral Diagnostics Ltd (ASX: IDX)

    Integral Diagnostics describes itself as a leading provider of medical imaging services across Australia and New Zealand.

    According to the Commsec collation of analyst opinions, there are currently 12 buy ratings on the business, with just one hold and one sell.

    We should also look at the price target of the business, which tells us what analysts think the share price will do over the next 12 months. A price target is just an estimate though, not a guarantee of what’s going to happen.

    According to CMC Invest, of three analyst price targets issued within the last three months, the average price target is $3.19. That implies a possible rise of 53% over the next year, if the analysts are right.

    The company’s latest result saw plenty of growth following the merger with Capitol Health, with enhanced operational scale and a broader network, combined with synergies.

    The company reported organic revenue growth of 7.4% from all sources in Australia. Total revenue grew 55.6%, operating profit (EBITDA) rose 75.6% and operating net profit grew 154.6% to $22.3 million. Operating earnings per share (EPS) rose by 66.2% to 5.9 cents.

    This growth enabled the ASX share to hike its interim dividend per share by 32% to 3.3 cents.

    TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

    TechnologyOne is another ASX share with significant backing by expert analysts. The global enterprise resource planning (ERP) software business currently has 13 buy ratings on the business, according to CommSec.

    It has clients across a range of industries including businesses, local councils, government organisations and universities.

    According to CMC Invest, of eight recent ratings by analysts within the last three months, the average price target is $31.81. That implies a possible rise of around 6% within the next year.

    The business expects to grow its profit at a significant pace during the 2026 financial year.

    It expects to grow its FY26 annual recurring revenue (ARR) by between 16% to 18%, while its profit growth is expected to be between 18% to 20%.

    If profit keeps growing in the high-teens year after year then it’s on track for a very pleasing future, in my opinion (and according to broker analysts too).

    The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Technology One 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 wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • 2 ASX ETFs I think Warren Buffett would buy

    ETF spelt out with a rising green arrow.

    Warren Buffett, one of the world’s leading investors, has a history of making great investment picks, including highlighting certain investment funds. I believe there are a couple of ASX-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that could be excellent ideas which Buffett would appreciate.

    ETFs make it very easy to invest in a whole group of shares at the same time, giving instant diversification.

    I believe some ASX ETFs have a higher-quality portfolio than others, making it more likely they can deliver pleasing (and ASX-beating) returns. Let’s look at those ideas.

    iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

    The fund that Warren Buffett may be most likely to recommend is this S&P 500 fund, which invests in 500 of the largest and most profitable businesses listed in the US.

    In his 2013 annual shareholder letter, Buffett wrote the following, outlining his recommendation of a low-cost S&P 500 fund:

    My money, I should add, is where my mouth is: What I advise here is essentially identical to certain instructions I’ve laid out in my will. One bequest provides that cash will be delivered to a trustee for my wife’s benefit. (I have to use cash for individual bequests, because all of my Berkshire shares will be fully distributed to certain philanthropic organizations over the ten years following the closing of my estate.) My advice to the trustee could not be more simple: Put 10% of the cash in short-term government bonds and 90% in a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund.

    You can see the appeal of that choice – 500 businesses provides great diversification.

    The biggest holdings are some of the most impressive global companies with strong profit margins, significant market shares of their respective industries, fortress balance sheets and plenty of earnings growth potential. We’re talking about names like Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Broadcom, Meta Platforms and Berkshire Hathaway.

    With an annual management fee of just 0.04%, it’s one of the cheapest funds on the ASX.

    VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

    The other fund I’ll highlight, which I think Warren Buffett would appreciate, is the MOAT ETF.

    Warren Buffett is a big fan of economic moats, which are competitive advantages that allow businesses to generate profits (and grow) despite other competitors wanting to steal their lunch.

    There are some economic moats that Morningstar analysts believe are more likely than not to endure for 20 years. Owning something for 20 years would count as ultra-long-term investing, in my book.

    Having an economic moat that could last that long would allow plenty of profit generation and hopefully share price gains. These long-term moat businesses are the only ones the fund considers.

    On top of that, the MOAT ETF only invests when the businesses are priced attractively to what analysts think they’re worth.

    Together, I think that’s a winning strategy for the fund and could allow it to deliver very good returns in the future.

    The post 2 ASX ETFs I think Warren Buffett would buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in iShares S&P 500 ETF right now?

    Before you buy iShares S&P 500 ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and iShares S&P 500 ETF wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, 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.

  • Here is what this ASX energy giant is paying income investors in 2026

    View of a business man's hand passing a $100 note to another with a bank in the background.

    For income investors, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) has long been one of the most closely watched dividend payers on the ASX. 

    The company distributes between 50% and 80% of its after tax profit as a fully franked dividend twice per year.

    The overarching oil and gas price environment directly impacts the final dividend payout.

    With oil prices surging in recent months, the income case for Woodside has rarely looked more compelling. 

    Here is the full picture of what shareholders are receiving in 2026.

    What Woodside paid for FY2025

    In FY2025, Woodside paid a total fully franked dividend of 112 US cents per share, comprising a 53 US cent interim dividend paid in September 2025 and a 59 US cent final dividend paid in March 2026.

    This represents an 80% payout ratio of underlying net profit after tax. 

    The total value of the FY2025 full-year dividend was US$2.1 billion.

    This reflects the scale of Woodside’s cash generation capacity at current energy prices.

    The FY2026 outlook

    The most important variable for Woodside’s FY2026 dividend is the oil price, and right now that variable is moving firmly in shareholders’ favour. 

    Oil prices surged to above US$112 per barrel in April 2026, levels not seen since June 2022, as disruptions to tanker traffic triggered what the World Bank described as the largest oil supply shock on record.

    This translates into an initial reduction in global supply of approximately 10 million barrels per day. 

    Every sustained increase in the oil price flows almost directly into Woodside’s revenue, given the company’s relatively fixed cost base for LNG and oil production. 

    In Q1 2026, Woodside posted operating revenue of US$3.26 billion, up 7% on the prior quarter, driven by an 11% increase in its average realised price to US$63 per barrel of oil equivalent. 

    Furthermore, the Scarborough LNG project is 94% complete with first cargo targeted for Q4 2026.

    This milestone will add meaningfully to production volumes and earnings capacity from late FY2026 onwards. 

    UBS forecasts Woodside’s FY2026 dividend at approximately 109 US cents per share, broadly in line with FY2025, with the potential for a meaningful uplift if oil prices remain elevated through the second half of the year.

    The risks worth knowing

    Woodside’s dividend is not as predictable as those paid by regulated infrastructure businesses or the major banks. 

    Indeed, the dividend moves with the oil price, and the oil price can fall as quickly as it rises. 

    Furthermore, CEO Meg O’Neill’s departure in 2025 and the subsequent appointment of a new leadership team creates a period of strategic uncertainty that investors should factor in. 

    That said, the company’s long-term contracted LNG revenue base provides a meaningful floor for cash generation even in softer oil price environments.

    Foolish takeaway

    Woodside offers one of the highest fully franked dividend yields available from an ASX large-cap stock, backed by a world-class LNG portfolio and a favourable oil price environment. 

    For income investors comfortable with commodity price variability, the current entry point looks attractive.

    The post Here is what this ASX energy giant is paying income investors in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woodside Energy Group Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Woodside Energy Group 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 Woodside Energy Group 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 20 Feb 2026

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

  • 3 excellent ASX ETFs that could supercharge your portfolio

    Happy woman on her phone while her electric vehicle charges.

    There are a growing number of exchange traded funds (ETFs) to choose from on the Australian share market.

    To narrow things down, let’s take a look at three ASX ETFs that could supercharge a balanced portfolio.

    Here’s what you need to know about them:

    Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)

    The Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF is built around a simple but powerful idea: cash matters.

    Revenue can look impressive, earnings can be adjusted, and growth stories can sound exciting. But free cash flow shows whether a business is actually producing surplus money after funding its operations and investments.

    That is what this fund focuses on. It looks for global companies with strong free cash flow generation, which can be a useful sign of financial quality.

    This can be important because cash-rich businesses tend to have more choices. They can fund expansion, buy back shares, reduce debt, pay dividends, or withstand tougher conditions without relying heavily on external capital.

    For investors, this ASX ETF is less about chasing a theme and more about owning companies that have already proven they can turn activity into real money. That can be a valuable discipline in markets where growth alone is not always enough.

    It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

    Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ASX: ACDC)

    The Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF is a more specialised option.

    Instead of simply backing electric vehicle makers, this fund looks further down the supply chain. It provides exposure to companies involved in lithium, battery technology, energy storage, and the materials and components needed for electrification.

    That makes the ASX ETF interesting because the energy transition is not just about the cars people drive. It is also about grids, storage, mining, processing, manufacturing, and the infrastructure required to support a more electrified world.

    This part of the market can be cyclical and volatile. Lithium prices can move sharply, and sentiment toward battery-related shares can change quickly.

    But the long-term direction remains important. More renewable energy, more electric transport, and greater demand for storage all require investment across the battery ecosystem. This fund gives investors a way to access that wider chain rather than trying to pick one miner or manufacturer.

    This fund was recently recommended by the team at Betashares.

    VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF (ASX: GOAT)

    Finally, the VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF is built for investors who like the idea of owning businesses that are hard to displace.

    A moat can come from many places. It could be a brand customers trust, a network that becomes more useful as it grows, a cost advantage competitors cannot match, or software and systems that are painful to replace.

    This fund searches globally for companies that have these durable advantages and are trading at attractive valuations.

    That combination is important. Quality is useful, but price still matters. Paying too much for a wonderful business can still lead to disappointing returns.

    This fund offers a great solution for investors who want international exposure with a stock picker’s mindset. It is not just buying the biggest companies, it is looking for businesses with staying power and a share price that leaves room for future returns.

    The post 3 excellent ASX ETFs that could supercharge your portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF right now?

    Before you buy Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor 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 VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Up more than 300% over a year, could this ASX tech stock keep rising?

    A tech worker wearing a mask holds a computer chip.

    Shares in computer memory company Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX: WBT) have been performing strongly recently, even though the company raised $87 million in new capital at a discount.

    Upside remains

    The shares are changing hands for $7.08 at the time of writing, well above the $4.05 per share at which the company raised the new capital, but the team at Pitt Street Research believes the shares could go even higher.

    The company is also raising a further $15 million in an offer to its existing shareholders.

    The Pitt Street team said the new capital raise brought the company’s cash position to $172 million, “making it one of the best capitalised independent IP licensors in the non-volatile memory market”.

    They added:

    The next phase of Weebit Nano’s growth cycle is to scale the commercial model to start generating royalty revenues, which will be the primary driver of cash flow growth over the next 10 years. The $87m placement is being invested across three equal investment buckets to facilitate exactly that.

    Pitt Street said the company was investing $25 million apiece across three growth drivers, one of which was the core ReRAM technology.

    Pitt Street added:

    It’s currently starting to look like Weebit Nano holds a first mover advantage as the only publicly listed independent ReRAM IP licensor with signed commercial agreements at the Tier-1 integrated device manufacturer level, a position that, to our knowledge, no direct competitor has yet replicated. For investors looking at the company’s trajectory over the next 5 years, we see a credible path to 8 – 10 qualified foundry partners, including its existing foundry customers, alongside 10 – 15 IDMs and between 150 – 200 product companies actively designing Weebit Nano ReRAM into their product and chip manufacturing flows.

    Pitt Street said this was when the royalty revenue story will begin to materialise.

    We model the first royalty contributions emerging in FY27 as current customers complete qualification and move toward production, with royalties scaling materially post-2030 as production volumes ramp across an expanding customer base. At that point, the business model transitions from the current license and NRE fee dominance into the high-margin, recurring royalty profile that defines the long-term earnings power of the company.

    Shares looking like good value

    Pitt Street has valued the company using a peer group analysis methodology, as well as looked at the company’s value in an M&A scenario.

    The Pitt Street team values Weebit Nano at $10.20 per share, up from the previous valuation of $9.74.

    The company is valued at $1.73 billion.

    The post Up more than 300% over a year, could this ASX tech stock keep rising? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Weebit Nano right now?

    Before you buy Weebit Nano 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 Weebit Nano wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor 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.

  • 3 of the hottest thematic ASX ETFs for investors to target this week 

    ETF written on wooden blocks with a magnifying glass.

    Thematic ASX ETFs give investors an opportunity to harness powerful long-term trends shaping the global economy. 

    Common themes stretch from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to clean energy and healthcare innovation. 

    The advantage of utilising ASX ETFs is the ability to target a theme without having to pick individual winners. 

    By providing diversified exposure to entire industries or emerging megatrends, these funds can help investors position their portfolios for future growth while reducing the company-specific risks that come with backing a single stock.

    There are several thematic ASX ETFs that hit new 52-week highs on Monday. 

    Monitoring these funds can be a great way to identify emerging trends and winning themes across global markets. 

    Here are three funds investors should be monitoring after hitting new record highs yesterday. 

    Betashares Capital – Betashares Climate Change Innovation ETF (ASX: ERTH)

    This ASX ETF rose almost 2% yesterday to hit its highest point in the last year. 

    It is now up 24% in the last 12 months. 

    The fund aims to track the performance of an index that comprises a portfolio of up to 100 leading global companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from products and services that help to address climate change and other environmental problems through the reduction or avoidance of CO2 emissions. 

    This covers clean energy providers, along with leading companies tackling green transport, waste management, sustainable product development, and improved energy efficiency and storage.

    It could be an ideal choice for investors looking to target ESG investing, prioritising companies having a positive environmental impact. 

    Vaneck Msci International Value (Aud Hedged) ETF (ASX: HVLU)

    Value investing has reemerged as a successful strategy in 2026. 

    Inflation pressure, a strong US economic growth outlook and compelling valuations are all pointing towards classic signs of a value market. 

    This ASX ETF has been a beneficiary of these economic conditions, rising more than 22% year to date. 

    The fund gives investors a diversified portfolio of 250 international developed market large- and mid-cap companies. These companies all have high value scores as calculated by MSCI at each rebalance.

    The high value score is based on: 

    • price to book value
    • price to forward earnings
    • enterprise value to cash flow from operations.

    Global X Hydrogen ETF (ASX: HGEN)

    This ASX ETF continued its stellar run yesterday, climbing 2% higher to take its year to date gain to over 85%. 

    The fund seeks to invest in companies that stand to benefit from the advancement of the global hydrogen industry. 

    This includes companies involved in hydrogen production; the integration of hydrogen into energy systems; and the development/manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cells, electrolysers, and other technologies related to the utilisation of hydrogen as an energy source.

    The post 3 of the hottest thematic ASX ETFs for investors to target this week  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Betashares Capital – Betashares Climate Change Innovation ETF right now?

    Before you buy Betashares Capital – Betashares Climate Change Innovation ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Betashares Capital – Betashares Climate Change Innovation ETF wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Why Australia’s skills shortage could be a long-term tailwind for this ASX stock

    Smiling woman holding 'hiring' sign in shop.

    Australia has a skills problem and it is not going away any time soon. 

    The Hays 2026 Jobs Report confirms that accountants, teachers, engineers, and trades workers remain undersupplied relative to employer demand across the country.

    The construction sector alone needs 90,000 additional workers to meet the federal government’s 1.2 million home target by 2029. 

    For a company that sits at the centre of how Australian employers and job seekers find each other, that backdrop should be unambiguously positive. 

    Yet Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) shares are down approximately 50% in the last twelve months, making it one of the worst performing large-cap technology stocks on the ASX this year. 

    The question for investors is whether that sell-off represents a warning sign or a rare buying opportunity.

    What has gone wrong in the near term

    The near-term headwinds are worth acknowledging. 

    Job ad volumes in Australia and New Zealand dipped in the first half of FY2026 due to macroeconomic factors, including elevated interest rates, cost of living pressures, and corporate caution around headcount expansion. 

    Australia’s unemployment rate jumped to its highest level since late 2021 in April 2026, as reported by the ABS, as a wave of corporate redundancies pushed more workers onto the market simultaneously. 

    For a business that earns revenue primarily from employers paying to advertise job vacancies, softer hiring conditions translate directly into lower ad volumes and slower revenue growth. 

    That is one core reason the market has sold the stock down so aggressively this year.

    But the underlying business keeps improving

    Despite the volume headwinds, Seek’s first-half FY2026 result demonstrated that the business model is becoming more resilient, not less. 

    Revenue grew 21% to a record $765 million for the half year, driven by AI-enabled product innovations that boosted pricing and yield even as raw ad volumes softened

    Seek’s placement share in the Australian recruitment market now stands at 4.9 times its nearest competitor, a dominance that is almost impossible to replicate and gives the company significant pricing power regardless of short-term volume fluctuations. 

    The company declared a record interim dividend of 25 cents per share, a 25% increase on the prior corresponding period.

    This signals management confidence in the business trajectory despite the challenging macro backdrop. 

    Seek’s AI-powered platform improvements, including smarter candidate matching, automated screening tools, and dynamic pricing, are expanding the value the platform delivers to both employers and job seekers.

    This in turn supports ongoing price growth without material churn.

    The skills shortage thesis

    The near-term softness in job ads is driven by macroeconomic cyclicality.

    However, there is no structural change to Australia’s underlying skills shortage. 

    The Hays 2026 Jobs Report confirms that demand for skilled professionals in engineering, technology, healthcare, and construction exceeds available supply.

    This is a gap that demographic trends will widen rather than close over the coming decade. 

    As the RBA’s hiking cycle eventually reaches its peak and business confidence stabilises, employer hiring activity should gradually recover.

    Seek will be the primary beneficiary of that normalisation given its dominant market position and the absence of any meaningful competition at scale. 

    Furthermore, Seek’s international operations in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia, offer a significant and largely untapped growth opportunity as those labour markets continue to formalise and digitalise. 

    Citi carries a buy rating on SEEK with a price target of $26, implying upside of approximately 80% from current levels, and has acknowledged near-term headwinds while maintaining that the stock remains meaningfully undervalued at current prices. 

    Foolish takeaway

    Seek is not a stock for investors seeking a near-term catalyst. 

    The macro headwinds are significant and the share price may remain under pressure until hiring volumes clearly recover. 

    However, for patient investors with a multi-year time horizon, the combination of an unassailable domestic market position, AI-powered platform improvements, a growing international opportunity, and Australia’s structural skills shortage as a persistent demand tailwind makes the current entry point worth serious consideration.

    The post Why Australia’s skills shortage could be a long-term tailwind for this ASX stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Seek 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 Seek wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • 2 incredible ASX tech shares you’ll wish you bought and held

    A young man punches the air in delight as he reacts to great news on his mobile phone.

    The tech sector has had its fair share of ups and downs in recent years.

    Higher interest rates, valuation concerns, and questions about artificial intelligence (AI) have all put pressure on parts of the market. But that does not mean investors should ignore the sector.

    For example, the two ASX tech shares in this article are solving important problems, building sticky customer relationships, and expanding into large markets. Here’s why they could be top buy and hold picks:

    Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

    Pro Medicus is one ASX tech share that has been an extraordinary performer over the long term.

    It provides medical imaging software to hospitals, radiology groups, and healthcare networks. Its Visage platform helps customers view, manage, and distribute medical images quickly and efficiently.

    That is a niche but important market. Medical imaging volumes continue to grow as healthcare systems rely more heavily on scans to diagnose and manage patients. This creates a need for fast, reliable, and scalable imaging technology.

    Pro Medicus has built a strong reputation in this area, with its software consistently being selected by a number of major healthcare institutions. This speaks to the quality of its platform and the importance of performance in this field.

    The company also benefits from a highly attractive business model. Its contracts can be large, long-term, and sticky. And once a customer is using Pro Medicus’ software across critical workflows, switching to another provider is not a simple decision.

    Its valuation is often demanding, and investors should expect volatility if market expectations shift. But Pro Medicus has a rare combination of global growth potential, high margins, and mission-critical software.

    Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

    Xero is already a well-known ASX tech share, but its growth story is far from over.

    The company’s software sits at the centre of small business finance. Once a business has its invoicing, payroll, bank feeds, reporting, payments, and adviser relationships connected to one platform, switching becomes a hassle.

    That gives Xero an attractive level of customer stickiness. It also gives the company room to expand beyond basic accounting software.

    The bigger opportunity is to become a broader financial operating system for small businesses. That means helping customers manage more of the work that sits around accounting, including payments, payroll, insights, automation, and compliance.

    This is important because small businesses often have limited time and resources. Tools that save time, reduce admin, and improve financial visibility can be valuable even in tougher economic conditions.

    Xero also has international growth potential. The company estimates that it has a global addressable market in the region of 100 million small to medium sized businesses. This arguably gives Xero a multi-decade growth runway.

    The post 2 incredible ASX tech shares you’ll wish you bought and held appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus right now?

    Before you buy Pro Medicus 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 Pro Medicus wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • These ASX dividend stocks offer yields of up to 12%

    Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    If you are looking for income options outside the big four banks, then it could be worth checking out the ASX dividend stocks in this article.

    They have been named as top buys by analysts at Bell Potter and are forecast to offer attractive dividend yields in the near term.

    Here’s what the broker is recommending to clients:

    Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC)

    The nickel producer could be an overlooked ASX dividend stock to buy according to the broker.

    The broker believes the company is positioned to deliver a major free cash flow uplift in the near term, which it expects to support big dividends. It said:

    NIC is the only material ASX way to gain exposure to the nickel price, has a growth story, and is diversifying earnings to span Type 1 and Type 2 nickel. NIC continues to generate positive cash flows in a tough nickel market and is set to deliver major growth milestones in CY25 across its highest margin nickel operations. All up, given the forecast high production growth and potential for a very large free cash flow uplift in the next 2 years or so, NIC presents a compelling story and appears cheap at current valuation.

    Bell Potter is forecasting dividends of 10 cents per share in FY 2027 and then 12 cents per share in FY 2028. Based on its current share price of $1.02, this would mean dividend yields of almost 10% and 12%, respectively.

    The broker has a buy rating and $1.45 price target on its shares.

    Praemium Ltd (ASX: PPS)

    This investment platform provider has been given the thumbs up by Bell Potter.

    It thinks this ASX dividend stock is undervalued compared to peers. It said:

    While Praemium has demonstrated commercial momentum, strong growth capacity, and a leading technology offering, its valuation continues to lag key peers. This stock looks very attractive at a 12MF PE of ~14x, and we expect the market to catch on as the company executes on further market share gains and FUA growth.

    Bell Potter is forecasting Praemium to pay fully franked dividends per share of 2.7 cents in FY 2026 and then 3.4 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of 69.5 cents, this would mean dividend yields of 3.9% and 4.9%, respectively.

    The broker has a buy rating and $1.20 price target on its shares.

    The post These ASX dividend stocks offer yields of up to 12% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Nickel Industries right now?

    Before you buy Nickel Industries 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 Nickel Industries wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has 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 Praemium. 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.