Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VGN) shares are back in the air. The airline’s share price has jumped 7% to $2.52 during early afternoon trade on Wednesday, as investors cheered an update that suggests the worst may not be ahead after all.

It’s a welcome reprieve for Virgin Australia shares.

Over the past month, the stock had fallen 9%, and it’s still down a steep 28% year to date. That’s a sharp underperformance compared to the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has slipped just 3.1% in 2026.

Financial guidance intact

So what’s changed? Virgin Australia confirmed on Wednesday that its FY26 financial guidance remains intact, despite a surge in fuel prices that has rattled the aviation sector. The airline still expects underlying EBIT and margins to improve in the second half of FY26.

That was the reassurance investors were looking for. Fuel costs are the biggest swing factor for airlines, and recent volatility has been intense. Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since late February, a move that would normally put serious pressure on earnings.

Fuel hedging strategy

But Virgin Australia isn’t exposed in the way many feared. The airline has leaned heavily on its fuel hedging strategy, and it’s paying off. Around 92% of its Brent crude exposure and 71% of refining margin exposure are hedged for the remainder of FY26. That provides a significant buffer against rising costs.

As a result, the expected increase in fuel costs for the second half is now estimated at $30–40 million above earlier forecasts. That’s manageable, not catastrophic.

Fine-tuning fares and capacity

And the company isn’t standing still. Virgin has been actively adjusting fares and fine-tuning capacity to respond to market conditions. Domestic capacity is now expected to rise 1% in the second half, although it will dip slightly in the fourth quarter as the airline stays flexible. That ability to adapt is key.

Importantly, the company also confirmed it has continued fuel supply assurance through to May, easing concerns about potential disruptions during a volatile period.

What next for Virgin Australia shares?

Looking ahead, the outlook remains steady, at least for now.

Virgin says its FY26 expectations hold, assuming no major shocks to demand, fuel prices, or supply. For early FY27, hedging remains strong on crude exposure, though less so on refining margins, and management is keeping a close eye on conditions.

If volatility persists, capacity adjustments remain on the table.

Foolish Takeaway

Today’s rally is all about relief. Investors in Virgin Australia shares were bracing for worse. Instead, they got confirmation that Virgin Australia is managing through the turbulence, with hedging, pricing power, and operational flexibility all playing a role.

After a tough run, that was enough to send the shares flying higher.

The post Here’s why Virgin Australia shares are flying 7% higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Evolution Mining, Mesoblast, Nufarm, and Virgin Australia shares are storming higher today
• Virgin Australia’s FY26 update: Hedging cushions rising fuel costs
• Down 34% in 2026, are Virgin Australia shares a good buy today?
• Buy, hold, sell: Northern Star, Telix, and Virgin Australia shares
• Virgin Australia shares fly 13% higher: Is this the start of the rebound we’ve all been waiting for?

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.

ASX small cap stock Orthocell Ltd (ASX: OCC) delivered a standout performance today, with shares surging 22% (at the time of writing) after the company announced a major commercial milestone in the United States.

What did the company announce?

At the centre of the announcement is approval for Orthocell’s nerve repair product, Remplir, to be used across the U.S. Department of Defence and Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital networks. This opens up access to more than 220 hospitals, including 51 military hospitals and 170 VA medical centres.

That is a potentially transformational development because it provides the company with the opportunity to serve large healthcare systems with consistent patient volumes and a clear need for advanced surgical solutions.

In addition, the nature of the demand matters as much as the quantity. Military and veteran healthcare systems disproportionately handle complex trauma cases, where nerve repair solutions like Remplir are highly relevant. The product has already been used in conflict-related injuries in Ukraine, offering real-world validation in high-intensity environments.

Equally important, Orthocell is not starting from scratch. It already has a U.S. distribution network spanning 17 states and access to more than 115 hospitals via prior approvals. That existing footprint should help accelerate adoption and reduce the lag between approval and revenue generation.

What did management say?

Managing Director Paul Anderson described the approval as “a significant milestone” and “a major step forward in our U.S. commercial strategy.” He noted that Orthocell can now directly engage surgeons within military and VA systems while leveraging its existing distribution network.

His comments reinforce a company increasingly focused on execution and scaling its commercial presence in the U.S.

Foolish bottomline

This is clearly a positive announcement by Orthocell but execution remains key. Approval does not guarantee an easy pathway to commercialisation, and adoption will depend on surgeon uptake and sales effectiveness.

Still, Orthocell appears to be moving in the right direction with the U.S. defence healthcare system potentially acting as a powerful launchpad for broader growth.

The post Orthocell shares soar 22% on landmark US breakthrough appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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 Orthocell. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

PYC Therapeutics Ltd (ASX: PYC) shares are back on the move today, extending what has already been a strong week for the clinical-stage biotech.

At the time of writing, the PYC share price has climbed 5.65% to $1.215, building on a 14% gain over the past week.

The latest rise keeps the stock well above last week’s pullback low of $1.05 and suggests buying momentum is rebuilding.

Here’s what investors are focusing on.

Lead ADOA program moves into its next study phase

According to the release, PYC has been cleared to move its lead ADOA drug candidate, PYC-001, into the next trial stage. This followed a safety committee review of early patient data from the 60-microgram dose.

The company can now begin testing repeated 60 microgram doses in patients. This will sit alongside the 10 and 30 microgram groups already being studied in the Myrtle trial.

The trial targets Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA), a rare inherited eye condition that gradually causes vision loss.

There are currently no approved treatments for the disease.

Management said new data from the study is expected across 2026 and 2027, which gives investors a clearer timeline for the next major updates.

Why this milestone is getting attention

Clinical biotech stocks are often valued on steady trial progress and reduced development risk, not short-term revenue.

The key point here is that the program is moving into higher dosing levels without safety issues serious enough to delay the study.

That keeps the trial on schedule and can support sentiment ahead of future efficacy data.

Because this is a first-of-its-kind RNA therapy targeting the OPA1 mutation, each successful step helps support the program’s progress into larger studies.

A OPA1 mutation is a genetic fault that damages the optic nerve over time, leading to progressive vision loss in people with ADOA.

The company is already funded into 2030 following its February capital raise, which should ease concerns about another raise in the near-term.

Foolish Takeaway

PYC’s latest gain looks linked to another positive step in its lead blindness program.

The company is still pre-revenue, so future trial results are likely to remain the biggest driver of the share price.

In my view, steady safety progress is a good sign that the lead study is moving the right way. It also helps reduce some of the usual risks around early-stage biotech trials.

With more data expected through 2026, the shares could continue responding to each clinical update.

The post This ASX biotech stock just jumped again as its lead drug trial moves ahead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How does Bell Potter rate these ASX healthcare stocks?

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.

ASX mining stock Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) is charging higher. The share price jumped 7.5% to $14.18 during lunch hour trading after a blockbuster quarterly update.

And it caps off an already stellar run. Over the past 12 months, the ASX mining stock surged 73%, comfortably outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen almost 16% over the same period.

So what’s driving today’s surge?

Record cash flow

Let’s dig deeper. During the March 2026 quarter Evolution generated a massive $406 million in group cash flow, a record result that immediately caught the market’s attention.

Even more importantly, the company has now moved into a net cash position. That’s a big deal for a mining stock. It signals a stronger balance sheet, greater flexibility, and the ability to fund growth while still rewarding shareholders.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Lawrie Conway said:

Evolution continues to generate significant cash flows from consistent operational delivery and disciplined capital allocation. We have rapidly deleveraged by more than 31% in just over two years, reaching a net cash position by the end of March. There is further cash flow upside in the June quarter as we remain on track to deliver on guidance. Our financial position is outstanding with $1,371 million in cash and no debt repayments due until FY29.

Good performance key assets

And the strength wasn’t isolated. Record quarterly net mine cash flows from Mungari and Red Lake stood out, highlighting just how well key assets are performing. Across the board, operational delivery remained solid, with the company continuing to execute at a high level.

There’s more. Evolution remains on track to deliver full-year FY26 gold production at a lower cost than originally guided. That’s a rare combination that investors love. While copper production is expected to land at the lower end of guidance due to weather disruptions at Ernest Henry, the broader picture remains firmly positive.

Then there’s the income story. The ASX mining stock paid its 26th consecutive dividend in April, returning $399 million in cash to shareholders. That kind of consistency reinforces its appeal as both a growth and income play.

What next for the ASX mining stock

Looking ahead, growth is also front of mind. Investments in organic projects at Northparkes and Ernest Henry are progressing on time and on budget, setting the stage for future expansion.

At the same time, exploration is delivering results, with high-grade drilling hits at Mungari and Cowal and multiple targets advancing across North Queensland and Canada. That adds another layer of upside.

And management isn’t slowing down. The company expects to further improve its net cash position in the June quarter, assuming current commodity prices hold. With projects ramping up and operational improvements continuing, production growth and efficiency gains look well supported.

The post Why is this $25 billion ASX mining stock charging higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Is this one of the best ASX 200 gold stocks to buy now?
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• March was the worst month for the gold price since June 2013. Now what?

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares are firmly in the spotlight this week after the airline posted a market update and announced new measures to tackle rising fuel prices amid an ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

At the time of writing, the shares are trading 0.72% higher at $9.05 a piece. At one point, just after the market opened, the shares were trading as high as $9.27 each. The latest update means the shares are now down 13.8% for the year to date. However, they’re still 6.1% higher over the past 12 months.

How does tight oil supply and rising prices affect Qantas?

The largest operating cost for airlines is its jet fuel, which is refined from crude oil. 

Australia imports more than 90% of its refined fuel. This means local prices closely follow global oil prices and currency movements. As a result, when oil prices rise due to tight supply or geopolitical tensions, the cost of jet fuel also jumps higher. This then means that airlines, such as Qantas, face higher operating costs which can pressure profits and potentially weigh on their share prices.

What is Qantas doing to offset higher fuel prices?

It was expected that Australian airlines could start to increase ticket prices or add fuel surcharges to help recover some costs, and this was confirmed in the airline’s market update on Tuesday morning.

The company announced that jet fuel prices have more than doubled and remain highly volatile. It confirmed that its fuel costs for the second half of FY26 is now estimated to be significantly higher than prior expectations, at $3.3 billion. It had previously forecast to be around $2.2 billion. 

To offset the higher prices, Qantas will increase ticket prices and reduce domestic capacity by about 5% in May and June. The majority of cuts will be made on routes between major capital cities, where it flies larger aircraft at higher frequencies. It will also temporarily suspend some routes and indefinitely cancel all flights to and from South Mount Gambier from next month. International fares have already risen by 5%.

Are Qantas shares a buy, sell, or hold following the update?

The airline said that around 90% of its second-half fuel exposure is already hedged. Meanwhile, fare increases and route changes will also help to recover part of the pressure.

According to TradingView data, analysts are still very bullish on the outlook for Qantas shares. Out of 15 analysts, 13 have a buy or strong buy rating on the stock. The average target price is $11.30, which implies a 25% upside at the time of writing. However, some think the shares could jump 41.6% higher to $12.80 a piece.

The post Are Qantas shares still a buy after its latest market update? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

The Duratec Ltd (ASX: DUR) share price is closing in on its record high on Wednesday, with the contractor again drawing strong buying interest from the market.

In late morning trade, the Duratec share price is up 5.99% to $2.83. This comes after the stock opened as high as $2.86, leaving it just shy of the stock’s all-time peak of $2.90.

The move adds to what has already been a powerful run in 2026, with the shares now up 47% since the start of the year.

Here’s what was announced.

A major defence project moves into its next phase

According to its release, Duratec’s 50:50 joint venture with Ertech has been awarded a $281 million contract tied to infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.

The project supports future submarine capability works at Diamantina Wharf on Garden Island.

The site is closely linked to the AUKUS pathway and Australia’s long-term naval infrastructure buildout.

This follows an earlier $5.2 million early contractor award in January 2026, which covered initial procurement of long lead items.

With contract design now nearly complete and final approvals close, the latest award moves the joint venture into full delivery. This takes the total contract value of the works to just under $300 million.

The main works contract is expected to run for around 24 months.

Managing director Chris Oates said the award marked a significant milestone and reflected the successful completion of the early contractor involvement planning phase.

He added that the result reinforced the strength of the joint venture’s strategic approach and Duratec’s long-standing relationship with the Department of Defence.

What today’s contract could mean longer term

This contract says a lot about how Duratec’s earnings mix may keep changing.

Winning a contract of this size in a strategically sensitive defence project strengthens its credentials in government and defence infrastructure.

That could help build momentum when bidding for future major works.

It also shifts more revenue toward longer-duration, higher-visibility projects, a mix the market often values more highly than shorter-cycle remediation work.

With the shares already trading close to record highs, investors appear to be watching how that business mix continues evolving.

Foolish takeaway

Duratec continues to build its position in one of the ASX’s more attractive industrial growth stocks.

The shift from planning into delivery on a near-$300 million defence project gives the earnings outlook more weight.

It also strengthens revenue visibility over the next two years.

With the stock now sitting only a few cents below its all-time high, the focus turns to whether this leads to further defence-related contract momentum through FY27.

The post Guess which ASX stock is flying after a huge defence contract win appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Are these ASX shares hitting 52-week highs still worth buying?
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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.

Finding the right ASX shares to hold over the next five years comes down to identifying businesses with strong growth drivers, scalable models, and the ability to keep compounding earnings over time.

While markets will inevitably have ups and downs, high-quality growth companies can often look through that noise.

Here are five ASX growth shares that could be worth buying and holding for the next five years.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

The first ASX growth share that could be a strong long-term pick is Breville.

Breville has built a premium global brand in kitchen appliances, with a focus on innovation and design. What makes the company particularly compelling is its international expansion.

A large portion of its revenue now comes from overseas markets, giving Breville exposure to a much larger opportunity than the domestic market alone. Combined with its leadership position in the thriving coffee market, this leaves it well-placed for sustainable growth.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

Another ASX growth share to consider is location technology company Life360.

Life360 is transitioning from just a user growth story into a user growth and monetisation story. Its platform has almost 100 million users globally, but the focus is now on converting that scale into sustainable earnings.

Subscription growth, partnerships, and new features are helping drive revenue higher, while improving operating leverage is supporting profitability.

If the company continues executing well, it could evolve into a highly scalable global platform business.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

A third ASX growth share that stands out is Pro Medicus.

Pro Medicus provides medical imaging software and has built a reputation for winning large, long-term contracts with leading hospitals.

What sets it apart is its high-margin business model and strong competitive positioning. Once its technology is in place, switching costs are high, leading to recurring revenue and strong retention.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

A fourth ASX growth share that could be worth considering is ResMed.

ResMed operates in the sleep apnoea and respiratory care market, combining medical devices with digital health platforms.

Its business benefits from recurring revenue, as patients continue to purchase masks, software, and accessories over time. There are also strong structural tailwinds, including ageing populations and increasing awareness of sleep health.

With ongoing innovation and a growing global footprint, ResMed appears well placed to deliver sustainable growth long into the future.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

A final ASX growth share that could be worth considering is WiseTech Global.

WiseTech is building the software backbone for global logistics through its CargoWise platform. Its solutions are deeply embedded in customer operations, creating strong switching costs and recurring revenue.

The company continues to expand its capabilities and increase its reach across global supply chains.

As trade becomes more complex and digitised, WiseTech’s platform could become even more critical, supporting long-term growth.

The post 5 ASX growth shares to buy and hold for 5 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360, Pro Medicus, ResMed, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, ResMed, and WiseTech Global. 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 Life360, ResMed, and WiseTech Global. 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.

The Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF) share price has surged into the spotlight on Wednesday.

This comes after the agricultural chemicals company delivered a much stronger-than-expected market update.

In early morning trade, Nufarm shares are up a massive 13.96% to $2.53, putting the stock among the ASX’s top performers for the session.

Even after today’s rally, the shares remain down 35% over 12 months, showing how weak sentiment had become before this rebound started.

Today’s rally suggests the market is reassessing earnings expectations and balance sheet risks after a difficult stretch for the business.

Let’s take a closer look at the release.

A much stronger first half than the market expected

According to the trading update, Nufarm expects its first-half FY26 underlying EBITDA to come in between $239 million and $244 million.

At the midpoint, that represents 17% growth on the prior corresponding period, which is a significant improvement given the company’s weaker recent history.

Management said the stronger result was driven by better margins in Crop Protection, growth in Hybrid Seeds, and improved contributions from its omega-3 and bioenergy platforms.

That mix is likely giving the market more confidence that the recovery is not coming from just one division.

The company also flagged positive trading momentum continuing into April, suggesting the stronger start to the half has carried into the current quarter.

Debt is falling and the strategy refresh adds another lever

Another major support for the share price was the continued reduction in debt.

Nufarm said net debt at 31 March had fallen to approximately $1.23 billion, down $130 million from a year earlier. Leverage also improved to around 3.6 times EBITDA.

Given how much of the past year has been dominated by balance sheet concerns, the update has landed well with investors.

The company also announced the first stage of a strategy refresh, targeting an additional $50 million in gross cost savings.

These savings are expected to come from asset optimisation, manufacturing, product footprint, and SG&A efficiencies, with benefits building progressively through FY27.

Foolish takeaway

The strongest part of today’s update is that it improves confidence in both earnings and the balance sheet at the same time.

The first-half upgrade shows trading conditions are improving, while lower debt helps ease one of the market’s biggest concerns around the stock.

The extra $50 million cost-out target also gives investors another reason to believe margins can rebuild through FY26 and into FY27.

After a rough year for the shares, attention may now start shifting from downside risks to Nufarm’s recovery path.

The post Why Nufarm shares just exploded higher on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The team at Morgans has just provided updated guidance on two Australian bank shares. 

Both Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) have brought investors strong returns this year compared to the broader market. 

Year to date, Bank of Queensland shares have risen almost 12% while Westpac shares have risen 6.5%. 

For context, this has far outpaced the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which is up 2.8% in the same period. 

Let’s see Morgan’s updated guidance on these two ASX bank shares. 

1H26 result preview for BOQ

Bank of Queensland has been one of the best performing ASX financials stocks so far this year. 

At the time of writing, BOQ shares are exchanging hands for $7.40. 

The company is set to release half year results and interim dividend announcement on the 22 April.

In a recent note out of Morgans, the broker said it expects a material decline in 1H26 earnings, with recent share price strength driven by the expected capital return from the equipment finance whole-of-loan sale. 

Share price strength has compressed total return potential to c.5%. As such, we moderate our rating from ACCUMULATE to HOLD.

The broker has a current share price target of $7.39. 

This indicates BOQ shares are currently trading at fair value. 

Westpac shares a sell

Turning attention to Westpac shares, the broker said the company published a trading update yesterday ahead of its 1H26 result due for release on 5 May. 

In the trading update, Westpac noted the supply shock from the energy market disruption is expected to result in higher inflation and higher interest rates.

An expected slowing in economic growth will create a more challenging environment for some customers.

This update led to a 2.9% share price drop yesterday for the bank shares. 

It also triggered a sell recommendation from the team at Morgans. 

Implied revenues were weaker, costs lower, and credit impairment charges higher than our and market expectations. We revise our rating from TRIM to SELL as total return expectations at current prices have fallen below the -10% trigger. We estimate c.18% price downside risk partly offset by c.3.8% forecast cash yield.

The broker has a current price target of $34.06 on Westpac shares. 

This indicates a downside of nearly 18% from the current share price of $41.48. 

The post Are Westpac and Bank of Queensland shares a buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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.

Here in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) acts as the benchmark index. 

It includes the 200 largest Australian companies based on market capitalisation. 

The index is also market-cap weighted, meaning bigger companies have more influence on the index’s movement

In simple terms: it shows how the top slice of the Australian stock market is performing overall.

Here in Australia, it has a strong weighting towards big banks and mining companies, which make up most of the largest companies. 

Investors often monitor the performance of this index to compare how their portfolio compares. 

Many Aussie investors also compare the ASX 200 index to the benchmark index in the US – the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX). 

The S&P 500 tracks the performance of 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States.

Unlike the ASX 200, it is weighted heavily towards technology giants like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and consumer discretionary stocks like Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN. 

How do you invest in these markets?

The simplest way for investors to gain exposure to these markets is through ASX ETFs. 

If you are looking to track the performance of the ASX 200, two options to consider are: 

• iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ)
• BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200). 

Meanwhile, for exposure to the S&P 500, investors may consider: 

• iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
• SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (ASX: SPY). 

There are also several alternatives to these ASX ETFs that may provide a slightly different focus for investors to consider. 

For example, investors looking for slightly more diversification in the Australian market could consider the Global X Australia 300 Etf (ASX: A300). 

As the name suggests, it includes the 300 largest companies rather than the traditional 200. 

Focussing on the US, another popular investment is in the BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ). 

This index is often referred to as representing the new economy – including 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq in the US. 

My colleague Grace Alvino explains why investors may target this fund instead of the traditional S&P 500 in her article from this morning. 

It’s also important to note that investors do not have to decide between one or the other.

Many investors choose to include both US and Australian focussed funds in their portfolio.

Which is performing better this year?

So far in 2026, the ASX 200 has increased by approximately 2.7%. 

Considering a fall of 9% during March, it has shown resilience to geopolitical volatility this year. 

Meanwhile in the US, the S&P 500 has increased 1.59%. 

Finally, the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX) is currently tracking somewhere in between the two, rising 2.5% year to date. 

The post Has the ASX 200 or S&P 500 been a better investment this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF and is short shares of Apple and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple 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.