It has been another busy week for many of Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU)

According to a note out of Macquarie, its analysts have upgraded this mineral sands producer’s shares to an outperform rating with a reduced price target of $6.50. The broker made the move on valuation grounds following significant share price weakness. And while the broker acknowledges that its guidance for FY 2026 and sizeable one-off charge were disappointing, they are not enough to deter the broker from recommending it. Especially with its revenue coming in stronger than expected during the fourth quarter. The Iluka Resources share price is trading at $5.44 on Friday afternoon.

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this lithium miner’s shares with a trimmed price target of $2.42. The broker highlights that Liontown’s quarterly update was softer than expected for production and revenues, but that its unit costs were better than expected. Bell Potter points out that Liontown will be ramping up and de-risking its Kathleen Valley lithium project over the next 18 months. And with the current lithium price strength, it believes the company can rapidly generate cash to support incremental production expansions and shareholder returns. Additionally, it points out that Kathleen Valley is highly strategic in terms of scale, long project life, and location in a tier-one mining jurisdiction. The Liontown share price is fetching $1.88 at the time of writing.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

Another note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this mining and mining services company’s shares with an improved price target of $70.00. This follows the release of a quarterly update which was stronger than Bell Potter was expecting. The broker was also pleased to see that Mineral Resources is upgrading its spodumene production to take advantage of recent strength in lithium prices. In addition, it notes that Mineral Resources’ balance sheet is deleveraging, which bodes well for the future. The Mineral Resources share price is trading at $57.83 on Friday.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 ASX mining shares just re-rated by Morgans
• Is the Mineral Resources share price going to hit $70.00 this year?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Why Liontown shares could continue to roar higher
• Why Brainchip, Galan Lithium, Iluka, and Ora Banda shares are tumbling today

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

ASX mining shares are all the rage at the moment as many commodity prices continue to roar higher, particularly gold.

In 2025, the materials sector, which incorporates mining stocks, soared 32% and produced total returns, including dividends, of 36%.

It outperformed the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by more than 4:1.

And the momentum is continuing in 2026, with materials up 9.5% compared to the ASX 200, up 1.6%.

Top broker Morgans has just re-rated a bunch of ASX mining shares, so let’s see what they had to say about these four names.

Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL)

Morgans maintained a hold rating on this ASX gold mining share after the company released its latest quarterly report.

However, the broker raised its 12-month share price target significantly from $6.17 to $8.05 due to the runaway gold price.

The Regis Resources share price is $8, down 6.2% on Friday.

Morgans said:

RRL delivered a strong 2Q26, with group gold production of 96.6koz Au supporting record quarterly cash and bullion generation of A$255m, lifting the balance to A$930m.

The result was underpinned by stable performance at Duketon, a sharp uplift in gold sales at Tropicana and continued strength in spot gold prices.

The gold price went close to US$5,600 per ounce this week, and has risen by more than 20% in January alone.

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

Morgans kept its trim rating on Liontown shares after the lithium producer filed its second-quarter update this week.

The broker increased its 12-month share price target substantially from 89 cents to $2.

The Liontown share price is currently $1.89, down 8%.

The broker said:

2Q26 result beat expectations on production and costs.

Balance sheet de-risked following LG Energy Solution’s election to convert its US$250m convertible notes into equity, removing debt and strengthening flexibility despite dilution.

Maintain TRIM with much of the near-term upside factored into its share price.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

Morgans maintained its hold rating on Mineral Resources shares after the miner released its second-quarter report.

But it also raised its 12-month share price target from $47.40 to $66.

The ASX mining share is trading at $58.68, down 3.8% on Friday.

The broker commented:

2Q26 result beat expectations across all divisions.

Lithium optionality increases in the current pricing environment, with potential to increase volumes at Mt Marion and Wodgina and re-start Bald Hill.

Deleveraging has accelerated. Net debt now sits at A$4.9bn (A$5.4bn last quarter).

Valuation appears full at 7x ND/EBITDA but strong execution, balance sheet momentum and a supportive commodity backdrop underpins ongoing exposure.

True North Copper Ltd (ASX: TNC)

Morgans has initiated coverage on this ASX copper mining share with a speculative buy rating and a price target of $1.20 per share.

The True North Copper share price is currently 58 cents, down 3.3%.

True North Copper provided a mineral resource update on its Cloncurry Copper Project this week and released its quarterly activities report today.

Morgans said:

We initiate coverage on TNC following a period of successful exploration led growth, project planning and renewed corporate strategy which importantly avoids early production commitments and debt-funded development, materially reducing financial risk relative to prior operating models employed by previous management.

TNC’s strategy is structured around three pillars: develop, grow, discover with Mt Oxide providing district-scale exploration leverage through the Vero, Aquila and other emerging discoveries, and Cloncurry offering optionality around near-term development and cashflow generation.

ASX copper mining shares surged yesterday after the copper price reached a new record above US$6.30 per pound.

The post 4 ASX mining shares just re-rated by Morgans appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Is the Mineral Resources share price going to hit $70.00 this year?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Why Liontown shares could continue to roar higher
• This ASX lithium stock is being sold off today. Here’s why

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

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) shares are trading higher on Friday following two announcements released at the market open. These included the company’s quarterly update and a fresh commercial development.

At the time of writing, the 4DMedical share price is up 6.12% to $3.64.

The move comes as investors digested positive signs of commercial progress and steady operational momentum.

Here is what stood out.

CT:VQ commercial rollout gathers pace

The key highlight from today’s update is that CT:VQ has moved beyond regulatory approval and into full commercial execution.

4DMedical describes CT:QV as ‘non‑contrast post‑processing technology that transforms routine, chest CTs into quantitative, lobar ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) maps—without injected contrast or radioisotopes. Delivered via software-as-a-service, results are returned directly into the radiology workflow for interpretation alongside the source CT images.’

During the December quarter, CT:VQ continued to gain traction across leading US academic medical centres. The technology is now in use at Stanford, the Cleveland Clinic, UC San Diego Health, the University of Miami, and the University of Chicago Medicine.

In a separate announcement released this morning, 4DMedical confirmed that UChicago Medicine has expanded its partnership to include commercial deployment of CT:VQ. This makes it the 5th top-tier US academic centre to adopt the product within 5 months of FDA clearance.

Management highlighted that these early adopters act as high-value reference sites, supporting broader US commercial rollout and clinician adoption.

Philips partnership strengthens revenue visibility

Another important driver is the expanding distribution agreement with Philips.

Under the revised arrangement, Philips will distribute CT:VQ across healthcare systems in the United States and Canada. The minimum contractual order commitment is roughly $15 million over 2 years.

This provides 4DMedical with improved revenue visibility as CT:VQ scales, while leveraging Philips’ established sales network to accelerate market penetration.

Health Canada regulatory approval during the quarter further expands the addressable market and opens the door to commercial sales across Canada.

Operating momentum continues to build

Underlying SaaS revenue grew 31% in H1 FY26, with customer receipts up 16% quarter on quarter to $1.5 million. The company delivered SaaS products across 430 sites globally, up 43% year on year, and processed 77,560 scans in Q2, an increase of 115%.

Net operating cash outflows declined 21% quarter on quarter to $9.8 million, reflecting ongoing cost discipline as revenue scales.

A well-funded balance sheet

4DMedical ended the quarter with $56.8 million in cash, rising to a pro forma balance of $206.2 million following a $150 million institutional placement completed in January.

Management estimates the company has around 5.8 quarters of funding available at current burn rates. This gives it ample runway to execute its US commercial strategy.

Foolish takeaway

Today’s share price move reflects growing confidence that CT:VQ is shifting from development toward execution.

Adoption by leading US hospitals and a strengthened partnership with Philips are supporting the rollout.

4DMedical also enters 2026 with a well-funded balance sheet.

The post 4DMedical shares jump again today. Here’s what investors liked appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why 4DMedical and these ASX shares are up 200%+ in just a year
• 4DMedical shares crash 20% this week: Should investors cut their losses on the once-booming stock?
• Why 4DMedical, ARB, Inghams, and Qoria shares are tumbling today
• Up more than 800% in a year. Why this ASX medical tech stock just hit an all-time high

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.

2025 was a year of extremes for Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares. And it came in two halves.

The first half of 2025 saw the incredible run that this ASX 200 bank stock began in 2024 continue with gusto. Between January and June, Commonwealth Bank soared anther 20% or so, topping out at a new all-time record high of $192 a share mid year. But ever since then, investors have been running out of puff.

By the end of the year, CBA had fallen to $160.57 a share. The slump has continued into 2026, with CBA shares commanding a price of just $149.13 a share at the time of writing. That price represents a 22.3% drop from the bank’s record high in June.

CBA’s descent has also resulted in an ignominious loss of its status as the largest stock on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). As we documented this week, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) has nabbed CBA’s crown that it had held for about 18 months.

So one of CBA’s more forgettable periods in recent years.

But what of the future? Where might CBA shares be five years from today?

Of course, it’s impossible to know where any index, let alone an individual stock, will be at any given point in the future. But making a five-year prediction is particularly daunting.

Where will CBA shares be in 2031?

Saying all of that, I have an idea. As I’ve written about before, I think the performance of CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) is a canary in the coalmine or sorts for CBA.

Over the five years to 2020, CSL went on one of the ASX’s most spectacular runs. The company jumped from about $100 a share in 2015 to the all-time high of $342.75 we saw in early 2020. That run transformed CSL into one of the ASX’s largest stocks. However, sentiment got carried away. Investors priced in far too much growth and were left holding the bag. CSL shares have, to this day, never reclaimed that all-time high and currently sit at $183.53. It’s a classic reversion to the mean, and I think this is what lies in wait for CBA shares.

As it stands today, CBA trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 24.7, well above what most banks trade at. And not just on the ASX, but around the world. Further, this lofty valuation has dampened the appeal of what draws most investors to an ASX bank stock in the first place – the dividend yield. As it currently stands, CBA trades on a yield of 3.25%. That’s well below what investors used to expect from an ASX bank, and also substantially under what the other ASX banks will pay out right now.

This bank is not growing at what one could call a rapid rate, either. Last year’s full-year earnings had CBA report a 4% rise in cash net profits to $10.25 billion. I would be shocked if we see anything materially better over the next few years, given CBA’s size and maturity.

Foolish takeaway

So all in all, I believe CBA shares will be around the same valuation they are today in five years’ time. And that’s an optimistic projection. I wouldn’t be surprised to see CBA ‘do a CSL’ and go backwards either. At the end of the day, the growth that would justify a higher CBA share price going forward just isn’t there, and the bank will probably revert to its own mean given enough time. I could be wrong, of course. But I wouldn’t be buying CBA shares today regardless.

The post Where will CBA shares be in 5 years? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX stocks I’m avoiding this week
• Forget CBA shares and buy this ASX financial stock
• Is the RBA about to increase interest rates? Here’s the latest forecast from CBA
• How to build income on the ASX without losing sleep at night
• Should I sell my CBA shares in 2026?

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

We’re closing off the first month of 2026, which means all eyes are still on companies tipped to be the top ASX stock climbers this year. While there are some top Australian stocks I’d buy right now with any spare cash, there are also some I’d avoid.

Here are three of them.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) 

CBA shares enjoyed a strong share price rally in mid-2025, with the ASX stock peaking at an all-time high of $192 a piece in June. But strong headwinds sent the share price plummeting. At the time of writing, the share price has dropped 22.24% from that peak price.

And I think the price declines could keep on going. In fact, I think it’s possible the shares could drop below $100 by the end of the year. The problem is, CBA’s share price is overvalued relative to its peers, and its premium price tag isn’t supported by its earnings or business fundamentals. 

At the time of writing, CBA’s current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 24.86. This is much higher (and therefore costs investors more) than other major banks. I’ll be staying clear of the banking major until I see a turnaround.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) 

The lithium miner’s shares have had an incredible run during the first month of the year, pushed higher by a rally in lithium prices and demand. The business has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months, with strong production numbers and revenue upticks.

But I’m concerned that, after such a strong increase, we could see some share price volatility ahead for PLS. I expect the price to cool in the coming months. And while I think we’ll see some more upside much further down the line, I’m going to sit out on this one for now. 

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) 

Evolution Mining has been riding the wave of the 2026 gold price rally. The price of gold rocketed to an all-time high this week, surpassing the US$5,300 per ounce barrier. But I think the ASX miner’s stock price peak is close, or potentially has already passed. Ultimately, the current share price looks overvalued to me, and I expect a correction in the near future.

I’m also wary that the ASX 200 gold miner is heavily reliant on higher-than-ever gold prices. That means that any pullback could send the shares crashing down. I wouldn’t be shocked if the miner’s shares halve in value this year.

The post 3 ASX stocks I’m avoiding this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where will CBA shares be in 5 years?
• Up 309% since June, why is the PLS share price leaping higher again on Friday?
• Forget CBA shares and buy this ASX financial stock
• PLS Group books 49% revenue leap and strong cash flow in December quarter earnings
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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.

When it comes to finding Australian stocks to buy, I’m more interested in long-term compounding than short-term trades.

Two stocks that I think fit the bill for long-term investments are discussed in this article. Here’s why I’d feel comfortable owning them for the long haul.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne is one of the most consistent compounders on the ASX, and I think its recent performance reinforces why it continues to deserve a premium valuation.

The enterprise software company has now delivered 16 consecutive years of record profit, and its shift to the SaaS+ model is proving to be a genuine differentiator rather than just a marketing label. Annual recurring revenue (ARR) climbed 18% in FY25 to $554.6 million, with management now targeting more than $1 billion in ARR by FY30.

What stands out to me is the quality of that revenue. More than 90% of total revenue is now recurring, churn sits around 1%, and net revenue retention remains an impressive 115%. That combination gives TechnologyOne a high degree of earnings visibility and pricing power.

The UK is also becoming a meaningful growth engine. UK ARR grew 49% in FY25, driven by wins in local government and higher education. I think this shows that the product travels well beyond Australia. When you combine that with continued investment in R&D, in-product AI, and the expansion of its SaaS+ ecosystem, I think TechnologyOne still has a long runway ahead.

Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK)

Seek doesn’t get talked about as much as it once did, but I wouldn’t let that put you off.

At its core, this Australian stock remains the dominant employment marketplace in Australia and New Zealand, with a highly profitable domestic business that continues to generate strong cash flow. That cash flow has been used to build exposure to online employment platforms across Asia and Latin America, regions where long-term workforce formalisation and digital hiring trends remain intact.

While short-term hiring conditions can ebb and flow, the structural shift toward online recruitment hasn’t changed. Seek’s investments in platform technology, data, and employer tools are designed to improve matching efficiency, not just volume. Over time, that should support higher yields per job ad and stronger returns when labour markets normalise.

I also like that Seek has been more disciplined in recent years, simplifying its portfolio and focusing on markets where it can be a clear leader. That discipline matters in a business that operates across multiple geographies and economic cycles.

Foolish takeaway

Both of these Australian stocks share a trait I value highly: they are not reliant on perfect conditions to succeed. TechnologyOne benefits from mission-critical software with deeply embedded customers, while Seek operates platforms that become more valuable as economies digitise and hiring rebounds.

If I were adding to my portfolio today with an eye on the next several years rather than the next few months, these are two Australian stocks I’d be very comfortable owning.

The post 2 Australian stocks I would buy in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Here’s my buy list if the stock market crashes in 2026
• Sigma Healthcare, TechnologyOne, South32 shares: Buy, hold, or sell?
• The ASX blue chip shares I’d happily build a portfolio around
• 3 unstoppable ASX 200 shares to buy and hold forever

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Technology One. 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.

Earlier today, we looked at the current dividend yield one could expect from buying Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares in early 2026. It seems only fair that we give the same treatment to Woolies’ arch-rival, Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) stock, before the week is through.

As we discussed this morning, Woolworths shares have had one of their worst slumps in a very long time in recent years. The ASX 200 consumer staples stock and popular blue-chip share remains down 11.1% today from where it was five years ago. A number of blunders have contributed to this shaky performance, not to mention the tangible market share losses the company has endured at the benefit of Coles.

In stark contrast, Coles has been the supermarket operator to have bought. Coles stock has been on fire, minting a fresh new record high of $24.28 back in September of last year. This ASX 200 blue chip has banked a decent gain of 15.5% over the past five years, significantly outperforming its larger rival.

This morning, we discussed Woolworths’ patchy dividend performance in recent years. But again, in stark contrast, Coles’ stock has been a relative beacon of stability. It has delivered an annual dividend increase every single year since its 2018 spinoff from Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

To illustrate, Coles paid out 35.5 cents per share in dividends in 2019, 57.7 cents in 2020, 61 cents in 2021, 63 cents in 2022, 66 cents in 2023, and 68 cents per share in 2024.

All of those dividends came with full franking credits attached too.

But what of the dividend yield available on Coles stock today?

Here’s the current dividend yield on Coles stock

Coles managed to keep its dividend streak alive in 2025. The company forked out an interim dividend worth 37 cents per share in March, followed by a final dividend of 32 cent sper sahre in September. Together, that annual total of 69 cents per share was a 1.47% increase over the 68 cents per share investors enjoyed in 2024.

Over the past few months, Coles stock has come down from that September record high. At the time of writing, the company is trading at $21.07. This share price drop has been good news for income investors htough. At $21.07 a share, Coles stock currently trades on a trailing dividend yield of 3.27%. That’s 4.67% grossed-up with Coles’ full franking. Keep in mind though that this represents what Coles has already paid out, not what investors will get this year.

No doubt investors will be hoping that Coles continues its dividend streak in 2026, and ups its payouts again. But we’ll have to wait and see if that’s the case.

The post Buying Coles stock? Here’s the dividend yield you’ll get appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Coles vs Woolworths shares: Which supermarket giant has the biggest upside for 2026?
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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

As we’ve been documenting extensively in recent weeks, 2026 is fast becoming what one might call the ‘year of gold’. The yellow metal had a phenomenal run over 2025, of course. But investors have taken things to the next level so far this year. Gold is now up an extraordinary 24.55% since the beginning of 2026. But what of its digital ‘counterpart’, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC)?

Proponents of Bitcoin have often described the cryptocurrency as ‘digital gold’, pointing to a number of characteristics the two asset classes share. Indeed, there are several striking similarities. Like gold, Bitcoin is inherently scarce, with only 21 million bitcoins ever to be mined. This scarcity is why some investors believe Bitcoin can function as an effective inflation hedge.

Bitcoin is also outside the control of a central government and cannot be manipulated in the same way a country’s currency can. That is another reason why investors are attracted to gold as an investment.

So if these two asset classes are so similar, it may come as a surprise to see how differently they have behaved in recent months. We’ve already discussed gold’s near-25% rise in 2026. However, Bitcoin has floundered this year, currently down 3.7% year to date. The 12-month performance comparison is even more divergent.

Gold has almost doubled since this time last year, rising from around US$2,800 to the current price of US$5,350. In contrast, Bitcoin has slumped from US$105,430 per coin to the US$84,175 we are seeing today. That’s a drop worth just over 20%.

Store of value? Perhaps not.

Why are investors ‘going analogue’ for gold over Bitcoin?

Ever since Bitcoin emerged onto the investing scene, its proponents have been making all sorts of ambitious claims. The ‘digital gold’ argument is one well-circulated. As is the idea that Bitcoin will eventually become so efficient that consumers will use it alongside the Australian dollar as everyday currency.

Well, the latter still appears to be a pipedream, and the former claim wilts under scrutiny.

Bitcoin bulls can point to the similarities between the cryptocurrency and gold all they like. But the last month has just reinforced the notion that investors are not ready to treat the two assets equally. Bitcoin has always been treated as a speculative, growth-stock-like investment, one that tends to rise and fall alongside market excitement.

In contrast, gold is arguably fulfilling its traditional ‘safe haven asset‘ role right now (albeit more maniacally than usual), given ongoing global concerns and tensions in both the geopolitical and economic arenas.

Until I see evidence to the contrary, I don’t believe Bitcoin is close to being treated as a gold-like asset by financial markets. As with many other things, it seems analogue is back in vogue.

The post Is Bitcoin digital gold? It seems investors prefer the real thing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How is Ethereum stacking up against the Bitcoin price so far in 2026?
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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Bitcoin. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bitcoin. 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.

ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) make life pretty simple for investors.

Instead of picking individual shares, investors can use ASX ETFs to buy into sectors, thematics, or whole markets.

There is now $331 billion invested across 423 ETFs on the ASX today, according to Betashares data.

The Australian Securities Exchange has just released the full-year performance data for ASX ETFs in 2025.

Here, we highlight three ASX ETFs that delivered exceptional total returns last year.

Betashares Energy Transition Metals ETF (ASX: XMET)

XMET ETF delivered a return of 100.47% last year, as it capitalised on runaway commodity prices and mining stocks.

The XMET ETF tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Energy Transition Materials Select Index.

This ASX ETF invests in metal producers that are powering the global clean energy transition.

It has exposure to global producers of copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, manganese, silver, and rare earth elements.

Many of these metals show up in our article on the 12 best-performing commodities of 2025.

Betashares explains the ETF’s thesis:

The transition from fossil fuels to clean energy solutions is driving growth in a range of disruptive products and processes such as renewable energy generation, battery storage solutions, and electric vehicles, all of which are critically dependent on the select group of ETMs [Energy Transition Metals] that XMET provides exposure to.

Holdings include international shares like First Majestic Silver Corp and Ivanhoe Mines.

There are also Aussie shares like ASX lithium pure-play PLS Group (ASX: PLS) and Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC).

XMET has net assets of $122 million and the management fee is 0.69%.

This ETF is changing hands for $17.81 per unit, down 3.2% on Friday.

Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC)

Over 2025, DTEC ETF returned 64% to investors as global defence spending ramped up amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

DTEC is a relatively new ETF launched in October 2024. It doesn’t yet pay dividends, so that 64% return was all capital growth.

ASX DTEC invests in 37 shares and seeks to track the Global X Defense Tech Index before fees.

The ETF’s holdings include Lockheed Martin Corp, Rheinmetall AG, RTX Corp, and Palantir Technologies Inc.

The annual management fee is 0.5% and the ETF manages $133 million in funds.

DTEC is $19.51 per unit today, down 0.46%.

VanEck Australian Resources ETF (ASX: MVR)

MVR ETF was the best-performing ETF holding Aussie shares in 2025, returning 40.53%.

MVR seeks to track the performance of the MVIS Australia Resources Index.

Of course, this ETF invests in major mining companies like Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST). But it goes beyond that.

MVR also invests in major energy players like Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO).

It also has positions in companies that provide services to the mining sector, like engineering services providers Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) and Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR), and railway freight services provider, Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ).

This ETF has $585.6 million in net assets. The management fee is 0.35%.

MVR ETF is trading for $48.56 apiece, up 0.27% on Friday.

The post 3 ASX ETFs that returned 40% to 100% in 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Palantir Technologies and RTX. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lockheed Martin, Lynas Rare Earths Ltd, and Rheinmetall. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

With only a few hours before Friday’s close, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up a welcome 0.5% for the week, with these three ASX 200 stocks doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

All three of the top performers on my list this week earn their keep digging and drilling commodities from the earth. And all three have enjoyed a sizeable uptick in the price of those commodities.

So, which three stocks are racing ahead of the benchmark this week?

Read on!

Santos shares surge amid rising oil price

The first ASX 200 stock racing higher this week is Santos Ltd (ASX: STO).

Santos shares closed last Friday trading for $6.46. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $6.98 apiece. This puts the Santos share price up 8.1% for the week.

With no fresh price-sensitive news out this week, investors look to be bidding up Santos shares as growing concerns of military conflict between the United States and Iran have pushed global oil prices higher.

The Brent crude oil prices gained 3.4% overnight and are now trading for US$70.71 per barrel, their highest level since July. The Brent crude oil price is up 9.5% since last Friday.

Santos shares have been in a strong uptrend since the company reported its December quarter results last Thursday, 22 January. Among the highlights, Santos reported sales revenue of $1.23 billion, up 9% from the September quarter.

Which brings us to…

Two ASX 200 stocks riding the copper boom

The top two performing ASX 200 stocks on my list for the week are both enjoying tailwinds from the ongoing boom in global copper prices.

Demand growth for the non-corrosive, conductive metal – critical in the global energy transition as well as its more traditional uses in construction and plumbing – continues to outpace supply growth.

The copper price leapt another 4.1% overnight, with the red metal currently fetching a record high US$13,618 per tonne. This sees the copper price up 6.8% since last Friday and up a whopping 50% in a year.

Investors are taking note, with shares in Aussie copper producer Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) gaining 8.9% this week. Sandfire shares are currently trading for $20.75 each.

Rival copper producer Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) is also grabbing plenty of investor interest this week.

The ASX 200 stock closed last Friday trading for $14.95. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $16.97 each. This puts the Capstone Copper share price up 13.5% over the week.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks smashing the benchmark this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why ASX 200 energy stocks like Santos and Woodside shares are ending the week with a bang
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• ASX copper shares surge as commodity hits record high
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.